THE PREACHING OF JOHN

John the Baptist told his followers that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Saviour of the world. Near the end of his work, John taught his disciples to look to Jesus. John taught them to follow Jesus as the Great Teacher.SRme 1.859

John's life was filled with much sadness. John did not seek to please or satisfy himself. John preached the first coming of Jesus, but he was not permitted to see Jesus' miracles.SRme 1.860

John knew he must die when Jesus became well-known as a teacher. Almost all of John's preaching was in the desert. His life was lonely. John did not stay with his father's family to enjoy their company. John left his family so he could do the work God had called him to do.SRme 1.861

Great crowds of people from busy cities and villages went to the wilderness to listen to John the Baptist preach. They listened to the words of this wonderful prophet. John preached plainly and powerfully. He reproved sin. He was not afraid of the results. He prepared the way for the Lamb of God.SRme 1.862

When King Herod listened to the powerful preaching of John, he became interested in John's message. Herod asked John how he could become one of John's followers. John knew that Herod planned to marry his [Herod's] brother's wife. John also knew that Herod's brother was still alive. Bravely John told Herod that this marriage would be wrong. But Herod was not willing to deny himself. Herod married his brother's wife. She influenced Herod to capture John and put him in prison. But Herod planned to free John later.SRme 1.863

In prison, John the Baptist heard from his disciples about the mighty work of Jesus. John was not able to listen to the Saviour's beautiful message. But John's disciples comforted him by telling him what they had heard Jesus say and what they had seen Jesus do. Soon Herod's wife had John's head cut off.SRme 1.864

I [Ellen White] saw that the humblest persons who followed Jesus were more privileged than John the Baptist. These persons saw Jesus do miracles. They heard Jesus speak comforting words. They were more honored than John the Baptist, and had more pleasure in their lives.SRme 1.865

John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah to let people know of the first coming of Jesus. John the Baptist represents the people in the last days of earth's history, who will have the spirit and power of Elijah. These people will warn the world about the judgment day and Jesus' second coming.SRme 1.866