The Efficacy of His Priestly Ministry . . . OR . . . How to Have Hope When You Feel Hopeless

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope
June 21, 2008
Larry R Evans

Quiz for Reflection

[To get the most from the quiz read the passages in brackets and look for a thread of thought which may give more depth and understanding to the question being asked.]

1. The sanctuary service teaches just how complicated the plan of salvation really is. [Heb 8:1; Dan 12:1; Mt 24:3,21] True or False?

2. When it comes to the biblical meaning of the sanctuary it is clear that the emphasis is on judgment. [Ex 25:8; Matt 1:22,23; Lk 4:17-19; Heb 9:11-15] True or False?

3. Jesus connected His own ministry to the sanctuary service. [Ex 25:30; Jn 6:47, 48; Mt 26:26; Ex 25:37; Rev 1:20; Jn 8:12] True or False?

4. When John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Lamb of God he did so to describe the kingly power of the Anointed One. [Jn 1:29; Isa 53:7; Rev 12:10-12] True or False?

5. Christ’s intercession in Heaven can be summarized in one word: “Forgiveness.” [Heb 2:17, 18; 7:25; 8:3-10; 10:11-13] True or False?

6. Regardless of our past we can approach God’s throne with confidence. [Heb 4:14-165; 4:9-11; Titus 3:3-8] True or False?

7. The subject of the sanctuary was more relevant during the time of Moses than now. [Heb 10:19-25] True or False?

Reflective Review

The sanctuary message is filled with hope and encouragement. When understood it brings new meaning to such passages as Psalm 20:1,2

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. (NIV)

The psalmist understood the sanctuary as the place of protection, a place from which help is sent to those in need. Is it any wonder that when Daniel faced trials he not only prayed three times a day? He also opened his windows and prayed towards Jerusalem (Zion) where the sanctuary was located! (Dan. 6:10) The ministry represented by the sanctuary in old Jerusalem corresponds with the activities of the risen Christ. No matter who we are or where we’ve been spiritually there is hope for us. Jesus came as the sacrificial Lamb of God. The good news now is that the ancient sanctuary services are fulfilled in the present interceding ministry of Jesus. Instead of ritualistic formulas we now have God’s character inscribed on our hearts. Understanding the sanctuary service from a Christian perspective brings with it gratitude to God and from gratitude flow loyalty and faithfulness to the One who set us free! We now can live within the presence of God. What Moses sought to go before him we now have access made possible through the intercession of Jesus. “Now” is the pivotal word because it underscores the transition from symbolic representation to the high priestly ministry of Jesus in our behalf. It signifies in much better ways than any signs of “wars and rumors of war” the grand climax of salvation history. Jesus in the sanctuary is the greatest assurance and sign that the end of sin and its effects will soon no longer plague the world. Certainly we can rejoice because the sanctuary message underscores the nearness of Christ’s coming for us! Listen carefully . . . in anticipation can you hear the singing?

Rev 19:6-8

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:


"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (NIV)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lessons From Would-be Disciples . . . OR . . . How to Flunk While Getting "A's"

Sabbath School Class—A Life of Discovery January 26, 2008 Larry R Evans Quiz for Reflection 1. Commitment was so important to Jesus that He taught His disciples that they must put His mission over that of attending a funeral for a loved one. [Mt 8:21,22] True or False? 2. If we keep the commandments as Jesus instructed the rich young ruler, we will meet the criteria Jesus was stressing with this would-be disciple. [Mk 10:17-23] True or False? 3. True seekers of truth will, unlike Nicodemus, come to Jesus whether it be day or “night.” [Jn 3:2, 19-21] True or False? 4. Truth is truth. Disciples of Christ need to remember that how it is packaged is less important than making sure it is “truth” we share. [See Counsels to Writers and Editors , p.72; The Desire of Ages , p.353] True or False? Introductory Reflections Is it possible to get “A’s” and still flunk the class? Today’s study suggests that it is. We are introduced to some “would be disciples”
Read more

Preparing a People

[ There will be no additional study notes this week.] October 10, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction It has been said that “A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.” (Marcus Aurelius Antonius). Think about that a moment in the context of our lesson for this week. God in His infinite wisdom knew precisely what unbridled human nature is capable of doing. With this large desert-wandering congregation now freed from slavery, He sought to establish a sense of community among His people—a kind of community that would stick together in the coming promised land. Wolves would arise among the sheep. He knew that. He anticipated this happening so rules were created to protect the sheep though even then His rules were open to abuse. The family unit was the foundation for this new community yet it was the very object of attack. Infidelity and distrust within the family happened and still happens today. Is there any hope? The lesson today is f
Read more

Aug 11 -- Class Notes-- Samson & His Women

Samson & His Women: The Folly of Passion or How Self-Centeredness Leads to Self-Destruction Sabbath School Lesson August 11, 2007 Teacher: Larry R Evans Quiz for Reflection [Based on Judges 13-16 ] When a minister makes a serious/moral mistake it is an indication that he/she was not called in the first place. True or False God’s special endowments upon a person end once he or she intentionally parts from God’s counsel. True or False The example of Samson suggests we should avoid people and circumstances which have a strong influence upon us. True or False Samson’s core problem was his lust for women. True of False Scripture portrays Samson as a man of faith. True or False Introduction C.S. Lewis wrote, "A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is.... A man wh
Read more