Sabbath School Summary
Desire of Nations
Lesson 12
Memory Text: Isaiah 60:3
“Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn”
Introduction.
SATURDAY: Salvation is a free gift offered to us by the grace of Christ. “Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it.” God bids us to forsake sin & lean solely on Christ (Isa. 55:7). God forgives us our sins when we trust Him (FW, p. 36). Isaiah also tells us this truth.
SUNDAY: Sin creates a gulf/wall of partition between us & God. It does not drive God away from us, but it drives us away from God. God is ever ready to save, forever merciful. Sin is what mars the divine-human relationship (Isa. 58:3; 59:1, 2). Sin is simply rejecting God (Gen. 3:8). God always reach out to the sinner, it is the sinner who rejects Him.
MONDAY: There is none righteous but there’d be a remnant who shall be saved (Isa. 59:15-21; Jer. 31:34; Rom. 3:9-20, 22, 23). Hence, the question that begs for an answer is not “who has sinned?”, but “who is forgiven?” God is the only one who pardons our sins. We are judged on works but saved by faith in Christ (Rom. 3:21-24, 26; 4:14; Jam. 2:18, 26). The law points out sin & Christ saves (Gal. 5:6; Rom. 5:5; Rom. 6).
TUESDAY: The work of redemption is a process of recreation. Just like at the onset of the world, God gives light to His people in darkness after exile (Isa. 60:1, 2, 3). This light is for Zion (Isa. 59:20). Drawn by the light of God’s glory, the faithful will dwell in Zion (Jerusalem). Thus, Zion will be a light to the nations. God foretold that He’d bless the entire earth through Abraham (Gen. 12:2, 3; 18:18; 22:18; Isa. 56:3-8).
WEDNESDAY: Christ is the Messiah who is anointed as the “Davidic King & Deliverer” in Isaiah 61:1. His work was plainly outlined by Isaiah (Isa. 42:1-7). In the night of spiritual darkness, He’d bring light & liberty. The liberty is likened to the civic moral duty at the year of Jubilee & acts of ancient kings who relieved the poor from their debts (see Lev. 25:10; 25-55). Christ brings favor & justice to His people. Imitate Him!
THURSDAY: From city to city, Christ wrought good works to relieve all men from sorrow & sin. There was none who came to Him & left empty or unattended to. Thus, the year of divine liberty & favor was fulfilled (Isa. 61:2; Luke 4:21). The day of God’s vengeance was not yet to come—when Christ comes again (Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; Joel 3:31; Rev. 19; Dan. 2:44, 45, Matt. 5:39; 8:12; 1 Thess. 5:15; 2 Thess. 1:8).
FRIDAY: With convincing power Christ read the prophecies about Himself to the gathering. All around Him were touched by the words from His lips. The blind would see again, prisoners would be freed, the sick would be healed, & truth would abound. All walls of partition were broken down. Shout of praises & amens went forth. Nonetheless, the day of God’s vengeance will come. God’s wrath will visit the wicked.
—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 237, Faith and Works, p. 33, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 376-378; also The Desire of Ages, pp. 236-243.
Keyword
FW- Faith and Works
Captions
SUNDAY- The Effects Of Sin (Isaiah 59)
MONDAY- Who Is Forgiven? (Isa. 59:15-21).
TUESDAY- Universal Appeal (Isa. 60:1, 2).
WEDNESDAY- “The Year Of The Lord’s Favor” (Isa. 61:2)
THURSDAY- “The Day Of Vengeance Of Our God” (Isa. 61:2).
Discussion Questions
📌 Discussion Question:A Seventh-day Adventist pastor thoughtfully stated that his number one problem in ministry is the exclusiveness of church members who do not want others to join them. How can “Christians” take the love, hope, and good news of Christ’s kingdom to all the world so that others can have an opportunity to be saved before the end comes (Matt. 24:14) when they do not even want to accept people who go out of their way to show up in their church?
Entire Lesson Summary
God purifies an unjust society by removing the rebels and by restoring the remnant who turn from the sins that have separated them from Him. Due to the blessings of God’s presence, people from other nations are drawn to God and His people so that they also can enjoy the time of God’s favor that is proclaimed and delivered by the Messiah.
For March 13-19. Happy Sabbath.
ELDER DR MASIMBA MAVAZA
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