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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 3
precious life, wrested from Satan’s hand the last weapon by which he
could gain the kingdoms of the world. Man might then be free from
the power of evil through his Saviour Jesus Christ.
As the Son of God meditated upon these things, and the whole
burden of his mission passed before his mind’s eye, he lifted his head
and said, “Father, glorify thy name.” He thought it not robbery to be
equal with God, and called upon him to glorify himself in his Son. A
response came from the cloud which had hovered above the head of
Jesus: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
A light darted from the cloud, as the voice was heard, and encircled
Christ, as if the arms of Infinite Power were thrown about him like a
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wall of fire. The people beheld this scene with terror and amazement.
No one ventured to utter a word. With silent lips and bated breath they
stood with eyes riveted upon Jesus. The testimony of Almighty God
having been given, the cloud lifted and scattered in the heavens. The
visible communion between the Father and the Son was ended for that
time.
The spectators now began to breathe more freely and exchange
opinions upon what they had seen and heard. Some solemnly declared
their faith in Jesus as the Son of God, while others tried to explain
away the remarkable scene they had just witnessed. “The people,
therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered; others said,
An angel spoke to him.” But the inquiring Greeks saw the cloud, heard
the voice, comprehended its meaning, and discerned Christ indeed;
Jesus was revealed to their understanding as the Messiah.
The voice of God had been heard at the baptism of Jesus at the
commencement of his ministry, and again at his transfiguration on the
mount; and now, at the close of his ministry, it was heard for the third
time, and on this occasion by a larger number of persons and under
peculiar circumstances. He had just uttered the most solemn truths
regarding the condition of the Jews. He had made his last appeal, and
pronounced their doom. The wall of partition between Jew and Gentile
was tottering and ready to fall at the death of Christ.
The thoughts of the Saviour now returned from contemplating the
past and future. While the people were endeavoring to explain what
they had seen and heard according to the impressions made upon their
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minds, and according to the light they possessed, “Jesus answered and
said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.” It was