The hymn they sang, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! requires some explanation. Glory is the Greek word dóxa, which means praise, recognition, honor, worship—the height of reverence and adulation that we could give or say to God. In the highest is a somewhat controversial phrase in that, as a superlative, it could modify either glory or God. Thus, it could refer to the highest glory or the highest God (or even God in the highest heaven). There is a possibility that in the Aramaic, the words the angels sang may have been Glory to the Most High God, since that is a common title of God in the Old Testament. They also sing of peace on earth. One of Christs titles is The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He who had just been born would eventually bring peace on earth. He would do it first through His sacrifice, making peace between God and sinful man (Romans 5:1), and later He would return in glory, bringing peace to the earth with the sword (Revelation 19:11-21). He will have to impose peace at His second coming, but once He does, the earth will have real peace. Only through the birth of Gods Son in Bethlehem could the process of bringing true peace to the earth begin. The final words in the angels song are goodwill toward men, a long-disputed phrase. However, most modern experts in Greek agree that the whole clause should be translated, Peace on earth among men of His good pleasure. This implies that God was bringing peace and joy especially and specifically to those to whom He had granted favor or extended grace. (Retrieved from Bible Tools) https://youtube/watch?v=yHMAQKSJFhI
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 09:21:00 +0000
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