The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 20

aside the sword of the destroying angel (1 Chronicles 21)—fitting
symbol of the Saviour’s sacrifice and mediation for guilty men.
Jerusalem had been honored of God above all the earth. The Lord had
“chosen Zion,” He had “desired it for His habitation.” Psalm 132:13.
There, for ages, holy prophets had uttered their messages of warning.
There priests had waved their censers, and the cloud of incense, with
the prayers of the worshipers, had ascended before God. There daily the
blood of slain lambs had been offered, pointing forward to the Lamb of
God. There Jehovah had revealed His presence in the cloud of glory
above the mercy seat. There rested the base of that mystic ladder
connecting earth with heaven (Genesis 28:12; John 1:51)—that ladder
upon which angels of God descended and ascended, and which opened to
the world the way into the holiest of all. Had Israel as a nation preserved
her allegiance to Heaven, Jerusalem would have stood forever, the elect
of God. Jeremiah 17:21-25. But the history of that favored people was a
record of backsliding and rebellion. They had resisted Heaven’s grace,
abused their privileges, and slighted their opportunities.
Although Israel had “mocked the messengers of God, and despised
His words, and misused His prophets” (2 Chronicles 36:16), He had
still manifested Himself to them, as “the Lord God, merciful and
gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus
34:6); notwithstanding repeated rejections, His mercy had continued its
pleadings. With more than a father’s pitying love for the son of his
care, God had “sent to them by His messengers, rising up betimes, and
sending; because He had compassion on His people, and on His dwelling
place.” 2 Chronicles 36:15. When remonstrance, entreaty, and rebuke
had failed, He sent to them the best gift of heaven; nay, He poured out
all heaven in that one Gift.
The Son of God Himself was sent to plead with the impenitent city.
It was Christ that had brought Israel as a goodly vine out of Egypt. Psalm
80:8. His own hand had cast

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