the desire of ages-第7章

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　And　it　was　revealed　unto　him　by　the　Holy　Ghost；　that　he　should　not　see　death；　before　he　had　seen　the　Lord's　Christ。〃

As　Simeon　enters　the　temple；　he　sees　a　family　presenting　their　first…born　son　before　the　priest。　Their　appearance　bespeaks　poverty；　but　Simeon　understands　the　warnings　of　the　Spirit；　and　he　is　deeply　impressed　that　the　infant　being　presented　to　the　Lord　is　the　Consolation　of　Israel；　the　One　he　has　longed　to　see。　To　the　astonished　priest；　Simeon　appears　like　a　man　enraptured。　The　child　has　been　returned　to　Mary；　and　he　takes　it　in　his　arms　and　presents　it　to　God；　while　a　joy　that　he　has　never　before　felt　enters　his　soul。　As　he　lifts　the　infant　Saviour　toward　heaven；　he　says；　〃Lord；　now　lettest　Thou　Thy　servant　depart　in　peace；　according　to　Thy　word：　for　mine　eyes　have　seen　Thy　salvation；　which　Thou　hast　prepared　before　the　face　of　all　people；　a　light　to　lighten　the　Gentiles；　and　the　glory　of　Thy　people　Israel。〃

The　spirit　of　prophecy　was　upon　this　man　of　God；　and　while　Joseph　and　Mary　stood　by；　wondering　at　his　words；　he　blessed　them；　and　said　unto　Mary；　〃Behold；　this　child　is　set　for　the　fall　and　rising　again　of　many　in　Israel；　and　for　a　sign　which　shall　be　spoken　against；　（yea；　a　sword　shall　pierce　through　thy　own　soul　also；）　that　the　thoughts　of　many　hearts　may　be　revealed。〃

Anna　also；　a　prophetess；　came　in　and　confirmed　Simeon's　testimony　concerning　Christ。　As　Simeon　spoke；　her　face　lighted　up　with　the　glory　of　God；　and　she　poured　out　her　heartfelt　thanks　that　she　had　been　permitted　to　behold　Christ　the　Lord。

These　humble　worshipers　had　not　studied　the　prophecies　in　vain。　But　those　who　held　positions　as　rulers　and　priests　in　Israel；　though　they　too　had　before　them　the　precious　utterances　of　prophecy；　were　not　walking　in　the　way　of　the　Lord；　and　their　eyes　were　not　open　to　behold　the　Light　of　life。

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So　it　is　still。　Events　upon　which　the　attention　of　all　heaven　is　centered　are　undiscerned；　their　very　occurrence　is　unnoticed；　by　religious　leaders；　and　worshipers　in　the　house　of　God。　Men　acknowledge　Christ　in　history；　while　they　turn　away　from　the　living　Christ。　Christ　in　His　word　calling　to　self…sacrifice；　in　the　poor　and　suffering　who　plead　for　relief；　in　the　righteous　cause　that　involves　poverty　and　toil　and　reproach；　is　no　more　readily　received　today　than　He　was　eighteen　hundred　years　ago。

Mary　pondered　the　broad　and　far…reaching　prophecy　of　Simeon。　As　she　looked　upon　the　child　in　her　arms；　and　recalled　the　words　spoken　by　the　shepherds　of　Bethlehem；　she　was　full　of　grateful　joy　and　bright　hope。　Simeon's　words　called　to　her　mind　the　prophetic　utterances　of　Isaiah：　〃There　shall　come　forth　a　rod　out　of　the　stem　of　Jesse；　and　a　Branch　shall　grow　out　of　his　roots：　and　the　Spirit　of　the　Lord　shall　rest　upon　Him；　the　spirit　of　wisdom　and　understanding；　the　spirit　of　counsel　and　might；　the　spirit　of　knowledge　and　of　the　fear　of　the　Lord。　。　。　。　And　righteousness　shall　be　the　girdle　of　His　loins；　and　faithfulness　the　girdle　of　His　reins。〃　〃The　people　that　walked　in　darkness　have　seen　a　great　light：　they　that　dwell　in　the　land　of　the　shadow　of　death；　upon　them　hath　the　light　shined。　。　。　。　For　unto　us　a　child　is　born；　unto　us　a　son　is　given：　and　the　government　shall　be　upon　His　shoulder：　and　His　name　shall　be　called　Wonderful；　Counselor；　The　mighty　God；　The　everlasting　Father；　The　Prince　of　Peace。〃　Isa。　11：1…5；　9：2…6。

Yet　Mary　did　not　understand　Christ's　mission。　Simeon　had　prophesied　of　Him　as　a　light　to　lighten　the　Gentiles；　as　well　as　a　glory　to　Israel。　Thus　the　angels　had　announced　the　Saviour's　birth　as　tidings　of　joy　to　all　peoples。　God　was　seeking　to　correct　the　narrow；　Jewish　conception　of　the　Messiah's　work。　He　desired　men　to　behold　Him；　not　merely　as　the　deliverer　of　Israel；　but　as　the　Redeemer　of　the　world。　But　many　years　must　pass　before　even　the　mother　of　Jesus　would　understand　His　mission。

Mary　looked　forward　to　the　Messiah's　reign　on　David's　throne；　but　she　saw　not　the　baptism　of　suffering　by　which　it　must　be　won。　Through　Simeon　it　is　revealed　that　the　Messiah　is　to　have　no　unobstructed　passage　through　the　world。　In　the　words　to　Mary；　〃A　sword　shall　pierce　through　thy　own　soul　also；〃　God　in　His　tender　mercy　gives　to　the　mother　of　Jesus　an　intimation　of　the　anguish　that　already　for　His　sake　she　had　begun　to　bear。

〃Behold；〃　Simeon　had　said；　〃this　child　is　set　for　the　fall　and　rising　again　of　many　in　Israel；　and　for　a　sign　which　shall　be　spoken　against。〃

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They　must　fall　who　would　rise　again。　We　must　fall　upon　the　Rock　and　be　broken　before　we　can　be　uplifted　in　Christ。　Self　must　be　dethroned；　pride　must　be　humbled；　if　we　would　know　the　glory　of　the　spiritual　kingdom。　The　Jews　would　not　accept　the　honor　that　is　reached　through　humiliation。　Therefore　they　would　not　receive　their　Redeemer。　He　was　a　sign　that　was　spoken　against。

〃That　the　thoughts　of　many　hearts　may　be　revealed。〃　In　the　light　of　the　Saviour's　life；　the　hearts　of　all；　even　from　the　Creator　to　the　prince　of　darkness；　are　revealed。　Satan　has　represented　God　as　selfish　and　oppressive；　as　claiming　all；　and　giving　nothing；　as　requiring　the　service　of　His　creatures　for　His　own　glory；　and　making　no　sacrifice　for　their　good。　But　the　gift　of　Christ　reveals　the　Father's　heart。　It　testifies　that　the　thoughts　of　God　toward　us　are　〃thoughts　of　peace；　and　not　of　evil。〃　Jer。　29：11。　It　declares　that　while　God's　hatred　of　sin　is　as　strong　as　death；　His　love　for　the　sinner　is　stronger　than　death。　Having　undertaken　our　redemption；　He　will　spare　nothing；　however　dear；　which　is　necessary　to　the　completion　of　His　work。　No　truth　essential　to　our　salvation　is　withheld；　no　miracle　of　mercy　is　neglected；　no　divine　agency　is　left　unemployed。　Favor　is　heaped　upon　favor；　gift　upon　gift。　The　whole　treasury　of　heaven　is　open　to　those　He　seeks　to　save。　Having　collected　the　riches　of　the　universe；　and　laid　open　the　resources　of　infinite　power；　He　gives　them　all　into　the　hands　of　Christ；　and　says；　All　these　are　for　man。　Use　these　gifts　to　convince　him　that　there　is　no　love　greater　than　Mine　in　earth　or　heaven。　His　greatest　happiness　will　be　found　in　loving　Me。

At　the　cross　of　Calvary；　love　and　selfishness　stood　face　to　face。　Here　was　their　crowning　manifestation。　Christ　had　lived　only　to　comfort　and　bless；　and　in　putting　Him　to　death；　Satan　manifested　the　malignity　of　his　hatred　against　God。　He　made　it　evident　that　the　real　purpose　of　his　rebellion　was　to　dethrone　God；　and　to　destroy　Him　through　whom　the　love　of　God　was　shown。

By　the　life　and　the　death　of　Christ；　the　thoughts　of　men　also　are　brought　to　view。　From　the　manger　to　the　cross；　the　life　of　Jesus　was　a　call　to　self…surrender；　and　to　fellowship　in　suffering。　It　unveiled　the　purposes　of　men。　Jesus　came　with　the　truth　of　heaven；　and　all　who　were　listening　to　the　voice　of　the　Holy　Spirit　were　drawn　to　Him。　The　worshipers　of　self　belonged　to　Satan's　kingdom。　In　their　attitude　toward　Christ；　all　would　show　on　which　side　they　stood。　And　thus　everyone　passes　judgment　on　himself。

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In　the　day　of　final　judgment；　every　lost　soul　will　understand　the　nature　of　his　own　rejection　of　truth。　The　cross　will　be　presented；　and　its　real　bearing　will　be　seen　by　every　mind　that　has　been　blinded　by　transgression。　Before　the　vision　of　Calvary　with　its　mysterious　Victim；　sinners　will　stand　condemned。　Every　lying　excuse　will　be　swept　away。　Human　apostasy　will　appear　in　its　heinous　character。　Men　will　see　what　their　choice　has　been。　Every　question　of　truth　and　error　in　the　long…standing　controversy　will　then　have　been　made　plain。　In　the　judgment　of　the　universe；　God　will　stand　clear　of　blame　for　the　existence　or　continuance　of　evil。　It　will　be　demonstrated　that　the　divine　decrees　are　not　accessory　to　sin。　There　was　no　defect　in　God's　government；　no　cause　for　disaffection。　When　the　thoughts　of　all　hearts　shall　be　revealed；　both　the　loyal　and　the　rebellious　will　unite　in　declaring；　〃Just　and　true　are　Thy　ways；　Thou　King　of　saints。　Who　shall　not　fear　Thee；　O　Lord；　and　glorify　Thy　name？　。　。　。　for　Thy　judgments　are　made　manifest。〃　Rev。　15：3；　4。




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　（59）

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Chapter　6

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃We　Have　Seen　His　Star〃


〃Now　when　Jesus　was　born　in　Bethlehem　of　Judea　in　the　days　of　Herod　the　king；　behold；　there　came　wise　men　from　the　East　to　Jerusalem；　saying；　Where　is　He　that　is　born　King　of　the　Jews？　for　we　have　seen　His　star　in　the　East；　and　are　come　to　worship　Him。〃

The　wise　men　from　the　East　were　philosophers。　They　belonged　to　a　large　and　influential　class　that　included　men　of　noble　birth；　and　comprised　much　of　the　wealth　and　learning　of　their　nation。　Among　these　were　many　who　imposed　on　the　credulity　of　the　people。　Others　were　upright　men　who　studied　the　indications　of　Providence　in　nature；　and　who　were　honored　for　their　integrity　and　wisdom。　Of　this　character　were　the　wise　men　who　came　to　Jesus。

The　light　of　God　is　ever　shining　amid　the　darkness　of　heathenism。　As　these　magi　studied　the　starry　heavens；　and　sought　to　fathom　the　mystery　hidden　in　their　bright　paths；　they　beheld　the　glory　of　the　Creator。　Seeking　clearer　knowledge；　they　turned　to　the　Hebrew　Scriptures。　In　their　own　land　were　treasured　prophetic　writings　that　predicted　the　coming　of　a　divine　teacher。　Balaam　belonged　to　the　magicians；　though　at　one　time　a　prophet　of　God；　by　the　Holy　Spirit　he　had　foretold　the　prosperity　of　Israel　and　the　appearing　of　the　Messiah；　and　his　prophecies

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had　been　handed　down　by　tradition　from　century　to　century。　But　in　the　Old　Testament　the　Saviour's　advent　was　more　clearly　revealed。　The　magi　learned　with　joy　that　His　coming　was　near；　and　that　the　whole　world　was　to　be　filled　with　a　knowledge　of　the　glory　of　the　Lord。

The　wise　men　had　seen　a　mysterious　light　in　the　heavens　upon　that　night　when　the　glory　of　God　flooded　the　hills　of　Bethlehem。　As　the　light　faded；　a　luminous　star　appeared；　and　lingered　in　the　sky。　It　was　not　a　fixed　star　nor　a　planet；　and　the　phenomenon　excited　the　keenest　interest。　That　star　was　a　distant　company　of　shining　angels；　but　of　this　the　wise　men　were　ignorant。　Yet　they　were　impressed　that　the　star　was　of　special　import　to　them。　They　consulted　priests　and　philosophers；　and　searched　the　scrolls　of　the　ancient　records。　The　prophecy　of　Balaam　had　declared；　〃There　shall　come　a　Star　out　of　Jacob；　and　a　Scepter　shall　rise　out　of　Israel。〃　Num。　24：17。　Could　this　strange　star　have　been　sent　as　a　harbinger　of　the　Promised　One？　The　magi　had　welcomed　the　light　of　heaven…sent　truth；　now　it　was　shed　upon　them　in　brighter　rays。　Through　dreams　they　were　instructed　to　go　in　search　of　the　newborn　Prince。

As　by　faith　Abraham　went　forth　at　the　call　of　God；　〃not　knowing　whither　he　went〃　（Heb。　11：8）；　as　by　faith　Israel　followed　the　pillar　of　cloud　to　the　Promised　Land；　so　did　these　Gentiles　go　forth　to　find　the　promised　Saviour。　The　Eastern　country　abounded　in　precious　things；　and　the　magi　did　not　set　out　empty…handed。　It　was　the　custom　to　offer　presents　as　an　act　of　homage　to　princes　or　other　personages　of　rank；　and　the　richest　gifts　the　land　afforded　were　borne　as　an　offering　to　Him　in　whom　all　the　families　of　the　ea