Sunday
July 2
1. In The Beginning
a. What kind of world did God create in the very beginning? Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29.
b. Although God intended for the human race to live forever, why were two trees placed in the Garden of Eden? Genesis 2:9.
“When our first parents were placed in the beautiful garden of Eden, they were tested in regard to their loyalty to God. They were free to choose the service of God, or by disobedience to ally themselves with the enemy of God and man. If they would abstain from that which God had forbidden, they might keep possession of their beautiful Eden home, and remain in the favor of God, but if they disregarded God’s commands, and listened to the voice of Satan, as he spoke through the serpent, they would not only forfeit their claim to Eden, but to life itself. The penalty for sin had been set before them, and they were informed as to the tremendous issues depending on their action in obeying or disobeying the requirements of God.”—The Signs of the Times, May 12, 1890.
c. When humanity disobeyed, how was that shown to be sin? Romans 5:12, 19.
“The Lord requires at this time just what He required of Adam in Eden—perfect obedience to the law of God.”—Faith and Works, p. 89.
Monday
July 3
2. After Sin
a. Why is it that there was no way of escaping the death sentence? Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23; 7:5.
“The result of the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is manifest in every man’s experience. There is in his nature a bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist.”—Education, p. 29.
b. Why is it that the natural result of sin is death? Ezekiel 18:20 (first part); 1 John 5:12.
“Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages, a perpetual testimony to the nature and terrible results of sin. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government and His law is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy intelligences, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin and suffering its punishments.”—The Great Controversy, p. 499.
c. What causes separation from God, i.e., separation from life? Isaiah 59:2.
“By sin man was shut out from God. Except for the plan of redemption, eternal separation from God, the darkness of unending night, would have been his. Through the Saviour’s sacrifice, communion with God is again made possible. We may not in person approach into His presence; in our sin we may not look upon His face; but we can behold Him and commune with Him in Jesus, the Saviour.”—Education, p. 28.
“Those who think of the result of hastening or hindering the gospel think of it in relation to themselves and to the world. Few think of its relation to God. Few give thought to the suffering that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ’s agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God. Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him.”—Ibid., p. 263.
d. What is sin—and have any been exempt from it? 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23.
Tuesday
July 4
3. A Way of Escape
a. Who is the real serpent and what has he done to the entire world? Revelation 12:9; 2 Peter 2:19; Romans 8:22.
“There is in human nature, when separated from the Source of truth, a continual opposition to God’s will and ways. The physical, mental, and moral being are all under the control of rash impulses. The affections are depraved, and every faculty intrusted to man for wise improvement is demoralized. The man is dead in trespasses and sins. Inclination moves, passion holds the control, and his appetites are under the sway of a power of which he is not aware. He talks of liberty, of freedom of action, while he is in most abject slavery. He is not his own. He is not allowed to see the beauty of the truth; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, and not subject to His law. He views truth as falsehood, and falsehood as truth. The mind controlled by Satan is weak in moral power.”—The Review and Herald, February 17, 1891.
b. What causes us to remain in slavery? Romans 6:16; 8:5.
c. How was the plan of redemption first introduced to this universe and who is the seed of the woman? Genesis 3:14, 15; 22:18; Galatians 3:8, 16, 29.
“The instant Adam yielded to Satan’s temptation, and did the very thing which God had said he should not do, Christ, the Son of God, stood between the living and the dead, saying: ‘Let the punishment fall on Me. I will stand in man’s place. Give him another trial.’ Transgression placed the whole world under the death sentence. But in heaven there was heard a voice saying, ‘I have found a ransom.’ ”—The Signs of the Times, June 27, 1900.
d. How is that “enmity” (Genesis 3:15) which is introduced into every believer described by Paul? Romans 12:2.
“Nothing more quickly inspires faith than the exercise of faith.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 351.
“Faith that enables us to receive God’s gifts is itself a gift, of which some measure is imparted to every human being. It grows as exercised in appropriating the word of God. In order to strengthen faith, we must often bring it in contact with the word.”—Education, pp. 253, 254.
Wednesday
July 5
4. Blood Sacrifice
a. Why is Bible study vital in the plan of redemption? Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 4:2.
b. When and why did Christ choose to come to have His heel bruised (Genesis 3:14, 15)? Hebrews 2:14, 15; Romans 8:2, 3; 16:25, 26; Revelation 13:8.
“The covenant of grace is not a new truth, for it existed in the mind of God from all eternity. This is why it is called the everlasting covenant.”—The Faith I Live By, p. 77.
“The death of Christ upon the cross made sure the destruction of him who has the power of death, who was the originator of sin. When Satan is destroyed, there will be none to tempt to evil; the atonement will never need to be repeated; and there will be no danger of another rebellion in the universe of God. That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels. Fallen men could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Shall we not then exalt the cross of Christ? The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of God.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 5, p. 1132.
c. Why was a blood sacrifice necessary? Hebrews 9:22.
“Fallen man, because of his guilt, could no longer come directly before God with his supplications; for his transgression of the divine law had placed an impassable barrier between the holy God and the transgressor. But a plan was devised that the sentence of death should rest upon a Substitute. In the plan of redemption there must be the shedding of blood, for death must come in consequence of man’s sin. The beasts for sacrificial offerings were to prefigure Christ. In the slain victim, man was to see the fulfillment for the time being of God’s word, ‘Thou shalt surely die.’ And the flowing of the blood from the victim would also signify an atonement. There was no virtue in the blood of animals; but the shedding of the blood of beasts was to point forward to a Redeemer who would one day come to the world and die for the sins of men. And thus Christ would fully vindicate His Father’s law.”—Confrontation, pp. 21, 22.
Thursday
July 6
5. Symbols
a. Why was an animal sacrifice introduced? Genesis 3:21; Hebrews 2:14, 15.
“To Adam, the offering of the first sacrifice was a most painful ceremony. His hand must be raised to take life, which only God could give. It was the first time he had ever witnessed death, and he knew that had he been obedient to God, there would have been no death of man or beast. As he slew the innocent victim, he trembled at the thought that his sin must shed the blood of the spotless Lamb of God. This scene gave him a deeper and more vivid sense of the greatness of his transgression, which nothing but the death of God’s dear Son could expiate. And he marveled at the infinite goodness that would give such a ransom to save the guilty. A star of hope illumined the dark and terrible future and relieved it of its utter desolation.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 68.
b. Why was it a lamb that was sacrificed and how was this made into an entire ceremonial service? Genesis 4:2–4; John 1:29; Exodus 25:8.
“During his stay in the mount, Moses received directions for the building of a sanctuary in which the divine presence would be specially manifested. . . .
“Henceforth the people were to be honored with the abiding presence of their King.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 313, 314.
c. Why was a tabernacle used to symbolize God’s presence? Revelation 21:3, 4.
Friday
July 7
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why were two trees placed in the garden of Eden?
2. Why is it that death is the natural result of transgressing against God’s will and ways?
3. What in reality is the enmity that was miraculously introduced into the human family?
4. How important is a right blood sacrifice in the restoration of humanity?
5. Why is a lamb a central symbol of salvation and in all the ceremonial services?