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The King's Manifesto for Life: Portrait of a Citizen of Zion

This study delves into the Beatitudes, the character traits of a citizen of Zion. These attributes, arranged in a specific sequence, must be developed to attain the fullness of Christ's stature. The King's Manifesto for Life contrasts blessings with the Law, highlighting the importance of love over law. The text explores poverty of spirit, mourning in Zion, meekness, the ever-present reality, hunger for righteousness, and the desired mercy.

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The King's Manifesto for Life: Portrait of a Citizen of Zion

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  1. The King's Manifesto for Life “Portrait of a citizen of Zion” Study 2 The King’s Manifesto for Life

  2. The Beatitudes Portrait of a single personality. The character is Christ’s own. To lack any of the attributes of this character is to be deficient. Attributes arranged in a special sequence – A logical order of development. All must be developed to attain the fullness of the stature of Christ. The King’s Manifesto for Life

  3. Why blessings only? Contrast the Law – Deut. 28; Lev. 26. Absence of curses points to a grave reality – Love, not law, must rule. No disobedience will mar Christ’s Kingdom – All wickedness destroyed. The Law highlighted sin – Rom. 7:7. Not mildness of disposition but stern logic impelled the Lord to open with blessings only. Citizens of Zion live by love, not law. The King’s Manifesto for Life

  4. “Blessed” “blessed” - makarios - happy; not a passing joy but a continuing condition of heart. John 13:17 shows makarios indicates a continuing condition: “know” - oida - to know, to be acquainted with. “happy” - makarios. “do” - poieo - to make; i.e. to form, produce; to do (expressing an action as continued or not yet completed; what one does repeatedly, continually). The King’s Manifesto for Life

  5. Poverty of Spirit - Isa. 66:2; Ps. 51:17 A crushing of the human spirit – denial of self-will. An emptying process by which self is displaced and God’s will installed. This crushing of the natural rebelliousness of the flesh is through the impact of the Word (“trembleth at my word” - Isa. 66:2). The context of Isa. 57:13-21 shows this spirit may not always be possessed from the start - God intervenes to humble and crush rebellion. This is the beginning of a breaking and softening process to produce meekness and teachable-ness. The King’s Manifesto for Life

  6. “Poor in Spirit” - Isa. 66:2 “poor” - aniy - depressed. Trans. “afflicted” 15 times; “lowly” 3 times; “poor” 59 times. See use in Ps. 18:27; Prov. 16:19; Zech. 9:9. “contrite” - nakeh - smitten; i.e. lit. maimed. Only 2 other occs. translated “lame” - 2 Sam. 4:4; 9:3. “trembleth” - chared - fearful. From root charad - to shudder with terror, hence to fear. Also to hasten with anxiety. See use 1 Sam. 4:13; Ezra 9:4; 10:3; Isa. 66:5. The King’s Manifesto for Life

  7. Mourning in Zion - Isa. 61:1-3 This is the natural outcome of a crushed spirit - A longing for the Divine will to be vindicated in all the earth. Consciousness of our own sin and tendencies causes a desire for “the redemption of the body” - the end of corruption. Isa. 61:1-3 is based on the Day of Atonement - a day for “afflicting souls” (Lev. 16:29) - manifested by “mourning” and a “spirit of heaviness”. The King’s Manifesto for Life

  8. Meekness - Ps. 37:11; 25:9-14 A development of poverty of spirit and mourning - A teachableness and malleability flowing from self control and perceptive wisdom. The word “meek” signifies to be free from self-sufficiency and indicates surrender of the will. Only other occurrences of this word “meek” in the N.T. are Matt. 21:5 (citing Zech. 9:9) and 1 Pet. 3:4 - Both speak of a “lowly”, “meek and quiet spirit”. Requires faith and courage - is not just placidness or tameness. The King’s Manifesto for Life

  9. The Ever-Present Reality “The man who overcomes is the man rich in faith. Because he receives the experiences of life in faith, he is humbled by them instead of being embittered. Because he sees the vision of God’s glory, he mourns over present darkness. Because he worships God alone, he is not only humbled but humble. The quality of life which he manifests is only possible because God is to him the ever-present Reality.” Bro. L.G. Sargent - Teaching of the Master, pgs.41,44 The King’s Manifesto for Life

  10. Hunger for RighteousnessPs. 42:1-2; 63:1-2; 84:2 An insatiable desire for identification with God and His righteousness. Earnest seeking for total harmony and fellowship with God. The spirit of striving to achieve a measure of God manifestation. Men only become what they yearn to be – “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matt.9:29). The King’s Manifesto for Life

  11. Hungering for Righteousness “Righteousness is life lived with the vision of God and His purpose constantly before our eyes; hunger for righteousness is such a desire for that purpose to be accomplished in the world and in ourselves that it becomes the controlling power in our character and conduct.” Bro. L.G. Sargent - Teaching of the Master, pgs.45-52 The King’s Manifesto for Life

  12. Mercy desired not sacrificeHos. 6:6 (Cited Matt. 9:13; 12:7) “mercy” – chesed – loving-kindness – The Divine characteristic – Ex. 34:6. Linked to “the covenant” (Hos. 6:7) – broken after Adam’s example. Israel’s chesed (God manifestation) ephemeral – Hos. 6:4. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. The King’s Manifesto for Life

  13. A Responsive Mercy -Ps. 18:24-27 A balancing of zeal for righteousness by a mercy which responds to a recognition of one’s own need for mercy (Matt. 18:23-35). The tempering of justice by mercy is without compromise of God’s righteousness (James 2:12-13). Superscription of Ps. 18 memorialises David’s mercy to Saul for which God showed David mercy (v.25). Principle of the “good measure” (Luke 6:38) is based on a sense of gratefulness and appreciation of blessings from the Father. The King’s Manifesto for Life

  14. Purity of Heart -Ps. 24:4-6; 73:1 Maintaining the struggle within to keep the mind free of impurity and corruption. Depends upon a singleness of desire and purpose. Life lived constantly in the sight of God with a strong desire to know and be known by Him – “This is the generation of them that seek him” (Ps. 24:6). Hallmark - a personal relationship with God based on conviction of sin forgiven and an active desire to be like Him (Ps. 17:15). The King’s Manifesto for Life

  15. A Constructive PeacemakingIsa. 58:12 This crowning attribute flows from the development of the foregoing characteristics. Evinced by a positive attitude of mind towards others and a constructive spirit motivated by love which seeks to build up and not destroy. The title “God of peace” occs 7 times in N.T. - It is a characteristic of the Spirit (Heb. 13:20). Peace is the product of purity (Heb. 7:2; Isa. 32:17), but does not flourish unless intentionally sown (James 3:17-18). The King’s Manifesto for Life

  16. Cause and Effect While the 7th blessing refers to that which flows out from a disciple for the benefit of others, the 8th refers to that which flows out from others towards him. 2 Tim. 2:11-12-“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” The King’s Manifesto for Life

  17. Suffering for RighteousnessIsa.66:5; 51:7-8; 50:6 This suffering is the inevitable consequence of the development of this composite character which is the antithesis of the natural tendencies and character of man. The governing principle is, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). The change from “blessed are they”to “ye”, and from “for righteousness sake” to “for my sake” shows this to be an experience shared with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12). The King’s Manifesto for Life

  18. “Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” … The King’s Manifesto for Life

  19. Next Study (God willing) Study 3 – “You are the light of the world” The King’s Manifesto for Life

  20. … … The King’s Manifesto for Life

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