5. Noble Prince of Peace
January 23-30, 2021
Introduction:
This week's SSLesson directs us to the prophetic birth, his life as gift to humanity and the establishment of His Kingdom. The kingdom that will be established, "in the days of these kings" Dan. 2:44, in which it was describe in chapter eleven of the Book of Isaiah. Let's carefully and prayerfully consider this truth - His Kingdom will come "in earth as it is in heaven" as Jesus had taught us how to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy KINGDOM come. Thy WILL be done IN EARTH, as [it is] IN HEAVEN" {Mat. 6:9, 10}. It has not been fulfilled, therefore, we are expecting it to happen in our days.
The following will be considered:
A. The Light of Galilee. Isaiah 9:1-5
B. The Child made Gift. Isaiah 9:6-7
C. The Rod of punishment. Isaiah 9:8-10:34
D. The Stem of Jesse. Isaiah 11
E. The Savior. Isaiah 12
Memory Verse:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. {Isaiah 9:6}
Prayer Thought:
"The message we have to bear is not a message that men need cringe to declare. They are not to seek to cover it, to conceal its origin and purpose. Its advocates must be men who will not hold their peace day nor night. As those who have made solemn vows to God, and who have been commissioned as the messengers of Christ, as stewards of the mysteries of the grace of God, we are under obligation to declare faithfully the whole counsel of God. We are not to make less prominent the special truths that have separated us from the world and made us what we are; for they are fraught with eternal interests. God has given us light in regard to the things that are now taking place in the last remnant of time, and with pen and voice we are to proclaim the truth to the world, not in a tame, spiritless way, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power of God. The mightiest conflicts are involved in the furtherance of the message, and the results of its promulgation are of moment to both heaven and earth.
"The controversy between the two great powers of good and evil is soon to be ended; but to the time of its close, there will be continual and sharp contests. We should now purpose, as did Daniel and his fellows in Babylon, that we will be true to principle, come what may. The flaming fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than it was wont to be heated, did not cause these faithful servants of God to turn aside from allegiance to the truth. They stood firm in the time of trial, and were cast into the furnace; and they were not forsaken of God. The form of the Fourth was seen walking with them in the flames, and they came forth not having even the smell of fire upon their garments....
"Today the world is full of flatterers and dissemblers; but God forbid that those who claim to be guardians of sacred trusts, shall betray the interests of God's cause through the insinuating suggestions and devices of the enemy of all righteousness.
"There is no time now to range ourselves on the side of the transgressors of God's law, to see with their eyes, to hear with their ears, and to understand with their perverted senses. We must press together. We must labor to become a unit, to be holy in life and pure in character. Let those who profess to be servants of the living God no longer bow down to the idol of men's opinions, no longer be slaves to any shameful lust, no longer bring a polluted offering to the Lord, a sin-stained soul." -- Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 470, 471.
A. The Light of Galilee. Isaiah 9:1-5
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16)
Remembering the past, enable us to learn from the mistakes of the ancient Israel. There maybe light shining on the way but we neglect to avail for ourselves.
In verse 5, it says, "For every battle of the warrior [is] with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but [this] shall be with burning [and] fuel of fire, disclosing God's judgment for those who may reject the prophetic warnings.
- Precious Light is to Shine Forth
The Lord's counsel is: "Precious light is to shine forth from the Word of God, and let no one presume to dictate what shall or what shall not be brought before the people in the messages of enlightenment that He shall send, and so quench the Spirit of God. Whatever may be his position of authority, no one has a right to shut away the light from the people." -- Testimonies on Sabbath School Work p. 65.
- Warning of Full Self-Complacence over Spiritual Attainments
"God means what He says. -- Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 365.
Brethren, remember that "there is no pride so dangerous as spiritual pride. -- Testimonies to Ministers p. 109.
Foreseeing that the message was to find you full of self-complacence over your spiritual attainments, the Lord mercifully forewarned you: "Thou art neither cold nor hot;" that is, thou art lukewarm, satisfied. "I would thou wert cold or hot," -- dissatisfied, -- wanting everything rather than feeling that you have need of nothing. Then you would not by your actions be saying, "I am rich, and increased with goods and have need of nothing," -- neither truth nor prophets, -- but would know that "thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."
- Reminders - Our condition as Prophesied "Laodecian/Lukewarm
Brethren, may these disillusioning words open your eyes that you may see yourselves as you are, so that "the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." The promise is unfailing: "Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Our prayers are that you fail not, for we love you.
Remember that though the Lord in His great mercy has called you out of darkness to walk in His marvelous light, yet if you walk not therein, your light shall become darkness and your goods a booty.
- Significance of the Sea of Galilee
By the Sea of Galilee a company had gathered to see and hear Jesus—an eager, expectant throng. The sick were there, lying on their mats, waiting to present their cases before Him. It was Christ’s God-given right to heal the woes of a sinful race, and He now rebuked disease, and diffused around Him life and health and peace. {CSA 19.1}
As the crowd continued to increase, the people pressed close about Christ until there was no room to receive them. Then, speaking a word to the men in their fishing boats, He stepped into the boat that was waiting to take Him across the lake, and bidding His disciples push off a little from the land, He spoke to the multitude upon the shore. {CSA 19.2}
- God make Darkness Light - to Behold His Righteousness
Though the night of sorrow gathered dark about these followers of Jesus, yet were they not forsaken. Saith the prophet: “When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. . . . He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.” “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” God hath spoken: “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” “I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” [Micah 7:8, 9; Psalm 139:12; 112:4; Isaiah 42:16] {GC88 346.3}
Take note the following background!
In response to Ahaz’s request for aid, Tiglath-pileser III attacked Israel and took the regions of Naphtali, Zebulun, and Transjordan. Later, Salmanazar V conquered the rest of Israel's territories and deported the remaining population.
This land was the first to be conquered and filled with the darkness of paganism (Isaiah 8:22). It would also be the first to see the light that the Messiah was bringing.
Jesus spent most of His time during His public ministry in this region by the Sea of Galilee (see Matthew 4:12-17).
B. The Child made Gift. Isaiah 9:6-7
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
God's gift had been given that the world may recognize him, who will establish His kingdom - the kingdom of God - which comprises the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory.
- Kingdom of Grace and Kingdom of Glory
As used in the Bible, the expression “kingdom of God” is employed to designate both the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory. The kingdom of grace is brought to view by Paul in the Epistle to the Hebrews. After pointing to Christ, the compassionate intercessor who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” the apostle says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace.” [Hebrews 4:16.] The throne of grace represents the kingdom of grace; for the existence of a throne implies the existence of a kingdom. In many of his parables, Christ uses the expression, “the kingdom of Heaven,” to designate the work of divine grace upon the hearts of men. {GC88 346.4}
- When was the Kingdom of Grace Established?
The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race. It then existed in the purpose and by the promise of God; and through faith, men could become its subjects. Yet it was not actually established until the death of Christ. Even after entering upon his earthly mission, the Saviour, wearied with the stubbornness and ingratitude of men, might have drawn back from the sacrifice of Calvary. In Gethsemane the cup of woe trembled in his hand. He might even then have wiped the blood-sweat from his brow, and have left the guilty race to perish in their iniquity. Had he done this, there could have been no redemption for fallen men. But when the Saviour yielded up his life, and with his expiring breath cried out, “It is finished,” then the fulfillment of the plan of redemption was assured. The promise of salvation made to the sinful pair in Eden was ratified. The kingdom of grace, which had before existed by the promise of God, was then established. {GC88 347.2}
- When will the Kingdom of Glory be Set Up?
And "IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS" shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." {ST, April 29, 1897 par. 4}
The Lord Jesus would take man into partnership with himself. Human intelligences have been endowed by their Creator with capabilities and powers, which, if surrendered to God, will promote his glory in building up his kingdom in the earth. Human beings can reach human beings through the imparted gift of the Spirit of God. Through faith man accepts the world's Redeemer as his Captain, and when standing under his blood-stained banner, he becomes a partaker of the divine nature, and in cooperation with God is to act an important part in revealing the glory of God to a world in the darkness of transgression. {ST, October 8, 1894 par. 8}
PLEASE CHECK OUR PREVIOUS LESSON dated January 18, 2020
- Especially for Last Days -Set Up His Everlasting Kingdom
Read the book of Daniel. Call up, point by point, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and see how God wrought to abase the pride of men, and lay human glory in the dust. God alone is represented as great. In the vision of the prophet He is seen casting down one mighty ruler, and setting up another. He is revealed as the monarch of the universe, about to set up His everlasting kingdom--the Ancient of days, the living God, the Source of all wisdom, the Ruler of the present, the Revealer of the future. Read, and understand how poor, how frail, how short-lived, how erring, how guilty is man in lifting up his soul unto vanity. . . . {4BC 1166.4}
Please click below!
https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/6-the-establishment-of-the-kingdom-of-glory?authuser=0
https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/discourses-on-pre-millennial-kingdom?authuser=0
Please also note the following:
This foretold Child could only be the Messiah, Jesus:
— Wonderful Counselor: A wise adviser that leads properly. It's the same name that the Angel of the Lord (Jesus Himself) used when visiting the parents of Samson (Judges 13:18)
— Mighty God: He is God Incarnate, the powerful and brave hero (John, 1:1; 1 John 5:20)
— Everlasting Father: Jesus is eternal, and He's the Father of all humankind, because He created humans and their world (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; 2 Peter 3:18)
— Prince of Peace: Jesus is the righteous King that came to Earth to bring peace (Revelation 17:14; John 14:27; John 16:33)
C. The Rod of punishment. Isaiah 9:8-10:34
“For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.” (Isaiah 9:12, 17, 21; 10:4)
- Boastful Assyrian as Rod of His Anger
It was not without reason that Hezekiah could speak with certainty of the outcome. The boastful Assyrian, while used by God for a season as the rod of His anger for the punishment of the nations, was not always to prevail. See Isaiah 10:5. "Be not afraid of the Assyrian," had been the message of the Lord through Isaiah some years before to those that dwelt in Zion; "for yet a very little while, . . . and the Lord of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as His rod was upon the sea, so shall He lift it up after the manner of Egypt. And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing." Verses 24-27. {PK 349.2}
- God's Judgment - the Day of the Lord's Anger
"The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord; the mighty men shall cry there bitterly. . . . Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath. But the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy; for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land." The God who rules in the heavens is our God. We have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice. "Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, . . . Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgement; seek righteousness, seek meekness. It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." {ST, April 12, 1905 par. 17}
- God's Wrath: For the Church First, then the World
a. Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus "Peace and safety" is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together. {5T 211.2}
b. The bolts of God's wrath are soon to fall, and when He shall begin to punish the transgressors, there will be no period of respite until the end. The storm of God's wrath is gathering, and those only will stand who are sanctified through the truth in the love of God. They shall be hid with Christ in God till the desolation shall be overpast. {Mar 267.5}
Let's consider the following as well.
God had to punish His people with a rod because of their wickedness (Isaiah 9:4). This means that He let them suffer difficulties so they would repent of their sins and come back to Him.
If the people had repented, the difficulties would have stopped (see Leviticus 26:14-39).
God allows in His wisdom the consequences of our disobedience when they can make us reflect and come back to Him.
D. The Stem of Jesse. Isaiah 11
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1)
- See It Through the Relationship
In this illustration there are three persons brought to view: Jesse (the father of David), the rod (David), and the Branch (Christ). The relationship shows that David (the rod) is not Christ (the Branch) for the "rod" sprang from the stem of Jesse, and the Branch from the rod -- a fact which is born out in the cry of the multitude when Christ entered Jerusalem. They shouted: "Hosannah to the son of David." Matt. 21:15. Plainly, therefore, the "rod," coming from the stem of Jesse, is symbolical of David; and the Branch, coming from the rod, is symbolical of the son of David -- Christ. (8Tr 45)
- The Ensign, shall Gentile Seek
Isa. 11:2-5 - So though the "ensign" emblematizes the connection of three persons (Jesse, the root; David the rod; and Christ, the Branch), yet the power and wisdom of Christ is its underlying and controlling force. Wherefore says Christ: "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star" (Rev. 22:16), bearing out that He is all and in all.
Since therefore from the "stem" of Jesse came the "rod (David), and from the rod sprang the Branch (Christ), David the visible king and Christ the invisible King of kings shall "in that day" -- in our time -- constitute the "ensign," and "to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest [or His resting place, -- the location where the "rod" or ensign stands -- the kingdom] shall be glorious." Yea "I will make the place of My feet glorious" (Isa. 60:13), saith the Lord.
- One Shepherd in the Last days
"And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even My servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods." Ezek. 34:23-25.
- His Church, or Kingdom - Theocratic Government - a Glorious Church
Thus His church, or kingdom, is again reflected without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing" (Eph. 5:27), a theocracy of peace, safety, and invincibility, under the rule of one shepherd and a king -- David, His servant.
The people are illustrated as trees. The Lord is first to take out the people -- clean the land -- and then a Branch shall stand. In other words, one set is to be taken out completely and a new set is to stand in its place. The land of our fathers, Palestine, then will be clean from all wicked and wickedness, and Christ's people will be there with Christ's principles and influence ruling over them.
- God's Eternal Kingdom on Earth Describe
The rest of chapter 11 describes the condition of God's Kingdom and the way His people are brought there, and continuing on with the praise of the righteous in the Kingdom, chapter 12 commences with the word "and." Let us read through this chapter and make a few comments as we proceed.
In the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, is recorded the same incident we have tried to explain here. In the eleventh verse we read of the remnant which we speak of: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left." Isa. 11:11. Early Writings, page 270: "I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people."
Isa. 11:12, first part: "And he shall set up an ensign for the nations." Again we read in Isa. 66:19, "And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations." The 63rd chapter has the same reference as Isaiah 59, part of verse 19, is here quoted: "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west and his glory from the rising of the sun." The "sign" is extensive from the east to the west, and has a meaning for the entire world. The "destruction" is the "sign" and example to the nations, and the "remnant" are those who are left (the 144,000). Following this we have the "Loud Cry" (the harvest): "Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation." Volume 1, page 187. "But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: And in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them: But gather the wheat into my barn." Matt. 13:29, 30.
- The Feast of Tabernacle in the Kingdom
The same thought is also supported in Patriarchs and Prophets, page 541: "The feast of Tabernacles was not only commemorative, but typical. It not only pointed back to the wilderness sojourn, but, as the feast of harvest, it celebrated the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and pointed forward to the great day of final ingathering, when the Lord of the harvest shall send forth his reapers to gather the tares together in bundles for the fire, and to gather the wheat into his garner. At that time the wicked will all be destroyed." (Those outside the church.) Note that the separation takes place just at the beginning of harvest; also that the tares are gathered in first. The separation marks the beginning of harvest. The harvest is the loud cry of the third angel's message. (Rev. 18:1). In this time of harvest the great multitude (of Rev. 7:9) with the palms in their hands is gathered. While this great multitude is being made up and gathered into His barn, the reapers are binding the wicked in bundles (separated, or kept apart from the church) for the wrath of God. See Rev. 14:19. (1SR 103)
"And it shall," therefore, "come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isa. 2:2-4. (Read also Isaiah 11:11, 12, 15, 16.)
Additional information!
The “stem of Jesse” represents the idea that the Messiah would be a descendant of David (son of Jesse). This is why Jesus called Himself “the Root and the Offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16).
One of the main goals of Jesus was to put an end to sin, apostasy, and rebellion, as well as establishing an everlasting peace. This began with His ministry, death, resurrection, and enthronement. However, it has not finished yet.
We’re still waiting for the prophecy in Isaiah 11:7-8 to be fulfilled.
E. The Savior. Isaiah 12
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)
- Christ's Kingdom as Church Triumphant
In the church purified, Christ's Kingdom described in the preceding chapter, God's people will praise Him though He had been angry with them. When was He angry with them? -- When He had to use the Gentile nations to disperse them because of their rebellious and idolatrous ways. When they are brought back into the Kingdom and are comforted, then they will understand all God's dealings and will praise Him for it.
a. Isa. 12:2 -- "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation."
This is the testimony God's people will bear in His Kingdom.
b. Isa. 12:3 -- "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation."
Now the Lord speaks. When God's people are safely and peacefully situated in the land of promise; when they bear their testimony of faith and trust in God, then God says that they with joy shall draw water (Truth) out of the wells of salvation.
c. Isa. 12:4 -- "And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted ."
The 144,000 will do this very thing when they go to all nations.
d. Isa. 12:5 -- "Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth."
All the earth is to know of the Lord's excellent things.
e. Isa. 12:6 -- "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."
The 144,000 standing on Mt. Zion with the Lamb will cry out and shout for joy.
How plain it is that God is about to do a great thing in the earth that all will know about. Before this message came we were unable to place all of these events, but how clear they are now!
We already learned that with the fall of Assyria God sets up His Kingdom and then Babylon comes on the stage of action. (12SC 1.10}
Further study information:
Isaiah 12 is a song that Isaiah sang to praise his [and our] Savior. He encouraged us to “make known among the nations what he has done” (v. 4), recalling the song of victory that Moses sang after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15).
There is a song of victory in Revelation 15 too. In that case, the 144,000 sing a remarkably similar song.
Jesus is the only source of salvation. He will be our song very soon, when we’ll sing together “the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.” (Revelation 15:3)