Matt 23:1-2 Jesus spoke to the multitude and his disciples
Neh 8:3-8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly
Mal 2:6-9 The Law of truth is in his mouth, the priest lips should keep knowledge
Mark 12:38-40 Beware of the scribes and Pharisees which love to wear long clothing
Luke 20:45-47 Beware of the scribes which desire to walk in long robes
Luke 11:39-54 Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees for you love the uppermost seats
Matt 23:3 But do not ye after their works, they say and do not
Romans 2:17-19 Art thou confident that thou art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness
Matt 15:14 Let them alone they be leaders of the blind and if the blind lead the blind they both shall fall in a ditch
Matt 23:4 They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne and lay them on men shoulders; but they themselves will not move
Acts 15:10 Why tempt ye God, to put yoke upon the neck of the disciples
Galatians 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the Law
Note:
In unfolding the sins of this life to a priest, an erring, sinful mortal, and too often corrupted with wine and licentiousness, his standard of character is lowered and he is defiled in consequence. His thoughts of God is degraded to the likeness of fallen humanity, for the priest stands as a representative of God. This degrading confession of man to man is the secret spring from which has flowed much of the evil that is defiling the world and fitting it for the final destruction- yet to him who love self- indulgence, it is more pleasing to confess to a fellow mortal than to open the soul to God. It is more palatable to human nature to do penance than to renounce sin; it is easier to mortify the fleshly lusts. Heavy is the yoke which the carnal heart is willing to bear rather than bow to the yoke of Christ. There is a striking similarity between the church of Rome and the Jewish church at the time of Christ’s first advent while the Jews secretly trampled upon every principle of the Law of God, they were outwardly rigorous in the observance of precepts, loading it down with exactions and traditions that made obedience painful and burdensome. As the Jews profess to reverence the Law, so do Romanists claim to reverence the cross. They exalt the symbol of Christ’s suffering, while in their lives they deny him and whom he represents. Papists place crosses upon their churches, upon their altars, and upon their garments, everywhere is seen the insignia of the cross. Everywhere it is outwardly honored and exalted, But the teaching of Christ are buried beneath the mask of senseless traditions, false interpretations and rigorous exactions. The Saviour’s words concerning the bigoted Jews, apply with still greater force to the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church. They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Matt 23:4, Conscientious souls are kept in constant terror fearing the wrath of an offended God, while many of the dignitaries of the church are living in luxury and sensual pleasure.
The worship of Images and relics, the invocation of saints and
exaltation of the pope are devices of Satan to attract the minds of the
people from God and from his Son. To accomplish their ruin, he
endeavors to turn their attention from through whom alone they can
find salvation. He will direct them to any object that can be substituted
for the one who has said: “Come unto me all ye that labour and are
heavy laden and I will give you rest,” Matt 11:28. It is Satan’s constant
effort to misrepresent the character of God, the nature of sin, and the
real issue at stake in the great controversy. His Sophistry lessens the
obligation of the divine Law and man’s license to sin. At the time he
cause them to cherish false conceptions of God so that they regard him
with fear and hate rather than with love. The cruelty inherent in his
own character is attributed to the Creator; it is embodied in system of
religion and expressed in modes of worship. Thus the minds of men are
blinded, and Satan secures them as his agents to war against God. By
perverted conceptions of the divine attributes, heathen nations were
led to believe human sacrifices were necessary to secure the favor of
Deity; and horrible cruelties have been perpetrated under the various
forms of Idolatry.
Matt23:5 All their works, they do to be seen of men
Matt 6:1-7 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men
Matt 6:16-18 When ye fast be not like the hypocrites of a sad countenance
Num 15:37-40 The importance of obeying god commands
Duet 6:7-8 Bind them for a sign upon thine hand
Prov 3:3-9 Bind them upon thine neck and write it upon the tables of thine heart
Note:
The Desire of Ages pg 612-613. The Scribes and Pharisees, He said, “sit
in Moses seat”: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that
observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say and do
not.’’ The Scribes and the Pharisees claim to be invested with divine
authority similar to that of Moses. They assumed to take his place as
expounders of the Law and Judges of the people. As such they claimed
from the people the utmost deference and obedience. Jesus bade his
hearers do that which the rabbis taught according to the Law, but not
to follow their example. They themselves did not practice their own
teaching.
And they taught much that was contrary to the scriptures. Jesus said, “
They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on
men shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of
their fingers. The Pharisees enjoined a multitude of regulations, having
their foundation in tradition, and unreasonably restricting personal
liberty. And certain portions of Law they so explained as to impose
upon the people observances which they themselves secretly ignored,
and from which, when it served their purpose; they actually claimed
exemption. To make a show of their piety was their constant aim.
Nothing was held too sacred to serve this end. To Moses, God had said
concerning his commandments, “ Thou shalt bind them for a sign upon
thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.” Duet 6:8
These word have a deep meaning, as the word of God is meditated
upon and practiced, the whole man will be ennobled. In righteous and
merciful dealings, the hands will reveal as a signet, the Principles of
God’s Law.
They will be kept clean from bribes and from all that is corrupt and
deceptive. They will be active in the work of love and compassion. The
eyes, directed to a noble purpose, will be clear and true. The expressive
countenance, the speaking eye, will testify to the blameless character
of him who loves and honors the word of God. But by the Jews of
Christ’s day, all this was undiscerned. The command given to Moses
was constructed into a direction that the precepts of the scripture
should be worn upon the person. They were accordingly written upon
stripe, a parchment and bound in a conspicuous manner about the
head and wrists. But this did not cause the Law of God to take a firmer
hold of the mind and heart. Those parchments were worn merely as
badges to attract attention. They were thought to give the wearers an
air of devotion which would command the reverence of the people.
Jesus struck a blow at this vain pretense.
But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad
their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love
the uppermost rooms at the feasts, and the chief seats in the
synagogues and greetings in the markets and to be called of men Rabbi,
Rabbi, but be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your master, even Christ;
and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for
one is your Father, which is in heaven, neither be ye called master; for
one is your master even Christ, “In such plain words the saviour
revealed the selfish ambition that was even reaching for place and
power. Displaying a meek humility, while the heart was filled with
avarice and envy, when persons were invited to a feast, the guest were
seated according to rank, and those who were given the most
honorable place received the first attention and special favors. The
Pharisees were even scheming to secure these honors, this practice
Jesus rebuked. He also reproved the vanity shown in covering the title
of Rabbi, or Master, such a title, he declared belonged not to man, but
to Christ. Priests, scribes, rulers, expounders and administrators of the
law, were all brethren, children of one Father. Jesus impressed upon
the people that they were to give no man a title of honor indicating his
control of their conscience or their faith.
Matt23:6 They love the uppermost rooms in the synagogue
3 John 9-10 But Diotrephas , who loveth to have the preeminence among them receiveth us not
Matt 23:7-8 Be not ye called for one is your Rabbi, one is Master even Christ
James 3:1 Be not many masters, knowing that we receive greater condemnation
2Cor 1:24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers
1Peter 5:3-4 Neither be as lords over gods heritage but be examples to the flock
Eze 34:4 The diseased have ye strengthened, neither have you healed that which was sick
1 Cor 3:9 We are laborers together with God, we are God’s husbandry
Phil 3:17-19 Mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example
1 Tim 4:11-16 Be thou an example of the believers in word in conversation
Titus 2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works in doctrine
Matt 23:9-10 Call no man your Father upon the earth your father is in heaven
Mal 1:6 O priest’s that despise my name
Ex 20:12 Honor thy father and mother that thy days may be long
Luke 6:46-47 Why call me Lord, Lord and do not the things that I say
Matt 23:11 He that is greatest among you shall be your servant
Matt 20:25-28 Whosoever will be chief among you let him be your servant
Matt 18:4 Whosever shall humble himself as a little child the same is the greatest in the kingdom of God
Matt 23:12 Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted
Job 22:29-30 When men are cast down then thou shall say, he shall save the humble person
Prov 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom and before honor is humility
Luke 14:11 He that humbleth himself shall be exalted
James 4:6-10 God resisteth the proud but he giveth grace to the humble
1Peter 5:5 Submit yourself unto the elders
Note:
If Christ were on earth today, surrounded by those who bear the title of
Reverend, would he not repeat his sayings, neither be
ye called Master: For one is your Master, even Christ” The scripture
declares of God, “ Holy and reverend is His name,” Ps 111:19. To what
human beings is such a title befitting? How little does man reveal of the
wisdom and righteousness it indicates? How many of those who
assume this title are misrepresenting the name and character of God?
Alas, how often have worldly ambition, despotism, and the beast sins
been hidden under the broidered garments of a high and holy office,
the saviour continued: “but he that is greater among you shall be your
servant ,and whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that
shall humble himself shall be exalted, Again and again Christ had taught
that true greatness is measured by moral worth. In the estimation of
heaven, greatness of character consists in living for the welfare of our
fellow men, in doing work of love and mercy. Christ the king of glory
was a servant to fallen man. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites,” said Jesus, “for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against
men: for ye neither go in yourselves neither suffer yet them that are
entering to go in by perverting the scripture, the priest and lawyers
blinded the minds of those who would otherwise have received a
knowledge of Christ’s kingdom, and that inward, divine life which is
essential to true holiness.
Matt 23:13 Woe Scribes an Pharisees hypocrites for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men
Luke 11:52 Woe unto you lawyers, for ye have taken away the key of knowledge
Note:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows
houses, and for a pretense make long prayers, therefore ye shall
receive the greater damnation,” The Pharisees had great influence with
the people and of this they took advantage to serve their own interests.
They gained the confidence of pious widows and then represented it as
a duty for them to devote their property to religious purposes. Having
secured control of their money, the wily schemers used it for their own
benefit. To cover their dishonesty, they offered long prayers in public
and make a great show of piety, this hypocrisy Christ declared would
bring them the greater damnation. The same rebuke falls upon many in
our day who make a high profession of piety, their lives are stained by
selfishness and avarice yet they throw over it all a garment of seeming
purity, and thus for a time deceive their fellow men. But they cannot
deceive God. He reads every purposes of the heart, and will judge every
man according to his deeds.
Matt 23:14 Woe unto scribes and Pharisees for ye devour widow houses and for a pretense make long prayers
Matt 12:40 As Jonas was three days in the whale belly so shall the son of man in the heart of the earth
Luke 20:46-47 Beware of Scribes and Pharisees which desire to
walk in long robes
2 Tim 3:5-7 They which creep into houses and lead captives
Titus 1:11-16 Vain talkers and deceivers especially they of the circumcision
Note: Christ unsparingly condemned abuses, but he was careful not to lessen obligation. He rebuked the selfishness that extorted and misapplied the widow’s gift, at the same time he commended the widow who brought the offering for God’s treasury, Man’s abuse of the gift could not turn God’s blessing from the giver. Jesus was in the court where the treasure chests were and he watched those who came to deposit gifts.
Many of the rich brought large sums of money, gifts which they presented with great ostentation. Jesus looked upon them sadly, but made no comment on their liberal offerings. Suddenly his countenance lighted as he saw a poor widow approach hesitatingly as though fearful of being observed. As the rich and haughty swept by, to deposit their offering, she shrank back as if hardly daring to venture further. And yet she longed to do something, little though it may be, for the cause she loved. She looked at the gift in her hand. It was very small in comparison with the gifts of those around her, yet it was her all. Watching her opportunity, she hurriedly threw in her two mites, and turned to hasten away, but in doing this she caught the eye of Jesus, which was fastened earnestly upon her.
The saviour called his disciples to him, and bade them mark the widow’s poverty. Then his words of commendation fell upon her ear: “of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast more than they all,” tears of joy filled the eyes as she felt that her act was understood and appreciated. Many would have advised her to keep her pittance for her own use, given into the hands of the well feed priests, it would be lost sight of among the many costly gifts brought to the treasury.
But Jesus understood her motive. She believed the service of the temple to be of God’s appointment and she was anxious to do her utmost to sustain it. She did what she could, and her act was to be a monument to her memory through all times, and her joy in eternity. Her heart went with her gift, its value was estimated, not by the worth of the coin, but by the love to God and the interest in his work that had prompted the deed. Jesus said of the poor widow, she hath cast in more than they all” the rich had bestowed from their abundance, many of them to be seen and honored by men. Their large donations had deprive them of no comfort, or even luxury, They had required no sacrifice, and could not be compared in value with the widows mite.
It is the motive that gives character to our acts stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praise does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless often stand highest in his sight. A heart of faith and love is clearer to God than the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did. She deprived herself of food in order to give those two mites to the cause she loved. And she did it in faith, believing that her heavenly father would not overlook her great need. It was this unselfish spirit and childlike faith that won the saviour’s commendation.
Matt 23:15-16 Woe unto you ye blind guides
Matt 15:14 Let them alone they be blind leaders and if the blind lead the blind both will fall into the ditch
Matt 23:17 Ye fools and blind whether is greater the gold or the altar that sanctifieth the gold
Exod 30:29 Thou shall sanctify them that they may be most holy
Matt 23:18-19 Ye fools and blind for whether is greater the gift or the altar that sanctify the gift
Exod 29:37 Seven days shall make an atonement for the altar whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy
Matt 23:20-21 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altars sweareth by it and by all things thereon
1 Kings 8:12-13 Solomon built the temple for thee to dwell in
2 Chron 6:2 A house of habitation for thee dwelling forever
Ps 26:8 The place where thine honor dwells
Matt 23:22 He that swear by heaven sweareth by the throne of God
Matt 5:34 Swear not at all, neither by heaven for it is God’s throne
Ps 11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven
Acts 7:49 Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool
Matt 23:23 Woe unto the Scribes and Pharisees, which pay tithe of mint and have omitted the weightier matters of the law of judgment
Luke 11:42 Woe unto you Pharisees for ye tithe mint and rue, all manner of rue and pass over judgment and the love of God
1 Sam 15:22 Hath the Lord great delight in burnt offering and sacrifices as obeying the voice of the Lord? obedience is better than sacrifice
Hosea 6:6-7 I desire mercy and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more than burnt offering
Micah 6:6-8 The Lord requires of us that we do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God
Matt 9:13 Learn what that meaneth and I will have mercy
Note: Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites! for ye pay
tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier
matters of the Law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have
done, and not to leave the others undone,” In these words Christ again
condemns the abuse of sacred obligation. The obligation itself he does
not set aside. The tithing system was ordained by God, and it had been
observed from the earliest times. Abraham, the father of the faithful,
paid tithes of all that he possessed. The Jewish rulers recognized the
obligation of tithing, and this was right ; but they did not leave the
people to carry out their own convictions of duty. Arbitrary rules were
laid down for every case. The requirement had become so complicated
that it was impossible for them to be fulfilled. None knew when their
obligation were met. As God gave it the system was just reasonable;
but the priests and the rabbis had made it a wearisome burden. All that
God commands is of consequence. Christ recognized the payment of
tithes as a duty; but he showed that this could not excuse the neglect of
other duties. The Pharisees were very exact in tithing garden herbs such
as mint, anise and rue; this cost them little, and it give them a
reputation for exactness and sanctity. At the same time their useless
restrictions oppressed the people and destroying the respect for the
sacred system of God’s own appointing. They occupied men’s minds
with trifling distinctions, and turned their attention from essential
truths. The weightier matters of the Law, justice, mercy and truth, were
neglected. “ These Christ said ought ye to have done, and not to leave
the others undone”. Other laws have been perverted by the rabbis in
like manner. In the direction given through Moses it was forbidden to
eat any unclean thing, The use of swine flesh and the flesh of certain
animals was prohibited, as likely to fill the blood with impurities and to
shorten life, but the Pharisees did not leave these restrictions as God
has given them. They went to unwarranted extremes. Among other
things the people were required to strain all the water used, lest it
should contain the smallest insect, which might be classed with the
unclean animals. Jesus, contrasting these trivial exactions with the
magnitude of their actual sins, it is said to the Pharisees, “ ye blind
guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel’’.
Matt 23 :24-25 Woe unto Scribes and Pharisees for ye make clean the outside of your cup
Mark 7:3-9 The Pharisees keep the tradition of the elders by washing their hands and pots
Luke 11:37-40 Your inward parts is full of ravening and wickedness
Titus 1:15-16 Unto the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure
Matt 23:26-27 `Woe unto you for ye are like white sepulchers which appear beautiful outwardly
Luke 11:44 Woe unto you for ye are as graves which appear not and the men that walk over them are not aware of them
Acts 23:1-9 For sittest thou to judge me after the law and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the Law
Luke 19:35-36 Do no unrighteousness in judgment
Duet 25:1-2 The judge may judge them then justify the righteous
John 7:51 Doth our law judge any man before it hears him
Matt 23:28-29 Woe, ye build the tombs of the prophets and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous
Luke 11:47-50 Woe unto you for ye build the sepulchers of the prophets and your fathers have killed them
Note Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye are like
unto white sepulchers which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but
within is filled with dead men bones, and all uncleanness . As the
white and beautiful decorated tomb concealed the petrifying remains
within, so the outward holiness of the priests and rulers concealed
iniquity. “ Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites because ye
build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the
righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would
have been partakers with them in the bloodshed of the prophets.
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of
them which killed the prophets. To show their esteem for the dead
prophets, the Jews were very zealous in beautifying their tombs; but it
did not profit their teachings nor give heed to their reproofs. In the
days of Christ a superstitious regard was cherished for the resting place
of the dead, and vast sums of money were lavished upon their
decoration. In the sight of God this was idolatry. In their undue regard
for the dead, men showed that they did not love God supremely nor
their neighbors as themselves. The same idolatry is carried to great
lengths today. many are guilty of neglecting the widow and the
fatherless, the sick and the poor, in order to build expensive
monuments for the dead. Time money and labour are freely spent for
this purpose, while duties to the living, duties which Christ has plainly
enjoined are left undone. The Pharisees built the tombs the prophets,
and adorned their sepulchers, and said one to another, If we had lived
in the days of our fathers, we would have waited with them in the
shedding of blood of God’s servants. At time the same time they were
planning to take the life of his son. This should be the lesson to us. It
should open our eyes to the power of Satan to deceive the mind that
turns from the light of the truth. Many follow in the track of the
Pharisees. They reverence those who have died for their faith. They
wonder at the blindness of the Jews in rejecting Christ. Had we lived in
his day, they declare, we would gladly have received this teaching; we
would never have been partakers in the guilt of those who rejected the
saviour. But when obedience to God requires self denial and
humiliation, these very persons stifle their convictions, and refuse
obedience. Thus they manifest the same spirit as did the Pharisees
whom Christ condemned.
Mark 23:30-31 Ye are the children of them that killed the prophets
Acts 7:51-60 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart
1Thess 2:14-17 Who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets
Acts 2:23 Him being delivered by the determined counsel
Matt 5 :12 Rejoice for so prosecuted they the prophets before you
Esther 3:8 Haman plots against the Jews to kill them
Note: Little did the Jews realize the terrible responsibility involved in
rejecting Christ. From the time when the first innocent blood was shed,
when righteous Abel fell by the hand of Cain, the same history had
been repeated, with increasing guilt. In every age prophets had lifted
up their voices against the sins of the kings, rulers and people spreading
the words which God gave them, and obeying his will at the peril of
their lives from generation to generation they have been heaping up
terrible punishment for the rejecters of the light and truth. This the
enemies of Christ were now drawing down upon their own heads. The
sin of the priests and rulers was greater than that of any proceeding
generation. By their rejection of the saviour, they were making
themselves responsible for the blood of all the righteous men slain
from Abel to Christ. They were about to over flow their cup of
iniquity and soon it was to be poured upon their heads in retributive
justice, of this , Jesus warned them: “ That upon you may come all the
righteous bloodshed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel
unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between
the temple of the altar, verily I say unto you, All these things shall come
upon this generation”. The Scribes and Pharisees who listened to Jesus
knew his words were true . They knew how the prophet Zacharias had
been slain while the words of warning from God were upon his lips, a
satanic fury seized the apostate king, and at his command the prophet
was put to death. His blood had imprinted itself upon the very stones of
the temple court, and could not be erased; it remained to bear
testimony against apostate Israel. As long as the temple should stand,
there would be the stain of the righteous blood crying to God to be
avenged. As Jesus referred to these fearful sins, a thrill of horror ran
through the multitude. Looking forward, Jesus declared that the
impenitence of the Jews and their intolerance of God’s servant would
be the same in the future as it had been in the past. Wherefore, behold
I send unto you prophets, and wise men and scribes; and some of them
ye shall kill and crucify; and some them you shall scourge in your
synagogue, and persecute them from city to city,” prophets and wise
men, full of faith and the holy ghost, Stephen, James and many others
would be condemned and slain with hand uplifted to heaven, and a
divine light enshrouding his person. Christ spoke as a judge to those
before him, his voice that had so often been heard in gentleness and
entreaty was now heard in rebuke and condemnation. The listeners
shuddered. Never was the impression made by his words and his look
to be effaced.
Matt 23:32 Fill up the measure of your father
Gen 15:16 The fourth generation they shall come hither again for the iniquity of the Amorites
1 Thess 4:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles
Matt 23:33 Ye generations of vipers how can ye escape the damnation of hell
Matt 3:7-10 O generation of vipers who had warned you form the wrath to come
Matt 12:34 O generation of vipers how can you being evil speak good things
Rom 5:9-10 Being now justified by faith in his blood we shall be saved
1 Thess 1:10 Whom God raised from the dead even Jesus which delivered us
Matt 23:34 I send unto you the prophets and the wise men ye killed
Matt 21:34-41 God sent his servants to the husbandmen and they kill them
Luke 11:49 I will send the prophets and apostles and you slay them
Acts 5:40-42 The Pharisees called the apostles and beaten them
Matt 10:16-20 Beware of men who will deliver ye up to the council s governors and kings
2 Corin 11:24-27 Thrice I was beaten with a rod, once I was stoned
Matt 23:35 Upon you may come all the righteous bloodshed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel
Rev 18:24 In her was found the blood of the prophets and the saints
Rev 17:6-10 The woman drunken with the blood of the saints
Jeremiah 51:49 As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain
Gen 48:14 Cain raised up against Abel his brother
1 John 3:11-15 Cain was of the wicked one
2 Chron 24:20-21 The spirit of the Lord came upon Zachariah the son of Jehoiada the priest because you have forsaken the lord he had forsaken thee
Note: Such is the description of the terrible retribution for the blood of
the saints shed by violent hands visited upon those who have done, or
wish to do, such deeds Through the horror of that hour when the
foundations and rivers of water shall be like blood, can now be
realized , the justice of God will stand to vindicate, and his judgment
approved, even the angels are heard exclaiming, “Thou art righteous, O
Lord because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of
the saints and prophets, even so, Lord God Almighty, true and
righteous are thy judgment. It may be asked how the last generation of
the wicked can be said to have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
since the last generation of the saints are not to be slain. Reference to
Matt 23:34-35; 1 John 3:15, will explain. These scripture show that guilt
attaches to motive no less than to action. No generation ever formed a
more determined purpose to devote the saints to indiscriminate
slaughter than the present generation will, not far in the future. (see
comments on Rev 12:17; 13:15) In motive and purpose, they do shed
the blood of saints and prophets, and are every whit as guilty as if they
were able to carry out their wicked intentions.
Matt 23:36-37 O Jerusalem that killest the prophets
Luke 11:34-35 Thou stonest them that are sent unto thee
Duet 32:11-12 As the eagle stirreth up her nest and fluttereth over her young
Ps 17:8 Keep me as the apple of thine eye hide me under thy wings
Matt 23:38 Behold you have left your house desolate
Matt 23:39 Ye shall not see me henceforth until ye shall say blessed is he that come in the name of the Lord
Ps 119:26 Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord
Ps 21:9 The Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath
Note: Christ’s indignation was directed against the hypocrisy, the gross
sins, by which men were destroying their souls, deceiving people and
dishonoring God. In the specious deceptive reasoning of the priest and
rulers he discerned the working of Satanic agencies. Keen and searching
had been his denunciation of sin; but he spoke no words of retaliation.
He had a holy wrath against the prince of darkness; but he manifested
no irritated temper. So the Christian who lives in harmony with God
possessing the sweet attributes of love and mercy, will feel a righteous
indignation against sin; but he will not be roused by passion to
revile those who revile him. Even in meeting those who are moved by a
power from beneath to maintain falsehood; in Christ he will still
preserve calmness and self possession. Divine pity marked the
countenance of the sons of God as he cast one lingering look upon the
temple and then upon his hearers. In a voice crooked by deep anguish
of heart and bitter tears he exclaimed “ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem thou
that killest the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto thee,
how often would I have gathered thy chickens under her wings, and ye
would not? This is the separation struggle. In the lamentation of Christ
the very heart of God is pouring itself forth. It is the mysterious farewell
of long suffering love of Deity. Pharisees and Sadducees were alike
silenced. Jesus summoned his disciples, and prepared to leave the
temple, not as one defeated and forced from the presence of his
adversaries, but as one whose work was accomplished. He retired
victor of the contest. The gems of truth fell from Christ’s lips on that
eventful day were treasured in man’s heart. For them new thoughts
started into life, new aspirations were awakened, and a new history
began. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, these persons
came to the front, and fulfilled divine commission with a wisdom and
zeal corresponding to the greatness of the work.
They bore a message that appealed to the ear of man wakening the old
superstitions that had long dwarfed the lives of thousands. Before their
testimony human theories and philosophies became as idle fables,
mighty were the results flowing from the words of the saviour to them
a wondering awe struck the crowd in the temple at Jerusalem. But
Israel as a nation had divorced herself from God. The Natural branches
of the olive tree were broken off, leaving for the last time upon the
interior of the temple, Jesus said with mournful pathos, Behold your
house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, ye shall not see me
henceforth, till ye shall say blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord”. Hitherto he had called the temple his father’s house; but now as
the son of God should pass out from the walls, God’s presence would
be drawn away forever from the temple built to his glory, henceforth its
ceremonies would be meaningless, its service mockery.
Ambassadors of Christ 