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The Retirement Years
his cell, he called to mind the words that Christ had spoken to him:
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst
thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be
old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and
carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” Thus Jesus had made known
to the disciple the very manner of his death, and even foretold the
stretching of his hands upon the cross.
Peter, as a Jew and a foreigner, was condemned to be scourged and
crucified. In prospect of this fearful death, the apostle remembered his
great sin in denying Jesus in the hour of His trial. Once so unready to
acknowledge the cross, he now counted it a joy to yield up his life for
the gospel, feeling only that for him who had denied his Lord, to die
in the same manner as his Master died was too great an honor. Peter
had sincerely repented of that sin, and had been forgiven by Christ,
as is shown by the high commission given him to feed the sheep and
lambs of the flock. But he could never forgive himself. Not even
the thought of the agonies of the last terrible scene could lessen the
bitterness of his sorrow and repentance. As a last favor, he entreated
his executioners that he might be nailed to the cross with his head
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downward. The request was granted, and in this manner died the great
apostle Peter.—
The Review and Herald, September 26, 1912
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The Aged Apostle on Patmos
More than half a century had passed since the organization of
the Christian church. During that time the gospel message had been
constantly opposed. Its enemies had never relaxed their efforts, and
had at last succeeded in enlisting the power of the Roman emperor
against the Christians.
In the terrible persecution that followed, the apostle John did
much to confirm and strengthen the faith of the believers. He bore
a testimony which his adversaries could not controvert, and which
helped his brethren to meet with courage and loyalty the trials that
came upon them. When the faith of the Christians would seem to
waver under the fierce opposition they were forced to meet, the old,
tried servant of Jesus would repeat with power and eloquence the story
of the crucified and risen Saviour. He steadfastly maintained his faith,
and from his lips came ever the same glad message: “That which was