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Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
heavens and the earth as a guilty sinner; that he should suffer dreadful
hours of agony, which even angels could not look upon, but would
vail their faces from the sight. Not merely agony of body would he
suffer; but mental agony, that with which bodily suffering could in no
wise be compared. The weight of the sins of the whole world would
be upon him. He told them he would die and rise again the third day,
and should ascend to his Father to intercede for wayward, guilty man.
The angels prostrated themselves before him. They offered their
lives. Jesus said to them that he should by his death save many; that
the life of an angel could not pay the debt. His life alone could be
accepted of his Father as a ransom for man.
[25]
Jesus also told them that they should have a part to act, to be with
him, and at different times strengthen him. That he should take man’s
fallen nature, and his strength would not be even equal with theirs.
And they should be witnesses of his humiliation and great sufferings.
And as they should witness his sufferings, and the hate of men towards
him, they would be stirred with the deepest emotions, and through
their love for him, would wish to rescue, and deliver him from his
murderers; but that they must not interfere to prevent anything they
should behold; and that they should act a part in his resurrection; that
the plan of salvation was devised, and his Father had accepted the plan.
With a holy sadness Jesus comforted and cheered the angels, and
informed them that hereafter those whom he should redeem would be
with him, and ever dwell with him; and that by his death he should
ransom many, and destroy him who had the power of death. And his
Father would give him the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom
under the whole heaven, and he should possess it forever and ever.
Satan and sinners should be destroyed, never more to disturb heaven,
or the purified, new earth. Jesus bid the heavenly host be reconciled to
the plan that his Father accepted, and rejoice that fallen man could be
exalted again through his death, to obtain favor with God and enjoy
heaven.
[26]
Then joy, inexpressible joy, filled heaven. And the heavenly host
sung a song of praise and adoration. They touched their harps and
sung a note higher than they had done before, for the great mercy
and condescension of God in yielding up his dearly Beloved to die
for a race of rebels. Praise and adoration were poured forth for the
self-denial and sacrifice of Jesus; that he would consent to leave the