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Voice in the Wilderness
59
if their life and character were not in harmony with God’s law, they
were not His people.
All who became subjects of Christ’s kingdom, he said, would
give evidence of faith and repentance. Kindness and fidelity would
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be seen in their lives. They would minister to the needy, shield the
defenseless, and give an example of virtue and compassion.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming
after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry;
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” RSV. Isaiah
had declared that the Lord would cleanse His people “by the spirit
of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.”
Isaiah 4:4
.
In all who submit to His power, the Spirit of God will consume
sin. See
Hebrews 12:29
. But if men cling to sin, then the glory of
God, which destroys sin, must destroy them. At the second advent of
Christ the wicked shall be consumed “with the Spirit of His mouth,”
and destroyed “with the brightness of His coming.”
2 Thessalonians
2:8
. The glory of God which imparts life to the righteous will slay
the wicked.
In the time of John the Baptist, Christ was about to appear as
the revealer of the character of God. His very presence would make
manifest to men their sin. Only as they were willing to be purged
from sin could they enter into fellowship with Him.
Thus the Baptist declared God’s message to Israel. Many gave
heed and sacrificed all in order to obey. Not a few cherished the hope
that he might be the Messiah. But as John saw the people turning to
him, he sought every opportunity of directing their faith to Him who
was to come.
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