SDA Sabbath School Lesson 4--2nd Quarter 2024--Standing _for the_ Truth

[Richard Myers]

2nd   Quarter         Lesson 4                                                                                                                                                                    April 20-April 26

Standing _for the_ Truth

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

Sabbath Afternoon


Read for This Week’s Study

Daniel 7:23-25; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14; Jude 1:3-4; Revelation 2:10; Acts 5:28-32; Psalms 19:7-11; 1 John 5:11-13.

    Memory Text:
    And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:14-15

The modern Turkish seacoast city of Izmir was once the biblical city of Smyrna, mentioned in the book of Revelation. This ancient city of approximately 100,000 inhabitants flourished in the late first and second centuries. It was a prosperous city, and it was fiercely loyal to Rome.

Once a year, all the citizens of Smyrna were commanded to burn incense to the Roman gods. Evidently, in the second century, Smyrna had a thriving Christian community, as well, and many were not going to comply. Polycarp, an early church leader, was martyred in Smyrna’s public square, burned at the stake for refusing to betray his Lord by burning incense to the Roman gods. When asked one last time to disavow Christ, the old man replied, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I speak evil of my King who saved me?”

Throughout the centuries, men and women have been willing to experience martyrdom rather than give up their faith in Christ. Their sacrifice rekindles our courage. The story of their commitment to Christ renews our own commitment. This week we will look at some biblical principles that motivated the Waldenses and later Reformers, such as Huss and Jerome, to stay faithful to the Lord no matter what—even at the threat of death from the same power that killed Polycarp: Rome, but now in the papal phase.

Amen! When studying the Bible, we find that before and after the cross, Rome was and is the enemy of God. They have and will be responsible for the death of millions of Christians. And as was pagan Rome, so will Papal Rome torture Christians. In our day, apostate Protestants will join with Rome to persecute the faithful.

*Study this week’s lesson, based on The Great Controversy, chapters 4–6, to prepare for Sabbath, April 27.
Discuss on the Daily Blog

[Richard Myers]

Sunday  April 21
Persecuted Yet Triumphant

Read Daniel 7:23-25; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14.

23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

What prophetic time periods are referred to in these passages?

They are all in the dark ages, the 1260 years of papal persecution.

Whenever God’s people remain faithful to Him, Satan is enraged. Persecution often follows. The prophet Daniel described a time, still future to him, when the medieval church would “make war against” and “persecute” God’s people (Daniel 7:21; Daniel 7:25). The prophet John described this same period as a time when God’s church would be forced to flee into the wilderness, where she would be “nourished for a time and times and half a time” (Revelation 12:14; Revelation 12:6 adds, “The woman [the church] fled into the wilderness where she hath a place prepared of God”. God’s people were nourished in the wilderness. His Word strengthened and sustained them as the great controversy raged on during this long and dark period of papal domination.

God’s people found a “place prepared” for them by God. In life’s greatest challenges, God always prepares a place for His faithful followers. During the times of their greatest trial, His people have found refuge in His love and care. (See Psalms 46:1-11.)

The 1,260 days and the time, times, and half a time in Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14 are both referring to the same period (3˝ times or years x 360 days per year = 1,260 days). Biblical prophecy is often written in symbols. In the prophetic portions of Daniel and Revelation, one prophetic day equals one literal year. We find this day-year principle in Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6.

The day-year principle rests not on these two texts only, but on a broad scriptural foundation. William Shea, chronologist and Old Testament scholar, gives twenty-three lines of biblical evidence throughout the Old Testament for this principle. Bible interpreters have used it throughout the centuries.

The Visigoths, Vandals, and Ostrogoths were tribes that believed doctrines differently than Rome’s official teaching. The 1,260 days began when the last of these barbarian tribes, the Ostrogoths, were driven out of Rome in a.d. 538. This period of spiritual darkness continued until a.d. 1798, when the Napolean’s general Berthier removed the pope from Rome. Countless Christians were martyred during this long period because they obeyed the Word of God. Even in death, they triumphed. In Christ they were free from the guilt and the dominion of sin, overcoming “through the blood of the Lamb.” Christ’s victory over Satan on the cross was their victory. Though they died, their death is only a rest until the return of Christ.

How has fulfilled Bible prophecy strengthened your faith?

If we will study these prophecies which have been fulfilled, we may share them with others and many will then have faith in God and in His Word.  There is a prophecy which told when Jesus would be baptized and when He would die. That prophecy uses the same day to year.

[Richard Myers]

Monday  April 22
Light Vanquishes the Darkness

Read Jude 1:3-4.

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

What’s the warning here and how did it apply to the later Christian church?

There were, are, and will be wolves dressed in sheep's clothing in the church perverting the gospel of grace.

The book of Jude was written sometime before a.d. 65 to faithful Christians who were “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1). These faithful believers were urged to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, . . . who turn the grace of our God into lewdness” (Jude 1:3-4). This admonition meant even more to believers in the Middle Ages after pagan practices had flooded into the church and human traditions compromised the Word of God. For many centuries, people, such as the Waldenses, stood as champions for the truths of Scripture. They believed that Christ was their only mediator and the Bible their sole source of authority. “In every age there were witnesses for God—men who cherished faith in Christ as the only mediator between God and man, who held the Bible as the only rule of life, and hallowed the true Sabbath.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 61.

Read Revelation 2:10.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

What promise does God give those who are faithful to Him in the face of death itself?

He will give them "a crown of life."

These words were written to the church at Smyrna. One of the city’s patron gods was Dionysius, the god of festivity and fertility. When the priests of Dionysius died, a crown was placed on their heads in their funeral procession. John contrasts this earthly crown placed on the head at death with the crown of life placed on the heads of those who are victorious over the forces of evil. The crown of life is presented to those who endured trials, difficulties, suffering, and death itself for Christ’s sake.

The crown of life inspires these faithful believers to endure death itself for Christ’s sake. The crown of life always motivates believers in challenging circumstances. It inspired the Waldenses through pain and persecution. They knew they would see Jesus one day and live with Him forever. The crown of life also speaks to us: we may go through trials now, but a crown of life awaits us as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Amen! We must keep our eyes upon Jesus that we forget Him not.

What encourages you in challenging times?

God's grace and His promises, like I will not be tempted beyond what I can bear.

What frightens you?

That I might forget Jesus and take my eyes off of Him, for then I no protection for the smallest temptation.

What promises can you claim for those times?

That God is long-suffering as He has been in the past. That the Holy Spirit will speak to me when I need help.

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday  April 23
Courage to Stand

Compare Acts 5:28-32; Ephesians 6:10-12; Revelation 3:11.

28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

What basic principle is found in these texts?

In order to not sin, we must have a vital connection to Christ. We cannot let go if we want to obtain a crown.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Waldenses, and each one of the Reformers, was their absolute allegiance to God, their obedience to the authority of Scripture, and their commitment to the supremacy of Christ, not the papacy. Their minds were saturated with New Testament stories of faith and courage.

With Peter and the apostles they could say, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). They grasped Paul’s admonition, “Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). They took seriously Jesus’ counsel, “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Revelation 3:11). Rather than submit to the traditions of the Roman church, these stalwart men and women of faith had the courage to stand for the truths of God’s Word.

The Waldenses were one of the first groups to obtain the Bible in their own language. A moving account of their hand copying of the Bible written by Jean Leger, a Waldensian Bible copyist, contains firsthand information of their work including drawings. The Waldenses secretly copied the Scriptures in their mountain communities of northern Italy and southern France. Youth at an early age were instructed by their parents to memorize large portions of Scripture. Teams of Bible copyists worked together to laboriously copy the Bible. Many of these Waldense young adults traveled throughout Europe as merchants quietly sharing the truths of Scripture. Some enrolled in universities and, as the opportunity arose, shared portions of the Scriptures with their fellow students. Guided by the Holy Spirit, at the right moment when they sensed a receptivity on the part of some honest seeker, select portions of their precious Scripture passages were given away. Many paid for their fidelity and devotion with their lives. Although the Waldenses did not understand every Bible teaching clearly, they preserved the truth of God’s Word for centuries by sharing it with others.

“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, / That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). Solomon compares the path by which God leads His children to a sun that rises higher and higher. If God simply threw a cosmic switch and the sun shone instantly in all its brightness, it would blind us. After darkness engulfed the world for centuries, God raised up men and women, committed to His Word, who continued to search for more.

How can we, reflecting the light of Christ, shine in our own community? Do we?

Do we reflect the light of Christ? If we have the righteous character of Christ because we love the Lord our God with the whole heart.....and are filled with the Holy Spirit.

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday  April 24
The Morning Star of the Reformation

Read Psalms 19:7-11; Psalms 119:140; Psalms 119:162; Jeremiah 15:16. What similar attitudes did David and Jeremiah have toward the Word of God that were, really, the cornerstone of the Reformation?

Each of the Reformers “rejoiced” in God’s Word. They “delighted” in doing God’s will. They “loved” His law. One of the most significant foundational truths of the Reformation was the joy that studying the Scriptures brought. Bible study was not a laborious task. It was not a legalistic exercise. It was not a rigid requirement but a delight. As they studied the Scriptures, they were transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“The character of Wycliffe is a testimony to the educating, transforming power of the Holy Scriptures. It was the Bible that made him what he was. The effort to grasp the great truths of revelation imparts freshness and vigor to all the faculties. It expands the mind, sharpens the perceptions, and ripens the judgment. The study of the Bible will ennoble every thought, feeling, and aspiration as no other study can. It gives stability of purpose, patience, courage, and fortitude; it refines the character and sanctifies the soul. An earnest, reverent study of the Scriptures, bringing the mind of the student in direct contact with the infinite mind, would give to the world men of stronger and more active intellect, as well as of nobler principle, than has ever resulted from the ablest training that human philosophy affords.”—The Great Controversy, p. 94.

Read 2 Timothy 2:1-3.

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

What counsel did the apostle Paul give to Timothy regarding sharing the Word of God?

The truth of God’s Word and the joy of salvation in Christ so filled the hearts of the Reformers that they had to share it. John Wycliffe spent his life translating the Word of God into English for two reasons alone: the living Christ changed Him through the Word, and the love of Christ motivated him to share what he had learned with others.

Before Wycliffe, very little of the Bible existed in English. Though he died before Rome got to him, the papacy, undeterred, dug up his remains, burned them, and threw his ashes into a river. But just as those ashes were dispersed by the water, so God’s Word, the water of life, spread far and wide as a result of His work. Thus God used Wycliffe, the “Morning Star of the Reformation.”

It is also our joy to share the truth for our day with those who are seeking truth, which is many. The prophets longed to see our day. There are a very few prophecies yet fulfilled. Jesus is coming so very soon. Let us do the work entrusted to us so that Jesus can come.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday  April 25
Cheered by Hope

Read Hebrews 2:14-15. How did believers in the Middle Ages experience the reality of the great controversy?

What was it that cheered the faithful Waldenses during the horrible persecutions they faced? What gave Huss and Jerome, Tyndale, Latimer, and the martyrs of the Middle Ages courage to face the flames and the sword? Faith in the promises of God. They believed Christ’s promise: “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). They found His strength sufficient for life’s greatest trials. They even found joy through fellowship with Christ in His sufferings. And their faithfulness was a powerful witness to the world.

They looked beyond what was to what will be. They knew that, through the resurrection of Christ, death was a defeated foe. For these courageous men and women, the stranglehold of death was broken. They clung to the promises of God’s Word and came away victorious.

Read John 5:24; John 11:25-26; John 5:11-13. What assurances do these promises give you personally? How do they help us in the trials of life?

John Huss would not falter in the face of imprisonment, injustice, and death itself. He languished in prison for months. The cold, damp conditions brought on a fever that nearly ended his life. Nevertheless, “the grace of God sustained him. During the weeks of suffering that passed before his final sentence, heaven’s peace filled his soul. ‘I write this letter,’ he said to a friend, ‘in my prison, and with my fettered hand, expecting my sentence of death tomorrow. . . . When, with the assistance of Jesus Christ, we shall again meet in the delicious peace of the future life, you will learn how merciful God has shown Himself toward me, how effectually He has supported me in the midst of my temptations and trials.’—Bonnechose, vol. 2, p. 67. In the gloom of his dungeon he foresaw the triumph of the true faith.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 107, 108.

The apostle Paul’s admonition speaks to us with increasing relevance today. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). As the promises of God sustained His people in ages past, so they sustain us today.

What might it mean to lose everything for Christ? What, in the end, do you really lose? (See Mark 8:36.) What lessons can we learn from the Waldenses and the Reformers that can sustain us in earth’s final conflict?

There is only one thing that will sustain us in earth's final conflict, the faith of Jesus. They had the faith of Jesus.

[Richard Myers]

Friday  April 26
Further Thought

“God permitted great light to shine upon the minds of these chosen men, revealing to them many of the errors of Rome; but they did not receive all the light that was to be given to the world. Through these, His servants, God was leading the people out of the darkness of Romanism; but there were many and great obstacles for them to meet, and He led them on, step by step, as they could bear it. They were not prepared to receive all the light at once. Like the full glory of the noontide sun to those who have long dwelt in darkness, it would, if presented, have caused them to turn away. Therefore, He revealed it to the leaders little by little, as it could be received by the people. From century to century, other faithful workers were to follow, to lead the people on still further in the path of reform.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 103.

“In another letter, to a priest who had become a disciple of the gospel, Huss spoke with deep humility of his own errors, accusing himself ‘of having felt pleasure in wearing rich apparel and of having wasted hours in frivolous occupations.’ He then added these touching admonitions: ‘May the glory of God and the salvation of souls occupy thy mind, and not the possession of benefices and estates. Beware of adorning thy house more than thy soul; and, above all, give thy care to the spiritual edifice. Be pious and humble with the poor, and consume not thy substance in feasting. Shouldst thou not amend thy life and refrain from superfluities, I fear that thou wilt be severely chastened, as I am myself.’ ”—The Great Controversy, pp. 105, 106.

Discussion Questions

    What is “progressive light”? Why does God reveal truth gradually? How do these principles apply to God’s church today?
   
How do new discoveries of truth relate to previous truths that God’s people have understood? Why must new light never contradict old light?

    No matter where you live, your culture is going to promote values, ideas, and moral codes that in some way conflict with what the Bible teaches. After identifying these areas of conflict, how do you see yourself and us, as a church, dealing with these challenges? How do we remain good citizens while at the same time not succumbing to whatever warped values our culture proclaims?

The answer is always the same, we must love the Lord our God with all of the heart, then Christianity is our culture. And, there is more danger from within than from without. There are way too many who have not been truly converted in a Laodicean Church and therefore, bring that worldly culture into the church.

    How does John Huss’s letter impact your thinking today? What impresses you about this letter?

    Memory Text:
    And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:14-15

Having waited through the whole week to see a discussion or statement explaining one of the most important verses in the Bible and not finding any mention, I will bring up our memory verse that we may share this with our Sabbath Schools world-wide. When the question is asked "what must I do to be saved?" there are a multitude of answers given, but hardly ever is it right. What do you think we must do in order to be saved (converted)? Ask your class before you explain. One of the great chapters for new and old church members is John chapter 3 where we find our memory verse. In Bible studies I often ask the question and very few have the right answer. Many reply "keep the law," "repent," "love God," "just believe," "believe with all of your heart," "read the Bible."  The last is the closest, but you can read a lot and still be lost. So, what is the answer? The requirement for heaven is to the love the Lord our God with all of the heart. So now that we have settled that, go ahead and tell someone that they must love God with the whole heart. Does that cause them to love God? No, then the question remains, does it not? If you tell a non-converted person they need to keep the law to be saved, will that cause them to keep the law? No, then the question remains, and so it will in every suggested answer.

The all important question, especially in a Laodicean Church, that needs to be asked and answered is indeed "what must I do to be saved?"  How very important that you can answer the question for your family, friends, church members, and all who have an interest in serving God faithfully. Why bring this up? Because the answer is found in John 3 and in our memory verse. Read the verse in context and it will be easier to understand.

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Jesus made it clear that Nicodemus did not have eternal life. He was not in a saved condition and needed to be born again of the Spirit. We all agree on this truth. After gently reproving Nicodemus, he was ready to question how this could be.  Why did He bring up Moses out of nowhere? If we are not familiar with the uplifted serpent, then let's take a look at what happened when the Jews were headed for Canaan. If you already know, then why did Jesus bring it up?

From Numbers 21:
5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Was there healing power in the brass serpent? No. Then from where came the power? Yes, from God. Why was a serpent used? What does a serpent represent? Not knowing the answer to this is what makes this difficult to understand. But, when we consider Jesus was made sin for us, then we will understand why the serpent was used. Knowing then makes it easy to understand why Jesus chose to use this to tell us what we must do to obtain eternal life (to be saved). We all have been bitten by sin. Our only hope is to know God intimately. The only way this can happen is to spend time with Him. Study the Bible to know God. Jesus said if you have seen me, you have seen the father. Jesus said "you must drink my blood and eat my flesh."  It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus, especially the closing scenes where we clearly His grace. If we want to live forever, then we must look upon the uplifted Savior and we shall be converted. There is a verse that clearly tells us what we must do in order to be transformed into His image.  "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.

For those of you have have been reading here for many years, you have read my quoting this verse over and over, for it is the answer to the question "what must I do to be saved?"  Knowing God is everything. You cannot love someone without spending time with them. It is also true that you cannot trust someone with all you have and all you are unless you know them quite well. Have a blessed Sabbath Day my dear friends.