God Is Holy

MEMORY VERSE: “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” —Revelation 4:8

I CHRONICLES 29:10-13; REVELATION 4:8-11; ROMANS 11:33-36

THE holiness of God is reflected in the four cardinal attributes of his character; namely, his Wisdom, Justice, Love, and Power. We see these attributes manifested in God’s great plan of human redemption from sin and death, and usually, when the Scriptures refer to the greatness and holiness of God, it is in connection with one or more of his arrangements and mighty works.

It is thus in I Chronicles 29:10-13. Here is recorded a prayer by King David on the occasion of his abdication of the throne of Israel in favor of his son Solomon. He said, “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as Head above all.”—vs. 11

David was glad to acknowledge that everything in heaven and earth belonged to the Lord, but he also mentions something which was unique in Israel at that time. He says, “Thine is the kingdom, O Lord.” The throne of Israel was in reality the throne of the Lord, and here David was acknowledging this fact, and acknowledging that whatever of blessings had come to the nation during his reign were from the Lord, because it was his kingdom.

In verse 23 we read that “Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father.” This was the typical kingdom of Christ, and the arrangement came to an end when Zedekiah, king of Judah, was overthrown in 606 B.C., and the people taken into captivity to Babylon. (II Chron. 36:11-13,17,20,21; Ezek. 21:25-27) Ezekiel told Zedekiah that the kingdom was to remain overthrown until “he come whose right it is,” and that it would be given to him. This is a reference to Christ, the Messiah of promise, the One who sits on the throne of David, as indicated by the angel Gabriel. (Luke 1:30-33) It will be during Messiah’s reign that the glory of the Lord shall fill the earth.—Isa. 11:9

The presentation of God’s holiness and glory in Revelation, chapter 4, is highly symbolic. The four “beasts” which give glory to God are, according to the Greek translation, “living creatures,” and it is so rendered in the Revised Version translation of the Bible. It has been suggested that these symbolize God’s Wisdom, Justice, Love, and Power. In any case, the passage impresses the reader with the holiness of our God. The next chapter tells of the “Lamb” of God who gives his life for the sins of the world. (John 1:29) So, again, we find God’s holiness related to the outworking of his great plan of salvation.

The beautiful statement of God’s riches and wisdom set forth in the closing verses of the 11th chapter of Romans is also related to the outworking of his plan. In this case God’s dealings with the natural descendants of Abraham are discussed. These were, and still are, God’s chosen people. But because of unbelief most of these were “broken off” from the olive tree of promise, and during the Gospel Age Gentiles have been grafted in to take their place.

But Paul explains that this will not mean loss of salvation for the unbelieving Israelites, because God has promised to make a covenant with them, in the making of which their sins are taken away. Because of this Paul explains, “All Israel shall be saved.” (vss. 25-27) First they will be saved from their blindness which led to their rejection of Jesus as their Messiah. And then, as many as accept the provisions of life through Christ, and obey the laws of his kingdom when it is established, will be restored to perfection of human life, and live forever on the earth. What a glorious provision this is for those who rejected Jesus!

This same provision has been made for all who have died in unbelief—if they have not been willful in their unbelief. The time is yet future for the enlightenment and blessing of the vast majority of mankind, but the fact that provision has been made for this calls forth a marvelous expression of praise from the Apostle Paul as he contemplates the goodness of God.

QUESTIONS

What attributes of God’s character reflect his glory and holiness?

Explain the manner in which the kingdom of Israel was the kingdom of the Lord; and how is it related to Christ’s kingdom?

What could be represented by the four “living creatures” of Revelation, chapter 4?

Explain the circumstances which called forth Paul’s expression of praise in Romans 11:33-36.

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