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The Beginning of the End
The bleeding victim on the altar testified of a Redeemer to come. So
even through darkness and apostasy, faith was kept alive in human
hearts until the coming of the promised Messiah.
Jesus was the Light of the world before He came in the form of
humanity. The first gleam of light that pierced the gloom in which
sin had wrapped the world came from Christ. From Him has come
every ray of heaven’s brightness that has fallen on the inhabitants of
the earth.
Since the Savior shed His blood and went back to heaven “to
appear in the presence of God for us” (
Hebrews 9:24
), light has been
streaming from the cross of Calvary and from the heavenly sanctuary.
The gospel of Christ gives meaning to the ceremonial law. As truths
are revealed, we see more keenly the character and purposes of God.
Every additional ray of light gives a clearer understanding of the
plan of redemption. We find new beauty in God’s Word and study
its pages with more and more interest.
God did not intend for Israel to build up a wall of separation
between themselves and others. The heart of Infinite Love was
reaching out toward everyone who lives on Earth, seeking to help
them enjoy and benefit by His love and grace. He gave his blessing
to the chosen people so that they might bless others.
Abraham did not shut himself away from the people around him.
He maintained friendly relationships with the kings of the surround-
ing nations, and through him the God of heaven was revealed.
God manifested Himself to the people of Egypt through Joseph.
Why did the Lord choose to promote Joseph to such a high position
among the Egyptians? He wanted to put him in the palace of the
king so that the heavenly light could extend far and near. Joseph was
[180]
a representative of Christ. The Egyptians were to see in Joseph, the
one who helped them, the love of their Creator and Redeemer. In
Moses God also placed a light beside the throne of earth’s greatest
kingdom so that all could learn of the true and living God.
In Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, a knowledge of the power of
God spread far and wide. Centuries after the exodus, the priests of
the Philistines reminded their people of the plagues of Egypt and
warned them against resisting the God of Israel.