How Daniel Identified Jesus as the Christ

The Messiah’s coming had been announced first in Judea. On the hills of Bethlehem, the angels had proclaimed the birth of Jesus. The wise men had come to Jerusalem searching for Him.HH 99.1

If the leaders in Israel had received Christ, He would have honored them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world. But Israel did not know the time of her visitation by God. The jealousy and distrust of the Jewish leaders had ripened into open hatred, and the hearts of the people were turned away from Jesus. The Sanhedrin was intent on putting Him to death, and so Jesus left Jerusalem and the people who had been instructed in the law and turned to another class to proclaim His message.HH 99.2

In every succeeding generation, the history of Christ’s withdrawal from Judea has been repeated. When the Reformers preached the Word of God, they had no thought of separating from the established church. But the religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those who carried it were forced to seek another class who were longing for truth. In our day, few professed followers of the Reformers are listening for the voice of God, ready to accept truth in whatever form it may come. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from churches they love in order to declare the plain Word of God. Many have to leave the church of their heritage in order to be obedient to God.HH 99.3

The people of Galilee represented a more promising field for the Savior’s work. Less under the control of bigotry, their minds were more open to receiving truth. A much larger mixture of people of other nations lived there than in Judea.HH 99.4

As Jesus traveled through Galilee, teaching and healing, crowds came, many even from Judea. Enthusiasm ran so high that it was necessary to take precautions so that the Roman authorities would not start to fear an uprising. Hungering and thirsting hearts feasted on the grace of a merciful Savior.HH 99.5