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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

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

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THE NATIYITT OF JESUS THE MESSIAH. (St<br />

Mat<strong>the</strong>w i. 25; St Luke iL 1-20.)<br />

BOOK Sncli <strong>the</strong>n was ^ <strong>the</strong> hope <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> promise<br />

made <strong>of</strong> God unto <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs/ n for which <strong>the</strong><br />

twelve tribes, * instantly serving (Gted) night <strong>and</strong><br />

dayj' ' longed—with such vividness, that <strong>the</strong>y read<br />

it in almost every event <strong>and</strong> promise; with such<br />

earnestness, that it ever was <strong>the</strong> burden <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

prayers; with such intensity, that many <strong>and</strong> long<br />

centuries <strong>of</strong> disappointment have not quenched it.<br />

Its light, comparatively dim in days <strong>of</strong> sunshine<br />

<strong>and</strong> calm, seemed to bum brightest in <strong>the</strong> dark <strong>and</strong><br />

lonely nights <strong>of</strong> suffering, as if each gust that swept<br />

over Israel only kindled it into fresh flame.<br />

To <strong>the</strong> question, whe<strong>the</strong>r this hope has ever been<br />

realised—or ra<strong>the</strong>r, whe<strong>the</strong>r One has appeared<br />

Whose claims to <strong>the</strong> <strong>Messiah</strong>ship have stood <strong>the</strong><br />

test <strong>of</strong> investigation <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> time—impartial history<br />

can make only one answer. It points to Bethlehem<br />

<strong>and</strong> to Nazareth. If <strong>the</strong> claims <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jesus</strong> have been<br />

rejected by <strong>the</strong> Jewish Nation, He has at least,

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