The Lesson study is on pages 1-9 and E.G. White Comments are on pages 10-18.
Lesson 13September 17-23How Shall We Wait?
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 24.
Memory Text:“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:11-13, NIV).
For several years preceding the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the Seventh-day Adventist churches in San Francisco and Oakland, California, were buzzing. Members were involved in visiting the sick and destitute. They found homes for orphans and work for the unemployed. They nursed the sick and taught the Bible from house to house. Members distributed Christian literature and gave classes on healthful living. The churches also conducted a school for the children in the basement of the Laguna Street meetinghouse. A workingmen’s home and medical mission were maintained. They had a health-food store along with a vegetarian café. The members had started ship mission work at the local port, and their ministers conducted meetings in large halls in the city from time to time.
Ellen G. White had called these churches the two “beehives” and was thrilled by their work (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,July 5, 1906). What powerful examples of what we should and could be doing now as we await the Second Coming. Our Lord is coming back; that we know. The crucial issue for us is: What are we doing while we wait? On that answer hangs the destiny of souls.
SundaySeptember 18While We Wait for Jesus
The disciples had just been admiring the glorious scene as the sun’s rays glinted off the temple. Jesus, wanting to focus their attention on the realities facing the Christian church in the near future and the end of time, cryptically gave them a dose of reality by saying: “ 'Do you see all these things? . . . Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down’ ”(Matt. 24:2, NIV). Surprised by His comment, the disciples asked, “ 'when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ ”(Matt. 24:3, NIV). In Matthew 24:4-31, Jesus then tells them the things to expect to see unfold in the world before He returns.
In revealing the signs, Jesus warns, “ 'but the end is still to come’ ” (Matt. 24:6, NIV), and that “ 'All these are the beginning of birth pains’ ”(Matt. 24:8, NIV). The direct answer to the disciples’ question comes in verse 14. “ 'And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come’ ” (Matt. 24:14, NIV).
In this discourse, the first 35 verses in Matthew 24 motivate us to take the signs seriously, but Jesus also tells us how we are to waitfor “the end of the age”(Matt. 24:3, NIV). In other words, we just don’t sit there and wait for Him to come as we would sit at a bus stop and wait for the bus. No, we are given plenty to do as we wait for the Lord’s second advent.
ReadMatthew 24:36-25:46. Each one of these parables talks about what God’s people should be doing as they await the second coming of Jesus.
24:42. Watch therefore. The admonitions to “take heed” and to “watch” constitute the recurring theme of the chapter. To illustrate the importance of remaining alert, Jesus spoke six parables: the Porter (Mark 13:34–37), which is here condensed into one verse (Matt. 24:42), the Master of the House (vs. 43, 44), the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants (vs. 45–51), the Ten Virgins (ch. 25:1–13), the Talents (vs. 14–30), and the Sheep and the Goats (vs. 31–46). Christians are not to await their Lord’s return in idle expectancy. While waiting and watching they are to be vigilant in purifying their own souls by obedience to the truth, and to be earnest in working for others. It is their privilege “not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the day of God” (DA 633). What hour. See on v. 36. Textual evidence favors the reading “day” instead of “hour” (cf. p. 146).
43. The goodman.Gr. oikodespotēs, “master of the house” (see on ch. 21:33). In what watch. The Romans divided the night into four “watches,” a system of reckoning adopted also by the Jews. See p. 50; see on ch. 14:25. The thief. Paul (1 Thess. 5:2) and John (Rev. 3:3) also use the illustration of a thief in connection with the second coming of Jesus.
44. Be ye also ready. This is the third of the great trio of admonitions of the discourse—“take heed” (v. 4), “watch” (v. 42), “be … ready” (v. 44). “The crisis is stealing gradually upon us” (DA 636) as we go about our daily round of activities. He who sincerely looks for the coming of Jesus will be ready, whenever his Lord may appear. As ye think not. It is folly to attempt to determine the hour, day, or year of Christ’s coming (see on v. 36). Had it been necessary or desirable for the Christian to know the time, God would have made it known to him. But enough has been revealed so that he may know when the event is near. Knowing that it is near, he is called upon to watch and be ready.[1]
Summarize the essence of what the Lord is telling us here. Then we need to ask ourselves, both individually and as a church: How well are we following the Lord’s instructions for us in each of these parables? A Possible Answer: 36-41 Summary: Only the Father knows the answer to the question, all things will continue as usual until it happens. There will be a time of separation. Here, The Lord is telling us among others things that just as the Flood overtook the antediluvians by surprise while they were occupied in their usual round of activities so it will be in the last days. 42-51 Summary: Watch and be ready, while faithfully discharging one’s duties with the same mentality; being aware of the uncertainty. The Lord is telling us among others things that in the light of the uncertainty, we are to stay in a condition of watchfulness and faithful in our stewardship over all that God has placed in our hands.25:1-13 Summary: The Parable of the 10 Virgins, five wise took oil with their lamps and were able to both join the wedding procession and go with the groom into the marriage. The five foolish took only oil in their lamps and was barred form everything because of the lack of preparation: The Lord is telling us among others things thatbecause of the possibility of delay and uncertainty, making what proved to be minimal preparation is not enough though one may be aware, called and possess admirable motives. 14-30 Summary: In the Parable of the Talents (5/2/1) we have portrayed both accountability (reckoning) and reward.The Lord is telling us among others things that He has given everyone talents and each will be appropriately rewarded based on their management of that which they have been entrusted with. 31-46 Summary: The Gathering of the Nations and the subsequent invitation and separation based on how they responded to the needs of others. The Lord is telling us among others things that at His coming there will be rewarded based on how we respond to the needs of the disadvantaged.
Jesus here begins to exhort His disciples about the way His true followers will wait for Him to come again.During this period Jesus’ disciples will always be ready. They will show love, care, and respect to each other while waiting; they will stay alert, prepare ahead, and be responsiblefor their own spiritual condition. They will multiply the resources that God has placed in their hands, invest talents and money in God’s cause, respect the true character of their loving God, and care for “the least of these.”
MondaySeptember 19 Revival and Reformation While We Wait it
Read2 Peter 3:1-18.
10. With a great noise. Gr. rhoizēdon, an onomatopoeic adverb indicating the noise made by birds’ wings or by an object hurtling through the air. Peter probably uses the word to represent the sound made by roaring flames.Elements. Gr. stoicheia, “things arranged in rows,” applied to the letters of the alphabet as being set in rows; and, later, to the celestial bodies, the sun, moon, and stars (cf. on Gal. 4:3). It is probable, though not certain, that Peter here speaks of the physical elements of which our world is composed, matter that will “melt” under the cleansing fires of the last day.Melt. Gr. luō, generally translated “to loosen,” but rendered “to dissolve” in vs. 11, 12, in the sense of “to break up,” or “to break down.” The KJV idea of “to melt” is doubtless drawn from the mention of “fervent heat.”With fervent heat.Gr. kausoō, a medical term, “to be parched with fever,” hence here and in v. 12, “to burn up.” For the association of fire and heat with Christ’s appearing see on Ps. 50:3; Mal. 4:1; 2 Thess. 1:8; cf. on Rev. 20:9; etc.The earth … therein.That is, all earthly things the works of man and of nature. Burned up. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between this reading and “shall be found.” The reading of the KJV suits the context, but the alternate reading is also possible, giving the thought that the worthlessness of earthly, material things will be discovered and displayed before the universe.
11. Seeing then.In view of the certainty that every evidence of sin is to be destroyed, it behooves those who know of the impending day when the present world will be dissolved in a holocaust of fire, to be diligent that they separate every trace of sin from their thoughts and their lives. What manner of persons? Or, “what sort of men?” from an older word meaning “from what country?” Here Peter reveals that his great concern is not with events but with men, that is, with the characters of his readers. He has gone into detail about last-day events in order to bring before them the imperative need for holiness, and now devotes the remainder of his epistle to impressing this need upon them. Ought ye to be. That is, with special reference to character.In all … godliness. Literally, “in holy behaviors and godliness,” both nouns being in the plural in Greek, since Peter is making his thought as comprehensive as possible and wishes his readers to bring every part of their conduct into conformity to the highest Christian standards. For comment on “conversation” (anastrophē) see on ch. 2:7; for “godliness” (eusebeia) see on Tim. 2:2.
12. Looking for. Gr. prosdokaō, “to expect,” “to wait for,” used three times in vs. 12–14, always implying eager anticipation. The believers were ever to be on the alert for their Lord’s return (cf. on Matt. 24:42, 44).Hasting unto. Rather, “hastening,” that is, expediting the arrival of “the day of God”; or, “earnestly desiring” that day. Those who have confessed their sins can eagerly anticipate Christ’s coming and can devote their energies to spreading the gospel, thus preparing the way for His appearing (see COL 69). Coming. Gr. parousia (see on Matt. 24:3). Day of God. There is some textual evidence (cf. p. 10) for the reading “day of the Lord,” but see on v. 10, where it is suggested that “the day of the Lord” and “the day of God” are synonymous phrases. Wherein. Rather, “by reason of which,” that is, because of the coming of the day of God. Heavens. That is, the atmospheric heavens (see on v. 5). Being on fire. See on v. 10. Dissolved.Gr. luō (see on v. 10).Elements. See on v. 10.Melt. Gr. tēkō, “to make liquid,” that is, to melt. In the Greek the tense is present, giving dramatic vividness to the narrative.With fervent heat. See on v. 10. Peter has repeated his exposition of events associated with his Lord’s return in order to impress their certainty and solemnity on the minds of his readers. He now turns to happier matters that follow the dissolution of earthly things.
Summarize the teachings in this chapter that pertain to revival and reformation. How do these verses fit in with the topic we have been studying all quarter?A Possible Answer:Summary: The entire chapter deals with Christ’s Second Coming and Preparation for His Appearing. A. Reference to the testimony of prophets and apostles, 3:1, 2. B. Scoffers refuted by the facts of the Flood, 3:3–7. C. Certainty of Christ’s return, 3:8–10. D. Exhortation to holy living in anticipation of the advent, 3:11–18.
The specific parts that relates to revival and reformation arefrom Vs. 8-18. In the light of its certainty, itshappening suddenly and the climatic end of the world, every believer is to repent, bring every part of their conduct into conformity to the highest Christian standards. Conduct that is the outgrowth of total sanctification (physically/mentally/spiritually) and reflective in a Christ-like character. This is end-time revival and reformation.
This gives validity, purpose and expression to The Role of the Church in the Community. It is because of all that surrounds the 2nd coming that we have to be concerned about the community. The expression of readiness for the return of Christ will be seen in a Christ-like character (caring/compassionate/involved) exhibiting Christ-like deeds/actions/ministries to all those who are lost or without Christ.
God’s desire is that “everyone” will “come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9, NIV).Though we cannot do the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing people to repentance, we are called to reach them with the message of salvation, which, if accepted, will lead to repentance.
We too, as church members, need to be in an attitude of repentance.Repentance is part of the process of revival and reformation.Revival means to come back to life, to be renewed, restored. Reformation means to be reshaped, reformed-to be a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). “A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work.” - Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 121.
The “how should we wait” passages in yesterday’s study illustrate conditions and outcomes of revival and reformation.For example, all 10 virgins needed to be revived, awakened out of sleep (Matt. 25:1-13). The foolish virgins needed to increase their capacity for the Holy Spirit in their lives.When we humble ourselves, die to self, unselfishly pray, study God’s Word, and lovingly share it with others in word and loving deeds, we increase our capacity for an infilling of the Holy Spirit in latter rain power. However, it is possible to study the Bible for hours and still be a selfish person. We could pray for revival and the latter rain, but selfishly want it only for ourselves. Revival always leads to unselfish concern for others.When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we will be reformed into passionate, mission and service-centered disciples.
We need revival and reformation in our prayers, in Bible study, and in our focus on asking for the Holy Spirit in latter rain abundance. But as a church we also need revival and reformation in our attitudes and methods. We need revival and reformation in our attitude and actions toward “the least of these.” All this has been the focus of this quarter’s lessons.
How can we guard ourselves against complacency in regard to the second coming of Jesus?A Possible Answer:By taking heed to Jesus’s advice to constantly watch and pray. By keeping in mind that we must always be in a condition of readiness for the Lord’s return. As we stay close to Christ, we will always feel our unworthiness to the point of constantly claiming His righteousness to cover our filthiness. That is, as the years go by, how can we always keep before ourselves the reality and urgency of the Lord’s return?A Possible Answer:1) Prayerfully, recalling that it is at a time that we least expect that Jesus will come. 2) By observing the fulfilling signs of the times and seeing in them a call to readiness and completing the task of missions. 3) Constantly getting closer and closer to Jesusso that He may revive us and move us to be accountable stewards of His grace and resources. In that the closer we get to Jesus, the more we see or feel our filthiness and un-readinessfor His return. 4) Studying Biblical topics that deal with all aspects of the Lord’s return. 5) See in what we are experiencing on a daily basis, various relations to the reality and urgency of the Lord’s return.i.e. Matt. 24:4-35 and 2 Tim. 3:1-7. 6) By being alert, eagerly anticipating His return and having as an objective the “hastening,” or expediting the arrival of “the day of God”. Those who have confessed their sins can eagerly anticipate Christ’s coming and can devote their energies to spreading the gospel, thus preparing the way for His appearing.
TuesdaySeptember 20The Mission of the Church While We Wait
ReadJames 2:14-26. Faith Without Works Is Dead 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
14. What doth it profit? Literally, “What the profit?” that is, as to eternal salvation. The apostle here turns to another aspect of the practical duties of “pure religion” (see on ch. 1:27). Presumably some church members (ch. 2:1–13) were excusing their deference to the rich on the basis of a perverted use of the law of love. Other church members (vs. 14–26) seemed to excuse themselves from their Christian duty of good works by appealing to their possession of “faith.”Faith. Gr. pistis, “conviction,” “trust” (see on Heb. 11:1). Apparently, the church member in question asserts that faith can exist without works, whereas James contends that “faith” which does not result in good “works” is worthless. Genuine faith is obvious to others from the “works” it produces; its existence does not rest on mere personal testimony. The man who claims “faith” without “works” may be compared with the man who thinks himself to be religious (cf. James 1:26) but fails to manifest the deeds of “pure religion.” Works.In chs. 1 and 2 the apostle has stressed the importance of Christian deeds. He now directly confronts those who neglect the duties of “pure religion” (cf. ch. 1:27) under the pretense of faith. Here, in common with the writings of Paul (see on Rom. 2:6–10), the epistle of James stresses the necessity of both faith and works in a genuine Christian experience. Works become the conduct of a converted life—deeds that spring forth spontaneously because of the motivation of faith. Can faith. Literally, “can the faith [that is, faith without works].” The Greek makes clear that James expects a negative answer: “No, of course not.” Faith that does not find expression in habitual good deeds will never save any man, but neither will good deeds without genuine faith (see on Rom. 3:28). If. James cites a common situation that frequently tests the genuineness of a church member’s faith.