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The Truth About Angels
Gideon came the divine call to deliver his people. He was engaged
at the time in threshing wheat.... As Gideon labored in secrecy and
silence, he sadly pondered upon the condition of Israel, and considered
how the oppressor’s yoke might be broken from off his people.
Suddenly the “Angel of the Lord” appeared and addressed him
with the words, “Jehovah is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.”—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 546
.
The angel had veiled the divine glory of His presence, but it was
no other than Christ, the Son of God. When a prophet or an angel
delivered a divine message, his words were, “The Lord saith, I will do
this,” but it is stated of the Person who talked with Gideon, “The Lord
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said unto him, I will be with thee.”
Desiring to show special honor to his illustrious visitor, and having
obtained the assurance that the Angel would tarry, Gideon hastened
to his tent, and out of his scanty store prepared a kid and unleavened
cakes, which he brought forth to set before Him....
As the gift was presented, the Angel said, “Take the flesh and
unleavened cakes, and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.”
Gideon did so, and then the Lord gave him the sign which he desired.
With the staff in His hand, the Angel touched the flesh and the unleav-
ened cakes, and a fire rose up out of the rock and consumed the whole
as a sacrifice, and not as a hospitable meal; for he was God, and not
man. After this token of His divine character, the Angel disappeared.
When convinced that he had looked upon the Son of God, Gideon
was filled with fear, and exclaimed, “Alas, O Lord God! for because I
have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.”
Then the Lord graciously appeared to Gideon a second time and
said, “Peace be unto thee, fear not, thou shalt not die.” These gracious
words were spoken by the same compassionate Saviour who said to
the tempted disciples upon the stormy sea, “It is I; be not afraid”—He
who appeared to those sorrowing ones in the upper chamber, and spoke
the selfsame words addressed to Gideon, “Peace be unto you.”—
The
Signs of the Times, June 23, 1881
.
Samson
Amid the widespread apostasy, the faithful worshipers of God
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continued to plead with Him for the deliverance of Israel.... On the