Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

And it is that faith which works that you want. How does it work? It works by love. What love? Why, the love flashing from the cross of Calvary. It is set up midway between earth and heaven, and salvation is gained by looking at this cross. The Father has accepted it, and the angelic host have come to that cross, and God Himself has bowed in acceptance of the sacrifice. It answers the demand of Heaven, and man can be saved through Jesus Christ, if we only have faith in Him. Man is reconciled to God, and God to man, through the full and perfect and entire sacrifice. {FW 72.1}

Memory Text

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified”

(Hebrews 10:14, NKJV).

This week's SS Lesson will disclose a significant symbol of cruelty of sin which connotes shame and a loss of identity but becomes the sole hope for humanity. They have found their identity in the cross of Christ, yet forget the one that had been crucified. The Christ of the Cross has been lifted up to be the Perfect Sacrifice. We will look deeper on this in the book of Hebrews.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: Why were Sacrifices Needed?

Heb. 9:15, 26; 9:22; Gen. 15:6-21; Jer. 34:8-22; Rom.3:21-26

Monday: When were Sacrifice necessary? Diverse Kinds of Sacrifices

Eph. 2:14; 3:14-19; Phil. 2:5-8; John 6:35, 48, 51-56; Lev. 3; 4:1-5:13; 5:14-6:7; 17:11; Isa. 53:5; Rom. 3:25; 5:1; Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:14

Tuesday: What does Jesus’ Sacrifice Offer? Jesus’ Perfect Sacrifice

Heb. 7:27, 23-28; 10:1-5, 10, 12-14; 9:14, 26; 12:1-4; 13:12, 13; 1Pet. 2:9

Wednesday: The Cross and the Cost of Forgiveness

Heb. 8:5; 9:22-28; 1Sam 4:4; 2Sam. 6:2; Ps 97:2; Exo. 25:9; 34:7; Num. 14:17-19; Lev. 16:15-22, 29-31; 23:27-32

Thursday: Judgment and the Character of God

Rom. 3:21-26; 1:16, 17; 5:8; Acts 2:38; 5:31; Heb. 2:1-4; 6:2; 8:10-12; 9:27, 28; 10:25; Ezek. 36:25-27; Matt. 22;1-14; Rev. 14:7; Dan. 7:9-27

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Sunday: Why were Sacrifices Needed?

Heb. 9:15, 26; 9:22; Gen. 15:6-21; Jer. 34:8-22; Rom.3:21-26

“ “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

A Great Sacrifice Jesus Made

A truly Christian life will cost us thoughtfulness, searching of the Scriptures, and most earnest, persevering prayer. It will not be prayer without point and purpose, but it will be the intercession of a heart burdened for poor sinners out of Christ. It will be a heart longing to do service for Jesus in personal effort for the saving of souls of men. Jesus made great sacrifices for these souls. "Ye are laborers together with God." Many of you who have been years in the truth have not advanced in the spiritual and divine life, because worldly business has been exalted above the heavenly. The work of God ever calls for self-sacrificing men, and every soul who has the knowledge of the truth is bound to communicate the light to others, cultivating all the graces of the Spirit to do this precious work to God's acceptance. {PH039 9.1}

It is their distance from Christ that keeps his professed people at so great a distance from one another. When Christ is looked to as the great Exemplar, then they will seek to catch his spirit, and to imitate his example. We need to study the Bible more, that our minds may dwell upon the infinite sacrifice of Christ, and his mediation in our behalf. As we see his love, his humiliation for us, the same spirit of self-denial and sacrifice for others' good will be kindled in our hearts. Beholding Jesus by the eye of faith, we shall be "changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." {RH, May 15, 1888 par. 3}

Consider the following

Animal sacrifices had various meanings: forgiveness, gratitude... They were also part of the covenant, an agreement between two parties.

Splitting the sacrificed animals in half was an old covenant tradition. The halves were placed on the ground, and the parties involved had to walk between them (Genesis 15:9-10, 17; Jeremiah 34:18).

“This being done, he [Abraham] reverently passed between the parts of the sacrifice, making a solemn vow to God of perpetual obedience.” (E.G.W., Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 12, p. 137). Then, God did the same, thus ratifying the covenant.

Shedding of blood was necessary to ratify the New Covenant too. In this case, Jesus’. God was there (2 Corinthians 5:19). Will you ratify the covenant by walking with Jesus every day?

Monday: When were Sacrifice necessary? Diverse Kinds of Sacrifices

Eph. 2:14; 3:14-19; Phil. 2:5-8; John 6:35, 48, 51-56; Lev. 3; 4:1-5:13; 5:14-6:7; 17:11; Isa. 53:5; Rom. 3:25; 5:1; Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:14

“how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14)

Christ’s Victory Clothed with Boundless Authority

Christ's sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete. The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled. The work for which He had come to this world had been accomplished. He had won the kingdom. He had wrested it from Satan and had become heir of all things. He was on His way to the throne of God, to be honored by the heavenly host. Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His disciples their commission, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end." Matthew 28:19, 20. {AA 29.2}

Blood of Christ: Atoning Sacrifice

Through the untiring ministrations of the apostles to the Gentiles, the "strangers and foreigners," who "sometimes were far off," learned that they had been "made nigh by the blood of Christ," and that through faith in His atoning sacrifice they might become "fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." Ephesians 2:12, 13, 19. {AA 175.1}

Advancing in faith, Paul labored unceasingly for the upbuilding of God's kingdom among those who had been neglected by the teachers in Israel. Constantly he exalted Christ Jesus as "the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15), and exhorted the believers to be "rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith." Colossians 2:7. {AA 175.2}

To those who believe, Christ is a sure foundation. Upon this living stone, Jews and Gentiles alike may build. It is broad enough for all and strong enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world. This is a fact plainly recognized by Paul himself. In the closing days of his ministry, when addressing a group of Gentile believers who had remained steadfast in their love of the gospel truth, the apostle wrote, "Ye . . . are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." Ephesians 2:19, 20. {AA 175.3}

A Warning and the Remedy

While this is a high and exalted privilege, and one that ought to cause anyone to be willing to make any kind of a sacrifice, yet we find some of the most startling denunciations against this people most highly favored of all who have ever lived upon this earth. Quoting from the pen of the founder of the S.D.A. church, we read: {3SC2: 2.1.3}

"God brings against ministers and people the heavy charge of spiritual feebleness, saying, 'I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see'."--"Christ Our Righteousness," p. 154. {3SC2: 2.1.4}

The times were full of peril for the church. Satanic delusions existed everywhere. By misrepresentation and falsehood the emissaries of Satan sought to arouse opposition against the doctrines of Christ, and in consequence dissensions and heresies were imperiling the church. Some who professed Christ claimed that His love released them from obedience to the law of God. On the other hand, many taught that it was necessary to observe the Jewish customs and ceremonies; that a mere observance of the law, without faith in the blood of Christ, was sufficient for salvation. Some held that Christ was a good man, but denied His divinity. Some who pretended to be true to the cause of God were deceivers, and in practice they denied Christ and His gospel. Living themselves in transgression, they were bringing heresies into the church. Thus many were being led into the mazes of skepticism and delusion. {AA 553.1}

Consider the following

Several types of sacrifices and offerings were offered in the sanctuary, depending on their purpose:

holocaust offering - Lev. 1; Phil. 2:5-8

grain offering - Lev. 2; John 6:35, 48

peace or fellowship offering - Lev. 3; Isa. 53:5; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14

sin or purification offering - Lev. 4:1-5:13; Lev. 17:11; Mat. 26:28; Rom. 3:25; Heb. 9:14

Guilt or reparation offering - Lev. 5:14-6:7

Each sacrifice had a different context. They covered more than forgiveness, but also gratitude, consecration…

You are to receive and assimilate His words; they are to become part of yourselves. This is what is meant by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. You are to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God; that is, what God has revealed. Not all has been revealed; we could not bear such a revelation. But God has revealed all that is necessary for our salvation. We are not to leave His word for the suppositions of men. {CH 371.1}

Tuesday: What does Jesus’ Sacrifice Offer? Jesus’ Perfect Sacrifice

Heb. 7:27, 23-28; 10:1-5, 10, 12-14; 9:14, 26; 12:1-4; 13:12, 13; 1Pet. 2:9

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. {Heb. 7:27, KJV}

Heaven’s Ideal - a Sacred Relation

The grace of Christ, and this alone, can make this institution what God designed it should be--an agent for the blessing and uplifting of humanity. And thus the families of earth, in their unity and peace and love, may represent the family of heaven. {AH 100.2}

The condition of society presents a sad comment upon Heaven's ideal of this sacred relation. Yet even for those who have found bitterness and disappointment where they had hoped for companionship and joy, the gospel of Christ offers a solace. {AH 100.3}

He offers us the privilege of co-operation with Christ in revealing His grace to the world, that we may receive increased knowledge of heavenly things.

{COL 354.3}

Freely He Offers His Pardoning-Blood

The pardon granted by this king represents a divine forgiveness of all sin. Christ is represented by the king, who, moved with compassion, forgave the debt of his servant. Man was under the condemnation of the broken law. He could not save himself, and for this reason Christ came to this world, clothed His divinity with humanity, and gave His life, the just for the unjust. He gave Himself for our sins, and to every soul He freely offers the blood-bought pardon. "With the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption." Psalm 130:7. {COL 244.3}

Here is the ground upon which we should exercise compassion toward our fellow sinners. "If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." 1 John 4:11. "Freely ye have received," Christ says, "freely give." Matthew 10:8. {COL 245.1}

Specified Conditions

The rest that Christ offers depends upon conditions, but these conditions are plainly specified. They are those with which all can comply. He tells us just how His rest is to be found. {DA 329.1}

"Take My yoke upon you," Jesus says. The yoke is an instrument of service. Cattle are yoked for labor, and the yoke is essential that they may labor effectually.

Consider the following

The sacrifice of Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament sacrifices (John 1:29). It has the following unique characteristics:

It can clean our consciences (Heb. 9:14)

It can take away our sins (Heb. 9:26)

It offers sanctification (Heb. 10:10)

It is effective and unsurpassable (Heb. 10:12)

It makes us perfect (Heb. 10:14)

It allows us to come near to God (Heb. 10:19-22)

It gives us an example to follow (Heb. 12:2)

Wednesday: The Cross and the Cost of Forgiveness

Heb. 8:5; 9:22-28; 1Sam 4:4; 2Sam. 6:2; Ps 97:2; Exo. 25:9; 34:7; Num. 14:17-19; Lev. 16:15-22, 29-31; 23:27-32

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;” (Hebrews 9:24)

Enter Into Thy Chambers

When tempted to sin, let us remember that Jesus is pleading for us in the heavenly sanctuary. When we put away our sins and come to him in faith, he takes our names in his lips and presents them to his Father, saying, “I have graven them upon the palms of my hands; I know them by name.” And the command goes forth to the angels to protect them. Then in the day of fierce trial he will say, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” What are the chambers in which they are to hide? They are the protection of Christ and holy angels. The people of God are not at this time all in one place. They are in different companies, and in all parts of the earth; and they will be tried singly, not in groups. Every one must stand the test for himself. {HS 158.3}

Continual riches of the Knowledge and Wisdom

Growing into His likeness, we enlarge our capacity for knowing God. More and more we enter into fellowship with the heavenly world, and we have continually increasing power to receive the riches of the knowledge and wisdom of eternity. {COL 355.1}

Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the way into the most holy place.

Consider the following

The ministry of earthly priests did not end when the animal was sacrificed. Similarly, the ministry of Jesus did not end when He died on the cross.

Depending on the category of the person’s sin, the priest sprinkled the blood on the veil of the Most Holy Place (a priest or the congregation; Leviticus 4:1-21) or ate the flesh of the victim (Leviticus 6:25-26). In both cases, the sin was symbolically taken to the Tabernacle.In the Day of Atonement–once a year–, the Sanctuary was purified from all the sins that had been confessed during the year (Leviticus 16).

Since Jesus ascended, He is conducting His intercessory ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary. He is applying His blood to save anyone who asks for forgiveness (Hebrews 7:25).

Please review our previous SS Lesson on this subject: copy-paste or click:

Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary - 5. "Come to Me..." - July 24-30 (google.com)

Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary - 13. Rebirth of the Planet Earth (google.com)

Meat In Due Season - 8. The Harvest of Matthew 13 (google.com)

Thursday: Judgment and the Character of God

Rom. 3:21-26; 1:16, 17; 5:8; Acts 2:38; 5:31; Heb. 2:1-4; 6:2; 8:10-12; 9:27, 28; 10:25; Ezek. 36:25-27; Matt. 22;1-14; Rev. 14:7; Dan. 7:9-27

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

The cases of all are pending in the heavenly sanctuary. Day by day angels of God are watching the development of character, and weighing moral worth. In the judgement the question will not be, What profession did you make? but, What have you done for Me? What fruit have you borne to My glory? Now is the time to prepare for the coming of the King. {ST, April 12, 1905 par. 16}

If parents will love God and keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgement, their language will not savor of sickly sentimentalism. It will be of a sound, pure, edifying character. Whether they are at home or abroad their words will be well chosen. They will descend to no cheapness. They are bought with a price, and they are to glorify God in their body and spirit which are His. They belong to God, and their deportment is to be consistent. {10MR 189.2}

Judgement in Rigteousness and Meekness

"The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord; the mighty men shall cry there bitterly. . . . Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath. But the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy; for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land." The God who rules in the heavens is our God. We have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice. "Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, . . . Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgement; seek righteousness, seek meekness. It may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." {ST, April 12, 1905 par. 17}

Consider the following

In Hebrews 9:27-29, Paul explained that there’s a work of judgment taking place between the Cross and the Second Coming. When Jesus comes back, He won’t be related to sin at all. Every sinner will have already been judged, and every sin will have already been forgiven.

This judgment is the second phase of Jesus’ ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary. It is known as “the cleansing of the sanctuary” (Leviticus 16:16; Daniel 8:14).

The purpose of this judgment is to prove that God’s forgiveness is fair. When the records are open before the universe, God will show what happened in the hearts of believers and how they embraced Jesus as their Savior.

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Man judges in accordance with his finite judgement. God looks at the character of the fruit borne, and then judges the tree. In the name of the Lord, I call upon all to think of the work we are required to do, and how this work is to be sustained. The world is the Lord's vineyard, and it is to be worked. Suppose in every place where there is a large center, the work which has been done in America should be made the pattern.

Where would be our memorials of truth, which are to make a proper impression on the world? {BCL 31.1}

Questions to Ponder:

1. In the plan of salvation, why is it that the law of God is also central of the gospel truth?

2. What is the relationship of the law to the covenant of God for His people?

3. In our Monday Lesson, what did the Bible teaches us about the offerings for the diverse kind of sacrifices and in relation to Christ death on the cross?

4. What’s the basis for all benefits that Christ has provided for human race?

5. What does the Bible teaches about the system illustrated by the Israelites’ sanctuary?

6. How should we come to the throne of grace in the light of Christ’s living sacrifice and its role in our lives?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross […] And all that He endured—the blood drops that flowed from His head, His hands, His feet, the agony that racked His frame, and the unutterable anguish that filled His soul at the hiding of His Father's face—speaks to each child of humanity, declaring, It is for thee that the Son of God consents to bear this burden of guilt; for thee He spoils the domain of death, and opens the gates of Paradise. […] [He] who opened blind eyes and called forth the dead to life,—offers Himself upon the cross as a sacrifice, and this from love to thee.” {DA 755}

A Warning and the Remedy

While this is a high and exalted privilege, and one that ought to cause anyone to be willing to make any kind of a sacrifice, yet we find some of the most startling denunciations against this people most highly favored of all who have ever lived upon this earth. Quoting from the pen of the founder of the S.D.A. church, we read: {3SC2: 2.1.3}

"God brings against ministers and people the heavy charge of spiritual feebleness, saying, 'I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see'."--"Christ Our Righteousness," p. 154. {3SC2: 2.1.4}

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