Heralds of the Morning
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Scriptures they had learned of the Star to arise out of Jacob, and with
eager desire they waited His coming, who should be not only the
“Consolation of Israel,” but a “Light to lighten the Gentiles,” and “for
salvation unto the ends of the earth.” [
Luke 2:25, 32
;
Acts 13:47
.] They
were seekers for light, and light from the throne of God illumined the
path for their feet. While the priests and rabbis of Jerusalem, the
appointed guardians and expounders of the truth, were shrouded in
darkness, the Heaven-sent star guided these Gentile strangers to the
birthplace of the new-born King.
It is “unto them that look for him” that Christ is to “appear the
second time, without sin unto salvation.” [
Hebrews 9:28
.] Like the
tidings of the Saviour’s birth, the message of the second advent was
not committed to the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to
preserve their connection with God, and had refused light from Heaven;
therefore they were not of the number described by the apostle Paul:
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake
you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the
day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” [
1 Thessalonians 5:4,
5
.]
The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should have been the first to
catch the tidings of the Saviour’s advent, the first to lift their voices
to proclaim him near, the first to warn the people to prepare for his
coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety, while the
people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw his church, like the barren
fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of precious
fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion, while
the spirit of true humility, penitence, and faith—which alone could
render the service acceptable to God—was lacking. Instead of the
graces of the Spirit, there were manifested pride, formalism, vainglory,
selfishness, oppression. A backsliding church closed their eyes to the
signs of the times. God did not forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness
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to fail; but they departed from him, and separated themselves from
his love. As they refused to comply with the conditions, his promises
were not fulfilled to them.
Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the
light and privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow
on in his opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing
every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate