the desire of ages-第50章
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to intemperance。 All who execute the laws should be lawkeepers。 They should be men of self…control。 They need to have full command of their physical； mental； and moral powers； that they may possess vigor of intellect； and a high sense of justice。
The head of John the Baptist was carried to Herodias； who received it with fiendish satisfaction。 She exulted in her revenge； and flattered herself that Herod's conscience would no longer be troubled。 But no happiness resulted to her from her sin。 Her name became notorious and abhorred； while Herod was more tormented by remorse than he had been by the warnings of the prophet。 The influence of John's teachings was not silenced； it was to extend to every generation till the close of time。
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Herod's sin was ever before him。 He was constantly seeking to find relief from the accusings of a guilty conscience。 His confidence in John was unshaken。 As he recalled his life of self…denial； his solemn； earnest appeals； his sound judgment in counsel； and then remembered how he had come to his death； Herod could find no rest。 Engaged in the affairs of the state； receiving honors from men； he bore a smiling face and dignified mien； while he concealed an anxious heart； ever oppressed with the fear that a curse was upon him。
Herod had been deeply impressed by the words of John； that nothing can be hidden from God。 He was convinced that God was present in every place； that He had witnessed the revelry of the banqueting room； that He had heard the command to behead John； and had seen the exultation of Herodias； and the insult she offered to the severed head of her reprover。 And many things that Herod had heard from the lips of the prophet now spoke to his conscience more distinctly than had the preaching in the wilderness。
When Herod heard of the works of Christ； he was exceedingly troubled。 He thought that God had raised John from the dead； and sent him forth with still greater power to condemn sin。 He was in constant fear that John would avenge his death by passing condemnation upon him and his house。 Herod was reaping that which God had declared to be the result of a course of sin；〃a trembling heart； and failing of eyes； and sorrow of mind： and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee； and thou shalt fear day and night； and shalt have none assurance of thy life： in the morning thou shalt say； Would God it were even！ and at even thou shalt say； Would God it were morning！ for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear； and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see。〃 Deut。 28：65…67。 The sinner's own thoughts are his accusers； and there can be no torture keener than the stings of a guilty conscience； which give him no rest day nor night。
To many minds a deep mystery surrounds the fate of John the Baptist。 They question why he should have been left to languish and die in prison。 The mystery of this dark providence our human vision cannot penetrate； but it can never shake our confidence in God when we remember that John was but a sharer in the sufferings of Christ。 All who follow Christ will wear the crown of sacrifice。 They will surely be misunderstood by selfish men； and will be made a mark for the fierce assaults of Satan。 It is this principle of self…sacrifice that his kingdom is established to destroy； and he will war against it wherever manifested。
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The childhood； youth； and manhood of John had been characterized by firmness and moral power。 When his voice was heard in the wilderness saying； 〃Prepare ye the way of the Lord； make His paths straight〃 （Matt。 3：3）； Satan feared for the safety of his kingdom。 The sinfulness of sin was revealed in such a manner that men trembled。 Satan's power over many who had been under his control was broken。 He had been unwearied in his efforts to draw away the Baptist from a life of unreserved surrender to God； but he had failed。 And he had failed to overcome Jesus。 In the temptation in the wilderness； Satan had been defeated； and his rage was great。 Now he determined to bring sorrow upon Christ by striking John。 The One whom he could not entice to sin he would cause to suffer。
Jesus did not interpose to deliver His servant。 He knew that John would bear the test。 Gladly would the Saviour have come to John； to brighten the dungeon gloom with His own presence。 But He was not to place Himself in the hands of enemies and imperil His own mission。 Gladly would He have delivered His faithful servant。 But for the sake of thousands who in after years must pass from prison to death； John was to drink the cup of martyrdom。 As the followers of Jesus should languish in lonely cells； or perish by the sword； the rack； or the fagot； apparently forsaken by God and man； what a stay to their hearts would be the thought that John the Baptist； to whose faithfulness Christ Himself had borne witness； had passed through a similar experience！
Satan was permitted to cut short the earthly life of God's messenger； but that life which 〃is hid with Christ in God；〃 the destroyer could not reach。 Col。 3：3。 He exulted that he had brought sorrow upon Christ； but he had failed of conquering John。 Death itself only placed him forever beyond the power of temptation。 In this warfare； Satan was revealing his own character。 Before the witnessing universe he made manifest his enmity toward God and man。
Though no miraculous deliverance was granted John； he was not forsaken。 He had always the companionship of heavenly angels； who opened to him the prophecies concerning Christ； and the precious promises of Scripture。 These were his stay； as they were to be the stay of God's people through the coming ages。 To John the Baptist； as to those that came after him； was given the assurance； 〃Lo； I am with you all the days； even unto the end。〃 Matt。 28：20； R。 V。； margin。
God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led； if they could see the end from the beginning； and discern the glory
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of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co…workers with Him。 Not Enoch； who was translated to heaven； not Elijah； who ascended in a chariot of fire； was greater or more honored than John the Baptist； who perished alone in the dungeon。 〃Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ； not only to believe on Him； but also to suffer for His sake。〃 Phil。 1：29。 And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men； fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor。
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Chapter 23
〃The Kingdom of God Is at Hand〃
〃Jesus came into Galilee； preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God； and saying； The time is fulfilled； and the kingdom of God is at hand： repent ye； and believe the gospel。〃 Mark 1：14； 15。
The Messiah's coming had been first announced in Judea。 In the temple at Jerusalem the birth of the forerunner had been foretold to Zacharias as he ministered before the altar。 On the hills of Bethlehem the angels had proclaimed the birth of Jesus。 To Jerusalem the magi had come in search of Him。 In the temple Simeon and Anna had testified to His divinity。 〃Jerusalem； and all Judea〃 had listened to the preaching of John the Baptist； and the deputation from the Sanhedrin； with the multitude； had heard his testimony concerning Jesus。 In Judea； Christ had received His first disciples。 Here much of His early ministry had been spent。 The flashing forth of His divinity in the cleansing of the temple； His miracles of healing； and the lessons of divine truth that fell from His lips； all proclaimed that which after the healing at Bethesda He had declared before the Sanhedrin；His Sonship to the Eternal。
If the leaders in Israel had received Christ； He would have honored them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world。 To them first was given the opportunity to become heralds of the kingdom and grace
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of God。 But Israel knew not the time of her visitation。 The jealousy and distrust of the Jewish leaders had ripened into open hat
