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ave no unobstructed passage through the world。 In the words to Mary； 〃A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also；〃 God in His tender mercy gives to the mother of Jesus an intimation of the anguish that already for His sake she had begun to bear。
〃Behold；〃 Simeon had said； 〃this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel； and for a sign which shall be spoken against。〃
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They must fall who would rise again。 We must fall upon the Rock and be broken before we can be uplifted in Christ。 Self must be dethroned； pride must be humbled； if we would know the glory of the spiritual kingdom。 The Jews would not accept the honor that is reached through humiliation。 Therefore they would not receive their Redeemer。 He was a sign that was spoken against。
〃That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed。〃 In the light of the Saviour's life； the hearts of all； even from the Creator to the prince of darkness； are revealed。 Satan has represented God as selfish and oppressive； as claiming all； and giving nothing； as requiring the service of His creatures for His own glory； and making no sacrifice for their good。 But the gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart。 It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are 〃thoughts of peace； and not of evil。〃 Jer。 29：11。 It declares that while God's hatred of sin is as strong as death； His love for the sinner is stronger than death。 Having undertaken our redemption； He will spare nothing； however dear； which is necessary to the completion of His work。 No truth essential to our salvation is withheld； no miracle of mercy is neglected； no divine agency is left unemployed。 Favor is heaped upon favor； gift upon gift。 The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save。 Having collected the riches of the universe； and laid open the resources of infinite power； He gives them all into the hands of Christ； and says； All these are for man。 Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven。 His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me。
At the cross of Calvary； love and selfishness stood face to face。 Here was their crowning manifestation。 Christ had lived only to comfort and bless； and in putting Him to death； Satan manifested the malignity of his hatred against God。 He made it evident that the real purpose of his rebellion was to dethrone God； and to destroy Him through whom the love of God was shown。
By the life and the death of Christ； the thoughts of men also are brought to view。 From the manger to the cross； the life of Jesus was a call to self…surrender； and to fellowship in suffering。 It unveiled the purposes of men。 Jesus came with the truth of heaven； and all who were listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit were drawn to Him。 The worshipers of self belonged to Satan's kingdom。 In their attitude toward Christ； all would show on which side they stood。 And thus everyone passes judgment on himself。
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In the day of final judgment； every lost soul will understand the nature of his own rejection of truth。 The cross will be presented； and its real bearing will be seen by every mind that has been blinded by transgression。 Before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim； sinners will stand condemned。 Every lying excuse will be swept away。 Human apostasy will appear in its heinous character。 Men will see what their choice has been。 Every question of truth and error in the long…standing controversy will then have been made plain。 In the judgment of the universe； God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil。 It will be demonstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin。 There was no defect in God's government； no cause for disaffection。 When the thoughts of all hearts shall be revealed； both the loyal and the rebellious will unite in declaring； 〃Just and true are Thy ways； Thou King of saints。 Who shall not fear Thee； O Lord； and glorify Thy name？ 。 。 。 for Thy judgments are made manifest。〃 Rev。 15：3； 4。
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Chapter 6
〃We Have Seen His Star〃
〃Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king； behold； there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem； saying； Where is He that is born King of the Jews？ for we have seen His star in the East； and are come to worship Him。〃
The wise men from the East were philosophers。 They belonged to a large and influential class that included men of noble birth； and comprised much of the wealth and learning of their nation。 Among these were many who imposed on the credulity of the people。 Others were upright men who studied the indications of Providence in nature； and who were honored for their integrity and wisdom。 Of this character were the wise men who came to Jesus。
The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of heathenism。 As these magi studied the starry heavens； and sought to fathom the mystery hidden in their bright paths； they beheld the glory of the Creator。 Seeking clearer knowledge； they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures。 In their own land were treasured prophetic writings that predicted the coming of a divine teacher。 Balaam belonged to the magicians； though at one time a prophet of God； by the Holy Spirit he had foretold the prosperity of Israel and the appearing of the Messiah； and his prophecies
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had been handed down by tradition from century to century。 But in the Old Testament the Saviour's advent was more clearly revealed。 The magi learned with joy that His coming was near； and that the whole world was to be filled with a knowledge of the glory of the Lord。
The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens upon that night when the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem。 As the light 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。〃 Num。 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。
As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God； 〃not knowing whither he went〃 （Heb。 11：8）； as by faith Israel followed the pillar of cloud to the Promised Land； so did these Gentiles go forth to find the promised Saviour。 The Eastern country abounded in precious things； and the magi did not set out empty…handed。 It was the custom to offer presents as an act of homage to princes or other personages of rank； and the richest gifts the land afforded were borne as an offering to Him in whom all the families of the ea