Chapter 4

The Messiah: His Advent and The Messiah: His Advent and the Purpose of His Second Comingthe Purpose of His Second Coming

The Providence of Salvation The Providence of Salvation through the Crossthrough the Cross

Section 1

A. The Purpose of Jesus’ Coming as the Messiah

fallen person perfected person (Mt 5:48)

hell Heavenly Kingdom (Mt 4:17)

1) Live a life of inseparable oneness with God, experience God’s Heart within their innermost self and possess a divine nature

Perfected Persons

2) No original sin, no need of redemption or a savior

3) Their children are born good and sinless with no need of a savior.

B. Was the Providence of Salvation Completed through Redemption by the Cross?

1) Not one has lived a life in inseparable oneness with God, and not one has ever experienced God’s Heart in its full intensity nor possessed a divine nature

Christians

2) Have the original sin, need redemption and a savior

3) Their children are born with the original sin and need a savior.

The grace of redemption by the cross has neither fully uprooted our original sin nor perfectly restored our original nature.

Therefore, Jesus promised to come again.

C. Jesus’ Death on the Cross

1) The words and deeds of the disciples

Acts 7:51-53 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you…

And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,…”

Concerning the death of Jesus, the disciples were grief-stricken and indignant.In their eyes Jesus’ death was unjust and undue.

2) From the viewpoint of God’s providence

The chosen people of Israel, the prophets, the Tabernacle and the Temple

preparation to receive the Messiah.

The three wise men from the East, the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, John the Baptist

God’s Will was to have the Jewish people of that time believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

sent to testify to the birth and Advent of the Messiah widely.

3) The words and deeds of Jesus himself

Jn 6:28,29 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Jesus’ words and deeds were meant to engender belief of the people that he was the Messiah:

-

Jesus grieved over the treachery of the Jewish people, wept as he lamented the fate of the people, and clearly pointed to the ignorance of the people: Lk 19:41-44

--

Jesus lamented the stubbornness and disbelief of the people: Mt 23:37

-

Jesus reproached the ignorance of the people who refused to believe in him, even though they were familiar with the Scriptures which testified to him: Jn 5:39,40; Jn 5:43-46

-

Jesus performed many miracles and signs to lift the people from their disbelief. But they condemned him as one possessed by Beelzebul: Mt 12:24

-

In the midst of such a wretched situation, Jesus cried out: Jn 10:37,38

-

Confronting his opponents, Jesus scathingly denounced their hypocrisy: Mt 23:13-36

-

Through his words and deeds Jesus tried to bring his people to believe in him, because it was God’s Will that they do so.

Therefore, Jesus’ death on the cross was the unfortunate outcome of the ignorance and disbelief of the people of his day;

This is well illustrated by Jesus’ last words on the cross:

Lk 23:34... “Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do.” ...

it was not necessary for the complete fulfillment of his mission as the Messiah.

Bible Verses Implying that Jesus Did Not Want to

Go the Way of the Cross

Mt 26:38,39Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Jesus’ three prayers at Gethsemane:

But the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, and many of the martyrs who followed,never prayed from suchweakness.

Many Christians explain that Jesus prayed out of human weakness.

The reason for such a prayer was:

1) Concern for God

2) Concern for his followers

3) Concern for the Jewish people

Mt 26:24“...woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

Mt 27:46...“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

D. The Limit of Salvation through Redemption by the Cross, and the Purpose of Jesus’ Second Advent

spiritual salvation no redemption of

the original sin

spiritual and physical salvation

redemption of the original sin

Jesus believers

Satan

LSA believers

(Rom 7:22-25; 1 Jn 1:8-10)

E. Two Kinds of Prophecies Concerning the Cross

King of Kings (Is 9:6,7; Lk 1:31-33)

suffering servant (Is 53)prolongation of the accomplishmentof God’s Will

accomplishment of God’s Will

God’s portionof responsibility

human portionof responsibility

Jesuspeople’s belief

people’s disbelief

accomplishment of God’s Will

F. Bible Verses Written as if Jesus’ Crucifixion Had Been Necessary

Mt 16:21-23From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and be killed… And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.”

1) Jesus + belief

2) Jesus + disbelief

spiritual salvation

no salvation at all

complete salvation

while alive

spiritual and physical salvation

Jn 19:30When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

“It is finished” – Jesus meant that he had finished laying the foundation for spiritual salvation.

The Second Coming of ElijahThe Second Coming of Elijahand John the Baptistand John the Baptist

Section 2

A. The Trend of Jewish Thought Concerning the Return of Elijah

Elijah failed to accomplish his mission to separate Israel from Satan (2 Kings 2:11).

Satan’s power revived and continued to plague God’s providence

Mal 4:5“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.”

Malachi prophesied that Elijah would come before the Messiah.

providential necessity for the return of Elijah

Jewish thought, therefore, focused on the return of Elijah as the sign of the coming of the Messiah.

When Jesus appeared claiming to be the Messiah, there had been as yet no news of Elijah’s return

great confusion.

John the Baptist = Elijah (Mt 17:10-13)Jesus:

John the Baptist = Elijah (Jn 1:21)J/B :

In this way Jesus contradicted John’s earlier testimony.

Whose words were easier for the people to believe?

B. The Direction the Jewish People Would Choose

1. How Jesus Appeared to the Jewish People

1) An uneducated young man who had grown upin the poor and lowly home of a carpenter

2) A blasphemer

3) One who abolishes the Law

4) One who destroys moral standards

2. How John the Baptist Appeared to the Jewish People

1) Born to a prominent family, son of Zechariah, a priest

2) Miracles and signs surrounding his conception and birth

3) An exemplary life of faith and discipline in the wilderness

Many Jewish people wondered whether perhaps J/B were the Christ.

The Jewish people naturally accepted John’s testimony more easily than Jesus’ words.

They considered Jesus’ words to be a fabrication concocted to support his dubious claim to be the Messiah.

Jesus was condemned as an impostor.

C. The Disbelief of John the Baptist

The ignorance and disbelief of J/B blocked the way to Jesus.

Mt 3:11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

J/B knew that he had a mission like that of Elijah:

-

Jn 1:23He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Jn 3:27,28“... I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.”

Jn 1:33,34“I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

God directly revealed to J/B that Jesus was the Messiah:

-

Mt 11:14“And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.”

Jesus testified to the mission of J/B (Mt 11:14; Mt 17:10-13):

J/B should have realized through his own wisdom that he was the returning Elijah.

-

J/B’s mission as a witness ended when he baptized Jesus and testified to him.

-

However, he left Jesus and went about baptizing independently, confusing the Jewish people.

J/B: decided not to share the same destiny with Jesus.

Jn 3:30“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

-

After that J/B should have served Jesus as his first disciple.

Mt 11:2-19Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”...

Mt 11:2-19Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

Mt 11:2-19Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

John the Baptist’s question to Jesus-

Mt 11:2-19... As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?...

Mt 11:2-19... As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?... Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force…”

Mt 11:2-19... As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?... Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

The ignorance and disbelief of J/B blocked the Jewish people’s path to Jesus, as well as his own path

Jesus could not completely fulfill the purpose of his coming as the Messiah.

Jesus’ crucifixion.

D. John the Baptist as ElijahLk 1:17“And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah…”

J/B same mission as Elijahthe second coming of Elijah

cooperate from spirit world

J/B

Elijah

E. Our Attitude toward the Bible

J/B failed to accomplish his mission, yet most Christians have considered him to be a great prophet.

We should dispense with the conservative attitude of faith which makes us afraid to question conventional beliefs and traditional doctrines.

We should constantly make effort to have the right faith, by searching both in Spirit and Truth.

Reference: Chapter 4

The Messiah: His Advent and theThe Messiah: His Advent and thePurpose of His Second ComingPurpose of His Second Coming

The Purpose of Jesus’ The Purpose of Jesus’ Coming as the MessiahComing as the Messiah

Section 1

good acts belief Word

disbelief evil actsWord

MessiahJesus

Adam

spiritworld

physicalworld

God

Adam

H.K. on earth

H. K. in heaven

God

EveAdam

child

God

Eve

child

hell on earth

hell in heaven

God

Adam

child

Satan

EveAdam

child

child

EveAdam

Satan

fallen person perfected person (Mt 5:48)

hell Heavenly Kingdom (Mt 4:17)

Mt 5:48 “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Mt 4:17...“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Providential Background

West:material

civilization

East:spiritual

civilization

SocratesConfucius

BuddhaRome

Abraham

Jesus

2,000 yrs.chosen people

Judea

The Life of JesusThe Life of Jesus

Section 2

A. The Birth of Jesus

The revelation to Joseph and Mary

Therefore, they should have loved Jesus more than anybody else.

Joseph Mary

Jesus

But Joseph vacillated. He saw Mary’s pregnancy from a humanistic viewpoint and felt coldly toward the unborn Jesus.

Mary felt constraint in Joseph’s presence.

When Mary went to Bethlehem to register for the census, she had prepared nothing for Jesus’ birth, even though she had been well aware of the imminence of his birth.

Jesus was born in a stable.

After Joseph and Mary had their own children, Joseph loved only his own children and continued to act coldly toward Jesus.

Joseph and Mary did not accomplish their mission as parents.

Jesus’ situation was like that of a lonely orphan.

B. Jesus, His Family and the Religious Leaders

Jesus received a revelation at the age of twelve.He realized his mission and asked Mary to help him.

But she could not realize Jesus’ mission and did not support him.

Jesus conversed with the chief priests and scribes.

Jesus conversed with the chief priests and scribes. At first they were impressed by his words, but in the end they failed to believe what Jesus had told them.

C. Jesus and John the Baptist

God sent J/B prudently to bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah.

There were miracles and signs surrounding J/B’s conception and birth .

J/B led an exemplary life of faith and discipline in the wilderness.

Many Jewish people wondered whether perhaps J/B were the Christ.

Therefore, if J/B had testifiedto Jesus and obeyed him, God’s Will would have been easily achieved.

J/B accomplished his mission as the witness.

However, although J/B accomplished his mission as the witness, later he went a way separate from Jesus .

Jn 3:30“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

J/B failed in his mission to attend Jesus.

The Jewish people followed J/B’s way.

Mt 11:2-17Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”…

Mt 11:2-17Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

Mt 11:2-17Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

Later, when J/B was in prison, he sent his disciples to question Jesus.

Jesus answered indignantly, with an air of admonition.

Mt 11:2-17... As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? ...

Mt 11:2-17... As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? ... Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Mt 11:2-17... As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? ... Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force...But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates, ‘We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’...”

D. Jesus and the Common People

Because of J/B’s failure, the foundation for the Messiah could not be established.

Jesus himself had to establish the foundation for the Messiah in place of J/B.

The 40-day fast and the 3 great temptations (Mt 4:1-11)

The prepared people opposed Jesus. He was forced to search among the “poor” for those who would listen to the gospel.

Those poor ones were uneducated fishermen, tax collectors and prostitutes: Peter, James, John, etc.

Jesus desired that they should understand him as a person who was sent by God. They could not understand Jesus’ teachings, so Jesus was compelled to use miracles.

On that foundation, Jesus then preached God’s Word and many people gathered around him.

The Sermon on the Mount

E. The Second Coming of Elijah and John the Baptist

The chief priests and scribes asked, “Is Jesus the Messiah? If so, where is Elijah?”

Satan’s power revived and continued to plague God’s providence.

Elijah failed to accomplish his mission to separate Israel from Satan (2 Kings 2:11).

providential necessity for the second coming of Elijah

Malachi prophesied that Elijah would come before the Messiah.

Mal 4:5“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.”

Jewish thought, therefore, focused on the second coming of Elijah as the sign of the coming of the Messiah.

Before any news was heard about Elijah having come again, Jesus suddenly appeared and claimed to be the Messiah.

stirred up all of Jerusalem in great confusion.

John the Baptist = Elijah (Mt 17:10-13)Jesus:

John the Baptist = Elijah (Jn 1:21)J/B:

In this way Jesus contradicted John’s earlier testimony.

Whose words were easier for the people to believe?

- born to a prominent family, son of Zechariah, a priest

J/B:

Jesus:an uneducated young man who had grown up in the poor and lowly home of a carpenter

- miracles and signs surrounding his conception and birth

- an exemplary life of faith and discipline in the wilderness

The Jewish people naturally accepted John’s testimony more easily than Jesus’ words.Jesus was condemned as an impostor.

The people surrounding Jesus fled for fear of being persecuted because of him; only twelve disciples remained.

F. The Last Supper

Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Jesus three times.

Jesus predicted that Judas Iscariot would betray Jesus.

G. Jesus’ Three Prayers at Gethsemane

Mt 26:38-45Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”…

Jesus’ three prayers at Gethsemane:

But the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, and many of the martyrs who followed, never prayed from such weakness;

Many Christians explain that Jesus prayed out of human weakness.

therefore, this explanation is not plausible.

The purpose of Jesus’ desperate prayer:

1) Concern for God

2) Concern for his followers

3) Concern for the Jewish people

The three main disciples, Peter, James and John, fell asleep three times, even though Jesus hadasked them to stay awake and keep vigil.They could not unite with Jesus’ heart.

Without the support of his disciples, Jesus had no foundation through which God could work. Therefore, Jesus received no response from God.

H. The Arrest

At dawn a great crowd came with Judas at the head, At dawn a great crowd came with Judas at the head, and Jesus was arrested, tried, ridiculed, and struck.

Peter denied Jesus three times.

At the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they sought to release.

The Jewish people shouted, “Release Barabbas, crucify Jesus! His blood be on us and on our children!”

sealing the miserable fate of the descendants of the Jewish people.

Why did the Jewish people persecute Jesus?

Jn 14:9,10“...He who has seen me has seen the Father...”

Mt 23:13-36“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees,

hypocrites!...”

Mt 9:6; Lk 7:48,49 — The Son of man has authority to forgive sins.

They could not understand Jesus’ words and deeds.They thought of Jesus as a blasphemer, breaking the Law and moral standards.They saw Jesus as a wicked troublemaker.

Mt 21:31“Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”

Lk 8:2,3 — Jesus was surrounded by many women who supported him.

A woman who was a sinner, weeping, began to wet Jesus’ feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head (LK 7:37,38).

Mt 10:34-39“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household.

Mt 10:34-39“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Mt 10:34-39“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.”

I. The Crucifixion of Jesus

Among the disciples, not one obeyed Jesus’ words to take up the cross and follow him at the risk of his life (Mt 10:38), nor was any willing to be crucified with Jesus.

Lk 23:28But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Jesus walked to Golgotha (The Place of the Skull) shouldering the cross on which he would be crucified. Many women wept for him, but he admonished them.

Lk 23:34And Jesus said “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”…

Jesus offered a desperate prayer for the sake of his persecutors during the culmination of the crucifixion.

The thief on the left ridiculed Jesus. The thief on the right consoled Jesus.

The three hours of darkness were the hours of God’s deepest sorrow.

The crucifixion of Jesus grieved God to the bottom of His Heart.

God had to sacrifice His most beloved, only son Jesus. God was more sorrowful than Jesus who was crucified.

Though God strongly desired to save Jesus, He did not, but sacrificed Jesus for the sake of the rest of humankind.

Mt 27:45,46… Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

In His deep grief God had to turn His face away from Jesus.

J. The Start of Christianity

Jesus gained a spiritual victory and could resurrect for 40 days after his three days of entombment.

After the crucifixion he again called his disciples together, and gave them the commission to make disciples of all nations, restoring the lost foundation.

Before the crucifixion Jesus desired to establish his church on the foundation of faith of his disciples.

Peter’s three denials were indemnified through his three affirmations.

For 2,000 years since the crucifixion, Christianity has trodden the way of martyrdom, that is, the path of blood, sweat and tears, in order to establish the foundation for the Second Advent.

Jesus replaced Judas with Matthias.

The Limit of Salvation through The Limit of Salvation through Redemption by the Cross, and the Redemption by the Cross, and the Purpose of Jesus’ Second AdventPurpose of Jesus’ Second Advent

Section 3

spiritual and physical salvation

Jesus believers

Satan

LSA believers

spiritual salvation

(Rom 7:22-25; 1 Jn 1:8-10)

no redemption of the original sin

redemption of the original sin

Two Kinds of Prophecies Two Kinds of Prophecies Concerning the CrossConcerning the Cross

Section 4

The crucifixion was not God’s original providence.

King of Kings (Is 9:6,7; Lk 1:31-33)

suffering servant (Is 53)

accomplishment of God’s Will

prolongation of the accomplishmentof God’s Will

Accomplishment of God’s Will

God’s portionof responsibility

human portionof responsibility

Jesuspeople’s belief

people’s disbelief