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2 Peter 1：19。 They had been seeking the knowledge of God
more than all hid treasures； counting it 〃better than the merchandise of
silver； and the gain thereof than fine gold。〃 Proverbs 3：14。 And the Lord
revealed to them the great things of the kingdom。 〃The secret of the Lord is
with them that fear Him； and He will show them His covenant。〃 Psalm 25：14。
It was not the scholarly theologians who had an understanding of this truth；
and engaged in its proclamation。 Had these been faithful watchmen；
diligently and prayerfully searching the Scriptures； they would have known
the time of night； the prophecies would have opened to them the events about
to take place。 But they did not occupy this position； and the message was
given by humbler men。 Said Jesus： 〃Walk while ye have the light； lest
darkness come upon you。〃 John 12：35。 Those who turn away from the light
which God has given； or who neglect to seek it when it is within their
reach； are left in darkness。 But the Saviour declares： 〃He that followeth Me
shall not walk in darkness； but shall have the light of life。〃 John 8：12。
Whoever is with singleness of purpose seeking to do God's will； earnestly
heeding the light already given； will receive greater light； to that soul
some star of heavenly radiance will be sent to guide him into all truth。
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At the time of Christ's first advent the priests and scribes of the Holy
City； to whom were entrusted the oracles of God； might have discerned the
signs of the times and proclaimed the coming of the Promised One。 The
prophecy of Micah designated His birthplace； Daniel specified the time of
His advent。 Micah 5：2； Daniel 9：25。 God committed these prophecies to the
Jewish leaders； they were without excuse if they did not know and declare to
the people that the Messiah's coming was at hand。 Their ignorance was the
result of sinful neglect。 The Jews were building monuments for the slain
prophets of God； while by their deference to the great men of earth they
were paying homage to the servants of Satan。 Absorbed in their ambitious
strife for place and power among men； they lost sight of the divine honors
proffered them by the King of heaven。
With profound and reverent interest the elders of Israel should have been
studying the place； the time； the circumstances； of the greatest event in
the world's historythe coming of the Son of God to accomplish the
redemption of man。 All the people should have been watching and waiting that
they might be among the first to welcome the world's Redeemer。 But； lo； at
Bethlehem two weary travelers from the hills of Nazareth traverse the whole
length of the narrow street to the eastern extremity of the town； vainly
seeking a place of rest and shelter for the night。 No doors are open to
receive them。 In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle； they at last find
refuge； and there the Saviour of the world is born。
Heavenly angels had seen the glory which the Son of God shared with the
Father before the world was； and they had looked forward with intense
interest to His appearing on earth as an event fraught with the greatest joy
to all people。 Angels were appointed to carry the glad tidings to those who
were prepared to receive it and who would joyfully make it known to the
inhabitants of the earth。 Christ had stooped to take upon Himself man's
nature； He was to bear an infinite
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weight of woe as He should make His soul an offering for sin； yet angels
desired that even in His humiliation the Son of the Highest might appear
before men with a dignity and glory befitting His character。 Would the great
men of earth assemble at Israel's capital to greet His coming？ Would legions
of angels present Him to the expectant company？
An angel visits the earth to see who are prepared to welcome Jesus。 But he
can discern no tokens of expectancy。 He hears no voice of praise and triumph
that the period of Messiah's coming is at hand。 The angel hovers for a time
over the chosen city and the temple where the divine presence has been
manifested for ages； but even here is the same indifference。 The priests； in
their pomp and pride； are offering polluted sacrifices in the temple。 The
Pharisees are with loud voices addressing the people or making boastful
prayers at the corners of the streets。 In the palaces of kings； in the
assemblies of philosophers； in the schools of the rabbis； all are alike
unmindful of the wondrous fact which has filled all heaven with joy and
praisethat the Redeemer of men is about to appear upon the earth。
There is no evidence that Christ is expected； and no preparation for the
Prince of life。 In amazement the celestial messenger is about to return to
heaven with the shameful tidings； when he discovers a group of shepherds who
are watching their flocks by night； and； as they gaze into the starry
heavens； are contemplating the prophecy of a Messiah to come to earth； and
longing for the advent of the world's Redeemer。 Here is a company that is
prepared to receive the heavenly message。 And suddenly the angel of the Lord
appears； declaring the good tidings of great joy。 Celestial glory floods all
the plain； an innumerable company of angels is revealed； and as if the joy
were too great for one messenger to bring from heaven； a multitude of voices
break forth in the anthem which all the nations of the saved shall one day
sing： 〃Glory to God in the highest； and on earth peace； good will toward
men。〃 Luke 2：14。
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Oh； what a lesson is this wonderful story of Bethlehem！ How it rebukes our
unbelief； our pride and self…sufficiency。 How it warns us to beware； lest by
our criminal indifference we also fail to discern the signs of the times；
and therefore know not the day of our visitation。
It was not alone upon the hills of Judea； not among the lowly shepherds
only； that angels found the watchers for Messiah's coming。 In the land of
the heathen also were those that looked for Him； they were wise men； rich
and noble； the philosophers of the East。 Students 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。 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 newborn 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；
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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
faithwhich alone could render the service acceptable to Godwas 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 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 into the
observance of forms； and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear。 This
truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of the church。 God
requires of His people works of faith and obedience corresponding to the
blessings and privileges bestowed。 Obedience requires a sacrifice and
involves a cross； and this is why so many of the professed followers of
Christ refused to receive the light from heaven； and； like the Jews of old；
knew not the time of th