{"id":863,"date":"2008-06-19T21:09:34","date_gmt":"2008-06-19T19:09:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/?p=863"},"modified":"2017-01-04T15:55:22","modified_gmt":"2017-01-04T14:55:22","slug":"das-geistliche-erbe-der-schweiz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/2008\/06\/19\/das-geistliche-erbe-der-schweiz\/","title":{"rendered":"Switzerland\u2019s spiritual inheritance"},"content":{"rendered":"

When we hear about Switzerland\u2019s spiritual inheritance we usually think of the R\u00fctli oath, our flag, national anthem and our constitution. But there are also places, persons and events which first enabled or strongly influenced the spiritual inheritance. During a recent prayer tour we were at three of these places. This tour, initiated by Dave Olson, took us to places which were and still are signifiant for the spreading of the Gospel in Switzerland. All over the world God is in the process of re-opening forgotten and clogged \u201ewells\u201c or \u201espiritual springs\u201c, so that they can once again become a blessing. These are places where for example during centuries there was constant prayer, such as Herrenhut (Germany) or Bangor (Ireland). For centuries these \u201ewells\u201c disappeared from Christians\u2019 sight and were spiritually \u201edried out\u201c. Places where something took place where God was glorified and his kingdom was able to spread. Our stations were St. Maurice, Beatus caves, Fl\u00fceli Ranft.<\/p>\n

<\/h5>\n

St. Maurice in the Valais:<\/h4>\n

In the third century the emperor of the time sent a Theban Legion (Egyptian soldiers) to present-day Switzerland. On the one hand they were to quiet down the rebels and on the other hand torture and murder Christians. These Thebans were themselves Coptic Christians who refused to worship other (Roman) \u00a0idols or to persecute and murder Christians. The leader of this legion was a man named Maurice. The Romans then began to torture and murder every tenth soldier of this legion in order to intimidate and bring around the others. They still refused and thus in the end the whole legion (6,600 men) was tortured and murdered. Through these martyrs, the first large evangelistic wave was born in the region and far beyond. Their dedication pushed open a door for the Gospel in our country. They were absolutely faithful and loyal to the emperor but in the end they had to obey God more than men! They had Jesus\u2019 attitude, lion and lamb in one.<\/p>\n

<\/h5>\n

Beatus caves on the Lake of Thun:<\/h4>\n

In the 6th century Beatus, who was probably from Ireland, came to the region of the Lake of Thun. He was a disciple of Jesus and traveled around preaching the Gospel. That was very difficult in this region where people were rather closed. This was due to their great fear of a dragon who lived in the caves and caused fear and trembling in the whole region. When Beatus heard this he set out to battle the dragon. When he found it he approached courageously, armed only with a stick and the name of Jesus. When the name of Jesus was mentioned, the dragon \u201eshot\u201c into the air and landed in the lake, where he drowned. From then on, Beatus lived in the cave and spread the Gospel. There was a second wave of evangelization in the whole region. This story reminds us of the battle between David and the giant Goliath. David likewise came armed only with the certainty that he was \u201ebattling\u201c in the name of the Lord. But that was totally sufficient for the victory!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Brother Klaus, Flueli Ranft:<\/h4>\n

The life of Niklaus of Flue, known as Brother Klaus, mirrors to some extent the Swiss Christians. Driven by his deep longing for a relationship with God, he lived the last 20 years of his life as a hermit in Flueli Ranft. He lived in one room without any furniture. He slept on the floor, eating and drinking nothing during these 20 years until his death. But he took the Lord\u2019s supper every day. It is also surprising that Brother Klaus was illiterate. He could neither read nor write. Basically he had nothing \u201eexcept\u201c God. Today we have, at least partially, a huge amount of aids, strategies, beautiful conference centers, but God is absent. Brother Klaus was a magnet. People came to him from near and far to ask for advice and encouragement. What was this man\u2019s secret? His deep fellowship with God and his resulting prayer life. Brother Klaus was a spiritual \u201ewatchman\u201c whose went out into all areas of society.<\/p>\n

What do persons and events in these three locations have to say to us today? God seeks today, as then, persons who are willing to give their best in their profession but who also know that ultimately they must obey God more than man when necessary. Even if it costs one\u2019s job. This is a matter of dedication first to God and then of course also to men.<\/p>\n

We must again carry the gospel out to people. “Switzerland in motion\u201c is an advertising slogan from the soccer championship of 2008 in our country. The church (congregation) must get moving again, out of the beautiful meeting places, out to the street where people are. We must dare to to come courageously in the name of our lord Jesus Christ against the giants in the form of fear of man.<\/p>\n

And we must again find a quiet place with God, fighting through the jungle of all our distractions. We must ask him for a deep longing for fellowship. Not so much to know about him but to know him. From this fellowship to hear, pray, see and act.<\/p>\n

Dear Father, help us in this. We ask in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen!<\/p>\n

Werner Woiwode<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When we hear about Switzerland\u2019s spiritual inheritance we usually think of the R\u00fctli oath, our flag, national anthem and our constitution. But there are also places, persons and events which first enabled or strongly influenced the spiritual inheritance. During a recent prayer tour we were at three of these places.\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more<\/span><\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7dYdD-dV","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":858,"url":"https:\/\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/2009\/06\/19\/ruetli-rapport-2009\/","url_meta":{"origin":863,"position":0},"title":"Rutli Rapport 2009","date":"19. June 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"We all know that there are places, ( towns, rivers, mountains, squares ), which are of higher spiritual and strategic importance. This is true not only for GOD and his church but also for satan and his demonic army. One of these places, ( if not \u201cthe place\u201d ) in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Switzerland"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1610,"url":"https:\/\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/2019\/04\/27\/iws-israel-ministries-day-of-prayer-in-berne-2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":863,"position":1},"title":"IWS Israel Ministries day of prayer in Berne 2019","date":"27. April 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Some personal impressions of the 2019 Israel Ministries day of prayer in Berne. - More people came than the last time. Super. Made me very happy. - When I entered the room, the first thing I noticed were of course the banners. I thought everything looked very good - the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Israel"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/06\/IMG_5606-1.jpg?fit=567%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":951,"url":"https:\/\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/2013\/06\/16\/he-revives-us\/","url_meta":{"origin":863,"position":2},"title":"\u201eHE-revives-us!\u201c","date":"16. June 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"June 2013 And the Lord spoke: \u201eWrite down the vision, and make it plain upon tables so that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it, because\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Input"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/verein-abraham.ch\/images\/publikationen\/newsletter\/12_dez_bild-tromp.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":847,"url":"https:\/\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/2014\/03\/19\/fasten-und-gebetstage-fuer-die-schweiz-in-bischofszell-2014\/","url_meta":{"origin":863,"position":3},"title":"Fasting and Prayer for Switzerland in Bischofszell 2014","date":"19. March 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"3 - 7 March 2014 This year we answered God's urgent call to pray and fast for our land at Camp Rock in canton Thurgau. After Andermatt in central Switzerland (2012) and Aeschi in the canton of Berne, God's chosen region this year was Thurgau (eastern SWitzerland). Each time there\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Switzerland"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":872,"url":"https:\/\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/2014\/06\/01\/zeit-der-mobilmachung-von-gottes-armee\/","url_meta":{"origin":863,"position":4},"title":"TIME TO MOBILIZE GOD’S ARMY","date":"1. June 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"June 2014 I can well imagine that some of you have a problem now - with the picture as well as the title. Instead of writing about love's fire, lamb, bride and peace it's now about love's fire, lion, army and war. I will make clear right away: we need\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Input"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/10\/Loewe_14.jpg?fit=397%2C255&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1124,"url":"https:\/\/verein-abraham.ch\/blog\/en\/2016\/11\/24\/do-not-refuse-him-who-speaks-to-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":863,"position":5},"title":"Do not refuse Him who speaks (to you)!","date":"24. November 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"December 2016 Hebrews 12:25 \u201eWake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent\u201c (Rev. 3:2-3). 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