A Little History Lesson

"Moreover we know that to those who love GOD, who are called according to HIS plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good." Romans 8:28, Phillips translation


Dear Friends,

This week i have been reading on the French Revolution. My kids and i studied a lot of history through the years, managing to spend about 3 years on the Civil War , but somehow the French Revolution was not part of my reading with them...and i can't remember much about it from high school or college. John Mac said he did manage to read the abridged version of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens along the way. Somehow i managed to skip that little part of HIS story. I certainly don't claim to be an expert on the French Revolution in a crash course reading about it this week, but I was amazed to read of some of the similarities of what is going on in our country with what was going on in France during that time...similarities such as elitist political leaders who were out of touch with the hard working middle class, a huge national debt (partly from helping America during the American Revolution) which led to the printing of a massive new supply of paper money, and the effects of trying to eliminate CHRIST from public society. Leading up to the French Revolution, France, too had " the issuance of a massive new supply of paper money. With this supply the government proceeded to meet its worst pressing obligations. But the headiness that comes with printing bundles of paper money soon seized the day, and new infusions of unbacked cash followed, setting off a tremendous inflation." Streams of Civilization, Vol. 2 Wow, that sounds really familiar of what the economists are predicting for our country in the months and years ahead as a result of printing money without gold to back it up...pay day someday.
One of the events that led up to the French Revolution and was perhaps was one of the key factors paving the way for revolution was concerning the Huguenots, French Protestants, who were persecuted by the absolutist kings and the Roman Catholic Church. In 1685, the "Revocation of the Edict of Nantes" was issued by Louis [XIV].

On 18 October 1685, Louis [XIV] signed the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. By perpetual and irrevocable decree the fundamental and irrevocable edict was pronounced null and void. Huguenot places of worship were to be demolished, religious gatherings s of any kind were forbidden to "pretended" Reformed religion, all ministers unwilling to embrace the Roman Catholic religion were to leave the kingdom within fifteen days or as an alternative to take the degree, Doctor of Laws; Calvinistic schools and seminaries were forbidden, all children were to be baptized by the cure' of the parish, and Protestant exiles had to return within four months or forfeit their property to the state. None of the "pretended" Reformed subjects could take away from the kingdom or territories any of their property or possessions under penalty of the galleys for men, and confiscation and imprisonment for women. Forbidding the exercise of any religion other than that of the king's choice was the extreme conclusion of a philosophy which stressed the divine right of kings conjoined by "cujus region ejus religio" (such government in a state, such religion in this state).
Consequences of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes echo across history. A massive dispersion followed the recall. French Protestants took flight to England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Russia, Austria, [South ]Africa, North and South America. The Elector of Brandenburg openly welcomed the newcomers; pressure from the English public made Catholic James ll issue a Brief (1686) taking the French refugees under his protection and ordering a general collection to be made throughout his kingdom. Poole in Huguenots of the Dispersion estimates that the number settling in England, Ireland, and America, was about eighty thousand. The social occupations of those who made up the exodus included teachers, philosophers, craftsmen, artists, weavers, farmers, stone workers, merchants, sailors, gunsmiths, iron workers, sculptors, writers, architects, bankers, lawyers, industrial leaders, soldiers; namely, intellectuals and the industrious middle class. Such a loss to France was a gain to other nations. As controller-general of finances Jean Baptiste Colbert had so often predicted, the economic development of France suffered disastrously.
Realizing that many were taking flight, Louis ordered the borders closed and patrolled; ships were stopped and searched; all magistrates were ordered to be especially easy with Protestant bankers and manufacturers in order to retain them. Nevertheless, approximately one tenth (200,000) escaped, according to Professor Salmon, others estimate that it was from 500,000 to 800,000. No one really knows for sure.
...Pastor Jean Claude was forcibly escorted to the frontier by the king's footmen. From exile in Holland he wrote his scathing report to the world concerning religious persecution in France. The book was banned in France and French ambassadors tried to suppress it at foreign courts to prevent its widespread publication...His own words powerfully cry out:
...But above all we protest against that impious and abominable position, which is nowadays made the general rule in France, by which religion is made to depend on the pleasure and despotic power of a mortal prince, and perseverance in the faith branded with the names of rebellion and treason, which is to make a man a god, and tends to the introducing and authorizing of atheism and idolatry." Janet Gray, The French Huguenots: Anatomy of Courage, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House, 1981, p.243-246.


Those with Huguenot ancestry in the United States include George Washington, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and John C. Fremont. Among Protestant leaders in England and the United States were Augustus Toplady, William Romain, Charles Spurgeon, John L. Girardiau, Robert L. Dabney ( d'Aubigne) and others.
Streams of Civilization, Volume 2, p.116


Who were the Huguenots? They were French Protestants or French Calvinists, CHRISTians, who saw their faith as something to be expressed in a strict and godly life in obedience to Biblical laws out of gratitude for GOD's mercy. They believed that the Catholic church needed cleansing of its impurities and the Pope represented a worldly kingdom. This eventually stirred up persecution against the Huguenots by the Catholic establishment. When the Huguenots were forced to flee France, this left a huge "hole" in France's infrastructure, spiritually and economically. The spiritual light of France was unwelcomed and those who fled to other countries were the CHRISTian professionals and middle class working folks. What was left in France was spiritual darkness, and these darkened minds rebelled against the darkened minds of the aristocratic government, and it resulted in a brutal and bloody revolution. "With the monarchy and its government in moral and financial collapse, governments services also collapsed, adding to the confusion and chaos. Mobs began to roam about, falling upon and murdering royal officials." Streams of Civilization, Vol. 2. p.119
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Huguenot- The nickname may have been a French corruption of the German word Eidgenosse, meaning a Confederate (that's interesting:). Huguenot was a combination of a Flemish and a German word. In the Flemish corner of France, Bible students who gathered in each other's houses to study secretly were called Huis Genooten, or 'house fellows,' while on the Swiss and German borders they were termed Eid Genossen, or 'oath fellows,' that is, persons bound to each other by an oath. Gallicized into 'Huguenot,' often used deprecatingly, the word became, during two and a half centuries of terror and triumph, a badge of enduring honor and courage.- taken from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huguenot

....a badge of enduring honor and courage...may we live up to that "badge" if the LORD allows us to suffer persecution for HIM. GOD used persecution to disperse these Huguenots all over the world-England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Russia, Austria, South Africa and North and South America. It reminded me in Acts when the persecution broke out against the early CHRISTians by the Roman Emperor Nero and they were dispersed from Jerusalem to all over the Roman Empire to spread the good news of JESUS CHRIST. I'm sure for both sets of those CHRISTians, the Huguenots and the early CHRISTians, it was heartbreaking for them to leave their homes, their jobs (the Huguenots were made up of mainly of the intellectuals and the industrious middle class we read above), their family and friends. But in the midst of this, we see GOD "fitting into a pattern" for good those who were dispersed abroad to accomplish HIS plans and purposes down through the ages.
The names listed in the ancestry of the Huguenots in the United States... certainly lived up to what the name Huguenot came to mean... "badge of enduring honor and courage." GOD, in HIS sovereign plan, used the persecution of these men's ancestors to lead them to America. These were the very ones HE used to shape and mold this great country...a country founded to bring glory to GOD...and "liberty and justice for all." A few quotes from America's GOD and Country by William J. Federer will give you a glimpse of these Huguenot ancestor's love and dependence on the LORD JESUS CHRIST:

George Washington, our first, and i think most wonderful, President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He was also a surveyor, a planter, a soldier, and a statesmen. From George Washington's personal prayer book recorded in his own handwriting he wrote:

"O most GLORIOUS GOD, in JESUS CHRIST my merciful and loving FATHER, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on THEE for pardon and forgiveness of my sins... Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in THY holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in Thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me throughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object, JESUS CHRIST the Way, the Truth and the Life, bless, O LORD, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom Thou has appointed to rule us in church and state. Continue THY goodness to me this night. These weak petitions, I humbly implore THEE to hear, accept and answer for the sake of THY dear SON, JESUS CHRIST our LORD. AMEN.

On Nov. 19, 1794, following the Whiskey Rebellion, President Washington stated:
"Let us unite, therefore, in imploring the SUPREME RULER of nations, to spread HIS holy protection over these United States; to turn the machinations of the wicked to the confirming of our constitutions; to enable us at all times to root out internal sedition, and put invasion to flight; to perpetuate to our country that prosperity, which his goodness has already conferred, and to verify the anticipation of this government being a safeguard to human rights."


John Quincy Adams, our sixth President,wrote in a letter to his son:
I have for many years, made it a practice to read the Bible once every year...My custom is to read four to five chapters every morning immediately after rising from my bed...it is essential, my son, in order that you may go through life with comfort to yourself, and usefulness to your fellow-creatures, that you should form and adopt certain rules or principles, for the government of your own conduct and temper...It is in the Bible you must learn them, and from the Bible how to practice them. Those duties are to GOD, to your fellow-creatures, and to yourself. "Thou shalt love the LORD thy GOD, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength and thy neighbor as thy self."
About JESUS CHRIST being GOD John Quincy Adams said:

I find in the New Testament, JESUS CHRIST accosted in HIS own presence by one of HIS disciples as GOD, without disclaiming the appellation. I see HIM explicitly declared by at least two other of the Apostles to be GOD, expressly and repeatedly announced, not only as having existed before the worlds, but as the CREATOR of the worlds without beginning of days or end of years. I see HIM named in the great prophecy of Isaiah concerning HIM to be the mighty GOD!...

He declared on July 4, 1821:

"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of CHRISTianity. From the day of the Declaration...they (the American people) were bound by the laws of GOD, which they all, and by the laws of The Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledge as the rules of their conduct."

Patrick Henry, famous American Revolutionary leader and orator who said, "Give me Liberty or give me death," also boldly declared:
It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by CHRISTians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. For this very reason peoples of others faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

While Patrick Henry was dying, he said:

Doctor, I wish you to observe how real and beneficial the religion of CHRIST is to a man about to die...I am, however, much consoled by reflecting that the religion of CHRIST has, from its first appearance in the world, been attacked in vain by all the wits, philosophers, and wise ones, aided by every power of man, and its triumphs have been complete."

Alexander Hamilton, who led his household regularly in the observance of family prayers, authored 51 or the 85 Federalist Papers, which were of immense consequence in influencing the ratification of the Constitution. Revealing the important connection between CHRISTianity and Constitutional Freedom Hamilton stated:

"In my opinion, the present constitution is the standard to which we are to cling. Under its banner bona fide must we combat our political foes, rejecting all changes but through the channel itself provided for amendments. By these general views of the subject have my reflections been guided. I now offer you the outline of the plan they have suggested. Let an association be formed to be denominated "The CHRISTian Constitutional Society," its object to be first: The support of the CHRISTian religion, second: The support of the United States."

He expounded: "I have carefully examined the evidences of the CHRISTian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man."

John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, appointed by George Washington, admonished:

Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our CHRISTian nation to select and prefer CHRISTians for their rulers."

On May 13, 1824, while serving as President of the American Bible Society, John Jay gave this address:

"By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced.

The Bible will also inform that that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this REDEEMER has made atonement "for the sins of the whole world," and thereby reconciling the DIVINE justice with the DIVINE mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of GOD, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.










Quotes taken from America's GOD and Country by William J. Federer

I wonder what our country would have been like had these Huguenot refugees not fled from their native country to find refuge because of their faith in CHRIST? I wonder if the ancestors of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and others had stayed in France if there would have been a United States? What if George Washington had been born in France? There would be no George Washington to courageously lead the brave troops who suffered so much from cold, hunger, and lack of supplies against the British, and to lead the United States as an infant country into godliness. How grieved these men would be to see our government and our part of our nation now who seeks to leave GOD out of our public life...our Founding Fathers who were willing "to risk their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor," for "Liberty under GOD."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon's, that great British "Prince of Preachers," whose sermons and devotions have inspired millions, including me,
to love CHRIST and lead them to a saving knowledge of JESUS CHRIST, was a descendant of the French Huguenot's. I wonder if HIS ancestors had not had to flee France, if his impact would have been the same if he had lived in France?
In the Morning and Evening devo for Feb. 18, Charles Spurgeon wrote these words that have encouraged my heart for years and i have seen this to prove true over and over not just in my life but in the lives of those GOD uses the most to bring HIM glory and be such a help and blessing to others:
Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing! out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why He is contending with you?

Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to HIS feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.

Great troubles make great hearts-Charles Spurgeon
Reading these things above, gives me courage and faith in CHRIST that certainly "everything that happens fits into a pattern for good," "to those who love GOD and are called according to HIS plan,"...including persecution of HIS children. I don't know what the future holds for CHRISTians in America, but i do know WHO holds the future and HE gives us HIS grace and courage to boldly face whatever may lie ahead for HIS children should HE decide to tarry.

In the meantime, we are told in 2 Peter 3:11,14 what we kind of people we should be: "You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of GOD and speed its coming....make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with HIM. Bear in mind that our LORD's patience means salvation..."
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25.

This past week on Jan Markell's website, "Understanding the Times," she had Dr. David Reagan, a scholar of Biblical prophecy on her radio show. He shared how GOD gave us signs in the Bible to tell us how we can know the 2nd coming of CHRIST is near. He said in the Old Testament there are 500 prophecies about JESUS coming to earth the 2nd time. In the New Testament, he said, 1 out of every 24 verses pertains to the second coming of JESUS CHRIST. He said there are 2 or 3 times as many prophecies about the 2nd coming of CHRIST when HE will come in wrath as there are HIS first coming when HE came in grace and mercy. HE said the reason is because, "It is not HIS will that any should perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ll Peter 3:9 Dr. Reagan said the "signs" of our times point to an imminent return of JESUS. You can hear that broadcast by clicking on http://mp3.olivetreeviews.org/OTM2009_02_14X.mp3. If are interested in reading some articles on the "new world order" and prophecy, click on her website (www.olivetreeviews.org) and go to "Newswatch." There you can click on "New World Order" and "Prophecy Watch" for some very informative articles by men who are experts in prophecy.

So, what lessons can we learn from the French Revolution? There are so many but Benjamin Franklin summed it up well his speech to the Constitutional Convention on June 28, 1787, Manuscript notes by Franklin preserved in the Library of Congress (wikipedia)
"I've lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing Proofs I see of this Truth — That God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labor in vain who build it." I firmly believe this, — and I also believe that without HIS concurring Aid, we shall succeed in this political Building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our Projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a Reproach and Bye word down to future Ages."

All of history is HIS STORY and HE continues to show HIS love, HIS judgement, HIS salvation, and wisdom to us through the pages of HIS WORD. HE has proved HIMself faithful and true time and time again fulfilling HIS word and keeping HIS promises...and HE keeps them when we're obedient, and when we're disobedient to HIS WORD. We are reaping the consequences in our nation for turning our backs on GOD... and we are seeing our country crumble as we turn farther and farther away from the FOUNDATION of JESUS CHRIST that our Founding Fathers built this great nation upon.
We can trust JESUS that, " everything that happens fits into a pattern for good," for those "who love the LORD and are called according to HIS plans." What wonderful plans HE has for us HIS children, for those who have repented of their sins and trusted in the LORD JESUS CHRIST as their SAVIOR...."For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. We've already read the back of the BOOK, the inerrant, infallible LOVE LETTER from JESUS, and we know WHO wins!
George Frederic Handel, along with Johann Sebastian Bach, was born the same year the Edict of Nantes was revoked! Handel wrote the gloriuos oratorio, the Messiah, based on Scriptural prophecies, and teachings about CHRIST. What a fitting conclusion to this "Little History Lesson," that the LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT reigneth! You can listen to Handel's Messiah, the 250th anniversary, on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnHksDFHTQI... to GOD be the GLORY!



Alleluia!
For the LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT reigns!
Let us be glad and rejoice
And give HIM the glory,
For the marriage of the LAMB has come,
And HIS wife has made herself ready..."
"Blessed are those who are called to
the marriage supper of the Lamb!"...
These are the true sayings of GOD."
Revelation 19:6-9



With all HIS love,
mitzi