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::R1674 : page 223::

PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE

III. QUAR., LESSON II., JULY 8, LUKE 2:25-38

Golden Text—”A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”—Luke 2:32

VERSES 25-31. Simeon was one of the kind of characters to whom God reveals his truth—a just and devout man, waiting in faith for the consolation of Israel. “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” And the holy spirit was upon him, so that, being thus inspired, he prophesied concerning the infant Jesus.

VERSE 32. Under divine inspiration, therefore, Simeon declared this child to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel. John also pointed to him as the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:9.) And Paul adds, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved [from their blindness and deafness], and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4.) As the vast majority of mankind have never been thus enlightened, and thousands more have been only partially so, it follows logically that the full enlightenment of the world tarries until the Millennial reign of Christ shall call forth all that are in their graves—when “the Sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in his wings.” Then he will enlighten the whole world, and believing Israel will glory in him.

Simeon’s further prophecy of verse 34 is partially fulfilled. The world has witnessed the fall of Israel from divine favor, and their sad condition as outcasts for nearly two thousand years, because of their rejection of Christ. And now the time for their rising again has come (beginning A.D. 1878): and they will be raised up nationally to all the favor from which they fell nationally. Today we are witnesses of the regathering of Israel, preparatory to the turning away of their blindness and their coming again into divine favor and blessing.

“And for a sign which shall be spoken against.” This has been true all through the age; and the reproach of the cross has not yet ceased.

VERSE 35 had reference to Christ’s tragic death, and the test of faith thereby instituted, both in that day, and even to the end of the age, thus (by the test) revealing the thoughts of many hearts,—proving which are loyal and faithful to God as true soldiers of the cross, and which are not. It is not probable, however, that Simeon, who spoke thus under divine inspiration, understood fully the import of his words.

VERSES 36-38. Anna, a prophetess, another devout, faithful soul, recognized and pointed out the infant Redeemer. It will be observed that she was of the tribe of Aser—another evidence of what we have frequently called attention to in connection with the Anglo-Israel question, that the entire house of Israel (twelve tribes) was represented at Jerusalem in our Lord’s day, and not the tribes of Judah and Benjamin only. See TOWER, Dec. ’91.

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— July 1, 1894 —