Sunday
October 9
1. THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL
a. What is the central theme of the plan of salvation? John 17:3; 1 John 5:20.
“In His prayer to the Father, Christ gave to the world a lesson which should be graven on mind and soul. [John 17:3 quoted.] This is true education. It imparts power.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 114.
b. Through whom do we know God the Father? John 14:8–10; 10:30.
c. Through whom does Christ teach us? John l4:26; l6:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 13.
d. Where do the Father and the Son reveal themselves? Luke 11:28; John 5:39. Where else does God show His ways? Psalm 77:13.
“God designed the Bible to be a lessonbook to all mankind, in childhood, youth, and manhood, and to be studied through all time. He gave His word to men as a revelation of Himself. Every new truth discerned is a fresh disclosure of the character of its Author. The study of the Scriptures is the means divinely ordained to bring men into closer connection with their Creator and to give them a clearer knowledge of His will. It is the medium of communication between God and man.”—The Great Controversy, p. 69.
Monday
October 10
2. A DISTINCT POSITION
a. What position does Christ occupy in relation to the Father? Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3; 10:12.
b. It is self-understood that, in biblical language, the “right hand” does not point to a geographical place, but to a position of authority (Exodus 15:6). What power was vested in Christ? 1 Peter 3:22.
c. How does Christ extend His power also to the believer, providing help in daily life? Ephesians 1:17–22.
“Christ laid aside His royal robe, His kingly crown, and His high command, and stepped down, down, down, to the lowest depths of humiliation. Bearing human nature, He met all the temptations of humanity and in our behalf defeated the enemy on every point.
“All this He did that He might bring men power by which they might be overcomers. ‘All power,’ He says, ‘is given unto Me’ (Matthew 28:18). And this He gives to all who will follow Him. They may demonstrate to the world the power that there is in the religion of Christ for the conquest of self.”—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 190.
“Were it not for the power received through Christ, we would have no strength. But Christ has all power. [Matthew 28:18–20 quoted.]
“Here is our power, our comfort. Of ourselves, we have no strength. But He says, ‘I am with you alway,’ helping you to perform your duty, guiding, comforting, sanctifying, and sustaining you, giving you success in speaking words that will draw the attention of others to Christ, and awaken in their minds the desire to understand the hope and meaning of the truth, turning them from darkness to light and from the power of sin to God.”—This Day With God, p. 329.
d. What authority is behind the Law of Ten Commandments written on two tables of stone? Exodus 34:1; Deuteronomy 10:4; 33:2.
“The law of God in the sanctuary in heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch were an unerring transcript.”—The Great Controversy, p. 434.
Tuesday
October 11
3. IN THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY
a. Where, in heaven, does Christ officiate as our High Priest? Hebrews 8:1, 2; 9:11, 24.
“When Jesus at His ascension entered by His own blood into the heavenly sanctuary to shed upon His disciples the blessings of His mediation, the Jews were left in total darkness to continue their useless sacrifices and offerings. The ministration of types and shadows had ceased.”—The Great Controversy, p. 430.
b. What is Christ doing in our behalf in the presence of the Father? 1 John 2:1, 2; Matthew 10:32, 33. Why should this bring us courage?
“The divine Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in His blood be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to their Eden home. . . . He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, full and complete, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne.”—Ibid., p. 484.
“Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration. . . .
“He is today standing at the altar of incense, presenting before God the prayers of those who desire His help.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 568.
“Christ steps in between fallen man and God, and says to man: ‘You may yet come to the Father; there is a plan devised through which God can be reconciled to man, and man to God; through a mediator you can approach God.’ And now He stands to mediate for you. He is the great High Priest who is pleading in your behalf; and you are to come and present your case to the Father through Jesus Christ. Thus you can find access to God; and though you sin, your case is not hopeless. . . .
“Be not discouraged; be not fainthearted. Although you may have temptations, although you may be beset by the wily foe, yet if you have the fear of God before you, angels that excel in strength will be sent to your help, and you can be more than a match for the powers of darkness. Jesus lives. He died to make a way of escape for the fallen race, and He lives today to make intercession for us, that we may be exalted to His own right hand.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 591, 592.
Wednesday
October 12
4. SEVEN CHURCHES, SEVEN CANDLESTICKS, SEVEN STARS
a. How did the apostle John describe the vision in which he saw Christ in the heavenly sanctuary? Revelation 1:12–16, 20.
“The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era. The number 7 indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 585.
b. What is the symbolic meaning of the seven candlesticks? Revelation 1:20.
“Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches. He is in constant communication with His people. He knows their true state. He observes their order, their piety, their devotion. Although He is high priest and mediator in the sanctuary above, yet He is represented as walking up and down in the midst of His churches on the earth. With untiring wakefulness and unremitting vigilance, He watches to see whether the light of any of His sentinels is burning dim or going out. If the candlesticks were left to mere human care, the flickering flame would languish and die; but He is the true watchman in the Lord’s house, the true warden of the temple courts. His continued care and sustaining grace are the source of life and light.”—Ibid., p. 586.
c. What do the seven stars symbolize? Revelation 1:16 (first part), 20.
“Christ is represented as holding the seven stars in His right hand. This assures us that no church faithful to its trust need fear coming to nought, for not a star that has the protection of Omnipotence can be plucked out of the hand of Christ.
“[Revelation 2:1 quoted.] These words are spoken to the teachers in the church—those entrusted by God with weighty responsibilities. . . . He fills them with light. He guides and directs their movements. If He did not do this, they would become fallen stars. So with His ministers. They are but instruments in His hands, and all the good they accomplish is done through His power. Through them His light is to shine forth.”—Ibid., pp. 586, 587.
Thursday
October 13
5. A “NEW AND LIVING WAY” OPENED BEFORE US
a. What does the symbolic sword represent (Revelation 1:16, last part; 19:15, 21)? Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12. How can this help us walk in the path of godliness?
“God is not unmindful of your struggles, of your conflicts to maintain the truth and obtain a personal daily experience in walking in the ways of truth. When you appreciate every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, as revealed in His Word, higher than worldly policy, you will be guided into every good and holy way.”—Loma Linda Messages, p. 248.
b. What way was opened to us by the death of Christ on the cross? Hebrews 9:8; 10:19, 20.
“Type has met antitype in the death of God’s Son. The great sacrifice has been made. The way into the holiest is laid open. A new and living way is prepared for all. No longer need sinful, sorrowing humanity await the coming of the high priest. Henceforth the Saviour was to officiate as priest and advocate in the heaven of heavens. It was as if a living voice had spoken to the worshipers: There is now an end to all sacrifices and offerings for sin.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 757.
c. Since the way has been opened for us, what are we advised to do? Hebrews 4:14–16.
Friday
October 14
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is true education? How is it obtained? And what result does it bring?
2. How should we understand Christ’s position at the right hand of God?
3. Where is Christ now, and what work is He doing?
4. What is the symbolic meaning of the seven candlesticks, the seven stars, and the sharp two-edged sword?
5. What is the “new and living way” opened by the death of Christ?