January 5- 11, 2003
MEMORY VERSE: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14.
SUGGESTED READING: Acts of the Apostles, 152–154.
INTRODUCTION: “The glad message of Hebrews 1:14 is for all. The entire chapter is a wonderful encouragement for every tried and tempted soul. [Hebrews 1:13, 14 quoted.] These messages are coming down along the line to our time, to them that shall be heirs of salvation. Angels actually come to our world. Nor are they always invisible. They sometimes veil their angelic appearance, and appearing as men, they converse with and enlighten human beings. . . .” My Life Today, 304.
1 Who speaks to the Son of God, and what is He called? Hebrews 1:8.
NOTE: “If Christ made all things, He existed before all things. The words spoken in regard to this are so decisive that no one need be left in doubt. Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity. God over all, blessed forevermore.
“The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by him as his right. This was no robbery of God [Proverbs 8:22–27 quoted].
“There are light and glory in the truth that Christ was one with the Father before the foundation of the world was laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. This truth, infinitely mysterious in itself, explains other mysterious and otherwise unexplainable truths, while it is enshrined in light, unapproachable and incomprehensible.” Review and Herald, April 5, 1906.
2 Who does He invite to share His throne? Revelation 3:21.
NOTE: “The choice we make in this life will be our choice through all eternity. We shall receive either eternal life or eternal death. There is no middle ground, no second probation. God calls upon us to overcome as Christ overcame, that we may sit down with the Saviour in his throne. He has provided us with abundant opportunities and privileges, making it possible for us to overcome.” The Youth’s Instructor, May 9, 1901.
3 How long will He possess His throne? Luke 1:32, 33; Psalm 89:29, 35–37.
NOTE: “To David was given the promise that Christ should reign forever and ever, and that of his kingdom there should be no end.” The Youth’s Instructor, September 13, 1900.
4 How is Christ’s attitude toward iniquity described? Hebrews 1:9.
NOTE: “Christ hated one thing only, and that was sin.” The Bible Echo, April 9, 1894.
“How often we bring our sinful, polluted souls in contact with the heart of Christ, who hates nothing but sin. O, how we grieve the pure, holy Spirit of Christ with our defiling sins!” Review and Herald, July 5, 1898.
5 What should our attitude be towards sin [iniquity]? 1 John 3:4–9.
NOTE: “Those who are looking for the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, . . . will hate sin and iniquity, even as Christ hated sin. They will keep the commandments of God, as Christ kept His Father’s commandments. They will realize that it is not enough to acquiesce in the doctrines of truth, but that the truth must be applied to the heart, practiced in the life, in order that the followers of Christ may be one with Him, and that men may be as pure in their sphere as God is in His sphere.” Faith and Works, 115.
6 Who laid the foundations of the earth? Hebrews 1:10.
NOTE: “In the beginning, God was revealed in all the works of creation. It was Christ that spread the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth. It was His hand that hung the worlds in space, and fashioned the flowers of the field. ‘His strength setteth fast the mountains.’ ‘The sea is His, and He made it.’ Psalms 65:6; 95:5. It was He that filled the earth with beauty, and the air with song. And upon all things in earth, and air, and sky, He wrote the message of the Father’s love.” The Desire of Ages, 20.
7 What will happen to the heavens and earth? Hebrews 1:11, first part. Compare Revelation 21:1, 5.
NOTE: “God will cleanse the earth from its moral corruption, not by a sea of water as in Noah’s day, but by a sea of fire that cannot be quenched by any human devising.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 179.
“In Noah’s day philosophers declared that it was impossible for the world to be destroyed by water; so now there are men of science who endeavor to show that the world cannot be destroyed by fire—that this would be inconsistent with the laws of nature. But the God of nature, the Maker and Controller of her laws, can use the works of His hands to serve His own purpose.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 103.
8 What is said of the unchangeable nature of Christ? Hebrews 1:12; 13:8.
NOTE: “Keep the eye fixed on Christ. . . . Let the hand of God mold and fashion you after the divine similitude. . . . Hang your helpless soul on Jesus Christ. He is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, vol. 1, 143.
“In your humiliation do not forget that Jesus knows it all, that His love is deep and unchangeable, that He pities our woes, He carries our sorrows, He is our Helper in whom we may trust.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, 430, 431.
9 To whom did the Lord say, Sit thou on my right hand? Hebrews 1:13; Psalm 110:1.
NOTE: “In reply to the statement that Christ was the Son of David, Jesus said, ‘How then doth David in Spirit [the Spirit of Inspiration from God] call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions.’ [Matthew 22:43–46.]” The Desire of Ages, 609.
“In the words of David referred to by Peter—[Psalm 110:1 quoted], the Father is called Lord, who said unto Christ, who is also Lord, and equal with the Father, ‘Sit thou on my right hand.’ ‘Therefore,’ said Peter, ‘let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ [Acts 2:36.]
“David called the Messiah, in his divine character, Lord, although, after the flesh, he was the son of David by direct descent. David, by prophetic foresight, saw Christ enter into the heavens, and take his position at the right hand of God.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, 271.
10 Until what time does He sit at the right hand of His Father? Hebrews 1:13; 10:12, 13. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:24–27.
NOTE: “The Lord is soon to come in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. Is there not enough in the truths which cluster around this event and in the preparation essential for it, to make us think solemnly of our duty? ‘The Son of man shall come in His glory; . . . and before Him shall be gathered all nations.’ [Matthew 25:31, 32.] This subject should be kept before the people as a means to an end,—that end the judgment, with its eternal punishments and rewards. Then God will render to every man according to his work. . . . ‘Fear God, and keep His command-ments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ [Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14.]” Review and Herald, June 18, 1901.
11 What will the Son of God do with his enemies when they are given to Him or put under His feet? Psalm 2:7–9; Luke 19:27.
NOTE: “Fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The day has come that shall burn as an oven. The elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein are burned up. The earth’s surface seems one molten mass—a vast, seething lake of fire.
“Satan and all who have joined him in rebellion will be cut off. Sin and sinners will perish, root and branch (Malachi 4:1)—Satan the root, and his followers the branches. . . . ‘They shall be as though they had not been.’ Obadiah 1:16.” The Faith I Live By, 357.
12 What office do the angels fill? Hebrews 1:14, first part.
NOTE: “All things both in heaven and in earth declare that the great law of life is a law of service. The infinite Father ministers to the life of every living thing. Christ came to the earth ‘as He that serveth.’ Luke 22:27. The angels are ‘ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.’ Hebrews 1:14. The same law of service is written upon all things in nature. The birds of the air, the beasts of the field, the trees of the forest, the leaves, the grass, and the flowers, the sun in the heavens and the stars of light—all have their ministry. Lake and ocean, river and water spring—each takes to give.” Education, 103.
13 To whom do angels minister? Hebrews 1:14, last part.
NOTE: “Yet the angels were to have a part to act in the plan of redemption. Christ was to be made ‘a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.’ Hebrews 2:9. As He should take human nature upon Him, His strength would not be equal to theirs, and they were to minister to Him, to strengthen and soothe Him under His sufferings. They were also to be ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who should be heirs of salvation. Hebrews 1:14. They would guard the subjects of grace from the power of evil angels and from the darkness constantly thrown around them by Satan.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 65.