The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-29
Sunday School Lesson for October 30.
rHessiah's Kingdom FOretOld.
lSA, XXI, 1-1O
BY j. e. GILBERT, D. D., L. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education.

dumb animals were his friends and
subjects Gen. ii. 1920.
KNOWLEDGE.--One other feature
Of Messiah's reign is mentioned, the
real cause OF the other conditions, as is
indicated by the connective. Verse 81.
The knowledge Of the Lord shall fill
the earth as the waters cover the sea.
This statement occurs elsewhere. (Hab.
ii. 1D Ignoranc Of God IL assigned az
the cause of sin and trouble. CHos. iv;
g. Our Savior declared that the Jews
prosecuted Him because they did not
know Him, Uuke xiii: 3D and Paul
alludes to the fact. Il Cor. ii: 81. on the
contrary we learn from many passages
the value of knowledge, psalm xix: y
a liberating force, John viii: 32) and
as means of growth and progress
Qsa. lii: ~ To make all men know
the Lord, G1eb viii: IL will therefore
be the end of earth's sin and shame and
the source of all bessedness. But this
knowledge of God which is life, John
xvii: 3)iS not merely an intellectual per-
ceptiOn OF truths pertaining to Him,
valuable as that is, but rather that ex-
perience of the heart which comes from
direct and personal fellowship q John
.: ~.
ENSIGN.-Thus far our lesson has
dealt with Messiah and His people. The
peace, safety and knowledge predicted
were in His Kingdom, which would be
set up only in the hearts Of believers.
Nuke xvii: 21) But that kingdom
would have a commanding influence
upon those outside. Verse 10) This
same Messiah shall be an ensign, a
badge, or signal to be seen by other
people, lisa. V: 26) a flag or banner
about which they may rally. psalm TX
~. This banner flung out to the breeze.
the emblem of truth and Righteousness
Of love and Justice, shall awaken hope
in the minds of the oppressed, and the
Gentiles. the people who know not God,
shall seek unto it, (Rom. XIV: 10.) This
| agrees with Christs prediction. John
xii: 32) This IS the same as to say
! that whatever glory there may be in
the kingdom the king himself will be
| most glorious, the chief object of in
| terest, the source of benign influence
| the power attracting men to himself
| And as a result He will experience sat
| isfaction among his people. lisa. lii:
| H.
CONCLUSION.-Th preaching Of the
gospel has been generally conducted
| upon the supposition that the end to be
| sought is the salvation of individuals
| from evils that may befall them in
a future life. This is part of the pur-
| pose, but by far the larger design is
to set up Messiah's kingdom on the
earth, as already described. SO John
| preached, Matt. iii: p as Jesus did af-
terward Matt iv: ~ Entrance into
this kingdom was the first duty, Matt.
vi: 49, enjoined upon men, sought by
all agencies set in motion, Matt. xvi:
lO to be kept constantly in view, and
to be followed by earnest desire and
labor for the extension of the kingdom.
Matt. vi: 10) The highest type of a
New Testament Christian is man who
believes that Jesus was the Messiah
foretold by the prophets, who accepts
Him as saviour and master, Matt. xi:
2S-20 and who seeks to bring the world
to Him, Matt xviii: 1919 that a new
social order may be established in
which shall be peace and righteous
| ness.