1. HISTORY REPEATED Sunday September 26

a. What does the Bible assure us about history? Ecclesiastes1:9; 3:15. “History is being repeated. The world today has its Ahabs and its Jezebels. The present age is one of idolatry, as verily as was that in which Elijah lived.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 177. b. What serious warning should we take from the condition of the Jewish church in the days of Christ? Matthew 23:1–3. “The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be insufficient for the saving of the soul. It does not bring forth the fruits of righteousness. A jealous regard for what is termed theological truth often accompanies a hatred of genuine truth as made manifest in life. The darkest chapters of history are burdened with the record of crimes committed by bigoted religionists. The Pharisees claimed to be children of Abraham, and boasted of their possession of the oracles of God; yet these advantages did not preserve them from selfishness, malignity, greed for gain, and the basest hypocrisy. They thought themselves the greatest religionists of the world, but their so-called orthodoxy led them to crucify the Lord of glory.“The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world.” –The Desire of Ages, pp. 309, 310.

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2. GOD’S PROMISES CONDITIONAL Monday September 27

a. The Jews misinterpreted God’s promise of eternal favor to Israel. How could the same mistake be repeated by believers in the threefold message? Romans 15:4. “To a people in whose hearts His law is written, the favor of God is assured. They are one with Him. But the Jews had separated themselves from God. Because of their sins they were suffering under His judgments. This was the cause of their bondage to a heathen nation. Their minds were darkened by transgression, and because in times past the Lord had shown them so great favor, they excused their sins. . . .“These things ‘are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come’ (1 Corinthians 10:11). How often we misinterpret God’s blessings, and flatter ourselves that we are favored on account of some goodness in us! God cannot do for us that which He longs to do.”–The Desire of Ages, p. 106.“A blessing or a curse is now before the people of God–a blessing if they come out from the world and are separate, and walk in the path of humble obedience; and a curse if they unite with the idolatrous, who trample upon the high claims of heaven. The sins and iniquities of rebellious Israel are recorded and the picture presented before us as a warning that if we imitate their example of transgression and depart from God we shall fall as surely as did they.” –Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 609 (1867). b. What divine words to ancient Israel and its leaders include likewise a warning to modern Israel? Hosea 8:12; 4:6; 2 Chronicles 15:2. “Shall the warnings from God be passed by unheeded? Shall the opportunities for service be unimproved? Shall the world’s scorn, the pride of reason, conformity to human customs and traditions, hold the professed followers of Christ from service to Him? Will they reject God’s word as the Jewish leaders rejected Christ? The result of Israel’s sin is before us. Will the church of today take warning?” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 306 (1900).

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3. IN THE STEPS OF ANCIENT ISRAEL Tuesday September 28

a. In what respect is the disobedience of ancient Israel a warning to modern Israel? Isaiah 29:13; Romans 2:17, 18, 23, 24. “The sin of ancient Israel was in disregarding the expressed will of God and following their own way according to the leadings of unsanctified hearts. Modern Israel are fast following in their footsteps, and the displeasure of the Lord is as surely resting upon them.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 94 (1882).“If most earnest vigilance is not manifested at the great heart of the work to protect the interests of the cause, the church will become as corrupt as the churches of other denominations.” –Ibid., vol. 4, p. 513(1880). b. What parallel can be seen between ancient and modern Israel regarding the allurements of Egypt? Acts 7:39. “The Lord has not closed heaven to us, but our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or condemnation. Grievous and presumptuous sins have dwelt among us. And yet the general opinion is that the church is flourishing and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders.“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 217 (1882).

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4. DO WE SEE THINGS CLEARLY? Wednesday September 29

a. What was the spiritual condition of the Jewish leaders in the days of Christ? Matthew 15:14. Why were they guilty before God in spite of their blindness? John 9:41. “Some of [Jesus’] hearers, feeling that Christ’s words applied to them, inquired, ‘Are we blind also?’ Jesus answered, ‘If ye were blind, ye should have no sin.’ If God had made it impossible for you to see the truth, your ignorance would involve no guilt. ‘But now ye say, We see.’ You believe yourselves able to see, and reject the means through which alone you could receive sight. To all who realized their need, Christ came with infinite help. But the Pharisees would confess no need; they refused to come to Christ, and hence they were left in blindness–a blindness for which they were themselves guilty. Jesus said, ‘Your sin remaineth.’”–The Desire of Ages, p. 475. b. What particular condition has developed among those who live in the period of Laodicea? Revelation 3:17. What are the consequences of the spiritual blindness which characterizes this last generation? “Has not blindness fallen upon the watchmen standing on the walls of Zion?”–Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 248 (1903).“My brethren, you are disregarding the most sacred claims of God by your neglect to consecrate yourselves and your children to Him. Many of you are reposing in false security, absorbed in selfish interests, and attracted by earthly treasures. You fear no evil. Danger seems a great way off. You will be deceived, deluded, to your eternal ruin unless you arouse and with penitence and deep humiliation return unto the Lord. . . . The deadly lethargy of the world is paralyzing your senses. Sin no longer appears repulsive because you are blinded by Satan.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 233 (1882).

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5. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM Thursday September 30

a. What woe was pronounced upon the Jews as a nation because they knew not the time of their visitation? Luke 19:42–44. What lesson should we learn from their mistake? Matthew 23:38. “The great sin of the Jews was that of neglecting and rejecting present opportunities. As Jesus views the state of His professed followers today, He sees base ingratitude, hollow formalism, hypocritical insincerity, pharisaical pride and apostasy.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 72 (1882).“The spirit of the world is fast leavening the church. You are following the same path as did ancient Israel. There is the same falling away from your holy calling as God’s peculiar people. You are having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Your concord with unbelievers has provoked the Lord’s displeasure. You know not the things that belong to your peace, and they are fast being hid from your eyes. Your neglect to follow the light will place you in a more unfavorable position than the Jews upon whom Christ pronounced a woe.” –Ibid., pp. 75, 76(1882). b. How did God punish the disobedience of the Jews on two occasions? 2 Chronicles 36:17–19; Matthew 22:7; 24:1, 2. What does the destruction of Jerusalem tell us? “A sin-hating God calls upon those who claim to keep His law to depart from all iniquity. A neglect to repent and to render willing obedience will bring upon men and women today as serious consequences as came upon ancient Israel. There is a limit beyond which the judgments of Jehovah can no longer be delayed. The desolation of Jerusalem in the days of Jeremiah is a solemn warning to modern Israel, that the counsels and admonitions given them through chosen instrumentalities cannot be disregarded with impunity.” –Prophets and Kings, pp. 416, 417.“Outward opposition will not cause the faith of God’s people, who are keeping His commandments, to become dim. The neglect to bring purity and truth into practice will grieve the Spirit of God and weaken them because God is not in their midst to bless. Internal corruption will bring the denunciations of God upon this people as it did upon Jerusalem.”–Selected Messages, book 2, p. 378 (1886).

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS Friday October 1

1. What danger, existing today, parallels the mistake of the Jews? 2. What should we learn from the failure of the Jewish nation? 3. How can modern Israel follow the example of ancient Israel in their inclination toward Egypt? 4. What characteristics are used in the description of modern Israel? 5. If modern Israel refuses to repent, what will be the unavoidable consequences?