p. 151 | THE JEWS by A. S. Nason

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 11, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 19.

THE JEWS.

By A. S. Nason

The history of the Jews is worthy of careful study and reflection. The lessons contained in its pages are full of instruction and warning to generations that should live afterward. But most impressive of all seems that portion of it connected with our Saviour. How wonderful that the King of glory could condescend to come to earth and take upon himself the form of a man, and suffer all the ignominy and the cruel death which was his lot to bear! Was there ever so favored a people as were the Jews in having the Messiah in their midst? And yet the greater portion of them refused to obey him. Had they taken heed to his warnings, they might have escaped the terrible judgments that befell them.

It was not strange that Christ should weep over their city, as his mind looked forward to the time when bloodshed carnage would overtake them. He would fain have gathered them to himself “even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,” but they “would not.” History states that fearful signs appeared previous to the destruction of Jerusalem. “A star, shaped like a sword, hung over Jerusalem for a whole year.” “At the ninth hour of the night, during the feast of tabernacles, a light as bright as noon shone for half an hour on the temple, and places adjacent.” “About the same time, the eastern gate of the temple, all of solid brass, and which twenty men could scarce shut, though fastened with strong bolts opened of its own accord and could scarce be got shut again.” “Before sunset, armies were seen in the air as if fighting and besieging cities.” Other remarkable events also occurred.

Oh, what a fearful time for this doomed people! God has ever given warning of impending judgments, that a way of escape might be provided for the righteous. It would seem that with all the blazing light of prophecy in regard to the Messiah there could be no room for doubting that he was really the Son of God. And yet, of all the vast throng who listened to his gracious words, and beheld the mighty miracles that he wrought, how few consented to be his faithful followers. Oh! why are the hearts of men so hardened? Why is it that the most solemn warnings fall unheeded upon the ears of the great mass of the people? It is because men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. Their carnal hearts are enmity against God. The Jews had a form of godliness, but they denied its power as manifested in Christ. They said he cast out devils through Beelzebub the prince of devils.

Is there not a great similarity between nominal professors of the present age and the rebellious Jews? The signs that proclaim the second advent of Christ have been fulfilled before their eyes, and yet they say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” They are crying, Peace and safety, and sudden destruction will come upon them, and they shall not escape.

But though the fearful judgments of God are hanging over a doomed world, and soon to fall upon the shelterless heads of the wicked, sweet mercy has not yet ceased her notes of warning. A little time yet remains for sinners to repent and be saved. Oh, can we to whom God has intrusted his last message of warning, be indifferent? Can we sit down at ease, feeling that there will be time enough by and by to work in the Master's cause? “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” It is a time of fearful danger, and many will be self-deceived.

How sad the thought that any will let the cares of this life come between them and God, and so lose their immortal crown. God grant that his refining fire may purify our hearts and free us from all sin, that we may escape the judgments allotted to the wicked, and be admitted to the mansions which our Saviour is preparing for those who are looking for and loving his appearing. A. S. NASON.

Ipswich, Mass.