The Signs of the Times
August 15, 1900
Resistance to Light—No. 1
Jesus was in the temple court. At the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, crowds assembled in this place. In the court were erected high standards, upon which were placed branching lamps. After the evening sacrifice, these lamps were lighted, and the flame, bright and strong, filled the court, representing the pillar of fire which had guided the children of Israel through the wilderness. ST August 15, 1900, par. 1
This sight created the greatest enthusiasm among the people. Their admiration was unbounded and their rejoicing universal. But the Saviour looked upon the rejoicing congregation with pitying tenderness. The One who had created the light, who, enshrouded in the pillar of fire, had guarded and protected the children of Israel in their journeyings through the wilderness, now stood in the temple court, and if the worshipers had not separated themselves from God, they would have recognized Him. ST August 15, 1900, par. 2
The Son of God looked at the lamps which represented Him, and His voice, full of a melody which commanded silence, was heard, saying, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” His words fell on the ears of the people with a strange power; for as He spoke, divinity flashed through humanity, sending to the hearts of His hearers the conviction that His words were true. ST August 15, 1900, par. 3
The Light of the world, Christ, came to the place where Satan had set up his throne. He came not to condemn and destroy by His glory, but to restore and uplift by His healing beams. He came as the light and life of men, and He presented Himself in His true relation to the world. His light was to shine, not merely to the Jewish nation, as represented by the lights in the temple courts, but it was to send its far-reaching beams to every nation under heaven. The time would come when upon every human being would shine the light of the Sun of Righteousness. ST August 15, 1900, par. 4
O, that the Jewish people had recognized Christ as the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world! But Satan had determined that if he could not overthrow the Prince of Life, he would so blind the eyes of the nation that they would reject the Saviour. God had worked in majesty and power to make of Israel a chosen nation, a royal priesthood, that they might show forth the light of His truth. They had been exalted to heaven by their privileges. This people Satan determined to use as his agents in quenching all heaven-sent light. ST August 15, 1900, par. 5
He succeeded in gaining the Jewish teachers to his side. While the light in the temple court was causing joy and gladness among the worshipers the hearts of the Pharisees were filled with bitterness and murder. They were under the control of Satan. ST August 15, 1900, par. 6
“I am the light of the world.” Clear and emphatic the Saviour's words fell upon the ears of all in the court. The people could not at that time understand the meaning of the relation Christ claimed to the world, but His words sank into their hearts, and He knew that afterward many would comprehend His meaning. His words, tho not understood now, would by and by be brought to their remembrance by the Holy Spirit. The beams of the Sun of Righteousness would shine into their minds, and the words He was now speaking would be remembered and understood. Then they would realize that when listening to Christ they had listened to no cunningly devised fable, but to the Word of God, whereunto they were to take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place. ST August 15, 1900, par. 7
To the Jewish teachers Christ seemed only an impostor. They could see only the human side of His character; for in their pride they had overlooked the prophecies relating to the humiliation of the Messiah. They did not believe that He was to come to the world without earthly glory. That a man like themselves should make such claims was something they could not tolerate. ST August 15, 1900, par. 8
Again and again Christ had tried to show the Jewish leaders the relation which He sustained to the human family. And as He saw the lights which shone in the temple court, He made another attempt. But their prejudice and unbelief came at once to the front. “Thou bearest record of Thyself; Thy record is not true,” they said. On one occasion Christ had said, “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true.” He meant that if He came bearing witness only to advance His own interest and glorify Himself, they would be justified in not crediting His testimony. To their charge at this time He answered: “Tho I bear record of Myself, yet My record is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go.... Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am One that bear witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me beareth witness of Me. Then said they unto Him, Where is Thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know Me, nor My Father; if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also.” ST August 15, 1900, par. 9
At another time He said of the Jewish leaders, “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin; but now have they both seen and hated both Me and My Father.” If the scribes and Pharisees had received the testimony borne by so many in regard to Christ's work, if with a teachable spirit they had searched the Scriptures to see if His claims were in accordance with prophecy, they would have been enlightened, and would have recognized Jesus as the light of the world. But, self-righteousness and self-sufficient, they received instead the suggestions of one who was expelled from heaven for self-seeking. Instead of searching the Scripture, they opened their hearts to evil imaginings. Determined not to believe that Christ's claims were just, they resisted every conviction which His words sent home to their hearts. ST August 15, 1900, par. 10
Mrs. E. G. White
(Concluded next week.)