Sunday
April 10
1. THE LOCATION OF THE TENT
a. The tabernacle, which stood in a court surrounded by a fence, was set up in the midst of the camp. Numbers 2:17. Why “in the midst”? Where was the presence of God manifested during the wilderness pilgrimage of His people? Leviticus 26:12; Deuteronomy 23:14.
b. Where is the presence of the Lord manifested today? Matthew 18:20; Ephesians 2:20–22.
“Through all their weary wandering in the desert, the symbol of [God’s] presence was with [His people]. So Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment. He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men, that He might dwell among us, and make us familiar with His divine character and life.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 23.
“Wherever His word is obeyed with a sincere heart, there Christ abides. Not only is He present in the assemblies of the church, but wherever disciples, however few, meet in His name, there also He will be.”—Ibid., p. 442.
Monday
April 11
2. THE CONDITIONALITY OF GOD’S PROMISES
a. On what condition did God promise to be with His people in the past? Exodus 19:5, 6; 2 Chronicles 15:2.
“Either Israel must cease to be the people of God, or the principle upon which the monarchy was founded must be maintained, and the nation must be governed by a divine power. If Israel would be wholly the Lord’s, if the will of the human and earthly were held in subjection to the will of God, He would continue to be the Ruler of Israel. So long as the king and the people would conduct themselves as subordinate to God, so long He could be their defense. But in Israel no monarchy could prosper that did not in all things acknowledge the supreme authority of God. . . .
“We do not know what great interests may be at stake in the proving of God. There is no safety except in strict obedience to the word of God. All His promises are made upon condition of faith and obedience, and a failure to comply with His commands cuts off the fulfillment to us of the rich provisions of the Scriptures. We should not follow impulse, nor rely on the judgment of men; we should look to the revealed will of God and walk according to His definite commandment, no matter what circumstances may surround us. God will take care of the results; by faithfulness to His word we may in time of trial prove before men and angels that the Lord can trust us in difficult places to carry out His will, honor His name, and bless His people.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 621, 622.
b. On what condition is Christ’s promise in Matthew 28:20 applicable today? 2 Corinthians 6:16–18.
“It should be remembered that the promises and threatenings of God are alike conditional.”—Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 67.
“God’s promises are conditional. In order to make it possible for Him to bless us, we must do our part. We cannot expect that all His blessings will come to us naturally, if we fold our hands in inactivity. We are to be laborers together with God. It is our privilege and duty to labor for souls ready to perish.”—Peter’s Counsel to Parents, p. 25.
Tuesday
April 12
3. THE PILLAR OF CLOUD AND THE PILLAR OF FIRE
a. How did God show His presence with His people during their pilgrimage through the desert? Exodus 13:21, 22.
“Christ was the Leader of the children of Israel in their wilderness wanderings.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 287.
“‘The Lord went before [the Israelites] by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people’ (Exodus 13:20–22). Says the psalmist, ‘He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night’ (Psalm 105:39. See also 1 Corinthians 10:1, 2). The standard of their invisible Leader was ever with them. By day the cloud directed their journeyings or spread as a canopy above the host. It served as a protection from the burning heat, and by its coolness and moisture afforded grateful refreshment in the parched, thirsty desert. By night it became a pillar of fire, illuminating their encampment and constantly assuring them of the divine presence.” —Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 282.
b. How is this pillar of cloud and of fire also designed to be a comfort to God’s people in the last days? Isaiah 4:5, 6, margin.
“In one of the most beautiful and comforting passages of Isaiah’s prophecy, reference is made to the pillar of cloud and of fire to represent God’s care for His people in the great final struggle with the powers of evil: [Isaiah 4:5, 6, margin, quoted].”—Ibid., p. 283.
c. Before the existence of the tabernacle, how did Christ speak to His servants? Give examples. Exodus 15:22–26; 19:9, 16.
“Christ had been the guide and teacher of ancient Israel, and He taught them that health is the reward of obedience to the laws of God. The Great Physician who healed the sick in Palestine had spoken to His people from the pillar of cloud, telling them what they must do, and what God would do for them.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 824.
Wednesday
April 13
4. LIGHT SHINING ALONG OUR PATH
a. In what sense are the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire moving before us today? John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:3–6.
“God has permitted light from His throne to shine all along the path of life. A pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night, is moving before us as before ancient Israel. It is the privilege of Christian parents today, as it was the privilege of God’s people of old, to bring their children with them to the Promised Land.”—Child Guidance, p. 565.
b. Why will we be without excuse if we miss Heaven? John 1:4, 5, 10–12.
“Every soul has a heaven to win and a hell to shun. And the angelic agencies are all ready to come to the help of the tried and tempted soul. He, the Son of the infinite God, endured the test and trial in our behalf. The cross of Calvary stands vividly before every soul. When the cases of all are judged, and they [the lost] are delivered to suffer for their contempt for God and their disregard of His honor in their disobedience, not one will have an excuse, not one will need to have perished. It was left to their own choice who should be their prince, Christ or Satan. All the help Christ received, every man may receive in the great trial.”—Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 96.
c. How can we walk in the light of God’s presence? Hebrews 10:16–22.
“Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! . . . The children of earth, who need so much the help that God only can give, seem satisfied to walk without the light of His Spirit, the companionship of His presence.
“The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence?”—Steps to Christ, pp. 94, 95.
Thursday
April 14
5. THE VOICE OF GOD
a. What admonition did God the Father address to the Israelites in the interest of their prosperity? Exodus 23:20–22. Who was the Angel that would go before them? 1 Corinthians 10:4, 9.
“True reverence is revealed by obedience. God has commanded nothing that is unessential, and there is no other way of manifesting reverence so pleasing to Him as by obedience to that which He has spoken.”—My Life Today, p. 284.
b. How does God speak to us today? Isaiah 30:21. How do the “ears” of our enlightened conscience hear His voice? John 16:13; Revelation 3:20; Hebrews 3:7, 8.
“Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God or through His messengers is a knock at the door of the heart. It is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 489, 490.
“There are thousands upon thousands, millions upon millions, who are now making their decision for eternal life or eternal death.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 406.
“Few believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 636.
Friday
April 15
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
a. Where and through whom do the Father and Son dwell on earth today?
b. What is the condition Jesus requires before He will dwell in us?
c. How did Christ make Himself visibly available to Israel in the desert?
d. How is God a pillar of cloud and of fire to us today?
e. Do you really believe you have “a heaven to win and a hell to shun”?