530
The Desire of Ages
corresponding to the greatness of the work. They bore a message
that appealed to the hearts of men, weakening the old superstitions
that had long dwarfed the lives of thousands. Before their testimony
human theories and philosophies became as idle fables. Mighty were
the results flowing from the words of the Saviour to that wondering,
awestruck crowd in the temple at Jerusalem.
But Israel as a nation had divorced herself from God. The natural
branches of the olive tree were broken off. Looking for the last time
upon the interior of the temple, Jesus said with mournful pathos, “Be-
hold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall
not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in
the name of the Lord.” Hitherto He had called the temple His Father’s
house; but now, as the Son of God should pass out from those walls,
God’s presence would be withdrawn forever from the temple built
to His glory. Henceforth its ceremonies would be meaningless, its
services a mockery.
[621]