A Work of Restoration – Steps to Life

The Third Angel’s Message

June 28 – July 4, 2026

Key Text

“And He who sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ ” Revelation 21:5

Study Help: Prophets and Kings, 677, 678; Selected Messages, Book 1, 236–241

Introduction

“In the time of the end, every divine institution is to be restored.” Prophets and Kings, 678

Sunday

1 ALL THINGS MADE NEW

1.a. What is God’s purpose for our fallen world—the one world in rebellion? Luke 19:10; Matthew 19:29

Note: “Jesus became a man that He might mediate between man and God, … that He might restore to man the original mind which he lost in Eden through Satan’s alluring temptation.” That I May Know Him, 291

“We can see in the cross of Calvary what it has cost the Son of God to bring salvation to a fallen race. As the sacrifice in behalf of man was complete, so the restoration of man from the defilement of sin must be thorough and complete.” The Review and Herald, August 21, 1888

“Satan, by means of his success in turning man aside from the path of obedience, became ‘the god of this world.’ 2 Corinthians 4:4. The dominion that once was Adam’s passed to the usurper. But the Son of God proposed to come to this earth to pay the penalty of sin, and thus not only redeem man, but recover the dominion forfeited. It is of this restoration that Micah prophesied.” Prophets and Kings, 682

“Whatever was lost in the fall of Adam is more than restored in redemption.” The Review and Herald, June 7, 1887

1.b. Describe the specific work of God’s people in preparation for Christ’s soon return. Revelation 3:18–21; James 1:21–25; Revelation 16:15

Note: “In the closing work of God in the earth, the standard of His law will be again exalted. False religion may prevail, iniquity may abound, the love of many may wax cold, the cross of Calvary may be lost sight of, and darkness, like the pall of death, may spread over the world; the whole force of the popular current may be turned against the truth; plot after plot may be formed to overthrow the people of God; but in the hour of greatest peril the God of Elijah will raise up human instrumentalities to bear a message that will not be silenced.” Prophets and Kings, 186, 187

Monday

2 RESTORATION OF THE LAW

2.a. As far as the law of God is concerned, in what way did Christ start the work of restoration? Isaiah 42:21; Matthew 5:17–20; 22:36–40

Note: “ ‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.’ Here Jesus refutes the charge of the Pharisees. His mission to the world is to vindicate the sacred claims of that law which they charge Him with breaking. If the law of God could have been changed or abrogated, then Christ need not have suffered the consequences of our transgression. He came to explain the relation of the law to man, and to illustrate its precepts by His own life of obedience.” The Desire of Ages, 307, 308

2.b. Give two examples of how Christ sought to restore the law of God. Matthew 15:3–6; John 7:19. What respect did Christ show for the writings of the Old Testament prophets? Luke 11:28; John 5:46, 47

Note: “Christ Himself had given both the moral and the ceremonial law. He did not come to destroy confidence in His own instruction. It was because of His great reverence for the law and the prophets that He sought to break through the wall of traditional requirements which hemmed in the Jews. While He set aside their false interpretations of the law, He carefully guarded His disciples against yielding up the vital truths committed to the Hebrews.” The Desire of Ages, 307

Tuesday

3 CALLED TO ESTABLISH THE LAW

3.a. What law is to be established by Christ’s followers under the New Dispensation? Jeremiah 31:31–33; Romans 2:17–27; 3:19, 31

Note: “The Saviour’s life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience would develop. All who obey as He did are likewise declaring that the law is ‘holy, and just, and good.’ Romans 7:12. On the other hand, all who break God’s commandments are sustaining Satan’s claim that the law is unjust, and cannot be obeyed. Thus, they second the deceptions of the great adversary, and cast dishonor upon God. They are the children of the wicked one, who was the first rebel against God’s law. To admit them into heaven would again bring in the elements of discord and rebellion, and imperil the well-being of the universe. No man who willfully disregards one principle of the law shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” The Desire of Ages, 309

3.b. Though the law cannot justify (pardon) us, why do we nonetheless need it? Romans 3:20; 7:7

Note: “When the law was proclaimed from Sinai, God made known to men the holiness of His character, that by contrast they might see the sinfulness of their own. The law was given to convict them of sin, and reveal their need of a Saviour. It would do this as its principles were applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit. This work it is still to do. In the life of Christ, the principles of the law are made plain; and as the Holy Spirit of God touches the heart, as the light of Christ reveals to men their need of His cleansing blood and His justifying righteousness, the law is still an agent in bringing us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.” The Desire of Ages, 308

Wednesday

4 THE ARK OF THE COVENANT IN HEAVEN

4.a. What does the earthly sanctuary with its belongings (Hebrews 9:3, 4) reveal concerning the contents of the ark of the covenant in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 8:1–5

Note: “Sacrilegious minds and hearts have thought they were mighty enough to change the times and laws of Jehovah; but, safe in the archives of heaven, in the ark of God, are the original commandments, written upon the two tables of stone.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 972

4.b. After the disappointment of 1844, what light did the honest searchers of truth receive concerning the heavenly sanctuary and its contents? Revelation 11:19 (compare Exodus 25:8–10, 16; 31:18)

Note: “When the temple of God was opened in heaven, the ark of His testament was seen. Within the holy of holies, in the sanctuary in heaven, the divine law is sacredly enshrined—the law that was spoken by God Himself amid the thunders of Sinai and written with His own finger on the tables of stone.

“The law of God in the sanctuary in heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch were an unerring transcript. Those who arrived at an understanding of this important point were thus led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law. They saw, as never before, the force of the Saviour’s words: ‘Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.’ Matthew 5:18. The law of God, being a revelation of His will, a transcript of His character, must forever endure, ‘as a faithful witness in heaven.’ Not one command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed.” The Great Controversy, 433, 434

Thursday

5 THE MEASURING PROCESS

5.a. To what work should we pay much attention since the heavenly sanctuary has been opened to our understanding in these last days? Revelation 11:1; Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14

Note: “Here is the work going on, measuring the temple and its worshipers to see who will stand in the last day. Those who stand fast shall have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When we are doing our work remember there is One that is watching the spirit in which we are doing it. Shall we not bring the Saviour into our everyday lives, into our secular work and domestic duties? Then in the name of God we want to leave behind everything that is not necessary, all gossiping or unprofitable visiting, and present ourselves as servants of the living God.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 972

5.b. What is the rod by which we are measured? Romans 2:12; James 2:10–12. What call comes to every sinner while Christ is in the sanctuary? Isaiah 55:6, 7; Hebrews 7:25

Note: “The grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 972

“In all our acts of true devotion, we fix our eye of faith upon our Advocate, who is standing between man and the eternal throne, waiting to meet our every effort, and by His Spirit assist us to a more perfect knowledge of God.” Ibid., 948

Friday

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

In what aspect of Christ’s work are we to take part?
How did Christ vindicate the authority of His law while on earth?
Name some vital points which we should understand about God’s law.
What must we realize about the ark of the covenant in heaven?
In what sense should our attention continually focus on that ark?