1. A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF PRESENT TRUTH Sunday October 10

a. To what extent does our salvation depend on our belief and practice of present truth? 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (last part); 2 Peter 1:10–12. “The truth and the glory of God are inseparable; it is impossible for us, with the Bible within our reach, to honor God by erroneous opinions. Many claim that it matters not what one believes, if his life is only right. But the life is molded by the faith. If light and truth is within our reach, and we neglect to improve the privilege of hearing and seeing it, we virtually reject it; we are choosing darkness rather than light.” –The Great Controversy, p. 597.“A belief in the theory of the truth is not enough. To present this theory to unbelievers does not constitute you a witness for Christ. The light that gladdened your heart when you first understood the message for this time, is an essential element in your experience and labors, and this has been lost out of your heart and life.” –Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 370, 371 (1890). b. In view of what danger, and how, does Paul emphasize the importance of possessing the truth? Ephesians 6:11–18. “The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to preach the truth must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against storm and tempest, because the anchor holds them firmly. The deceptions will increase, and we are to call rebellion by its right name. We are to stand with the whole armor on. In this conflict we do not meet men only, but principalities and powers. We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” –Selected Messages, book 2, p. 395.

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2. OBSTACLES TO BE MET Monday October 11

a. What obstacles must be faced by the faithful remnant standing in defense of the threefold message? 2 Timothy 3:13; 4:3, 4. “I was shown three steps–the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.’ ” –Early Writings, pp. 258, 259.“Satan is constantly seeking to cast a shadow about these messages, so that the people of God shall not clearly discern their import, their time and place.” –Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 18. b. What will happen to those who do not have the love of the truth? 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12. Against what danger must we stand on guard? Matthew 24:24 (last part). “Satan hopes to involve the remnant people of God in the general ruin that is coming upon the earth. As the coming of Christ draws nigh, he will be more determined and decisive in his efforts to overthrow them. Men and women will arise professing to have some new light or some new revelation whose tendency is to unsettle faith in the old landmarks. Their doctrines will not bear the test of God’s work, yet souls will be deceived.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 295 (1885).

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3. THE PROMISED HELP Tuesday October 12

a. Why was it necessary for God to send another angel to join the three angels of Revelation 14? Revelation 3:15–17; 18:1. “Satan has devised a state of things whereby the proclamation of the third angel’s message shall be bound about. We must beware of his plans and methods. There must be no toning down of the truth, no muffling of the message for this time. The third angel’s message must be strengthened and confirmed. The eighteenth chapter of Revelation reveals the importance of presenting the truth in no measured terms but with boldness and power.” –Evangelism, p. 230.“We are in danger of giving the third angel’s message in so indefinite a manner that it does not impress the people. So many other interests are brought in that the very message which should be proclaimed with power becomes tame and voiceless.” –Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 60.“Another mighty angel [is] commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message.” –Early Writings, p. 277. b. How is the third angel’s message to be strengthened by the coming of the other angel, and what is the result of his work? Isaiah 60:1, 2. “The third angel’s message must go over the land, and awaken the people, and call their attention to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Another angel unites his voice with the third angel, and the earth is lighted with its glory. The light increases, and it shines out to all the nations of the earth. It is to go forth as a light that burneth. It will be attended with great power, until its golden beams have fallen upon every tongue, every people, and every nation upon the face of the whole earth. Let me ask you, What you are doing to prepare for this work? Are you building for eternity? You must remember that this angel represents the people that have this message to give to the world. Are you among that people?” –The Review and Herald, August 18, 1885.

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4. LEARNING LESSONS FROM PAST MISTAKES Wednesday October 13

a. Why did the Jews reject Christ, the expected Messiah? John 1:11; Luke 24:20, 21. In what sense should their mistake be a warning to us? “The Jews were looking for the Messiah; but He did not come as they had predicted that He would, and if He were accepted as the Promised One, their learned teachers would be forced to acknowledge that they had erred. These leaders had separated themselves from God, and Satan worked upon their minds to lead them to reject the Saviour. Rather than yield their pride of opinion, they closed their eyes to all the evidences of His Messiahship, and they not only rejected the message of salvation themselves, but they steeled the hearts of the people against Jesus. Their history should be a solemn warning to us. We need never expect that when the Lord has light for His people, Satan will stand calmly by and make no effort to prevent them from receiving it. He will work upon minds to excite distrust and jealousy and unbelief. Let us beware that we do not refuse the light God sends, because it does not come in a way to please us. Let not God’s blessing be turned away from us because we know not the time of our visitation.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 728 (1889).“Many look upon the great work to be accomplished for God’s people, and their prayers go up to Him for help in the great harvest. But, if help does not come in just the manner they expect, they will not receive it, but turn from it as the Jewish nation turned from Christ because disappointed in the manner of His appearing.” –Ibid., vol. 2, p. 142(1868). b. Show evidence that, in God’s plan, the door of opportunity is not open indefinitely. Isaiah 55:6. What great need has the Lord been urging upon the church especially since 1888? Acts 3:19. “Brethren, your own lamps will surely flicker and grow dim until they go out in darkness unless you make decided efforts to reform. ‘Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.’ The opportunity now presented may be short. If this season of grace and repentance passes unimproved, the warning is given: ‘I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place’ (Revelation 2:5). These words are uttered by the lips of the long-suffering, forbearing One. They are a solemn warning to churches and individuals that the Watcher who never slumbers is measuring their course of action.” –Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 612 (1889).

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5. TWO PARTIES Thursday October 14

a. What mistake of the Jews stands as a warning before believers in the threefold message in view of Revelation 18:1? Luke 11:52. “The rebuke of the Lord will rest upon those who would bar the way, that clearer light shall not come to the people. A great work is to be done, and God sees that our leading men have need of more light, that they may unite with the messengers whom He sends to accomplish the work that He designs shall be done. The Lord has raised up messengers, and endued them with His Spirit, and has said, ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins’ (Isaiah 58:1). Let no one run the risk of interposing between the people and the message of Heaven.” –Gospel Workers, p. 304. b. What divergence among the professed people of God is unavoidable? Why? Isaiah 55:8, 9. “There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.”–Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300.“Divisions will come in the church. Two parties will be developed. . . . All who are laborers together with God will contend most earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. They will not be turned from the present message, which is already lightening the earth with its glory.”–Selected Messages, book 2, p. 114 (1896).

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS Friday October 15

1. Why must our Bible-based doctrines be clearly understood? 2. Why is the true understanding of the threefold message of vital importance? 3. Why is the angel of Revelation 18 needed? 4. What lesson should we learn from the mistake of the Jews who rejected the Messiah? 5. What will surprise many about God’s closing work?