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One Superior to Angels, January 20
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance
obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said
he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I
will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he
bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he said, And let all the angels of
God worship him.
Hebrews 1:4-6
.
Should the angel Gabriel be sent to this world to take upon himself human
nature, and to teach the knowledge of God, how eagerly men would listen to his
instruction. Supposing that he were able to set us a perfect example of purity and
holiness, sympathizing with us in all our sorrows, bereavements, and afflictions,
and suffering the punishment of our sins, how eagerly we would follow him. What
exaltation he would receive. Men would desire to place him on the throne of David,
and to gather the nations of earth under his banner.
If, when this heavenly being returned to his home, he should leave behind
him a book containing the history of his mission, with revelations regarding the
history of the world, how eagerly would its seal be broken! How anxiously men and
women would seek to obtain a copy! Thinking people would store up the precious
instruction for the benefit of future generations. Thousands from all parts of the
world would copy the words of this book. With intense interest they would read and
reread its pages. For a time all other interests would be subordinated to a study of
its contents.
But One surpassing all that imagination can present came from heaven to this
world. Nearly 2000 years ago a voice of strange and mysterious import was heard
from the throne of God, “Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast
thou prepared me.... Lo, I come ... to do thy will, O God.”
A prophet said: “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,
Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”...
As Paul beheld Christ in His power, he broke out into exclamations of admiration
and amazement: “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” “By him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they
be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by
him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” ... (
The
Signs of the Times, April 4, 1906
).
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