A MOVING PICTURE OF EARTH'S HISTORY

Above the throne, the cross of Jesus is seen in the sky. Then, the same as a great motion picture, Adam's temptation and sin appears. Next, the steps in God's great plan to save sinners are shown. Everyone sees Jesus' humble birth, His early life of obedience, His baptism in Jordan, and His hunger and temptations in the wilderness. Then Jesus' public ministry is shown as He explains to people heaven's most precious blessings. Jesus' days filled with acts of love and mercy appear. Jesus' nights of prayer and watching in the quietness alone in the mountains are shown.SRme 1.1854

The saved people and the wicked people continue watching as the picture in the sky shows Jesus persecuted for His acts of love. They see Jesus' terrible agony in Gethsemane when He was crushed from carrying the sins of the whole world. Jesus is given to the mob of people who want to kill Him. The picture in the sky continues. The people see the terrible night when Jesus' best-loved disciples left Him alone. They see Jesus roughly pushed through the streets of Jerusalem. They see Jesus in front of Annas, and condemned in the high priest's palace. They see Jesus in the judgment hall of Pilate, then before the cowardly, cruel Herod. Jesus is laughed at, insulted, beaten, and condemned to die.SRme 1.1855

And now the righteous people and the people outside the gates of the New Jerusalem see the final events of Christ's earthly life. They see the suffering Jesus walking the path to Calvary. They see Jesus hanging upon the cross. Everyone watches the priests and mob laugh at Jesus as He dies on the cross. Then everyone sees the strange darkness, the earthquake, and the open graves that marked the moment when the world's Redeemer died.SRme 1.1856

The terrible events are shown exactly as they happened. Satan, his angels, and his followers have no power to stop watching the things they have done. Each one remembers his own wicked acts. Herod killed the innocent children of Bethlehem. He was hoping to destroy the King of Israel. Herod remembers what he did. Herodias remembers her evil acts. Herodias is guilty for having John the Baptist killed. All the people who had Jesus condemned and crucified see themselves--the weak Pilate, the mocking soldiers, the priests and rulers, and the large crowd of angry people who cried, "His blood be on us and on our children." These people see their terrible guilt. They try to hide from Jesus, whose face shines brighter than the glory of the sun.SRme 1.1857

The redeemed people lay their crowns at Jesus' feet, saying, "He died for me!" Among the redeemed people are the apostles of Jesus. There stands the brave Paul, the eager Peter, the loved and loving John with the other truehearted disciples. With them also are the great group of martyrs.SRme 1.1858

Outside the walls of the Holy City, with every evil and horrible thing, are the people who persecuted and killed the martyrs. Cruel Nero had enjoyed watching the terrible sufferings of the Christians whom he persecuted. Now Nero sees them safe and happy with Jesus. Nero's mother is present. She sees the results of her own work in the evil character of herSRme 1.1859

son. She sees that the evil desires she had encouraged by her influence resulted in crimes that caused the world to shake in horror.SRme 1.1860

Priests and ministers who said they were Christ's representatives watch. These people had tried to control the consciences of God's people by using cruel persecution. In this group are proud priests who tried to be higher than God by thinking they could change His holy law.SRme 1.1861

These priests must answer to God for their wicked acts. The priests cannot be excused. Too late these men realize that the mighty God watches over His law. God will not excuse the guilty. Too late the priests realize that God is interested in the sufferings of His people. The priests now understand what Jesus meant when He said: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me" (Matt. 25:40, TEV).SRme 1.1862