22
The Desire of Ages
of the light. Intent on maintaining the separation between themselves
and other nations, they were unwilling to impart the knowledge they
still possessed concerning the symbolic service. The true Interpreter
[34]
must come. The One whom all these types prefigured must explain
their significance.
Through nature, through types and symbols, through patriarchs
and prophets, God had spoken to the world. Lessons must be given to
humanity in the language of humanity. The Messenger of the covenant
must speak. His voice must be heard in His own temple. Christ must
come to utter words which should be clearly and definitely understood.
He, the author of truth, must separate truth from the chaff of man’s
utterance, which had made it of no effect. The principles of God’s
government and the plan of redemption must be clearly defined. The
lessons of the Old Testament must be fully set before men.
Among the Jews there were yet steadfast souls, descendants of
that holy line through whom a knowledge of God had been preserved.
These still looked for the hope of the promise made unto the fathers.
They strengthened their faith by dwelling upon the assurance given
through Moses, “A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto
you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things
whatsoever He shall say unto you.”
Acts 3:22
. Again, they read how
the Lord would anoint One “to preach good tidings unto the meek,”
“to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,” and
to declare the “acceptable year of the Lord.”
Isaiah 61:1, 2
. They read
how He would “set judgment in the earth,” how the isles should “wait
for His law,” how the Gentiles should come to His light, and kings to
the brightness of His rising.
Isaiah 42:4
;
60:3
.
The dying words of Jacob filled them with hope: “The scepter
shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until
Shiloh come.”
Genesis 49:10
. The waning power of Israel testified that
the Messiah’s coming was at hand. The prophecy of Daniel pictured
the glory of His reign over an empire which should succeed all earthly
kingdoms; and, said the prophet, “It shall stand forever.”
Daniel 2:44
.
While few understood the nature of Christ’s mission, there was a
widespread expectation of a mighty prince who should establish his
kingdom in Israel, and who should come as a deliverer to the nations.
The fullness of the time had come. Humanity, becoming more
degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the