God’s Promise to the Gentiles

KEY VERSE: “The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” —Luke 2:10,11

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-7, 22-32

THIS ONE WHOM the angels announced according to God’s instructions was named Jesus, and was to be a light not only to the Jews, but a “light to lighten the Gentiles,” as well. This, of course, involves the whole world. The name Jesus means ‘one who saves’—‘a savior’. But God’s plan for saving the world of mankind from sin and death is so all-comprehensive that in order to help us understand all its implications, God, through his Word, has given Jesus many and varied titles, each denoting in its own way some particular viewpoint in connection with the manner in which salvation is to be brought by him to the dying race.

One of these titles is that of “priest.” God appointed priests to serve the nation of Israel in matters which pertained to the people’s relationship to him. Their work was threefold: they offered sacrifices; they extended blessings to the people, based upon the offering of the sacrifices; and they instructed the people in the Law.

Thus Jesus has many functions. He has already served as priest for the offering of his life in sacrifice; later he will extend to the world instructions in righteousness which will lead to their receiving the blessing of life everlasting, made available by the sacrifice which he offered of his human life.

Jesus is also appointed by God to be king of earth. In Hebrews 6:20; 7:1,2, the Apostle Paul combined the two offices of Jesus. Concerning this priestly king, the prophet wrote: “All kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.” (Ps. 72:11) This prophecy can only be appreciated in the light of God’s promises that Jesus shall reign over earth for a thousand years.

Another title which the Scriptures assign to Jesus is that of “judge.” The psalmist wrote concerning Jesus, “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.” (Ps. 72:4) The great oppressor of the people throughout all the ages has been Satan, the Devil. He has enslaved the minds of men through deceit and thereby prevented them from knowing and serving the true God, whom to know and serve in the right way will mean eternal life.

That the work of judgment will include that of enlightening the people is indicated in Revelation 20:12, where we are told that the “books” will be opened and that every man is to be judged according to the things “written in the books.” The opening of these symbolic books must, therefore, be understood to signify a revelation of the truth as the standard by which all will be judged.

In Isaiah 29:11,12, a “book” is discussed. It is a “sealed” book, which for a time cannot be opened, either by the learned or the unlearned. But the prophecy shows that finally this book is opened, enabling the deaf and the blind to hear and see what is written therein. The prophecy as a whole thus reminds us of the spiritual darkness that has enshrouded the people in ignorance throughout the reign of sin and death, and assures us that the time will come when this darkness will be dispelled and the people enabled to see and know the divine will.

During the Judgment Day, all mankind will be awakened from death, enlightened concerning Jesus, and given an opportunity to obey the laws of the kingdom, and to accept God’s wonderful gift of everlasting life.

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