LESSON 1 *December 28–January 3
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Exod. 33:15–22; Hosea 14:1–4; Rev. 4:11; John 17:24; Matt. 22:1–14; John 10:17, 18.
Memory Text: “ ‘I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him’ ” (Hosea 14:4, NKJV).
Though Peter had denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus had predicted (Matt. 26:34), these denials were not the end of the story. After the Resurrection, Jesus asked Peter, “ ‘Do you love Me more than these?’ ” And Peter replied, “ ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ ” And Jesus said, “ ‘Tend My lambs.’ ” Then, Jesus again asked Peter, “ ‘Do you love Me?’ ” And Peter replied, “ ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ ” And Jesus said, “ ‘Shepherd My sheep.’ ” Then, yet again, a third time Jesus asked Peter, “ ‘Do you love Me?’ ” And “Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ ” And Peter replied, “ ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ ” And Jesus said, “ ‘Tend My sheep’ ” (John 21:15–17, NASB 1995). Just as Peter had denied Jesus three times, Jesus—by way of the crucial question, “ ‘Do you love Me?’ ”—restored Peter three times.
However different our circumstances may be from Peter’s, in many ways the principle is the same. That is, the question that Jesus had asked Peter is really the ultimate question that God poses to each of us in our time and place: Do you love Me?
Everything depends on our answer to that question.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 4.
EGW Notes — SATURDAY ↓
Sabbath Afternoon, December 28
Lesson 1 - God Loves Freely
Three times after His resurrection, Christ tested Peter. “Simon, son of Jonas,” He said, “lovest thou me more than these?” . . .
This heart-searching question was necessary in the case of Peter, and it is necessary in our case. The work of restoration can never be thorough unless the roots of evil are reached. Again and again the shoots have been clipped, while the root of bitterness has been left to spring up and defile many; but the very depth of the hidden evil must be reached, the moral senses must be judged, and judged again, in the light of the divine presence. The daily life will testify whether or not the work is genuine.
When, the third time, Christ said to Peter, “Lovest thou me?” the probe reached the soul center. Self-judged, Peter fell upon the Rock, saying, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”—Ellen G. White Comments, in
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 1151, 1152.
The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The Saviour’s life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly beings,—all are enlisted in behalf of man’s redemption.
Oh, let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us! Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost, and bring them back to the Father’s house. Motives stronger, and agencies more powerful, could never be brought into operation; the exceeding rewards for right-doing, the enjoyment of heaven, the society of the angels, the communion and love of God and His Son, the elevation and extension of all our powers throughout eternal ages—are these not mighty incentives and encouragements to urge us to give the heart’s loving service to our Creator and
Redeemer?—Steps to Christ, p. 21.
All the paternal love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts . . . are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life; you may search the Scriptures diligently in order to understand it; you may summon every power and capability that God has given you, in the endeavor to comprehend the love and compassion of the heavenly Father; and yet there is an infinity beyond. You may study that love for ages; yet you can never fully comprehend the length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of the love of God in giving His Son to die for the world. Eternity itself can never fully reveal
it.—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 740.
SUNDAY December 29
Beyond Reasonable Expectations
God not only asks us, “Do you love Me,” but God Himself loves each person, and does so freely. Indeed, He freely loves you and me and every other person more than we could possibly imagine. And we know this love by the way He has acted in the history of His people.
Read Exodus 33:15–22 and consider the context of these verses and the narrative in which they appear. What does this passage, especially verse 19, reveal about God’s will and love?
* Your notes will not be saved!
All seemed lost. Not long after God’s amazing deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt, the people of Israel had rebelled against God and worshiped a golden calf. When Moses came down from the mountain, he saw what they had done, and he threw down the tablets containing the Ten Commandments and shattered them. Though the people had forfeited any right to the covenant privileges and blessings that God had freely bestowed on them, God freely chose to continue with them in covenant relationship anyway—despite their unworthiness for the covenant blessings.
The words of Exodus 33:19, “ ‘I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion’ ” (NKJV), are often misunderstood to mean that God arbitrarily chooses to be compassionate and gracious to some, but not others. However, in context, God is not stating here that He will arbitrarily be gracious and compassionate to some and not to others. That is not how God works, contrary to some popular theology in which God predestines some to be lost and to face eternal condemnation.
What, then, is God proclaiming here? Essentially, God is proclaiming that, as the Creator of all, He has the right and authority to grant grace and compassion freely to even the most undeserving of people. And He is doing so in this situation, even after the golden calf rebellion, by granting mercy to His people, Israel, even if they didn’t deserve it.
This is one of many instances in which God manifests His love and does so beyond any reasonable expectations. Good news for us all, is it not?
In what ways has God continued to reveal and manifest His love to you—even beyond any reasonable expectations?
EGW Notes — SUNDAY ↓
Sunday, December 29
Beyond Reasonable Expectations
Christ, the Light of the world, veiled the dazzling splendor of His divinity and came to live as a man among men, that they might, without being consumed, become acquainted with their Creator. . . .
Christ came to teach human beings what God desires them to know. In the heavens above, in the earth, in the broad waters of the ocean, we see the handiwork of God. All created things testify to His power, His wisdom, His love. Yet not from the stars or the ocean or the cataract can we learn of the personality of God as it was revealed in Christ.
God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed to portray both His personality and His character. He sent His Son into the world to manifest, so far as could be endured by human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible
God.—The Ministry of Healing, p. 419.
[To] hearts that have become purified through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, all is changed. These can know God. Moses was hid in the cleft of the rock when the glory of the Lord was revealed to him; and it is when we are hid in Christ that we behold the love of God. . . .
By faith we behold Him here and now. In our daily experience we discern His goodness and compassion in the manifestation of His providence. We recognize Him in the character of His Son. The Holy Spirit takes the truth concerning God and Him whom He hath sent, and opens it to the understanding and to the heart. The pure in heart see God in a new and endearing relation, as their Redeemer; and while they discern the purity and loveliness of His character, they long to reflect His image. They see Him as a Father longing to embrace a repenting son, and their hearts are filled with joy unspeakable and full of
glory.—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 26.
It was John’s deep love for Christ which led him always to desire to be close by His side. The Saviour loved all the Twelve, but John’s was the most receptive spirit. He was younger than the others, and with more of the child’s confiding trust he opened his heart to Jesus. Thus he came more into sympathy with Christ, and through him the Saviour’s deepest spiritual teaching was communicated to the people. . . .
John could talk of the Father’s love as no other of the disciples could. He revealed to his fellow men that which he felt in his own soul, representing in his character the attributes of God. The glory of the Lord was expressed in his face. The beauty of holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christlike radiance from his countenance. In adoration and love he beheld the Saviour until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire, and in his character was reflected the character of his
Master.—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 545.
MONDAY December 30
Unrequited Love
God’s striking instance of His love for fallen humanity is found in
the story of Hosea. God commanded the prophet Hosea, “ ‘Go, take
yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has
committed great harlotry by departing from the Lord’ ” (Hos. 1:2,
NKJV). Hosea and his unfaithful wife were to be a living object lesson
of God’s love for His people, even despite Israel’s unfaithfulness and
spiritual harlotry. That is, it is a story of God’s freely bestowed love on
those who do not deserve it.
Indeed, despite God’s faithfulness and love, the people rebelled
against Him, again and again, too. Accordingly, Scripture repeatedly
describes God as the unrequited lover of an unfaithful spouse. He had
loved His people perfectly and faithfully, but they had scorned Him and
served and worshiped other gods, deeply grieving Him and breaking
the relationship, seemingly beyond repair.
Read Hosea 14:1–4. What do these verses reveal about God’s steadfast
love for His people?
In the aftermath of repeated rebellion by His people, God declares: “ ‘I
will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely’ ” (NKJV). The term
“freely” in the phrase “ ‘I will love them freely’ ” translated a Hebrew
word (nedabah), which connotes that which is offered voluntarily. It is
the same term used of the freewill offerings in the sanctuary system.
Throughout Hosea, and throughout the narratives of Scripture, God
shows amazing commitment and compassion to His people. Even
though they repeatedly went after other lovers, breaking the covenant
relationship, seemingly beyond repair, God of His own free will continued
to bestow His love on them. The people did not deserve God’s
love; they had rejected and forfeited any rightful claim to it. Yet, God
continued to bestow love on them without any compulsion, moral or
otherwise. Here and elsewhere, Scripture consistently displays God’s
love as free and voluntary.
Many people think of God as a distant and harsh ruler and
judge. How does the imagery of God’s being scorned and grieved
as the unrequited lover of an unfaithful spouse help you see God
differently? How does it change the way you view your own relationship
with God?
EGW Notes — MONDAY ↓
Monday, December 30
Unrequited Love
The Lord did not give Israel up without first doing all that could be done to lead them back to their allegiance to Him. Through long, dark years when ruler after ruler stood up in bold defiance of Heaven and led Israel deeper and still deeper into idolatry, God sent message after message to His backslidden people. Through His prophets He gave them every opportunity to stay the tide of apostasy and to return to Him. During the years that were to follow the rending of the kingdom, Elijah and Elisha were to live and labor, and the tender appeals of Hosea and Amos and Obadiah were to be heard in the land. Never was the kingdom of Israel to be left without noble witnesses to the mighty power of God to save from
sin.—Prophets and Kings, pp. 107, 108.
The love of God is a golden chain, binding finite human beings to Himself. This love passes our knowledge. Human science can not explain it. Human wisdom can not fathom it. Parents love their children, but the love of God is larger, broader, deeper, than human love can possibly be. All the paternal love that has come down from generation to generation, through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness that have opened in the sons of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean, when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue can not utter it; pen can not portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life; you may search the Scriptures diligently in an effort to understand it; you may summon every power and capability that God has given you; and yet there is an infinity beyond. You may study that love for ages, and yet you can never fully comprehend the length and breadth and depth and height, of the love of God. . . .
The Lord’s children are never absent from His mind.—“The Love of God,” Signs of the Times, July 13, 1904.
Satan is determined that men shall not see the love of God which led Him to give His only-begotten Son to save a lost race; for it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. O how shall we succeed in setting forth before the world the deep, precious love of God? In no other way we can compass it except by exclaiming, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). Let us say to sinners, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). By presenting Jesus as the representative of the Father, we shall be able to dispel the shadow that Satan has cast upon our pathway, in order that we shall not see the mercy and inexpressible love of God as manifested in Jesus Christ. Look at the cross of Calvary. It is a standing pledge of the boundless love, the measureless mercy of the heavenly
Father.—Selected Messages, book 1, p. 156.
TUESDAY December 31
Love Freely Given
God not only continued to bestow His love freely on Israel, despite
repeated rebellions, but God also continues to bestow love freely upon
us, even while we are sinners. We do not deserve God’s love, and we
could never earn it. Conversely, God does not need us. The God of the
Bible does not need anything (Acts 17:25). God’s love for you and for
me and for all persons is entirely of His own volition.
Compare Revelation 4:11 and Psalm 33:6. What do these verses tell
us about God’s freedom relative to Creation?
God freely created this world. And, because of this, God is worthy
of all glory, honor, and power. God did not need to create any world.
Before the foundation of the world, God already enjoyed the love relationship
that existed within the Godhead.
Read John 17:24. What does it tell us about God’s love before the
world existed?
God did not need creatures as an object of His love. But, in accordance
with His character of love, God chose to create the world and enter into
a love relationship with creatures.
Not only did God freely create this world as a bestowal of His generous
love, but God also continues freely to love humans, even after
humans fell into sin in Eden, and even after we personally sin.
After the Fall in Eden, Adam and Eve had no right to continue to
live and receive God’s love. But God, who upholds “all things by
the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3, NKJV), in His great love, mercy,
and grace sustained their lives and has made a way to reconcile
humanity back to Himself in love. And that reconciliation includes
us, as well.
What does the fact that God continues to bestow love on this
world, despite its fallenness and evil, tell us about His love and
character? How should this truth cause us to love Him in return?
EGW Notes — TUESDAY ↓
Tuesday, December 31
Love Freely Given
God’s created works testify to His love and power. He has called the world into being, with all that it contains. God is a lover of the beautiful; and in the world which He has fitted up for us He has not only given us everything necessary for our comfort, but He has filled the heavens and the earth with beauty. We see His love and care in the rich fields of autumn, and His smile in the glad sunshine. His hand has made the castle-like rocks and the towering mountains. The lofty trees grow at His command; He has spread earth’s green velvet carpet and dotted it with shrubs and flowers. . . .
The same creative energy that brought the world into existence is still exerted in upholding the universe and continuing the operations of nature. The hand of God guides the planets in their orderly march through the heavens. It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth continues her motion round the sun and produces her bounties. The word of God controls the elements. He covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth. He makes the valleys fruitful and “grass to grow upon the mountains;” Psalm
147:8.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 185.
Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am” (John 19:30; 17:24).
The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. Christ’s toiling, struggling ones on earth are “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of unfallen worlds, they are declared justified. . . .
Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is
found.—Lift Him Up, p. 103.
Christ’s death proves God’s great love for man. It is our pledge of salvation. To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting the sun from the sky. The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him. With the relenting compassion of a father’s love, Jehovah looks upon the suffering that His Son endured in order to save the race from eternal death, and accepts us in the Beloved. . . .
Through the cross we learn that the heavenly Father loves us with a love that is infinite.—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 210.
WEDNESDAY January 1
Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen
God not only loves people of His own free will, but He also invites
them to love Him in return. That God grants them the ability to freely
choose whether they will accept or reject His love is apparent in
(among other places) Christ’s parable of the wedding banquet.
Read Matthew 22:1–14. What is the meaning of this parable?
In Christ’s parable of the wedding banquet, a king arranges a marriage
for his son and sends out his servants to “ ‘call those who were
invited to the wedding,’ ” but “ ‘they were not willing to come’ ” (Matt.
22:2, 3, NKJV). More than once the king sent out his servants to call
them, but they ignored his call and, even worse, seized his servants and
killed them (Matt. 22:4–6).
Later, after dealing with those who had murdered some of his servants,
the king told his servants, “ ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were
invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as
you find, invite to the wedding’ ” (Matt. 22:8, 9, NKJV). After another
episode of a man without a wedding garment being cast out, signifying
the need to receive a wedding garment from the king to attend the
wedding banquet, Jesus closes the parable with the cryptic but highly
meaningful phrase, “ ‘Many are called, but few are chosen’ ” (Matt.
22:14, NKJV).
What does this mean? Those who are finally “chosen,” the “elect,”
are those who have accepted the Lord’s invitation to the wedding. The
term translated “call” and “invite” throughout the parable is the Greek
term kaleo (to call, invite), and what determines who is finally “elect”
(eklektos) is whether one has freely accepted the invitation.
In fact, God calls (that is, invites) everyone to the wedding feast.
However, any one of us can refuse God’s love. Freedom is essential to
love. God will never force His love on anyone. Sad to say, we can reject
having a love relationship with God.
The “elect” are those who accept the invitation. For those who love
God, God has prepared things more wonderful than anything that we
could possibly imagine. Once again, it all comes down to the question
of love and the freedom inherent in love.
What about your life reveals that you have accepted the wedding
invitation and have come appropriately clothed?
EGW Notes — WEDNESDAY ↓
Wednesday, January 1
Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen
Every man is free to choose what power he will have to rule over him. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ. The demoniac, in place of prayer, could utter only the words of Satan; yet the heart’s unspoken appeal was heard. No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded. Those who will consent to enter into covenant relation with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own nature. They are invited by the Saviour, “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.” Isaiah
27:5.—The Desire of Ages, p. 258.
The Lord God has provided a banquet for the whole human race. It is represented in the parable as a great supper where there is provided a festival for every soul. All connected with this supper may enjoy the heavenly feast, which is the gospel. This feast is open to all who will receive it. All are invited and urged to come.
All who are partakers of the wedding feast, the gospel feast, by this act say that they have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour. They wear His distinguishing dress. They have accepted the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the robe of Christ’s righteousness. Only those do honor to Christ who accept the invitation, “Come, for all things are now ready; come to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” These put on the white linen, the clean, pure character, showing that they no longer live their old citizen life that they lived in their ignorance. Their speech is changed. Their conversation is in altogether another
line.—The Upward Look, p. 304.
We should consider the great sacrifice that was made in our behalf to purchase for us the robe of righteousness woven in the loom of heaven. He has invited us to the wedding feast, and has provided for every one of us the wedding garment. The robe of righteousness has been purchased at infinite cost, and how daring is the insult to Heaven when one presents himself as a candidate for entrance at the wedding feast when wearing his own citizen’s dress of self-righteousness! How greatly he dishonors God, openly showing contempt for the sacrifice made on Calvary!
No one will taste of the marriage supper of the Lamb who has not on a wedding garment. But John writes, “. . . He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Then, before it is eternally too late, let each one go to the heavenly Merchantman for the white raiment, the eyesalve, the gold tried in the fire, and the oil of heavenly
grace.—That I May Know Him, p. 264.
THURSDAY January 2
Crucified for Us
God invites everyone into a love relationship with Him, but only
those who freely accept the invitation enjoy the eternal results. As seen
in the parable of the wedding banquet, many whom the king called
“ ‘were not willing to come’ ” (Matt. 22:3, NKJV).
Accordingly, shortly before His crucifixion, Christ lamented: “ ‘O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones
those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children
together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were
not willing!’ ” (Matt. 23:37, NKJV). Christ wanted to gather them, but
they were not willing. The same common Greek verb that means “to
will” (thelo) is used both of Christ’s wanting to save them and of their
not being willing to be saved (and the same term is in Matthew 22:3
above, as well).
Yet, Christ went to the cross for these people and for us. Amazing love!
While human sin merits death, God Himself (in Christ) paid the price and
has made a way to repair the ruptured relationship between heaven and
earth. Meanwhile, He continues to bestow His love on us, though He is
under no obligation beyond His own free commitment to do so.
Read John 10:17, 18. Compare with Galatians 2:20. What’s the message
to us here in these texts?
In the ultimate display of God’s love—the Cross—we see that Christ
gave Himself for us of His own free will. Christ laid down His life of
His “own initiative.” No one took His life from Him; He freely offered
it, according to the plan of redemption agreed upon in heaven before
the foundation of the world.
“The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated
after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of ‘the mystery which
hath been kept in silence through times eternal.’ Romans 16:25, R. V. It
was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the
foundation of God’s throne. From the beginning, God and Christ knew of
the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power
of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw
its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great
was His love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only-begotten
Son, ‘that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.’ John 3:16.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 22.
EGW Notes — THURSDAY ↓
Thursday, January 2
Crucified for Us
Christ did not come as the Jews expected. He did not come in a manner to glorify them as a nation. . . . Christ’s message was, “The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The Jews refused to receive Christ, because He did not come in accordance with their expectations. The ideas of finite men were held as infallible, because hoary with age.
This is the danger to which the church is now exposed. . . . [Many] are not willing to be deprived of the garments of their own self-righteousness. They are not willing to exchange their own righteousness, which is unrighteousness, for the righteousness of Christ, which is pure, unadulterated truth. The Holy Spirit flatters no man, neither does it work according to the devising of any man. Finite, sinful men are not to work the Holy Spirit. When it shall come as a reprover, through any human agent whom God shall choose, it is man’s place to hear and obey its
voice.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 64.
Christ died for every son and daughter of Adam; and when the Son of God has expressed such amazing love, making this great sacrifice for the sinner, in order that through faith in Him he need not perish but have everlasting life, how can the subject of this great love be indifferent and stand in sin and disobedience, and not heartily confess Christ without one moment’s delay? How can anyone love to do evil? . . . In doing the will of Him who loves the world, and who gave His only-begotten Son to die for them, they strengthen every faculty of the soul, and increase their own happiness and peace.
The Lord has greatly honored men, by giving Jesus Christ to recover them from Satan’s claims. . . . [Jesus has said,] “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Everyone who seeks to do well in his own finite strength, will find his efforts a failure; but those who accept Christ by faith, will find Him a personal
Saviour.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 291, 292.
[Christ’s] great sacrifice was not made in order to create in the Father’s heart a love for man, not to make Him willing to save. No, no! “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.” John 3:16. The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation, but He provided the propitiation because He loves us. Christ was the medium through which He could pour out His infinite love upon a fallen world. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:19. God suffered with His Son. In the agony of Gethsemane, the death of Calvary, the heart of Infinite Love paid the price of our redemption. . . .
None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Father’s love to lost
humanity.—Steps to Christ, pp. 13, 14.
FRIDAY January 3
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “ ‘To Meet the Bridegroom,’ ”
pp. 405–421, in Christ’s Object Lessons.
“It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth.
“This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, ‘O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.’ Isa. 40:9, 10.
“Those who wait for the Bridegroom’s coming are to say to the people, ‘Behold your God.’ The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.
“The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works—in words of truth and deeds of holiness.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 415, 416.
Discussion Questions:
-
Worse than the thought of there being no God would be the thought that God hated us. How different a world would we exist in if that were the truth?
-
Why do you think there is so much misunderstanding of God’s character in our world today? Think about and discuss ways that you might help people to see God’s character of love more clearly.
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What is the message that is to be proclaimed about God’s character today? How would you explain this message to someone who is not already familiar with the reality of God’s love? What evidence can you point to that shows the reality of His love and His wonderful character?
-
Talking about God’s love is one thing. Revealing and reflecting that love in our lives is another. What “deeds of holiness” might reveal God’s love to those around us?
EGW Notes — FRIDAY ↓
Friday, January 3
For Further Reading
The Acts of the Apostles, “A Faithful Under-Shepherd,” pp. 114–118;
The Story of Redemption, “Man’s Freedom of Choice,” pp. 37–39.
INSIDE STORY
Opening the Bamboo Curtain
By Andrew McChesney
Kneeling before a South Korean student, I asked if he had any prayer requests before I washed his feet during a Communion service at the Moscow International Seventh-day Adventist Church in Russia.
“Pray for North Korea,” said the student, who was studying at a Moscow university. “The gospel needs to reach the North for Jesus to return.”
With that prayer request in 2006, I learned about a special burden that Seventh-day Adventists from South Korea carry for their brothers and sisters in the North. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14, NKJV). South Korean Adventists see the North as a final frontier in the church’s mission to proclaim the gospel to the world, and today many are prayerfully seeking ways to open the Bamboo Curtain.
The Adventist Church’s work started in the North in 1904 and then spread to the South. Today, the church has 285,000 members living among 52 million in the South. But no Adventists are known to be in the North, which has a population of 26 million. Still, a trickle of information indicates that God has a people in the North, said Beom Seok Oh, a director at the Northern Asia-Pacific Division who oversees the church’s outreach to North Korea. During a trip to South Korea, he told me of a North Korean woman who drank a soy-sauce brew every Sabbath morning to get sick with a fever so she would be excused from mandatory Saturday work. When she was jailed, she smuggled a Bible into prison and buried it in the ground, furtively digging it up to read. Later, she managed to slip over the border to South Korea, where she could worship God freely. Church leaders are preparing for when the northern border will open. When it does, they intend to send missionaries into the country.
In the meantime, South Korean Adventists are caring for North Korean defectors. A deacon and his wife regularly visited a new defector, helping him clean his apartment, prepare meals, and submit government paperwork. After six months, the defector declared belief in God, said Chang-Seop Lee (pictured), pastor of the deacon and his wife’s church.
Another defector couldn’t sleep as he thought about his wife and children in the North. Pastor Lee prayed with him, and afterward, the defector acknowledged that he believed in God and had read the Bible in the North. The incident reenergized the pastor’s resolve to assist defectors. “I believe that we can expand our reach to the North by starting with the people whom we can meet today,” he said.
Pray for North Korea. Thank you for planning a generous Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on March 29 to further the spread of the gospel in the Northern Asia-Pacific Division.
Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School
mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at AdventistMission.org.
