Incarnation and Early Life of Christ
115
of nature, the Magi had seen God in His handiwork. From the Hebrew
Scriptures they had learned of the Star to arise out of Jacob, and with
eager desire they awaited 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
.—
The
Great Controversy, 315
.
The wise men ... had studied prophecy, and knew the time was
at hand when Christ would come, and they were anxiously watching
for some sign of this great event, that they might be among the first
to welcome the infant heavenly King, and worship Him. These wise
men had seen the heavens illuminated with light, which enshrouded
the heavenly messengers who heralded the advent of Christ to the
shepherds of Israel, and after the angelic messenger returned to heaven,
a luminous star appeared, and lingered in the heavens. The unusual
appearance of the large, bright star which they had never seen before,
hanging as a sign in the heavens, attracted their attention, and the
Spirit of God moved them out to seek this heavenly Visitor to a fallen
world.—
Redemption or the First Advent of Christ With His Life and
Ministry, 16
.
[162]
As the light [of the angels at Bethlehem] faded, a luminous star
appeared, and lingered in the sky. It was not a fixed star nor a planet,
and the phenomenon excited the keenest interest. That star was a
distant company of shining angels, but of this the wise men were
ignorant. Yet they were impressed that the star was of special import
to them. They consulted priests and philosophers, and searched the
scrolls of the ancient records. The prophecy of Balaam had declared,
“There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out
of Israel.”
Numbers 24:17
. Could this strange star have been sent
as a harbinger of the Promised One? The magi had welcomed the
light of heaven-sent truth; now it was shed upon them in brighter rays.
Through dreams they were instructed to go in search of the newborn
Prince.—
The Desire of Ages, 60
.
Angels of God, in the appearance of a star, conducted the wise men
on their mission in search of Jesus. They came with gifts and costly
offerings of frankincense and myrrh, to pay their oblation to the infant
King foretold in prophecy. They followed the brilliant messengers
with assurance and great joy.—
The Review and Herald, December 9,
1884
.