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The Truth About Angels
But a higher power was at work against the plans of the prince of
darkness. Angels of God frustrated his designs, and protected the life
of the infant Redeemer.—
The Signs of the Times, August 4, 1887
.
Joseph, who was still in Egypt, was now bidden by an angel of God
to return to the land of Israel; ... but learning that Archelaus reigned in
Judea in his father’s stead, he feared that the father’s designs against
Christ might be carried out by the son....
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Again Joseph was directed to a place of safety. He returned to
Nazareth, his former home, and here for nearly thirty years Jesus
dwelt.... God ... commissioned angels to attend Jesus and protect Him
till He should accomplish His mission on earth, and die by the hands
of those whom He came to save.—
The Desire of Ages, 66, 67
.
The Silent Years
From His earliest years, He [Christ] lived a life of toil. The greater
part of His earthly life was spent in patient work in the carpenter’s
shop at Nazareth. In the garb of a common laborer the Lord of life trod
the streets of the little town in which He lived, going to and returning
from His humble toil; and ministering angels attended Him as He
walked side by side with peasants and laborers, unrecognized and
unhonored.—
The Review and Herald, October 3, 1912
.
Throughout His [Christ’s] childhood and youth, He manifested the
perfection of character that marked His after life. He grew in wisdom
and knowledge. As He witnessed the sacrificial offerings, the Holy
Spirit taught Him that His life was to be sacrificed for the life of the
world. He grew up as a tender plant, not in the large and noisy city,
that is full of confusion and strife, but in the retired valleys among the
hills. He was guarded from His earliest years by heavenly angels, yet
His life was one long struggle against the powers of darkness. Satanic
agencies combined with human instrumentalities to make His life one
of temptation and trial. Through supernatural agencies, His words,
which were life and salvation to all who receive and practice them,
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were perverted and misinterpreted.—
The Signs of the Times, August
6, 1896
.
Jesus made the lowly paths of human life sacred by His example.
For thirty years he was an inhabitant of Nazareth. His life was one of
diligent industry. He, the Majesty of heaven, walked the streets, clad