Light in the Darkness — Remnants of Faith Through the Medieval Church

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(The Great Falling Away, Part 6)

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
— John 1:5, NASB1995

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Darkness Covered the Institutional Church… But Not All Was Lost

While apostasy had taken root through hierarchy, false doctrine, and worldly power, God remained faithful.
Throughout the medieval centuries, a remnant remained—scattered men and women, clinging to Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and often hunted for their faith.

They were not famous. But they were faithful.

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Who Were the Remnant?

The Paulicians (6th–9th c.)

• Rejected the Roman hierarchy and infant baptism
• Held to Scripture alone
• Persecuted relentlessly by the Byzantine Church

The Bogomils & Cathars

• Sought purity and spiritual living
• Rejected the corruption of the clergy
• Often blended with heretical views, yet their rejection of Rome was rooted in conscience and conviction

The Waldensians (12th c.)

• Embraced poverty and itinerant preaching
• Translated and memorized Scripture
• Called heretics for preaching without permission

The Lollards (14th c.)

• Followers of John Wycliffe
• Opposed transubstantiation and papal authority
• Risked death to read and share the Bible in English

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What Marked These Remnant Believers?

1. Scripture Over Systems
   They risked their lives to read and live by the Word—not church tradition.
2. Obedience Over Comfort
   Many were martyred, exiled, or silenced… yet they obeyed the voice of the Shepherd.
3. Spirit-Led Faith Over Institutional Religion
   Though outside the “approved church,” they walked in truth and bore fruit.

“They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony…”
— Revelation 12:11

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The Cost Was High

• Families burned at the stake
• Entire villages slaughtered
• Scriptures confiscated and forbidden
• Truth hidden under Latin, locked behind walls of clerical authority

Yet the light never went out. God always had a witness.

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Application for Today

The remnant remind us that the Church is not a building or a system—it’s a people who follow Christ at all cost.

Ask yourself:

• Would I cling to Scripture if it meant being rejected or hunted?
• Do I value popularity over purity?
• Am I part of the faithful remnant—or just the religious crowd?

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Isaiah 10:20–21

“Now it will come about… that the remnant of Israel… will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.”