Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

As they witnessed his power from day to day in works no other man had
ever done or ever could do, they kept hope active in their hearts that he
would one day surprise them with an open avowal of his kingly authority.
They did not fully renounce the idea that his earthly kingdom would be
established, the Roman yoke be broken from their necks, and they enjoy with
him great honor and glory. This sermon upon the mount disappointed their
expectations of earthly glory. Upon this occasion Christ more clearly
revealed the character of his kingdom and the principles which should
govern it given in the beatitudes. Matthew 5. In this discourse was embodied
the principles of the moral law, laying down at once the whole sum and
substance of the plan of true religion in specifying the kind of characters
which would be essential for the subjects of his kingdom.
He that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made
manifest that they are wrought in God, while many who have a form of
godliness and not the power, may be content to speak the truth in a spirit of
contention, engaging in controversy, talking long and loud in a bitter spirit.
Such reflect no light, while the servant of God who has kindled his taper
from the divine altar and is obeying the truth, is a living, walking, working
representative of the power of the truth upon the heart. He is a living epistle
known and read of all men. Such a life is the light of the world; of such Jesus
is not ashamed to call them brethren. He will say of them as of Nathanael
"Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile."
Those who obey the commandments of God are here represented by
Christ as the fit subjects of his kingdom. Blessed are the poor in spirit, who
feel that all their hopes of Heaven and happiness depend wholly upon the
merit of Christ, that there is no merit or worthiness in them. Happy are they
that mourn their own unlikeness to Christ, mourn their own sinfulness and
grieve over the sins of their neighbors.
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