Friday: Further Thought – Light From the Sanctuary
Daily Lesson for Friday 24th of May 2024
Notice how Jesus’ work for us in the judgment and our role are described: “Jesus does not excuse their sins, but shows their penitence and faith, and, claiming for them forgiveness, He lifts His wounded hands before the Father and the holy angels, saying: I know them by name. I have graven them on the palms of My hands. ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.’ Psalms 51:17. And to the accuser of His people He declares: ‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee.’ ”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 484.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“The fact that the acknowledged people of God are represented as standing before the Lord in filthy garments should lead to humility and deep searching of heart on the part of all who profess His name. Those who are indeed purifying their souls by obeying the truth will have a most humble opinion of themselves. The more closely they view the spotless character of Christ, the stronger will be their desire to be conformed to His image, and the less will they see of purity or holiness in themselves. But while we should realize our sinful condition, we are to rely upon Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. We cannot answer the charges of Satan against us. Christ alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 471, 472.
“We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 489, 490.
Discussion Questions
- What emotions are stirred at the thought that Jesus is lifting His wounded hands for us before the Father? Why is this our only hope in the judgment?
- We are living in the Day of Atonement. Atonement is the work of God in saving lost sinners. Why, then, should any day dedicated to the work of God in saving sinners be good news?
- Notice what Ellen G. White wrote: “Christ alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own.”—Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, January 2, 1908. How can you make this hope your own?
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I hope that what I have to say today does not open old wounds but there have been a couple of experiences on my mind this week as we revisited 1844, the sanctuary and the Investigative Judgement.
In the 1980s there was a widespread discussion of these topics that lasted a fair portion of the decade. I was working at the time in a church high school at the conference level. Churches split, ministers resigned, Conference workers' meetings were held, and petitions signed. It was not a good place or time to be involved in Church work. It was during that time that I was also involved in teaching in a secular institution and one of my tasks was to tutor distance education students. At the end of that particular year we had an in-house conference for these students and they flew in from all over Australia to participate. I was introduced to them face-to-face for the first time and it was mentioned in passing that I was under appointment to teach at Avondale College - a Seventh-day Adventist institution. Later in the day, at morning tea, one of the participants sat down with me and asked if I was a Seventh-day Adventist. I told him I was and he then asked if I could explain to him the issue that was causing problems in the church.
I asked him a couple of questions first and found he was an active Christian with membership in the Uniting Church. I briefly described the issue to him and we discussed it a bit. Then he made the comment, "What a stupid thing to fight over! Jesus is our sacrifice and advocate. That's the important bit!"
It was also about this time we had Big Camp and we had the usual delegates from the Division and Avondale as the headline preachers for the week. I was the audio person for the big tent so I heard the investigative judgement from 7am to 9:30pm every day for 8 days, On the last Sabbath we had a Theologian from Avondale take the service. I expected the final word on the topic but this wise scholarly theologian chose to preach on living the love of Jesus in our families. After all the deep theology of the previous week he was finishing with practical Christianity in the home.
I mention these two experience because there are some who think that understanding the 2300 day prophecy, 1844, and the Investigative judgement is the epitome of Seventh-day Adventist theology. While I acknowledge the contribution that these ideas have given to our faith, I am aware that we sometimes lose sight of the big picture: "Jesus died for us and he is our mediator and advocate in the judgment!"
It is not about vindicating the Adventist interpretation of prophecy, or your ability to do the calculations. It is not about dates and times. It is about Jesus, the one who died and is now mediating for us.
And if we need a practical application of this perhaps we should consider the importance of showing the spirit of Christ in our family relationships.
To me the greatest evidence for the truthfulness of the fulfillment of the 2300 day prophecy is not the mathematical calculations but the flood of light that was poured upon the world following the fulfillment of that time. I would not have become a Christian if not for the clear understanding of the state of the dead and that the lost will not burn eternally in hell. The Sabbath is an incredible blessing. The health message gives us a clearer understanding of the soul and helps us to avoid disease. The value of the “spirit of prophecy” through the writings of Ellen White to me is incalculable. Just yesterday I was listening to insights from the first chapter “Why was Sin Permitted?” in Patriarchs and Prophets”-tremendous insights into the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Through the spirit of prophecy we also understood the evils of tobacco almost 100 years before the world figured it out. Wonderful insights into how to raise our children, the spiritual value of moving out of the cities and into the country, other tremendous insights into the Bible and practical Christian living. The list goes on and on. Attention brought to where Jesus is now and what He is doing. The renewed emphasis on taking the gospel to the world. Many insights into how Satan seeks to infiltrate our lives. That heaven will be a practical place. And the matchless love of Jesus more clearly expounded to our sin sick minds. I believe all of this light is to help us better appreciate that God is love and that His ways are just and true in spite of appearances. To summarize I believe that from God’s perspective something important happened at the fulfillment of the the 2300 day prophecy that caused Him to bring this flood of light upon the world.
As always your response is pinpoint and precise. May we never lose sight that showing others the love of Christ is the joy that we have.
I have this opportunity today: I'm alive. May my reaction to Jesus' pleading on my behalf before the Throne of Grace lead me closer to God. I need to accept Jesus' sacrifice of love, even though I am a sinner and have no merit. And because of His offer, I can also offer myself the way I am, for a perfect Lamb has already paid the price.
I'm glad that, JESUS, is making intercession for us, before GOD, and is fighting SATAN, for us. And that we can ask for forgiveness.
Jesus paid it all,all to him I owe!
May God be our guide this Sabbath,His peace unending to sustain us.
it is heart dipping to know that the atonement of Christ, the sacrificial blood of Christ, the death and resurrection of Christ, the mediation of Christ and His continual presentation of His blood on behalf of every confessing and needing believer should occupy the space of Christian growth and every step of that journey. The steps: repentance, confession, baptism, sanctification, the growth in working for Him, whether usher, SS teacher, deacon, Superintendent, Youth leader, Evamgelism and elder ....may all the path be Christ blood stained, cleansed, empowered and covered need the blood of Jesus