The apostles built upon a sure foundation, even the Rock of Ages.To this foundation they brought the stones that they quarried from the world.Not without hindrance did the builders labor.Their work was made exceedingly difficult by the opposition of the enemies of Christ.They had to contend against the bigotry, prejudice, and hatred of those who were building upon a false foundation.Many who wrought as builders of the church could be likened to the builders of the wall in Nehemiah's day, of whom it is written: "They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon." Nehemiah 4:17.
Kings and governors, priests and rulers, sought to destroy the temple of God.But in the face of imprisonment, torture, and death, faithful men carried the work forward; and the structure grew, beautiful and symmetrical.
At times the workmen were almost blinded by the mists of superstition that settled around them.At times they were almost overpowered by the violence of their opponents.But with unfaltering faith and unfailing courage they pressed on with the work.
One after another the foremost of the builders fell by the hand of the enemy.Stephen was stoned; James was slain by the sword; Paul was beheaded;Peter was crucified; John was exiled.Yet the church grew.New workers took the place of those who fell, and stone after stone was added to the building.Thus slowly ascended the temple of the church of God.
Centuries of fierce persecution followed the establishment of the Christian church, but there were never wanting men who counted the work of building God's temple dearer than life itself.Of such it is written: "Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;(of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." Hebrews 11:36-38.
The enemy of righteousness left nothing undone in his effort to stop the work committed to the Lord's builders.But God "left not Himself without witness." Acts 14:17.Workers were raised up who ably defended the faith once delivered to the saints.History bears record to the fortitude and heroism of these men.Like the apostles, many of them fell at their post, but the building of the temple went steadily forward.The workmen were slain, but the work advanced.The Waldenses, John Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, Martin Luther and Zwingli, Cranmer, Latimer, and Knox, the Huguenots, John and Charles Wesley, and a host of others brought to the foundation material that will endure throughout eternity.And in later years those who have so nobly endeavored to promote the circulation of God's word, and those who by their service in heathen lands have prepared the way for the proclamation of the last great message-- these also have helped to rear the structure.
Through the ages that have passed since the days of the apostles, the building of God's temple has never ceased.We may look back through the centuries and see the living stones of which it is composed gleaming like jets of light through the darkness of error and superstition.Throughout eternity these precious jewels will shine with increasing luster, testifying to the power of the truth of God.The flashing light of these polished stones reveals the strong contrast between light and darkness, between the gold of truth and the dross of error.
Paul and the other apostles, and all the righteous who have lived since then, have acted their part in the building of the temple.But the structure is not yet complete.We who are living in this age have a work to do, a part to act.We are to bring to the foundation material that will stand the test of fire--gold, silver, and precious stones, "polished after the similitude of a palace." Psalm 144:12.To those who thus build for God, Paul speaks words of encouragement and warning: "If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:14, 15.The Christian who faithfully presents the word of life, leading men and women into the way of holiness and peace, is bringing to the foundation material that will endure, and in the kingdom of God he will be honored as a wise builder.
