Sunday
August 5
1. A SACRED TRANSCRIPT
a. Since ancient times, what has been the basis of God’s holy covenant with His people? Genesis 17:7; Deuteronomy 4:9–13.
“The law of God is as sacred as God Himself. It is a revelation of His will, a transcript of His character, the expression of divine love and wisdom. The harmony of creation depends upon the perfect conformity of all beings, of everything, animate and inanimate, to the law of the Creator. God has ordained laws for the government, not only of living beings, but of all the operations of nature. Everything is under fixed laws, which cannot be disregarded. But while everything in nature is governed by natural laws, man alone, of all that inhabits the earth, is amenable to moral law. To man, the crowning work of creation, God has given power to understand His requirements, to comprehend the justice and beneficence of His law, and its sacred claims upon him; and of man unswerving obedience is required.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 52.
b. In His earthly ministry, how did Jesus Christ reaffirm the sacredness of God’s holy law? Matthew 19:16, 17; 22:36–40; John 14:15.
Monday
August 6
2. A POWERFUL STANDARD
a. How does the Bible describe the timeless, changeless law of God? Psalms 119:142; 89:34; Luke 16:17.
“The law of God existed before man was created. It was adapted to the condition of holy beings; even angels were governed by it. . . .
“After the fall, the principles of those precepts were not changed, but additional precepts were given to meet man in his fallen state.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1104.
b. Explain how God’s plan of redemption and His holy law work together powerfully. Psalm 19:7; Romans 7:7–12; 8:3, 4.
“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.
“The ten commandments, Thou shalt, and Thou shalt not, are ten promises, assured to us if we render obedience to the law governing the universe. . . .
“That law of ten precepts of the greatest love that can be presented to man is the voice of God from heaven speaking to the soul in promise, ‘This do, and you will not come under the dominion and control of Satan.’ There is not a negative in that law, although it may appear thus. It is DO, and Live.”—Ibid., pp. 1104, 1105.
“God has given us His holy precepts, because He loves mankind. To shield us from the results of transgression, He reveals the principles of righteousness. The law is an expression of the thought of God; when received in Christ, it becomes our thought. It lifts us above the power of natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that lead to sin. God desires us to be happy, and He gave us the precepts of the law that in obeying them we might have joy. . . .
“In the life of Christ the principles of the law are made plain; and as the Holy Spirit of God touches the heart, as the light of Christ reveals to men their need of His cleansing blood and His justifying righteousness, the law is still an agent in bringing us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 308.
Tuesday
August 7
3. THE FRUIT OF GENUINE CONVERSION
a. Explain the “old” and the “new” covenants. Exodus 24:7, 8; Hebrews 8:6–12; 2 Corinthians 3:3.
“The same law that was engraved upon the tables of stone is written by the Holy Spirit upon the tables of the heart. Instead of going about to establish our own righteousness we accept the righteousness of Christ. His blood atones for our sins. His obedience is accepted for us. Then the heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring forth ‘the fruits of the Spirit.’ Through the grace of Christ we shall live in obedience to the law of God written upon our hearts.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 372.
b. How does God make obedience to His law a delight? Ezekiel 36:26, 27: Psalm 40:8; 1 John 2:3, 4.
“There will be a sharp conflict between those who are loyal to God and those who cast scorn upon His law. Reverence for God’s law has been subverted. The religious leaders are teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. As it was in the days of ancient Israel, so it is in this age of the world. But because of the prevalence of disloyalty and transgression, will those who have reverenced the law of God now cherish less respect for it? Will they unite with the powers of earth to make it void? The loyal will not be carried away by the current of evil. They will not throw contempt on that which God has set apart as holy.”—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 120.
“The law of God is the foundation of all enduring reform.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 678.
“The Lord reproves and corrects the people who profess to keep His law. He points out their sins and lays open their iniquity because He wishes to separate all sin and wickedness from them, that they may perfect holiness in His fear.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 453.
Wednesday
August 8
4. THE TESTIMONIES OF GOD’S SPIRIT
a. How does God define “the testimony of Jesus” among His remnant people and affirm its inspiration and purpose? Revelation 12:17; 19:10 (last part).
“We must follow the directions given through the Spirit of prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken to us through His word. He has spoken to us through the testimonies to the church, and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position we should now occupy. The warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept upon precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them, what excuse can we offer?”—Gospel Workers, p. 308.
b. Why is it so needful that we have a wholehearted appreciation of the Spirit of prophecy? 2 Chronicles 20:20 (last part); Hosea 12:13.
“Here you are crying before God, in the anguish of your souls, for more light. I am authorized from God to tell you that not another ray of light through the Testimonies will shine upon your pathway until you make a practical use of the light already given. The Lord has walled you about with light; but you have not appreciated the light; you have trampled upon it. While some have despised the light, others have neglected it, or followed it but indifferently. . . .
“Some that have received special warnings through testimony have forgotten in a few weeks the reproof given. The testimonies to some have been several times repeated, but they have not thought them of sufficient importance to be carefully heeded. They have been to them like idle tales. Had they regarded the light given they would have avoided losses and trials which they think are hard and severe. They have only themselves to censure. They have placed upon their own necks a yoke which they find grievous to be borne. It is not the yoke which Christ has bound upon them. God’s care and love were exercised in their behalf; but their selfish, evil, unbelieving souls could not discern His goodness and mercy. . . . When you gather up the rays of light which God has given in the past, then will He give an increase of light.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 606, 607.
Thursday
August 9
5. IN THE FINAL DAYS
a. Of all the spiritual gifts—including the Spirit of prophecy—what ultimate goals are to be fully realized? Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Corinthians 1:5–8.
b. What cautions are given to guard the faith of those who believe in the gift of prophecy in these last days? Acts 20:30, 31; 1 John 4:1; Isaiah 8:20.
“Soon every possible effort will be made to discount and pervert the truth of the testimonies of God’s Spirit. . . .
“There will be those once united with us in the faith who will search for new, strange doctrines, for something odd and sensational to present to the people. They will bring in all conceivable fallacies, and will present them as coming from Mrs. White, that they may beguile souls.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 41.
“To all who have a desire for truth I would say: Do not give credence to unauthenticated reports as to what Sister White has done or said or written. If you desire to know what the Lord has revealed through her, read her published works. Are there any points of interest concerning which she has not written, do not eagerly catch up and report rumors as to what she has said.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 696.
“There will be false dreams and false visions, which have some truth, but lead away from the original faith. . . . If they belittle the law of God, if they pay no heed to His will as revealed in the testimonies of His Spirit, they are deceivers. . . .
“Bear in mind that trials of this character [such as delusions and deceptions] are to come upon us, not only from without, but from within our own ranks.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 952.
Friday
August 10
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What knowledge has been entrusted to the human race?
2. How does God’s law relate to His plan of redemption?
3. What is the new covenant established by Christ?
4. Explain what is meant by “the testimony of Jesus.”
5. Name one subtle trap to deceive the very elect in the last days.