September 30, 2007 – October 6, 2007
Key Text
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7.
Study Help: The Great Controversy, “Introduction,” v-vii.
Introduction
“Before the entrance of sin, Adam enjoyed open communion with his Maker; but since man separated himself from God by transgression, the human race has been cut off from this high privilege. By the plan of redemption, however, a way has been opened whereby the inhabitants of the earth may still have connection with heaven. God has communicated with men by His Spirit, and divine light has been imparted to the world by revelations to His chosen servants. ‘Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.’ 11 Peter 1:21.” The Great Controversy, “Introduction,” v.
1 How did God communicate with man before the Fall? Genesis 1:27, 28; 2:15-17.
note: “Adam and Eve, in their untainted purity, delighted in the sights and sounds of Eden. God appointed them their work in the garden, ‘to dress it and to keep it.’ Genesis 2:15. Each day’s labor brought them health and gladness, and the happy pair greeted with joy the visits of their Creator, as in the cool of the day He walked and talked with them. Daily God taught them His lessons.” The Ministry of Healing, 261.
“Adam and Eve were given the garden of Eden to care for. They were ‘to dress it and to keep it.’ [Genesis 2:15.] They were happy in their work. Mind, heart, and will acted in perfect harmony. In their labor they found no weariness, no toil. Their hours were filled with useful work and communion with each other. Their occupation was pleasant. God and Christ visited them and talked with them.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, 327.
2 Since the Fall, how has God communicated with man? Hebrews 1:1. Compare Isaiah 59:2.
note: “Of special value to God’s church on earth today the keepers of His vineyard are the messages of counsel and admonition given through the prophets who have made plain His eternal purpose in behalf of mankind. In the teachings of the prophets, His love for the lost race and His plan for their salvation are clearly revealed. The story of Israel’s call, of their successes and failures, of their restoration to divine favor, of their rejection of the Master of the vineyard, and of the carrying out of the plan of the ages by a goodly remnant to whom are to be fulfilled all the covenant promises this has been the theme of God’s messengers to His church throughout the centuries that have passed. And today God’s message to His church to those who are occupying His vineyard as faithful husbandmen is none other than that spoken through the prophet of old:
‘Sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.’ Isaiah 27:2, 3.” Prophets and Kings, 22.
3 By what other means does God communicate with man? Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20.
note: “How wonderfully, with what marvelous beauty, has everything in nature been fashioned. Everywhere we see the perfect works of the great Master Artist. The heavens declare His glory; and the earth, which is formed for the happiness of man, speaks to us of His matchless love. Its surface is not a monotonous plain, but grand old mountains rise to diversify the landscape. There are sparkling streams and fertile valleys, beautiful lakes, broad rivers, and the boundless ocean. God sends the dew and the rain to refresh the thirsty earth. The breezes, that promote health by purifying and cooling the atmosphere, are controlled by His wisdom. He has placed the sun in the heavens to mark the periods of day and night, and by its genial beams give light and warmth to the earth, causing vegetation to flourish.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 312.
“Let no one teach things that the Redeemer, He who owns man, body, soul, and spirit, has not taught. We need not any fanciful teaching regarding the personality of God. What God desires us to know of Him is revealed in His word and His works. The beautiful things of nature reveal His character and His power as Creator. They are His gift to the race, to show His power and to show that He is a God of love. But no one is authorized to say that God Himself in person is in flower or leaf or tree. These things are God’s handiwork, revealing His love for mankind.” Medical Ministry, 94.
4 Through whom did God warn Lot? Genesis 19:1-3, 12, 13. Compare Hebrews 1:14.
note: “In all ages, God has wrought through holy angels for the succor and deliverance of His people. Celestial beings have taken an active part in the affairs of men. They have appeared clothed in garments that shone as the lightning; they have come as men in the garb of wayfarers. Angels have appeared in human form to men of God. They have rested, as if weary, under the oaks at noon. They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes. They have acted as guides to benighted travelers. They have, with their own hands, kindled the fires at the altar. They have opened prison doors and set free the servants of the Lord. Clothed with the panoply of heaven, they came to roll away the stone from the Saviour’s tomb.” The Great Controversy, 631.
“God knows how Satan is working, and sends his angels to watch over his children, to protect them from the Devil’s power. And the battle is constantly going on between the angels of God, and the Devil’s angels. The angels of God are clothed with a complete armor, the panoply of heaven, and, although surrounded with deadly foes, fear nothing, for they are doing the will of their loved Commander. They enter the darkest places to rescue the children of God from the snares of Satan, and their presence causes the evil angels to fall back. And as the evil angels are defeated, they utter terrible imprecations against the injustice of God, and against his angels.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, 277.
5 What means did God use to warn Pharaoh of coming famine? Genesis 41:1-7.
note: “The king of Egypt had in one night two dreams, apparently pointing to the same event and seeming to foreshadow some great calamity. He could not determine their significance, yet they continued to trouble his mind. The magicians and wise men of his realm could give no interpretation. The king’s perplexity and distress increased, and terror spread throughout his palace.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 219.
6 What other means did God provide through which He might reveal His will to ancient Israel? Exodus 28:29, 30; Leviticus 8:8. Compare 1 Samuel 30:7, 8.
note: “The garments of the high priest were of costly material and beautiful workmanship, befitting his exalted station. . . .
“At the right and left of the breastplate were two large stones of great brilliancy. These were known as the Urim and Thummim. By them the will of God was made known through the high priest. When questions were brought for decision before the Lord, a halo of light encircling the precious stone at the right was a token of the divine consent or approval, while a cloud shadowing the stone at the left was an evidence of denial or disapprobation.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 350, 351.
7 What did Jesus say concerning Himself? John 12:46. Compare John 1:1-5, 9, 14, 18.
note: “We can trace the line of the world’s great teachers as far back as human records extend; but the Light was before them. As the moon and the stars of the solar system shine by the reflected light of the sun, so, as far as their teaching is true, do the world’s great thinkers reflect the rays of the Sun of Righteousness. Every gem of thought, every flash of the intellect, is from the Light of the World.” Gospel Workers (1915), 50.
“The question has been asked me [Ellen White], ‘Do you think that the Lord has any more light for us as a people?’ I answer that He has light that is new to us, and yet it is precious old light that is to shine forth from the Word of truth. We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us. We are not making the most of the light which the Lord has already given us, and thus we fail to receive the increased light; we do not walk in light already shed upon us.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 401, 402.
8 Besides dreams and Urim, what other method of communication from God was available to ancient Israel? 1 Samuel 28:6.
note: “When the high priest entered within the most holy once a year, and ministered before the ark in the awful presence of God, he inquired, and God often answered him with an audible voice. When the Lord did not answer by a voice, he let the sacred beams of light and glory rest upon the cherubim upon the right of the ark, in approbation or favor. If their requests were refused, a cloud rested upon the cherubim at the left.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4A, 102.
9 By what means did God commonly impart His messages to prophets? Numbers 12:6. What is the message of the prophet frequently called? Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1; Micah 1:1.
note: “The word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 94.
“Isaiah, seeing in prophetic vision the apostasy of the Jews, addressed them as rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah: [1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:10-12, 16, 17 quoted].” The Desire of Ages, 590.
“The word of the Lord came to Elijah; he did not seek to be the Lord’s messenger, but the word came to him. God always has men to whom He entrusts His message. His Spirit moves upon their hearts and constrains them to speak. Stimulated by holy zeal, and with the divine impulse strong upon them, they enter upon the performance of their duty without coldly calculating the consequences of speaking to the people the word which the Lord has given them.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 299.
10 What does the Old Testament say of prophetic guidance in the last days? Joel 2:28-32. Compare Acts 2:16-21.
note: “In immediate connection with the scenes of the great day of God, the Lord by the prophet Joel has promised a special manifestation of His Spirit. Joel 2:28. This prophecy received a partial fulfillment in the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost; but it will reach its full accomplishment in the manifestation of divine grace which will attend the closing work of the gospel.” The Great Controversy, “Introduction,” ix.
11 What is one important characteristic of the remnant people of God? Revelation 12:17; 19:10.
note: “Those who love and keep the commandments of God are most obnoxious to the synagogue of Satan, and the powers of evil will manifest their hatred toward them to the fullest extent possible. John foresaw the conflict between the remnant church and the power of evil, and said, ‘The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’ [Revelation 12:17.]” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 974.
“Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.” Colporteur Evangelist, 37.
12 How did Paul refer to those who were waiting for the day of the Lord? 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6; 1 Corinthians 1:4-7.
note: “The time of the end is come, the visions of the prophets are unsealed, and their solemn warnings point us to our Lord’s coming in glory as near at hand.
“The Jews misinterpreted and misapplied the word of God, and they knew not the time of their visitation. The years of the ministry of Christ and His apostles, the precious last years of grace to the chosen people, they spent in plotting the destruction of the Lord’s messengers. Earthly ambitions absorbed them, and the offer of the spiritual kingdom came to them in vain. So today the kingdom of this world absorbs men’s thoughts, and they take no note of the rapidly fulfilling prophecies and the tokens of the swift-coming kingdom of God.” The Desire of Ages, 235.
“It is ‘unto them that look for Him’ that Christ is to ‘appear the second time without sin unto salvation.’ Hebrews 9:28. Like the tidings of the Saviour’s birth, the message of the second advent was not committed to the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve their connection with God, and had refused light from heaven; therefore they were not of the number described by the apostle Paul: ‘But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5.” The Great Controversy, 315.