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From Eternity Past
Moses beheld the disciples of Jesus as they went forth to carry His
gospel to the world. Though Israel “according to the flesh” had failed
to be the light of the world, though they had forfeited their blessings
as His chosen people, yet God had not cast off the seed of Abraham.
All who through Christ should become the children of faith were to
be counted as Abraham’s seed, inheritors of the covenant promises.
Like Abraham they were called to make known to the world the law
of God and the gospel of His Son. Moses saw the light of the gospel
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shining through the disciples of Jesus, and thousands from the lands
of the Gentiles flocking to the brightness of its rising. He rejoiced in
the increase and prosperity of Israel.
And now another scene passed before him. He had been shown the
work of Satan in leading the Jews to reject Christ while they professed
to honor His Father’s law. He now saw the world under a similar
deception in professing to accept Christ while they rejected God’s
law. He had heard from the priests and elders the frenzied cry, “Away
with Him!” “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” And now he heard from
professedly Christian teachers the cry, “Away with the law!”
He saw the Sabbath trodden under foot and a spurious institution
established in its place. Moses was filled with astonishment and horror.
How could those who believed in Christ set aside the law which is the
foundation of His government in heaven and earth? With joy Moses
saw the law of God still honored and exalted by a faithful few. He saw
the last great struggle of earthly powers to destroy those who keep
God’s law. He heard God’s covenant of peace with those who have
kept His law, as He utters His voice from His holy habitation. He
saw the second coming of Christ in glory, the righteous dead raised to
immortal life, and the living saints translated without seeing death and
together ascending with songs of gladness to the City of God.
Still another scene opens to his view—the earth freed from the
curse, lovelier than the fair Land of Promise so lately spread out before
him. There is no sin, and death cannot enter. With joy unutterable,
Moses looks upon the scene, a more glorious deliverance than his
brightest hopes have ever pictured. Their earthly wanderings forever
past, the Israel of God have at last entered the goodly land.
Again the vision faded, and his eyes rested upon the land of Canaan
in the distance. Then, like a tired warrior, he lay down to rest. “So
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Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according