Sunday
October 2
1. VICTORY!
a. When Christ accomplished His work on earth, what did He exclaim from the cross? John 19:30. What did these words signify? Ephesians 2:16–18; Revelation 12:10.
“All heaven triumphed in the Saviour’s victory. Satan was defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost.
“To the angels and the unfallen worlds the cry, ‘It is finished,’ had a deep significance. It was for them as well as for us that the great work of redemption had been accomplished. They with us share the fruits of Christ’s victory.
“Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion. . . .
“It was God’s purpose to place things on an eternal basis of security, and in the councils of heaven it was decided that time must be given for Satan to develop the principles which were the foundation of his system of government. He had claimed that these were superior to God’s principles. Time was given for the working of Satan’s principles, that they might be seen by the heavenly universe.
“Satan led men into sin, and the plan of redemption was put in operation. For four thousand years, Christ was working for man’s uplifting, and Satan for his ruin and degradation. And the heavenly universe beheld it all.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 758, 759.
Monday
October 3
2. RECONCILIATION IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH
a. What took place in heaven through Christ’s death on the cross? Colossians 1:20. What provision was made for reconciliation on earth? 2 Corinthians 5:18–21.
“Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open before the unfallen angels and before the heavenly universe. He had revealed himself as a murderer. By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings. Henceforth his work was restricted. Whatever attitude he might assume, he could no longer await the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ’s brethren of being clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 761.
b. What decision was then confirmed about Satan? Hebrews 2:14. Why was he not destroyed at that time?
“[At Christ’s death on the cross,] Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not even then understand all that was involved in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed. And for the sake of man, Satan’s existence must be continued. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom he will serve.”—Ibid.
c. Why can the merciful and just King of the universe rightly offer hope to us but no longer to Satan? Revelation 12:9; 20:10.
“Lucifer in heaven had sinned in the light of God’s glory. To him as to no other created being was given a revelation of God’s love. Understanding the character of God, knowing His goodness, Satan chose to follow his own selfish, independent will. This choice was final. There was no more that God could do to save him. But man was deceived; his mind was darkened by Satan’s sophistry. The height and depth of the love of God he did not know. For him there was hope in a knowledge of God’s love. By beholding His character he might be drawn back to God.”—Ibid., pp. 761, 762.
Tuesday
October 4
3. CHRIST AND THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD
a. What two principles actively operate together in the plan of redemption? Psalm 85:10.
“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. It had been Satan’s purpose to divorce mercy from truth and justice. He sought to prove that the righteousness of God’s law is an enemy to peace. But Christ shows that in God’s plan they are indissolubly joined together; the one cannot exist without the other. . . .
“Satan declared that mercy destroyed justice, that the death of Christ abrogated the Father’s law. Had it been possible for the law to be changed or abrogated, then Christ need not have died. But to abrogate the law would be to immortalize transgression, and place the world under Satan’s control. It was because the law was changeless, because man could be saved only through obedience to its precepts, that Jesus was lifted up on the cross.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 762, 763.
b. Explain Christ’s position in heaven. Hebrews 3:1.
“The sacrificial service that had pointed to Christ passed away; but the eyes of men were turned to the true sacrifice for the sins of the world. The earthly priesthood ceased; but we look to Jesus, the minister of the new covenant. . . .
“Though the ministration was to be removed from the earthly to the heavenly temple; though the sanctuary and our great high priest would be invisible to human sight, yet the disciples were to suffer no loss thereby. They would realize no break in their communion, and no diminution of power because of the Saviour’s absence. While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth.”—Ibid., p. 166.
c. How did Christ become our High Priest after the order of Melchisedec—by law or by oath? Hebrews 7:12–21, 28.
d. When and how did Abraham and even the tribe of Levi pay tithes to Melchisedec? Hebrews 7:1, 2, 9, 10. How and through whom does our High Priest receive our tithes? Hebrews 7:8.
Wednesday
October 5
4. BLESSED BY OUR HIGH PRIEST
a. Under the old covenant, what compassion was expected of the high priest toward the people? Why? Hebrews 5:1, 2.
b. Under the new covenant, what attention, help, and love do we receive from our High Priest? Hebrews 2:14–18; Matthew 28:20.
“Though apparent impossibilities obstruct their way, by His grace [Christ’s followers] are to go forward. Instead of deploring difficulties, they are called upon to surmount them. They are to despair of nothing, and to hope for everything. With the golden chain of His matchless love Christ has bound them to the throne of God. It is His purpose that the highest influence in the universe, emanating from the source of all power, shall be theirs. They are to have power to resist evil, power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can master, power that will enable them to overcome as Christ overcame. . . .
“In the language of one who has divine authority, Christ gives His elect church into the Father’s arms. As a consecrated high priest He intercedes for His people. As a faithful shepherd He gathers His flock under the shadow of the Almighty, in the strong and sure refuge. . . .” —The Desire of Ages, pp. 679, 680.
c. What assurance offers us comfort and stability in our daily life? Hebrews 13:6, 8.
“Jesus is always the same in His human tenderness combined with His divinity; always touched with the feeling of our infirmities, using His divine ministering attributes to do us good; always encouraging, guiding, leading us on step by step. He is unchangeable. What He is to us today, a faithful High Priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities, this He will be tomorrow, and tomorrow forever more. He is a Guide to lead, a Teacher to instruct, a Friend to counsel, a Donor to bestow His blessings upon His church in response to their faith.
“Said Jesus to His believing disciples, ‘Abide in Me.’ This means continual faith on the part of the believer. ‘Abide in Me.’ This means, listen to the instruction of Christ. We must do His will. Christ makes us at home with Him, and we enjoy the favors of His home, enjoy His peace. All human frictions, all ill-temper, all irritation cease in His home.”—Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, pp. 422, 423.
Thursday
October 6
5. WHILE THE DOOR OF PROBATION IS STILL OPEN . . .
a. Ever since His ascension, what has been the main work of our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 7:24–26; 9:12.
“Christ Jesus is represented as continually standing at the altar, momentarily offering up the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is a minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man. . . . Jesus is officiating in the presence of God, offering up His shed blood, as it had been a lamb slain.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 343, 344.
b. Describe how effective are the merits of Christ’s blood while the door of probation is still open. Revelation 1:5; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9.
“Jesus presents the oblation offered for every offense and every shortcoming of the sinner.”—Ibid., p. 344.
“The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, nor another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.”—Steps to Christ, p. 100.
Friday
October 7
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How was Christ’s exclamation, “It is finished,” interpreted by the angelic host?
2. Why was reconciliation in heaven needed, and when did it take place?
3. Explain how mercy and righteousness go together in God’s plan. Give examples.
4. While Jesus ministers as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, how is He, at the same time, present with His earthly church?
5. Explain how Christ, while officiating on our behalf in the presence of the Father, is offering up His blood (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7) shed 2,000 years before.