Unchained

On nightly news programs, there is often someone of note being “frog-marched” in manacles into or out of the Courthouse or Justice Building as photographers capture all the action. Within minutes, “Breaking News!” flashes across the screen, blasting the images around the world. Those shackled are mortified, totally humiliated as their reputation is tarnished and their life ruined.

While this harsh treatment was once used only in dealing with potentially disruptive offenders, it is now often used in lesser offenses involving non-violent defendants in high profile cases as a method of breaking the arrested person’s spirit.

In an earlier time, some local or state prisoners serving jail time were put out on a “chain gang,” doing public work projects while connected to each other by chains and under the supervision of armed guards. Such “correctional” practices were once commonplace.

Chains have many necessary uses in industry, drilling, mining, construction, trucking, and maritime fields. The use of chains can be positive or negative, depending upon what they’re used for, but they are still often associated with imprisonment or slavery.

Jesus Christ’s own apostles faced chains and imprisonment in carrying out His Gospel commission. Herod viciously persecuted the early Church. He executed James, one of the original Twelve Apostles. “And because he [Herod] saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him” (Acts 12:3–4). It seems certain there was some political motivation in the arrest, since Herod wanted to please Peter’s enemies. It is possible that the Apostle Peter was “frog-marched” to prison to hoots and jeers from bystanders. But the story doesn’t end there.

During the night, Peter was asleep in chains between two guards. “Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals’; and so he did. And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me’” (Acts 12:7–10). As they were leaving the prison, the gates opened before them on their own. Then the delivering angels were gone. Chains couldn’t thwart God’s purpose.

Two other servants of God, Paul and Silas, were in Thyatira when their activities greatly upset the locals:

Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed (Acts 16:22–26).

These biblical accounts demonstrate that God did not allow His Work to be stopped by authorities who attempted to put His servants in chains. Later, the Apostle Paul was incarcerated for years, yet he was able to write the four “Prison Epistles”—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon—while confined and in chains.

Today, the Work of preaching the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God and His plan for the salvation of mankind is ongoing all around the world. It is the mission of the Tomorrow’s World telecast and publications. Just as in the time of the apostles, we powerfully present the truths of the Bible, showing Satan’s influence on society by exposing the sins of sexual immorality, perversion, abortion, hatred, and far more. We also explain the biblical prophecies of a coming time of great trouble and unsettled world conditions that lies ahead, which will result in horrific loss of life. Hearing this message causes some to become angry and upset. The governments of several countries consider these truths “hate speech” and refuse to air some of our programs, which are based on keeping the Ten Commandments, which teach us how to love both God and neighbor. We do not preach hatred of others, but we do shine the bright light of truth, which may conflict with “politically correct” laws passed by human legislatures.

These jurisdictions with restrictive laws or regulations often try to hinder or even stop the Work by figuratively “chaining” or restraining our efforts to carry out the instructions given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:18–20. But we will continue, undaunted and unchained, to fulfill this Great Commission for as long as God empowers us to carry on.

Your prayer and support is an important part of this international Work. If you are interested in learning more, don’t hesitate to contact the nearest Regional Office of the Living Church of God, listed here. As you do, be sure to check out the free study resource Where is God’s True Church Today?