Sunday
August 11
1. FAITH, NOT FABLES
a. Why was Peter able to affirm the deity of Jesus Christ? Matthew 17:1–7.
“Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature—Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones.
“The disciples do not yet comprehend the scene; but they rejoice that the patient Teacher, the meek and lowly One, who has wandered to and fro a helpless stranger, is honored by the favored ones of heaven.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 422.
“The entire night had been passed in the mountain; and as the sun arose, Jesus and His disciples descended to the plain. Absorbed in thought, the disciples were awed and silent. Even Peter had not a word to say.”—Ibid., p. 426.
b. What was Peter able to declare confidently—and how should we, by faith, echo his courageous example? 2 Peter 1:16–18.
“No lie is of the truth. If we follow cunningly devised fables, we unite with the enemy’s forces against God and Christ. . . .
“Every form of evil is waiting for an opportunity to assail us. Flattery, bribes, inducements, promises of wonderful exaltation, will be most assiduously employed.
“What are God’s servants doing to raise the barrier of a ‘Thus saith the Lord’ against this evil?”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 194.
Monday
August 12
2. THE IMPACT OF PROPHECY
a. When confusion abounds, for what can we be thankful, as shown in how Christ brought hope to disappointed disciples on the way to Emmaus? Luke 24:15–21, 27, 32; 2 Peter 1:19.
“The hearts of the disciples [on the way to Emmaus] were stirred. Faith was kindled. They were ‘begotten again into a lively hope’ even before Jesus revealed Himself to them. It was His purpose to enlighten their understanding and to fasten their faith upon the ‘sure word of prophecy.’ He wished the truth to take firm root in their minds, not merely because it was supported by His personal testimony, but because of the unquestionable evidence presented by the symbols and shadows of the typical law, and by the prophecies of the Old Testament. It was needful for the followers of Christ to have an intelligent faith, not only in their own behalf, but that they might carry the knowledge of Christ to the world. And as the very first step in imparting this knowledge, Jesus directed the disciples to ‘Moses and all the prophets.’ Such was the testimony given by the risen Saviour to the value and importance of the Old Testament Scriptures.”—The Great Controversy, p. 349.
“It is [God’s] plan that those who are partakers of this great salvation through Jesus Christ should be His missionaries. . . . The people must be warned to prepare for the coming judgment. To those who have been listening only to fables, God will give an opportunity to hear the sure word of prophecy, whereunto they do well that they take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. He will present the sure word of truth to the understanding of all who will take heed; all may contrast truth with the fables presented to them by men who claim to understand the word of God and to be qualified to instruct those in darkness.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 631, 632.
b. Name a warning of Paul to Timothy which is highly relevant today. 1 Timothy 6:20, 21.
“The very spirit of heathen idolatry is rife today, though under the influence of science and education it has assumed a more refined and attractive form. Every day adds sorrowful evidence that faith in the sure word of prophecy is fast decreasing, and that in its stead superstition and satanic witchery are captivating the minds of men.”—Ibid., vol. 5, p. 192.
Tuesday
August 13
3. AN ANCHOR TO OUR SOUL
a. How can we discern genuine prophecy as an anchor, a foundational pillar to Christian faith? Amos 3:7; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.
“Many, very many, are questioning the verity and truth of the Scriptures. Human reasoning and the imaginings of the human heart are undermining the inspiration of the Word of God, and that which should be received as granted, is surrounded with a cloud of mysticism. Nothing stands out in clear and distinct lines, upon rock bottom. This is one of the marked signs of the last days.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 15.
“There are men who strive to be original, who are wise above what is written; therefore, their wisdom is foolishness. They discover wonderful things in advance, ideas which reveal that they are far behind in the comprehension of the divine will and purposes of God. In seeking to make plain or to unravel mysteries hid from ages from mortal man, they are like a man floundering about in the mud, unable to extricate himself and yet telling others how to get out of the muddy sea they themselves are in. This is a fit representation of the men who set themselves to correct the errors of the Bible. No man can improve the Bible by suggesting what the Lord meant to say or ought to have said.
“Some look to us gravely and say, ‘Don’t you think there might have been some mistake in the copyist or in the translators?’ This is all probable, and the mind that is so narrow that it will hesitate and stumble over this possibility or probability would be just as ready to stumble over the mysteries of the Inspired Word, because their feeble minds cannot see through the purposes of God.”—Ibid., p. 16.
“The Lord speaks to human beings in imperfect speech, in order that the degenerate senses, the dull, earthly perception, of earthly beings may comprehend His words. Thus is shown God’s condescension. He meets fallen human beings where they are. The Bible, perfect as it is in its simplicity, does not answer to the great ideas of God; for infinite ideas cannot be perfectly embodied in finite vehicles of thought. Instead of the expressions of the Bible being exaggerated, as many people suppose, the strong expressions break down before the magnificence of the thought, though the penman selected the most expressive language through which to convey the truths of higher education.”—Ibid., p. 22.
“When men venture to criticize the Word of God, they venture on sacred, holy ground, and had better fear and tremble and hide their wisdom as foolishness. God sets no man to pronounce judgment on His Word, selecting some things as inspired and discrediting others as uninspired.”—Ibid., p. 23.
Wednesday
August 14
4. GOD’S PROVISION FOR HIS CHILDREN
a. Describe a dire situation commonly found today—and how we should face it. 2 Peter 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 4:1, 2; Deuteronomy 6:24, 25.
“Never, never was there a time when the truth will suffer more from being misrepresented, belittled, demerited through the perverse disputings of men than in these last days. Men have brought themselves in with their heterogeneous mass of heresies which they represent as oracles for the people. The people are charmed with some strange, new thing, and are not wise in experience to discern the character of ideas that men may frame up as something. But to call it something of great consequence and tie it to the oracles of God does not make it truth. . . .
“We are to hear the voice of God from His revealed Word, the sure word of prophecy. Those who will magnify themselves and seek to do some wonderful thing would better come to a sound mind.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 6, pp. 1064, 1065.
“The law of God is the foundation of all enduring reformation. We are to present to the world in clear, distinct lines the need of obeying this law. Obedience to God’s law is the greatest incentive to industry, economy, truthfulness, and just dealing between man and man. . . .
“Those who hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord and cheerfully keep His commandments will be among the number who see God.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 199.
b. What Bible examples does Peter cite to show the need—and surety—of God’s gracious deliverance for those who love and fear Him? 2 Peter 2:4–8.
“God’s people, exposed to the deceptive power and unsleeping malice of the prince of darkness, and in conflict with all the forces of evil, are assured of the unceasing guardianship of heavenly angels. Nor is such assurance given without need. If God has granted to His children promise of grace and protection, it is because there are mighty agencies of evil to be met—agencies numerous, determined, and untiring, of whose malignity and power none can safely be ignorant or unheeding.”—The Great Controversy, p. 513.
Thursday
August 15
5. CHERISHING OUR DELIVERER
a. What is the most valuable deliverance that God offers to us? 2 Peter 2:9 (first half); 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 50:15.
“God will preserve all who walk in the path of obedience; but to depart from it is to venture on Satan’s ground. There we are sure to fall. The Saviour has bidden us, ‘Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.’ Mark 14:38. Meditation and prayer would keep us from rushing unbidden into the way of danger, and thus we should be saved from many a defeat.
“Yet we should not lose courage when assailed by temptation. Often when placed in a trying situation we doubt that the Spirit of God has been leading us. But it was the Spirit’s leading that brought Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. When God brings us into trial, He has a purpose to accomplish for our good. Jesus did not presume on God’s promises by going unbidden into temptation, neither did He give up to despondency when temptation came upon Him. Nor should we.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 126-129.
“Temptation is not sin. Jesus was holy and pure; yet He was tempted in all points as we are, but with a strength and power that man will never be called upon to endure. In His successful resistance He has left us a bright example, that we should follow His steps. If we are self-confident or self-righteous we shall be left to fall under the power of temptation; but if we look to Jesus and trust in Him we call to our aid a power that has conquered the foe on the field of battle, and with every temptation He will make a way of escape. When Satan comes in like a flood, we must meet his temptations with the sword of the Spirit, and Jesus will be our helper and will lift up for us a standard against him. The father of lies quakes and trembles when the truth of God, in burning power, is thrown in his face.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 426.
Friday
August 16
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How can understanding Bible prophecy help me in the days to come?
2. Why did Jesus share prophecy with the disciples going to Emmaus?
3. In what ways does Satan seek to undermine our trust in Scripture?
4. Why is it so important to cling steadfastly to the words of Inspiration?
5. When assailed by temptation, what action should we remember to take?