The greatest good that any man can get in this world is the knowledge of God. This contains in itself all that can be desired, and much more.
The message of glad tidings that Christ brought for all people was simply the revelation of the Father. The world sat in darkness and in the shadow of death (Matthew 4:16; Isaiah 9:2) because it had forgotten what God was. Christ came to light up the darkness, and that which He brought to do it with was the life of God. "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4) "This is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God." (John 17:3)
Men shun this knowledge, fearing that it only gives them a sense of condemnation. Said Christ, "The world has not known You." (John 17:25)
If men would only look upon God as He has revealed himself in His Word and works, they would find it a revelation so wonderful in its nature and effect that in the very beholding they would become changed. "Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 45:32)
There is comfort in the knowledge of God. When He commits to His servants a word of comfort for the sinful and troubled, to tell them that their warfare is accomplished, and their iniquity is pardoned, the glad tidings is given in the message, "Behold your God." (Isaiah 40:9)
The everlasting Gospel which prepares believers to meet the Lord in peace at His appearing bids men to "Fear God and give glory to Him." (Revelation 14:7)
God does not seek fictitious honor, and when He invites men to give glory to Him, it is that they may know the wonderful fullness of the reasons there are for doing so. This call is glad tidings, because the glory of the Lord is that:
• He saves, even to the uttermost;
• He endures the contradiction of sinners against himself;
• He meets all hatred and defiance with an unalterable love;
• And bears for man the curse that man has earned.
He does all this and desires man to give Him credit for it, by joyfully accepting the salvation which infinite love has created. "Give glory to Him," as One who gives His own glory to the unworthy.--Present Truth, October 13, 1898.