1. A CONDITIONAL RELATIONSHIP Sunday October 3

a. Why was the spiritual “vineyard” taken from the Jewish nation? To whom was it transferred, and on what condition? Matthew 21:43; Luke 12:32. How is this a warning to us? “The Jewish leaders thought themselves too wise to need instruction, too righteous to need salvation, too highly honored to need the honor that comes from Christ. The Saviour turned from them to entrust to others the privileges they had abused and the work they had slighted. God’s glory must be revealed, His word established.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 16.“Because they failed of fulfilling God’s purpose, the children of Israel were set aside, and God’s call was extended to other peoples. If these too prove unfaithful, will they not in like manner be rejected?”–Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 304. b. How does the Bible teach that the “vineyard” is not entrusted to any church unconditionally? Romans 11:20–22. How does this principle apply to those living in the Laodicean period? “The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the work of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a reproach.” –The Upward Look, p. 131 (1903).“Brethren, if you continue to be as idle, as worldly, as selfish as you have been, God will surely pass you by, and take those who are less self-caring, less ambitious for worldly honor, and who will not hesitate to go, as did their Master, without the camp, bearing the reproach. The work will be given to those who will take it, those who prize it, who weave its principles into their everyday experience. God will choose humble men who are seeking to glorify His name and advance His cause rather than to honor and advance themselves. He will raise up men who have not so much worldly wisdom, but who are connected with Him, and who will seek strength and counsel from above.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 461 (1885).

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2. PREREQUISITES UNMET Monday October 4

a. What condition renders the work of a church unacceptable to God? Isaiah 59:1, 2. “A company was presented before me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the banner or sign which makes us a distinctive people should not be held out so strikingly; for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to our institutions.” –Selected Messages, book 2, p. 385 (1896).“Instead of leading the world to render obedience to God’s law, the church is uniting more and more closely with the world in transgression. Daily the church is becoming converted to the world.” –Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 119 (1903).“Christ longs to work mightily by His Spirit for the conviction and conversion of sinners. But, according to His divine plan, the work must be performed through the instrumentality of His church; and her members have so far departed from Him that He cannot accomplish His will through them.” –Ibid., vol. 5, p. 189(1882). b. In case the majority shows open apostasy and refuses to repent, whom does the Lord call to continue the work? Isaiah 1:9; Romans 9:27. “Many who have had great light have not appreciated and improved it as it was their privilege to do. They have not practiced the truth. And because of this the Lord will bring in those who have lived up to all the light they have had. And those who have been privileged with opportunities to understand the truth and who have not obeyed its principles will be swayed by Satan’s temptations for self-advancement. They will deny the principles of truth in practice and bring reproach upon the cause of God.“Christ declares that He will spue these out of His mouth, and leave them to follow their own course of actions to distinguish themselves. This course of action does indeed make them prominent as men that are unfaithful householders.“The Lord will give His message to those who have walked in accordance with the light they have had, and will recognize them as true and faithful, according to the measurement of God. These men will take the place of those who, having light and knowledge, have walked not in the way of the Lord, but in the imagination of their own unsanctified hearts.” –Selected Messages, book 3, pp. 421, 422 (1898).

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3. A SMALL MINORITY Tuesday October 5

a. What plan does God have for the faithful souls still in the fallen churches? John 10:16. “Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion. There are many of these who have never seen the special truths for this time. Not a few are dissatisfied with their present condition and are longing for clearer light. They look in vain for the image of Christ in the churches with which they are connected. As these bodies depart further and further from the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world, the difference between the two classes will widen, and it will finally result in separation.” –The Great Controversy, p. 390.“The light will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant.” –Early Writings, p. 261. b. What should the faithful minority among Seventh-day Adventists do in the face of sin in their churches? Ezekiel 9:4. “None but divine power can stay the arrogance of Satan united with evil men; but in the hour of the church’s greatest danger most fervent prayer will be offered in her behalf by the faithful remnant.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 524.

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4. WHY SIGH AND CRY? Wednesday October 6

a. What object should the faithful minority have in mind? James 5:19, 20. What will be the effect of their sighing and crying? “These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 210. b. What does Paul mean when he says that God will never cast away His people? Romans 11:1–5. “Thank God, all will not be rocked to sleep in the cradle of carnal security. There will be faithful ones who will discern the signs of the times. While a large number professing present truth will deny their faith by their works, there will be some who will endure unto the end.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 10.

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5. NO UNCONDITIONAL AFFILIATION Thursday October 7

a. How do we know that God does not demand, but rather forbids His people to have unconditional affiliation? Amos 3:3. “There are few really consecrated men among us, few who have fought and conquered in the battle with self. Real conversion is a decided change of feelings and motives; it is a virtual taking leave of worldly connections, a hastening from their spiritual atmosphere, a withdrawing from the controlling power of their thoughts, opinions, and influences. The separation causes pain and bitterness to both parties. It is the variance which Christ declares that He came to bring. But the converted will feel a continual longing desire that their friends shall forsake all for Christ, knowing that, unless they do, there will be a final and eternal separation.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 82, 83. b. What historical pattern has always been ignored by the majority? Luke 20:16. What evidence shows that the prophesied shaking must be completed before the seal of God can be received? “The time of the judgment is a most solemn period, when the Lord gathers His own from among the tares. Those who have been members of the same family are separated. A mark is placed upon the righteous. . . .“The tares and wheat are now commingled, but then the one hand that alone can separate them will give to everyone his true position. . . .“The righteous are those who keep the commandments of God, and they will be forever separated from the disobedient and unrighteous who trampled underfoot the law of God. The pure ore and the dross will no longer commingle.” –Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 234–236.“The angel is to place a mark upon the forehead of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel will follow, to slay utterly both old and young.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 505.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS Friday October 8

1. How is the experience of the Jewish leaders a warning to us? 2. What danger exists among all who are entrusted with great light? 3. What should be our attitude toward souls in Babylon and why? 4. Explain the timeless lesson to be learned from Romans 11:1–5. 5. Why is it that true conversion forbids unconditional church affiliation?