“The Kingdom of God Is at Hand”
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of God, they had no thought of separating themselves from the estab-
lished church; but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light,
and those that bore it were forced to seek another class, who were
longing for the truth. In our day few of the professed followers of
the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. Few are listening for the
voice of God, and ready to accept truth in whatever guise it may be
presented. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are
forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to declare
the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times those who are
seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the church
of their fathers, that they may render obedience.
The people of Galilee were despised by the rabbis of Jerusalem as
rude and unlearned, yet they presented a more favorable field for the
Saviour’s work. They were more earnest and sincere; less under the
control of bigotry; their minds were more open for the reception of
truth. In going to Galilee, Jesus was not seeking seclusion or isolation.
The province was at this time the home of a crowded population, with
a much larger admixture of people of other nations than was found in
Judea.
As Jesus traveled through Galilee, teaching and healing, multitudes
flocked to Him from the cities and villages. Many came even from
Judea and the adjoining provinces. Often He was obliged to hide
Himself from the people. The enthusiasm ran so high that it was
necessary to take precautions lest the Roman authorities should be
aroused to fear an insurrection. Never before had there been such
a period as this for the world. Heaven was brought down to men.
Hungering and thirsting souls that had waited long for the redemption
of Israel now feasted upon the grace of a merciful Saviour.
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The burden of Christ’s preaching was, “The time is fulfilled, and
the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Thus the gospel message, as given by the Saviour Himself, was based
on the prophecies. The “time” which He declared to be fulfilled was
the period made known by the angel Gabriel to Daniel. “Seventy
weeks,” said the angel, “are determined upon thy people and upon
thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins,
and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint
the most holy.”
Daniel 9:24
. A day in prophecy stands for a year. See