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280 THE CONVENTION TEACHER Lights on the Lesson By Rev. Bernard O. Byrd, D. D. LIGHT NO. 1—The Scripture for this lesson is confined to the New Testament, but the subject involves the whole Bible. The good news begins in the beginning and continues to the Revelation. From Genesis to Malachi, we see prophetic GOOD NEWS. From Matthew to John, both included, we see revealed GOOD NEWS. From Acts to Jude, we find rehearsed or retold GOOD NEWS. In Revelation we discover perfected GOOD NEWS. LIGHT NO. 2—In the lesson text one learns that Mary was brought through a taxation decree to the city where it had been prophesied that the Messiah was to be born. Mary had been told that her son was to be the Messiah. LIGHT NO. 3—In view of the fact that the angel Gabriel had told Mary that her son was to be the Savior of the world, it might seem that at His birth, the announcement of the advent of the Son of God would have been named by the husband of Mary or by Mary herself. On the other hand, angels from heaven made the announcement. Since the priests, the Pharisees, Sadduccees, and scribes were in charge of the religious affairs of the people, it might appear that even if the angels made the announcement that they would make it to the priests in the temple, or the Pharisees or some other religious leaders. Far from this, however, the announcement was made to common laboring people. Prior to the coming of Jesus Christ, the religious gems of the Jews were monopolized by a few religious leaders. They kept the prophecies and the law so confined that the common people were forced to approach certain Rabbis, etc., for ordinary information. Christ's coming was to put righteousness and its precious benefits among the masses of the world. Because of this, Jesus came to people who were representative of that great mass of common folk. Editorial Reflections By S. A. Pleasants, D. D. The greatest birth known in the history of man is here spoken of through Luke. The One born is the Savior of the world. When born no place was found for Him in the inn. After His birth, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. We have here not only the greatest birth, but the greatest Being, the Greatest Son, the Greatest King, the Greatest Unity of God and man, the Greatest Owner of things and persons, the Greatest Flesh and Blood, the Greatest Life of all lives. He is the only One known to man, that an angel announced, Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people, the good tidings and great joy to all the people, was the "Savior is born." They had talked about Him, of whom the prophets had written about through the ages. Many desired to see Him, but died without the sight of Him. Many said He would not come and died believing it could not be: But in God's own time, which is called the fullness of time. He comes forth, the Baby Boy, God's Seed, held in the house of the woman, until His birth, when He comes out of her house, we find Him to be The God-man; the only One ever begotten in all God's creation. No more can it be said, He shall come, but from now on it must be said by men and angels He has come. The sign given to the Shepherds so they would know Him, was,"Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger." They did not have to guess at who He was, but knew Him by the sign given. They found Him where the angel said, and just as he said. Every thing God has said, is saying, and shall say about His Son, through men and angels, has been true, is true and shall be true. This is the only time than an angel, with a multitude of the heavenly host came to earth praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased. We have here the King of Peace born, and no soul can have peace within it without Him. No family can have peace in it without Him. All men, that our Father is well pleased with are those whose hearts are filled with peace. Wherever the Savior of man is there is peace; on land, on sea, in the air, and everywhere. One need not expect peace without Christ Jesus, the embodiment of peace. [[end page]] [[start page]] THE CONVENTION TEACHER 281 Lesson XIII. December 26, 1948 APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE SENIOR TOPIC: APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE IN THE BIBLE Revelation 21:1-7; 22:1-5, 17 [[line]] AUTHORIZED VERSION 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes' and there shall be no more death. neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lam. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shallbe in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. [[line]] REVISED VERSION 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: 4 and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be nor more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. 5 And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. 6 And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 1 And he showed me a river of water of life, right as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him; 4 and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads. 5 And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely. [[line]] MOTTO TEXT—The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15. [[line]] LESSON SETTING Time: A. D. 96. Place: Isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. LESSON OUTLINE I. The Eternal Throne and Its Surroundings. (VV. 1-7.) II. Man's Life in Paradise. (VV. 1-5.) III. The Universal Welcome. (V. 17.) DAILY HOME READING December 20-December 26 M. "His Raiment Was White as Snow." Daniel 7:9-12. T. "One Like Unto a Son of Man." Daniel 7:13-14. W. "The Saints Possessed the Kingdom." Daniel 7:15-22. T. "Blessed Is He Who Reads." Revelation 1:1-3. F. "John to the Seven Churches." Revelation 1:4-11. S. "He Showed Me the River of the Water of Life." Revelation 22:1-5. S. "God Will Wipe Away Every Tear from Their Eyes." Revelation 7:9-17.
