'Questions and strifes of words'

Creation: six days or millions of years?.............. March 28-April 3
Does the devil really exist?................................. April 4-10
What happens when a person dies? .................. April 11-17
Predestination: what is it all about?................... April 18-24
Are the Jews God's chosen people?................... April 25-May 1
Jesus: Son of God?............................................. May 2-8
Jesus: Son of man?............................................. May 9-15
What does it mean to be saved?......................... May 16-22
Which is God's holy day?.................................... May 23-29
Is the Holy Spirit simply a force or influence?..... May 30-June 5
What is Jesus doing now?................................... June 6-12
Who is the Antichrist?......................................... June 13-19
Will Jesus return secretly?................................. June 20-26

General Introduction

Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God's word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.

The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God's people, should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may not be clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they know not what.

I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth, know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others, who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested, they knew not their great ignorance.

And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe, but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith, and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God, and a turning to men, putting human wisdom in place of divine.

God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. It is Bible truth, showing the perils that are right upon us. This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures, and a most critical examination of the positions which we hold.

God would have all the bearings and positions of truth thoroughly and perseveringly searched, with prayer and fasting. Believers are not to rest in suppositions and ill-defined ideas of what constitutes truth. Their faith must be firmly founded upon the word of God, so that when the testing time shall come, and they are brought before councils to answer for their faith, they may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear.
Counsels to Writers & Editors, pages 38-40

'The infidel supposition, that the events of the first week required seven vast, indefinite periods for their accomplishment, strikes directly at the foundation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. It makes indefinite and obscure that which God has made very plain. Infidel geologists claim that the world is very much older than the Bible record makes it. They reject the Bible record, because of those things which are to them evidences from the earth itself, that the world has existed tens of thousands of years. And many who profess to believe the Bible record are at a loss to account for wonderful things which are found in the earth, with the view that Creation week was only seven literal days, and the world is now only about 6000 years old.' Lift Him Up, page 52.

'Thus the heavens and the earth were finished'

What account does the Bible give of the duration of the work of Creation? Genesis 1:31-2:2. (Read Genesis 1.)

NOTE: 'The weekly cycle of seven literal days, six for labour, and the seventh for rest, which has been preserved and brought down through Bible history, originated in the great facts of the first seven days. When God spake His law with an audible voice from Sinai, He introduced the Sabbath by saying, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." He then declares definitely what shall be done on the six days, and what shall not be done on the seventh. He then, in giving the reason for thus observing the week, points them back to His example on the first seven days of time. "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." This reason appears beautiful and forcible when we understand the record of Creation to mean literal days.' Lift Him Up, page 52.

The Hebrew word for 'day' is 'yom.' Does it always mean a twenty-four hour day? Read Genesis 1.

NOTE: A typical concordance will illustrate that 'yom' can have a range of meanings, just as the word 'day' does in English: a period of light as contrasted with night, a 24-hour period, a period of time or era, a specific point in time, or a year. But whenever 'yom' is used with a number (410 times apart from Genesis 1), e.g. the first day, the second day, etc, it always means a literal 24-hour day. Whenever 'yom' is used in connection with 'evening' and 'morning' (23 times apart from Genesis 1) it always means a literal 24-hour day. Whenever 'yom' is used with the word 'night' (53 times apart from Genesis 1:5), it always means a literal 24-hour day. No one, starting from the Bible, could ever deduce that the six days of Creation were millions of years. This is simply an attempt to harmonise the Bible with the current ideas of fallible men.

'Geologists claim to find evidence from the earth itself that it is very much older than the Mosaic record teaches. Bones of men and animals, as well as instruments of warfare, petrified trees, etc., much larger than any that now exist, or that have existed for thousands of years, have been discovered, and from this it is inferred that the earth was populated long before the time brought to view in the record of creation, and by a race of beings vastly superior in size to any men now living. Such reasoning has led many professed Bible believers to adopt the position that the days of creation were vast, indefinite periods. But apart from Bible history, geology can prove nothing.' Christian Education, page 191.

'In six days the Lord made heaven and earth'

What is God's own statement regarding the duration of His work of creation? Exodus 20:11.

NOTE: 'The assumption that the events of the first week required thousands upon thousands of years, strikes directly at the foundation of the fourth commandment. It represents the Creator as commanding men to observe the week of literal days in commemoration of vast, indefinite periods. This is unlike His method of dealing with His creatures. It makes indefinite and obscure that which He has made very plain. It is infidelity in its most insidious and hence most dangerous form; its real character is so disguised that it is held and taught by many who profess to believe the Bible. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." "For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." [Psalm 33:6, 9.] The Bible recognises no long ages in which the earth was evolved from chaos. Of each successive day of creation, the sacred record declares that it consisted of the evening and the morning, like all other days that have followed. At the close of each day is given the result of the Creator's work. The statement is made at the close of the first week's record, "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created." [Genesis 2:4.] But this does not convey the idea that the days of creation were other than literal days. Each day was called a generation, because that in it God generated, or produced, some new portion of His work.' Christian Education, pages 190-191.

How did God ordain that His people should remember His work of creation? Exodus 31:16-17.

NOTE: 'Like the Sabbath, the week originated at creation, and it has been preserved and brought down to us through Bible history. God Himself measured off the first week as a sample for successive weeks to the close of time. Like every other, it consisted of seven literal days. Six days were employed in the work of creation; upon the seventh, God rested, and He then blessed this day, and set it apart as a day of rest for man. In the law given from Sinai, God recognised the week, and the facts upon which it is based. After giving the command, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," and specifying what shall be done on the six days, and what shall not be done on the seventh, He states the reason for thus observing the week, by pointing back to His own example: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." [Exodus 20:8-11.] This reason appears beautiful and forcible when we understand the days of creation to be literal. The first six days of each week are given to man for labour, because God employed the same period of the first week in the work of creation. On the seventh day man is to refrain from labour, in commemoration of the Creator's rest.' Christian Education, page 190.

'Thou art the God, even Thou alone'

How is the true God identified? 1 Chronicles 16:26.

NOTE: 'God's claim to reverence and worship, above the gods of the heathen, is based upon the fact that He is the Creator, and that to Him all other beings owe their existence. Thus it is presented in the Bible. Says the prophet Jeremiah: "The Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting King. . . . The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion."' Patriarchs & Prophets, page 336.

On what other occasions did God's people identify their God in this way? 2 Kings 19:15, Isaiah 40:28. Jeremiah 32:17, Revelation 4:11.

NOTE: 'Idolatry of nature is a farce; it is the invention of men who know not God, and who are trying to keep out of sight a knowledge of the true God. The words of Holy Writ say nothing of the independent laws of nature. They teach us that God is the Superintendent as well as the Creator of all things. The divine Being is engaged in upholding the things which He has created. God has laws which He has instituted; but they are only His servants, through which He effects results. It is God who calls everything into order, and keeps all things in motion. We may look up, through nature, to nature's God. The beautiful things of nature have been given us for our pleasure. Then let us not turn our blessings into a curse by being led away from God in the worship of the creature rather than the Creator. Let nature's beautiful ministers of love answer the purpose of God, drawing our hearts to Him to adore His goodness, His compassion, His inexpressible love, and to be filled with the beauties of His character.' Christian Educator, April 1, 1899.

'Lord, Thou art God'

What was a major element in the preaching of the early church? Acts 4:24, Acts 14:15, Acts 17:24-25.

NOTE: 'The apostles endeavoured to impart to these idolaters a knowledge of God the Creator and of His Son, the Saviour of the human race. They first directed attention to the wonderful works of God, the sun, the moon, and the stars, the beautiful order of the recurring seasons, the mighty snow-capped mountains, the lofty trees, and other varied wonders of nature, which showed a skill beyond human comprehension. Through these works of the Almighty, the apostles led the minds of the heathen to a contemplation of the great Ruler of the universe.' Acts of the Apostles, page 180.

Who is the Creator and how did John introduce Him in his gospel? John 1:1-3. Compare Colossians 1:16.

NOTE: 'The Majesty of Heaven walked among the children of men with the dignity of a king; yet He preserved the simplicity of a little child. He was never known to boast of superiority, to exalt His own power, ability, or attainments. Christ was the Creator of the earth; He was the king of glory; yet His life of meekness and humility put to shame the proud boasting of men. He was the embodiment of wisdom, the fountain of knowledge. Let those who would pride themselves upon their superior abilities, learn of the great Teacher. Jesus invites all, "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." He said to his disciples, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven."' Signs of the Times, June 30, 1881.

'Death by sin'

What Bible teachings depend on a belief in the creation story? Romans 5:12, Mark 10:6-7, 2 Peter 3:5-7.

NOTE: Christ is described as 'the last Adam', putting right what was made wrong through the sin of the first Adam. This would be meaningless nonsense if the first Adam were a mythical figure and man were just a development from pre-human primates. The early chapters of Genesis provide the only satisfactory explanation of the origins of mankind, of sin and its remedy, of death, of marriage, of the seven-day week and the Sabbath, of the fossil record (Genesis 7:21-22), of the various languages spoken by mankind (Genesis 11:6-8), and many other important things. The Bible explains why, contrary to popular modern opinion, mankind consists of but a single race (Acts 17:26).

Did Christ believe in the early chapters of Genesis? Matthew 19:3-8, 23:35, 24:37-39.

NOTE: Christ frequently referred to the early chapters of Genesis as an authoritative historical account, as did all the New Testament writers. Rejection of the Bible's first eleven chapters as mythical undermines all the major doctrines of the Bible. This is why, throughout the Bible, the creatorship of God is repeatedly stressed.

'Worship Him that made heaven and earth'

What is declared to be an integral part of God's final message to mankind? Revelation 14:6-7.

NOTE: 'By the first angel, men are called upon to "fear God, and give glory to Him" and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law. Says the wise man: "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13. Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be pleasing to God. "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." 1 John 5:3; Proverbs 28:9. The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the Creator and that to Him all other beings owe their existence. And wherever, in the Bible, His claim to reverence and worship, above the gods of the heathen, is presented, there is cited the evidence of His creative power. "All the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens." Psalm 96:5. "To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things." "Thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it: . . . I am the Lord; and there is none else." Isaiah 40:25, 26; 45:18. Says the psalmist: "Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves." "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." Psalms 100:3; 95:6. And the holy beings who worship God in heaven state, as the reason why their homage is due to Him: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things." Revelation 4:11. In Revelation 14, men are called upon to worship the Creator; and the prophecy brings to view a class that, as the result of the threefold message, are keeping the commandments of God. One of these commandments points directly to God as the Creator. The fourth precept declares: "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: . . . for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Exodus 20:10, 11. Concerning the Sabbath, the Lord says, further, that it is "a sign, . . . that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." Ezekiel 20:20. And the reason given is: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed." Exodus 31:17.' Great Controversy, pages 436-437.

Why is it important to recognise the creative power of God? Psalm 51:10, Ephesians 2:10.

NOTE: 'One of the most earnest prayers recorded in the Word of God is that of David when he pleaded, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." Psalm 51:10. God's response to such a prayer is, A new heart will I give you. This is a work that no finite man can do. Men and women are to begin at the beginning, seeking God most earnestly for a true Christian experience. They are to feel the creative power of the Holy Spirit. They are to receive the new heart, that is kept soft and tender by the grace of heaven. The selfish spirit is to be cleansed from the soul. They are to labour earnestly and with humility of heart, each one looking to Jesus for guidance and encouragement. Then the building, fitly framed together, will grow into a holy temple in the Lord.' Our High Calling, page 159.

Satan 'fastens the delusion upon minds that there is no personal devil, and those who believe this make no effort to resist and war against that which does not exist, and poor blind mortals finally adopt the maxim, "Whatever is, is right." They acknowledge no rule to measure their course. Satan leads many to believe that prayer to God is useless, and but a form. He well knows how needful is meditation and prayer, to keep Christ's followers aroused to resist his cunning and deceptions. Satan's devices will divert the mind from these important exercises, that the soul may not lean for help upon the mighty One, and obtain strength from Him to resist his attacks.' Messages to Young People, page 59.

'Your adversary the devil'

By what names is the devil known in the Bible? Revelation 12:9.

NOTE: In this verse, the devil is identified as 'the great dragon' (see Revelation 12:3), 'that old serpent' (see Genesis 3:1), the Devil (a name used only in the New Testament) and Satan (used in both Old and New Testaments). Thus Genesis and Revelation are linked as we see the one who brought sin into the universe as the one who has constantly made war on Christ and His saints throughout human history.

What does the name 'Satan' mean?

NOTE: 'The word itself, the Hebrew Njs, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in 1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 5:4; in 1 Kings 11:25; in Numbers 22:22, and Psalm 109:6; in 1 Kings 11:14, 23. This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in Matthew 16:23. It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the O. T., namely, (with the article) in Job 1:6, 12, 2:1; Zechariah 3:1, and (without the article) in 1 Chronicles 21:1.' Smith's Revised Bible Dictionary, art. 'Satan'.

Is Satan alone in his work as man's enemy? Matthew 25:41. Compare Revelation 12:9.

NOTE: 'None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who, notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures, deny the existence and agency of the devil and his angels. So long as we are ignorant of their wiles, they have almost inconceivable advantage; many give heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the dictates of their own wisdom. This is why, as we approach the close of time, when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy, he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist. It is his policy to conceal himself and his manner of working. There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become acquainted with his devices. The better to disguise his real character and purposes, he has caused himself to be so represented as to excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or contempt. He is well pleased to be painted as a ludicrous or loathsome object, misshapen, half animal and half human. He is pleased to hear his name used in sport and mockery by those who think themselves intelligent and well informed. It is because he has masked himself with consummate skill that the question is so widely asked: "Does such a being really exist?" It is an evidence of his success that theories giving the lie to the plainest testimony of the Scriptures are so generally received in the religious world. And it is because Satan can most readily control the minds of those who are unconscious of his influence, that the word of God gives us so many examples of his malignant work, unveiling before us his secret forces, and thus placing us on our guard against his assaults.' Great Controversy, pages 516-517.

'Satan stood up against Israel'

What role did Satan play in the book of Job? Job 1:6-12, 2:1-6.

NOTE: It has been suggested in Christadelphian literature (Fred Pearce, Do you believe in a devil? pages 4-5) that it is an incorrect translation to suggest that Satan is a name in this passage, since Hebrew has no capital letters. As the previous note stated, Satan is used here as a proper name or title and this is indicated by the use of the article (i.e. the Satan). Their view is that these scenes in Job represent a group of human worshippers (the 'sons of God'), one of whom was a personal enemy of Job. The 'God' who spoke to 'Satan' was simply the priest, acting as God's spokesman. They fail to explain how this human enemy brought about the calamities that befell Job.

'It was generally believed by the Jews that sin is punished in this life. Every affliction was regarded as the penalty of some wrongdoing, either of the sufferer himself or of his parents. It is true that all suffering results from the transgression of God's law, but this truth had become perverted. Satan, the author of sin and all its results, had led men to look upon disease and death as proceeding from God, as punishment arbitrarily inflicted on account of sin. Hence one upon whom some great affliction or calamity had fallen, had the additional burden of being regarded as a great sinner. God had given a lesson designed to prevent this. The history of Job had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is overruled by God for purposes of mercy.' Welfare Ministry, page 21.

In what other scene is Satan described as opposing God's people? Zechariah 3:1-2.

NOTE: 'In the prophecy of Zechariah is brought to view Satan's accusing work, and the work of Christ in resisting the adversary of His people. The prophet says, "He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel." Zech. 3:1-3. The people of God are here represented as a criminal on trial. Joshua, as high priest, is seeking for a blessing for his people, who are in great affliction. While he is pleading before God, Satan is standing at his right hand as his adversary. He is accusing the children of God, and making their case appear as desperate as possible. He presents before the Lord their evil doings and their defects. He shows their faults and failures, hoping they will appear of such a character in the eyes of Christ that He will render them no help in their great need. Joshua, as the representative of God's people, stands under condemnation, clothed with filthy garments. Aware of the sins of his people, he is weighed down with discouragement. Satan is pressing upon his soul a sense of guiltiness that makes him feel almost hopeless. Yet there he stands as a suppliant, with Satan arrayed against him.' Christ's Object Lessons, page 166.

'Get thee behind me, Satan'

Why did Jesus describe Peter as 'Satan'? Matthew 16:21-25.

NOTE: 'Satan is ever intruding himself between the soul of man and God. This lesson in regard to Peter needs to be studied carefully. Peter did not desire to see the cross in the work of Christ. The impression which his words would make was directly opposed to that which Christ desired to make on the minds of His followers, and the Saviour was moved to utter one of the sternest rebukes that ever fell from His lips. Satan was trying to discourage Jesus, and turn Him from His mission; and Peter, in his blind love, was giving voice to the temptation. The prince of evil was the author of the thought. His instigation was behind that impulsive appeal. He was seeking to fix Peter's gaze upon the earthly glory, that he might not behold the cross to which Jesus desired to turn his eyes. And through Peter, Satan was again pressing the temptation upon Jesus. But the Saviour heeded it not; His thought was for His disciple. Satan had interposed between Peter and his Master, that the heart of the disciple might not be touched at the vision of Christ's humiliation for him. The words of Christ were spoken, not to Peter, but to the one who was trying to separate him from his Redeemer. "Get thee behind Me, Satan." No longer interpose between Me and My erring servant. Let Me come face to face with Peter, that I may reveal to him the mystery of My love. It was to Peter a bitter lesson, and one which he learned but slowly, that the path of Christ on earth lay through agony and humiliation. The disciple shrank from fellowship with his Lord in suffering. But in the heat of the furnace fire he was to learn its blessing. Long afterward, when his active form was bowed with the burden of years and labours, he wrote, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12, 13).' Conflict & Courage, page 312.

What New Testament title is applied to Satan? Matthew 4:1. (Read Revelation 20:2 to see that these two names are applied to the same being.)

NOTE: What does the word 'devil' mean? '(Diabolov: Diabolus; properly "one who sets at variance," diaballei; generally a "slanderer" or "false accuser"). The word is found in the plural number and adjective sense in 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3; and Titus 2:3. In all other cases it is used with the article as a descriptive name of Satan, excepting that in John 6:70 it is applied to Judas, and as "Satan" to St. Peter in Matthew 16:23, because they--the one permanently, and the other for the moment--were doing Satan's work.' Smith's Revised Bible Dictionary, art. 'Devil'.

Once again, in Christadelphian literature, an attempt is made to apply all references to the devil to various human slanderers.

'Tempted of the devil'

Lesson 3: April 11-17
What happens when a person dies?

MEMORY VERSE: 'For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,' Ecclesiastes 9:5.

STUDY HELP: Great Controversy, pages 531-550.

LESSON AIM: Is death really death or another form of life?

Introduction

'If the dead are already enjoying the bliss of heaven or writhing in the flames of hell, what need of a future judgment? The teachings of God's word on these important points are neither obscure nor contradictory; they may be understood by common minds.' Great Controversy, page 549.

'Death by sin'

What warning did God give to Adam in connection with His command? Genesis 2:17. Compare Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 6:23, first part.

NOTE: 'God created Adam and Eve, and placed them in charge of the Garden of Eden, where everything was beautiful to look upon, and the fruit pleasant to the taste. He said to them, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." They were forbidden to eat the fruit of this tree. This seems a small thing, but it was a test of their obedience and of their trust and confidence in God. God told them that if they disobeyed, death would be the result. Their happiness depended on obedience. By obedience Adam would have lost nothing which it was for his good to retain.' Signs of the Times, October 10, 1900.

How did the tempter first cast doubt on God's word and then deny it Genesis 3:1 & 4.

NOTE: 'The only one who promised Adam life in disobedience was the great deceiver. And the declaration of the serpent to Eve in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die", was the first sermon ever preached upon the immortality of the soul. Yet this declaration, resting solely upon the authority of Satan, is echoed from the pulpits of Christendom and is received by the majority of mankind as readily as it was received by our first parents. The divine sentence, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20), is made to mean: The soul that sinneth, it shall not die, but live eternally. We cannot but wonder at the strange infatuation which renders men so credulous concerning the words of Satan and so unbelieving in regard to the words of God.' Great Controversy, page 533.

'The dead know not anything'

What is the Bible's testimony on the state of man in death? Psalm 146:4. Compare Ecclesiastes 9:5 & 10, Psalm 115:17, Psalm 6:5.

NOTE: In some modern versions, Psalm 146:4 is manipulated in order to remove its testimony concerning the state of man in death. The word 'thoughts' (Hebrew: 'eshtonah') is rendered plans, while the word 'perish' (Hebrew 'abad') is rendered come to nothing. If God's Word really stated that man's plans come to nothing on the day of his death, it would be sinful for a Christian to make a will!

'Man is only mortal, and while he feels himself too wise to accept Jesus, he will remain only mortal. Physical life is not eternal or immortal; for God, the Life-giver, takes it again. Man has no control over his life. The Word of God nowhere teaches that the soul of man is immortal. Immortality is an attribute of God only [1 Timothy 6:16]. Upon the fundamental error of natural immortality rests the doctrine of consciousness in death, a doctrine, like eternal torment, opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures, to the dictates of reason, and to our feelings of humanity. What say the Scriptures concerning these things? David declares that man is not conscious in death. "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." Psalm 146:4.' The Faith I Live By, page 174.

Where are the dead? Genesis 3:19. See Daniel 12:2 and compare John 11:41-44, Acts 2:29 & 34.

NOTE: 'Peter, on the day of Pentecost, declared that the patriarch David "is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day." "For David is not ascended into the heavens." Acts 2:29, 34. The fact that David remains in the grave until the resurrection, proves that the righteous do not go to heaven at death. It is only through the resurrection, and by virtue of the fact that Christ has risen, that David can at last sit at the right hand of God.' The Faith I Live By, page 174.

'If they will not hear Moses and the prophets'

What parable of Jesus is often used to 'prove' the immortality of the soul? Luke 16:19-31.

NOTE: Are all parables literal accounts of real events that actually happened? (Read Jotham's parable? Judges 9:7-15 and Jehoash's parable. 2 Kings 14:9 before you answer.) Is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus a literal account of events that actually happened? Consider the following: Are all the righteous dead literally in Abraham's bosom? (How big a bosom does Abraham have to carry all those people (see Revelation 7:9) in his arms? Are people in hell really going to be so close to heaven that they can see the righteous in heaven? Are heaven and hell so close that people can have conversations across the gap between them, as the rich man and Abraham had in this story? Is it likely that, suffering the torments of the flames of hell, the rich man could be significantly relieved by the wet tip of Lazarus's finger? We all agree that bodies remain in the graves. If this parable is talking about souls going to heaven when people die, how can Abraham's soul have a bosom, Lazarus' soul a finger and the rich man's soul a tongue? Surely their graves still contained Abraham's bosom, all of Lazarus' fingers and the rich man's tongue, at least until they decomposed to dust.

Why did Jesus tell this parable? Luke 16:31. Compare John 11:47 & 53, 12:9-10.

NOTE: The purpose of this parable is to teach the lessons that people who reject the teachings of Moses and the prophets would not be convinced even if a person were raised from the dead. Notice that in this parable, Jesus gives the person who was proposed to come back from the dead a name. Can you think of any other parable in which Jesus gave a character a name? Can you think why Jesus did it in this parable and why He chose that particular name, Lazarus? Read John 11 and especially verses 43-53. Do these verses show the truth of the parable, that a man called Lazarus really did come back from the dead and the chief priests and Pharisees, who had rejected the testimony of Moses and the prophets concerning Christ, still refused to believe despite the evidence of one who had risen from the dead? (Of course, the Lazarus of the parable is not the same person as the real-life Lazarus, but the lesson the parable taught about the fictional Lazarus was proved true in the experience of the real-life Lazarus.) Christ told the disciples that he had not gone earlier to Lazarus 'to the intent that ye may believe.' John 10:15. By the time Christ arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four days. There could be no doubt that he was dead. By that time his body would be decomposing. (John 11:39) And Christ called him back from the dead. In John 5:25-29, Christ had claimed that power over all the dead. And what was the reaction of the chief priests and the Pharisees? John 11:47-53. Exactly what Jesus had predicted in His parable would happen if Lazarus was raised from the dead. They had rejected the clear evidence of prophecies being fulfilled and not even the dead being raised to life would make them believe. (For information about the origin of the belief on which Christ based this parable, read Josephus: Discourse to the Greeks Concerning Hades, normally included in Whiston's The Works of Josephus.)

'Absent from the body, present with the Lord'

What words of Paul are often interpreted to mean that Paul believed that the dead go straight to heaven at death? 2 Corinthians 5:6 & 8.

NOTE: Paul wrote extensively on this subject. It would be honest, therefore, to read 1 Corinthians 15 since these words had already been written to the same people to whom Paul wrote about 'absent from the body, present with the Lord.' His readers already knew what Paul had written earlier on this subject. They would not expect him to contradict himself. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul explains how and when 'we shall ever be with the Lord.' The epistles to the Thessalonians were written before the epistles to the Corinthians so 1 Thessalonians 4 represents the basis for Paul's later remarks on how we shall be 'present with the Lord.' In 2 Corinthians 5:1 Paul uses figurative language. 'Our earthly house of this tabernacle' is the mortal body. 'Tabernacle' means tent, a temporary dwelling. If the mortal body is dissolved, we have 'a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens'. This house is not a tent, it is our eternal dwelling. Since the tent is our mortal body, the eternal house must be our immortal body. In verse 2 Paul expresses his earnest desire to have his immortal body. In verse 3 Paul does not want to be naked. Those who lose their mortal body at death but do not have an immortal body in the heavens will be naked. They will have no eternal, immortal body to clothe them. Paul does not want this to happen to him. Verse 4 While we are in our mortal body (our tent), we groan, not because we want to be naked but because we want our mortality to be swallowed up in [eternal] life. We want to exchange our mortal body for our eternal body. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54 explains what Paul taught about when this will happen.) Verse 5 It is God who made this possible for us and the guarantee [earnest] is that He has given us the Holy Spirit. Verse 6 So we have confidence even though we know that while we are living in the [mortal] body, we are absent from the presence of the Lord. Verse 7 (This confidence is based on our faith in His promise, not on anything that we can see.) Verse 8 So we have this confidence. Our will [our desire, our preference] would be to be away from this mortal body so that we can be present with the Lord. Nowhere does Paul say that he wants to die. Do you have to die to receive your immortal body? Is Paul saying, 'I want to die'? Or is he saying, 'I want Jesus to return'? Verse 3 is the key. Paul is not asking to be naked, which is what would happen if his soul went up to heaven. Paul wants his immortal body, his 'building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' Paul has already explained to them when God's people will receive immortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:42-53. 'Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.' Paul earnestly desires to be clothed with our 'house which is from heaven'. That 'house' will be given to him when the Lord returns.

What other passage is interpreted to mean that you go to be with Christ as soon as you die? Philippians 1:23. Read verses 20-26.

NOTE: Paul is quite clear that he will not go to be with Christ when he dies, for he explained at length elsewhere that the dead in Christ meet the Lord 'when the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God.' This does not happen at death. Read Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Colossians 3:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and 2 Timothy 4:7-8 to confirm Paul's teaching about when God's people will be with Christ. Paul wrote his Epistle to the Philippians from imprisonment in Rome, an old and faithful missionary, knowing that he may be relieved of his task by death, but knowing that others may still be brought to Christ if he lives on. This verse shows Paul's willingness to accept either alternative.

'In Paradise'

What words of Christ are interpreted to mean that a person goes to heaven at death? Luke 23:43.

NOTE: Following the original word order in the Greek, this verse reads literally: 'And he said to him truly thee I tell today with me thou wilt be in the paradise.' 'Today' is an adverb of time and the grammatical rule requires it to modify the meaning of its nearest verb within the same sentence or clause. This verse contains three verbs, 'he said', 'I tell' and 'thou wilt be.' Luke clearly places 'today' immediately after the verb 'I tell' and separates it from the other two verbs. Thus a correct translation of this verse should read: 'And He said to him, "Truly I tell thee today, thou wilt be with Me in Paradise.' The reading found in most English versions is wrong, both grammatically and because it does not accord with the words of Christ in John 20: 17.

'I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. Christ did not promise that the thief should be with Him in Paradise that day. He Himself did not go that day to Paradise. He slept in the tomb, and on the morning of the resurrection He said, "I am not yet ascended to My Father." John 20:17. But on the day of the crucifixion, the day of apparent defeat and darkness, the promise was given. "Today" while dying upon the cross as a malefactor, Christ assures the poor sinner, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.' Desire of Ages, page 751.

Why was it important to give this assurance to the dying thief? Deuteronomy 21:22-23. See also Galatians 3:13.

NOTE: The clear teaching of Scripture is that God's curse rests on one who, having committed a crime worthy of death, is hanged on a tree. This curse must therefore rest on the dying thief. But he had acknowledged his sin (see Luke 23:40-41) and now he pleads with the Lord for mercy. And the Lord grants his prayer, on the very day when, according to the Word, God's curse should rest upon him! As Rotherham's Emphasised New Testament puts it: 'Verily I say unto thee this day: With Me shalt thou be in Paradise.' (As long ago as 1818, Cecil Hartley, in his Principles of Punctuation, pointed out the huge doctrinal differences that hang on the punctuation of this verse, punctuation which is supplied by the translator!)

'Together to meet the Lord'

Instead of the immortal soul, what hope is offered to the Christian? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

NOTE: It is important to note the word 'together' in verse 17. 'We which are alive' when the Lord returns will be 'caught up together with them', that is, the dead in Christ who have risen at the Lord's command. Paul is clear that all those in Christ, both resurrected and survivors, will meet the Lord together. One group will not meet the Lord before the other. (The word translated 'bring' in verse 14 [Greek: 'ago'] literally means 'to lead forth'. A related word is used in Hebrews 13:20 for the resurrection of Christ. What Paul is saying in verse 14 is what He said in 1 Corinthians 15:16-23: Christ's resurrection guarantees the resurrection of the dead in Christ.)

What did Jesus say about the resurrection? John 5:28-29.

NOTE: 'The Life-giver is coming to break the fetters of the tomb. He is to bring forth the captives and proclaim, "I am the resurrection and the life." Nowhere in the Sacred Scriptures is found the statement that the righteous go to their reward or the wicked to their punishment at death. The patriarchs and prophets have left no such assurance. Christ and His apostles have given no hint of it. The Bible clearly teaches that the dead do not go immediately to heaven. They are represented as sleeping until the resurrection. In the very day when the silver cord is loosed and the golden bowl broken [Ecclesiastes 12:6], man's thoughts perish. They that go down to the grave are in silence. They know no more of anything that is done under the sun. Blessed rest for the weary righteous! Time, be it long or short, is but a moment to them. They sleep; they are awakened by the trump of God to a glorious immortality. "For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. . . . So when . . . this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:52-54. As they are called forth from their deep slumber, they begin to think just where they ceased. The last sensation was the pang of death, the last thought that they were falling beneath the power of the grave. When they arise from the tomb, their first glad thought will be echoed in the triumphal shout, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:55. The pangs of death were the last things they felt. When they awake the pain is all gone.' The Faith I Live By, page 181.

'The predestination of which God speaks includes all who will accept Christ as a personal Saviour, who will return to their loyalty, to perfect obedience to all God's commandments. This is the effectual salvation of a peculiar people, chosen by God from among men. All who are willing to be saved by Christ are the elect of God. It is the obedient who are predestinated from the foundation of the world.' Manuscript Releases Volume 6, page 388.

'Not willing that any should perish'

What does the Bible say about predestination? Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:5-11.

NOTE: These are the only two passages in the Bible where the words 'predestinate' and 'predestinated are found. In both cases, these words are only applied to the redeemed and their predestination to conformity to Christ's image. The Bible never speaks of the predestination of the wicked.

'These promises are not made to a few, but to all who will come to the heavenly banquet that God has prepared by sending His Son to our world to die in our behalf, that through faith in Him, we should become one with God. The praise and glory of His grace, power, and wisdom is the effectual salvation of a peculiar people. Wonderful possibilities are provided for every one who has faith in Christ. No walls are built to keep any living soul from salvation.' Manuscript Releases Volume 6, page 388.

Does the Bible teach that God has ordained that the majority of mankind should perish? 2 Peter 3:9.

NOTE: Since the time of Augustine, the one who invented the doctrine that God ordained the fate of every man before the world was made, it has been the teaching of what is today called Calvinism that God created the majority of mankind to suffer eternal torment and that nothing a man can do will alter this divine decree. Note the following: 'The doctrine of absolute Predestination of course logically holds that some are foreordained to death as truly as some are foreordained to life.' Lorraine Boettner: The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, page 104. 'The final torments of the wicked... are indescribably awful... In the next world the wicked, with all restraint removed, will go headlong into sin, blaspheming and cursing God, growing worse and worse as they sink deeper and deeper into the bottomless pit." op. cit, page 79.

'Jesus is the only one who can give you peace. He loved you and gave Himself for you. His great heart of love is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities?" What sins are too great for Him to pardon? What soul too dark and sin-oppressed for Him to save? He is gracious, not looking for merit in us, but of His own boundless goodness healing our backslidings and loving us freely, while we are yet sinners. He is "slow to anger, and of great kindness;" "long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."' Testimonies Volume 5, page 649.

'God so loved the world'

What is the extent of God's love? John 3:16.

NOTE: Calvinism teaches that Christ died only for the elect. The remainder of mankind are the subjects of God's wrath, not for anything that they have chosen to do, but because He ordained them to eternal torment. Note the following: 'It may seem absurd to human wisdom that God should harden, blind, and deliver up some men to a reprobate sense; that he should first deliver them over to evil, and (then) condemn them for that evil; but the believing, spiritual man sees no absurdity at all in this." Martin Luther, quoted in Lorraine Boettner: The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, page 106.

'"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). This message is for the world, for "whosoever" means that any and all who comply with the condition may share the blessing. All who look unto Jesus, believing in Him as their personal Saviour, shall "not perish, but have everlasting life." Every provision has been made that we may have the everlasting reward.' Faith & Works, page 105.

How is the love of God shown even for those who reject Him? Matthew 23:37.

NOTE: Calvinism teaches that God's will is irresistible and sovereign. They teach that if God were to will the salvation of all men, then all men would be saved, whether they wished it or no. The fact that some will be lost is for the Calvinist the proof that God ordained them to be lost.

'Christ saw in Jerusalem a symbol of the world hardened in unbelief and rebellion, and hastening on to meet the retributive judgments of God. The woes of a fallen race, pressing upon His soul, forced from His lips that exceeding bitter cry. He saw the record of sin traced in human misery, tears, and blood; His heart was moved with infinite pity for the afflicted and suffering ones of earth; He yearned to relieve them all. But even His hand might not turn back the tide of human woe; few would seek their only Source of help. He was willing to pour out His soul unto death, to bring salvation within their reach; but few would come to Him that they might have life. The Majesty of heaven in tears! The Son of the infinite God troubled in spirit, bowed down with anguish! The scene filled all heaven with wonder. That scene reveals to us the exceeding sinfulness of sin; it shows how hard a task it is, even for Infinite Power, to save the guilty from the consequences of transgressing the law of God.' Great Controversy, page 22.

'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked'

How did God express His sorrow at the death of the wicked? Ezekiel 18:23, 32, Ezekiel 33:11.

NOTE: 'How repugnant to every emotion of love and mercy, and even to our sense of justice, is the doctrine that the wicked dead are tormented with fire and brimstone in an eternally burning hell; that for the sins of a brief earthly life they are to suffer torture as long as God shall live. Yet this doctrine has been widely taught and is still embodied in many of the creeds of Christendom. Said a learned doctor of divinity: "The sight of hell torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. When they see others who are of the same nature and born under the same circumstances, plunged in such misery, and they so distinguished, it will make them sensible of how happy they are." Another used these words: "While the decree of reprobation is eternally executing on the vessels of wrath, the smoke of their torment will be eternally ascending in view of the vessels of mercy, who, instead of taking the part of these miserable objects, will say, Amen, Alleluia! praise ye the Lord!" Where, in the pages of God's word, is such teaching to be found? Will the redeemed in heaven be lost to all emotions of pity and compassion, and even to feelings of common humanity? Are these to be exchanged for the indifference of the stoic or the cruelty of the savage? No, no; such is not the teaching of the Book of God. Those who present the views expressed in the quotations given above may be learned and even honest men, but they are deluded by the sophistry of Satan. He leads them to misconstrue strong expressions of Scripture, giving to the language the colouring of bitterness and malignity which pertains to himself, but not to our Creator. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?" Ezekiel 33:11.' Great Controversy, page 535.

Did David attribute his sin with Bathsheba to his parents? Psalm 51:5. Compare verses 1-3.

NOTE: This verse, above all others, is used to teach the principle of original sin. Augustine used this verse to 'prove' that the act of conceiving a child is, in itself, sinful. (But see Hebrews 13:4.) If Psalm 51:5 is held to teach that man is conceived as a sinner, this interpretation surely contradicts Psalm 71:5-6. The essence of the teaching of original sin is that it removes from the sinner any responsibility for his sin.

'There are many who in their hearts murmur against God. They say, "We inherit the fallen nature of Adam, and are not responsible for our natural imperfections." They find fault with God's requirements, and complain that he demands what they have no power to give. Satan made the same complaint in heaven, but such thoughts dishonour God' Signs of the Times, August 29, 1892.

Did Paul teach that Adam's sin made every man a sinner? Romans 5:12. Compare Ezekiel 18:4, last part.

NOTE: The final phrase of the verse explains that all die because all have sinned. Compare Romans 3:23. We stand guilty before God because each one of us has sinned, not because God has judged us guilty of Adam's sin.

'Let us note the message to us describing our condition and the causes that have brought it. Isaiah 58:1-6. "Cry aloud and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." My people, even the faithful ones in the church are guilty, for all have sinned. The real trouble is between their way and God's way. The difference in the two ways is of such a nature that they cannot be united. Isaiah 58: 8-9. Our only hope is to give up our way and accept God's way. Isaiah 65:57.' Loma Linda Messages, page 473.

'Whom He did foreknow'

Upon what is God's predestination of the elect based? Romans 8:29, first part.

NOTE: Bible prophecy reveals the accuracy of God's foreknowledge. But does God's foreknowledge mean that He ordained what is to happen and man has no choice in these things?

'No one is to understand from this scripture [Acts 28:25-28] that God arbitrarily blinded the eyes and hardened the hearts of the Jews. It was Christ's work to soften hard hearts. But if men resisted the work of Christ, the sure result would be that their hearts would become hardened. Christ quoted a prophecy which more than a thousand years before had predicted what God's foreknowledge had seen would be. The prophecies do not shape the characters of the men who fulfil them. Men act out their own free will, either in accordance with a character placed under the moulding of God or a character placed under the harsh rule of Satan.' Review & Herald, November 13, 1900.

Why is it that some will be saved and others lost? 2 Thessalonians 2:11-13.

NOTE: Calvinism teaches that salvation has nothing to do with anything that man may do; it is entirely an arbitrary decision of God's sovereign will. See the following: 'Eternal life is foreordained for some and eternal death for others.' Calvin, quoted in Boettner: The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, page 15. 'It may be asked, Why does God save some and not others? But that belongs to His secret counsels… His reasons for saving particular ones while passing by others have not been revealed to us… Let it be remembered that we are under no obligation to explain all the mysteries connected with these doctrines." Boettner: The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, pages 96, 97, 124.

'"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth." In this text the two agencies in the salvation of man are revealed, the divine influence, [and] the strong, living faith of those who follow Christ. It is through the sanctification of the spirit and the belief of the truth, that we become labourers together with God. God waits for the co-operation of his church. He does not design to add a new element of efficiency to His word; He has done His great work in giving His inspiration to the world. The blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the divine word, are ours. The object of all this provision of heaven is before us, the souls for whom Christ died, and it depends upon us to lay hold of the promises God has given, and become labourers together with Him; for divine and human agencies must co-operate in this work.' Christian Education, page 86.

(The compiler of these lessons is indebted to Dr Ralph Larson for many of the insights he has shared in this lesson.)

'Through unbelief and the rejection of Heaven's purpose for her, Israel as a nation had lost her connection with God. But the branches that had been separated from the parent stock God was able to reunite with the true stock of Israel, the remnant who had remained true to the God of their fathers.' Acts of the Apostles, page 377.

'The LORD loved you'

Why did God choose Israel to be His people? Deuteronomy 7:6-8.

NOTE: 'God chose Israel to be His own people, that, by adhering closely to His commandments, they might be to the world an illustration of the beauty of character, the moral power, and the virtue that might be attained through fearing and honouring Him. He desired also to reveal through them the advantages that would come to those who, as His true sons and daughters, would walk in harmony with the principles of His law. In His dealing with men, God has often demonstrated that through the virtue obtained by obedience to the laws of heaven, human beings may gain a beauty of character that will fit them to be labourers together with Him.' Review & Herald, August 31, 1905.

'The Lord chose Israel as His peculiar people, and designed that they should be the depositaries of His law. They were to be a distinct and holy nation, separate from the heathen nations around them. They were to preserve the knowledge of the true God, and through them, light from Heaven was to shed its healing beams to all the world. They were to be a living illustration of the superiority of that religion which acknowledges God as the supreme ruler of the universe.' Signs of the Times, December 18, 1884.

How did the Lord express His purpose for Israel? Isaiah 62:1-3. Compare 1 Peter 2:9.

NOTE: 'God intended that His people Israel should be light bearers to all the inhabitants of the earth. In maintaining His public worship they were bearing a testimony to the existence and sovereignty of the living God. And this worship it was their privilege to sustain, as an expression of their loyalty and their love to Him. The Lord has ordained that the diffusion of light and truth in the earth shall be dependent upon the efforts and offerings of those who are partakers of the heavenly gift. He might have made angels the ambassadors of His truth; He might have made known His will, as He proclaimed the law from Sinai, with His own voice; but in His infinite love and wisdom He called men to become co-labourers with Himself, by choosing them to do this work.' Patriarchs & Prophets, page 528.

'If thou shalt hearken'

What promises did God make to His chosen people? Deuteronomy 28:13. Read verses 1-13.

NOTE: 'God surrounded Israel with every facility, gave them every privilege, that would make them an honour to His name and a blessing to surrounding nations. If they would walk in the ways of obedience, He promised to make them "high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour." "All people of the earth," He said, "shall hear that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee." The nations which shall hear all these statutes shall say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." Deuteronomy 26:19; 28:10; 4:6.' Education, page 40.

What conditions did God place upon Israel as His chosen people? Deuteronomy 28:15. Read verses 16-68. Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

NOTE: 'God's promises are conditional. In order to make it possible for Him to bless us, we must do our part. We cannot expect that all His blessings will come to us naturally, if we fold our hands in inactivity. We are to be labourers together with God. It is our privilege and duty to labour for souls ready to perish.' Sermons & Talks Volume 2, page 195.

'The Lord shall scatter thee'

What fate was promised to Israel if she failed to fulfil God's purpose? Deuteronomy 28:63-65.

NOTE: 'Moses traced the evils that would result from a departure from the statutes of Jehovah. Calling heaven and earth to witness, he declared that if, after having dwelt long in the Land of Promise, the people should introduce corrupt forms of worship and bow down to graven images and should refuse to return to the worship of the true God, the anger of the Lord would be aroused, and they would be carried away captive and scattered among the heathen. "Ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it," he warned them; "ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed."' Prophets & Kings, page 295.

How was this sad prophecy fulfilled? 2 Chronicles 36:19-21.

NOTE: 'Jeremiah predicted the captivity of many of the Jews, as their punishment for not heeding the word of the Lord. The Chaldeans were to be used as the instrument by which God would chastise His disobedient people. Their punishment was to be in proportion to their intelligence and to the warnings they had despised. "This whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment," the prophet declared; "and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years."' Review & Herald, March 14, 1907.

'To finish the transgression'

After the Lord had, in mercy, brought a remnant back from captivity, what period of probation did He grant the Jewish nation? Daniel 9:24.

NOTE: 'The seventy weeks, or 490 years, were to pertain especially to the Jews. At the expiration of this period, the nation sealed its rejection of Christ by the persecution of His disciples, and the apostles turned to the Gentiles.' Maranatha, page 247.

As Daniel 9:25 shows, this period of seventy prophetic weeks, or 490 years, would begin at 'the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem'. This commandment was completed by the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus in BC 457 (see Ezra 7:12-26) which supplemented the earlier decrees of Cyrus (Ezra 1:2-4) and Darius (Ezra 6:8-12) Ezra 6:14 shows that these three decrees form a single commandment. The seventy weeks, the period of probation granted to the Jewish nation, reached to the consecration of Jesus as Messiah in AD 27 (Daniel 9:25), to His crucifixion in AD 31 and the end of the sacrificial system (Daniel 9:27) and three and a half years further to the official and final rejection of Christ by the Sanhedrin, the rulers of the Jews, in AD 34 (Acts 7:57).

How did Jesus pronounce God's rejection of the Jewish nation? Matthew 21:43.

NOTE: 'For more than a thousand years the Jewish nation had abused God's mercy and invited His judgments. They had rejected His warnings and slain His prophets. For these sins the people of Christ's day made themselves responsible by following the same course. In the rejection of their present mercies and warnings lay the guilt of that generation. The fetters which the nation had for centuries been forging, the people of Christ's day were fastening upon themselves. In every age there is given to men their day of light and privilege, a probationary time in which they may become reconciled to God. But there is a limit to this grace. Mercy may plead for years and be slighted and rejected; but there comes a time when mercy makes her last plea. The heart becomes so hardened that it ceases to respond to the Spirit of God. Then the sweet, winning voice entreats the sinner no longer, and reproofs and warnings cease. That day had come to Jerusalem. Jesus wept in anguish over the doomed city, but He could not deliver her. He had exhausted every resource. In rejecting the warnings of God's Spirit, Israel had rejected the only means of help. There was no other power by which they could be delivered. The Jewish nation was a symbol of the people of all ages who scorn the pleadings of Infinite Love. The tears of Christ when He wept over Jerusalem were for the sins of all time. In the judgments pronounced upon Israel, those who reject the reproofs and warnings of God's Holy Spirit may read their own condemnation.' Desire of Ages, pages 586-587.

'There is a remnant'

While the Jewish nation was rejected by God, were all Jews rejected? Romans 11:5, Romans 9:27. (See Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 6:7.

NOTE: 'Notwithstanding Israel's failure as a nation, there remained among them a goodly remnant of such as should be saved. At the time of the Saviour's advent there were faithful men and women who had received with gladness the message of John the Baptist, and had thus been led to study anew the prophecies concerning the Messiah. When the early Christian church was founded, it was composed of these faithful Jews who recognized Jesus of Nazareth as the one for whose advent they had been longing.' Acts of the Apostles, page 376.

What is the present qualification for membership of the true Israel of God (Galatians 6:16)? Galatians 3:28-29.

NOTE: 'The Lord had made the Jews the depositaries of sacred truth. He had appointed them stewards of His grace. He had given them every spiritual and temporal advantage, and He called upon them to impart these blessings. Special instruction had been given them in regard to their treatment of their brethren who had fallen into decay, of the stranger within their gates, and of the poor among them. They were not to seek to gain everything for their own advantage, but were to remember those in need and share with them. And God promised to bless them in accordance with their deeds of love and mercy. But… they put forth no helping hand to relieve the temporal or spiritual necessities of suffering humanity. Filled with pride, they regarded themselves as the chosen and favoured people of God; yet they did not serve or worship God. They put their dependence in the fact that they were children of Abraham. "We be Abraham's seed," they said proudly. (John 8:33.) When the crisis came, it was revealed that they had divorced themselves from God, and had placed their trust in Abraham, as if he were God. Christ longed to let light shine into the darkened minds of the Jewish people. He said to them, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill Me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God. This did not Abraham." John 8:39, 40. Christ recognised no virtue in lineage. He taught that spiritual connection supersedes all natural connection. The Jews claimed to have descended from Abraham; but by failing to do the works of Abraham, they proved that they were not his true children. Only those who prove themselves to be spiritually in harmony with Abraham by obeying the voice of God, are reckoned as of true descent.' Christ's Object Lessons, pages 267-268.

'Take heed'

What lessons can be learned from the experience of the Jewish nation? Romans 11:17-21. Compare 1 Corinthians 10:11-12.

NOTE: 'When the Jews took the first step in the rejection of Christ, they took a dangerous step. When afterward evidence accumulated that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, they were too proud to acknowledge that they had erred. So with the people of our day who reject the truth. They do not take time to investigate candidly, with earnest prayer, the evidences of the truth, and they oppose that which they do not understand. Just like the Jews, they take it for granted they have all the truth, and feel a sort of contempt for anyone who should suppose they had more correct ideas than themselves of what is truth. All the evidence produced they decide shall not weigh a straw with them, and they tell others that the doctrine is not true, and afterward, when they see, as light, evidence they were so forward to condemn, they have too much pride to say, "I was wrong"; they still cherish doubt and unbelief, and are too proud to acknowledge their convictions. Because of this, they take steps that lead to results of which they have never dreamed.' 1888 Materials, page 169.

Does God give membership of Israel on the basis of one's physical ancestors? Romans 9:6- 8.

NOTE: 'As a nation the Jews refused to receive Christ. He had led them in their travels, as their invisible, infinite Leader. He had communicated His will to them, but in the test they rejected Him, their only hope, their only salvation, and God rejected them. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). To all who receive and obey the conditions, God's gifts flow steadily, without repentance, without recall. God has imparted His gifts to man to be used, not according to hereditary or fanciful ideas, not according to natural impulses or inclination, but according to His will.' This Day With God, page 31.

MEMORY VERSE: 'And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.' 1 Timothy 3:16.

STUDY HELP: Selected Messages Book 1, pages 246-249.

LESSON AIM: To answer the question: Does the Bible teach that Jesus is truly God?

Introduction

'The world was made by Him, "and without Him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). If Christ made all things, He existed before all things. The words spoken in regard to this are so decisive that no one need be left in doubt. Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity, God over all, blessed forevermore.' Selected Messages Book 1, page 247.

'The Word was God'

How does John describe Jesus? John 1:1-3, 14.

NOTE: 'Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father, one in nature, in character, in purpose, the only Being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace" (Isaiah 9:6). His "goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).' Patriarchs and Prophets, page 34.

How did Isaiah describe Christ in prophecy? Isaiah 9:6.

NOTE: 'Isaiah tells us who and what our Redeemer is: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Christ had two natures, the nature of a man and the nature of God. In Him divinity and humanity were combined. Upon His mediatorial work hangs the hope of the perishing world. No one but Christ has ever succeeded in living a perfect life, in living a pure, spotless character. He exhibited a perfect humanity, combined with deity; and by preserving each nature distinct, He has given to the world a representation of the character of God and the character of a perfect man. He shows us what God is, and what man may become, godlike in character.' General Conference Daily Bulletin, October 1, 1899.

'In the beginning was the Word.'

How does the Bible teach the pre-existence of Christ? Colossians 1:17.

NOTE: Some groups, like the Christadelphians, claim that Christ's existence did not begin until His birth in Bethlehem. Thus they state: 'There is no hint in the Old Testament that the Son of God was already existent or in any way active at that time.' Tennant, The Christadelphians, page 85.

'The Pharisees… retorted with a sneer, as if they would prove Jesus to be a madman, "Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?" With solemn dignity Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM." Silence fell upon the vast assembly. The name of God, given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence, had been claimed as His own by this Galilean Rabbi. He had announced Himself to be the self-existent One, He who had been promised to Israel, "whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity." Micah 5:2, margin.' Desire of Ages, page 469.

'Here Christ shows them that, although they might reckon His life to be less than 50 years, yet His divine life could not be reckoned by human computation. The existence of Christ before His incarnation is not measured by figures.' Lift Him Up, page 17.

How does Jesus Himself assert this truth? John 17:24. (Compare John 8:58.)

NOTE: 'Christ was one with the Father before the foundation of the world was laid. This is the light shining in a dark place, making it resplendent with divine, original glory. Christ is the pre-existent, self-existent Son of God. In speaking of His pre-existence, Christ carries the mind back through dateless ages. He assures us that there never was a time when He was not in close fellowship with the eternal God. His divine life could not be reckoned by human computation. The existence of Christ before His incarnation is not measured by figures. Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity, God over all, blessed forevermore. The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by Him as His right. He was equal with God, infinite and omnipotent.' The Faith I Live By, page 46.

'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God'

What principle did Christ state when tempted by the devil? Matthew 4:10.

NOTE: 'All false worship is spiritual adultery. The second precept, which forbids false worship, is also a command to worship God, and Him only serve. The Lord is a jealous God. He will not be trifled with. He has spoken concerning the manner in which He should be worshiped. He has a hatred of idolatry; for its influence is corrupting. It debases the mind, and leads to sensuality and all kinds of sin.' SDA Bible Commentary Volume 1, page 1106.

On what occasions did Christ accept worship? Matthew 2:11, Matthew 8:2, Matthew 9:18, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 15:25, Matthew 20:20, Matthew 28:9, Matthew 28:17.

NOTE: These instances of Christ accepting worship are taken from Matthew's gospel alone. See also Hebrews 1:6. Note especially John 20:28. Christ's acceptance of worship stands in contrast to the response of both apostles and angels to attempts to worship them. And it was Christ Himself who emphasised the principle that worship is due to God alone. In accepting worship, Christ was showing that He is God.

'It is not men whom we are to exalt and worship; it is God, the only true and living God, to whom our worship and reverence are due.' Evangelism, page 133.

How did Peter respond when Cornelius attempted to worship him? Acts 10:25-26. Compare Acts 14:11-16. See also Revelation 19:10 & Revelation 22:8-9.

NOTE: 'As Peter entered the house of the Gentile, Cornelius did not salute him as an ordinary visitor, but as one honoured of Heaven and sent to him by God. It is an Eastern custom to bow before a prince or other high dignitary and for children to bow before their parents; but Cornelius, overwhelmed with reverence for the one sent by God to teach him, fell at the apostle's feet and worshiped him. Peter was horror-stricken, and he lifted the centurion up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man."' Acts of the Apostles, page 137.

'Worship Him that made heaven and earth'

Who does the Bible identify as the Creator? John 1:3. Compare Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2.

NOTE: 'What opposites meet and are revealed in the person of Christ! The mighty God, yet a helpless child! The Creator of all the world, yet, in a world of His creating, often hungry and weary, and without a place to lay His head! The Son of man, yet infinitely higher than the angels! Equal with the Father, yet His divinity clothed with humanity, standing at the head of the fallen race, that human beings might be placed on vantage-ground! Possessing eternal riches, yet living the life of a poor man! One with the Father in dignity and power, yet in His humanity tempted in all points like as we are tempted! In the very moment of His dying agony on the cross, a Conqueror, answering the request of the repentant sinner to be remembered by Him when He came into His kingdom.' The Signs of the Times, April 26, 1905.

Who are we called upon to worship? Revelation 14:7.

NOTE: 'The duty to worship God is based upon the fact that He is the Creator and that to Him all other beings owe their existence. And wherever, in the Bible, His claim to reverence and worship, above the gods of the heathen, is presented, there is cited the evidence of His creative power. "All the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens." Psalm 96:5. "To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things." "Thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it: . . . I am the Lord; and there is none else." Isaiah 40:25, 26; 45:18. Says the psalmist: "Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves." "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." Psalms 100:3; 95:6. And the holy beings who worship God in heaven state, as the reason why their homage is due to Him: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things." Revelation 4:11.' Great Controversy, page 436.

'I AM'

What further evidences of His deity did Christ reveal? Matthew 9:2-6, John 10:30-33.

NOTE: For a mere man to claim the right to forgive sins is certainly blasphemous. In this, the Pharisees were certainly correct. Their error was in failing to recognise that the One who spoke these words was truly God, even though His action in discerning their unspoken thoughts should have provided them with evidence.

'The Pharisees standing by were filled with greater bitterness by the Saviour's words, and said within themselves, "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" Jesus then gave them most striking evidence of His divine character by showing that He read the thoughts of their hearts as an open book. "Wherefore," said He, "think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." The sufferer arose and departed to his house. "But when the multitude saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men."' Review & Herald, October 16, 1883.

'The incarnate I AM is our abiding Sacrifice. The I AM is our Redeemer, our Substitute, our Surety. He is the Daysman [see Job 9:33] between God and the human soul, our Advocate in the courts of heaven, our unwearying Intercessor, pleading in our behalf His merits and His atoning sacrifice. The I AM is our Saviour. In Him our hopes of eternal life are centred. He is an ever-present help in time of trouble. In Him is the assurance of every promise. We must acknowledge and receive this almighty Saviour; we must behold Him, that we may be like Him in character. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."' Signs of the Times, May 3, 1899.

On what other occasion did Christ take the Divine name upon His lips? Mark 14:61-62.

NOTE: 'I AM means an eternal presence; the past, present, and future are alike with God. He sees the most remote events of past history and the far distant future with as clear a vision as we do those things which are transpiring daily. We know not what is before us, and if we did, it would not contribute to our eternal welfare. God gives us an opportunity to exercise faith and trust in the great I AM. Our Saviour says, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad" (John 8:56). Fifteen hundred years before Christ laid off His royal robe, His kingly crown, and left His position of honour in the heavenly courts, assumed humanity, and walked a man among the children of men, Abraham saw His day, and was glad. "Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (verses 57, 58). Christ was using the great name of God that was given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence (See Exodus 3:14.) Isaiah also saw Christ, and his prophetic words are full of significance. He says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Speaking through him, the Lord says, "I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. Fear not: for I am with thee. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am He. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King" (Isaiah 43:3-15). When Jesus came to our world, He proclaimed Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6).' That I May Know Him, page 12.

'They wrest the scriptures to their own destruction'

What verse asserting the deity of Christ has been attacked in recent years? 1 Timothy 3:16.

NOTE: Most modern versions of the Bible translate this verse in such a way that the word 'God' is removed and replaced by 'he'. Thus the NIV renders the verse as follows: 'Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body.' Of course, there is nothing miraculous about a person appearing in a body. The birth of Christ only becomes mysterious when we appreciate that this was God manifest in the flesh. But it has been noted that practically every Bible verse that teaches the deity of Christ is altered or questioned in modern English versions. All English Bibles translated from the original Greek until 1862 placed the word 'God' in this verse. (English versions based on the Latin Vulgate did not.) The overwhelming majority of Greek manuscripts contain the word 'God' in this verse. Though the ancient Codex Alexandrinus is now worn and indistinct in this passage, the earliest scholars who studied this verse are unanimous that it has the word 'God' in this verse. The Codex Vaticanus, however, omits the word 'God' and it is on the authority of this one manuscript that modern versions change the reading of this verse.

'Christ was God manifest in the flesh, the mystery hidden for ages, and in our acceptance or rejection of the Saviour of the world are involved eternal interests.' Christian Education, page 76.

What other verse has been challenged? John 1:1.

NOTE: The Jehovah's Witnesses claim that this verse should read: 'the Word was a god.' No other Bible version, apart from the (Jehovah's Witness) New World version translates this verse in this way.

It should be noted that many of the modern versions alter 'all things were made by Him' (John 1:3) to 'all things were made through Him', reducing Christ to a mere agent of God in the work of creation. Similar alterations are found in Colossians 1:16 and Hebrews 1:2 in a number of versions. It is not hard to see why the teachings that Christ is God and that He is the Creator should be under attack today.