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Commentary on "Happy Are You, O Israel!"
Day 2: Sunday, July 24, 2011 - The Dedication
OVERVIEW
Today's lesson teaches how God's glory was manifested for all to see when Israel worshipped Him correctly.
OBSERVATIONS
The opening paragraph compares the Mosaic earthly priests' ministry to Christ's heavenly ministry, which is now occurring on our behalf. It is then followed by the question, "...what does the work of “atonement” teach us about what God has done for us and why we worship Him?"
I suspect one will answer that completely different when they understand atonement was 100% completed at the cross, rather than some ongoing atonement process that is not yet finished. I further suspect worship looks completely different based on which understanding one upholds.
SDA doctrine teaches a two phase atonement, with phase two beginning in 1844. This second phase has not yet been completed. SDAs call it an investigative judgment process. It includes a thorough review of all who have ever professed to believe. During this judgment, Satan stands by making accusations against every name and every sin each believer has ever committed, even unconfessed, or forgotten sin. In other words, Jesus is currently reviewing each of our records deciding whether or not to actually forgive each believer and count them worthy of eternal life.
There are a number of things wrong with this teaching, to name a few:
1. According to Ellen White, this judgment is, "as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven." (GC Chapter 28, page 489). Even though the book of Hebrews says His work of atonement is finished.
2. Hebrews describes Jesus as a sitting priest:
“By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD," —Hebrews 10:10-12
Notice the significance of a STANDING priest versus a SITTING priest. The standing priest’s work of atonement was NEVER finished. While the sitting Priest’s work of atonement signified His work was done.
3. When Christ is done with this judgment, His intercession for believers will cease. (GC, page 485.) Never mind that Hebrews 7:22-25 promises He will always intercede for us!
4. It ignores the fact that all sin, past, present and even future sin, was 100% dealt with and forgiven at the cross (see Colossians 2:13).
How can one worship God correctly, when one harbors so many misconceptions about Christ's work of atonement? Also how can God's glory be manifested at all, when their understanding of Christ's atonement negates the work He has already accomplished on our behalf?
SUMMARY
- The emphasis on today's lesson was on the significance of worshipping God correctly.
- The question was asked, "...what does the work of “atonement” teach us about what God has done for us and why we worship Him?"
- Your answer will look completely different if you view Christ's work of atonement as completed, versus living with the angst of still being under investigation to see if His atonement can be applied to you yet.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised July 18, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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