1. BEHIND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE Sunday January 19

a. When the three Hebrews were miraculously delivered in the time of Daniel, how did the king err, even as he acknowledged God’s greatness? Daniel 3:28, 29. It was right for the king to make public confession, and to seek to exalt the God of heaven above all other gods; but in endeavoring to force his subjects to make a similar confession of faith and to show similar reverence, Nebuchadnezzar was exceeding his right as a temporal sovereign. He had no more right, either civil or moral, to threaten men with death for not worshiping God, than he had to make the decree consigning to the flames all who refused to worship the golden image. God never compels the obedience of man. He leaves all free to choose whom they will serve.–Prophets and Kings, pp. 510, 511. b. In all ages, how have unconverted religionists dealt with dissenters? Acts 4:1–3, 15–18. [In the first centuries] it required a desperate struggle for those who would be faithful to stand firm against the deceptions and abominations which were disguised in sacerdotal garments and introduced into the church. The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith. The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated and proscribed.–The Great Controversy, p. 45.

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2. ATTITUDES TO OVERCOME Monday January 20

a. How does God describe the type of scene that fosters religious intolerance and triggers persecution against the faithful? Isaiah 65:2–5. The Cain-spirit, which leads men to accuse, condemn, imprison, and put to death their fellowmen has waxed strong in our world. The transgressors of God’s plain commands are inspired by the spirit of Satan to harm their fellowmen, because they differ from them in religious belief. They disregard God’s law, enacting man-made laws, and trying, by their cruel inventions, to compel men to blaspheme God, as they themselves are doing. But they have been given no right to do this. Those who pass sentence of pain and death upon their fellowmen because of a difference of religion, will have just such sentence passed upon them if they continue to transgress. By their works they bear testimony that should Christ come the second time as He came the first time, they would reject Him and put Him to death.–The Signs of the Times, March 21, 1900. b. What teachings of Christ strike at the heart of intolerance? Matthew 7:12; John 14:15. It is no part of Christ’s mission to compel men to receive Him. It is Satan, and men actuated by his spirit, that seek to compel the conscience. Under a pretense of zeal for righteousness, men who are confederate with evil angels bring suffering upon their fellow men, in order to convert them to their ideas of religion; but Christ is ever showing mercy, ever seeking to win by the revealing of His love. He can admit no rival in the soul, nor accept of partial service; but He desires only voluntary service, the willing surrender of the heart under the constraint of love. There can be no more conclusive evidence that we possess the spirit of Satan than the disposition to hurt and destroy those who do not appreciate our work, or who act contrary to our ideas.–The Desire of Ages, p. 487.The character of God is expressed in His law; and in order for you to be in harmony with God, the principles of His law must be the spring of your every action.–Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 391.

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3. A CONTRAST Tuesday January 21

a. With what words did Christ seek to correct the bitter intolerance found even among His beloved disciples? Luke 9:54, 55. What contrast did He present to those who use force? Revelation 3:20; John 6:66–69. b. What can we learn from Christ’s methods of reaching hearts and enlisting workers? Revelation 3:18; Matthew 4:17–20. Our ministers and teachers are to represent the love of God to a fallen world. With hearts melted in tenderness let the word of truth be spoken. Let all who are in error be treated with the gentleness of Christ. If those for whom you labor do not immediately grasp the truth, do not censure, do not criticize or condemn. Remember that you are to represent Christ in His meekness and gentleness and love. We must expect to meet unbelief and opposition. The truth has always had to meet these elements. But though you should meet the bitterest opposition, do not denounce your opponents. They may think, as did Paul, that they are doing God’s service, and to such we must manifest patience, meekness, and long-suffering.–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 120. c. What attitudes must we steadfastly avoid when discussing sacred truth with those whose views may differ from our own? Luke 11:52–54. "There are some who indulge in levity, sarcasm, and even mockery toward those who differ with them. Others present an array of objections to any new view; and when these objections are plainly answered by the words of Scripture, they do not acknowledge the evidence presented, nor allow themselves to be convinced. Their questioning is not for the purpose of arriving at truth, but is intended merely to confuse the minds of others. "Some have thought it an evidence of intellectual keenness and superiority to perplex minds in regard to what is truth. They resort to subtlety of argument, to playing upon words; they take unjust advantage in asking questions. When their questions have been fairly answered, they will turn the subject [and] bring up another point to avoid acknowledging the truth. We should beware of indulging the spirit which controlled the Jews."–Testimonies to Ministers, p. 108.

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4. TRIAL OF FAITH Wednesday January 22

a. How does the prophet illustrate the manner of preaching the word during the long period when religious intolerance was predominant? Revelation 11:1–3. ‘They shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth’ (Revelation 11:3). During the greater part of this period, God’s witnesses remained in a state of obscurity.–The Great Controversy, p. 267. b. Why does the Lord permit such terrible persecution and trials to come upon His people? 1 Peter 1:7; 2 Timothy 3:12. ‘The Lord is not slack concerning His promise’ (2 Peter 3:9). He does not forget or neglect His children; but He permits the wicked to reveal their true character, that none who desire to do His will may be deceived concerning them. Again, the righteous are placed in the furnace of affliction, that they themselves may be purified; that their example may convince others of the reality of faith and godliness; and also that their consistent course may condemn the ungodly and unbelieving.–The Great Controversy, p. 48.In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has tortured them and put them to death, but in dying they became conquerors. They bore witness to the power of One mightier than Satan. Wicked men may torture and kill the body, but they cannot touch the life that is hid with Christ in God. They can incarcerate men and women in prison walls, but they cannot bind the spirit.–The Acts of the Apostles, p. 576.

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5. STRENGTH TO STAND IN TIME OF TRIAL Thursday January 23

a. What experiences reveal the character of God in His true followers? Matthew 3:11, 12; 20:22. Through trial and persecution the glory–the character–of God is revealed in His chosen ones. The believers in Christ, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. On earth they walk in narrow paths; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but thus they learn the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they can look beyond the gloom to the glory, saying, ‘I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us’ (Romans 8:18).–The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 576, 577. b. To what did Paul direct the attention of believers when strengthening their faith for the time of persecution before them? Acts 14:22. c. When men allow the spirit of Satan to lead them to persecute and attempt to force the conscience, what should we always remember? Matthew 10:28; 5:11, 12.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Friday January 24

1. What error underlies religious intolerance and persecution? 2. What is the basis of genuine Christian faith and service? 3. What illustrates the contrast between genuine Christian faith and service with that of nominal Christianity? 4. When and under what conditions is true faith made manifest before men and the whole universe? 5. What effect should trials and persecutions have on the true followers of Christ?