2 (Malachi 2:7, 8). Only Light Can Dispel Darkness—When Christ came into the world, darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people. The living oracles of God were fast becoming a dead letter. The still, small voice of God was heard only at times by the most devout worshiper; for it had become overpowered and silenced by the dogmas, maxims, and traditions of men. The long, intricate explanations of the priests made that which was the plainest and most simple, mysterious, indistinct, and uncertain. The clamors of rival sects confused the understanding, and their doctrines were widely apart from the correct theory of truth....{4BC 1153.4}

2 (Mal. 2:7, 8). Kun lys kan sprede mørke. - Da Kristus kom ind i mørket, dækkede mørket jorden og tykt mørke over folket. Guds levende orakler blev hurtigt til et dødt brev. Guds rolige og lave røst kunne kun høres nogle gange af den mest helligede tilbeder; for den var blevet overdøvet og gjort tavs af mennesker dogmer, leveregler og traditioner. Præsternes lange og komplicerede forklaringer gjorde det som var enkelt og mest simpelt til noget mystisk, uklart og usikkert. Råbene fra rivaliserende sekter forvirrede forståelsen, og deres lære var langt borte fra den korrekte sandhedsteori . . . .