should not enter the promised land. It was God’s plan to
often prove Israel by bringing them into strait places, and then
in their great necessity exhibit his power, that he might live in
their memory, and they glorify him.
When Moses came down from the mount with the two
tables of stone, and saw Israel worshiping the golden calf, his
anger was greatly kindled, and he threw down the tables of
stone, and broke them. I saw that Moses did not sin in this. He
was wroth for God, jealous for his glory. But when he yielded
to the natural feelings of the heart, and took glory to himself,
which was due to God, he sinned, and for that sin, God would
not suffer him to enter the promised land.
Satan had been trying to find something wherewith to
accuse Moses before the angels. Satan triumphed in that he
had caused him to displease God, and he exulted, and told
the angels that when the Saviour of the world should come to
redeem man, he could overcome him. For this transgression
Moses came under the power of Satan—the dominion of death.
Had he remained steadfast, and not sinned in taking
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glory to himself, the Lord would have brought him to the
promised land, and then translated him to heaven without
seeing death.
I saw that Moses passed through death, but Michael came
down and gave him life before he saw corruption. Satan
claimed the body as his, but Michael resurrected Moses, and
took him to heaven. The Devil tried to hold his body, and
railed out bitterly against God, denounced him as unjust, in
taking from him his prey. But Michael did not rebuke the Devil,
although it was through his temptation and power that God’s
servant had fallen. Christ meekly referred him to his Father,
saying, The Lord rebuke thee.
Jesus told his disciples that there were some standing with
him who should not taste of death till they should see the
kingdom of God come with power. At the transfiguration this
promise was fulfilled. The fashion of Jesus’ countenance was
changed, and shone like the sun. His raiment was white and
glistening. Moses was present, and represented those who will
be raised from the dead at the second appearing of Jesus. And
Elias, who was translated without seeing death, represented
those who will be changed to immortality at Christ’s second
coming, and without seeing death will be translated to heaven.
The disciples beheld with fear and astonishment the excellent
majesty of Jesus, and the cloud that overshadowed them, and
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heard the voice of God in terrible majesty; saying, This is my
beloved Son, hear him.
*****
Chapter VII. - The Betrayal of
Christ.
I was then carried down to the time when Jesus ate the
passover supper with his disciples. Satan had deceived Judas,
and led him to think he was one of Christ’s true disciples; but
his heart had ever been carnal. He had seen the mighty works of
Jesus, he had been with him through his ministry, and yielded
to the overpowering evidences that he was the Messiah; but he
was close and covetous. He loved money. He complained in
anger of the costly ointment poured upon Jesus. Mary loved
her Lord. He had forgiven her sins which were many, and had
raised from the dead her much loved brother, and she felt that
nothing was too dear to bestow upon Jesus. The more costly
and precious the ointment, the better could Mary express her
gratitude to her Saviour, by devoting it to him. Judas, as an
excuse for his covetousness, said that the ointment might have
been sold and given to the poor. But it was not because he had
any care for the poor; for he was selfish, and often appropriated
to his own use that which was entrusted
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to his care to be given to the poor. Judas had not been
attentive to the comforts and wants of Jesus, and to excuse his
covetousness, he often referred to the poor. And this act of
generosity on the part of Mary was a most cutting rebuke of his
covetous disposition.
The way was prepared for the temptation of Satan to find
a ready reception in Judas’ heart. The Jews hated Jesus; but
multitudes thronged him to listen to his words of wisdom, and
to witness his mighty works. This drew the attention of the
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
people from the chief priests and elders, for the people were
stirred with the deepest interest, and anxiously followed Jesus,
and listened to the instructions of this wonderful teacher. Many
of the chief rulers believed on Jesus, but were afraid to confess
it, fearing they would be put out of the synagogue. The priests
and elders decided that something must be done to draw the
attention of the people from Jesus. They feared that all men
would believe on him. They could see n