Sabbath School Lesson for May 25-31, 2024 Overview of Lesson 9, The Foundation of God’s Government Memory Text: “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17 NKJV Woman is a symbol we find in the Bible for the church–either a pure church that loves the truth, or an apostate (fallen) church that has rejected God’s truth (such as the one called Babylon). In the description we find in Revelation 12:17, our memory text, we can definitely know it’s talking about a pure church that has angered the dragon (also known as Satan–Revelation 12:9) In Revelation 14:12, we find the same identifying description of the saints of God. We associate saints with holy people, those who are trying to be holy, like the God they worship. This is done by keeping His commandments (obviously the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament) and the testimony or faith of Jesus (found in the New Testament, through the life of God’s own Son, the Messiah). If we are to enjoy the peace and security of God’s Kingdom, we must prepare ourselves by keeping His commandments through faith in the blood of Jesus. This will allow His saints to reflect God’s character of justice and mercy to the world. We can easily see a connection between the heavenly sanctuary, God’s law which is found and protected there (Revelation 11:19), and the Sabbath which is in the center of that law. After all, who we worship, the Creator or the deceiver, is the key issue in the great controversy between Christ and Satan. This week, we will explore: Sunday: The Sanctuary and the Law–the ark of the covenant (which contains the law) is in the heavenly sanctuary (Revelation 11:19) Monday: The Immutability of God’s Law–the law of God does not change (Matthew 5:18) Tuesday: The Sabbath and the Law–the Sabbath is in the center of God’s law (Exodus 20:8-11) Wednesday: The Mark of the Beast–the mark of the beast shows we worship Satan, the dragon (Revelation 13:4) Thursday: The Three Angels’ Messages–the first of the three angels’ messages tells us to worship the Creator (Revelation 14:6-7) Sunday: The Sanctuary and the Law A study of the earthly sanctuary tells us much about what John saw and wrote about in Revelation. We know from Leviticus, for example, that the Most Holy Place was entered only once a year by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, when the sanctuary was cleansed. Inside this holy room was the ark of the covenant, which contained the Ten Commandment Law, written on stone tablets and given to Moses (Hebrews 9:4). We are all judged by these ten, eternal principles even today. God’s Law is the essence of who He is–a perfect, balanced blend of His love and justice, which we know never changes (Malachi 3:6). Besides the justice that God’s Law guarantees us on Judgment Day, it is through His mercy that we are even given the Ten Commandments, which mark the way of escape from our sorry, sinful selves. Not surprisingly, the top cover of the ark is called the mercy seat (Exodus 25:21, 22). What a comfort it is to see God’s ark, containing the Law, in John’s vision of the heavenly sanctuary (Revelation 11:19). To be sure, God is found in His sanctuary and is seen in His Law. Bible Verses: Revelation 11:19, Exodus 25:16, and 31:18 What is the significance of the law being stored in the earthly sanctuary and also being seen in vision in the heavenly sanctuary? Revelation 1217 and 14:12 What do you think it means by the testimony or the faith of Jesus? Why are the two words used interchangeably? Monday: The Immutability of God’s Law The commandments that the saints are said to have kept, or obeyed, are the same ones John saw in vision. Written by God’s own finger, the Ten Commandments stand as a testimony of who God is and what we can do to be more like Him. Jesus upheld the Ten Commandments often, by quoting them, preaching them, and most of all, by living them. They were seen as a transcript of His character. He clarified that He would never destroy or minimize what God desired from His children in those Commandments (Matthew 5:17, 18). Some of the Protestant Reformers, such as John Wesley, also upheld God’s moral Ten Commandment Law, while correctly recognizing the temporary nature of the ceremonial, ritual laws that pointed forward to the first coming of the Messiah, the ones that had been fulfilled. Those, as the Bible tells us, have been done away with. But the unchangeable, immutable, moral Law, found in the Ten Commandments, will be forever binding upon God’s faithful people. God’s Ten Commandments stand fast forever and ever (Psalm 111:8), and, best of all, are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). If we love God, we, too, will keep them (John 14:15). Bible Verses: Matthew 5:17, 18, Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14, and Psalm 111:7, 8 Why do you think God’s Law will always need to be obeyed? 1 John 5:3 and John 14, 15 If God’s Law seems like it’s painful to keep, what might be the problem with our obedience? And what can we do about it? Tuesday: The Sabbath and the Law There are many reasons God’s Sabbath is found in the center of the Ten Commandments. The fourth Commandment reminds us of God’s creatorship in the Garden of Eden, but also points forward to the time in the future when we will once again enjoy a new earth in all its original beauty. At the same time, we are reminded of our Redeemer. Sabbath rest includes rest from our works, and relying on His grace to save us. The Sabbath is central to our worship of the Creator and Redeemer. It’s a sign of our loyalty to the true God. Satan The Teacher’s Notes–The Foundation of God’s Government, Lesson 9 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 2Q, “The Great Controversy”“>Read more…

This world is not my home I’m just a-passing throughMy treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blueThe angels beckon me from heaven’s open doorAnd I can’t feel at home in this world anymore I love music like the next person, and I love this song. Albert E. Brumley wrote many of my favorite old hymns. They’re hymns my family has sung together in the living room and church for as long as I can remember. However, certain phrases in this song have struck a chord with me lately that I think are worth discussing.  Christians, for centuries–even since Christ ascended to Heaven–have looked forward to something greater than this world. They have waited and watched for Christ’s return when He has promised to call us up from this earth and take us into the clouds to Heaven. We, as Christians, Seventh-day Adventists, and as people are so focused on what we call the Second Coming, that we seem to overlook, even forget, the First Coming–not when Jesus came as a baby to live as Mary and Joseph’s son on Earth, but when He came with His Father, the Holiest of Holies, to create this place for us.  Made for Us Genesis 2:19 says, “Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name” (ESV). It’s difficult to see creation as anything other than the work of a loving Master, so I don’t understand why we humans would love to pass through life on earth as fast as possible for heaven. What’s wrong with the earth? God saw it fit for us…  Made of Power, Wisdom, and Understanding Jeremiah 10:12 says “It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens” (ESV). Not only was the earth created through the creative voice of a loving Father, but scripture tells us it was made by His power, wisdom, and understanding. Think about it. The God of the universe, all-knowing, all-powerful, and Holiest of Holies, created something for us, and through His Holiness, and all we can do is bide our time for something better. Most of the time, it feels like we also neglect our time here, knowing something better is coming. We neglect the earth and our time on it.  The Kingdom of God Where does scripture say is the Kingdom of God? Is it a place that is to come? Is it in Heaven? Is it in the future only?  My interpretation of many New Testament scriptures is that the Kingdom of God is among God’s people, where the Holy Spirit lives in their hearts and connects them together and with the Father. What’s more–the Kingdom of God, physically, will be on earth–not Heaven! Jesus will rule it and make it His home.  By studying the Millennium, we learn that we’ll spend only a thousand years in Heaven. In the grand scheme of human history, a thousand years is a blip–a fraction of the time we’ll spend on earth.  This World Is My Home! This world is my home. It’s yours too.  God created a beautiful planet for us. It is evolutionary, it is scientific. It regenerates in a thousand–a million different ways. It was spoken into existence by the voice of the One True God. He spoke and waters flowed. He spoke and light burst to life. He spoke and animals breathed. This earth that we inhabit was created to last forever and God will make sure of it…for us.  Enjoy it now. Bloom where you’re planted. This world is your home.   

As the days stretch before us on these long, hot summers, there is an inevitable temptation to stay indoors–it’s where the air conditioning is!  In some places where summers are short and days are long, excursions or travel became Sabbath rituals to replace church attendance for these long, hot summer Sabbaths. Even when summer activities damper your church attendance, you can make your Sabbaths special and unforgettable with these 5 tips. 1. Disconnect with Tech and Connect with… everything else!  Instead of picking up your smartphone and scrolling social media yet again, check in with those around you! When you say no to technology, you say “yes!” to so many other things. Spend time connecting with friends, family, and neighbors. Take a walk outside and connect with nature. Attend church and connect with your religious tradition. 2. Break Bread with Others Even if you find yourself taking a day trip on the weekend instead of attending church or spending time with your local community, you can invite others along on your adventures. You can invite someone to your home for a meal, or you can invite someone along for a picnic if you aim to spend your time camping or spending time at a state park. You don’t have to do something fancy–but can even ask your friends and families to bring something small to share! Grab a cooler and fill it up! 3. Worship Together and Alone Keep worship in your summer routine, but don’t feel pressured to do everything a certain way. Plan an outdoor church service with your local church. Practice communion in the forest and wash feet in a stream. Take time to worship on your own as well, early in the morning, as the sun comes up in the early morning warmth. Take advantage of the longer days to enjoy various forms of worship during the Sabbath hours: hiking, serving your community, gardening, camping, and more. 4. Share Popsicles in the Park Take your Sabbath School class on an excursion to a community park to share cool drinks or popsicles with strangers. This doesn’t have to be an evangelistic tool at all, but just something kind and fun to do. If you’d like to add an element of worship, invite friends who can sing and play instruments, and make an impromptu outdoor ‘singing’ out of it. 5. Pick Up a Book Instead of turning the TV on and flipping through channels or planning a family movie night, pick up a book. Take it outside and read around a firepit or turn on your fireplace in the house (even though it’s warm) and enjoy a book together with the family. Make this a monthly tradition and invite friends. Make popcorn and make smoothies or prepare a hot fudge sundae bar. There are many things you can do to keep Sabbath special during the long days of summer, but they don’t have to be complicated. In the same way, you can do small things to make Christmas special even among the commercialism of the season, you can do small things to make the Sabbaths special for the family during the summer. Include your church. Include your family, friends, and neighbors, or just make it special for yourself. Leave comments on Facebook with your ideas for keeping the Sabbath special this summer.

Sabbath School Lesson for May 18-24, 2024 Overview of Lesson 8, Light From the Sanctuary Memory Text: “We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.” Hebrews 8:1, 2 NKJV William Miller’s spotlight on the Second Coming came from Daniel 8:14, which talked about the cleansing of the sanctuary. He failed, however, to understand that the sanctuary to be cleansed was, by that time, only in heaven. A study of the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary enabled some of those who lived through the Great Disappointment in 1844 to see that a judgment had indeed started at that time, but it would happen in God’s heavenly sanctuary. This “cleansing of the sanctuary” would come to be known as the pre-Advent judgment. This would be a time when we are to prepare our hearts for His return, and for God to determine who is or is not saved. After all, He comes with His rewards (Revelation 22:12). The 2,300-day prophecy ended in 1844 and marked the beginning of the time of the end. The first angel’s message was then heard, which instructs us to “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come” (Revelation 14:7). God’s mercy and transparent justice is once again evident in this warning to get ready. He’s coming soon! Read chapters 22-24 and 28 of The Great Controversy to learn more about the sanctuary topic. We will learn about… Sunday: The Heavenly Sanctuary–This must be the one prophesied in Daniel, because the earthly sanctuary services had ended by 1844. Monday: In the Holy of Holies–Christ is now ministering for us in the Most Holy Place, represented by the Day of Atonement. Tuesday: The Judgment Has Come–This is the message of judgment given by the first angel in Revelation 14:6, 7. Wednesday: The Good News of the Most Holy Place–The good news/gospel is that Jesus provides an escape from sin through His blood shed at Calvary. Thursday: Jesus, Our Advocate in the Judgment–We can come boldly before the throne of our heavenly High Priest. Sunday: The Heavenly Sanctuary There are two sanctuaries mentioned in the Bible. One was built by Moses and the Hebrews, spoken of in the Old Testament. This earthly sanctuary or tabernacle that Moses was told to build was a shadow or copy of the one in heaven (Hebrews 8:5). It illustrated the plan of salvation which had been lost sight of during their long period of slavery in Egypt (Psalm 77:13). The “true tabernacle”, the one in heaven, also points to Jesus’ sacrificial ministry. Some of those disappointed Adventists, who were wanting to understand more about the Second Coming and why William Miller’s prediction didn’t come true, were eventually drawn to this idea of a heavenly sanctuary found in the New Testament book of Hebrews. It seemed like the logical place to focus their attention and study. There is always hope for our salvation. when we look at Jesus’ sacrifice and priestly ministry still going on in the heavenly sanctuary today. Bible Verses: Exodus 25:8, 9 and Hebrews 8:1-6 Why is it important to study both the earthly and the heavenly sanctuary? Psalm 77:12-15 What can we learn about Jesus from studying the sanctuary? Monday: In the Holy of Holies The cleansing of the sanctuary happened on the Day of Atonement, also called the Day of Judgment, or Yom Kippur in Hebrew. It was the only time during the year when the high priest entered the Most Holy Place where the ark of the covenant was kept. The end purpose of this priestly activity was to cleanse the sanctuary by symbolically placing the blood collected there during the daily sacrifices onto the head of a scapegoat they called Azazel and sending it into the wilderness to die alone (Leviticus 16:21). This represented how God will someday place on Satan the guilt and responsibility for deceiving so many, both in heaven and on earth. Before this Day of Atonement came, however, the Israelites spent ten days fasting and praying to prepare their hearts for the solemn event. They were to stop clinging to cherished sins and turn away from all evil. This soul searching must also happen now before the great Day of Judgment. God’s people must ask for repentance and cleansing in these last days, so they will be ready for Christ’s glorious Second Coming. Bible Verses: Leviticus 16:21, 29-34, and 23:26-32 Why was this yearly preparation needed for the people of Israel, and how was it to be carried out? Hebrews 9:23-28 How was Christ’s priestly ministry different from the earthly sanctuary priests? Tuesday: The Judgment Has Come The two main characteristics of God are His mercy and justice. One is just as prevalent in the Bible as the other. We hear much about His loving forgiveness, but God’s judgment is also mentioned often in Scripture. For example… “For God will bring every work into judgment” Ecclesiastes 12:14 “every idle word that men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” Matthew 12:36 “The hour of His judgment has come” Revelation 14:7 Revelation 22:10-12 informs us that at some point, God’s probation for mankind will be closed. When Christ comes again in the clouds, He will have His rewards with Him (Revelation 22:12). All judgments about who will be saved or lost will have been determined shortly before the Second Coming. The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) also supports the idea of probation closing at some point…the “door was shut”. The idea of a pre-Advent judgment going on in the courts of heaven makes sense. God is allowing the angelic hosts there to oversee the process of judgment. The books of life are opened in order for them to be convinced of the openness and fairness of His decisions. Bible Verses: Daniel 7:9, 10 The Teacher’s Notes–Light From the Sanctuary, Lesson 8 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 2Q, “The Great Controversy”“>Read more…