First Advent of Christ
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proud boasting presented the Saviour of the world, and his mission to
the earth, altogether in a false light. Their lofty ideas and their proud
boasting did not result as Satan had at first purposed they should, in the
destruction of the infant Saviour, but rebounded back upon themselves,
filling their homes with mourning. Jeremiah, in prophetic vision, says:
“In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and
great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be
comforted, because they are not.” But Herod did not long survive his
cruel work. He died a fearful death. He was compelled to yield to a
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power he could not turn aside or overcome.
After Herod was cut off from the earth, the angel again warned
Joseph to return to the land of Israel. He was desirous to make his
home in Judah or Bethlehem; but when he heard that the son of the
tyrannical Herod reigned upon his father’s throne, he was afraid that
the purposes of the father might be carried out by the son in murdering
Christ. While in his perplexity, not knowing where to locate, the Lord,
through his angel, again selected for him a place of safety. “And he
came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”
This was the reception the Saviour met as he came to a fallen
world. He left his heavenly home, his majesty, and riches, and high
command, and took upon himself man’s nature, that he might save
the fallen race. Instead of men glorifying God for the honor he had
conferred upon them in thus sending his Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, by giving him a place in their affections, there seemed to be
no rest nor safety for the infant Saviour. Jehovah could not trust to
the inhabitants of the world his Son, who came into the world that
through his divine power he might redeem fallen man. He who came
to bring life to man, met, from the very ones he came to benefit, insult,
hatred, and abuse. God could not trust his beloved Son with men while
carrying on his benevolent work for their salvation, and final exaltation
to his own throne. He sent angels to attend his Son and preserve his
life, till his mission on earth should be accomplished, and he should
die by the hands of the very men he came to save.
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