Sunday
September 2
1. LESSONS FROM BIBLE HISTORY
a. What explicit warnings and reproofs did God give to the priesthood? Leviticus 22:15; Jeremiah 23:11; Ezekiel 22:26.
b. How has the Lord sought to impress His people with the need to avoid presumption? 1 Samuel 6:19, 20; 2 Samuel 6:1–11.
“As we learn more and more of what God is, and of what we ourselves are in His sight, we shall fear and tremble before Him.
“Let men of today take warning from the fate of those who in ancient times presumed to make free with that which God had declared sacred. When the Israelites ventured to open the ark on its return from the land of the Philistines, their irreverent daring was signally punished. [1 Samuel 6:19, 20, ARV quoted.]
“Again, consider the judgment that fell upon Uzzah. As in David’s reign, the ark was being carried to Jerusalem, Uzzah put forth his hand to keep it steady. For presuming to touch the symbol of God’s presence, he was smitten with instant death.”—Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 283, 284.
Monday
September 3
2. MYSTERIES OF GOD
a. What are some of God’s greatest mysteries—and what should be our attitude toward them? Exodus 33:17–23; Psalm 33:8.
“I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus’ countenance and admired His lovely person. The Father’s person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, ‘If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist.’ ”—Early Writings, p. 54.
“ ‘Those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever;’ but ‘the secret things belong unto the Lord our God’ (Deuteronomy 29:29). The revelation of Himself that God has given in His word is for our study. This we may seek to understand. But beyond this we are not to penetrate. 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. No human mind can comprehend God. Let not finite man attempt to interpret Him. Let none indulge in speculation regarding His nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above discussion.
“Even the angels were not permitted to share the counsels between the Father and the Son when the plan of salvation was laid. Those human beings who seek to intrude into the secrets of the Most High show their ignorance of spiritual and eternal things.”—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 279.
b. What great mystery does God intend that we understand, and what is our sacred obligation because of it? 1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Corinthians 7:1. Describe how the early Advent believers studied Scripture. Isaiah 28:10, 13.
“We would come together burdened in soul, praying that we might be one in faith and doctrine; for we knew that Christ is not divided. One point at a time was made the subject of investigation. The Scriptures were opened with a sense of awe. Often we fasted, that we might be better fitted to understand the truth. After earnest prayer, if any point was not understood it was discussed, and each one expressed his opinion freely; then we would again bow in prayer, and earnest supplications went up to heaven that God would help us to see eye to eye, that we might be one as Christ and the Father are one. Many tears were shed.”—Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 24, 25.
Tuesday
September 4
3. MYSTERIES OF DARKNESS
a. Name some of the disguises with which the enemy of souls mysteriously cloaks his power in these last days. Revelation 17:1–5; 13:11–14; 16:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 11:14.
“One of the chief causes of mental inefficiency and moral weakness is the lack of concentration for worthy ends. We pride ourselves on the wide distribution of literature; but the multiplication of books, even books that in themselves are not harmful, may be a positive evil. With the immense tide of printed matter constantly pouring from the press, old and young form the habit of reading hastily and superficially, and the mind loses its power of connected and vigorous thought. Furthermore, a large share of the periodicals and books that, like the frogs of Egypt, are overspreading the land, are not merely commonplace, idle, and enervating, but unclean and degrading. Their effect is not merely to intoxicate and ruin the mind, but to corrupt and destroy the soul. The mind, the heart, that is indolent, aimless, falls an easy prey to evil. It is on diseased, lifeless organisms that fungus roots. It is the idle mind that is Satan’s workshop. Let the mind be directed to high and holy ideals, let the life have a noble aim, an absorbing purpose, and evil finds little foothold.”—Education, pp. 189, 190.
b. What careless attitude can sweep professed believers and their children straight into the clutches of the enemy? Ephesians 5:3, 4.
“Our present habits and customs, which dishonor God and bring the sacred and heavenly down to the level of the common, are against us. We have a sacred, testing, sanctifying truth; and if our habits and practices are not in accordance with the truth, we are sinners against great light and are proportionately guilty. It will be far more tolerable for the heathen in the day of God’s retributive justice than for us.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 495.
“Many heads of families make the [worship] service a subject of criticism at home, approving a few things and condemning others. Thus the message of God to men is criticized and questioned, and made a subject of levity. What impressions are thus made upon the young by these careless, irreverent remarks the books of heaven alone will reveal. The children see and understand these things very much quicker than parents are apt to think.”—Ibid., p. 497.
Wednesday
September 5
4. SACRED OR COMMON FIRE?
a. How did the Lord impress His people with the sacredness of the temple services? Leviticus 6:8–13; 10:1, 2, 8–10.
“God designed to teach the people that they must approach Him with reverence and awe, and in His own appointed manner. He cannot accept partial obedience. It was not enough that in this solemn season of worship nearly everything was done as He had directed. God has pronounced a curse upon those who depart from His commandments, and put no difference between common and holy things. . . .
“Nadab and Abihu would never have committed that fatal sin had they not first become partially intoxicated by the free use of wine. They understood that the most careful and solemn preparation was necessary before presenting themselves in the sanctuary, where the divine Presence was manifested; but by intemperance they were disqualified for their holy office. Their minds became confused and their moral perceptions dulled so that they could not discern the difference between the sacred and the common.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 360-362.
b. From this principle, what warnings should we heed today? Isaiah 50:11.
“Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan. If doubts and unbelief are cherished, the faithful ministers will be removed from the people who think they know so much.”—Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 409, 410.
“It is not true that brilliant young men always make the greatest success. How often men of talent and education have been placed in positions of trust and have proved failures. Their glitter had the appearance of gold, but when it was tried, it proved to be but tinsel and dross. They made a failure of their work through unfaithfulness. They were not industrious and persevering and did not go to the bottom of things. They were not willing to begin at the bottom of the ladder, and with patient toil, ascend round after round till they reached the top. They walked in the sparks (their bright flashes of thought) of their own kindling. They did not depend on the wisdom which God alone can give.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 193.
Thursday
September 6
5. SEPARATION FROM SIN AND SINNERS
a. Name one trend currently promoted in society—and explain how God expects His people to respond to it. Isaiah 8:12, 13; James 4:4; Ezekiel 44:23.
“You know what a confederacy is—a union of men in a work that does not bear the stamp of pure, straightforward, unswerving integrity.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1142.
“We can afford to lose the friendship of worldly men. Those who join themselves to worldly men, that they may carry out their unsanctified purposes, make a fearful mistake; for they forfeit the favor and blessing of God. . . . There is no such thing as maintaining concord between the profane and the holy. There can be no concord between Christ and Belial.”—This Day With God, p. 354.
b. What has the Lord consistently directed His chosen ones to do? Genesis 12:1, 4; 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18. Why is this especially important during the sealing now taking place? Revelation 18:4, 5.
“The Lord Himself has placed a wall of separation between the world and that which He has established on the earth. God’s people are to serve Him, for Christ has called them out of the world, and sanctified and refined them, that they may do His service.”—Ibid., p. 354.
“It was the work of parents to gather in their children. This is your work, this is my work, and the work of every mother who believes the truth. The angel is to place a mark upon the forehead of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel will follow, to slay utterly both old and young.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 505.
Friday
September 7
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is the lesson to be learned from the fate of Uzzah?
2. Contrast some of God’s hidden secrets with those truths that are revealed.
3. Disclose some of Satan’s ploys aimed at Sabbathkeepers.
4. Differentiate between sacred and common fire.
5. What is wrong with ecumenism?