A Threefold View by Arthur L. Manous

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 12, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 36.

A Threefold View

By Arthur L. Manous

TRULY ours is an age when people patronize the moving picture shows to see the views there exhibited. But we often wonder if all who frequent these shows stop to behold the inspired pen picture of our Redeemer’s wounds which He received at His crucifixion.

We have presented in the Sacred Scriptures three very distinct views of these wounds which our Saviour received on the cruel cross. The first is the prophetic view which was given the prophets long before the crucifixion occurred. This view is presented in such language as: “He keepeth all His bones: not one of them is broken.” “They pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare upon Me.” “And they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced.” See Ps. 34:20; 22:16, 17; Zech. 12:10.

Another view of the Saviour’s wounds is that given by an inspired eye-witness who beheld in reality and literally the scene which the prophets saw only in vision. This testimony reads:

“Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” John 19:32-37. See also 1 John 5:6-8.

The third view of Christ’s wounds is seen when the prophets are permitted to behold Him in glory as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” And when the final redemption is completed, the only reminder of sin will be the wounds which Christ will carry in His body. The prophets describe this third and glorified view in the following language:

“Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him.” “And His brightness was as the light; He had horns coming out of His hand; and there was the hiding of His power.” Rev. 1:7; Hab. 3:4.

Of the expression, “He had horns coming out of His hand,” Mr. Scott says, “Or, as it may be rendered, ‘bright beams came forth from His side’ (margin).” And the American Revised Version reads: “He had rays coming forth from His hand,” or “at His side” (margin).

With these thoughts, and the beautiful words of another, we leave this threefold view of Christ’s wounds with the reader: “Our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says the prophet, beholding Christ in His glory, ‘He had bright beams coming out of His side; and there was the hiding of His power’ (margin). That pierced side whence flowed the crimson stream that reconciled man to God,—there is the Saviour’s glory, there ‘the hiding of His power.’ ‘Mighty to save,’ through the sacrifice of redemption, He was therefore strong to execute justice upon them that despised God’s mercy. And the tokens of His humiliation are His highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth His praise, and declare His power.”—“Great Controversy,” page 674.

Spartanburg, South Carolina.