Wednesday: Jesus in the Heavenly Court
Since by definition a prophet (in Hebrew, na?î) is someone who speaks for God, Stephen became a prophet the very moment he brought God’s rî? against Israel. His prophetic ministry, however, was rather short.
Read Acts 7:55-56. What was the meaning of Stephen’s vision?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
“When Stephen reached this point, there was a tumult among the people. When he connected Christ with the prophecies and spoke as he did of the temple, the priest, pretending to be horror-stricken, rent his robe. To Stephen this act was a signal that his voice would soon be silenced forever. He saw the resistance that met his words and knew that he was giving his last testimony. Although in the midst of his sermon, he abruptly concluded it.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 100.
While Stephen stood before the Jewish leaders discharging God’s case against them, Jesus was standing in the heavenly court—that is, in the heavenly sanctuary, next to the Father, an indication that the judgment on earth was but an expression of the real judgment that would take place in heaven. God would judge the false teachers and leaders in Israel.
This explains why the call to repentance, a common feature in the previous speeches in Acts (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 5:31), is missing here. Israel’s theocracy was coming to an end, meaning that the world’s salvation would no longer be mediated through national Israel as promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:3, Gen. 18:18, Gen. 22:18), but through the followers of Jesus, Jew and Gentile, who were now expected to leave Jerusalem and witness to the world (Acts 1:8).
Read Acts 7:57-8:1, Acts 7:2. How does Luke report Stephen’s death?
Stoning was the penalty for blasphemy (Lev. 24:14), though it is not clear whether Stephen was sentenced to death or lynched by a crowd of fanatics. At any rate, he was the first recorded believer in Jesus to be killed because of his faith. That the witnesses laid their garments at Saul’s feet suggests he was the leader of Stephen’s opponents; yet, when Stephen prayed for his executioners, he prayed for Saul, as well. Only a person with a superior character and unwavering faith could do such a thing, a powerful manifestation of his faith and the reality of Christ in his life.
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How the Sanhedrin Priests' reaction to "new light" parallels that of each Christian denomination as each was subsequently raised in turn! Human nature (as opposed to the New Birth nature)is so resistant to change.
Jesus was not a Levitical high Priest. Jesus was of the order of Melchizedek.
Huge difference. Why is the art work in the magazines from pacific press featuring Jesus in a Levitical High priest outfit when he is not of the Tribe of Levi.
Jesus is of the Tribe of Judah. Only A King Comes from the tribe of Judah. Jesus did not officiate in the temple. He was a teacher in a white robe working in the synagogue. He never did atoning work in the Temple slicing animals.
In the Bible, the Hebrew sanctuary service is like a sandbox model of the plan of salvation. And Hebrews tells us that Jesus is our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, and that's where Stephen saw Him when he was stoned to death. I'm sure that's what's behind the choice of an image for this lesson. (It is not about Jesus on this earth, but Jesus in heaven.)
The "Order of Melchizedek," has only one priest ever recorded in the Bible, and he was a king, and a priest, and only one, Melchizedek Himself. There is absolutely no record of any other "Priests," after the order of Melchizedek of more than just Melchizedek Himself. The Book of Hebrews also mentions no other Priests after that order other than Melchizedek Himself. Just like there is no other name given among men whereby we can be saved, the name of Jesus. So, therefore, to me, Jesus was and is Melchizedek in human form. It is in this same context that the Apostle Paul in the Book of Hebrews says that there was much to say about this but they were then dull of hearing. I think that WE still are dull of hearing in this very matter.
We judge based on human wisdom. We forget there is a God up in heaven who sees all and can discern the hearts of men.
Stephen his eyes are fixed heavenward.
His accusers religious leaders who are supposed to lead the people are focused on the earth.
A man being stoned to death calls upon forgiveness.
The one who is called the royal priesthood stones an innocent blood.
Instead of yielding to the evidence that he presented, they determined to silence his voice by putting him to death.
Newbegin, I'm puzzled by this line in your comment:
Interesting the comment : 'That the witnesses laid their garments at Saul’s feet suggests he was the leader of Stephen’s opponents' all previous comment I heard understood that Saul was more like a servant looking after the clothes while the others - the leaders/witnesses who heard him did the stoning? Luke calls him "a young man" not a description of a leader. Paul later said "I was standing by and consenting" does not sound like he said he was the leader in the case of Stephen.
Act 7:54 And hearing these things, they were cut to their hearts. And they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:57 And crying out with a loud voice, they stopped their ears and ran on him with one accord.
The witnesses against him were the leaders in the execution, according to the law (Deu_17:7), The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him, to put him to death, and particularly in the case of blasphemy, Lev_24:14; Deu_13:9. Thus they were to confirm their testimony.
Act 22:20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was poured out, I also was standing by and consenting to his death, and holding the garments of those who killed him.
Going through "Acts of the Apostles" presently, and the chapter covering this incident reveals Saul being vocal in opposing Stephen. He was younger than most other members on the council, and was as guilty of Stephen's death as any whose hands cast the stones. All present approved the sentence and holding the coats would be the same as keeping the engine running in the get-away car while others actually rob the bank. Paul freely confessed his guilt.
The lesson seems to be suggesting on WEDNESDAY's lesson that since there was no explicit call to repentance in Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin that his vision of Jesus in the heavenly courts prefigured the act of final judgement upon mankind. I think however that his long speech was meant to elicit repentance and his call upon God not to lay the sin of murder against those who were stoning him also suggests to me that he felt that there was still hope of salvation for some of them if they should repent. Does anyone see my point?
I do see your point. It seems to me (and I am just only a baby Christian!) from reading Stephen's speech and also reading the comment from Ellen White, that Stephen was probably leading up to a call to repentance, but he was forced to conclude because those listening became so enraged and violent.
When Stephen saw Jesus judging in Heaven, I don't think God was telling Stephen, "All these will be found guilty," but that God was telling Stephen (to reassure Stephen's tender heart), "I will judge all things righteously."
And Stephen, having the compassionate heart of Christ, did not want their sin of killing him to stand against those men in the judgement.
Thanks very much for your comment. It really helped me think that concept through.
What a witness! I need to be this kind of witness in my own house! A true christian! Right now I pray to God that I may serve as an example to my beloved ones. Because if I can be seen as such to my household, my friends will surely see as well! And this is possible as a result of a relationship that I can have with Jesus! Stephen had such a relationship of love that he could not feel angry with those who stoned him! What a faith! His life was totally guided by the Spirit!
May we all reach for this attitude, and the world will meet Christ faster!
Thanks Zoe for responding. Yours and other comments on the same were much appreciated.
The "call" to repentance is very strong in Stephen's sermon before the Sanhedrin, regardless if the word "repent" isn't spoken. The vision Stephen received in the presence of these wicked men and their reaction makes this impossible to miss. Jesus had prayed for the forgiveness of these men while on the cross where they placed Him, and in Stephen, the very last call was made, and for most present, was finally rejected. It is the Holy Spirit that impresses every heart(John 16:8) and the Holy Spirit was present, as Stephen's words give evidence(Matt 10:19). Stephen was only there for this purpose, or why would Christ allow it? As Simeon had spoken at Jesus' dedication at the temple over 33 years before: " this [child] is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against...that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed"(Luke 2:34,35).
The fact that the Sanhedrin had condemned Jesus to death and stoned His servant Stephen reveals that their "theocracy" had ended long before, and was now only a false pretense and mere formality. The fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy would come swiftly with terrible results for this once-blessed city and nation. What a warning this is to any who have not acknowledged God in all their ways. The Lord knows them that are His. For those who “follow the Lamb wherever He goes”, the Theocracy continues in the Church.
This section is really about Stephen's sermon even though titled, "Jesus in the Heavenly Court" Since books like
Steps to Christ", "Great Controversy" and "Desire of Ages" get the most attention in the SDA denomination, I would want to point/recommend to the sobering & significant chapter ...'Facing Life's record' (in Great Controversy) as the chapter linked to Jesus in the Heavenly court.
Since there is a trend to less reading & more watching, I would assume that lengthy books like Great Controversy & Desire of Ages don't get read that much.
The prayer of Stephen touched me. Only a man who who has the abiding presence of Christ can do that. Jesus and Stephen at death said the same words Lord help me today to live and trust Him more.
The stoning of “Stephens” mentally and verbally continues today. We need to continue to pray for those who oppose the Truth in and out of the Church, and pray that we, ourselves, are not the ones that hurl stones. Saul indeed was involved in that he consented to this horrible deed, but the Lord Himself confronted him and brought about a great repentance for Paul. He still does the same for us.
I was thinking of Saul becomes Paul compared to Judus. Saul heeded Christ invitation to salvation, Judus when it dawned on him what he had done, commited suicide. Paul, I am sure was just as despondent when rememering what he had done to Steven, rather than commiting sucide, he turned to God through Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Hebrews 7:25-26.
Like Stephen a christian who is fully converted should be able to Love and forgive his/her enemies whatever the case and even pray for them to repent and inherit our father's kingdom..Stephen won't be suprised to see Saul in heaven he will instead be very glad and grateful to Jesus christ for redeeming us sinners
If Stephen showed up at your church, what would he say to the poor , blind, naked lukewarm Laodicean audience?
Whatever Stephen would say, it would echo the counsel of the True Witness: "Be zealous therefore, and repent".