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Anna also, a
prophetess, came in and confirmed Simeon's
testimony concerning
Christ. As Simeon spoke, her face lighted up with the glory of God,
and she poured out her heartfelt thanks that she had been permitted
to behold Christ the Lord.20
These humble worshipers
had not studied the prophecies in vain. But those who held
positions as rulers and priests in Israel, though they too had
before them the precious utterances of prophecy, were not walking
in the way of the Lord, and their eyes were not open to behold the
Light of life.
page 56
So it is still. Events upon which the
attention of all heaven is centered are undiscerned, their very
occurrence is unnoticed, by religious leaders, and worshipers in
the house of God. Men acknowledge Christ in history, while they
turn away from the living Christ. Christ in His word calling to
self-sacrifice, in the poor and suffering who plead for relief, in
the righteous cause that involves poverty and toil and reproach, is
no more readily received today than He was eighteen hundred years
ago.
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Simeon's prophetic portraiture of the intention and effect of the advent of
the Redeemer had scarcely been completed when another testimony
was added, that of the aged Anna, the daughter
of Phanuel, who, like her venerable compeer, appears but once in the sacred page, and then
is hidden for ever from our eyes. It is not said that any special impulse drew her to the
temple. It was her daily haunt. Instantly serving God day and night, her life was one of
fastings and prayers. When it was also made known to her that the infant whom she met in
the temple was no other than the Christ of God, her
song of praise was added to that of Simeon, but the words of it are
lost. It would, we may be assured, be a suitable accompaniment.
a fit response to his. He, as may be believed, retired from the
temple to close his eyes in peace; but she was moved
to go about and speak of the Lord20 whom she had
found to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem—the first preacher of the gospel,
the first female evangelist in the holy city.
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And Simeon blessed them . . . . And there was one
Anna, a prophetess . . . .
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him
to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
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