11

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionThe French RevolutionThe French Revolution

1789-1799Lesson 35

1789-1799Lesson 35

22

Last week we studied the growth of missionary

work during the 1700s--the Wesley brothers,

George Whitefield, William Carey, Adoniram

Judson, Robert Moffat, David Livingstone, and Mary

Slessor.

Last week we studied the growth of missionary

work during the 1700s--the Wesley brothers,

George Whitefield, William Carey, Adoniram

Judson, Robert Moffat, David Livingstone, and Mary

Slessor.

33

This week we will look at France, a country ruled

by a monarch and a country whose religion was

controlled by the Roman Catholic Church.

This week we will look at France, a country ruled

by a monarch and a country whose religion was

controlled by the Roman Catholic Church.

44

Louis XVILouis XVILouis XVILouis XVIKing of France when the French Revolution began

King of France when the French Revolution began

55

MarieMarieAntionetteAntionette

MarieMarieAntionetteAntionette

Queen of France when the French Revolution began

Queen of France when the French Revolution began

66

When a problem arose in France that the king could

not solve, an assembly of the nobles was called to

help the king find a solution.

In 1786 the Controller General of Finances

announced a financial crisis, for which no solution

could be found.

So in 1787, an Assembly of Notables (the nobles)

was called to discuss raising taxes, but they

rejected raising taxes.

When a problem arose in France that the king could

not solve, an assembly of the nobles was called to

help the king find a solution.

In 1786 the Controller General of Finances

announced a financial crisis, for which no solution

could be found.

So in 1787, an Assembly of Notables (the nobles)

was called to discuss raising taxes, but they

rejected raising taxes.

77

The financial crisis continued to worsen. In 1788 a

poor harvest caused more hunger and more financial

problems. By the end of this year, France was the

most populous country in Europe, and most of its

people was found in the Third Estate. So, in 1789 an

Estates-General was called, the first since 1614. A

revolution was starting to rustle.

The financial crisis continued to worsen. In 1788 a

poor harvest caused more hunger and more financial

problems. By the end of this year, France was the

most populous country in Europe, and most of its

people was found in the Third Estate. So, in 1789 an

Estates-General was called, the first since 1614. A

revolution was starting to rustle.

88

An Estates-General included not only the nobility, but

representatives of the clergy and of the rest of the

population.

An Estates-General included not only the nobility, but

representatives of the clergy and of the rest of the

population.

99

the three estates of francethe three estates of france

The clergy--paid no taxes

The nobility--paid no taxes

Everyone else--and they paid the taxes

The clergy--paid no taxes

The nobility--paid no taxes

Everyone else--and they paid the taxes

1010

The Three The Three EstatesEstates

The Three The Three EstatesEstates

Here is a political cartoon representing the three

estates of France.

Here is a political cartoon representing the three

estates of France.

1111

During the meeting of the Estates-General, the third

estate separated itself from the rest of the assembly

and called itself The National Assembly. This new

group claimed the right to make laws and began to

write a new constitution.

Thomas Jefferson was our ambassador to France at

this time, and he watched with interest what was

happening. Remember, the United States had written

the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Now the

French people were writing a new constitution

thirteen years later, in 1789. The document they wrote

is called the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of

the Citizen.

During the meeting of the Estates-General, the third

estate separated itself from the rest of the assembly

and called itself The National Assembly. This new

group claimed the right to make laws and began to

write a new constitution.

Thomas Jefferson was our ambassador to France at

this time, and he watched with interest what was

happening. Remember, the United States had written

the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Now the

French people were writing a new constitution

thirteen years later, in 1789. The document they wrote

is called the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of

the Citizen.

1212

1313

Let’s take a look at some other important events

of the French Revolution.

Let’s take a look at some other important events

of the French Revolution.

1414

In 1789 riots occurred in Paris against 2 businessmen

(people were hungry and were angry at businessmen);

peasant riots occurred in other areas of France;

women marched on Versailles; all church property was

confiscated, and new money was issued, based on the

value of the church property.

In 1789 riots occurred in Paris against 2 businessmen

(people were hungry and were angry at businessmen);

peasant riots occurred in other areas of France;

women marched on Versailles; all church property was

confiscated, and new money was issued, based on the

value of the church property.

1515

In 1790 monastical vows prohibited; most religious

orders and all aristocratic and hereditary titles

abolished; Civil Constitution of the Clergy adopted which

provided for the government appointment of all church

officers; first anniversary of the revolution celebrated.

King Louis XVI secretly explored a possible coalition with

foreign powers to put a stop to the revolution. This is

what later caused his condemnation to death. All public

officials and priests were required to sign an oath of

loyalty to the new French nation.

In 1790 monastical vows prohibited; most religious

orders and all aristocratic and hereditary titles

abolished; Civil Constitution of the Clergy adopted which

provided for the government appointment of all church

officers; first anniversary of the revolution celebrated.

King Louis XVI secretly explored a possible coalition with

foreign powers to put a stop to the revolution. This is

what later caused his condemnation to death. All public

officials and priests were required to sign an oath of

loyalty to the new French nation.

1616

In 1791 all guilds were abolished, and the pope

condemned The Declaration of the Right of Man and of

the Citizen and the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.

Worker unions and strikes prohibited. The king, queen,

and children were arrested. Austria and Prussia agreed

to halt the revolution.

In 1791 all guilds were abolished, and the pope

condemned The Declaration of the Right of Man and of

the Citizen and the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.

Worker unions and strikes prohibited. The king, queen,

and children were arrested. Austria and Prussia agreed

to halt the revolution.

1717

1818

In 1792 there were serious inflation and serious

food riots in Paris. The king, who had been

restored to power, formed a new government, but

later year Robespierre called for the overthrow of

the king. The king was arrested and stripped of his

powers; suspected enemies of the revolution

throughout France were also arrested; royalist

newspapers were prohibited; the monarchy was

abolished; and the republic was established.

In 1792 there were serious inflation and serious

food riots in Paris. The king, who had been

restored to power, formed a new government, but

later year Robespierre called for the overthrow of

the king. The king was arrested and stripped of his

powers; suspected enemies of the revolution

throughout France were also arrested; royalist

newspapers were prohibited; the monarchy was

abolished; and the republic was established.

1919

2020

2121

Louis XVI Louis XVI imprisonedimprisonedLouis XVI Louis XVI

imprisonedimprisoned

2222

1793--The king guillotined; attacks on shops and food

riots due to great scarcity; capital punishment for

anyone who urged agrarian laws and anyone who

attacked the principle of private property;

committees of surveillance in each commune; price

control on grain; hoarding voted a capital crime; all

women required to wear the tricolored ribbon; more

price controls on essential goods; wage regulation;

republican calendar adopted as part of the

dechristianizing program; festival of reason; all

Catholic churches closed.

1793--The king guillotined; attacks on shops and food

riots due to great scarcity; capital punishment for

anyone who urged agrarian laws and anyone who

attacked the principle of private property;

committees of surveillance in each commune; price

control on grain; hoarding voted a capital crime; all

women required to wear the tricolored ribbon; more

price controls on essential goods; wage regulation;

republican calendar adopted as part of the

dechristianizing program; festival of reason; all

Catholic churches closed.

2323

2424

robespierrerobespierrerobespierrerobespierreResponsible for the Reign

of Terror

Responsible for the Reign of Terror

2525

What was the Reign of Terror like? What was the Reign of Terror like?

2626

2727

1794 Robespierre report of virtue and terror;

opposition people guillotined; Robespierre elected

president of the Convention; Festival of the Supreme

Being celebrated; another wage and price control law;

fall of Robespierre; decree that Convention will no long

pay salaries or expenses of the Church; wage control

and price control laws repealed.

1794 Robespierre report of virtue and terror;

opposition people guillotined; Robespierre elected

president of the Convention; Festival of the Supreme

Being celebrated; another wage and price control law;

fall of Robespierre; decree that Convention will no long

pay salaries or expenses of the Church; wage control

and price control laws repealed.

2828

The atheistical power that ruled in France during

the Revolution and the Reign of Terror, did wage

such a war against God and His holy word as the

world had never witnessed. The worship of the

Deity was abolished by the National Assembly.

Bibles were collected and publicly burned with

every possible manifestation of scorn. The law of

God was trampled underfoot. The institutions of the

Bible were abolished. The weekly rest day was set

aside, and in its stead every tenth day was devoted

to reveling and blasphemy. Baptism and the

Communion were prohibited. And announcements

posted conspicuously over the burial places

declared death to be an eternal sleep. (GC 273,

274)

The atheistical power that ruled in France during

the Revolution and the Reign of Terror, did wage

such a war against God and His holy word as the

world had never witnessed. The worship of the

Deity was abolished by the National Assembly.

Bibles were collected and publicly burned with

every possible manifestation of scorn. The law of

God was trampled underfoot. The institutions of the

Bible were abolished. The weekly rest day was set

aside, and in its stead every tenth day was devoted

to reveling and blasphemy. Baptism and the

Communion were prohibited. And announcements

posted conspicuously over the burial places

declared death to be an eternal sleep. (GC 273,

274)

2929

When France publicly rejected God and set aside the

Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in

their attainment of the object so long desired--a

kingdom free from the restraints of the law of God. (GC

286)

When France publicly rejected God and set aside the

Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in

their attainment of the object so long desired--a

kingdom free from the restraints of the law of God. (GC

286)

3030

The gospel would have brought a solution to France,

but under the domination of Rome, the people lost the

lessons of Christ’s self-sacrifice and unselfish love. The

rich found no rebuke for their oppression of the poor.

The poor had no help for their problems. The

selfishness of the wealthy and powerful grew more and

more oppressive. For centuries the greed of the nobles

resulted in the extortion of the peasant. The rich

wronged the poor, and the poor hated the rich.

(Adapted from The Great Controversy, p. 279)

The gospel would have brought a solution to France,

but under the domination of Rome, the people lost the

lessons of Christ’s self-sacrifice and unselfish love. The

rich found no rebuke for their oppression of the poor.

The poor had no help for their problems. The

selfishness of the wealthy and powerful grew more and

more oppressive. For centuries the greed of the nobles

resulted in the extortion of the peasant. The rich

wronged the poor, and the poor hated the rich.

(Adapted from The Great Controversy, p. 279)

3131

robespierre on robespierre on way to way to

executionexecution

robespierre on robespierre on way to way to

executionexecution

3232

1795 Separation of church and state and freedom of

religion officially decreed; food shortages and riots in

Paris; Napoleon named commander-in-chief of all

armies.

1795 Separation of church and state and freedom of

religion officially decreed; food shortages and riots in

Paris; Napoleon named commander-in-chief of all

armies.

3333

3434

The policy of Rome created the social, political, and religious conditions that hurried France on to ruin:The policy of Rome created the social, political, and religious conditions that hurried France on to ruin:

Popery poisoned the minds of kings against the Reformation, telling the kings that the Reformation was an enemy to the crown and an element fatal to the peace and harmony of the nation. In order to uphold the throne, preserve the nobles, and maintain the laws, the Reformation had to be stopped.

Popery poisoned the minds of kings against the Reformation, telling the kings that the Reformation was an enemy to the crown and an element fatal to the peace and harmony of the nation. In order to uphold the throne, preserve the nobles, and maintain the laws, the Reformation had to be stopped.

3535

So, France chased from her soil the Huguenots, who

were teachers of virtue and champions of order. With

the flight of the Huguenots, a general decline settled

over France. Cities fell into decay and fertile districts

into wildness, and an intellectual dullness and moral

perverseness descended on the people.

So, France chased from her soil the Huguenots, who

were teachers of virtue and champions of order. With

the flight of the Huguenots, a general decline settled

over France. Cities fell into decay and fertile districts

into wildness, and an intellectual dullness and moral

perverseness descended on the people.

3636

Courts of justice were given up to luxury and

degeneracy. There was little confidence between the

people and the rulers, who were seen as designing

and selfish.

Rome had influenced the kings and ruling classes to

keep the people in bondage, knowing that the state

would thus be weakened and she could more easily

fasten her control on both the rulers and the people.

(Adapted GC, 280, 281)

Courts of justice were given up to luxury and

degeneracy. There was little confidence between the

people and the rulers, who were seen as designing

and selfish.

Rome had influenced the kings and ruling classes to

keep the people in bondage, knowing that the state

would thus be weakened and she could more easily

fasten her control on both the rulers and the people.

(Adapted GC, 280, 281)

3737

what led to the french revolution, according to Ellen white?

what led to the french revolution, according to Ellen white?

Suppression of Scripture (by Rome)

Trampling upon the word of God

Lightly regarding the law of God

The persecution of the confessors of the gospel

St. Bartholomew Massacre in 1752

Suppression of Scripture (by Rome)

Trampling upon the word of God

Lightly regarding the law of God

The persecution of the confessors of the gospel

St. Bartholomew Massacre in 1752

3838

The fatal error which wrought such woe for the

inhabitants of France was the ignoring of this one great

truth: that true freedom lies within the proscriptions of

the law of God. (GC 285)

The fatal error which wrought such woe for the

inhabitants of France was the ignoring of this one great

truth: that true freedom lies within the proscriptions of

the law of God. (GC 285)

3939

The despisers of God learned too late that it is a

fearful thing to have worn out the divine patience. The

restraining Spirit of God, which imposes a check upon

the cruel power of Satan, was in a great measure

removed, and he whose only delight is the

wretchedness of men was permitted to work his will.

The despisers of God learned too late that it is a

fearful thing to have worn out the divine patience. The

restraining Spirit of God, which imposes a check upon

the cruel power of Satan, was in a great measure

removed, and he whose only delight is the

wretchedness of men was permitted to work his will.

4040

During the revolution in France, there was

manifested a moral debasement and

corruption similar to Sodom and Gomorrah.

(See GC p. 270)

During the revolution in France, there was

manifested a moral debasement and

corruption similar to Sodom and Gomorrah.

(See GC p. 270)

4141

When Jesus ceases his intercession in the heavenly

sanctuary above, when he that is filthy will be filthy

still forever, the restraint which has been upon the

wicked will be removed, and Satan will have entire

control of the finally impenitent.

The world will have rejected God’s mercy, despised his

love, and trampled upon his law, and Satan will then

plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final

trouble.

When Jesus ceases his intercession in the heavenly

sanctuary above, when he that is filthy will be filthy

still forever, the restraint which has been upon the

wicked will be removed, and Satan will have entire

control of the finally impenitent.

The world will have rejected God’s mercy, despised his

love, and trampled upon his law, and Satan will then

plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final

trouble.

4242

We should now acquaint ourselves with God by

proving his promises. . . . We must take time to pray.

. . . We must refuse to enter any path except that

upon which we can ask God’s blessings. (Adapted,

GC 622)

We should now acquaint ourselves with God by

proving his promises. . . . We must take time to pray.

. . . We must refuse to enter any path except that

upon which we can ask God’s blessings. (Adapted,

GC 622)

4343

The season of distress and anguish before us will

require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and

hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely

tried. The period of probation is granted to all to

prepare for that time. (GC 621)

The season of distress and anguish before us will

require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and

hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely

tried. The period of probation is granted to all to

prepare for that time. (GC 621)

4444

What happened in France is connected to Revelation 11:

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses and they

shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore

days, clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3).

What are these 1,260 days or 42 months?

What happened in France is connected to Revelation 11:

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses and they

shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore

days, clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3).

What are these 1,260 days or 42 months?

4545

Let’s start with Daniel 7:23-25

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth

kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all

kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall

tread it down, and break it in pieces.24 And the ten

horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:

and another shall rise after them; and he shall be

diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three

kings.25 And he shall speak great words against the

most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most

High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall

be given into his hand until a time and times and the

dividing of time.

Let’s start with Daniel 7:23-25

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth

kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all

kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall

tread it down, and break it in pieces.24 And the ten

horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:

and another shall rise after them; and he shall be

diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three

kings.25 And he shall speak great words against the

most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most

High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall

be given into his hand until a time and times and the

dividing of time.

4646

Other texts about the 1,260 days are:

Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5, as well as Revelation 11:2, 3

Other texts about the 1,260 days are:

Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5, as well as Revelation 11:2, 3

4747

The 1,260 years started when the papacy was fully

established, after the destruction of the three other

“horns” (or kingdoms) in the year 538. It extends to the

year 1798, when when the papacy received a deadly

wound. Napoleon sent the French army into Italy and

captured the pope.

The 1,260 years started when the papacy was fully

established, after the destruction of the three other

“horns” (or kingdoms) in the year 538. It extends to the

year 1798, when when the papacy received a deadly

wound. Napoleon sent the French army into Italy and

captured the pope.

4848

The two witnesses are the Old and the New

Testaments. They were in sackcloth during the

1,260 years, and at the end of the 1,260 years, they

were attacked and “killed” by the “beast from the

bottomless pit” and left to lie in the street of a place

spiritually called Sodom, Egypt, and Jerusalem.

What does this mean?

The two witnesses are the Old and the New

Testaments. They were in sackcloth during the

1,260 years, and at the end of the 1,260 years, they

were attacked and “killed” by the “beast from the

bottomless pit” and left to lie in the street of a place

spiritually called Sodom, Egypt, and Jerusalem.

What does this mean?

4949

The nation represented by Egypt [in Revelation 11:8]

would give rise to a similar denial of the claims of the

living God and would manifest a like spirit of unbelief

and defiance [as Pharaoh did to Moses]. (GC 269)

What did Pharaoh say?

Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let

Israel go? I know not the LORD (Exodus 5:2).

The nation represented by Egypt [in Revelation 11:8]

would give rise to a similar denial of the claims of the

living God and would manifest a like spirit of unbelief

and defiance [as Pharaoh did to Moses]. (GC 269)

What did Pharaoh say?

Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let

Israel go? I know not the LORD (Exodus 5:2).

5050

So “according to the words of the prophet” in

Revelation 11, sometime a little before 1798 a

“power of satanic origin and character would rise to

make war upon the Bible” that “would manifest the

atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of

Sodom” (GC 269), and we see this in France during

the revolution.

So “according to the words of the prophet” in

Revelation 11, sometime a little before 1798 a

“power of satanic origin and character would rise to

make war upon the Bible” that “would manifest the

atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of

Sodom” (GC 269), and we see this in France during

the revolution.

5151

“. . . the land was filled with crimes too horrible for

pen to trace. From devastated provinces and

ruined cities a terrible cry was heard” (The Great

Controversy, p. 286).

This brings us to the most important part of our

lesson--the fact that a time will soon be here

compared to which the reign of terror and the

awfulness of the French Revolution will seem minor

because it will involve the whole world and not just

one country.

“. . . the land was filled with crimes too horrible for

pen to trace. From devastated provinces and

ruined cities a terrible cry was heard” (The Great

Controversy, p. 286).

This brings us to the most important part of our

lesson--the fact that a time will soon be here

compared to which the reign of terror and the

awfulness of the French Revolution will seem minor

because it will involve the whole world and not just

one country.

5252

Satan’s path to success:Satan’s path to success:

Do not be overconscientious with honor or honesty.

Look out for your own interest.

Do not be carried away with pity, softness, generosity.

No need to care for the widow and fatherless or encourage them to look to you and depend on you. Let them take care of themselves, and you take care of yourself. Do not ask if they have food or if they need your attention.

Turn the stranger away and withhold from the widow and fatherless your attention and means, and you will have what you need to supply your wants.

Do not be overconscientious with honor or honesty.

Look out for your own interest.

Do not be carried away with pity, softness, generosity.

No need to care for the widow and fatherless or encourage them to look to you and depend on you. Let them take care of themselves, and you take care of yourself. Do not ask if they have food or if they need your attention.

Turn the stranger away and withhold from the widow and fatherless your attention and means, and you will have what you need to supply your wants. (Adapted from 4T p. 494)(Adapted from 4T p. 494)

5353

God’s path to success:God’s path to success:

Give the hungry food, bring the poor who are cast out to your house, clothe the naked, help your family members, and undo the heavy burdens, then I will answer when you call, guide you continually, and give you health. (Isaiah 58:6-9, adapted)

Give the hungry food, bring the poor who are cast out to your house, clothe the naked, help your family members, and undo the heavy burdens, then I will answer when you call, guide you continually, and give you health. (Isaiah 58:6-9, adapted)

5454

As the Youth Go into the World, some of the beliefs they will meet are:As the Youth Go into the World, some of the beliefs they will meet are:

Each mind can judge itself because the Bible does not provide examples for every possible behavior. Our own knowledge, therefore, can place us above the written law.

Since most people basically want to do what is right, the so-called sins they commit are really innocent in God’s sight.

What you do, therefore, is all right and okay, and God will not condemn you as long as heaven is your goal. As long as you aim in the right direction, you will eventually get there.

What you desire is really the highest law, since you, and only you, know yourself and what is best for you. In other words, to your own self be true.

License is liberty. This means if the state laws allow it, it gives you have the moral liberty to do it.

Man is accountable only to himself.

Each mind can judge itself because the Bible does not provide examples for every possible behavior. Our own knowledge, therefore, can place us above the written law.

Since most people basically want to do what is right, the so-called sins they commit are really innocent in God’s sight.

What you do, therefore, is all right and okay, and God will not condemn you as long as heaven is your goal. As long as you aim in the right direction, you will eventually get there.

What you desire is really the highest law, since you, and only you, know yourself and what is best for you. In other words, to your own self be true.

License is liberty. This means if the state laws allow it, it gives you have the moral liberty to do it.

Man is accountable only to himself.

5555

How can we protect ourselves, and our children, from such ways of

thinking?

How can we protect ourselves, and our children, from such ways of

thinking?

In every generation and in every land the true foundation and pattern for character building have been the same. The divine law, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart; . . . and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:27), the great principle made manifest in the character and life of our Saviour, is the only secure foundation and the only sure guide. (Education, p. 228)

In every generation and in every land the true foundation and pattern for character building have been the same. The divine law, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart; . . . and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:27), the great principle made manifest in the character and life of our Saviour, is the only secure foundation and the only sure guide. (Education, p. 228)

5656

education, on page 228, states that The following events or ideas are tending to involve the whole world in a

struggle similar to that which convulsed France:

education, on page 228, states that The following events or ideas are tending to involve the whole world in a

struggle similar to that which convulsed France:

The centralizing of wealth and power,

The enriching of the few at the expense of the many,

The combining of the poorer classes for the defense of their interests and claims,

The spirit of unrest, of riot, of bloodshed, and

The worldwide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French revolution.

The centralizing of wealth and power,

The enriching of the few at the expense of the many,

The combining of the poorer classes for the defense of their interests and claims,

The spirit of unrest, of riot, of bloodshed, and

The worldwide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French revolution.

5757

Credits

Slides 4, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 31:

United States Public Domain

Slide 33: Eric Pouhier

Credits

Slides 4, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 31:

United States Public Domain

Slide 33: Eric Pouhier