Sabbath Afternoon - March 16, 2024

Scripture Reading for the Week:
Psalms 134:1-3; Isaiah 42:10-12; ; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 101:1-3; Psalms 96:1-13; ; John 4:23-24. 


Meditation Thought:
“The importance of the Sabbath as the memorial of creation is that it keeps ever present the true reason why worship is due to God”—because He is the Creator, and we are His creatures. “The Sabbath therefore lies at the very foundation of divine worship, for it teaches this great truth in the most impressive manner, and no other institution does this. The true ground of divine worship, not of that on the seventh day merely, but of all worship, is found in the distinction between the Creator and His creatures. This great fact can never become obsolete, and must never be forgotten.”—J. N. Andrews, History of the Sabbath, chap. 27. {BLJ 160.3} 

It was to keep this truth ever before the minds of people that God instituted the Sabbath in Eden; and so long as the fact that He is our Creator continues to be a reason why we should worship Him, so long the Sabbath will continue as its sign and memorial. Had the Sabbath been universally kept, the thoughts and affections of humans would have been led to the Creator as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, an atheist, or an infidel. {BLJ 160.4} 


Memory Text:

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being” (Psalms 104:33). 


This week's SSLesson will examine the principles that characterize the true worship in the sanctuary, its significance, and its relatedness to our time. This includes the prophetic purpose and process of worship personally and collectively among the believers.


Outline of the Study:

Sunday - March 17, 2024

Lift Up Your hands in the Sanctuary - Worship in the Sanctuary (Psalms 134)

Psalms 134:1-3; 67:1; 18:1; 36:1; 113:1; 134:1-2; 135:1-2; Numbers 6:24-26; 1 Chronicles 9:23-27, 33; 1 Peter 2:4-5. 


Monday - March 18, 2024

Sing to the Lord a New Song - Worship with a New Song (Psalm 149)

Psalms 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; Psalms 144:9; 148:14:  149:1; Isaiah 42:10-12.


Tuesday - March 19, 2024

Lord, Who May Abide in Your Tabernacle? - The Worship of the Righteous (Psalms 15, 24 and 101)

Psalms 15:1-5; 24:3-6; 101:1-3; 24:4; 15:2; 24:6; 51:2-10; Deuteronomy 6:5; Micah 6:6-8; Leviticus 22:21-24; Job 36:4. 


Wednesday - March 20, 2024

Declare His Glory Among the Nations - Multiform Worship (Psalm 96)

Psalms 96:1-13; 98:4-9.  


Thursday - March 21, 2024

When God Does Not Delight in Sacrifices -  Worship in Spirit and in Truth (Psalms 40, 50 and 51)

Psalms 40:6-8; 50:7-23; 51:16-19; Exodus 20:24; Matthew 15:8; John 4:23-24.   


Friday - March 22, 2024

Insights and Further Study

From the Pen of Inspiration


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Sunday - March 17, 2024

Lift Up Your hands in the Sanctuary - Worship in the Sanctuary (Psalms 134)

Psalms 134:1-3; 67:1; 18:1; 36:1; 113:1; 134:1-2; 135:1-2; Numbers 6:24-26; 1 Chronicles 9:23-27, 33; 1 Peter 2:4-5. 

“Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.  May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who is the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 134)


Glorious Heritage

Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: . . . Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150:1-6.  {TDG 180.1}  

"Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. . . . Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word" (Psalm 148:3-8). All these agencies of God in nature are summoned to bring their tribute of praise to the Most High. And who among God's creatures will be silent when every star as it traverses its course, every breeze as it sweeps the earth, and every cloud that darkens the firmament, every shower of rain and every ray of sunshine--all are showing forth the praise of God who reigneth in the heavens?--Manuscript 9, June 20, 1884, "Visit to Multnomah Falls."  {TDG 180.6} 


An Associations that Strengthen All Thoughts of Divine Things  

The house is the sanctuary for the family, and the closet or the grove the most retired place for individual worship; but the church is the sanctuary for the congregation. There should be rules in regard to the time, the place, and the manner of worshiping. Nothing that is sacred, nothing that pertains to the worship of God, should be treated with carelessness or indifference. In order that men may do their best work in showing forth the praises of God, their associations must be such as will keep the sacred distinct from the common, in their minds. Those who have broad ideas, noble thoughts and aspirations, are those who have associations that strengthen all thoughts of divine things. Happy are those who have a sanctuary, be it high or low, in the city or among the rugged mountain caves, in the lowly cabin or in the wilderness. If it is the best they can secure for the Master, He will hallow the place with His presence, and it will be holy unto the Lord of hosts.  {5T 491.3} 


Consider the Following

The priests raised their hands to bless the people (Num. 6:23-26; Lev . 9:22). But, in this psalm, the Levites are invited to raise their hands toward the sanctuary and bless the Lord (Ps. 134:2). In both cases, the result is the same: God responds with blessing (Num. 6:27; Ps. 134:3).


 "Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity."  {ST, June 17, 1903 par. 7} 


❖ Who can bless and praise the Lord? Those who minister in the Sanctuary (Ps. 134:1-2); and all who serve the Lord (Ps. 113:1)

❖ Since we are all priests called to minister the gospel to the world, we are all called to lift up our hands to the Heavenly Sanctuary, and bless and praise our God (1 Pet. 2:4-5).


Monday - March 18, 2024

Sing to the Lord a New Song - Worship with a New Song (Psalm 149)

Psalms 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; Psalms 144:9; 148:14:  149:1; Isaiah 42:10-12.

“Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.” (Psalm 149:1)


The 144,000 a Perfect Square Shouted Hallelujah! As they Gaze at their Resurrected Friends

By this time the 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious Star containing Jesus' new name. [Revelation 3:12.] At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us in prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and the wicked would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another's feet, and salute the holy brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshipped at our feet. [Revelation 3:9.] Soon our eyes were drawn to the East, for a small black cloud had appeared about half as large as a man's hand, which we all knew was the Sign of the Son of Man. [Matthew 24:30.] We all in solemn silence gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer, lighter, and brighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud. [Revelation 14:14.] The bottom appeared like fire, a rainbow was over it, around the cloud were ten thousand angels singing a most lovely song. And on it sat the Son of Man, [Luke 21:27.] on his head were crowns, [Revelation 19:12.] his hair was white and curly and lay on his shoulders. [Revelation 1:14.] His feet had the appearance of fire, [Revelation 1:15.] in his right hand was a sharp sickle, [Revelation 14:14.] in his left a silver trumpet. [1 Thessalonians 4:16.] His eyes were as a flame of fire, [Revelation 1:14.] which searched his children through and through. Then all faces gathered paleness, and those that God had rejected gathered blackness. Then we all cried out, who shall be able to stand? Is my robe spotless? Then the angels ceased to sing, and there was some time of awful silence, [Revelation 8:1.] when Jesus spoke. Those who have clean hands and a pure heart shall be able to stand, my grace is sufficient for you. At this, our faces lighted up, and joy filled every heart. And the angels struck a note higher and sung again while the cloud drew still nearer the earth. Then Jesus' silver trumpet sounded, as he descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire [2 Thessalonians 1:7,8] He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints, then raised his eyes and hands to heaven and cried out, [John 5:25.] 

Awake! Awake! Awake! ye that sleep in the dust, and arise. Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted, Hallelujah! as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. [1 Thessalonians 4:17.] We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought along the crowns and with his own right hand placed them on our heads. [2 ESDRAS 2:43.] He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. [Revelation 15:2. Revelation 7:9.] Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet. [Revelation 7:9.] Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the City. Jesus raised his mighty glorious arm, laid hold of the gate and swung it back on its golden hinges, and said to us, You have washed your robes in my blood, stood stifly for my truth, enter in. [Isaiah 26:2.] We all marched in and felt we had a perfect right in the City. Here we saw the tree of life, and the throne of God. Out of the throne came a pure river of water, and on either side of the river was the tree of life. [Revelation 22:1, 2.] On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree and a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure transparent gold. {WLF 17.2}

 

Sing Unto the Lord a New Song

To the humble, believing soul, the house of God on earth is the gate of heaven. The song of praise, the prayer, the words spoken by Christ's representatives, are God's appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that defileth. {CCh 249.1}  

 "Thus saith God the Lord, . . . I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house. . . . Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. . . . I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."  {ST, June 17, 1903 par. 6}  


Consider the Following

What motivates the psalmist to sing a new song?

— The joy of knowing his Maker and King (Psalm 149:1-3).

— Know that God saves him (Psalm 149:4).

— Remember that God is with him, even in illness (Psalm 149:5).

— Know that God will ultimately judge all injustices (Psalm 149:6-9).

❖ Isaiah invites everyone to also sing a new song (Isa. 42:10-12). But what does that song consist of?

❖ The new song is the expression of each new experience we live with God: each time we learn something new about his Creation; every time we feel the joy of his presence; every time he comforts us; every time he forgives our sin…


Tuesday - March 19, 2024

Lord, Who May Abide in Your Tabernacle? - The Worship of the Righteous (Psalms 15, 24, and 101)

Psalms 15:1-5; 24:3-6; 101:1-3; 24:4; 15:2; 24:6; 51:2-10; Deuteronomy 6:5; Micah 6:6-8; Leviticus 22:21-24; Job 36:4. 

“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill” (Psalm 15:1)


Two Worshipers

"Unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others," Christ spoke the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee goes up to the temple to worship, not because he feels that he is a sinner in need of pardon, but because he thinks himself righteous and hopes to win commendation. His worship he regards as an act of merit that will recommend him to God. At the same time it will give the people a high opinion of his piety. He hopes to secure favor with both God and man. His worship is prompted by self-interest.  {COL 150.1} 

And he is full of self-praise. He looks it, he walks it, he prays it. Drawing apart from others as if to say, "Come not near to me; for I am holier than thou" (Isaiah 65:5), he stands and prays "with himself." Wholly self-satisfied, he thinks that God and men regard him with the same complacency.  {COL 150.2}  


God's Sanctified and Holy People are not a Legal Religion

A legal religion has been thought quite the correct religion for this time. But it is a mistake. The rebuke of Christ to the Pharisees is applicable to those who have lost from the heart their first love. A cold, legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. When fastings and prayers are practiced in a self-justifying spirit, they are abominable to God. The solemn assembly for worship, the round of religious ceremonies, the external humiliation, the imposed sacrifice-- all proclaim to the world the testimony that the doer of these things considers himself righteous. These things call attention to the observer of rigorous duties, saying, This man is entitled to heaven. But it is all a deception. Works will not buy for us an entrance into heaven. The one great Offering that has been made is ample for all who will believe. The love of Christ will animate the believer with new life. He who drinks from the water of the fountain of life, will be filled with the new wine of the kingdom. Faith in Christ will be the means whereby the right spirit and motive will actuate the believer, and all goodness and heavenly-mindedness will proceed from him who looks unto Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith. Look up to God, look not to men. God is your heavenly Father who is willing patiently to bear with your infirmities, and to forgive and heal them. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). By beholding Christ, you will become changed, until you will hate your former pride, your former vanity and self-esteem, your self-righteousness and unbelief. You will cast these sins aside as a worthless burden, and walk humbly, meekly, trustfully, before God. You will practice love, patience, gentleness, goodness, mercy, and every grace that dwells in the child of God, and will at last find a place among the sanctified and holy.  {1SM 388.1}  


Consider the Following

Who is worthy of worship before God? (read Psalm 15; Psalm 24:4; and Psalm 101).

❖ He who keeps the commandments and lives in holiness is worthy of worshiping God (Heb. 12:14). Remember that he who does not sin is not righteous or holy, but he who repents and strives to serve God from the heart.


Wednesday - March 20, 2024

Declare His Glory Among the Nations - Multiform Worship (Psalm 96)

Psalms 96:1-13; 98:4-9.  

“Give to Jehovah the honor due to his name; bring offerings, and come into his courts” (Psalm 96:8)


The Final Restoration  - The Davidic Kingdom in the Latter Days

The prophecies of judgment delivered by Amos and Hosea were accompanied by predictions of future glory. To the ten tribes, long rebellious and impenitent, was given no promise of complete restoration to their former power in Palestine. Until the end of time, they were to be "wanderers among the nations." But through Hosea was given a prophecy that set before them the privilege of having a part in the final restoration that is to be made to the people of God at the close of earth's history, when Christ shall appear as King of kings and Lord of lords. "Many days," the prophet declared, the ten tribes were to abide "without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim." "Afterward," the prophet continued, "shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days." Hosea 3:4, 5.  {PK 298.1}

For additional and deeper studies, please visit the following:

Meat In Due Season - 5. Mighty Stone and the Great Image of Daniel 2 (google.com) 

Meat In Due Season - 5.1 Mighty Stone and the Great Image of Daniel 2 (google.com) 

Meat In Due Season - 6. The Establishment of the Kingdom of Glory (google.com) 

Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 11: Kingdom of Glory (google.com) 


God's Glory, His Character will Fill All the Earth

Graciously the Lord responded, "I have pardoned according to thy word." And then He imparted to Moses, in the form of a prophecy, a knowledge of His purpose concerning the final triumph of His chosen people. "As truly as I live," He declared, "all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord." . . . God's glory, His character, His merciful kindness and tender love--all that Moses had pleaded in behalf of Israel was to be revealed to all mankind. And this promise of Jehovah was made doubly sure; it was confirmed by an oath. As surely as God lives and reigns, His glory shall be declared "among the heathen, His wonders among all people. {ML 288.6} 


Declare God's Glory Among the Gentiles

Jehovah declared to the prophet that he would send his witnesses "unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, . . . to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off." "They shall declare my glory among the Gentiles," the prophet was assured by the divine messenger; "and they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations . . . to my holy mountain Jerusalem. . . . And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites." Isaiah 66:19-21.  {RH, June 24, 1915 par. 4}  

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Isaiah 52:7.  {RH, June 24, 1915 par. 5}  

The prophet heard the voice of God calling his church to her appointed work, that the way might be prepared for the ushering in of his everlasting kingdom. The message was unmistakably plain:--  {RH, June 24, 1915 par. 6}  

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  {RH, June 24, 1915 par. 7}  

"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.  {RH, June 24, 1915 par. 8}  


The Lord will Comfort Zion, All her Waste Places and Wilderness will be Like Eden

 "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God." Psalms 146:5. "Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope." Zechariah 9:12. Unto all the honest in heart in heathen lands- "the upright" in the sight of heaven -- "there ariseth light in the darkness." Psalms 112:4. God hath spoken: "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16. {RH, June 24, 1915 par. 21}  

"The Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord." Isaiah 51:3. "The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon." Isaiah 35:2. "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called my delight, and thy land Beulah. . . . As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." Isaiah 62:4, 5, margin. {RH, July 1, 1915 par. 34}  


Consider the Following

We worship God with songs (Ps. 96:1-2). We worship Him when we tell others about Him (Ps. 96:3), or by inviting them to join in our worship (Ps. 96:7). We worship when we honor His name and bring Him offerings (Ps. 96:8).

❖ Worship includes proclaiming that God is King and Judge of humanity (Ps. 96:10; Rev. 14:7).

❖ Do we worship God because he is going to judge us? Yeah! Because his judgment is just, and the entire Creation rejoices in it (Ps. 96:11-13).


Thursday - March 21, 2024

When God Does Not Delight in Sacrifices -  Worship in Spirit and in Truth (Psalms 40, 50 and 51)

Psalms 40:6-8; 50:7-23; 51:16-19; Exodus 20:24; Matthew 15:8; John 4:23-24.  

“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering” (Psalm 51:16)


Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth

As the past of her life was spread out before her, the listener trembled. Conviction of sin was awakened. She said, "Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet." And then, in order to change the conversation to some other subject, she endeavored to lead Christ into a controversy upon their religious differences. "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain," she said, "and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ; when he is come, he will tell us all things." But what was her astonishment when Jesus said, "I that speak unto thee am he."  {ST, April 22, 1897 par. 7}  


True Worship is in Spirit and in Truth

Pray much; walk humbly with God; make personal efforts. If self is hidden with Christ in God, you will have scriptural, religious life and energy. We must keep asking earnestly. Make short prayers in meetings, and lengthy prayers when you talk and commune with God in your closet. We daily need to be imbued and sustained by His life-giving power. The requirement is "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself" (Luke 10:27). Zeal, earnestness, and fervor belong to true worship, for God is a Spirit, and He seeketh such to worship Him who worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  {10MR 130.2}  


Consider the Following

A fundamental part of worship in the Temple was animal sacrifices. However, in Psalms, God renounces sacrifices (Ps. 40:6; 51:16). Because?

❖ God does not want sacrifices when the one who offers them acts unjustly against his neighbor; or is unable to recognize in them the spiritual reality they represent; or simply performs them as a mere ritual.

❖ Let's be clear: God does not need sacrifices (Ps. 50:9-13). However, he asks us to present them to him (Ps. 50:5). What kind of sacrifices does God demand of us today?

❖ God desires that we worship him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Therefore, he accepts the broken spirit as sacrifices (Ps. 51:17); praise (Ps. 50:14, 23; 69:30-31); and obedience (Ps. 40:6-8).


Friday - March 22, 2024

Insights and Further Study

Said the angel, "Satan is the root, his children are the branches. They are now consumed root and branch. They have died an everlasting death. They are never to have a resurrection, and God will have a clean universe." I then looked and saw the fire which had consumed the wicked, burning up the rubbish and purifying the earth. Again I looked and saw the earth purified. There was not a single sign of the curse. The broken, uneven surface of the earth now looked like a level, extensive plain. God's entire universe was clean, and the great controversy was forever ended. Wherever we looked, everything upon which the eye rested was beautiful and holy. And all the redeemed host, old and young, great and small, cast their glittering crowns at the feet of their Redeemer, and prostrated themselves in adoration before Him, and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever. The beautiful new earth, with all its glory, was the eternal inheritance of the saints. The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was then given to the saints of the Most High, who were to possess it forever, even forever and ever. {EW 295.1}


Questions to Ponder


From the Pen of Inspiration

“I have thought with what joy the angels would look down from heaven upon us if we were all praising God and abiding in Christ. If, indeed, there is joy to the full for the Christian, why should we not possess it, and manifest it to the world? ...

In just a little time Christ will come in power and great glory, […] begin to sing the song of praise and rejoice here below... Let your lips sing praises to God […]

If you sit in heavenly places with Christ, you cannot refrain from praising God. Begin to educate your tongues to praise Him and train your hearts to make melody to God; and when the evil one begins to settle his gloom about you, sing praise to God.” EGW (In Heavenly Places, March 29)

“He who believes in Christ becomes one with Christ, to show forth the glory of God, for God hath put a new song into his mouth, even praise unto the Lord. He daily desires to know more of Christ, that he may become more like Him. He discerns spiritual things and enjoys contemplation of Christ, and by beholding Him he is changed, imperceptibly to himself, into the image of Christ.” EGW (That I May Know Him - Page 158)