the riches ... of the wisdom ... of God! Rom.

11:33
 A Sabbath
School Visitor
Speaks Out:

Didrit Know What

They Were Talkin
About """The lesson study class I visited was dis
couraging to me. I'd never studied th
i topic the members were all discussing s
intelligently But I know that as a ne\
Christian it's important for me to be learn
ing Isn't there a Sabbath School class tha
better fits my personal spiritual needs?"

Can Your Answer be a Posithn

Understanding Quarterly.
Not everyone has studied the Lesso
"les"? itors and newNotChristians
everyone should! For vu
the better answt
is Profiles of Faith.
Beautifully illustrated and clearly wri
ten, the Profiles of Faith series focuses o
the basics of Christian life. A Profiles <
Faith class doesn't require previous stud
or expect vast Bible knowledge.
Make certain your Sabbath School vh
itors and new Christians gain spiritual ur
derstanding from your lesson study. Prc
files of Faith is designed specifically t
meet their needs.
Profiles of Faith materials includ
Teacher's Guides and implementatio
suggestions. Ask your pastor for full d<
tails.
 PrMidAfit WALTER R.L-SCRAGG Secretary JAN PAULSEN TmaeunK JOHN MUDERSPACH

NORTHERN EUROPEAN DIVISION

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

119 ST. PETER'S STREET, ST. ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND. AL1 3EY
Telephone: ST. ALBANS 60331 Telegrams/Cables: 'ADVENTIST ST. ALBANS' Telex: 262284 Rel: 1720

ly Brothers and Sisters:

't doesn't seem so long ago that I wrote you about projects in our Division.
Je asked your help for our schools in Sweden, Britain and West Africa.

'hank you for the record offering you gave. The projects in Sweden and Africa
ire completed and the one in Britain, nearly so. Without your help we could
lot have advanced the way we have.

'his quarter we have three new Special Projects for which we ask your support,
'hey are:

1. An evangelistic centre in Skoczow, Poland. Our church in Poland

has many needs and opportunities. A climate of liberty and good
will has enabled us to establish strong local churches. This
centre will provide a place where the message we share can be
presented to large audiences.

2. Rebuilding of Toivonlinnan Junior College, Finland. Two old

buildings desperately needing replacement, and the threat of
closure because of safety requirements makes a new dormitory
and dining block an urgent priority.

3. A child evangelism centre in Tromso, North Norway. With its

nightless summers and dayless winters, North Norway provokes
unique challenges in child evangelism. We hope to meet them in
the largest city in North Norway with a centre which will pro
vide for Vacation Bible Schools, Bible Story Hours, Pathfinder
clubs and a day school. These will be missionary projects for
the children of the city and will give us access to large num
bers of non-Adventist families.

or Northern Europe we plead for your prayers that God's Spirit will be poured
n the 45,000 members in these countries. The challenges are great; the
pportunities are many. Your intercession will lift us toward a finished work.

hank you for what you have done and will do.

our brother in the Lord,

alter R. L. Scragg _^*sz-r

resident - -"""""T

1 AL 4-81
 THE COVENANT SERIES
Since the first quarter of 1975 the Sabbath Schools of the world
have been studying the Daybreak Series of lessons built around, and
growing out of the three angels' messages of Revelation 14. Begin
ning with the first quarter, 1982, and for the next five years or so, the
Sabbath Schools will be studying various aspects of God's cove
nants with humankind.
We are not deeply concerned if our Sabbath School members are
not conscious from week to week or from quarter to quarter that the
lessons are following a particular theme. It is primarily a satisfaction
to the writers and editors of the lessons to know that a degree of
balance and proportion may be better obtained within a curriculum
than by haphazard selection of topics for study.
It goes without saying that when the work of 20 different writers is
projected over a five-year period, there may be some unavoidable
changes or switches at least in the order of the lessons, and
some may not actually appear at all. Sickness, accident, or other
hindrances can come to all, even to writers and editors!
But the lessons have been planned under four main areas of study
that cover the benefits of God's covenants of grace:
1. The Inward Law
2. The Revelation of God and His People
3. The Knowledge of God
4. The Forgiveness of Sin
It is not planned that we should study all of one area before
moving to the next. Rather, there will be cycles of studies running
across the four main areas. And, as we said above, sometimes we
have to break the ideal order of subjects because we cannot keep
the world field without any lessons while we wrestle with the de
mands of deadlines, reading committees, translating and printing
schedules. Even the wonderful mail services of the world are faced
with growing difficulties. Manuscripts get delayed beyond dead
lines, and even lost.
 DAYBREAK LjLj2__SV Mj SERIES
Adult Sabbath School Lessons (USPS 702-480) / No. 346 / October-December, 1981

Contents
1. Our Great High Priest 7. Christianity and Health
2. Judgment and the Judge 8. Spiritual Gifts
3. Recall to Worship 9. Christian Stewardship
4. The King Is Coming 10. The Church
5. "Thy Kingdom Come" 11. Symbols for Saints
6. All Things New 12. Christian Witness
13. The Life That Counts

The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department
of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons
is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which
serve as consulting editors.

Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20012

Lesson Author: Bernard E. Seton

Editor: Gordon M. Hyde
Editorial Secretary: Florence L. Wetmore
Circulation Manager: Gary D. Grimes
Art and Design: Pacific Press

Scripture references other than from the King James Version used in this quarterly are as follows:
NEB. From The New English Bible, copyright by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press, and the Syndics
of the Cambridge University Press 1961 and 1970. Used by permission of Cambridge University Press, New York
City.
RSV. From the Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1946 (renewed 1973), 1952 and 1971, by the
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by
permission.
TEV. From the "Good News Bible in Today's English." Old Testament copyright 1976; New Testament
copyright 1966, 1971, 1976 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Braille lessons available. See page 112.

'Adult Sabbath School Lessons (standard edition). Published quarterly by Pacific

Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042,
U.S.A. One year subscription in U.S.A., $2.40, single copy, 60 cents. One year sub
scription to countries outside U.S.A., $3.20; single copy, 80 cents. All prices at U.S.A.
exchange. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California 94042, U.S.A.
When a change of address is desired, please send both old and new addresses.

Copyright 1981 by Pacific Press Publishing Association

 I •»
<b .
| I

Plug into real power God's Word.

Only as we have a living connection with God
will we be able to remain calm and stable in
these days of perplexity and confusion.
A daily study of His Word will keep the power
flowing.
 THIS WE BELIEVE
Studies in Christian Doctrine: Part II
Introduction

Although this quarter sees us continuing our study of Bible doctrines as taught by
Seventh-day Adventists, we must not rest content with the previous quarter's ap
proach or any blessing received from it. "Time, like an ever-rolling stream," has
borne some details of those studies away, and we now need a fresh approach and
brand-new blessings for the thirteen studies that lie ahead.
A glance at the topics that await our attention reveals that Christ our Saviour
broods over them all as High Priest, Judge, Returning Lord, Master Physician, Head
of the Church, Servant and Sacrifice, Chief Witness, and Great Exemplar. This is as it
should be, for without Him in the central position our doctrines cannot be Christian.
With Him at their center, their reliability and efficacy are assured.
Each lesson is firmly based on Scripture, the source of all true doctrine. Many of
those scriptures are well known; others may have received relatively little use. But
they will all bear intensive study, especially when seen from a slightly different angle
than that used in the past. Teachers and class members are therefore urged to study
the Word as deeply as possible. The Word "is quick [or, living], and powerful, and
sharper than any twoedged sword,.. .and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart" (Heb. 4:12). Let us, then, daily study that Word, that God may reveal to us
the purpose He had in.mind in having those particular passages included in the Bible.
Classes where the Word is intensively studied will find sound religious instruction,
spiritual life, and inspiration for daily living.
The Word is the mine from which doctrines are dug. The doctrines have ever been
in the Word, embedded in it as gems and minerals are contained in rocks and soil. No
true doctrine is of human devising; it is inherent in Holy Writ, thereto be quarried by
those who search the Scriptures to discover revelations of God's character and His
ways. These, when found, are formed into shapes more readily understood and
retained by His children. We should therefore not see doctrines as ready-made
declarations of belief that spare us further mental and spiritual exercise. We need
them in portable form for convenience and as a means of expressing our beliefs to
others that they may know the substance of our faith. But each belief is infinitely
richer than its summary form. Indeed, to change the figure, the formal doctrine may
be little more than a label to list the contents of the treasure chest of truth. It is for us to
lift the lid and discover the wealth of revelation that lies within.
These illustrations explain why a series of Sabbath School lessons on Christian
doctrine does not attempt to formulate those doctrines. That duty is done in the
Church Manual presentation of the "Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Advent
ists." (Much time, before and at the General Conference Session in Dallas, was
devoted to their careful revision.) At home and in Sabbath School we need to explore
beyond the formal statements and to discover both the principles that underlie the
doctrines and those that grow out of our beliefs.
At one stage in church history it was said that Christians were divided into two
classes—those who did not think at all, and those who did nothing but think. Let us
form a third class—those who think sensibly about their religion, who know the
scriptural foundations on which faith rests, who are able to give a thoughtful answer
to every man that asks a reason of the hope that is within us, and who can bring the
doctrines of the church into practical application in the daily life, declaring with
confidence, "This We Believe."
 LESSON 1 September 27-October 3

"Wherefore, holy brethren, par- Priest is vital to our salvation. This

ikers of the heavenly calling, con- lesson, therefore, assumes that
der the Apostle and High Priest of Sabbath School members possess a
ur profession, Christ Jesus" (Heb. basic knowledge of the earthly
sanctuary and its services and
spends two thirds of the week in
The wilderness tabernacle, as a study of Him around whom all
/pe, gives human beings a faint sanctuary services revolve. If ex
tea 01 the heavenly sanctuary, or planation is needed for this em
;mple, where Father, Son, and phasis, it is found in the week's
loly Spirit reign in eternal splen- memory verse, which bids us
or. The doctrine has its roots in "consider" or "contemplate" or
le Old Testament, but it becomes "fix the mind on" Christ Jesus. He
itensely relevant for present-day is "the Apostle and High Priest of
Christians through New Testament our profession" or "confession"—
svelation, particularly in the Epis- that is, our religion. There can be
e to the Hebrews. Tnis unique no more Christ-centered study
ook concentrates on portraying than that! May its pursuit enable us
Christ as the divine-human nigh to "see Jesus, . . . crowned with
riest who mediates the benefits of glory and honour" (Heb. 2:9).
lis own self-sacrifice for mankind, In no sense is this only an
/hich is lost without such ministry. academic study. A more spiritual
Our personal acquaintance with (that is, related to the Spirit) and
nd relationship to our great High personal topic would be hard to
choose. If we wish, it will daily re
mind us to look up and see our In
tercessor ministering on our behalf
before the Almighty, who ap
pointed Him to that merciful work.
Those who wish to refresh their
minds concerning this heavenly re
ality can hardly do better than to
make the Epistle to the Hebrews
their Further Study for this week.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Tabernacle and Temple
(Ex. 25:8, 9)
2. The Priest's Office
(Ex. 28:1)
3. The Perfect Priest
(Heb. 8:1,2)
4. "Like Unto His Brethren"
(Heb. 2:17)
5. Our Intercessor
(Heb. 9:24)
6. The Believer's Response
(Heb. 4:16)
Our Great High Priest LESSON 1 n Sunday
September 27
Part 1 As the Lord prepared Israel for entrance into the Promised
TABERNACLE Land, how did He meet the nation's need for a center to its
AND TEMPLE religious life?

"Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among

them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the
tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof,
even so shall ye make it" (Ex. 25:8,9).

God knew that His wandering people needed a focal point for
worship. In the desert a permanent building was neither desir
able nor practicable. A traveling people needed a portable shrine
that could be constructed from available materials and be made
the center of every campsite. The need was met by the tent, or
tabernacle, or sanctuary.
We do not here intend to conduct an historical study of the
erection of either the temporary or permanent buildings. We
would rather note the divine intention in planning their con
struction. This is clearly stated in today's text: "Let them make
me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." God, as a loving
Father as well as an awe-inspiring Deity, ever wants to be per
sonally in the midst of His people. This presents no problem for
the Omnipresent One but calls for a localized sense of God for
the benefit of His children, who need a specific center where
they can meet their Lord, offer their adoration and gifts, obtain
pardon and spiritual renewal, and receive His guidance for all
aspects of their group and personal lives. The sanctuary, or
temple, fills that multiple need and gives them the assurance of
God's willingness to dwell in their midst. (See Lev. 26:11,12.)

What did the tabernacle and temples faintly represent?

Heb. 9:11,12,14. (Compare Heb. 8:1, 2.)

"The heavenly temple, the abiding place of the King of kings,

where 'thousand thousands minister unto Him, and ten
thousand times ten thousand stood before Him,'.. .that temple
filled with the glory of the eternal throne, where seraphim, its
shining guardians, veil their faces in adoration—no earthly
structure could represent its vastness and its glory. Yet impor
tant truths concerning the heavenly sanctuary and the great
work there carried forward for man's redemption were to be
taught by the earthly sanctuary and its services."—Patriarchs
and Prophets, p. 357.

THINK IT THROUGH When I go to church, do I lift up my spiritual eyes to the true

tabernacle and see there my Lord in glory?

FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, "Additional Note on [He

brews] Chapter 10," pp. 467-469

10
Our Great High Priest LESSON 1 D Monday
September 28
Part 2 Upon whom did God place responsibility for the services of
THE PRIEST'S the tabernacle? For what reasons?
OFFICE
"Take unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him,
from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto
me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu,
Eleazar and Itharnar, Aaron's sons" (Ex. 28:1).

"By divine direction the tribe of Levi was set apart for the
service of the sanctuary. In the earliest times every man was the
priest of his own household. In the days of Abraham the priest
hood was regarded as the birthright of the eldest son. Now,
instead of the first-born of all Israel, the Lord accepted the tribe
of Levi for the work of the sanctuary. By this signal honor He
manifested His approval of their fidelity, both in adhering to His
service and in executing His judgments when Israel apostatized
in the worship of the golden calf. The priesthood, however, was
restricted to the family of Aaron. Aaron and his sons alone were
permitted to minister before the Lord."—Patriarchs and
Prophets, p. 350.

How were Aaron and his sons consecrated to their holy

Office? Ex. 40:13-15; 29:4-9.

Although, as stated above, "in the earliest times every man

was the priest of his own household," the spiritual needs of a
whole people—whose worship was based upon a sanctuary
graced by the presence of the most high God—called for a
centralized system. For such service a consecrated priesthood
was required. Its members ministered on their people's behalf
"in the priest's office." Because of this "everything connected
with the apparel and deportment of the priests was to be such as
to impress the beholder with a sense of the holiness of God, the
sacredness of His worship, and the purity required of those who
came into His presence."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 351.
From its inauguration to its closure, however, the tabernacle
system of worship was handicapped by the frailty of its priests.
They were as human as the people whom they represented and
reflected their apostasy. In the divine economy, therefore, their
ministry was an interim measure designed to care for Israel's
needs until the sinless, perfect High Priest would appear.

THINK IT THROUGH In what ways does the ministry of the Christian church fill
the roll that was given to the Levitical priesthood?

FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 350-356

11

2 AL 4-81
Our Great High Priest LESSON 1 D Tuesday
September 29
Part 3 What superior alternatives to the wilderness tabernacle
THE PERFECT and the Levitical priesthood has God provided for His people?
PRIEST
"We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of
the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the
sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched,
and not man" (Heb. 8:1, 2).

In its earlier chapters the Epistle to the Hebrews has been

depicting Christ as "the Apostle and High Priest" of the Chris
tian religion (ch. 3:1). In chapter 8 the writer sums up one aspect
of his reasoning by asserting the divine nature of that priest
hood, seeing our Lord seated at God's right hand—a position
no human priest could ever occupy. The Saviour is also re
vealed as ministering in "the true tabernacle," that is, therea/ or
genuine one, the heavenly original after which the earthly one
was patterned. (Compare Heb. 8:5 with Ex. 25:40.)

For what principal purpose were human high priests or

dained or appointed, and what did this require of Christ? Heb.
8:3. (Compare Heb. 5:1-3.)

The Levitical priesthood was instituted because of man's sin

and was largely occupied with the offering of sacrifices for sin.
Christ's priesthood is of a wider nature; for His office is eternal,
and He will still be our High Priest even after sin has been
destroyed. Yet His redemptive role will never be forgotten, and
man's chief reason for gratitude will always be remembrance of
the Saviour's double service in sacrificing Himself and in
mediating that offering by His priestly ministry.
"The Christian world in general is acquainted with Christ as
'the Lamb of God' that 'taketh away the sin of the world' (John
1:29). It is acquainted with Christ as the crucified One, who gave
Himself for us that we might be saved. But not all Christians are
acquainted with Christ as the high priest who ministers His
blood in the sanctuary above. Yet without that ministry the plan
of salvation would be ineffective. In the institution of the Pass
over in Egypt God commanded the Israelites not simply to slay
the lamb, but to put its blood on the doorposts. ... So in the
antitype the blood of Christ, our Passover..., is not simply shed,
it is ministered for us in heaven above by our great High Priest,
as a vital part of God's plan to save us."—S.D.A. Bible Commen
tary, vol. 7, p. 430.

THINK IT THROUGH How can I in my daily life show my gratitude for the wonder
of God's planning my salvation through the priestly ministry of
His Son?

FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 681-685

12
Our Great High Priest LESSON 1 D Wednesday
September 30
Part 4 What was the purpose of the great humiliation that God's
"LIKE UNTO Son voluntarily accepted in His incarnation? What has it done
HIS for you?
BRETHREN"
"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto
his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high
priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for
the sins of the people" (Heb. 2:17).

In order to be "a merciful and faithful high priest" and "make

reconciliation for the sins of the people," the Eternal One had to
be "made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:7). We cannot realize
what this meant to Him who inhabited eternity, but we should
understand that this was part of the cost of His high priesthood.
His humanity, however, will also enable Him to "destroy him
that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:14).
Jesus "made known to the angelic host that a way of escape
had been made for lost man. He told them that He had been
pleading with His Father, and had offered to give His life a
ransom, to take the sentence of death upon Himself, that
through Him man might find pardon; that through the merits of
His blood, and obedience to the law of God, they could have the
favor of God, and be brought into the beautiful garden, and eat
of the fruit of the tree of life."—Early Writings, p. 149.

Which of the High Priest's divine-human qualities bring Him

into the most sympathetic touch with His people's daily
needs? Heb. 4:15.

We cannot measure the comfort that comes from knowing

that our High Priest understands all about the temptations that
beset us! Still greater is the assurance of knowing that His
temptation-conquering power may be ours too!
"Those who claim that it was not possible for Christ to sin,
cannot believe that He really took upon Himself human nature.
But was not Christ actually tempted, not only by Satan in the
wilderness, but all through His life, from childhood to man
hood? In all points He was tempted as we are, and because He
successfully resisted temptation under every form, He gave man
the perfect example, and through the ample provision Christ
has made, we may become partakers of the divine nature, hav
ing escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."—
Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p.
929.

THINK IT THROUGH How different the Christian life would be if the Trinity had not
planned for Jesus to take on human form and be subject to
such trials as trouble us!

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 24, 25, 117, 122, 123

13
Our Great High Priest LESSON 1 Thursday
October 1
Part 5 Where has our ascended High Priest gone, and for what
OUR purpose?
INTERCESSOR
"Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands,
which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to
appear in the presence of God for us" (Heb. 9:24).

Every thoughtful Christian asks, "What is my Master now

doing in heaven?" Our text provides a partial answer to that vital
question. He appears, or presents Himself, "in the presence of"
(literally, "in the face of") God for us, on our behalf, as our
Representative, our Advocate.
"Jesus stands in the holy of holies, now to appear in the
presence of God for us. There He ceases not to present His
people moment by moment, complete in Himself. But because
we are thus represented before the Father, we are not to imag
ine that we are to presume upon His mercy, and become care
less, indifferent, and self-indulgent. Christ is not the minister of
sin. We are complete in Him, accepted in the Beloved, only as
we abide in Him by faith."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A.
Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 933.

What ministry has engaged the Son since His return to

heaven? Heb. 7:25. (Compare Acts 7:55.)

This verse reveals the continuing nature of Christ's redemp

tive work. While the cross is at the center of our salvation, our
Saviour's priestly ministry as Intercessor is the means by which
we benefit from the reconciliation provided between ourselves
and God. This does not mean that the Son can do nothing else
but present our repentance and pleas for pardon before the
Father (that would seem to place limitations on the illimitable)
but that our eternal High Priest is ever willing and able to
represent us before God. How precious, then, is this part of our
Redeemer's work!
"The final object of His entrance as high priest and sacrifice
into the eternal heaven is there to appear before God for us,
presenting on our behalf no exhausted sacrifice, nor one of
transient efficacy or needing repetition, but Himself in his own
person, as an ever-present, ever-living victim and atonement.
And this object is attained at once, and attained for ever."—
Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, vol.
2, p. 129. (Quoted by M. L. Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, p.
363.)

THINK IT THROUGH What steps should I take to engage Jesus to appear in the
presence of God on my behalf?

FURTHER STUDY Study the ninth chapter of Hebrews verse by verse, concen
trating on the current significance of Christ's high-priestly
ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.
14
Our Great High Priest LESSON 1 D Friday
October 2
Parts In view of our having the Son of God as our great High Priest,
THE what are we exhorted to do?
BELIEVER'S
RESPONSE "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"
(Heb. 4:16).

The word here rendered "boldly" may also be translated

"with confidence." "The throne of grace" refers to the throne
where grace is dispensed, that is, God's throne, since He is "the
God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10). There we shall find mercy that
pardons our transgressions and grace to help us overcome sin.
"As an earthly parent encourages his child to come to him at all
times, so the Lord encourages us to lay before Him our wants
and perplexities, our gratitude and love. Every promise is sure.
Jesus is our Surety and Mediator, and has placed at our com
mand every resource, that we may have a perfect character. The
blood of Christ in ever-abiding efficacy is our only hope; for
through His merits alone we have pardon and peace."—Ellen G.
White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1116.

How may we realize the spiritual benefits provided by

Christ's intercession in the heavenly sanctuary? Heb. 10:19-
25.

These verses introduce the closing practical counsels in the

Epistle to the Hebrews. Unless these are heeded and practiced,
our study of Christ's priesthood brings only a mental satisfac
tion which may be lifeless and even deceptive. Four prerequi
sites prepare us for entering "into the holiest": (1) a true or
sincere heart; (2) a full faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice; (3) a
penitent's clear conscience; (4) a symbolic cleansing from sin in
baptism (verse 22). These in turn enable us to (1) hold fast our
hope (rather than "faith"); (2) stimulate our fellows in Christian
service; (3) be faithful in communal worship; (4) encourage
fellow members to steadfastness, in view of the second coming
(verses 23-25).
Here we have a divinely endorsed recipe for healthy church
life. We suggest that we consider each suggestion in our per
sonal study of this lesson at home and then discuss each point
of apostolic counsel in our Sabbath School class. Such an
exercise may well improve the spiritual health of the church
where we worship. The strength of the church lies in its attend
ing membership.

THINK IT THROUGH When we pray, consciously coming to the throne of grace

and seeing Christ as our High Priest, what does He do for us?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 362-368

15
\
 LESSON 2 October 4-10

"We must all appear before the important aspect of our Lord's re
judgment seat of Christ; that every demptive ministry and an unavoid
one may receive the things done in able milestone on our way to the
his body, according to that he hath kingdom.
done, whether it be good or bad" Awareness of the importance of
(2 Cor. 5:10). the judgment opens our eyes to
the wealth of scriptural revelation
Our memory verse comes from a on the subject. Reminders of the
remarkable chapter that opens certainty of judgment and of vari
(verses 1-9) with Paul's recognition ous stages in its realization are
of mortality, linked with the hope sprinkled throughout both Testa
of immortality and the need to "be ments, with vivid descriptions in
accepted of him," that is, Christ Daniel 7:9-14 and Revelation
(verse 9). This raises the prospect 20:11-15. The topic occupied a
of having "our lives laid open be prominent position in Paul's
fore the tribunal of Christ" (verse thought, and he is led in Romans
10, NEB) and the spiritual condition 14:10 to repeat the core of what he
that must be met for a confident had already told the Corinthians,
appearing before the Judge (verses namely, "we shall all stand before
10, 14, 17). The passage closes with the judgment seat of Christ."
the sublime revelation of God's As with all theological knowl
love manifested in Christ and by edge, there is the danger of a for
Christ which alone makes possible mal acceptance of the fact of
our survival of the judgment judgment without its having a
(verses 18-21). spiritual effect upon our thought
Verse ten of this chapter, there and conduct. This is one of the
fore, is not a passing reference to reasons that leads this lesson to
judgment as a minor event in salva concentrate on the spiritual lessons
tion history, but it highlights an to be drawn from the judgment in
preference to the timing of the
event—although one day's study
will deal with the time when we
may appear before our Saviour-
Judge.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Subject to Judgment
(Gen. 1:28)
2. God and Judgment
(Eccl. 12:13, 14)
3. Judgment on Earth
(Lev. 6:2-7)
4. Judgment in Heaven
(Dan. 8:14)
5. New Testament and Judgment
(Acts 17:30, 31)
6. Preparation for Judgment
(1 John 2:1)
Judgment and the Judge LESSON 2 D Sunday
October 4
Parti What were the first recorded responsibilities placed upon
SUBJECT TO human beings? What blessings were they designed to bring?
JUDGMENT
"God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Gen.
1:28).

When God created our first parents, He also blessed them

with everything they would need to enjoy the world that lay
before them. At the same time He required certain things of
them. In fact, the duties grew out of God's gifts. They were to
populate the earth; they were to govern it and its creatures. They
were thus called to give account of their stewardship of the
unmarred creation. They were answerable to the Creator for the
fulfillment of what He asked. In other words, they were subject
to judgment from the beginning.
"God placed man under law, as an indispensable condition of
his very existence.... God might have created man without the
power to transgress His law; He might have withheld the hand of
Adam from touching the forbidden fruit; but in that case he
would have been, not a free moral agent, but a mere automaton.
. . . There could have been no development of character."—
Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 49.

When Eve and then Adam disregarded the Creator's direc

tives, what judgments came upon them? Gen. 3:16-19.

"It was not the will of God that the sinless pair should know
aught of evil. He had freely given them the good, and had
withheld the evil. But, contrary to His command, they had eaten
of the forbidden tree, and now they would continue to eat of
it—they would have the knowledge of evil—all the days of their
life. From that time the race would be afflicted by Satan's
temptations."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 59.
We should not suppose that all the promised wages of sin
were received immediately. They were paid gradually as the
human frame weakened as a result of wrongdoing and as nature
herself was affected by man's and woman's departure from the
Creator's perfect standard. But the most grievious result of
sin—being sent out of Paradise—followed fast upon the heels
of transgression. Sin, when it is finished, always brings death
(James 1:15).

THINK IT THROUGH Study Genesis 2:8 to 3:24 and assess the need of linking
responsibility and accountability.

18
Judgment and the Judge LESSON 2 Monday
October 5
Part 2 As the preacher concludes his sayings (in Ecclesiastes),
GOD AND what emphatic counsel does he give his readers?
JUDGMENT
"Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the
whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judg
ment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it
be evil" (Eccl. 12:13,14).

Because God brings everything we do into judgment, the

writer urges us to "fear God, and keep his commandments."
This well summarizes Old Testament theology on conduct in
relation to judgment, not that we shall survive judgment on the
strength of our commandment keeping (this would be salvation
by works), but only through the merits of Jesus. On the other
hand, our reward in the judgment will be related to the delight
we have shown in doing God's will and upholding His stan
dards. This teaching is related to Christ's own words, "If ye love
me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
"God discerns the purposes of man and all his works. Every
man will be rewarded according as his works have been,
whether good or evil."—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 300, 301.

With what attitude does the God-fearer look toward the

Lord's coming in judgment? Ps. 98:9.

The Lord "cometh to judge the earth." This prospect can

bring fear or joy, depending on the spiritual condition of the
beholder. The born-again Christian can warmly welcome the
appearance of the Judge, crying, "This is the Lord; we have
waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation" (Isa.
25:9). At the other end of the scale, he who has rejected Christ
will have rejected his Advocate and will face the prospect of
judgment with shame and fear, knowing his own guilt and
defenselessness.
"Thou Judge of quick and dead,
Before whose bar severe,
With holy joy or guilty dread,
We all shall soon appear—
Our erring souls prepare
For that tremendous day,
And fill us now with watchful care,
And stir us up to pray."
—Charles Wesley,
The New Advent Hymnal, no. 170.

THINK IT THROUGH As I review my thoughts, my words, my actions of the past

week and relate them to the judgment revelations, what steps
do I need to take?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 384-387

19
Judgment and the Judge LESSON 2 Tuesday
October 6
Part 3 By what symbolic process was pardon for sin represented
JUDGMENT under the Mosaic law?
ON EARTH
"If a soul sin,... he shall bring his trespass offering unto the
Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock.... And the priest
shall make an atonement for him before the Lord" (Lev. 6:2-7).

"The most important part of the daily ministration was the

service performed in behalf of individuals. The repentant sinner
brought his offering to the door of the tabernacle, and, placing
his hand upon the victim's head, confessed his sins, thus in
figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice.
By his own hand the animal was then slain, and the blood was
carried by the priest into the holy place and sprinkled before the
veil, behind which was the ark containing the law that the sinner
had transgressed. . . .
"The sins of Israel being thus transferred to the sanctuary, the
holy places were defiled, and a special work became necessary
for the removal of the sins."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp.354,
355.

What annual purification was then ordained for the

sanctuary and for Israel? Lev. 16:16.

On the tenth day of the seventh month (September-October)

each year, the high priest fulfilled the rituals for the cleansing of
the sanctuary which represented full atonement for the con
fessed sins of Israel on that annual Day of Atonement.

What wider significance do these Levitical ceremonies

have in the plan of salvation? Heb. 9:22-26.

Few, if any, have difficulty in seeing the offering of animals as

a type of "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world." Sound biblical study invites us to take the further step of
accepting that the typical Day of Atonement must also have its
antitype. This would be in an event that will once and for all not
only pardon sin but remove all condemnatory records from
against the names of those who have chosen Christ as their
Substitute and Advocate. This calls for an act of examination or
judgment of those who have engaged Christ as their Advocate.
"As in the typical service there was a work of atonement at the
close of the year, so before Christ's work for the redemption of
men is completed there is a work of atonement for the removal
of sin from the sanctuary."—The Great Controversy, p. 421.

THINK IT THROUGH How thoroughly have we learned that without the shedding
of blood there is no remission of sins our sins?

FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 352-358

20
Judgment and the Judge LESSON 2 D Wednesday
October 7
Part 4 Which Old Testament prophecy, related to the antitypical
JUDGMENT day of atonement, deals with prophetic time? Is there any
IN HEAVEN other prophecy like it?

"Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the
sanctuary be cleansed" (Dan. 8:14).

This verse, in isolation, does not provide its own interpreta

tion. It needs to be considered in the context of Daniel's other
prophecies, especially those in chapters 7 through 9. These
take us through the remaining Old Testament years into the
Christian era and into God's eternal kingdom. The earthly
sanctuary was destroyed in A.D. 70; its services had been re
placed by Christ's heavenly ministry in "the true tabernacle,
which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb. 8:2). Since the
cleansing of the sanctuary takes place at the end of the 2300
prophetic days or literal years, the event can only refer to the
cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven.

In what sense can the heavenly sanctuary be cleansed?

Heb. 9:23. (Note the translation in the New English Bible.)

"As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon
the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to
the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the
repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in
fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. And as the typical cleansing of
the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by
which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the
heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out,
of the sins which are there recorded. But before this can be
accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of
record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in
Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement. The cleans
ing of the sanctuary therefore involves a work of investigation—
a work of judgment."—The Great Controversy, pp. 421, 422.
(Emphasis supplied.)
A detailed study of the chronological aspects of Daniel 7
through 9 points to 457 B.C. as the beginning date for the
measurement of the 2300 days, or years, with A.D. 1844 as the
time when our Lord entered on the cleansing, or judicial, phase
of His high-priestly ministry. The present-day significance of
that date will appear more fully in next week's lesson. For now,
we should realize that the ever-nearer arrival of the second
advent brings nearer our own personal appearance before the
judgment seat of Christ.

THINK IT THROUGH Why does Christ's daily intercession for repentant sinners
need a judgment-type ministry for its completion?

FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 418-422

21
Judgment and the Judge LESSON 2 D Thursday
October 8
Parts In God's plans, how prominent a place has been assigned to
NEW TESTAMENT a time for judgment?
AND JUDGMENT
"God ... now commandeth all men every where to repent:
because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge
the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath or
dained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that
he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:30, 31).

In his address to the Athenians, Paul urged his listeners to

repent because of the certainty of judgment. He knew that God,
in His infallible foreknowledge, had already fixed a day when His
Son would judge all men. This, says Paul, was called for by
Christ's resurrection. Room must therefore be found in the
prophetic calendar for the Saviour's judging both the living and
the dead. (Compare Christ's own declaration in John 5:22 and
Peter's teaching in Acts 10:42.)

When, in the human life-span, does the judgment occur?

Heb. 9:27, 28.

Generally, judgment cannot be pronounced until a man's

earthly life is completed, which is normally at death. After this,
his record can be justly weighed, as it will be in the investigative
judgment. For those who are alive at Christ's coming, death will
not be necessary, for all who claim pardon by faith in Christ's
sacrifice will already have been judged by having their sins
forgiven and their lives cleansed (1 John 1:9). When the Saviour
appears the second time, then it will be "without sin," or, in a
better translation, "apart from sin." When He first came, it was
to "save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21); at the second
coming, His objective will be to receive the redeemed unto
Himself (John 14:3).
"The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out
of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the
Lord. Since the dead are to be judged out of the things written in
the books, it is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted
put until after the judgment at which their cases are to be
investigated..., When the investigative judgment closes, Christ
will come, and His reward will be with Him to give to every man
as his work shall be."—The Great Controversy, p. 485.

THINK IT THROUGH Now is the time to ensure a satisfactory verdict when our
cases come before the Righteous Judge.

"This is a time when every man in a responsible position, and

every member of the church, should bring every feature of his
work into close accord with the teachings of the word of
God."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 185.

FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 482-491

22
Judgment and the Judge LESSON 2 D Friday
October 9
.Parts What plan does God have to ensure our freedom from con
PREPARATION demnation at the time of judgment?
FOR JUDGMENT
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin
not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).

The apostle provides two phases of the answer to our ques

tion. (1) Refrain from sinning. This is the ideal, the objective of
the plan of salvation. However, since all of us have sinned (and
have inherently sinful natures that taint our obedience—see
Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 344), that advice gives us excellent
counsel but does not save us from condemnation. (2) We must
engage the services of our Mediator—He who longs to plead
our cause. We all need Jesus Christ the Righteous to speak on
our behalf, but we must retain Him as our defense lawyer now,
for it will be too late when the final Judgment is set and the books
are opened.
"Our crucified Lord is pleading for us in the presence of the
Father at the throne of grace. His atoning sacrifice we may plead
for our pardon, our justification, and our sanctification. The
Lamb slain is our only hope. Our faith looks up to Him, grasps
Him as the One who can save to the uttermost, and the fra
grance of the all-sufficient offering is accepted of the Father....
He is our sympathizing Saviour."—Ellen G. White Comments,
S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 948.

On what basis may we face with confidence the prospect of

Christ's coming and the thought of judgment? 1 John 2:28.
Only those who "abide in him" here below will be ready to
abide with Christ above when He returns to gather His elect
from one end of heaven to the other. "Abiding in Christ means a
constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to
His service.... As the vine branch constantly draws sap from the
living vine, so are we to cling to Jesus, and receive from Him by
faith the strength and perfection of His own character."—The
Desire of Ages, p. 676. Thus we shall have confidence—not a
brazen presumption, but a conviction of Christ's faithful, effec
tive advocacy on our behalf, a knowledge that He is able "to
save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him" (Heb.
7:25). Then we shall not be ashamed before Him.

THINK IT THROUGH "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the
law of liberty" (James 2:12). How shall we apply this admoni
tion to our own lives?

FURTHER STUDY Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p.

948

23
 LESSON 3 October 11-17

"The hour cometh, and now is, This sketch supplies a back
when the true worshippers shall ground to the giving of the three
worship the Father in spirit and in angels' messages recorded in Reve
truth: for the Father seeketh such to lation 14. Each message is con
worship him" (John 4:23). cerned with worship, true and
false. The dominant theme is,
The Father has not always had to "Fear God, and give glory to him"
seek those who will worship Him. (Rev. 14:7), proclaimed against the
Cherubim and seraphim, unnum countervails of Babylon, the beast,
bered angelic hosts, and inhabit and his image. All the world won
ants of unfallen worlds have ever ders after the beast (Rev. 13:3);
delighted to render Him homage and, if we are not to follow suit,
and adoration. Only sin has made we must clearly see the issues
the human race draw back and be which are at stake. Our directive
unable to worship its Creator ac must be that which inspired our
ceptably, and the Lord has been Master, "Thou shalt worship the
trying to help men overcome those Lord thy God, and him only shalt
handicaps. This leads Him to seek thou serve" (Matt. 4:10). This will
for worshipers, not for self-glorious lead to obedience; for obedience
ends (such motivation is foreign to is still the highest form of worship,
God's nature), but for the uplift of "the highest dictate of reason as
those whom He is teaching to wor well as of conscience."—The Acts
ship. Thus man's highest end is to of the Apostles, p. 506.
worship and glorify his Maker and, The urgency of the divine call to
in so doing, to become more like worship and obedience resides in
God. the time factor "the hour of his
In the person of Lucifer, Cod has judgment is come" (Rev. 14:7).
a powerful competitor who also This forewarns of the approaching
seeks for worshipers. He suc end. There is no time to lose!
ceeded with myriads of angels. He Let us then this week take a
even tried to enroll the Son of Cod fresh look at one of the best-
among his devotees (Matt. 4:9). He known doctrines of our church—
has continued recruitment among the threefold call to worship our
all mankind throughout human his Creator.
tory.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. The Globe and the Gospel
(Rev. 14:6)
2. Call to Worship
(Rev. 14:7)
3. Worship the Creator
(Rev. 14:7)
4. Come Out of Babylon
(Rev. 14:8)
5. Beware of Apostasy
(Rev. 14:9, 10)
6. True Worshipers
(Rev. 14:12)
Recall to Worship LESSON 3 D Sunday
October 11
Parti In the revelator's portrayal of last things, what scale of
THE GLOBE evangelism did he present?
AND THE
GOSPEL "I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the
earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people" (Rev. 14:6).

Study of the book of Revelation quickly reveals that its survey

of history does not follow a straight line in time, but moves
forward and backward as the shifting scenes pass before John's
eyes. An illustration of this occurs in chapters 13 and 14, where
the prophet records a normal historical sequence in chapter 13,
then gives a glimpse into a later scene in chapter 14:1-5, and in
14:6 resumes the chronological recital from chapter 13:18.
Recognition of the interruption enables us to see the connec
tion between 13:18 and 14:6 and the three messengers of 14:6-
12 fulfilling their duties in the last days prior to the Lord's return
(14:14-20).
John sees an angel fly in the midst of heaven (ensuring prom
inence), to preach eternally good news to all peoples. Since
angels are not given the task of preaching, the angel must
symbolize the Christians who bear that responsibility. Their
message is given them—an everlasting gospel. The only au
thentic and efficacious gospel ever published, this good news
born in times eternal in the heart of our loving God was pro
claimed first in Eden (Gen. 3:15), typified in the sacrificial ser
vices in the tabernacle, and realized in the ministry of our Lord.
This is the news that fallen man has always needed—and needs
even more urgently today. Those who have received it are here
commissioned in the last days to share it with their fellow
human beings of all races in all nations.
"The first angel's message of Revelation 14, announcing the
hour of God's judgment and calling upon men to fear and
worship Him, was designed to separate the professed people of
God from the corrupting influences of the world and to arouse
them to see their true condition of worldliness and backsliding.
In this message, God had sent to the church a warning, which,
had it been accepted, would have corrected the evils that were
shutting them away from Him. Had they received the message
from heaven, humbling their hearts before the Lord and seeking
in sincerity a preparation to stand in His presence, the Spirit and
power of God would have been manifested among them."—The
Great Controversy, p. 379.

THINK IT THROUGH What bearing does your belief in the one and only everlast
ing gospel have on your daily experience?

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 818-822

26
Recall to Worship LESSON 3 D Monday
October 12
Part 2 "Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him;
CALL TO for the hour of his judgment is come" (Rev. 14:7).
WORSHIP
This proclamation was not given in a corner but "in the midst
of heaven," to all peoples, and "with a loud voice." The Lord
intended the message to make a powerful impact on the entire
human race.
The core of the message is the same as has ever been at the
heart of the gospel: "Fear God, and give glory to him." (Com
pare Ex. 20:3-6; Deut. 6:4, 5; Eccl. 12:13; Micah 6:8; Matt. 4:10;
22:36-38; John 14:15; 17:3.) The world's ills stem from man's
slowness and refusal to fear or reverence God, from man's
continual self-centeredness that leads him to cry, "Glory to Man
in the Highest! for Man is the master of things."—A. C. Swin
burne, "Hymn of Man," quoted in Oxford Book of Quotations.
The first angel calls on mankind to repudiate such egotism and
to give the Lord God His rightful place in every department of
life.
The unique urgency of the message resides in an historical
fact—"the hour of his judgment is come." From Eden onward,
God's judgment has always operated (see last week's lesson),
but it has hitherto been of an interim nature, awaiting a final
reckoning. Now history has caught up with the divine time
table—the hour of God's judgment has come; it has arrived.
The authority in the first message grows out of the fulfillment
of prophecy concerning judgment, specifically Daniel 8:14,
which pinpoints A.D. 1844 as "the hour" or the time when the
investigative judgment began in the heavenly sanctuary. This
places a great spiritual responsibility on that body of
Christians—Seventh-day Adventists—who understand and
proclaim this message.
"In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in
the world as watchmen and light bearers.. . . They have been
given a work of the most solemn import—the proclamation of
the first, second, and third angels' messages. . . .
"It is not only by preaching the truth, not only by distributing
literature, that we are to witness for God. .. . Not all the books
written can serve the purpose of a holy life. Men will believe, not
what the minister preaches, but what the church lives."—
Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 19-21.

THINK IT THROUGH Are we, as Seventh-day Adventists, noted for reverently

giving glory to God? What do our witness, our lives proclaim?

FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 355-357

27

3—AL—4-81
Recall to Worship LESSON 3 G Tuesday
October 13
Part 3 What is the distinctive attribute of the God, whom the first
WORSHIP THE angel's message calls upon men to worship?
CREATOR
"Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea,
and the fountains of waters" (Rev. 14:7).

It is singularly fitting that the first angel's call to worship

should define God as He who created all things. The proclama
tion, "the hour of his judgment is come," began to be preached
about 1840, which was a little before the time when creationism
and evolution would begin to be examined more intensively
than ever before. Interest quickened within the next two de
cades and received a dramatic stimulus in 1859 from the publi
cation of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species. Any Christian
movement, therefore, that stressed creationism and called men
to worship God as Creator of the world in six literal days and to
observe the seventh-day Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of
that fiat Creation—any such movement was peculiarly "on
target" for the mid-nineteenth century.
Let us not forget, however, that the call is for worship. This
requires that we fear God and give glory to Him, acknowledging
His primacy, giving Him our adoration, our respect, our obedi
ence, our service, our trust, our love. In this way we bring glory
to Him in the eyes of the watching universe. Only then are we
fulfilling the third angel's message.
"To give glory to God is to reveal His character in our own,
and thus make Him known. And in whatever way we make
known the Father or the Son, we glorify God."—Ellen G. White
Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 979.
"The worship of God is in contrast with the worship of the
beast (ch. 13:8,12) and that of its image (v. 15). In the crisis soon
to come, the inhabitants of the earth will be called upon to make
their choice. . . . The message of the first angel is designed to
prepare men to make the proper choice and to stand firm in the
time of crisis."—S.D.A, Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 828.
From these observations we get a glimpse of the comprehen
siveness of this first message. It is universal; it rings the age-old,
ever-needed call to the worship of our Creator God. It does this
in the urgent setting of the judgment, against which there can
be no appeal; and—very significant to each student of this
lesson—it is sounded by men and women who themselves must
practice what they preach to every nation, kindred, tongue, and
people.

THINK IT THROUGH How can our manner of worship, and particularly of Sabbath
observance, bring glory to God?

FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 379, 380

28
Recall to Worship LESSON 3 D Wednesday
October 14
Part 4
COME OUT "There followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is
OF BABYLON fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of
the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Rev. 14:8).

Manuscript evidence favors the inclusion of "a second" after

"another angel," thus completing the numbering of the angelic
trio. But while the angels are shown as following one another,
there is nothing to suggest that the second and third displace
the first, or the third the second. When the third appears, the
other two messages continue to be preached simultaneously.
"The term 'Babylon' is derived from 'Babel,' and signifies
confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate various
forms of false or apostate religion. In Revelation 17 Babylon is
represented as a woman—a figure which is used in the Bible as
the symbol of a church, a virtuous woman representing a pure
church, a vile woman an apostate church.
"In the Bible the sacred and enduring character of the rela
tion that exists between Christ and His church is represented by
the union of marriage. . . .
"The unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in permitting her
confidence and affection to be turned from Him, and allowing
the love of worldly things to occupy the soul, is likened to the
violation of the marriage vow. .. .
"The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Baby
lon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have
become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of
judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot
refer to the'Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a
fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the
eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are
called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture,
many of God's people must still be in Babylon. And in what
religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ
now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches pro
fessing the Protestant faith. At the time of their rise these
churches took a noble stand-for God and the truth, and His
blessing was with them. . . . But they fell by the same desire
which was the curse and ruin of Israel—the desire of imitating
the practices and courting the friendship of the ungodly."—The
Great Controversy, pp. 381, 383.
While proclaiming the message, let us never forget Revela
tion 18:4—God sees His people in Babylon! Find them!

THINK IT THROUGH How may the Seventh-day Adventist Church guard against
Babylonian influences?

FURTHER STUDY Early Writings, pp. 273, 274, 277-279

29
Recall to Worship LESSON 3 Thursday
October 15
Parts What is the terrible burden published by the third heaven
BEWARE OF sent messenger?
APOSTASY
"The third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If
any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his
mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the
wine of the wrath of God" (Rev. 14:9,10). (See also verse 11.)

The content of these three verses is concentrated, calling for

our close attention.
1. "The third angel followed [or accompanied] them." This
mention of the third may suggest the unity of the three, may
confirm the numbering of the first and second angels, and may
gather the three in a group distinct from the many other mes
sengers seen by the revelator. This may also suggest that the
proclamation of the first two messages continues while the
third is preached.
2. The opening words of the message—worship, beast, im
age, mark—firmly link it with the events foretold in chapter
13:11-18. Indeed, the third message cannot be understood
apart from chapter 13.
3. Note the sin against which the message warns: it is trans
gression against the first commandment (Ex. 20:3)—God alone
is to be worshiped.
4. "His mark." "To receive this mark means to come to the
same decision as the beast has done, and to advocate the same
ideas, in direct opposition to the Word of God.
"If the light of the truth has been presented to you,... and yet
you still cling to the false sabbath, refusing to keep holy the
Sabbath which God calls 'My holy day,' you receive the mark of
the beast."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commen
tary, vol. 7, pp. 979, 980.
5. Babylon has made all nations drink of her wine. Those who
deliberately choose false worship will drink God's wine, His
judgment.
6. The judgment. This does not involve eternal torment. The
reference might be to the plagues which bring death (chapters
15, 16) and to the second death (chapter 20:12-15).
7. Study of the fearful nature of divine judgment on false
worship should call out compassion and missionary action on
the part of God's people. Let us not be self-satisfied, for that
would be unpardonably Pharisaical and make us eligible for the
same torment that comes to those who worship the beast and
his image.

THINK IT THROUGH Amid the power and the glory that shine throughout the
Revelation, there is also the horror of the wages of sin. How
real to us are these extreme opposites? In which direction are
we moving toward God or His enemies?

FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 593-598

30
Recall to Worship LESSON 3 D Friday-
October 16
Parts What fruitage comes from the proclamation of the three
TRUE angels' messages?
WORSHIPERS
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep
the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev.
14:12).

Verses 6 to 12 are a unit of prophecy and require unified

interpretation. Since no results are recorded from the giving of
the first and second messages, the declaration in verse 12
summarizes the fruitage borne of the threefold witness. That
summary deserves close study.
Saints. Three verses (9-11) have just been devoted to the
judgment that falls on those who worship the beast and his
image. The reference to "saints" shows that while such apos
tasy is worldwide, it will not be total.
Patience. Faithful Christians will need all the patience, for
titude, and steadfastness that heaven can furnish them as they
resist apostate forces and false teachings. The phrase "here is"
shows that there will be a body of patient, faithful believers, who
are identified in chapter 12:17 as "the remnant."
Keep the commandments of God. This is a further clue to the
identity of the faithful—they are obedient, and they heed God's
law, in contrast to those who obey the beast and his image. This
faithfulness to the law of the Lord, especially in respect to
Sabbath observance, will distinguish the faithful from those
who transgress that law.
The faith of Jesus. Or, faith in Jesus. If the first rendering is
preferred, then the saints are to hold the same faith that sus
tained Jesus; if the second translation is taken, then the refer
ence is to the saints' faith in Jesus and His merits. (NIV has
"faithful to Jesus.")
"In Revelation 14 John beholds another scene. He sees a
people whose fidelity and loyalty to the laws of God's kingdom
grow with the emergency. The contempt placed upon the law of
God only makes them reveal more decidedly their love for that
law."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary,
vol. 7, p. 981.
These messages are addressed not only to those who have
not yet made their decisions, but to us who claim to be com
mandment keepers. They should provide us with the standard
by which to assess our fitness for inclusion among "the saints."

THINK IT THROUGH How may we know if God includes us among the faithful
remnant?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 197-200

31
 H
^K
*a*-
ft
til I
! ' vV
 LESSON 4 October 18-24

"In the days of these kings shall vations concerning His return and
the God of heaven set up a kingdom, His counsels to His first and later
which shall never be destroyed: and disciples concerning their involve
the kingdom shall not be left to other ments in the history of their own
people, but it shall break in pieces times. We note how He wished
and consume all these kingdoms, and they and we should live as the
it shall stand for ever" (Dan. 2:44). Master's prophecies are fulfilled.
We need to read the signs of the
The teaching of the second com times, especially those of our own
ing of Christ is a natural doctrine, a times. Each given sign is a
logical continuation of world his signpost, to be readand then left
tory rather than a statement of a behind as we, the travelers, move
theological view. Given the facts of ahead. To convince others that we
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Crea are on the right road, we m'ay refer
tion, the incarnation, Calvary, the to past landmarks; but they will
resurrection, and the ascension, not now ensure our arrival at the
the second coming is called for— pearly gates. Our completion of
one of history's great essentials, a the journey now depends on our
part of creation's total pattern. right reading and following of the
Without it, there is tragedy. With map of the country that lies ahead.
it, there is the greatest of triumphs. It is not possible to cover such a
We briefly touch on that side of subject as Christ's coming and His
salvation history this week, and we kingdom in two weeks, in twelve
see it as a necessary part of the brief glances at the wealth of reve
Christian story. We then turn to lation on this regal topic. Neither is
Christ's own foresights and obser it desirable that we contentedly re
peat what textbooks have oiiftlined
for more than a century pastWe
have, then, had to be severely
selective, while viewing the second
advent from a slightly different
angle from the usual, seeing it as
the culmination of God's eternal
purpose in Christ Jesus.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. The Kingdom Is Coming
(Luke 1:32, 33)
2. Satisfaction Assured
(Isa. 53:11)
3. Promise of Return
(John 14:1-3)
4. Signs of Return I
(Matt. 24:3)
5. Signs of Return II
(Matt. 24:29)
6. Signs of Return III
(Luke 17:26,27)
The King Is Coming LESSON 4 n Sunday
October 18
Parti In addition to announcing Christ's birth, what assurance did
THE KINGDOM Gabriel give Mary concerning her Son?
IS COMING
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the High
est: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his
father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for
ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:32,
33).

With what joy did Gabriel make that announcement! He and

his myriads of winged companions had mourned the loss of our
world's loyalty for 4000 years. Now their Commander was about
to take human form that He might regain "the first dominion"
(Micah 4:8), might reign from the throne of David, and might
rule over an everlasting kingdom. The first step in fulfilling this
bold program was about to be taken—the Eternal would tie
Himself to time as a babe, who would live to overthrow the
enemy and reestablish God's rule over the whole earth. The
beneficent ministry, the death, burial, resurrection, and ascen
sion were further vital steps in the fulfillment of the proclaimed
plan, but not yet has David's greatest Son regained "the throne
of his father David." While Christ has ever remained a King
(witness the Magi's gifts in Bethlehem), He still has to return to
rule as King over our world. Therein lies the need for His second
advent—to complete the work begun here as a man.

What simple but encouraging promise did the Lord give His
true followers? Matt. 5:5.

This promise, too, calls for our Lord's return. At present "the
meek" are the last to inherit even a minute portion of the earth;
their little is taken from them—even life itself—by the proud.
This state of society will get worse and worse until halted by the
dramatic change in world government that Christ's return will
bring. This is why He will come again.
"The meek 'shall inherit the earth.' It was through the desire
of self-exaltation that sin entered into the world, and our first
parents lost the dominion over this fair earth, their kingdom. It is
through self-abnegation [putting self aside] that Christ redeems
what was lost. And He says we are to overcome as He did."—
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 17.

THINK IT THROUGH How successful can Christianity claim to be, apart from the
revolution that will accompany its Founder's return?

FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 299-302

34
The King Is Coming LESSON 4 D Monday
October 19
Part 2 "He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:
SATISFACTION by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for
ASSURED he shall bear their iniquities" (Isa. 53:11).

After recounting the suffering that would come to the Man of

Sorrows as He bore the sins of the world, the prophet foretells
that the Suffering Servant "will be satisfied." By bearing "their
iniquities," the Redeemer will "justify man," or "make the many
righteous." This is an assurance that the Son of man will not
have suffered in vain. "The travail of his soul" will give birth to a
multitude of redeemed ones that no man can number, and these
will be the subjects of His kingdom.
It is enlightening to note that this verse contains one of the
few phrases where the Dead Sea Scrolls' version of Isaiah gives
a different reading from the traditional Hebrew text. As a result,
we may literally read, "After the labour of his soul he shall see
the light of life; he shall be satisfied." (See also NIV.)
Our Lord cannot be completely satisfied, however, until those
He has saved from sin are able to enjoy eternal life. This is only
possible at the last day, at His own coming in glory. (See John
5:25, 29; 6:40.)

What royal scene did the Spirit of Christ, operating in Daniel,

reveal to the prophet? Dan. 7:13,14, 27.

This foreview, based on divine foreknowledge and well

known to our Lord through His own study of the Scriptures,
called for more than His earthly life could ever provide. When He
ascended to His Father's court, He expected to return in regal
majesty to complete all that had been foretold concerning His
kingdom. This calls for His judgment ministry (that would clear
His government), for His acceptance of the everlasting domin
ion, and, ultimately, for His triumphant royal return. (Compare
The Great Controversy, pp. 479, 480.) Already, then, it may be
truly said, He has seen the travail of His soul, and He is satisfied
(see Isa. 53:11)—the investigative judgment declaring that the
cross was not in vain. He who had appeared to Daniel must
Himself have been sustained during His days on earth by His
study of Daniel's book. How deep must be His interest as its
prophecies approach their complete fulfillment.

THINK IT THROUGH How can I ensure that my life's records, reviewed during the
judgment, will bring Christ the satisfaction He has long
awaited?

FURTHER STUDY Under the Spirit's guidance, study Isaiah 53, seeking the se
cret of bringing satisfaction to the Saviour.

35
The King Is Coming LESSON 4 D Tuesday
October 20
Part 3 With what expectation did Jesus face separation from His
PROMISE OF disciples?
RETURN
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe
also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be
also" (John 14:1-3).

Although Christ's concern for His followers held first place in

His thoughts, His own heart must have been heavy at the
thought of leaving those with whom He had shared three years
that turned the tide of human history. Yet He faced the parting in
the knowledge of reunion, and He wanted the eleven to share
that same expectation. He therefore reminded them of the basic
position of their faith and appealed to their personal knowledge
of Himself. You are believers in God; believe similarly in Me. I am
only going away from you that I might come back and be with
you, and you with Me, forever.
"The object of Ch rist's departure was the opposite of what the
disciples feared. It did not mean a final separation.... While He
was building mansions for them, they were to build characters
after the divine similitude."—The Desire of Ages, p. 663.

Under what circumstances did angels confirm the assur

ance of their Master's return? Acts 1:9-11.

"The same Jesus who had walked and talked and prayed with
them; who had broken bread with them; who had been with
them in their boats on the lake; and who had that very day toiled
with them up the ascent of Olivet,—the same Jesus had now
gone to share His Father's throne. And the angels had assured
them that the very One whom they had seen go up into heaven,
would come again even as He had ascended."—The Desire of
Ages, p. 832.
While the angels did not specifically promise the disciples
that they would see their Lord return in the clouds during their
own lifetime, the announcement held out that eventual pros
pect to the group of early Christians who had just seen their
beloved Jesus carried away from their straining eyes.

THINK IT THROUGH In what respects does our personal knowledge of the Father
encourage us to believe in the Son and His return?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 252-254

36
The King Is Coming LESSON 4 Wednesday
October 21
Part 4 What questions concerning the future did the Master's
SIGNS OF teaching arouse in the minds of His disciples?
RETURN I
"As he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came
unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things
be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of
the world?" (Man. 24:3).

The last crowded week of our Lord's peculiarly human minis

try had already begun. It would be followed by 40 days of ap
pearances after his resurrection. Sunday morning, on His way
up the steep road from Jericho, He had ridden, humbly but
triumphantly, into the capital, then withdrawn down the same
road to the peace of Bethany. On Monday He cleared the temple
of its blasphemous commerce and entered on an intensive
threefold teaching program—addressed to the general
populace, to the rulers, and lastly to the disciples (Matt. 20:29 to
23:39). His sorrow over the destruction about to strike
Jerusalem (Matt. 24:1, 2) prompted the Twelve to pose the
threefold question, "When will these events occur? What sign
will forewarn us of Your coming? How shall we know when to
expect the end of the world?"

What was the Master's immediate response to His follow

ers' inquiries? Matt. 24:4-8.

Jesus does not avoid the questions posed by His disciples.

But because they could not grasp what would occur even in the
week that lay ahead, because they could not understand the
centuries that would pass before their Lord would return, and
because, had they known, they would not have been able to
bear the revelations—for such reasons Jesus mercifujly min
gled the immediate with the distant. (See The Great Con
troversy, p. 25.) He referred to some signs that would be true of
both times. Warnings concerning the destruction of the temple
and the city, of political chaos, devastating wars, and natural
disasters, merged with signs that particularly applied to His own
return, or parousia. However, the primary application of the
phrase "the end is not yet" (Matt. 24:6) is seen as a warning to
the disciples in A.D. 31 not to expect an immediate destruction
of Jerusalem. That catastrophe did not occur until A.D. 70,
nearly 40 years later, by which time some of His listeners were
dead!

THINK IT THROUGH Compared with the Twelve, how perceptive are we concern
ing the signs of our times?

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 628-630

37
The King Is Coming LESSON 4 D Thursday
October 22
Parts To which prominent milestones on the road to His return did
SIGNS OF the Saviour draw the believers' attention?
RETURN II
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the
sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and
the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the
heavens shall be shaken" (Matt. 24:29).

Some sections of our Lord's prophecy (Matthew 24 and paral

lels) may be applied to first-century conditions and events and
also to the time just before His second advent—as we have
already observed in Matthew 24:6 (Mark 13:7)—"the end is not
yet." The same may be said of Matthew 24:21 (Mark 13:19)—"for
then shall be great tribulation."
No double interpretation is possible, however, for today's
text, though prophecy drastically foreshortens its time ele
ments. The physical signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
occurring in 1780 and 1833, are clearly linked to the coming of
the Son of man (Matt. 24:30; Mark 13:24-26). But they were
guideposts; and no sensible traveler spends much time looking
backward—he forges ahead. Furthermore, the lapse of one and
a half centuries since 1833 should warn us not to measure
prophecy's view of time by human reckoning.

What other signs of Christ's approaching return does Luke

record, in addition to those in the heavens? Luke 21:25, 26.

If Christians had given more heed to the earlier physical signs,

they might feel less fear in face of "the distress of nations, with
perplexity" and the shaking of the powers of heaven.
The conflict between dramatic improvement in living
conditions—accompanied by worsening social and political
relations—and man's inability to ensure lasting peace, pro
duces despair. Thoughtful persons' hearts fail them for fear.
"We are now standing on the threshold of great and solemn
events. A crisis is before us, such as the world has never wit
nessed. And sweetly to us, as to the first disciples, comes the
assurance that God's kingdom ruleth over all. The program of
coming events is in the hands of our Maker. The Majesty of
heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His
church, in His own charge."—Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing, p. 121.

THINK IT THROUGH Compare the parallel records of our Lord's prophetic dis
course in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21; and build a pic
ture of pre-advent conditions.

38
The King Is Coming LESSON 4 D Friday
October 23
Parts By what parallel event did Jesus direct His followers to
SIGNS OF moral conditions that would point toward His coming?
RETURN III
"As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of
the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives,
they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered
into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all"
(Luke 17:26, 27). (Read also verses 28-30.)

"God did not condemn the antediluvians for eating and drink
ing; . . . Their sin consisted in taking these gifts without
gratitude to the Giver. ... It was lawful for them to marry.
Marriage was in God's order;... but... marriage was perverted
and made to minister to passion.
"A similar condition of things exists now. That which is lawful
in itself is carried to excess."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 101.

How does Paul support the Lord's view of the morality of the
last-day generation? 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

This is a fearful list of moral breakdown. It has applied to most

generations throughout history, but it is applicable to our gen
eration more than to any other. Worse still, it applies to those
who have "a form of godliness," that is, to professing Chris
tians, to church members, and, in some degree at least, to
ourselves. We can be a sign of the last days, either by being
justly included in Paul's sad list or by rising out of that class and
being numbered among them "that keep the commandments of
God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12).

What is the key to passing safely through the moral perils of

the last days? Luke 21:34-36.

We have responsibilities for our own spiritual survival. We

must "take heed" unto ourselves. We must reject customs that
debauch millions of our fellow human beings. Christian re
straint in eating and drinking and a trustful, watchful way of
meeting life's demands will enable us to escape the snares that
entrap so many in our time.

THINK IT THROUGH Which of the sins listed by Paul beset me the most? Am I
seeking daily grace from Christ to overcome them?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 306-309

39
K**,
 LESSON 5 October 25-31

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be Last week's lesson dwelt on the
done in earth, as it is in heaven" need for the coming of the King,
(Matt. 6:10). for His sake as well as that of the
lost worlds. Christ's own promises
This is the first petition in the assure us that His work did not
prayer Jesus taught the multitude end at Calvary nor even at Bethany
on the mount (chapter 5:1). Its po (Luke 24:50), but that before the
sition reveals its importance in the foundation of the world He had
Teacher's thinking. Its request—so planned, in concert with the Fa
brief, yet of such magnitude—lies ther, to come the second time to
at the very heart of Christ's minis complete the work He began in
try. He came so His kingdom could Bethlehem. Without that return,
come. None knew better than He His Father's kingdom would not
that His Palestinian life would not come; with it, the train of events
complete that task. But it would set would see God's will done on this
it in motion; it would gather the earth as it is in heaven.
nucleus of subjects who would The limitations of brief doctrinal
be—in a special sense because of studies create their own difficul
their openness to Christ—charter ties. This doctrine of the kingdom
members of this kingdom which is no exception. It had its im
the Son so often described as "the mediate application to those who
kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 4:17 received its message in Palestine
onward). The central ambition (in and to the hearts of those who
the purest possible sense) of the later accepted it in every nation
Son of man's existence was the es under heaven. But it is also in
tablishment of that kingdom on separably linked to the Lord's
earth. glorious return for the eternal es
tablishment of His kingdom on
earth as an integral part of His
kingdom in heaven. It is from this
angle that this week's study views
the second advent—as a spectacu
lar step in answer to the petition,
"Thy kingdom come."

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. When?—I
(Matt. 24:32, 33)
2. When?—II
(Matt. 24:36)
3. Why?
(Matt. 24:14)
4. How?—I
(Acts 1:11)
5. How?—II
(Matt. 16:27)
6. How to Be Ready
(Matt. 24:42)
"Thy Kingdom Come" LESSON 5 D Sunday
October 25
Parti How did Jesus reveal His recognition of the human desire to
WHEN?—I know the time when His prophecies will be fulfilled?

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet
tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it
is near, even at the doors" (Matt. 24:32, 33).

The disciples' question, "When shall these things be?" (Matt.

24:3) led to Christ's prophecies concerning the destruction of
Jerusalem and the end of the world. He first wanted to prepare
the Twelve for the national tragedy that loomed ahead (A.D. 70).
He then wanted to prepare the church for the griefs and joys that
would be associated with His second coming. He therefore told
of the signs recorded in Matthew 24:29 and described some of
the events that would accompany the return (verses 30, 31).
Infinite wisdom limited Christ in knowing or giving a date forthe
advent. It well knew also what human nature would do if a day
were fixed for His appearing. But Christ did reveal enough to
alert the believer to the nearness of that glad event. (See Matt.
24:36.)
The double thread of meaning that runs throughout Matthew
24 and its parallels (Mark 13 and Luke 21) appears also in our
text for today. The Greek of Matthew 24:33 permits translation
either as "it is near" or as "he is near." The first could refer to
A.D. 70 or to the advent, while the second would be a distinct
reference to Christ's own return. The general context, many
modern translations, and The Desire of Ages, page 632, favor
the second translation.

What solemn assurance of fulfillment did Jesus give con

cerning the signs? Matt. 24:34, 35.

Verse 34 has given rise to many time forecasts concerning the

end. Yet it is clear from Christ's subsequent words in verse 36
that He never intended His followers to assume that He was
suggesting a date for His return. Some take the phrase "this
generation shall not pass" to mean that all the Lord's predic
tions will have been fulfilled when the life cycle of the last
generation is interrupted by the advent itself. This application is
seen to be confirmed by the emphatic declaration in verse 35.

THINK IT THROUGH How clear is our conviction that Christ's coming is near,
even at the doors? How do we proclaim that conviction?

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 632-634

42
"Thy Kingdom Come" LESSON 5 D Monday
October 26
Part 2 How did Jesus declare the impossibility of the church's
WHEN?—II knowing either the day or the hour—that is the date—of
Christ's second coming?

"Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of
heaven, but my Father only" (Matt. 24:36).

Speaking in A.D. 31, the Lord could only deal in general terms
with the time of His second advent. Neither the Twelve nor the
multitudes who would come into the church after them were
capable of facing with spiritual calmness the passage of two
millenniums. Therefore the wise and merciful Father withheld
time knowledge from them. Yet disciples of all ages have longed
to have a date for their Master's return. To all of them, the Lord's
answer is final, "Of that day and hour knoweth no man." The
parallel passage in Mark contains the phrase "neither the Son"
(Mark 13:32). How, then, can mere mortals have the boldness to
claim to foretell the date of the Son's return? All dated forecasts
are doomed to failure. Worse still, the very attempts are mis
placed, being an endeavor to discover what the Father in His
wisdom has decided to keep secret. (See Acts 1:7.)
"Time after time has been set for Christ to come, but repeated
failures have been the result.... Because the times repeatedly
set have passed, the world is in a more decided state of unbelief
than before in regard to the near advent of Christ. They look
upon the failures of the time setters with disgust; and because
men have been so deceived, they turn from the truth substan
tiated by the word of God that the end of all things is at
hand."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 307.
Nevertheless, we must guard against the opposite extreme—
that of ignoring or denying the Lord's coming. Those negative
attitudes are often fatal, leading to a complete loss of faith. It is
the evil servant who says in his heart, "My lord delayeth his
coming," while the faithful and wise servant is ever ready for his
Master's return.

THINK IT THROUGH Have we ever declared, after some earthshaking event,

"We are sure Christ will come within the next one or two (or
five or ten ) years now!" Is it not better, with Christ, to leave
such times and seasons to our omniscient Father?

"Those who think they must preach definite time in order to

make an impression upon the people do not work from the right
standpoint. ... An excitement is created; but when the time
passes, as it has done repeatedly, those who moved out upon
time fall back into coldness, darkness, and sin, and it is almost
impossible to arouse their consciences without some great
excitement."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 308.

43

4—AL-^t-81
"Thy Kingdom Come" LESSON 5 D Tuesday
October 27
Part 3 What did Jesus present to the Twelve as a key factor in the
WHY? time of His return?

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the

world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come" (Matt. 24:14).

This gospel of the kingdom. There is only one gospel (com

pare Gal. 1:8). It proclaims the coming of the kingdom of which
Christ is King. It prepares men and women to be His sinless
subjects.
Shall be preached. This is both a commission to preach that
gospel and an assurance that it will be done.
In all the world. This calls for and promises global coverage.
For a witness unto all nations. This requires that the good
news of God's plan of salvation be shared with all nationalities.
Then shall the end come. This is a reference to "the end of
the world" (Matt. 24:3) and a pledge that it will come.

Upon whom does the burden for the proclamation of the

gospel rest? Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15.

The task was originally given to the apostles, but it was soon
shared with the church and accepted by the early Christians,
who "went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). These
took the command literally and spoke to all whom they met,
sharing with them the wonderful news that "God, having raised
up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every
one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:26). The royal command
in Mark 16:15 shows that a token witness to a nation does not
fulfill the church's missionary duty. The divine intent is the
giving of the gospel "to every creature," or "to all creation"—a
colossal task still to be accomplished before the end can come.
But what else could we expect? "The Lord is... not willing that
any should perish, but that all should come to repentance"
(2 Peter 3:9), and there are more than 4,000,000,000 "creatures"
alive in our world today. How many of them have heard and
accepted or rejected the gospel? How many still remain to be
reached? What are we doing to reach them? Are we doing it so
effectively that the end will soon come?
"The church of Christ is God's appointed agency for the
salvation of men. . . . Everyone, to the extent of his talent and
opportunity, is to fulfill the Saviour's commission."—Steps to
Christ, p. 81.

THINK IT THROUGH What am I doing that will contribute to the preaching of the
gospel in all the world to help the end to come? If the answer is
negative, let this day's study change it.

44
'Thy Kingdom Come" LESSON 5 D Wednesday
October 28
Part 4 What simple, angelic assurance defines the manner in
HOW?—I which Jesus will return?

"This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven

shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven" (Acts 1:11).

"In like manner. By this promise, His return must be (1)

personal—'this same Jesus' (see DA 832); (2) visible—'ye have
seen him go'; (3) with clouds—'a cloud received him'; (4)
certain—'shall so come.' This quiet but solemn pledge of the
angelic counselors brings to the doctrine of the second coming
of Christ an utter certainty, assured by the reality of the ascen
sion. It is all true, event and promise, or none of it is true.
Without the second advent, all the preceding work in the plan of
salvation would be as vain as the sowing and cultivation of
crops without a harvest."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp.
125, 126.

With what magnificent words does Paul confirm the angels'

announcement? 1 Thess. 4:16,17.

Here is the ascension in reverse. The same Jesus, possessing

the same dual divine-human nature, though glorified beyond
our utmost imaginings, descends from the heaven to which He
had ascended centuries ago. The eleven apostles who had seen
Him caught up will have been resurrected to see their Lord
returning, as the angels had promised. With them will also be
raised a multitude of the dead in Christ. (See Dan. 12:2; Early
Writings, p.285.)Thishost,togetherwithall living believers who
had accepted the Saviour by faith, will "meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we [Paul, the faithful Thessalonians, and all the
redeemed] ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17). This descrip
tion adds to what Jesus told the people in His time. (See Matt.
16:27; 24:30, 31; 26:64.)
"Christ will come in His own glory, in the glory of His Father,
and the glory of the holy angels. Ten thousand times ten
thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels, the beautiful
and triumphant sons of God, possessing surpassing loveliness
and glory, will escort Him on His way."—The Desire of Ages, p.
739.

THINK IT THROUGH When "this same Jesus" calls to the dead and the living,
shall I be numbered among those who respond and meet
Him?

This is no merely academic question. We need to give most

earnest attention to our answer now.

FURTHER STUDY Early Writings, pp. 285-288

45
"thy Kingdom Come" LESSON 5 Thursday
October 29
Parts While still in Palestine, what was our Lord able to tell of His
HOW?—II triumphant return?
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with
his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to
his works" (Matt. 16:27).

Peter had recognized the divinity of his Lord (Matt. 16:16).

Jesus had forewarned His companions of His approaching pas
sion and had expounded His philosophy of sacrificial living
(verses 21 -26). Then comes the revelation—already shared with
Nathaniel at the time of his call (John 1:51) but apparently
forgotten or not understood—"the Son of man shall come in the
glory of his Father" (Matt. 16:27). We memorize such words. Do
we have any true idea of what they mean? Moses pleaded,
"Shew me thy glory" (Ex. 33:18); and he was told, "There shall
no man see me, and live" (verse 20). In vision Daniel saw the
Ancient of Days and tried to describe what he saw (Dan. 7:9,10;
compare Matt. 24:30, 31).

With what words does one of the psalmists describe Christ's

coming? Ps. 50:3, 4.

Those who knew their God as did the psalmists had a

sanctified respect for His glory. When they thought of His ap
pearing, they visualized the awe-inspiring splendor, the purity
that could only be expressed in terms of fire, and the turmoil in
the elements as the shining hosts precede, surround, and follow
the King in His beauty. Habakkuk records an even more blazing
vision in chapter 3:3-6. Yet his reaction is not one of craven fear.
Instead, he exclaims, "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the
God of my salvation" (verse 18). Isaiah's response was similar
when he saw the Lord will "swallow up death in victory; and the
Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces;... it shall be
said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and
he will save us" (Isa. 25:8, 9).
"No language can describe the glory of the scene. The living
cloud of majesty and unsurpassed glory came still nearer, and
we could clearly behold the lovely person of Jesus. . . . His
countenance was as bright as the noonday sun, His eyes were
as a flame of fire, and His feet had the appearance of fine brass.
His voice sounded like many musical instruments."—EarlyWrit-
ings, p. 286.

THINK IT THROUGH When we see Jesus, shall we be surprised at His appear

ance, or shall we have so digested the biblical description of
His advent that we shall be humbly ready for His glory?
FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, p. 301

46
"Thy Kingdom Come" LESSON 5 D Friday
October 30
Pane What reality shapes the counsel the Lord Himself gives to
HOW TO BE those who await His return?
READY
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth
come" (Matt. 24:42).
Watch, or keep on the alert. Ye know not. thanks to the
Saviour's Instruction, we can know much about His corning, but
not one of us knows the day (rather than hour) of that coming
(compare verse 36). This makes it necessary for us to read the
signs of the times rightly and to be always on the alert, espe
cially as we see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25). The Master
placed great emphasis on this watchful state, telling six para
bles to drive the counsel home (Mark 13:34-37; Matt. 24:43, 44,
45-51:25:1-13, 14-30,31-46).
"The desire of our Lord is that we should be watching, so that
when He cometh and knocketh we may open to Him immedi
ately. A blessing is pronounced upon those servants whom He
finds watching. . . . Are we prepared without delay to open to
Him immediately and welcome Him in? Watch, watch, watch."-'-
Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 195.

What can we do for ourselves that will better prepare us to

meet our Master in peace? 2 Peter 3:14.
This verse is for all who love their Lord's appearing—those
who look for or wait for Or expect "the coming of the day of
God" and "new heavens and a new earth" (verses 12,13). It is,
then, a peculiarly Adventist verse and should be given earnest,
receptive attention by those who await the Saviour. Peter bids
us, "be diligent/' or take pains, making every effort for a specific
purpose—namely, to be found by the Lord in a state of peace,
spiritually spotless and therefore blameless. This is an ex
tremely high standard. It has only been fully met by Jesus Christ,
and yet it can be credited to us. We then choose to be like Him
through His transforming power. Here, then, is a recipe for
readiness to meet the Redeemer in the last great day—daily
justified and daily being sanctified.
"My brother, my sister, I urge you to prepare for the coming of
Christ in the clouds of heaven. Day by day cast the love of the
world out of your hearts. Understand by experience what it
means to have fellowship with Christ."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p.
285.

THINK IT THROUGH How diligent are we in our preparations to meet our Lord at
His return?

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 634-636

47
 LESSON 6 November 1-7

& All Things New mar

"For, behold, I create new heavens earth." Jesus, however, having

and a new earth: and the former come from His Father's house and
shall not be remembered, nor come knowing He would return there,
into mind" (Isa. 65:17). knew it as His true home. He has
ever wanted His followers to see it
The doctrine of the second com in a similar light.
ing brings good news to mankind, It is difficult for earthbound,
but Christ's return is not the end time-confined humans to see into a
of the story. If it were, many ques future without time or limit; but
tions would remain unanswered, much can be learned from a care
and many problems would be left ful study of biblical revelation. But
unsolved. Happily, there are we need to be big-minded there,
further pages of revelation still to for the ultimate reality will.outstrip
be turned. One, showing the re even the most far-reaching of
deemed living and reigning with sanctified imaginings. However, we
Christ a thousand years, has al are not required to know all about
ready been glanced at; the second, future glories. Our duty and
where Cod makes all things new privilege is to be ready for them.
(Rev. 21:5), is the subject of this And that confronts us with spiritual
week's study. It is the true fulfill requirements, for "not every one
ment of Tennyson's well-known that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
lines: shall enter into the kingdom of
And one far-off divine event, heaven; but he that doeth the will
To which the whole creation of my Father which is in heaven"
moves. (Matt. 7:21). We must also re
member this too: "He that shall
Consciously or otherwise, the endure unto the end, the same
renewed earth is the goal to which shall be saved" (Matt. 24:13). Let
all of Cod's subjects have been us not forget, however, that Christ
looking and moving throughout wants to receive us unto Himself
history. Adam must have longed to (John 14:3). As Augustine recog
be restored to Eden. Abraham nized, "Thou hast made us for
looked for the heavenly city. Isaiah Thyself, and our heart is restless,
was inspired to look for the crea until it repose in Thee."
tion of "new heavens and a new
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Assured Inheritance
(Isa. 45:18)
2. News of the Kingdom
(Mark 1:14)
3. They Seek a Country
(Heb. 11:10)
4. New Heaven, New Earth
(Rev. 21:1)
5. God With Us
(Rev. 21:3)
6. Citizens of the Kingdom
(Rev. 21:7)
All Things New LESSON 6 D Sunday
November 1
Parti Note how God, through Isaiah, makes clear that He will yet
ASSURED reach the goal He had in creating our planet.
INHERITANCE
"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God
himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established
it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am
the Lord; and there is none else" (Isa. 45:18).

There is no boasting here. The Creator is calmly reminding

mankind and all other inhabitants of the universe that the ful
fillment of His plan in the creation of our earth has been post
poned, but not defeated, by the disease of sin. When human
history closes and the redeemed move over into the eternity that
we can now see only as the future—but which to the Eternal
is the ever-continuing present—we shall perceive that the Al
mighty's original purposes for the earth have been fulfilled.
"There will be open to the student, history of infinite scope
and of wealth inexpressible. Here, from the vantage ground of
God's word, the student is afforded a view of the vast field of
history and may gain some knowledge of the principles that
govern the course of human events. But his vision is still
clouded, and his knowledge incomplete. Not until he stands in
the light of eternity will he see all things clearly."—Education, p.
304.

With what words does David remind us that the earth will be
peopled by righteous inhabitants? Ps. 37:9-11, 29.
"Those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth."
"The meek shall inherit the earth." "The righteous shall inherit
the land." This must be so. An all-wise all-powerful God could
not determine otherwise. In the beginning He made man free to
choose good or evil in order to settle the conflict between right
and wrong. When the war against wrong shall have ended in
favor of right, it would be foolish and fatal to allow those who
prefer sin to introduce its destructive conceits into a new and
perfect creation. Those who are going to inhabit the renewed
earth must, therefore, be in complete harmony with the Creator's
ideals. The Son of God confirmed this in His teaching on the
mount (Matt. 5:5). To the poor in spirit, to the meek, to the pure
in heart, to the persecuted, to the reviled, the Son of man will
say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre
pared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34).

THINK IT THROUGH How clearly do we accept that our present responses to

God's standards determine our fitness for eternity?
FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 729-735

50
All Things New LESSON 6 D Monday
November 2
Part 2 As Jesus began His ministry, what news did He bring to the
NEWS OF THE world? What was the meaning of it?
KINGDOM
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into
Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" (Mark
1:14).

Behold the irony of history! After John the Baptist had been
imprisoned while preaching "the kingdom of heaven is at hand"
(Matt. 3:1, 2), Jesus of Nazareth opened His ministry with the
very same message (Matt. 4:17). He who had set Adam and Eve
in Eden—there to establish a branch of the kingdom on planet
earth—and had seen that kingdom usurped by Satan, had come
in human guise to regain that realm for God. He was recruiting
subjects forthe kingdom—those who agreed with its principles,
served Him as King, and were loyal to God the Father. The
kingdom would be first established in His followers' hearts and
then be realized in Eden restored, when the kingdoms of this
world become the kingdom of our Lord.

Why did the Lord often give instruction about the kingdom
by an indirect method? Matt. 13:10,11.

The King had much to tell about the kingdom, but He had to
convey His news gently, for even the Jewish people were unpre
pared to accept His revelations. He therefore taught in parables.
Thirteen of those, recorded by Matthew, dealt with the kingdom
of heaven or of God (Matt. 13:3 with 19, 24, 31, 33, etc.). Later,
just prior to ascension, He spent 40 days with the eleven apos
tles, "speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God"
(Acts 1:3). He educated them to prepare others to be subjects of
that kingdom.
There can be no doubt, however, that Christ's far-seeing mind
looked beyond the building of the kingdom of God on a limited
basis among willing members of the human race. He was living
and working for the establishment of that kingdom as the su
preme ruling power for all the universe, with the New Jerusalem
—set upon this earth—as the seat of divine government. Given
His eternal background and His knowledge of God's eternal
purpose, He could foresee no less than what is so briefly por
trayed in the two final chapters of the Bible—Revelation, chap
ters 21 and 22. We need to share His vision, while safeguarding
our own understanding of it from the blurrings that arise from
our own limitations.

THINK IT THROUGH As I think of the kingdom of heaven, am I more concerned

with its physical glories than with my spiritual preparedness
to be one of its citizens?

FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "Like a Grain of Mustard Seed," pp.
76-79
51
All Things New LESSON 6 D Tuesday
November 3
Parts What was the vision that inspired holy men of old in their
THEY SEEK pilgrimage? How does this vision help us?
A COUNTRY
"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose
builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10).

In this, Abraham was typical of all saints who endured trou

bled earthly lives on the strength of a heavenly vision. Through
eyes of faith they looked toward the well-founded city of which
God is both designer and builder. They looked ahead, seeking a
better, heavenly fatherland, and believing that God had pre
pared such a country especially for them (verses 14,16). Those
who have lived nearest to God have most clearly seen "the
things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor.
2:9), even though they have been numbered among those who
"died in faith, not having received the promises" (Heb. 11:13).

How did New Testament saints share the patriarchal vi

sion? 2 Peter 3:13.

Earlier in this chapter, Peter has been writing of the scoffers

and earthly-minded ones who have ever been doubtful of bibli
cal promises of the Lord's return and of His re-creative acts
(2 Peter 3:1-7). He has stated the Lord's patience (verse 9), that
"the day of the Lord will come" (verse 10), that the old creation
will be destroyed (verse 12), and that those who trust the divine
promise (see verses 4, 9) will look for "new heavens and a new
earth" (verse 13). The word here translated "new" does not call
for a completely different kind of heaven and earth, but rather
renewed heavens and a renewed earth from which all that is evil
has been purged and in which all that is right has made its
permanent home.

THINK IT THROUGH Seeing that we look for such things, what kind of people
should we now be?

"In heaven there is perfect order, perfect obedience, perfect

peace and harmony. Those who have had no respect for order
or discipline in this life would have no respect for the order
which is observed in heaven. They can never be admitted into
heaven, for all worthy of an entrance there will love order and
respect discipline. The characters formed in this life will deter
mine the future destiny. When Christ shall come, He will not
change the character of any individual. Precious, probationary
time is given to be improved in washing our robes of character
and making them white in the blood of the Lamb. To remove the
stains of sin requires the work of a lifetime."—Testimonies, vol.
4, p. 429.

fURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 285-288

52
All Things New LESSON 6 ] Wednesday
November 4
Part 4 What final and pleasing vision was granted to the revelator?
NEW HEAVEN, What does it mean to us today?
NEW EARTH
"I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven
and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more
sea" (Rev. 21:1).

The heavenly guides have led the apostle from the days of the
early church to the threshold of eternity, and now they give him
a glimpse into the timeless future, when all that God originally
planned will come to pass. What Peter and others looked for,
John is permitted to see—a renewed heaven and a remadeearth
to replace those that have been destroyed by the shattering
events attendant to the end of the age. The greater part of the
remaining apocalyptic visions (Rev. 21:2 to 22:5) describes
conditions on the new earth and the glories of its capital city.

What impression of the Holy City is given .by the simile

applied to it by John? Rev. 21:2, 9,10.

The New Jerusalem has been the heavenly city, but it is now to
be the seat of divine government. It is therefore seen to be
"descending out of heaven from God," gleaming because of the
glory of the Father radiating from it. The physical and spiritual
glories of that city are spelled out more fully in verses 11 to 27;
but we should remember that John is there trying to describe
the indescribable, using earthly language to convey eternal
realities that are beyond the mental reach of human beings.
"Workers for God should not spend time speculating as to
what conditions will prevail in the new earth. ... He has made
every provision for our happiness in the future life, and we are
not to speculate regarding His plans for us. Neither are we to
measure the conditions of the future life by the conditions of
this life."—Gospel Workers, p. 314.
When all that the Lord has seen fit to reveal to us concerning
the nature of eternal life and the occupations that will engage us
during the eternal years has been faithfully studied, we are
scarcely carried beyond the pearly gates. The limitation need
cause us no dismay. We shall have eternity itself in which to
explore unimagined wonders where there will be no limits of
time to press us into peace-destroying haste!

THINK IT THROUGH What do we foresee as our chief pleasure when we at last

behold the new heaven and when we dwell in the new earth?

FURTHER STUDY Read Isaiah 25, endeavoring to apply its picturesque lan
guage to conditions in the new earth.

53
All Things New LESSON 6 Q Thursday
November 5
Part 5 When the Holy City descends, what long-cherished divine
GOD WITH US plan will have been carried out?

"I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the

tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and
they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them,
and be their God" (Rev. 21:3).

While the Lord God had walked in Eden, there is no scriptural

suggestion that He had then intended to make our earth the
center of His government. But the disaster of disobedience not
only called out redemptive love, but revealed the plan that God
Himself would live among the redeemed. This is beautifully
confirmed by the revelator's choice of words in this verse: "The
tabernacle of God is with men."
The earthly sanctuary was made so that the Lord might dwell
among His people (Ex. 25:8; 29:45); the temples built by Sol
omon and Zerubbabel were to be similarly honored (1 Kings
6:13; Hag. 2:6-9); and when the Word, who was God, was made
flesh, God came to "dwell"—or to "tabernacle"—among men
(John 1:14). And now, with every form of evil destroyed (Rev.
20:7-15), God comes to make His everlasting home among the
ransomed race.
In considering this, we should ever bear in mind the limita
tions of human thought and language and realize that the Om
nipresent will not be localized, though He will dwell among His
people, even as their God. That surprising honor will suffice.

Over which territory and for how long a time will the Lord
God reign? Rev. 11:15; 19:6,16.

"Then cometh the end, when he [Christ] shall have delivered

up the kingdom to God, even the Father.... And when all things
shall be subdued unto him [Christ], then shall the Son also
himself be subject unto him [the Father] that put all things under
him [Christ], that God [the Father] may be all in all" (1 Cor.
15:24-28).
Since heaven itself and all other worlds already delight in
loyalty to the Lord God, the submission of our wayward world
proclaims the Godhead as King of kings and Lord of lords over
the whole universe. Then will be fulfilled the declaration
prophesied by John: "and every creature which is in heaven,
and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea,
and all that are in them" say, "Blessing, and honour, and glory,
and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto
the Lamb for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:13). Alleluia!

FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 674-678

54
All Things New LESSON 6 Q Friday
November 6
Parts What fitness for citizenship in the new world does its King
CITIZENS OF demand?
THE KINGDOM
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his
God, and he shall be my son" (Rev. 21:7).

This is but one of many ways of describing the qualities that

must be possessed by all who would be citizens of the kingdom
of God. They must, by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, have
overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. This is the refrain in
the messages to the seven churches (Rev. 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,
21). Other biblical writers mention other facets of the character
of him who would live with the Eternal—law lover, upright, pure
hearted, guileless (Ps. 1:1-3; 15; 24:3-5; 34:12-14), humble (|sa.
57:15), Spirit controlled (Rom. 8:1-4)—while Jesus declares
simply but with authority that the new birth is the prime essen
tial (John 3:3). From another point of view it might be truly said
that the whole Bible is given that we might learn the secret of
how to become citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

After reviewing the many instructions given for finding eter

nal life, what basic requirement must we ever keep in mind?
Matt. 18:3.

"To be great in God's kingdom is to be a little child in humility,

in simplicity of faith, and in the purity of love. All pride must
perish, all jealousy be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be
given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be encour
aged. . . .
"Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom and to receive
the kingdom of heaven as a little child? Are we willing to part
with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen
worldly associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation
of men? The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put
forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of
the object to be attained? .. .
" 'He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to
walk, even as He walked.' 'Now if any man have not the spirit of
Christ, he is none of His.' This conformity to Jesus will not be
unobserved by the world. It is a subject of notice and comment.
The Christian may not be conscious of the great change; for the
more closely he resembles Christ in character the more humble
will be the opinion of himself; but it will be seen and felt by all
around him."—Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 130, 222, 223.

THINK IT THROUGH If Jesus were to come today, would I be ready for the king
dom of heaven?

55
 LESSON 7 November 8-14

"Whether therefore ye eat, or of the most elementary yet most

drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to important of these principles
the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). claims that the Christian is Cod's
property by right of creation and of
It is worth our while to consider purchase, this provides the basis
the setting in which our memory for true temperance and balanced
verse is placed. It concludes the health reform.
apostle's study of some of Israel's As the church sees the mounting
failures during the Exodus, espe flood of alcoholism, so much of
cially those of intemperance in eat which is still old-fashioned drunk
ing, drinking, recreation, and sex enness with its attendant crime and
ual pleasures. From Israel he turns brutality, it has the clear duty to
to the Christian church and its stem the cruel tide through pre
early struggles against idolatry. He vention, to rescue the enslaved,
sees the communion service as a and to aid their victims. All drug
safeguard against the lures of a dependencies bring harm to the
careless paganism, whose declared individual and society and defile
philosophy cried, "Let us eat, the temple of the Holy Spirit. The
drink, and be merry; for tomorrow teaching of temperance and the
we die." (See Isa. 22:13.). He con helping of those who have lost the
cludes his argument with 1 Corin power to help themselves, become
thians 10:31. merciful and essential forms of
As moral principles are increas Christian service, and they play no
ingly ignored, Christians increas small part in reducing the miseries
ingly need to safeguard those that that afflict our world.
are the basis of their religion. One "Here is a principle which lies at
the foundation of every act,
thought, and motive; the consecra
tion of the entire being, both phys
ical and mental, to the control or
the Spirit of God. . . . You can do
all things through Christ who
strengtnenth you."—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 84.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. God's Ideals for His Children
(Gen. 1:27)
2. Guidance on Diet
(Deut. 14:2)
3. Jesus and Health
(Matt. 4:23)
4. The Believer and His Body
(Rom. 12:1)
5. Spirit-inspired Temperance
(Gal. 5:22, 23)
6. Health Forevermore
(2 Peter 3:13)
Christianity and Health LESSON 7 D Sunday
November 8
Parti On what basis may we be assured of the physical perfection
GOD'S IDEALS of the newly created Adam and Eve?
FOR HIS
CHILDREN "God created man in his own image, in the image of God
created he him; male and female created he them" (Gen.
1:27).

In His creation of the first man and woman the Creator ex

pressed His intention toward the human race. By making "man
in his own image" He cast him in a perfect mold, for, by defini
tion, Deity is perfect. Consequently, Adam and Eve were without
blemish, literally in perfect health, and not subject to disease.
Furthermore, they were models for all mankind. If sin had not
burst into Eden, all human beings would have possessed a
perfect physique and would have enjoyed perfect health and
self-control. Such was God's ideal for His earthly children.

In spite of sin's ruin, what assurance has God given to show

His continuing desire to give health to His children and the
assurance of a return to self-control? Deut. 7:12-15; Ex. 15:26;
23:25. (See also Ps. 103:2-5.)

"Christ had been the guide and teacher of ancient Israel, and
He taught them that health is the reward of obedience to the
laws of God. The Great Physician who healed the sick in Pales
tine had spoken to His people from the pillar of cloud, telling
them what they must do, and what God would do for them....
Christ gave to Israel definite instruction in regard to their habits
of life, and he assured them, The Lord will take away from thee
all sickness.'... When they fulfilled the conditions, the promise
was verified to them. There was not one feeble person among
their tribes.' "—The Desire of Ages, p. 824.
Our very salvation depends on the truth of the psalmist's
declaration that the Lord is He "who forgiveth all thine in
iquities" (Ps. 103:3); and we believe and know that this pardon
is ours in Christ Jesus (1 John 1:9). The full benefit of such
forgiveness, however, will not be enjoyed until we enter into
eternity. May it not be similar, though to a lesser degree, with
our health? As we follow Christ's guidance, we shall enjoy
better health and also the prospect of full restoration when "this
mortal shall have put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:54).

THINK IT THROUGH What influence does my spiritual condition have upon the
Lord's work in behalf of my health?

FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 128-130

58
Christianity and Health LESSON 7 D Monday
November 9
Part 2 What is the spiritual concern that prompts the Lord's inter
GUIDANCE est in our physical well-being?
ON DIET
"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the
Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself,
above all the nations that are upon the earth" (Deut. 14:2).

It was no thoughtless act that led our Maker to define clean

and unclean meats. (See Gen. 7:2; Deut. 14:3-21; Lev. 11:1-47.)
The Lord had chosen Israel to be "a special people" above all
the nations (Deut. 7:6). They were to be "his treasured posses
sion" (NIV), and with this high calling, they were to see them
selves as "an holy people." To this high end, they were to be
careful in their diet and in other matters, for the sake of spiritual
as well as physical health.
The difference between clean and unclean meats is still to be
observed; and vegetarianism stands on its own merits; but the
prevalence of disease among animals used for food offers a
sound and additional reason why a lacto-ovo-vegetarian
diet—where we can find and pay for it—offers an excellent
solution to the dietary question.
"In teaching health principles, keep before the mind the great
object of reform—that its purpose is to secure the highest de
velopment of body and mind and soul. Show that the laws of
nature, being the laws of God, are designed for our good; that
obedience to them promotes happiness in this life, and aids in
preparation for the life to come."—The Ministry of Healing, p.
146.

What lessons can we learn and apply from the drinking and
eating practices of certain Old Testament characters? Num.
6:2-4; Judges 13:2-5; Jer. 35:1-10; Dan. 1:3-20.

Manoah's wife and son, the Rechabites, the captive royal

Jewish children in Babylon, and the Nazarites—more accu
rately Nazirites—were willing to deny their appetites and ob
serve strict temperance principles amid widely differing cir
cumstances. "True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely
with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is
healthful. There are few who realize as they should how much
their habits of diet have to do with their health, their character,
their usefulness in this world, and their eternal destiny."—
Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 562.

THINK IT THROUGH The church is called unto purity and holiness, following in
our Master's footsteps. How willing are we to follow scriptural
dietary guidance in fulfillment of our high calling?

FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 479-490

59
Christianity and Health LESSON 7 D Tuesday
November 10
Part 3 During His.first Galilean tour, how did Jesus demonstrate
JESUS AND His deep concern for mankind's health?
HEALTH
"Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all
manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the
people" (Matt. 4:23).

There is no room for any doubt concerning the Godhead's

attitude to disease. The beneficent medical ministry of the Son
proclaims to the world that Father, Son, and Spirit are against it.
They want to abolish it. As we saw in part 1 of this week's lesson,
one of the Lord's own self-descriptions is, "I am the Lord that
healeth thee" (Ex. 15:26). And now, the Lord Incarnate demon
strates His desire to overcome human suffering and to make.His
creatures whole.
"The burden of disease and wretchedness and sin He came to
remove. It was His mission to bring to men complete restora
tion; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of
character."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 17.
As Christ prepared His church to meet the last days, how did
He speak of the indulged craving of appetite in relation to
readiness for His return? Luke 21:34. (Compare Rom. 13:11-
14.)

Our Lord, in His omniscience, knows our need for self-

examination and self-control in matters of appetite. He also
knows that need will increase as pressures grow greater prior to
the end. He therefore urges us, "Do not let your minds be dulled
by dissipation and drunkenness and worldly cares so that the
great Day closes upon you suddenly like a trap" (Luke 21:34,
NEB). There is real spiritual peril incur appetites for food, drink,
and all kinds of pleasure; and the Saviour here underlines our
personal responsibility for curbing those desires that they not
swamp our spiritual faculties.
"In all ages, temptations appealing to the physical nature
have been most effectual in corrupting and degrading mankind.
Through intemperance, Satan works to destroy the mental and
moral powers that God gave to man as a priceless endowment.
Through sensual indulgence, Satan seeks to blot from the soul
every trace of likeness to God.
"The uncontrolled indulgence and consequent disease and
degradation that existed at Christ's first advent will again exist,
with intensity of evil, before His second coming."—The Desire
.of Ages, p. 122.

THINK IT THROUGH Is my daily health program going to help or hinder my prepa

ration for meeting the Lord in peace?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 485-492

60
Christianity and Health LESSON 7 H Wednesday
November 11
Part 4 What solution to bodily temptations does Paul offer to Chris
THE BELIEVER tians? How do I relate to this solution?
AND HIS BODY
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1).

Those who accept this solution take a great stride in the

conquest of many temptations. The offering, to be effective, has
to be on a continuing basis so that the body always remains
under God's ownership and control. "The body is the only
medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for
the upbuilding of character. Hence it is that the adversary of
souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of
the physical powers. . . .
"The body is to be brought into subjection. The higher
powers of the being are to rule. The passions are to be control
led by the will, which is itself to be under the control of God. The
kingly power of reason, sanctified by divine grace, is to bear
sway in our lives."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 130.

In what picturesque and enlightening way does Paul extend

his teaching concerning our bodies? 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

For the Christian, this is not a matter of choice, but of fact. By

baptism he has offered back his body to God, who makes of it a
shrine wherein dwells the Holy Spirit. The Christian's body,
then, does not belong to himself. He will choose to use it so that
God is glorified.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual has long ex
pressed concern that the followers of Christ should be a godly
people, not adopting the unholy maxims or conforming to the
unrighteous ways of the world, not loving its sinful pleasures or
countenancing its follies. It has indicated that believers should
recognize their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit and that
therefore they should clothe themselves in neat, modest, dig
nified apparel. Further, in eating and drinking and in their entire
course of conduct, they have been instructed to shape their
lives as followers of the meek and lowly Master. Adventist fol
lowers of Christ have been led to abstain from all intoxicating
drinks, tobacco, and other narcotics and to avoid every body-
and soul-defiling habit and practice.

THINK IT THROUGH What are we doing with our bodies? Does our life-style
encourage the Holy Spirit to live in us?

FURTHER STUDY Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 43-47

61
Christianity and Health LESSON 7 n Thursday
November 12
Parts What are some of the qualities produced in a Spirit-
SPIRIT-INSPIRED controlled character?
TEMPERANCE
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22, 23).

Here we encounter one of Paul's deep insights—the contrast

and conflict between "the works of the flesh" (verses 19-21),
translated byJ. B. Phillips as "the activities of the lower nature,"
and "the fruit" (verse 22), or "the harvest" (NEB), of the Spirit.
The last item of "fruit" noted is "temperance" (verse 23), which
comes from a word that is better translated as "self-control."
Temperance therefore has a broader meaning than abstinence.
It includes Spirit-controlled living in every activity—drinking,
eating, sleeping, dressing, working, or pleasure. This is also
God's answer to every false craving and desire.
But there are nine "fruits" in Paul's list. While emphasizing
the ninth, must we not also give similar attention to the other
eight? It is of little use to stress temperance if we fall lamentably
short on the other qualities.

What is God's plan by which we may reach and continue in

the scriptural ideals for personal conduct? 1 Thess. 5:23.

Every human being can, if he will, testify to his inability to live

according to Christian ideals. He needs a power outside of
himself that will provide strength to overcome the downward
pull of his lower nature. That power is available; the god of
peace, who is almighty, is well able to make and keep us per
fectly holy, that we might be spotless at Christ's appearing.
"Apart from divine power, no genuine reform can be effected.
... Not until the life of Christ becomes a vitalizing power in our
lives can we resist the temptations that assail us from within and
from without. . . .
"When one surrenders to Christ, the mind is brought under
the control of the law; but it is the royal law, which proclaims
libertyto every captive."—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 130,131.

THINK IT THROUGH While keeping free from the grosser indulgences of drunk
enness, smoking, gluttony, and sensuality, how do we mea
sure in the finer qualities listed in Galatians 5:22, 23?

FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 473-478

62
Christianity and Health LESSON 7 D Friday
November 13
PartB What is the final goal to which the Christan doctrine of
HEALTH temperance directs its believers?
FOREVERMORE
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness"
(2 Peter 3:13).

While temperance or the consistent practice of self-control

yields high dividends in this life, its principal fruitage is fitness
for living in the Holy City and for eternity in the re-created
heavens and earth. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 9:24-
27, declaring that he disciplined himself on earth in order to
gain a fadeless trophy in the life to come. "Those who enter into
a contest of physical strength for a corruptible prize realize the
necessity of rigid abstinence from every indulgence that would
weaken the spiritual powers. . . .
"How much more should those who enter for the gospel race,
restrain themselves from the unlawful indulgence of appetite
and 'abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.' They
must be temperate at all times. The same restraint that gives
them the power to obtain the victory at one time will, if practiced
'constantly, give them a great advantage in the race for the
crown of life."—Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Com
mentary, vol. 6, p. 1089.

What unique blessings does the heavenly herald promise to

citizens of the earth made new? Rev. 21:3, 4; 22:1-3.

At long, long last! The separation caused by sin has ended.

God and His people are united; they live together forevermore,
and in the Divine presence sin and its sorry results cannot exist.
God Himself permanently removes all need for tears. Death is
abolished because sin and its causes are conquered. There is
no reason for sorrow or crying; there is no more pain. The
redeemed will be forever in perfect physical, mental, and
spiritual fitness. As Isaiah so picturesquely records on God's
behalf: "as the days of a tree are the days of my people" (Isa.
65:22), which may suggest they shall live forever, temperately,
and in undiluted, unmarred health and happiness.
And the relief will not only be ours. Spend time to realize what
the complete removal of sin from the universe will mean to the
Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

THINK IT THROUGH Does our present way of life prepare us or unfit us for an
eternity in the sinlessness of the new heavens and the new
earth?

FURTHER STUDY Read the ten verses of Isaiah 35 and give special thought to
those phrases that concern health in this life and the life to
come.

63
 LESSON 8 November 15-21

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, resist sin and grace to lead others
because he hath anointed me to to similar victory. And this was in
preach the gospel to the poor; he deed the pattern followed by the
hath sent me to heal the church from its infancy. In obedi
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance ence to the Master's command, its
to the captives, and recovering of first members tarried in Jerusalem
sight to the blind, to set at liberty (Luke 24:49) until they were en
them that are bruised" (Luke 4:18). dued with power from on high and
were thus enabled to witness to
We can truly understand the life Christ "both in Jerusalem, and in
and ministry of our Lord only when all Judaea, and in Samaria, and
we give full weight to the role of unto the uttermost part of the
the Holy Spirit in His life journey earth" (Acts 1:8).
from conception to ascension. To We have been called to complete
Mary, the angel promised, "The the work begun by Christ and His
Holy Ghost snail come upon apostles. We do not have the sin-
thee"; and, as a result, "she was lessness and singleness of purpose
found with child of the Holy of the One, neither the apostolic
Ghost" (Luke 1:35; Matt. 1:18). At dedication of the others; but we
Jesus' baptism "the Holy Ghost de can, if we will, have the same
scended in a bodily shape like a Power from on high that inspired
dove upon him," and "immediately and sustained them all. The Spirit
the spirit driveth him into the wil Himself is waiting to bestow on us
derness," after which "Jesus re the needed gifts. Our part is to de
turned in the power of the Spirit sire them fervently and to receive
into Galilee" and there announced, and use them as tney are sent.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon "The outpouring of the Holy
me" (Luke 3:22; Mark 1:12; Luke Spirit on the day of Pentecost was
4:14, 18). the former rain, but the latter rain
If the Son of God needed and will be more abundant. The Spirit
welcomed the Spirit as He worked awaits pur demand and reception.
to "save his people from their Christ is again to be revealed in His
sins" (Matt. 1:21), surely His fulness by the Spirit's power."—
people need the Spirit's power Christ's Object Lessons, p. 121.
even more as they seek strength to
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Divine Partnership
(John 14:16)
2. Promise and Fulfillment
(Acts 1:4)
3. The Spirit-guided Church
(Acts 4:31)
4. Gifts in the Church
(1 Cor. 12:28)
5. The Gift of Prophecy
(1 Cor. 14:3, 4)
6. The Greatest Gift
(1 Cor. 12:31; 13:13)
Spiritual Gifts LESSON 8 D Sunday
November 15
Parti As Jesus faced separation from His beloved disciples, what
DIVINE provisions did He make for their spiritual welfare?
PARTNERSHIP
"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Com
forter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16).

As we have already noted in the introduction to this week's

study, the Holy Spirit shared in Christ's mission. He had also
worked with and for humanity from the very beginning, though
the Old Testament stress on one God may have veiled man's
grasp of that ministry. But the incarnation, with its divine part
nership between the Three Persons of the Godhead, enabled
the disciples more clearly to sense the reality of the Spirit. As
Christ had revealed the Father, so, in His life and teachings, He
was revealing the personality of the Spirit. As He neared the
hour when He would "depart out of this world unto the Father,"
He sought to assure the Twelve that the Spirit would continue
the work He Himself had begun.

In what specific ways was the Comforter to work with the

church after Christ's departure? John 14:16, 17, 27; 15:26;
16:7-14.

1. The Comforter, or Paraclete, or Advocate would console,

stand beside, and plead with and for those who would be left
without the Saviour's own dynamic, sustaining presence.
2. He would abide with them "for ever." His would be no
temporary presence; there would be no separation unless the
disciples themselves took the step.
3. He would teach them "all things," reminding them of all
that Christ had revealed and they had only dimly understood.
4. The Spirit of truth would work not only with believers, but
also with "the world" to convince its peoples of their need of
redemption.
5. He would guide "into all truth," reveal "things to come,"
and develop what Christ had already taught them.
"Jesus saw that they did not lay hold of the real meaning of
His words.-He compassionately promised that the Holy Spirit
should recall these sayings to their minds. And He had left
unsaid many things that could not be comprehended by the
disciples. These also would be opened to them by the
Spirit."—The Desire of Ages, p. 670.

THINK IT THROUGH How fully do we allow the Spirit to carry out His mission of
guiding us into all truth?

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 668-672

66
Spiritual Gifts LESSON 8 D Monday
November 16
Part 2 What do the opening verses of Acts reveal concerning the
PROMISE AND central position of the Spirit in Christ's care for the infant
FULFILLMENT church?

"Being assembled together with them, commanded them

that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the
promise of the Father, which, said he, ye have heard of me"
(Acts 1:4).

The Master had clearly told His disciples to expect the coming
of the Comforter after His own departure (John 16:7), and that
departure was now near. It is clear, however, that this coming of
the Spirit was of a special nature, additional to the fact that He
had been working with Jesus throughout His life and ministry.
The Third Person was now serving with the resurrected Christ to
prepare the eleven for their great responsibilities (Acts 1:2); and
as the weight of their tasks began to be felt, they all the more
readily recalled the promises of the Spirit's help (outlined in our
previous lesson). They were thus very open to the final promise,
just prior to the ascension, that they would receive supernatural
power from the Spirit's coming upon them (verse 8). After see
ing their Master taken up into heaven, they returned to
Jerusalem and "continued with one accord in prayer and sup
plication" (verse 14), awaiting the promise of the Father.

In what matchless manner and with what remarkable re

sults did the Spirit come upon the waiting believers? Acts 2:1,
2,38-41.

These early Christians must have spent about 10 days in

soul-searching prayer and witnessing, for Pentecost came 50
days after the beginning of Passover. During 40 of those days
their Lord had appeared to them on several occasions (Acts
1:3); then 10 days remained after the ascension. They were 10
days well spent, for they led to the descent of the Spirit.
"They were filled with an intense longing to carry forward the
work He had begun. They realized the greatness of their debt to
heaven and the responsibility of their work. Strengthened by the
endowment of the Holy Spirit, they went forth filled with zeal to
extend the triumphs of the cross..-.. They had consecrated their
lives to Him for service, and their very features bore evidence of
the surrender they had made."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 46.

THINK IT THROUGH May the church enjoy a second Day of Pentecost? Study
Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2 for the answer.

FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 35-39

67
Spiritual Gifts LESSON 8 D Tuesday
November 17
Parts What evidence shows that the Spirit's pentecostal descent
THE SPIRIT- was not a one-time or temporary event?
GUIDED
CHURCH "When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they
were assembled together; and they were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness"
(Acts 4:31).

The young church had learned its lesson well. Its following of
divine instruction had brought the first, spectacular blessing at
Pentecost, and its leaders and membership were willing to
follow that example in order to enjoy a continuance of that
experience. They reaped a rich reward—deep fellowship with
unity, community of possessions, and great apostolic power
(Acts 4:32, 33).

What further proofs came of God's readiness to give the

Holy Spirit to them that were truly ready to receive Him? Acts
8:14-17, 26-40.

Ellen G. White describes these events as a picture of the work

that we are to do. They show that the Spirit is ever willing to work
with those who are willing to be guided by Him, and for those
who are willing to be instructed by Him. Like Peter, John, and
Philip in these illustrations, we need consciously to cooperate
with the Spirit; then He will use us for the salvation of others.
The recipients of this combined evangelistic attention may be
unaware of the power that is moving on their behalf, but they do
feel a spiritual hunger which, while not fully recognized and not
always understood, longs to be satisfied.
"There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot
understand their true import. All over the world men and women
are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries
go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit.
Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be
gathered in.
"An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light
and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will
guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy
Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their
hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the
work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God's way of working. It is
His plan that men are to work for their fellow men."—The Acts of
the Apostles, p. 109.

THINK IT THROUGH When did I last keep the Spirit waiting—while I engaged in
unprofitable use of my time—when He was ready to use me in
bringing others to the Saviour?

FURTHER STUDY Gospel Workers, pp. 284-289

68
Spiritual Gifts LESSON 8 Wednesday
November 18
Part 4 In guiding the Corinthians, how does Paul list the variety of
GIFTS IN spiritual gifts provided by God for the church?
THE CHURCH
"God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondar
ily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of
healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (1 Cor.
12:28).

The fact that a whole chapter is devoted to the subject of

spiritual gifts reveals their importance in the life of the church.
In his summing up (1 Cor. 12:28), the apostle refers to eight
different gifts borne by different church members. The number
ing of the gifts suggests an order of importance, with apostle-
ship ranking first and the use of tongues standing last. That this
list does not cover all the gifts is clear from verses 4 to 11, where
others are mentioned—namely, wisdom, knowledge, faith,
speaking in and interpretation of tongues.
A large, mature church might reasonably expect to find all of
the gifts distributed among its membership. Christians are
urged to "covet earnestly the best [or greater, or higher] gifts"
(verse 31), suggesting that it is fitting to ask the Spirit for be
stowal of suitable gifts—ever remembering that these are even
then distributed according to divine wisdom (verse 11).

Compare the above listing with that given by Paul in Ephe-

sians 4:8-11.

Paul does not here enter on as full a survey of gifts as he had

done earlier in 1 Corinthians 12, for his purpose is different. He
is here concerned with unity; hence he refers to the gifts—
several forms of church ministry—that will promote this highly
desirable state. However, there is harmony between 1 Corinthi
ans 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11, for the purpose is the same in
each chapter—the furtherance of unity (1 Cor. 12:11, 12; Eph.
4:2-6).
This purpose is further outlined in Ephesians 4:12,13, where
the apostle's wealth of meaning can be better savored by the
free rendering that follows: The gifts are given for equipping the
saints for a work of service or ministry that will build up Christ's
body (that is, the church), until we all attain to the oneness or
unity of the faith and the personal, experiential knowledge of
God's Son, which will lead us to perfect or mature manhood
measured against the stature of Christ or of Christ in His full
ness.

THINK IT THROUGH Study the passage just above, phrase by phrase, and ask
the question, Are the Spirit's gifts gaining their stated pur
poses in my life as a member of Christ's church, especially in
respect to unity?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 619-621; vol. 8, pp. 239-243

69
Spiritual Gifts LESSON 8 D Thursday
November 19
Parts What high place does the apostle give to the spiritual gift of
THE GIFT OF prophecy in contrast to that of speaking with tongues?
PROPHECY
"He that prophesieth speaketh unto men unto edification,
and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown
tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the
church" (1 Cor. 14:3, 4).

The biblical understanding of prophecy is not limited to a

foretelling of the future, but also includes the ministry of coun
seling, of communicating God's will to the church and its indi
vidual members. Paul, therefore, exalts the office of prophet in
preference to that of a speaker of tongues—known or unknown.
Prophecy is given second place in his lists of spiritual gifts
(1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11), and its operation played an important
part in the development of the early church (Acts 2:17,18; 11:27,
28; 13:1; 15:32; 21:8-10). To a more limited extent, each age of
the church has been served by those who possessed one or
more aspects of the gift of prophecy. But Scripture shows that
in the last days, prior to Christ's triumphant return, the pro
phetic gift will function no less prominently than it did in the
founding of the church.

To which prophecy did Peter appeal in his historic sermon at

Pentecost? Acts 2:16-18.

Under the Spirit's guidance the apostle applied Joel's

prophecy (Joel 2:28, 29) to the last days of the Jewish nation,
which were the first days of the Christian church. But Joel's
words primarily apply to "the great and terrible day of the Lord"
(Joel 2:31), which is the last day—the day when Christ will come
in glory. The gift of prophecy is to prepare men and women who
live in that day to meet their Lord in peace and with joy.
Seventh-day Adventists believe that the prophetic gift has
been bestowed on the church in the last days in the work and
writings of Ellen G. White. They believe that her prophetic minis
try serves as one of the identifying features of the remnant
church. The foretelling of that gift in the church is seen in
Revelation 12:17, with an explanation in chapter 19:10.
The function of Ellen G. White's prophetic gift has not only
unveiled the future, but has guided the church in its develop
ment, fortified it in the fulfillment of its mission, and given its
membership a wealth of Bible-based, Christ-centered counsel
that is unsurpassed in spiritual quality.

THINK IT THROUGH In what special ways can the prophetic gift help the remnant
church fulfill its last-day mission?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 112-115

70
Spiritual Gifts LESSON 8 D Friday
November 20
Part 6 Which of all the Spirit's gifts stands highest with the Holy
THE GREATEST Spirit?
GIFT
"Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a
more excellent way."
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the
greatest of these is charity" (1 Cor. 12:31; 13:13).

No one could accuse Paul of not having dealt thoroughly,

within the limits of one long letter, with the topic of spiritual
gifts; yet, as he meditated on the subject, he realized he had not
yet even mentioned the greatest gift of all. He had been saving
that till last, and then he writes one of the greatest pieces of
religious literature ever penned, which we identify as 1 Corin
thians 13 (there were no chapter or verse divisions in the origi
nal letter).
the theme \scharity a seventeenth-century translation of the
Greek agape, which has long since been more meaningfully
rendered as love, and that of the loftiest kind. Without posses
sion of this gift, says Paul, we are nothing. We might have the
gift of tongues or prophecy, the ability to understand all mys
teries and specialized knowledge, mountain-moving faith, un
selfish willingness to face martyrdom by burning, yet if spiritual
love does not inspire and permeate the exercise of those gifts,
their use is profitless. The all-surpassing greatness of love need
not surprise us, for the highest definition of God is the so-well-
known, but still so-little-understood declaration—"God is
love." Small wonder, then, that we can only possess that
greatest of all qualities as His supreme gift.

What position does love occupy in Paul's list of Spirit-given

fruits? Gal. 5:22, 23.

The priority given to love (agape) in this listing of finest Chris

tian qualities and the unequivocal exaltation of love in the
Corinthian letter convince us of the necessity of having love as
the spiritual essence that gives special flavor to all other noble
gifts.
"Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another—
this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This
love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent
power. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it.
Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found. 'We love Him,
because He first loved us.' In the heart renewed by divine grace,
love is the ruling principle of action."—The Acts of the Apostles,
p. 551.

THINK IT THROUGH How earnestly do we desire the Holy Spirit to give us, in full
measure, the greatest of His many gifts?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 167-171

71
 LESSON 9 November 22-28

9. Christian
"Lay up for yourselves treasures in for freewill offerings and for gen
heaven, where neither moth nor rust eral church expense. But a respon
doth corrupt, and where thieves do sive heart will also wish to care for
not break through nor steal: for many other needs, especially those
where your treasure is, there will connected with human welfare
your heart be also" (Matt. 6:20, 21). both in and outside of the church.
We must guard against a hardening
Our Lord's teaching has a dis of the "heart-eries," for such.a dis
tinctly otherworld flavor. That is ease is spiritually fatal. If skeptical
not surprising in One whose questions be fired about the
"kingdom is not of this world." genuineness of some appeals that
Those who intend to follow Him reach us, we should not take all
must obtain the same otherworldly such queries as reasons for closing
philosophy, even when dealing our minds and our pockets. As Dr.
with such worldly matters as in Atterbury, an eighteenth-century
come and possessions. They will divine, once asked, "Shall we re
seek to "lay up ... treasures in pine at a little misplaced charity,
heaven," knowing that such a pol we who could no way foresee the
icy is wiser in every way than tnat effect—when an all-knowing, all-
or accumulating "treasures upon wise Being showers down every
earth." day His benefits on the unthankful
These thoughts lead our minds and undeserving?"
to stewardship, which, from a One way to obtain funds for
Christian viewpoint, may be de satisfying our responsibilities in
fined as the unselfish use of the stewardship is to reduce the size of
resources God has given us, be our wants. That process is not an
they in the form of money, posses easy one, for there are so many
sions, circumstances, or in the less pressures, from without and
tangible but no less useful gifts of within, to increase our desires! But
time, health, intelligence, influ God's Spirit can help us to keep
ence, and abilities. their size and number in check,
In Adventist circles, we tend to and we shall be able to respond to
think that stewardship means re a wider number of genuine needs
turning the tithe, and it also in the troubled world around us.
suggests to more and more mem
bers the giving of the same amount DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Creator and Owner
(Gen. 2:15)
2. Religion and Arithmetic
(Num. 18:21)
3. Religion and Giving
(Deut. 12:6)
4. Religion and Our Possessions
(Rom. 14:7)
5. Religion and Others
(James 1:27)
6. Blessings on Stewardship
(Mal. 3:10)
Christian Stewardship LESSON 9 D Sunday
November 22
Pam What task did the Lord God place upon Adam immediately
CREATOR after Creation? For what purposes?
AND OWNER
"The Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of
Eden to dress it and to keep it" (Gen. 2:15).
Nothing could have been more natural to Adam than to ac
cept the God-given work of gardening. He was occupier of the
largest country estate ever owned by man, and with undimmed
mind and unsapped strength he must have delighted in the duty
of caring for the natural glories that surrounded him. When Eve
stood by his side, they had the joy of planning a leisurely,
unrestricted development of the endless resources that were
theirs, with no sin-born handicaps to turn pleasure into a bur
den. Yet even in their innocence they were but tenants, placed
in newly created perfection "to dress it and to keep it."
"So long as they remained loyal to the divine law, their capac
ity to know, to enjoy, and to love would continually increase.
They would be constantly gaining new treasures of knowledge,
discovering fresh springs of happiness, and obtaining clearer
and yet clearer conceptions of the immeasurable, unfailing love
of God."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 51.

To whom has the earth always belonged? Deut. 10:14; Ps.

24:1.
Since God is the Most High, He does not answer to any higher
power, but to Himself alone. All He sees—and He sees all—
belongs to Him. As Creator, He is also the Owner. But being free
of any taint of egotism or selfishness, He does not hug His
boundless wealth to Himself; rather, He finds satisfaction in
sharing responsibility for its use with those whom He has
created. Even after sin had spoiled their paradise, our first
parents continued as stewards of their Lord's property, though
under much less pleasant circumstances. But God did not re
place them, and men and women have ever since been His
agents, whether they knew it or not, answerable to the divine
Landlord, even though most of them do not acknowledge His
ownership.
"The earth is the Lord's, and all the treasures it contains. The
cattle upon a thousand hills are His. All the gold and silver
belongs to Him. He has entrusted His treasures to stewards, that
with them they may advance His cause and glorify His
name."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 652.

THINK IT THROUGH Are we faithful, as tenants of any property the Creator has
placed in our care? What profit does the Lord receive from our
stewardship?

FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 47-51

74
Christian Stewardship LESSON 9 n Monday
November 23
Part 2 Under God's government, what was the plan for Israel's
RELIGION AND support of its priesthood? How might it fail?
ARITHMETIC
"Behold, I have given the children of Lev! all the tenth in
Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve,
even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation" (Num.
18:21).

The Levites were set apart for full-time sacred service on

behalf of Israel and had no time in which to earn their own living.
The Lord therefore ordained that they should be supported by
one tenth, or a tithe, from the income of the members of the
other eleven tribes. "But the tithing system did not originate
with the Hebrews. From the earliest times the Lord claimed a
tithe as His, and this claim was recognized and honored. Abra
ham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God.
... Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and a wanderer, promised the
Lord, 'Of all that Thou shall give me I will surely give the tenth
unto Thee.'... As the Israel ites were about to be establ ished as a
nation, the law of tithing was reaffirmed as one of the divinely
ordained statutes upon obedience to which their prosperity
depended."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 525.

Note the Bible's record that the custom of tithing continued

among God's chosen people over a span of eight to nine
hundred years. 2 Chron. 31:5, 6; Neh. 10:37, 38.

If we accept the fifteenth century B.C. as the time of the

Exodus, about 700 years elapsed before Hezekiah came to
Judah's throne, some 5 years before Samaria fell to the Assyr
ians in 721 B.C. Hezekiah brought his people back to the Lord.
Among other reforms, he encouraged them to renewed faith
fulness in tithing and in offerings for support of the temple
services. About 120 years later (about 605 B.C.) Judah fell to
Nebuchadnezzar, and the Jews were deported to Babylon,
where they eventually established a Jewish way of life. When a
large body returned to Judah in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah
(457 and 445 B.C.), we find them ready to pay tithes to the
Levites and resolving not to "forsake the house of our God"
(Neh. 10:39). Some40years afterward, however, religiousfervor
had cooled; and Malachi had to exhort both priests and people
to renewed faithfulness in worship and in support of their relig
ion. It is thus clear that not only did tithing precede God's rule
over Israel, but that it continued and survived it; and, as New
Testament readers know, it was practiced in Christ's own day
(Matt. 23:23).

THINK IT THROUGH Consider tithing, not as an imposed requirement, but as a

fair principle suited to all peoples:

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 253-256

75
Christian Stewardship LESSON 9 D Tuesday
November 24
Part 3 What did the Israelites bring to the Lord in addition to their
RELIGION tithes?
AND GIVING
"Thither shall ye bring your burnt offerings, and your sac
rifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and
your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of
your herds and of your flocks" (Deut. 12:6).

Tithes supported the Levites in the performance of their sa

cred duties, while the freewill offerings made possible the many
other forms of religious and charitable service that belonged to
Israel.
"The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and
charitable purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their
income."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 527. "There are many
who have looked upon the Jewish nation as a people to be pitied
because they were constantly taxed for the support of their
religion; but God, who created man and provided him with all
the blessings he enjoys, knew what was for his best good. And
through His blessing He made their nine tenths worth more to
them than the entire amount without His blessing."—
Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 404.

There is great significance for the church in Paul's en

dorsement of the principle on which tithing is based. 1 Cor.
9:11-14.

As the church grew, its members realized the need of system

atic giving for the support of its ministry and the furtherance of
the gospel. In the ancient custom of tithing there was a ready-
made system that had divine approval and would meet the
Christian community's needs. The plan distributes responsibil
ity on a proportionate basis, "For unto whomsoever much is
given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48); while the
converse is also true, he who has little being only expected to
contribute little.
A similar principle applies to freewill offerings. However, we
should always remember the widow and her mite (Mark 12:41-
44)! Gaining wealth becomes a habit easily, and it is danger
ously possible to hug more to onself as one obtains more. The
Master knew this, and so He warned His followers: "Beware of
covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance
of the things he possesseth." He then told of the covetous but
foolish farmer who built bigger barns instead of sharing some of
his prosperity with needy neighbors. (See Luke 12:15-21.)

THINK IT THROUGH The claim that nine tenths with God's blessings goes farther
than ten tenths without it is unusual arithmetic, but many
Christians have "proved" God in this matter. Have we?

FURTHER STUDY S.D.A. Church Manual, chapter on Gospel Finance

76
Christian Stewardship LESSON 9 ^] Wednesday
November 25
Part 4 Our possessions are not limited to money and the goods that
RELIGION money can buy. There are other gifts, whether seen or not, of
AND OUR which a Christian is called to be a steward. The Lord has given
POSSESSIONS these for a twofold purpose—for our enjoyment and for the
benefit of others. Most of us are well able to fulfill the first
goal—we instinctively take care of ourselves. But it is all too
easy for us to neglect the second—our use of the other gifts to
bring happiness to others.

Which scripture expresses the principle on which such use

of gins is based?

"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to him

self" (Rom. 14:7).

Whether we like it or not, our lives touch those of our

neighbors. We therefore need a sympathetic awareness of their
circumstances and outlook and a willingness to meet their
needs. We all have possessions the use of which might benefit
others besides ourselves—there are our homes, our gardens
and their produce, our cars, our tools, our skills. Stewardship in
such areas comes so easily to some, with such effort to others,
but it is possible for all who yield to the Spirit's promptings.

Note Jesus' summary of His disicples' duty toward others.

Matt. 10:7, 8.

This commission was not given to the Twelve alone. Its

motivating principle, that of service based on gratitude, applies
equally well to us today. We can be useful stewards of our
intellectual gifts, our scriptural and spiritual knowledge, our
artistic talents, our musical abilities, our social accomplish
ments, and our developing compassions. The hearts and minds
God has given us can be used for His glory and the salvation of
our neighbors.
"We should feel it our special duty to work for those living in
our neighborhood. Study how you can best help those who take
no interest in religious things. As you visit your friends and
neighbors, show an interest in their spiritual as well as in their
temporal welfare. Speak to them of Christ as a sin-pardoning
Saviour. Invite your neighbors to your home, and read with them
from the precious Bible and from books that explain its
truths."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 152.

THINK IT THROUGH What effect is a broadening concept of stewardship having

upon my Christian service?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 254-260

77
Christian Stewardship LESSON 9 D Thursday
November 26
Parts On which vital points of true religion does James focus the
RELIGION Christian's attention?
AND OTHERS
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).
This verse needs to be studied in its setting in order to avoid
an unbalanced interpretation of its message. It is the climax to.
the writer's counsel begun in verse 22, where he stresses deeds
above words. His purpose in verse 27 is not to give a theological
definition of "pure religion and undefiled," but to explain that in
God's eyes genuine religion includes care of orphans and
widows, who represent all who need Christian compassion and
service. A necessary part of stewardship, then, is the use of
one's time, energy, sympathy, and money in the care of those
who cannot adequately care for themselves.

In what ways does Jesus' teaching of the Christian duty of

promptly caring for the unfortunate apply to us today? Luke
10:25-37.
The parable is too well known to need detailed exposition
here, but we might well note the two questions that led to its
application. "Master," inquired the lawyer, "what shall I do to
inherit eternal life?" Later, he asked, "Who is my neighbour?"
Christ's reply to the first inquiry emphasized the paramount
importance of love to God and to our neighbors, while the
second response established need as the basis for neighborly
assistance, though that need cut across racial and social prej
udices. The application is nothing but practical: "Go, and do as
the Samaritan did!"
The Lord's instruction shows that stewardship includes the
generous use of compassion; first aid when no medical service
is at hand, the application of simple emergency remedies, the
use of our own car or other available means of transport to the
nearest medical facility, readiness to give financial aid where
needed, and a continuing interest in the welfare of the one we
have tried to help.
Christ "showed that our neighbor does not mean merely one
of the church or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to
race, color, or class distinction. Our neighbor is every person
who needs our help."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 376.

THINK IT THROUGH Where lies the power to resist the temptation to practice
selfishness in our religion?
FURTHER STUDY Isa. 58:6-14; Matt. 25:34-46

78
Christian Stewardship LESSON 9 n Friday
November 27
Parts When the tithing plan is faithfully followed, of what may the
BLESSINGS ON participant be assured?
STEWARDSHIP
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may
be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the
Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and
pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to
receive it" (Mat. 3:10).

Here we find three good reasons for returning a tenth of our

total income to the Lord: (1) The plan is authorized by God. (2)
The plan is used by God for the support of His work on earth. (3)
Taking part in the plan produces God's rich blessing. While we
do not follow the plan to obtain the blessing, the blessing comes
when, in willing obedience to the divine urging, we bring "all the
tithes into the storehouse."
"If all the tithes of our people flowed into the treasury of the
Lord as they should, such blessings would be received that gifts
and offerings for sacred purposes would be multiplied tenfold,
and thus the channel between God and man would be kept
open."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 474.

What does Christ promise those who are generous givers?

Luke 6:38.

While the Master makes rigorous demands on His followers,

He also promises rich rewards to those who follow His own
sacrificial example. Many a time the rewards will seem out of all
proportion to the relative little that we have given. They will be
"good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and run
ning over," until the recipient protests that he by no means
merits such abundant blessings—and that will be true. But the
harvest follows a divinely ordained formula—we reap what we
have sown. "He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bounti
fully" (2 Cor. 9:6). The converse is also true—"he which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly."
When it comes to giving, let us err on the side of generosity,
even if our gifts sometimes seem to go astray. "The followers of
Christ should not wait for thrilling missionary appeals to arouse
them to action. If spiritually awake, they would hear in the
income of every week, whether much or little, the voice of God
and of conscience with authority demanding the tithes and
offerings due the Lord."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 474.

THINK IT THROUGH Let each Sabbath School member review his or her own
record as a steward and ponder the blessings that have fol
lowed faithfulness.

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 381-385

79
 LESSON 10 November 29 to December 5

"He is the head of the body, the version of the Old Testament, rep
church: who is the beginning, the resented by the Roman numerals
firstborn from the dead; that in all LXX). It employs the word
things he might have the preemi sunagoge (synagogue) to translate
nence" (Col. 1:18). the Hebrew 'edah. It is developed
from two Greek words, sun,
To provide interested readers "with" or "together," and ago, "to
with the background of the word bring," giving the thought of
church and in order to leave the "bringing together," therefore "a
daily sections of this week's lesson gathering" or "an assembly."
uncluttered by concerns of lan 4. In the later Old Testament
guage, we use this space to study books—where qahal generally re
the ancestry of pur word church. places 'edah—the LXX employs
The original biblical texts use four ekklesia (from ek, "out of," and
words that relate to our concept of kaleo, "to call," hence "called
"church"—two being Hebrew and out"), the last of these four biblical
two being Greek: words. It was used in the Greek
1. 'edah, the primary meaning of world for discussion of or decision
which is "appointed meeting" or concerning public business, there
"assembly. This occurs mainly in fore, "an assembly" instead of
the early books of the Old Testa sunagoge. Such usage undoubtedly
ment, where it is generally trans prepared the way for its use by the
lated "congregation" (124 times). apostles to designate the Christian
2. qahal, which is derived from assembly which the New Testament
the verb "to call together" or "to knows as the church.
assemble," with its noun also sig In addition, there is also the
nifying "congregation" (86 times), Greek kuriakos, "belonging to the
"assembly," "company." Lord." This was first applied to the
The word qahal, which has al building or place where the church
most the meaning of 'edah, ap met. Later it was used for the
pears more frequently in the later church itself. It moved into Euro
Old Testament books. These two pean languages as kirche (Ger
words are the Old Testament terms man), kirk (Scot), and church (En
that come nearest to the Christian glish). But kuriakos is never so
concept of "church," but they fall used in the New Testament.
short of the intensely spiritual fac
tors attached to the corresponding DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
New Testament image. 1. In the Old Testament
3. The next of these words is (Deut. 7:6)
found in the Septuagint (the Greek 2. In the Master's Ministry
(Matt. 16:18)
3. The Apostolic Church
(Acts 2:41)
4. Christ and His Church
(Col. 1:18)
5. Pictures of the Church
6. The Remnant Church
(Rev. 14:12)
The Church LESSON 10 D Sunday
November 29
Parti Consider God's purpose for Israel as expressed in their
IN THE OLD selection. Consider their response.
TESTAMENT
"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord
thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself,
above all people that are upon the face of the earth" (Deut.
7:6).

Here and in similar passages (for example, Deut. 4:20; 14:2;

26:18,19; Ex. 6:7; 19:5, 6) Scripture makes it clear that the Lord
called Israel from among all other nations to be an exhibit or
demonstration of what sinful men and women could become by
His enabling grace.
This divine intention had already been revealed by the rescue
of Noah and his family from the Flood (Gen. 6:5-9, 17, 18; 7:1;
9:8-17), in the call and career of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3 and
onward), of Jacob (Gen. 28:10-15), and of the children of Israel
(Ex. 19:3-6). Through His chosen people God planned to bring
all others under his own kind rule for their true and lasting
happiness.

How does Stephen describe those with whom God made His
covenant at Sinai? Acts 7:37, 38.

Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin and, until he was vio

lently stopped, reviewed God's providences as given from
Abraham to Solomon. Like Peter (Acts 3:22-26), he applied to
the incarnate Son of God the prophecy spoken by Moses con
cerning the coming of a prophet. In Acts 7:38 Stephen identifies
the "prophet" with "the angel which spake to him [Moses] in the
mount Sina [that is, Sinai]," while he describes the Israelites as
"the church in the wilderness." In this setting, the word here
translated "church (ekklesia) would be better rendered "as
sembly" or "congregation." At the same time, we must recog
nize that Luke, the author of Acts, was writing for Christians and
that elsewhere in his book (19 times) he, without question, uses
ekklesia for "church." There is little doubt, then, that the New
Testament believers saw the Old Testament assembly or con
gregation as the forerunner of the Christian church.

THINK IT THROUGH As a member of His church, how far do I fulfill the Lord's
intent as given in Deuteronomy 7:6?

FURTHER STUDY The book par excellence for the study of the church is the
Epistle to the Ephesians. It is suggested that we slowly, thought
fully, prayerfully consider selected passages for this week's
Further Study sections. The passage chosen for today is chap
ter 1:1-10.

82
The Church LESSON 10 D Monday
November 30
Part 2 In what momentous words did the Master announce the
IN THE founding of His church?
MASTER'S
MINISTRY "I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it" (Matt. 16:18).

We should mark well the setting of this declaration (verses

13-20). The central question is the identity of the Son of man
(verse 13). The answer comes in Simon Peter's confession
(verse 16). Christ's reference to "my church" (verse 18) arises
from Peter's declaration and is not basic to it. From it we learn
that the church—My church, that is Christ's own church, the
Christian church—was not then built. Its construction lay still in
the future.
This does not deny the reality of the Old Testament church,
but it does spell a change from the earlier tradition. The change
was brought about by the Son's advent and the universal scope
of the institution He was then establishing. The founding of that
church was accompanied by no fanfare of trumpets, but by the
quiet announcement to the small circle of His chosen Twelve.
Through the faithful witness of those disciples, the church
reached out to the ends of the world and has drawn into its
fellowship people of every nation.
"Not on the rock of human strength, but on Christ Jesus, the
Rock of Ages, was the church founded, 'and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.' "—Prophets and Kings, pp.595,596.

What authority did Jesus bestow on the disciples for the

government of His church? Matt. 16:19; 18:18-20.

The Saviour knew His remaining days on earth were few. He

therefore placed authority upon Peter "as the representative of
the whole body of believers. . . .
" 'The keys of the kingdom of heaven' are the words of Christ.
All the words of Holy Scripture are His, and are here
included."—The Desire of Ages, p. 413. But the disciples were
not left to their own methods. The Master's authority under-
girded them and their successors for the right conduct of the
church's business, and by His Spirit He was ever present to
guide them into right decisions. There is a neat phrase from the
Latin that sums up the relationship between the Lord and His
church—Where Christ is, there is the church.

THINK IT THROUGH What is our level of awareness of Christ's lordship over the
church, and how submissive are we to His leadership?

FURTHER STUDY Ephesians 1:11-23—see the power of Christ in His church.

83
The Church LESSON 10 D Tuesday
December 1
Part3 When did significant growth begin in the early Christian
THE community? What was the cause of this growth?
APOSTOLIC
CHURCH "Then they that gladly received his [Peter's] word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them
about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

Until Pentecostthe infant church was composed ofthose.few

in number, who had responded to Christ's own ministry. As a
result of Pentecost (sometimes known as "the birthday of the
church")—when the apostles had become the Spirit's effective
instruments—some 3000 accepted the Saviour's personal invi
tation, answered His servants' appeals, were baptized, and
greatly strengthened the church. Their very number called for
organization and accelerated the development of church order.
But no infallible blueprint dropped from heaven; the leaders
adopted no ready-made, sophisticated system of government.
Instead, as the need arose, they engaged in prayer and group
discussion, sought the Spirit's counsel, followed it, and found
the best ways to conduct church business. (See Acts 6:1-8;
15:1-31.)

What fuller evidence does Acts provide concerning the de

velopment of church organization? Acts 9:31; 20:28.

The preferred reading of Acts 9:31 speaks of "the church"

rather than "the churches." This is significant, for it harmonizes
with the Lord's own words that we studied in yesterday's lesson.
The reference is not to membership of local churches, but to a
corporate group of churches that together composed "the
church." The conversion of Saul brought 'Vest"—literally,
"peace"—to the persecuted Christians; and, as a result, the
church was "edified" or "built up" and grew as the number of
believers steadily increased.
With the exception of Acts 20:28, which speaks of "the church
of God"—a phrase which might justly be taken as a reference to
the church membership as a spiritual entity rather than as a
local congregation—the other 19 references in Acts to
"church" or "churches" are to local groups. The one apparent
exception (Acts 2:47) carries no weight, since the words "to the
church" do not appear in the best manuscripts. Luke's account,
however, does provide a picture of rapid growth, of the found
ing of many groups of Christians, and of the emergence of the
concept of the church as embracing all believers in the ever-
increasing number of local congregations.

THINK IT THROUGH As members of local congregations, what can we do to

strengthen ties with the worldwide church?

FURTHER STUDY Ephesians 4:1-16

84
The Church LESSON 10 D Wednesday
December 2
Part 4
CHRIST AND What strength is there for us in Christ's relationship to the
HIS CHURCH church and in the church's relationship to Christ?

"He is the head of the body, the church: who is the begin
ning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might
have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18).

We use the week's memory verse to impress on our minds

Christ's first place in relation to the church. We would not wish
to lose sight of the Head while studying the body, for we recog
nize that no living body exists apart from a living head. The
headship of Christ saves us from seeing the church as a late
development—an afterthought—and sets its genesis in times
eternal.
The human body is used in several scriptures to illustrate the
vital relationship that exists between Christ and His church (see
Rom. 12:4,5; 1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22,23; 4:15,16; 5:23,30; Col.
1:24). In particular, our text emphasizes that Christ is the head
and the church is the body. This is more than an illustration—it
is an expression of a timeless truth. Christ, who is "the begin
ning" and "beginner," who is "the first," "the preeminent,"
"the supreme"—He, as Creator, always has been and ever will
be first. He is also the controller, even as the head controls the
body. As the body is subject to the directives that come from the
head, so is the church subject to Christ. It can own no other
master and remain the church. Indeed, when the body ceases to
obey the head, it is diseased and on its way to death. Happy are
those sections of the church that with spiritual integrity ac
knowledge Christ as their Head!

What exalted office does Christ fill as Head of the church?

Eph. 5:23.

The body cannot save itself or its head, except as it obeys the
injunctions that come from the head. The analogy is richly
fulfilled in Christ's ministry for the church. He not only saves it
by giving the right directives, protecting it from self-injury and
destruction; but He has given Himself—His own life—to save
the church from eternal death. If He, the Head, had not sacrifi-
cially died, the church would have no life. Indeed, it would have
been stillborn. How willingly subject to His kind biddings the
church ought then to be!

THINK IT THROUGH As a part of the body of Christ, how obedient am I to the

signals that come from the Head?

FURTHER STUDY Ephesians 5:22, 23

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The Church LESSON 10 D Thursday
December 3
Parts What lessons can be drawn from New Testament titles that
PICTURES OF are given to the church?
THE CHURCH
In addition to being called "the body of Christ" (1 Cor. 12:27;
Eph. 4:12), the Christian church is given these descriptions:
1. The temple of God. Eph. 2:19-22. There are several
illustrations taken from the building trade in this one of Paul's
many long sentences. Mention of "fellowcitizens" and "house
hold" (verse 19) suggests a city and a house; "foundation" and
"cornerstone" (verse 20) refer to construction; "framed" and
"temple" and "habitation" (verses 21,22) are linked to edifices;
while "built," "building," and "builded" specifically apply to
the erection of a temple. (Compare 1 Peter 2:5.) The Greek word
used here and generally in the epistles and the Revelation for
"temple" isnaos, which refers to the inner sanctuary, and not
hieron, which is used for the complete temple complex. A/aos
may therefore be translated as "sanctuary," which is most ap
propriate to the spiritual concept of the individual Christian and
the corporate body of the church as being the dwelling place or
sanctuary of the Most High.
2. Jerusalem, the heavenly Jerusalem, the New Jerusalem.
Gal. 4:26; Heb. 12:22, 23; Rev. 21:2,3. The image of the city may
not be so clear as that of the sanctuary. The revelator describes
the Holy City both as a "bride," "the Lamb's wife" (21:2, 9),
which is a clear reference to the church, and also as the capital
city of the new earth (verse 10). But there is no contradiction
here. John sees both the city and its holy inhabitants, or the city
containing the church. (Compare Psalm 48, which speaks of the
church as Mount Zion.)
3. Pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Tim. 3:15. The apostle
identifies "the house of God, which is the church of the living
God," which he then defines as "the pillar and ground [hed-
raioma, foundation or mainstay] of the truth." The thought is a
little complex, but one very important function of the church
emerges—it is to be the sustainer, and, by extension, the re
pository of truth.
4. The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven. Strictly
speaking, this is not a title for the church; but, for the duration of
human history, the kingdom and the church are almost identi
cal. Matthew speaks almost exclusively of "the kingdom of
heaven," while Mark and Luke prefer "the kingdom of God,"
indicating that the different titles refer to the same kingdom,
which is closely related to the church.

THINK IT THROUGH Am I, as a member of the church of the Living God, a conse

crated unit, albeit small, in the sanctuary or habitation of my
God?

FURTHER STUDY Ephesians 2:11-22

86
The Church LESSON 10 G Friday
December 4
Parts What qualities are expected of the remnant—the church
THE REMNANT that is linked to the giving of the three angels' messages?
CHURCH
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep
the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev.
14:12).

This latter-day church—specifically, the Seventh-day Advent-

ist Church—flourishing just priorto the return of the Son of man
(verses 13-16), will possess the regular qualities that have
characterized the true church in every age. (See S.D.A. Bible
^Commentary, vol. 7, pp. 814, 815.) But to cope with the last-day
'stresses, it will also need the special endowments listed in verse
12:
1. The patience of the saints. In the context of persecution
(compare Rev. 12:17) this covers more than forbearance. It
includes strong elements of fortitude, which saints need when
brought under the wrath of the dragon power.
2. Keep the commandments of God. In the original, there is
no word for "here" at this point. The phrase may therefore be
taken as a further definition of "saints"—they are command
ment keepers. Since no one commandment is mentioned, we
may understand that God's nonceremonial commands are in
tended, those in the Decalogue and others that have been given
to the church on other occasions since Sinai.
3. The faith of Jesus. This also further describes the saints.
In addition to keeping the commandments, they keep the faith
of Jesus—that is, they retain and use the faith that Jesus had, or
they keep their faith in Jesus. They will, in fact, retain both.

What is God's eternal purpose with respect to His church in

all ages? Eph. 3:8-11.

Since this passage is too rich in meaning to be studied in full

here, we can only consider the core (verses 10 and 11). God's
eternal intention has been that the church should be the
medium through which His manifold wisdom—multi-colored,
much-variegated, of infinite diversity and sparkling beauty—is
displayed to the watching universe, to the principalities and
powers in heavenly places. What a responsibility for the church!
"The church is the depositary of the wealth of the riches of the
grace of Christ, and through the church eventually will be made
manifest the final and full display of the love of God to the world
that is to be lightened with its glory."—Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 50.

THINK IT THROUGH How faithfully does our church, and we as its members, ful
fill our Lord's eternal purpose?

FURTHER STUDY Ephesians 3:1-12

87
 LESSON 11 December 6-12

"Without faith it is impossible to described as holy ordinances "in

please him: for he that cometh to stituted by Christ, in which by sen
God must believe that he is, and that sible signs the grace of Cod in
he is a rewarder of them that dili Christ, and the oenefits of the cov
gently seek him" (Heb. 11:6). enant of grace, are represented,
sealed, and applied to believers,
True religion connects earth with and these, in turn, give expression
heaven. While having its feet firmly to their faith and allegiance to
planted on the ground, it will de Cod."—Louis Berkhof, Systematic
liberately have its head and its Theology (Grand Rapids, Mich.:
heart in heaven. We should there William B. Eerdmans, 1938), p. 617.
fore expect our religion to possess The Seventh-day Adventist
a few "mysteries" that will bridge Church recognizes two ordinances
the gulf between the human and that meet this definition—baptism
divine, earthly and heavenly, seen and the communion service. Each
and unseen, tangible and intangi of them was authorized by Christ.
ble, known and unknown, tem Each is based on earthbpund acts
poral and eternal, until we can that lift the participants into
truly say with Francis Thompson, heavenly associations and move
O world invisible, we view them toward eternal life. Each re
thee, veals a major incident in the life of
O world intangible, we touch our Lord and invites the believer to
thee, share in that experience with a
O world unknowable, we view to eventual union with the
know thee, Master.
Inapprehensible, we clutch Reverent observance of these
thee! two Christian rituals will help us
In prayer and worship we already regain our lost sense of awe^-of
have private and congregational mystery—and will bring us closer
means of grace that enable us to to "the high and lofty One that in-
communicate with the super habiteth eternity." For this we
natural. In addition, we have bibli need the exercise of faith, as stated
cal authority for more specialized in our memory verse, and a sense
observances, which may be justly of the reality of God.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Patterns
(Ex. 12:26,27)
2. Baptism—I
(Mark 1:4)
3. Baptism—II
(John 3:5)
4. The Last Supper
(Mark 14:16)
5. The Lord's Supper
(John 13:4,5)
6. In Memoriam
(1 Cor. 11:23-29)
Symbols for Saints LESSON 11 D Sunday
December 6
Part 1 The Old Testament is well supplied with advance views of
PATTERNS God's solution to the problem of sin. From Genesis 3:15
through Genesis 4:3, 4; 8:20-22; 22:3-18 and onward, Scripture
gives partial revelations of the Lord's redemptive plans. In this
lesson we glimpse two of these illustrations.

What ceremony of remembrance, established in Israel

under the crisis of the Exodus from Egypt, pointed to the way
of salvation from sin and its penalty?

"It shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto
you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the
sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses
of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyp
tians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the
head and worshipped" (Ex. 12:26, 27).

"The Passover was to be both commemorative and typical not

only pointing back to the deliverance from Egypt, but forward to
the greater deliverance which Christ was to accomplish in free
ing His people from the bondage of sin. The sacrifical lamb
represents 'the Lamb of God,' in whom is our only hope of
salvation. Says the apostle, 'Christ our passover is sacrificed for
us.' 1 Corinthians 5:7. It was not enough that the paschal lamb
be slain; its blood must be sprinkled upon the doorposts; so the
merits of Christ's blood must be applied to the soul. We must
believe, not only that He died for the world, but that He died for
us individually. We must appropriate to ourselves the virtue of
the atoning sacrifice."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 277.

What other Exodus events foreshadowed the New Testa

ment ordinance of baptism? 1 Cor. 10:1-4.

Jewish Christians and first-century converts had little if any

difficulty in following parallels between ancient historical oc
currences and Christian teachings. They readily saw the cross
ing of the Red Sea, the protective pillars of cloud and fire, the
water-giving rock, and the earlier rite of circumcision as
foreshadowings of the later and loftier revelations centered on
Christ and illustrated in the ordinances of baptism and the
Lord's Supper.

THINK IT THROUGH If the partial revelations given in Old Testament times sus
tained the faithful for 40 centuries, how much more should the
historic realities of Christ's ministries and the certainty of His
return and reign in eternal glory sustain us!

FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 273-280

90
Symbols for Saints LESSON 11 D Monday
December 7
Part 2 In what form is the rite of baptism introduced into the New
BAPTISM—I Testament scene?

"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism

of repentance for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4).

Mark, as usual, is the most concise of the evangelists. Here he

records that John the Baptizer was baptizing in the wilderness,
that is, in the Jordan, after preaching in the barren territory
through which the river passed. He called his audiences to
confess and repent of their sins that they might find forgiveness.
Public baptism would proclaim their break with the past and the
new life that then began.
Baptism did not originate with John. It was already a Jewish
practice—a ceremonial washing by immersion—but without
the spiritual overtones that marked John's ministration. John's
call also had a still higher purpose—that of preparing his fol
lowers for the appearance of the Messiah (verses 7, 8) and of
baptizing the Sinless One Himself (verse 9).

What trust did Jesus place upon His disciples immediately

before His ascension? Matt. 28:19, 20.

The disciples had already baptized those who were converted

by Christ's ministry (John 3:22 and 4:2); but now, possessing a
far deeper knowledge, they were given a much wider commis
sion. Clothed with the Master's power over all things (Matt.
28:18), they were to go into all the world (Mark 16:15) and teach
(Matt. 28:19)—literally, "make disciples" (Greekmarrieteuo, not
didasko, "teach," as used in Matt. 28:20)—all nations. A basic
part of their evangelism was to baptize converts in the threefold
name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and instruct them in all
that Christ had taught His apostles. Thus, from its beginning,
admission to membership in the Christian church included the
rite of baptism (compare Mark 16:16). The remainder of the New
Testament record shows that the apostles faithfully fulfilled
their Lord's command.
"Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those
who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life
declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan
and have become members of the royal family, children of the
heavenly King."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 91.

THINK IT THROUGH How faithfully are we, as a church, fulfilling our Lord's
specific commands in our worldwide missionary work?
FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 91-97

91
Symbols for Saints LESSON 11 D Tuesday
December 8
Parts What connection did Jesus see between baptism and salva
BAPTISM—II tion?
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
Jesus is here solemnly restating (note the repetition of "Ver
ily, verily" from verse 3) the thought He had already expressed in
verse 3, namely, that the new birth is essential for all who would
see or enter the kingdom of God. He here reveals that the
experience must cover two distinct but closely related
stages—new birth by water baptism and new birth by the Holy
Spirit. The interlocking of the two is emphasized in the Greek by
the union of "water and spirit" in one phrase without any defi
nite article for either noun. Christian teaching and experience
reveal that the Spirit's part in the new birth, and therefore in
salvation, must come before baptism to give the rite value and
must follow immersion in order to sustain its effect and bless
ing.

What additional scriptural authority do we have for regard

ing baptism as more than a picturesque ceremony? Rom.
6:3,4.
The secular mind would see no more in baptism than an act of
purification. The informed Christian sees in the ordinance a
symbol of God's most mighty deed, which centered on the
death, burial, and resurrection of His Son. This makes the cere
mony holy, clothing it with a spiritual meaning that goes beyond
the physical and visible act. It testifies that the participant has
died to the old life, that he has been buried, and that a new
person rises from the baptismal water to live a new life in union
with Christ.
"That the rite of Christian baptism is simply a symbol and
does not convey divine grace, is evident throughout the NT.
Unless a man believes in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:37; cf. Rom. 10:9)
and repents of sin (Acts 2:38; cf. ch. 19:18), baptism can be of no
value to him. In other words, there is no saving power in the rite
itself, apart from faith in the heart of the one receiving the rite.
From these considerations it is clear that infant baptism is a
meaningless procedure so far as the salvation of the child is
concerned. Baptism can become meaningful only when the
child is old enough to understand salvation, faith, and
repentance."—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 298.

THINK IT THROUGH What is the memory of my own baptismal experience?

FURTHER STUDY Col. 3:1-6 and Bible encyclopedias on "Baptism"

92
Symbols for Saints LESSON 11 Wednesday
December 9
Part 4 Immediately prior to Christ's passion, for which annual
THE LAST ceremony did the disciples prepare? For what purpose?
SUPPER
"His disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found
as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover"
(Mark 14:16). (Read also verses 12,13.)

For more than a thousand years, God's chosen people had

been celebrating their deliverance from Egyptian slavery and
keeping the Passover as the Lord had commanded. The heart of
the observance was the slain lamb, the use of its blood to
identify Israelitish homes, and the eating of the roast flesh
immediately before flight from Egypt. (See Ex. 12:3-17.) Jesus
Himself must have shared in some 18 such anniversaries during
His human lifetime; and now, as faithful Jews, He and His disci
ples prepared for what the Master alone knew would be His last
Passover supper. (For the chronology of this supper, seeS.D.A
Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 532-537.)

What application did Jesus make of the Passover meal?

Mark 14:22-25.

He who, on the eve of His Palestinian ministry, had been

introduced to His fellow countrymen as "the Lamb of God,
which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), was about
to fulfill His mission. It was eminently fitting, then, that this
fulfillment should come at the time of the observance of the
type, the Passover. The tragedy was that its true significance did
not then dawn on His followers' minds. Only later did they see
that "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7).
"Christ was standing at the point of transition between two
economies and their two great festivals. He, the spotless Lamb
of God, was about to present Himself as a sin offering, that He
would thus bring to an end the system of types and ceremonies
that for four thousand years had pointed to His death. As He ate
the Passover with His disciples, He instituted in its place the ser
vice that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice. The na
tional festival of the Jews was to pass away forever. The service
which Christ established was to be observed by His followers in
all lands and through all ages. . . .
"It is the means by which his great work for us is to be kept
fresh in our minds."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 652, 653.

THINK IT THROUGH Have we been delivered as effectively from the slavery of

sin as were the Israelites from Egyptian bondage?

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 652-661

93
Symbols for Saints LESSON 11 D Thursday
December 10
Parts What preparatory service had the Saviour instituted prior to
THE LORD'S celebrating the last Passover with His disciples?
SUPPER
"He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and
took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water
into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to
wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded" (John
13:4, 5).

Blessing awaits those who meditate upon the service of foot

washing. The ceremony should be observed thoughtfully, re
pentantly, humbly, sympathetically, lovingly, and in true frater
nity of spirit. It should be observed with insight into our own and
our partner's needs, remembering the quality of love that Christ
brought into His own washing of His followers' feet. There is
more opportunity for blessing when observance takes place in
small groups unpressured by space and time, with each pair of
partners enjoying spiritual leisure to savor the uplift that comes
from bending low in loving service.

How did Jesus sanctify the bread and wine of the Passover
supper? Matt. 26: 26-29.

In chapter 72 of The Desire of Ages, pages 652-661, Ellen G.

White employs at least seven distinctive titles for the second
service held in the upper room. After reference to "two great
festivals" it is called "the memorial of His great sacrifice," "the
ordinance of the Lord's Supper," "the sacramental service,"
"the administration of the sacrament," "the communion ser
vice," and "the holy communion."
The communion emblems received special attention from our
Lord. The bread He blessed and broke, distributing a portion to
each disciple; for the wine He gave thanks (Greek eucharisteo,
"to give thanks," whence the word Eucharist); and He passed
the cup around that each might drink from it. How precious
would be the apostles' remembrance of that holy occasion!
"These emblems [the bread and wine] Christ employs to rep
resent His own unblemished sacrifice. Nothing corrupted by
fermentation, the symbol of sin and death, could represent the
'Lamb without blemish and without spot.' "—The Desire of
Ages, p. 653.

THINK IT THROUGH As we celebrate holy communion, how can we share in the

sense of grateful awe that came to the first participants as
they reviewed the experience?

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 642-651

94
Symbols for Saints LESSON 11 D Friday
December 11
Part 6 Let us now reverently review the description of the Lord's
IN MEMORIAM Supper as recorded by Paul in A.D. 57, about 26 years after the
Saviour introduced the service in Jerusalem (A.D. 31). 1 Cor.
11:23-29.

1. Paul's account was given in the setting of strife in Corinth

(1 Cor. 11:17-22). It represents his appeal to the church for unity
andkoinonia—"communion" or "fellowship" (1 Cor. 10:16,17).
2. He was here recording what he had already given the
church verbally, namely, that which he had "received of the
Lord."
3. The setting for the most holy of all services was the night
Jesus was betrayed. The reaction to the sad fact would be a new
declaration of loyalty, a strengthening of unity among disciples.
4. Christ is calm against the background of His impending
cruel death. He gives thanks (eucharisteo) for the bread which
takes the place of the Passover lamb, which is no longer needed
now that the antitype, the Lamb of God, is offering Himself for
the sins not only of Israel but of the whole world.
5. Christ breaks the bread, symbolizing the wounding of His
own body on the cross. As in the foot washing, so in the Supper
itself: the Master serves the servants. He distributes the emblem
of His bodily sacrifice, telling them that He is making the sac
rifice for their sakes and bidding them continue the practice in
remembrance of His redemptive ministry. Could they ever
forget?
6. He then similarly serves the cup, that is, the wine in the
common cup, as the emblem of His blood, so soon to be spilled
on their behalf. He then reveals that it "is the new testament" or
the "new covenant" of Jeremiah 31:31-34 at last—after cen
turies of the shedding of animal blood as a type—ratified by the
lifeblood of the Sinless Sacrifice. As with the bread, this shar
ing, too, is to be repeated in remembrance of what He is about to
do.
7. The sharing of the bread and wine is to be more than a re
freshing observance. It is to be a proclamation of His redeem
ing death and of His intention to return and gather them into His
Father's kingdom (Matt. 26:29).

In one fleeting lesson we can only touch the fringes of mean

ing found in this sacred service. Each celebration will, if we
earnestly request it, yield deeper, richer revelations of God's
love for us as shown in Christ Jesus our Lord.

THINK IT THROUGH Why resolve never willingly to miss sharing in the regular
celebration of the Lord's Supper?

95
 LESSON 12 December 13-19

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Then follows a mixture of men and
Lord, and my servant whom I have women who, in widely differing
chosen: that ye may know and be ways, attested to the reality and
lieve me, and understand that I am goodness of the Almighty—Ruth,
he: before me there was no God Elijah, Elisha, Naaman, Jonah,
formed, neither shall there be after Jeremiah, Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar,
me" (Isa. 43:10). and Malachi—last in the succession
of Old Testament prophets—and
The need for and the appoint John the Baptist, who witnessed to
ment of godly witnesses is as old Messiah Himself.
as Adam. After expulsion from We might truly say, adapting Acts
Eden he must have witnessed con 14:17, that even in the darkest days
tinually concerning his origin, the Cod has never left Himself without
sinless time spent in the garden, witnesses to His power, His pur
his sin and its pardon, the promise poses, and His love. For this we
of a Redeemer made to Eve and should be truly grateful, for sad
himself, and the early days outside would be the day if no voice
when they laid foundations for re should testify to the One who up
ligious practices that kept open the holds the universe.
communication between them The dynamic influence of the
selves and their Creator. Son made New Testament times
Thereafter, all the patriarchs and rich in bold and faithful witnesses
their successors witnessed to as to the love of God in Christ, and in
pects of truth that had meaning for the following 20 centuries the Lord
their times. Noah spent 120 years has never been without courage
fulfilling his responsibility; Abra ous representatives. Now, prior to
ham testified to his Cod with vary His return, He needs a multitude
ing degrees of faith; Joseph did who will witness to His redemptive
noble work under extremely dif power, both by word and by life,
ficult conditions; Moses bore wit that citizens for His kingdom might
ness before Pharaoh and among be made ready for His coming.
his own people for 40 trying years. It is our privilege to have the
royal words of our memory verse
spoken to us today!

DAILY HjGHLIGHTS
1. Essential Qualification
(Matt. 10:32)
2. The First Witnesses
(John 1:41)
3. Witnesses to Miracles
(Mark 5:19)
4. Secret of Witnessing
(2 Cor. 5:14)
5. How to Witness
(Matt. 5:16)
6. Christian Witness
(Acts 26:18)
Christian Witness LESSON 12 G Sunday
December 13
Parti In His evangelistic instruction to the Twelve, what promise
ESSENTIAL did Jesus make to those who would publicly acknowledge Him
QUALIFICATION as Lord?

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him

will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt.
10:32).

At first sight this might appear a commonplace statement—a

bargain struck between two parties: you speak up for me, and I
will speak up for you. But the setting for Christ's words forbids
such an easy analysis. He has commissioned His disciples
(verses 1-4) and instructed them in their mission (verses 5-15),
forewarned them of its often dangerous nature (verses 16-28),
and now acquaints them with a law. Their confession—their
public acknowledgement of Him as their Lord and Saviour—will
enable Him to acknowledge them as His own before His
heavenly Father. They will have declared themselves to be His
followers, His servants, His representatives; they will have suf
fered for loyalty to His cause.
The day will come when Christ will be proud to testify in God's
presence that His disciples have been faithful ministers and are
worthy of being with Him eternally. But there are two sides to the
picture. Those who publicly deny Him cannot then expect Him
to claim them as His own, for He must be truthful and say, "I
never knew you: depart from me" (Matt. 7:23). Confession of or
witnessing to the lordship of Christ is therefore a matter of life
or death.

What was an essential qualification for apostleship? Luke

24:48; Acts 1:8, 21,22.

Christ bequeathed to His disciples the task of continuing the

work that He had begun. They were to testify to the miracle of
the incarnation as "eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16),
observers of His sinless life, His sacrificial death, His triumphant
resurrection, and His glorious ascension. This was then their
lifelong calling. The New Testament shows how humbly willing
they were to accept this task as soon as the cloud had received
their beloved Master out of their sight (Acts 1:9; Luke 24:51-53).

THINK IT THROUGH Try to grasp the splendor and awesomeness of the respon
sibility that came to the disciples after the ascension.

FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 27-34

98
Christian Witness LESSON 12 D Monday
December 14
Part 2 After John the Baptist's testimony concerning the Lamb of
THE FIRST God (John 1:29), who first bore witness to Jesus as the Mes-
WITNESSES siah?

"He [Andrew] first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith
unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being inter
preted, the Christ" (John 1:41).

The Baptist's inspired example in testifying to the divinity and

office of our Lord quickly bore fruit in the transfer of two of his
own disciples to the group that formed around the person of
Jesus of Nazareth. The two who left the Baptist to follow Jesus
were Andrew and John. The former became the first Christian
missionary as he testified, "We have found the Messias"—
which confident declaration has been termed, "this great
Eureka" (from the Greek heurekamen, "we have found").

One day later, what further personal witness was given by

one who had already been directly recruited by Jesus? John
1:43-45.

The spiritual magnetism that flowed from Jesus fires Philip to

find Nathanael and to announce, "We have found him." But his
confidence seems to have fallen short of Andrew's. He does not
boldly announce the Messiah; rather, he contents himself by
referring to the One of whom Moses and the prophets had
written—"Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (verse 45)—
stressing the humanity rather than the divinity of the newfound
Leader. But the witness bore good fruit. After some hesitation,
Nathanael acknowledged the Man from Nazareth to be "the Son
of God" (verse 49). It would be unfair to expect a full under
standing of Jesus' nature at a first meeting, but both Philip and
Nathanael made a commendable beginning, and both proved to
be faithful apostles. Such was the fruitage of this early personal
witness by one to another.

What effect did her discovery of Jesus have on the Samari

tan woman at Sychar? John 4:28-30, 39-42.

The woman had the greatest of blessings in a long personal

interview with the Messiah. She immediately bore witness to the
Stranger, speaking with such fervor that many of her fellow
townspeople believed on Him, while others were convicted
"because of his own word" (John 4:41).

THINK IT THROUGH What is the common factor in these three witnessing

events? What can we learn from them concerning the science
of witnessing?

FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 138-143, 191-195

99
Christian Witness LESSON 12 D Tuesday
December 15
Parts When the healed madman asked to remain with Christ, what
WITNESS TO did Jesus tell him to do?
MIRACLES
"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go
home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord
hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee" (Mark
5:19).

Mark and Luke (Luke 8:27) mention one demoniac only, but
Matt hew (Matt. 8:28) speaks of two. The three writers record the
request to remain with the Healer and that Christ gave the
commission, instead, to share news of the cure with friends.
"The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom
Christ sent to preach the gospel in the region of Decapolis. For a
few moments only these men had been privileged to hear the
teachings of Christ. Not one sermon from His lips had ever fallen
upon their ears. . . . But they bore in their own persons the
evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they
knew; what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the
power of Christ."—The Desire of Ages, p. 340.

When the greatest of all miracles took place, how did those
who first learned of it respond?

The most notable proclaimers of the resurrection were the

following people:
Mary Magdalene (John 20:18)
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matt. 28:1, 7-10)
Peter (Luke 24:34)
Cleopas and friend at Emmaus (Luke 24:13, 33-35)
At first, there were mixed reactions to the amazing, unbeliev
able news that the crucified Jesus had risen from His tomb; but
when Mary Magdalene personally met Him in the garden and
other meetings followed, doubt began to disappear. (See John
20:20.)
Ere long, the once-frightened group, empowered by the
Spirit, gave bold witness to the truth of the resurrection. Peter
first proclaimed it at Pentecost, others followed, and Saul, hav
ing met the Resurrected One, preached that "he is the Son of
God" (Acts 9:20). And so it has ever been—those who have
experienced the truth of the resurrection have vigorously
witnessed to its reality and its redeeming power.

THINK IT THROUGH Have we personally experienced spiritual renewal by an

abiding belief in the power of the resurrection?

FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 60-69

100
Christian Witness LESSON 12 Wednesday
December 16
Part 4 What was the driving power behind Paul's tireless witness?
SECRET OF
WITNESSING "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus
judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead" (2 Cor. 5:14).

A moment's thought reveals two possible interpretations of

the phrase "the love of Christ"—it refers either to the love which
Christ has for us, or the love which we have for Christ, or both
meanings are valid. But the significance of these few words is
best discovered in the context of this well-known verse, and for
that one needs to pick up the thread of thought in 2 Corinthians
4:1.
Paul has received a commission (compare Acts 9:15, 16),
which he fulfills by openly sharing the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 4:2, 4) which had illumined his own life
(verses 5,6). Such sharing was only done at great personal cost
(verses 8-12), but he willingly paid the price because he knew
the value of the eternal in contrast to the temporal (verses
16-18). Knowledge that all must appear in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10)
drives him to address his appeal to all men (verse 11). Indeed,
the love of Christ and the knowledge that He died for all "leaves
us no choice" (verse 14, NEB). Those who share this knowledge
should no longer live for themselves, but for Christ, who died
and rose again (verse 15).
The climax to this close-knit reasoning is reached in verses
18-21, where Paul shares with the Corinthians and with us his
understanding of the redeeming love of God revealed in Christ's
ministry. It is this that impels Paul's own evangelistic witness.
We, in turn, shall only be fired for similar witness when a similar
love possesses us. Therein lies the secret of genuine
evangelism. When we find it, we shall say, with Peter and John,
"We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and
heard" (Acts 4:20). "No sooner is one converted than there is
born within him a desire to make known to others what a pre
cious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying
truth cannot be shut up in his heart. . . .
• "Men may combat and defy our logic, they may resist our
appeals; but a life of disinterested love is an argument they
cannot gainsay."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 141, 142.

THINK IT THROUGH How can we overcome the stateness that creeps through
our understanding of what God has done for us in His Son?

FURTHER STUDY Ellen G. White Comments, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6,

pp. 1100-1102

101
Christian Witness LESSON 12 n Thursday
December 17
Parts What did Jesus recommend as an effective and essential
HOW TO way of witnessing, and to what purpose?
WITNESS
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt.
5:16).

This counsel arises from the giving of the Beatitudes (verses

1-12) and the observation that true Christians are the salt and
the light of the world (verses 13-15). But even the brightest of
lights is useless unless its beams are allowed to illumine its
surroundings. Jesus is thus exhorting us so to live the truly
godly life that our conduct, especially "our good works," will
bring glory to God. The persuasive power of the dedicated life
that leads others to follow the same Lord brings our Father the
greatest glory of all, for it increases the number of those who
adore and serve Him.
"Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful
argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that
a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than
the character of a worldling. Not all the books written can serve
the purpose of a holy life. Men will believe, not what the minister
preaches, but what the church lives."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p.
21.

In addition to the living of godly lives, what worldwide form

of witness are Christians called to render? Mark 16:15.
It was by scattering that the gospel was first carried beyond
the boundry of Jerusalem, and it is by this same law that the
gospel will be spread today. The quality of believers' lives is a
first means of sharing the good news; but if no other steps are
taken, we shall not be fulfilling the divine command. We must
"go . . . into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature," either by personal service beyond our local setting or
by sending others who are able to go where we cannot. "All who
are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained to work for the
salvation of their fellow men. The same longing of soul that He
felt for the saving of the lost is to be manifest in them. ... All
upon whom God's blessings have been bestowed are to re
spond by actual service; every gift is to be employed for the
advancement of His kingdom."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 16.

THINK IT THROUGH How am I going into all the world and preaching the gospel
to every creature?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 19-23

102
Christian Witness LESSON 12 n Friday
December 18
Part 6 For what comprehensive purpose did the Lord personally
CHRISTIAN call Saul of Tarsus to be His witness?
WITNESS
"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:18).

The real meaning of this verse is best grasped by reading

verses 16 and 17, which show that Christ appeared to Saul to
make him "a minister and a witness" to the Gentiles for their
eternal salvation. This purpose is not restricted to the dramatic
call that came to Saul, for "every true disciple is born into the
kingdom of God as a missionary."—The Desire of Ages, p. 195.
We, therefore, can be witnesses who will open eyes that are
spiritually blind, turning them from the darkness of unbelief to
the light of the gospel, from bondage to Satan to freedom in
God. Such witness is able first to bring our friends pardon from
sin and holiness of life, then a place in the kingdom of God.
"You are not to wait for great occasions or to expect extraor
dinary abilities before you go to work for God. You need not
have a thought of what the world will think of you. If your daily
life is a testimony to the purity and sincerity of your faith, and
others are convinced that you desire to benefit them, your
efforts will not be wholly lost."—Sfeps to Christ, p. 83.

What twofold result will flow from our fulfillment of the high
calling given us by God? 1 Peter 2:9-12.

Those whom God has chosen to be His own people and who
have themselves responded to that choice will (1) display in
their own characters the virtues of the One who has called them
out of spiritual darkness (verse 9) and (2) find that nonbelievers
observing Christians' faithful adherence to their declared prin
ciples (verse 11) will themselves be led to glorify God (verse 12).
Witness that bears such welcome fruitage must be of a high
order. It is possible for all who faithfully fulfill that high calling
by living Christlike lives.
The picture painted by Peter is really a portrait of the Christian
that should be produced by daily adherence to the total body of
doctrine. Unless profession of belief results in such a life, that
profession will not lead to salvation. This is in no sense salvation
by works—it concerns the presence or absence of fruitage from
our beliefs.

THINK IT THROUGH How can I and my fellow Sabbath School class members
fulfill God's purpose in calling us to be His people?

FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 150-154

103
 LESSON 13 December 20-26

"Grow in grace, and in the knowl for us. He exhorts us to grow, and
edge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus that is the theme that undergirds
Christ. To him be glory both now this study at the close of two quar
and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18). ter's lessons. He who does not
grow is on his way to death. He
What more bitter disappointment who continues to grow has pros
can there be for any parents than pects for eternal lire.
to see their newborn babe, perfect Peter's advice is couched in-
in feature and form, apparently words that bid us to keep on grow
possessing every faculty, and then ing, never satisfied with past prog
to see him fail to respond in nor ress, always developing our
mal growth? What a parental spiritual powers, we are to grow
tragedy is that! not only in an understanding of the
Yet our divine Parent must often principal doctrines of our Christian
face such disappointment in His faith, but; specifically, to keep on
earthly children. He sees them growing in grace. This is primarily a
born, baptized, and taking their divine attribute, "the grace of
first spiritual steps; then they stag God" that makes salvation possi
nate, standing still. Although going ble; but it is also a quality we can
through the motions of life, they acquire as we develop spiritually.
remain stunted. In respect to reli We are also to grow m knowledge,
gious growth, they are no more particularly in knowing our LorcT
tnan undeveloped infants. Such knowledge must come not
Not one of us has reached his only from boolks or from others,
possible spiritual potential..The but from a personal acquaintance
best of us must be pygmies in con with the Redeemer, with each day
trast to the giants we might be. But adding to our experience of His
God loves us still! perfect nature and His transform
The apostle Peter gives us the ing power in our own lives.
counsel we all need, in the last of Growth in these two areas must be
his words that have been preserved continual. Then we shall be num
bered among those who give to
the Saviour "glory both now and
for ever."

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
1. Our Inner Life
(Isa. 26:3)
2. Our Aspiring Life
(Matt. 5:6)
3. Our Family Life
(Matt. 6:11)
4. Our Social Life
(Col. 3:9, 10)
5. Our Quality of Life
(Col. 3:12, 13)
6. Our Eternal Life
(Matt. 16:24)
The Life That Counts LESSON 13 D Sunday
December 20
Parti How may we obtain the peace of mind so much sought after
OUR INNER in these troubled days?
LIFE
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on thee: because he trusteth in thee" (Isa. 26:3).

The prophet proposes two steps to serenity—first, staying,

fixing, or reposing the mind on the Eternal; second, trusting in
the Lord. He who takes these steps is assured of mental and
spiritual peace. He is encouraged (verse 4) to trust in the Lord at
all times because the Eternal is the Rock of Ages and well able to
bring peace of mind to those who commit their ways to Him. The
New Testament version of this promise can be found in Philip-
pians 4:6, 7.
Brother Lawrence, a remarkable lay brother who joined a
religious community in Paris in 1666, described Isaiah's
program as "The Practice of the Presence of God." "The time of
business," said he, "does not with me differ from the time of
prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several
persons are at the same time calling for different things, I pos
sess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the
Blessed Sacrament."—The Practice of the Presence of God,
1977 ed. (London: Mowbrays), p. 23.

By what means does God intend that we may renew our

physical and spiritual strength? Isa. 40:31.

This counsel must be tried to be trusted. Those who have

waited on the Lord in prayer have found new reserves of
strength that have hitherto been unsuspected. They have risen
from their knees refreshed and have been able to do exploits
that were earlier considered impossible. This "practice" is not
acquired in a day. It is realized only after persistent observance.
But a host of Christians will testify to its reality and reliability,
and we can join their ranks by following their example.
"All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for
communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God....
When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait
before him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice
of God. He bids us, 'Be still, and know that I am God.' ...This is
the effectual preparation for all labor for God. Amidst the hurry
ing throng, and the strain of life's intense activities, he who is
thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light
and peace."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 58.

THINK IT THROUGH During a normal working day, how often do I "wait upon the
Lord"?

FURTHER STUDY Steps to Christ, "The Privilege of Prayer," pp. 93-104

106
The Life That Counts LESSON 13 D Monday
December 21
Part 2 What benediction does the Saviour pronounce upon those
OUR ASPIRING who cherish high spiritual goals?
LIFE
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righ
teousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6).

Blessed are those who feel hungry and thirsty for the right, for
they shall be satisfied. Those spoken of in this beatitude must
have a finely honed conscience that leads them to want that
righteousness or justice, or what is right. This is not often a
comfortable doctrine. It is easier to eat and drink the world's
fare than to aspire to the finer heavenly diet. But it is possible to
develop an appetite for whatsoeverthings are true, honest, just,
pure, lovely, and of good report (Phil. 4:8). Much depends on the
food which we feed our souls. If physical diet affects our
spiritual appetites—and it does—our mental food has an even
greater effect on our spiritual health. We must set our affections
"on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). And in
the matter of "happiness," or "blessedness," it is well to re-
memberthis truth: "Happiness is not, essentially, something we
have, but something we are, though we become what we are by
doing."—Gerald Vann, The Divine Pity (New York: Fontana
Books, 1962), p. 94.

In the light of His faultless knowledge, what counsel on

"first things" does Jesus give His followers? Matt. 6:33.

For most of us this is a hard doctrine, for "the things which are
seen" so easily claim our attention and affection; the unseen
seems so far away and easy to neglect. But herein lies the heart
of the Christian philosophy of life—the seen is temporal be
cause "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof"; the un
seen is eternal, and "he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever" (1 John 2:17). Christ does not ignore everyday needs, but
He assigns them their rightful place while the Christian seeks
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And this, when
we pause to think it through, leaves no area of our lives un
touched.
"Those who are willing to make any sacrifice for eternal life,
will have it; and it will be worth suffering for, worth crucifying
self for, and sacrificing every idol for. The far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory swallows up everything and eclipses
every earthly pleasure."—Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 126.

THINK IT THROUGH What does my present daily program reveal about my

spiritual interests? Are they temporal, or eternal? Where does
God and His concept of right stand in my list?

FURTHER STUDY Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, "The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:13), pp. 34-38

107
The Life That Counts LESSON 13 D Tuesday
December 22
Parts Today's study embraces us all, married and single, for we all
OUR FAMILY have family ties, distant though some of them may seem to be.
LIFE We all have had a father and mother; we all are children, grow
ing or grown. And if we now stand without immediate close
family connections, we create our own familial world for domes
tic purposes and in addition rub shoulders with other family
units. How, then, shall we order this daily responsibility of family
living?

What is the first request framed for us in our Lord's "family"

prayer?

"Give us this day our daily bread" (Matt. 6:11).

It is by no accident that these familiar words find their place

early in our Master's model prayer. Just before them, He gives
the petition that God's will should be done on earth as it is done
in heaven (verse 10). Then He follows them with the request for
pardon in respect to neighborly relations (verse 12). The prime
reference in verse 11, then, is to spiritual food, and that on a
daily basis. Since we do not go to church each day, this calls for
taking that food at home; and this calls for "family" worship,
with father, mother, and children if that is how we live, or by
ourselves if our family unit has been dispersed by time or cir
cumstance or if we otherwise live alone.
It is hardly possible to overstress the importance of family
worship in our daily spiritual life. There can be only one com
petitor for first place there, namely, the personal devotions of
each member of the family. After that, family worship holds the
central position. Its faithful observance, morning and evening,
keeps the parents in daily touch with the Infinite and opens the
children's hearts to the converting influence of the Holy Spirit.

What should be the holy ambition of each Christian parent?

Eph. 6:4.

After the very necessary negative admonition against goad

ing children to resentment by harsh discipline, Paul offers par
ents this positive counsel; "Give them the instruction, and the
correction, which belong to a Christian upbringing" (Eph. 6:4,
NEB). Happy the family where this advice is followed!

THINK IT THROUGH What is our experience in family worship? How can we

improve its quality? What suggestions for worship at home
can we share with our fellow class members?

FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 392-394

108
The Life That Counts LESSON 13 Wednesday
December 23
Part 4 What standard of honesty is expected of Christians?
OUR SOCIAL
LIFE "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old
man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is
renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created
him" (Col. 3:9,10).

Christian doctrine holds before its followers an extremely

high moral and social standard that comes from the character
of Christ, who is truth personified. If we then "be risen with
Christ" (verse 1), we shall not wish to lie "one to another," for
such conduct is alien to the new men and women who are ever
gaining a fresh personal knowledge of Christ until they them
selves take on their Creator's image.

How will our new life affect our social relations, and how
shall we find the spiritual resources to achieve the Christian
ideal? Col. 3:11-13.

In verse 11 Paul is swiftly covering the population of the world

in which the early Christians lived. By "Greek" he refers to
non-Jews from a national-political point of view, as distinct from
the chosen people. "Circumcision" and "uncircumcision"
cares for religious differences; "Barbarian" cares for linguistic
distinctions; "Scythian" covers those outside the bounds of
civilization. Having thus dealt with various classes into which
the human family was then divided, he formulates the Christian
response to these sin-induced divisions—"Christ is all, and in
all," that is, Christ identifies Himself with each and all of these
sections of human society. It is now for us to apply this undi
luted Christian approach to our present world situation. This is
not easy. Some find it the hardest test of their religious sincerity.
We all need the fine qualities listed in verses 12 and 13 in order
to reach the ideal conduct.
"Christ recognized no distinction of nationality or rank or
creed.... [He] came to break down every wall of partition....
"The life of Christ established a religion in which there is no
caste, a religion by which Jew and Gentile, free and bond, are
linked in a common brotherhood, equal before God. No ques
tion of policy influenced His movements."—Gospel Workers, p.
46.

THINK IT THROUGH Where shall we find the love and grace that are needed to
translate into practice the Christian ideals presented in to
day's lesson?

FURTHER STUDY John Oxenham's hymn, "In Christ There Is No East nor West,"
The Church Hymnal, no. 436

109
The Life That Counts LESSON 13 n Thursday
December 24
Part 5 In view of the high standard required of Christians in all
OUR QUALITY aspects of daily life, what Christlike qualities should we delib-
OF LIFE erately cultivate?

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; forebearing one another, and forgiving one
another" (Col. 3:12,13).

Here we again meet the biblical picture of clothing ourselves

with clean garments. (Compare Isa. 52:1; 61:10; Matt. 22:11-14.)
But we must also heed the counsel not to use high-flown sentA
ments as a cloak to disguise our true natures (John 15:22;V
1 Thess. 2:5; 1 Peter 2:16). We are to be genuine, "the elect of i
God, holy and beloved." We are to possess compassionate
hearts, a hard-hearted Christian being an impossible kind of
creature. As John Ruysbroek, the fourteenth-century Flemish
mystic, has said: "Be kind, be kind, and you will be saints." That
is not the whole truth, for sainthood requires much more than
kindness; but saints must be kind! They must also be humble,
meek, patient, tolerant of others' weaknesses, and ready to
forgive. As always, Christ is the model.

To which three virtues does Paul give exceptional em

phasis? Col. 3:14, 15.

Beyond dispute, first place is ever reserved for "charity," or

love. Without it other spiritual qualities are of little avail (com
pare 1 Cor. 13:13), for it binds all other good qualities together.
We should also allow the peaceof Christ (better supported than
"of God") to reign in our hearts and exert its unifying influence
in our relations, and we should always be a grateful people.

How may we attain these high standards? Col. 3:16,17.

These suggestions are closely associated with worship, both

formal and otherwise. We should so study Christ's Word that it
will make its-home in our hearts; we should wisely teach and;
counsel one another; we should sing psalms (might we do more\
of this?), hymns, and sacred songs, not merely with our lips, but \
also in our hearts, as expressions of gratitude to the Father sung
in Christ's name. What a stimulating program! But how easy to
forget.

THINK IT THROUGH In what ways do our doctrinal beliefs enrich the quality of
our daily spiritual lives?

FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 312-318

110
The Life That Counts LESSON 13 n Friday
December 25
Parts Contemplate Jesus' summary of the cost of discipleship.
OUR ETERNAL
LIFE "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow me" (Matt. 16:24).

True Christianity is not a matter of assent to a set of doctrinal

statements, though these are necessary in order to formulate
belief. True Christianity, as its name implies, is Christ's way of
life, a matter of Christlikeness, of bringing together those who
reach out to be like their Master. The way is one of self-denial,
not as a punishing exercise for gathering merit, but as an imita
tion of the example of the Lord who, "though he was rich, . . .
became poor" (2 Cor. 8:9). Just as Jesus did not allow earthly
considerations to interfere with the fulfillment of His mission, so
he who follows Him must be willing to "deny himself, and take
up his cross," whatever form that cross may take.
There are good reasons for this hard condition to discipleship
(Matt. 16:25). It we expend our energies in "saving" our lives, we
shall lose them, for true eternal life will slip from our grasp. If we
are willing to renounce our own interests in order to promote
those of Christ's cause and to follow Christ's example, denying
ourselves as He did, then we shall find eternal life. Since eternal
life is the farthest boundary beyond which none can pass, it is
worthy of our most severe self-discipline, most dedicated ser
vice, deepest trust, and highest aspirations.

Since personal experience, human history, and biblical

revelation show that we can in no wise save ourselves, to
whom can we turn for salvation? Jude 24 and 25.

We bring our 26 weeks of doctrinal study to a close by humbly

and gratefully addressing a reverent doxology to the One to
whom all doctrine should point—the Eternal Father, with the
Son and the Holy Spirit. He and He alone has power to keep us
from stumbling into sin, enabling us to stand not only faultless
but blameless and exultingly happy in His presence. To Him,
then, the only God who has saved us through our Lord Jesus
Christ—to this one God be there ascribed glory, majesty, power,
and authority in the past and through eternity. And may this
praise be rendered by us as faithful members of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church, in company with all the innumerable host of
the redeemed, forever and ever. Amen.

THINK IT THROUGH In which areas of Christian belief do I need to strengthen my

knowledge and my practice?
FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 503-508

111
Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Lessons for the
first quarter of 1982 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first two
lessons. The title of the series is LAW, LOVE, AND LIFE.

First Lesson
LOVE, THE SUPREME MOTIVE. Memory Text, 1 Cor. 13:4-7
1. What Love Is (1 Cor. 13:4, 6, 7)
2. What Love Is Not (1 Cor. 13:4-6)
3. When There Is No Love (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
4. True Love Is Timeless (1 Cor. 13:8)
5. Perfect Love (1 Cor. 13:9-12)
6. Faith, Hope, and Love (1 Cor. 13:13)

Second Lesson
CONSCIENCE AND THE SPIRIT. Memory Text, Isa. 30:21
1. The Inner Voice (Isa. 30:21)
2. "Voice" of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8)
3. Gift to All (Rom. 2:14, 15)
4. Good and Weak Consciences (1 Tim. 1:5)
5. Can Be Put Away (1 Tim. 1:19)
6. The Unpardonable Sin (Luke 12:10)

Lessons in Braille
The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in
Braille and 16% rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons
who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth,
cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian
Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.

112
 '••
SsS-fte-'SSsftfC^'^;' ••'

xxWhere can I get a LARGE-PRINT

lesson booklet like yours? I like thatf

Just have the church lay activities secretary

Drder a subscription for the LARGE-PRINT
EjBATH SCHOOL LESSONS for you personally
ind it will come on a regular quarterly basis."

Please send subscrip

tions for the Large Print Sabbath
.School Lessons at $6.00 per year
'to U.S. addresses, $7.40 per year Name
to addresses outside U.S.
Street

Order through your local church City ——————

lay activities secretary or your
Adventist Book Center. These
prices subject to change without State (Province) .Zip
notice. .—————.———
 -'..:,.'" . "•" :.:.V:- V by Bernard Setoiv
A lesson:by-lesson help for the fourth-quar|
ter Sabbath, school lessons that will
enhance the/study of your lesson by,
. expanding the important themes of the^
quarterly. Get your copy early to enjoy the,
added'blessings-for-: the entire.."quartep.

. -4 > M your ADVENTIST BOQI^

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REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

What you read

shall
leap!
Tips for Teachers
by Dr. W. Richard Lesher U.S. $4.50
Every Sabbath School teacher and member
should make this book a close friend. From
many years of both teaching and professional
study of teaching methods, the author gives easy-to-
use "tips on how to get the most out of the time devoted
to the study of each week's lesson."
Saturday, Sunday and Salvation
by Dwight Herbert U.S. $.95
This book lists the twenty-five most frequently given reasons for
Sunday-keeping and then refutes them from the Bible. It is crisp,
precise, and biblical—just the right format for busy Adventists
who need something "right now" to answer honest inquirers.
It Must Have Been an Angel
by Marjorie Lewis Lloyd U.S. $3.95
Here is a very readable account of the ministration of angels in
everyday life. As in Bible times, angels are still working for
"those who shall be heirs of salvation."
Available now at your local ABC.
Prices 15% higher in Canada.
Brought to you by Pacific Press
I Greenland
Mission Northern European
Division
Iceland Tromscy
3,
Conference

'SWEDISH 1
1. Evangelistic Center. UNION i
2. Rebuilding Toivonlinna
Junior College.
3. Child Evangelism Center.
FINLAND
UNION
'WEST!
NORDIC Helsinki.
UNION i
Oslo*
Stockholm <

Denmark I

Amsterdam POLISH
¥ UNION
NETHERLANDS Warsaw •
UNION .•Skoczow

Church S.S.
Population Churches Members Membets
British 60,126,811 162 14,204 12,143
Finland 4,743,160 54 5,921 4,744
*lceland 220,918 7 540 407
Netherlands 14,000,000 47 3,893 3.049
Polish 35,000,000 121 4,084 4.676
Swedish 8.433,000 56 3,655 4.241
West Nordic 9,253,429 128 9.181 7.815
DIVISION TOTALS 131,777.318 41,478 37.075
•Attached Field figures as ol Match 31. )9i