The Old Testament:
And there shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse [David’s father], and a Branch out of his roots shall grow and bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness and justice shall He judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the meek, the poor and downtrodden of the earth; and He shall smite the earth and the oppressor with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His waist, and faithfulness the girdle of His loins. And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatted domestic animal together, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed side by side; their young shall like down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:1-9)
The New Testament:
After
this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a
trumpet, said “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after
this.” At once I was in the spirit, and
there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper
and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an
emerald. (Revelation
4:1-3)
Behold, I am coming soon, and shall bring my wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (the Before all and the End of all). Blessed (happy and to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments that they may have the authority and right to approach the tree of life and to enter in through the gates to the city. But without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity (the lewd, adulterers) and the murderers and idolaters and every one whole loves and deals in falsehood – untruth, error, deception, cheating. I, Jesus, have sent My messenger (angel) to you to witness and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am both the Root (the source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star. (Rev 22:12-16)
According to the archaeological studies of the dead sea scrolls, it has been determined that those first-century Jews had a favorite chapter of the Old Testament – Isaiah. This is known because of the condition of the Isaiah scroll and the amount of hand oils impregnated in the scroll itself at certain favorite scriptures.
One of these favorite scriptures was Isaiah 40 which details the coming of Messiah in the wilderness. A voice of one who cries, Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord – clear away the obstacles – make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God! (vs 3). We all are perhaps familiar with this verse quoted by John the Baptist at the Jordan River (John 1:23). These desert Jews took this verse rather literally and were waiting. John the Baptist was also in the vicinity baptizing people and one day pointed out Jesus as the lamb of God (John 1:29). John’s preparations led many to Jesus as the messiah including many of his own disciples (John 3:26-30).
Whereas many thought the Messianic day was at hand, many others felt they had it wrong as things played out in the life of Jesus. No one seemed to expect a death and resurrection to be a part of Messiah’s mission. They figured the rest of the John the Baptist scripture from Isaiah was about to happen. Every valley shall be lifted and filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory – majesty and splendor – of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it (vs 4-5). This is what they were expecting!
Other favorite scriptures of the desert Jews was the Isaiah text above from which the Rose Window is inspired. Again, this text speaks of the Messiah’s entry into the world and his subsequent establishment of his kingdom. Clearly, his birth and life are seen in Isaiah 40:1-5. However, when did the wolf lie with the lamb in verse six? For those expecting this back then, they were disappointed to the point where they figured that Jesus was a good runner-up, but no Messiah. There is evidence to many that the early Christians expected a soon return of Jesus after his death to establish his kingdom for the same reason. As it turns out, this return has been delayed for at least some 2000 years.
In considering what God’s will for humanity originally was/is, there are two distinct types of answers usually given. (1) God originally wanted peace and harmony for humanity – but things didn’t work out as planned in the best way, thus requiring God to step in and correct the error, which results in the glorious future of peace and harmony. (2) God is sovereign and knew full well that humanity would blow it, given the chance; therefore, he planned redemption from before the foundations of the earth to result ultimately in a glorious future of peace and harmony. Honestly, I tilt trying to pick a side on this issue. I will say that I wish it would hurry up and get here, however.
In 1999, Pastor Reid Crotty delivered a sermon about the Rose Window. I’m including it below as the main portion of this last lesson. It seems fitting to close this series with a reproduction of Reid’s sermon.
They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9).
If we did no more than sit here in silence for 20 minutes this morning and look at this rose window, our time would be profitably spent. It’s truly a sermon in glass. I’m almost afraid that anything that I might say would only detract from the power of its message. The window speaks with great eloquence with no elaboration required.
“Christ in Glory, Ruling Over the World.” The window depicts the vision of the prophet Isaiah. That vision is the completion of God’s plan for His creation. That purpose is accomplished through Jesus Christ. We’re literally surrounded by His story. It begins with His birth at the manager of Bethlehem. It continues through all the events of His life, leading to the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. And here is the culmination of the story – the exalted Christ, bringing peace and harmony to the world. That phrase in the Lord’s Prayer is finally answered: Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Mat ?). Isaiah envisioned the day when the kingdom would come.
Let’s take a quick look at the man whose vision is the inspiration for the rose window. Isaiah was perhaps the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. He lived in the city of Jerusalem, and his ministry covered the second half of the 8th century B.C.
Isaiah was an aristocratic figure – well-educated and highly cultured, possibly a priest (although we can’t be sure about that). He must have been an impressive person – respected and feared even by his enemies. He said some very hard and harsh things, but people were reluctant to tangle with him.
Isaiah had a dramatic, life-changing personal experience with God. He went to the temple one day – maybe to pray, maybe to perform his official priestly duties – and was overwhelmed by the presence of God. He reported that he saw the Lord, high and lifted up. And he heard the voice of God speaking to him. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).
This was Isaiah’s call. He was called to declare the Word of the Lord at an especially difficult and dangerous time for the Children of Israel.
Isaiah lived more than 2,700 years ago. In some ways his world was very different from ours. But in other ways – in many ways – his world was remarkably similar to ours. The early years of his prophetic ministry were a strange mixture of material prosperity accompanied by moral decay and social injustice. Some people were making a lot of money. They lived better than anybody had ever done before. They enjoyed luxuries and conveniences on a grand scale.
But at the same time, there was a corresponding decline of character and erosion of morality. Corruption and dishonesty were widespread. Standards of personal conduct were lowered to a disgraceful level. All kinds of vice were common.
And there was an exploitation of the poor and a callous disregard for the less fortunate. A crooked legal system took from the poor and gave to the rich. Widows and orphans were neglected. The government was run by crooks.
Their religion was distorted. On the surface, there were signs of great piety and religious zeal. Attendance at the temple was high. The sacrifices were performed. The offerings were good. But it didn’t lead to right living. It gave people a false sense of security and filled them with self-righteousness.
Isaiah exposed and denounced the hypocrisy and corruption of his people. He laid it out in plain language. And he warned that unless they repented and changed their ways and returned to the Lord, disaster was coming.
Then a new threat appeared. Assyria emerged as the great power in that part of the world. Such a military machine had never before been seen. Their army seemed invincible as it swept across the Middle East. Nation after nation fell under their control. The city of Jerusalem itself was besieged and threatened.
Through this time of decay within and danger without, Isaiah faithfully declared the Word of the Lord. He did some strange things. When his children were born, he gave them names designed to illustrate his message. The first son’s name meant something to the effect that only a remnant will remain. And a second son’s name meant the spoil is hastening. Both names predicted the fate of the people if they didn’t repent and turn to God.
The most famous event of his life took place a few years later when the Assyrians were approaching Jerusalem. Isaiah stripped off his clothes and walked naked through the streets of the city as a sign of what they would have left if they didn’t get right with God.
Isaiah’s analysis was that the people had failed to recognize God’s rule in their lives. They had not yielded control of themselves to Him. They were in a state of rebellion against God, and as a result were bringing disaster upon themselves. His idea was that when people are out of harmony with God, things don’t go well. He insisted that the first priority is always to get right with God, and until that happens, we aren’t ready to take any other steps. That has to come first.
Isaiah had an exalted view of God. He saw God as grand and glorious, high and lifted up. But he also knew God as being merciful and gracious and forgiving. Isaiah understood that God is love, and that he wants only the best for his children.
Yes, the people were in a state of rebellion against God. Yes, they were creating problems for themselves and bringing disaster upon themselves. Yes, they had failed to recognize God’s rule in their lives. But it wasn’t too late to change. God was eager to restore them to fellowship with Himself.
In the passage that inspired the rose window and serves as our text for today, Isaiah sees into the future when God would send a leader – a redeemer – to bring the people back to Him. One day the Messiah – the anointed one – would come and restore what had been lost and usher in the world that God intended all along.
He envisioned a scene of peace and harmony, when all creation fulfills its purpose. It’s a beautiful picture captured in this window. Listen again to these verses:
6 The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9 They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Let’s look at how this scene is depicted
in the window. Look at the circular
images around the circumference of the window.
·
In the upper left-hand
area is a leopard alongside a kid, or a young
goat. Ordinarily a leopard would attack
a kid, but the two are there together in peace.
·
Across from it in the
upper right-hand area is a wolf and lamb together. These two are normally mortal enemies. Wolves eat lambs. But not here.
·
Below this image is a lion and calf.
We would think the calf would be afraid of the lion, but there’s no
fear. It’s a scene of harmony.
·
Directly across are two small children playing with a snake. This is from verse 8, that talks about a
child playing over the hole of an asp and putting a hand on the adder’s
den. The asp and the adder are
poisonous snakes. Their bite could kill
a child, but there’s no problem here.
The children are perfectly safe.
·
In the lower left-hand
area is a bear, and in the lower right hand area is
a cow. Isaiah
said they graze side by side, and their young lie down together.
·
At the bottom is a child. A
little child shall lead them. Not a king, not a general, not a priest, but
a child – one without earthly power. A
child isn’t able to compel or force anybody to do anything. People follow willingly.
The window shows us Isaiah’s vision of the
Messianic kingdom. It’s a kingdom of
peace and harmony, where everybody gets along together like God intended. It’s a kingdom of love and kindness, where
people care about each other and help one another.
Of course, this was God’s plan all along,
the kind of world He had in mind from the beginning. In a sense, the Messianic kingdom is a return to the Garden of
Eden. God created a world where
everybody could live together in peace and harmony and love. Nobody would have to be afraid, and nobody
would lack anything they really needed.
The window catches this idea, too. Look at the figure of the child at the bottom. Notice the green grassy area with four streams of water flowing
from it. These represent the four rivers
flowing out of Eden. The scripture
reference is Genesis 2:10-14. The
meaning is that the world will finally become what God intended when He created
it.
Isaiah presented a concept – the coming of
a Messiah who would establish the perfect kingdom of peace and harmony, love
and light. He didn’t know just when or
where or how that vision would be fulfilled.
He didn’t know precisely who the Messiah would be. But he brought a word that eventually the
Messiah would come and that God’s plan for the world would be accomplished.
We believe that Jesus was that promised
Messiah. And through Him God fulfills
His purpose and makes the world what it was meant to be.
Notice that this window is saying: the
exalted Christ is the key to a world of peace and harmony. As we recognize His authority, accept His
rule, and yield our lives to His control, we find the kind of life God intended
for us. And it’s wonderful beyond
description.
The window makes a definite theological
statement: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6 (?).
He is the key to everything.
The book of Revelation describes God’s
ultimate triumph over all the forces of evil and chaos. The window draws several symbols from that
book. The rainbow is drawn from an image
in chapter four. After this I
looked, and there in heaven a door stood open!
And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet,
said “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the spirit, and there in
heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper
and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that
looks like an emerald (Revelation 4:1-3).
The three small satellite windows around
the rose window are the Alpha and the Omega and the Bright and
Morning Star. Those images come
from Chapter 22. Jesus is speaking: See, I am coming soon; my reward is
with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the
beginning and the end.” It is I, Jesus,
who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David,
the bright morning star (Rev 22:12-13, 16).
Alpha and Omega are the first and last
letters of the Greek alphabet, which means that Jesus is the beginning and the
end. The bright and Morning Star is a
sign that the day is about to dawn, which means that Jesus leads us out of
darkness into the light.
The rose window presents Jesus as the
fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision of an ideal world. It happens as He is exalted.
Everything God planned in Creation is accomplished in Him.
I think there are two levels of meaning in
this message. One is personal and
individual. The other is corporate and
social.
On the personal level, the way to find a
victorious and abundant life is to make Jesus Christ our Lord. He brings order out of chaos. He enables us to be a peace within ourselves
and to get along the best we can with those around us. In harmony with Him, everything in our lives
falls into place. The key is to
recognize and accept His lordship.
On the social level, we have the assurance
that ultimately love is stronger than hate, right is stronger than wrong, truth
is stronger than falsehood, good is stronger than evil. God is working out His purposes in the
world. The final outcome is
assured. One day the kind of world
Isaiah envisioned will be a reality.
And we can work with God to make it happen. And we can experience something of it even now.
There is an old Cokesbury hymn that has
this refrain:
The kingdom is coming, O tell ye the story,
God’s banner exalted shall be!
The earth shall be full of His knowledge and glory,
As waters that cover the sea.
What a beautiful vision. What a magnificent promise. What a glorious hope. And every time we enter this sanctuary, we’ll have this rose window to remind us of how life can be and of how the world some day will be.
They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Amen.
Rose Window in memory of Wilmer and Elizabeth Lacey.
