“Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against …” (Luke 2:34). [Emphasis supplied.]
“ ‘Behold,’ Simeon had said, ‘this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against.’ They must fall who would rise again. We must fall upon the Rock and be broken before we can be uplifted in Christ. Self must be dethroned, pride must be humbled, if we would know the glory of the spiritual kingdom. The Jews would not accept the honor that is reached through humiliation. Therefore they would not receive their Redeemer. He was a sign that was spoken against.” The Desire of Ages, 56, 57.
“Many who have never been placed in positions of trial appear to be excellent Christians, their lives seem faultless; but God sees that they have traits of character that must be revealed to them before they can perceive and correct them. Simeon prophesied under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and said unto Mary in reference to Jesus: ‘Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ (Luke 2:34, 35). In the providence of God we are placed in different positions to call into exercise qualities of mind calculated to develop character under a variety of circumstances. ‘Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all’ (James 2:10). Professed Christians may live unexceptionable lives so far as outward appearance is concerned; but when a change of circumstances throws them into entirely different positions, strong traits of character are discovered, which would have remained hidden had their surroundings continued the same.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 55, 56.
“ ‘Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene’ (John 19:25). As Christ’s mother stood by the cross upon which He hung, she realized the truth of the words spoken by Simeon, when he took the infant Saviour in his arms and blessed him. ‘Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,’ he said, ‘which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. … Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ (Luke 2:30–32, 34, 35).
“That time had come. The hearts of the persecutors, the revilers, the murderers, were indeed revealed. Attributes which form character were developed. Unbelieving Israel took sides with the first great apostate.” The Review and Herald, December 28, 1897.