How The Anabaptists Kept Their Focus (Faith)

By Ernie Yoder

November 1, 2010

Can you imagine a group of 53 men and women put into one dungeon with no outside contact whatsoever, except for a narrow slit in the door that was opened twice a day as food was slid in on a tray.

Think for a moment...53 men and women... getting along?.... or do you think they had several different worship groups in there?

Maybe several denominations?

Did they need to argue their view on a certain doctrine? How did they maintain their sanity... their faith...their love for the Lord as well as their love for one another?

Every day this group was singing praises to the Lord... most of the day every day. They composed their songs and their melody as they continued from day to day... week to week... month to month... year to year... for 5 whole years... yes, 5 years that these 53 people were in a single dungeon cell... pouring out their hearts in deep gratitude and praise for God's grace.

There were guards posted at the front of the entrance to the dungeon to prevent the captives from receiving information and literature from other Anabaptists that may be nearby. These people sang their songs with such reverence and power... with such deep spirit of worship ..that they continuously needed to change the guard... because the guards were being convicted by the Holy Spirit and joined the Anabaptists Brethren and gladly gave their lives for their newfound faith.

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. -Rev 14:3

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. - Rev 14:4

And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. - Rev 14:5

I'll share my interpretation for the verses above... That song is being sung today by the redeemed and no one will be able to sing that song except for the born again believers. They aren't defiled with women.. in other words they are saving themselves for their King when He returns... they are fully committed to Him.. as a virgin is preventing anything that will defile her. She will follow the King wherever that may lead her. Their words were pure, sacred, without deception, filled with reverence... and without any falsehood... before the throne of God.

What is your level of commitment? What is the Song that is coming forth from our lips? Is it the song of the redeemed? Is it without fault before the throne of God?

Let's bow our hearts right now in reverence as we get serious about singing the song of the redeemed.

 

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