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Chapter 23—How Daniel Identified Jesus as the
Christ
The Messiah’s coming had been first announced in Judea. On
the hills of Bethlehem the angels had proclaimed the birth of Jesus.
To Jerusalem the magi had come in search of Him.
If the leaders in Israel had received Christ, He would have hon-
ored them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world. But
Israel knew not the time of her visitation. The jealousy and distrust
of the Jewish leaders had ripened into open hatred, and the hearts of
the people were turned away from Jesus. The Sanhedrin was bent
upon His death; therefore Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the
people who had been instructed in the law, and turned to another
class to proclaim His message.
In every succeeding generation, the history of Christ’s with-
drawal from Judea has been repeated. When the Reformers preached
the word of God, they had no thought of separating from the es-
tablished church; but the religious leaders would not tolerate the
light, and those that bore it were forced to seek another class who
were longing for truth. In our day few professed followers of the
Reformers are listening for the voice of God, ready to accept truth in
whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the
steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from churches they
love in order to declare the plain word of God. Many are obliged to
leave the church of their fathers that they may render obedience.
The people of Galilee presented a more favorable field for the
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Saviour’s work. Less under the control of bigotry, their minds were
more open for the reception of truth. The province was the home of
a much larger mixture of people of other nations than was Judea.
As Jesus traveled through Galilee, teaching and healing, multi-
tudes came, many even from Judea. Enthusiasm ran so high it was
necessary to take precautions lest the Roman authorities be aroused
to fear an insurrection. Hungering and thirsting souls feasted upon
the grace of a merciful Saviour.
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