Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

So today, if people bring to you objections to the truth, and try to stir you up, do not become excited. Keep on the track of the affirmative. Affirm the truth, “Thus saith the Lord,” and let me tell you, the enemy will soon desire to get out of your presence. . . . {CTr 214.5}

Let us lay aside the warfare the enemy would have us put on. Let us begin to work in earnest to overcome our hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil. Let us plead with God to take away the wicked propensity to faultfinding, and in its place to give us life and the love of Christ. . . . {CTr 214.6}

We have a heaven to win, and Christ wants us to have it. He died that we might have it. Every soul who is saved in the kingdom of God will give the glory to Him, not to any human being. Christ will open for us the golden gates; He will invite us to enter. . . . {CTr 214.7}

Memory Text

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so, must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. {John 3:14, 15}

This week's SS Lesson will discuss the significant truth of Christ's death on the cross (its preparation, announcement, and execution of the sacrifice He offers for sinful human beings). It includes the pertinent meaning for our acknowledgment and appreciation of God's initiative to solve the existence of wickedness on earth.

Outline of the Study

The Lamb of God

Sunday: From the Foundation of the World {Prepared}

Rev. 13:8; Acts 2:23; 1Pet 1:19, 20; Titus 1:2; Gen. 3:15, 21; 22:11-13

Monday: A Preface to the Cross {Announced}

Matt. 16:21-23; 17:22, 23; Mk. 9:30-32; Lk 9:44, 45; Lk. 18:31-34; John 3:14, 15

Tuesday: It is Finished! {Sacrificed}

John 19:1-30; Matt. 27:42; John 6:70; 13:2, 27

The Meaning of His Sacrifice

Wednesday: He Died for Us {He Died for Me}

John 1:1-3; 3:14-18; 1 John 1:9; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:14; 10:10,12

Thursday: The Meaning of the Cross {The Power of the Cross}

1Cor. 1:18-24; Rom. 3:21-26; 5:8; 6:22, 23; 1Cor. 1:17-24; Phil. 3:9-11; John 3:14-16; 1John 5:11, 12; Rev. 7:13-17; 22:3; Rom 1:18-20; 1Cor. 1:21

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

The Lamb of God

Sunday: From the Foundation of the World {Prepared}

Rev. 13:8; Acts 2:23; 1Pet 1:19, 20; Titus 1:2; Gen. 3:15, 21; 22:11-13

“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” (1 Peter 1:20)

Fulfillment of Christ's Promised

Thus will be fulfilled Christ's promise to His disciples, "I will come again, and receive you unto Myself." John 14:3. Those who have loved Him and waited for Him, He will crown with glory and honor and immortality. The righteous dead will come forth from their graves, and those who are alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air. They will hear the voice of Jesus, sweeter than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, saying to them, Your warfare is accomplished. "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25:34. {AA 34.1}

Well might the disciples rejoice in the hope of their Lord's return. {AA 34.2}

Partakers of Christ's Joy

We see a retinue of angels on either side of the gate; and as we pass in, Jesus speaks, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom that is prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Here He tells you to be a partaker of His joy, and what is that? It is the joy of seeing of the travail of your soul, fathers. It is the joy of seeing that your efforts, mothers, are rewarded. Here are your children; the crown of life is upon their heads, and the angels of God immortalize the names of the mothers whose efforts have won their children to Jesus Christ. {CG 567.3}

The Glorious Day of Victory

Now the church is militant. Now we are confronted with a world in darkness, almost wholly given over to idolatry. . . . But the day is coming when the battle will have been fought, the victory won. The will of God is to be done on earth as it is done in heaven. . . . All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving --the robe of Christ's righteousness. All nature, in its surpassing loveliness, will offer to God a tribute of praise and adoration. The world will be bathed in the light of heaven. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold greater than it is now. The years will move on in gladness. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, "There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death." {CG 568.1}

Consider the Following

— Jesus is introduced as sacrificed or slain “from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). This doesn’t mean that Jesus died when the world was created. As Peter explained, Jesus was “foreordained” to offer Himself as a sacrifice in case humans sinned (1 Peter 1:20).

— The lamb in the Passover was separated on the 10^th day to be sacrificed on the 14^th day. Jesus was prepared since the beginning for the moment of His sacrifice.

— Thanks to that preparation, God could show how salvation was going to work through the sacrifice system. This way people could find hope and salvation even before Jesus was sacrificed at the cross.

The Scripture says, "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; . . . that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." Matthew 13:34, 35. Natural things were the medium for the spiritual; the things of nature and the life-experience of His hearers were connected with the truths of the written word. Leading thus from the natural to the spiritual kingdom, Christ's parables are links in the chain of truth that unites man with God, and earth with heaven. {COL 17.2}

Monday: A Preface to the Cross {Announced}

Matt. 16:21-23; 17:22, 23; Mk. 9:30-32; Lk 9:44, 45; Lk. 18:31-34; John 3:14, 15

“They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” (Luke 18:33)

A Sacrifice on Our Behalf

The Saviour of prophecy was to come, not as a temporal king, to deliver the Jewish nation from earthly oppressors, but as a man among men, to live a life of poverty and humility, and at last to be despised, rejected, and slain. The Saviour foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures was to offer Himself as a sacrifice in behalf of the fallen race, thus fulfilling every requirement of the broken law. In Him the sacrificial types were to meet their antitype, and His death on the cross was to lend significance to the entire Jewish economy. {AA 227.3}

He Bears our Burden of Guilt

The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross, His flesh lacerated with stripes; those hands so often reached out in blessing, nailed to the wooden bars; those feet so tireless on ministries of love, spiked to the tree; that royal head pierced by the crown of thorns; those quivering lips shaped to the cry of woe. 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.—The Desire of Ages, p. 755. {CTr 278.2}

An Evidence Against Satan - Death of Christ on the Cross

But Satan’s hypocrisy has been unmasked by Christ’s life, trial, and death. Christ took upon Himself human nature, and by His perfect life demonstrated the falsity of the claims of him who constantly accuses those who are trying to obey God’s law. And the blood of Christ shed on the cross is the everlasting, incontrovertible testimony that God’s law is as immutable as is His own character. The crucifixion of Christ was a murder instigated by Satan and carried out by people who had separated themselves from God. In the day of judgment, when the death of Christ upon the cross is seen in all its reality, every voice will be hushed. Everyone will see that Satan is a rebel.—Manuscript 1, 1902. {CTr 291.6}

Our Absolute Substitute and Surety

Christ offered up His broken body to purchase back God's heritage, to give man another trial. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25. By His spotless life, His obedience, His death on the cross of Calvary, Christ interceded for the lost race. And now, not as a mere petitioner does the Captain of our salvation intercede for us, but as a Conqueror claiming His victory. His offering is complete, and as our Intercessor He executes His self-appointed work, holding before God the censer containing His own spotless merits and the prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving of His people. Perfumed with the fragrance of His righteousness, these ascend to God as a sweet savor. The offering is wholly acceptable, and pardon covers all transgression. {COL 156.2}

Christ has pledged Himself to be our substitute and surety, and He neglects no one. He who could not see human beings exposed to eternal ruin without pouring out His soul unto death in their behalf, will look with pity and compassion upon every soul who realizes that he cannot save himself. {COL 157.1}

Consider the Following

— Jesus announced His death at the cross for the first time during His private conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:14-15).

— During His last year of ministry, He told His disciples three times that He had to die: Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 18:31-34.

— Jesus’ death went against their idea of a triumphant Messiah. They couldn’t understand what Jesus was announcing, that He had to die to save humankind.

Tuesday: It is Finished! {Sacrificed}

John 19:1-30; Matt. 27:42; John 6:70; 13:2, 27

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30)

No Longer Captives of Satan

When Christ upon the cross cried out, “It is finished,” there was a mighty earthquake that rent open the graves of many who had been faithful and loyal, bearing their testimony against every evil work, and magnifying the Lord God of hosts. Now as the Life-giver came forth from the sepulcher, proclaiming, “I am the resurrection and the life,” He summoned these saints from the grave. When alive, they had, at the cost of their lives, borne their testimony unflinchingly for the truth. Now they were to be witnesses of Him who had raised them from the dead. These, said Christ, are no longer the captives of Satan. I have redeemed them; I have brought them from the grave as the firstfruits of My power, to be with me where I am, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow.—Manuscript 115, 1897. {CTr 283.5}

Crucifixion of Christ - All Heaven Witness His Humiliation (Trial, Rejection, and Death)

Actuated by satanic influences, the crowd clamored for the crucifixion of Christ. All heaven watched the successive steps of Christ’s humiliation—His trial, rejection, and death. When on the cross He exclaimed, “It is finished,” the warfare was ended. The blood of the Innocent was shed for the guilty. The life that He gave up ransomed the human race from eternal death and sealed the doom of him who had the power of death—the devil. {CTr 290.4}

Satan sought to make it appear that he was working for the liberty of the universe. Even while Christ was on the cross, the enemy was determined to make his arguments so varied, so deceptive, so insidious, that all would be convinced that God’s law was tyrannical. He himself laid every scheme, planned every evil, inflamed every mind to bring affliction on Christ. He himself instigated the false accusations against One who had done only good. He himself inspired the cruel deeds that added to the suffering of the Son of God—the pure, the holy, the innocent. {CTr 290.5}

By this course of action Satan has forged a chain by which he himself will be bound. The heavenly universe will bear witness to the justice of God in punishing him. Heaven itself saw what heaven would be if he were in it. The hearts of all in the heavenly universe were united in regarding God’s law as changeless. They supported the government of Him who, to redeem the transgressor, spared not His own Son from suffering the penalty of sin. {CTr 290.6}

In His ministry, Christ by word and deed vindicated the honor of God’s law. It was for this purpose that He came into the world.—Manuscript 1, 1902. {CTr 290.7}

Consider the Following

— Jesus voluntarily endured humiliation and anguish in His way to the cross (Philippians 2:8).

— Satan moved those people to crucify the Savior, and to encourage Him to come down the cross and save Himself (Matthew 27:42).

— Could have Jesus come down the cross and save Himself? Yes, but He knew that saving Himself would condemn all humankind. He chose to die to save even those who were unknowingly asking not to be saved.

— Jesus Himself announced that evil and sin had been overcome: “It is finished.”

The Meaning of His Sacrifice

Wednesday: He Died for Us

John 1:1-3; 3:14-18; 1 John 1:9; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:14; 10:10,12

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Evidence of His Great Love

We look to self, as though we had power to save ourselves; but Jesus died for us because we are helpless to do this. In Him is our hope, our justification, our righteousness. We should not despond and fear that we have no Saviour or that He has no thoughts of mercy toward us. At this very time He is carrying on His work in our behalf, inviting us to come to Him in our helplessness and be saved. We dishonor Him by our unbelief. It is astonishing how we treat our very best Friend, how little confidence we repose in Him who is able to save to the uttermost and who has given us every evidence of His great love. {CCh 47.5}

He Intercedes in Our Behalf

Jesus has not left you to be amazed at the trials and difficulties you meet. He has told you all about them, and He has told you also not to be cast down and oppressed when trials come. Look to Jesus, your Redeemer, and be cheerful and rejoice. The trials hardest to bear are those that come from our brethren, our own familiar friends; but even these trials may be borne with patience. Jesus is not lying in Joseph's new tomb. He has risen and has ascended to heaven, there to intercede in our behalf. We have a Saviour who so loved us that He died for us, that through Him we might have hope and strength and courage, and a place with Him upon His throne. He is able and willing to help you whenever you call upon Him. {CCh 55.4}

Consider the Following

— None of the millions of sacrificed animals since the fall of Adam and Eve until Nisan 14, 27 AD could take away our sin (Hebrews 10:1-4).

— The death of Jesus was unique and unrepeatable. It can forgive any sin committed both before it and after it (Hebrews 9:24-28).

— It’s enough to forgive my sin (Acts 10:43).

The Author of Our Salvation was Crucified

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. {FLB 50.1}

There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures--Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. . . . The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation. {FLB 50.2}

When Christ bowed His head and died, He bore the pillars of Satan's kingdom with Him to the earth. He vanquished Satan. {FLB 50.3}

Christ submitted to crucifixion, although the heavenly host could have delivered Him. The angels suffered with Christ. God Himself was crucified with Christ; for Christ was one with the Father. Those who reject Christ, those who will not have this man to rule over them, choose to place themselves under the rule of Satan, to do his work as his bondslaves. Yet for them Christ yielded up His life on Calvary. {FLB 50.4}

Thursday: The Meaning of the Cross {The Power of the Cross}

1Cor. 1:18-24; Rom. 3:21-26; 5:8; 6:22, 23; 1Cor. 1:17-24; Phil. 3:9-11; John 3:14-16; 1John 5:11, 12; Rev. 7:13-17; 22:3; Rom 1:18-20; 1Cor. 1:21

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Cross of Christ - Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power

As he pondered these things in his heart, Paul understood more and more clearly the meaning of his call "to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God." 1 Corinthians 1:1. His call had come, "not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father." Galatians 1:1. The greatness of the work before him led him to give much study to the Holy Scriptures, in order that he might preach the gospel "not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect," "but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power," that the faith of all who heard "should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4, 5. {AA 127.1}

Central Pillar of Exceeding and Eternal Weight of Glory

Those who would gain the blessing of sanctification must first learn the meaning of self-sacrifice. The cross of Christ is the central pillar on which hangs the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." "If any man will come after Me," Christ says, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." 2 Corinthians 4:17; Matthew 16:24. It is the fragrance of our love for our fellow men that reveals our love for God. It is patience in service that brings rest to the soul. It is through humble, diligent, faithful toil that the welfare of Israel is promoted. God upholds and strengthens the one who is willing to follow in Christ's way. {AA 560.2}

Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformations wrought in the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall overcome. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. So long as Satan reigns, we shall have self to subdue, besetting sins to overcome; so long as life shall last, there will be no stopping place, no point which we can reach and say, I have fully attained. Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience. {AA 560.3}

Consider the Following

— What is the power of the cross?

(1) It’s the ultimate revelation of God’s justice against sin (Romans 3:21-26)

(2) It’s the ultimate revelation of God’s love for sinners (Romans 5:8)

(3) It’s the ultimate source of power to break the chains of sin (Romans 6:22-23)

(4) It’s our only hope of eternal life (1 John 5:11-12)

(5) It’s the only antidote for a future rebellion in the Universe (Revelation 7:13-17)

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

But it is ever the purpose of Satan to make void the law of God and to pervert the true meaning of the plan of salvation. Therefore he has originated the falsehood that the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary's cross was for the purpose of freeing men from the obligation of keeping the commandments of God. He has foisted upon the world the deception that God has abolished His constitution, thrown away His moral standard, and made void His holy and perfect law. Had He done this, at what terrible expense would it have been to Heaven! Instead of proclaiming the abolition of the law, Calvary's cross proclaims in thunder tones its immutable and eternal character. Could the law have been abolished, and the government of heaven and earth and the unnumbered worlds of God maintained, Christ need not have died. The death of Christ was to forever settle the question of the validity of the law of Jehovah. Having suffered the full penalty for a guilty world, Jesus became the Mediator between God and man, to restore the repenting soul to favor with God by giving him grace to keep the law of the Most High. Christ came not to destroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfill them to the very letter. The atonement of Calvary vindicated the law of God as holy, just, and true, not only before the fallen world but before heaven and before the worlds unfallen. Christ came to magnify the law and to make it honorable. {FW 118.2}

Questions to Ponder

1. What is the central and focal point of our Faith? How does God make it available to everyone?

2. To what extent that our sins would be paid by an innocent Lamb of God to get rid of their precise enmity against our souls?

3. What could we learn from the negative reactions of the disciples about Christ's prediction of His death and suffering, what does it teaches us now regarding His promises?

4. What's the significance of Jesus crying with a loud voice, "it is finished"? How is it related to the great controversy between God and Satan?

5. What can we do when Jesus had already done everything for us? What truth is being taught here that our work has no merit for our salvation?

6. How can we bear the cross in our lives, when Christ has already done for us? What's our role in salvation?

7. Based on the above statement, {FW 118.2} How does Satan's insinuation thwart our understanding of Christ's death to free us from the bondage of the Law? Does Christ's death on Calvary vindicate God's character? How?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden […] The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Our only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary is our only hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to come.” E. G. W. (Our High Calling, February 8)

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