ciple of the Jewish religion. Satan had implanted this
principle. Wherever it is held, men have no barrier against sin.
The message of salvation is communicated to men through human
agencies. But the Jews had sought to make a monopoly of the truth
which is eternal life. They had hoarded the living manna, and it had
turned to corruption. The religion which they tried to shut up to
themselves became an offense. They robbed God of His glory, and
defrauded the world by a counterfeit of the gospel. They had refused
to surrender themselves to God for the salvation of the world, and they
became agents of Satan for its destruction.
The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of
the truth had become representatives of Satan. They were doing the
work that he desired them to do, taking a course to misrepresent the
character of God, and cause the world to look upon Him as a tyrant.
The very priests who ministered in the temple had lost sight of the
significance of the service they performed. They had ceased to look
beyond the symbol to the thing signified. In presenting the sacrificial
offerings they were as actors in a play. The ordinances which God
24 The Desire of Ages
Himself had appointed were made the means of blinding the mind and
hardening the heart. God could do no more for man through these
channels. The whole system must be swept away.
The deception of sin had reached its height. All the agencies for
depraving the souls of men had been put in operation. The Son of
God, looking upon the world, beheld suffering and misery. With pity
He saw how men had become victims of satanic cruelty. He looked
with compassion upon those who were being corrupted, murdered, and
lost. They had chosen a ruler who chained them to his car as captives.
Bewildered and deceived, they were moving on in gloomy procession
toward eternal ruin,—to death in which is no hope of life, toward night
to which comes no morning. Satanic agencies were incorporated with
men. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of
God, had become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves,
the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies
in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was
impressed upon the countenances of men. Human faces reflected the
expression of the legions of evil with which they were possessed. Such
was the prospect upon which the world’s Redeemer looked. What a
[37] spectacle for Infinite Purity to behold!
Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a part of
religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart, and the
hostility of man was most violent against heaven. It was demonstrated
before the universe that, apart from God, humanity could not be uplifted.
A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who
made the world.
With intense interest the unfallen worlds had watched to see Jehovah
arise, and sweep away the inhabitants of the earth. And if God
should do this, Satan was ready to carry out his plan for securing to
himself the allegiance of heavenly beings. He had declared that the
principles of God’s government make forgiveness impossible. Had
the world been destroyed, he would have claimed that his accusations
were proved true. He was ready to cast blame upon God, and to spread
his rebellion to the worlds above. But instead of destroying the world,
God sent His Son to save it. Though corruption and defiance might
be seen in every part of the alien province, a way for its recovery was
provided. At the very crisis, when Satan seemed about to triumph, the
Son of God came with the embassage of divine grace. Through every
“The Fullness of the Time” 25
age, through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward
the fallen race. Notwithstanding the perversity of men, the signals of
mercy had been continually exhibited. And when the fullness of the
time had come, the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a
flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn
till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled.
Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of
God in humanity. Then Jesus came to restore in man the image of his [38]
Maker. None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been
ruined by sin. He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will.
He came to lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred character
after the pattern of His divine character, and to make it beautiful with
His own glory. [39]
[40]
[41]
[42]
[43]
Chapter 4—Unto You a Saviour
This chapter is based on Luke 2:1-20.
The King of glory stooped low to take humanity. Rude and forbidding
were His earthly surroundings. His glory was veiled, that the
majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction.
He shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and human
greatness can never save a soul from death; Jesus purposed that no
attraction of an earthly nature should call men to His side. Only the
beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him. The
character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, and He
desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God.
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption. They
watched to see how the people of God would receive His Son, clothed
in the garb of humanity. Angels came to the land of the chosen people.
Other nations were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. To
the land where the glory of God had been revealed, and the light of
prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to Jerusalem,
to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Ora
