SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10-4th Quarter 2024-The Way, the Truth, and the Life

[Richard Myers]

4th  Quarter        Lesson 10                                                                                                                                                            Nov 30 - Dec 6

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study

John 13:1-20; John 14:1-3; Daniel 7:27; John 14:5-11; John 1:14; Colossians 1:16-17; John 5:38-40.

    Memory Text:
    “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared him.” John 1:18

The Gospel of John is divided into four main sections: The Prologue (John 1:1-18), the Book of Signs (John 1:19-12:50), the Book of Glory (John 13:1-20:31), and the Epilogue (John 21:1-25). Our study so far has focused mainly on the Prologue and the Book of Signs, laying out who Jesus is via His miracles (signs), dialogues, and teachings. The lessons now shift particularly to the third section of John, the Book of Glory.

Interestingly, the famous seven “I AM” statements form a bridge across the Book of Signs and the Book of Glory. These are “the bread of life” (John 6:35; John 6:41; John 6:48; John 6:51), “the light of the world” (John 8:12; John 9:5), “the door” (John 10:7; John 10:9), “the good shepherd” (John 10:11; John 10:14), “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6), and “the true vine” (John 15:1; John 15:5).

This week’s lesson will begin with the purpose of the farewell discourse and its introduction with the significant episode of Jesus’ washing His disciples’ feet. Then it will turn to the “I AM” statement in chapter 14 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”).

I am very glad the lessons include the washing of the disciple's feet. It is vital that we understand the disciples were converted prior to the cross. Many do not understand what is means to be converted nor the manner in which we are converted and given a new heart cleaner than fresh fallen snow. I pray the lesson explains this when teaching about the foot washing.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 7.

[Richard Myers]

Sunday  December 1
I Have Given You an Example

The farewell discourse (John 13:1-17:26) provides instruction for Jesus’ disciples concerning the future. Its literary pattern is similar to Moses’ farewell in Deuteronomy or Jacob’s blessing his children (Genesis 47:1-49:33) or David’s instructing Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30). Jesus consoles His disciples regarding His departure. He promises a surrogate to represent Him (the Holy Spirit; John 14:1-16:33). He predicts grief to come (John 15:1-16:33), and He exhorts the disciples to stay faithful (John 15:1-27).

Amen! Jesus cannot be in all places, He is bound by His humanity for eternity. It is the Holy Spirit that takes possession of the heart when we surrender it fully. That is how we are partakers of His divine nature, He lives in our heart as long as we cling to Jesus.

Read John 13:1-20.

1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

What happened here, and why is this story so important? What lessons did Jesus seek to teach?

Yes, He was teaching them, but more important, He transformed them from sinners to saints, all except Judas. The lesson did not teach this.     Hopefully they will before the quarter is over. We cannot say because the lessons are not covering every verse in order. We do not know what has been left out or if they will study these verses later in the quarter. Why is this lesson so important? Because many have been taught the disciples were converted after the cross. The lesson here in John tell us that they were all converted prior to the foot washing. 

8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

Peter tells Jesus to wash him to wash his feet, his hands and his head. But, Jesus says that is not necessary because he has already been washed. He only needs to have his feet washed because he needed to be "re" converted. He revealed he was not converted as were all of the disciples. They had taken their eyes off of Jesus and came into the upper room vying for the highest place. Self was alive in them all. Thus they needed to be reconverted, self needed to die again. We need to die to self daily. How are we converted? Here is the important lesson that we all need to learn, for many are not converted and have no idea what they must do in order to be saved (transformed). When reading what Jesus did, we are to learn what we must do in order to be converted. That is the all important question to ask and answer.

How are we saved and what did Jesus do to cause them to surrender the whole heart to Him? We are saved by grace. Where is the grace in what Jesus did? What is grace? It is the love we do not deserve. They ought to be washing His feet, but instead He being God got down on His knees and washed their dirty feet. Peter knew it was wrong, that He should have been washing His feet, and thus he tried to stop Jesus from washing his feet. But, then if Jesus washed not his feet, then he would not have seen and experienced God grace in doing for him what he did not deserve. This is the grace that transformed all except Judas. They left the upper room converted and not vying for the highest place.

Jesus revealed they all had been washed (baptized) in the past and did not need to be washed all over, just their feet would bring them back into that vital connection which empowers the to keep His commandments. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. Judas was not "clean."  We do not need anything extra to understand what the lessons are here, for Jesus made it plain. But, spiritual things are spiritually discerned, so if the Holy Spirit is not within, then pray He will make these lessons clear. They both show what conversion is and what it is that transforms a carnal heart into a new heart cleansed from all sin. "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them]." Eze. 36:25-27.  Yes, we will keep His laws when we are truly converted.

In that part of the world in Jesus’ day, people wore sandals or went barefoot. The feet would become dusty and dirty. It was a custom for a servant or slave to wash the feet of those coming to a meal. But no servant was present for this function on the night Jesus ate His last meal with His disciples before His arrest.

To everyone’s surprise, Jesus Himself arose from the supper and washed all of their feet. John 13:4-5 tells Jesus’ actions step by step. It is told in such detail to emphasize the Master’s doing this unbelievable act of humility.

By telling about Peter’s response, John 13:8-11 deepens the sense of dismay and incomprehension of the disciples at Jesus’ actions. How could Jesus, the Master, the Messiah, be doing such a lowly task? Peter refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet, only to be told by Jesus that if he did not cooperate, he would have no part with Jesus. Then Peter asked for more, expressing his desire to be connected with Jesus all the way.

The significance of Jesus’ action is tied to who He is. He states in John 13:13 that He is the Teacher and the Lord. That is what they called Him, and He indicates that it is so. These titles express authority and power.

Yet, Jesus teaches that power and authority are to be used for service, not for self-aggrandizement. The Adventist Church has embraced this sense of Jesus’ example, taking what is rightly called the Ordinance of Humility as a preparatory service for the Lord’s Supper.

How does foot washing prepare us for partaking of the Lord's Supper?  It gives us the opportunity to confess our sins that when we partake of the bread and wine we can rejoice instead of feeling guilt for our unconfessed sins.  When we wash another's feet, we are to recognize that we are to be cleansed from sin before we can rightly partake of the bread and wine which is the spiritual food that binds us to the heart of God.

What does the Ordinance of Humility teach you about following in the footsteps of Jesus and how to humbly serve others?

It teaches us of the power of grace and our continual need of it that we might "walk in His statutes, and keep His judgments, and do them."

[Richard Myers]

Monday  December 2
I Will Certainly Come Again

Read John 14:1-3.

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

In what context did Jesus say these words?

At the end of John 13:1-38, Jesus says that He is going away (John 13:33). This elicits from Peter a query about where He is going (John 13:36). The disciples do not understand that Jesus is talking about His death, resurrection, and ascension. Peter says he is ready to lay down his life for Him (John 13:37). This is when Jesus predicts Peter’s denial (John 13:38).

It is in this context that Jesus tells His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled (John 14:1). The verb troubled is translated in Greek as tarassō, which means to stir up, disturb, unsettle, throw into confusion. It is not surprising that the disciples would be thrown into confusion at Jesus’ words.

But, countering their fears, He talks about His Father’s house, where there are many rooms (not mansions but rooms as in an inn). He is going there to prepare a place for them. His words look beyond the coming storm of the cross to the time when He will return to redeem His people. He is looking to the time when this whole tragedy with sin is finished once and for all (see Daniel 7:27).

Jesus says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). It is clearly a promise of His second coming.

What is the basis for confidence in that promise? Many would say the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, and that is certainly true. But in John 14:3, the basis is stated differently. In this verse, I will come is actually in the present tense in Greek (I am coming). This is a use of the present tense in Greek called the futuristic present. It is a future event spoken of with such certainty that it is described as though already happening. Thus, it is fair to translate the phrase as, I will certainly come again.

The basis of our hope in the return of our Lord is not simply the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. It is also, and more certainly, based on our confidence in the Man who made the promise. He said He will certainly return for His people. We can place our confidence in that promise because of Who made it.

What does the Cross teach us about the certainty of Christ’s second coming? Without the Second Coming, what good did Jesus’ death do us at the first coming?

The cross teaches us that God loves us. It is knowing He loves us that we love Him. And when we love Him with the whole heart, then we give Him all that we have and all we are no matter what happens. We do not love Him because He gives us anything, but because He loves us. All that He has promised us ought to convince the selfish ones that they ought to understand what it is that they will lose because they did not study the matter. Was the rich young ruler wise in rejecting what God promised? Why did he reject everlasting life in a world without sin? Why did Israel reject heavenly sent Truth and the author of Truth?

  Oh, how Christ longed to open to Israel the precious treasures of the truth! But such was their spiritual blindness that it was impossible to reveal to them the truths relating to His kingdom. They clung to their creed and their useless ceremonies when the truth of Heaven awaited their acceptance. They spent their money for chaff and husks, when the bread of life was within their reach. Why did they not go to the word of God, and search diligently to know whether they were in error? The Old Testament Scriptures stated plainly every detail of Christ's ministry, and again and again He quoted from the prophets, and declared, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." If they had honestly searched the Scriptures, bringing their theories to the test of God's word, Jesus need not have wept over their impenitence. He need not have declared, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." Luke 13:35. They might have been acquainted with the evidence of His Messiahship, and the calamity that laid their proud city in ruins might have been averted. But the minds of the Jews had become narrowed by their unreasoning bigotry. The lessons of Christ revealed their deficiencies of character, and demanded repentance. If they accepted His teachings, their practices must be changed, and their cherished hopes relinquished. In order to be honored by Heaven, they must sacrifice the honor of men. If they obeyed the words of this new rabbi, they must go contrary to the opinions of the great thinkers and teachers of the time.  From today's reading in Desire of Ages.  https://remnant-online.com/smf/index.php/topic,17216.0.html

The Lord passed by the homes of Israel, and found a refuge for His servant in a heathen land, with a woman who did not belong to the chosen people. But this woman was favored because she had followed the light she had received, and her heart was open to the greater light that God sent her through His prophet.
     It was for the same reason that in Elisha's time the lepers of Israel were passed by. But Naaman, a heathen nobleman, had been faithful to his convictions of right, and had felt his great need of help. He was in a condition to receive the gifts of God's grace. He was not only cleansed from his leprosy, but blessed with a knowledge of the true God.
     Our standing before God depends, not upon the amount of light we have received, but upon the use we make of what we have. Thus even the heathen who choose the right as far as they can distinguish it are in a more favorable condition than are those who have had great light, and profess to serve God, but who disregard the light, and by their daily life contradict their profession.

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday  December 3
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Read John 14:5-6.

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

What query did Thomas make about where Jesus was going? How did Jesus respond?

Thomas’s query seems logical enough. If you do not know where someone is going, how can you know the way to follow that person? Jesus upends the query by indicating that He Himself is the way. The way to what? The way to the Father. In the Prologue (John 1:1-18), the intimate connection between the Word (logos), Jesus Christ, and the Father is emphasized.

John 1:18 says that the only begotten (better translated here as unique) God is the One who has made the Father known. To make known in this text is the Greek verb exēgeomai, meaning to explain, interpret, exposit. We get the word exegesis from this. It means to bring out the meaning. Thus, Jesus Christ is the link to the Father, the One who explains or interprets the Father to a fallen world. Consequently, He is the way or path to the Father. Without Him, we are limited in our understanding.

Read John 14:7-11.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

How did Jesus clear up Philip’s misunderstanding?

Philip asked to see the Father, something no sinful human can do and live (compare with Exodus 33:17-34:9; John 1:18). Jesus reproves the lack of understanding and points out that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father (John 14:9). Consequently, it is clear that Jesus is the pathway to God. Without Him, the pathway grows dark and uncertain. He is the light that illuminates the way to God.

Jesus ties together three terms: way, truth, and life. The term way is used only in John 1:23 regarding John the Baptist’s preparing the way for Jesus, and it is used here in John 14:6. But truth and life are major themes in the Gospel. Our study on Wednesday and Thursday will emphasize the concept of truth, a crucial topic, especially in a world where the very idea of “truth” is called into question.

Why is it so comforting to realize that Jesus is the best revelation we will have here of what God the Father is like?

Because we know Jesus, or at least we have the opportunity to know Him.  One of the very best ways that I know what our heavenly Father is like is by reading these verses from Genesis:

22:8   And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 
 22:9   And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 
 22:10   And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 
 22:11   And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here [am] I. 
 22:12   And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me. 
 22:13   And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind [him] a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 
 22:14   And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said [to] this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. 
 22:15   And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 
 22:16   And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son]: 

This is the most beautiful passage in the Bible because it reveals the love that God has for us while we were yet sinners. Just in case you do not see this, God gave to us a revelation of what these verses reveal.

 The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden "the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God." Romans 11:33. We marvel at the Saviour's sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.
     Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life's peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.
     The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life's peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan's power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. "Herein is love." Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth! 

To me these are the most important and beautiful words I have ever heard or read. It was not easy for God to allow His only Son to come to this dark spot in the universe where Satan claimed dominion, a helpless baby at the risk of losing Him for eternity.

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday  December 4
I AM the Truth

Read John 1:14; John 1:17; John 8:32; John 14:6; John 15:26. How does John tie the concept of truth directly to Jesus?

Again and again in John’s Gospel, truth is connected to Jesus, to His Father, and to the Holy Spirit. Truth is connected with Jesus, the Word (logos), and with light—in contrast to darkness (John 1:1-14; John 3:19-21). And, too, falsehood is connected with the devil and sin (John 8:44-46). Consequently, truth in John is not simply a matter of facts and figures. It does involve such things, but more than this, the idea of truth contains a moral aspect of faithfulness to God and to His will.

“There are many who are crying out for the living God, longing for the divine presence. Philosophical theories or literary essays, however brilliant, cannot satisfy the heart. The assertions and inventions of men are of no value. Let the word of God speak to the people. Let those who have heard only traditions and human theories and maxims hear the voice of Him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 40.

And it, the Word, can heal the body as well! What happens when we trust in the doctor rather than first going to God for healing? "The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet......And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign." 1 Kings 15:23, 2 Chron. 16:12,13.  The health message given to us as a people is called the "right arm" of the gospel. Why? Because it opens the door to the heart. Will we use it or do we also refuse to do what God has asked us to do?

Think about what it means for Jesus to be the Truth. Jesus is the logos, the Word who was with God from the beginning and who was the Creator of all things created (John 1:1-4). One with the Father from eternity to eternity, Jesus has the characteristics of the Father, and thus is also the “I AM.” His being is not subject to anyone or anything else. Nothing that exists, including knowledge, exists apart from Him. And everything that does exist, that was created, was created only by Jesus and exists only in Him, as well. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17).

Jesus is not simply the embodiment of the truth; He is the Truth. Truth is not a concept or a construct. It is a Person!

The Truth, Jesus Christ, can be likened to the sun that lights up the world (John 8:12). It is parallel to what C. S. Lewis stated about Christianity: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”—“Is Theology Poetry?” (n. p.: Samizdat University Press, 2014), p. 15, originally presented in 1944.

Why point us to man? It is not good to give influence to CS Lewis. Take a moment to find out that his beliefs are not in harmony with Scripture. It is always best to quote inspired counsel rather than pointing His church to man.

It is by Jesus, the Truth, that we are able to interpret the world around us rightly.

Amen! Let us keep our eyes upon the Word.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday  December 5
The Scriptures and the Truth

Throughout the Gospel, Scripture plays an important role in telling us about the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. All through the Gospels, as all through the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, the Scriptures play a key role in revealing truth. This is especially true when it comes to teaching us about who Jesus is and what He came to do.

Amen!  Without the Bible how can we know the character of God!  Yes, nature is the second Book, but it does not make His character as clear as the Word that was made flesh!

Read John 5:38-40.

38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

What is Jesus saying here about the Scriptures?

What is He saying about those who refuse to take time to study the Bible that they may be changed into His image? 2 Cor. 3:18 tells us that by beholding His glory we are changed into His image. Why not spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus, especially where He hung on the cross? What is His glory? It is His character. Now that we know what we must do, who will do it?  "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life!

Jesus and His disciples pointed to Scripture again and again to validate Him as the Messiah. Christ said, “ ‘If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?’ ” (John 5:46-47).

Read Luke 24:27. Why is it important that Jesus first pointed to the Scriptures in order to reveal the significance of His ministry?

In another place, while quoting from the book of Exodus, Christ said, “ ‘Have you not read what was spoken to you by God . . . ?’ ” (Matthew 22:31). Zacharias referred to the promises of God that “He [God] spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began” (Luke 1:70). In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter said, “ ‘This Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David’ ” (Acts 1:16).

The Bible is not a textbook on science. It does not explain how to split the atom or perform brain surgery. But it does something even more significant. It provides the context within which our universe has meaning. It is the key that opens the door, the light that makes it possible to see. Without it, we would be in the dark about the existence of God, His role in the universe, our own origin, the meaning of life, and the future.

What are some truths taught in the Bible that science, even in theory, can never teach us?

How can we have a universe without sin when all have freewill?  God promises us that sin will not arise a second time. Science does not answer how this can be, but the Bible does. Share with your class how this can be when all have free will.

[Richard Myers]

Friday  December 6
Further Thought

Read Ellen G. White, “ ‘The Light of Life,’ ” pp. 463–475, in The Desire of Ages; E. Edward Zinke, “The Authority of the Bible and the Certainty of the Second Coming,” The Certainty of the Second Coming (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2000), pp. 23–36.

When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,” He “was in the court of the temple specially connected with the services of the Feast of Tabernacles. In the center of this court rose two lofty standards, supporting lampstands of great size. After the evening sacrifice, all the lamps were kindled, shedding their light over Jerusalem. This ceremony was in commemoration of the pillar of light that guided Israel in the desert, and was also regarded as pointing to the coming of the Messiah. At evening when the lamps were lighted, the court was a scene of great rejoicing. . . .

“In the illumination of Jerusalem, the people expressed their hope of the Messiah’s coming to shed His light upon Israel. But to Jesus the scene had a wider meaning. As the radiant lamps of the temple lighted up all about them, so Christ, the source of spiritual light, illumines the darkness of the world. Yet the symbol was imperfect. That great light which His own hand had set in the heavens was a truer representation of the glory of His mission.

“It was morning; the sun had just risen above the Mount of Olives, and its rays fell with dazzling brightness on the marble palaces, and lighted up the gold of the temple walls, when Jesus, pointing to it, said, ‘I am the light of the world.’ ”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 463, 464.

Amen!!

Discussion Questions

    In class, talk about your answer to Thursday’s final question. What crucial truths taught by the Bible could we never, even in principle, learn from science? For example, the Cross? Or the Resurrection? Or the Second Coming? What other important biblical truths must be revealed to us—otherwise, we would never know them?

There are two important truths that will help sinners be transformed from sinner to saint. Until the sinner knows he needs a physician, he cannot be saved. if he is not saved, then he is going to not burn for eternity, but until all sins have been accounted for. Then the second important truth is that by beholding the glory of God the sinner is brought to repentance and changed into His character. 2 Cor. explains what we must do in order to be transformed (saved). Thus, it would be good to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus. By so doing the repentant sinner will be  filled with all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one will be missing (The Desire of Ages pg 676.)

    Think about the fall of Lucifer, a perfect being with so much intellectual knowledge of God and of what God is like. And yet, even with all that, he rebelled against Him. What does this tell us about the reality of free will, the same free will that we have—and why, moment by moment, we need to choose to surrender that will to God?

God did not make robots, but living creatures that have free will. How can we ever have a universe without sin when all have freewill?  We may not understand how this happens, but God promises that sin will never ever arise a second time. How can He promise this? What will stop sin from entering again?

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been blessed to have the answer. It is our joy and responsibility to tell the world how this can be. it is a most amazing truth that God has a plan that will keep the entire universe safe from sin forever. Our planet is the lesson book for the universe. Something is about to happen that will insure sin does not arise a second time. At the cross the universe saw the results of sin. Thus Satan's charge that God was unfair was seen to be a lie and Satan's way led to the suffering and death of God's innocent Son. But, this is not enough to keep His entire universe from ever sinning. There must be evidence of the power of grace to keep sinners from sinning. If sinners can be transformed so they do not sin, then surely the angels and all created beings who are holy will be encouraged that they too can be safe from the temptation to sin. You might say they already have an example of this. Many have stopped sinning who were converted from sinner to saint. But, some were translated and others were not. What was the difference in most cases? It was the level of sanctification.

God intends to have a whole church that will not sin even when they go through a time of trouble such as never was without a Mediator. Jesus pointed to Job as one who
was perfect and hated sin. Yet, Job sinned after Jesus said this. Satan was allowed to do what ever he wanted to do to Job except he could not take his life. Job failed the test. But soon God will have living evidence that His love for sinners, grace, can keep fallen man from sin no matter what Satan does to them. The Bible tells us there comes a time when those are holy will remain holy no matter what happens. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. 22:11. There comes a time when the character is fixed and nothing can change the character of anyone. Probation for all is closed. Then the holy ones will go through a time of trouble such as never was, and not sin. Instead of being translated, they go through hell, a time worse than the dark ages. Why? Because they will have a song to sing for eternity that will remind God's creation of the power of grace to keep from sin. The 144,000 tell of His love in manner that no others can. Then will come the time spoken of in the Book of Nahum: "What do ye imagine against the LORD? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time." 1:9.