From before the creation of planet Earth Jesus Christ was one with the Father. Christ was the Agent by which God created all things and by whom the will of God was communicated to the angels. Christ received to give. This principle of take to give is the operating principle of heaven.
In heaven itself this law was broken. Sin originated in self-seeking. DA p. 21.
Satan is the source of all lies and deception. He deceived angels regarding the character of God and God's law of love and selflessness. He misrepresented God to the angels and attributed to God his own attributes of self-exaltation, etc. He impugned God's goodness and love. Using force and compelling obedience is contrary to God's law of love. Christ reveals the character of God, a character opposite of the character of Satan.
Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. DA p. 25.Top
It was God's desire that the nation of Israel would reveal God to man as did Abraham, Joseph and Daniel. They failed to live up to their calling. They repeatedly fell into idolatry.
By the Babylonish captivity the Israelites were effectually cured of idolatry. DA. p. 29.
After the return from Babylon they developed a system of religious education, synagogues, etc. but they largely lost sight of the spiritual meaning of the sanctuary rituals and symbolism.
While the Jews desired the advent of the Messiah, they had no true conception of His mission. DA p. 30.Top
God's purposes know no haste and no delay. At the end of the 400 years in Egypt the Israelites were delivered from slavery according to the time table given to Abraham. At the time of Christ the scriptures were available in Greek and many people had access to the prophecies but did not correctly understand them.
Satan had been working to make the gulf deep and impassable between earh and heaven. By his falsehoods he had emboldened men in sin. DA p. 35.
The priests did not look beyond the temple rituals to understand their significance. Corruption, sin and vice were the environment into which Christ came. It seemingly could not have been worse.
Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity. DA p. 37.Top
Great are the marks that distinguish the position of Christ in His incarnation from His position in heaven. The leaders and people of Israel were markedly indifferent to the event. Shepherds heard the announcement.
Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angels' song. DA p. 48.
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Jesus was presented to the priest in the temple according to the law and custom as prescribed for a first-born son. The priest did not recognize the event as special.
Little did he think, as the babe lay in his arms, that it was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory. DA p. 52.
Simeon and Anna were students of prophecy and were sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Mary made note of what they said. God has revealed everything necessary to those who are attend to God's messages to us.
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. DA p. 58.Top
Among the wise men of the east were both wicked and righteous scholars and leaders. The magi were witnesses that saw the bright angel host that sang to the shepherds. They read the prophecy of Balaam and God also gave them dreams that instructed them to go search for the Christ child. When they entered Jerusalem they were amazed that noone seemed aware of the newborn King.
The wise men are not idolaters, and in the sight of God they stand far higher than do these, His professed worshipers; yet they are looked upon by the Jews as heathen. DA p. 61.
God commissioned angels to guard and protect Christ. He used dreams to direct Joseph and the magi.
God could not trust His beloved Son with men, even while carrying forward His work for their salvation. DA p. 66.Top
Jesus did not receive instruction from the rabbis in the synagogue schools. His mother was his first human teacher. Creation was His library from which He took lessons. His mother was given wisdom through the agency of the Holy Spirit. She sought to encourage Him.
From the first dawning of intelligence He was constantly growing in spiritual grace and knowledge of truth. DA p. 71.
Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. But Jesus did more than just get knowledge and information. Even as a child and carpenter his life was a life of hope, encouragement, sympathy, tenderness and service to people around Him. He is our example.
Throughout His life on earth, Jesus was an earnest and constant worker. He expected much; therefore He attempted much. DA p. 72.Top
Among other things the Passover memorialized the last night of Israelite slavery in Egypt before the exodus. The Egyptian first-born died but the obedient were delivered. In the temple Jesus engaged with the rabbis and humbly asked many probing questions. The Holy Spirit was moving on their hearts.
They would not admit that they had misapprehended the Scriptures they claimed to teach. DA p. 80.
Joseph and Mary had reasons to keep a close eye on Jesus but they failed in this regard. They neglected to fully realize the sacredness of their duty.
In our association with one another, we should take heed lest we forget Jesus and pass along unmindful that He is not with us. DA p. 82.Top
From a very early age Jesus had begun to act independent of the instructions of the rabbis and teachers of the traditions of the Jews. He attacked no one but quoted Scriptures when rebuked for His conduct. Joseph had sons older than Jesus. These brothers also made trouble for Jesus.
Jesus was misunderstood by His brothers because He was not like them. His standard was not their standard. DA p. 87.
Mary was troubled by the priests and teachers that tried to get her to "control" Jesus. Jesus knew what He had to do. By His pure example and encouraging words He helped people in many ways. Many sufferers were relieved of their pain but none could say He had performed a miracle. He sacrificed Himself for the good of others.
He carried the awful weight of responsibility for the salvation of men. He knew that unless there was a decided change in the principles and purposes of the human race, all would be lost. DA p. 92.Top
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was righteous and godly but had a moment of doubt when Gabriel announced that he would have a son in his old age. Zacharias was given specific instructions about John's diet and drink.
In the natural order of things, the son of Zacharias would have been educated for the priesthood. But the training of the rabbinical schools would have unfitted him for his work. DA p. 101.
The wilderness was John's school and sanctuary. He found his message in the book of Isaiah and other scriptures. Society was full of corruption and intrigue and the people flocked to hear John. He confronted the evil leaders with truth. He preached a strong message of true faith and repentance.
In the time of John the Baptist, Christ was about to appear as the revealer of the chracter of God. His very presence would make manifest to men their sin. Only as they were willing to be purged from sin could they enter into fellowship with Him. Only the pure in heart could abide in His presence. DA p. 108.Top
Jesus and John the Baptist had no direct acquaintance prior to Christ's baptism. Yet, John perceived the divine character and sinlessness of Christ.
Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of guilt on His own account. He identified with sinners, taking the steps that we are to take, and doing the work we must do. His life of suffering and patient endurance after His baptism was also an example to us. DA p. 111.
Coming up from the water, Jesus bowed in prayer on the river bank. He prayed to the Father for power to bear the burden to fulfill His purpose. Some witnessed the Dove and the Voice from heaven but not all. The Father said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
These words of confirmation were given to inspire faith in those who witnessed the scene and to strengthen the Saviour for His mission. DA p. 112.Top
Satan studied and observed everything possible to misrepresent God and misinterpret the prophecies and rites given by God to man. Satan assailed Christ continually. Satan chose to tempt Christ at what he thought to be an opportune time.
For four thousand years the race had been decreasing in physical strength, in mental power, and in moral worth; and Christ took upon Him the infirmities of degenerate humanity. DA p. 117.
The first temptation was to indulge appetite as Adam did. Like Christ we must know the word of God. We must know His requirements. We must know His promises.
The uncontrolled indulgence and consequent disease and degradation that existed at Christ's first advent will again exist, with intensity of evil, before His second coming. DA p. 122.Top
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Please read the whole book to get the full context for eaCh point.