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Monday: You Have Come to God, the Judge of All — 6 Comments

  1. I was busy yesterday and didn't get around to writing a comment, so, part of my comment this morning refers to Sunday's lesson as well.

    The ancient city of Jerusalem was built on a number of squat hills. Mount Moriah was where the Temple of Solomon and later the second temple was built. Mount Zion was the hill on which the ancient fortress of the Jebusites was built. This was captured by King David and became the capital of the Israelite nation. Zion later became another name for the city of Jerusalem itself. and became synonymous with both the government and the spiritual heart of Israel. References to Zion in Hebrew literature can refer to either the centre of government or the seat of worship for the nation.

    It is understandable that the author of the book of Hebrews uses Zion as a symbol of both judgement and celebration - the reference would have been appreciated by his Hebrew audience.

    If you studied Shakespeare at school and had to analyse his dramas you will be familiar with the idea of a "denouement". It is the part of the play where all the threads are drawn together and explanations offered. It is the bit I remember most because that is the part that teachers like to home in on in examinations to see if you were really listening in class. Essentially if you got the denouement of the play, you probably understood what the play was about.

    Hebrews is essentially an argument about the move from the earthly sacrificial system to the universe-wide picture of salvation. I once went to a Cineramascope movie theatre where the film started off in the usual 4:3 format, just like an ordinary movie. Then, with the appropriate change of tempo in the music the image expands ddramatically to the whole wrap-around screen and you are suddenly in a breathtakingly immersive experience. It certainly takes your breath away, especially when it depicts you as suspended in the middle of the Grand Canyon!

    The author of Hebrews is providing the spiritual equivalent. The earthly view of salvation had been limited to a national view, but now, with the cross, the expanded view involving not just the rest of the earth, but all of creation is provided. The denouement is in sight and the new vision provides the explanation we have been seeking and is beyond what we even imagined.

    (46)
    • “Hebrews is essentially an argument about the move from the earthly sacrificial system to the universe-wide picture of salvation….. The earthly view of salvation had been limited to a national view, but now, with the cross, the expanded view involving not just the rest of the earth, but all of creation is provided.”

      Yes, yes! Thank you so much for these statements!
      I must confess that I now feel for the struggle that these new believers were going through, which necessitated the writing of the book of Hebrews…. It seems so easy to side-track to a “what did this symbol mean” or “who does Melchizedek represent” or “which room did Jesus enter” kind of thinking, placing too much significance on earthly understanding.
      Again, here is an example of our need to see the bigger picture; to re-centre on Jesus and on our Heavenly Father’s grace and deep love for us. For, since we are receiving an unshakeable Kingdom, let’s take hold of God’s grace, which is what enables us to serve Him with reverence and godly fear. (my paraphrase)

      (7)
  2. What is the good news of the Three Angels Message? I do believe it is there to warn us all to be ready for Christ return, giving the last cry to return to Christ if we have wondered away, for those who have never made a stand for Christ, for those who have never heard of Jesus Christ as one who came to save and not to condemn, and for those of us who have consecrated our lives to Christ, to encourage us to endure to the end, that all is Good News. Good news chariots a coming and I don't want to leave me behind. He won't if we ask Him to remember us in His kingdom, on a daily basis. I never forgot my father's prayers in family worship, "and Dear Lord save us in thy kingdom." Now it is Ok to develop a relationship with Christ that is everlasting so that our family members, church and home, will not have to cry if we are not there. Thank you William Earnhardt for that thought. Sabbath I listed several reasons why it is difficult to be lost. I do believe this is another.

    (15)
  3. Why is God's judgment in the three angels messages good news? Because He will reveal the truth about His Plan of Salvation, many have been confused or mislead or purposely been deceived. It will be revealed if they have accepted the renewed covenant which is the truth of the LORD's character, the fact of Jesus' atoning sacrifice, submission to God's government and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

    For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?
    So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives.

    (21)
  4. Thanks to the author of todays lesson. For the first time in a while I see judgment as good news and not a day to dread for Gods children. LORD I pray we be among those who eagerly awaits the judgment day of GOD. Amen.

    (17)
  5. The judgement is good news for us because the accusation against us will be rejected. A glorious future awaits us.Once judgement has been made, then Jesus will receive the kingdom which He will hand over to the saints of the most high (Dan 7: 27).

    (1)

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