The book of Hebrews teaches that the earthly Hebrew sanctuary service was a model of the heavenly sanctuary, the one that Christ entered and inaugurated as our High Priest. The earthly service, with its two apartments and its sacrificial and cleansing rituals, was “the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely … Continue reading –>
Though sin had brought a fearful separation between God and humanity, through Christ’s sacrificial death we as human beings are brought to God and can continue to have access to Him. See Eph. 2:18, 1 Pet. 3:18. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; … Continue reading –>
Read Hebrews 7:24-27, Hebrews 8:6. What great hope is given to us in these texts? Christ is able to save completely due to several qualifications that no other priest could ever have. He is God, who has authority to forgive sins. He has a permanent priesthood. During the Christian era He is interceding all the time for … Continue reading –>
Read John 1:29, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8. What is the one image that these texts have in common, and what is the importance of that image in helping us to understand the plan of salvation? When John the Baptist called Jesus the “Lamb of God”, he was making an unmistakable reference to the sanctuary. Even more directly, he … Continue reading –>
Studying the supreme sacrifice of Christ does so much to prepare believers for the end time. Often humans look to the goal ahead of them, and that makes sense. But it is also good to realize that the goal is behind them. We speak of Calvary. The goal, reached here by Jesus for us, is … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 8:3, John 1:29, Rev. 5:12, Heb. 7:1-28, Heb. 9:11-15, Lev. 16:13, Heb. 9:20-23. Memory Text: “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10, NIV) . Talking about Jesus in … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: We can have assurance of salvation, but we must not be presumptuous about it. Is there such a thing as a false assurance of salvation? Of course. And Jesus warned about it, too, saying: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Salvation and the End Time” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 14:6-7. What is the “everlasting gospel”? The gospel is referred to here as “everlasting”. This is further evidence that God does not change. An unchanging God has an unchanging gospel. This eternal gospel gives assurance to all who are willing to accept it. The gospel reveals the unchanging love of God, and it’s this … Continue reading –>
Some Seventh-day Adventists wonder if they will be saved. They lack assurance and long to know their future, in terms of eternal life. They work hard to be good enough and yet know that they come short. They look within and find little to encourage them in their journey through life. When we see the … Continue reading –>
