Messiah
105
Evil angels whisper their low, corrupt teachings in the ears of men,
and they are pleased. Their carnal minds are gratified. That which
comes from Satan and hell they make themselves believe comes from
the spirits of the dead. Their consciences are seared as with a hot
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iron. When the Son of God came into the world to die, man’s sacrifice,
he laid aside his glory and exalted stature. His height was but a little
above the general size of men. His personal appearance bore no special
marks of his divine character, which would of itself inspire faith. Yet
his perfect form, and dignified bearing, his countenance expressing
benevolence, love and holiness, were unequaled by any then living
upon the earth.
When the Life-giver rose from the dead a triumphant conqueror,
and made himself known unto his disciples, he was of the same size
as before his crucifixion. There were no special marks which would at
once cause the men of Emmaus to know that he was the Son of God.
They did not know him until he told them who he was.
But when he ascended up on high, and led a multitude of captives,
escorted by the heavenly host, and was received in through the gates
of the city, with angelic songs of triumph and rejoicing, I beheld with
admiration and wonder, that he possessed the same exalted stature
that he had before he came into the world to die for man. Said the
angel, God, who wrought so great a miracle as to make Christ flesh
to dwell among men, and will with his almighty power lift up fallen,
degenerate, and dwarfed man, and after they are redeemed from the
earth, make them “grow up as calves of the stall,” could in his infinite
power return to his dear Son his own exalted stature, which was his
before he left Heaven, and humbled himself as a man, and submitted
to the death of the cross.
It is no marvel with the angelic host that their loved Commander,
after he had carried out the plan of salvation, and ascended up to
Heaven, should take his own exalted stature, and be clothed with
majesty and glory, which was his before he left Heaven. But it was a
marvel with all heaven, that the Father suffered the Son of his bosom to
lay aside his glory, and come down to earth, and submit to humiliation,
and the agonizing death of the cross to save fallen man.
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