Sun,
Jan 19
1. THE TEMPLE DEFILED
a. Describe the situation that prevailed in the temple of Jerusalem at the beginning of Christ’s public ministry. John 2:13, 14.
“Every Jew was required to pay yearly a half shekel as ‘a ransom for his soul.’. . . Besides this, large sums were brought as freewill offerings, to be deposited in the temple treasury. And it was required that all foreign coin should be changed for a coin called the temple shekel, which was accepted for the service of the sanctuary. The money changing gave opportunity for fraud and extortion, and it had grown into a disgraceful traffic, which was a source of revenue to the priests.
“The dealers demanded exorbitant prices for the animals sold, and they shared their profits with the priests and rulers, who thus enriched themselves at the expense of the people.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 155.
b. How did this affect the temple services? Ezekiel 22:26 (last part).
“A great number of sacrifices were offered at the time of the Passover, and the sales at the temple were very large. The consequent confusion indicated a noisy cattle market rather than the sacred temple of God. There could be heard sharp bargaining, the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, the cooing of doves, mingled with the chinking of coin and angry disputation. So great was the confusion that the worshipers were disturbed, and the words addressed to the Most High were drowned in the uproar that invaded the temple.”—Ibid.
Mon,
Jan 20
2. REVERENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
a. How does God consider the place where He manifests His presence—and what was His first directive at Mt. Sinai? Exodus 3:1–5; 19:12, 13.
“When the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai, the place was consecrated by His presence. . . . Thus was taught the lesson that wherever God manifests His presence, the place is holy.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 155, 156.
b. How did Christ react to the desecration of the temple? John 2:15, 16.
“As Jesus came into the temple, He took in the whole scene. He saw the unfair transactions. He saw the distress of the poor, who thought that without shedding of blood there would be no forgiveness for their sins. He saw the outer court of His temple converted into a place of unholy traffic. The sacred enclosure had become one vast exchange.”—Ibid., p. 157.
“Slowly descending the steps, and raising the scourge of cords gathered up on entering the enclosure, He bids the bargaining company depart from the precincts of the temple. With a zeal and severity He has never before manifested, He overthrows the tables of the money-changers. The coin falls, ringing sharply upon the marble pavement. None presume to question His authority. None dare stop to gather up their ill-gotten gain. Jesus does not smite them with the whip of cords, but in His hand that simple scourge seems terrible as a flaming sword. Officers of the temple, speculating priests, brokers and cattle traders, with their sheep and oxen, rush from the place, with the one thought of escaping from the condemnation of His presence.”—Ibid., p. 158.
c. What did Christ’s act in purifying the temple signify? Malachi 3:1–3.
“The courts of the temple at Jerusalem, filled with the tumult of unholy traffic, represented all too truly the temple of the heart, defiled by the presence of sensual passion and unholy thoughts. In cleansing the temple from the world’s buyers and sellers, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin—from the earthly desires, the selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt the soul.”—Ibid., p. 161.
Tue,
Jan 21
3. THE PRESENCE OF GOD
a. What was God’s original purpose in establishing His sanctuary among His people? Exodus 25:8.
“That temple, erected for the abode of the divine Presence, was designed to be an object lesson for Israel and for the world. From eternal ages it was God’s purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 161.
b. Why are believers referred to as the temple of God—and how are we wholeheartedly to maintain the sanctity of this temple? 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; Isaiah 57:15.
“Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple.”—Ibid.
“If we believe that the end of all things is at hand, ‘what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?’
“Every soul who truly believes the truth will have corresponding works. All will be earnest and solemn, and unwearied in their efforts to win souls to Christ. If the truth is first planted deep in their own souls, then they will seek to plant it in the hearts of others. The truth is kept altogether too much in the outer court. Bring it into the inner temple of the soul, enthrone it in the heart, and let it control the life. The word of God should be studied and obeyed, then the heart will find rest and peace and joy, and the aspirations will tend heavenward; but when truth is kept apart from the life, in the outer court, the heart is not warmed with the glowing fire of God’s goodness.
“The religion of Jesus is, by many, reserved for certain days, or certain occasions, and at other times is laid aside and neglected. The abiding principle of truth is not merely for a few hours on the Sabbath, or for a few acts of charity, but it is to be brought into the heart, refining and sanctifying the character.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 547.
Wed,
Jan 22
4. THE PURIFICATION OF THE LIVING TEMPLE
a. What must we realize about our helpless condition in seeking to purify the temple? Jeremiah 2:22; Job 14:4.
“No man can of himself cast out the evil throng that have taken possession of the heart.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 161.
b. What is the secret to being able to stand before a holy God with a cleansed heart? Ezekiel 36:25–27; Zechariah 3:3–5.
“Jacob had been guilty of a great sin in his conduct toward Esau; but he had repented. His transgression had been forgiven, and his sin purged; therefore he could endure the revelation of God’s presence. But wherever men came before God while willfully cherishing evil, they were destroyed. At the second advent of Christ the wicked shall be consumed ‘with the Spirit of His mouth,’ and destroyed ‘with the brightness of His coming.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:8. The light of the glory of God, which imparts life to the righteous, will slay the wicked.
“In the time of John the Baptist, Christ was about to appear as the revealer of the character of God. His very presence would make manifest to men their sin. Only as they were willing to be purged from sin could they enter into fellowship with Him. Only the pure in heart could abide in His presence.”—Ibid., p. 108.
“Only Christ can cleanse the soul temple. But He will not force an entrance. He comes not into the heart as to the temple of old; but He says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.’ Revelation 3:20. He will come, not for one day merely; for He says, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them; . . . and they shall be My people.’ ‘He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.’ 2 Corinthians 6:16; Micah 7:19. His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and ‘an habitation of God through the Spirit.’ Ephesians 2:21, 22.”—Ibid., pp. 161, 162.
“While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth.”—Ibid., p. 166.
Thu,
Jan 23
5. PURIFYING THE TEMPLE TODAY
a. How does God hold the leaders of His people accountable to diligently uphold the sacredness of His house? Habakkuk 2:20; Ezekiel 44:23.
“The precincts of God’s temple should have been regarded as sacred. But in the strife for gain, all this was lost sight of.
“The priests and rulers were called to be the representatives of God to the nation; they should have corrected the abuses of the temple court. They should have given to the people an example of integrity and compassion.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 156.
“It is too true that reverence for the house of God has become almost extinct. Sacred things and places are not discerned; the holy and exalted are not appreciated. . . . God gave rules of order, perfect and exact, to His ancient people. Has His character changed? Is He not the great and mighty God who rules in the heaven of heavens? Would it not be well for us often to read the directions given by God Himself to the Hebrews, that we who have the light of the glorious truth shining upon us may imitate their reverence for the house of God?”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 495, 496.
b. Explain the essential victory to be gained in Christ’s strength. Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:1–3.
“I call upon everyone who claims to be a son of God never to forget this great truth, that we need the Spirit of God within us in order to reach heaven, and the work of Christ without us in order to give us a title to the immortal inheritance.”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 442.
Fri,
Jan 24
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Who were the leaders of the iniquitous trade in the temple?
2. What should be the attitude of anyone who comes before God?
3. Explain the spiritual significance the temple at Jerusalem was to have.
4. What did Christ declare in cleansing the temple?
5. How only can our faulty human heart be cleansed?