78
      
      
         The Desire of Ages
      
      
        The light of the glory of God, which imparts life to the righteous, will
      
      
        slay the wicked.
      
      
        In the time of John the Baptist, Christ was about to appear as
      
      
        the revealer of the character of God. His very presence would make
      
      
        manifest to men their sin. Only as they were willing to be purged from
      
      
        sin could they enter into fellowship with Him. Only the pure in heart
      
      
        could abide in His presence.
      
      
        Thus the Baptist declared God’s message to Israel. Many gave
      
      
        heed to his instruction. Many sacrificed all in order to obey. Multitudes
      
      
        followed this new teacher from place to place, and not a few cherished
      
      
        the hope that he might be the Messiah. But as John saw the people
      
      
        turning to him, he sought every opportunity of directing their faith to
      
      
        Him who was to come.
      
      
         [109]