^ GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST 744#0-4/444 Deotwaft P.O. BOX H.G. 100. HIGHLANDS SALISBURY RHODESIA. AFRII TELEPHONES: M. L. MILLS. PRESIDE, 26636/7/4 E. CLIFFORD. SECRET., R. H. RODERICK, TREASUI, A. W. AUSTEN, FIELD SECRET,. TELEGRAMS AND CABLES- "ADVENTIST'. SALISBURY. Dear Fellow Sabbath School Members, RHODESIA. TELE% Inyazura Secondary School. For many years our Inyazura Secondary R H 4 I 2 7 School in the Zambesi Union has trained scores of African youth to become not only faithful Seventh-day Adventists, but also prepared them to enter Solusi College to be trained as denominational work- ers. With an enrolment of over 430 students the present facilities are splitting at the seams, More and more girls are seeking to enrol, and the limited dormitory space must be expanded. The importance of training the hand as well as the head is receiving renewed emphasis, and a new domestic science building for the girls and expanded provision for teaching industrial arts to the boys is a necessity for this phase of the teaching program to play its vital role. Last but not least, the facilities for the teaching of scient require upgrading, if this school is to maintain the standard of edu. cation expected of it. Church Buildings, African Homelands. In the interesting territory . the Southern Union we find that in the African homelands, now in the process of development, over fifty-five new towns and cities are beit constructed. Over one hundred towns and cities remain to be built! In the nine homelands embracing all these towns and cities, a capita city is to be built for each one of these African states-in-the- making. Now is the golden day of opportunity, while building lots are availat to drive down our stakes, and erect a church and African pastor's hol as a center to shepherd the flock and for evangelism in each of thee: nine capital cities, on strategic and advantageous sites. We must thus arise and "possess the land", provided funds are in hand to mee- the usual build-within-two-years restriction clause that is invariab. included in the title to the land. We thank you in anticipation in the name of our Lord and Saviour for your contribution toward the solution of our need. Yours in His ser i e, R. E. Clif, SECRETARY M SERIES DAYBREAK 1101 Adult Sabbath School Lessons / No. 323, January-March, 1976 Conl-ent-s 1. The God Who Is There 2. The Perfect Provision 3. The Roots of Wrong 4. Principles of Rebellion 5. Principles of Righteousness 6. A World Astray 7. Righteousness Exalts a Nation 8. The Rise and Fall of Empires 9. God's True People 10. The Voice of a False Authority 11. Conflicts Within the Church 12. God's People Vindicated 13. God's Rule Vindicated The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which serve as consulting editors. Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20012 Lesson Author: Frank Holbrook Editor: W. Richard Lesher Editorial Secretary: Florence Wetmore Circulation Manager: A. R. Mazat Art and Design: Concerned Communications Braille lessons available. See page 112 Adult Sabbath School Lessons (regular edition). Single copy, 40 cents; four issues (1 year), $1.50; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A., by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of SDA), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California. Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses. Copyright 1975 by Pacific Press Publishing Association Cover photo by Concerned Communications 1—A.Q. 1-76 SABBATH SCHODLAilEMO Use to check off for daily study, reminder for mission spotlight, etc. Jot memos above week-day dates. JAN. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 FEB. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 26 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 MAR. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 20 Community Guest Day 14 15 16 17 18 19 13th Sabbath 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Offering 28 29 30 31 I pledge myself to the prayerful study of part of the Sabbath School lesson each day. (Signed) DAYBREAK SERIES FOR 1976 This issue of the Adult Lessons begins the second year of the Daybreak Series. This series is a development of the primary principles which emerge from the three angels' messages of Revelation 14. Note that the series is not intended to be a study of Revelation 14 directly. It may be helpful in studying the lessons to have some idea of how they fit into the series. Thus an explanation is given in the following paragraphs of how each quarter's lessons during 1976 relate to the curriculum plan. The second angel's message announces Babylon's fall which results from making all nations drink of her wine. This wine represents the teachings of Babylon that are in opposition to the everlasting gospel given by the first angel. The third message warns against worship of the beast or his image. This worship is in opposition to the worship of the Creator called for by the first angel. Thus the second and third messages present opposition to the gospel and the worship of the Creator. The three messages are given in the time of judgment and do not reach their complete fulfillment until the coming of Jesus. But the opposition of Babylon and the beast to God's message and worship did not begin with the sounding of the three messages. Babylon and the beast reach back into history and are subjects of prophecy. Thus a study of the prin- ciples that underlie the actions of Babylon and the beast, as these are revealed in the Bible, can aid us in understanding better the nature of the last day conflict summarized in the second and third angels' messages. To accomplish this pur- pose we will, during this quarter, identify the principles of rebellion and trace these principles from the rebellion in heaven to the empires of earth; and we will study the prophecies of apostasy within the church. Next quarter we will return to the area of the curriculum plan relating to the' revelation of the everlasting gospel by the first angel and study the ways God reveals Himself to man. The third quarter will bring us to the area of the curriculum plan emerging from the call of the first angel to fear God. To fear God is to fear to sin. This area includes God's hatred of sin and the separation from God that has resulted from disobedience. This will be approached through a study of the book of Hebrews, where Jesus is seen as the mediator between God and His estranged children. In the fourth quarter the call to worship God will be made more meaningful by a study of worship in all the Bible. If you find this explanation helpful, you may wish to preserve it during 1976, as this overview will not be repeated this year. 5 1-A.Q. 1-76 Keyiew our lesso quarter s lessons. Order yo riveto the office Sabbath School Lesson oning or walk' on_ beach. Cassettes advance Wh en t the Quarterlq use Sabbath o_ol lessons three-cassette series casse available eluding evthree-cassette series narrated well- own denominational appreable. speakers covers ri Produced by the General Conference Audio-Visual Services. LOVE CHALLENGED AND VINDICATED Introduction One does not live very long before one senses that something is wrong, very wrong with the world. The dead mockingbird on the sidewalk, the pet dog flung to the side of the road by a speeding automobile, the thorn on the stem support- ing a beautiful flower—these are matters that raise questions in the young open- ing mind. The shadows and the highlights grow more distinct and sharp as one matures. The human predicament seems mysterious. There seems to be an eternal conflict between happiness and sorrow, between good and evil. Indeed, to many, life seems absurd and senseless. But in the Bible the veil is drawn aside, and meaning and purpose are given to human experience. The Scriptures begin with a revelation of God, the Creator of all that is good. Man is not the result of mere chance. Rather, he was created in the image of God by One who had beneficent plans and purposes for His creation. The Scriptures disclose the fact that the marring of the universe has come about by the insurrection of one of the highest intelligent beings close to the throne of God. What we witness in the earth, behind all the interaction of mankind, is a moral conflict between God and the principles of righteousness on the one hand, and Satan and the principles of unrighteousness on the other. God's will, expressed in His law, is based on a two-fold principle of love (supreme love to God, and impartial love to one's fellow beings). Satan's will, the fallen creature's will, is based on the principle of selfishness. Self is god; others are exploited for the benefit of selfish interests. These two principles—love and selfishness—have been in conflict since the original rebellion and the later fall of Adam and Eve. In our lessons this quarter we shall focus on the moral controversy which lies beneath the apparent surface of human existence. We shall begin with a study of God our Creator, for He is the moral Governor of our universe, and all creation is subject to His laws, both physical and moral. We shall then briefly survey the origin of evil and analyze the issues raised by Lucifer. In subsequent lessons we shall follow the controversy by means of Bible prophecies, especially those of Daniel. Through the prophecies God en- courages His people with regard to the outcome of the conflict. We shall see the outworking of the divine and satanic principles in the lives of individuals and kingdoms. We shall see how Satan has carried on the same controversy through the organized ecclesiastical apostasy foretold by the prophets. We shall note that the conflict is also being fought within the ranks of Christian groups where genuine truth is taught. Every human mind is affected by this conflict. We shall see how the plan of salvation is the answer to the problem of sin and is capable of bringing every penitent sinner into full har- mony with the Creator. Finally, we shall study how God will resolve the issues in this great moral controversy in heaven and earth and will bring an end to the conflict with the full approval of intelligent beings—both those who were loyal to Him and those who rebelled. God will be vindicated; Satan, and all who adhere to his prin- ciples, will be condemned and destroyed. "The world is not without a ruler. The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own charge."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 753. 7 LESSON 1 December 28 to January 3 The God Who Is There Under God's control beauty and purpose are brought into our world; but when God is rejected, life becomes empty and shattered. "The Lord reigneth; let the earth God. Pagan areas are unaware of rejoice; let the multitude of isles be Him. The people of many so-called glad thereof. Clouds and darkness Christian lands now deny His ex- are round about him: righteousness istence, and in professedly Chris- and judgment are the habitation of tian lands He is simply bypassed and his throne" (Ps. 97:1, 2). forgotten. Here is the real cause for life's lost To many thinking persons our quality of coherence. When God is times have lost all sense of meaning. acknowledged, there is recognition Life seems absurd, having no coher- of and obedience to His sovereignty. ence or purpose. The ultimate ques- The Scriptures present a clear pic- tions—Where did I come from? Why ture of the human predicament and am I here? What happens when I what human life is all about and die?—may not be formally debated what purpose God has for His chil- in the mind, but the answers are dren. When God is central, there is nevertheless being sought out, often a hope for tomorrow, for the Chris- in bizarre ways. tian sees what will be the culmina- Hundreds have dropped out of tion of the divine plan of salvation. society to follow simpler and impul- Faith in God gives meaning and pur- sive forms of living. Thousands pur- pose to life. sue the philosophy of hedonism, "From the beginning it has been seeking to find meaning in the Satan's studied plan to cause men to world's pleasures, in abandonment forget God, that he might secure to sexual indulgence and reckless them to himself."—Testimonies, vol. living. Still others turn to alcohol or 5, p. 738. Lest we as Christians for- hallucinating drugs to lift them from get, it is the purpose of this lesson the dullness of their lives. to reexamine the great facts about Although we live in a scientific the Deity as we begin to trace the age, millions are searching for life's moral controversy between God and meaning in the irrational and in the Satan which has affected all human superstitious trappings of paganism. existence. All the facets of the occult are being exploited today; astrology, witch- LESSON OUTLINE craft, and spiritism are upsurging. In the religious world thousands are 1. The Eye of Faith (Heb. 11:6) involving themselves in the charis- 2. Three in One (Mark 12:29; matic movement for an experience Matt. 28:19) in tongues and miracles. The shadow 3. His Greatness (Ps. 90:2) of nuclear disaster never fades; so- 4. A God of Love (1 John 4:16) cial and political troubles never 5. A Holy, God (Isa. 6:1-3) cease Security—there seems to be none; frustration and broken hopes 6. Source of Life and Being are in abundance. (Acts 17:24, 25) Why this bleak condition in hu- man life? Only the Bible gives the answer. It is no secret. Human hap- piness depends upon a right rela- tionship with God. Central to the creature's happiness is his acknowl- edgment and allegiance to his Crea- tor. Our generation has forgotten The God Who Is There LESSON 1 ❑ Sunday December 28 part 1 With what basic premise does the Christian view of life THE EYE begin? OF FAITH "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6). The belief in the existence of a personal God who is sover- eign in the universe is central to Christian faith. Only God can give meaning and direction to human existence. In a knowl- edge of God the Christian finds the true nature of his origins and the plan and purpose of life. What testimony does the natural world give to the exis- tence of God? Acts 14:15-17; Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1. "Upon all created things is seen the impress of the Deity. Nature testifies of God. The susceptible mind, brought in con- tact with the miracle and mystery of the universe, cannot but recognize the working of infinite power."—Education, p. 99. Who has made the fullest disclosure of the character and existence of God? John 1:18; 14:8, 9. "God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed to portray both His personality and His character. He sent His Son into the world to manifest, so far as could be endured by human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible God."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 419. Nature is blighted by sin; only a few of the human race observed the Saviour. What, then, provides the Christian his only trustworthy source for learning about God and the divine purpose? Heb. 1:1, 2; 2 Tim. 3:15-17. "God has given in the Scriptures sufficient evidence of their divine authority. His own existence, His character, the truth- fulness of His word, are established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant."—Education, p. 169. THINK IT THROUGH What meaning would life hold for me if there were no God? "The real evidence of a living God is not merely in theory; it is in the conviction that God has written in our hearts, illu- minated and explained by His word. It is in the living power in His created works, seen by the eye which the Holy Spirit has enlightened."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 325. FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 409-414. 10 The God Who Is There LESSON 1 ❑ Monday December 29 Part 2 What two truths about the Deity did Jesus teach? THREE IN ONE "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the command- ments is, Hear, 0 Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord" (Mark 12:29). "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:19). The paradox of a triune monotheism (Trinity) is not ex- plained in the Scriptures. It is, however, a truth that is vital to the understanding of the plan of salvation. "The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out in conjectures regarding the nature of God; but the effort will be fruitless. This problem has not been given us to solve. . . . Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above dis- cussion.... "We are as ignorant of God as little children, but as little children we may love and obey Him."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 279. How is God the Father described? How are we to address Him? 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Matt. 6:9. "All that man needs to know or can know of God has been revealed in the life and character of His Son."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 286. Upon occasion what claims and acknowledgments did Jesus make and accept? John 8:58; 10:30; 20:28. "Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from eternity, God over all, blessed forever- more."—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906. What other divine Person belongs to the Godhead? Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14. "The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. . . . Regarding such mysteries, which are too deep for human un- derstanding, silence is golden."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 52. THINK IT THROUGH What application to daily living are Christians to make from the Bible's teaching about the triune God? John 17:21, 22. In what areas of life ought I to make this application? "There are three living powers of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ." —Evangelism, p. 615. FURTHER STUDY Evangelism, pp. 613-617. 11 The God Who Is There LESSON 1 ❑ Tuesday December 30 Part 3 "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou HIS GREATNESS hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God" (Ps. 90:2). The Scriptures reveal five characteristics of the divine na- ture. What aspects of the nature of Deity are indicated in each of the following passages? 1. Ps. ,90:2 (see text above). 2. Rev. 19:6. 3. Jer. 23:23, 24. 4. Isa. 46:9, 10. 5. Mal. 3:6. "Let no one venture to explain God. Human beings cannot explain themselves, and how, then, dare they venture to explain the Omniscient One? ... "God always has been. He is the great I AM. . . . He is the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity. . . . With Him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. . . . He is infinite and omnipresent. No words of ours can describe His greatness and majesty."—Medical Ministry, p. 92. What significance do these aspects of our God have for us who love Him? 1. Eternity (everlasting) Ps. 36:9; cf. John 17:2. 2. Omnipotent (all-powerful) Isa. 40:26-31. 3. Omnipresence (everywhere present) Heb. 13:5, 6. 4. Omniscience (all-knowing) Ps. 139:1-6. 5. Immutability (unchanging) Isa. 40:8. "I know not where His islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care." —John Greenleaf Whittier. THINK IT THROUGH Think of ways in which these divine attributes enable the Godhead to carry out the plan of salvation. "He that ruleth in the heavens is the one who sees the end from the beginning—the one before whom the mysteries of the past and the future are alike outspread, and who, beyond the woe and darkness and ruin that sin has wrought, beholds the accomplishment of His own purposes of love and blessing. Though 'clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteous- ness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.' Psalm 97:2, R.V. And this the inhabitants of the universe, both loyal and disloyal, will one day understand."—Patriarchs and Proph- ets, p. 43. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 703, 704. 12 The God Who Is There LESSON 1 ❑ Wednesday December 31 Part 4 What does the apostle declare the fundamental aspect of A GOD OF LOVE God's character to be? "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). The English word, "love," is not so meaningful to us because of its wide range of use. The Greek language employs four main words to describe "love." The New Testament uses only two. The word in our text is agape, the most common New Tes- tament word for love. The agape kind of love is not a superficial emotion, but a principal attitude of the mind. It is outgoing, and always seeks the highest good of the person loved, whether that person be good or evil. See Matt. 5:44-48. In what forms is the divine attribute of love revealed be- fore the universe? Ex. 33:19. See also 34:5-7. Mercy, graciousness, long-suffering are different expressions of the quality of love. Chesed, the Hebrew equivalent of agap6 (here translated "goodness") denotes steadfast love,' selfless kindness, favor, mercy. The divine attribute of love ever seeks the highest good of each intelligent being. That highest good may require discipline, but such action will not be vindictive. It will be in the best interests of the creature and the creation. "God's love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love."—The Desire of Ages, p. 762. In what act did the Godhead disclose the depths and the quality of divine love? 1 John 4:10. "All the paternal love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 740. THINK IT THROUGH Why is it important to Christian experience (in daily life or crisis) to have a correct understanding of God's character? "In order to endure the trial before them, they [command- ment keepers] must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right con- ception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them."—The Great Controversy, p. 593. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "To Meet the Bridegroom," pp. 415, 416. 13. The God Who Is There LESSON 1 ❑ Thursday January 1 Part 5 "I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne. . . . Above it A HOLY GOD stood the seraphims. . . . And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isa. 6:1-3). "Holiness is the foundation of God's throne; sin is the op- posite of holiness; sin crucified the Son of God."—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 145. "The crowning glory of Christ's attributes is His holiness. . . . He is declared to be glorious in His holi- ness. Study the character of God."—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 402. The term "holiness" by which God is described refers to His moral excellence. He is free from moral evil. His character is absolute perfection, infinite purity. Because God is holy, His word is truth. His dealings with the universe are righteous. Because God is holy, He is the source and standard of the right. His will, as expressed in His law, is "holy, and just, and good" (Rom. 7:12). Justice is God's holiness expressing His hatred of sin and His judgment upon it. What effect did an understanding of God's holy character have on Isaiah? Isa. 6:1-8. "The contrast between the feeble praise which he had been accustomed to bestow upon the Creator and the fervid praises of the seraphim, astonished and humiliated the prophet. He had for the time being the sublime privilege of appreciating the spotless purity of Jehovah's exalted character. . . . "In the light of this matchless radiance that made manifest all he could bear in the revelation of the divine character, his own inward defilement stood out before him with startling clear- ness. His very words seemed vile to him."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1140. What standard has God set for His children? 1 Peter 1:15, 16. THINK IT THROUGH How would a disclosure of God such as Isaiah experienced affect me? Ponder the question asked in Isaiah 33:14. Read verses 15-17. "That which our people must have interwoven with their life and character is the unfolding of the plan of redemption and more elevated conceptions of God and His holiness, brought into the life. The washing of the robes of character in the blood of the Lamb is a work that we must attend to earnestly while every defect of character is to be put away."—Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 81. FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pp. 418-426. 14 The God Who Is There LESSON 1 ❑ Friday January 2 Part 6 In addressing the pagans of Athens how did Paul explain SOURCE OF LIFE the origin of the earth and of humanity? AND BEING "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, . . . giveth to all life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:24, 25). "All created beings live by the will and power of God. They are dependent recipients of the life of God. From the highest seraph to the humblest animate being, all are replenished from the Source of life."—The Desire of Ages, p. 785. What does every human being derive from God? Acts 17:28. "From Him all life proceeds. Only in harmony with Him can be found its true sphere of action. For all the objects of His creation the condition is the same—a life sustained by receiv- ing the life of God, a life exercised in harmony with the Crea- tor's will. To transgress His law, physical, mental, or moral, is to place one's self out of harmony with the universe, to intro- duce discord, anarchy, ruin."—Edfication, pp. 99, 100. What kind of response should every intelligent being make to his Creator? See Rev. 7:11; 14:7 (last part). "The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the Creator."—The Great Controversy, p. 436. "'The true ground of divine worship ... is found in the dis- tinction between the Creator and His creatures. This great fact can never become obsolete, and must never be forgotten.'— J. N. Andrews, History of the Sabbath, chapter 27." (Quoted in The Great Controversy, pp. 437, 438.) When an intelligent being acknowledges God as the Creator of all things and the Sustainer of life, he immediately recognizes that he owes to Him his full allegiance, love, and obedience. He is not his own, but is dependent upon the gracious care of his Maker. He recognizes that he is accountable to God for the use of all his powers and possessions. THINK IT THROUGH Some think man evolved from animal ancestry. The Bible depicts life as originating by the creative action of God. How does my personal conviction about ,the origin of human life affect my daily thought and conduct? "By the first angel, men are called upon to 'fear God, and give glory to Him' and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law. Says the wise man: 'Fear God, and keep His command- ments: for this is the whole duty of man.' Ecclesiastes 12:13. Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be pleasing to God."—The Great Controversy, p. 436. FURTHER STUDY The Ministry of Healing, pages 414-417. 15 LESSON 2 January 4-10 The Perfect Provision and fearful, God laid a plan to meet the terrible contingency of sin. In- finite Wisdom arranged its opera- tions in such a manner that the is- sues raised by sin and rebellion would be fully met. Intelligent beings would be given ample op- portunity to observe the develop- ment of the issues so that they might freely approve the divine course. Only thus could the happi- ness and welfare of all created be- ings be eternally secured. "Since the service of love can alone be ac- ceptable to God, the allegiance of "I will open my mouth in para- His creatures must rest upon a con- bles; I will utter things which have viction of His justice and benevo- been kept secret from the founda- lence."—The Great Controversy, p. tion of the world" (Matt. 13:35). 498. When Adam and Eve toppled the Here and there in the Bible hints human family, so to speak, into the are given of the decisions which the treacherous ocean currents of sin, Godhead made in eternity when the God did not speculate on the pos- plan of salvation was formulated. sibility of rescue or question the These passages will constitute our cost. Before time began, the rescue study this week. operation had been carefully de- vised by a loving and concerned LESSON OUTLINE God. It was a divine secret, locked 1. Provision for Salvation deep in the heart of the Deity. (1 Cor. 2:7) One of the unique attributes of 2. The Lamb Foreordained the Deity is omniscience. "I am God, (1 Peter 1:18-20) and there is none like me, declaring 3. Life Only in Christ (Col. 1:26, 27) the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that 4. Destinies Determined (Titus 1:2) are not yet done" (Isa. 46:9, 10). 5. The Plan in Operation Deity foresaw the origin of evil. (Eph. 3:10, 11) "The plan for our redemption was 6. Divine Objectives (Eph. 1:4, 10) not an afterthought, a plan formu- lated after the fall of Adam.... God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the ter- rible emergency. So great was His love for the world, that He cove- nanted to give His only-begotten Son, 'that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' John 3:16."—The Desire of Ages, p. 22. Even though the risk was great The Perfect Provision LESSON 2 ❑ Sunday January 4 Part 1 "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the PROVISION FOR hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory" (1 Cor. 2:7). SALVATION What is this "mystery" or "hidden wisdom" of which Paul speaks? See Eph. 6:19. When did the Godhead devise it? "The salvation of the human race has ever been the object of the councils of heaven. The covenant of mercy was made before the foundation of the world. It has existed from all eter- nity, and is called the everlasting covenant. So surely as there never was a time when God was not, so surely there never was a moment when it was not the delight of the eternal mind to manifest His grace to humanity."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 934. Sometime in eternity before the creation of this earth the Godhead laid the plan of salvation. It was a costly plan that was devised to meet the contingency of rebellion. The divine prescription to meet the moral disease of sin, which one day would convulse the universe, was locked in the heart of infinite love to be "kept secret for long ages." Rom. 16:25, RSV. What did the Godhead purpose to give mankind if the race sinned? 2 Tim. 1:9, 10. Grace is God's unlimited, all-inclusive, transforming love toward sinful men and women—His attitude of compassion and mercy toward us who are undeserving sinners. The term is also used in the sense of God's power to save a sinner from sin. "We ourselves owe everything to God's free grace. Grace in the covenant ordained our adoption. Grace in the Saviour ef- fected our redemption, our regeneration, and our exaltation to heirship with Christ. Let this grace be revealed to others."— Christ's Object Lessons, p. 250. THINK IT THROUGH As a Christian why do I wish the gospel plan to be suc- cessful? "Those who think of the result of hastening or hindering the gospel think of it in relation to themselves and to the world. Few think of its relation to God. Few give thought to the suffer- ing that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ's agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God."—Education, p. 263. FURTHER STUDY Counsels on Health, p. 222. 18 The Perfect Provision LESSON 2 ❑ Monday January 5 Part 2 According to Peter, what was the central provision of the THE LAMB plan of salvation as the Godhead devised it? FOREORDAINED "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain con- versation . . . ; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was fore- ordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Peter 1:18-20). "The throne of God must not bear one stain of crime, one taint of sin. In the councils of heaven, before the world was created, the Father and the Son covenanted together that if man proved disloyal to God, Christ, one with the Father, would take the place of the transgressor, and suffer the penalty of justice that must fall upon him."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1070. How does Peter indicate that Christ's death did not hap- pen. by mere chance or malice? Acts 2:23. Neither Roman nor Jew was forced to crucify the Saviour, but, through the choices they made, both the nature of sin and the character of God were revealed. What did the central provision of a substitute require of God the Son in order to accomplish the atoning death? Phil. 2:5-7. See also John 1:14 (first part). In taking human nature Christ took Adam's place and thereby became the Head of the race. "The reconciliation of man to God could be accomplished only through a mediator who was equal with God, possessed of attributes that would dignify, and declare him worthy to treat with the Infinite God in man's behalf, and also represent God to a fallen world. Man's substitute and surety must have man's nature, a connection with the human family whom he was to represent, and, as God's ambassador, he must partake of the divine nature, have a connection with the Infinite, in order to manifest God to the world, and be a mediator between God and man."—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, December 22, 1891. THINK IT THROUGH "Had God pardoned Adam's sin without an atonement, sin would have been immortalized, and would have been perpet- uated with a boldness that would have been without restraint." —Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1082. "Were there no justice, no penalty, there would be no sta- bility to the government of God. It is the mingling of judgment and mercy that makes salvation complete."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1133. FURTHER STUDY Gospel Workers, p. 315; Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 63-65. 19 2-A.Q. 1-76 The Perfect Provision LESSON 2 ❑ Tuesday January 6 Part 3 "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and LIFE ONLY from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory IN CHRIST of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:26, 27). The experience described by the phrase "Christ in you" (see also Gal. 2:20) is accomplished by the indwelling pres- ence of the Holy Spirit in the believer. Thus the human will is submissive to Christ's will, and the life reflective of His attri- butes. Christ, through His Spirit, lives on earth again in the per- son of His child. Since the sinful human will is not submissive to God, and the sinner's character reflects instead the attributes of Satan, the passage in Colossians 1:26, 27 hints at the provision the Godhead made to break the power of sin in the life and to transform the character. What is the divine provision to break the controlling power of sin in the life? John 14:16-18. There are two aspects of sin in human existence that the plan was designed to meet. First, the penalty for sin would be met by our divine-human Substitute, Jesus Christ, by His aton- ing death. Second, the power of sin in the life would be broken by the indwelling Christ through the medium of the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. . . . Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated ten- dencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church."—The Desire of Ages, p. 671. What traits will the Holy Spirit be able to develop in the person who is under His control? Gal. 5:22, 23. "The Spirit that reveals, also works in him the fruits of righ- teousness. . . . What is the character of the fruit borne?— The fruit of the Spirit is 'love,' not hatred; 'joy,' not discontent and mourning; 'peace,' not irritation, anxiety, and manufactured trials."—Gospel Workers, p. 287. THINK IT THROUGH How can I tell whether or not I have experienced a new birth as a result of the Holy Spirit's operation? FURTHER STUDY Gospel Workers, pp. 284-289. 20 The Perfect Provision LESSON 2 ❑ Wednesday January 7 Part 4 What ultimate future did the Godhead agree to give those DESTINIES penitent sinners who would accept the plan? DETERMINED "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, prom- ised before the world began" (Titus 1:2). "In Him [Christ] was life, original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as a free gift if he will believe in Christ as his personal Saviour. . . . This is the open fountain of life for the world."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 296, 297. What also did the Godhead agree to prepare for the re- deemed? Matt. 25:34. The text reads literally in the original, "Inherit the has-been- prepared-for-you kingdom from the foundation of world." The Greek tense denotes a completed action. Yet the verse points back to a time in eternity when the plan was laid. God envi- sioned the restored earth before the original earth was created! "Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous.... "There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees. . . . There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home."—The Great Controversy, p. 675. What ultimate destiny did the Godhead also determine for Satan, his angels, and followers? Matt. 25:41. The Greek tense of the verb "prepared" is the same as in verse 34 and relates back to the same time and councils. THINK IT THROUGH What insight into God's character have you gained in knowing that the ultimate destinies of righteousness and re- bellion were determined in eternity? "A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them [those who follow Satan] for heaven. Its purity, holiness, and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire. They would long to flee from that holy place. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.... "It is in mercy to the universe that God will finally destroy the rejecters of His grace."—The Great Controversy, p. 543. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 541-543. 21 2-A.Q. 1-76 The Perfect Provision LESSON 2 ❑ Thursday January 8 Part 5 What did the Godhead intend for the intelligent universe THE PLAN IN to see as the plan became operative in the earth? OPERATION "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the mani- fold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:10, 11). God foresaw the origin of evil and the outbreak of rebellion. He knew He would be challenged by intelligent beings created by Him. Divine motives, commands, and sovereignty would be questioned. The plan was, therefore, so devised by Infinite Wisdom that its operation would disclose to the universe the many facets of the divine character and purposes. God intends that His church on earth should be a demonstra- tion, in embryo as it were, of the final fulfillment of His eternal purposes for the universe. To fallen and unfallen intelligences alike the church is to show forth the wisdom of the perfect principles on which the divine government rests. What heavenly beings does the apostle Peter describe as desiring to understand the plan of salvation? 1 Peter 1:10-12. "The plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper pur- pose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 68. THINK IT THROUGH What kind of witness to God's grace do I present to a watching universe in my daily life? in times of crisis? "The Lord Jesus is making experiments on human hearts through the exhibition of His mercy and abundant grace. He is effecting transformations so amazing that Satan, with all his triumphant boasting, with all his confederacy of evil united against God and the laws of His government, stands viewing them as a fortress impregnable to his sophistries and delu- sions. They are to him an incomprehensible mystery. The angels of God, seraphim and cherubim, the powers commissioned to cooperate with human agencies, look on with astonishment and joy, that fallen men, once children of wrath, are through the training of Christ developing characters after the divine similitude, to be sons and daughters of God, to act an impor- tant part in the occupations and pleasures of heaven."—Tes- timonies to Ministers, p. 18. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 503, 504. 22 The Perfect Provision LESSON 2 ❑ Friday January 9 Part 6 What was the ultimate goal to be achieved by the plan of DIVINE salvation? OBJECTIVES "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foun- dation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love... . "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Eph. 1:4, 10). The emergence of sin would bring disharmony into the peaceful universe of holy beings. Rebellion would cause divi- sion. To be successful the plan would have to heal a terrible rupture. To restore harmony it would have to meet four basic objectives: 1. To vindicate the character, law, and government of God all of which had been challenged. 2. To secure the loyalty of intelligent beings who had not joined the renellion but who would be confused by it. 3. To effect the salvation of all repentant members of the rebelling human family. 4. To destroy Satan, the other fallen angels, and impenitent man; and to erase the effects of sin. In the final executive phase of the judgment, what will both the loyal and disloyal confess? Rom. 14:10-12. Notice these striking statements from The Great Controversy: "The whole wicked world stand arraigned at the bar of God."—Page 668. "All see that their exclusion from heaven is just."—Page 668. "Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sen- tence."—Page 670. "With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: 'Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.' " —Page 671. With what beautiful picture of coming harmony in a sinless universe does the Bible encourage us? Rev. 21:3, 4. THINK IT THROUGH Is my present religious experience a drudgery or a delight? What can I do to make it harmonious with His will? "This earth is the place of preparation for heaven. The time spent here is the Christian's winter. Here the chilly winds of affliction blow upon us, and the waves of trouble roll against us. But in the near future, when Christ comes, sorrow and sighing will be forever ended. Then will be the Christian's sum- mer. All trials will be over, and there will be no more sickness or death."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 988. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 651, 675-678. 23 LESSON 3 January 11-17 The Roots of Wrong Obedience to , God's authority was questioned; and, with the first sin, creation began to experience degeneration and death. "And every creature which is in The quest should be the same in heaven, and on the earth, and under spiritual matters. The question is not the earth, and such as are in the sea, How may I escape being subject to and all that are in them, heard I say- authority? but rather Under what ing, Blessing, and honour, and glory, authority will life make sense? Will and power, be unto him that sitteth life be meaningful and fruitful? upon the throne, and unto the Lamb When we consider the potential for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:13). of the intelligent beings in the uni- verse—angel, man, inhabitant of In this passage the apostle John other worlds—we sense that the witnesses (in vision) a great ascrip- most useful governmental authority tion of praise to the Deity from all for these would be one which would creation. foster the fullest development of the Our study this week notes that the mental, physical, and spiritual pow- creation of the universe and of in- ers. Only an authority which seeks telligent beings was based on har- the highest good of each being mony in the divine government, and could accomplish these ends. Such all creatures rendered loving alle- was the divine rule of love under giance to the Creator. But one arose which the whole creation came into to challenge the divine rule, to ques- existence. tion the necessity of living under a governing authority. LESSON OUTLINE That question is still with us today. The fact is, however, that there is no 1. A Perfect Universe (Rom. 1:20) such thing as freedom from all con- 2. Perfect Created Beings (Ps. , trol. Every individual is subject to 148:2, 5) some kind of authority—whether it 3. Man in the Image of God be to the will of another person, his (Heb. 2:6, 7) own passions, or some craving or 4. A Perfect Relationship (Ps. 103: habit. The drug or drink addict, for 19; 89:14) example, finds himself shackled to a 5. The First Rebel (2 Peter 2:4; cruel and relentless master. Jude 6) Even inanimate nature is under authority. Music is subject to the 6. Open Revolt (Eze. 28:17; Isa. laws of harmony. The great jet air- 14:13,14) liners are subject to the laws of aero- dynamics. The simple kite is depen- dent upon the authority of the cord which holds it, if it is to soar suc- cessfu lly. The wise person, in everyday liv- ing, willingly seeks out meaningful authority. If he is taken with a seri- ous illness, he submits himself to the authority of the best physician he can find. In legal matters he re- tains a reputable attorney. In edu- cation he places himself under the authority of qualified teachers. The search is for the best authority pos- ible. The Roots of Wrong LESSON 3 ❑ Sunday January 11 Part 1 What witness to God does the natural creation make? A PERFECT "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the UNIVERSE world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20). "His invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made" (RSV). See also Ps. 19:1. "Why did not our heavenly Father carpet the earth with brown or gray? He chose the color that was most restful, the most acceptable to the senses. . . . Without this covering the air would be filled with dust, and the earth would appear like a desert. Every spire of grass, every opening bud and blooming flower is a token of God's love, and should teach us a lesson of faith and trust in Him."—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 75. Although the Godhead cooperated in the creation of the universe, who was the active agent? Heb. 1:1, 2; John 1:1-3, 10, 14. "The hand that sustains the worlds in space, the hand that holds in their orderly arrangement and tireless activity all things throughout the universe of God, is the hand that was nailed to the cross for us."—Education, p. 132. How extensive is the natural creation? Col. 1:16; Isa. 40:26; 45:12. For what purpose was the natural universe brought into existence? Rev. 4:11. "It pleased God to bring the universe into existence and to give life to its creatures. . . . There was nothing desirable from His point of view in being alone in an empty universe. It pleased Him that the universe should be peopled with intelligent beings, capable of appreciating and reflecting His infinite love and per- fect character. This was His purpose in creating them."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Rev. 4:11. THINK IT THROUGH God never intended the natural creation to be worshiped. However, as a Christian how may it minister to my spiritual experience? See Matt. 6:26-30; Psalm 8. "Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe."—Steps to Christ, p. 100. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 44-47. 26 The Roots of Wrong LESSON 3 ❑ Monday January 12 Part 2 How did the angels originate? By whose action? PERFECT "Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his CREATED BEINGS hosts. . . . "Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created" (Ps. 148:2, 5). See also Col. 1:16. With whom are the angels particularly associated?. Rev. 5:11; Heb. 1:7; Ps. 103:20. The term "angel" derives from the Greek word aggelos (pro- nounced ahng/e1i5s) meaning "messenger." Angels are also' designated "ministers," the Greek word meaning "one who serves in religious or spiritual things." "Angels are God's ministers, radiant with the light ever flowing from His presence and speeding on rapid wing to exe- cute His will."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34. Toward whom has God particularly directed the ministry of angels? Heb. 1:14; Ps. 91:11; Matt. 18:10. "The angels of glory find their joy in giving,—giving love and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy. Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men; they bring to this dark world light from the courts above; by gentle and patient min- istry they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves can know."—The Desire of Ages, p. 21. What Biblical evidence is there that there are other created intelligent beings in the universe besides angels and man- kind? Col. 1:16; Rev. 12:12; 1 Peter 3:22; Eph. 3:10, 11. Peter distinguishes between "angels" and "authorities and powers" who became subject to Christ at His ascension. Since this was not true of fallen angels and earthly powers, it is prob- ably to be understood as referring to the unfallen angels and worlds who then fully acknowledged His lordship. How can I cooperate with the ministry of the angels in my behalf? "Angels mark your prayers, and if these prayers have not gone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of un- consciously doing wrong . . . , your guardian angel will be by your side, prompting you to a better course, choosing your words for you, and influencing your actions."—Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 363, 364. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 512, 513; Education, p. 305. 27 The Roots of Wrong LESSON 3 ❑ Tuesday January 13 Part 3 What order of intelligent beings did the Godhead bring MAN IN THE into existence at some time after the creation of angels? IMAGE OF GOD "But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou modest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands" (Heb. 2:6, 7). "Before the creation of man, angels were in existence. . . . Angels are in nature superior to men, for the psalmist says that man was made 'a little lower than the angels.' Psalm 8:5." —The Great Controversy, p. 511. "All heaven took a deep and joyful interest in the creation of the world and of man. Human beings were a new and dis- tinct order. . . . It was the Creator's design that they should populate the earth."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1081. How did the Godhead purpose to create mankind? Gen. 1:26, 27. What does the phrase "image of God" mean? "When Adam came from the Creator's hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker. . . . It was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image—the more fully reflect the glory of the Crea- tor. All his faculties were capable of development; their capac- ity and vigor were continually to increase. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened to their research."—Education, p. 15. "Every human being, created in the image of God, is en- dowed with a power akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and to do."—Education, p. 17. Being made in the "image of God" permitted what kind of relationship to be established between the Creator and man? This relationship will be restored in the new earth. See Rev. 21:3; 22:3, 4. "Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with his Maker was his high privilege."—Education, p. 15. THINK IT THROUGH If God created me in order that He might enjoy fellowship with me, how may I now cultivate this relationship? "Many of you have a twilight perception of Christ's excel- lence.... Give yourselves the culture of spiritual thoughts and holy communings."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 318. FURTHER STUDY Education, pp. 14, 18. 28 The Roots of Wrong LESSON 3 ❑ Wednesday January 14 Part 4 "What are the characteristics of the divine government A PERFECT under which angels, inhabitants of other worlds, and man were placed at their creation? RELATIONSHIP "The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all" (Ps. 103:19). "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face" (Ps. 89:14). Since holy love is the chief attribute of God, all created beings were placed under a governing authority that provided the highest good for each individual and the creation as a whole. There existed an atmosphere of love conducive to the perfect growth and development of all the faculties of intelli- gent beings. "Love for God was supreme, love for one another impartial."—The Great Controversy, p. 493. What right has God given to each of the intelligent beings He has created? Deut. 30:19; Jude 6. The evidence of this right is seen in the simple test required of our first parents (Gen. 2:17), a similar test on other worlds (Early Writings, p. 40), and the fact that some of the angels chose to rebel against the divine rule. "God desires from all His creatures the service of love—homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation of His character. He takes no pleas- ure in a forced allegiance, and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service."—The Great Controversy, p. 493. What makes it evident that man was placed on probation —that none had a natural immortality? Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:51-53. "Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon probation."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 53. THINK IT THROUGH Some things God has expressly commanded or forbidden. In other areas Christians must make decisions based on prin- ciple. Would you prefer a list of dos and don'ts or the freedom to exercise your choice in the light of Biblical principles? Ex- plain your answer. "God might have created them [our first parents]—without the power to transgress His requirements, but in that case there could have been no development of character; their service would not have been voluntary, but forced. Therefore He gave them the power of choice—the power to yield or to withhold obedience."—Education, p. 23. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 52, 53. 29 The Roots of Wrong LESSON 3 ❑ Thursday January 15 Part 5 Among which of the intelligent beings in God's creation THE FIRST did sin and rebellion arise? REBEL "God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (2 Peter 2:4). "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto judgment of the great day" (Jude 6). Do the Scriptures give any hint to suggest that the divine rule of love was at fault to cause the rebellion? "Nothing is more plainly taught in Scripture than that God was in no wise responsible for the entrance of sin; that there was no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, no deficiency in the divine government, that gave occasion for the uprising of rebellion. Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is to defend it."—The Great Controversy, pp. 492, 493. The angelic revolt developed through the instigation of the angel Lucifer. What was his original position and character? Eze. 28:12-15. "Evil originated with Lucifer, who rebelled against the gov- ernment of God. Before his fall he was a covering cherub, distinguished by his excellence. God made him good and beautiful, as near as possible like Himself."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1163. The title, "cherub that covereth" brings to mind the ark of the covenant. Each of two cherubs spread a wing each over the sa- cred chest. The title suggests that Lucifer stood within the presence of God's glory and assisted in communicating the di- vine will to the other angels and the universe. The dissatisfac- tion of such a personage made his deceptions among the angels well-nigh overwhelming. THINK IT THROUGH When in pride I flout the legitimate authority of my gov- ernment, church, school, or home, with whom am I cooperat- ing? "There is a grand rebellion in the earthly universe. Is there not a great leader of that rebellion? Is not Satan the life and soul of every species of rebellion which he himself has insti- gated?"—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1163. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 37-41. 30 The Roots of Wrong LESSON 3 ❑ Friday January 16 Part 6 "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou OPEN REVOLT hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness" (Eze. 28:17). "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: ... I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" (Isa. 14:13, 14). "I will rival the Most High" (verse 14, Jerusalem Bible). What do these passages suggest as to how Lucifer began a course of action which eventually led to his revolt? "Satan fell because of his ambition to be equal with God. He desired to enter into the divine counsels and purposes, from which he was excluded by his own inability, as a created being, to comprehend the wisdom of the Infinite One. It was this am- bitious pride that led to his rebellion."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 702. What appears to have been the spark which started this highly positioned angel in a wrong course of reasoning? "When God said to His Son, 'Let us make man in our image,' Satan was jealous of Jesus. He wished to be consulted con- cerning the formation of man, and because he was not, he was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred."—Early Writings, p. 145. Of what two sins does Jesus say Lucifer was guilty in heaven? John 8:44. Whom did he murder? See 1 John 3:15. Unsuspected by his fellow angels because of his position, Lucifer began to poison their minds against God. When Lucifer gained sufficient support from the angels he had alienated, he openly defied God. What were the results? Rev. 12:7-9. "Satan thought that if he could carry the angels of heaven with him in rebellion, he could carry also the other worlds."— The Great Controversy, p. 497. THINK IT THROUGH What are my true feelings when a colleague is promoted above me, or an acquaintance is given special recognition? Why do I react this way? "Envy is one of the most despicable traits of Satanic char- acter. It is constantly seeking the lifting up of self, by casting slurs upon others. A man who is envious will belittle his neigh- bor. . .. He hates to hear the praises of another.... "The great controversy between Christ and the prince of darkness, is carried on in everyday, practical life."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1159. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 495-497. 31 LESSON 4 January 18-24 Principles of Rebellion "Shall the thing formed say to him was working for man's uplifting, and that formed it, Why hast thou made Satan for his ruin and degradation. me thus?" (Rom. 9:20). And the heavenly universe beheld it all."—The Desire of Ages, p. 759. Although the apostle Paul is think- Then Christ came to present clearly ing of Israel's challenges to God—a the plan and the character of God. nation He had formed, yet he states "God's dealings with rebellion a universal truth. The creature is not will result in fully unmasking the in a position to challenge his Crea- work that has so long been carried tor. on under cover. The results of Sa- It is difficult for us to grasp the tan's rule, the fruits of setting aside enormity of the rebellion instigated the divine statutes, will be laid open by Lucifer. Until his disaffection the to the view of all created intelli- divine will had never been chal- gences. The law of God will stand lenged. Nothing had marred the uni- fully vindicated. It will be seen that versal harmony. Love, pulsating in all the dealings of God have been the hearts of intelligent beings, felt conducted with reference to the no galling yoke in the divine admin- eternal good of His people, and the istration. good of all the worlds that He has Then it was there—discontent, created. Satan himself, in the pres- smoldering dissatisfaction, questions, ence of the witnessing universe, will doubts. The divine will was chal- confess the justice of God's govern- lenged—not by some individual far ment and the righteousness of His out on the edge of the star-studded law."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. universe, but by the covering cherub 338, 339. at the very throne of God! Never before had any creature formed by LESSON OUTLINE the divine hand questioned his Maker. 1. Attack on Law and Government Our study this week will examine (1 John 3:4) what appear to be the main issues 2. Impugning God's Character Lucifer raised—the challenges which (John 8:44) he flung at his Creator. These issues 3. Seeking Independence From God focus attention upon the Deity. In a (Isa. 14:12-14) sense God was placed on trial by the 4. Finding Fault With God's Mercy accusations of Lucifer. (Zech. 3:1-4) Little did Lucifer, the angels, or the inhabitants of the other worlds 5. Denying Christ's Authority realize that the Godhead was pre- (Matt. 4:8, 9) pared for the terrible emergency. 6. God Faces Rebellion (Rev. 12:9; The plan of salvation lay hidden in Rom. 11:33) the heart of God. The divine secret would provide the divine answer to the challenges of the creature. Time would be permitted the watching universe to see the operations of the principles of rebellion against the divine government. Then the fullest revelation of the Deity would be given in the person of God the Son. "For four thousand years, Christ Principles of Rebellion LESSON 4 Sunday January 18 Part 1 What is the Scripture's definition of sin? ATTACK ON "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for LAW AND sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). GOVERNMENT "Our only definition of sin is that given in the word of God; it is 'the transgression of the law,' it is the outworking of a principle at war with the great law of love which is the founda- tion of the divine government."—The Great Controversy, p. 493. Does this mean that sin is only the casual breaking of a list of ten rules? Compare Ps. 40:8; Rom. 2:17, 18. With what is the law equated? What really is the law? "The law is to be presented to its transgressors, not as something apart from God, but rather as an exponent of His mind and character. As the sunlight cannot be separated from the sun, so God's law cannot be rightly presented to man apart from the divine Author."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 371. Sin is thus opposition to the personal will of God. Are good and just laws, designed for the good of the gov- erned, restrictive? See 1 John 5:3; Deut. 10:12, 13. Does love place limits? When a mother forbids her child to touch a hot iron, her love has placed limits upon the child by means of her expressed will. Is her law "arbitrary," or is it dictated by her loving concern? What did Lucifer do? 1 John 3:8. From this verse what may we infer about Lucifer's challenge of the law of God? "He reiterated his claim that angels needed no control, but should be left to follow their own will, which would ever guide them right. He denounced the divine statutes as a restriction of their liberty and declared that it was his purpose to secure the abolition of law; that, freed from this restraint, the hosts of heaven might enter upon a more exalted, more glorious state of existence."—The Great Controversy, p. 499. THINK IT THROUGH In what way is today's emphasis on situational ethics a reflection of the original challenge of God's law? How do I know what is the loving thing to do in a given situation? "This work of opposition to the law of God had its beginning in the courts of heaven, with Lucifer."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 222. "Since their natures were holy, he urged that the angels should obey the dictates of their own will."—The Great Contro- versy, p. 495. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 37, 38. 34 Principles of Rebellion LESSON 4 ❑ Monday January /9 Part 2 Since Lucifer spurned God's law and governing control, IMPUGNING what kind of lying among the angels would he have done? GOD'S "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your CHARACTER father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44). In calling God's law into question, Lucifer in effect raised doubts about the character of God. If the divine laws are re- strictive and not beneficial, then God must have had bad or ul- terior motives in placing the intelligent creation under such laws. Notice three statements from The Great Controversy: "It was his policy to perplex the angels with subtle argu- ments concerning the purposes of God."—Page 497. "He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrep- resented His plan of government before the angels, claiming that God was not just in laying laws and rules upon the inhabi- tants of heaven; that in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of Himself."—Page 498. "He . . . had declared that while the Creator exacted self- denial from all others, He Himself practiced no self-denial and made no sacrifice."—Page 502. When God questioned Adam and Eve after their sin, how did they meet the confrontation of their error? Whom did they blame? Gen. 3:9-12. Neither admitted guilt. Both justified themselves by passing blame, ultimately implying that blame was due to God. "The discord which his own course had caused in heaven, Satan charged upon the law and government of God. All evil he declared to be the result of the divine administration. He claimed that it was his own object to improve upon the statutes of Jehovah.... "To the very close of the controversy in heaven, the great usurper continued to justify himself."—The Great Controversy, p. 498, 499. THINK IT THROUGH It is sometimes suggested that the enforcement of rules creates rebellion in the home and school. What do you think? "With one accord, Satan and his host threw the blame of their rebellion wholly upon Christ, declaring that if they had not been reproved, they would never have rebelled."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible. Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1162. . FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 335-339. 35 3-A.Q. 1-76 Principles of Rebellion LESSON 4 ❑ Tuesday January 20 Part 3 "How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the morning! . . . For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend SEEKING into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: INDEPENDENCE . . . I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be FROM GOD like the most High" (Isa. 14:12-14). What do the "I's" inform us about Lucifer's idea of what a creature's relationship should be to his Creator? The primary sin of the creature is to attempt to be indepen- dent of the Creator, to be his own center and god. "Self-idolatry . . . lies at the foundation of all sin."—Gospel Workers, p. 114. Lucifer's charges against the law, government, and character of God hid from the angels his real intent: to gain independence from the divine sovereignty. "Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven."—The Desire of Ages, p. 21. "Not content with his position, . . . he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to him- self."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 35. "He gloried in his brightness and exaltation, and aspired to be equal with God." —The Great Controversy, p. 495. What fundamental truth was God attempting to teach Israel by the 40-year miracle of the manna? Deut. 8:3. Sin is more than the mere breaking of a rule; it is the asser- tion of the will to be independent of God. See Romans 14:23. True repentance is more than the confession of a wrong; it is the surrender of the will to God and a dependence upon Him. In contrast to Lucifer, what perfect example did Jesus give us? John 6:38; Matt. 26:39. "His confidence in His heavenly Father was unlimited. His obedience and submission were unreserved and perfect"— Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 107. THINK IT THROUGH As a professing Christian, how am I relating to this cen- tral issue of self in the sin problem? "Selfishness is the essence of depravity, and because human beings have yielded to its power, the opposite of allegiance to God is seen in the world today. Nations, families, and individ- uals are filled with a desire to make self a center. Man longs to rule over his fellow men. Separating himself in his egotism from God and his fellow beings, he follows his unrestrained inclinations. He acts as if the good of others depended on their subjection to his supremacy."—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 24. FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 163, 164. 36 Principles of Rebellion LESSON 4 ❑ Wednesday January 21 Part 4 "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before FINDING FAULT the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke WITH GOD'S thee, 0 Satan; . . . is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? MERCY Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood be- fore the angel. And he . . . spake . . . , saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment" (Zech. 3:1-4). This vision depicts the spiritual condition of the Jewish exiles returned from Babylonian captivity. The priest in filthy clothing is representing the nation in its sinful condition. He is asking for mercy. Satan is depicted as resisting—protesting an act of mercy on God's part to the sinful nation. The vision reflects Lucifer's claim that justice and mercy are incom- patible, that God could not in fairness show mercy and for- giveness. How was this issue reflected at other times in Bible history? Jude 9; Rev. 12:10. "In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was in- consistent with mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it would be impossible for the sinner to be pardoned. Every sin must meet its punishment, urged Satan; and if God should remit the punishment of sin, He would not be a God of truth and justice. When men broke the law of God, and defied His will, Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the human race must be forever shut out from God's favor. God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner."—The Desire of Ages, p. 761. How would the Godhead eventually meet this charge? Rom. 3:23-26. THINK IT THROUGH What are my attitudes toward backsliders who have been rebaptized? Do I fellowship with them graciously? "Through Jesus, God's mercy was manifested to men; but mercy does not set aside justice. The law reveals the attributes of God's character, and not a jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet man in his fallen condition. God did not change His law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man's redemp- tion."—The Desire of Ages, p. 762. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 762, 763. 37 3-A.Q. 1-76 Principles of Rebellion LESSON 4 ❑ Thursday January 22 Part 5 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high DENYING mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things CHRIST'S will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Matt. AUTHORITY 4:8, 9). The third temptation reflects the bitter antagonism of Satan which he developed in heaven toward Christ. What did he presume to demand of the Son of God? "It was in seeking to exalt himself above the Son of God that Satan had sinned in heaven."—The Desire of Ages, p. 129. "This prince of angels aspired to power which it was the prerogative of Christ alone to wield. . . . "'Why,' questioned this mighty angel, 'should Christ have the supremacy? Why is He thus honored above Lucifer?' "— The Great Controversy, pp. 494, 495. "When Satan learned the purpose of God, he was envious at Christ, and jealous because the Father had not consulted him in regard to the creation of man."—Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 36. Who at the head of the loyal angels opposed Lucifer and the rebelling angels? Rev. 12:7-9. "Michael" in Hebrew means "Who is like God?" An identifi- cation of Michael may be made by comparing Jude 9; 1 Thes- salonians 4:16; and John 5:28. Christ is the One who is like God and raises the dead. "Michael was known amongst the ancient Jews as the angel or prince who had special charge of the nation of Israel. The very best Jewish writers concur in teaching that the name 'Michael' is the same as the title `Messiah.' "—Joseph Parker, The People's Bible, vol. 16, p. 438; cited in Questions on Doctrine (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Publishing Assoc., 1957), p. 74. When did Satan's full malice break upon Christ? See Luke 22:53; Eph. 6:12. "The pent-up fires of envy and malice, hatred and revenge, burst forth on Calvary against the Son of God, while all heaven gazed upon the scene in silent horror."—The Great Contro- versy, p. 501. THINK IT THROUGH What can I do to prevent attitudes of envy and jealousy from taking root in my mind? Matt. 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:12-27. "God dispenses His gifts as it pleases Him. . . . It is in God's order that some shall be of service in one line of work, and others in other lines—all working under the selfsame Spirit. The recognition of this plan will be a safeguard against emula- tion, pride, envy, or contempt of one another. It will strengthen unity and mutual love."—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, pp. 314, 315. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, p. 600. 38 Principles of Rebellion LESSON 4 ❑ Friday January 23 Part 6 What was the divine decision regarding Lucifer and the GOD FACES other rebelling angels when they openly threw off the Crea- tor's authority? Why does this decision seem mysterious? REBELLION "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Rev. 12:9). "0 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowl- edge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways are past finding out!" (Rom. 11:33). "Many mysteries yet remain unrevealed. How much that is acknowledged to be truth is mysterious and unexplainable to the human mind! How dark seem the dispensations of Provi- dence! What necessity there is for implicit faith and trust in God's moral government!"—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1091. The existence of evil has been, and is, a great perplexity to the human mind. Human suffering is the lot of good and bad. These sufferings often cause sinful man to blame God. And at times even the righteous are perplexed. Why did the Godhead permit the angelic rebels to live and to exercise their powers? "Even when it was decided that he could no longer remain in heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since the service of love can alone be acceptable to God, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of other worlds, being unprepared to comprehend the nature or consequences of sin, could not then have seen the justice and mercy of God in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted from existence, they would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. Evil must be permitted to come to maturity. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages Satan must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might forever be placed beyond all question."—The Great Controversy, pp. 498, 499. THINK IT THROUGH How does the thought that "the just shall live by faith" (Heb. 10:38) relate to the way in which God faces rebellion? "Faith is trusting God—believing that He loves us and knows best what is for our good."—Education, p. 253. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 63-65. 39 LESSON 5 January 25-31 a 1 .aecuonem 11 Where God's law is in effect there is order and stability. Without this divine law, chaos is inevitable. "For this is the love of God, that important issue. This week we shall we keep his commandments: and study about divine law and the prin- his commandments are not griev- ciples of righteousness both physical ous" (1 John 5:3). and moral, but with particular em- phasis upon the latter. We wish to In last week's study on the prin- examine the principles upon which ciples of rebellion, as seen in the divine law rests, its qualities, and its great controversy between Lucifer necessity for human happiness. and the Deity, we noticed the op- "Those who profess to cling to position to the law of God, the ex- Christ, centering their hopes on pression of His will. The endeavor Him, while they pour contempt to assert the independence of the upon the moral law, and the proph- creature's will over that of the Crea- ecies, are in no safer position than tor's makes the law of God very cen- were the unbelieving Jews. They tral in the controversy. Hence, it is cannot understandingly call sinners important to understand the nature to repentance, for they are unable and purpose of law in the universe. to properly explain what they are to "Law is emblematic of security, repent of. The sinner, upon being stability, faithfulness, uniformity, exhorted to forsake his sins, has a equality. Absence of law means right to ask, What is sin? Those who chaos, with its attendant evils. The respect the law of God can answer, world is built on law;'the universe Sin is the transgression of the law. is obedient to it. Infraction of uni- In confirmation of this the apostle versal law would mean annihilation Paul says, I had not known sin but of the creation of God. Every part of by the law. creation is related to every other "Those only who acknowledge part, and what happens in one place the binding claim of the moral law reverberates to the ends of the uni- can explain the nature of the atone- verse. This makes universal law nec- ment."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, essary. One law must control crea- p. 229. tion everywhere. Two conflicting laws would bring disaster."—M. L. LESSON OUTLINE Andreasen, The Sanctuary Service, 2d ed. (Washington, DC: Review 1. The Laws of Nature (Ps. 119: and Herald Publishing Assoc., 1947), 90, 91) p. 257. 2. God's Will as Law (Matt. 6:10) Just as conflicting laws in the nat- 3. Basic Relationships (Matt. 22: ural world would bring physical 37-40) disaster, so conflicting laws in the 4. Man Learns His Duty (Ps. 119:73) moral world would bring moral anarchy. Today two wills are in con- 5. A Perfect Law (Ps. 119:96) flict—the will of God and the con- 6. Obedience: Secret of Happiness trary will of those creatures who (Isa. 48:18) have chosen to throw off the divine government. The universe of intel- ligent beings is watching this contest (begun in the courts of heaven) as it is being waged throughout the cen- turies of human history. It is essential for us as Christians to have a clear understanding of this Principles of Righteousness LESSON 5 ❑ Sunday January 25 Part 1 Under what governing authority does the natural world THE LAWS. function? OF NATURE "Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hest estab- lished the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day ac- cording to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants" (Ps. 119:90, 91). The outreaches of the natural sciences continue to demon- strate that our universe operates under marvelous physical laws. There could be no true study of science if the universe were not orderly. Since God's physical laws have a certain regularity about them, they are used by the psalmist to illus- trate the divine faithfulness. Plants yield seed and fruit in harmony with fixed laws deter- mined by the Creator (Gen. 1:11). Sun, moon, and stars move in precise orbits according to the arrangement and design of the divine will (Gen. 1:14-18). The amazing feat of landing man on the moon would not have been possible without a knowl- edge of and a cooperation with the physical laws that govern the universe. "Everything in nature, from the mote in the sunbeam to the worlds on high, is under law. And upon obedience to these laws the order and harmony of the natural world depend."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 48. Physical laws as they function in nature are really descrip- tions of whose operation? Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17. "Nature in her work testifies of the intelligent presence and active agency of a being who moves in all His works according to His will. It is not by an original power inherent in nature that year by year the earth yields its bounties and continues its march around the sun. The hand of infinite power is perpetually at work guiding this planet. It is God's power momentarily exercised that keeps it in position in its rotation."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 260. What lessons may the operations of divine power through physical laws in an orderly universe teach us about God? Isa. 40:26-29; Psalm 19. THINK IT THROUGH Why is it wise always to live in harmony with the laws of nature? "As the Supreme Ruler of the universe, God has ordained laws for the government not only of all living beings, but of all the operations of nature. Everything, whether great or small, animate or inanimate, is under fixed laws which cannot be disregarded. There are no exceptions to this rule; for nothing that the divine hand has made has been forgotten by the divine mind."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 216. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 259-261. 42 Principles of Righteousness LESSON 5 ❑ Monday January 26 Part 2 "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). GOD'S WILL God is the moral Governor of the universe. His will is the AS LAW basis of moral law under which all the intelligent beings of His creation live. "While everything in nature is governed by natural law, man alone, as an intelligent being, capable of understanding its requirements, is amenable to moral law. To man alone, the crowning work of His creation, God has given a conscience to realize the sacred claims of the divine law, and a heart capable of loving it as holy, just, and good; and of man prompt and perfect obedience is required. Yet God does not compel him to obey; he is left a free moral agent."—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 216. The phrase "man alone" means that as far as this earth is concerned, man is the only creature on earth amenable to moral law. Intelligent beings elsewhere in the universe are also amenable. How do loyal angels regard the will of God as it is ex- pressed to them in divine commands? Ps. 103:20. "Everything in nature . . . is under law. . . . So there are great principles of righteousness to control the life of all in- telligent beings, and upon conformity to these principles the well-being of the universe depends. Before this earth was called into being, God's law existed. Angels are governed by its principles, and in order for earth to be in harmony with heaven, man also must obey the divine statutes."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 48. Since moral law is grounded in the will and character of God, how permanent would it be? Ps. 90:2; Mal. 3:6. "The moral law was never a type or a shadow. It existed before man's creation, and will endure as long as God's throne remains. God could not change or alter one precept of His law in order to save man: for the law is the foundation of His government. It is unchangeable, unalterable, infinite, and eter- nal."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1097. THINK IT THROUGH Why are divine laws sometimes compared to a "path"? See Ps. 119:35. What is the significance of the figure? "Many are the temptations and besetments on every side to ruin the prospects of young men, both for this world and the next. But the only path of safety is for young and old to live in strict conformity to the principles of physical and moral law. The path of obedience is the only path that leads to heaven."—Temperance, p. 60. FURTHER STUDY Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, "The Spirituality of the Law," pp. 45-51. 43 Principles of Righteousness LESSON 5 ❑ Tuesday January 27 Part 3 According to Jesus, upon what two principles does the BASIC Old Testament—"the law and the prophets"—rest? RELATIONSHIPS "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matt. 22:37-40). Old Testament instruction is in reality an exposition and an application of the moral law, and we have in Jesus' statement the essential principles of that law. It is this great law of love which is the foundation of the divine government. "Before the entrance of evil there was peace and joy throughout the universe. All was in perfect harmony with the Creator's will. Love for God was supreme, love for one another impartial."—The Great Controversy, p. 493. "The law given upon Sinai was the enunciation of the prin- ciple of love, a revelation to earth of the law of heaven."— Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 46. How were our first parents created? With what kind of attitudes and character? Gen. 1:26, 27; 1 John 4:16. In view of the principles expressed by Paul in Romans 13:8-10, what should have been Adam's natural response to any of God's commands? Would this also be true of other holy intelligences in the universe? "In heaven, service is not rendered in the spirit of legality. When Satan rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awaken- ing to something unthought of. . . . Obedience is to them no drudgery. Love for God makes their service a joy."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 109. THINK IT THROUGH What was natural for holy angel and sinless man is un- natural for me. How may I attain to their willing obedience? "No man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within—when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 384. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "Like Unto Leaven," pp. 97, 98. 44 Principles of Righteousness LESSON 5 ❑ Wednesday January 28 Part 4 What does the psalmist ask the Creator to do for him? MAN LEARNS "Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me HIS DUTY understanding, that I may learn thy commandments" (Ps. 119:73.) What was true of the converted psalmist would have also been true of perfect man before the Fall, and is true of penitent man after the Fall. Those who truly love God desire to know His will. They delight to obey. "The law of God existed before man was created. The angels were governed by it. Satan fell because he transgressed the principles of God's government. After Adam and Eve were created, God made known to them his law. It was not then written, but was rehearsed to them by Jehovah."—Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 295. "These two great principles [of the law] embrace the first four commandments, showing the duty of man to God, and the last six, showing the duty of man to his fellowman. The prin- ciples were more explicitly stated to man after the fall, and worded to meet the case of fallen intelligences. This was nec- essary in consequence of the minds of men being blinded by transgression."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Com- mentary, vol. 1, p. 1104. What Biblical evidence is there for inferring that Adam's descendants knew the ten precepts of the Decalogue before the giving of the law at Sinai? First table: Gen. 35:1-4; 2:1-3; Second table: Gen. 4:8-11; 6:5, 11; 9:22, 23; 12:11-19; 27:11- 13, 35, 36; 31:30, 32; 39:7-9. The book of Genesis briefly sketches the first 2500 years of human history, so we cannot expect too much detail. However, these passages, and others which could be cited, give clear evidence that mankind had a sense of right and wrong as de- fined by the Decalogue. Since the Bible indicates that the law was not written down until Sinai, we infer that the Lord gave it orally to Adam, who in turn transmitted it to his progeny. THINK IT THROUGH Why does obedience to God's moral law of the Ten Com- mandments promote physical health? "The love of Jesus in the soul will banish all hatred, selfish- ness, and envy; for the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. There is health in obedience to God's law. The affec- tions of the obedient are drawn out after God. Looking unto the Lord Jesus, we may encourage and serve one another. The love of Christ is shed abroad in our souls, and there is no dis- sension and strife among us."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1105. FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 220, 229, 230. 45 Principles of Righteousness LESSON 5 ❑ Thursday January 29 Part 5 "I see that all things come to an end, A PERFECT LAW but thy commandment has no limit" (Ps. 119:96, NEB). The moral law of the Ten Commandments is no mere check- list of rules. Its precepts reflect the character of its Author; its spiritual nature reaches into the intents and motives of the heart. Examine the following passages and compare the attributes of God's character with the descriptions of the law. God Moral Law a. 1 Peter 1:16 a. Rom. 7:12 b. Rev. 15:3 b. Rom. 7:12; 1 John 5:3 c. Ps. 25:8 c. Rom. 7:12 d. Ps. 11:7 d. Ps. 119:172 e. 1 John 4:8 e. Matt. 22:36-40; Rom. 13:8-10 f. Matt. 5:48 f. Ps. 19:7 g. Ps. 90:2 g. Ps. 111:7, 8 How do the above passages show that it would be impos- sible for God to abolish the Ten Commandments? "The God of heaven has placed a benediction upon them that keep the commandments of God. Shall we stand as a peculiar people of God, or shall we trample upon the law of God and say it is not binding? God might just as well have abolished Himself. In the law every specification is the char- acter of the infinite God."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1104. "Our duty to obey this law is to be the burden of this last message of mercy to the world. God's law is not a new thing. It is not holiness created, but holiness made known. It is a code of principles expressing mercy, goodness, and love. It presents to fallen humanity the character of God, and states plainly the whole duty of man."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, pp. 1104, 1105. How do the Ten Commandments differ from human codes of conduct? Rom. 7:12, 14; Matt. 5:27, 28. "The law of God . . . reaches to the thoughts and feelings. . . . If the law extended to the outward conduct only, men would not be guilty in their wrong thoughts, desires, and de- signs. But the law requires that the soul itself be pure and the mind holy, that the thoughts and feelings may be in accordance with the standard of love and righteousness.—Selected Mes- sages, bk. 1, p. 211. THINK IT THROUGH Why is it that no true obedience can be rendered to God without a genuine conversion? FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 216-220. 46 Principles of Righteousness LESSON 5 ❑ Friday January 30 Part 6 "0 that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then OBEDIENCE: had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea" (Isa. 48:18). SECRET OF HAPPINESS In this passage what did God imply was the secret for true and lasting happiness for the nation of Israel? God intended Israel to illustrate the divine principles to the populations of earth and heaven. Peace and happiness would have followed upon their obedience. Just so, happiness would have deepened in the sinless universe if Lucifer had not per- sisted in his challenges. Carried out in everyday life, the principle of impartial love would lead to honor and respect for lawful authority—parental, church, school, and state. It would lead one to do all those things which would tend to promote the health, happiness, and welfare of one's fellow beings. If God were loved supremely, He alone would have first place in the life. He would be worshiped in spirit and in truth. All that was holy and sacred to God would be revered and respected. The holy Sabbath would be as a golden clasp, bind- ing the child of God to the heavenly Father. A vertical love re- lationship with God would motivate such a horizontal love rela- tionship with all other members of society that it would seem that heaven had come to earth! Such was the society of heaven before Lucifer's disaffection. Such will be the society of the redeemed when the plan of sal- vation is completed. After an elusive quest for happiness, what did the wise man conclude was best for man? Ecc. 12:13. "Obedience to the law is essential, not only to our salvation, but to our own happiness and the happiness of all with whom we are connected. 'Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them' (Ps. 119:165)."—Selected Mes- sages, bk. 1, pp. 218, 219. THINK IT THROUGH What fruits has disobedience to the Creator's will brought to human society? My personal disobedience has brought what results to me? "Our world is a vast lazar house, a scene of misery that we dare not allow even our thoughts to dwell upon. Did we realize it as it is, the burden would be too terrible. Yet God feels it all. In order to destroy sin and its results He gave His best Beloved, and He has put it in our power, through co-operation with Him, to bring this scene of misery to an end."—Education, p. 264. FURTHER STUDY Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 221-225. 47 LESSON 6 February 1-7 .71 Arnr- • AWorld Astray eeause carnal iii d enmity against God for not sub eet ftT) the I w G d neithe eed can be" (Rom. ano closing the fruits of disobedience. And the universe of intelligent be- ings is watching it all. "When Satan was thrust out of heaven, he determined to make the earth his kingdom. When he temp- ted and overcame Adam and Eve, he thought that he had gained pos- session of this world; 'because,' said he, 'they have chosen me as their ruler.' He claimed that it was im- possible that forgiveness should be granted to the sinner, and therefore the fallen race were his rightful sub- jects, and the world was his. But God "The carnal mind is enmity gave His own dear Son—one equal against God: for it is not subject to with Himself—to bear the penalty the law of God, neither indeed of transgression, and thus He pro- can be" (Rom. 8:7). vided a way by which•they might be restored to His favor, and brought With the expulsion of Lucifer and back to their Eden home. Christ his angels from heaven, the contro- undertook to redeem man and to versy over the law and authority of rescue the world from the grasp of God was transferred to earth. The Satan. The great controversy begun fall of Adam and Eve was a signal in heaven was to be decided in the victory for Satan—exhibit A—in his very world, on the very same field, challenge that the law of God was that Satan claimed as his."—Patri- arbitrary and impossible to keep. archs and Prophets, p. 69. Depraved by sin, the human mind is The results of throwing off the now self-centered as is Satan's. It yoke of the divine government are ever seeks to be independent of the rapidly seen in all their dark colors divine will. in man's forgetfulness of God, his And so the course of rebellion arrogance, his inhumanity to his fel- continued to run and to widen in lows, and the depths of moral deg- the earth, Satan's beachhead on the radation to which he descends in periphery of God's universe. The just a few short centuries. With the issue remains the same. "From call of Abraham and the establish- Adam's day to the present time the ment of Israel, God begins in an great controversy has been concern- organized manner to reveal the ing obedience to God's law."— goodness of the divine government. Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 73. But if this earth is the devil's LESSON OUTLINE beachhead, it has also become a stage upon which is being enacted 1. Fall of Man (Rom. 5:12) the principles of both Creator and 2. Cain and Abel (1 John 3:12) rebel—the principle of love and the 3. Before the Flood (Rom. 1:21) principle of selfishness. The plan of 4. The Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1, 2) salvation and the participants in it are displaying the character of God 5. Sodom (Rom. 1:28) and the results of obedience to His 6. Abraham and Israel (Gen. 12:1-3) law. The course of rebellion is dis- A World Astray LESSON 6 ❑ Sunday February I Part 1 How did humanity become involved in the angelic revolt? FALL OF MAN "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12). "God placed man under law, as an indispensable condition of his very existence. He was a subject of the divine govern- ment, and there can be no government without law. . . With- out freedom of choice, his obedience would not have been voluntary, but forced. There could have been no development of character. Such a course would have been contrary to God's plan in dealing with the inhabitants of other worlds. It would have been unworthy of man as an intelligent being, and would have sustained Satan's charge of God's arbitrary rule."—Pa- triarchs and Prophets, p. 49. Analyze the temptation and Fall in Gen. 3:1-6. Eve took three steps which Adam also eventually took. What was the first step by which Satan (by means of the serpent) created an atmosphere? Having succeeded in planting in Eve's mind a doubt and a distrust of God, Satan suspected that she would take two further steps on her own. What were they? "There was nothing poisonous in the fruit itself, and the sin was not merely in yielding to appetite. It was distrust of God's goodness, disbelief of His word, and refection of His authority, that made our first parents transgressors, and that brought into the world a knowledge of evil. It was this that opened the door to every species of falsehood and error."—Education, p. 25. The similarity between the fall of Eve (and later Adam) and that of Lucifer should be noted. Eve came to cherish a distrust of God's character. Distrust led her to disbelieve the necessity of His command. The next step was open disobedience. The sequence was triggered by a suggested appeal to assert her independence and become like God. Adam traversed the same steps under Eve as his temptress. THINK IT THROUGH Why does God view so seriously what we regard as small sins? "Adam yielded to temptation and as we have the matter of sin and its consequence laid so distinctly before us, we can read from cause to effect and see the greatness of the act is not that which constitutes sin; but the disobedience of God's expressed will, which is a virtual denial of God, refusing the laws of His government."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1083. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 52-62. 50 A World Astray LESSON 6 ❑ Monday February 2 Part 2 Of whose spirit did Cain partake which prompted him to CAIN AND ABEL murder Abel? "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous" (1 John 3:12). "He [Cain] permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to Satan's fall—indulging the desire for self-exaltation and questioning the divine justice and authority."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 71. In the account of Cain and Abel we catch a glimpse of the deadly serious controversy as it began to appear in the earth. At times it is seen in a warfare against the "seed of the woman" (God's followers) by the "seed" of the serpent (Satan's follow- ers). The first fruit of the satanic principle of self was self-justifi- cation (Gen. 3:9-13); the second was murder. What was the experience which produced such anger in Cain's mind against Abel? Gen. 4:2-5. In the brief account we see two reactions to the law and authority of God. Abel loved God supremely. Touched by the divine compassion which had provided a plan, he offered the prescribed typical sacrifice, trusting in the merits of the coming Saviour (Heb. 11:4). His love for God led him to have a concern for Cain. The older brother, however, showed his contempt for the Creator by the kind of offering he brought. Thus without the fear of God before his eyes, he was led in his anger at Abel's loyalty to break the law's second principle and to murder his own brother. What was Cain's punishment? Gen. 4:11-15. What was the divine purpose in sparing his life? "In sparing the life of the first murderer, God presented before the whole universe a lesson bearing upon the great controversy. . . . Fifteen centuries after the sentence pro- nounced upon Cain, the universe witnessed the fruition of his influence and example, in the crime and pollution that flooded the earth."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 78. THINK IT THROUGH What influence do loyal, radiant Christians have on me? Do they anger or humble me? "There are many who have outgrown their advent faith. They are living for the world, and while saying in their hearts, as they desire it shall be, 'My Lord delayeth His coming,' they are beating their fellow servants. They do this for the same reason that Cain killed Abel."—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 77. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 71-79. 51 4-A.Q. 1-76 A World Astray LESSON 6 ❑ Tuesday February 3 Part 3 How did mankind in the antediluvian world attempt to BEFORE THE dispense with the claims of the first table of the law? FLOOD "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Rom. 1:21). What was one of the prime factors in the deepening rebel- lion against God in the earth? Gen. 6:1, 2. "The children of Seth, attracted by the beauty of the daugh- ters of Cain's descendants, displeased the Lord by intermarry- ing with them.... Mingling with the depraved, they became like them in spirit and in deeds; the restrictions of the seventh commandment were disregarded, 'and they took them wives of all which they chose.' . . . Sin spread abroad in the earth like a deadly leprosy."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 81, 82. What was the result of displacing God from the center of life in that age? Luke 17:26, 27; Gen. 6:5, 11. "The holy inhabitants of other worlds were watching with the deepest interest. . . . In the condition of the world that ex- isted before the Flood they saw illustrated the results of the administration which Lucifer had endeavored to establish in heaven, in rejecting the authority of Christ and casting aside the law of God. In those high-handed sinners of the antedilu- vian world . . every emotion, every impulse and imagination, was at war with the divine principles of purity and peace and love. It was an example of the awful depravity resulting from Satan's policy to remove from God's creatures the restraint of His holy law."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 78, 79. What message and with what success did Noah offer those sin-hardened generations? 2 Peter 2:5; Heb. 11:7. THINK IT THROUGH What is today's lawlessness, its physical and moral pollu- tion, saying to me, and with what success? See Luke 17:26, 27. "The spirit of anarchy is permeating all nations. . . . The picture . . . of the antediluvian world represents . . . the con- dition to which modern society is fast hastening.... There are crimes daily perpetrated as black and terrible as those for which the old-world sinners were destroyed."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 102. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 90-97. 52 A World Astray LESSON 6 ❑ Wednesday February 4 Part 4 As the descendants of Noah began to multiply, a group THE TOWER of them migrated away from the others to establish them- selves in what area? OF BABEL "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there" (Gen. 11:1, 2). See also Dan. 1:1, 2. "As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their Creator and to cast off the restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teach- ing and example of their God-fearing associates, and after a time they decided to separate from the worshipers of God." —Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 118. What instruction had God originally given Adam and had repeated to Noah? Gen. 1:28; 9:1. In opposition to the divine plan what did the people in Shinar decide to do? What were they apparently attempting to establish? Gen. 11:3, 4; 10:8-10. The founding of the world's first kingdom at Babel appears also to have been the first organized attempt to defy the author- ity and government of God. While the records are brief, it is clear that the decision to build the city and the tower was in opposition to the divine command to scatter over the earth and subdue it. The sin was not in building a city but in rejecting the divine authority which had commanded dispersion for the future good of all. "This confederacy was born of rebellion against God. The dwellers on the plain of Shinar established their kingdom for self-exaltation, not for the glory of God. Had they succeeded, a mighty power would have borne sway, banishing righteous- ness and inaugurating a new religion. The world would have been demoralized. . . . The law of Jehovah would have been ignored and forgotten."—Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 213, 214. THINK IT THROUGH As a Christian, what encouragement may I derive from the Babel account? See Gen. 11:5-8. "God bears long with the perversity of men, giving them am- ple opportunity for repentance; but He marks all their devices to resist the authority of His just and holy law. From time to time the unseen hand that holds the scepter of government is stretched out to restrain iniquity. Unmistakable evidence is given that the Creator of the universe, ... is the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, and that none can with impunity defy His power."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 123. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 117-124. 53 A World Astray LESSON 6 ❑ Thursday February 5 Part 5 When men insist on following their own evil purposes, SODOM what does God permit? "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient" (Rom. 1:28). In asserting his independence of God the individual thinks to gain a more exalted state of existence and vast freedom. But the long history of sin has proved a fundamental truth: If man will not worship what is above him, he will worship that which is beneath him. Sodom is an exhibit of the depth of moral degradation and pollution to which the human mind can de- scend when self is made the center of existence. What were some of the factors which led the inhabitants of Sodom into a preoccupation with sexual perversion? Eze. 16:49, 50. "The people openly defied God and His law and delighted in deeds of violence."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 157. Note the violations of the divine principles. The people were proud, haughty, self-centered, and independent of God. Abundantly supplied with food, they did not need to engage in physically tiring labor; this situation also provided them with much leisure. They had no care for the less fortunate among them. Turned inward upon themselves, they sought meaning in degrading perversions of their physical powers. Because God does not immediately punish men in their rebellion and sins, how do they often react? Eccl. 8:11. When Lot endeavored to warn his sons-in-law of the im- pending doom of the vile city, "he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting" (Gen. 19:14, RSV). What warning did God intend the judgment and destruc- tion of Sodom to give to succeeding generations of men? Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:6. THINK IT THROUGH In what profitable ways am I using my leisure time? "There is nothing more desired among men than riches and leisure, and yet these gave birth to the sins that brought de- struction upon the cities of the plain. Their useless, idle life made them a prey to Satan's temptations, and they defaced the image of God. . . . Idleness is the greatest curse that can fall upon man, for vice and crime follow in its train. .. . Satan lies in ambush. . . . He is never more successful than when he comes to men in their idle hours."—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 156, 157. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 166-170. 54 A World Astray LESSON 6 ❑ Friday February 6 Part 6 "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy ABRAHAM country, and from thy kindred, . . . unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation . . . : and AND ISRAEL in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 12:1-3). "The Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations." —Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 125. With the call of Abraham God initiated a new program from the divine side of the controversy. He would organize Abra- ham's descendants into a nation to whom He would entrust a true knowledge of Himself, His law, and His plan of salva- tion. As the nation lived in obedience to God, they would re- veal to the earth and the universe the blessed fruits of supreme love for God and impartial love for one's fellows. The nation would be His agent to earth's inhabitants, and through it would come the Redeemer of all mankind. When the nation was organized at Sinai, what did God say they would be? Ex. 19:5, 6. To assist them in discharging their task, where did the Lord strategically place Israel? Eze. 5:5. With what did the Lord entrust the nation? Rom. 3:1, 2; 9:4, 5. "God had separated them [Israel] from the world, that He might commit to them a sacred trust. He had made them the depositaries of His law, and He purposed, through them, to preserve among men the knowledge of Himself. Thus the light of heaven was to shine out to a world enshrouded in darkness." —Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 314. As God's agent what would Israel offer to the world which was following satanic principles? John 4:22. What did God intend His temple in Israel to become? Isa. 56:6, 7. Israel was to be a model of the divine rule; the other nations would reflect the principles of Satan. THINK IT THROUGH What kind of witness do I give of the divine rule in my life which will attract others to God? "Only through a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour is it possible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. If we would draw sinners out of the swift-running current, our own feet must be firmly set upon the Rock, Christ Jesus."— The Ministry of Healing, pp. 469, 470. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "The Lord's Vineyard," pp. 284-290. 55 LESSON 7 February 8-14 Righteousness Exalts a Nation In a world controlled by Satanic agencies, those who remain true to God are protected by His love. "It is an abomination to kings to slow torture. These and other inhu- commit wickedness: for the throne is man practices reveal the cruelty of established by righteousness" (Prov. this nation. Their royal inscriptions 16:12). continually exult over the number of enemies killed, captives carried "In history and prophecy the off, cities razed and plundered, lands Word of God portrays the long con- wasted, and fruit trees destroyed." tinued conflict between truth and —SDA Bible Commentary, on Na- error. That conflict is yet in prog- hum 3:1. ress."—Selected Messages, bk. 2, Assyria reflected the working out p. 109. of satanic principles. Again the uni- In the second millennium BC verse, as well as man, could see the (about 1950 BC) Abraham was born. fruits of throwing off the restraints God chose him to be the father of of divine law and trampling upon a nation that would preserve the the principles upon which that law principles of His law and the truths rested. of the plan of salvation. In the same Through Jonah, God sought to millennium, about the nineteenth rescue the Ninevites from satanic century BC, Assyria first appears in leading and to give them an oppor- secular history. Assyria became one tunity to know the principles of righ- of the great nations of antiquity teousness. He sought to prevent an through whom Satan sought to work unfortunate alliance between the out his principles and to control the two nations in the time of Isaiah, lest earth. His people be drawn away from the The period of Assyrian domi- truth. Finally, in justice God abased nance came in what might be this haughty power, utterly destroy- termed its empire period between ing it. The pride and fall of Assyria 933 and 612 BC. The nation became are an object lesson to us in history. very strong, ruling at times over all This week we shall study some of the Mesopotamia and neighboring admonitions or warnings to be areas, Syria, Palestine, parts of Ana- gained from Assyria's experience. tolia (Asia Minor), and, for a short time, Egypt. LESSON OUTLINE During the empire period the na- tions of the Hebrews and Assyrians 1. God's Concern for Nations came into close contact. The He- (Jonah 1:1, 2) brew people represented the Crea- 2. A Preacher Provided (Jonah tor and were in possession of His 3:1, 2) law defining man's duty to God and 3. Human Alliances Unwise to his fellows. Assyria eventually (Isa. 8:10) came under the full control of Sa- 4. Nations Under God's Control tan, violating the principles of both (Deut. 28:1) tables of the law. Proud in its in- 5. A God In Israel (2 Chron. 32:7, 8) dependence, the nation became a bloody military machine whose wor- 6. Pride and Overthrow (Prov. 16: ship of the god Ashur was fulfilled 18; Luke 14:11) in acts of war. "The Assyrian monuments abun- dantly depict how captives were flayed, decapitated, impaled alive, or hanged by hands and feet to die in Righteousness Exalts a Nation LESSON 7 ❑ Sunday February 8 Part 1 Why was Jonah, a prophet of Israel, sent on a mission to GOD'S CONCERN Nineveh? FOR NATIONS "Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me" (Jonah 1:1, 2). Nineveh, one of the great cities of antiquity and sometime capital of the Assyrian kingdom, was built by Nimrod after the dispersion from Babel (Gen. 10:8-11, RSV; see SDA Bible Com- mentary). The walls, still discernible, indicate a perimeter of about seven and one-half miles, enclosing 1640 acres. Since no city in Palestine exceeded 20 acres, except Jerusalem (86 acres), the Assyrian capital appeared as "an exceeding great city." In what spiritual condition was this pagan city? Jonah 1:2; 3:8; 4:11. "In the time of its temporal prosperity Nineveh was a center of crime and wickedness.... "Yet Nineveh, wicked though it had become, was not wholly given over to evil. . . . [God] perceived in that city many who were reaching out after something better and higher, and who, if granted opportunity to learn of the living God, would put away their evil deeds and worship Him."—Prophets and Kings, pp. 265, 266. The situation that was fast obtaining in Nineveh was similar to that of the antediluvian world. The satanic principle of selfish- ness ruled, with the natural result of the violation of the second table of the law. But the principles of righteousness were not wholly effaced, and a representative from God's organized people was sent to warn them of coming judgment. The intent was to awaken the people to their deep spiritual need. In another age how did Paul also appeal to the still ex- isting moral sense of pagans? Acts 17:30, 31; 24:25. THINK IT THROUGH What can I do to reach my neighbors with Christ's last message in the place where I live? "God's messengers in the great cities are not to become discouraged over the wickedness, the injustice, the depravity, which they are called upon to face while endeavoring to pro- claim the glad tidings of salvation. . . . In every city, filled though it may be with violence and crime, there are many who with proper teaching may learn to become followers of Jesus. Thousands may thus be reached with saving truth and be led to receive Christ as a personal Saviour."—Prophets and Kings, page 277. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pages 274-278. 58 Righteousness Exalts a Nation LESSON 7 ❑ Monday February 9 Part 2 How many times did God request Jonah to go with His A PREACHER message to Nineveh? Why do you suppose the prophet was so reluctant? PROVIDED "And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee" (Jonah 3:1, 2). "As the prophet thought of the difficulties and seeming im- possibilities of this commission, he was tempted to question the wisdom of the call. From a human viewpoint it seemed as if nothing could be gained by proclaiming such a message in that proud city. He forgot for the moment that the God whom he served was all-wise and all-powerful. While he hesitated, still doubting, Satan overwhelmed him with discouragement." —Prophets and Kings, p. 266. As the Spirit of God convicted the consciences of the peo- ple under Jonah's preaching, what amazing thing took place? Jonah 3:5-9; Matt. 12:41. What was the Creator's response to the repentance of the Assyrians? Jonah 3:10. "Their doom was averted, the God of Israel was exalted and honored throughout the heathen world, and His law revered." —Prophets and Kings, p. 271. The success of Jonah's preaching among that portion of the human family whose knowledge of God had largely faded is encouraging, for the task is still before the church to witness to similar cultures in our times. Unfortunately, how did Jonah, in the face of heaven's success, fail to represent God's character? Jonah 41-11. "He should have been the first to rejoice because of God's amazing grace; but instead he allowed his mind to dwell upon the possibility of his being regarded as a false prophet. Jealous of his reputation, he lost sight of the infinitely greater value of the souls of that wretched city."—Prophets and Kings, p. 271. THINK IT THROUGH Am I a modern Jonah, reluctant to share my faith? How can I overcome this reserve? "As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. . . . We can tell how we have tested His promise, and found the promise true. We can bear witness to what we have known of the grace of Christ. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which the world is perishing."—The Desire of Ages, p. 340. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 265-273. 59 Righteousness Exalts a Nation LESSON 7 ❑ Tuesday February 10 Part 3 "Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught: speak HUMAN the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us" (Isa. 8:10). ALLIANCES The story of Jonah and his relations with Nineveh indicates UNWISE that God is concerned for the safety and salvation of heathen nations. But this does not mean that God's chosen people were to feel free to turn to those nations for help in time of national danger. God is the only true source of help when the enemy threatens. See 2 Chron. 16:1-8. In this part of the lesson we see how Ahaz, king of Judah (about 734 BC) was threatened by two political powers to the north of his kingdom, Syria and Israel (Isa. 7:1). In his concern for national safety he thought of allying him- self with Assyria in order to avert danger. But God sent a mes- sage to him through Isaiah (Isa. 7:3-7). Ahaz was not to worry about human threats, because God had everything in control. To assure Ahaz that God would protect Judah, what did God offer to do? With what response? Isa. 7:10-12. Rather than trust in the omnipotent God, what political alliance did Ahaz form to solve his problem? 2 Kings 16:7-9. Ahaz made a serious mistake in allying two governments built on diametrically opposing principles. Judah was grounded in God's law which made God central in the life, resulting in impartial love to man. Self was god in Assyria, and cruelty to man was commonplace. What important counsel did the prophet give Ahaz and his people who wished to rely on Assyria? Isa. 8:12, 13. Ahaz came under the rebuke of God because he chose to trust in a heathen power for help rather than in the Lord, the true Ruler. This double allegiance was designated by God as spiritual adultery. See Eze. 16:14, 15, 17. Isaiah appealed for freedom from any compromising entanglements. THINK IT THROUGH Do I have any connections with unbelievers which tend to draw me away from Christ? See 2 Cor. 6:14-18. Should I cut all relationships with those not of my faith? John 17:15 helps to clarify this question. "Let the watchmen on the walls of Zion not join with . . . the confederacy of infidelity, popery, and Protestantism in ex- alting tradition above Scripture, reason above revelation, and human talent above the divine influence and the vital power of godliness."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commen- tary, vol. 4, pp. 1141, 1142. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 322-330. 60 Righteousness Exalts a Nation LESSON 7 ❑ Wednesday February 11 Part 4 What spiritual factor was important to Israel's civil suc- NATIONS cess? "If you obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful UNDER GOD'S to do all his commandments which I command you this day, CONTROL the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth" (Deut. 28:1, RSV). Governments have been ordained by God for the happiness of human life. See Rom. 13:1. Governments rule in the sphere of the second table of the law to provide orderly social life. Gov- ernments may not know of the Creator, but they are respon- sible nevertheless for the just care of their peoples and fair dealings with other nations. Violation of the principle under- girding the second table of the law by any government is sow- ing the seeds of its own destruction. This is the lesson of his- tory. "To understand these things,—to understand that righteous- ness exalteth a nation' . . . ,—this is to understand the philos- ophy of history.... "In the word of God only is this clearly set forth. Here is shown that the strength of nations, as of individuals, is not found in the opportunities or facilities that appear to make them invincible; it is not found in their boasted greatness. It is measured by the fidelity with which they fulfill God's purpose." —Prophets and Kings, p. 502. Because Ahaz and the nation failed to trust God, what did God permit the "ally" to do? Isa. 8:7, 8. Although God overruled the invasions of Assyria to dis- cipline sinful Judah, what really motivated the Assyrians? Isa. 10:5-14. The Assyrians developed an efficient army, including siege machines and cavalry. They were cruel to the conquered, at times decapitating, piling their heads at the gates of the ruined city, or impaling the victims on stakes. Spared captives were stripped naked at times to be led away. Entire populations were often transplanted. The arrogant Assyrians reflected the spirit of Satan. No government built on human slaughter can long exist. THINK IT THROUGH What are my aims in life? Is it sometimes necessary to "tread on a few toes" to establish a principle? "A well-nigh universal disregard of the law of Jehovah is rapidly making the world like the cities of Sodom and Gomor- rah. ... Iniquity and crime of every order are found in the high places of the earth, and those who assent to these wrongs are seeking to shield the guilty ones from punishment. . . . "The Lord is permitting these men to expose one another in their evil deeds."—Testimonies to Ministers, page 457. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 500-502. 61 Righteousness Exalts a Nation LESSON 7 ❑ Thursday February 12 Part 5 Why did Hezekiah believe that Judah (loyal to God at A GOD IN ISRAEL this time) would not be subjugated by Assyria? "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles" (2 Chron. 32:7, 8). Approximately a hundred years earlier God had been gra- cious to the Assyrian nation through the preaching of Jonah. But Assyria had long since lost the fear of God and was now attempting the conquest of Judah, the remnant of God's peo- ple. "The rulers of Assyria, instead of using their unusual bless- ings for the benefit of mankind, became the scourge of many lands. Merciless, with no thought of God or their fellow men, they pursued the fixed policy of causing all nations to acknowl- edge the supremacy of the gods of Nineveh, whom they exalted above the Most High. God had sent Jonah to them with a message of warning, and for a season they humbled them- selves before the Lord of hosts and sought forgiveness. But soon they turned again to idol worship and to the conquest of the world."—Prophets and Kings, p. 363. In his last invasion of Palestine what boastful message did Sennacherib send to the Hebrew nation in an attempt to frighten the people into surrender? Isa. 36:18-20. Sennacherib was diverted with part of his force to meet an Egyptian army advancing into Palestine from the south. Before the other portion of his army besieged Jerusalem, he sent an- other challenge in the form of a letter. What was the substance of Hezekiah's prayer as he spread this letter out before the Lord? Isa. 37:19, 20. What was God's response through Isaiah and through His angel messenger? Isa. 37:33-38. "The God of the Hebrews had prevailed over the proud Assyrian. The honor of Jehovah was vindicated in the eyes of the surrounding nations."—Prophets and Kings, p. 361. THINK IT THROUGH How do I react when a crisis comes into my life? "He [God] has often permitted matters with nations, with families, and with individuals to come to a crisis, that His in- terference might become marked. Then He has let the fact be known that there is a God in Israel who would sustain and vindicated His people."—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 353. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 349-361. 62 Righteousness Exalts a Nation LESSON 7 ❑ Friday February 13 Part 6 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit PRIDE AND before a fall" (Prov. 16:18). OVERTHROW "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased" (Luke 14:11). To what pinnacle of self-adulation had Nineveh and As- syria reached a century and a half after Jonah? Zeph. 2:15. In this proud boast, "I am, and there is none beside me," the Assyrians usurped the place of God and violated the first table of the law. Satan was speaking again through this earthly power. The book of Nahum announces the day of judgment on Nineveh and Assyria. What statement does God make three times? What is the significance of the repetition? Nahum 1:2, 3. God is jealous in the sense that He will not accept a divided allegiance. Once Nineveh had repented and had turned to Him. But in time the Assyrians went back to their idolatry, be- coming merciless in their conquests of other peoples. The blood of their inhuman slaughters called for justice. How effective would be the final destruction of the As- syrians and their capital? Nahum 1:8-10, 14. So closely did Assyria assimilate the proud, self-centered spirit of Satan that its judgment of total extinction is a type of the final eradication of sin. Sin will never arise again, be- cause "a tested and proved creation will never again be turned from allegiance to Him whose character has been fully mani- fested before them as fathomless love and infinite wisdom." .- —The Great Controversy, p. 504. How does Nahum describe the battle of Nineveh? Nahum 2:1, 3, 4; 3:1-3. In 612 BC the combined armies of Nabopolassar and Cyax- ares, kings of Babylon and of the Medes respectively, attacked Nineveh. In three months the city fell. Assyria's day of grace was spent. THINK IT THROUGH What would God have me to learn from Assyria about the seriousness of probationary time? "With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps account with the nations. While His mercy is tendered, with calls to re- pentance, this account remains open; but when the figures reach a certain amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath begins. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. Mercy no longer pleads in their behalf."—Prophets and Kings, page 364. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 104-106. 63 LESSON 8 February 15-21 The Rise and Fall of Empires "Remember the former things of God of heaven and His law. The old: for I am God, and there is none story of Assyria is repeated. Some- else; I am God, and there is none times there is submission; but even- like me, declaring the end from the tual rejection of the divine princi- beginning, and from ancient times ples of righteousness brought disso- the things that are not yet done, lution. saying, My counsel shall stand, and "Read the book of Daniel. Call up, I will do all my pleasure" (Isa. point by point, the history of the 46:9, 10). kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful arm- The great moral controversy be- ies, and see how God wrought to tween God and Satan has become abase the pride of men, and lay hu- involved in human existence, be- man glory in the dust. God alone is cause Satan tries to dominate the represented as great. In the vision of earth. Here the archrebel endeavors the prophet He is seen casting down to carry out the principles of his au- one mighty ruler, and setting up an- thority through nations as well as other. He is revealed as the monarch through individuals. of the universe, about to set up His The nations, characterized in Bible everlasting kingdom,---the Ancient of prophecy as wild beasts, do not rise days, the living God, the Source of and fall simply because of their all wisdom, the Ruler of the present, prowess or lack of it. The Scriptures the Revealer of the future. Read, and make it evident that their existence, understand how poor, how frail, and success or failure, is intimately how short-lived, how erring, how connected with the moral contro- guilty is man in lifting up his soul versy—with their adherence to or unto van ity."—Ellen G. White Com- their violation of the principles of ments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. God's law. 4, p. 1166. From the narrow viewpoint of our humanity it seems that human his- LESSON OUTLINE tory could continue on forever as a struggle for dominion between this 1. A God in Heaven'(Dan. 2:28) power or that, unless in a moment 2. Loyalty to God (Dan. 1:8) of madness some nation should in- 3. Obedience Vindicated (Dan. stigate a nuclear war, blotting out 3:14, 15) all human life. 4. Rulers by Permission (Dan. 4:17) God, however, has foretold in the 5. Results of Self-exaltation (Isa. prophecies of Daniel the basic se- 47:1, 7, 8) quence of events to come. The as- surance is also given of the ultimate 6. Consequences of Wrongdoing defeat of Satan and the full estab- (Dan. 5:23) lishment of the victorious kingdom of God on earth. In the history presented in ad- vance to the prophet we may also trace the reason why those nations— and others like them—declined and fell, giving way to other govern- ments. In the episodes of the book of Daniel we shall see this week how Babylon and her kings related to the The Rise and Fall of Empires LESSON 8 ❑ Sunday February 15 Part 1 "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in A GOD IN the latter days" (Dan. 2:28). HEAVEN As the Assyrian power vanished in the Near East near the close of the seventh century BC, the neo-Babylonian Empire arose under Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar to fill the political vacuum. It was during the reign of the latter that God revealed to him through the prophet Daniel that there was a God in heaven who was in control of the rise and fall of politi- cal kingdoms until the end of human history when God himself would establish His eternal kingdom. What was the substance of Nebuchadnezzar's dream which none could tell him except God's prophet? Dan. 2:31-35. Give Daniel's brief but comprehensive interpretation of the dream. With what kingdom did it begin? Dan. 2:36-45. It has been generally accepted by Christians that the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream depicted the four world kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The division of the Roman Empire, symbolized by the iron and clay and repre- senting the nations of Western Europe, would be followed by the destruction of all human kingdoms and the setting up of the divine rule over the earth. Thus in a sweeping prophetic portrayal we are informed of the outcome of the great controversy between the principles of righteousness and of evil—between God and Satan—as it is being fought out in the political arena of human life. How were these four powers, and the division of the fourth, depicted to Daniel on a later occasion? Dan. 7:1-7, 15-18, 23, 24. Daniel 2 presents a simple outline of succeeding powers. But Daniel 7 portrays them as wild, rapacious beasts and dis- closes the satanic endeavor to work through these kingdoms. Haughty and despotic at times, they acted as though they were not amenable to either God or man. At times God revealed His principles of righteousness to their leaders by His representa- tives with some success. THINK IT THROUGH Why are political powers not permanent? What is the spir- itual dimension to human government? Babylon, which "seemed so stable and enduring, . . . has perished. . . . So perished the Medo-Persian kingdom, and the kingdoms of Grecia and Rome. And so perishes all that has not God for its foundation. Only that which is bound up with His purpose, and expresses His character, can endure. His principles are the only steadfast things our world knows."— Prophets and Kings, p. 548. FURTHER STUDY Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 374, 375. 66 The Rise and Fall of Empires LESSON 8 ❑ Monday February 16 Part 2 As captives required to study in the schools of Babylon, LOYALTY TO GOD what did Daniel and his friends decide to do about the king's diet supplied to them? "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself" (Dan. 1:8). At the outset of Daniel's captivity the lesser officers of the Babylonian court were given an example of fidelity to the law of the God of heaven by Daniel and his three friends. Although the Bible does not mention the other royal captives of Judah, we have this record that Daniel and his friends chose not to eat the king's food. "A portion having been offered to idols, the food from the king's table was consecrated to idolatry; and one partaking of it would be regarded as offering homage to the gods of Baby- lon. In such homage, loyalty to Jehovah forbade Daniel and his companions to join. Even a mere pretense of eating the food or drinking the wine would be a denial of their faith. To do this would be to array themselves with heathenism, and to dishonor the principles of the law of God."—Prophets and Kings, p. 481. While the prince of the eunuchs was unwilling to change their diet, what plan did Daniel courteously present to Melzar who had the immediate charge of them? Dan. 1:11-16. What success did these young men attain in their studies under the Babylonians? Dan. 1:17-20. "They followed the rules of life that could not fail to give them strength of intellect. They sought to acquire knowledge for one purpose—that they might honor God. They realized that in order to stand as representatives of true religion amid the false religions of heathenism they must have clearness of in- tellect and must perfect a Christian character. . . . Constantly praying, conscientiously studying, keeping in touch with the Unseen, they walked with God as did Enoch."—Prophets and Kings, p. 486. THINK IT THROUGH What relationship exists between spiritual development and mental acumen? "As in the case of Daniel, in exact proportion as the spir- itual character is developed, the intellectual capabilities are increased. He who loves God with all his heart and his neigh- bor as himself, attains this position through the working of the Holy Spirit upon mind and heart."—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, March 22, 1898. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 479-490. 67 The Rise and Fall of Empires LESSON 8 ❑ Tuesday February 17 Part 3 What satanic principle did Nebuchadnezzar display in his OBEDIENCE angry command to the three Hebrew young men? VINDICATED "Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, 0 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? . . . If ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" (Dan. 3:14, 15). "Force is the last resort of every false religion. At first it tries attraction, as the king of Babylon tried the power of music and outward show. If these attractions, invented by men in- spired by Satan, failed to make men worship the image, the hungry flames of the furnace were ready to consume them." —Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 976. What was the significance of the king's building an image entirely of gold and commanding its worship? Dan. 3:1-6. When Daniel revealed the king's forgotten dream and gave its meaning, Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and openly acknowl- edged "your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings" (Dan. 2:47). But his pride eventually reasserted itself. The dream indicated that Babylon was only a head of gold—that it would pass away. He would make an entire image of gold—like the one he had seen in the dream—"symbolic throughout of Baby- lon as an eternal, indestructible, all-powerful kingdom, which should break in pieces all other kingdoms and stand forever." —Prophets and Kings, p. 504. This was a defiant act inspired by Satan. How was the true God signally honored before that vast concourse of officials by the loyalty of the Hebrews? How did the king personally spread the honor of the true God? Dan. 3:19-29. "The tidings of their wonderful deliverance were carried to many countries by the representatives of the different nations that had been invited by Nebuchadnezzar to the dedication. Through the faithfulness of His children, God was glorified in all the earth."—Prophets and Kings, p. 512. THINK IT THROUGH What would have been the effect on the king, his officials, and the cause of truth if the three worthies had yielded to the pressure of their peers? "Never be ashamed of your colors; put them on, unfurl them to the gaze of men and angels. Do not be controlled by false modesty, by false prudence which suggests to you a course of action contrary to this advice."—Messages to Young People, p. 28. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 503-513. 68 The Rise and Fall of Empires LESSON 8 ❑ Wednesday February 18 Part 4 While Satan "the prince of this world" (John 12:31) and RULERS BY mighty men seem to govern earth's affairs, who truly rules, working out His purposes? PERMISSION "To the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whom- soever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men" (Dan. 4:17). The great moral controversy between God and Satan greatly complicates for human understanding the affairs of this world. Satan, prince of this world by usurpation, seeks to rule and control the earth through various kingdoms and agencies. Be- cause of the nature of the controversy, God, the rightful Ruler, permits Satan's operations, for thus the fruits of the satanic principles are demonstrated. On the other hand God must limit Satan by His divine intervention lest Satan totally corrupt and destroy the race. God also rules by initiating events to disclose the principles of righteousness. "God has revealed in His law the principles that underlie all true prosperity both of nations and of individuals. 'This is your wisdom and your understanding,' Moses declared to the Israelites of the law of God. 'It is not a vain thing for you; be- cause it is your life.' Deuteronomy 4:6; 32:47. The blessings thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions and in the same degree, assured to every nation and every individual.... "The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven- imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success depends."—Education, p. 174. How did God illustrate to Nebuchadnezzar the true pur- pose of government and the secret of political success? Dan. 4:19-27. Note especially verse 21. Ellen White, commenting on the philosophy of history, noted that a nation's strength is related to its fulfillment of the purpose of God. She observed that Nebuchadnezzar was symbolized by a large tree, and that the purposes served by the tree repre- sent "the character of a government that fulfills God's purpose —a government that protects and upbuilds the nation."—Edu- cation, p. 175. THINK IT THROUGH What part did loyal witnessing have to do with the con- version of the king, or was it due only to the acts of God? "King Nebuchadnezzar, before whom Daniel so often hon- ored the name of God, was finally thoroughly converted, and learned to 'praise and extol and honour the King of heaven.' " —Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1170. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 514-521. 69 The Rise and Fall of Empires LESSON 8 ❑ Thursday February 19 Part 5 What satanic attribute eventually became the main char- RESULTS OF acteristic of the Babylonian Empire? SELF- "Come down, and sit in the dust, 0 virgin daughter of EXALTATION Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne. . . . "Thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it . . . thou . . . sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me" (Isa. 47:1, 7, 8). In what way did this haughty pride involve the violation of the first table of the law? Jer. 50:14, 24, 29, 38. In what manner did this same despotic spirit violate the principle undergirding the second table of the law? Isa. 14:4-6; Hab. 2:5, 12. In these portrayals of Babylon we do not see "the glory of the kingdoms" (Isa. 13:19), but we see the "lion"—proud, des- potic, and cruel—reflecting the attributes of the devil who sim- ilarly walks about "seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). "Instead of being a protector of men, Babylon became a proud and cruel oppressor. The words of Inspiration picturing the cruelty and greed of rulers in Israel reveal the secret of Babylon's fall and of the fall of many another kingdom since the world began."—Education, p. 176. Although Satan largely controlled Babylon, what did God seek to do for its rulers and peoples? Jer. 51:9. Since Israel as a nation was in apostasy, God's acts in be- half of Babylon had to be done through individuals. "Yet through the very humiliations that Israel's departure from Him had invited, God gave Babylon evidence of His supremacy, of the holiness of His requirements, and of the sure results of obedience. And this testimony He gave, as alone it could be given, through those who were loyal to Him."—Prophets and Kings, p. 480. THINK IT THROUGH What lessons may I learn from the pride and conceit of the rulers of Babylon? "God cannot connect with those who live to please them- selves, to make themselves first. Those who do this will in the end be last of all. The sin that is most nearly hopeless and incurable is pride of opinion, self-conceit. This stands in the way of all growth."—Testimonies, vol. 7, pp. 199, 200. "Every man who praises himself brushes the luster from his best efforts."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 607. FURTHER STUDY Education, pp. 173, 238. 70 The Rise and Fall of Empires LESSON 8 ❑ Friday February 20 Part 6 What was Babylon's last impious act performed by Bel- CONSEQUENCES shazzar? OF WRONG- "But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and DOING they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified" (Dan. 5:23). Whose vessels were used? Dan. 5:1-4. "In that last night of mad folly, Belshazzar and his lords had filled up the measure of their guilt and the guilt of the Chaldean kingdom. No longer could God's restraining hand ward off the impending evil, Through manifold providences, God had sought to teach them reverence for His law.... Because of the strange perversity of the human heart, God had at last found it nec- essary to pass the irrevocable sentence. Belshazzar was to fall, and his kingdom was to pass into other hands."—Prophets and Kings, p. 530. What act of God suddenly threw the blasphemous revelry into confusion? Dan. 5:5-9. "Hushed was the boisterous mirth, while men and women, seized with nameless terror, watched the hand slowly tracing the mysterious characters. Before them passed, as in pano- ramic view, the deeds of their evil lives; they seemed to be arraigned before the judgment bar of the eternal God."—Proph- ets and Kings, p. 524. Before interpreting the strange words, what history did Daniel recall to the king? What should he have learned from this? Dan. 5:18-24. What was the meaning of the strange words written on the wall? Dan. 5:25-28. THINK IT THROUGH To what extent can divine counsel given to another be applied to me? "When the Lord singles out individual cases and specifies their wrongs, others, who have not been shown in vision, fre- quently take it for granted that they are right, or nearly so. If one is reproved for a special wrong, brethren and sisters should carefully examine themselves to see wherein they have failed and wherein they have been guilty of the same sin. . . . In rebuking the wrongs of one, He designs to correct the many." —Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 112. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 522-538. 71 LESSON 9 February 22-28 Gods Tru People Scattered throughout the earth, God's protected and chosen people are to bring light and hope to those in darkness. "For as the heavens are higher to-be used among Greek-speaking than the earth, so are my ways Jews in the empire. higher than your ways, and my Between 50 BC and AD 70 a great thoughts than your thoughts" influx of Gentiles crowded the syna- (Isa. 55:9). gogues of the Jews. The old pagan religions were losing their influence. Of the four world kingdoms, prob- There was a deep yearning among ably that of Medo-Persia was the the people to know a better way of most responsive to the will of God life. That way seemed to be offered in carrying out His plan. It was Cyrus in the Hebrew faith. Some Gentiles the Persian who was moved by the became full proselytes of the faith, ancient prophecies of Isaiah to per- but many thousands simply attended mit the Jewish exiles to return to the services and adopted the Jew- their homeland, and to furnish the ish religion in part. Multitudes of materials for the rebuilding of the non-Jews thereby came to be ac- temple. Darius I and Artaxerxes I quainted with the Scriptures and likewise favored God's people with with the true God. special decrees that led to the resto- Thus in the intertestamental pe- ration of both the temple and state. riod when the Grecian Empire (and On the other hand Satan nearly her divisions) and Rome controlled caused the death of Daniel through the political sphere, God was over- the self-flattering decree of Darius ruling to prepare the way,for Christ the Mede, and the proposed exter- and Christianity. Every synagogue mination of the nation by the fickle provided Christian missionaries Ahasuerus (Xerxes). a pulpit for at least one presentation The dispersion of the Jews caused of Christ! The Scriptures were known by the Assyrian captivity of the to many Gentiles before the apos- northern kingdom (eighth century tles came preaching. The result was BC) and the Babylonian captivity of that many of the Gentiles who at- ?he southern kingdom (sixth century tended the synagogue responded to BC) continued in the Grecian pe- the Christian mission with. alacrity. riod, as Jews found it easy to move A church was born within the em- to many parts of the Hellenized pire, overnight as it were;:and for world. It has been estimated that about thirty years was shielded the Jews residing within the Roman somewhat from Roman interference Empire alone in the first century AD by the legal umbrella of Judaism. numbered approximately 4.5 million The darkness of the intertestamental out of a total empire population of period was preparation time for a 55 million, a million Jews being in new dawn. Palestine. Thus, in God's overruling providence, the Jews were scattered LESSON OUTLINE throughout the empire. Wherever Jews settled, syna- 1. God Protects (Dan. 2:32, 39; 7:5) gogues were established, ten males 2. God Provides (Ezra 4:4, 5) being required to form a congrega- 3. God Overrules (Esther 4:14) tion. In the intertestamental years 4. Decrees and Prophets (Ezra 6:14) the Hebrew Scriptures were trans- 5. Preparation for the First Advent lated into Greek. As this language (Dan. 2:39; 7:6) had become the main means of com- munication throughout the then 6. Rome and God's People (Dan. known world, so this version came 2:40; 7:7) God's True People LESSON 9 ❑ Sunday February 22 Part 1 "This image's . . . breast and his arms [were] of silver. GOD PROTECTS . . . Another kingdom inferior to thee" (Dan. 2:32, 39). "And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh" (Dan. 7:5). See also Dan. 8:3, 4, 20. These are the prophetic descriptions of Medo-Persia, the early dual nature of the monarchy being symbolized by the manner of the bear's rising. The three ribs represent Lydia (Asia Minor), Babylon, and Egypt—the three principal areas of its conquests. What plan which appealed to the pride of Darius the Mede was devised by jealous underlings to destroy Daniel, the leading president? Dan. 6:4-15. See Eph. 6:12. "In the conspiracy thus formed, Satan had played an impor- tant part. The prophet was high in command in the kingdom, and evil angels feared that his influence would weaken their control over its rulers. It was these satanic agencies who had stirred the princes to envy and jealousy; it was they who had inspired the plan for Daniel's destruction."—Prophets and Kings, p. 540. God overruled the satanic plot by such a marvelous deliver- ance (Dan. 6:16-23), that not only was Darius constrained to inform his entire dominion of the God of Daniel (6:25-27), but Cyrus the Great, who shortly succeeded him, was impressed to do just what Satan wished to prevent. What predictions had God made about Cyrus about 150 years before his conquest of Babylon? Isa. 44:28; 45:1-5, 13. "The deliverance of Daniel from the den of lions had been used of God to create a favorable impression upon the mind of Cyrus the Great."—Prophets and Kings, p. 557. In response to these prophecies of Isaiah, what decree did King Cyrus issue? Ezra 1:1-4. In this incident we have a striking example of an earthly kingdom openly and willingly responding to and cooperating with the will of God. Without the intervention of God the cap- tivity of Israel might have become the cemetery of God's plan of salvation, but the participation of a Persian ruler forwarded it. THINK IT THROUGH What providential overrulings can you trace in your life? "All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. . . . We shall know that in- finite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying." —The Adventist Home, p. 542. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 539-548. 74 God's True People LESSON 9 ❑ Monday February 23 Part 2 How did the Samaritans attempt to hinder the returning GOD PROVIDES Jews from building the temple as commanded by Cyrus? "Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, and hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia" (Ezra 4:4, 5). Cyrus issued his decree in the summer of 537 BC. After organizing the return, the exiles under Zerubbabel probably started homeward in the spring of 536 BC. In the fall they set up the altar, kept the Feast of Tabernacles, and submitted their orders for material to the proper Persian officials (Ezra 3:1-7). The following year the temple cornerstone and the foundation were laid (Ezra 3:8-13). At this time the Samaritans requested permission to join the Jews in building the temple, but they were refused (4:1-3). They retaliated with continuous attempts to halt the work and to hinder the Jews from establishing themselves. They hired legal help to work at court to prevent the implementation of the decree. How did Daniel react to opposition to the restoration of the nation and the temple? Dan. 10:2, 3. After three weeks of earnest prayer by Daniel, Gabriel appeared. What had he been doing? Dan. 10:12, 13. Supernatural forces operate behind the scenes. "While Satan was striving to influence the highest powers in the kingdom of Medo-Persia to show disfavor to God's people, angels worked in behalf of the exiles. . . . Through the prophet Daniel we are given a glimpse of this mighty struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness, seeking to counteract the influ- ences at work on the mind of Cyrus; and before the contest closed, Christ Himself came to Gabriel's aid. . . . The victory was finally gained."—Prophets and Kings, pp. 571, 572. THINK IT THROUGH Does the work of the Lord seem hindered in your area? What can you do to get it moving again? "Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. He who marshals the stars in order in the heavens, whose word controls the waves of the great deep, the same infinite Creator will work in behalf of His people if they call upon Him in faith. He will restrain the forces of darkness until the warning is given to the world and all who will heed it are prepared for the conflict." —Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 453. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 560-572. 75 God's True People LESSON 9 ❑ Tuesday February 24 Part 3 Through a series of strange events, who found herself in GOD a position of influence at a critical time for Israel? OVERRULES "For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, RSV). "Occasions of indulgence such as are pictured in the first chapter of Esther, do not glorify God. But the Lord accom- plishes His will through men who are nevertheless misleading others.... "Through the experience that brought Esther to the Medo- Persian throne, God was working for the accomplishment of His purposes for His people. That which was done under the influence of much wine worked out for good to Israel."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1139. Mordecai's ancestors were part of the 10,000 captives Nebu- chadnezzar took into captivity in 597 BC along with their king, Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) (see Esther 2:6). He, and many other dispersed Jews, did not return to Palestine but continued to live in Mesopotamia. Ahasuerus (known in secular history as Xerxes; 486-465 BC) ruled a far-flung empire, some 3000 miles from east to west (Esther 1:1). Esther apparently entered the Persian court soon after his return from his defeat at the hands of the Greeks (Salamis, 480 BC). What plot did Haman, a high official in the court, persuade Ahasuerus to decree? Why? Esther 3:5, 6, 8-11, 13. Haman simply reflected the thoughts and intents of another. "Satan himself, the hidden instigator of the scheme, was trying to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God."—Prophets and Kings, p. 601. In the great controversy between good and evil God is never caught by surprise. How was Israel spared destruction? Esther 7: 1-6, 10; 8:4-8. THINK IT THROUGH What lessons may modern Sabbath keepers derive from the capricious cruelty of the Persian king? "The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God's people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath."—Prophets and Kings, p. 605. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 598-606. 76 God's True People LESSON 9 ❑ Wednesday February 25 Part 4 What three Persian rulers made and implemented decrees DECREES AND which eventually restored the Jewish state? PROPHETS "And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zecha- riah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, ac- cording to the commandment of the God of Israel, and accord- ing to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia" (Ezra 6:14). Although neither Cyrus nor his son Cambyses counter- manded the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, the anti- temple policy of the False Smerdis resulted in halting the work. In the latter part of August, 520 BC, approximately 16 years after the decree of Cyrus, Haggai the prophet was in- spired to encourage the leaders and people to arise and com- plete the temple. Two months later Zechariah also gave mes- sages to encourage the people. When Tatnai, governor of the region, inquired of Darius I if the Jews had a right to build as they claimed, what further decree did this monarch make? Ezra 6:6-13. With this implementation in 519 BC the Jews speedily fin- ished the temple, dedicating it in 515 BC (Ezra 6:15). Under the reign of Artaxerxes I what final political rights did the nation receive? Ezra 7:13, 14, 24-26. From his title it would appear that Ezra was an official in charge of Jewish affairs in the imperial court. He was com- missioned to take back to Palestine all Jews who wished to go, and to reorganize the nation's judicial system along the lines of the mosaic code with full authority over life and death. Thus the Jewish state (under Persian sovereignty) was fully restored. The decree of Artaxerxes was made in 457 BC, be- coming operative in the early fall of that same year. This im- portant date became the starting point of Daniel's time prophecy of the first advent of the Messiah (Dan. 9:25). In 444 BC, 13 years later, whoni did Artaxerxes send as governor of Judah to rebuild Jerusalem? Neh. 2:1-8. THINK IT THROUGH "We must in our work not only strike the iron when it is hot but make the iron hot by striking. Slow, easy, indolent move- ments will do nothing for us in this work. We must be instant in season, out of season. These are critical times for work. By hesitation and delay we lose many good opportunities."—Evan- gelism, p. 647. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 607-614. 77 God's True People LESSON 9 ❑ Thursday February 26 Part 5 What world empire succeeded the power of Medo-Persia? PREPARATION "Another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule FOR THE over all the earth" (Dan. 2:39). FIRST ADVENT "After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it" (Dan. 7:6). How was it described in another vision? What did the "great horn" and the "four notable ones" represent? Dan. 8:5-8, 21, 22. At this point in the prophecies of Daniel we enter into the silent span of the intertestamental period. There are no inspired writers, and so we are not given any insight into the contro- versy between God and Satan at this time. Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets (about 425 BC), presents a dis- couraging picture of a sin-blinded, complacent Israel who re- fuses correction. Daniel 2, 7, and 8 predict the rise of Grecia. The latter proph- ecy names the empire and refers to its first king, Alexander the Great, and the subsequent divisions of his conquests. "The conquest of the ancient East by Alexander the Great (331 B.C.) was followed by a more permanent cultural invasion by Greek language, customs, ideas, and religion. Eventually, attempts by Antiochus Epiphanes to Hellenize the Jews, that is, to compel them to adopt Greek culture, provoked the most determined resistance. . . . Led by Judas Maccabaeus and other members of his family, later known as Maccabees or Hasmonaeans, the Jews heroically defeated the forces of An- tiochus and secured their own freedom (164 B.C.). Among the Jews, particularly those of the more wealthy and educated classes and those residing beyond the borders of Palestine, there was a gradual tendency to adopt Greek culture. Such Jews were known as Hellenists and constituted the liberal ele- ment of Jewish society. But most of those who lived in Judea clung tenaciously to the customs and religion of their fore- fathers."—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 51. While Satan sought to corrupt the true faith through the spreading of Greek culture, God was overruling. Greek became the common language of the Mediterranean world, thus provid- ing a widely understood tongue for the broad distribution of the Scriptures and facilitating communication between diverse peoples. Without violating man's will, God was preparing the world for the spread of Christianity. THINK IT THROUGH How should I line up my life's energies, seeing that the cause of God will ultimately triumph? "The complicated play of human events is under divine con- trol."—Prophets and Kings, page 536. FURTHER STUDY SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 17 ff. 78 God's True People LESSON 9 ❑ Friday February 27 Part 6 What world kingdom succeeded the Grecian? What aspects ROME AND of this power are particularly noted? GOD'S PEOPLE "And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron: . . . and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise" (Dan. 2:40). "And behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it" (Dan. 7:7). "Rome won her territory by the force or the fear of her armed might. . . . Crushing one opponent after another, she finally became the aggressive, irresistible conqueror of the Med- iterranean world and Western Europe."—SDA Bible Commen- tary, on Dan. 2:40. Under the symbol of a little horn what land did Rome sub- jugate? How was it treated? Dan. 8:9, 10, 24. Palestine became a part of the Empire of Rome in 63 BC. Some 12,000 Jews alone were slain in Pompey's capture of the temple site. Later revolts cost the lives of others. Herod the Great's reconquest of the Jews (40-37 BC) resulted in further carnage. The land lay under the bloody hand of the wily Edo- mite who did not scruple to destroy Bethlehem's infants if per- chance he might destroy Jesus, an apparent rival. According to Gabriel, when would the Messiah appear, minister, and die? Dan. 9:25-27. Applying the year-day principle, we find that the period of sixty-nine weeks (483 days = years) from the fall of 457 BC (Artaxerxes' decree restoring the Jewish state) extends to the autumn of AD 27, when Jesus was baptized by water and the Holy Spirit and began His official ministry as the Messiah. After a ministry of three and one half years, Jesus was cruci- fied by Roman authority in the spring of AD 31; but His dis- ciples continued to preach to the Jews until AD 34, at which time the gospel was also given to the Gentiles. Satan's attempts, through Rome, to crush the true faith— and the Messiah as well—were foiled. The iron legions which broke all national resistance also brought political unity to the empire from Britain to the Euphrates. The Jewish religion was given legal status. Well-established roads and routes of travel, together with the freedom and safety to move at all times, pro- vided the climate for the rapid spread of Christianity in the apostolic age. THINK IT THROUGH . Why is it that heavy oppression often forwards God's cause instead of hindering it? "The Lord is able to render futile every agency that works for the defeat of His chosen ones."—Prophets and Kings, p. 487. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 31-35. 79 LESSON 10 February 29 to March 6 The Voice of False Aut grit "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the "Come hither; I will shew unto well as that of the individual) has thee the judgment of the great been confused so that divine truth whore that sitteth upon many wa- has not been easily perceived. ters: with whom the kings of the In our study this week we shall the earth have committed fornica- see that the prophecies have indi- tion, and the inhabitants of the earth cated that Satan would continue have been made drunk with the through a Christian organization to wine of her fornication" (Rev. foster the same issues which he 17:1, 2). raised in heaven. Since the papacy has often been considered by man- "And the woman which thou saw- kind to be the one important moral est is that great city, which reigneth force in the earth, Satan's actions over the kings of the earth" (verse have been thereby rendered even 18). more deceptive and difficult to dis- As we have seen in our previous cern. Thus, under the guise of the studies, the moral controversy be- Christian faith, the controversy is tween God and Satan has deeply in- still being waged as another object volved the universe of intelligent lesson to the watching universe. beings. Satan has been permitted to Some Christians feel that to study live and to develop the principle of such prophecies is to attack an or- selfishness in all its forms, while the ganization. God loves the people of plan of salvation was activated to all nations and churches; and there save man and to disclose the nature are people of all nations and of divine love. churches who honestly and sincerely Satan's operations have not only love and serve God. However, the involved individuals whose lives— prophecies disclose the working of their thoughts and actions—have re- Satan through a system of Christian vealed the sad results of sin, but they apostasy. It is essential for our spir- have also involved whole nations. itual safety to be able to distin- We have looked at the lessons which guish between truth and error. We the histories of Assyria, Babylon, must cling to truth. And we should Medo-Persia, and Rome have given lovingly help those blinded by error us. to see the truth as it is in Jesus. One of the masterstrokes of Satan has been his perversion of Christian- LESSON OUTLINE ity. By means of the Christian apos- 1. A False Claim (2 Thess. 2:3, 4) tasy, which developed in the early 2. A False Sabbath (Dan. 7:25; 8:12) centuries of the Christian era, Satan has succeeded in carrying on his 3. False Teaching (Dan. 7:25; Rev. warfare on an even wider scale than 13:6) he did in antiquity. As the proph- 4. A False Role (2 Thess. 2:4) ecies indicated, the organized apos- 5. False Mediation (Dan. 8:11, 12; tasy pictured as a fallen woman has Rev. 13:6) had through the centuries many 6. A False Spirit and Power (Dan. deeply entangling relationships with 7:21, 25; Rev. 13:7) the political powers of the earth. Her perspectives and viewpoints, both political and religious—like the sym- bolic wine—have often been ac- cepted, and the national mind (as The Voice of a False Authority LESSON 10 ❑ Sunday February 29 Part 1 According to Paul's prediction how did the "man of sin" A FALSE system come into existence? CLAIM "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:3, 4). Satan first continued his controversy with God on a large scale through pagan nations whom he sought to control. In the Christian era he brought about a compromised form of the Christian religion/through which he has influenced the lives of millions. From early times Christians have recognized that the "little horn" (Daniel 7), "the man of sin" (2 Thessalonians 2), and the leopardlike beast (Revelation 13) depict the same power. "This compromise between paganism and Christianity re- sulted in the development of 'the man of sin' foretold in proph- ecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan's power—a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will."—The Great Controversy, p. 50. What clues does Daniel provide to identify this power? Dan. 7:8, 20, 21, 24, 25. Note the following: (1) Location: It would rise in Western Europe (among the ten horns). (2) Time: It would rise "after them," that is, sometime subsequent to AD 476, the date as- signed for Western Rome's final dissolution. (3) Its rise would succeed the overthrow of three of the other horn powers. (4) It would differ from the other horns in that it deals also with religious matters. (5) It would be a blaspheming power speak- ing "great words against the most High." (6) It would be a persecuting power which would "wear out the saints of the most High." (7) This power would hold supremacy for a sym- bolic "time and times and the dividing of time," interpreted in Revelation as 1260 symbolic days, that is, 1260 literal years (Rev. 12:6, 14). These identifying marks do not deal with personalities, but point unerringly to the papal system, a church organization which developed out of Christianity, and whose bishop was legally recognized as the head of Christendom in the sixth century. THINK IT THROUGH Why would Satan be more successful working through a Christian organization than through pagan nations? "The path of error often appears to lie close to the path of truth."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 290. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 49-51. 82 The Voice of a False Authority LESSON 10 ❑ Monday March] Part 2 "And he shall . . . think to change times and laws" (Dan. A FALSE 7:25). SABBATH "And it cast down the truth to the ground; and it prac- ticed, and prospered" (Dan. 8:12). Daniel 7 covers the same ground as Daniel 2, but with emphasis on the fourth beast and its little horn and the heav- enly judgment scene. Daniel 8 covers essentially the same area with its little horn representing both the pagan and papal - phases of Rome. Satan in heaven challenged the law of God. Through the Christian church how has he continued this attack? "'The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can modify, explain, or interpret even divine laws' . . . (translated from Lucius Ferraris, 'Papa II,' Prompta Bibliotheca, Vol. VI, pp. 25-29)."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Dan. 7:25 (p. 831). The most important _change Rome has attempted to make in the Ten Commandments has been that of promoting Sunday sacredness in place of the seventh-day Sabbath. Historical records indicate that "the church at Rome early developed a preference for Sunday; and the increasing im- portance attached to Sunday in the early church, at the ex- pense of the Sabbath, closely parallels Rome's gradual rise to power.... Roman influence prevailed to make the observance of Sunday a matter of church law, as it did with many other practices such as the worship of Mary, the veneration of saints and angels, the use of images, and prayers for the dead."— SDA Bible Commentary, on Dan. 7:25 (p. 833). Why would Satan seek to make an attack upon the fourth commandment? Ex. 20:8-11. "The great apostate . . . had dared to change the only pre- cept of the divine law that unmistakably points all mankind to the true and living God. In the fourth commandment, God is revealed as the Creator. . . . It was as a memorial of the work of creation that the seventh day was sanctified as a rest day for man. It was designed to keep the living God ever before the minds of men as the source of being and the object of reverence and worship. Satan strive§ to turn men from their allegiance to God . . . ; therefore he directs his efforts espe- cially against that commandment which points to God as the Creator."—The Great Controversy, pp. 53, 54. THINK IT THROUGH What is the basic principle involved in the Sabbath-Sunday issue? Satan's "master stroke has been an attempt to change the law itself, so as to lead men to violate its precepts while pro- fessing to obey it."—Prophets and Kings, p. 178. FURTHER STUDY Prophets and Kings, pp. 179-189. 83 The Voice of a False Authority LESSON 10 ❑ Tuesday March 2 Part 3 "And he shall speak great words against the most High" FALSE (Dan. 7:25). TEACHING "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name" (Rev. 13:6). Blasphemy may be defined as an indignity offered to God in words, writing, etc., or in claiming the attributes or preroga- tives of the Deity. According to the prophecies, of what would the Christian apostasy be guilty? In his original charges Satan questioned the character of God and misrepresented the Deity to the angels and the other intelligent beings in the universe. Through the Christian apos- tasy he continues to distort God's character. What position does the leadership of this apostasy assume in Christendom? 2 Thess. 2:4. Since this Christian apostasy claims to represent God on earth, it is evident that its acts and teachings will be regarded by the multitudes as reflecting the character of the Christian's God. Such non-Scriptural doctrines as eternal torment, limbo, and purgatory distort the divine character into that of a tyrant. The hundreds of years of intolerance and persecution likewise belie God's true character, and that spirit still prevails. "It is Satan's constant effort to misrepresent the character of God, the nature of sin, and the real issues at stake in the great controversy. His sophistry lessens the obligation of the divine law and gives men license to sin. At the same time he causes them to cherish false conceptions of God so that they regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love. The cruelty inherent in his own character is attributed to the Creator; it is embodied in systems of religion and expressed in modes of worship."—The Great Controversy, p.. 569. What symbol is used to indicate the corrupted nature of the teachings of the apostasy which distorts the divine char- acter? Rev. 17:1, 2, 4. See also 1 Cor. 11:25. THINK IT THROUGH Why is the Christian apostasy so appealing to the minds of millions both educated and uneducated? "The papacy . . . is prepared for two classes of mankind, embracing nearly the whole world—those who would be saved by their merits, and those who would be saved in their sins. Here is the secret of its power."—The Great Controversy, p. 572. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controvery, pp. 567-570. 84 The Voice of a False Authority LESSON 10 ❑ Wednesday March 3 Part 4 "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is A FALSE ROLE called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:4). The papacy has always been characterized by its extensive claims to speak and act for God. Writes a Roman authority: "'The pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God, and the vicar of God.... "'The Pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions' . . . (translated from Lucius Ferraris, 'Papa II,' Prompta Bibliotheca, Vol. VI, pp. 25-29)."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Dan. 7:25 (p. 831). The apostasy has arrogated to itself the power to absolve sins, a right belonging only to God (Luke 5:20, 21). It has in- terposed a human priesthood between God and man, asserting that divine grace is to be found in the sacraments administered by that priesthood. Other un-Biblical assumptions include papal infallibility and the claim of the priesthood to be able to change bread and wine into the literal body and blood of Christ in the mass. How extensively has this Christian apostasy controlled mankind religiously and politically in the past? What is proph- esied of the future? Rev. 13:3, 7, 8. "The Roman Catholic Church, with all its ramifications throughout the world, forms one vast organization under the control, and designed to serve the interests, of the papal see. Its millions of communicants, in every country on the globe, are instructed to hold themselves as bound in allegiance to the pope.... "History testifies of her artful and persistent efforts to in- sinuate herself into the affairs of nations; and having gained a foothold, to further her own aims, even at the ruin of princes and people."—The Great Controversy, p. 580. - The usurpation of authority over the lives and consciences of others reflects the continuing aim of Satan to assert his independence of God. THINK IT THROUGH The Scriptures teach the priesthood of every believer. What is meant by this doctrine? "All can now approach God through the merits of Christ. . . . They need not depend on priest or ceremonial sacrifice. Liberty is given to all to go directly to God through a personal Saviour."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 932. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 564-567. 85 The Voice of a False Authority LESSON 10 • El Thursday March 4 Part 5 "Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, FALSE and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him MEDIATION against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground" (Dan. 8:11, 12). "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God . . . and his tabernacle" (Rev. 13:6). According to these prophecies what would the Christian apostasy take away, cast down, and blaspheme? The Hebrew word translated "daily" is tamid and has the sense of "continual." It is often used in connection with the earthly sanctuary with reference to the continual functioning of the altars, the lamps, and the table of shewbread. Thus the phrase "daily sacrifice" stands for the ministration in the sanctuary. Since the "little horn" of Daniel 8 represents Rome in both its pagan and its papal phases, the casting down of the sanc- tuary could refer to either the earthly type or the heavenly reality. However, since the Christian apostasy occurred in the Christian era, the emphasis of the prophecy is upon the heav- enly sanctuary (see Heb. 8:1, 2) and Christ's priestly ministra- tion there. "Pagan Rome took away the 'daily,' and cast down the sanctuary. But pagan Rome was succeeded by papal Rome, which in just as marked a manner has 'taken way' the 'daily' ministry of Christ in His heavenly sanctuary. Christ 'ever liveth to make intercession' for those who 'come unto God by Him.' . . . But the papacy has called attention away from the heav- enly intercessor and His sanctuary ministry, and focused it.on a system of salvation by works, on the confessional, and on the sacrifice of the mass instead of on Christ's mediation as our High Priest in heaven. The system has almost completely diverted attention from Christ as mediator and has deprived men of the benefits of His ministry, and thus has 'trodden down' or defiled the sanctuary."—T. H. Jemison, Christian Beliefs, (Pacific Press, 1959), p. 217. Satan originally charged that God could not be both just and merciful. But the plan of salvation marvelously blends these two attributes. Hence, his warfare continues through the apos- tasy to divert earth's millions from a true understanding of the atoning death of Christ and His mediatorial ministry in their behalf. Thus also continues the war against Christ. THINK IT THROUGH What do you know to be the heart of the Christian gospel? "If you ... accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous." —Steps to Christ, p. 62. FURTHER STUDY SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, pp. 913, 914. 86 The Voice of a False Authority LESSON 10 ❑ Friday March 5 Part 6 According to the prophecies how would the great Christian A FALSE apostasy deal with Christians who differed with it? SPIRIT AND "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, POWER and prevailed against them. . . . "And he shall . . . wear out the saints of the most High . . . : and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time" (Dan. 7:21, 25). "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them" (Rev. 13:7). The papacy acknowledges that it has persecuted, and it de- fends its actions. It has never renounced the use of force. The "Holy Office" of the Inquisition, formally established by Pope Innocent III (1215), became a cruel instrument in the hands of the apostasy to root out dissent. The universe must have watched in horror as professed Christians slaughtered their fellow Christians. "In the thirteenth century was established that most terrible of all the engines of the papacy—the Inquisition. The prince of darkness wrought with the leaders of the papal hierarchy."— The Great Controversy, p. 59. How does the Bible symbolize this aspect of the Christian apostasy? Rev. 17:6. In heaven Satan sought to subvert the loyalty of the angels. On earth he wars against God's people, employing both de- ception and force. The papal violations of the first table of the law in usurping the authority of God has inevitably led to perse- cution and oppression when it has been in its power to em- ploy such. How does prophecy foretell the rise of persecution similar to the past? Rev. 13:11-17. "When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sus- tain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result."—The Great Controversy, p. 445. THINK IT THROUGH The spirit of intolerance seems at times to fade. Why is this so? Why does it never truly die out? "Wherever there are any who will stand in vindication of the righteousness of the law of God, the same spirit will be manifested against them [such as Cain's against Abel]. It is the spirit that through all the ages has set up the stake and kindled the burning pile for the disciples of Christ."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 77. FURTHER STUDY The Great'Controversy, pp. 442-445. 87 LESSON 11 March 7-13 Conflicts Within the Church Within the circle of Christianity are those who profess to be followers of Christ but whose allegiance is committed to Satan. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is We shall see how a tare comes into like unto a net, that was cast into the being. Then we shall note in what sea, and gathered of every kind: form tare characteristics may be which when it was full, they drew seen in the church. It may be seen to shore, and sat down, and gathered in abuse or misuse of authority on the good into vessels, but cast the the part of some leaders. It may be bad away" (Matt. 13:47, 48). seen in the formulating by some of divisive teachings and attacks upon "The casting of the net is the the church from within. On this preaching of the gospel. This gathers point Ellen White has written: both good and evil into the church. "When men arise, claiming to When the mission of the gospel is have a message from God, but in- completed, the judgment will ac- stead of warring against principali- complish the work of separation. ties and powers, and the rulers of Christ saw how the existence of the darkness of this world, they form false brethren in the church would a hollow square, and turn the wea- cause the way of truth to be evil pons of warfare against the church spoken of. The world would revile militant, be afraid of them. They do the gospel because of the incon- not bear the divine credentials. God sistent lives of false professors. Even has not given them any such burden Christians would be caused to stum- of labor. They would tear down that ble as they saw that many who bore which God would restore by the Christ's name were not controlled Laodicean message."—Testimonies by His Spirit. Because these sinners to Ministers, pp. 22, 23. were in the church, men would be The evidence of the conflict is also in danger of thinking that God ex- seen in the daily lives of the Chris- cused their sins. Therefore Christ tian community. Self is either mar- lifts the veil from the future and bids ring our witness to those about us, all to behold that it is character, not or the spirit of love and self-sacrifice position, which decides man's des- is healing and winning, attracting tiny."—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. hearts to heaven. 122, 123. The parables of the net and of the LESSON OUTLINE wheat and tares point out the fact that the great controversy between 1. Good and Bad (Maft. 13:24-26) God and Satan operates not only in 2. The Secret of Goodness (Luke national life and through organized 8:13) apostasy, but also within the circle 3. True Leadership (3 John 9, 10) of true Christianity. This fact needs 4. Divisive Doctrines (2 Tim. to be clearly recognized. The church 2:17-19) is not an art gallery of plaster-cast 5. Love and Selfishness (Acts saints, but a hospital for sinners. 4:36, 37) Divine grace is able to cure all, but unfortunately not all are willing to 6. Unity in Love (John 13:34, 35) be healed. In our study this week we shall see Satan's purpose to introduce tares among the wheat, how he suc- ceeds in developing professing Christians within the church who will live according to his principles. Conflicts Within the Church LESSON 11 ❑ Sunday March 7 Part 1 "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which GOOD AND BAD sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also" (Matt. 13:24-26). What instruction did the householder give his servants when they asked if they should weed out the tares? Matt. 13:27-30. Summarize Christ's explanation of His parable of the wheat and tares. Matt. 13:37-43. The good seed, sown in the field of the world, springs up as loyal followers of God; that is, true believers in the Christian church. Since the tares are sown among the good seed, the parable presents a picture of the church—all professed fol- lowers of God—but in reality a mixture of genuine and false believers. "The good seed represents those who are born of the word of God, the truth. The tares represent a class who are the fruit or embodiment of error, of false principles. . . . "By bringing into the church those who bear Christ's name while they deny His character, the wicked one causes that God shall be dishonored, the work of salvation misrepresented, and souls imperiled."—Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 70, 71. Sometimes new Christians are discouraged by the pride and sin which they discover in the church. Nonmembers may be repulsed by some misrepresentation of Christ. Both groups fail to realize that the great moral controversy is reflected in the heart of every human being, even where Christian principles are espoused. "Children of the wicked one" may be professed Christians who reflect the satanic attitudes toward God's law. They are represented as being an offense and as doing "iniq- uity" (verse 41); that is, they are in their words and actions violating the principles of God's law. How long will the evidence of this moral conflict be seen in the church? Matt. 13:30, 39-41. THINK IT THROUGH Why is it that Jesus has authorized the church to disfellow- ship in some instances (Matt. 16:19; 18:15-18), but not in others? Matt. 13:28-30. "Christ has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin must be separated from the church, but He has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive. . . . Should we try to uproot from the church those whom we suppose to be spurious Christians, we should be sure to make mistakes." —Christ's Object Lessons, p. 71. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "Tares," pp. 70-75. 90 Conflicts Within the Church LESSON 11 ❑ Monday March 8 Part 2 "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, re- THE SECRET ceive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke OF GOODNESS 8:13). The parable dealing with four kinds of soil into which the seed of truth may fall gives us an insight into why some Christians apostatize. What is it that causes spiritual life to die out in the heart of a stony-ground hearer? "Many who make a profession of religion are stony-ground hearers. Like the rock underlying the layer of earth, the selfish- ness of the natural heart underlies the soil of their good de- sires and aspirations. The love of self is not subdued."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 46. "The effort to serve both self and Christ makes one a stony- ground hearer, and he will not endure when the test comes upon him."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 50. The spirit of self-centeredness, of independence of God, is reflected in some Christians. Such an attitude violates the first table of the law by putting self before God. True conversion brings about a full surrender of the will, a full dependence upon God. "The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ."—Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1075. What counsels are given the truly converted to prevent them from becoming tarelike? Heb. 3:12-14; 2 Peter 3:17. "The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. . . . Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching, we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path."—Steps to Christ, pp. 94, 95. THINK IT THROUGH The secret of true Christian growth is to cultivate under God's Spirit a deeper love for God...Why is this so? "All true obedience comes from the heart. . . . If we con- sent, He [Christ] will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. . . . Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us."—The Desire of Ages, p. 668. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "The Sower Went Forth to Sow" ("In Stony Places"), pp. 46-50. 91 Conflicts Within the Church LESSON 11 D Tuesday March 9 Part 3 Diotrephes was probably an elder in a local church. How TRUE does John describe his abuse of authority? LEADERSHIP "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. . . . [He prates] against us with malicious words: . . . neither cloth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church" (3 John 9, 10). Diotrephes was a tare in the church, lording his authority over the members under him. He reflected the haughty spirit of Satan. What desire sometimes created strife even among the Master's twelve disciples? Matt. 18:1; Luke 22:24. "The strife for the highest place was the outworking of that same spirit which was the beginning of the great controversy in the worlds above. . . . Lucifer desired God's power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same. Thus alienation, discord, and strife will be inevitable. Dominion becomes the prize of the strongest. The kingdom of Satan is a kingdom of force; every individual regards every other as an obstacle in the way of his own advancement, or a steppingstone on which he himself may climb to a higher place."—The Desire of Ages, pp. 435, 436. What counsel did Christ and the apostle Peter give for those who would be leaders in the church? Matt. 20:26-28; 1 Peter 5:1-3. What are some of the qualities of a good pastor? What attitude is to be rejected? John 10:11-13; 1 Thess. 2:3-9; Phil. 2:19-21. "Those who occupy the position of undershepherds are to exercise a watchful diligence over the Lord's flock. This is not to be a dictatorial vigilance, but one that tends to encourage and strengthen and uplift.... "The spirit of the true shepherd is one of self-forgetfulness. He loses sight of self in order that he may work the works of God."—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 526, 527. THINK IT THROUGH Why should a Christian not neglect attending the services of the church even if he feels that its leadership is not repre- sentative of the gospel? See Matt. 23:1-3. "While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the tares. There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God."—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 46. FURTHER STUDY The Desire of Ages, pp. 434-442. 92 Conflicts Within the Church LESSON 11 El Wednesday March 10 Part 4 From time to time how does Satan seek to weaken and to DIVISIVE divide the cause of God on earth? DOCTRINE "And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God stand- eth sure, having this seal, The Lord knovieth them that are his" (2 Tim. 2:17-19). "Christians are often content to rely upon those in the church who are considered special students of the Bible, instead of diligently studying the Scriptures for themselves. Consequently, when error is presented they are often at a loss to distinguish between it and truth."—SDA Bible Commentary, on 2 Tim. 2:18. How do false teachers arrive at their divisive doctrinal teachings which make them very deceptive? 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:1, 2; 2 Peter 3:15, 16. A common practice of false teachers who have arisen through the years in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is com- mented on by Ellen White: "It will be found that those who bear false messages will not have a high sense of honor and integrity. They will deceive the people, and mix up with their error the Testimonies of Sister White, and use her name to give influence to their work. They make such selections from the Testimonies as they think they can twist to support their positions, and place them in a setting of falsehood, so that their error may have weight and be accepted by the people." —Testimonies to Ministers, p. 42. Of what have Christians been warned to expect within the church? 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Matt. 24:24. The introduction of divisive teachings into the ranks of God's people recalls Satan's procedure in heaven of misrepresenting the character of God. This is one way in which the "dragon" makes war with the "remnant" of God's people (Rev. 12:17). THINK IT THROUGH As a child of God in what way may I best prepare myself to avoid being deceived by false teachings presented within or without the church? "It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves."—The Great Controversy, p. 598. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 22, 23. 93 Conflicts Within the Church LESSON 11 0 Thursday March 11 Part 5 When many of the early Christians in Judea were cut off LOVE AND from their former employments because of their faith, what unselfish act did Barnabas (and others) do to meet the need? SELFISHNESS "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet" (Acts 4:36, 37). Barnabas and his brethren demonstrated the beauty of lives that were in harmony with the divine law. Supreme love for God led them to deny themselves and to show a loving concern for their needy brethren even at personal sacrifice. "Thus it was in the early church; and when in the church of today it is seen that by the power of the Spirit the members have taken their affections from the things of the world, and that they are willing to make sacrifices in order that their fel- lowmen may hear the gospel, the truths proclaimed will have a powerful influence upon the hearers."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 71. In contrast to the unselfish spirit of Barnabas how did Ananias and Sapphira falsify their giving? Acts 5:1-11. "Infinite Wisdom saw that this signal manifestation of the wrath of God was necessary to guard the young church from becoming demoralized. . . . It was designed as a warning to the church, to lead them to avoid pretense and hypocrisy, and to beware of robbing God."—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 73, 74. What motivated Demas, a long-time minister, to desert Paul when he was imprisoned in a Roman dungeon? 2 Tim. 4:10. "For worldly gain, Demas bartered every high and noble consideration."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 455. In contrast to Demas's perfidy, how did Paul describe the steadfastness of Aquila and Priscilla? Rom. 16:3-5. The experiences of Ananias and Sapphira and of Demas in- dicate that Christianity has never been without its tares. The truth is perfect, but the people are imperfect, revealing the controversy in each life. Christ is the perfect Pattern to emulate (Matt. 16:24). THINK IT THROUGH What is the most important thing the Holy Spirit can do for us with respect to the conflict between love and selfishness? "Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. . . . When we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts."—The Desire of Ages, p. 641. FURTHER STUDY The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 70-76. 94 Conflicts Within the Church LESSON 11 ❑ Friday March 12 Part 6 What is the true evidence of discipleship? UNITY IN LOVE "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34, 35). "When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest, but by love, they show the working of an influence that is above every human influence. Where this oneness exists, it is evidence that the image of God is being restored in humanity, that a new principle of life has been implanted. It shows that there is power in the divine nature to withstand the supernat- ural agencies of evil, and that the grace of God subdues the selfishness inherent in the natural heart."—The Desire of Ages, p. 678. What is the source of love? Rom. 5:5. "God's law is fulfilled only as men love Him with heart, mind, soul, and strength, and their neighbor as themselves. It is the manifestation of this love that brings glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to men. The Lord is glorified when the great end of His law is attained. It is the work of the Holy Spirit from age to age to impart love to hu- man hearts, for love is the living principle of brotherhood." —Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 139. Unfortunately, what tarelike conduct at times mars the church? 1 Cor. 3:3; 6:1-8, -18-20. "Lawsuits between brethren are a reproach to the cause of truth. Christians who go to law with one another expose the church to the ridicule of her enemies and cause the powers of darkness to triumph. They are wounding Christ afresh and putting Him to open shame. By ignoring the authority of the church, they show contempt for God, who gave to the church its authority."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 306. What is the basic secret for preserving unity in the family of God? Eph. 4:1-3, 31, 32. THINK IT THROUGH What am I personally doing to promote unity and coopera- tion in my church? "The reason for all division, discord, and difference is found in separation from Christ. Christ is the center to which all should be attracted; for the nearer we approach the center, the closer we shall come together in feeling, in sympathy, in love." —Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 259. FURTHER STUDY Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 327. 95 LESSON 12 March 14-2( God's People Vindicated "He hath aPgointed a day, in the which,,he will judge the wor d in'rigleousness "And the times of this ignorance ment will declare the genuine peo- God winked at; but now command- ple of God trustworthy through the eth all men every where to repent: merits of Christ, and they will be because he hath appointed a day, in secured as jewels for His kingdom. the which he will judge the world "The deepest interest manifested in righteousness by that man whom among men in the decisions of he hath ordained" (Acts 17: 30, 31). earthly tribunals but faintly repre- sents the interest evinced in the In the sanctuary service Israel's re- heavenly courts when the names ligious year closed with the Day of entered in the book of life come up Atonement, a type of judgment. in review before the Judge of all the Thus was foreshadowed the fact that earth. The divine Intercessor pre- the plan of salvation would end with sents the plea that all who have a final day of judgment. overcome through faith in His blood The Scriptures make frequent ref- be forgiven their transgressions, that erences to the day of judgment. they be restored to their Eden home, However, the "day of judgment" is and crowned as joint heirs with Him- not simply one "day," nor is it self to 'the first dominion.' Micah simply the act of giving rewards. 4:8. Satan in his efforts to deceive Rather, the "day of judgment" in- and tempt our race had thought to volves three phases, extending from frustrate the divine plan in man's 1844 to the destruction of the creation; but Christ now asks that wicked and the creation of a new this plan be carried into effect as if earth at the close of the millennium. man had never fallen. He asks for There is (1) the investigative phase His people not only pardon and jus- in which those whose names are in tification, full and complete, but a the book of life will be examined. share in His glory and a seat upon This is the judgment which precedes His throne."—The Great Contro- the second advent; it began in 1844 versy, pp. 483, 484. and ends with the close of human It is this first phase of the "day of probation. This phase is followed by judgment" that we will study in this (2) a review in which the redeemed, week's lesson. during their millennial reign with Christ in heaven, will review the LESSON OUTLINE cases of the lost. Finally, (3) there is the executive phase at which time 1. The Type of the Judgment (Lev. Satan, his angels, and the impenitent 23:27) will be judged and destroyed by the 2. The Records for Judgment (Rom. lake of fire, and the new earth will 14:10, 12) be given to the redeemed as their 3. The Need for Judgment (Matt. eternal inheritance. In each phase 13:47, 48) some portion of the intelligent crea- 4. Acquittal in the Judgment (Matt. tion will be given the opportunity to 22:11-14) understand the issues in the con- 5. The Time of the Judgment—I troversy and to approve of the divine (Dan. 8:14) actions. The judgment in heaven preced- 6. The Time of the judgment—II ing the second advent in one sense (Dan. 9:24) is the most crucial of the three phases. From the viewpoint of the doctrine of the sanctuary, this judg- God's People Vindicated LESSON 12 ❑ Sunday March 14 Part 1 What ritual, conducted by the high priest once a year, THE TYPE OF climaxed the sanctuary services of Israel? THE JUDGMENT "Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord" (Lev. 23:27). The sanctuary ritual illustrated to Israel in type and shadow the plan of salvation. In the daily service ,penitent sinners confessed their sins and were forgiven as they trusted in the merits of the prom- ised Redeemer, typified in the sacrifices. By means of the ritual their confessed sins were transferred in figure to the sanctuary. In this sense the sanctuary became defiled. It was cleansed on the Day of Atonement by a special ritual. The daily ritual had to do with the cleansing of persons; the yearly had to do with the cleansing of the sanctuary. In other words, the daily ritual taught in type that aspect of the plan of salvation which was concerned with saving the sinner from his sins and in restoring him to the image of God. The yearly ritual taught in type the final eradication of sin and Satan, the banishment of sin and its effects from the universe. "Once each year their minds were carried forward to till closing events of the great controversy between Christ anti Satan, the final purification of the universe from sin and sin- ners."—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 358. The yearly ritual centered on two goats—one for the Lord and one for Azazel ("scapegoat," see margin). What was the function of each goat? Lev. 16:8, 9, 15-22. This figurative eradication of sin typified the final judgment when God will set things right. Who was intimately involved in this typical judgment scene? Lev. 16:30, 34. The two goats typify Christ and Satan, and imply by type the final resolution of the great controversy begun in heaven. The death of Christ, typified by the shedding of the blood of the Lord's goat fully atones for all who have placed their trust in Him. This is the heart of God's answer to the problem of sin. The banished scapegoat (for Azazel) typified Satan upon whom the final responsibility for sin will be placed. Like the goat he will be banished to the wilderness of this chaotic earth during the millennium and will die in the destruction of sin at its end. FURTHER STUDY Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 355-358. 98 God's People Vindicated LESSON 12 ❑ Monday March I5 Part 2 "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of THE RECORDS Christ.... FOR JUDGMENT "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:10, 12). What supplies the evidence of the thoughts, motives, and acts of each individual in the judgment? Rev. 20:12; Jer. 2:22; Mal. 3:16. "The books of record in heaven, in which the names and the deeds of men are registered, are to determine the decisions of the judgment."—The Great Controversy, p. 480. The Bible states plainly that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23); hence, all are under the divine judgment of death (Rom. 6:23). When a penitent sinner accepts the gospel, where is his name recorded? Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3. In the typical service moral responsibility for sins was figuratively transferred from the penitent to the sanctuary. In reality, how is it transferred, and to whom? Heb. 9:28; 10:12; 1 John 1:9. "In the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary."—The Great Controversy, p. 421. The sanctuary type makes it evident that when sin was forgiven it was not blotted out. The sinner was freely forgiven, but the sin remained in the sanctuary until the Day of Atone- ment. This shows another aspect of God's dealing with sin that goes beyond the forgiveness of the individual. For the moment the sanctuary had assumed responsibility; the sinner was free. So Christ is our Substitute and Surety as we put our trust in Him. Since all whose names are not in the book of life are already under condemnation, who are the persons involved in the investigative phase of the judgment? "In the typical service only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God." —The Great Controversy, p. 480. THINK IT THROUGH Why should a genuine Christian have no fear of the in- vestigative phase of the judgment? "If Christ is my Saviour, my sacrifice, my atonement, then I shall never perish. Believing on Him, I have life forevermore." —Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 381. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 420-422. 99 God's People Vindicated LESSON 12 ❑ Tuesday March 16 Part 3 What kind of persons does the gospel net bring into the THE NEED FOR kingdom of grace? What is represented by the sorting? JUDGMENT "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away" (Matt. 13: 47, 48). "When the mission of the gospel is completed, the judg- ment will accomplish the work of separation."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 122. Sometimes it is asked why it is necessary for God to investi- gate in judgment those who have professed faith in Christ. In answer we must note that the investigative phase of judgment is not for the omniscient God who reads the future as the pres- ent and who is acquainted with every life. This judgment is for the benefit of loyal beings in the universe who are not omni- scient. Here they have an opportunity to see God's fairness in dealing with man. One purpose of the investigative phase is to sift out the genuine believer from the false. The parables of the net, the wheat and tares, and the ten virgins show that not all whose names are in the book of life remain faithful or will be saved. What basic test will be applied in this judgment? Matt. 7:21-23; James 2:8-12. When the life record of a genuine believer is examined, what will his High Priest do for him? Rev. 3:5. What must He do if the professed believer is a false disciple? Ex. 32:33. Christ's second-apartment ministry in the heavenly court is His last work in behalf of His true people. God will clear those who have trusted in the provisions of the plan of salvation. The loyal universe would question the taking of sinners into heaven; Satan would protest too. The records depict the sins and fail- ures of God's people, but they also demonstrate how Christians have laid hold of the merits of Christ, surrendering their lives fully to Him. "Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and faith, and . . . [claims] for them forgiveness." —The Great Controversy, p. 484. On this basis He secures their acquittal and blots out the record of their sins. The prophecies of Daniel 8 and 9 and the doctrine of the sanctuary focus on the heavenly judgment scene in which God's people are cleared to enter the kingdom at the second advent. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 479-491. 100 God's People Vindicated LESSON 12 ❑ Wednesday March 17 Part 4 "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw ACQUITTAL IN there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having THE JUDGMENT a wedding garment? . . . Bind him hand and foot, and take him away. . . . For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:1 1-14). The parable of the wedding garment sketches the gospel invitation in the Christian era. Two appeals are made to the nation of Israel (by Christ before the cross; by the apostles after the cross, verses 3, 4). The invitation is rejected; the mes- sengers mistreated. In turn Israel is rejected as God's agent. Jerusalem is destroyed and the nation scattered (verse 7). The third invitation goes to the world (verses 8, 9). Throughout the Christian era what kinds of persons have responded to the gospel invitation? Matt. 22:10. Before the invited guests participate in the wedding feast, an inspection by the king takes place. What does this inspec- tion of professed Christians represent? Matt. 22:11-14. "By the king's examination of the guests at the feast is rep- resented a work of judgment. The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life. But not all who profess to be Chris- tians are true disciples. Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righ- teous.... "It is while men are still dwelling upon the earth that the work of investigative judgment takes place in the courts of heaven. The lives of all His professed followers pass in review before God. All are examined according to the record of the books of heaven, and according to his deeds the destiny of each is forever fixed."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 310. What does the garment, a gift from the king, represent? What did Paul wish to be found having? Phil. 3:8, 9. "When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 312. FURTHER STUDY Christ's Object Lessons, "Without a Wedding Garment," pp. 307-319. 101 God's People Vindicated LESSON 12 ❑ Thursday March 18 Part 5 "And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hun- THE TIME dred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed" (Dan. 8:14). OF THE The Hebrew reads: "Unto evening morning two thousand JUDGMENT—I and three hundred." The sequence of evening-morning reflects the Hebrew concept of a "day" as given in the Creation ac- count: "And there was evening and there was morning, one day" (Gen. 1:5, RSV.) Thus the expression in Daniel 8:14 means simply "two thousand and three hundred days." The Jewish translators of the Greek Septuagint evidently understood the expression this way since their translation reads: "Unto eve- ning and morning." This time period distressed Daniel. He apparently thought there was to be a delay in the return of Israel. To what prophecies did Daniel turn to study in his per- plexity? Dan. 9:1, 2. See also Jer. 25:1-14; 29:1-14. It was now the first year of Darius the Mede (538 BC). Reck- oning from his own captivity (605 BC), the prophet realized that the 70-year exile was nearly over. He now sought God in prayer to fulfill His promises (Dan. 9:3-19). What explanation of the 2300-day prophecy did Gabriel later give? Dan. 9:21-27. In stating that the 70 weeks (a prophetic expression in which a day symbolizes a year: 7 x 70 = 490 days-years) were to be set apart for Israel, Gabriel, in effect, assured Daniel that the exiles and the temple would be restored. He now announces the time for the advent of the Messiah. Since the 70 weeks (490 years) logically make up the first part of the 2300 years, what starting point for both did Ga- briel give? Dan. 9:25. The decree of Artaxerxes I which restored Jewish autonomy became effective in the fall of 457 BC. Twenty-three hundred years from that date brings us to the fall of 1844. Since this date falls in the Christian era, the cleansing of the sanctuary concerns Christ's final ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. "While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of put- ting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. "When this work shall have been accomplished, the follow- ers of Christ will be ready for His appearing."—The Great Controversy, p. 425. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 410, 417. 102 God's People Vindicated LESSON 12 ❑ Friday March 19 Part 6 "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon THE TIME thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring OF THE in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and JUDGMENT—II prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy" (Dan. 9:24). This 490-year period was a time of high destiny for Israel, the climax to which all their history and worship focused— Messiah's appearance and redemption. "To make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness" refer to the redemptive acts of Christ. The supreme sacrifice of Calvary (verses 26, 27) makes possible the final destruction of sin, atonement for penitent sinners, and righteousness through His merits. According to the prophecy, what was to be anointed? The Hebrew phrase qodesh qodashim translated "the most Holy" is used more than forty times in the Old Testament in connection with the sanctuary and its related objects, and not to persons. The RSV translates the phrase in Dan. 9:24 as "a most holy place." What "most holy place" is referred to? "In view of the fact that the Hebrew phrase cannot elsewhere be shown to refer definitely to a person, and in view of the fact that the heavenly sanctuary is under discussion in the larger aspects of the vision . . . , it is reasonable to conclude that Daniel is here speaking of the anointing of the heavenly sanctuary prior to the time of Christ's inauguration as high priest."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Dan. 9:24. What other prophecies foretold the priestly ministry of the Messiah? Ps. 110:1, 4; Isa. 53:12. The prophecies foretold that the Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Now in Daniel the anointing of a sanctuary in connection with the Messiah is announced. The divine spotlight thus shifts within the continuous visions of chapters 8, 9 from the earthly typical sanctuary, which ceased to have meaning at the cross (see Dan. 9:27; Matt. 27:51), to the heavenly antitypical sanctuary. The 490-year portion of the visions thus pointed to the re- demptive acts of Christ on earth and to His ministration in the heavenly sanctuary as man's High Priest. The 2300-year portion focuses upon His closing ministration there, a work of judg- ment, cleansing and restoring it to its rightful state. THINK IT THROUGH While God the Father is over all (Dan. 7:9, 10), why has He entrusted all judgment to Christ? See John 5:22, 27. "He who took humanity upon Himself, and in this world lived a perfect life, is to judge us."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 185. FURTHER STUDY .Prophets and Kings, pp. 698, 699. 103 LESSON 13 March 21-2 God's Rule Vindicated Out of the fires of persecution and trial in the last days, God's church will emerge as a vindication of His love and righteousness. AMAJCSAi TAAVileMv f.n.raMeallyworam. Yqta.1.6Pa=ir O1MsaiR1911111 judgment will be weighed the issues and charges made by Satan against God. The judgment is first of all a judgment on the original issues in favor of God, and a condemnation of Satan and his rebellion with the con- curring approval by the watching loyal inhabitants of the universe. In that court the observers will see by the light of Calvary and the plan of salvation that God's character is infinite love. His law will be seen to be in the best interests of His crea- tures. It will be evident that intelli- gent life finds its fullest meaning un- "The Lord is righteous in all his der the divine government. The ways, and holy in all his works" (Ps. cross will have demonstrated that 145:17). justice and mercy are not incompati- ble. God has been righteous in all In last week's lesson we studied His dealings with His creatures both the first of three phases of the "day loyal and disloyal. It will then be of judgment." This week the second seen that the spirit of self-sacrifice is and third phases will be examined; the spirit of heaven, for Deity will- that is, (2) the court of review during ingly stooped to save the sinner. the millennium, and (3) the execu- God will be vindicated. Henceforth, tive phase after the millennium. the universe, under His sovereignty, The Scriptures testify to the ex- will be eternally secure. istence of God and that He is the moral Governor of the universe of LESSON OUTLINE intelligent beings He has created. Subjects may rebel against the divine 1. Vindication by His People (Rev. authority, but the prophecies fore- 14:12, 14) tell that a court of judgment will sit 2. Vindication by the Judgment—I in heaven to resolve the issues be- (Dan. 7:9, 10) tween righteousness and sin, be- 3. Vindication by the Judgment—II tween God and Satan. (Dan. 8:13, 14) "Unto two thousand and three 4. Rebellion Condemned (Dan. hundred days; then shall the sanc- 7:26; 8:25) tuary be cleansed" (Dan. 8:14) di- rects attention to the time set by 5. Judging the Wicked (Rev. 20:4) God for the beginning of the judg- 6. Execution of Sentence (2 Cor. ment, composed of three phases. 5:10) In Daniel 7 it is the "little horn" power, one of the agencies of Sa- tan, that is brought into judgment. Through the Christian apostasy Satan has continued those challenges which he originally raised in heaven. The heavenly court of judgment will try the "little horn" power and will render a verdict of guilty. In that God's Rule Vindicated LESSON 13 ❑ Sunday March 21 Part 1 Considering the issues of the moral controversy we have VINDICATION been studying, how will the last generation of God's true believers vindicate Him on the earth? BY HIS PEOPLE "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. . . . "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle" (Rev. 14: 12, 14). God will close the great moral controversy between Satan and Himself on two planes: (1) By divine action in the heavenly sanctuary court. Here God's people will be vindicated. (2) By a final movement on earth of His people who will come into full harmony with His law, and will remain loyal to Him at all costs as they preach God's last messages of appeal to the world. Thus, the people that God vindicates in the judgment have contributed, and will continue to contribute, to the vindi- cation of God. "The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fulness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to 'the principalities and powers in heavenly places,' the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9. What are the basic points of the last appeal from God to be given to the entire earth? Rev. 14:6-12, 14. The last appeal continues to be "the everlasting gospel," with special warnings about the last-day situation. Since the emphases of the second and the third angels come later than the first angel, and since the second advent is not a formal judgment, it is reasonable to conclude that the first angel's announcement, "the hour of his judgment is come," refers to the opening of the heavenly sanctuary court of judg- ment in heaven in 1844. Thus, since that date, the final vindi- cation of God has been going on in, heaven and in earth. THINK IT THROUGH In what ways does my life testify favorably to the char- acter of the God I profess to serve? "The world does not so much need men of great intellect as of noble character. It needs men in whom ability is controlled by steadfast principle."—Education, p. 225. FURTHER STUDY Evangelism, p. 695. 106 God's Rule Vindicated LESSON 13 ❑ Monday March 22 Part 2 "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient VINDICATION of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the BY THE fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. . . . Thousand JUDGMENT—I thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened" (Dan. 7:9, 10). Since the "Ancient of days" represents God the Father, where is this solemn judgment held? See "The Great Contro- versy," pages 479, 480. "Thousand thousands. These represent the heavenly angels who wait before the Lord and are ever attendant on His will. The angels perform an important part in the judgment. They function as both 'ministers and witnesses' (GC 479). "Was set. Or, 'began to sit.' Daniel is shown the final judg- ment in both its phases, investigative and executive."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Dan. 7:10. In comparing Daniel 2 and 7 we see that the latter vision introduces two new features: (1) The rise and career of the horn with the eyes and mouth of a man which we have earlier identified as the Christian apostasy, and (2) the scene depict- ing final judgment in the court of heaven. The importance of this vision is underscored by the fact that its essential elements are stated three times: verses 1-14, 15-22, and 23-27. According to the context of this vision who is especially being reviewed and judged? Dan. 7:11, 21, 22, 26. It is clear that one aspect of this judgment deals with the matter: Who is going to have the dominion? Four world king- doms sought for control; likewise the little horn. The judgment sits at some time after the horn's special period of rule (1260 days-years: AD 538 to AD 1798). Decisions will be made in favor of Christ and His people, but against the horn whose destruction is decreed (verses 11, 26). THINK IT THROUGH The judgment pronounced upon the serpent (Gen. 3:14, 15) was really upon whom? The judgment pronouncement upon the little horn is really a final judgment on whom? "In the judgment of the universe God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be dem- onstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin. There was no defect in God's government, no cause for dis- affection."—The Desire of Ages, p. 58. FURTHER STUDY SDA Bible Commentary, on Daniel 7. 107 God's Rule Vindicated LESSON 13 Ei Tuesday March 23 Part 3 The cleansing of the sanctuary was to take place at the VINDICATION close of what period of time? BY THE "Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said JUDGMENT—II unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed" (Dan. 8:13, 14). "The prophecy of Dan. 8:14 announces the time for the be- ginning of this special work [of the antitypical Day of Atone- ment]. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary comprehends the entire work of final judgment, beginning with the investiga- tive phase and ending with the executive phase, which results in the permanent eradication of sin from the universe. "A significant feature of the final judgment is the vindication of God's character before all the intelligences of the universe. The false charges that Satan has lodged against the govern- ment of God must be demonstrated as utterly groundless. God must be shown to have been entirely fair in the selection of certain individuals to make up His future kingdom, and in the barring of others from entrance there. The final acts of God will evoke from. men the confessions, 'Just and true are thy ways' (Rev. 15:3), 'Thou art righteous, 0 Lord' (Rev. 16:5), and, 'True and righteous are thy judgments' (Rev. 16:7)."—SDA Bible Commentary, on Dan. 8:14 (p. 845). What was Daniel shown about a desolating little horn power? What was Gabriel's explanation? Dan. 8:9-12, 23-25. Gabriel does not name the little horn power, but a compari- son of this horn with the terrible nondescript beast of chapter 7 and the daring words and actions of its little horn leave no doubt that the horn of chapter 8 is symbolizing the careers of the same two powers, that is pagan and papal Rome. What would the horn attack and cast down which would in time be cleansed and restored? Dan. 8:11-14. Pagan Rome destroyed the temple in Jerusalem (AD 70), but Papal Rome has defamed the throne of God by depriving men of the true knowledge of saving righteousness. through Christ, man's Mediator and High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The fact that the horn' represents (in part) the Papal phase, func- tioning in the Christian era, points us to the heavenly sanctuary (Heb. 8:1, 2) and the divine actions which will there take place at the appointed time. FURTHER STUDY SDA Bible Commentary, on Daniel 8. 108 God's Rule Vindicated LESSON 13 ❑ Wednesday March 24 Part 4 In the heavenly sanctuary court of judgment what verdict REBELLION and sentence will be pronounced upon the power represented by a horn? CONDEMNED "But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end" (Dan. 7:26). "He shall be broken without hand" (Dan. 8:25). Through the spyglass of prophecy we are permitted to glance ahead and see that all the accusations Satan made in heaven (lesson 4) will be condemned in the day of judgment. In a sense, God—His character, law, government—has been on trial before the universe ever since Lucifer raised his chal- lenges. The divine answer to the rebellion has been the plan of salvation, centering in Christ's sinless life, atoning death, and mediatorial ministry. The universe has watched the out- working of the satanic principle of selfishness and the divine principle of love. In a very real sense, God will be cleared—and Satan condemned—by the entire universe. "The plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper pur- pose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; . . . but it was to vindicate the char- acter of God before the universe. . . . The act of Christ in dying . . . would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and results of sin." —Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 68, 69. Satan's high-handed charges defiled the divine throne. He was expelled from heaven. On earth he has continued to "blas- pheme his name, and his tabernacle" (Rev. 13:6). The proph- ecies of Daniel 7 and 8 (and related ones in 2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13 and 17) show that Satan has continued to promote the same challenges and to usurp God's authority through the activities of the "little horn." Through this power Satan has succeeded far beyond what he could have done through pagan nations, since it has become a moral voice in the world. Millions regard the Christian apos- tasy as the only moral force worth reckoning with today. Thus the judgment in the heavenly sanctuary which declares the "little horn" guilty and orders its destruction renders, in effect, a verdict against Satan. The judgment of the horn is a final judgment on Satan and a vindication of God "with the full approval of the loyal universe. The issues raised by Satan will thus be decided in the heavenly court in favor of God. 109 God's Rule Vindicated LESSON 13 ❑ Thursday March 25 Part 5 Who will sit on these thrones of judgment in heaven? (See JUDGING THE Rev. 20:6.) Who will be judged? WICKED "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thou- sand years" (Rev. 20:4). When will this judgment take place? Where? See verse 6; 1 Thess. 4:16-18. "During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. . . . At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. ... In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is recorded against their names in the book of death."—The Great Controversy, pp. 660, 661. How extensive will this judgment be? Who besides man- kind will be examined? 1 Cor. 6:2, 3. Human probation closes with the completion of Christ's work as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary (Rev. 15:5-8). This was a ministry of judgment and vindication, and, as far as man was concerned, dealt with those whose names were written in the book of life. The judgment of fallen angels and impeni- tent sinners by the saints during their millennial reign with Christ in heaven is an examination and a review of the issues involved in the controversy as begun and carried out by Satan and the fallen angels. There would naturally be many questions why persons were lost. The millennial phase of the judgment will provide an opportunity for the redeemed to be fully satis- fied with all of God's acts in dealing with the sin problem, just as the investigative phase will satisfy the unfallen universe. THINK IT THROUGH Why is it particularly fitting for John to be shown martyrs and persecuted saints on the thrones in judgment? "The day of His vengeance hastens, when all who have transgressed His law and oppressed His people will meet the just recompense of their deeds; when every act of cruelty or injustice toward God's faithful ones will be punished as though done to Christ Himself."—The Great Controversy, p. 48. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 658-661. 110 God's Rule Vindicated LESSON 13 ❑ Friday March 26 Part 6 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of EXECUTION Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or OF SENTENCE bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). Inasmuch as the intelligent creation resides in a universe which is under moral law, amenability to God cannot be es- caped. All mankind, and the fallen angels as well, must stand at the bar of God. When does the executive phase of the judgment take place? Where? Rev. 20:11-15. See also Matt. 25:31-33; Prov. 11:31. All mankind will be present: the redeemed within the city; the lost and the fallen angels outside. The loyal universe will witness. "The judgment scene will take place in the presence of all the worlds; for in this judgment the government of God will be vindicated, and His law will stand forth as 'holy, and just, and good.' .. . Sin will not then appear attractive, but will be seen in all its hideous magnitude."—Ellen G. White Com- ments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 986. What will the intelligent creation involved in this phase of judgment confess? Rom. 14:10, 11. "As soon as the books of record are opened, and the eye of Jesus looks upon the wicked, they are conscious of every sin which they have ever committed. They see just . . . how far pride and rebellion have carried them in the violation of the law of God." "It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death." "Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for heaven. . . . His accusations against the mercy and justice of God are now silenced. The reproach which he has endeavored to cast upon Jehovah rests wholly upon himself. And now Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence."—The Great Controversy, pp. 666, 668, 670. The executive phase of judgment will elicit from the lost a free admission of the rightness of God in His acts. Thus the judgment in its three phases fully vindicates God. According to Jesus, on what principle of the law will ac- quittal or condemnation hang? Matt. 25:34-46. Lack of love for their fellowmen (a violation of the second table of the law) indicates that self is central (a violation of the first table). Only divine grace received into the life can produce supreme love to God and impartial love to others. FURTHER STUDY The Great Controversy, pp. 668-673. 111 Lessons for 2nd Quarter/1976 Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Lessons for the second quarter of 1976 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first two lessons. The title of the series is "God Is Not Silent." First Lesson HE REVEALS HIMSELF. Memory verse, Isa. 46:9. 1. His Unsearchable Greatness (Ps. 145:3). 2. His Immeasurable Condescension (lsa. 57:15). 3. His Inimitable Attributes (Ex. 34:6). 4. His Supreme Transcendence (1 Chron. 16:23-27). 5. His Beneficent Activity (Ex. 34:10). 6. His Life-giving Power (John 17:3). Second Lesson CHANNELS OF HIS REVELATION. Memory verse, Gal. 1:12. 1. Visible Reflects Invisible (Rom. 1:20). 2 The Message of History (Ex. 19:4). 3. Revelation in Jesus (Heb. 1:1, 2). 4. The Witness of Men (Heb. 2:3). 5. The Written Record (Luke 1:3, 4). 6. God Speaks Today (John 16:13). Lessons in 3rcille The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in Braille and 16 2/3 rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannot hold or focus or normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian Record Braille Foundation Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506. "I HE COMPREHENSIVL //Oct to the, Writing494Ellen G. White helps yOu to 'fifrdliVfelencs" cituckry 'on sIblittg"in Mrs. White's books Lists references on a N.,erop•pic. Invaluable to students; teachers ~inmisters, an d anyonV wanting to know what Mrs. White wrote and oc*nnes, stgndards, and'othee.irnpOrtarit subjects. t ree'4oltrnie set that will aid you in your , Sabbath School lesson 44, • st ud nly.4$29.95 it y our Adventist Book Center. M ail orders maybe sent to ABC Mailing.Service.;Bbx 31776. Omaha. ebrasga%13 I. In Canada: ABC.Arajling Service; 4826 11th Stleet. Ciiradg:"F2t2W7. Add $1.00 per set cover:shippipg costs and add;sales tdx Where, applicable. OUR LITTLE FRIEND PRIMARY TREASURE OUR LITTLE FRIEND and PRIMARY TREASURE Send a three-month subscrip- service, each for only $1.20. tion to non-S.D.A. boys and Back issues available for • girls as a special follow-up $1.00 per 100 copies. ACTIVITY PICTURES SILHOUETTE PICTURES 2 sets of twenty-four pictures each showing boys and girls per- forming acts of kindness and developing helpful traits of character. Printed in three colors Set of thirty silhouette pictures on sheets 11 x 14 inches for use may be used as illustrations for in small class groups and to stories and songs. A list of sug- illustrate stories, as well as for gestions for using the silhouettes room displays. Sold only in sets: is included. Sold only in sets: per set, $3.00. per set, $3.00. through vonilloWzaciataltami2EIV Adve List Pacific Publishing Association, Mountain California ru to Be a Victorious Christian 10MAS DA% N A Dynamic Remedy for Listless HOW TO BE A Christians• VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN, by Thomas A. Davis. This book reveals reasons for lukewarm religion and offers real, practical help toward a vital, valid Christianity. It shows, from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy writings, the dynamics of the science of salvation — how to know Jesus as a personal Saviour and Lord, and how to live through Him a victorious daily life. Price $3.50 HOW TO BE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN, STUDY GUIDE. A study guide, providing an organized, practical outline for prayer meetings, family and study groups, is also available. Price $1.00 Order from your Adventist Book Center or ABC Mailing Service, P.O. Box 31776, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. Add 40 cents postage for the first book and 15 cents for each additional book. Add State sales tax where necessary. di Church S.S. Unions Population Churches Members Members Central African Union 5,775,000 542 104,598 220,189 South African Union 7,036,031 149 14,260 14,357 Ma54"im South-East Africa Union 4,916,000 183 33,236 63,836 Southern Union 18,000,000 172 12,868 43,584 Zaire Union 20,705,834 202 31,233 70,001 Zambesi Union 6,852,000 230 38,888 64,552 &310 Vat:2, Zambia Union 4,000,000 170 23,754 74,261 Division Totals 67,284,865 1,648 258,837 550,780 (Figures as of 3rd quarter, 1974) mtcal