|
January 12 - 18 |
The Contenders |
 |
|
January 12 - 18 |
The Contenders |
|
READ FOR THIS WEEK'S STUDY: Phil. 2:5-11; 1 John 1:5-10; 3:4-9.
MEMORY TEXT: " 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life' " (John 8:12, NKJV).
KEY QUESTIONS: Who are the chief contenders in the great controversy? What weapons does each contender employ, and how effective are they?
THE LORD OF LIGHT VERSUS THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS. Many New Testament word pictures portray the contenders in the great controversy. Studying these pictures will help us better understand the nature of the war. Anyone who wants to know the truth can see the stark contrast between the opponents. They are Immanuel—God with us—versus the devouring lion in our midst; the Lord of light versus the prince of darkness; the God of truth against the father of lies; Christ versus antichrist. One is the Shepherd, the other a wolf.
We should be able to see, too, that there's no compromise between these two
contenders. The issues between them are too deep, too divisive, too contrary
to allow for any kind of truce, any kind of conditional surrender, any kind
of synthesis of sides into some sort of settlement, as often happens between
warring nations. Instead, it's a matter of one side that is wholly good fighting
against another side that is wholly evil in a battle that only one or the
other can win. There's no middle ground between them, no possibility of
cooperation. Whenever the battle is over, the victory will be complete and
unconditional, with one side, our side—under the command of Lord
Jesus—enjoying the fruits of a hard-fought battle that we're all engaged
in, even if Jesus was the decisive victor for us 2,000 years ago.
*(Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 19.)
When God cast Satan out of heaven, Satan took upon himself the task of deceiving the whole world (Rev. 12:9). With the fall of Adam and Eve, Satan turned this world into a battlefield on which the opponents fight over the issues we studied in lesson 2.
As he did with Eve, Satan often pretends to be our ally. "He frequently appears as an angel of light, assuming friendly airs, presenting peculiar temptations which it is difficult for the inexperienced to withstand ."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 207. But however subtle Satan may be, he remains our "adversary," lurking "about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8, NKJV).
Based on such a description, what deceptions might Satan use to get us
on his side? Might we be on Satan's side without even knowing it?
Peter's own experience with Satan certainly qualified him to portray our enemy as a stalking lion seeking its prey. During their last Passover together, Jesus told Peter that Satan would haunt his footsteps (Luke 22:31). Indeed, before the night was over, Peter would deny his Lord and Savior not once but three times (vss. 34, 54-62). Jesus, however, did not leave him without hope. Immediately after telling him that Satan desired to have him, Jesus said, " 'But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers' "(vs. 32, NIV).
Jesus could offer Peter hope because of a plan that God, in His infinite
wisdom, formulated to redeem us. When did He develop this plan, and what
did it include?
Rom.
5:19;
1
Pet. 1:20;
Rev.
13:8.
Satan claimed this world as his (Matt. 4:8, 9; John 14:30), but God sent us His Son. Born as a babe, He became" 'Immanuel. . . . God with us'" (Matt. 1:23, NKJV). He took upon Himself our human nature, and in that nature He crushed Satan.
| Who of us hasn't, at some point, fallen as Peter did, in the sense
that—though boldly proclaiming (maybe just in our hearts) that we'd
stay faithful to Christ no matter what—we allowed Satan to come in and
cause to us betray Christ anyway? Yet Why didn't Jesus reject Peter,
and why can we have hope that He, Immanuel, won't reject us either, if we
do the same?
|
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
of life"
(John
8:12).
In the beginning of Creation, Christ, the Creator, said: "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3; John 1:1-5). Thus He dispelled the darkness that was over the earth. The same Christ now proclaims that He is the Light of the world—a light that has come to dispel the moral and spiritual darkness that has overtaken the world as a result of sin.
As light, what does Jesus provide for us?
2 Cor. 4:6 _______________________________________________________________________
1 John 1:7 ______________________________________________________________________
Ps. 119:105 _____________________________________________________________________
Ps.
27:1
__________________________________________________________________
It has been said that all the darkness in the world can't cover or hide the light from even a single candle. In the same way, no matter how "dark" our situation might be, Jesus, the Light, is there to guide us through the darkness, if we are willing to turn toward Him.
There is something absolute about the Father and Christ being light. Because light is what the Father and Christ are, there can be no darkness in them at all (1 John 1:5). Because light is opposed to darkness, Christ is by nature opposed to Satan, the prince of darkness. As the presence of light dispels darkness, so the presence of Christ assures Satan's defeat.
| Scientists speculate on the existence of black holes, objects in space
so dense, so full of mass, that their gravitational pull allows nothing to
escape, not even light. Considering, in the spiritual realm, who our
Light is, can any spiritual black holes
exist? |
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me"
(John
14:6).
John 14:6 is a profound statement, not carelessly made or selfishly asserted. He not only came to show the truth about God the Father, Satan, sin, and redemption; He is the truth. Because He is the incarnation of truth, He is the only way to the Father and the only source of eternal life.
The truth is divine reality—who God is, what He does, and how He relates to His created beings. Many people have speculated on what constitutes truth. Even with Truth standing before him, Pilate asked, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). There are many and varied answers, and Satan delights in all of them, because they are all weapons in his arsenal. But the Creator has the ultimate weapon. Jesus says that He is the truth (John 14:6). Truth has put on human garb, and to know Him is to know the Father and to have eternal life (John 14:9; 17:3).
So often, we tend to think of truth as propositions, statements, such
as A=B and B=C, therefore A=C. Jesus, however, by the statement that
He is truth, puts even the concept of truth in a whole different perspective.
How do we understand this idea of truth being a Person? Consider the fact
that Jesus is the Creator of everything created
(Col.
1:16). Could that concept help us understand how Jesus is the truth?
While Jesus is the truth, Satan is "the father of lies" (John 8:44, NIV). Satan told lies in heaven, in Eden, and in the wilderness. In the following verses, we see not only blatant lies but even more subtle ones. What were they?
Eden (Gen. 3:1) _____________________________________________________________________
Heaven (Job 1:10, 11) _______________________________________________________________
Wilderness
(Matt.
4:5, 6) ________________________________________________________
| Jesus is the truth; Satan is the father of lies. The contrast
is blatant. However, in our own lives, the line can seem blurred,
especially when we find ourselves in positions in which the temptation to
lie, even for a "greater good," is very alluring. What does today's
lesson teach about whom we're reflecting when we lie? What should it
tell us about lying? Is anyone ever justified in lying?
|
We saw last week that one of the issues in the great controversy centers on Christ's status in heaven. Satan refused to acknowledge that Christ is equal to the Father. Since his expulsion to our world, he battles this issue with even greater vigor. Satan has tried to usurp the role that belongs only to Christ. This action has been manifested in various ways, through Satan himself or his proxies (see Isa. 14:13, 14; Ezek. 28:2, 6; 2 Thess. 2:3, 4).
First John 2:18-23 speaks of the antichrist in both singular and plural terms. The singular reference is to Satan, the original antichrist, who, from the beginning of the battle, has opposed Christ.
Satan also works against Christ and His role in redemptive history through certain human agencies and systems. Though antichrist has been around since John's time, it has been manifested particularly in a church that assumes for itself the role and prerogatives that belong only to God or Christ Himself.
Antichrist doesn't mean just "against Christ" but, in fact, "in place
of Christ." How does that definition better help us identify the
antichrist?
Christ Himself asked His disciples who they thought He was. How did Peter
respond?
Matt.
16:13-17.
Jesus Christ is the eternal Word, the second Person of the Godhead—coexistent, coeternal, and coequal with God the Father. Jesus was not a created being but rather existed from eternity with the Father. As such, He's in a whole separate category from any created being. As part of the Godhead, He's the Creator; everything and everyone else, Lucifer included, are created. The difference, then, between Christ and Satan is, in a sense, the difference between the finite and the infinite. Like Peter, Satan is fully aware of Christ's position; but unlike Peter, he constantly attempts to usurp that position, one way or another.
| In
Matthew
6:24 Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate
the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." How do these words
fit in today's lesson? How do you understand His meaning here? More
importantly, if you were to take an honest, serious look at your own life,
at your own priorities, at how you spend your time, which of these two masters
could you honestly say you are serving?
|
Answer the following questions based on the scripture above:
Who is the Good Shepherd? _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Who is the hireling? ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Who is the wolf?_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What is the relationship between the wolf and the hireling? ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Explain the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep. _________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Oftentimes, a hired hand is interested only in the money he will make, but a good shepherd does not work for compensation alone. The shepherd owns the sheep and loves them. Likewise, Jesus is not just going through the motions for His benefit. He loves us to the point of actually having died for our sins. It was His love for us that led Christ to take up the cross. He died because He willed to die and thus turned an earthly government's instrument of capital punishment into the heavenly government's instrument of victory over sin, death, and Satan.
Between the flock and the peril stands the Good Shepherd. The wolf
s only objective is to devour the sheep. List some of the contrasts
that exist between the work and attitudes of the Shepherd and the wolf.
(For example, Christ died that we might live. Satan lives to
lead us away from life.) And though we are sheep, helpless against
the wolf without the protection of our Shepherd, what things can we do to
make the Shepherd's job of protecting us easier? In other words, what
do we do that makes it very difficult for the Shepherd to be able to render
to us the protection He wants to give us? At the same time, what can
we do to best place ourselves under the protection the Shepherd willingly
offers us? In the end, if the wolf devours us, where must the fault
ultimately lie, and why?
|
FURTHER STUDY: This week, we studied five sets of contrasting word pictures that portray the role and function of the chief contenders in the great controversy. Following are three other such portraits: Acts 3:15/John 8:44; 1 Tim. 2:5/Rev. 12:10; Isa. 9:6/John 14:30. As you read each one, consider what it tells us about Christ and Satan and the part they play in the war over good and evil.
"Christ is 'the Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6), and it is His mission to restore to earth and heaven the peace that sin has broken. 'Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Romans 5:1. Whoever consents to renounce sin and open his heart to the love of Christ becomes a partaker of this heavenly peace.
"There is no other ground of peace than this. The grace of Christ received into the heart subdues enmity; it allays strife and fills the soul with love. He who is at peace with God and his fellow men cannot be made miserable. Envy will not be in his heart; evil surmisings will find no room there; hatred cannot exist. The heart that is in harmony with God is a partaker of the peace of heaven and will diffuse its blessed influence on all around."—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 27, 28.
To learn more about this week's topic, read Prophets and Kings, "Joshua
and the Angel," pp. 582-592.
|
|||||||||
SUMMARY: Christ and Satan, the
chief contenders in the great controversy, both employ certain strategies
and weapons. But Satan's attempts to coerce, spread fear, and tell lies about
God's character are no match for us as we learn to trust the guidance of
the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and His love for us. Dressed in the armor
of Christ's righteousness as we rally around the Cross, we glory in His victory,
for it is ours, as
well.
J. H. Zachary
Dennis Patinde pastors a small group of Adventist Christians in Mali, a predominantly Muslim country.
Lamine is the son of the imam, the Muslim teacher. From childhood Lamine had memorized large portions of the Qu'ran. But as he matured, he became discouraged over the uncertainties of life. He wished for a deeper spiritual experience, but he did not know how to achieve it. Then he met Pastor Patinde, the first Christian pastor Lamine had ever known.
"Religion should be a joy," Lamine told Patinde. "So why is it such a burden? Why is there so much fear and hatred, so much killing?"
The youthful pastor and the imam's son talked for some time. As the two discussed spiritual issues and prayed together, Lamine caught a new glimpse of God. Patinde gave Lamine a Bible, and Lamine began to read it. He was amazed that it contained some stories found in the Qu'ran.
When Lamine read in the Qu'ran that a true believer should read the prophets, the Gospels, and other writings of the Bible, he felt that he was following the counsel of Mohammed, Islam's prophet. As he continued studying the Bible, his burden was replaced with joy. He felt a peace he had never known.
Lamine had to be careful that no one saw him enter or leave the pastor's home. Each night he went home by a different route so that no one would know where he had been.
But
in spite of his care, word spread that Lamine, the son of the imam, had become
a Christian. Lamine's parents were angry and disowned him. Pastor Patinde
visited them and talked about their son. "Something has happened to our son,"
Lamine's father said. "He is a different boy, happy and confident." Patinde
explained that Lamine had discovered the joy of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Lamine's parents eventually accepted his decision and are now studying the Bible. Lamine is praying that they, too, will follow Jesus one day soon.
Lamine (left). J. H. Zachary is coordinator of international evangelism for The Quiet Hour and a special consultant for the General Conference Ministerial Association.
Join the SSNET moderated email discussion group. You are also warmly invited to join a group discussion of this lesson Sabbath morning with your local Seventh-day Adventist congregation.
Editorial Office: 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver
Spring, MD 20904.
Principal Contributor: John M. Fowler
Editor: Clifford Goldstein
Associate Editor: Lyndelle Brower Chiomenti
Editorial Production Manager: Soraya Homayouni Parish
Art and Design: Lars Justinen
Pacific Press Coordinator: Paul A. Hey
Copyright © 2002 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. All Rights Reserved.
This page is Netscape
friendly.
SSNET Web Site Home page.
Directory of adult SS quarterly
Bible Study guides.
Prepared for the Internet by the SSNET Web Team
Last updated December 21, 2001.
