Bible Study Guides - Justification by Faith - The Third Angel's Message in Verity

December 23, 2018 – December 29, 2018

Key Text

“In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:5).

Study Help: The Faith I Live By, 209–215.

Introduction

“Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, ‘It is the third angel’s message in verity.’ ” The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.

Sunday

BASIC TRUTHS RESTORED

What is the hope of the gospel, and how does this relate to the threefold message of Revelation 14:6–12? Colossians 1:23, 26–28.

Note: “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69.

What important doctrine was restored following the Second Advent Movement? Isaiah 56:1, 2; 58:12.

Note: “The Lord has sent us messages for this time to establish Christianity upon an eternal basis, and all who believe present truth must stand, not in their own wisdom, but in God; and raise up the foundation of many generations. These will be registered in the books of heaven as repairers of the breach, the restorers of paths to dwell in. We are to maintain the truth because it is truth, in the face of the bitterest opposition. God is at work upon human minds; it is not man alone that is working. The great illuminating power is from Christ; the brightness of His example is to be kept before the people in every discourse.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1152.

Monday

UNITY OF FAITH

What gifts enable the sincere Advent believers to discern the special truths for these times? 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Note: “God is leading a people out from the world upon the exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit up His people. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each moving independently of the body. Through the diversity of the gifts and governments that He has placed in the church, they will all come to the unity of the faith. If one man takes his views of Bible truth without regard to the opinion of his brethren, and justifies his course, alleging that he has a right to his own peculiar views, and then presses them upon others, how can he be fulfilling the prayer of Christ?” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 29, 30.

How does church unity affect our witness for the truth? John 13:35.

Note: “It is the unity in the church that enables it to exert a conscious influence upon unbelievers and worldlings.” That I May Know Him, 153.

“Our unity and love for one another are the credentials by which we testify to the world that God has sent His Son to save sinners.” This Day With God, 120.

What would have been possible if the believers had in full faith accepted the gift of the righteousness of Christ? Ephesians 4:13.

Note: “It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which Jesus said He would send into the world, that changes our character into the image of Christ; and when this is accomplished, we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord. That is, the character of the one who thus beholds Christ is so like His, that one looking at Him sees Christ’s own character shining out as from a mirror. Imperceptibly to ourselves, we are changed day by day from our own ways and will into the ways and will of Christ, into the loveliness of His character. Thus we grow up into Christ, and unconsciously reflect His image.” The Review and Herald, April 28, 1891.

Tuesday

THE JUDGMENT

What great scene was shown to the prophet Daniel, and when did it begin? How is the ministry of Christ associated with it? Daniel 7:9, 10, 13, 14; 1 John 2:1; Daniel 8:14.

Note: “[Daniel 7:13, 14 quoted.] The coming of Christ here described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator. It is this coming, and not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844. Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of man—to perform the work of investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits.” The Great Controversy, 480.

If we have accepted Christ’s imputed righteousness and lived by the power of His imparted righteousness, what verdict will be given in the judgment? Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36, 37; Revelation 22:11.

Note: “All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life. …

“Sins that have not been repented of and forsaken will not be pardoned and blotted out of the books of record, but will stand to witness against the sinner in the day of God. He may have committed his evil deeds in the light of day or in the darkness of night; but they were open and manifest before Him with whom we have to do. Angels of God witnessed each sin and registered it in the unerring records. Sin may be concealed, denied, covered up from father, mother, wife, children, and associates; no one but the guilty actors may cherish the least suspicion of the wrong; but it is laid bare before the intelligences of heaven. … Men may be deceived by those who are corrupt in heart, but God pierces all disguises and reads the inner life.” The Great Controversy, 483, 486.

Wednesday

THE BLOTTING OUT OF SIN

What is revealed of the condition and character of those who have been sanctified during this sealing time? Revelation 14:1–5.

Note: “The spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, yet faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb’s book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon’s roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter’s devices.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 475.

What wonderful transaction takes place in the heavenly sanctuary during the judgment of the righteous dead and then the righteous living? Acts 3:19.

Note: “I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God.” Early Writings, 71.

In what spiritual condition must we be when Jesus comes? Hebrews 12:14; 2 Peter 3:14; 1 John 3:2.

Note: “ ‘Be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless’ (2 Peter 3:14). This is the standard for which every Christian must strive, not in his own natural ability, but through the grace given him of Jesus Christ. Let us wrestle for the mastery over every sin, and be able to check every impatient, fretful expression.” Our High Calling, 235.

“Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father’s commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble.” The Great Controversy, 623.

Thursday

THE RIGHTEOUS OVERCOMERS

What solemn warning is given to guard God’s people from the deceptions of the last-day churches? What responsibility rests on those with this knowledge? Revelation 14:9–11; Ezekiel 33:2–4.

Note: “The third angel’s message is to be regarded as of the highest importance. It is a life and death question. The impression made by this message will be proportionate to the earnestness and solemnity with which it is proclaimed.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 980.

What is said of those who are overcomers and are thus prepared to meet Jesus at His second coming? Revelation 14:12.

Note: “God’s denominated people—those who on this earth have witnessed to their loyalty. Who are they? Those who have kept the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ; those who have owned the Crucified One as their Saviour.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 981.

“It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must believe in Him. The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour; which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.” The Desire of Ages, 347. [Emphasis author’s.]

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 In what sense are we to be “repairers of the breach”?

2 Why is it so important to have unity in the church? How can we do this?

3 To have our sins blotted out, what condition must we be?

4 How can we reach the standard of character which God requires?

5 Why is it not enough to believe about Christ? What does this mean?