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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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persecutions <strong>of</strong> Antiochus Epiphanes, when<br />

Judaism was all but exterminated in Palestine. <strong>The</strong><br />

glorious uprising <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Maccabees called forth all<br />

<strong>the</strong> national elements left in Israel, <strong>and</strong> kindled<br />

afresh <strong>the</strong> smouldering religious feeling. It seemed<br />

like a revival <strong>of</strong> Old Testa* ment times. And when<br />

Judas <strong>the</strong> Maccabee, with a b<strong>and</strong> so inferior in<br />

numbers <strong>and</strong> discipline, defeated <strong>the</strong> best <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Syrian soldiery, led by its ablest generals, <strong>and</strong>, on<br />

<strong>the</strong> anniversary <strong>of</strong> its desecration by hea<strong>the</strong>n rites,<br />

set up again <strong>the</strong> great altar <strong>of</strong> bumt-<strong>of</strong>i*ering, it<br />

appeared as if a new <strong>The</strong>ocracy were to be<br />

inaugurated. <strong>The</strong> ceremonial <strong>of</strong> that feast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

new * dedication <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Temple,' when each night<br />

<strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> lights grew larger in <strong>the</strong> winter's<br />

darkness, seemed symbolic <strong>of</strong> what was before<br />

Israel. But <strong>the</strong> Maccabees were not <strong>the</strong> <strong>Messiah</strong>;<br />

nor yet <strong>the</strong> Kingdom, which <strong>the</strong>ir sword would<br />

have restored —that <strong>of</strong> Heaven, with its blessings<br />

<strong>and</strong> peace. If ever, Israel might <strong>the</strong>n have learned<br />

what Saviour to look for.<br />

<strong>The</strong> period even <strong>of</strong> promise was more brief than

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