Discover the supreme holiness of God and its transformative power in our lives. Explore the angelic roles and divine encounters that highlight God's glory. Delve into Isaiah's heavenly vision, revealing profound spiritual truths and the sovereignty of Christ. Unpack the symbolism of royal garments and their connection to divine majesty. Understand the critical significance of holiness as God's core attribute, underscoring its importance throughout Scripture with exciting insights from R.C. Sproul.
The holiness of God is presented as the supreme attribute that defines His character, far beyond love or justice.
Isaiah's vision illustrates God's eternal sovereignty and majesty, contrasting the mortality of earthly rulers with His divine authority.
Deep dives
The Significance of Holiness
The holiness of God is emphasized as a central theme in the teachings of the ministry, where it is uniquely presented as 'holy, holy, holy' according to the seraphim. This presentation underscores a fundamental aspect of God's nature that exceeds other attributes like love or justice, illustrating the supreme importance of holiness in understanding God. The conversation highlights the mission of Ligonier Ministries to proclaim and teach this concept, making it accessible to a wider audience. R.C. Sproul's teachings, notably from his series 'The Holiness of God,' serve as a key introduction for many to this essential doctrine.
Isaiah's Vision of God's Majesty
In a significant passage from Isaiah, the prophet's vision reveals the grandeur of God seated on a throne, with descriptions emphasizing his exalted status and the magnificence of his presence. The text illustrates that the specific Hebrew names for God—Yahweh and Adonai—signal different aspects of his divine authority. This vision captivates the listeners by presenting a vivid imagery of God's royal garments, symbolizing his supreme authority as a king. Through this vision, Isaiah contrasts the mortality of earthly rulers with the eternal sovereignty of God, fostering a greater respect for divine majesty.
The Response of the Heavenly Host
The seraphim, depicted with six wings, highlight the reverence and awe in the presence of God's holiness, as they call out 'holy, holy, holy' in worship. This repetition signifies the utmost importance of holiness, a unique emphasis not given to other divine attributes, which enhances the understanding of God's character. Their actions, including covering their faces and feet, signify humility and recognition of God’s transcendent nature. As they respond to God's holiness, even the physical structure of the temple shakes, stressing how creation itself acknowledges the glory of God.
Once we encounter the holiness of God, our lives will never be the same. Today, R.C. Sproul begins his classic series on God’s holiness, addressing how essential this attribute is for understanding who God is and who we are.
Request the new 40th-anniversary edition of R.C. Sproul’s book The Holiness of God, plus lifetime digital access to both the classic teaching series and the extended teaching series, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3885/donate
Meet Today’s Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep, practical truths from God’s Word. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children.
Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode