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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
directions to the parents of John in regard to temperance. A lesson was
given upon health reform by one of the exalted angels from the throne
of Heaven. John was to reform the children of Israel, and turn them to
the Lord. He had the promise that God would work with him. He was
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“to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to
the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
John was a representative of the people of God in the last days, to
whom God has committed important and solemn truths. The world at
large are given to gluttony and the indulgence of base passions. The
light of health reform is opened before the people of God at this day,
that they may see the necessity of holding their appetites and passions
under control of the higher powers of the mind. This is also necessary,
that they may have mental strength and clearness, to discern the sacred
chain of truth, and turn from the bewitching errors and pleasing fables,
that are flooding the world. Their work is to present before the people
the pure doctrine of the Bible. Hence health reform finds its place in
the preparatory work for the second appearing of Christ.
Zacharias was as much astonished at the words of the angel, as he
was at his appearance. He had so humble an opinion of himself that he
thought it could not be possible that he was thus to be honored of the
Lord. He inquired, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man,
and my wife well stricken in years. Zacharias for a moment forgot
the unlimited power of God, and that nothing was impossible with
him. He did not call to mind the case of Abraham and Sarah, and the
fulfillment of the promise of God to them.
Zacharias received a confirmation of the angel’s message, “Behold,
thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these
things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words which
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shall be fulfilled in their season.” He was soon made to realize the
verity of the divine mission. The angel had no sooner departed than he
was struck dumb.
The particular office of Zacharias was to pray in behalf of the peo-
ple, for pardon of public and national sins, and to earnestly pray for the
coming of the long-expected Saviour whom they believed must redeem
his people. When Zacharias attempted to pray, he could not utter a
word. The people waited long for the appearance of Zacharias, to learn
whether God had given them any visible token of his approbation.
They began to fear from his long tarry that God had manifested his