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158
Early Writings
He did not cling to his father’s family, to enjoy their society, but
left them in order to fulfill his mission. Multitudes left the busy
cities and villages and flocked to the wilderness to hear the words of
the wonderful prophet. John laid the ax to the root of the tree. He
reproved sin, fearless of consequences, and prepared the way for the
Lamb of God.
Herod was affected as he listened to the powerful, pointed tes-
timonies of John, and with deep interest he inquired what he must
do to become his disciple. John was acquainted with the fact that he
was about to marry his brother’s wife, while her husband was yet
living, and faithfully told Herod that this was not lawful. Herod was
unwilling to make any sacrifice. He married his brother’s wife, and
through her influence, seized John and put him in prison, intending
however to release him. While there confined, John heard through
his disciples of the mighty works of Jesus. He could not listen to
His gracious words; but the disciples informed him and comforted
him with what they had heard. Soon John was beheaded, through
the influence of Herod’s wife. I saw that the humblest disciples who
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followed Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and heard the comforting
words which fell from His lips, were greater than John the Baptist;
that is, they were more exalted and honored, and had more pleasure
in their lives.
John came in the spirit and power of Elijah to proclaim the first
advent of Jesus. I was pointed down to the last days and saw that
John represented those who should go forth in the spirit and power
of Elijah to herald the day of wrath and the second advent of Jesus.
After the baptism of Jesus in Jordan, He was led by the Spirit
into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. The Holy Spirit
had prepared Him for that special scene of fierce temptations. Forty
days He was tempted of Satan, and in those days He ate nothing.
Everything around Him was unpleasant, from which human nature
would be led to shrink. He was with the wild beasts and the devil, in
a desolate, lonely place. The Son of God was pale and emaciated,
through fasting and suffering. But His course was marked out, and
He must fulfill the work which He came to do.
Satan took advantage of the sufferings of the Son of God and
prepared to beset Him with manifold temptations, hoping to obtain
the victory over Him, because He had humbled Himself as a man.