First Advent of Christ
9
the sacred work. They had eagerly aspired to the office through love
of power and show. They desired a position where they could have
authority, and practice fraud under a garb of piety, and thereby escape
detection. The high priest held a position of power and importance.
He was not only counselor and mediator, but judge; and there was no
appeal from his decision. The priests were held in restraint by the
authority of the Romans, and were not allowed the power of legally
ting any one to death. This power rested with those who bore rule
over the Jews. Men of corrupt hearts sought the distinguished office
of high priest, and frequently obtained it by bribery and assassination.
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The high priest, clad in his consecrated and expensive robes, with the
breastplate upon his breast, the light flashing upon the precious stones
inlaid in the breastplate, presented a most imposing appearance, and
struck the conscientious, true-hearted people with admiration, rever-
ence, and awe. The high priest was designed in an especial manner
to represent Christ, who was to become a high priest forever after the
order of Melchisedec. This order of priesthood was not to pass to
another, or be superseded by another.
The Jewish nation had corrupted their religion by useless cere-
monies and customs. This laid a heavy tax upon the people, especially
the poorer classes. They were also under bondage to the Romans, and
required to pay tribute to them. The Jews were unreconciled to their
bondage, and looked forward to the triumph of their nation through
the Messiah, the powerful deliverer foretold in prophecy. Their views
were narrow. They thought the Coming One would, at his appearing,
assume kingly honors, and, by force of arms, subdue their oppressors,
and take the throne of David. Had they, with humble minds and spir-
itual discernment, studied the prophecies, they would not have been
found in so great error as to overlook the prophecies which pointed
to his first advent in humility, and misapply those which spoke of his
second coming with power and great glory. The Jewish people had
been striving for power. They were ambitious for worldly honors.
They were proud and corrupt, and could not discern sacred things.
They could not distinguish between those prophecies which pointed to
the first advent of Christ, and those that described his second, glorious
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appearing. The power and glory described by the prophets as attending
his second advent, they looked for at his first advent. Their national
glory was to them their greatest anxiety. Their ambitious desire was