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The Truth About Angels
Thrice the prayer for deliverance had been wrung from His
[Christ’s] lips. Heaven had been unable to longer endure the sight,
and had sent a messenger of consolation to the prostrate Son of God,
fainting and dying under the accumulated guilt of the world.—
The
[195]
Present Truth, February 18, 1886
.
In the supreme crisis, when heart and soul are breaking under
the load of sin, Gabriel is sent to strengthen the divine Sufferer, and
brace Him to tread His bloodstained path.”—
The Signs of the Times,
December 9, 1897
.
In this awful crisis, when everything was at stake, when the myste-
rious cup trembled in the hand of the Sufferer, the heavens opened, a
light shone forth amid the stormy darkness of the crisis hour, and the
mighty angel who stands in God’s presence, occupying the position
from which Satan fell, came to the side of Christ. The angel came not
to take the cup from Christ’s hand, but to strengthen Him to drink it,
with the assurance of the Father’s love....
The sleeping disciples had been suddenly awakened by the light
surrounding the Saviour. They saw the angel bending over their pros-
trate Master. They saw him lift the Saviour’s head upon his bosom,
and point toward heaven. They heard his voice, like sweetest music,
speaking words of comfort and hope.... Again the disciples in their
weariness yield to the strange stupor that overpowers them. Again
Jesus finds them sleeping.
Looking sorrowfully upon them He says, “Sleep on now, and take
your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed
into the hands of sinners.”
Even as He spoke these words, He heard the footsteps of the mob
in search of Him, and said, “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at
hand that doth betray me.”
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No traces of His recent agony were visible as Jesus stepped forth
to meet His betrayer. Standing in advance of His disciples He said,
“Whom seek ye?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied,
“I am He.”—
The Desire of Ages, 693, 694
.
It was in the power of Christ to deliver Himself. When He spoke
the words, “I am He,” immediately angels surrounded Him, and that
throng had all the evidence they could or would have that Christ was
the power of God.—
This Day With God, 267
.