True Education
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therefore are unable to understand the prophecies. The most learned
in the world’s lore, who are not watching to hear what God says in
His word, and opening their hearts to receive that word and give it to
others, are not representatives of His. It is not the great and learned
men of the earth, kings and nobles, who will receive the truth unto
eternal life, though it will be brought to them.
Daniel’s exposition of the dream given by God to the king, resulted
in his receiving honor and dignity. “The king Nebuchadnezzar fell
upon his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should
offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him. The king answered unto
Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods,
and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest
reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave
him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of
Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat
in the gate of the king,”—a place where judgment was dispensed, and
his three companions were made counselors, judges, and rulers in the
midst of the land. These men were not puffed up with vanity, but they
saw and rejoiced that God was recognized above all earthly potentates,
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and that His kingdom was extolled above all earthly kingdoms.
So we see that the highest line of earthly education may be ob-
tained, and yet the men possessing it may be ignorant of the first
principles which would make them subjects of the kingdom of God.
Human learning cannot qualify for that kingdom. The subjects of
Christ’s kingdom are not made thus by forms and ceremonies, by
a large study of books. “This is life eternal, that they might know
Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent.” The
members of Christ’s kingdom are members of His body, of which
He himself is the head. They are the elect sons of God, “a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people,” that they should show
forth the praises of Him who has called them out of darkness into His
marvelous light.
“For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy
God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all
people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His
love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than