NOTE.—This series of lessons is entitled, “Studies on the Gospel Message.” For Introduction and excellent suggestions as to their study, we refer the student to the Lesson Quarterly.
In the first announcement of the Gospel (Gen. 3:15), the hope of salvation was made to rest upon a coming Deliverer (Rom. 11:26), who should appear in the flesh as the Seed of the woman. This was the last Adam, the second man. 1 Cor. 15:45, 47. By this promise human nature was brought into a personal relation with divinity (2 Peter 1:4), and the provision made for that power to conquer Satan and sin which is the very essence of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). It was faith in this revelation of Christ in the flesh as a present Saviour which made Abel’s sacrifice “more excellent” (Heb. 11:4), which resulted in the translation of Enoch (verse 5), and which brought to Noah the experience of righteousness (verse 7). It was the rejection of this Gospel message which permitted corruption and violence to increase (Isa. 24:5; Gen. 6:11, 12), and bring destruction upon the earth (verse 13).
To Abraham the same Gospel was preached (Gal. 3:8), and abundant blessings promised, on condition that he should forsake all (Gen. 12:1–3). To him God made a promise (verse 7) which involved the coming of the Seed, the Messiah (Gal. 3:16). In the further development of this promise we find that it meant the restoration of the earth to man (Rom. 4:13) for an everlasting possession (Gen. 13:15; 17:7, 8). But it was distinctly stated that the consummation of these promises would not come during the natural lifetime of Abraham (Gen. 15:15), and they therefore included the resurrection of the dead. This was “the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers” (Acts 26:6–8), and included the coming of the Lord and the new earth (2 Peter 3:9–13).
QUESTIONS.
What has been the central thought in the Gospel from the first announcement made in Eden?
What names indicate the relation of this promised One to humanity?
What union was accomplished through this promise?
What is the essential element of the Gospel? How was this brought within the reach of humanity?
What distinguished Abel’s sacrifice from his brother’s?
What made translation a possible experience for Enoch?
What saved Noah from destruction with the rest of the world?
What was the condition of the world just previous to the flood? What was the cause of this? What was the result?
What did the Lord instruct Abraham to do? What did He promise to make of him? What did He say he would be? How far would this blessing extend?
What was thus proclaimed to Abraham?
In what way was the promise of the coming Seed renewed to Abraham?
What was included in the gift then promised?
For how long a time was the gift assured?
In what way did these promises give the assurance of the resurrection of the dead?
How does the apostle Paul make this fact clear?
What other events are inseparably connected with the fulfilment of the promise?
