The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 315

weight of woe as He should make His soul an offering for sin; yet angels
desired that even in His humiliation the Son of the Highest might appear
before men with a dignity and glory befitting His character. Would the
great men of earth assemble at Israel’s capital to greet His coming?
Would legions of angels present Him to the expectant company?
An angel visits the earth to see who are prepared to welcome Jesus.
But he can discern no tokens of expectancy. He hears no voice of
praise and triumph that the period of Messiah’s coming is at hand. The
angel hovers for a time over the chosen city and the temple where the
divine presence has been manifested for ages; but even here is the same
indifference. The priests, in their pomp and pride, are offering polluted
sacrifices in the temple. The Pharisees are with loud voices addressing
the people or making boastful prayers at the corners of the streets. In
the palaces of kings, in the assemblies of philosophers, in the schools of
the rabbis, all are alike unmindful of the wondrous fact which has filled
all heaven with joy and praise—that the Redeemer of men is about to
appear upon the earth.
There is no evidence that Christ is expected, and no preparation for
the Prince of life. In amazement the celestial messenger is about to
return to heaven with the shameful tidings, when he discovers a group
of shepherds who are watching their flocks by night, and, as they gaze
into the starry heavens, are contemplating the prophecy of a Messiah to
come to earth, and longing for the advent of the world’s Redeemer. Here
is a company that is prepared to receive the heavenly message. And
suddenly the angel of the Lord appears, declaring the good tidings of
great joy. Celestial glory floods all the plain, an innumerable company
of angels is revealed, and as if the joy were too great for one messenger
to bring from heaven, a multitude of voices break forth in the anthem
which all the nations of the saved shall one day sing: “Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14.

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