Free Bible Studies for Advent 2013 Now Available!

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(RSV-CE)
[6] The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
and the calf and the lion and the failing together,
and a little child shall lead them.
[7] The cow and the bear shall feed;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
[8] The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adders den.
[9] 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.
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1869 Haydock Commentary (w/Douay Rheims Bible)

Ver. 6. Wolf. Some explain this of the Millennium. (apud St. Jerome) (Lactantius vii. 24.)
— But the more intelligent understand, that the fiercest nations shall embrace the gospel, and kings obey the pastors of the Church. (Calmet)
Ver. 8. Basilisk [adder]. Psalm 9:13. The apostles subdued kings and philosophers, without any human advantages.
Ver. 9. Kill [destroy]. The most inveterate pagans, being once converted, entirely alter their manners, Hosea 2:18.​

A friend of mine says that his wife insists that these verses about wolves and lambs and such are all about the parousia; that is, they will have a literal fulfillment after the Second Coming of Jesus and have no fulfillment until then.

There’s a couple of reasons why these verses are about the kingdom of God as established here and now by Jesus the Messiah and not just about the parousia (though it will be completely fulfilled at that time). First, Isaiah at that time was prophesying the coming of a future Messiah—one who has already come in the person of Jesus. Jesus told us his kingdom is already among us. Second, after the passage in question Isaiah says that the Gentiles will flock to the Messiah. We know that this is already happened—has been happening since Jesus established the Church. So it wouldn’t make sense to read this prophesy as talking about the first coming of Jesus (verses 1-5) then switch to the *parousia *(verses 6-9) then switch back to something that happened at the first coming (verse 10). Therefore everything in this passage, in some sense, had to be accomplished (or began to be accomplished) at the first coming of the Messiah. Since we don’t see carnivores refraining from killing and eating prey or little kids playing near snake pits right now, the meaning must be mostly symbolic for our times, not literal. The explanation given above by Haydock and Calmet above fits best, i.e., that the strong will no longer be free to prey on the weak and get away with it. This also goes nicely with verses 3-4.

Thoughts?
 
Hello, just wanted to let you know that i have been looking for a group to study ith for the longest and found this website it is so refreshing to be able to read the information given thanks i will continue to follow this website to learn as much as i can very new tot his thanks.
 
yolie1 said:
Hello, just wanted to let you know that i have been looking for a group to study ith for the longest and found this website it is so refreshing to be able to read the information given thanks i will continue to follow this website to learn as much as i can very new tot his thanks.
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You’re very welcome! 🙂
 
Hi all! I’m resurrecting this old thread from 2013 in the hope that some of you may find it helpful this Advent. It includes studies and resources on the Scripture readings for all four Sundays of Advent, Cycle A.

Even though this thread is three years old, the cycle of readings is the exact same for this year as it was that year. About 99% of the links are still good, and there is even information on how to start your own Advent Scripture study group.

I hope many of you are able to put these to use and that all of you are blessed by it. Have a Happy Advent! 🙂

Vince
 
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