Batesville Guard

IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sunday School Lesson
BY REV. P. B. FITZWATER
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
(©, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)

LESSON FOR JUNE 12
MAKING THE WORLD CHRISTIAN.
LESSON TEXT—Isa. 11:1-10; Acts 1:6-8.
GOLDEN TEXT—The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.—Isa. 11:9.
REFERENCE MATERIAL—Esther 4:14; Psa. 83:18; Prov. 14:34.
PRIMARY TOPIC—Jesus' Love for the World.
JUNIOR TOPIC—What Jesus Did for the World.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC—Helping to Make a Better World.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC—Christian Patriotism.
If by "Making the World Christian" the lesson committee means the conversion of the world in this dispensation by the preaching of the gospel, then we submit that they are in error leading the people into false hopes.
The main text chosen for our study pictures the glorious coming age when Christ shall reign over the whole earth. Before this will take place Christ shall come in person and destroy the works of the devil and bind him and cast him into the pit (Rev. 19:11-21; II Thess. 2:3-10).
I. The Reign of Messiah the King (Isa. 11:1-12).
1. Messiah's lineage (v. 1). It was to be of David's line—royal stock. A rod or twig was to come out of Jesse which indicates that the royal house was in a depressed state.
2. Messiah's qualification (v. 2). (1) The Spirit of the Lord, that is, a divine person proceeding from the Father and Son. (2) Spirit of wisdom, giving insight into all things human and divine. (3) Spirit of understanding, that is, to choose that which is highest and best. (4) Spirit of counsel, that is, the ability to make plans. (5) Spirit of might, that is, the ability to execute His plans. (6) Spirit of knowledge, that is, the ability to perceive the will of God in all things. (7) The fear of the Lord, that is, reverential and obedient fear.
3. The character of Messiah (vv. 3-5). (1) Quick to understand goodness (v. 3). (2) He shall not judge after external appearances (v. 3). (3) Shall not decide upon hearsay (v. 3). Each case shall be decided upon the basis of absolute and perfect knowledge. (4) He shall defend and avenge the poor and meek of the earth (v. 4). The meek shall inherit the earth when Messiah reigns (Matt. 5:5). (5) Shall smite the earth (v. 4). Those whom He smites are the ungodly inhabitants who are then in federation against Christ. The head of this federation is the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:8). (6) He shall have a zeal for justice and truth (v. 5).
4. Universal peace (vv. 6-9). This is a picture of the glorious golden age of which poets have sung and for which the wise men of all ages have longed and looked. There will then be peace not only between men, but between animals. This peace and harmony is shown in that in each change suggested each animal is coupled with its natural prey. (1) The wolf shall dwell with the lamb (v. 6). "Dwell" means intimacy, as if the lamb should receive the wolf into its home. The only place and circumstance at present in which the wolf and lamb dwell together is when the lamb is inside the wolf. (2) The leopard shall lie down with the kid (v. 6). (3) The calf, young lion, and fatling shall be together (v. 6). They are so gentle and peaceable that a little child can lead them. (4) The cow and the bear shall feed together (v. 7). (5) The lion shall eat straw (v. 7), no longer flesh. (6) The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp (v. 8). The most venomous serpent shall not harm little children. This blessed condition shall prevail over the whole earth (v. 9).
5. All nations shall gather unto him (vv. 10-12). The glorious reign of Christ shall attract the Gentile nations. This is the full purpose of the kingdom, namely, to attract the nations of the earth to Jesus Christ.
II. The Supreme Obligation of Believers in This Age (Acts 1:6-8). While we are not responsible for bringing in the kingdom, we are under solemn obligation to witness of the salvation which is graciously provided for all who will believe on Christ.
1. The disciples' question (v. 6). They were perplexed as to the time of the kingdom's establishment. They were right in the expectation of the kingdom, but were still in darkness as to the real purpose of God in calling the church.
2. Christ's answer (vv. 7, 8). He turned their attention from the desire to know times and seasons, which belong to God, to their supreme duty. They were to be witnesses of Christ to the uttermost parts of the earth, beginning at Jerusalem.
The Gleanings
When ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. Thou shalt leave them for the poor, and stranger. I am the Lord, your God.—Leviticus 19:9, 10.
Walketh in Darkness.
He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.—I John 2:11.