prophets and kings-第106章
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of Jesus Christ。〃 Revelation 12：17。 Some who today are living on the earth will see these words fulfilled。 The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church； will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God。 Even now preparations are being made for this last great conflict。
The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews。 Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment； a Mordecai at the gate。 The reverence of God's people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath。
Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept popular customs and traditions。 Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God。 Wealth； genius； education； will combine to cover them with contempt。
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Persecuting rulers； ministers； and church members will conspire against them。 With voice and pen； by boasts； threats； and ridicule； they will seek to overthrow their faith。 By false representations and angry appeals； men will stir up the passions of the people。 Not having a 〃Thus saith the Scriptures〃 to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath； they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack。 To secure popularity and patronage； legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws。 But those who fear God； cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue。 On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error。 And we are not left in doubt as to the issue。 Today； as in the days of Esther and Mordecai； the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people。
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Chapter 50
Ezra； the Priest and Scribe
About seventy years after the return of the first company of exiles under Zerubbabel and Joshua； Artaxerxes Longimanus came to the throne of Medo…Persia。 The name of this king is connected with sacred history by a series of remarkable providences。 It was during his reign that Ezra and Nehemiah lived and labored。 He is the one who in 457 B。C。 issued the third and final decree for the restoration of Jerusalem。 His reign saw the return of a company of Jews under Ezra； the completion of the walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah and his associates； the reorganization of the temple services； and the great religious reformations instituted by Ezra and Nehemiah。 During his long rule he often showed favor to God's people； and in his trusted and well…beloved Jewish friends； Ezra and Nehemiah； he recognized men of God's appointment； raised up for a special work。
The experience of Ezra while living among the Jews who remained in Babylon was so unusual that it attracted the favorable notice of King Artaxerxes； with whom he
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talked freely regarding the power of the God of heaven； and the divine purpose in restoring the Jews to Jerusalem。
Born of the sons of Aaron； Ezra had been given a priestly training； and in addition to this he had acquired a familiarity with the writings of the magicians； the astrologers； and the wise men of the Medo…Persian realm。 But he was not satisfied with his spiritual condition。 He longed to be in full harmony with God； he longed for wisdom to carry out the divine will。 And so he 〃prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord； and to do it。〃 Ezra 7：10。 This led him to apply himself diligently to a study of the history of God's people； as recorded in the writings of prophets and kings。 He searched the historical and poetical books of the Bible to learn why the Lord had permitted Jerusalem to be destroyed and His people carried captive into a heathen land。
To the experiences of Israel from the time the promise was made to Abraham； Ezra gave special thought。 He studied the instruction given at Mount Sinai and through the long period of wilderness wandering。 As he learned more and still more concerning God's dealings with His children； and comprehended the sacredness of the law given at Sinai； Ezra's heart was stirred。 He experienced a new and thorough conversion and determined to master the records of sacred history； that he might use this knowledge to bring blessing and light to his people。
Ezra endeavored to gain a heart preparation for the work he believed was before him。 He sought God earnestly； that he might be a wise teacher in Israel。 As he learned to yield mind and will to divine control； there were brought
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into his life the principles of true sanctification； which； in later years； had a molding influence； not only upon the youth who sought his instruction； but upon all others associated with him。
God chose Ezra to be an instrument of good to Israel； that He might put honor upon the priesthood； the glory of which had been greatly eclipsed during the captivity。 Ezra developed into a man of extraordinary learning and became 〃a ready scribe in the law of Moses。〃 Verse 6。 These qualifications made him an eminent man in the Medo…Persian kingdom。
Ezra became a mouthpiece for God； educating those about him in the principles that govern heaven。 During the remaining years of his life； whether near the court of the king of Medo…Persia or at Jerusalem； his principal work was that of a teacher。 As he communicated to others the truths he learned； his capacity for labor increased。 He became a man of piety and zeal。 He was the Lord's witness to the world of power of Bible truth to ennoble the daily life。
The efforts of Ezra to revive an interest in the study of the Scriptures were given permanency by his painstaking； lifelong work of preserving and multiplying the Sacred Writings。 He gathered all the copies of the law that he could find and had these transcribed and distributed。 The pure word； thus multiplied and placed in the hands of many people； gave knowledge that was of inestimable value。
Ezra's faith that God would do a mighty work for His people； led him to tell Artaxerxes of his desire to return to Jerusalem to revive an interest in the study of God's
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word and to assist his brethren in restoring the Holy City。 As Ezra declared his perfect trust in the God of Israel as one abundantly able to protect and care for His people； the king was deeply impressed。 He well understood that the Israelites were returning to Jerusalem that they might serve Jehovah； yet so great was the king's confidence in the integrity of Ezra that he showed him marked favor； granting his request and bestowing on him rich gifts for the temple service。 He made him a special representative of the Medo…Persian kingdom and conferred on him extensive powers for the carrying out of the purposes that were in his heart。
The decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus for the restoring and building of Jerusalem； the third issued since the close of the seventy years' captivity； is remarkable for its expressions regarding the God of heaven； for its recognition of the attainments of Ezra； and for the liberality of the grants made to the remnant people of God。 Artaxerxes refers to Ezra as 〃the priest； the scribe； even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord； and of His statutes to Israel；〃 〃a scribe of the law of the God of heaven。〃 The king united with his counselors in offering freely 〃unto the God of Israel； whose habitation is in Jerusalem；〃 and in addition he made provision for meeting many heavy expenses by ordering that they be paid 〃out of the king's treasure house。〃 Verses 11； 12； 15； 20。
〃Thou art sent of the king； and of his seven counselors；〃 Artaxerxes declared to Ezra； 〃to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem； according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand。〃 And he further decreed： 〃Whatsoever is
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commanded by the God of heaven； let it be diligently done for the house of the God
