The link to this week's study on Daniel and the End Time is:

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/18b/less03.html

The lesson study title is "Jesus and the Book of Revelation"

Christ's ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised blessing of the Holy Spirit. For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work.
When Christ passed within the heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels. As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven's communication that the Redeemer's inauguration was accomplished.
According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people.

I don't know if you are familiar with Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary, but this is what he has to say about Revelation 1:12 and 13.

And I turned For he had heard the voice behind him. To see the voice; i.e., the person from whom the voice came.

Seven golden candlesticks - Ἑπτα λυχνιας χρυσας· Seven golden lamps. It is absurd to say, a golden silver, or brazen candlestick. These seven lamps represented the seven Churches, in which the light of God was continually shining, and the love of God continually burning. And they are here represented as golden, to show how precious they were in the sight of God. This is a reference to the temple at Jerusalem, where there was a candlestick or chandelier of seven branches; or rather six branches; three springing out on either side, and one in the center. See Exo_25:31-37. This reference to the temple seems to intimate that the temple of Jerusalem was a type of the whole Christian Church.

Like unto the Son of man - This seems a reference to Dan_7:13. This was our blessed Lord himself, Rev_1:18.

Clothed with a garment down to the foot - This is a description of the high priest, in his sacerdotal robes. See these described at large in the notes on Exodus 28:4, etc., Jesus is our high priest, even in heaven. He is still discharging the sacerdotal functions before the throne of God.

Golden girdle - The emblem both of regal and sacerdotal dignity.

Christ is seen dressed in priestly garments: A robe reaching to the feet and a sash were both prescribed for priests in the Mosaic tabernacle (see Lev. 16:3, Exodus 28:4, 29:5) In the earthly sanctuary, one of the Priest's duties was to keep the lamps burning.

If I remember correctly -- you, James follow a preterits' type of interpretation of these prophecies. Not sure what line of preterism you adhere to, or whether you just partially or fully follow that interpretation. Just trying to understand where you are coming from.

For awhile it didn't make sense how you could see Rev. 1 as actually being "Christ's second coming" until I remembered preterits' tend to believe Revelation was fulfilled back in the 1st century. That understanding has a very different idea of Christ’s second coming, and sees the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 as “Judgment Day”, the fulfillment of the prophecies.

My major concern right now --

THIS THREAD IS TO STUDY THE LESSON from week to week, the subject being-- preparing for the end time, believing that Jesus will literally come in the near future. It is not a thread on the interpretations of Revelation, except as it pertains to our preparation for the future.

Revelation is not just about the judgment but also about JESUS and His work of preparing us for life eternal and enabling us to stand in that day.

The white robe is symbolic of purity -- white robes are also given to the saints, (see Rev. 6:11 and 7:9) who will reign with Jesus as priests and kings.

And the sword from the mouth -- is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword (Heb. 4:12)
God's word is able to penetrate to the heart and convict a person. That is why you find those hearing Peter's message responding, "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart" (Acts 2:37).

Will that "sword" convict and change us now, preparing us for the end time, or will that "sword" overwhelm us at the second coming with guilt because we neglected so great a salvation, and we are not saved?

THIS THREAD IS TO STUDY THE LESSON from week to week, the subject being-- preparing for the end time ...

John 16:28: "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."

That verse caused me to consider that is it possible, being the first and only begotten son, it is referring to the specific incarnation of God? The condition of which is permanent and everlasting of which, such condition never existed before? (Incarnation meaning, birth by a human)

John 16:28: "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father."

That verse caused me to consider that is it possible, being the first and only begotten son, it is referring to the specific incarnation of God? The condition of which is permanent and everlasting of which, such condition never existed before? (Incarnation meaning, birth by a human)

Scripture proves His personhood. Christians are baptized in His name along with the Father and Son (Matt. 28:19) . The Spirit glorifies Christ (John 16:14) . The Spirit convicts people (John 16:8) . He can be grieved (Eph. 4:30) . He is a Comforter (John 14:16) , Helper (NKJV) , Counselor (RSV) . He teaches (Luke 12:12) , intercedes (Rom. 8:26), and sanctifies (1 Pet. 1:2) . Christ said the Spirit guides people into all truth (John 16:13) .

In short, the Holy Spirit is God, as are the Father and the Son. Together, they are One God.

Everything the Spirit does reveals divine love. What are some of the things He does? Luke 12:12, John 16:8-13, Acts 13:2.

The greatest evidence that the Holy Spirit is God is the incarnation of Christ. Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20) . Only God could “create” like that.

The Holy Spirit is able to perform two opposite miracles for Christ. First, He brought the omnipresent Christ into the womb of Mary. Christ ascended bodily to heaven in a human body, confined within that body. Second, the Spirit brings Christ confined by His humanity and, in another inexplicable miracle, makes Him present to Christians around the world.

Thus, the Holy Spirit, along with the Father and the Son, is working in our behalf. “The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave Themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption”. — Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 222.

Also from Tuesday's study is the following EGW quote: “The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave Themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption.” Counsels on Health – 222.2

From Tuesday's Study, probably once again:

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/18b/less04.html#tue

The Holy Spirit has been misunderstood, almost as much as the Father.

Some theologians have thought of the Spirit as the love between the Father and the Son. In other words, the Spirit is merely affection between the Father and the Son.

This means that He is diminished to a relationship between two members of the Godhead and is not a member Himself.

But Scripture proves His [Holy Spirit's] personhood.

Christians are baptized in His [Holy Spirit's] name along with the Father and Son (Matt. 28:19).

So according to Hebrews, it appears that Jesus entered the most holy place at His death, not in 1844?

Sanctuary

Heb 9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

So according to Hebrews, it appears that Jesus entered the most holy place at His death, not in 1844?

9:1 Now we realize the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary.

9:2 For there was a tabernacle built; in the first part there was the candlestick, and the table with the shewbread; which is called the holy.
9:3 Then there was the second veil in the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, which contained the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
9:5 And over it stood the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; but we cannot now speak particularly of this.

9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went daily into the first part of the tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.

9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holy places was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle (the earthly one) was yet standing:
9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
9:10 That tabernacle stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation
.
9:11 But Christ becoming an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, one not made with hands, that is to say, not of this (earthly) building;
9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy places, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

The author (probably Paul) even mentions that he is not speaking particularly in any detail concerning the Most Holy Place at that time. (see 9:5)

Exactly.
I'm not sure where you stand on SDA/EGW theology, but a straight-forward reading of the Bible and Hebrews will immediately put an end to this "wind of doctrine" called the Investigative Judgement.

Not necessarily, both the daily and the yearly services had sacrifices.

The verses are speaking of BOTH apartments of the earthly sanctuary. It's speaking of BOTH the daily (9:6) and the yearly services (9:7).

The author (probably Paul) even mentions that he is not speaking particularly in any detail concerning the Most Holy Place at that time. (see 9:5)

Thus when Christ entered the heavenly Holy Places (heavenly sanctuary) once and for all, He took His "once and for all sacrifice" which was more than adequate for ALL the services both in the holy place and the most holy place.

His ONE sacrifice is sufficient for all the "daily" and the "day of atonement" ministrations.

Though exact details are blurred in history, we do know that under papal Rome the seventh-day Sabbath was replaced by the tradition of Sunday keeping, a tradition so firmly entrenched that the Protestant Reformation kept that tradition alive, even into the twenty-first century. Today most Protestants still keep the first day of the week, rather than following the biblical command for the seventh day.

James, speak on how in the earthly sanctuary the high priest ministered in the first apartment for most of the year/time and then at the end, he ministered in the second apartment. If at Christ's death He entered the sanctuary as a whole, at what point, how long of time before He moved from the one apartment to the other?

As the Memory Text indicates, we are looking at the present truth regarding "the everlasting gospel":

Memory Text:
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6, NKJV).

What is "the everlasting gospel"?

since Christ, as High Priest, made such sacrifice through his death, and did so once for all, it is obvious that "Calvary" was the Great Day of Atonement.

Mark 15:37-38 says, "[When] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last ... the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." As Mat. 27:50-51 also says, "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom ..."

Why then do so many people interpret Genesis through the lens of a theory that, at its most basic level, contradicts Genesis at its most basic level? Indeed, not only has the error of evolution swept millions of secular people, but many professed Christians believe that they can harmonize it with their Christian faith, despite the blatant contradictions just mentioned.

"Teilhard dreamed of humanity merging into ‘God’ and each realizing his own godhood at the Omega point. This belief has inspired many of today’s New Age leaders.
Teilhard said this:

"It is a law of the universe that in all things there is prior existence. Before every form there is a prior, but lesser evolved form. Each one of us is evolving towards the God-head."

"As we know, the belief that the human individual cannot perfect himself or fully exist except through the organic unification of all men in God is essential and fundamental to Christian doctrine."
Catholic theologian Malachi Martin (1921-1999) describes Teilhard de Chardin's theology in his book "The Jesuits":
"Once complete unity has been achieved, Christ—who will be the Omega Point—will appear; man will then be more than man, will be what Teilhard called Ultra-Human, the cosmos will be transformed; and the glory of it all will be established."


Based on the prominence of New Age doctrine in Teilhard’s writings, it’s no surprise that a survey of New Agers showed that the leading influence of their "spiritual awakening" was Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. (Walter Veith in Rekindling the Reformation)

How can you take comfort in the promise that all the injustice and iniquity that seem to go unpunished now will one day face final retribution by God?

Wednesday's lesson -- Deceptions

Sabbath and the Theory of Evolution

The Sabbath of Genesis and the forth commandment holds the believer to a six day creation, in which mankind is created perfect and is called to worship His Creator on every seventh day in remembrance of his Creator.

Evolution makes this cycle completely irrelevant as memorial of creation -- for it does not believe in a six day creation.



This deception has crept even into the Adventist church, though not officially, yet academically in our schools of higher education.

In many ways theistic evolution is far more deceptive than agnostic evolution. With the later we know their theory is based on a creation without God, yet the theistic evolution presents itself as believing in the creative poser of God, but it totally departs from the very basics of scripture.

1. What is the origin of sin?
Scripture teaches sin began when perfect beings, created in the image of God, distrusted the Word of God, and believed the voice of the deceiver that God was unjust, acted contrary to God's warning command and did exactly what they thought would elevate them to higher levels of existence.

The deceptive voice said:
Gen 3:5 "the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods,'

God's warning:
2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Thus death, violence and evil entered the world, when they trusted the deceiver and unleashed his power in the world.

THE THEISITIC EVOLUTIONIST
has no real answer to the origin of sin. In this theory, God used cycles of death, violence, and survival of the fittest to create! Mankind was not created perfect, he did not "fall", He was first a creature(an animal} without moral conscience that acted like any animal with instincts only for survival. Sin is an illusive concept attached to an awakening "moral conscience" in the advancing process of evolution.

Redemption, thus is no longer seen as a need for a Savior, but simply a need for a power to move mankind to a higher level in his evolutionary development.
Christ's death becomes only a catalyst in that process that pushes the human race into the next level of their evolutionary development.

The evolutionist is looking forward to mankind taking the next quantum leap into a higher level-- to become "more than human".

If one really goes deeper into their reasoning one ends up finding themselves on the "new age" track -- first brought into Christianity by the Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He came up with the idea of the Omega Point (a maximum level of complexity and consciousness towards which he believed the universe is evolving)


In other words -- if we follow the theistic evolution we will find it leads back to the deceivers first lie --
you shall be as gods.

It is the worship of the creature, that is evolving into godhood, it is not the worship of the CREATOR, Redeemer, Savior, sanctifier and judge of scripture.

Dedication - I don't know why you moved my last comment, but I will post it again as it directly addresses your post - theistic evolution, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin all fit the emergent church paradigm. See https://youtu.be/f6U-HFztQkE

OK, I see the connection now. The video seemed to be a continuation of the one posted in the OP of the "emergent Church" thread and I thought it ended up here by mistake. Now I see it fits in both places. Very interesting videos.