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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
the children of Abraham they refused to follow his example. They
were zealous for an external appearance of righteousness while they
neglected internal holiness. They were sticklers for the letter of the
law, while they grossly transgressed its spirit every day. The law
forbade hatred and theft, yet Christ declared that the Jews had made
his Father’s house a den of thieves. The great necessity of the people
was a new moral birth, a removal of the sins that polluted them, a
renewal of true knowledge and genuine holiness.
This purifying of the temple illustrates the work that must be
accomplished in every one who would secure eternal life. Patiently
Jesus unfolded the plan of salvation to Nicodemus, showing him how
the Holy Spirit brings light and transforming power to every soul that
is born of the Spirit. Like the wind, which is invisible—yet the effects
of which are plainly seen and felt—is the baptism of the Spirit of God
upon the heart, revealing itself in every action of him who experiences
its saving power.
He explained how Christ, the burden-bearer, lifts the burden from
the oppressed soul, and bids it rejoice in deliverance from bondage.
Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light
of Heaven. Yet no one sees the hand that lifts the burden, nor beholds
the light descend from the courts of God. The blessing comes when
the soul, by faith, surrenders itself to the Lord. This mystery exceeds
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human knowledge, yet he who thus passes from death to life realizes
that it is a divine truth.
The conversion of the soul through faith in Christ was but dimly
comprehended by Nicodemus, who had been accustomed to consider
cold formality and rigid services as true religion. The great Teacher
explained that his mission upon earth was not to set up a temporal
kingdom, emulating the pomp and display of the world, but to establish
the reign of peace and love, to bring men to the Father through the
mediatorial agency of his Son.
Nicodemus was bewildered. Said Jesus, “If I have told you earthly
things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly
things?” If Nicodemus could not receive his teachings illustrating the
work of grace upon the human heart, as represented by the figure of the
wind, how could he comprehend the character of his glorious heavenly
kingdom should he explain it to him? Not discerning the nature of