Participants:
Series Code: TIJ
Program Code: TIJ003117S
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00:37 Paris, the city of lovers, the city of eternal spring,
00:42 the city of light, 00:44 the most romantic city in all the world. 00:48 Paris has all but exhausted the superlatives 00:50 that can be applied to any city. 00:53 It's the world's most popular city destination. 00:56 Forty two million tourists visit Paris each year. 01:09 As you walk down its elegant boulevards, 01:12 pass its majestic cathedrals 01:15 and beside its graceful fountains, 01:18 it's hard to believe that this grand city 01:22 was once the most dangerous place in all the world 01:26 for anyone who read, 01:28 believed and practiced what the Bible says. 01:59 Have you ever wondered 02:00 what it would be like if we didn't have the Bible? 02:04 Nothing but public opinion to guide us, 02:06 telling us what to do and what not to do? 02:10 No higher authority than our own ideas, 02:13 or our own self-made religion. 02:16 Someone said that the Bible is just a collection 02:18 of myths and legends, 02:20 that it isn't sophisticated enough 02:23 for our modern generation. 02:26 They think we're better off without it. 02:29 But wouldn't we? 02:31 Did you know that France tried it once 02:33 for three and a half years? 02:39 Remember the French Revolution, 02:41 some of the famous events that took place here in France 02:45 in the decade between 1789 and 1799. 02:49 We're all familiar 02:51 with the proclaiming of the National Assembly, 02:53 the Tennis Court Oath, the Storming of the Bastille, 02:57 the end of feudalism, 02:59 the Declaration of the Rights of Man, 03:01 the Revolution motto, 03:02 "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity." 03:08 The French Revolution introduced these grand ideas, 03:11 and they were certainly important milestones 03:14 on the road to freedom and equality for all. 03:22 This famous Paris monument 03:25 La Republique honors men and women 03:27 who struggled to bring about 03:29 Europe's first democratic republic, 03:33 those who rose up to claim the rights 03:35 of the common man. 03:37 However, there's another side to the French Revolution. 03:41 There's a little-known event that happened 03:43 during this period that we should never forget. 03:51 It happened right here in Paris in the middle of the night. 03:55 At 1:30 am, August 24, 1572, 03:59 a bell began to ring in the church tower 04:02 of Saint Germain l'Auxerrois. 04:05 The tolling bell sent the signal throughout the city, 04:09 death to all Bible believing Christians. 04:13 It was one of the most horrifying massacres 04:16 in European history. 04:45 In the morning, the citizens of Paris 04:47 were met with an incredible sight. 04:50 The Seine River which cuts a lovely green sway 04:53 through the city of eternal spring 04:55 was littered with thousands of bodies. 04:58 The Seine flowed red. 05:01 For seven days the massacre was continued in Paris, 05:05 and throughout France 05:06 the butchery continued for two months. 05:09 Seventy thousand loyal 05:11 and upright French citizens were butchered. 05:26 For years, France suffered. 05:29 And then came the revolution that people had had enough. 05:34 The atrocities of all their lifetime 05:37 had been done in the name of religion. 05:39 True, it was a perverted, distorted religion, 05:43 certainly not the religion of the Bible. 05:45 But the people, ignorant and superstitious 05:49 were not able to discriminate 05:50 between the true and the false. 05:53 They blamed the Bible for all that had happened. 06:02 It was in 1793 that the world 06:06 for the very first time heard a legislative assembly 06:11 in a civilized enlightened nation, 06:13 go so far as to officially 06:16 and unanimously renounce belief in God 06:19 and reject Him completely. 06:22 The leaders of the French Revolution 06:24 defiantly lifted their fist in open rebellion against God, 06:30 the Creator of the universe. 06:36 The worship of God was abolished by law. 06:39 Bibles were collected and publicly burned with scorn. 06:44 There was a deliberate attempt to destroy the Bible, 06:47 its message and its influence. 06:50 Here's what one of the leaders of the New Order said... 06:54 "God if you exists, avenge Your injured name. 06:59 I bid You defiance. 07:01 You remain silent. 07:03 You dare not launch Your thunder, 07:05 who after this will believe in Your existence?" 07:12 France, with a Bible now abandoned and outlawed, 07:18 with all moral restriction gone, 07:20 soon descended to the basest of human behavior and idolatry. 07:26 And it actually happened right here 07:29 in the National Assembly. 07:32 Picture it if you can, 07:34 the doors of the assembly were open one day, 07:37 and the legislators marched in 07:39 singing a hymn in praise of liberty. 07:42 They're accompanied by a band of musicians. 07:45 But listen to this, 07:46 these legislators escorted in 07:49 as the object of their worship, a veiled woman. 07:57 Once inside, she was unveiled with great ceremony 08:01 and placed beside the president. 08:03 Everybody recognized her as a dancing girl of the opera. 08:07 But this woman was considered the most appropriate symbol 08:12 of the philosophy of reason that they now worshiped. 08:15 God was officially replaced by this goddess of reason 08:19 and this defiant act was imitated 08:23 over and over throughout France. 08:39 The very people 08:41 who stormed the Bastille in the name of liberty, 08:43 eventually came to impose 08:45 their own atheistic religion on the people. 08:48 Little did the leaders of the revolution foresee 08:50 the result of their foolish and fateful policy. 08:55 Unhappy France was soon to reap in blood the harvest 09:00 she had sown. 09:02 The results of rejecting the Bible 09:04 and dismissing God's law were immediate and terrible. 09:09 The promise of liberty, equality and fraternity 09:13 turned into the rule of the guillotine. 09:21 On the very spot where the martyrs 09:23 have been burned in the 16th century, 09:26 the Revolution set up its first guillotine. 09:29 The war against the Bible had become the reign of terror. 09:33 No one was secure. 09:35 The person who led 09:37 and triumphed today was condemned 09:39 and executed tomorrow. 09:43 De Robespierre, foremost revolutionary leader 09:47 became in effect an absolute dictator. 09:50 His principal tool of government 09:52 became the guillotine. 09:55 He ordered the execution of thousands by the guillotine. 10:00 But finally, he himself fell victim to the guillotine. 10:05 Violence and lust ruled the day. 10:09 The people had learned cruelty all too well. 10:12 Now, the scaffolds ran red with blood. 10:16 The galleys and the prisons were filled. 10:19 Spies lurked on every corner. 10:21 The guillotine worked endlessly. 10:24 But the blade of the deadly machine 10:27 was too slow for their work of slaughter, 10:30 that killing must increase. 10:33 So, long rows of captives were mowed down with grapeshot. 10:42 But even atheistic France saw that 10:45 she was ruining itself. 10:47 Three and a half godless years was all she could take. 10:52 Three and a half years after the French Assembly 10:54 had abolished the Christian religion 10:56 and banned the Bible, 10:58 a resolution rescinding 11:00 those decrees was adopted by the same assembly. 11:05 France had had enough 11:09 and the watching world stood aghast 11:12 at the frightful result of rejecting the Bible 11:15 and its principles. 11:24 Let me bring you another story from France. 11:27 Because in those dark centuries, 11:29 when millions of martyrs died for their faith, 11:33 the light of God's Word was never wholly extinguished. 11:37 It was always burning some way. 11:40 Listen to what the Gospel of John says. 11:42 In John 1:5, 11:46 "The light still shines in the darkness, 11:49 and the darkness has never put it out." 11:58 There is no more inspiring chapter 12:00 here in France than the story of Marie Durand, 12:03 a brave young woman who remained faithful to God 12:07 and the teachings of the Bible, 12:09 through the most devastating persecution 12:12 and hardship. 12:14 Here's what happened. 12:20 For centuries, the Bible had been locked up 12:24 in languages 12:25 known only to the learned scholars, 12:27 but this changed with the invention 12:29 of the printing press, 12:30 and the translation of the Bible 12:32 in different countries 12:34 into the language of the common people. 12:36 The first complete French Bible was translated 12:39 by Jacques Lefèvre d'Etaples, 12:42 a professor here at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 12:46 and later it moved and published in the year 1530. 12:50 He placed in the hands of the French people, 12:53 a light that would never be extinguished. 12:57 The availability of the Bible in the local language, 13:00 allowed the ordinary French people to read 13:04 and study the scriptures for themselves. 13:08 Many of them decided 13:10 to base all of their religious beliefs 13:12 and practices on what they read in the Bible 13:16 rather than the rituals 13:18 and traditions of the state church. 13:22 These French Bible believing Christians 13:25 came to be commonly known as Huguenots. 13:30 These Huguenots lived a life of simple faith in God, 13:35 that believed that the Bible alone 13:38 is the source of all religious belief in practice. 14:00 As the Huguenots gained influence, 14:03 and openly displayed their faith 14:05 and belief in the Bible, 14:07 they encountered growing hostility 14:09 and persecution from the church 14:11 and the monarchy. 14:12 They were branded heretics and outlaws 14:15 simply because they desired to live 14:18 and worship according to their conscience 14:21 and the Bible. 14:27 The persecution increased across France 14:30 until these Bible believing Christians lost all freedom. 14:34 Their houses and churches were destroyed. 14:37 Their precious Bibles were burned, 14:41 their marriages weren't recognized. 14:43 Their children were considered illegitimate. 14:46 They were unable to work. 14:48 Their dead weren't allowed to be buried, 14:51 but were thrown on rubbish dumps. 15:08 They had to meet in secret, hiding and worshiping in caves, 15:13 in forests and in isolated areas. 15:16 Many Huguenots who stayed true to the Bible 15:19 and its teachings were tortured here 15:21 at the Tower of Quest, 15:23 a notorious prison 15:25 where many Huguenots were imprisoned. 15:27 The tower dominates the landscape. 15:30 It's 52 meters high, 15:32 and is the tallest prison tower in France, 15:35 and was called the Southern Bastille. 15:47 Bible believing Christians were imprisoned in a room 15:51 called The Birdcage, 15:53 which was cut into the solid rock, 15:55 making escape impossible. 16:00 Six large iron hooks a little below the windows 16:03 on the outside of the tower 16:05 were used to suspend the bodies of the tortured 16:08 and executed Huguenots. 16:10 They were hung there in public as a warning 16:13 to anyone who dared read and study the Bible. 16:19 Many of the Huguenots who survived these tortures 16:22 and imprisonment were forced 16:23 to flee to foreign countries where they could worship God 16:27 according to their conscience and the teaching of the Bible. 16:39 Life was difficult and dangerous. 16:42 Huguenot families that chose to stay on in France 16:46 lived a life of secrecy. 16:48 In their homes, 16:49 they built special hiding places 16:51 for the family Bible, and even family members. 16:55 They raised their children with constant danger 16:58 and uncertainty hanging over them 17:00 and threatening their future. 17:02 The church and the king of France 17:04 were determined to destroy them. 17:17 It was into this dangerous time 17:19 that Marie Durand was born in 1711 17:23 here in this small village of Bouschet de Pranles. 17:29 This is a childhood home. 17:31 Marie's family chose to remain true to the Bible 17:34 and its teachings, even if it meant practicing 17:36 their religion in secret and living in constant danger. 17:41 When Marie was a young girl, her mother Claudine 17:44 was arrested after attending a secret Bible service 17:47 and died soon after. 17:49 Marie's older brother Pierre 17:52 became one of the Huguenot leaders. 17:54 He preached in open fields, 17:56 caves and secret locations to people 17:59 who loved the Bible and its teachings. 18:05 He was branded an outlaw 18:07 because of his so-called subversive activities. 18:11 But the cruel officials were unable to capture him. 18:15 And so they arrested Marie's father instead, 18:19 before he was imprisoned 18:20 Etienne Durand married his young daughter 18:23 to Matthew Serres, 18:25 hoping that he would be able to care for her 18:28 and protect her. 18:36 But the plan failed. 18:38 When in 1730, at the age of just 19, 18:43 Marie Durand was arrested and taken from a home 18:46 and imprisoned in the dreaded Tower of Constance 18:50 in Aigues-Mortes. 18:52 She never saw her husband again. 18:55 She was to be used as bait 18:58 to capture her Bible preaching brother. 19:01 The husband Matthew 19:02 was soon imprisoned along with a father. 19:06 Pierre was told that if he surrendered, 19:09 his sister and father would be freed. 19:12 In 1732, Pierre was captured and hanged. 19:18 Their only crime, they read 19:20 and believed the teachings of the Bible. 19:29 Marie Durand was 19 19:30 when she crossed the moat and into the tower prison. 19:35 She was commanded to deny her Huguenot belief, 19:39 her faith in the Bible and its teachings. 19:42 Marie was promised a freedom, 19:44 she only had to say J'abjure, I deny. 20:07 But Marie would not deny Christ and His Word, the Bible. 20:12 So she was imprisoned 20:13 in the terrible tower by the sea. 20:16 The prisoners were kept 20:17 in the upper level of the tower. 20:20 Very little light and air 20:22 came through the narrow windows. 20:25 The prison was always freezing cold in winter, 20:28 and extremely hot in summer. 20:36 Just saying one word J'abjure 20:39 would have secured Marie's freedom. 20:42 It's not a lot to say. 20:44 Such a seemingly small price to pay for a freedom, 20:48 deny her faith, deny the Bible, 20:51 and she could be free. 20:53 She could have been back home in a village, 20:56 out in the sunshine and fresh air, 20:59 enjoying better food, activity and friendship, 21:04 and possibly a new marriage and a family of her own. 21:09 But for 38 long years, 21:13 she continued to refuse to utter that 21:15 one short word J'abjure. 21:19 Marie refused to deny her faith in Jesus 21:22 and turn her back on the Bible. 21:26 She refused the liberty 21:29 that came at the expense of her faith. 21:45 Instead of saying J'abjure, 21:47 Marie scratched into the cold stone floor 21:50 of her dungeon, 21:51 the word resistor, which means I resist, 21:57 it's still visible here today. 21:59 I resist. 22:02 Marie never wavered in her strength or faith. 22:17 Despite a young age, 22:19 Marie became a source of strength 22:21 and encouragement to the other prisoners. 22:24 For 38 years, she served as nurse 22:27 and spiritual leader in the tower prison. 22:30 She recited songs, encouraged the dying, 22:34 sang hymns and prayed daily. 22:37 Her faith lightened the darkness 22:40 and despair of the dungeon. 22:50 She also acted as official correspondent, 22:53 writing letters for those who couldn't write 22:55 and sending petitions 22:57 to government officials 22:58 pleading for assistance and release. 23:07 In 1767, the local governor visited the prison 23:11 and was horrified by the conditions 23:15 the women endured inside the Tower of Constance. 23:18 He ordered the prisoners release 23:20 against the will of the king. 23:23 Remember, Marie Durand was just 19 23:27 when she entered the tower prison. 23:29 She was 57 23:31 when she walked out of the tower, 23:33 and back across the moat. 23:35 She had entered as a young teenage bride, 23:38 she emerged as a stooped gray-haired woman. 23:51 Marie returned to her childhood home 23:53 in Bouschet de Pranles. 23:57 She was the sole survivor of a cruel attack, 24:00 mounted against her faith and her family. 24:03 Her father spent much of his life in prison. 24:06 Her brother had been executed long before 24:09 and her husband disappeared 24:11 while in custody and sadly, she never saw him again. 24:16 Maria herself died in 1776, after only nine years 24:21 of freedom outside the tower. 24:26 Branded a heretic by the state and the church, 24:31 Marie simply wanted to live and worship 24:33 according to her conscience, and the Bible she loved. 24:37 Her faith was more important to her than her freedom. 24:41 She gladly forfeited her freedom 24:44 rather than renounce her faith. 24:54 Such is the story of the French Huguenots, 24:58 Bible truth survived in the darkest centuries, 25:01 the torch of truth, even when the winds 25:04 of persecution blew most fiercely 25:07 was never completely extinguished. 25:09 The darkness couldn't put it out. 25:15 Even atheistic France would endure 25:17 only three and a half years without the Bible. 25:20 But millions in all ages have refused to live 25:24 without it for a single day. 25:26 The Bible has been ridiculed, it's been forbidden, 25:30 it's been banned, it's been burned. 25:33 But no enemy or combination of enemies 25:36 could extinguish its light in the hearts of the people. 25:46 Have you experienced the peace, 25:48 understanding and hope that only the Bible can bring? 25:52 If you would like to know why this book 25:54 has been cherished by so many, 25:57 and what the Bible says about 25:58 what is happening in our world, 26:00 then I'd like to recommend the free gift 26:03 we have for you today. 26:05 It's a Bible. 26:07 It's the most widely read book in the world, 26:10 and shares the story of God's love for us. 26:13 This most loved book 26:15 is our gift to you and is absolutely free. 26:18 I guarantee there are no costs or obligations whatsoever. 26:23 So make the most of this wonderful opportunity 26:26 to receive your very own Bible. 26:31 Phone or text us at 0436 333 555 in Australia, 26:37 or 020 422 2042 in New Zealand, 26:42 or visit our website TiJ.tv to request today's free offer 26:48 and we'll send it to you totally free of charge 26:50 and with no obligation. 26:52 Write to us at GPO box 274, 26:55 Sydney, New South Wales 2001, Australia 26:59 or PO Box 76673, 27:03 Manukau, Auckland 2241, New Zealand. 27:06 Don't delay, call or text us now. 27:13 If you've enjoyed our visit to France 27:15 during the 1500s and our reflections 27:18 on what the Bible meant to the Huguenot people then 27:21 and what it can mean to us today. 27:24 Then be sure to join us again next week, 27:26 when we will share another of life's journeys together. 27:30 Until then, why not make a decision 27:33 to read your Bible every day and see the blessings 27:37 it will bring to you. 27:39 Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the love 27:42 and guidance you share with us in the Bible. 27:46 We thank You for the example of the Huguenots 27:49 who treasured their Bibles. 27:51 We want to find out more about Your love for us 27:54 and Your plans for this world. 27:57 Please guide us in our search for truth. 28:00 In Jesus' name we pray, amen. |
Revised 2020-10-04