EGW WritingsLuke 19
Ellen G. White · Page 2 of 2
Read Luke 19 in the BibleLuke 19:41-44
The Great Controversy
Chapter 1—The Destruction of Jerusalem
GC 17.1
“If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:42-44.GC 17.2
From the crest of Olivet, Jesus looked upon Jerusalem. Fair and peaceful was the scene spread out before Him. It was the season of the Passover, and from all lands the children of Jacob had gathered there to celebrate the great national festival. In the midst of gardens and vineyards, and green slopes studded with pilgrims’ tents, rose the terraced hills, the stately palaces, and massive bulwarks of Israel’s capital. The daughter of Zion seemed in her pride to say, I sit a queen and shall see no sorrow; as lovely then, and deeming herself as secure in Heaven’s favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sang: “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, ... the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2. In full view were the magnificent buildings of the temple. The rays of the setting sun lighted up the snowy whiteness of its marble walls and gleamed from golden gate and tower and pinnacle. “The perfection of beauty” it stood, the pride of the Jewish nation. What child of Israel could gaze upon the scene without a thrill of joy and admiration! But far other thoughts occupied the mind of Jesus. “When He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.” Luke 19:41. Amid the universal rejoicing of the triumphal entry, while palm branches waved, while glad hosannas awoke the echoes of the hills, and thousands of voices declared Him king, the world’s Redeemer was overwhelmed with a sudden and mysterious sorrow. He, the Son of God, the Promised One of Israel, whose power had conquered death and called its captives from the grave, was in tears, not of ordinary grief, but of intense, irrepressible agony.The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)
Chapter 1—Destruction of Jerusalem
GC88 17.1
“If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one Stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” [Luke 19:42-44.]GC88 17.2
From the crest of Olivet, Jesus looked upon Jerusalem. Fair and peaceful was the scene spread out before him. It was the season of the Passover, and from all lands the children of Jacob had gathered there to celebrate the great national festival. In the midst of gardens and vineyards, and green slopes studded with pilgrims’ tents, rose the terraced hills, the stately palaces, and massive bulwarks of Israel’s capital. The daughter of Zion seemed in her pride to say, “I sit a queen, and shall see no sorrow;” as lovely then, and deeming herself as secure in Heaven’s favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sung, “Beautiful of situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion,” “the city of the great King.” [Psalm 48:2.] In full view were the magnificent buildings of the temple. The rays of the setting sun lighted up the snowy whiteness of its marble walls, and gleamed from golden gate and tower and pinnacle. “The perfection of beauty” it stood, the pride of the Jewish nation. What child of Israel could gaze upon the scene without a thrill of joy and admiration! But far other thoughts occupied the mind of Jesus. “When he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.” [Luke 19:41.] Amid the universal rejoicing of the triumphal entry, while palm branches waved, while glad hosannas awoke the echoes of the hills, and thousands of voices declared him king, the world’s Redeemer was overwhelmed with a sudden and mysterious sorrow. He, the Son of God, the Promised One of Israel, whose power had conquered death, and called its captives from the grave, was in tears, not of ordinary grief, but of intense, irrepressible agony.The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
Chapter 1—Destruction of Jerusalem
4SP 17.1
“The days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” [Luke 19:43, 44.]4SP 17.2
From the crest of Olivet, Jesus looks upon Jerusalem. Fair and peaceful is the scene spread out before him. In the midst of gardens and vineyards and green slopes studded with pilgrims’ tents, rise the terraced hills, the stately palaces, and massive bulwarks of Israel’s capital. The daughter of Zion seems in her pride to say, “I sit a queen, and shall see no sorrow;” as lovely now, and deeming herself as secure in Heaven’s favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sung, “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion,” “the city of the great King.” [Psalm 48:2.] In full view are the magnificent buildings of the temple. The rays of the setting sun light up the snowy whiteness of its marble walls, and gleam from golden gate and tower and pinnacle. “The perfection of beauty” it stands, the pride of the Jewish nation. What child of Israel could gaze upon the scene without a thrill of joy and admiration! But far other thoughts occupy the mind of Jesus. “When he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.” [Luke 19:41.] Amid the universal rejoicing of the triumphal entry, while palm branches wave, while glad hosannas awake the echoes of the hills, and thousands of voices declare him king, the world’s Redeemer is overwhelmed with a sudden and mysterious sorrow. He, the Son of God, the Promised One of Israel, whose power has conquered death, and called its captives from the grave, is in tears, not of ordinary grief, but of intense, irrepressible agony.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 13, 1892
7LtMs, Ms 13, 1892, par. 22
It is beyond the power of man to please God apart from Christ. We may make resolutions and promises, but the carnal heart overpowers all our good intentions. We may control our outward conduct, but we cannot change the heart. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint, and yet the sinner will brace himself in pride and set up his will against the will of God. Though Christ is working upon human hearts, yet men can utterly annul the work the Lord would do. If they resist, question, and cavil, they will place themselves in a position where it will not be easy to yield to the persuasion of the Spirit of God. There is a bewitching power that holds them under deception, for the father of lies works with the unsanctified heart. Over these deceived souls the cry is raised, “Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace.” And shall the irrevocable sentence be passed, “But now they are hid from thine eyes”? [Luke 19:42.]7LtMs, Ms 13, 1892, par. 28
“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” [Matthew 23:34-39.] “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace. But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” [Luke 19:41-44.]7LtMs, Ms 13, 1892, par. 34
The heart of Jesus was pierced with agony, and from His pale lips came forth the words, “If thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] In their blind unbelief they would not know the Prince of life; if they had known Him they would not have crucified Him.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 134, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 134, 1902, par. 3
“And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” [Luke 19:41-44.]17LtMs, Ms 134, 1902, par. 5
With prophetic vision Jesus beheld the destroying angels, armed with drawn swords, over the doomed city. He beheld the nation He had labored to save, scattered in all parts of the world. He beheld His vineyard, through neglect, become a wasted wilderness. Looking upon the devoted city, and weeping with anguish that could not be restrained, He exclaimed, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” Then with pale and quivering lips He pronounced the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Verse 42.]Luke 19:42
Christ’s Object Lessons
Chapter 23—The Lord’s Vineyard
COL 302.4
“If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:42.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)
Lt 32, 1875
2LtMs, Lt 32, 1875, par. 53
You have not a moment to lose. Too much time has already gone into eternity with its burden of record. You cannot afford to venture any longer to pursue the perilous path you have taken. You can now at this late date make a success of perfecting Christian character, but it will require efforts, constant dying to self, constant help from God. Money cannot buy for you a pure heart or a single victory or a peaceful conscience. I know your dangers. I know your adversary. I know from whence your help must come. Many are looking upon you as if you would make a failure of establishing a character of strict integrity, of developing an unselfish character before God, and being used as an instrument for good. But I have yet strong hopes. My prayers and tears are bottled up in heaven. God will give you another opportunity, another day of privilege that you may prize the blessings of “this thy day.” [Luke 19:42.] Oh, the love of Christ, more generous, self-denying than a mother’s love! Christ has been more deeply afflicted by your ingratitude and disobedience than any mother ever could be. Christ has called for you with yearning, pitying tenderness. He has labored for your salvation more earnestly than any human parent ever has for an only son. Will you respond to such love, such tenderness?Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)
Lt 25, 1875
2LtMs, Lt 25, 1875, par. 3
Word came to me at noon that if there would be preaching, Mrs. Green and Mack would remain to the afternoon service. I consented to speak and felt much freedom in speaking from these words, Jesus wept over Jerusalem, saying, “If thou hadst known even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:42.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)
Lt 33, 1879
3LtMs, Lt 33, 1879, par. 18
This message from God is sent to you in love. Will you receive it? Will you be saved from yourself? Forever stop finding fault with others, for this is an offense to God; but get your own perverse heart right by humiliation, contrition, and penitence before God: this is your work. Be careful and make straight paths for your feet lest the lame be turned out of the way. Now is your time. Now is your day of opportunity and privilege. Time is closing—you are unready. Make haste in this thy day, lest the knell of irrevocable doom shall sound. “Now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:42.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)
Lt 35a, 1877
3LtMs, Lt 35a, 1877, par. 13
The loss of one soul is represented as a catastrophe in comparison with which the gain of a world sinks into insignificance. Those tears of Jesus embraced all time. In Jerusalem is represented every soul who neglects present privileges and refuses the light which God sends them. Have the counsels of God been cherished? Have the entreaties and warnings of His servants been accepted? Has remonstrance been heeded? Oh, that we may individually improve the golden moments of this “thy day” lest the word shall come, “but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] If light shines in our day we are to receive the light, appreciate it, and walk in the light without waiting to see whether the great men or learned men accept it.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Lt 125, 1886
4LtMs, Lt 125, 1886, par. 5
The eye of Jesus, looking down the ages, was fixed upon our time when He said, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” Luke 19:42. It is still thy day, O church of God, whom He has made the depositary of His law. This day of trust and probation is drawing to a close. The sun is fast westering. Can it be that it will set and thou wilt not know “the things which belong unto thy peace”? Luke 19:42. Must the irrevocable sentence be passed, “but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:42. I tell you, there is need to be alarmed. It is time to seek God earnestly, saying with Jacob, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Genesis 32:26. It will be of no avail to make a spasmodic effort, only to fall back into spiritual lethargy and lukewarmness. The past, with the slighted mercies, the admonitions unheeded, the earthly passions uncorrected, the privileges and opportunities unimproved, the soul temple filled with desecrated shrines—all is recorded in the book of heaven. But the most solemn moments are still before you. Because of past neglect, the efforts you make must be the more earnest now.4LtMs, Lt 125, 1886, par. 7
Jesus is now looking from heaven above with yearning pity upon thee, even thee, in this thy day, O thoughtless, careless soul. But unless there is in our churches a general arousing, unless there is an individual work of confessing and putting away sin, unless each shall give earnest heed to the things which belong to their peace, the words of Christ may be at any moment applicable to them: “Now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] I entrusted thee with the solemn, sacred message of truth to make known to others, but thou hast been unfaithful to thy holy trust. Souls have not been enlightened, warned, and urged to repentance. Their blood will I require at thine hand. Will the churches humble themselves before the Lord in this day of atonement? Will they put away the sins which defile their garments of character, and separate them from God?Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]
MR No. 1367—Counsel Against Faultfinding, Ridiculing, Sneering at Women; Examine Yourself First
19MR 61.1
This message from God is sent to you in love. Will you receive it? Will you be saved from yourself? Forever stop finding fault with others, for this is an offense to God, but get your own perverse heart right by humiliation, contrition, and penitence before God. This is your work. Be careful and make straight paths for your feet lest the lame be turned out of the way. Now is your time. Now is your day of opportunity and privilege. Time is closing—you are unready. Make haste in this thy day, lest the knell of irrevocable doom shall sound, “Now they are hid from thine eyes” (Luke 19:42).—Letter 33, 1879.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Lt 16, 1888
5LtMs, Lt 16, 1888, par. 39
Christ says to you, Now is your day; now is your opportunity. Christ wept over the impenitent city and exclaimed, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” Shall the irrevocable sentence be uttered against you, “But now they are hid from thine eyes”? [Luke 19:42.] Jesus beheld the city and wept over it. The impenitent city was not forsaken because Jesus wanted to leave it to its doom. The child of His care had brought dishonor to God and in rejecting light, warnings, and entreaties, sealed its own doom, forged its own fetters, loaded its own cloud of wrath.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)
Ms 13, 1888
5LtMs, Ms 13, 1888, par. 67
Well, then, shall we not make haste to get ready? How long before you are going to give your spirit and soul and all that you are into this work of overcoming? God wants us to begin now—this blessed now—while Christ will plead our case. As He said to Jerusalem, “Oh, that thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] Why don’t you know? Haven’t you had every spiritual advantage? Haven’t you had the testimony of the Spirit of God, His blessed Word, and everything that should help you to see characters that God approves and those that He disapproves? What are you going to do about it? Are you going to dally along till the trump shall sound? Are you going to wait until Christ shall rise up from His throne and put on the garments of vengeance? How long? How long are you going to choose the course of sin and indifference and love of the world and carelessness?Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Ms 30, 1890
6LtMs, Ms 30, 1890, par. 20
From Olivet Christ looked upon Jerusalem, and with trembling lips and grief-burdened soul He said, If thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace: but now they are hid from thy eyes. [Luke 19:42.] He thought of what Jerusalem might have been had she maintained a living connection with God, of what blessings might have rested upon the people had they improved their privileges and [the] blessings they enjoyed through the mercy and grace of a long-suffering God. Jerusalem would have become beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth. God would have made Zion His holy habitation.6LtMs, Ms 30, 1890, par. 21
Christ’s heart had said, “How can I give thee up.” [Hosea 11:8.] He had dealt with Israel as a loving forgiving father would [deal] with an ungrateful, wayward child. With the eye of Omniscience He saw that the city <of Jerusalem> had decided her own destiny. For centuries there had been a turning away from God. Grace had been resisted, privileges abused, opportunities slighted. The people themselves had been loading the cloud of vengeance which unmingled with mercy was about to burst upon them. With choked, half-broken utterance, Christ exclaimed, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] The irrevocable sentence was pronounced.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 45, 1891
7LtMs, Lt 45, 1891, par. 3
The vineyard is the whole house of Israel. But the natural branches, the Jewish people, were broken off because of unbelief. The Jewish people closed their eyes lest they should see. Christ came to His own, and His own received Him not. In their ostentation and pride they refused the only One who could save them, and Christ broke forth into lamentation over them, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not.” [Matthew 23:37.] With quivering lips and breaking heart He said, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace.” But the irrevocable sentence was pronounced, “Now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 85, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 85, 1894, par. 10
Again on the crest of Olivet he beheld the city, and wept over it, crying, “O that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace;” here comes the pause. [Luke 19:42.] How hard for Jesus to pass the irrevocable sentence upon the doomed inhabitants of Jerusalem. Jerusalem had not known the day of her privilege, the day of precious opportunities, when Christ was in the midst of her. Mercy had long hovered over the impenitent, stubborn, rebellious people; but she is about to depart. It was not yet too late as Jesus looked upon the city; but when the sun had set behind the hills, the day of mercy and reprieve for Jerusalem would be ended. Jesus pronounced the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Verse 42.]Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]
MR No. 1017—Treasure Hid in a Field
13MR 129.3
Christ wept over Jerusalem, saying: [Luke 19:42; Matthew 13:13-15, quoted].Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 68, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 68, 1895, par. 5
Jesus loves you. Although you are pursuing a course that will work disaster to your present and future interests, yet the Saviour has not turned from you. He who gave His life for you is looking sorrowfully upon you. He is saying to you, “O that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace!” Will He be compelled to say to you the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes”? [Luke 19:42.] God forbid. I realize the peril in which you are, as you do not, and for Christ’s sake I beg of you, and for your own soul’s sake I beseech you, to make a decided change before it shall be everlastingly too late.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Ms 11, 1895
10LtMs, Ms 11, 1895, par. 32
The Spirit of the Lord still strives with all His people, and even these men have impulses for good. Let them cherish these good impulses, and take heed lest they forever grieve away the Spirit of God. Let those who have for years been handling matters connected with the work of God review their transactions, and diligently search, as with a lighted candle, the motives and principles that have actuated them, lest the irrevocable sentence be pronounced to them as to the Jewish nation, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 52, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 52, 1896, par. 61
An intensity of feeling overwhelms the man of God. He is so burdened for sinful Israel that he can scarcely give utterance to his thoughts. How similar was his earnestness and burden for sinful Israel to the burden felt by the world’s Redeemer when He wept over Jerusalem, speaking in broken utterances, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... how often would I [have] gathered your children together, as a hen gathereth her brood under her wings; but ye would not.” [Luke 13:34.] Again, on the crest of Olivet He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, “O that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace.” [Luke 19:42.] Here comes the pause. How hard for Jesus to pass the irrevocable sentence upon the doomed inhabitants of Jerusalem.11LtMs, Ms 52, 1896, par. 62
Jerusalem had not known the day of her privilege, the day of precious opportunities, when Christ was in the midst of her. Mercy had long hovered over the impenitent, stubborn, rebellious people; but she is about to depart. It was not yet too late as Jesus looked upon the city; but when the sun should set behind the hills, the day of mercy and reprieve for Jerusalem would be ended. Jesus pronounced the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Verse 42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 115, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 115, 1897, par. 34
When Christ wept over Jerusalem, with quivering lips He said, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace—but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] Never will they see the things they might have seen had they believed in Jesus Christ as the One sent from God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 112, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 112, 1897, par. 10
A death chill was upon the Jewish nation. She was passing over a ground that at every advance step was making her ruin certain. She knew not the time of her visitation. She knew not that divine light had departed from her, that honor, uprightness, sincerity, and truth were lost unto her when she refused the Son of God. As a people their lives were no more to be lives of peace and hope. The temple of the human soul was wrecked for eternity. The truth was spoken by Him who had given His life to save the world that would not be saved: “If thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] For a little time they would have a name to live; but they had no vital connection with God, and must die a spiritual death.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 19, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 19, 1897, par. 59
Judas would not be cleansed by repentance, remorse, and confession. His last chance was being offered him. In his heart Jesus felt the keenest hunger for that soul. His soul had a similar burden as when on the crest of Olivet He wept over the doomed city. In His agony of tears His heart said, “How can I give thee up.” [Hosea 11:8.] “O if thou hadst known, even now in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] Judas’ last chance was gone.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 139, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 139, 1897, par. 21
Jesus wept over obdurate Jerusalem. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” He said, “thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathered her chickens under her wings, but ye would not.” [Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34.] Again He weeps over the devoted city, exclaiming, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace.” Then with tears in His eyes and quivering lips, He pronounced the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 28, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 32
Those who resist the Holy Spirit of God, and provoke Him to depart, know not to what lengths Satan will lead them. “O, that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace.” Shall the words of Christ be irrevocably spoken, “But now they are hid from thine eyes”? [Luke 19:42.] When the Holy Spirit departs from the human agents, they will <unperceptively> do those things which they once viewed in a correct light <to be decidedly sin.> They will follow step by step in the footsteps of Satan. Who then can strive with them to any purpose? Will the minister plead for them and with them? All their words are as idle tales. These souls have Satan <as their chosen companion> close beside them to misconstrue the word spoken, and bring it to their understanding in a perverted light.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 92, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 92, 1897, par. 17
Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. If doubts and unbelief are cherished, the faithful ministers will be removed from the people who think they know so much. “O that thou hadst known,” said Christ, “even thou in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 89, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 89, 1898, par. 14
God is speaking to souls. Behold Him weeping upon the crest of Olivet. Hear Him speak: “O that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace.” [Luke 19:42.] It belongs to the peace of every soul to come back to his loyalty to God and obey His commandments. Human laws can only take cognizance of outward actions. The rites of the Jewish economy were instituted by Christ Himself. He was the foundation of their system of sacrificial offerings. These all prefigured Christ, the great antitype of all their religious service. The ten holy precepts spoken by Christ upon Sinai’s mount were the revelation of the character of God, and made known to the world the fact that He had jurisdiction over the whole human heritage. That law of ten precepts of the greatest love that can be presented to man is the voice of God from heaven speaking to the soul in promise, “This do, and you will not come under the dominion and control of Satan.” There is not a negative in that law, although it may appear thus. It is Do, and Live.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 157, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 157, 1898, par. 8
The more we study the life of Christ, the more we shall endeavor to improve every talent. “In this thy day.” The day is nearing its close. We are living in the last scenes of this earth’s history. Can it be that we shall be among the number which Christ mentioned with so much sorrow as He was halting on the crest of Olivet? Bitter tears accompanied expressions of intense anguish, as with pale and quivering lips and broken utterance, He exclaimed, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day.” Then came a pause. How reluctant Christ was to pronounce the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] It was with a burst of agony that was wrenching Him away from the people of His care that Christ spoke these words. He was bearing a heavy burden for the people He longed to save; but they knew not the time of their visitation.13LtMs, Ms 157, 1898, par. 13
O that all would know in this their day the things that belong to their peace. Shall Christ say to any one of us, “But now they are hid from thine eyes”? [Luke 19:42.] A lax manner of observing the Sabbath brings men and women into bondage. They know not that on this day Christ, the wellspring of life, walks among them, for the purpose of sanctifying the worshipers. There is great need of purity as well as of knowledge. When Christ said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect,” He had in view purity of heart in purpose and action. [Matthew 5:48.] It is essential for every soul who desires to possess increased knowledge to have this purity. Christ will be the efficiency of every soul who strives for clear, far-seeing moral faculties.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 110, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 110, 1899, par. 5
The Lord is merciful and compassionate, full of pity and love. He who wept over Jerusalem has shed tears for every soul He has created, saying with mournful utterance, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace.” He has not yet passed the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] The Lord help Philip to see his refuge, and make his escape from the enemy who is seeking his life that he may destroy him. There is light and peace and joy for him if he will show that repentance that needeth not to be repented of.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 120, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 120, 1899, par. 21
Israel was fulfilling the vision of the prophet Isaiah, but the heart of Christ pleads for the rebellious son. He weeps over the beloved city: “How is the faithful city become an harlot; it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water; thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth gifts and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the mighty one of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies.” [Verses 21-24.] “O if thou hadst known in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 82, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 82, 1899, par. 28
It is obedience to the Word of the living God that brings men into close relationship with Christ. Today He is saying as He said to the Jewish people, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace!” And soon will be heard the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] He said again as He wept over the devoted city, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not.” [Matthew 23:37.] It was not that the Jewish people could not receive Christ; they would not. Thus it will be with many in our day.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 135, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 135, 1899, par. 22
Christ wept over Jerusalem, saying, “O that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] The sins committed by professed Christians are no excuse for a single soul. Hypocrites are in the churches all through the land, but that does not justify us in blaming Christ and His ministers. Christ gave His life to save all who believe in Him. Those who really believe in Jesus have no pretense about them. They are genuine Christians. In heart and soul and action they are true to one another. There are tares among the wheat, but the true Watcher knows the false from the true. He never makes a mistake in His estimate of the characters of men, and after a time He will separate the tares from the wheat.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 138, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 138, 1899, par. 38
As the Saviour looked down upon Jerusalem, the scene of her destruction passed before Him. He thought of the privileges which had been hers. To the Jewish people God had given heaven’s best gift. For three years Christ had been giving them the invitation to the gospel feast. Now, with pale and quivering lips He laments over Israel, the son of His care. With a strong and mighty arm He had brought them out of Egypt, leading them through the vast wilderness; and sorrow filled His heart as He said, “If thou hadst known, even thou at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” [Luke 19:42.]14LtMs, Ms 138, 1899, par. 39
Then He paused. Must He pronounce the irrevocable sentence? He hesitates. The sun is shining in its evening glory upon Jerusalem, lighting up the beauty of her temple. Christ knew that when that sun should go down behind the hills, Jerusalem’s day of mercy and reprieve would be forever ended. And as the last rays of the setting sun were eclipsed by the mountains about the city, the words of doom were spoken, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Verse 42.] In refusing to believe in Jesus the Jewish people closed the door of hope against themselves.Maranatha
Close of Probation Passes Unnoticed, September 13
Mar 264.5
The eye of Jesus, looking down the ages, was fixed upon our time when He said, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” It is still thy day, O church of God, whom He has made the depositary of His law. This day of trust and probation is drawing to a close. The sun is fast westering. Can it be that it will set and thou wilt not know “the things which belong unto thy peace!”? Must the irrevocable sentence be passed, “But now they are hid from thine eyes” (Luke 19:42)? 41Letter 58, 1887.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 193, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 193, 1899, par. 2
As Christ gazed down from the Mount of Olives upon the doomed and guilty, impenitent city, He exclaimed with broken, tearful utterance, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace.” Here He hesitates before He pronounces the irrevocable sentence. The language of His soul is, “O that my people had hearkened unto me.” But at last come the words, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42; Psalm 81:13.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 98, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 98, 1900, par. 49
When Christ saw in the Jewish people a nation divorced from God, He saw also a professed Christian church united to the world and the papacy. And as He stood upon Mount Olivet, weeping over Jerusalem till the sun sank behind the western hills, so He is watching over and pleading with sinners in these last moments of time. Soon He will say to the angels who are holding the four winds, “Let the plagues loose; let the darkness, destruction, and death come upon the transgressors of My law.” Will He be obliged to say to those who have had great light and great knowledge, as He said to the Jews, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace. But now they are hid from thine eyes”? [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 21, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 21, 1902, par. 32
By the punishment of the fruitless fig tree, Christ testified to His disappointment because the Jewish nation bore no fruit and to the punishment that must come to them. This nation had been favored with every spiritual advantage. By the mighty working of God’s power He had brought His people from Egypt into a land where they were to become “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” [Isaiah 61:3.] But they did not profit by their blessings. For more than a thousand years the Jewish nation abused God’s mercy and invited His judgments. They determined their own destruction. Christ’s withering curse pronounced upon the fruitless fig tree was in perfect harmony with His words concerning the Jewish nation, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 121, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 121, 1903, par. 5
As they are separated from the loyal ones, Christ looks upon them with deep sorrow. They occupied high positions of trust in God’s work, but they have not the life insurance policy that would have entitled them to eternal life. From the quivering lips of Christ come the mournful words of regret, “I loved them; I gave My life for them; but they persisted in rejecting My pleadings, and continued in sin. O that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [See Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 43, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 43, 1903, par. 20
In the night season I am repeating to certain ones the words that Christ spoke as He wept over the impenitence of Jerusalem, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace!” When the Saviour had spoken these words, He paused. The glorious destiny that might have blessed Jerusalem had she accepted her Redeemer rose before Him. But the bright picture faded from His sight. He realized that she was under the Roman yoke, bearing the frown of God, doomed to His retributive judgement; and He took up the broken thread of His lamentation: “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.] I cannot but feel intensely as I think that of some, unless they change, these words must at last be spoken. This is why I do not wish to attend the General Conference. Ever since I came to America I have been carrying a heavy load, and it seems almost impossible to gird myself for another effort, when my brethren fall so far short of what they ought to be.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)
Lt 177, 1904
19LtMs, Lt 177, 1904, par. 4
As from the Mount of Olives Christ looked down upon the doomed, guilty city, He exclaimed with heartbroken anguish and with tears running down His face, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace.” Then He paused, unwilling to pronounce the irrevocable sentence, “But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Selected Messages Book 1
Danger of Light Becoming Darkness
1SM 136.1
Among the students the spirit of fun and frolic was indulged. They became so interested in playing games that the Lord was crowded out of their minds; and Jesus stood among you in the playground, saying, O that thou hadst known, “even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” (Luke 19:42). “Ye also have seen me, and believe not” (John 6:36). Yes; Christ revealed Himself to you, and deep impressions were made as the Holy Spirit moved upon your hearts; but you pursued a course by which you lost these sacred impressions, and failed to maintain the victory. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). You began to come to Christ, but you did not abide in Christ. You forsook Him, and the realization you had had of the great favors and blessings He had given you, was lost from your heart. The question of amusement occupied so large a place in your minds, that after the solemn visitation of the Spirit of God, you entered into its discussion with such great zeal that all barriers were broken down; and through your passion for games, you neglected to heed the word of Christ: “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” (Mark 14:38). The place that should have been occupied by Jesus was usurped by your passion for games. You chose your amusements instead of the comfort of the Holy Spirit. You did not follow the example of Jesus, who said, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38).Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)
Lt 377, 1904
19LtMs, Lt 377, 1904, par. 24
As from the Mount of Olives Christ looked down upon the doomed, guilty city, He exclaimed with heartbroken anguish and with tears running down His face, “O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace”—then He paused, unwilling to pronounce the irrevocable sentence—“but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 317, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 317, 1905, par. 15
The cloud of divine wrath was gathering over Jerusalem. Christ saw the city beleaguered. He saw it lost. In a voice full of tears He exclaimed, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 317a, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 317a, 1905, par. 15
Just before His crucifixion, He beheld the city and wept over it, saying, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace”—then He paused. [Luke 19:42.] They had come to the crest of Olivet, and the disciples, catching sight of Jerusalem, were about to burst forth unto exclamations of praise. But they saw that their Teacher, in the place of being joyful, was in an agony of tears.20LtMs, Lt 317a, 1905, par. 17
The cloud of divine wrath was gathering over Jerusalem. Christ saw the city beleaguered. He saw it lost. In a voice full of tears He exclaimed, “If thou hadst known, even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)
Ms 65, 1912
25LtMs, Ms 65, 1912, par. 33
On Olive’s crest, Christ said, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” [Luke 19:42.] How do the Christian churches stand today? It is their privilege to receive every spiritual advantage in accordance with God’s promises.This Day With God
Shield of Protection, April 10
TDG 109.4
Just before His crucifixion, He beheld the city [of Jerusalem], and wept over it, saying, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” (Luke 19:42). Then He paused. They had come to the crest of Olivet, and the disciples, catching sight of Jerusalem, were about to burst forth unto exclamations of praise; but they saw that their Teacher, in the place of being joyful, was in an agony of tears.TDG 109.7
The cloud of divine wrath was gathering over Jerusalem. Christ saw the city beleaguered. He saw it lost. In a voice full of tears he exclaimed, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes” (verse 42).True Revival
Spiritual Victory Lost to the Passions for Games
TR 77.3
Among the students the spirit of fun and frolic was indulged. They became so interested in playing games that the Lord was crowded out of their minds; and Jesus stood among you in the playground, saying, O that thou hadst known, “even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” (Luke 19:42). “Ye also have seen me, and believe not” (John 6:36). Yes; Christ revealed Himself to you, and deep impressions were made as the Holy Spirit moved upon your hearts; but you pursued a course by which you lost these sacred impressions, and failed to maintain the victory. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). You began to come to Christ, but you did not abide in Christ. You forsook Him, and the realization you had had of the great favors and blessings He had given you, was lost from your heart. The question of amusement occupied so large a place in your minds, that after the solemn visitation of the Spirit of God, you entered into its discussion with such great zeal that all barriers were broken down; and through your passion for games, you neglected to heed the word of Christ: “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” (Mark 14:38). The place that should have been occupied by Jesus was usurped by your passion for games. You chose your amusements instead of the comfort of the Holy Spirit. You did not follow the example of Jesus, who said, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38).Luke 19:42-44
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Lt 11, 1883
4LtMs, Lt 11, 1883, par. 18
I think of the words of Christ, as He looked from the crest of Olivet on the doomed city of Jerusalem. In broken utterances, He said His heart [was] broken with unrequited love: “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. ... Because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:42, 44. He left no means untried. His offered mercy had been spurned. There was no wearying of His patience. The waves of mercy beaten back by these stubborn, rocky hearts only returned afresh in a fuller tide of untiring, unresting love. But the moment has come when His love is exhausted, when retributive justice must take the place of love, and now He weeps over those who refuse to be saved.4LtMs, Lt 11, 1883, par. 22
If thou art destroyed, it is thyself who are alone responsible. “Ye will not come unto Me that ye might have life.” [John 5:40.] “If thou, even thou hadst known the things which belong to thy peace.” [Luke 19:42.] Oh, in the words of Christ, “Thou, even thou” is applicable to us individually. We may make a solemn application. We may view Him stooping over His throne yearning with tenderness and pity over those who have no pity for themselves. We hear Him say to us, “If thou hadst been faithful to search thy Bible with humble, prayerful hearts and with a desire to know, how light would have been thy future.” Today is ours. Each of us has a day of visitation. This, thy day, is the present time. It is not tomorrow, but today. If ye will hear His voice harden not your hearts. “If this day ye receive Me, your Saviour, peace is yours, heaven is yours, for I will pardon your transgressions.”Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 72, 1890
6LtMs, Lt 72, 1890, par. 21
The Lord Jesus invites you through His humble servant to return unto the Lord, to cease to do evil, to learn to do well. I feel anxious for your soul. I would make any effort in my power to save you. While many despise both the message and messenger, I have no evidence but that you have the kind, tender feelings toward me that all your actions have expressed. I cannot bear to have one soul perish, and have felt something of the Spirit that moved the heart of Christ when He exclaimed in broken utterances in an agony of tears as He looked over Jerusalem, “Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” Luke 19:42.6LtMs, Lt 72, 1890, par. 22
Here He pauses. Shall He pronounce the irrevocable sentence that when the sun shall set behind [the] hills, Jerusalem’s day of grace and mercy [shall be] past? Oh, how His heart yearned over the city, “but now they are hid from thine eyes.” A night settled upon them from which the gloom was never to be lifted. “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:43, 44.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 102, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 102, 1897, par. 18
When Caiaphas rent his garment, his action was significant of the place that the Jewish nation as a nation would in future occupy toward God. As a whole, the Jewish nation had apostatized. The once favored people of God had become divorced from Him. Christ came to them with His message, but it was despised. As He stood on the crest of Olivet just prior to hid crucifixion, He wept over Jerusalem, and lamented the fall of her people, saying, “If thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and keep thee on every side. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” [Luke 19:42-44.]Luke 19:44
The Great Controversy
Chapter 17—Heralds of the Morning
GC 316.1
Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in His opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of the church. God requires of His people works of faith and obedience corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visitation. Luke 19:44. Because of their pride and unbelief the Lord passed them by and revealed His truth to those who, like the shepherds of Bethlehem and the Eastern Magi, had given heed to all the light they had received.The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)
Chapter 17—Heralds of the Morning
GC88 316.1
Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in his opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of the church. God requires of his people works of faith and obedience corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from Heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visitation. [Luke 19:44.] Because of their pride and unbelief, the Lord passed them by and revealed his truth to those who, like the shepherds of Bethlehem and the Eastern magi, had given heed to all the light they had received.The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
Chapter 12—God Honors the Humble
4SP 200.2
Love for Christ and faith in his coming waxed cold. Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in his opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of the church. God requires of his people works of faith and obedience corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from Heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visitation. [Luke 19:44.] Because of their pride and unbelief, the Lord passed them by, and revealed his truth to men in humble life, who had given heed to all the light they had received.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Ms 188, 1905
20LtMs, Ms 188, 1905, par. 18
A few nights ago I was awakened with this, “They know not the time of their visitation.” [See Luke 19:44.] Why don’t they know it? Because nobody is there to tell them. God wants messengers, and He wants us to put on the whole armor of God, and having put it on, “to stand. For we war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in high places.” [Ephesians 6:11-13.]Luke 19:45-48
The Desire of Ages
Chapter 65—The Temple Cleansed Again
DA 589.1
At the beginning of His ministry, Christ had driven from the temple those who defiled it by their unholy traffic; and His stern and godlike demeanor had struck terror to the hearts of the scheming traders. At the close of His mission He came again to the temple, and found it still desecrated as before. The condition of things was even worse than before. The outer court of the temple was like a vast cattle yard. With the cries of the animals and the sharp chinking of coin was mingled the sound of angry altercation between traffickers, and among them were heard the voices of men in sacred office. The dignitaries of the temple were themselves engaged in buying and selling and the exchange of money. So completely were they controlled by their greed of gain that in the sight of God they were no better than thieves.DA 589.2
Little did the priests and rulers realize the solemnity of the work which it was theirs to perform. At every Passover and Feast of Tabernacles, thousands of animals were slain, and their blood was caught by the priests and poured upon the altar. The Jews had become familiar with the offering of blood, and had almost lost sight of the fact that it was sin which made necessary all this shedding of the blood of beasts. They did not discern that it prefigured the blood of God’s dear Son, which was to be shed for the life of the world, and that by the offering of sacrifices men were to be directed to a crucified Redeemer.DA 590.1
Jesus looked upon the innocent victims of sacrifice, and saw how the Jews had made these great convocations scenes of bloodshed and cruelty. In place of humble repentance of sin, they had multiplied the sacrifice of beasts, as if God could be honored by a heartless service. The priests and rulers had hardened their hearts through selfishness and avarice. The very symbols pointing to the Lamb of God they had made a means of getting gain. Thus in the eyes of the people the sacredness of the sacrificial service had been in a great measure destroyed. The indignation of Jesus was stirred; He knew that His blood, so soon to be shed for the sins of the world, would be as little appreciated by the priests and elders as was the blood of beasts which they kept incessantly flowing.DA 590.2
Against these practices Christ had spoken through the prophets. Samuel had said, “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” And Isaiah, seeing in prophetic vision the apostasy of the Jews, addressed them as rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah: “Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread My courts?” “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” 1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:10-12, 16, 17.DA 590.3
He who had Himself given these prophecies now for the last time repeated the warning. In fulfillment of prophecy the people had proclaimed Jesus king of Israel. He had received their homage, and accepted the office of king. In this character He must act. He knew that His efforts to reform a corrupt priesthood would be in vain; nevertheless His work must be done; to an unbelieving people the evidence of His divine mission must be given.DA 590.4
Again the piercing look of Jesus swept over the desecrated court of the temple. All eyes were turned toward Him. Priest and ruler, Pharisee and Gentile, looked with astonishment and awe upon Him who stood before them with the majesty of heaven’s King. Divinity flashed through humanity, investing Christ with a dignity and glory He had never manifested before. Those standing nearest Him drew as far away as the crowd would permit. Except for a few of His disciples, the Saviour stood alone. Every sound was hushed. The deep silence seemed unbearable. Christ spoke with a power that swayed the people like a mighty tempest: “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” His voice sounded like a trumpet through the temple. The displeasure of His countenance seemed like consuming fire. With authority He commanded, “Take these things hence.” John 2:16.DA 591.1
Three years before, the rulers of the temple had been ashamed of their flight before the command of Jesus. They had since wondered at their own fears, and their unquestioning obedience to a single humble Man. They had felt that it was impossible for their undignified surrender to be repeated. Yet they were now more terrified than before, and in greater haste to obey His command. There were none who dared question His authority. Priests and traders fled from His presence, driving their cattle before them.DA 592.1
On the way from the temple they were met by a throng who came with their sick inquiring for the Great Healer. The report given by the fleeing people caused some of these to turn back. They feared to meet One so powerful, whose very look had driven the priests and rulers from His presence. But a large number pressed through the hurrying crowd, eager to reach Him who was their only hope. When the multitude fled from the temple, many had remained behind. These were now joined by the newcomers. Again the temple court was filled by the sick and the dying, and once more Jesus ministered to them.DA 592.2
After a season the priests and rulers ventured back to the temple. When the panic had abated, they were seized with anxiety to know what would be the next movement of Jesus. They expected Him to take the throne of David. Quietly returning to the temple, they heard the voices of men, women, and children praising God. Upon entering, they stood transfixed before the wonderful scene. They saw the sick healed, the blind restored to sight, and deaf receive their hearing, and the crippled leap for joy. The children were foremost in the rejoicing. Jesus had healed their maladies; He had clasped them in His arms, received their kisses of grateful affection, and some of them had fallen asleep upon His breast as He was teaching the people. Now with glad voices the children sounded His praise. They repeated the hosannas of the day before, and waved palm branches triumphantly before the Saviour. The temple echoed and re-echoed with their acclamations, “Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord!” “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is just, and having salvation!” Psalm 118:26; Zechariah 9:9. “Hosanna to the Son of David!”DA 592.3
The sound of these happy, unrestrained voices was an offense to the rulers of the temple. They set about putting a stop to such demonstrations. They represented to the people that the house of God was desecrated by the feet of the children and the shouts of rejoicing. Finding that their words made no impression on the people, the rulers appealed to Christ: “Hearest Thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise?” Prophecy had foretold that Christ should be proclaimed as king, and that word must be fulfilled. The priests and rulers of Israel refused to herald His glory, and God moved upon the children to be His witnesses. Had the voices of the children been silent, the very pillars of the temple would have sounded the Saviour’s praise.DA 593.1
The Pharisees were utterly perplexed and disconcerted. One whom they could not intimidate was in command. Jesus had taken His position as guardian of the temple. Never before had He assumed such kingly authority. Never before had His words and works possessed so great power. He had done marvelous works throughout Jerusalem, but never before in a manner so solemn and impressive. In presence of the people who had witnessed His wonderful works, the priests and rulers dared not show Him open hostility. Though enraged and confounded by His answer, they were unable to accomplish anything further that day.DA 593.2
The next morning the Sanhedrin again considered what course to pursue toward Jesus. Three years before, they had demanded a sign of His Messiahship. Since that time He had wrought mighty works throughout the land. He had healed the sick, miraculously fed thousands of people, walked upon the waves, and spoken peace to the troubled sea. He had repeatedly read the hearts of men as an open book; He had cast out demons, and raised the dead. The rulers had before them the evidences of His Messiahship. They now decided to demand no sign of His authority, but to draw out some admission or declaration by which He might be condemned.DA 593.3
Repairing to the temple where He was teaching, they proceeded to question Him: “By what authority doest Thou these things? and who gave Thee this authority?” They expected Him to claim that His authority was from God. Such an assertion they intended to deny. But Jesus met them with a question apparently pertaining to another subject, and He made His reply to them conditional on their answering this question. “The baptism of John,” He said, “whence was it? from heaven, or of men?”DA 593.4
The priests saw that they were in a dilemma from which no sophistry could extricate them. If they said that John’s baptism was from heaven, their inconsistency would be made apparent. Christ would say, Why have ye not then believed on him? John had testified of Christ, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. If the priests believed John’s testimony, how could they deny the Messiahship of Christ? If they declared their real belief, that John’s ministry was of men, they would bring upon themselves a storm of indignation; for the people believed John to be a prophet.DA 594.1
With intense interest the multitude awaited the decision. They knew that the priests had professed to accept the ministry of John, and they expected them to acknowledge without a question that he was sent from God. But after conferring secretly together, the priests decided not to commit themselves. Hypocritically professing ignorance, they said, “We cannot tell.” “Neither tell I you,” said Christ, “by what authority I do these things.”DA 594.2
Scribes, priests, and rulers were all silenced. Baffled and disappointed, they stood with lowering brows, not daring to press further questions upon Christ. By their cowardice and indecision they had in a great measure forfeited the respect of the people, who now stood by, amused to see these proud, self-righteous men defeated.DA 594.3
All these sayings and doings of Christ were important, and their influence was to be felt in an ever-increasing degree after His crucifixion and ascension. Many of those who had anxiously awaited the result of the questioning of Jesus were finally to become His disciples, first drawn toward Him by His words on that eventful day. The scene in the temple court was never to fade from their minds. The contrast between Jesus and the high priest as they talked together was marked. The proud dignitary of the temple was clothed in rich and costly garments. Upon his head was a glittering tiara. His bearing was majestic, his hair and his long flowing beard were silvered by age. His appearance awed the beholders. Before this august personage stood the Majesty of heaven, without adornment or display. His garments were travel stained; His face was pale, and expressed a patient sadness; yet written there were dignity and benevolence that contrasted strangely with the proud, self-confident, and angry air of the high priest. Many of those who witnessed the words and deeds of Jesus in the temple from that time enshrined Him in their hearts as a prophet of God. But as the popular feeling turned in His favor, the hatred of the priests toward Jesus increased. The wisdom by which He escaped the snares set for His feet, being a new evidence of His divinity, added fuel to their wrath.DA 594.4
In His contest with the rabbis, it was not Christ’s purpose to humiliate His opponents. He was not glad to see them in a hard place. He had an important lesson to teach. He had mortified His enemies by allowing them to be entangled in the net they had spread for Him. Their acknowledged ignorance in regard to the character of John’s baptism gave Him an opportunity to speak, and He improved the opportunity by presenting before them their real position, adding another warning to the many already given.DA 595.1
“What think ye?” He said. “A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?”DA 595.2
This abrupt question threw His hearers off their guard. They had followed the parable closely, and now immediately answered, “The first.” Fixing His steady eye upon them, Jesus responded in stern and solemn tones: “Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”DA 595.3
The priests and rulers could not but give a correct answer to Christ’s question, and thus He obtained their opinion in favor of the first son. This son represented the publicans, those who were despised and hated by the Pharisees. The publicans had been grossly immoral. They had indeed been transgressors of the law of God, showing in their lives an absolute resistance to His requirements. They had been unthankful and unholy; when told to go and work in the Lord’s vineyard, they had given a contemptuous refusal. But when John came, preaching repentance and baptism, the publicans received his message and were baptized.DA 595.4
The second son represented the leading men of the Jewish nation. Some of the Pharisees had repented and received the baptism of John; but the leaders would not acknowledge that he came from God. His warnings and denunciations did not lead them to reformation. They “rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” Luke 7:30. They treated his message with disdain. Like the second son, who, when called, said, “I go, sir,” but went not, the priests and rulers professed obedience, but acted disobedience. They made great professions of piety, they claimed to be obeying the law of God, but they rendered only a false obedience. The publicans were denounced and cursed by the Pharisees as infidels; but they showed by their faith and works that they were going into the kingdom of heaven before those self-righteous men who had been given great light, but whose works did not correspond to their profession of godliness.DA 596.1
The priests and rulers were unwilling to bear these searching truths; they remained silent, however, hoping that Jesus would say something which they could turn against Him; but they had still more to bear.DA 596.2
“Hear another parable,” Christ said: “There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?”DA 596.3
Jesus addressed all the people present; but the priests and rulers answered. “He will miserably destroy those wicked men,” they said, “and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” The speakers had not at first perceived the application of the parable, but they now saw that they had pronounced their own condemnation. In the parable the householder represented God, the vineyard the Jewish nation, and the hedge the divine law which was their protection. The tower was a symbol of the temple. The lord of the vineyard had done everything needful for its prosperity. “What could have been done more to my vineyard,” he says, “that I have not done in it?” Isaiah 5:4. Thus was represented God’s unwearied care for Israel. And as the husbandmen were to return to the lord a due proportion of the fruits of the vineyard, so God’s people were to honor Him by a life corresponding to their sacred privileges. But as the husbandmen had killed the servants whom the master sent to them for fruit, so the Jews had put to death the prophets whom God sent to call them to repentance. Messenger after messenger had been slain. Thus far the application of the parable could not be questioned, and in what followed it was not less evident. In the beloved son whom the lord of the vineyard finally sent to his disobedient servants, and whom they seized and slew, the priests and rulers saw a distinct picture of Jesus and His impending fate. Already they were planning to slay Him whom the Father had sent to them as a last appeal. In the retribution inflicted upon the ungrateful husbandmen was portrayed the doom of those who should put Christ to death.DA 597.1
Looking with pity upon them, the Saviour continued, “Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”DA 597.2
This prophecy the Jews had often repeated in the synagogues, applying it to the coming Messiah. Christ was the cornerstone of the Jewish economy, and of the whole plan of salvation. This foundation stone the Jewish builders, the priests and rulers of Israel, were now rejecting. The Saviour called their attention to the prophecies that would show them their danger. By every means in His power He sought to make plain to them the nature of the deed they were about to do.DA 597.3
And His words had another purpose. In asking the question, “When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?” Christ designed that the Pharisees should answer as they did. He designed that they should condemn themselves. His warnings, failing to arouse them to repentance, would seal their doom, and He wished them to see that they had brought ruin on themselves. He designed to show them the justice of God in the withdrawal of their national privileges, which had already begun, and which would end, not only in the destruction of their temple and their city, but in the dispersion of the nation.DA 597.4
The hearers recognized the warning. But notwithstanding the sentence they themselves had pronounced, the priests and rulers were ready to fill out the picture by saying, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him.” “But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitude,” for the public sentiment was in Christ’s favor.DA 597.5
In quoting the prophecy of the rejected stone, Christ referred to an actual occurrence in the history of Israel. The incident was connected with the building of the first temple. While it had a special application at the time of Christ’s first advent, and should have appealed with special force to the Jews, it has also a lesson for us. When the temple of Solomon was erected, the immense stones for the walls and the foundation were entirely prepared at the quarry; after they were brought to the place of building, not an instrument was to be used upon them; the workmen had only to place them in position. For use in the foundation, one stone of unusual size and peculiar shape had been brought; but the workmen could find no place for it, and would not accept it. It was an annoyance to them as it lay unused in their way. Long it remained a rejected stone. But when the builders came to the laying of the corner, they searched for a long time to find a stone of sufficient size and strength, and of the proper shape, to take that particular place, and bear the great weight which would rest upon it. Should they make an unwise choice for this important place, the safety of the entire building would be endangered. They must find a stone capable of resisting the influence of the sun, of frost, and of tempest. Several stones had at different times been chosen, but under the pressure of immense weights they had crumbled to pieces. Others could not bear the test of the sudden atmospheric changes. But at last attention was called to the stone so long rejected. It had been exposed to the air, to sun and storm, without revealing the slightest crack. The builders examined this stone. It had borne every test but one. If it could bear the test of severe pressure, they decided to accept it for the cornerstone. The trial was made. The stone was accepted, brought to its assigned position, and found to be an exact fit. In prophetic vision, Isaiah was shown that this stone was a symbol of Christ. He says:DA 598.1
“Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” Carried down in prophetic vision to the first advent, the prophet is shown that Christ is to bear trials and tests of which the treatment of the chief cornerstone in the temple of Solomon was symbolic. “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Isaiah 8:13-15; 28:16.DA 598.2
In infinite wisdom, God chose the foundation stone, and laid it Himself. He called it “a sure foundation.” The entire world may lay upon it their burdens and griefs; it can endure them all. With perfect safety they may build upon it. Christ is a “tried stone.” Those who trust in Him, He never disappoints. He has borne every test. He has endured the pressure of Adam’s guilt, and the guilt of his posterity, and has come off more than conqueror of the powers of evil. He has borne the burdens cast upon Him by every repenting sinner. In Christ the guilty heart has found relief. He is the sure foundation. All who make Him their dependence rest in perfect security.DA 599.1
In Isaiah’s prophecy, Christ is declared to be both a sure foundation and a stone of stumbling. The apostle Peter, writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clearly shows to whom Christ is a foundation stone, and to whom a rock of offense:DA 599.2
“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient.” 1 Peter 2:3-8.DA 599.3
To those who believe, Christ is the sure foundation. These are they who fall upon the Rock and are broken. Submission to Christ and faith in Him are here represented. To fall upon the Rock and be broken is to give up our self-righteousness and to go to Christ with the humility of a child, repenting of our transgressions, and believing in His forgiving love. And so also it is by faith and obedience that we build on Christ as our foundation.DA 599.4
Upon this living stone, Jews and Gentiles alike may build. This is the only foundation upon which we may securely build. It is broad enough for all, and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world. And by connection with Christ, the living stone, all who build upon this foundation become living stones. Many persons are by their own endeavors hewn, polished, and beautified; but they cannot become “living stones,” because they are not connected with Christ. Without this connection, no man can be saved. Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation. Our eternal safety depends upon our building upon the sure foundation. Multitudes are today building upon foundations that have not been tested. When the rain falls, and the tempest rages, and the floods come, their house will fall, because it is not founded upon the eternal Rock, the chief cornerstone Christ Jesus.DA 600.1
“To them which stumble at the word, being disobedient,” Christ is a rock of offense. But “the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.” Like the rejected stone, Christ in His earthly mission had borne neglect and abuse. He was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: ... He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3. But the time was near when He would be glorified. By the resurrection from the dead He would be declared “the Son of God with power.” Romans 1:4. At His second coming He would be revealed as Lord of heaven and earth. Those who were now about to crucify Him would recognize His greatness. Before the universe the rejected stone would become the head of the corner.DA 600.2
And on “whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” The people who rejected Christ were soon to see their city and their nation destroyed. Their glory would be broken, and scattered as the dust before the wind. And what was it that destroyed the Jews? It was the rock which, had they built upon it, would have been their security. It was the goodness of God despised, the righteousness spurned, the mercy slighted. Men set themselves in opposition to God, and all that would have been their salvation was turned to their destruction. All that God ordained unto life they found to be unto death. In the Jews’ crucifixion of Christ was involved the destruction of Jerusalem. The blood shed upon Calvary was the weight that sank them to ruin for this world and for the world to come. So it will be in the great final day, when judgment shall fall upon the rejecters of God’s grace. Christ, their rock of offense, will then appear to them as an avenging mountain. The glory of His countenance, which to the righteous is life, will be to the wicked a consuming fire. Because of love rejected, grace despised, the sinner will be destroyed.DA 600.3
By many illustrations and repeated warnings, Jesus showed what would be the result to the Jews of rejecting the Son of God. In these words He was addressing all in every age who refuse to receive Him as their Redeemer. Every warning is for them. The desecrated temple, the disobedient son, the false husbandmen, the contemptuous builders, have their counterpart in the experience of every sinner. Unless he repent, the doom which they foreshadowed will be his.From Heaven With Love
Chapter 65—The Temple Cleansed Again
HLv 392.1
At the beginning of His ministry, Christ had driven from the temple those who defiled it by their unholy traffic. His stern and godlike demeanor had struck terror to the scheming traders.HLv 392.2
At the close of His mission He came again to the temple and found it still desecrated as before—with the cries of animals, the sharp chinking of coin, and the sound of angry altercation. The dignitaries of the temple were themselves buying and selling. So completely were they controlled by greed of gain that in the sight of God they were no better than thieves.HLv 392.3
At every Passover and Feast of Tabernacles, thousands of animals were slain, their blood caught by the priests and poured on the altar. The Jews had almost lost sight of the fact that sin made necessary all this shedding of blood. They did not discern that it prefigured the blood of God’s dear Son, to be shed for the life of the world.HLv 392.4
Jesus saw how the Jews had made these great convocations scenes of bloodshed and cruelty. They had multiplied the sacrifice of beasts, as if God could be honored by a heartless service. The priests and rulers had made the symbols pointing to the Lamb of God a means of getting gain. Thus the sacredness of the sacrificial service had been in a great measure destroyed. Jesus knew that His blood, so soon to be shed for the sins of the world, would be as little appreciated by the priests and elders as was the blood of beasts!HLv 392.5
Against these practices Christ had spoken through the prophets. Isaiah, seeing in prophetic vision the apostasy of the Jews, addressed them: “What to Me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of he-goats.” “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before My eyes.” Isaiah 1:11, 16, RSV.HLv 393.1
He who had Himself given these prophecies now for the last time repeated the warning. In fulfillment of prophecy the people had proclaimed Jesus king of Israel. He had received their homage and accepted the office of king. In this character He must act. He knew His efforts to reform a corrupt priesthood would be in vain; nevertheless, to an unbelieving people the evidence of His divine mission must be given.HLv 393.2
Again the piercing look of Jesus swept over the desecrated court of the temple. All eyes were turned toward Him. Divinity flashed through humanity, investing Christ with a dignity and glory He had never manifested before. Those nearest Him drew as far away as the crowd would permit. Except for a few of His disciples, the Saviour stood alone. The deep silence seemed unbearable. Christ spoke with a power that swayed the people like a mighty tempest: “It is written, My house is the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” His voice sounded like a trumpet through the temple. “Take these things hence.” John 2:16.HLv 393.3
Three years before, the rulers of the temple had been ashamed of their flight before the command of Jesus. They had felt it impossible for their undignified surrender to be repeated. Yet they were now more terrified than before, and in greater haste to obey His command. Priests and traders fled, driving their cattle before them.HLv 393.4
On the way from the temple they were met by a throng who came with their sick inquiring for the Great Healer. The report given by the fleeing people caused some of these to turn back, but a large number pressed through the crowd, eager to reach Him. Again the temple court was filled by the sick and the dying, and once more Jesus ministered to them.HLv 394.1
After a season the priests and rulers ventured back to the temple. They expected Jesus to take the throne of David. Upon entering the temple, they stood transfixed. They saw the sick healed, the blind restored to sight, the deaf receive their hearing, and the crippled leap for joy. Children were foremost in the rejoicing. Jesus had healed their maladies; He had clasped them in His arms. Now with glad voices the children sounded His praise. They repeated the hosannas of the day before and waved palm branches triumphantly before the Saviour.HLv 394.2
The sound of these happy, unrestrained voices was an offense to the rulers of the temple. They represented to the people that the house of God was desecrated by the feet of the children and the shouts of rejoicing. The rulers appealed to Christ: “Hearest Thou what these say? And Jesus said to them, Yes, have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou has perfected praise?” Prophecy had foretold that Christ should be proclaimed as king, and God moved upon the children to be His witnesses. Had the voices of the children been silent, the very pillars of the temple would have sounded the Saviour’s praise.HLv 394.3
The Pharisees were utterly disconcerted. Never before had Jesus assumed such kingly authority. He had done marvelous works, but never before in a manner so solemn and impressive. Though enraged and confounded, the priests and rulers were unable to accomplish anything further that day. The next morning the Sanhedrin again considered what course to pursue toward Jesus. For three years the rulers had evidences of His Messiahship. They now decided to demand no sign of His authority, but to draw out some admission or declaration by which He might be condemned.HLv 394.4
In the temple they proceeded to question Him: “By what authority doest Thou these things? and who gave Thee this authority?” Jesus met them with a question apparently pertaining to another subject, and He made His reply conditional on their answering this question: “The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?”HLv 395.1
The priests saw they were in a dilemma from which no sophistry could extricate them. If they said that John’s baptism was from heaven, Christ would say, Why have ye not then believed on him? John had testified of Christ, “Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. If the priests believed John’s testimony, how could they deny the Messiahship of Christ?HLv 395.2
If they declared their real belief, that John’s ministry was of men, they would bring on themselves a storm of indignation, for the people believed John to be a prophet. The multitude knew that the priests had professed to accept John, and they expected them to acknowledge that he was sent from God. But after conferring secretly together, the priests decided not to commit themselves. Hypocritically professing ignorance, they said, “We cannot tell.” “Neither tell I you,” said Christ, “by what authority I do these things.”HLv 395.3
Baffled and disappointed, scribes, priests, and rulers all stood with lowering brows, not daring to press further questions on Christ. The people stood by, amused to see these proud, self-righteous men defeated.HLv 395.4
All these sayings and doings of Christ were important, and their influence was to be felt in an ever-increasing degree after His crucifixion and ascension. Many were finally to become His disciples, first drawn by His words on that eventful day. The contrast between Jesus and the high priest as they talked together was marked. The proud dignitary of the temple was clothed in rich and costly garments. Upon his head was a glittering tiara, his bearing majestic, his hair and beard silvered by age. Before this august person stood the Majesty of heaven, without adornment or display, His garments travel-stained, His face pale, expressing a patient sadness. Yet written there were dignity and benevolence. Many who witnessed the words and deeds of Jesus in the temple from that time enshrined Him in their hearts as a prophet of God. But as the popular feeling turned in His favor, the hatred of the priests toward Jesus increased.HLv 396.1
It was not Christ’s purpose to humiliate His opponents. He had an important lesson to teach. The acknowledged ignorance of His enemies in regard to John’s baptism gave Him opportunity to speak, presenting before them their real position, and adding another warning to the many already given:HLv 396.2
“What think ye?” He said. “A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whither of them twain did the will of his father?”HLv 396.3
This abrupt question threw His hearers off their guard. They immediately answered, “The first.” Fixing His steady eye on them, Jesus responded in stern and solemn tones: “Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”HLv 396.4
The priests and rulers could not but give a correct answer to Christ’s question, and thus He obtained their opinion in favor of the first son, who represented the publicans. When John came, preaching repentance and baptism, the publicans received his message and were baptized.HLv 397.1
The priests and rulers remained silent. But Christ said: “Hear another parable. There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?”HLv 397.2
The priests and rulers answered, “He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” The speakers now saw that they had pronounced their own condemnation. As the husbandmen were to return to the lord a due proportion of the fruits of the vineyard, so God’s people were to honor Him by a life corresponding to their sacred privileges. But as the husbandmen had killed the servants whom the master sent to them for fruit, so the Jews had put to death the prophets whom God sent to call them to repentance.HLv 397.3
Thus far the application of the parable could not be questioned, and in what followed it was no less evident. In the beloved son whom the lord of the vineyard finally sent to his disobedient servants, and whom they seized and slew, the priests and rulers saw a distinct picture of Jesus and His impending fate. In the retribution inflicted on the ungrateful husbandmen was portrayed the doom of those who should put Christ to death.HLv 398.1
Looking with pity on them, the Saviour continued, “Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”HLv 398.2
This prophecy the Jews had often repeated in the synagogues, applying it to the coming Messiah. Christ was the Cornerstone of the Jewish economy, and of the whole plan of salvation. This foundation stone the Jewish builders were now rejecting. By every means in His power the Saviour sought to make plain the nature of the deed they were about to do. His warnings, failing to arouse them to repentance, would seal their doom, and He designed to show them the justice of God in the withdrawal of their national privileges, which would end not only in the destruction of their temple and their city, but in the dispersion of the nation.HLv 398.3
The hearers recognized the warning, but notwithstanding the sentence they themselves had pronounced, the priests and rulers were ready to fill out the picture by saying, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him.” “But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes,” for the public sentiment was in Christ’s favor.HLv 398.4
In quoting the prophecy of the rejected stone, Christ referred to an actual incident connected with the building of the first temple. It had a special lesson at Christ’s first advent, but it also has a lesson for us. When the temple of Solomon was erected, the immense stones were entirely prepared at the quarry. After they were brought to the place of building, the workmen had only to place them in position. For the foundation, one stone of unusual size and peculiar shape had been brought, but the workmen could find no place for it. It was an annoyance as it lay unused in their way. Long it remained a rejected stone.HLv 399.1
But when the builders came to laying of the corner, they searched for a long time to find a stone of sufficient size and strength, and of the proper shape, to bear the great weight which would rest on it. Should they make an unwise choice, the safety of the entire building would be endangered. Several stones had been chosen, but under the pressure of immense weights they had crumbled to pieces.HLv 399.2
But at last attention was called to the stone so long rejected. It had been exposed to sun and storm without revealing the slightest crack. It had borne every test but one—the test of severe pressure. The trial was made. The stone was accepted, brought to its assigned position, and found to be an exact fit. This stone was a symbol of Christ. Isaiah says:HLv 399.4
God chose the foundation stone and called it “a sure foundation.” The entire world may lay upon it their burdens and griefs. With perfect safety they may build upon it. Those who trust in Him, He never disappoints. He has borne every test. He has borne the burdens cast upon Him by every repenting sinner. All who make Him their dependence rest in perfect security.HLv 400.2
To those who believe, Christ is the sure foundation. They fall on the Rock and are “broken.” To fall on the Rock and be broken is to give up our self-righteousness, to go to Christ with the humility of a child, repenting of our transgressions, and believing in His forgiving love. So also by faith and obedience we build on Christ as our foundation.HLv 400.5
And on “whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” The people who rejected Christ were soon to see their city and nation destroyed, their glory scattered as the dust before the wind. And what was it that destroyed the Jews? The rock which, had they built on it, would have been their security. It was the goodness of God despised, mercy slighted. Men set themselves in opposition to God, and all that would have been their salvation was turned to their destruction.HLv 401.1
In the Jews’ crucifixion of Christ was involved the destruction of Jerusalem. The blood shed on Calvary was the weight that sank them to ruin.HLv 401.2
So in the great final day, when judgment shall fall on the rejecters of God’s grace. Christ, their rock of offense, will then appear as an avenging mountain. The glory of His countenance, which to the righteous is life, will be to the wicked a consuming fire. Because of love rejected, grace despised, the sinner will be destroyed. The desecrated temple, the disobedient son, the false husbandmen, the contemptuous builders have their counterpart in the experience of every sinner. Unless he repents, the doom which they foreshadowed will be his.From Heaven With Love
Priests and Rulers Silenced
HLv 396.5
The second son represented the leading men of the Jewish nation who would not acknowledge that John came from God. They “rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” Luke 7:30. Like the second son, the priests and rulers professed obedience, but acted disobedience.From Heaven With Love
The Strange Stone That Prefigured Christ
HLv 399.3
“He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel... . And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” Christ was to bear trials and tests of which the chief cornerstone in the temple of Solomon was symbolic. “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” Isaiah 8:14, 15; 28:16.HLv 400.1
Christ is both “a sure foundation” and “a stone of stumbling.” “Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient.” 1 Peter 2:7, 8.From Heaven With Love
How to Be Built-up by Being Broken
HLv 400.3
Upon this living stone, Jews and Gentiles alike may build. It is broad enough for all, and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world. By connection with Christ all who build on this foundation become living stones. See 1 Peter 2:5.HLv 400.4
“To them which stumble at the word, being disobedient,” Christ is a Rock of offense. Like the rejected stone, Christ had borne neglect and abuse. He was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief... . He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3. But by the resurrection from the dead He would be declared the “Son of God with power.” Romans 1:4. At His second coming He would be revealed as Lord of heaven and earth. Before the universe the rejected stone would become the head of the corner.Luke 19:46
The Story of Jesus
Chapter 14—“Take These Things Hence”
SJ 90.2
“It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Luke 19:46.From the Heart
Cleansing the Temple, June 9
FH 172.1
“My house is a house of prayer,” but you have made it a “den of thieves.” Luke 19:46.EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
Luke 19:41-42
Manuscript Releases, vol. 3 [Nos. 162-209]
Walk in the Light
3MR 76.3
In Christ’s day, how few realized the great privilege they might have enjoyed. The infinite God gave His Son, the most exalted gift that could be given, but it was not appreciated in that day, and while our Saviour tried to gain an entrance to hearts they would not let Him in. They knew not that they had the Majesty of heaven in their midst. When He saw the stubbornness of their hearts He wept over Jerusalem, saying, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41. The reason they rejected Christ was because the customs and practices had more weight with them than the precious boon that Christ came to bring them.3MR 78.3
Christ will soon come the second time in power and great glory, not as He appeared the first time, when he wept over Jerusalem as the western sun was about to set. Christ was a Sun and a Light to that people, but that Light was about to be withdrawn because of the stubbornness of those whom Christ had come to redeem. The disciples expected to see Jesus rejoice over the city as He approached it, but what a disappointment when they saw His anguish of soul and His tears, and heard His broken utterances as He spoke these solemn words: “If thou hadst known, even thou, ... the things which belong unto thy peace!” Luke 19:42.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 41, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 41, 1886, par. 5
In Christ’s day, how few realized the great privilege they might have enjoyed. The infinite God gave His Son, the most exalted gift that could be given, but it was not appreciated in that day; and while our Saviour tried to gain an entrance to hearts, they would not let Him in. They knew not that they had the Majesty of heaven in their midst. When He saw the stubbornness of their hearts, He wept over Jerusalem, saying, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41. The reason they rejected Christ was because the customs and practices had more weight with them than the precious boon that Christ came to bring them.4LtMs, Ms 41, 1886, par. 12
Christ will soon come the second time in power and great glory, not as He appeared the first time, when He wept over Jerusalem as the western sun was about to set. Christ was a sun and a light to that people, but that light was about to be withdrawn because of the stubbornness of those whom Christ had come to redeem. The disciples expected to see Jesus rejoice over the city as He approached it, but what a disappointment when they saw His anguish of soul and His tears, and heard His broken utterances as He spoke these solemn words: “If thou hadst known, even thou, ... the things which belong unto thy peace!” Luke 19:42.Manuscript Releases, vol. 5 [Nos. 260-346]
MR No. 317—Ecstatic Experiences in the Early Days
5MR 232.2
Our camp meeting from its commencement to the present time has been most solemn and the Spirit of the Lord in a most signal manner has been manifested in the social and preaching meetings. The great sin of Jerusalem was the rejection of her present blessings and present warnings. I spoke from these words, “And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:41, 42.]Report of Special Meeting
Held November 8, 1898
PH146 17.2
“‘And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.’ Luke 19:41, 42. ‘And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.’ Matthew 21:12, 13. It was here divinity flashed through humanity, and the priests and rulers fled from before him; for there was as the appearance of a flashing sword, turning every way like the sword to guard the tree of life. I send you these things with a trembling of soul, for I scarcely can gather faith to believe that they will receive credence, or work reforms; but I dare not hold my peace.”The Review and Herald
May 4, 1876
RH May 4, 1876, par. 1
Sabbath afternoon, June 26, I had freedom in speaking to the people from Luke 19:41, 42. There was a solemn impression left upon the audience.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)
Lt 16, 1875
2LtMs, Lt 16, 1875, par. 19
Our camp meeting from its commencement to the present time has been most solemn and the Spirit of the Lord in a most signal manner has been manifested in the social and preaching meetings. The great sin of Jerusalem was the rejection of her present blessings and present warnings. I spoke from these words, “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41, 42.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 9, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 9, 1893, par. 21
“And when he came near he beheld the city and wept over it, saying, O that thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes.” [Luke 19:41, 42.] Why did not the guilty nation know? Because they could not? No, because they would not. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, (and ye could not, no,) and ye would not!” [Luke 13:34.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 84a, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 84a, 1896, par. 3
Yes, but that temple was just as much in need of cleansing as the temple courts in the days when Christ was upon the earth. The Lord hates the mixture there was in the earthly temple. Unholy bartering in the temple courts brought forth [the] righteous indignation of an insulted God. “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41, 42.