Advent 2022 | From Darkness to Glorious Light

Advent 2022: From Darkness to Glorious Light | A Study of Isaiah 59-60

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the term advent as the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. Of course, as it pertains to Christianity, the term advent is associated with the arrival of the Christ—both his historic birth and his anticipated return. It is these two advents which bookend the current moment of redemptive history and serve as the very foundation of theChristian faith.

When we speak of the advent of Christ, we are, in essence, speaking of divine intervention. We are speaking of God interrupting humanity’s sin with His redemptive purposes. We are speaking of the deepest darkness being overwhelmed by the glorious light of Christ.

Long before the birth of Christ, and with both advents in view, Isaiah 59 & 60 paint a compelling picture of God taking decisive action in order to rescue people from the domain of darkness and bring them into the eternal Kingdom of His beloved Son. These two chapters begin with incredible darkness. They end with glorious light. And in the middle? A central figure, clothed in righteousness, salvation, vengeance, and Zeal. A Redeemer who will stand as covenant mediator between God and His people forever. He is none other than Jesus the Christ.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1

Week 1: Darkness: Evil and Oppression (59:1-13)

The infectious nature of sin is on full display as Israel is found to be as guilty as their oppressors. The universal implication is that mankind’s iniquity has separated him from God. With no intervention, there is no prospect for peace with our Creator, as our sins testify against us and we are helpless to save ourselves.

Week 2: Decisive Intervention: Judgment and Redemption (59:14-21)

Displeased with the situation, and knowing that no man can effectively intercede for himself, God decisively initiates redemptive action. A central figure emerges, girded for battle with righteousness, salvation, vengeance, and zeal. He will bring wrath to his adversaries, but to the repentant, he will bring redemption. Furthermore, he will stand as Covenant Mediator between God and His redeemed people for all eternity.

Week 3: Glorious Light: Zion’s future glory (60:1-22)

Isaiah 60:1-22 can have none other than Christ’s second advent in view as it depicts “God’s rule, fully realized…as perfect and permanent as God himself.” * A glorious picture of God’s triumphant kingdom, and the consummation of all of God’s redemptive purposes since Genesis chapter 3. From darkness to glorious light.

* Barry G. Webb, “The Message of Isaiah” 233

Creation & Promise | Studies in Genesis

Genesis literally means origin or beginning. It is the first book, the beginning, of the Bible. It details both the beginnings of history and the beginnings of the people the LORD was creating for himself. In the opening chapters we learn of the creation of the world and everything in it. Though Genesis features God’s creation it also describes the corruption of this creation through sin. However, God’s purposes would not be thwarted. He promised to redeem His people and His creation through the seed of Eve who would crush the serpent and his work. (Gen 3.15). Through this seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12.3). Genesis is the historical development and outworking of that promise despite obstacles that seemed to stand in the way. When we arrive at the New Testament we understand this promise would ultimately be realized in the promised seed Christ Jesus. In pointing forward to the Seed, Genesis lays the groundwork for understanding the rest of Scripture and looking forward to Christ.

BOOK WITHIN A BOOK

It really is difficult to isolate Genesis from the four books that follow—Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The history and storyline, along with the common authorship of Moses, tie these 5 books together. Together they comprise the Torah or what we call often call the Pentateuch.

AUTHORSHIP

While Genesis does not explicitly identify its author, we have every reason to believe that these words were penned by Moses. Throughout the Torah we read of God asking Moses to record events, laws, and even songs. These books were later identified as the Book of Moses. Both Jesus (Mt 19.7) as well as other religious leaders (Mt 22.24) simply assumed Moses was the author.

WHEN

The book of Genesis was likely written between Moses leading the people of God out of Egypt and his death. Genesis could have been composed around 1450 B.C., depending on the date of Exodus.

THE BIG PICTURE

It is often useful to understand the big picture of a book before studying the individual parts. Genesis is no exception. Genesis has a unique feature that may provide a clue to its meaning. The word תוֹלְד֧וֹת is used 11 times. It is usually translated “these are the generations of” or “this is the account of.” It is used in 2.4, 5.1, 6.9, 10.1, 11.10, 27, 25.12; 19; 36.1, 9. As a result many read Genesis as a 10 episode story with a prologue.

Others simply divide it into 2 larger sections split between 1.1-11.32 and 12.1-50.26. Derek Kidner has advocated this view in the following outline:

A. THE PRIMEVAL HISTORY (chapters 1–11)

1. The story of creation (1:1–2:3)

2. The probation and fall of man (2:4–3:24)

3. Man under sin and death (4:1–6:8)

4. The world under judgment (6:9–8:14)

5. Renewal and repeopling (8:15–10:32)

6. End and beginning: Babel and Canaan (11:1–32)

B. THE CHOSEN FAMILY (chapters 12–50)

1. Abram under call and promise (chapters 12–20)

2. Isaac and the further tests of faith (chapters 21–26)

3. Jacob and the emergence of Israel (chapters 27–36)

4. Joseph and the migration to Egypt (chapters 37–50)

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1Derek Kidner, Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 1, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1967), 45.

Values

A value is something held with high esteem. A value is a person’s or organization’s principles or standards of behavior. A value is a judgment on what is important. 

At Missio Church we have four core values: God, Truth, Love, and Mission. These values are not necessarily distinctive to Missio Church, as these are values of our Christian faith and clearly taught in the Scriptures. Over four weeks, we wanted to survey each of these values and consider their importance for our church.

God – Because God is the center of everything, we exist to glorify Him.

Truth – Because the Word of God is Truth, it is the foundation on which we build our lives. 

Love – Because God is love and first loved us, our response is to love Him and others. 

Mission – Because God has invited us to join Him on Mission, we are compelled to discover and engage in His purposes.

GOD - BECAUSE GOD IS THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING, WE EXIST TO GLORIFY HIM.

We value God because He is the Creator and beginning of all things. He holds everything together. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, and the giver of Salvation.(Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-4; Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; Eph. 1:19; Mat. 9:4; Ps. 139:7-8; Col. 1:22; Ps. 27:1; Is. 45:17)

TRUTH - BECAUSE THE WORD OF GOD IS TRUTH, IT IS THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH WE BUILD OUR LIVES.

We value Jesus as the Truth. He, along with the truth of Scripture, reveals God’s character, plan, and salvation. All Scripture is God-breathed, living, and the foundation on which we build our lives.(John 14:6; John 5: 39; Ps. 119:105; Ps. 25:5; Ps. 43:3; 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12; Mat. 7:24-27).

LOVE - BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE AND FIRST LOVED US, OUR RESPONSE IS TO LOVE HIM AND OTHERS.

We value love because God is love. He first lavished his unconditional love upon us, which compels us to love Him and others. These are the two greatest commandments.(1 John 4:8; 1 John 4:19; 2 Cor. 5:13-15; Mat. 22:36-40)

MISSION - BECAUSE GOD HAS INVITED US TO JOIN HIM ON MISSION, WE ARE COMPELLED TO DISCOVER AND ENGAGE IN HIS PURPOSES.

We value mission because God has commanded us to make disciples of every man, woman, and child. We are created to glorify God by living on mission with God.(Mat. 28:16-20; Eph. 2:10; Acts 20:24)