The Brightness of God’s Glory

October 2, 2016 Background Scripture: Hebrews 1 Lesson Passage: Hebrews 1:1 – 9 It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. It also has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Together, these two philosophies suggest that when we can look upon something, we are given the opportunity to see it in a unique and very special way. We marvel at images from the far reaches of space that are captured by sophisticated electronics traveling beyond earth’s atmosphere. Likewise, we are entranced by the microscopic world of living things seen only through highly sophisticated microscopes. When we put these two experiences together with the visible world around us, one can conclude that everything observable suggest we live in a universe created by intelligent design. Mankind has developed some truly amazing technology to let us observe and experience many things of the universe which were previously hidden. However, even before the technology boom, David, the psalmist, declared: “The heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Paul said it slightly different: “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made”. Both David and Paul are making the same point, i.e., we know that God is by the things that are. Their conclusion was reached without the use of man’s technology. God has placed a yearning within our hearts to seek Him. We know that we are incomplete without Him. Our experiences and observations should lead us to soul search about the person of God. We should desire to know more about God after being fully persuaded of His existence by observing His creation. The next series of lessons should answer many of our questions and satisfy some aspects of our quest to know Him. As we begin this series of studies from Hebrews, the author opens the epistle by stating that Jesus is the express image of the invisible God. To know Jesus is to know God. Jesus came into the world as God with us. Jesus made God observable for the world. Through Christ we are allowed to experience God in a fresh new way that was not previously available prior to Jesus’ birth. Jesus is the shining greatness or radiance of God’s glory. After thousands of years of speaking to His people through the prophets, God has now spoken to us through His only begotten son, Jesus. Jesus has declared what God is like and the works that God is doing in the affairs of man. The spiritual nature of Jesus is God’s divine nature. Jesus is God in human flesh. Jesus is the wisdom of God made known to man. We experience God through a personal relationship with Jesus. Jesus is the highest form of expression of God’s love for mankind. He is the brightness of God’s glory. Jesus is the express image, or picture, of the invisible God. How we see Jesus determines how we see God and every personal relationship with him is unique and very special. Robert C. Hudson September 14, 2016

Everlasting Covenant

September 25, 2016 Background Scripture: Isaiah 61 Lesson Passage: Isaiah 61:1 – 4, 8 – 11 The good news in today’s lesson is God’s promise to make an everlasting covenant with His people. Because of the nature of prophecy, this prophecy was viewed in one context at the time of its delivery and immediately following it, however, it is viewed in a different context since the Messiah’s advent. For the recipients in Isaiah’s day and immediately following it, this prophecy gave assurance that the future Babylonian captivity of the Jews would not be the end of God’s people. God would again gather them in Zion and restore the form of worship He delivered to them through Moses. Although their sins would lead to their captivity, the prophet assured them that they could look forward to a future deliverance after God exacted vengeance on their enemies. They were looking for a Messiah who would be a military leader similar to King David. He was expected to restore the nation’s pride and provide the security for them to exist among the other nations. The actual arrival of the Messiah presented a very different understanding of Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus was indeed a descendant of King David, but in his first advent, his mission was quite different than the military quest expected by Israel. How appropriate that Jesus chose this text out of the writing of the prophet Isaiah for his inaugural message in a synagogue in Nazareth. Jesus used the first verse and a half to announce the beginning of his ministry by declaring that the fulfillment of the prophecy was taking place before them at that very time. This text was the Messiah’s introduction of himself to Israel. Today, Christians refer to this as Jesus’ first advent or first appearance on earth in the flesh. According to Isaiah, the Messiah’s ministry would constitute a comprehensive outreach to the lost sheep of Israel. The meek, the broken-hearted, the captives, and the imprisoned were now about to receive the proclamation of good news, healing, deliverance and freedom. But this was just the first verse and a half. As we continue to read the prophecy, we see beyond the Church Age—which is represented in its entirety by a comma in verse 2. Beyond the Church Age, after the gospel has been preached to every creature, the Messiah will return for the time of vengeance in his second advent. God will punish the wicked and abolish sin. All who refuse to put their trust in the Lord will be destroyed. The covenant of restoration is an everlasting covenant. The faithful will be clothed in salvation and wear righteousness as an outer garment. The shame of sin that exposed the spiritual nakedness of Adam and Eve would be forever banished just as sin will be destroyed forever. This is the everlasting covenant and there will be no need for fear because this covenant is upheld by God and Him alone. Free of sin, the people of God will praise Him spontaneously. In the absence of sin, the people of God will walk continuously in righteousness. This will be everlasting. Robert C. Hudson September 10, 2016

Foundations of the Earth

September 18, 2016 Background Scripture: Isaiah 40 Lesson Passage: Isaiah 40:21 – 31 Isaiah Chapter 40 is the start of a very distinct change in the prophet’s writing. Some believe the change to be drastic enough to suggest that the latter chapters were not written by the same person who wrote the first thirty-nine chapters. Others go so far as to call the two groups by different names: First Isaiah and Second Isaiah. For those familiar with the parallel similarities of the book of Isaiah and the bible, it should be expected that the first thirty nine chapters would be different from the last twenty seven chapters. However, the prophecy is complete because it includes all sixty six chapters. This is no different than the Holy Bible. Although the Old Testament (thirty nine books) and the New Testament (twenty seven books) are quite different, nevertheless, the bible is made complete by including both Old and New Testaments (or all sixty six books). Each group supports the other. The Old Testament provides a foundation for the New Testament and the New Testament provides light, or understanding, of the Old Testament. Isaiah’s prophecy can be viewed in a similar fashion. Isaiah’s message, which had often confronted God’s people with impending punishment because of their sins, now turns to comforting them because of the blessed hope of God’s salvation. This new hope will come after the punishment of God’s people. This should remind us that though we fall, we will not be utterly cast down because God upholds us with His hand. God will send a herald to announce the coming salvation and prepare His people to receive it. Isaiah reminded Israel that God’s word stands forever. God will send a Comforter to gather his people as a shepherd gathers his lambs in his arms to comfort and protect them. God is their provider and He cannot be compared to an idol made by man. God is superior to everything including man’s unholy imagination. God laid the foundation of the world and now oversees it. There is nothing or no one in this world or in this universe that can be compared to God. God created all things. God is perfect in His holiness and in His mercy. When He extends mercy to His people it is not because of them but in spite of them. No matter what titles or positions we bestow on each other, we are still far below God. Everywhere we go is somewhere God created before He created the first man. Even if we look to the far reaches of space at night, God created everything we see and everything we are not capable of seeing. How can we compare God to anyone or anything when all that we know or could experience exist because He created it? When God spoke the world into existence, He did not consult with a counselor. He laid the foundation of the world using His own wisdom and ability. God is too great for us to comprehend. His wisdom is beyond our ability to understand. God is all powerful and yet merciful and kind. When we come to the end of our own strength and ability, God is willing to help all who put their faith in Him. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Robert C. Hudson September 7, 2016

The Mountain of God

September 11, 2016 Background Scripture: Isaiah 25 Lesson Passage: Isaiah 25:6 – 10a In today’s lesson, Isaiah looks through the telescope of prophecy to a time beyond Calvary’s crucifixion, the day of Pentecost, and the current Church Age. He peers at the Millennial Age and observes God’s celebration on Mt. Zion. On either side of the celebration Isaiah observed the judgment of God against His enemies. But the central focus of the lesson is the banquet celebration God has planned and made ready. Of significance, it should be noted that it was not a Jewish celebration but one that involved all people(s). This is what made the Church Age necessary. The sowing of the gospel into the world and the reaping of the saints from among all nations of the earth were necessary as part of the banquet preparation. This is part of the covenant God made with Abram when He promised that all nations of the world would be blessed through Abram. The current Church Age is the fulfillment of it. Central to all things in the bible is the Calvary crucifixion. If the banquet were held prior to Calvary, the description of the guests would be very different. Isaiah 25 is a sandwich presentation of the blessings of the millennial kingdom cast between two judgments of God against His enemies and the enemies of His people. The beginning of the chapter details God’s judgment against the once proud earthly nations that were rebellious against God. Their rebellion led to oppressive measures against the people of God. The prophet noted that God’s plan of judgment is not spur-of-the-moment or reactionary. Rather, God’s plan was from long ago. God’s judgment is so complete that those cities will never be rebuilt. After the judgment, the millennial kingdom is set up on Mt. Zion. There, the people of God from every nation and tongue will be gathered. God has an elaborate banquet layout waiting. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ parable of a great feast being prepared and the honored guests being summoned when it is ready. The Lord of the feast expected a crowd and when it did not materialize with the arrival of the guests, he requested that all be invited from the highways and hedges of life. In the text, Isaiah described a lavish banquet that was prepared for all people(s) invited to the mountain. The description given of the banquet indeed reflects the luxuries of a wealthy Eastern host. No expense is spared in entertaining the invited guests. This celebration will proceed the ushering in of eternal life for the people of God. The declaration is given that death will be destroyed and tears will be removed. Whatever has caused shame to come to the people of God will be removed. This will happen because God has decreed that it will happen. Then we will celebrate our salvation because the patience of the saints will be exonerated. We will worship God in the beauty of holiness and joy will indeed overflow. All the promises of God will come to fruition on the Holy Mountain. All of the enemies of God’s people will be utterly destroyed, forever. That’s worth celebrating so God is planning the banquet. Robert C. Hudson September 2, 2016