Sunday
October 16
1. MOUNT ZION
a. What did Mount Zion designate in the days of Isaiah the prophet? Isaiah 8:18; 18:7; 24:23.
b. What is the name of the place of God’s throne in heaven? Joel 3:17; Micah 4:7; Revelation 14:1–3.
c. As King David lifted up his eyes to God’s sanctuary, what was his great concern? Psalms 14:7; 15:1. What should be ours?
“We need to study God’s Word, to meditate and pray. Then we shall have spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple. We shall catch the notes of thanksgiving sung by the heavenly choir around the throne. When Zion shall arise and shine, her light will be most penetrating, and songs of praise and thanksgiving will be heard in the assembly of the saints. Little disappointments and difficulties will be lost sight of.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 198.
Monday
October 17
2. THE TABERNACLE OF THE TESTIMONY
a. What name was given to the earthly tabernacle? Numbers 1:50, 53; 9:15; 10:11. Why? What was the most important object in it? Exodus 31:18; 32:15; 40:20.
“The ark was merely a receptacle for the tables of the law, and the presence of these divine precepts gave to it its value and sacredness.”—The Great Controversy, p. 433.
b. Why is the heavenly sanctuary also called the tabernacle of the testimony? Revelation 15:5. What is the most important object in the ark? Revelation 11:19.
“When the temple of God was opened in heaven, the ark of His testament was seen. Within the holy of holies, in the sanctuary in heaven, the divine law is sacredly enshrined—the law that was spoken by God Himself amid the thunders of Sinai and written with His own finger on the tables of stone.”—Ibid., pp. 433, 434.
c. In view of the conflict waging over our souls and our Saviour’s present work in the most Holy Place in our behalf, what should we pledge? Hebrews 10:23; Psalm 119:109, 113.
“Satan is now using every device in this sealing time to keep the minds of God's people from the present, sealing truth; and to cause them to waver. I saw a covering that God was drawing over His people, to protect them in the time of trouble; and every soul that was decided on the truth and was pure in heart was to be covered with the covering of Almighty God.
“Satan knew this and he was at work in mighty power to keep the minds of as many as he possibly could unsettled and wavering on the truth.”—The Review and Herald, August 1, 1849.
“In every soul two powers are struggling earnestly for the victory. Unbelief marshals its forces, led by Satan, to cut us off from the Source of our strength. Faith marshals its forces, led by Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Hour by hour, in the sight of the heavenly universe, the conflict goes forward.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 328.
Tuesday
October 18
3. THE MEASURING OF CHRISTIAN STATURE
a. What is the measuring rod to measure those that worship God in His sanctuary by faith? Revelation 11:1, 19.
“Every case is coming in review before God; He is measuring the temple and the worshipers therein.”—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 219.
“The grand judgment is taking place and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you; when you are attending your household duties, when you engage in conversation, God is measuring you. Remember that your words and actions are being daguerreotyped [photographed] in the books of heaven, as the face is reproduced by the artist on the polished plate. . . .
“Here is the work going on, measuring the temple and its worshipers to see who will stand in the last day. Those who stand fast shall have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 972.
b. Why must the altar of incense also be examined? Isn’t it to test our prayers which are symbolized by the incense that is offered upon the altar? Revelation 5:8; 8:3 (compare Isaiah 1:13, 15; Proverbs 28:9).
“The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God's right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 344.
Wednesday
October 19
4. SPIRITUAL ISRAELITES AND SPIRITUAL GENTILES
a. What is the name of the capital city of the kingdom where the faithful have their citizenship? Ephesians 2:19; Galatians 4:26. On what condition can we be accepted into this kingdom? Matthew 5:20; John 3:35; 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.
“Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20, NAB).
“The condition of being received into the Lord’s family is coming out from the world, separating from all its contaminating influences. The people of God are to have no connection with idolatry in any of its forms. They are to reach a higher standard. We are to be distinguished from the world, and then God says, ‘I will receive you as members of My royal family, children of the heavenly King.’ As believers in the truth we are to be distinct in practice from sin and sinners. Our citizenship is in heaven.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 481.
b. In what sense do we have access to the heavenly Jerusalem and to the sanctuary on Mount Zion? Hebrews 10:19, 20; 12:22–24; Ephesians 3:10–12.
“By faith we may stand on the threshold of the eternal city.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 601.
c. What is God’s provision for those who, because they are not “the children of Abraham” by faith (Galatians 3:7), are restricted to the court but honestly desire to learn the truth? Revelation 11:2 (first part).
“Among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, [the Lord] sees men and women who are praying for light and knowledge. Their souls are unsatisfied; long have they fed on ashes. See Isaiah 44:20. The enemy of all righteousness has turned them aside, and they grope as blind men. But they are honest in heart and desire to learn a better way.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 376.
Thursday
October 20
5. THE REDEEMED WILL BE THERE IN PERSON
a. What does the Bible call those who understand the sanctuary doctrine and by faith worship God in His temple? Revelation 7:4; Romans 2:28, 29.
b. Describe the complete victory we must obtain to be sealed. Revelation 15:2, 3.
“To follow Christ is not freedom from conflict. It is not child’s play. It is not spiritual idleness. All the enjoyment in Christ’s service means sacred obligations in meeting oft stern conflicts. To follow Christ means stern battles, active labor, warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Our enjoyment is the victories gained for Christ in earnest, hard warfare. Think of this.”—The Upward Look, p. 217.
c. Where did John the Revelator see the victors, and how many were there? Revelation 14:1–3. What privileges will they enjoy? Revelation 7:15–17; John 14:1–3.
“Every heavenly intelligence is interested in the assemblies of the saints who on earth meet to worship God. In the inner court of heaven they listen to the testimony of the witnesses for Christ in the outer court on earth, and the praise and thanksgiving from the worshipers below is taken up in the heavenly anthem, and praise and rejoicing sound through the heavenly courts because Christ has not died in vain for the fallen sons of Adam. While angels drink from the fountainhead, the saints on earth drink of the pure streams flowing from the throne, the streams that make glad the city of our God.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 366.
Friday
October 21
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What name is shared by both the earthly temple and the heavenly?
2. By what name was the earthly tabernacle called? Why? Why is the heavenly sanctuary called “the tabernacle of the testimony”?
3. Why must the heavenly temple and its worshippers be measured?
4. How can we become citizens of the kingdom of heaven?
5. Explain the victories and the seal to be gained for admittance there.