WHY HISTORY IS IMPORTANT
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”-2 Timothy 2:19.
In pre-WW2 Germany Adolf Hitler was moving within his own country to control the minds of the people. His propaganda machine pushed slogans in order to move the people to a place of compliance and one-mindedness to the spirit of that day. “Hiem ins Reich” was pushed as the chant of the day to get people on board with the agenda of the Third Reich…it means “Come home into Reich”. These few words were deceptively used to move people’s minds and lives into compliance with Hitler and his Nazi party. Today, we have people demanding that everyone quote the same mantra and slogan, in order to prove you are in line with the collective and are part of the great societal spirit. I would tell them I have one mantra…”Jesus is Lord”
Once the propaganda had moved a sufficient number of the populace to have the same mindset as the Third Reich, the next step was to require people to swear allegiance to an earthly leader and earthly movement. This was required of all “patriotic citizens who really loved their country”. The oath’s wording was…”I swear that I will be faithful and obedient to Adolf Hitler, the Fuhrer of the German Reich and German people, and will observe the laws and will conscientiously fulfill my official duties, so help me God”. The penalty for those refusing to swear this oath was they would be “dismissed”. Now keep in mind that the Third Reich had nationalized everything in the nation of Germany…including the churches. Pastors had to decide whether to swear the oath, or keep their allegiance to God alone. Thank the Lord for people like Dietriich Bonhoeffer, Helmut Gollwitzer, Martin Niemoller, and others who would not swear such an oath…and stood fast in Jesus. They were considered “illegal” by Hitler, and it cost them greatly, some like Bonhoeffer, with his life. Today we Christians and especially Pastors need to stand in Jesus, and make our allegiance to Christ alone. I have a great concern that many professing Christians and many pastors, sadly like thousands during the time of Hitler, will easily give their oath to this world’s system.
Why is history important? Because we are not the first to go this way…we are not the first to have to make a choice between this world and the Lord…we are not the first to be pressured to compromise, and give our allegiance to the spirit of the age. History tells us others have gone this way before…others stood in Jesus in the face of opposition…others refused to compromise with the powers of this world…and others saw the salvation of their Lord. History, along with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God tells me that we too can stand in this day…we can decide to bow our knees only to Christ Jesus our Lord. Finally, both history and prophecy tell me that Jesus has the victory! I choose to stand in Jesus alone. “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”.