nge their views. The
scoffers won the weak and cowardly to their ranks, and all these united in
declaring that there could be no more fears or expectations now. The time
had passed, the Lord had not come, and the world might remain the same for
thousands of years.

The earnest, sincere believers had given up all for Christ, and had shared
His presence as never before. They had, as they believed, given their last
warning to the world; and expecting soon to be received into the society
of their divine Master and the heavenly angels, they had, to a great
extent, withdrawn from the society of those who did not receive the
message. With intense desire they had prayed, "Come, Lord Jesus, and come
quickly." But He had not come. And now to take up again the heavy burden
of life's cares and perplexities, and to endure the taunts and sneers of a
scoffing world, was a terrible trial of faith and patience.

Yet this disappointment was not so great as was that experienced by the
disciples at the time of Christ's first advent. When Jesus rode
triumphantly into Jerusalem, His followers believed that He was about to
ascend the throne of David, and deliver Israel from her oppressors. With
high hopes and joyful anticipations they vied with one another in showing
honor to their King. Many spread their outer garments as a carpet in His
path, or strewed before Him the leafy branches of the palm. In their
enthusiastic joy they united in the glad acclaim, "Hosanna to the Son of
David!" When the Pharisees, disturbed and angered by this outburst of
rejoicing, wished Jesus to rebuke His disciples, He replied, "If these
should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."(660)
Prophecy must be fulfilled. The disciples were accomplishing the purpose
of God; yet they were doomed to a bitter disappointment. But a few days
had passed ere they witnessed the Saviour's agonizing death, and laid Him
in the tomb. Their expectations had not been realized in a single
particular, and their hopes died with Jesus. Not till their Lord had come
forth triumphant from the grave could they perceive that all had been
foretold by prophecy, and "that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen
again from the dead."(661)

Five hundred years before, the Lord had declared by the prophet Zechariah,
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:
behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation;
lowly, and riding upon an