Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-12-24

His miracles, sufierings, deal retut.
rectiOn and tho following dltsemina-
lion Of the truth, were subjects Of pro.
phelic declarations which, ~ the time
for their fulnlment approached, be-
came more and more distinct.
Christians sometimes wonder how II
was possible that o people coniessedly
believing IN those ancient writings
could fail 10 perceive that Jesus Of
Nazareth was the promised Messiah.
Yet that was the case. At the hour
Of His birth, although there was great
Joy among the heavenly hosts, whose
jubilant strains resounded TO the very
boundaries Of the visible world, all.
ing the wslchiul shepherds with rap
ture, the Jewish nation, including
the Interpreters Of the Law aud
the Prophets, wers 10 deepest
ignorance Of the event. Later,
some intimatlon was given to them
and the royal house. thereof, through
the Astronomers Of Chaldea, who had
seen the star in the ehst and had
followed the heavenly light
hut Notwithstanding this, anu
the testimony somewhat later given
by few devoted servants Of the
Almighty-Rgod, feeble Simeon and
the Prophecies Anna-tho majority Of
the people rejected the newborn king.
His appearance was altogether differ.
ont from their expectations. They had
the Bible and read II every Sabbath,
eEpounding Ia teachings in their syn
agogues. On the appointed days the pas
sHges relating TO Messiah were the
subjects Of profound disoourses. Yet,
when those prophecies were about 10
be- fulfilled, ignorance Of the fact pre-
vailed.
All this furnishes an important lee.
son to this generation. The sacred
Scriptures tell Of restoration through
the teachings Of Jesus In tho last days.
They state that lie IL 10 appear again
to assume the Office Of King ON the
throne Of David, to establish n reign
Of Righteousness among the children
Of men. The final triumph Of the
Gospel and the overthrow Of all oppos-
Ing forces, both political aud ,occlesias.
lioal, isthe central theme vi prophetic
declarations Of the New Testament rs
we'll as tho subject OF many ancient
visions, especially those Of Daniel and
Ezekiel. John the II velator describes
this forefunner OF Christ at His second
advent with peculiar clearness, In his
vision about the mighty angel who ap.
pears Just before the winding up scenes
Of the dispenaAtion, with a little book
In his hand, declaring that the mystery
Of God was about 10 DO fulfilled.
Preparations for this restoration are
being made on both sides OF the veil,
In this age. The mighty herald OF the
Millennium has appeared and solomnly
declared that there shall be- no more
delay, but In rapid succession the d.
vine walls viii DO poured out on the
nations and then the new era will
dawn. The Church OF jesus Christ Of
LAtler-day Saints 10 a standing test.
mony to the nations Of the earth OF the
approach VI the Son OF Man In glory.
The Christian world today Is pretty
much In the same position rs tho Jews
ut the first advent OF tho Lord. They
read and believe In tho prophetic de.
olarAtious given, but Notwithstanding
this and the testimony Of those who,
like this shepherds, the kings OF the
orient, Simeon, Anna and others, have
had their eyes opened by revelation
from on high, they reject tho Prophets
who have been raised up to this gener.
alton TO prepare them for the coming
change. This Ia one more proof Of tbs
necessity Of direct revelation. For,
M Anclently no one could believe that
Jesus was the Christ except through
revelation from God, Notwithstanding
Gil that was written about Him; NJ In
this age, no ono can accept the
Prophet Joseph AZ the herald Of the
Millennium, except the truth bo re-
vealed. This 10 one OF the most imEor-
tant lessons taught by tho history OF
Bethlehem and one which all honest
believers In the word OF God do well
| q