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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
the Lord’s soon coming, renounced their faith. Some who had been
very confident were so deeply wounded in their pride that they felt
like fleeing from the world. Like Jonah, they complained of God,
and chose death rather than life. Those who had based their faith
upon the opinions of others, and not upon the word of God, were
now as ready to again exchange their views. The scoffers won the
weak and cowardly to their ranks, and all united in declaring that
there could be no more fears or expectations now. The time had
passed, the Lord had not come, and the world might remain the same
for thousands of years.
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The earnest, sincere believers had given up all for Christ, and
had shared his presence as never before. They had, as they believed,
given their last warning to the world, and, expecting soon to be
received into the society of their divine Master and the heavenly
angels, they had, to a great extent, withdrawn from the unbelieving
multitude. With intense desire they had prayed, “Come, Lord Jesus,
and come quickly.” But he had not come. And now to take up again
the heavy burden of life’s cares and perplexities, and to endure the
taunts and sneers of a scoffing world, was indeed a terrible trial of
faith and patience.
Yet this disappointment was not so great as was that experienced
by the disciples at the time of Christ’s first advent. When Jesus
rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, his followers believed that he was
about to ascend the throne of David, and deliver Israel from her
oppressors. With high hopes and joyful anticipations they vied with
one another in showing honor to their King. Many spread their outer
garments as a carpet in his path, or strewed before him the leafy
branches of the palm. In their enthusiastic joy they united in the
glad acclaim, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” When the Pharisees,
disturbed and angered by this outburst of rejoicing, wished Jesus to
rebuke his disciples, he replied, “If these should hold their peace, the
stones would immediately cry out.” [
Luke 19:40
.] Prophecy must
be fulfilled. The disciples were accomplishing the purpose of God;
yet they were doomed to a bitter disappointment. But a few days
had passed ere they witnessed the Saviour’s agonizing death, and
laid him in the tomb. Their expectations had not been realized in a
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single particular, and their hopes died with Jesus. Not till their Lord
had come forth triumphant from the grave could they perceive that