The wise man tells us to "buy the truth and do not sell it" (Proverbs 23:23) and Jude admonishes us to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (3). These and other texts imply that truth will not always have smooth sailing or be received with welcome arms. But opposition is no excuse for retreat, no matter how hostile it might become. The history of martyrs is a stark reminder of this.
This video by Linux illustrates how ideas that finally win the day go through 4 phases: 1st, they are simply ignored; 2nd, they are ridiculed; 3rd, they are strongly opposed; and 4th, they triumph.
Of course, Linux is simply making an observation without any regard to God's providence. But this does seem to be a discernible pattern that can be traced in the history of ideas. Think about the spread of Christianity in the early centuries of the church. Or consider the advance of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, or the development of modern Baptists in the 17th century.
Regardless of where the Lord places us in His historical agenda, our responsibility is clear--we must humbly accept the truth of His Word and, as faithful stewards of it, keep preaching, teaching and living it regardless of the responses we see.
Because of the faithfulness of Christ, our confidence, in the words of Balthasar Hubmaier, is this: the truth is immortal.
HT: Orrin Woodward