♪ theme music ♪ (Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School, an in-depth, interactive study of the Word of God. This has been an amazing series on <i>Isaiah, the Gospel Prophet.</i> Today is one of my favorite studies, <i>Messiah - the Desire of All Nations.</i> And I want to welcome you to Hope Sabbath School, and welcome to the team. Here we are, take a look. They're saying, "Are you practicing social distancing?" Well, here we are, just five instead of twleve, but we've discovered that God can work with a small group just as much as a large group. Amen? (Team) Amen. (Derek) And we're excited that you're part of our Hope Sabbath School. I'm also thankful and excited
that Stephanie is going to be teaching today; what a great study this will be. Jesus is going to be lifted up
in this study, because Jesus is the true Messiah. We've got a special gift for you as part of this series. Maybe some of you have already requested it, but it's an audiobook, a digital download of the book <i>Radical Evidence.</i> I'm so excited, because it includes not only the prophecies of Isaiah
but also all of the Old Testament prophecies
pointing to Jesus, plus stories from today of lives transformed by encountering Jesus. You can receive your copy absolutely free. All you have to do is write to our regular email address, sshope@hopetv.org, and just in the subject line
put "free offer." We would love to send you a copy of that audiobook. You can download <i>Radical Evidence,</i> and you can share it with your friends. It's our gift to you. Well, we're always happy to hear from Hope Sabbath School members around the world, right? This is from a Fijian family
living in Scotland. That's a first, right? "I'm your brother Emosi, originally from Fiji, currently working in Scotland. On behalf of the little group here in Scotland, Elgin, we want to thank you for Hope Sabbath School. You're all on fire with the sharing of the Word of God, and God be praised for that." Amen? (Team) Amen. (Derek) "We look forward to the day when we'll have Hope Sabbath School with our blessed hope, our Master and Savior the Lord. May the Lord keep us all faithful till He comes. Amen." Well, Emosi, your family and the group that meets there in Elgin, Scotland, we're glad you're part of our Hope Sabbath School family. Thanks for writing to us. Here's a note from Sherry in Australia, and, Travis, this really touched my heart, this one; I know you went and studied for a while in Australia. But Sherry writes and says, "All of my life, I have tried to hide from God, but listening to Hope Sabbath School, I now know how much He loves me." Somebody say "Amen." (Team) Amen. (Derek) Isn't that awesome, "I now know how much He loves me." Sherry, thank you for writing to us, not just to encourage us, but there was someone watching today, there is someone watching who needs to know we don't have to hide from God; He loves us so much. Thank you so much. Here's a note from Mons and Julie in California in the United States, "Dear Hope Sabbath School, my wife and I enjoy Hope Sabbath School online each week via the Hope Channel app." So, if you haven't downloaded the app on your smartphone, just go to your App Store
or to Google Play and download Hope Channel. You'll be able to watch Hope Sabbath School. You'll be able to watch other programs, even other languages; there are many different channels around the world you'll be able to access. It's a free app called Hope Channel. "When I teach," writes Mons, "the Sabbath School class at our church, I use the Hope Sabbath School outline in our discussion and study." Well, you can do that, too. Thank you, Mons, for writing to us from California. You can download that outline from hopetv.org/hopess, and you can share it with your whole class and have an in-depth, interactive study of the Word of God. Here's a note from some donors, a couple living in Georgia. And I just want to pause and say thank you to all of our partners in mission, because we're a donor-supported ministry. Your support helps join in the miracle that God is doing. "My husband and I," the donor writes, "watch your program, even though we're not Seventh-day Adventists, but the Word of God is all we need to keep our faith grounded in Him." Amen? (Team) Amen! (Derek) You know, this class
is for everyone. In fact, we have people who are exploring the Christian faith, discovering that the Bible is a reliable witness. These prophecies we're studying about are truly remarkable. There is a God in Heaven who knows the end from the beginning. "Blessings on all," the donors write. "We know the names of most of you. Love and blessings always," and a gift of 100 dollars to help Hope Sabbath School. Amen? (Team) Amen. (Derek) Thank you so much, Georgia, for being part of the miracle. We're glad you're part of our Hope Sabbath School Family. Here's one last note, from Peter and Carol in Arizona in the United States of America, "We watch your Bible study each week without fail. It has been such an inspiration for us over the years. We continue to pray for all of you." Do we need their prayers? (Team) Amen. Yes. (Derek) Thank you, Arizona, for praying for us. We need your prayers, because we are sinners saved by grace, and we have been changed by encountering Messiah, the desire of all nations. Well, before Stephanie leads us in our study today, we want to invite you to sing with us our theme song. We're not allowed to sing here in the studio because of restrictions, but you can sing with us. "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." Let's sing together. ♪ music ♪ (Derek) I've really come to appreciate that theme song, "Seek the Lord while He may be found," and, Stephanie, why don't you lead us in a powerful study today. Lead us in prayer as we begin. (Stephanie) Let's pray. Dear heavenly Father, thank You so much for the opportunity to learn
from Your Word and to study one of my favorite topics, and that is the Messiah. And, as we read, may it not just be words and ink on paper, but something that we can carry with us and impact our future. In Jesus' name. Amen. (Derek, Team) Amen. (Stephanie) This <i>is</i> one of my favorite topics, and it is on the <i>Messiah -</i> <i>the Desire of All Nations.</i> Every person has a desire, a desire for Jesus, for God. They have a spot that only God can fill. And there are times in our lives when we haven't connected with that "desire of all nations," but other things have gotten in the way, and we want to start there today in Isaiah, chapter 59. We'll be looking at verses 1 and 2, but let's just start with reading
verse 1 first, and, Heide, would you do that for us? I see you have that ready, and we'll read verse 1 and then stop, and then we'll read verse 2, okay? (Heide) Okay, I'll be reading from the New King James Version,
and it says: (Derek) That's good news. (Stephanie) It <i>is</i> good news; it is very good news. What do we learn from that,
just one verse? What do we learn? (Travis) Anyone can be saved. (Stephanie) Anyone can be saved. How about God's ability? Salvation and the ability to hear. He's able to save, and He's able to hear. "But," says verse 2; continue on, Heide. (Heide) Alright, it says: (Stephanie) "But" what? What's happening here in verse 2?
Go ahead, Jason. (Jason) Our iniquities, our sins, we're in a situation now where we're separated from God because of the choices we've made. Our desires, you've made the reference to, we have different desires, and you see here, in the historical context of Isaiah, he's in kingdoms where the people are choosing their own desires, whether in the religious sense
or political sense, they're living for their own material
possessions. They're not living for their faith in God. (Stephanie) Alright. Liza? (Liza) I would say God hasn't moved,
but we have. (Stephanie) Exactly. So, I'm hearing that it's a reference that it's not God who's hiding Himself
and pulling away, separating Himself from us, but it's us. How do we know that's true? Biblically speaking, someone take me to that...tell me which verse you would go to. (Liza) I would go back to Genesis. (Stephanie) You'd go back to Genesis.
Okay, Liza, take us there. Genesis, chapter 3...? (Liza) Chapter 3, verses 8 to 11? That's the fall of man. (Stephanie) Yes, Genesis, chapter 3, verses 8 through 11, and just to give us a context there, in Genesis 1 was creation, right? Genesis 2, we hear more about the creation of man. And then in Genesis 3, (and, of course, other things), in Genesis 3, at the very beginning,
there is deception, and then there is a fall; there is sin that enters. What happens then, in verse 8? (Liza) Okay, I'm reading from the New King James Version: (Stephanie) Now, isn't that interesting,
His question there? "Who told you, you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree?" He knew that that is what would cause a person to feel naked. Now, they were naked before, weren't they? But for some reason, what did they choose to do when they heard God walking? (Travis) To hide. (Stephanie) They chose to hide. When you hide, is it normally in light? No, where do you hide? In darkness. (Jason) Where someone can't see you, where you can't be discovered. (Stephanie) So this sin has now separated, put a natural barrier between them and their God, right? So, there's no question that all of us have sinned, right? That's not a question. When we come to that point in our experience, where we recognize there is this separation between God and me, what is the response that we should have? Biblically speaking, what is the response that we should have? Travis. (Travis) We should run back to the cross, but it's not a natural feeling at all. Actually, you feel like Adam and Eve, like you want to run, but I love the picture we have in Genesis, because they've just sinned, and Jesus is seeking them. We just, in our previous studies, we were talking about Him finding the lost lamb, the Shepherd going out looking. God is seeking them. And so, we just need to run back to Him because we just heard that He's ready to hear, and His arm is not weak, that He cannot save. (Stephanie) That's right. Yes, Jason. (Jason) So, I think of 1 John 1:9. (Stephanie) Would you take us there,
1 John 1:9? (Jason) Yes, I have the New King James Version here, and it puts it like this: (Stephanie) So, what do we see there? (Jason) So there, it's kind of interesting
because we talked about this whole iniquity, is God separating or are we separating? Well, it's a recognition that's it's a choice that we've made. We have made a mistake, so it is important for us to realize, to confess, this is not God who has done the fault. We have done something, and by recognizing this, then what do we do? We return to God, the One who saves us, the One who wants to restore that relationship with us. And once we return to Him, we confess, we let Him know, He takes it, and He cleanses us. (Stephanie) That's beautiful, but I want us to think, what is the natural response? What is the natural response
when we've sinned? Is it to run to God or run away? What is it? Liza. (Liza) I would say that sin brings shame, and anyone who's shameful doesn't feel like going towards the light. I think naturally we want to cover whatever it is we've exposed that's evil or wrong. (Stephanie) Yes. Travis, did you want to say something? (Travis) I did, and so it's great to know the tactics of Satan, because the one thing he does is he tries to lure you, tempt you, that sin is pleasurable. And then when he does get you to sin and fall, he tries to convince you that God won't take you back, and both are lies. (Jason) Yes. (Stephanie) Amen. Thank you
very much. Billy. (Billy) I was just going to say that some people actually... their perception of God is a god that doesn't want to deal with sin, and therefore they don't see even the motivation to come before God because they say that, "Well, I've
done something wrong. Like, God is always about doing good, so I'm in the wrong spot, so I don't think God will appreciate, you know, love me." So, their perception of God only loving good people I think gets them to the point where they don't feel like God will accept them. (Stephanie) Can you think of a Bible character who had multiple falls, multiple sins, in his life? I'll give you a hint. Yes, do you know who I'm talking about? And he had...Yes, David. (Travis) There are several. (Stephanie) David, absolutely, and he made confession. Let's go there; I wish we could read the whole chapter, but you'll have to do that on your own time. Psalm, chapter 51, and we're going to look at verses 1 and 2, and then right from there, verses 10 through 12, I believe. (Derek) Stephanie, that's
a Scripture song. This is one of the Psalms, so this was a song, and you say, "Why would it be a great thing to sing about?" you know, how much we've fallen? Because he then does what we're all supposed to do, and that is to run <i>to</i> God rather than run away. (Stephanie) Exactly. And who has that? Who is ready to read? Travis, would you read that for us? (Travis) 1 and 2 and then 10 through 12? (Stephanie) Correct. (Travis) I'll be reading from the New Living Translation: And then 10 through 12: (Stephanie) Wow, and that's coming from someone who's saying, "I know that when I ask, I will receive." This is a prayer of faith and confidence. Yes, Billy. (Billy) And you see the same language with Bartimaeus; he was a blind beggar when Jesus was passing through Jericho. And it's funny that the same reaction that David had was also his reaction. He was actually trying to find... You know, he was blind; he could only hear about Jesus in the crowd, and he was looking for Jesus. But, very interestingly, the people around him who are following Jesus actually did not want him to follow Jesus. So, he had some opposition against that, so that tells you that, yes, your desire might be to look for Jesus,
to follow Jesus, but you should expect some opposition. Some people will not want you to find Jesus. They will put roadblocks on the way, and you're trying to repent or trying to follow Jesus. So, that can be a discouragement, but it's very important not to give up when we see these discouragements. (Stephanie) Thank you for sharing. Jason. (Jason) I think it's interesting when you look here at Psalm 51 because David is acknowledging the natural response when you sin, that separation. He's saying, "Don't cast away
Your presence. Don't take the Holy Spirit." So, he's acknowledging we do have these feelings, we do have this want to hide from God. And yet, he's saying, "God, I don't want this. This is a natural desire, but, no, I want You." (Stephanie) Amen. Now, I'd like us to look at two stories in Luke, in Luke, chapter 15, is where we'll go. And I'd like us to look at verses 4 through 6 first. And then we'll do 11 through 14
and 20 to 24. And, Heide, do you have that? (Heide) Yes. (Stephanie) Let's just go ahead and read 4 through 6 in Luke, chapter 15. (Heide) Okay, and I'll be reading from the New King James Version,
and it says: (Stephanie) Amen. Now, we've been talking about finding our way home to God, right? How did the sheep find its way home to God? (Heide) It didn't have to do anything because Jesus was looking for <i>it</i>. And that is like the most beautiful thing
in the world, that even when you don't realize that you are lost, He is out seeking you. (Derek) So, I would like to say that the lamb did something. (Stephanie) What did he do? (Derek) Baa-aah-aaah. I think, "Call to Me," that's what David did, right? (Stephanie) That's right. (Derek) Call upon the name of the Lord. Now, I know it's reaching
the story a little bit, but he lamb could have been very quiet. But the Good Shepherd called, and the lamb went, "Baa-aah." And it's just a beautiful picture. In fact, to me, it's an outrageous picture of the love of God because He's willing to leave the 99 in the wilderness. Well, I think that's a hyperbole, but it's just saying, "This one is so precious to Me." But I think we do have to call out.
That's our choice. (Stephanie) Yes. Travis, and then we'll
go to Jason. (Travis) Raising sheep when we were young, lost sheep are not quiet. They are not quiet; they <i>are</i> crying out. And they're crying and crying and crying relentlessly until somebody does find them. (Derek) They're smarter than people. (Stephanie) Jason. (Jason) So, I would say the only thing
the sheep had to do was basically not fight the shepherd. It says he lays it on his shoulders. So, God does still give us a choice. God doesn't force us to be saved. He doesn't grab the sheep, you know, put him in chains and drag him back. The sheep still has a choice. The sheep could still wander away and avoid the shepherd. So, all the sheep does is allow the shepherd to save him. (Derek) Beautiful. (Stephanie) That is a beautiful picture. Now, let's go on to another section of Luke, chapter 15. We're looking at verses 11 through 14, and, Liza, would you read that for us, 11 through 14, and then 20 through 24. And you can read that all together. (Liza) Okay, I'll be reading from the New King James Version: (Stephanie) And you can go down
to verse 24 for us. (Liza) Okay: (Stephanie) It sounds like someone was happy, don't you think? (Derek, Team) Yes. (Stephanie) I think that maybe, it's possible that we believe that nothing happens in Heaven when a soul comes to God. There is rejoicing in the entire heavenly...you know, all of the choir is singing, the heavenly host, singing and rejoicing. So, how did you see... We're talking again, how to come back, how to return to God. What happened in this story? What can we learn from this story? Travis. (Travis) First, both sons were given the inheritance. So, he shared with them equally, but one ran and one stayed. And, the fact that the one son went and spent everything and depleted everything, you would think that, you would naturally be upset that he just went away with everything you've worked so hard for. And then he comes back, and he has compassion on him. My translation said, "Quick, kill a fatted calf." He is so excited; he doesn't care about anything that's been done
in his past. He's just happy he's home. And, to me, that's just something
to rejoice about. God doesn't look at our past. He just wants us home. The Bible says that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He's in the business of saving souls not reminding you of your past and all the things that you've done. He knows about that. (Stephanie) That's right; He throws our sins into the depths of the sea, right? And what I love about this is that the son, again, the son is saying, "I know my father, and I'm going to go back. I'll go as a servant," And he turns away from what he was doing, and he heads home. He knew his father enough to know, "I'm turning back. I'm going home." One of my favorite authors has a commentary on this, and she says that the father, even after years of sin the son had been away, he knew his form, and when he saw him,
he came running; he had been looking and watching. Is that phenomenal or what?! Yes, Billy. (Billy) And something very important about this parable is the fact that when you turn back... There's nothing that says that he went and took a shower, cleaned himself up; he definitely didn't have shoes. So, there's no condition in terms of, you know, you have to be perfect in order for you to come back to God, for God to accept you. You go back as you are. I think he took the first step. He was not perfect. Maybe he smelled like pig or wherever he was working. But I think the key point is that God is looking for people, those who are lost, and He's not looking for their perfection. He's just looking for them to come back to Him,
whatever shape they are. (Stephanie) That's beautiful. We have to move on. I'm sorry, we've got to move on. One of my other favorite prophecies is Isaiah, chapter 60. And we're going to see this trend,
see, in 59... And we'll look at verses 1 through 3 in Isaiah 60. And, Heide, if you'd be ready and prepared to read that. We had looked in 59, that our sins do what? (Team) Separate us. (Stephanie) They separate us from God, okay, and they hide... He cannot see us; He can't hear. But God wants us to do what? Come from sin, into a relationship
with Him. Come back, so come out from hiding, darkness into light, make a note of that.
Heide. (Heide) Alright, I'll be reading from the New King James Version; 1 through 3, you said? (Stephanie) Yes. (Heide) Okay, and it says: (Stephanie) All right, who is
this prophecy about? (Heide) It has to be about Jesus. (Stephanie) Well, that's a good answer, Jesus, in this prophecy, yes. (Derek) I think that it isn't Jesus. I think Jesus is the next chapter, that this is actually God's call to Israel because He wants the Gentiles to come. They are to be a witness to the world. And He had revealed His Law to them. He had revealed about Messiah coming. And His desire for them, as it is even for His people today, is that the light of His glory would shine through them. I think he's actually speaking, the prophet is speaking the Word to God's people. Now, the question is, do they fulfill that mission or not? (Stephanie) Which they didn't. And I was actually thinking, though the prophecy is for Israel,
the light is who? (Travis) The light is Jesus. He's the light of the world, but if it's talking about Israel, it would be a reflection
of the light of God. (Stephanie) Right, so that's
the direction, not to take us into a rabbit trail. (Derek) Certainly the glory
comes from God. but even Jesus, in the New Testament, says that we must let our light shine. And we know from John 8 that He is the light of the world, and the light comes from Him. But God's ideal for His people, even back then and today, is that His glory would be revealed
through them. (Stephanie) That's right. (Derek) And that the "Gentiles," that's those who don't know, in the language of that time, that they would be drawn to God because of what they see in the people of God. (Stephanie) Yes, and who was it that actually fulfilled the purpose
and the mission? (Travis) Jesus. (Stephanie) Jesus, okay, very good. So, the prophecy was fulfilled
through Jesus, right, but does that mean that there's nothing there for us today?
Billy. (Billy) I want to say that, just going along the line of us being the light of the world,
fulfilling that prophecy, I think, 59, if you keep on reading
this chapter, it's very important because the children
of Israel, they weren't practicing that. So, 60 basically tells them, "Okay, this is the direction you are going in." In 59, the rest of the chapter, there is so much injustice, that God could not listen to their prayers because they would be going to the temple, they would be praying, they would be doing all those religious things, but in their heart they were committing injustices. So, it becomes very hard for Him to accept. So, I think it's very important for us to fulfill the mission of being a light of the world. (Stephanie) Alright, and I think we need to go to Matthew. Pastor Derek directed us there. Matthew, chapter 5, 14 through 16, he alluded to that passage that says...well, let's read it. Who has that, that they could read? Jason, Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14 through 16. (Jason) I have the New King James Version
here, Matthew, chapter 5, verses 14 through 16: (Stephanie) So, Isaiah is talking about arising and shining, for your light has come. In Matthew, we see that we are the light, and the light is to shine, that others may see our good works and do what? (Team) Glorify God. (Stephanie) Glorify God. Let's turn to Ephesians, chapter 5, verse 8, and we're looking at how this applies to our lives today. Ephesians, chapter 5, verse 8. And, Travis, would you read that for us? (Travis) And I'll be reading from the New Living Translation: (Stephanie) Alright, my version says, "but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." So, live as children of light. Let's go to another passage...Yes. (Derek) Stephanie, I want to just say I like that translation, that you have light from the Lord. The light - when the disciples were told, "You're the light of the world," I think they looked at each other and said, "Really?! Jesus, <i>You're</i> the light of the world," right? But He says, "Yes, but when you're connected to Me, that light shines through you." So, I like that translation in Ephesians, that you have light <i>from</i> the Lord, which is really light in the Lord, too. (Stephanie) Amen. Thank you for pointing that out. (Derek) It's not our light;
it's His light. (Stephanie) We're not that good. (Derek) We are not. (Stephanie) Let's turn to 1 Peter, chapter 2, verse 9, and, Billy, would you read that for us, 1 Peter, chapter 2, verse 9. And we're looking at how this prophecy is applicable to us today. (Billy) Sure, I'll be reading from the NIV; 1 Peter 2, verse 9 says: (Stephanie) Do you see a trend here? (Derek) It's His light. (Stephanie) That's right, it's His light, and it's a call from darkness to light. He's admonishing us, "Come out of darkness, and come to the light." Beautiful, and if we stop there we might wonder, "Well, how do we do that?" We kind of alluded to it, that it's Jesus, He is the light of the world, but let's turn to 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, verse 6. And, Liza, would you read that for us? And we're asking the question, how is it possible, then, for us to do what Isaiah 60, verse 1, says, to arise and shine? (Liza) I'll be reading from the New King James Version: (Stephanie) God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness... (Derek) Creator. (Stephanie) Yes, has shined in our hearts. This is what Derek was saying, that it might give, that it might lead others to light, right? It's reflecting that light
that we receive. Alright, Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5, 13 and 15, and, Jason, would you read that for us? (Jason) I have the New King James Version
here, Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5, 13 and 15; verse 5: Verse 13: And then verse 15: (Stephanie) So, how do we shine? How do we arise and shine,
from those verses? (Travis) Through God's Holy Spirit
working in us. (Stephanie) That's right. Letting His mind be in us, and that we are to shine where? (Travis) In a dark place. (Stephanie) In a dark place, right? A crooked and perverse nation? That has to be someone other than us, and let's take a look who that Someone is, just to confirm it. John, chapter 8 and verse 12, John, chapter 8 and verse 12, and, Liza, would you read that for us? (Liza) Absolutely, from the New King James
Version: (Stephanie) Alright, call from darkness
into light, how are we in the light? (Heide) Through Jesus. (Stephanie) We're following after Jesus,
right? (Heide) I would say we're like
light bulbs. You have the potential to give off light, but you have to be connected
to the source. (Stephanie) That's beautiful. (Derek) Stephanie, I like what Heide said - connected. We're not just, like, following Jesus at some kind of distance. There are religious people who claim to be following God, but they're not connected to God. But that connection, that image of the light bulb and the power source, I believe, when we're connected to Jesus, we <i>will</i> shine with the glory of God. (Stephanie) Yes, He says, "<i>Let</i>
your light shine." Let it shine. Travis. (Travis) That's reiterated in the same Gospel, John, chapter [15:5]. He says, "I'm the vine,
you're the branches." He says, "Without Me, you can do nothing." So, we're helpless without Him; we have to keep that connection. (Stephanie) Yes, and that's a moment-by-moment connection. Thank you so much, beautiful illustration. So, now we're going to take ourselves from Isaiah 59, where sin had been the separation (we're just kind of recapping), and then His desire for us is to come back to Him and then arise, shine. So, He has a purpose, something for us to do, right? And now we're going to see what specifically we will be proclaiming. Isaiah, chapter 62, and we'll look at verses 1 through 3. And, Jason, would you read for us? (Derek) Sixty-one? (Stephanie) Yes, 61, verses 1 through 3. (Jason) So, I have Isaiah,
chapter 61 here; I've got the New King James Version, verses 1 through 3: (Stephanie) Alright, who is referred to in <i>this</i> prophecy? (Derek) That's the Messiah. (Stephanie) The Messiah, right? And, I'd like us to look over in Luke,
chapter 4 and look at verses 18 through 21. Luke, chapter 4:18-21, and, Travis, would you read that for us? (Travis) And I'll be reading from the New Living Translation: (Stephanie) Can you imagine having Jesus do your Scripture reading in your church? That thought crossed my mind this morning, and I thought, wow, that's powerful. And He's saying, "It's being fulfilled through Me today." Now, it talks about the acceptable year
of the Lord. What is the acceptable year of the Lord? Let's look at Leviticus, chapter 25 and verse 10. Leviticus, chapter 25 and verse 10, and we'll learn there that it's actually the jubilee, but let's learn more about that. Billy, would you read that for us? Leviticus, chapter 25 and verse 10. (Billy) Okay, so I'll be reading from the New International Version. Leviticus 25, verse 10, says: (Stephanie) So, can you describe to me what this year of jubilee was like, in a nutshell? Derek? (Derek) It was jubilation. It was a time of celebration, and we can unpack why, but this fiftieth year, it's why it's called jubilee. It was a time of great rejoicing. Of course, it had symbolism in terms of the plan of salvation, but... (Stephanie) And we want to go there. (Derek) Yeah, but what happened during that time is, slaves were set free, and land was returned to its original owners. You say, "Wow, that's amazing. If you lost your land, it comes back." So, we wrestle with what's the symbolism of all of that, you know. We get the land that was lost, and the captives are set free. (Stephanie) Yes, so, what is the significance of the year of jubilee and the plan of salvation? Travis. (Travis) We're Jesus'
purchased possession, and in a sense we... Not in a sense, He does get His purchased possessions back. That's the whole idea of that,
that it's returned. What He has died for is returned to Him. We're His prized prossesions. (Stephanie) Yes. Jason. Thank you. (Jason) It's the time of restoration. Jesus is restoring us back to how it was in the beginning, before sin. (Heide) And I believe that debts were also cleared in that year? (Derek) No wonder there was jubilee. (Heide) It just makes me think of the debt that sin puts on us, and how He also cleanses us from that. (Stephanie) And that's the greatest debt that has been cancelled, isn't it? (Derek, Team) Yes. (Stephanie) It's the greatest debt. All right, let's turn to a few verses. I'd like us to go to John, chapter 8. We'll go back to John 8 here and look at verse 36. And, Heide, if you would read that for us, John, chapter 8 and verse 36, because someone may not know this verse, and it is powerful. (Heide) All right, John, chapter 8, verse 36, I'll be reading from the New King James Version,
and it says: (Stephanie) Is <i>that</i> good news? It is; it's very good news. Let's turn now to 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, verse 17, and, let's see, Liza, would you read that for us, 2 Corinthians, chapter 3, and verse 17. (Liza) I'll be reading from the New King James Version: (Stephanie) So, proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor, this is a powerful message to share with someone, powerful message. There's freedom from bondage to many different things in our lives, right? (Team) Yes. (Stephanie) There is also another proclamation. We're going to go back to Isaiah, chapter 61, and look at verse 2 again. And, Billy, would you be able to read that for us? Isaiah, chapter 61, verse 2, and I want us to think about what is being read here. When Jesus quoted this prophecy, 700 years later, we just looked at that in Luke, right, he omitted that phrase "the day of the vengeance of God." Alright, go ahead, Billy. (Billy) So, I'll be reading from the New International Version, Isaiah 61, verse 2: (Stephanie) Why did he omit that? (Travis) It wasn't there yet. I mean, I think that pointed to the second coming of Jesus. (Stephanie) Yes, definitely, and let's go over to... (Derek) Well, in a sense it's the judgment, right, and obviously He will also proclaim <i>that</i>, right, because He is Prophet, Priest,
and King, right? So, He will proclaim that, but at that point, He's simply proclaiming, "The year of jubilee is fulfilled in your hearing right now." So, it wasn't that He didn't know the prophecy, right? But He's quoting that portion of the prophecy that He says "is fulfilled now in your hearing." (Travis) And that proclamation, Derek, then is in Revelation 14:6-7, correct,
the judgment? (Derek) The whole proclamation that the time of His judgment has come. (Travis) Yes. (Stephanie) Thank you. Let's go to 2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 10. This will shine a little more light
on that answer. And, Travis, would you take us there, 2 Peter, chapter 3 and verse 10. (Travis) And I'll be reading from the New Living Translation: (Stephanie) So, when does the day of vengeance of God take place? (Travis) It seems like it's at the second coming, because the elements are melting
with fervent heat. (Derek) So, this is a great example of needing to read the context, right? So, you could pull something
out of context. Someone could read this and say, "Okay, the Bible's predicting a nuclear holocaust where the entire world will be destroyed." But, if you go back to verse 9, there is some really good news, right? And if you go on to verse 13, There is some really good news about a new heavens and new Earth where righteousness dwells. So, I just want to make an appeal for our Hope Sabbath School members, when we read a text about the vengeance and burning, to read the context because there is always a word of hope because our God is an awesome God who wants to save us, right? (Stephanie) Let's go to those verses, 2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 9, and, Jason, I see that you're there. Let's see where that hope is. (Jason) New King James Version says, in 2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 9: (Stephanie) That is good news. That is very good news. And I'd like us, if you would read verse 13 as well. (Jason) In the New King James Version, 2 Peter, chapter 3, verse 13: (Stephanie) And I think we need to go over to John 3:16, don't you? Let's look at John, chapter 3, verses 16 and 17. And, Billy, would you read that for us, John, chapter 3, verses 16 and 17. And we're talking about the day of vengeance of our God. (Billy) Okay, and I'll be reading from the New International Version,
John 3:16-17: (Stephanie) So, we often... I don't know, maybe I'm
speaking for myself, but sometimes it's hard to put together the vengeance of God and the loving, caring, merciful,
overabundant in grace, and put those two together. How do we reconcile that? Alright, I see hands; Heide, then we're going to Travis, and we'll open it up. (Heide) Well, sin brings pain, it brings suffering, it brings sadness, it brings just all terrible things, and it would not be in God's character to allow sin to continue. So, like we had just read, His goal and His vengeance is not against the sinner but against sin. And because He loves us, that's like a parent, you know... I remember when I was a little girl, if anything would hurt me, my mom would go, and she would spank that thing. She would slap it with her hands. She'd say, "No, don't hurt my daughter." And God is coming to do that to us. He's like, "You're hurting My children, and I love them with every fiber
of My being, and I have to eliminate that thing which hurts them." (Stephanie) Yes. Travis. (Travis) Sin is the separating agent between God and man, and He wants to remove and eliminate sin. And the problem is, we're the object of God's love, and the thing that He hates
is inside of us, and so He wants to remove that. And some of us, some will say, "I want it left in me," and He has to destroy the sin because He cannot continue. A just God will not allow sin to continue. And if you're not willing to give it up and give it to Him, then we would have to suffer
the consequences, but what a foolish choice, because He's offering eternal life, and the removal, and eternal happiness. (Stephanie) Travis, and we'll come to Liza after. Travis, I think you have a point there. When we have our arms around sin, and it is so close to us, when God destroys sin, it can't help but destroy that which is clinging to it, because we have so closely
brought it to us. But God does not desire... His call for us throughout Isaiah over and over again, "Turn from your way, turn, come back to Me," over and over again. That's what God's desire is. And so we have to keep the character of God in mind when we read these verses, that it is because He loves
and cares for us. (Derek) I know we've not been able to sing our song here, but Isaiah 55, verses 6 and 7, has a sense of a loving parent, like Heide said, urgently saying, "Seek the Lord while He may be found," because there is going to be a day
of the Lord when the elements will melt
with fervent heat. So, maybe we can read that text,
but urgency. (Stephanie) Would you? (Derek) You want me to read it? (Stephanie) Yes, I do! (Derek) Thank you very much. (Stephanie) Isaiah, chapter 55. (Derek) Fifty-five, I'm reading from the New King James Version
from the Bible, and I read it with the heart of a loving parent like Heide said: Hallelujah. (Stephanie) Amen. (Derek) I added the "Hallelujah." (Stephanie) I know. Praise God for that, right?
That's beautiful. Liza, you had something
you wanted to share? (Liza) Pastor Derek said it so well. I think, not to add on to what he said
or anyone said, but I think a lot of us can look back at our lives, and we say, "Thank God, thank God." And, at the time, it was painful, at the time, we dreaded it, but we're all thankful that God has been so merciful to correct us, to chastise us. And so, I think, when we look at the judgment, we can say, "Thank God," because our world will be better
because of it. (Stephanie) Amen. From our study today, what is a takeaway that you have from our study today? Give me a one-sentence takeaway. (Derek) We need Jesus. (Stephanie) We need Jesus! (Billy) God loves everybody. (Stephanie) God loves everybody. (Jason) God loves us and wants us with Him. (Stephanie) He loves us
and wants us with Him. (Travis) Allow Jesus to take your sins. (Stephanie) Amen. Throw them in the depths of the sea. What a merciful God, so loving that He cares enough to spend time to actually call us and to beckon us to come out of darkness into His marvelous light. (Team) Amen! (Derek) Thank you so much, Stephanie. What a powerful study today. And I want to just thank you, our Hope Sabbath School members, for being with us. And don't forget that special gift, that digital download of the audiobook, <i>Radical Evidence.</i> Just send us an email at sshope@hopetv.org; put "Free Offer." We'll send a link so you can
get your copy. I'm just so excited to know more about our great and awesome God,
aren't you? And the Messiah Jesus is the desire of all nations. If you haven't made Him your Savior, would you say today, "Jesus, save <i>me</i>"? And if you know someone who doesn't know Jesus yet, would you say, "Jesus, use me to bring Your light to them"? Let's pray; Father in Heaven, our hearts have been blessed today by the Word of God and by the Spirit of God. And we thank You, Messiah Jesus, that You are the desire of all nations and for Your immeasurable
and unfailing love. We bless Your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen. (Team) Amen. (Derek) Well, thanks for joining us for Hope Sabbath School. I'm so excited; this has been
an amazing series. No wonder Isaiah is called the "Gospel Prophet." So many prophecies that give us hope that there is a Messiah, and we now know who that is - it's Jesus. Accept Him today and every day, and then go out and be a blessing to those around you. ♪ theme music ♪
