The Signs of the Times
April 4, 1906
Our Great Treasure-House
The Incarnate Word—Part 3
Should the angel Gabriel be sent to this world to take upon himself human nature, and to teach the knowledge of God, how eagerly men would listen to his instruction. Supposing that he were able to set us a perfect example of purity and holiness, sympathizing with us in all our sorrows, bereavements, and afflictions, and suffering the punishment of our sins, how eagerly we would follow him. What exaltation he would receive. Men would desire to place him on the throne of David, and to gather the nations of earth under his banner. ST April 4, 1906, par. 1
If, when this heavenly being returned to his home, he should leave behind him a book containing the history of his mission, with revelations regarding the history of the world, how eagerly would its seal be broken! How anxiously men and women would seek to obtain a copy! Thinking people would store up the precious instruction for the benefit of future generations. Thousands from all parts of the world would copy the words of this book. With intense interest they would read and reread its pages. For a time all other interests would be subordinated to a study of its contents. ST April 4, 1906, par. 2
One Above the Angels
But one surpassing all that imagination can present came from heaven to this world. Nearly two thousand years ago a voice of strange and mysterious import was heard from the throne of God, “Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me.... Lo, I come ... to do Thy will, O God.” ST April 4, 1906, par. 3
A prophet said: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” ST April 4, 1906, par. 4
Of Himself Christ declares, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” “I and My Father are One.” “As the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” ST April 4, 1906, par. 5
As Paul beheld Christ in His power, he broke out into exclamations of admiration and amazement: “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” “By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.... For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell.” ST April 4, 1906, par. 6
The Voice of the Infinite
The Bible is God's voice speaking to us, just as surely as if we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe we would open God's Word, and with what earnestness we would search its precepts. The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with the Infinite One. ST April 4, 1906, par. 7
Christ reproached His disciples with their slowness of comprehension. They were influenced by maxims and traditionary lore, so that the truths spoken by the greatest Teacher the world has ever known were often lost truths to them. Christ led them to realize that He had put them in possession of truths of which they little suspected the value. After His resurrection, as He was walking to Emmaus with two of the disciples, He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures, so explaining the Old Testament to them that they saw in its teachings a meaning that the writers themselves had not seen. ST April 4, 1906, par. 8
Life and Light in the Word
Christ's words are the bread of life. As the disciples ate the words of Christ, their understanding was quickened. They understood better the value of the Saviour's teachings. In their comprehension of these teachings they stepped from the obscurity of dawn to the radiance of noonday. ST April 4, 1906, par. 9
So will it be with us as we study God's Word. Our minds will be quickened, and our understanding enlarged. Those who receive and assimilate this Word, making it a part of every act, of every attribute of character, grow strong in the strength of God. It gives vigor to the soul, perfecting the experience, and bringing joys that abide forever. ST April 4, 1906, par. 10