Monday: Revealing the Father (Cont’d)
In the moving prologue to his Gospel (John 1:1-18), John discusses Jesus as the eternal “Word.” John’s claims for Jesus are not timid or limited; they are bold and cosmic in scope. Jesus was in existence before the world came into being – from eternity, actually. In fact, Jesus is the agent of creation ( John 1.2-3). He is “the light of all people” (John 1:4, NRSV), and, as the Word who came into the world, He “enlightens everyone” (John 1:9, NRSV).
According to John, what is the result of Christ’s becoming a human being? As the Word, what light did He bring? What qualifications does He possess to do so? John 1:14, John 1:18.
Image © Rolf Jansson at Goodsalt.com
“The Light appeared when the world’s darkness was deepest … .
“There was but one hope for the human race … that the knowledge of God might be restored to the world.
“Christ came to restore this knowledge. He came to set aside the false teaching by which those who claimed to know God had misrepresented Him. He came to manifest the nature of His law, to reveal in His own character the beauty of holiness.” — Ellen G. White, Education, pages 74-76.
Everything Jesus did in His life on earth had a single purpose: “the revelation of God for the uplifting of humanity.” — Education, p. 82.
Jesus Himself says, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NRSV). What was the setting of Jesus’ statement? Why did He make it? John 14:1-14.
It is tempting to criticize Philip’s blundering statement (John 14:8). After years of close fellowship with Jesus, he still misses the essential point of the incarnation – that Jesus has come to show the Father’s character. Perhaps teachers today can take some comfort in the fact that one of the Master Teacher’s pupils performed so badly! Philip’s statement is probably recorded, though, not to give us reason to criticize him but to give us opportunity to examine ourselves. How long have we walked with Jesus? And have we understood Jesus any better than Philip had? “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
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John 14 is central to this discussion, so, rather than dishing it up in small slices, I am going to quote several paragraphs from it all in one place:
Jesus is still trying to convince his disciples late in his ministry that his kingdom was not a Kingdom in the earthly sense, but a way of life. They had thought of the kingdom in terms of success and power and were not really prepared to accept that it meant self-sacrificing life. I doubt very much that they absorbed the lesson that Jesus was teaching them here until the event of the cross. It was in the aftermath of despair and the rebirth of hope that they realised that the "Kingdom of God" really meant being in it for the long haul.
The Disciples are not the only ones who have had a short-sighted view of the Kingdom of God. Jesus concentrated on teaching the "big picture" of the Kingdom, so that when the time of trial came, they would understand.
Beautiful lesson but why represent God the Father with the "all seeing eye" when we know it is a satanic symbol? That's a huge misconception of him. Surely there must be other options to represent God.
Yes Hadassah, I totally agree with you. In many of my writings I spoke/wrote openly about drawings/ photos/pictures like such. About my father and others in societies who have that one eye in so many things. We as a people have to stand up for something or we will fall.
Satan is so very unoriginal, and always borrows from God's truth to set up his counterfeit "kingdom".
What aspects of God’s character did Jesus need to enlighten the world about?
Hello Phil - my answer would be: the power of His 'unrelenting, never ending, redeeming Love for His Creation'; truthfulness, righteousness, and the Fruit of His Spirit, Gal.5:22,23.
It seems that at this "darkest hour", there was much to reveal. Even God's wrath was misunderstood, though emphasized above His mercy, grace, and love. We are told that Jesus came to rescue "truth from its companionship with error", presenting it "in its original simplicity and clearness"(7T, 35)
And though many rejoiced in this light, few were willing to surrender their will to the will of God.
How had people misrepresented the character of the LORD? I believe by creating a picture of a superpower that was self-centered and domineering, which used force to maintain power. Instead of a loving Father who provided principles and discipline to develop harmony and happiness.
How does that work? By close continual communion with the LORD until His thoughts are my thoughts, until like Jesus we can say I am in the Father and He is in me, and it is the Father who dwells in Me who does the work. John 14:10 Jesus has given us the promise: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." John 14:23
Thank you for the lesson, however I have just one question. Why would you choose to use the "all seeing eye" as God the Father and His reflection in the picture of this lesson?
The image is based on several texts that talk about the eyes of the Triune LORD watching everyone, and His light shining into our hearts.
1Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their prayers.
Pro 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, ... for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven
The fact that some use a similar symbol should not be an issue because they are counterfeits of the true LORD.
But this can open an discussion - does the devil and/or any other secret society own certain symbols?
I had the same thought!
I agree, partially. Leave out the triangle, the eye is necessary to see who you are reflecting to. I do believe that I would use a heart around the eye, the Father's heart reflecting to the Son's heart, reflecting to a Christians heart and a Christisn's heart reflecting the chacter of God from the Son to a potential believers heart, would be of my drawing.
An artist will reply that the triangle represents the trinity. If we look hard enough, we can find the devil in many places. Perhaps the heart is sufficient to display the point the artist is making, but I feel no need to remove the entire picture over a triangle IMHO.
Did we knew our founding fathers were from a secret society? Were they embraced or encouraged to leave such? Many times we used signs and symbols and don’t even know what they represent.Does God needs an eye to represent him as a all seeing God? No? Does he needs an Anglo-Saxon statue to represent him as God? No
Fact Check: Benjamin Franklin was the only Mason among the various committees appointed by the "Founding Fathers" of America to design the 'Great Seal of the United States". His ideas for the Great Seal were not accepted. The seal was designed in 1782. The Masonic use of the "Eye of providence" did not come into common use until 1797, some 14 years later.
It is thought that the "Eye of Providence" was incorporated into the design at a suggestion by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, an artist and philosopher who was not a member of the committee but functioned as a design consultant. The thirteen step pyramid represents the 13 founding states of the United States. The inscription above the pyramid "annuit cœptis" translates to, He approves (has approved) our undertaking.
We need to be careful about accepting stories that fit our perception of history.
If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are pass away, behold all things are become new.
Maurice- I was not speaking about any President or former minister in the government in USA. I was speaking about some of the founders of the SDA church. Here is an example of one of the member in high position who was a free mason.
'Much of the matter I had read related to the [Australian] Echo Office and its management from the beginning. The Lord also revealed to me Brother Faulkhead’s connection with the Free Masons, and I plainly stated that unless he severed every tie that bound him to these associations he would lose his soul. {3SM 85.3}
He said, “I accept the light the Lord has sent me through you. I will act upon it. I am a member of five lodges, and three other lodges are under my control. I transact all of their business. Now I shall attend no more of their meetings, and shall close my business relations with them as fast as possible.” {3SM 85.4}I am glad Brother Faulkhead is really obtaining a valuable experience. He is finding it is not as easy to break from the Free Masons as he had thought. The enemy will not readily give up his subjects, which he is binding as captives to his car. I fear and tremble for him, but the Lord has him in hand and is dealing with him, and I hope and pray that he may be thoroughly converted. {Ms63-1893.19}
Here, instead of the Free Mason life insurance policy, is given to those who add grace to grace the promise of eternal life. Here is our eternal life insurance policy. “Make your calling and election sure.” “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” [Verse 10.] {Lt374-1907.29}
What a good point, belonging to a secret societies can be very dangerous to one's soul.
However I don't believe we should allow them to put their meaning on all sorts of symbols especially ones that have previously represented an all powerfull God.
If we start studying these groups to make sure we don't use their symbols we will be giving them power over our lives. To not buying a make of car because its logo looks like a bull's horns and some people worship bulls, to not using certain colours tiles and it goes on and on.
I agree with these comments to Louis question. We have to remember that Satan is the one to make a counterfeit to every truth. I like how Shirley used a number of texts, referring to the eye of the Lord. It brings the illustration used, into the context of this lesson perfectly. At least that’s how I view it.
Today’s lesson quote: “Everything Jesus did in His life on earth had a single purpose: “the revelation of God for the uplifting of humanity.” – Ellen White, Education, p.82
Mankind has worshiped and called the powers governing the elements of earth ‘gods’ for a long time. The only truly powerful God gave His chosen People Israel the opportunity to know the true God. ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us for us to be able to behold the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth.’
He was sent by the Father to bring His Light - the Father’s Light - to the world so everyone may know the Father as His Son knows Him. The Spirit of Light came to shine in darkness, bringing definition(Truth) to what we call Life; helping us to understand and know what real Life is – a Spiritual relationship with the Father, based on Love and Truth, just like His Son has.
*Seeing* is not done with the eyes, seeing is meant to be understood as an experience. Jesus demonstrated the Father's Love and Truth to all He met. John14:10 KJV. Jesus spoke of Himself being *in* the Father and the Father being *in* Him. He spoke the words of His Father and showed the acts of Love: “I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in my, he doeth the works.”
This is meant spiritually not physically – John14:20 KJV – we become one in the Spirit of God.
Jesus came to show us the Father! John14:6 KJV. In my opinion, no statement made by Jesus Christ, (outside of Matt.22:37), is more powerful than that HE IS the Way, the Truth and the Life. If we except this Truth by Faith, we will meet God in Christ Jesus.
I hope that Christians will always see past the flesh and experience the Spirit of Love of God the Father in His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
HEBREW 1:1-God spoke in many ways. To Israel He spoke in the thunders of Sinai; to Elijah in the still, small voice. To one king He spoke in the writing that appeared on the wall of the palace; to another king who had sinned He spoke in a parable. God speaks in plagues and pestilences; in calamities and war; in mercy and judgment; in sickness and healing; in dreams and visions; in prophecy and conscience. At times God speaks through wicked men such as Balaam,2ndQuarterly Lesson,1948 pg 3
and even through dumb beasts.
HEBREW 1:1-God spoke in many ways. To Israel He spoke in the thunders of Sinai; to Elijah in the still, small voice. To one king He spoke in the writing that appeared on the wall of the palace; to another king who had sinned He spoke in a parable. God speaks in plagues and pestilences; in calamities and war; in mercy and judgment; in sickness and healing; in dreams and visions; in prophecy and conscience. At times God speaks through wicked men such as Balaam,and even through dumb beasts.2ndQuarterly Lesson,1948 pg 3
Does anyone wonder why it was earth's "darkest hour" while the temple of God was still standing, and the teachings of Moses and the prophets so prominent, with many teachers expounding on "truth"?
Keep in mind that the prophet foretells of a time just before us today, when "darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people". Is the church going to fall away, or will it also, as those in Jesus' day, enshroud the truth with error?
Yet, in that darkest hour there were those who walked in the light and knew the time of Messiah's appearing, and rejoiced while most knew nothing about it, and some even worked to extinguish the Light. Will history be repeated?
That’s a good question to think about. The leaders in Jesus day were so focused on the services as the means of salvation, that the idea of salvation from sin was not even on their radar. They wanted freedom from the Romans. If they had read and obeyed Gods law, just as Jesus did, the outcome would have been so different. The rejection of Gods law is what brings darkness, and I believe we will see that happen again, sadly.
Robert- having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, from such he turned away from.