Sunday
August 4
1. GROWING HERE AND NOW
a. What did the apostle Peter emphasize to the believers? 2 Peter 1:12–15.
“There was a present truth in the days of Luther—a truth at that time of special importance; there is a present truth for the church today. He who does all things according to the counsel of His will has been pleased to place men under various circumstances and to enjoin upon them duties peculiar to the times in which they live and the conditions under which they are placed. If they would prize the light given them, broader views of truth would be opened before them.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 143, 144.
b. Explain how we are to grow in our understanding of light from Heaven. Hebrews 5:12–14; 6:1–3.
“Every step of faith and obedience brings the soul into closer connection with the Light of the world, in whom there ‘is no darkness at all.’ ”—Ibid., p. 476.
Monday
August 5
2. ACCOUNTABILITY
a. Why and how do we need to change our course of action when we receive more heaven-sent light? James 4:17; Proverbs 4:18; Matthew 6:23.
“God requires of His people according to the grace and truth given them. All His righteous demands must be fully met. Accountable beings must walk in the light that shines upon them. If they fail to do this, their light becomes darkness, and their darkness is great in the same degree as their light was abundant. Accumulated light has shone upon God’s people; but many have neglected to follow the light, and for this reason they are in a state of great spiritual weakness.
“It is not for lack of knowledge that God’s people are now perishing. They will not be condemned because they do not know the way, the truth, and the life. The truth that has reached their understanding, the light which has shone on the soul, but which has been neglected or refused, will condemn them. Those who never had the light to reject will not be in condemnation. What more could have been done for God’s vineyard than has been done? Light, precious light, shines upon God’s people; but it will not save them unless they consent to be saved by it, fully live up to it, and transmit it to others in darkness. God calls upon His people to act. It is an individual work of confessing and forsaking sins and returning unto the Lord that is needed. One cannot do this work for another. Religious knowledge has accumulated, and this has increased corresponding obligations. Great light has been shining upon the church, and by it they are condemned because they refuse to walk in it. If they were blind they would be without sin. But they have seen light and have heard much truth, yet are not wise and holy. Many have for years made no advancement in knowledge and true holiness. They are spiritual dwarfs. Instead of going forward to perfection, they are going back to the darkness and bondage of Egypt. Their minds are not exercised unto godliness and true holiness.
“Will the Israel of God awake? Will all who profess godliness seek to put away every wrong, to confess to God every secret sin, and afflict the soul before Him? Will they, with great humility, investigate the motives of every action, and know that the eye of God reads all, searches out every hidden thing? Let the work be thorough, the consecration to God entire. He calls for a full surrender of all that we have and are. Ministers and people need a new conversion, a transformation of the mind, without which we are not savors of life unto life, but of death unto death.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 123, 124.
Tuesday
August 6
3. PRESENT TRUTH
a. Give examples of topics to be the focus of study, from which we should not be distracted. Daniel 7:9, 10; 8:14; Psalm 119:33–35.
“There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is ‘present truth’ that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of the messengers running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause.
“But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to explain the past Advent movement and show what our present position is, establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future. These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell.”—Early Writings, p. 63. [Author’s emphasis.]
b. For around 180 years (relatively recent in the overall scope of world history), what has been a vital aspect of present truth? Revelation 14:6–13.
“The proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages has been located by the word of Inspiration. Not a peg or pin is to be removed. No human authority has any more right to change the location of these messages than to substitute the New Testament for the Old. The Old Testament is the gospel in figures and symbols. The New Testament is the substance. One is as essential as the other. The Old Testament presents lessons from the lips of Christ, and these lessons have not lost their force in any particular. The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844, and we are now under the proclamation of the third; but all three of the messages are still to be proclaimed. It is just as essential now as ever before that they shall be repeated to those who are seeking for the truth. By pen and voice we are to sound the proclamation, showing their order, and the application of the prophecies that bring us to the third angel’s message. There cannot be a third without the first and second. These messages we are to give to the world in publications, in discourses, showing in the line of prophetic history the things that have been, and the things that will be.”—Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 26, 27.
Wednesday
August 7
4. YEARNING TO GROW
a. Describe the attitude to enable us to embrace present truth as it unfolds, even when others reject it. Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 18:3; John 7:17.
“When you become as a little child, willing to be led, and when your understanding is sanctified and your will and prejudices surrendered, such a light will be shed abroad in your heart as will illumine the Scriptures and show you present truth in its beautiful harmony. It will appear like a golden chain, link joined to link in a perfect whole.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 448.
b. How does negligence too often weaken the impact of present truth—and what is the cure? Isaiah 56:9, 10; 1 Corinthians 14:8; Revelation 3:17–19.
“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.”—Ibid., vol. 6, p. 60.
“We are certainly living in the closing days of this earth’s history. We need to devote much time to our spiritual interests, if we would experience the spiritual growth that is essential in this age. We are to make decided reforms. The Voice said: The watchmen need to awake, and give the trumpet a certain sound. The morning cometh; and also the night. Wake up, My watchmen. Voices that should now be heard presenting the truth are silent. Souls are perishing in their sins, and ministers and physicians and teachers are asleep. Wake up the watchmen!”—The Pacific Union Recorder, February 20, 1908.
“The True Witness declares that when you suppose you are really in a good condition of prosperity you are in need of everything. It is not enough for ministers to present theoretical subjects; they should also present those subjects which are practical. They need to study the practical lessons that Christ gave His disciples and make a close application of the same to their own souls and to the people. Because Christ bears this rebuking testimony, shall we suppose that He is destitute of tender love to His people? Oh, no! He who died to redeem man from death, loves with a divine love, and those whom He loves He rebukes.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 257, 258.
Thursday
August 8
5. THE EARTH ENLIGHTENED WITH GLORY
a. Describe how the present truth expands and accelerates before the return of Jesus to this earth. Revelation 18:1–5.
“[Revelation 18:1, 2, 4 quoted.] This scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844.”—The Great Controversy, p. 603.
b. How are we to behave in light of how most of the world views the present truth message as inconvenient? 1 Corinthians 2:12–16.
“In our individual experience we are to be taught of God. When we seek Him with a sincere heart, we will confess to Him our defects of character; and He has promised to receive all who come to Him in humble dependence. The one who yields to the claims of God will have the abiding presence of Christ, and this companionship will be to him a very precious thing. Taking hold of divine wisdom, he will escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust.”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 483.
“When you come to Christ you will not boast, ‘I am holy.’ Let God, alone, say that of you, for you know not your own heart. This boast is a sure evidence that you know not the Scriptures nor the power of God. Let God write in His books, if He will, that you are an obedient child, keeping His statutes with a cheerful heart, and the records will reveal it before angels and men at the day of reward.”—The Signs of the Times, December 22, 1887.
Friday
August 9
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How is the present truth for today different from times past?
2. Why I am accountable to God for living the present truth?
3. Why should I make it a point to share present truth with others?
4. How does my attitude toward brighter light affect my spiritual growth?
5. What must be my determined course of action in the face of opposition?