Tuesday: Universal Appeal
What is Isaiah 60.1-2 talking about? What principle do you see at work there that’s seen all through the Bible? What hope does it offer?
In Isaiah 60.1-2, we are given a picture of God’s deliverance of His people, following the exile, expressed with the imagery of God’s creating light out of darkness and pointing forward to an ultimate fulfillment in salvation through Christ.
In Isaiah 60:3, to whose light do nations and kings come?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
In Hebrew this person is feminine singular (see also Isaiah 60.1-2). It must be “Zion,” personified as a woman, who is mentioned near the end of the previous chapter (Isa: 59:20). So, the people of the earth, who are covered in darkness, will come to Zion. They will be drawn by the light of God’s glory that has arisen over her (Isa: 60:2). “Zion is summoned to enter into the light that is hers and then to observe and react to the nations as they gather to the same light.” — J. Alec Motyer, The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary, p. 494. Notice that although Zion is Jerusalem, the emphasis is more on the people than on the physical location of the city.
The rest of Isaiah 60 develops the theme introduced in verses 1-3: The people of the world are drawn to Jerusalem, which is blessed because of God’s glorious presence there.
How does this prophecy compare with God’s covenant promise to Abraham? Genesis 12.2-3. Are they not saying the same thing?
God had a universal purpose when He chose Abraham and his descendants: Through Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed (Gen: 12:3, Gen: 18:18, Gen: 22:18). So, God’s covenant with Abraham was ultimately intended to be a covenant with all humankind through Abraham. He and his descendants would be God’s channel of revelation to the world.
Isaiah sought to bring his people back to their ancient, universal destiny. As the representatives of the true God, they were responsible not only for themselves but for the world. They should welcome foreigners who seek God (see also Isa: 56:3-8), for His temple “shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isa: 56:7, NRSV).
| In this context, how do you understand the role of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or even, more specifically, your individual role in that church? |
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On Sunday we had 52mm (4inches) of rain. Monday dawned and the clouds still hung low and heavy. I decided to go for a walk with my bird photography camera, even though the light was bad. Out on the tracks where I walk it was dark and muddy and I felt the oppression that comes from poor weather and no bird activity. Then across the horizon a thin streak of blue appeared and before long the sun was shining though the clouds. Insects started to rise our of the foliage and soon the Grey Fantails were darting and feeding, The Rainbow Lorikeets were screeching at one another in the forest canopy and the Shrike-thrushes were melodiously calling one another. What a difference a bit of sunlight made. I immediately felt invigorated and started to enjoy being out in nature.
Isaiah described the spiritual equivalent so well:
And after this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude..... for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. Rev 7:9-17
Qu for today
In this context, how do you understand the role of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or even, more specifically, your individual role in that church?
Be an example of who Christ was and encourage people to see Jesus as their Savior.
Many times some say the word 'church' mentioned in the bible, or God 'church' as mentioned in the bible is the SDA organization. But as I studied the more I understood the 'church' is all those who love Jesus and accepted his teachings according to the bible. There are many out there who love Jesus and do all that we do eg keep the sabbath but do not carry the name SDA. Christ says he is coming for a 'church' not an 'organization'. He is coming for all those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:14
These verses in Isaiah 60 describe those sanctified by the Truth and filled with the Spirit of God, as were the apostles at Pentecost. They will fully reflect the character of God.
Many will be drawn to the truth being demonstrated in the lives of those sanctified ones. The kings referred to here are all those who come to the Light and are saved, whom God will make “kings and priests”(Rev 1:6; 5:10). Nation/people(goy) is actually a singular word, for there will be “One fold and One Shepherd” in all who accept the truth in Christ. Imagine only one nation on the whole earth, and not a sinner among them! This will be the result of the Light of Truth dwelling in the heart and life of all who become God's servants. Will it be THIS generation?
Per the Study Guide: God’s covenant with Abraham was ultimately intended to be a covenant with all humankind through Abraham. He and his descendants would be God’s channel of revelation to the world. They will be drawn by the light of God’s glory.
What is God's glory? I understand that it His character. So the question is how am I the LORD's channel of the revelation of the misunderstood Character of the LORD to the world?
What have I learned from the LORD's message via Isaiah?
Must I point out all their short comings like the LORD did in Isaiah?
I don't think it is necessary for me to do that, the LORD said that the Holy Spirit will convict people of sin.
In this day and age - what attracts people? I believe it is unconditional love and the promise of a transformed character and forgiveness for historical errors.
The LORD said - Come let us reason together - When we are resting in His loving arms He will little by little help us to understand what it means to have a character like His.
Mic 6:8 MKJV He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what the LORD requires of you - to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
Brother Maurice, your keen appreciation of God’s nature is inspiring....and I am sure God’s nature appreciates you and the light you bring to it.
God's holiness is His character He shines His glory (light )to dark world.Revelation 21:23 says and the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it,for for the splendor and radiance of God illuminate it.
“The Glory of the Lord” was a topic of our lesson studies a short while ago. I believe that the “Glory of the Lord” is used to describe two things. One is the foretelling of the coming of the Lord to His people Israel – it is a glorious event to elevate the status of this nation, a fulfillment of prophecy to establish the God of Israel as the Sovereign King of all nations.
Secondly, this event is designed to dispel “the darkness of the earth and gross darkness of the people” – Isa.60:1-2KJV; it is to bring enlightenment to those groping in the darkness to seek after the Light of Truth. This Light came from Heaven in the form of the Son of God; He is the Light to both - Israel and the Gentiles.
Israel's God is to become the focus of the people of the world because He blessed them, keeping them from being destroyed by its enemies. Isa.60:9KJV - Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tar-shish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because He hath glorified thee.”
This event will once and for all times proof to the world that there is a God in Heaven who directs the affairs of man. The people searching for Truth but living in darkness will see the Light which shines into this darkness; it will bring form to Truth as it is established in Heaven. People living in darkness think they know Truth, but they can only know error until the Light of the Son will rise in their hearts. The promised coming of the Son of God was to bring the Glory of the Lord’s Light to dispel our darkness and lighten our Path.
The Word of God does not fail, His arm is not shortened that He could not do what He wills, and His Will was to save mankind from certain death. His Light saves all who come to Him and accept His Word by faith and follow the Light of the Spirit as it directs the believer’s foot along the path of life.
The Christian is called to be the shining Light upon a hill, to share the Light of Truth which will lead the people to the well that provides the water of wisdom and understanding for the thirsty soul to glorify the God in Heaven - Matt.6:10KJV.
Like our Savior Christ Jesus - we ought to be about the Father’s business – Luke2:49KJV
I’m struggling to relate Zion and Feminine personality. I also struggled with subject no 8 which also had positioned Zion as a female. Please assist to clarify.
The verse like Isiah 59:20 or 60:1-3 points to Jesus.
Maybe this thought will be helpful Mr. Ongara:
I believe Zion referred to here in this instance is the city of Jerusalem, the city of God's chosen people. Even today most cities are thought of and referred to in the feminine vernacular.
See Rev 12:1,2. Also, familiar with the Song of Solomon?
Eric- Zion is another name for Jerusalem/New Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem is the city that occupied God's people. It is also referred to as the 'bride of Christ', or his church. A bride is a feminine for the bridegroom/Christ. See Eph 5:25-27. Rev 21:2, 9-11. John 3:29.
Without doubt God is calling me to be a light in any place where I stay, in my home, in my work place. I need to remember that my purpose in this world is to be the light of the World.
God is not calling any of us be "The light of the world." He is calling us to be lights to shine for others to see "The light of the world, who is Jesus and Jesus only."
In this context, I view the role of the SDA Church as being that of helping those who are out of Christ to come to know Him and become fully committed followers of Jesus. And my own personal view and role is that very same one also.
Isaiah 60:1-2 , very powerful verses . It's also a call from God to His people , a call which requires action , because the world is in a state of emergency hence its a call to God's people to reveal his goodness.