lamb

Keys to the Storehouse – The Bummer Lamb

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It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. And once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, any attempt to return the lamb to her will fail because she never changes her mind.

As a consequence, the little lamb’s spirit is completely broken, and it will hang its head so low that it looks like something is wrong with its neck. This poor, heartbroken creature is called a “bummer lamb.”

The shepherd must intervene or the bummer lamb, rejected and alone, will die. So, the shepherd himself takes the lamb into his home, hand feeds it, and keeps it warm by the fire. He will wrap it in blankets and hold it to his chest so that the lamb can hear his heartbeat.

Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock where it finds its place, but that lamb, even after it is grown, never forgets how the shepherd cared for it when it was rejected.

From that point forward, when the shepherd calls for the flock to come, can you guess who is the first to respond? The bummer lamb immediately recognizes the voice of the shepherd because it intimately knows that voice. The bummer lamb is not loved more by the shepherd, rather, it is that the lamb has simply learned who loves it.

All of us can claim to know what it is like to be a bummer lamb. Rejected, friendless, disrespected by those who are supposed to care for us, there are many reasons a person might feel this way from time to time. But we have a Shepherd who provides for our every need and holds us close to His heart.

“ ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. … I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.’ ” John 10:11, 14. Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd, that He loves His sheep, and that they hear and know His voice.

We may be broken, but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd.

“The relation of Christ to His people is compared to a shepherd. He saw, after the fall, His sheep in a pitiable condition, exposed to sure destruction. He left the honors and glory of His Father’s house to become a shepherd, to save the miserable, wandering sheep, who were ready to perish. His winning voice was heard calling them to His fold, a safe and sure retreat from the hand of robbers; also a shelter from the scorching heat, and a protection from the chilling blasts. His care was continually exercised for the good of His sheep. He strengthened the weak, nourished the suffering, and gathered the lambs of the flock in His arms, and carried them in His bosom. His sheep love Him. He goeth before His sheep, and they hear His voice, and follow Him.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 113, 114

Lord, thank You for Your loving kindness and care. Help us to always hear and heed Your voice.

Adapted from Robbie Boyd at gospelfocused.com/embracingbrokenness.org

Bible Study Guides – “A Merciful and Faithful High Priest”

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February 13-19, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4: 15, 16.

STUDY HELP: The Faith I Live By, 199–218; Great Controversy, 420–432.

INTRODUCTION: “Though the ministration was to be removed from the earthly to the heavenly temple; though the sanctuary and our great High Priest would be invisible to human sight, yet the disciples were to suffer no loss thereby. They would realize no break in their communion, and no diminution of power because of the Saviour’s absence. While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still, by His Spirit, the Minister of the church on earth. He is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but His parting promise is fulfilled, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ Matthew 28:20. While He delegates His power to inferior ministers, His energizing presence is still with His church.” Desire of Ages, 166.

“The Lamb of God”

1 By what means was a sinner able to find pardon in Old Testament times? Genesis 4:4; Leviticus 4:32, 33.

NOTE: “Abel grasped the great principles of redemption. He saw himself a sinner, and he saw sin and its penalty, death, standing between his soul and communion with God. He brought the slain victim, the sacrificed life, thus acknowledging the claims of the law that had been transgressed. Through the shed blood he looked to the future sacrifice, Christ dying on the cross of Calvary; and trusting in the atonement that was there to be made, he had the witness that he was righteous, and his offering accepted.” Conflict and Courage, 24.

2 What shows that these sacrifices had no power in them to cleanse the sinner from his sin? Hebrews 10:1–4.

NOTE: See Acts of the Apostles, 424, 425.

3 To whom did the sacrificial system look forward? John 1:35, 36; Isaiah 53:4–6.

NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 25.

“Our Great High Priest”

4 What qualification was essential to fit Christ to be our High Priest? Hebrews 2:17, 18.

NOTE: “Christ saw man’s fearful danger, and He determined to save him by the sacrifice of Himself. That He might accomplish His purpose of love for the fallen race, He became bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh.” Reflecting Christ, 17. (See Selected Messages, Book 3, 197, 198.)

5 What sacrifice does Christ offer as our great High Priest? Hebrews 9:12–14.

NOTE: “In the sacrificial offering on every altar was seen a Redeemer. With the cloud of incense arose from every contrite heart the prayer that God would accept their offerings as showing faith in the coming Saviour. Our Saviour has come and shed His blood as a sacrifice, and now He pleads that blood before His Father in the sanctuary in heaven. It is now, as anciently, only through the merits of that blood that the transgressor of God’s law can find pardon. It is by exercising repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Review and Herald, March 2, 1886.

“An Advocate With the Father”

6 Of what interest is the priesthood of Christ to the Christian? Hebrews 9:24, Hebrews 4:15, 16; Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5.

NOTE: “Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks. (Revelation 1: 13) Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches. He is in constant communication with His people. He knows their true state. He observes their order, their piety, their devotion. Although He is high priest and mediator in the sanctuary above, yet He is represented as walking up and down in the midst of His churches on the earth. With untiring wakefulness and unremitting vigilance, He watches to see whether the light of any of His sentinels is burning dim or going out. If the candlesticks were left to mere human care, the flickering flame would languish and die; but He is the true watchman in the Lord’s house, the true warden of the temple courts. His continued care and sustaining grace are the source of life and light.” Acts of the Apostles, 586.

7 While it is God’s desire that Christians should, by reliance on His power, no longer sin, how does Christ help those who fall into sin? 1 John 2:1, 2.

NOTE: “The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven. We must by faith enter within the veil, ‘whither the forerunner is for us entered.’ Hebrews 6: 20. There the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of redemption. The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense to heaven; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has opened the way to the Father’s throne, and through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may be presented before God.” The Great Controversy, 489.

“I Am the Bread of Life”

What item of furniture was found in the Holy Place on its northern side? Exodus 25:23–30.

NOTE: “The table of shewbread stood on the north. With its ornamental crown, it was overlaid with pure gold. On this table the priests were, each Sabbath, to place twelve cakes, arranged in two piles, and sprinkled with frankincense. The loaves that were removed, being accounted holy, were to be eaten by the priests.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 348.

“The making of the shewbread symbolizes Christ’s experience. The process of making the bread for the table of shewbread started with a kernel of wheat which had to fall to the ground and die, producing a sprout and finally a stalk of wheat. ‘Nazareth’ means ‘sprout’ or ‘branch’. Like a growing sprout, Christ lived in Nazareth to prepare Him to be the living bread for the world. Just as the farmer cultivates the seeds he plants with toil and sweat, Christ’s life was wrought with suffering and tears. Also, after the harvest, the farmer grinds the grain with a millstone; likewise, Christ’s soul was pressed and ground by the weight of the world’s sins. In Jewish times,
when the shewbread was baking, the side of the bread was poked with a long fork that resembled a spear to test if the bread was done. In the Israelite camp, cooking on the Sabbath was prohibited, but the sanctuary’s bread was to be baked on Sabbath morning. (See Leviticus 24: 8.) Symbolically, on Sabbath morning, God’s people were to eat an abundant supply of heavenly food. The priests, who represent church leaders today, must personally experience the heavenly food and share it with the people every Sabbath morning.” Behold the Lamb, David Kang, 56.

9 How did Christ describe Himself? John 6:47–51.

NOTE: “No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. But Jesus says, …‘I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.’ John 6:35…The more we know of God, the higher will be our ideal of character and the more earnest our longing to reflect His likeness. A divine element combines with the human when the soul reaches out after God and the longing heart can say, ‘My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.’ Psalm 62:5.…The continual cry of the heart is, ‘More of Thee,’ and ever the Spirit’s answer is, ‘Much more.’ Romans 5:9, 10…It was the good pleasure of the Father that in Christ should ‘all the fullness dwell,’ and ‘in Him ye are made full.’ Colossians 1:19, R.V.; 2:10, R.V. Christ is the great depository of justifying righteousness and sanctifying grace. All may come to Him, and receive of His fullness.” The Faith I Live By, 109.

“I Am the Light of the World”

10 What was to be found on the south side of the Holy place of the sanctuary? Exodus 25:31–37.

NOTE: “On the south was the seven-branched candlestick, with its seven lamps. Its branches were ornamented with exquisitely wrought flowers, resembling lilies, and the whole was made from one solid piece of gold. There being no windows in the tabernacle, the lamps were never all extinguished at one time, but shed their light by day and by night.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 348.

“The golden candlestick is composed of seven branches. This represents Christ, the perfect Light and Truth…As a candlestick’s function is to shed light, Christ brightened the world through His life and ministry. Olive oil was used as fuel to light the candlestick, and it represents the Holy Spirit. ‘Gethsemane’ means ‘the place where oil is pressed.’ In order to give us the Holy Spirit, Christ bore our sins and walked the path of affliction. Light represents His presence, and God lives in us through His Word. Thus light also represents God’s Word or the truth. In the sanctuary there were no windows. In other words, there was no light from the outside. The candlestick was its only source of light. Likewise, no light from the outside world should come into our souls; only Christ, the true Light, should be allowed in.” Behold the Lamb, David Kang, 52, 53.

11 To what did Jesus compare Himself? John 8:12.

NOTE: “Jesus is the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He is the light of the world, and He bids us come unto Him, and learn of Him. Jesus was the great Teacher. He could
have made disclosures on the sciences that would have placed the discoveries of the greatest men in the background as utter littleness; but this was not His mission or His work. He had come to seek and to save that which was lost, and He could not permit Himself to be turned from His one object. He allowed nothing to divert Him. This work He has given into our hands. Shall we do it?” Christian Education, 80.

12 What further understanding of the candlestick did Christ give? Matthew 5:14–16. (See also Revelation 2:5.)

NOTE: “When we cease to fulfill our mission, when the candlestick refuses to reflect light, and the great truths committed to us individually in trust for the world, are not given to them, then the candlestick will be removed. ‘I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place.’ Another will be placed in his stead and will shine. Let prayer be ascending now without delay to Him who walketh in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Take not thy Holy Spirit from us. ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.… Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways: and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.’” Review and Herald, June 7, 1887.

“The Incense with the Prayers of the Saints”

13 What item of furniture was placed in the Holy Place before the second veil? Exodus 30:1–10.

NOTE: “There is an inexhaustible fund of perfect obedience accruing from His obedience. In heaven His merits, His self-denial and self-sacrifice, are treasured as incense to be offered up with the prayers of His people. As the sinner’s sincere, humble prayers ascend to the throne of God, Christ mingles with them the merits of His own life of perfect obedience. Our prayers are made fragrant by this incense. Christ has pledged Himself to intercede in our behalf, and the Father always hears the Son.” Sons and Daughters of God, 22.

14 What picture are we given of this work in the heavenly sanctuary? Revelation 8:3, 4.

NOTE: “The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God’s right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ’s propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 344.

Bible Study Guides – “When the Fullness of the Time Was Come”

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May 12, 2001 – May 18, 2001

MEMORY VERSE

“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.” Hebrews 2:17.

STUDY HELP: The Desire of Ages,48, 49.

Introduction

“But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God’s purposes know no haste and no delay. Through the symbols of the great darkness and the smoking furnace, God had revealed to Abraham the bondage of Israel in Egypt, and had declared that the time of their sojourning should be four hundred years. ‘Afterward,’ He said, ‘shall they come out with great substance.’ Genesis 15:14. Against that word, all the power of Pharaoh’s proud empire battled in vain. On ‘the self-same day’ appointed in the divine promise, ‘it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.’ Exodus 12:41. So in heaven’s council the hour for the coming of Christ had been determined. When the great clock of time pointed to that hour, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. ‘When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.’” The Desire of Ages, 32.

“All That the Prophets Have Spoken”

  1. When was the Redeemer first promised? Genesis 3:15.

NOTE: “To man the first intimation of redemption was communicated in the sentence pronounced upon Satan in the garden. The Lord declared, ‘I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.’ This sentence, uttered in the hearing of our first parents, was to them a promise. While it foretold war between man and Satan, it declared that the power of the great adversary would finally be broken. Adam and Eve stood as criminals before the righteous Judge, awaiting the sentence which transgression had incurred; but before they heard of the life of toil and sorrow which must be their portion, or of the decree that they must return to dust, they listened to words that could not fail to give them hope. Tho they must suffer from the power of their mighty foe, they could look forward to final victory.” Signs of the Times, November 4, 1908.

  1. What did God reveal concerning the coming Redeemer to the prophets? Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14; Zechariah 9:9; Zechariah 11:13; Psalm 22:7, 8, 18; Psalm 69:21; Isaiah 53:3–9.

NOTE: “It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time. The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world’s Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New.” The Desire of Ages, 799.

“In All Things Like unto His Brethren”

  1. Why was it essential that, when Christ took upon Himself humanity, He should take the same nature as those He came to save? Hebrews 2:11, 14–18.

NOTE: “Christ is the ladder that Jacob saw, the base resting on the earth, and the topmost round reaching to the gate of heaven, to the very threshold of glory. If that ladder had failed by a single step of reaching the earth, we should have been lost. But Christ reaches us where we are. He took our nature and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome. Made ‘in the likeness of sinful flesh’ (Romans 8:3), He lived a sinless life. Now by His divinity He lays hold upon the throne of heaven, while by His humanity He reaches us. He bids us by faith in Him attain to the glory of the character of God. Therefore are we to be perfect, even as our ‘Father which is in heaven is perfect.’” The Desire of Ages, 311, 312.

  1. What warning does John give about those who deny this truth? I John 4:1–3.

NOTE: “After the fall of man, Satan declared that human beings were proved to be incapable of keeping the law of God, and he sought to carry the universe with him in this belief. Satan’s words appeared to be true, and Christ came to unmask the deceiver. The Majesty of heaven undertook the cause of man, and with the same facilities that man may obtain, withstood the temptations of Satan as man must withstand them. This was the only way in which fallen man could become a partaker of the divine nature. In taking human nature, Christ was fitted to understand man’s trials and sorrows and all the temptations wherewith he is beset. Angels who were unacquainted with sin could not sympathize with man in his peculiar trials. Christ condescended to take man’s nature, and was tempted in all points like as we, that He might know how to succor all who should be tempted.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 252.

“The Time Is Fulfilled”

  1. With what message of prophetic fulfillment did Christ begin His ministry? Mark 1:14, 15. (Read verses 9–11 and compare Daniel 9:25.)

NOTE: “The seventy weeks, or four hundred and ninety days, represent four hundred and ninety years. A starting point for this period is given: ‘Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks,’ sixty-nine weeks, or four hundred and eighty-three years. Daniel 9:25. The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, as completed by the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus (see Ezra 6:14; 7:1, 9, margin), went into effect in the autumn of B.C. 457. From this time four hundred and eighty-three years extend to the autumn of A.D. 27. According to the prophecy, this period was to reach to the Messiah, the Anointed One. In A.D. 27, Jesus at His baptism received the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and soon afterward began His ministry. Then the message was proclaimed. ‘The time is fulfilled.’” The Desire of Ages, 233.

  1. How did the gospel writers show their understanding that prophecy was being fulfilled? Matthew 1:22, 23; Matthew 2:14–18; Matthew 21:4, 5; Matthew 27:35; Mark 1:2.

NOTE: “The apostles also all testify to the importance of the Old Testament Scriptures. Peter says: ‘For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.’ Luke thus speaks of the prophets who predicted the coming of Christ: ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people; and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began.’” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, 208.

“I Have Glorified Thee on the Earth”

  1. What was the purpose of Christ’s life? John 17:4. Compare Exodus 33:18, 19; John 14:9.

NOTE: “Christ’s life was a life of pure benevolence, of disinterested labor. He assumed human nature for no other purpose than to display the glory of God in the happiness of man.” Review and Herald, March 19, 1901.

“Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 17.

  1. Did Christ exercise powers that may not be available to His followers? John 5:19, 30; John 7:16; John 8:28; John 12:49; John 14:12.

NOTE: ‘‘‘Verily, verily, I say unto you,’ Christ continued, ‘He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also.’ The Saviour was deeply anxious for His disciples to understand for what purpose His divinity was united to humanity. He came to the world to display the glory of God, that man might be uplifted by its restoring power. God was manifested in Him that He might be manifested in them. Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to God as He was.” The Desire of Ages, 664.

“The Lamb of God”

  1. Why was it necessary for Christ to die? Romans 5:6–8. Compare I John 4:10.

NOTE: “Our Saviour manifested for us a love that the love of man can never equal. When we were bruised and dying, He had pity upon us. He did not pass us by on the other side, and leave us, helpless and hopeless, to perish. He did not remain in His holy, happy home, where He was beloved by all the heavenly host. He beheld our sore need, He undertook our case, and identified His interests with those of humanity. He died to save His enemies. He prayed for His murderers. Pointing to His own example, He says to His followers, ‘These things I command you, that ye love one another’; ‘as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.’ John 15:17; 13:34.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 381, 382.

  1. What supreme evidence of love did Christ reveal on Calvary? Luke 23:34.

NOTE: “Christ was earning the right to become the advocate for men in the Father’s presence. That prayer for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner who had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Whenever we sin, Christ is wounded afresh. For us He lifts His pierced hands before the Father’s throne, and says, ‘Forgive them; for they know not what they do.’” The Story of Jesus, 142.

“Stand before the cross and learn from it the cost of redemption. With breaking heart, the Holy Sufferer looks up to God, and cries, ‘My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ His heart was breaking under the thought of the woe that was to come upon the actors, under a sense of their ingratitude, under the weight of the sin He Himself must carry for them. No heart save His own could approach unto such sin-bearing. Amidst His agony there came from heart and lips the wonderful prayer, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’” Bible Training School, July 1, 1916.

“Saved by His Life”

  1. What did the death of Christ achieve for us? Romans 5:10, first part.

NOTE: “Jesus did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do, and exclaimed with His departing breath: ‘It is finished.’ Satan was then defeated. He knew that his kingdom was lost. Angels rejoiced as the words were uttered: ‘It is finished.’ The great plan of redemption, which was dependent on the death of Christ, had been thus far carried out. And there was joy in heaven that the sons of Adam could, through a life of obedience, be finally exalted to the throne of God. Oh, what love! What amazing love! that brought the Son of God to earth to be made sin for us, that we might be reconciled to God.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 211.

  1. What will the living Saviour accomplish for His people? Romans 5:10, last part. (See also Hebrews 7:25.)

NOTE: “The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven. We must by faith enter within the veil, ‘whither the forerunner is for us entered.’ Hebrews 6:20. There the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of redemption. The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense to heaven; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has opened the way to the Father’s throne, and through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may be presented before God.” Great Controversy, 489.

“Those who accept the Saviour, however sincere their conversion, should never be taught to say or to feel that they are saved. This is misleading. Every one should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of temptation. God’s word declares, ‘Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried.’ Daniel 12:10. Only he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life. (James 1:12.) Those who accept Christ, and in their first confidence say, I am saved, are in danger of trusting to themselves. They lose sight of their own weakness and their constant need of divine strength. They are unprepared for Satan’s devices, and under temptation many, like Peter, fall into the very depths of sin. We are admonished, ‘Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.’ I Corinthians 10:12. Our only safety is in constant distrust of self, and dependence on Christ.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 155.

The Lion and the Lamb

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“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain.” . . . Revelation 5:5, 6.

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

The Lion is Also the Lamb

Scholars state that John wrote Revelation before his gospel and epistles. It is no’t likely anyone had a question as to who the slain Lamb was, but with John’s gospel record of John the Baptist speaking, as Jesus came toward him, all discussion certainly would have been settled. And perhaps the most beautiful of all religious concepts takes on deeper meaning—the Lion is also a Lamb.

Think about that. We long for the time when the lion and the lamb shall lie down together. Truthfully, until the fullness of the lion and the lamb are reproduced in a final generation, until a balance is developed in us of all that is strong and noble, meek and lowly, Jesus cannot come, for the world has yet to have that witness manifested.

Are You Unbalanced?

Everyone reading this is probably yet unbalanced. I make no sweeping assertions. It is entirely possible that Enochs walk among us. I just do not know any. Perhaps you do. In the balance God desires to recreate ,we are likely to be more lion or more lamb at present.

“Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Genesis 49:9, 10.

Characteristics of the Lion

Let us take a look at some of the characteristics of our Lion in Scripture. Whether as the young lion ready to pounce, or the old lion lying in his regal nobility, who shall rouse him? He holds the scepter; the kingship, the royalty, the nature of rule is unmistakable.

We are supposed to be children of a King, brethren of a King, espoused to a King. It is stated in different ways throughout the Bible. As such, we are to exemplify the highest traits of nobility and the welfare a king would bestow upon his children, his family, and his bride. As a people, have we not been given the finest counsels and opportunities in regard to doctrine, health, clothing, education and service in the King’s world? Unless we are living up to the privileges and responsibilities of all the counsel of God, we cannot possibly be fit representatives to complete His work on earth.

Far too many among God’s professed people are unbalanced when it comes to these things. This writer has met many who maintain a sharp and keen awareness of last day events and doctrinal matters, but their dietary practices are obviously lacking. Or the reverse is seen—people are deeply into health reform who seem to have little grasp of the issues that confront us as a people living at the end of all time. In areas of modesty, the education of our children and the influences that Satan seeks to derail our noble calling, how less than noble and regal is the life of God’s professed church! As the world sinks into rank, deplorable foolishness and sordid immorality, how closely the church follows but a mile or two behind; so where the world once was decades ago, the professed people of God are today! How true shall it be that those ready for translation will be viewed as odd, singular, straight-laced extremists. Ah! But this is not permission to be “gazing stocks” either. Balance under the roof of our King. Balance. Jesus carried Himself in the perfect balance of noble traits and terrible exactness. Ask anyone in the temple when He cleansed it! Ask the Jewish leaders when He dismantled their whole program in Matthew 23!

“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine: For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:28, 29.

Lions Have Authority

A lion roars, and everything around pays attention. I heard a lion roar at a zoo once. I not only felt it in my stomach, but, amazingly enough, it seemed to reverberate right through the ground into my feet. It was an awesome experience, indeed. And mind you, the lion was lying down! He was not angry. He was not shouting. He just had something to say, and you definitely paid attention.

So it was with Jesus. People were enthralled with His teaching, because they could see and perceive that He truly meant what He said. There was no equivocation in His voice. He knew what He believed, why He believed it, and how He needed to get His points across to the people. Oh, to have that perfect balance of authority in our own witnessing, that the world around us should know that we KNOW what we believe and why we believe it is God’s quest for our lives. The world will know, when God has a balanced, authoritative people.

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about.” “And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.” Luke 4:14, 36.

Lions are Powerful

Among all carnivores, the big cats are the most powerful, and the lion is a most fearless creature. It will tangle with anything but a full-grown elephant. And even there, recent nighttime photography has shown lions bringing down young elephants five times their size, right in the midst of surprised herds, if food supplies grow too short. The lion is a powerful creature.

Jesus had power. At times it just exploded in a wealth of influence on those around Him. At other times it was an undertone, a sense that, even when He was only walking, people expected something to happen.

Oh, that God would bring power among His people, a fearlessness that would give us the true spirit of Protestantism to stand up against sin and all that is opposed to the kingdom of God and to proclaim the truth regardless of who or what resists and retaliates!

The entire planet is soon to be arranged in a final rebellion towards God and His people. Are we ready for this? Do we have the power from on high that moved the world in former times? We do not, and we best plead for it before we are surrounded by forces bent on our failure and destruction, as already exists against Christians in many parts of the world. We need power. We also need balance, that such power is not abused, misused, or taken for granted. God cannot entrust power to an unbalanced people.

Lions are Fierce Creatures

“If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity. If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction; For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again Thou shewest Thyself marvelous upon me.” Job 10:14–16.

Indeed! What a picture of God’s people in the coming time of trouble when it will seem as though Satan has won, and all is surely lost. Yet out of the terror of the moment arises the fierce and mighty Jesus to arrest the attention of the world and rescue His agonizing servants from a planet gone mad.

The Lion is a fierce creature. It is not an animal any other creature of the plains takes lightly. Though Job saw a fierceness in his situation, he still marveled at God. His character is beyond reproach. He knows what He is doing, despite our absolute ignorance of a situation.

The situation in Adventism has reached a major crisis, especially among those proclaiming the fullness of truth. All seems confusion. It is going to get worse. Oh yes, God will take the reigns. Praise His name for that. The terror will lie in whom He takes the reigns from and their wicked response. God will no longer be trifled with. When He comes down on the Romanism prevailing among a people professing to rejoice in light, His fierceness and their response will show an entanglement of commotion on which only God will have a handle.

“And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, ‘Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise.’ And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten Me up.” John 2:15–17.

Where are the lions, beloved? Where are the lions? God’s church needs lions!

“’I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.’” John 5:30.

“Then said Jesus unto them, ‘When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.’” John 8:28.

Characteristics of the Lamb

How dependent is the Lamb. How dependent was Jesus upon His Father. How dependent we should be in all things heard, believed, taught and lived. Without that dependence, failure is at the door. Without that dependence, self rises up; self tries to rule, and self corrupts the soul.

Make no mistake, sheep are not robots. They must eat where the Good Shepherd leads them, drink at the waters He provides, rest where He stops, and follow His voice wherever it leads. They have their part to do, and without it, they will die. Our dependence upon God’s power does not lessen the use of it in our lives. A gift is a gift. But a gift on a back shelf, or in a closet, is of no benefit to anyone. Though salvation by grace through faith is a gift from God, let no one deceive themselves that so prized a gift is to collect dust. It is anything but an ornament or knick-knack. Depending on His Father certainly did not lessen Jesus’ use of that connection. He is our example in all things.

Sheep are not necessarily busy. They lead fairly mundane lives. Like all illustrations using earthly things, it has its limitations. On the other hand, it is very possible to become so busy that all hearing of the Shepherd’s voice gets lost in the shuffles of life. Dependency on God is replaced by dependency on an employer, a paycheck, insurance companies, government, husbands, wives, preachers and leaders. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Everyone agrees, yet so much improper dependency exists in the church it keeps us in this world. We are not leaving it until complete dependency and cooperation with God becomes daily habit.

“’Which of you convinceth Me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me?’” John 8:46.

“’Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.’” John 14:30.

The Lamb is Innocent

The innocent Lamb of God.—not guilty of any wrong, nothing in Him of corruption, nothing in Him of sinful practice and perpetuation, tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.

Beloved, we must have innocence before the throne of God. We must partake of the divine nature that we may escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. It is the hour of judgment! These are the final moments of earth’s history! Every thought, every word, every action, must be pure and holy, true and righteous, spotless and clean, if we are to be ready for translation. Jesus comes for a clean church, not a dirty one. He cannot come for a dirty church. He will not come for a dirty church.

Righteousness by faith, character perfection, IS the fullness of the balance of God in life. Let no one on earth denounce the work of God for this last generation. Oh fools and slow of heart to believe! Professors of true religion who deny the power of Jesus to cleanse His earthly temples from all defilement and impurity! Apostates! Ringleaders! False teachers with damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. Would they be saved IN their sins or FROM their sins? Shall threads of compromise, worldliness and humanism be woven into a translation garment? Never! Those who perpetuate the lie that the commandments of God cannot be kept by one in Christ, walking after the Spirit, those who maintain that the righteousness of the law cannot be reproduced in those who maintain a living connection to the Vine, shall reap what they sow. Those who occupy positions of trust, in any institution, who allow so foul a doctrine to be held among its teachers and who feel their institution is beyond falling . . . how great the fall when it comes!

Will the innocent in Christ Jesus please stand up? No takers? Indeed. But the God of heaven knows. The Holy Spirit continues to work, and Jesus shall come for them when His character is reproduced in their lives. The forces of hell, especially among the religious, will show the anger of the dragon upon these lambs.

“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you.” II Corinthians 10:1.

Lambs Are Meek and Gentle

Here is where many display imbalance. It is often in the home where the familiarity of family life leads to various displays lacking in these traits of character among professed believers. We live in a world filled with aggression, anger, and hatred. Only through tenderness, gentleness and meekness can much of that wall be broken down, especially in homes where youth fall prey to the influences of this sinful world.

How many times I have seen parents demanding of their children, and I have thought, “How we learn so hard. If only they saw our broken hearts more than our frustration. If only they heard gentle entreaty, rather than military command. How different things might be.”

How many have been lost in the cracks of church life because of the lack of gentleness in the way they were approached? How many have given up because of the “in your face,” or self-righteous attitudes demonstrated? Ambassadors such as this, Jesus does not need. The balance is a fine one. The balance is so needed. Balance is everything. “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 22, 23.

“’Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.’” Matthew 11:29.

Lambs Are Unthreatening

Lambs are certainly meek and lowly. They are so unthreatening. That is why children are so drawn to them. If you have ever attended an agricultural fair and walked through the sheep barn, you have seen how the children cannot get in enough petting! That must be why children loved Jesus. He was so unthreatening, at least to those with nothing to cover up and hide.

Being meek is not being a doormat for anyone. On the other hand, the Lamb was dumb before His shearers; He suffered patiently; there was no guile in His mouth, no reviling heard from His lips and no threatening.

We Need Balance

Balance. We all see ourselves in this mix somewhere. Some are far more the lion. Some, far more the lamb. Some will speak up in an instant and be a bull in a china shop, while others quietly go about their business, often saying nothing when a crisis hits.

Just so you understand the importance of all this, just so you understand how important Satan sees all this, behold, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8.

Well, well. It appears Diabolos knows what God is striving for and seeks to get into the mix, which is to be expected. There is a counterfeit lion and a counterfeit lamb. We do well to know the difference, by experience, now, before it is too late.

Balance. While everything is about to enter a final time of perfect imbalance, a people shall arise and shine, fair as the moon, clear as the sun and terrible as an army with banners.

Seek God’s Balance

Beloved, do not delay; do not allow anything to keep you from the most glorious moment in the history of the universe. Seek the Lion. Seek the Lamb. Seek that balance that can be all things to all men.

Now, to give you an unbelievable mix of balance, God’s balance perfectly displayed and to be wondered at, look at these verses:

“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:15–17. [Emphasis supplied.]

The wrath of a lamb? Could there be a more convoluted picture? What could possibly be more wondrous? Yet, it shall be so. A balance of Lion and Lamb so perfect the human race will be seized with a terror unimaginable, with a sense of rejection, of fear, of utter loss and hopelessness that calls forth a request of death, for to see the face of Him they have slighted and rejected is a fate worse than death.

But for God’s faithful it is the face of rescue, of triumph and victory! It is the face of acceptance, love and joy unspeakable. It is that Face that calls forth the shout, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us!”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The Filthy Garments

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Many people believe that in the end we are all going to the same place, but the Bible does not teach that. Revelation 20:15 says, “And if anyone was not found with his name written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 21:27 identifies the ones who will be allowed into the holy city: “There shall in no case enter into it anything or the one doing abomination or making a lie. Rather those having been written in the book of life of the Lamb.”

How do you get your name written in this book? How do you keep your name from being taken out of this book? The tragedy is that in this modern world there are so many in the last generation who will think they are going to be saved, but they will learn at the end that they are lost.

A Prophecy

In this article we will study about our eternal destiny. We will begin with a prophecy concerning the spiritual condition of God’s people just before Jesus comes.

In Matthew 22, we read about the man who did not have on the wedding garment; he was not allowed into the wedding. The prophecy in Zechariah 3 shows that we do not have on the wedding garment. It is a most startling prophecy, because nobody can go to the wedding feast without having on the wedding garment, a garment of character that has no spot or wrinkle.

“And he showed me Joshua the great priest standing before the messenger of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.” Zechariah 3:1. The word Satan is one of the few words in the English language that is a direct transliteration from the Hebrew word satan. The Hebrew name Satan, which means “the adversary,” was given to Lucifer after he fell. He is God’s adversary, and if you are a follower of God, he is your adversary. The different names Satan has in the Bible are significant.

Jesus said that the devil was a liar, but when the devil came to the angels in heaven and to Adam and Eve, he mixed error and truth together. To really be effective at deception, one must tell the truth most of the time. What we see in Zechariah is that the accusation the devil brought was true! “And Jehovah said to Satan, Jehovah gives a rebuke to you, Satan. Jehovah, the one who is choosing among Jerusalem, rebukes you. Is not this a brand that is plucked from the fire?” Verse 2.

Who is this brand that is plucked from the fire? It is you and me. What does it mean when it says that it is “a brand that is plucked from the fire”? That means this is a person who, because of his or her sins, is about to be destroyed, but the Lord says, “I am going to pull you out of the fire.”

Filthy Garments

Joshua had been pulled out of the fire, but notice his condition in verse 3: “And Joshua was clothed in filthy garments.” Now, stop right there. Can you go to the wedding feast in filthy garments? No, you cannot, but this is a description of God’s people. Ellen White wrote much about this. (See Testimonies, vol. 5, 467–476, “Joshua and the Angel.”) Those in filthy garments apply with particular force to God’s people at the end of time, right before probation closes.

We can cover ourselves any way we choose; we can make ourselves look as nice as possible, but God knows what is in the heart, and He tells us that our garments are filthy. You see, all through Scripture, from the fig leaves to the Book of Revelation, garments symbolize character. (See Revelation 19:7, 8.)

This is the crux of what is known as the shaking. The shaking occurs when we realize that we have on filthy garments, and if a miracle does not happen in our lives, we are lost.

“And he answered and said to those standing by him, Take away the filthy garments from him. And he said to him, ‘See I have caused to pass away from you your iniquity, and you shall be clothed in a royal robe.’ ” Verse 4. Taking away the filthy garments means that our iniquity is taken away. (Continue to read through Zechariah 3:7.) God’s children are to have their filthy garments taken away.

Cause of Defilement

What is it that causes God’s people to be clothed in filthy garments? Obviously, a garment that is filthy is a garment that is not pure. It is a garment that is polluted, defiled. In the law of God is spelled out the cause for a man or a woman to become defiled or polluted. That is the first thing that is done in the Bible. The first five books of the Bible explain that explicitly, so we will not make a mistake.

If we are clothed in filthy garments when probation closes, we will be lost. In Revelation 22:11, 12, it says that the one who is filthy is going to stay that way, but those that are saved will have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14.

Diet

We can be clothed in filthy garments because of the way we eat. Leviticus 11 details the clean and unclean foods, and in verse 44, the Lord said to the children of Israel, “You are not to defile yourselves by eating these things. I am holy so you are to be holy.”

Our Protestant friends may say that this is not in the Ten Commandments, and the law was nailed to the cross. Well, the clean and unclean foods in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 have nothing to do with the ceremonial system of the sanctuary. It has nothing to do with the Levitical priesthood.

Isaiah 66:15–17 talks about the time when the Lord is going to come to this world with wrath to judge the people because of their wickedness. It talks about different classes of people that are going to receive God’s wrath, and it mentions that those who are eating swine’s flesh and the mouse are going to receive the wrath of God.

We need to understand that we can be clothed in filthy garments because of what we eat.

Lewdness

Leviticus 18 talks about lewdness, immodesty; it takes in everything having to do with pornography in all its forms—whether dress, music, reading, or whatever it is. Leviticus 18:24 says, “Do not defile yourselves in any of these things, because in all these things the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.”

We are living in a time which has become more and more deeply involved in lewdness and immodesty and pornography of all kinds. All such things cause a person to wear filthy garments.

Drama

There was a time when Seventh-day Adventists did not believe in going to the movies.

There are several things wrong with watching drama—whether it is movies in the theater, on the television, or on the video or DVD, or attending a live dramatization in a theater or elsewhere.

Dramatization involves people acting a part. The person who is acting is actually telling a lie. If we watch movies or other drama presentations, we are watching somebody act out a lie. It has become so bad that men take parts where they are acting the part of Jesus Christ. Think about the blasphemy! They take parts as well where they are acting the part of evil spirits.

The movie industry has played a significant part in our society in introducing more and more immodesty of every kind. The people who watch this and who listen to the music with immoral lyrics are clothed in filthy garments.

Restraint

In Exodus 32, God said to Moses, “Your people have corrupted themselves.” “Moses saw the people, that restraint was removed, because Aaron had removed the restraint.” Verses 7, 25.

What restraint was removed? It was the restraint that God ordained should exist between men and women. Men are to keep their hands off women. Ellen White wrote that it is permissible for a preacher, or anyone else, to shake a woman’s hand. But, she cautioned that a woman’s hand should not be held too long or she could be caused to sin. Even the minister or other individuals could sin. (See Testimonies, vol. 5, 598.)

The restraint that God ordained should exist between men and women was removed in the experience in Exodus when they were dancing around the golden calf. It is removed in the dancing that is done today.

Familiarity in speech and in touching is causing God’s people to be clothed in filthy garments.

Honesty

In the Bible, the Lord talks about the stones that we have in our bags. (See Deuteronomy 25:13–15; Leviticus 19:36; Proverbs 16:11; 20:10, 23; Micah 6:11.) In ancient times, when individuals went to buy something, there would be a scale; upon one side of the scale the seller would place his or her weight, and the buyer, on the other side, would place whatever was being bought so the scale would balance. Of course, people who did a lot of buying and selling learned how to work things to their advantage. They had two bags of stones—the heavy bag was used for buying; the bag filled with stones that were light was used for selling.

The Lord counseled that we are not to have two kinds of stones in our bags—a heavy bag and a light bag. We are to have a just weight and a just balance. In other words, we are to be strictly honest.

If we take advantage of one another, we are clothed in filthy garments.

Seven Abominations

Revelation 21:27 tells us that no one will enter into the holy city who works an abomination. An abomination is something that is hated, especially something that God hates. In Proverbs 6:16–19, Solomon identifies seven things God hates: a proud look, a haughty look; a deceitful tongue; hands that shed innocent blood; a heart devising wicked plots or plans; feet that hurry to do evil; a deceitful mouth, a false witness; and one who brings about strife among brethren.

The people involved in these kinds of things have on filthy garments.

Anger, Lust, Hatred

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus showed that the filthy garment begins in the heart. Even if we do not say or do anything, we have hearts that are filthy and polluted.

For example, in Matthew 5:21, 22, we are told, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, you shall not murder, but I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.” Jesus was not telling us that we could be angry if we have a cause, but if we do not have a cause we cannot be angry, because almost everybody who gets angry has a cause! (See Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 55–57.)

In Matthew 5:27, 28, we are cautioned against lust. Lust has to do with the mind. That is where sin begins. I have heard some people say that we can think whatever we want, just do not do it. That is one of the devil’s lies. Jesus tells us that if we are lusting in our minds, but we do not ever take action, we are still in filthy garments.

Then, in verse 43, Jesus spoke specifically of hatred: “You have heard that it is said of them in old time to love your neighbor and hate your enemies.” Hatred comes from the heart.

If we have a problem with anger, lust, or hatred, we are in filthy garments.

Take Them Away

What does it mean to take the filthy garments away? It means to have our iniquity taken away. It happens at the end of the Day of Atonement.

The Lord says, “In my ways you will go. If my charge you will keep, you will govern my house and keep my courts. You will be men wondered at.” Zechariah 3:8. Those who will be wondering are the people who are not saved, who do not have on the wedding garment.

You see, some of the people who are not saved are claiming today that having on a garment without spot or wrinkle is not possible. But, according to the Bible, there will be some people who have on a garment or character without spot or wrinkle, and they are the only ones going to heaven.

“To the marriage supper of the Lamb will come many who have not on the wedding garment—the robe [Christ] purchased for them with His lifeblood. From lips that never make a mistake come the words, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ Matthew 22:12. Those [thus] addressed are speechless. They know that words would be useless. The truth, with its sanctifying power, has not been brought into the soul, and the tongue that once spoke so readily of the truth is now silent. The words are then spoken, ‘Take them out of My presence. They are not worthy to taste of My supper’ (cf. Luke 14:24).

“As they are separated from the loyal ones, Christ looks upon them with deep sorrow. They occupied high positions of trust in God’s work, but they have not the life insurance policy that would have entitled them to eternal life. From the quivering lips of Christ come the mournful words of regret, ‘I loved them; I gave My life for them; but they persisted in rejecting My pleadings, and continued in sin.’ ” The Upward Look, 301.

Friends, the filthy garments must be removed.

Pastor John Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Pen of Inspiration – Lift Him Up During The New Year

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“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.

“Already has the new year been ushered in; yet before we greet its coming, we pause to ask, What has been the history of the year that with its burden of records has now passed into eternity? The admonition of the apostle comes down the lines to every one of us, ‘Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.’ God forbid that at this important hour we should be so engrossed with other matters as to give no time to serious, candid, critical self-examination! Let things of minor consequence be put in the background, and let us now bring to the front the things which concern our eternal interests.

“No one of us can in our own strength represent the character of Christ; but if Jesus lives in the heart, the spirit dwelling in Him will be revealed in us; all our lack will be supplied. Who will seek at the beginning of this New Year to obtain a new and genuine experience in the things of God? Make your wrongs right as far as possible. Confess your errors and sins one to another. Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be put away; let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience. What fruit have we borne during the year that is now past? What has been our influence upon others? Whom have we gathered to the fold of Christ? The eyes of the world are upon us. Are we living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men? Do we follow the example of Jesus in self-denial, in meekness, in humility, in forbearance, in cross-bearing, in devotion? Will the world be compelled to acknowledge us to be the servants of Christ?

“Shall we not in this new year seek to correct the errors of the past? It behooves us individually to cultivate the grace of Christ, to be meek and lowly of heart, to be firm, unwavering, steadfast in the truth; for thus only can we advance in holiness, and be made fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. Let us begin the year with an entire renunciation of self; let us pray for clear discernment, that we may understand our Saviour’s claims upon us, and that we may always and everywhere be witnesses for Christ.” The Signs of the Times, January 4, 1883.

“Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people. Lift Him up in exhortations, in sermons, in songs, in prayer. Let all your efforts be directed to pointing souls, confused, bewildered, and lost, to ‘the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ Bid them look and live.” The Review and Herald, April 12, 1892.

“Angels of God are waiting to show you the path of life. … Decide now, at the commencement of the new year, that you will choose the path of righteousness, that you will be earnest and true-hearted, and that life with you shall not prove a mistake. Go forward, guided by the heavenly angels; be courageous; be enterprising; let your light shine; and may the words of inspiration be applicable to you—‘I write unto you, young men, because you are strong and have overcome the wicked one.’

“If you have … given yourself to Christ, you are a member of the family of God, and everything in the Father’s house is for you. All the treasures of God are open to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the gift of His Spirit, the labors of His servants—all are for you. The world, with everything in it, is yours so far as it can do you good. Even the enmity of the wicked will prove a blessing, by disciplining you for heaven. If ‘ye are Christ’s’ ‘all things are yours.’ ” My Life Today, 5.

“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.” Romans 12:1.

“God calls for whole-souled consecration to His ways. Our highest powers are to be carefully cultivated. Our talents are lent us by God for use, not to be perverted or abused. They are to be improved by use, that they may do the work of God.

“We are to give ourselves to the service of God, and we should seek to make the offering as nearly perfect as possible. God will not be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer. Those who love Him with all the heart will desire to give Him the best service of the life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do His will.

“Personal consecration is necessary, and we cannot have this unless heart holiness is cultivated and cherished. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’ This is a daily matter.

“The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart. Religion is as a golden cord that binds the souls of both youth and aged to Christ. Through it the willing and obedient are brought safely through dark and intricate paths to the city of God. …

“How many times have the deep things of God been unfolded before us, and how highly should we prize these precious privileges. … The bright beams of Heaven’s light are shining upon your pathway. … Receive and cherish every Heaven-sent ray, and your path will grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.” My Life Today, 6.

“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Proverbs 23:26.

“The Lord says to every one of you, ‘My son, give Me thine heart.’ He sees your disorders. He knows that your soul is diseased with sin, and He desires to say to you, ‘Thy sins are forgiven.’ The Great Physician has a remedy for every ill. He understands your case. Whatever may have been your errors, He knows how to deal with them. Will you not trust yourself to Him?

“The blessing of God will rest upon every soul that makes a full consecration to Him. When we seek for God with all the heart, we shall find Him. God is in earnest with us, and He wants us to make thorough work for eternity. He has poured out all heaven in one gift, and there is no reason why we should doubt His love. Look to Calvary.

“God asks you to give Him your heart. Your powers, your talents, your affections, should all be surrendered to Him, that He may work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure, and fit you for eternal life.

“When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action. Those who feel the constraining love of God, do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. With earnest desire they yield all, and manifest an interest proportionate to the value of the object which they seek.

“It is the submissive, teachable spirit that God wants. That which gives to prayer its excellence is the fact that it is breathed from a loving, obedient heart.” Ibid., 7.

Bible Study Guides – The Time of Trouble, Part 111 – The Restoration of the Kingdom of Glory

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July 24, 2005 – July 30, 2005

Memory Verse

“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” Daniel 7:27.

Suggested Reading: Revelation 19:1–9; The Great Controversy, 423–428; 613, 614.

Introduction

In the previous lesson, we learned that the kingdom of glory was in existence from the beginning of time. Its continuance was interrupted by Lucifer’s rebellion and subsequent war in heaven. Then Lucifer (now Satan) led Adam and Eve to sin. Immediately, the kingdom of grace was instituted and later ratified when Jesus died on the cross. We also learned that the kingdom of grace would end with the closing of the sanctuary in heaven (the close of probation) and that the kingdom of glory would be reinstated at the second advent of Christ.

In this lesson, we will study the steps involved with the reestablishing of the kingdom of glory. We will find that the restoration of the kingdom of glory has already begun. We will begin this study with the same sentence that we used last week. It reads: “The number of His subjects is made up; ‘the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,’ is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.” The Great Controversy, 614.

1 Portions of what two Bible verses are quoted in the above quotation? Hint: One is found in Daniel 7, the other in Revelation 19.

2 What kingdom is referred to in Daniel 7:27? Matthew 25:31, 32, 34.

note: “The kingdom of God’s grace is now being established, as day by day hearts that have been full of sin and rebellion yield to the sovereignty of His love. But the full establishment of the kingdom of His glory will not take place until the second coming of Christ to this world. ‘The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,’ is to be given to ‘the people of the saints of the Most High.’ Daniel 7:27. They shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them ‘from the foundation of the world.’ Matthew 25:34. And Christ will take to Himself His great power and will reign.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 108.

3 What is the capital of the kingdom referred to in Daniel 7:14? Revelation 21:2.

note: “Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, ‘dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;’ He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, ‘prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.’ Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2.” The Great Controversy, 427.

4 Who gives Christ this kingdom? Daniel 7:9, 13, 14. See Note on Question 3.

5 What is the Holy City—the New Jerusalem, the capital and representative of the kingdom—called? Revelation 21:9, 10.

note: “The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called ‘the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ Said the angel to John: ‘Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ ‘He carried me away in the spirit,’ says the prophet, ‘and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.’ Revelation 21:9, 10.” The Great Controversy, 426, 427.

6 What does the marriage represent? Revelation 19:6, 7.

note: “The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom.” The Great Controversy, 426.

7 When did the bridegroom come to the wedding? Matthew 25:6; Daniel 8:14; 7:13; Malachi 3:1–3.

note: “The coming of Christ as our high priest to the most holy place, for the cleansing of the sanctuary, brought to view in Daniel 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of Days, as presented in Daniel 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described by Christ in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25. . . .

“The proclamation, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,’ in the summer of 1844, led thousands to expect the immediate advent of the Lord. At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to the Ancient of Days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception of His kingdom.” The Great Controversy, 426, 427.

8 When does the wedding, described in Revelation 19:1–7, take place?

note: (1) “The coming of the bridegroom [Matthew 25:6], here brought to view, takes place before the marriage.” The Great Controversy, 426.

(2) “Not now ‘upon the throne of His glory;’ the kingdom of glory has not yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a mediator shall be ended will God ‘give unto Him the throne of His father David,’ a kingdom of which ‘there shall be no end.’ Luke 1:32, 33.” Ibid., 416.

(3) “So the throne of glory represents the kingdom of glory; and this kingdom is referred to in the Saviour’s words: ‘When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations.’ Matthew 25:31, 32. This kingdom is yet future. It is not to be set up until the second advent of Christ.” Ibid., 347. “Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, ‘dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;’ He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, ‘prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.’ Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2. Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people . . . .” Ibid., 427.

9 Where does the wedding of the Lamb take place and where are God’s people (the church) during this time?

note: “At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to the Ancient of Days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception of His kingdom. ‘They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.’ They were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth.” The Great Controversy, 427.

10 What will be the experience of God’s people (the church) while the marriage is taking place in heaven? Jeremiah 30:5–7.

note: “The people of God will then be plunged into those scenes of affliction and distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob’s trouble. ‘Thus saith the Lord: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. . . . All faces are turned into paleness. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.’ Jeremiah 30:5–7.” The Great Controversy, 616.

11 How are the people of God represented in the Revelation? Revelation 19:9; Matthew 22:10, 11.

note: “Clearly, then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper. Revelation 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride.” The Great Controversy, 427. [Emphasis in original.]

12 What parable is a description of the investigative judgment, and how are the people of God represented in this parable? Matthew 22:1–14.

note: “In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is introduced, and the investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 22:11; Revelation 7:14. He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are accepted of God and accounted worthy of a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His throne. This work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing of work in the sanctuary above.” The Great Controversy, 428.

13 In the sentence from The Great Controversy, 614, that was quoted in the second paragraph of the Introduction, what does the phrase mean that says: “The number of His subjects is made up?” Revelation 11:15–19. See also Revelation 14:6, 7; Daniel 7:9, 10, 13; Matthew 22:1–14.

note: “I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, ‘It is done.’ [Emphasis in original.] And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ [Revelation 22:11.]

“Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.” Early Writings, 279, 280.

[All emphasis supplied unless otherwise noted.]

The Sanctuary Furnished with Lessons

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The sanctuary message is a message that is dear to the heart and soul of God’s people. It is as vital to the Christian’s life as the air we breathe, and just as air is life to the physical body, so the sanctuary message is vital to our spiritual life. But it is not just a message, it is a call to action—a plea to live after the perfect example of Christ.

“Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a God as [our] God?” Psalms 77:13. Very few words, yet so profound. We are told that the sanctuary was originally a tabernacle built by Moses after the pattern of the sanctuary in heaven. “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” Hebrews 8:5. It was not just the physical nature of the sanctuary that was patterned after that of the heavenly, but also the services. “Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary.” These words alone should state clearly how important it is that we have a clear understanding of the sanctuary. God’s way has been laid open for all to see as we take a walk through the earthly sanctuary.

Although not a complete list of all of the purposes of the sanctuary, four broad purposes can be identified. Through the representations of Christ in the sanctuary, the Israelites were to lay hold of the merits of the Savior to come. Secondly, the sanctuary was a physical confirmation that God was indeed with them. It was a place where He might dwell amongst His people. The sanctuary was also to show, not just the Israelites, but all generations of mankind, the plan of salvation. Although just a shadow, it provides all that needs to be known that we might be saved from a wretched world of sin. The message is presented to us in such a way that even children can comprehend the foundation on which it is built—love, obedience, and holiness. Fourthly, when we look at the sanctuary, we are also able to see the ministry of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary. Just as the high priest went into the Holy of Holies once a year to cleanse the sanctuary, Jesus is now in that Holy of Holies ministering as our high priest.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. Jesus is the only entrance into the sanctuary, and thus, into heaven. This is exemplified in the physical sanctuary. The only entrance into the tabernacle was the eastern gate. God and sin cannot coexist and because we all are sinners and have each fallen short of the glory of God, our only hope of eternal life with God the Father is through Jesus, our entrance.

It is only through Jesus that we can find forgiveness of our sins. This was expressed by John the Baptist the day Jesus came to be baptized by him. John 1:29 reads, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” In the earthly sanctuary the sinner was to bring a lamb without blemish over which to confess his sins, sacrificing its life in atonement for transgression of the law. The blood of the slain lamb was the foreshadowing of Christ’s perfect sacrifice on Calvary.

The sanctuary message makes it perfectly clear that the life of a Christian is a life of sacrifice. “If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24. There were many types of offerings in the sanctuary, one of which was the burnt offering. In the burnt offering, not only was the sacrifice slain, but also dismembered and placed on the altar to be completely consumed by the flames. I Corinthians 15:31 says, “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” Though just a few words, but profound. Each day we are to die to self and surrender all to Christ as He surrendered all for us, for what servant should expect to be treated better than the Master?

This brings new meaning to God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. The burnt offering in the sanctuary was a show of complete surrender to the will of God. Christ’s body was mutilated and hung on the cross for humanity. The torture that Christ endured prior to His death makes the Christian heart ache when struck by the reality of the cruelty. Words cannot express the affliction He endured as the cat of nine tails struck His body over and over again—an instrument of torture tearing at His flesh by the ends of each tail. Thirty nine lashes, not once, but twice. The crown of thorns pressed into His brow, the mockery, the nails, and the desertion; and all the while, Jesus, with just a word, could have put a stop to it all—but chose to endure. The very people that He was dying to save were His murderers. The inexplicable sacrifice of Christ for our salvation was a complete surrender to the will of the Father; a will which stemmed from an incomprehensible love for a vile, fallen race. Our Christian calling is portrayed in the sacrifice to Christ—to surrender our will completely to the Father. Our lives are not ours, but His—paid for through creation and redemption.

“The laver was placed between the altar and the congregation, that before they [the priests] came into the presence of God, in the sight of the congregation, they might wash their hands and their feet. … It was to show them that every particle of dust must be put away before they could go into the presence of God.” Gospel Workers, 162, 163. The “dust” to be put away was symbolic also of sin. The lesson taught by the washing in the laver is that Jesus provides the cleansing. Psalms 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” There is nothing good within us without the presence of Christ. He alone can mold us into His image. Genesis says that we were created in the image of God and this image was to be reflected in each member of God’s family. Since the sin of Adam and Eve, mankind has adapted the image of evil and only by inviting Jesus into our hearts every moment of every day to cleanse us from sin and self, can we display the character of Jesus.

As the lambs were slain every morning and evening, the blood from the lamb was taken to the inner veil of the temple and sprinkled before it. Through the presentation of the blood to the sanctuary, the people were showing their faith in Christ’s cleansing and transforming power. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the veil would be cleansed; not by the priest, not with anything made by man, but by the only One who has the power to cleanse us from our sins and transform our lives. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. Jesus is the only Source of forgiveness and cleansing from a life of sin. We must believe completely in His goodness and mercy for there is no other way to be cleansed and transformed.

A breathtaking glow radiated throughout the tabernacle, the light reflecting gently off the pure gold that furnished God’s house. In the life of the Christian, Jesus is the light. He is the source of life, goodness, and love. It is the object of all who love and fear God to reflect His perfect light and holiness to others. But just as gold does not come to its purest form except through fire, so we do not become perfect in character except through the trials and tribulations that God allows in our lives to purge the impurities from us. Only then, can we truly reflect Christ. II Corinthians 7:1: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” We are to become perfect in holiness, so we can reflect Christ, the Holy One.

In the first apartment of the sanctuary was the table of showbread. Upon the table were twelve loaves of bread, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The bread was placed in two stacks of six. Now, two sixes, when placed side by side make sixty six—the number of books that make up the Bible. God’s word, the bread of life, should be consumed daily. It is our life sustenance, an anchor to hold us steady through the churning waters we call life. There is no other standard, by which we can judge our lives or characters than by God’s word.

The candlestick was made of solid gold. The seven lights were to remain lit day and night, year in and year out, never to flicker. This light represents the Holy Spirit. Maintaining the light of the lampstand required constant vigilance as does having the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Satan is imposing and forceful, but the Holy Spirit is gentle and respectful. We must constantly be battling the devil and inviting Christ. The good news is that, with our invitation, Christ helps us fight the enemy. He is our most powerful ally, if we but ask.

In the first apartment of the sanctuary was the table of incense before which the priest offered prayers on behalf of the children of Israel. The smoke rising to the heavens exemplified their prayers lifting up before the Saviour. Just as the smoke is mixed with the prayers of the priest, Jesus mixes our prayers with His righteousness before the Father. Communion with God is the key for a spiritual relationship. No relationship can be built and sustained without communication. A relationship with Jesus is no different. He wants to be our best friend. Never would we consider cutting off communication with someone who is dear to our hearts. Christ wants to be part of our lives. There is no matter too great or too small for His interest. He granted us the privilege of prayer so that we can speak with Him. Just like a human relationship is built with time and dedication, so a meaningful relationship with God is built through persistent communion.

In these ways, the Sanctuary not only teaches of a need to purify our lives, but also how we can accomplish this. When Jesus asks something of us, He never leaves us without a knowledge of how to achieve His will; nor does He leave us without a means by which to do so. He recognizes our human frailty and reaches out His hands to uphold us if only we reach back.

Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.” We are told in the Bible that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It would stand to reason, then, that if He said that keeping His commandments “is the whole duty of man,” it is just as true now as it was then. It is stated so very clearly that there is no room for speculation and doubt. This exact principle is depicted when looking at the Sanctuary. The law was designated a place of prominence—the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies, a place entered only once a year by only one person. Had the high priest entered the Most Holy place with a sin in his heart, he would have instantly died from the Shekinah glory of God. It was a serious matter to have cherished sin and it is just as serious a matter today. God has not changed. Sin cannot exist in the presence of God. Our eternal life with Him depends on our cleansing through Christ who is now in the Holy of Holies ministering on our behalf.

There were three objects in the Ark of the Covenant. The manna which Israel was given during the forty year exile in the desert shows God’s provision for His people. It serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate provider. Even something as simple as the food we eat is given us by the Creator. We need not depend on money, food or water—but solely to trust in Christ and lean on Him to meet our needs.

Aaron’s staff, which bloomed, was also stored in the Ark of the Covenant. The story is familiar to most of us. Because of the disunity amongst the Israelites over the appointment of the priesthood, God caused one staff to bud signifying His choice for the priest. God is the authority in the church, not man. This is just as true today as it was then. His directions are still binding to all Christians. We need to first follow the law and the authority of God. Only where the will and law of man is in line with that of heaven are we bound to succeed.

The third object in the Ark of the Covenant was the tablets of stone on which were written the Ten Commandments. The writing of the laws in stone was not abstract; it was to signify the undying contract that was made between God and His people. Stone stands the test of time and so it is with the divine commandments. The law is based on the love of God—God is love, and He is unchanging, thus His law is unchanging. Although people are increasingly disregarding the law created for the protection of a most beloved race, God has not changed even one letter of the law. Indeed, we are told that it would be easier for the heavens and the earth to pass away than for even a part of a letter to be taken away from the law of God. The Ten Commandments were so important to God that He wrote them with His own finger, not entrusting the job to a mortal such that we would recognize the weight of His law—the only thing given to humanity that was written by God Himself. The fact that we are bound to this agreement is indisputable. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Another lesson to be learned through the sanctuary is order. I Corinthians 14:40 says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” During their sojourn in the wilderness, the twelve tribes of Israel pitched their tents in an orderly manner on the perimeter of the camp surrounding the sanctuary, which was always the centerpiece of the camp. Everything about the camp and the sanctuary was done in an orderly fashion. This is the way it is to be in our homes, our work places, and in our churches. God is a God of order and we, as His people, are to do all things “decently and in order” as taught through the sanctuary.

“All the pillars round about the court [shall be] filleted with silver; their hooks [shall be of] silver, and their sockets [of] brass.” Exodus 27:17. There are important lessons to be learned from the pillars that held up hangings that defined the perimeter of the courtyard. According to Exodus 24:4, Moses built an altar and set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Revelation 3:12, it says, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God.” As you can see, the pillars in both of these two texts represent God’s people. The pillars that surround the court are joined by the linen hangings, so the pillars, which represent God’s people, are joined to each other by Christ. What a beautiful picture of our relationship to each other as shown to us in the sanctuary.

Lastly mentioned here in the sanctuary service is the lesson of the judgment. Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest went into the holy of holies in the presence of the Shekinah glory of God. If the priest had not confessed and had his sins forgiven, he would die. We serve a Holy God, and no sin can withstand the presence of a Holy God. It was therefore critical that any sins be confessed and covered with the blood of the Lamb, Jesus. So, the sanctuary also teaches that every man will someday face his life record and just as the high priest had to be right before God, we also need to have our sins forgiven and covered with the blood of the Lamb, for God has “appointed a day in which He will judge the world.” (Acts 17:31.)

As we study the sanctuary, we see a beautiful representation of the plan of redemption. There are many lessons to be learned, and with each lesson comes a decision, to learn of and follow the Lord with our whole being. We can find You Lord as we study and act upon the lessons of the sanctuary for “Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary.” Psalms 77:13.

Janet Headrick is office manager at Steps to Life. She can be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org or by phone at: 316-788-5559.

Pen of Inspiration – Dream of the Temple and Lamb

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While in this state of despondency, I had a dream that made a deep impression upon my mind. I dreamed of seeing a temple, to which many persons were flocking. Only those who took refuge in that temple would be saved when time should close; all who remained outside would be forever lost. The multitudes without who were going about their various ways, derided and ridiculed those who were entering the temple, and told them that this plan of safety was a cunning deception, that in fact there was no danger whatever to avoid. They even laid hold of some to prevent them from hastening within the walls.

Fearful of being ridiculed, I thought best to wait until the multitude dispersed, or until I could enter unobserved by them. But the numbers increased instead of diminishing, and fearful of being too late, I hastily left my home and pressed through the crowd. In my anxiety to reach the temple I did not notice or care for the throng that surrounded me.

On entering the building, I saw that the vast temple was supported by one immense pillar, and to this was tied a lamb all mangled and bleeding. We who were present seemed to know that this lamb had been torn and bruised on our account. All who entered the temple must come before it and confess their sins. Just before the lamb were elevated seats, upon which sat a company looking very happy. The light of heaven seemed to shine upon their faces, and they praised God and sang songs of glad thanksgiving that seemed like the music of the angels. These were they who had come before the lamb, confessed their sins, received pardon, and were now waiting in glad expectation of some joyful event.

Even after I had entered the building, a fear came over me, and a sense of shame that I must humble myself before these people; but I seemed compelled to move forward, and was slowly making my way around the pillar in order to face the lamb, when a trumpet sounded, the temple shook, shouts of triumph arose from the assembled saints, an awful brightness illuminated the building, then all was intense darkness. The happy people had all disappeared with the brightness, and I was left alone in the silent horror of night.

I awoke in agony of mind, and could hardly convince myself that I had been dreaming. It seemed to me that my doom was fixed; that the Spirit of the Lord had left me, never to return.

Dream of Seeing Jesus

Soon after this I had another dream. I seemed to be sitting in abject despair, with my face in my hands, reflecting like this: If Jesus were upon earth, I would go to Him, throw myself at His feet, and tell Him all my sufferings. He would not turn away from me; He would have mercy upon me, and I would love and serve Him always.

Just then the door opened, and a person of beautiful form and countenance entered. He looked upon me pitifully, and said: “Do you wish to see Jesus? He is here, and you can see Him if you desire it. Take everything you possess, and follow me.”

I heard this with unspeakable joy, and gladly gathered up all my little possessions, every treasured trinket, and followed my guide. He led me to a steep and apparently frail stairway. As I began to ascend the steps, he cautioned me to keep my eyes fixed upward, lest I should grow dizzy and fall. Many others who were climbing the steep ascent fell before gaining the top.

Finally we reached the last step, and stood before a door. Here my guide directed me to leave all the things that I had brought with me. I cheerfully laid them down. He then opened the door, and bade me enter. In a moment I stood before Jesus. There was no mistaking that beautiful countenance; that expression of benevolence and majesty could belong to no other. As His gaze rested upon me, I knew at once that He was acquainted with every circumstance of my life and all my inner thoughts and feelings.

I tried to shield myself from His gaze, feeling unable to endure His searching eyes; but He drew near with a smile, and laying His hand upon my head, said, “Fear not.” The sound of His sweet voice thrilled my heart with a happiness it had never before experienced. I was too joyful to utter a word, but, overcome with emotion, sank prostrate at His feet. While I was lying helpless there, scenes of beauty and glory passed before me, and I seemed to have reached the safety and peace of heaven. At length my strength returned, and I arose. The loving eyes of Jesus were still upon me, and His smile filled my soul with gladness. His presence awoke in me a holy reverence and an inexpressible love.

My guide now opened the door, and we both passed out. He bade me take up again all the things I had left without. This done, he handed me a green cord coiled up closely. This he directed me to place next my heart, and when I wished to see Jesus, take it from my bosom, and stretch it to the utmost. He cautioned me not to let it remain coiled for any length of time, lest it should become knotted and difficult to straighten. I placed the cord near my heart, and joyfully descended the narrow stairs, praising the Lord, and telling all whom I met where they could find Jesus.

This dream gave me hope. The green cord represented faith to my mind, and the beauty and simplicity of trusting in God began to dawn upon my soul.

Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 33–36.

Bible Study Guides – Services of the Sanctuary

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May 9, 2010 – May 15, 2010

Key Text

“Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:30.

Study Help: The Faith I Live By, 194.

Introduction

“From the creation and fall of man to the present time, there has been a continual unfolding of the plan of God for the redemption, through Christ, of the fallen race. The tabernacle and temple of God on earth were patterned after the original in heaven. Around the sanctuary and its solemn services mystically gathered the grand truths which were to be developed through succeeding generations. There has been no time when God has granted greater evidences of his grandeur and exalted majesty, than while he was the acknowledged governor of Israel. The manifestations of an invisible King were grand and unspeakably awful. A scepter was swayed, but it was held by no human hand. The sacred ark, covered by the mercy-seat, and containing the holy law of God, was symbolical of Jehovah himself. It was the power of the Israelites to conquer in battle. Before it idols were thrown down, and for rashly looking into it thousands perished. Never in our world has the Lord given such open manifestations of his supremacy as when he alone was the acknowledged king of Israel.” The Review and Herald, March 2, 1886.

(There were many offerings and many feast days but we will not go into all of them. You may study them on your own and ask questions.)

1 What was required for a sacrifice? Leviticus 14:4–8; 9:1, 2; 6:6; 5:15, 18.

Note: “Every morning and evening a lamb of a year old was burned upon the altar, with its appropriate meat offering, thus symbolizing the daily consecration of the nation to Jehovah, and their constant dependence upon the atoning blood of Christ. God expressly directed that every offering presented for the service of the sanctuary should be ‘without blemish.’ Exodus 12:5. The priests were to examine all animals brought as a sacrifice, and were to reject every one in which a defect was discovered. Only an offering ‘without blemish’ could be a symbol of His perfect purity who was to offer Himself as ‘a lamb without blemish and without spot.’ I Peter 1:19. The apostle Paul points to these sacrifices as an illustration of what the followers of Christ are to become. He says, ‘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.’ Romans 12:1. We are to give ourselves to the service of God, and we should seek to make the offering as nearly perfect as possible. God will not be pleased with anything less than the best we can offer. Those who love Him with all the heart, will desire to give Him the best service of the life, and they will be constantly seeking to bring every power of their being into harmony with the laws that will promote their ability to do His will.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 352, 353.

2 What kinds of animals were used? Exodus 12:5; 29:1; Leviticus 1:3, 10; 3:6.

Note: “The offerings presented to the Lord were to be without blemish. These offerings represented Christ, and from this it is evident that Jesus Himself was free from physical deformity. He was the ‘lamb without blemish and without spot.’ I Peter 1:19. His physical structure was not marred by any defect; His body was strong and healthy. And throughout His lifetime He lived in conformity to nature’s laws. Physically as well as spiritually, He was an example of what God designed all humanity to be through obedience to His laws.” The Desire of Ages, 50, 51.

3 What did John the Baptist say when he saw Jesus? John 1:29.

Note: “Every soul who has become the servant of God through the grace of Jesus Christ, has his own peculiar sphere of labor. He is not to be bought or sold, but he is to understand that ‘ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently’ [I Peter 1:18–22]. Who have greater need to be doers of this inspired injunction than have those who are living at the very close of this earth’s history?” Pamphlet 80, 40.

4 What was one thing accomplished in the court? Leviticus 1:10, 11; 3:1, 2.

Note: “The sacred tent was enclosed in an open space called the court, which was surrounded by hangings, or screens, of fine linen, suspended from pillars of brass. The entrance to this enclosure was at the eastern end. It was closed by curtains of costly material and beautiful workmanship, though inferior to those of the sanctuary. The hangings of the court being only about half as high as the walls of the tabernacle, the building could be plainly seen by the people without. In the court, and nearest the entrance, stood the brazen altar of burnt offering. Upon this altar were consumed all the sacrifices made by fire unto the Lord, and its horns were sprinkled with the atoning blood. Between the altar and the door of the tabernacle was the laver, which was also of brass, made from the mirrors that had been the freewill offering of the women of Israel. At the laver the priests were to wash their hands and their feet whenever they went into the sacred apartments, or approached the altar to offer a burnt offering unto the Lord.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 347, 348.

5 Beside the altar for sacrifices, what else was in the outer court and for what purpose? Exodus 30:18, 19.

Note: “Anciently the priests were required to have their garments in a particular style to do service in the holy place, and minister in the priest’s office. They were to have garments in accordance with their work, and God distinctly specified what these should be. The laver was placed between the altar and the congregation, that before they came into the presence of God, in the sight of the congregation, they might wash their hands and their feet. What impression was this to make upon the people? It was to show them that every particle of dust must be put away before they could go into the presence of God; for he was so high and holy that unless they did comply with these conditions, death would follow.” Gospel Workers (1892), 162, 163.

6 How are we to wash our characters? Revelation 7:14.

Note: “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. Prepare for the judgment, that when Christ shall come to be admired in all them that believe, you may be among those who will meet Him in peace. In that day the redeemed will shine forth in the glory of the Father and the Son. The angels, touching their golden harps, will welcome the King and His trophies of victory—those who have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. A song of triumph shall peal forth, filling all heaven. Christ has conquered. He enters the heavenly courts, accompanied by His redeemed ones, the witnesses that His mission of suffering and sacrifice has not been in vain.” The Adventist Home, 550.

7 What went from the court into the Holy Place? Leviticus 4:5, 6.

Note: “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. By this ceremony the sin was, through the blood, transferred in figure to the sanctuary. In some cases the blood was not taken into the holy place; but the flesh was then to be eaten by the priest. … Both ceremonies alike symbolized the transfer of the sin from the penitent to the sanctuary.” The Faith I Live By, 198.

8 What was on the north side of the Holy Place? Exodus 26:35.

Note: “In the holy place was the candlestick, on the south, with its seven lamps giving light to the sanctuary both by day and by night; on the north stood the table of shewbread; and before the veil separating the holy from the most holy was the golden altar of incense, from which the cloud of fragrance, with the prayers of Israel, was daily ascending before God.” The Great Controversy, 412.

9 What was on the table of showbread and what did it represent? Numbers 4:7; John 6:51.

Note: “In the first apartment, or holy place, were the table of showbread, the candlestick, or lampstand, and the altar of incense. The table of showbread stood on the north. With its ornamental crown, it was overlaid with pure gold. On this table the priests were each Sabbath to place twelve cakes, arranged in two piles, and sprinkled with frankincense. The loaves that were removed, being accounted holy, were to be eaten by the priests. On the south was the seven-branched candlestick, with its seven lamps. Its branches were ornamented with exquisitely wrought flowers, resembling lilies, and the whole was made from one solid piece of gold. There being no windows in the tabernacle, the lamps were never all extinguished at one time, but shed their light by day and by night. Just before the veil separating the holy place from the most holy and the immediate presence of God, stood the golden altar of incense. Upon this altar the priest was to burn incense every morning and evening; its horns were touched with the blood of the sin offering, and it was sprinkled with blood upon the great Day of Atonement. The fire upon this altar was kindled by God Himself and was sacredly cherished. Day and night the holy incense diffused its fragrance throughout the sacred apartments, and without, far around the tabernacle.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 348.

Additional Reading

“Type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb slain for the sins of the world. Our great High Priest has made the only sacrifice that is of any value in our salvation. When He offered Himself on the cross, a perfect atonement was made for the sins of the people. We are now standing in the outer court, waiting and looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. No sacrifices are to be offered without, for the great High Priest is performing His work in the Most Holy Place. In His intercession as our advocate, Christ needs no man’s virtue, no man’s intercession. He is the only sin-bearer, the only sin-offering. Prayer and confession are to be offered only to Him who has entered once for all into the Most Holy Place. He will save to the uttermost all who come to Him in faith. He ever liveth to make intercession for us.” Lift Him Up, 319.

“The robe of your character must be washed till it is spotless, in the fountain opened for all uncleanness. Your moral worth will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and if you are found wanting, you will be at an eternal loss. All the coarseness, all the roughness, must be removed from your character before Jesus comes; for when He comes, the preparation for every soul is ended.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 155.

This quarter’s lessons were prepared by Ruth Grosboll prior to her passing in January, 2010.