The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 405

Those who had based their faith upon the opinions of others, and not
upon the word of God, were now as ready again to change their views.
The scoffers won the weak and cowardly to their ranks, and all these
united in declaring that there could be no more fears or expectations
now. The time had passed, the Lord had not come, and the world might
remain the same for thousands of years.
The earnest, sincere believers had given up all for Christ and had
shared His presence as never before. They had, as they believed, given
their last warning to the world; and, expecting soon to be received into
the society of their divine Master and the heavenly angels, they had, to
a great extent, withdrawn from the society of those who did not receive
the message. With intense desire they had prayed: “Come, Lord Jesus,
and come quickly.” But He had not come. And now to take up again the
heavy burden of life’s cares and perplexities, and to endure the taunts
and sneers of a scoffing world, was a terrible trial of faith and patience.
Yet this disappointment was not so great as was that experienced
by the disciples at the time of Christ’s first advent. When Jesus rode
triumphantly into Jerusalem, His followers believed that He was about
to ascend the throne of David and deliver Israel from her oppressors.
With high hopes and joyful anticipations they vied with one another in
showing honor to their King. Many spread their outer garments as a
carpet in His path, or strewed before Him the leafy branches of the palm.
In their enthusiastic joy they united in the glad acclaim: “Hosanna to
the Son of David!” When the Pharisees, disturbed and angered by this
outburst of rejoicing, wished Jesus to rebuke His disciples, He replied:
“If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry
out.” Luke 19:40. Prophecy must be fulfilled. The disciples were
accomplishing the purpose of God; yet they were doomed to a bitter
disappointment. But a few days had passed ere they witnessed the
Saviour’s agonizing death, and laid Him in the tomb. Their expectations
had not been

404