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Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
lonely. He did not cling to his father’s family, to enjoy their society,
but left them in order to fulfill his mission. Multitudes left the busy
cities and villages, and flocked to the wilderness to hear the words of
the wonderful, singular Prophet. John laid the axe at the root of the
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tree. He reproved sin fearless of consequences, and prepared the way
for the Lamb of God.
Herod was affected as he listened to the powerful, pointed testi-
monies of John. With deep interest he inquired what he must do to
become his disciple. John was acquainted with the fact that he was
about to marry his brother’s wife, while her husband was yet living,
and faithfully told Herod that it was not lawful. Herod was not willing
to make any sacrifice. He married his brother’s wife, and, through
her influence, seized John and put him in prison. But Herod intended
to release him again. While there confined, John heard through his
disciples of the mighty works of Jesus. He could not listen to his
gracious words. But the disciples informed him, and comforted him
with what they had heard. Soon John was beheaded through the in-
fluence of Herod’s wife. I saw that the least disciple that followed
Jesus, witnessed his miracles, and heard the comforting words which
fell from his lips, was greater than John the baptist. That is, they were
more exalted and honored, and had more pleasure in their lives.
John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, to proclaim the first
advent of Jesus. I was pointed down to the last days, and saw that John
was to represent those who should go forth in the spirit and power of
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Elijah, to herald the day of wrath, and the second advent of Jesus.
After the baptism of Jesus in Jordan, he was led by the Spirit into
the wilderness, to be tempted of the Devil. The Holy Spirit had fitted
him for that special scene of fierce temptations. Forty days he was
tempted of the Devil, and in those days he ate nothing. Everything
around Jesus was unpleasant, from which human nature would be led
to shrink. He was with the wild beasts, and the Devil, in a desolate,
lonely place. I saw that the Son of God was pale and emaciated through
fasting and suffering. But his course was marked out, and he must
fulfill the work he came to do.
Satan took advantage of the sufferings of the Son of God, and
prepared to beset him with manifold temptations, hoping he should
obtain the victory over him, because he had humbled himself as a man.
Satan came with this temptation, If thou be the Son of God, command