§EVENTH DAY ADVENTIST REFORM MOVEMENT

GENERAL CONFERENCE
P. O. BOX 312
BLACKWOOD, N. J. 08012

Revival of
Primitive
Godliness

Adult Division, Fourth Quarterly, 1974

 LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER

1. A Revival Prophesied Among God's People

2. A Call to Reformation

3. Separation from the World and Its Friendship

4. Separation from the World and Its Lusts

5. Separation from the World, Its Habits

and Practices

6. Our Faith is the Victory that Overcometh

the World

7. Submission to God - Consecration of

the Heart

8. Submission to God - Sanctified Thoughts

9. Surrender to God - Sanctified Words

10. Surrender to God - A Sanctified Body

11. Surrender to God - Gifts and Offerings

12. Surrender to God - Laboring Together

with God

13. Preparation for the End

Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly "Revival of Primitive Godliness" for October-December 1974,
is published in the U.S.A. by the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement General Confer-
ence. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 312, Blackwood, NJ 08012, U.S.A. When a change of address
is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses.

-2-
 000 000 000 321
GC Library

FOREWORD

In the days of ancient Israel, the time came when the Holy Spirit im-
pressed the minds of the people to renew their covenant with the Lord. "And
they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all
their heart and with all their soul; .,. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath:
for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole
desire; and He was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round
about." II Chron. 15 :12,15. Today, the Spirit of God is also moving upon the
hearts of His people to do a similar work without delay. The lessons pre-
pared for this quarter show us what the Lord expects from us and how we
should renew our covenant with Him.

As we are drawing ever closer to the end, more stress should be laid on
our urgent need to seek the Lord with all our heart and with all our soul, to
fulfill all the duties required of us, and to carry out the commission which
has been entrusted to us. The Lord wants us to be ready to receive the prom-
ised power - the latter rain - for the finishing of His work.

Therefore, as these lessons are studied - particularly when we reach

lesson 12: "Laboring Together with God" - we recommend that the be-
lievers counsel together and hold seasons of prayer in the churches and
groups, that the Lord may work powerfully through His people, giving them
wisdom and strength to fulfill this prophetic description:

" ... The church of God is to hold high her holy ensign, proclaiming the
fact to the world that she has been chosen of God out of the world. that
through grace and truth she may be in the world, but not of it. A mere pro-
fession of godliness, a name registered on the church-books, does not consti-
tute one a child of God. To be a true Christian, it is necessary to be renewed
in knowledge and true holiness, to come out from the world, and be separate
and distinct from its customs and spirit." - Review and Herald, February
13, 1894.
•
May the present lessons serve to bring us nearer to the Lord and to His
purpose both for the church and for each one of His children individually!

GENERAL CONFERENCE SABBATH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

-3-
 The Blessing of Daily Study

"Every day some portion of time should be

appropriated to the study of the lessons, not
merely in learning to mechanically repeat the
words, while the mind does not comprehend the
meaning; but to go to the very foundation, and
become familiar with what is brought out in the
lessons." - Counsels on Sabbath School Work,
page 53.

-4-
LESSON 1 SABBATH, OCTOBER 5, 1974

A REVIVAL PROPHESIED AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE

KEY TEXT: "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, 0 Zion; put on thy beau-
tiful garments, 0 Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth
there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the
unclean." (Isaiah 52:1).

A PROMISE AND A DUTY o Sunday

September 29

1. What promise did the Lord give His church for the latter days? Isaiah
62:1-3, 6, 7.

" .•. Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there
will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness
as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of
God will be poured out upon His children... ." - Great Controversy, p. 464.

2. What is the duty of the watchmen who have been placed by God on the
walls of Zion? Ezekiel 3:17.

"It is the privilege of the watchmen on the walls of Zion to live so near
to God, and to be so susceptible to the impressions of His Spirit, that He
can work through them to tell sinners of their peril, and point them to the
place of safety. Chosen of God, sealed with the blood of consecration, they
are to rescue men and women from impending destruction. Faithfully are
they to warn their fellow-men of the sure result of transgression, and faith-
fully are ther to safeguard the interests of the church. At no time may they
relax their VIgilance. Theirs is a work requiring the exercise of every faculty
of the being. In trumpet tones their voices are to be lifted. and never should
they sound one wavering, uncertain note... ." - Gospel Workers. p. 15.

A WORK OF PREPARATION (I) o Monday

September 30

3. What work had to be done to prepare the people for the first corning of
the Saviour? What similar work will take place before the Lord appears
the second time? Isaiah 40 :3-5..; 58:1; 57 :14.

"... 'Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall
be made low.' When the Spirit of God, with its marvelous awakening power,
touches the soul, it abases human pride. Worldly pleasure and position and
power are seen to be worthless. 'Imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God' are cast down; every thought
is brought into captivity 'to the obedience of Christ.' 2 Cor. 10 :5. Then
humility and self-sacrificing love, so little valued among men, are exalted

-5-
as alone of worth. This is the work of the gospel, of which John's message
was a part." - Desire of Ages, p. 135.
"... 'This is the very message that must be given to our people; we are
near the end of time, and the message is, Clear the King's highway; gather
out the stones; raise up a standard for the people. The people must be
awakened. It is no time now to cry peace and safety. Weare exhorted to
'cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people
their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. (Isa. 58:1)."-Selected
Messages, vol. 1, p. 410.

4. What stumbling blocks must be cleared out of the way? Isaiah 58:6-10.

"There are sins of this same character among us today, and they bring
the rebuke of God upon His church. Wherever such sins are found, seasons
of fasting and prayer are indeed necessary; but they must be accompanied
with sincere repentance and decided reformation. Without such contrition
of soul, these seasons only increase the guilt of the wrongdoer. The Lord
has specified the fast that He has chosen, the one He will accept. It is that
which bears fruit to His glory, in repentance, in devotion, in true piety....
"In the fast that God has chosen, mercy, tenderness, and compassion
will be exercised. Avarice will be put away, and fraud and oppression will
be repented of and renounced. All the authority and influence will be used
to help the poor and oppressed...." - Review and Herald, October 13, 1891.
[Also 4BC1150]

A WORK OF PREPARATION (II) o Tuesday

October 1

5. What appeal of the Lord will be heeded by all those who have firmly
decided to follow Him more faithfully? Joel 2:12, 13; Acts 3:19, 20.

6. What task will the faithful messengers fulfill with regard to the church?
Joel 2:15-17.

"There is before the church the dawn of a bright, glorious day, if she
will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness, withdrawing from all alle-
giance to the world.
"The members of the church need now to confess their backslidings and
press together. My brethren, allow nothing to come in that will separate you
from one another or from God. Talk not of differences of opinion, but unite
in the love of the truth as it is in Jesus. Come before God, and plead the
shed blood of the Saviour as a reason why you should receive help in the
warfare against evil. You will not plead in vain. As you draw near to God,
with heartfelt contrition and in full assurance of faith, the enemy who seeks
to destroy you will be overcome.
"Turn to the Lord, ye prisoners of hope. Seek strength from God, the
living God. Show an unwavering, humble faith in His power and His will-
ingness to save. From Christ is flowing the living stream of salvation. He
is the Fountain of life, the Source of all power. When in faith we take hold

-6-
0:1; His strength, He will change, wonderfully change, the most hopeless,
discouraging outlook. He will do this for the glory of His name." - Testi-
monies for the Church, vol. 8, PP. 11, 12.

A PARTIAL RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF GOD D Wednesday

October 2

7. Will the faithful messengers enjoy the success of their work? Isaiah 52 :8.

8. How will God's church respond to the call to repentance and conversion?
Isaiah 10 :20-22.

"... Are we hoping to see the whole church revived? That time will
never come." - Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 122.

9. What is said of the "remnant"? Isaiah 4:2, 3; Zephaniah 3:12,13.

NEW COVENANT PROVISIONS D Thursday

October 3

10. What promise of the new covenant will be fulfilled in them? Jeremiah
31 :31-34; Ezekiel 36 :25-28.

11. What then will be the condition of the remnant? What glorious new
name will they bear from then onward? Jeremiah 33 :16.

REVIEW D Friday
October 4

Notes On This Lesson:

-7-
LESSON 2 SABBATH, OCTOBER 12, 1974

A CALL TO REFORMATION

KEY TEXT: "Therefore thus will I do unto thee, 0 Israel: and because I
will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, 0 Israel."
(Amos 4:12).

REVIVAL AND REFORMATION (1) o Sunday

October 6

1. According to prophecy, what is to take place in these last days? Ma-

lachi 4:5, 6.

2. In what way can this work be accomplished? Malachi 4:4; Zechariah

12 :10 (first part).

"The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place. When
this reformation begins, the spirit of prayer will actuate every believer and
will banish from the church the spirit of discord and strife. Those who have
not been living in Christian fellowship will draw close to one another. One
member working in right lines will lead other members to unite with him
in making intercession for the revelation of the Holy Spirit. There will be
no confusion, because all will be in harmony with the mind of the Spirit.
The barriers separating believer from believer will be broken down, and
God's servants will speak the same things. The Lord will co-operate with
His servants...." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 251.

REVIVAL AND REFORMATION (II) o Monday

October 7

3. Which two things must go hand in hand in the conversion of the church?
Under whose leadership must they stand? Zechariah 4:6.

" ... God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Un-
less this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more
abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His
children.
•
"A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration
of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival
signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and
heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorgan-
ization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation
will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected
with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their ap-
pointed work, and in doing this work they must blend." - Selected Mes-
sages, vol. 1, p. 128.

-8-
4. Why are revival and reformation especially important for God's people
today? II Peter 3 :10-12.

"Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the

world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make
by diligently studying the word of God and striving to conform their lives
to its precepts. The tremendous issues of eternity demand of us something
besides an imaginary religion, a religion of words and forms, where truth
is kept in the outer court. God calls for a revival and a reformation...."
- Prophets and Kings, p. 626.

A SPECIAL WORK D Tuesday

October 8

5. What special work of reformation has been entrusted to God's remnant

people? Isaiah 58 :12.

"Here are given the characteristics of those who shall be reformers,

who will bear the banner of the third angel's message, those who avow
themselves God's commandment-keeping people, and who honor, and are
earnestly engaged, in the sight of all the universe. in building up the old
waste places. Who is it that calls them, The repairers of the breach. The
restorers of paths to dwell in? It is God. Their names are registered in
heaven as reformers, restorers, as raising the foundations of many gener-
ations." - SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1151.

6. In what does their special task consist? Isaiah 58:13; Revelation 14:6-12.

"In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. The
breach made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, is
to be repaired. God's remnant people, standing before the world as re-
formers, are to show that the law of God is the foundation of all enduring
reform and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand as a
memorial of creation, a constant reminder of the power of God. In clear,
distinct lines they are to p,resent the necessity of obedience to all the pre-
cepts of the Decalogue.... ' - Prophets and Kings, p. 678.

TOWARD THE CLIMAX D Wednesday

October 9

7. When only can we be used as instruments of the Lord in this last great
work? How only can a true reformation be accomplished? What must
be understood? John 17:17; I Thessalonians 5:23.

"... As the light of truth is received and followed out. it will work an
entire reformation in the life and character of all those who are sanctified
through it." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 60.

-9-
8. With what great work will this prophesied reformation reach its climax?
Revelation 18 :1, 4.

"In the visions of the night, representations passed before me of a

great reformatory movement among God's people. Many were praising God.
The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of inter-
cession was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost.
Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before
them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors
were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be
lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the
true and humble people of God. I heard voices of thanksgiving and praise,
and there seemed to be a reformation such as we witnessed in 1844."-
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 126.
"The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the 'for-
mer rain' was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening
of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the 'latter
rain' will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest...." - Great
Controversy, p. 611.

UNDER THE LAODICEAN DECEPTION o Thursday

October 10

9. Who will not take part in this work? Revelation 3:15-17.

"There is to be in the churches a wonderful manifestation of the power

of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves
before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repen-
tance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the
glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they
think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will
brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to
their ideas and expectations, they will oppose the work. 'Why,' they say,
'should not we know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so
many years?' - Because they did not respond to the warnings, the en-
treaties of the messages of God, but persistently said. 'I am rich, and in-
creased with goods, and have need of nothing.' ..." - Review and Herald,
December 23, 1890.

REVIEW o Friday
October 11

Notes On This Lesson:

-10-
LESSON 3 SABBATH, OCTOBER 19, 1974

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD AND ITS FRIENDSHIP

KEY TEXT: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friend-
ship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore
will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4).

GOD'S PURPOSE FOR HIS CHILDREN o Sunday

October 13

1. What command did Abraham receive from the Lord and why? Gene-
sis 12:1.

"... In order that God might qualify him for his great work as the
keeper of the sacred oracles, Abraham must be separated from the associ-
ations of his early life. The influence of kindred and friends would interfere
with the training which the Lord purposed to give His servant. Now that
Abraham was, in a special sense, connected with heaven, he must dwell
among strangers. His character must be peculiar, differing from all the
world...." - Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 126.

2. What has always been God's purpose for His children? Deuteronomy 7 :6,
I Peter 2:9.

GOD'S PEOPLE TO BE SEPARATED o Monday

FROM THE GODLESS October 14

3. What did God require of His people under the old covenant in order that
they should attain to His purpose? Exodus 34:11-15.

4. On what special point was a strict line of separation drawn and why?
Deuteronomy 7 :3, 4.

"God strictly forbade the intermarrying of His ancient people with

other nations. The plea is now offered that this prohibition was made in
oruer to prevent the Hebrews rom marrying idolators and forming con-
nections with heathen families. But the heathen were in a more favorable
condition than are the impenitent in this age, who, having the light of truth,
yet persistently refuse to accept it. The sinner of today is far more guilty
than the heathen, because the light of the gospel shines clearly all around
him. He violates conscience and is a deliberate enemy of God. The reason
which God assigned for forbidding these marriages was: 'For they will turn
away thy son from following Me.' Those among ancient Israel who ventured
to disregard the prohibition of God did it at the sacrifice of religious prin-
ciple.•. ." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 508.

-11-
FIRM POSITION AGAINST MIXED MARRIAGES o Tuesday
October 15

5. How was the transgression of this clear command always regarded by

His faithful servants? Ezra 9:1-6; Nehemiah 13:23-27.

6. In what way, during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, was a reformation
called for and carried through? Ezra 10 :1-4, 10-12.

UNDER THE NEW COVENANT o Wednesday

October 16

7. What may we know concerning God's requirements under the new cov-
enant? Psalms 89:34; James 1:17.

8. What is the unmistakable instruction of the Lord to His children in this

our day? II Corinthians 6:14-18.

" ... Separation from the friendship and spirit of the world is needful
for us if we would be united to the Lord and abide in Him. Our strength
and our prosperity consist in our being connected with the Lord, chosen and
accepted of Him. There can be no union between light and darkness. God
intends that His people shall be a peculiar people, separate from the world,
and be living examples of holiness, that the world may be enlightened, con-
victed, or condemned, according as they treat the light given them....
"... The true followers of Christ cannot enjoy the friendship of the
world and at the same time have their life hid with Christ...." - Testi-
monies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 689, 690.

A GREAT DANGER o Thursday

October 17
9. Into what great danger do Christians bring themselves when they seek
the friendship of worldlings? Can such a friendship be permanent?
Amos 3:3.

" ... The Bible plainly teaches that there can be no harmony between
the people of God and the world.... Satan works through the ungodly, under
cover of a pretended friendship, to allure God's people into sin, that he may
separate them from Him; and when their defense is removed, then he will
lead his agents to turn against them and seek to accomplish their destruc-
tion." - Patriarchs and Pr'ophets, p. 559.
•
10. What danger should Christian parents recognize in allowing friendly
associations with their unbelieving relatives to become too intimate?
I Corinthians 15 :33.

"... Many invite to their homes relatives who are vain, trifling, and
ungodly; and often the example and influence of these irreligious visitors
produce lasting impressions upon the minds of the children in the house-

-12-
hold. The influence thus exerted is similar to that which resulted from the
association of the Hebrews with the godless Canaanites.
"God holds the parents accountable for disregarding His command to
separate themselves and their families from these unholy influences.... The
friendship of the ungodly is more dangerous than their enmity. It misleads
and destroys thousands who might, by proper and holy example. be led to
become children of God. The minds of the young are thus made familiar
with irreligion, vanity, ungodliness, pride, and immorality; and the heart
not shielded by divine grace, gradually becomes corrupted. Almost imper-
ceptibly, the youth learn to love the tainted atmosphere surrounding the
ungodly. Evil angels gather about them, and they lose their relish for that
which is pure, refined, and ennobling." - SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2,
p. 1001.

11. What does the Lord call those who do not obey His command to sepa·
rate from the w'orld? James 4:4.

" ... But the Lord is dishonored and His cause reproached by His peo-
ple's being in bondage to the world. They are in friendship with the world,
the enemies of God. Their only hope of salvation is to separate from the
world and zealously maintain their separate, holy, and peculiar character.
Oh! why will not God's people comply with the conditions laid down in His
word? ..." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 443, 444.

REVIEW o Friday
October 18

Noles On This Lesson:

-13-
LESSON 4 SABBATH, OCTOBER 26, 1974

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD AND ITS LUSTS

n:EY TEXT: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious
promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust." (II Peter 1 :4).

A SERIOUS WARNING o Sunday

October 20

1. What earnest warning is given us by the apostle John? I John 2:15.

"The love of the world separates from God. 'If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.' It is impossible for any to discern the
truth while the world has their affections. The world comes between them
and God, beclouding the vision and benumbing the sensibilities to such a
degree that it is impossible for them to discern sacred things.... They are
men of two minds, loving the world and losing all sense of their obligation
to God, and yet professing to be Christ's followers. They are neither the one
thing nor the other. They will lose both worlds unless they cleanse their
hands and purify their hearts through obedience to the pure principles of
truth...." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 530, 531.

2. Against which three things are we especially warned? I John 2:16.

"It is worldly lust that is destroying true godliness. Love of the world
and the things that are in the world is separating from the Father. The
passion for earthly gain is increasing among those who profess to be look-
ing for the soon appearing of our Saviour. The lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eye, and the pride of life control even professed Christians. They are
seeking for the things of the world with avaricious lust, and many will sell
eternal life for unholy gain." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, P. 531.

NO ROOM FOR THE WORKS OF THE FLESH o Monday

October 21

3. Where do temptations come from and where do they lead those who yield
to them? James 1 :13-15.

4. Into what sins do the lusts of the flesh lead? Galatians 5:19-21.

5. How did Jesus show that the requirements of God extend beyond the
letter of the law? Matt. 5:27, 28.

-14-
 " 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.'
"This commandment forbids not only acts of impurity, but sensual
thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite them. Purity is
demanded not only in the outward life but in the secret intents and emotions
of the heart. Christ, who taught the far-reaching obligation of the law of
God, declared the evil thought or look to be as truly sin as is the unlawful
deed." - Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 308.

MODESTY VERSUS PRIDE o Tuesday

October 22

6. Whose attitude and deportment plays an important role? I Peter 3:1-4.

"Our sisters should encourage true meekness; they should not be for-
ward, talkative, and bold, but modest and unassuming, slow to speak. They
may cherish courteousness. To be kind, tender, pitiful, forgiving, and humble,
would be becoming and well pleasing to God. If they occupy this position
they will not be burdened with undue attention from gentlemen in the church
or out. All will feel that there is a sacred circle of purity around these God-
fearing women, which shields them from any unwarrantable liberties.
"With some women professing godliness, there is a careless, coarse free-
dom of manner which leads to wrong and evil... ." - Testimonies for the
Church, vol. 2, p. 456.

7. What admonition was the Lord obliged to give to the people of Israel?
Hosea 7:10.

SELF-DENIAL IN TIMES OF IMMODEST o Wednesday

FASHION October 23

8. What other sin is closely connected with pride, and often in the history of
God's people brought upon them the judgments of God? Isaiah 3 :16-26.

"I saw that the ax must be laid at the root of the tree. Such pride
should not be suffered in the church. It is these things that separate God
from His people, that shut the ark away from them. Israel have been asleep
to the pride, and fashion, and conformity to the world, in the very midst of
them. They advance every month in pride, covetousness, selfishness, and
love of the world.... And as soon as any have a desire to imitate the
fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon
God ceases to acknowledge them as His children. They are the children of
the world and of darkness.•• ." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1,
pp. 136, 137. •

9. What should we do in this respect? Luke 9:23; Galatians 5:24.

"Do not, my sisters, trifle longer with your own souls and with God.
I have been shown that the main cause of your backsliding is your love of
dress. This leads to the neglect of grave responsibilities, and you find your-
selves with scarcely a spark of the love of God in your hearts. Without

-15-
delay, renounce the cause of your backsliding, because it is sin against YOul'
own soul and against God. Be not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of
our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist
churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people
from God.... All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the
word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline....
"There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted
our church members to dress in a manner inconsistent with their faith. We
must arise at once and close the door against the allurements of fashion.
Unless we do this, our churches will become demoralized." - Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 4, pp. 647, 648.

POWER TO OVERCOME o Thursday

October 24

10. What will we be' able to do if we ask the Lord for strength?
Romans 8:37.

11. Who overcame in all these things and thereby set us a worthy exam-
ple? Luke 4:3-12.

" ... With this terrible weight of guilt upon Him because of our sins He
withstood the fearful test upon appetite, and upon love of the world and
of honor, and pride of display which leads to presumption. Christ endured
these three great leading temptations and overcame in behalf of man, work-
ing out for him a righteous character, because He lmew man could not do
this of himself. He knew that upon these three points Satan was to assail
the race. He had overcome Adam, and he designed to carry forward his work
till he completed the ruin of man. Christ entered the field in man's behalf
to conquer Satan for him because he saw that man could not overcome on
his own account. Christ prepared the way for the ransom of man by His
own life of suffering, self-denial, and self-sacrifice, and by His humiliation
and final death. He brought help to man that he might, by following Christ's
example, overcome on his own account, as Christ has overcome for him."
- Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 372.

REVIEW o Friday
October 25

Notes On This Lesson:

-16-
LESSON 5 SABBATH, NOVEMBER 2, 1974

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD, ITS HABITS AND PRACTICES

KEY TEXT: "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out
of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and
that ye receIve not of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4).

WRITTEN FOR OUR INSTRUCTION o Sunday

October 27
1. What had the Israelites to do in order to be spared by the destroying
angel who went forth to smite all the first-born in Egypt? What mean-
ing has this for the present time? Exodus 12 :21-23; Ezekiel 9 :4-6.

"When God was about to smite the first-born of Egypt, He commanded

the Israelites to gather their children from among the Egyptians into their
own dwellings and strike their dOOlllosts with blood, that the destroying
angel might see it and pass over their homes. It was the work of the parents
to gather in their children. This is your work, this is my work. and the work
of every mother who believes the truth. The angel is to place a mark upon
the forehead of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroy-
ing angel will follow, to slay utterly both old and young." - Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 5, p. 505.

2. What message of the Lord's servant is closely connected with this, even
more especially today?

"This experience of the Israelites was written for the instruction of

those who should live in the last days. Before the overflowing scourge shall
come upon the dwellers of the earth, the Lord calls upon all who are Israel-
ites indeed to prepare for that event. To parents He sends the warning cry:
Gather your children into your own houses; gather them away from those
who are disregarding the commandments of God, who are teaching and
practicing evil. Get out of the large cities as fast as possible...." - Testi-
monies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 195.
"Let children no longer be exposed to the temptations of the cities that
are ripe for destruction. The Lord has sent us warning and counsel to get
out of the cities. Then let us make no more investments in the cities. Fathers
and mothers, how do you regard the souls of your children? Are you prepar-
ing the members of your families for translation into the heavenly courts?
Are you preparin~ them to become members of the royal family? Children
of the heavenly Kmg? 'What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul?' (Mark 8:36). How will ease, comfort, conven-
ience, compare with the value of the souls of your children?" - Selected
Messages, vol. 2, p. 355.

OUT OF THE CITIES o Monday

October 28

3. What incident in patriarchal times has been recorded as a warning for

us to shun the cities? Genesis 19 :15-26.

-17-
 "The angels of mercy hurried Lot and his wife and daughters by taking
hold of their hands. Had Lot hastened as the Lord desired him to. his wife
would not have become a pillar of salt. Lot had too much of a lingering
spirit. Let us not be like him. The same voice that warned Lot to leave
Sodom bids us, 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate.... and
touch not the unclean' (II Cor. 6 :17). Those who obey this warninl{ will find
a refuge. Let every man be wide awake for himself, and try to save his
family...." - Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 354.

4. For what reason does God desire that His people should leave the cities?
Genesis 18 :20; Revelation 18 :5.

"These cities are filled with wickedness of every kind - with strikes
and murders and suicides. Satan is in them, controlling men in their work
of destruction. Under his influence they kill for the sake of killing, and this
they will do more and more....
"If we place ourselves under objectionable influences, can we expect
God to work a miracle to undo the results of our wrong course? - No, in-
deed " - Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 356.
" The customs and practices in the cities unfit the minds of the youth
for the entrance of truth. The liquor-drinking, the smoking and gambling,
the horse racing, the theater going, the great importance placed upon holi-
days, - are all a species of idolatry, a sacrifice upon idol altars...."-Fun-
damentals of Christian Education, p. 312.

THE ROLE OF HOME RELIGION o Tuesday

October 29

5. What is usually connected with all the worldly, and also the so-called
Christian festivals? Why is it wrong for God's people to take part in
them? I Corinthians 10:7.

"... This day [Christmas] is generally spent in feasting and gluttony.

Large sums of money are spent in needless self-indulgence. The appetite
and sensual pleasures are indulged at the expense of physical, mental and
moral power. Yet this has become a habit...." - Messages to Young Peo-
ple, p. 311.
"... These holidays, with all their train of evil, result in twentyfold more
misery than good.... Even persons who have been truly converted find it
difficult to break away from these customs and practices....
"Entire families are in need of thorough transfonnation in their habits
and ideas before they can be true representatives of Jesus Christ...." -
Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 312, 313.

6. What counsel and decision should all Christian parents adopt? Joshua
24:14, 15.

"Religion in the home - what will it not accomplish? It will do the

very work that God designed should be done in every family. Children will

-18-
be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They will be edu-
cated and trained, not to be society devotees, but members of the Lord's
family. They will not be sacrificed to Moloch. Parents will become willing
subjects of Christ.... They will not allow themselves to be absorbed with
the customs of the world. They will not give themselves up to parties, con-
certs, dances, to give feasts and attend feasts, because after this manner
do the Gentiles." - SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1039.

WORLDLY INFLUENCE OF THE o Wednesday

POPULAR HOLIDAYS October 30

7. What counsel should we heed in regard to giving presents at the holiday

seasons? Who has a greater claim to our means? Psalms 96:7. 8; II Cor-
inthians 9 :9.

"The holidays are approaching. In view of this fact, it will be well to

consider how much money is expended yearly in making presents to those
who have no need of them. The habits of custom are so strong that to with-
hold gifts from our friends on these occasions would seem to us almost a
neglect of them. But let us remember that our heavenly Benefactor has
claims upon us far superior to those of any earthly friends. Shall we not,
during the coming holidays, present our offerings to God? Even the chil-
dren may participate in this work. Clothing and other useful articles may
be given to the worthy poor, and thus a work may be done for the Master."
- Messages to Young People, p. 311.

8. What should we always keep in mind when we find it difficult to under-

take a strict SeI)aration from the world? I John 2 :17.

THE MAIN OBJECT OF ALL OUR AFFECTIONS o Thursday

October 31

9. For our eternal security, where should our attention be centered? Colos-
sians 3 :2-4.

"As the truth is brought into practical life, the standard is to be ele-
vated higher and higher, to meet the requirements of the Bible. This will
necessitate opposition to the fashions, customs, practices, and maxims of
the world. Worldly influences, like the waves of the sea, beat against the
followers of Christ to sweep them away from the true principles of the
meekness and grace of Christ; but they are to stand as firm as a rock to
principle. It will require moral courage to do this, and those whose souls
are not riveted to the eternal Rock, will be swept away by the worldly cur-
rent. We can stand firm only ~ our life is hid with Christ in God. Moral
independence will be wholly in place when opposing the world. By conform-
ing entirely to the will of God, we shall be placed upon vantage ground,
and shall see the necessity of decided separation from the customs and prac-
tices of the world. We are not to elevate our standard just a little above the
world's standard; but we are to make the line of demarcation decidedly
apparent." - Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 288, 289.

REVIEW o Friday
November 1

-19-
LESSON 6 SABBATH, NOVEMBER 9, 1974

OUR FAITH IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD

KEY TEXT: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my
throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my
Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:21).

PROFESSING AND DOING o Sunday

November 3

1. Why are we called upon to give up the world and all that is in it? Whom
alone should we serve? Deuteronomy 10:12; Luke 4:8.

"If we would be spiritual worshipers of Jesus Christ, we must sacrifice

every idol and fully obey the first four commandments.... The first four
commandments allow no separation of the affections from God. Nor is any-
thing allowed to divide, or share, our supreme delight in Him. Whatever
divides the affections, and takes away from the soul supreme love to God,
assumes the form of an idol. Our carnal hearts would cling to our idols and
seek to carry them along; but we cannot advance until we put them away,
for they separate us from God...." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1,
p. 289.

2. What should we know concerning those who merely profess the truth
while their hearts cherish earthly things? What must be done? Mat-
thew 7:21.

"A profession of tl1lth is of no value unless the soul grasps fast the
principles, ... The wild, trailing vince which lies prone on the ground, catches
at twigs and stumps, and fastens its tendrils about the things of the earth;
and in order to have it twine about a proper support, its tendrils must be
cut loose from the false supports to which it has attached itself. So it is
with the soul. Earthly supports must be removed, and the thoughts and
affections must be trained to find their support in God." - Review and
Herald, November 20, 1894.

READY TO MAKE SACRIFICES o Monday

November 4

3. What conflict is involved in separ3tion from the world and unity with
God? Hebrews 12 :4.

" ... But this union costs us something. It is a union of utter depen-
dence, to be entered into by a proud being. All who form this union must
feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of
heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There will be a
stl1lgg1e with outward and internal obstacles. There must be a painful work
of detachment, as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity,

-20-
worldliness - sin in' all its forms --.: must be overcome, if we would enter
into a union with Christ...." - Messages to Young People, p. 118.

4. With what does the Saviour compare the greatness of this sacrifice
which must. sometimes be made for the sake of our salvation? Mat-
thew 5 :29, 30.

" ... The path to heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our
Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hin-
ders our religious life must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must
be sacrificed if it cause us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own
wisdom and to receive the kingdom of heaven as a little child? Are we will-
ing to part with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen
worldly associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men?
The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put forth efforts and
make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to be attained?"
- Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 222.

HELP FOR THE CONFLICT o Tuesday

November 5

5. Why is the conflict against sin and the world so difficult? Ephesians 6 :22.

6. What encouragement does Christ give us for this conflict? John 16:33.

"... The life of Christ's disciples is to be like His, a series of uninter-

rupted victories - not seen to be such here, but recognized as such in the
great hereafter." - Gospel Workers, p. 515.

FAITH AND PRAYER o Wednesday

November 6

7. On what does our victory over the world depend? I John 5:4; I Thes-
salonians 5 :17.

"True faith and true prayer-how strong they are! They are as two
arms by which the human suppliant lays hold upon the power of Infinite
Love. Faith is trusting in God, - believing that He loves us, and knows what
is for our best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose
His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our
weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness...."
- Gospel Workers, p. 259.

GAINING THE VICTORY o Thursday

November 7

8. What is necessary in our life so that we may recognize the transiency

of this world and the value of the future? John 3:3.

-21-
 " ... It is not a small matter to transform an earthly, sin-loving mind
and bring it to understand the unspeakable love of Christ, the charms of
His grace, and the excellency of God, so that the soul shall be imbued with
divine love and captivated with the heavenly mysteries. When he under-
stands these things, his former life appears disgusting and hateful. He hates
sin, and, breaking his heart before God, he embraces Christ as the life and
joy of the soul. He renounces his former pleasures. He has a new mind,
new affections, new interest, new will; his sorrows. and desires, and love
are all new. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life,
which have heretofore been preferred before Christ, are now turned from,
and Christ is the charm of his life, the crown of his rejoicing. Heaven, which
once possessed no charms, is now viewed in its riches and glory; and he
contemplates it as his future home, where he shall see, love, and praise
the One who hath redeemed him by His precious blood " - Testimonies for
the Church, vol. 2, p. 294.

9. How complete will be the transformation in the hearts of those who

accept Christ and relinquish the world? II Corinthians, 5 :17; Philip-
pians 3 :7, 8.

"The works of holiness, which appeared wearisome are now his delight.
The word of God, which was dull and uninteresting, is now chosen as his
study, the man of his counsel. It is as a letter written to him from God,
bearing the inscription of the Eternal. His thoughts, his words, and his
deeds are brought to this rule and tested. He trembles at the commands
and threatenings which it contains, while he firmly grasps its promises and
strengthens his soul by appropriating them to himself. The society of the
most godly is now chosen by him, and the wicked, whose company he once
loved, he no longer delights in. He weeps over those sins in them at which
he once laughed. Self-love and vanity are renounced, and he lives unto God,
and is rich in good works. This is the sanctification which God requires.
Nothing short of this will He accept." - Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 2, pp. 294, 295.

REVIEW o Friday
November 8

Notes On This Lesson:

-22-
LESSON 7 SABBATH, NOVEMBER 16, 1974

SUBMISSION TO GOD - CONSECRATION OF THE HEART

KEY TEXT: "My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My
ways." (Proverbs 23:26).

OUR MAIN GOAL o Sunday

November 10

1. What is God's desire for His children whom He has separated from the
world? Matthew 5:48; I Peter 1:15, 16; I Thessalonians 4:3 (first part).

2. Where must this work begin? Proverbs 4:23.

" ... There are many who try to reform by correcting this or that bad
habit, and they hope in this way to become Christians. but they are begin-
ning in the wrong place. Our first work is with the heart.
"A profession of faith and the possession of truth in the soul are two
different things. The mere knowledge of truth is not enoug-h. We may pos-
sess this, but the tenor of our thoughts may not be changed. The heart must
be converted and sanctified." - Christ's Object Lessons, p. 97.

OUR HEART o Monday

November 11

3. To whom must we give our heart so that the work of transformation may
be accomplished? What must take place before this? Proverbs 23 :26.

" ... Man must be emptied of self before he can be, in the fullest sense,
a believer in Jesus. When self is renounced. then the Lord can make man a
new creature... ." - Desire of Ages, p. 280.
"... But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for
Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord,
take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for
I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchrist-
like self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere,
where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul." - Christ's
Object Lessons, p. 159.

4. How is the human heart by nature? Through what alone can it be puri-
fied? Jeremiah 17 :9.

"... By nature the heart is evil, ... There is no safety for one who has
merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian's life is not a
modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature.
There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change
can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit."-
Desire of Ages, p. 172.

-23-
A NEW HEART o Tuesday
November 12

5. In what parable is the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart strikingly
portrayed? Matthew 13 :33.

H... The leaven - something wholly from without - must be put into
the meal before the desired change can be wrought in it. So the grace of
God must be received by the sinner before he can be fitted for the kingdom
of glory. All the culture and education which the world can give will fail
of making a degraded child of sin a child of heaven. The renewing energy
must come from God. The change can be made only by the Holy Spirit. All
who would be saved, high or low, rich or poor, must submit to the working
of this power.
HAs the leaven, when mingled with the meal, works from within out-
ward, so it is by the renewing of the heart, that the grace of God works to
transform the life...." - Christ's Object Lessons, PP. 96, 97.

6. What divine promise in the New Testament is closely connected with this
subject? What does "a new heart" mean? Ezekiel 36 :26.

"When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the
whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from
the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a
new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?
- a changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride."
- SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, PP. 1164, 1165.

TWO POSSIBILITIES o Wednesday

November 13

7. What does a soul become wh'o has consecrated his heart to the Saviour?
Who has no more power over Him? Jeremiah 6:27.

"... The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which
He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be
known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly
agencies im impregnable to the assaults of Satan...." - Desire of Ages,
p.324.

8. What will happen to those who do not submit their hearts to the control
of Christ, or if they fail to cultivate a living connection with Him?
Luke 11 :23-26.
•
"... But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall
be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control
of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for
the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose
the service of kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We
have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light.... Unless
we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed

-24-
effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave
off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but
without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to
Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome.... " - Desire of Ages,
p.324.

WHAT THE LORD IS DOING FOR US o Thursday

November 14

9. What work is God doing in our day? What terrible sentence will be pro-
nounced upon those who do not wholly consecrate their hearts to God
today, but cling to their idols? Psalm 11:4; Hosea 4:17.

"God leads His people on, step by step. He brings them up to different
points calculated to manifest what is in the heart. Some endure at one point,
but fall off at the next. At every advanced point the heart is tested and
tried a little closer.... Individuals are tested and proved a length of time
to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True
Witness. If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome
their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the
charge: 'They are joined to their idols, Jet them alone,' and they pass on
to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the con-
trol of evil angels...." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. I, p. 187.

10. Where is the Saviour standing and what is His purpose fOl' each incli-
vidual today? Revelation 3 :20.

REVIEW o Friday
November 15

Notes On This Lesson:

-25-
LESSON 8 SABBATH, NOVEMBER 23, 1974

SUBMISSION TO GOD - SANCTIFIED THOUGHTS

KEY TEXT: "Let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord. and He will
have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly
pardon." (Isaiah 55:7).

WEIGHING IN THE BALANCES o Sunday

November 17

1. What solemn description from the Spirit of Prophecy should engage our
whole attention?

"I have seen an angel standing with scales in his hands weighing the
thoughts and interest of the people of God, especially the young. In one
scale were the thoughts and interest tending heavenward; in the other were
the thoughts and interest tending to earth. And in this scale were thrown
vanity, pride, etc. Oh, what a solemn moment! The angels of God standing
with scales, weighing the thoughts of His professed children - those who
claim to be dead to the world and alive to God. The scale filled with thoughts
of earth, vanity, and pride quickly went down, not withstanding weight
after weight rolled from the scale. The one with the thoughts and interest
tending to heaven went quickly up as the other went down. and oh, how
light it was! I can relate this as I saw it; but never can I give the solemn
and vivid impression stamped upon my mind, as I saw the angel with the
scales weighing the thoughts and interest of the people of God. Said the
angel: 'Can such enter heaven? No, no, never. Tell them the hope they now
possess is vain, and unless they speedily repent, and obtain salvation, they
must perish.' " - Testimonies for the Church, vol. I, pp. 124, 125.

2. What reproof given in the past has its application today? Isaiah 65 :2.

GOD'S OMNISCIENCE o Monday

November 18

3. Why should we think of the omniscience of God more than customarily?

Psalms 139 :1-3.

"... Your thoughts need to be sanctified. Paul writes to the Corinthians:

'Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ.' When you come into this position, the work of conse-
cration will be better understood by you both. Your thoughts will be pure,
chaste, and elevated; your actions pure and sinless... ." - Testimonies for
the Church, vol. 3, p. 83.

4. With what should we continually examine our thoughts and motives?

Hebrews 4 :12, 13.

-26-
OUR THOUGHTS o Tuesday
November 19

5. To whom must our thoughts be subject if we wish to be pure in all things

in the sight of God? Psalms 40 :8.

"In the sermon on the mount, Christ presented before His disciples the
far-reaching principles of the law of God. He taught His hearers that the
law was transgressed by the thoughts before the evil desire was can-ied
out in actual commission. We are under obligation to control our thoughts,
and to bring them into subjection to the law of God...." - SDA Bible Com-
mentary, vol. 3, p. 1145.

6. What influence do our thoughts have on our words? What is therefore

necessary? Psalms 23:7 (first part).

"... The thoughts must be bound about, restricted, withdrawn from

branching out and contemplating things that will only weaken and defile
the soul. The thoughts must be pure, the meditations of the heart must be
clean, if the words of the mouth are to be words acceptable to heaven, and
helpful to your associates.... [Matt. 12:34-37 quoted.]" -SDA Bible Com-
mentary, vol. 3, p. 1145.

WATCHING, PRAYING, AND BEHOLDING CHRIST 0 Wednesday

November 20

7. Against what must we guard to overcome the temptations of Satan?

What counsel of the Lord must we specially take to heart concerning
this? Matthew 26:41.

"... Those who would not fall a prey to Satan's devices. must guard
well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing
that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to
dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest.
The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will awaken evils
within, and the soul will wander in darkness...." - Acts of Apostles, p. 518.

8. What glorious and exalted subject is given for our meditation? Psalms
63:7.

"As the mind dwells uponoChrist, the character is molded after the
divine similitude. The thoughts are pervaded with a sense of His goodness,
His love. We contemplate His character, and thus He is in all our thoughts.
His love incloses us. If we gaze even a moment upon the sun in its meridian
glory, when we turn away our eyes the image of the sun will appear in
everything upon which we look.
"Thus it is when we behold Jesus; everything we look upon reflects
His image, the Sun of Righteousness. We cannot see anything else, or talk
of anything else. His image is imprinted upon the eye of the soul, and af-

-27-
fects every portion of our daily life, softening and subduing our whole °na_
ture. By beholding, we are conformed to the divine similitude, even the like-
ness of Christ...." - Messages to Young People, p. 160.

WALKING WITH CHRIST o Thursday

November 21

9. When the Saviour has become our first and last interest what will be our
experience? Galatians 2 :20.

"Jesus Christ is everything to us - the first, the last, the best in every-
thing. Jesus Christ, His Spirit, His character, colors everything; it is the
warp and woof, the very texture of our entire being. The words of Christ
are spirit and life. We cannot, then, center our thoughts upon self; it is
no more we that live, but Christ that liveth in us, and He is the hope of
glory. Self is dead, but Christ is a living Saviour...." - Messages to Young
People, p. 161.

REVIEW o Friday
November 22

Notes On This Lesson:

-28-
LESSON 9 SABBATH, NOVEMBER 30, 1974

SURRENDER TO GOD - SANCTIFIED WORDS

KEY TEXT: "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in
word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the
whole body." (James 3:2).

OUR WORDS AND OUR CHARACTER D Sunday

November 24

1. Through what is the character of a man revealed? Luke 6:44, 45.

"... But the words are more than an indication of character; they have
power to react on the character. Men are influenced by their own words...."
- Desire of Ages, p. 323.

2. What admonition of the apostle Paul should we therefore take to heart?

Ephesians 4 :29, 30.

"... A corrupt communication does not mean only words that are vile.
It means any expression contrary to holy principles and pure and undefiled
religion. It includes impure hints and covert insinuations of evil. Unless in-
stantly resisted, these lead to great sin." - Christ's Object Lessons, p. 337.

OUR WORDS AND OUR RELIGION D Monday

November 25

3. What is the religion of those who do not bridle their tongues called?
James 1:26.

4. What sins of the tongue help to destroy families, neighborhoods and

churches? Psalms 50:19, 20; James 3:14-16; Romans 2:1; II Corin-
thians 12 :20.
•
OUR WORDS AND OUR INFLUENCE D Tuesday
November 26

5. What great influence is exerted by that little member, the tongue?

James 3:3-8.

-29-
 "Speech is one of the great gifts of God to man. The tongue is a little
member but the words it frames, made vocal by the voice, have a great
power. The Lord declares, 'The tongue can no man tame.' It has set nation
against nation, and has caused battle and bloodshed. Words have kindled
fires that have been hard to quench. They have also brought joy and glad-
ness to many souls... ." - SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1142.

6. When is there special danger that sins will be committed by the tongue?
What admonition is given us on this account? Proverbs 10:19; James
1:19; Ecclesiastes 5:1-3; Matthew 5:37.

OUR WORDS AND OUR DESTINY o Wednesday

November 27

7. What words are unworthy of a Christian? Ephesians 5 :4.

"... The tongue is engaged too often in light and trifling conversation,
which gives the lie to our profession, for our conversation is not in heaven,
whence we look for the Saviour.
"Angels are watching over and guarding us; we often grieve these
angels by indulging in trifling conversation, jesting, and joking...." -
Eal'ly Writings, p. 111.

8. What solemn declaration of our Saviour should preserve us from frivol-

ous words? What will our words help to decide? Matthew 12 :36. 37;
Proverbs 18 :20, 21.

"How solemn is the thought! Day after day, passing into eternity, bears
its burden of records for the books of heaven.... Our acts, our words, even
our most secret motives, all have their weight in deciding our destiny for
weal or woe. Though they may be forgotten by us, they will bear their testi-
mony to justify or condemn." - Great Controversy, pp. 486, 487.

9. What work must be done in us before our words can stand in the judg-
ment? Isaiah 6:5-7.

"The live coal is symbolical of purification. If it touches the lips, no

impure word will fall from them... ." - SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4,
p. 1141.

A REFORMATION IN THE USE OF OUR o Thursday

TONGUES November 28

10. What wonderful testimony is given concerning the faithful remnant who
will one day stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion? Zephaniah 3 :13;
Revelation 14:1, 5.

-30-
11. In what must we exercise ourselves today? Colossians 4:6; Ephes-
ians 5:19.

12. Who has left us a worthy example to follow? Luke 4:22.

"We should look to Jesus, the perfect pattern; ..." - Christ's Object
Lessons, p. 336.
"As followers of Christ we should make our words such as to be a help
and an encouragement to one another in the Christian life. Far more than
we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience. We
should speak of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless
depths of the Saviour's love. Our words should be words of praise and
thanksgiving. If the mind and heart are full of the love of God, this will
be revealed in the conversation...." - Christ's Object Lessons, p. 338.

REVIEW o Friday
November 29

Notes On This Lesson:

-31-
LESSON 10 SABBATH, DECEMBER"7, 1974

SURRENDER TO GOD - A SANCTIFIED 800'(

KEY TEXT: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies Of' God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1).

OUR BODY o Sunday

December 1

1. What should the true followers of Christ always bear ill mind? 1 Corin~
thians 6:19, 20.

"The living organism is God's property. It belongs to Him by creation

and by redemption; and by misuse of any of our powers we rob God of the
honor due to Him." - Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 16.

2. What earnest admonition is given to those who destroy their temple by

sinful habits? I Corinthians 3:16, 17.

APPETITE o Monday
December 2

3. What sins have in a special way helped to deteriorate the human race
and make it ripe for destruction? Luke 17 :27.

"... The declension in virtue and the degeneracy of the race are chiefly
attributable to the indulgence of perverted appetite.
"The same sins exist in our day which brought the wrath of God upon
the world in the days of Noah. Men and women now carry their eating and
drinking to gluttony and drunkenness. This prevailing sin, the indulgence
of perverted appetite, inflamed the passions of men in the days of Noah
and led to general corruption, until their violence and crimes reached to
heaven, and God washed the earth of its moral pollution by a flood."-
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 486, 163.

4. Where did sin begin and where tqerefore must the work of restoration
in man begin likewise? Genesis 3 :6.

"Christ knew that in order to successfully carry forward the plan of

salvation He must commence the work of redeeming man just where the
ruin began. Adam fell by the indulgence of appetite. In order to impress
upon man his obligations to obey the law of God, Christ began His work
of redemption by reforming- the physical habits of man...." - Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 3, p. 486.

-32-
HEALTH REFORM o Tuesday
December 3

5. For what reason has health reform been given to the people of God?
III John 2.

"Let it ever be kept before the mind that the great object of hygienic
reform is to secure the highest possible development of mind and soul and
body. All the laws of nature - which are the laws of God - are designed
for our good. Obedience to them will promote our happiness in this life,
and will aid us in a preparation for the life to come." - Counsels on Diet
and Foods, p. 23.

A PROGRESSIVE WORK o Wednesday

December 4

6. What is our duty toward health reform as we near the close of time?
Hebrews 6:1 (first part); Proverbs 4:16.

"As we near the close of time we must rise higher and still higher
upon the question of health reform and Christian temperance, presenting
it in a more positive and decided manner. We must strive continually to
educate the people, not only by our words, but by our practice. Precept and
practice combined have a telling influence." - Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 6, p. 112.

7. What are some of the articles that we are told to discard besides flesh
meats and other stimulants?

"Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to
prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the time will
soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or but-
ter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase
of wickedness among men. The time is near when, because of the iniquity
of the fallen race, the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases
that curse our earth." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 135.

STRUGGLING TO REACH THE STANDARD o Thursday

December 5
•
8. What is the high goal toward which we should strive? What diet will
help us reach this goal? Philippians 3 :12.

"Grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by
our Creator... ." -Ministry of Healing, p. 296.
"God is working in behalf of His people. He does not desire them to be
without resources. He is bringing them back to the diet originally given to

-33-
man. Their diet is to consist of the foods made from the materials He has
provided. The materials principally used in these foods will be fruits and
grains and nuts, but various roots will also be used." - Testimonies for the
Church, vol. 7, pp. 125. 126.

9. What will the Lord do in us when we are willing to co-operate with Him?
I Thessalonians 5 :23, 24.

"God desires us to reach the standard of perfection made possible fOJ:

us by the gift of Christ. He calls upon us to make our choice on the right
side, to connect with heavenly agencies, to adopt principles that will restore
in us the divine image. In His written word and in the great book of nature
He has revealed the principles of life. It is our work to obtain a knowledge
of these principles, and by obedience to co-operate with Him in restoring
health to the body as well as to the soul."-Ministry of Healing, pp. 114,115.

REVIEW o Friday
December 6

Notes On This Lesson:

-34-
LESSON 11 SABBATH, DECEMBER 14, 1974

SURRENDER TO GOD - GIFTS AND OFFERINGS

KEY TEXT: "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the
most High:" (Psalms 50:14).

LOVE AND SACRIFICE - THE BASIS OF o Sunday

THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION December 8

1. What great sacrifice did heaven make for our redemption? To what are
all called who have become partakers in this great gift? John 3:16;
Romans 8 :32.

"And love will be revealed in sacrifice. The plan of redemption was

laid in sacrifice - a sacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeas-
urable. Christ gave all for us, and those who receive Christ will be ready
to sacrifice all for the sake of their Redeemer...." - Christ's Object Les-
sons, p. 49.

2. Who is the Giver of all gifts? From whom does all come and to whom
does all belong? What system was introduced by God to impress this
fact on men? James 1:17; Psalms 24:1.

"The system of tithes and offerings was intended to impress the minds
of men with a great truth - that God is the source of every blessing to
His creatures, and that to Him man's gratitude is due for the good gifts
of His providence." - Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 525.

BLESSINGS OR CURSES - IT ALL DEPENDS o Monday

December 9

3. What serious admonition from God still retains its significance today?
Malachi 3:7-10.

"This message has lost none of its force. It is just as fresh in its
importance as God's gifts are fresh and continual. There is no difficulty
in understanding our duty in the light of this message, given through God's
holy prophet. Weare not left to stumble along in darkness and disobedience.
The truth is plainly stated, and it can be clearly understood by all who
wish to be honest in the sight of God. A tithe of all our income is the
Lord's...•
"... Strictly, honestly, and faithfully, let this portion be returned to
Him. Besides this, He calls for your gifts and offerings. No one is com-
pelled to present his tithe or his gifts and offerings to the Lord. But just
as surely as God's word is given to us, just so surely will He require His
own with usury at the hand of every human being.•.." - Counsels on
Stewardship, pp. 82, 83.

-35-
4. What indisputable truth concerning financial obligations has helm' con-
firmed by experience? Proverbs 11 :24, 25.

"Those who are selfishly withholding their means need not be surprised
if God's hand scatters their possessions. That which should have been de-
voted to the advancement of His work and cause, but which has been with-
held, may in various ways be taken away. God will come near to them in
judgments. Many losses will be sustained. God can scatter the means He
has lent to His stewards, if they refuse to use it to His glory. Some may
have none of these losses to remind them of their remissness in duty. but
their cases may be the more hopeless." - SDA Bible Commentary, vol, 4,
p. 1183.

5. What information do we have of the Children of Israel and the reason

for their prosperity?

" ... One tenth of all the increase was claimed by the Lord as His
own, •..
"The payment of the tithe was but a part of God's plan for the support
of His service. Numerous gifts and offerings were divinely specified......
- Acts of Apostles, pp. 336, 337.
"The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable
purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their income. So heavy a tax upon
the resources of the people might be expected to reduce them to poverty;
but, on the contrary, the faithful observance of these regulations was one
of the conditions of their prosperity...." - Patriarch and Prophets, p. 527.

WHAT GOD REQUIRES TODAY o Tuesday

December 10

6. How much does the Lord demand 'of His people today? II Chronicles
31 :12 (first part); Matthew 23 :23 (last part).

"Some will pronounce this one of the rigorous laws binding upon the
Hebrews. But this was not a burden to the willing heart that loved God. It
was only when their selfish natures were strengthened by withholding that
men lost sight of eternal considerations and valued their earthly treasures
above souls...." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 396.
"... God expects no less from us than He expected from His people
anciently. The great work for the salvation of souls must be carried for-
ward. In the tithe, with gifts and offerings, He has made provision for this
work...." - Christ's Object Lessons, :B. 300.

7. What counsel has the Lord given uS and why? Matthew 6:19, 20.

"Many have their hearts so fixed upon their earthly treasure that they
do not discern the advantage of laying up for themselves treasures in
heaven. They do not realize that their freewill offerings to God are not
enriching Him, but themselves. Christ counsels us to lay up treasures in
heaven. For whom? For God, that He may be enriched? Oh, no! The treas-

-36-
ures of the entire world are His, and the indescribable glory and priceless
treasures of heaven are all His own, to give to whom He will. 'Lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven! Men whom God has made stewards are so
infatuated by the riches of this world that they do not discern that by their
selfishness and covetousness they are not only robbing the Lord in tithes
and offerings, but robbing themselves of eternal riches...." - Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 2, p. 653.

THE SPIRIT AND PURPOSE OF o Wednesday

OUR SACRIFICES December 11

8. According to what principle should we bring our sacrifices and offerings

to the Lord? II Corinthians 9 :6, 7.

9. Whom should we not forget? How does the Lord regard the good deeds
which we do for His needy children? Hebrews 13:16; Prov-erbs 19:17;
Matthew 25 :34-40.

THE PRESENT NEED AND INDIVIDUAL o Thursday

OPPORTUNITY December 12

10. What is required even of the poorest believers? How does the Lord
regard their sacrifices? Luke 21 :1-4.

"When Jesus said of the widow, She 'hath cast in more than they all,'
His words were true, not only of the motive, but of the results of her gift.
The 'two mites which make a farthing' have brought to God's treasury an
amount of money far greater than the contributions of those rich Jews.
The influence of that little gift has been like a stream, small in its begin-
ning, but widening and deepening as it flowed down through the ages. In
a thousand ways it has contributed to the relief of the poor and the spread
of the gospel. .. !' - Desire of Ages, p. 616.

11. What call will soon be heard? What should take place therefore among
God's people? Psalms 50 :2-5.

"There must be an awakening among us as a people upon this matter

[systematic benevolence]. There are but few men who feel conscience-
stricken if they neglect their duty in beneficience. But few feel remorse
of soul because they are daily robbing God. If a Christian deliberately or
accidentally underpays his neighbour, or refuses to cancel an honest debt,
his conscience, unless seared, will trouble him; he cannot rest although no
one may know but himself. There are many neglected vows and unpaid
pledges, and yet how few trouble their minds over the matter; how few
feel the guilt of this violation of duty. We must have new and deeper con-
victions on this subject. The conscience must be aroused, and the matter
receive earnest attention; for an account must be rendered to God in the
last day, and His claims must be settled." - Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 4, p. 468.

REVIEW o Friday
December 13

-37-
LESSON 12 SABBATH, DECEMBER 21, 1974

SURRENDER TO GOD - LABORING TOGETHER WITH GOD

KEY TEXT: "For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's hus-
bandry, ye are God's building." (I Corinthians 3:9).

THE GREAT COMMISSION o Sunday

December 15

1. What solemn day is just before us? What does God expect from His
children? Zephaniah 1 :14-16.

"Weare on the very verge of the time of trouble, and perplexities that
are scarcely dreamed of are before us. A power from beneath is leading men
to war against Heaven. Human beings have confederated with satanic agen-
cies to make void the law of God....
"At this time - a time of overwhelming iniquity - a new life, coming
from the Source of all life, is to take possession of those who have the love
of God in their hearts, and they are to go forth to proclaim with power the
message of a crucified and risen Saviour. They are to put forth earnest,
untiring efforts to save souls... ." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9,
pp. 43, 44.

2. What command of the Saviour has lost nothing of its validity? Mark
16:15.

"... All who are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained to work
for the salvation of their fellow men. The same longing of soul that He felt
for the saving of the lost is to be manifest in them...." - Testimonies for
the Church, vol. 8, p. 16.

THE PROMISE ATTENDING THE COMMISSION o Monday

December 16

3. What divine promise is connected with this command? Matthew 28 :18-20•

•
"'Go forth preaching the gospel to all nations,' the Saviour says to us,
'that they may become children of God. I am with you in this work, teach-
ing, guiding, comforting, strengthening you, giving you success in your work
of self-denial and sacrifice. I will move upon hearts, convincing them of sin,
and turning them from darkness to light, from disobedience to righteousness.
In My light they shall see light. You will meet the opposition of satanic
agencies, but put your trust in Me. I will never fail you.''' - Testimonies
for the Church, vol. 8, p. 17.

-38-
4. Through what were the disciples enabled to carry out their task? To
whom is this power also promised? Acts 1:8; Joel 3 :1, 2.

"What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the Day of
Pentecost? The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the utmost
bounds of the inhabited world. The hearts of the disciples were surcharged
with a benevolence so full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it impelled them
to go to the ends of the earth, testifying: 'God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Galatians 6:14. As they pro-
claimed the truth as it is in Jesus, hearts yielded to the power of the mes-
sage. The church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions....
"To us today, as verily as to the first disciples, the promise of the Spirit
belongs. God will today endow men and women with power from above, as
He endowed those who on the Day of Pentecost heard the word of salvation.
At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need them and
will take Him at His word." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, pp. 19, 20.

LETTING OUR LIGHT SHINE o Tuesday

December 17

5. What prophecy is to be accomplished with reference to God's people in

our day? Isaiah 60:1, 2,4,5.

6. Under what conditions will we, as God's witnesses, let our light shine
forth to the end of the earth? Matthew 5 :14, 16; Isaiah 43 :10 (first
part).

"It is not only by preaching the truth, not only by distributing litera-
ture, that we are to witness for God. Let us remember that a Christlike life
is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity,
and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than
the character of the worldling. Not all the books written can serve the pur-
pose of a holy life....
"It is the purpose of God to glorify Himself in His people before the
world....
" ..• They are to be His witnesses, making known the advantages of
walking and working as Christ has given them example. The truth for this
time is to appear in its power in the lives of those who believe it, and is
to be imparted to the world. Believers are to represent in their lives its
power to sanctify and ennoble." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9,
pp. 21, 22. •

AS AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST o Wednesday

December 18

7. What must happen to the light which God has given to His church? As
what should each follower of Christ consider himself? II Corinthians
5:20.

-39-
 "The light that God has given His people is not to be shut up within
the churches that already know the truth. It is to be shed abroad into the
dark places of the earth...•
HAs a people we greatly need to humble our hearts before God, plead-
ing His forgiveness for our neglect to fulfill the gospel commission. We
have made large centres in a few places, leaving unworked many important
cities. Let us now take up the work appointed us and proclaim the message
that is to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger...." - Testi-
monies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 24, 25.

AN U,lPORTANT CONDITION STILL TO o Thursday

BE FULFILLED December 19

8. What will happen to those who know the truth but neglect this duty?
Ezekiel 33 :8.

"Eternity stretches before us. The curtain is about to be lifted. What

are we thinking of, that we cling to our selfish love of ease. while all around
us souls are perishing? Have our hearts become utterly callous? Can we not
see and understand that we have a work to do in behalf of others? ...
H... Those with whom we associate day by day need our help, our guid-
ance. They may be in such a condition of mind that a word in season will
be sent home by the Holy Spirit as a nail in a sure place. Tomorrow some
of these souls may be where we can never reach them again. What is our
influence over these fellow travelers? What effort do we make to win them
to Christ?" - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 26, 27.

9. Why must the Lord still withhold the outpouring of His Spirit upon His
Church?

"The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole
earth with His Glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people,
that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God.
When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ,
God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure;
but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers
together with God." - Christian Service, p. 253.
"When the reproach of indolence and slothfulness shall have been wiped
away from the church, the Spirit of the Lord will be graciously manifested.
Divine power will be revealed. The church will see the providential working
of the Lord of hosts. The light of truth will shine forth in clear, strong rays,
and, as in the time of the apostles, many souls will turn from error to truth.
The earth will be lighted with the glory of the Lord." - Testimonies for the
Church, vol. 9, p. 46.

REVIEW o Friday
December 20

-40-
 REMEMBER THE THIRTEENTH SABBATH SCHOOL OFFERING
(see back page for details)

LESSON 13 SABBATH, DECEMBER 28, 1974

PREPARATION FOR THE END

KEY TEXT: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet ap-
pear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall ap-
pear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."
(I John 3:2).

THE NEEDFUL PREPARATION o Sunday

December 22

1. What work must be done by all who wish to share the Latter Rain or
Refreshing from the presence of the Lord? Acts 3 :19, 20.

"... I saw that none could share the 'refreshing' unless they obtain the
victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and
over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore. be drawing nearer
and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary
to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember
that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His pres-
ence." - Early Writings, p. 71.

2. What must the believer do so that Christ can live in him and that the
great day of God may not find him unprepared? Colossians 3:3; II
Timothy 2 :11.

"... 'Will ye shun the seven last plagues? Will ye go to glory and enjoy
all that God has prepared for those who love Him and are willing to suffer
for His sake? If so, ye must die that ye may live. Get ready, get ready.
Ye must have a greater preparation than ye now have, ..." - Early Writ-
ings, p. 66.
•
A GREAT DANGER o Monday
December 23

3. What great error do those commit who believe that the Latter Rain will
prepare them to stand before God? What sad words will one day fall
from their lips? Jeremiah 8:20.

-41-
 "I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were
looking to the time of 'refreshing' and the 'latter rain' to fit them to stand
in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the
time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful prepara-
tion; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to
fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed
by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth,
and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really
is, will come up to the time of the faIling of the plagues, and then see that
they needed to be hewed and squared for the building...." - Early Writ-
ings, p. 71.

4. What sentence will be pronounced upon those who neglect the necessary
preparation today? Daniel 5 :27.

"It is possible to be a partial, formal believer, and yet be found wanting

and lose eternal life. It is possible to practice some of the Bible injunctions
and be regarded as a Christian, and yet perish because you lack qualifica-
tions essential to Christian character. If you neglect or treat with indiffer-
ence the warnings that God has given, if you cherish or excuse sin, you are
sealing your soul's destiny. You will be weighed in the balance and found
wanting. Grace, peace, and pardon will be forever withdrawn; Jesus will
have passed by, never again to come within reach of your prayers and en-
treaties...." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 405.

REALIZING OUR MOST URGENT NEED o Tuesday

December 24

5. What very important question should we set before us and answer

honestly?

"Brethren, to whom the truths of God's word have been opened, what
part will you act in the closing scenes of this world's history? Are you
awake to these solemn realities? Do you realize the grand work of prep-
aration that is going on in heaven and in earth? ... Let none now tamper
with sin, the source of every misery in our world. No longer remain in
lethargy and stupid indifference. Let not the destiny of your soul hang upon
an uncertainty. Know that you are fully on the Lord's side. Let the inquiry
go forth from sincere hearts and trembling lips, 'Who shall be able to
stand?' Have you, in these last precious hours of probation, been putting
the very best material into your character building? Have you been purify-
ing your souls from every stain? Have you followed the light? Have you
works corresponding to your profession of faith?
"Is the softening, subduing influence of the grace of God working upon
you? Have you hearts that can feel, eyes that can see, ears than can hear?
..." - Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 404, 405.

6. What work of great significance is described in Zechariah 3:1?

"Joshua is represented as pleading with the Angel. Are we engaged in

the same work? Are our supplications ascending to God in living faith?
Are we opening the door of the heart to Jesus, and closing every means of

-42-
entrance to Satan? Are we daily obtaining clearer light, and greater
strength, that we may stand in Christ's righteousness? Are we emptying
our hearts of all selfishness and cleansing them, preparatory to receiving
the latter rain from heaven?
"Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake our sins, that
they may go beforehand to judgment and be blotted out." - SDA Bible
Commentary, vol. 4, pp. 1177, 1178.

HOW THE LORD WISHES TO SUPPLY OUR o Wednesday

GREATEST NEED December 25

7. What does the Lord wish to do for the church and for every individual
believer? Zechariah 3 :3-5.

"Poor, repentant mortals, hear the words of Jesus, and believe as you
hear: ...
"The filthy garments are removed; for Christ says, 'I have caused thine
iniquity to pass from thee.' The iniquity is transferred to the innocent, the
pure, the holy Son of God; and man, all undeserving, stands before the Lord
cleansed from all unrighteousness, and clothed with the imputed righteous-
ness of Christ. Oh, what a change of raiment is this!" - SDA Bible Com-
mentary, vol. 4, p. 1178.

8. Besides imputed righteousness what other righteousness must we also

possess?

"Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without. He who

is righteous within is not hard-hearted and unsympathetic, but day by day
he grows into the image of Christ, going on from strength to strength. He
who is being sanctified by the truth will be self-controlled, and will follow
in the footsteps of Christ until grace is lost in glory. The righteousness by
which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanc-
tified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness
for heaven." - Messages to Young People, p. 35.

9. How is that righteousness shown which sanctifies us and makes us fit

for heaven? I John 3:6,9.

•
"... Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this
character He offers to impart to us.... When we submit ourselves to Christ,
the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind
becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him;
we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of
His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf
gannent, not the nakedness and defonnity of sin, but His own robe of right-
ousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah." - Christ's Ob-
ject Lessons, pp. 311, 312.

-43-
THE REMNANT CHURCH AND THE o Thursday
FINAL CONFLICT December 26

10. How will the remnant church begin the last conflict? Song of Solomon
6:10.

"Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter

upon her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as
an army with banners' (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all
the world, conquering and to conquer." - Prophets and Kings, p. 725.

11. What test will soon break UpOll God's people and reveal the true char-
acter of each? Revelation 13:16,17.

"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The
mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step
yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find
it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject them-
selves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest
is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In
this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True
godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it.
Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in
darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from
places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the orna-
ments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ's righteousness, will
appear in the shame of their own nakedness." - Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 5, p. 81.

REVIEW
o Friday
December 27

Notes On This Lesson:

-#-
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF HEALTH REFORM was printed for
the first time in 1916 in a question and answer format, and now a
facsimile photo-reprint has been prepared for you and your SDA
friends.

Fundamental Principles
of
Health Reform
¥Is It A Sin To Eat Flesh?
Taken from the Bible and
.. The Spirit of Prophecy"
¥Did Christ Eat Fish?
TAe EntranCe of Thy Word3 GicdA Light. PB. lt9:1~

¥Can We Be Christians
And Not Live Up To
Every Point Of The
Health Reform Message?

W••hlnllton, D. C.
1916

Find the answers for the above questions as well as many others on
health, dress, drugs and medicine.

Order your copy NOW from your local church secretary, or directly
from:

REFORMATION HERALD PUBLISHING ASSN.

Post Office Box 749 •
Monterey Park, Ca 91754, U.S.A.

-45-
Notes On This Lesson:

-46-
Noles On This Lesson:

-47-
 THIRTEENTH SABBATH SCHOOL OFFERING
December 28, .1974

A TLANTIC OCEAN France

Spain

*Madrid

Mrica

The Sabbath School Offering for this quarter will

be sent to the Iberian Mission Field comprising the coun-
tries of Spain and Portugal. These two countries have a
population of approximately forty million, and our sac-
rifice will help to prepare souls who will finish the work
of God in that Field. "The very best manner in which to
give expression to our love for our Redeemer is to make
offerings to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth."
-Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 413.
-48-