t looked for Him; they were wise men, rich
and noble, the philosophers of the East. Students of nature, the magi had
seen God in His handiwork. From the Hebrew Scriptures they had learned of
the Star to arise out of Jacob, and with eager desire they awaited His
coming, who should be not only the "Consolation of Israel," but a "Light
to lighten the Gentiles," and "for salvation unto the ends of the
earth."(513) They were seekers for light, and light from the throne of God
illumined the path for their feet. While the priests and rabbis of
Jerusalem, the appointed guardians and expounders of the truth, were
shrouded in darkness, the Heaven-sent star guided these Gentile strangers
to the birthplace of the new-born King.

It is "unto them that look for Him" that Christ is to "appear the second
time without sin unto salvation."(514) Like the tidings of the Saviour's
birth, the message of the second advent was not committed to the religious
leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve their connection with
God, and had refused light from heaven; therefore they were not of the
number described by the apostle Paul: "But ye, brethren, are not in
darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the
children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night,
nor of darkness."(515)

The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should have been the first to catch
the tidings of the Saviour's advent, the first to lift their voices to
proclaim Him near, the first to warn the people to prepare for His coming.
But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety, while the people were
asleep in their sins. Jesus saw His church, like the barren fig-tree,
covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of precious fruit. There
was a boastful observance of the forms of religion, while the spirit of
true humility, penitence, and faith--which alone could render the service
acceptable to God--was lacking. Instead of the graces of the Spirit, there
were manifested pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A
backsliding church closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did
not forsake them, or suffer His faithfulness to fail; but they departed
from Him, and separated themselves from His love. As they refused to
comply with the conditions, His promises were not fulfilled to them.

Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and
privileges which God bestows. Unless the church