1917_The_Finished_Mystery_Text

FM25early Christians traversed the seas and lands ofthe known world, braving foggings, stonings,hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness and martyrdom,that they might tell the good news of the comingKingdom.— 2 Cor. 11:24-27.And thy patience.— Hupomonee. "Anendurance of wrong or affliction withcontentment, without rebellion of will, with fullacquiescence in the Divine Wisdom andLove."— Z.'01-115.And how thou canst not bear them which areevil.— "How much earnestness it produced inyou! what an apology! what indignation! whatearnest desire! what zeal! what a punishment! Ineverything you proved yourselves to be pure inthis matter." (2 Cor. 7:11, Diaglott.) "Sufficientfor such a person is this punishment, which wasinflicted by the majority; so that, on the otherhand, you ought to forgive and comfort him, lestsuch an one should be overwhelmed byexcessive sorrow. Wherefore I, entreat youpublicly to confirm your love towards him."— 2Cor. 2:6-8, Diaglott.And thou hast tried.— Made experiment of,Greek implies.Them which [say they are] CALLTHEMSELVES apostle, and are not, and hastfound them liars.— "Giving out that himselfwas some great one," like the clergy of othertimes, Simon Magus sought "also this power,that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receivethe Holy Spirit," but learned that he had "neitherpart nor lot this matter" because his heart was"not right in the sight of God." (Acts 8:9-24.)Also, there were "certain men which came downfrom Judea" (Acts 15:1, 2), the "false apostles,deceitful workers, transforming themselves intothe apostles of Christ" in Corinth (2 Cor. 11:12-15); "Hymenaeus and Alexander" (1 Tim. 1:20);"Philetus" (2 Tim. 2:17); those who would"pervert the Gospel of Christ" in Galatia (Gal.1:7); "Phygellus and Hermogenes."— 2 Tim.1:15; Acts 20:28-30; Rev. 2:6. 2:3