20JUNI2013- Lesson 12:Heaven’s Best Gift (Zechariah): King of the Whole World Read Zechariah 14. How are we to understand that which is being said there? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ In the last chapter of his book, Zechariah describes a day when all unrepentant nations will gather themselves against Jerusalem. At the last moment, the Lord will intervene by liberating His people and establishing His eternal kingdom on earth. After all who oppose Him are destroyed, all nations will worship the one true God. Then, the Lord will be king over the whole world. He will be one Lord, and His name will be exalted above all names. The great “I AM” expresses all God is and always will be. Though these things were to have happened had Israel remained faithful, they still will be fulfilled but on a grander scale, during the final redemption of God’s people everywhere. When Zechariah announced the coming of the Messiah, he did not draw a line of separation between His first and second comings. As was the case with other prophets, he saw the coming kingdom of the Messiah as one glorious future. Only in the light of Christ’s first coming can we now distinguish between the two comings. We also can feel gratitude for everything He accomplished for our salvation on Calvary. We can look forward with joy in anticipation of God’s eternal kingdom (see Dan. 7:14). The closing section of this prophetic book describes Jerusalem in its glory, exalted, filled with people, and secure. The saved from all nations will participate in the worship of the eternal King. The entire city of Jerusalem will be filled with the holiness of the temple. When these glorious promises are studied together with the overall teaching of the Bible, we come to the conclusion that the ultimate fulfillment of these predictions will take place in the New Jerusalem, where God’s people will come together from everywhere and worship Him forever. This all will happen only after the second coming of Jesus. The themes of the people’s perpetual praises will be God’s salvation as well as His goodness and power, just as the famous Song of the Sea concludes: “ ‘The Lord shall reign forever and ever’ ” (Exod. 15:18, NKJV). Ancient prophets and faithful people from the past all looked with eager anticipation toward this climactic event. Dwell on the ultimate redemption that is promised to us—a new heaven and a new earth with no sin, death, suffering, or loss. What are all the reasons you have for this hope, and how can you keep them before you daily, especially in times of trouble, fear, and pain? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ***The very purpose of this effort is to help one another grow in faith through the truths revealed in the Holy Scriptures and shared in our daily SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON. Let us seek the Lord and His divine will daily as we study and ponder upon His words. ***”Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15 KJV. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***For further study, click the following links: 2nd Quarter **entire online lesson: ssnet.org/lessons/13b/less12.html **Collegiate Quarterly (CQ): cqbiblestudy.org/article/464/cq-april-june-lessons/archives/second-quarter-2013/2q13-lesson-two#.UV89KMop7X8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *** Downloadable lessons in PDF: **Standard Edition: absg.adventist.org/Standard.htm **Teacher’s Edition: absg.adventist.org/Teachers.htm **Easy Reading Edition: absg.adventist.org/EasyReading.htm **Collegiate Quarterly (CQ): cqbiblestudy.org/article/3/cq-april-june-lessons#.UV88xMop7X9
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:53:42 +0000
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