9. By contrast, whose unique sacrifice is the one true offering that God accepts? Hebrews 10:4, 9-10.
NOTE: ‘Christ was about to visit our world, and to become incarnate. He says, “A body hast Thou prepared Me.” Had He appeared with the glory that was His with the Father before the world was, we could not have endured the light of His presence. That we might behold it and not be destroyed, the manifestation of His glory was shrouded. His divinity was veiled with humanity, the invisible glory in the visible human form. This great purpose had been shadowed forth in types and symbols. The burning bush, in which Christ appeared to Moses, revealed God. The symbol chosen for the representation of the Deity was a lowly shrub, that seemingly had no attractions. This enshrined the Infinite. The all-merciful God shrouded His glory in a most humble type, that Moses could look upon it and live. So in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, God communicated with Israel, revealing to men His will, and imparting to them His grace. God’s glory was subdued, and His majesty veiled, that the weak vision of finite men might behold it. So Christ was to come in “the body of our humiliation” (Philippians 3:21, R. V.), “in the likeness of men.” In the eyes of the world He possessed no beauty that they should desire Him; yet He was the incarnate God, the light of heaven and earth. His glory was veiled, His greatness and majesty were hidden, that He might draw near to sorrowful, tempted men.’ Desire of Ages, page 23.
10. How powerful and how enduring is the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross? Hebrews 10:9-10. Hebrews 10:12, 14, 16-17.
NOTE: ‘We are to decide between the false and the true. God has made His people “a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” “By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us.” His children will not wear a yoke of bondage, but the yoke of Christ, who said, “I have kept My Father’s commandments.” He says of His people, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Therefore, “having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.... Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” May the Lord help His people to have clear discernment, to live and speak and act as children of the light, trying in everything to please Him who gave His life that they might become His representatives to the world.’ Review & Herald, December 12, 1899.
11. In practical terms how does the blood of Jesus the Lamb of God, cleanse us from our sins, and keep us from sinning?
· Ephesians 1:7. We can be forgiven because Jesus shed His blood for us, when it should have been we who died;
· Revelation 12:11. We can overcome by the blood of the Lamb, for the Lamb is now our High Priest, and He is able to keep us from falling. He gives us His divine power to strengthen our decision to say No to Satan. It is one of the blessings brought to us by Jesus’ victory on the Cross.
· Jude 1:24-25. Our High Priest is able to keep us from falling with the power He bought for us by shedding His blood.
NOTE: ‘Through faith in His blood, all may be made perfect in Christ Jesus. Thank God that we are not dealing with impossibilities.’ Selected Messages, volume 2, page 32.