114
The Truth About Angels
shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.”
No sooner had their eyes become accustomed to the glorious pres-
ence of the one angel, than, lo! the whole plain was lighted up with
the wondrous glory of the multitude of angels that peopled the plains
of Bethlehem. The angel quieted the fears of the shepherds before
opening their eyes to behold the multitude of the heavenly host, all
[160]
praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest; and on earth,
peace, good will to men.”—
The Review and Herald, December 9,
1884
.
The shepherds are filled with joy, and, as the bright glory disap-
pears, and the angels return to heaven, they are all aglow with the
glad tidings, and hasten in search of the Saviour. They find the in-
fant Redeemer, as the celestial messengers had testified, wrapped in
swaddling clothes, and lying in the narrow confines of a manger.—
The
Review and Herald, December 17, 1872
.
Satan saw the plains of Bethlehem illuminated with the brilliant
glory of a multitude of heavenly angels. He heard their song, “Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.” The
prince of darkness saw the amazed shepherds filled with fear as they
beheld the illuminated plains. They trembled before the exhibitions
of bewildering glory which seemed to entrance their senses. The
rebel chief himself trembled at the proclamation of the angel to the
shepherds, “Fear not; for, behold, I bring to you tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city
of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” ...
The song of the heavenly messengers proclaiming the advent of the
Saviour to a fallen world, and the joy expressed at this great event Satan
knew boded no good to himself. Dark forebodings were awakened in
his mind as to the influence this advent to the world would have upon
his kingdom.—
The Review and Herald, March 3, 1874
.
[161]
The Magi
It was not alone upon the hills of Judea, not among the lowly shep-
herds only, that angels found the watchers for the Messiah’s coming.
In the land of the heathen also were those that looked for Him; they
were wise men, rich and noble, the philosophers of the East. Students