Wednesday. [II Thess. 2:1-12; Luke 12:48-59]

   Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. What is the reason? Those who believe in the Lord are filled with an entirely different spirit, contrary to that which reigned in people before His coming; that is why they cannot get along together. The pagan world pursued exclusively worldly and earthly interests. The Jews at least had indications of higher good things, but towards the end they inclined toward the path of the pagans. The Lord, coming to the world, showed people other treasures, outside of the family, outside of society, and awakened other aspirations. Those who accepted His teaching naturally established a way of life different from before, for which they were subjected to hostility, oppression, and persecutions. This is the division. The Apostle Paul then said that all desiring to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3–12). So it was and so it is. When worldly and earthly interests begin to prevail in society, then society looks unfavourably at those who display other, unearthly strivings; it cannot even understand how it is possible to be interested in such things. People cannot stand those who serve as representatives of a way of life which is not similar to their life. This is happening now before everyone’s eyes. Is this not a sign of the times?…