11. How much is Jesus giving of Himself to make this possible for us? Hebrews 7:25.
NOTE: ‘I hope and pray that you may walk in all lowliness of mind, that you may be a blessing to one another. “Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” The bridal lamps must be kept trimmed and burning. Our Lord delays because of His long-suffering to usward, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” But when we, with all the redeemed, shall stand upon the sea of glass, with harps of gold and crowns of glory, and before us the immensity of eternity, then we shall see how short was the waiting period of probation. “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching.” We are living in an age when all should especially give heed to the injunction of the Saviour: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Let everyone bear in mind that he should be true and loyal to God, believing the truth, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Saviour’s invitation is: “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” The Lord is willing to help us, to strengthen and bless us; but we must pass through the refining process until all the impurities in our character are burned away. Every member of the church will be subjected to the furnace, not to consume, but to purify.’ Testimonies, volume 5, page 485.
12. Unbelievable as it seems, what will we be with Jesus Christ? And what will be the joint reward for both Christ and ourselves? Romans 8:17. Compare Daniel 7:14, then verse 27.
NOTE ‘The divine Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in His blood be restored to their Eden home and crowned as joint heirs with Himself to “the first dominion.” Micah 4:8. Christ now asks that the divine plan in man’s creation be carried into effect as if man had never fallen. He asks for His people not only pardon and justification, but a share in His glory and a seat upon His throne.’ From Here to Forever, page 298.
‘The Saviour longs to manifest His grace and stamp His character on the whole world. It is His purchased possession, and He desires to make men free, and pure, and holy. Though Satan works to hinder this purpose, yet through the blood shed for the world, there are triumphs to be achieved that will bring glory to God and the Lamb. Christ will not be satisfied till the victory is complete and “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” All the nations of the earth shall hear the gospel of His grace. Not all will receive His grace; but “a seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.” “The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High,” and “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun.”’ Desire of Ages, page 827.
LESSON INSIGHT: This lesson has shown us that, in the beginning of Creation, God desired that we should live eternally in the beauty and joy of sinlessness, choosing only the ways of God, which bring peace and contentment and a wholeness to life. This was broken by sin, but God gave Himself in Christ to reconcile the world once again to Himself. This is love indeed. But what have we individually done with that love? The plea of Scripture is that we should know that love, we should know the full confidence in God that can be ours and that we should once again be at one with our God. Is not this the whole purpose of the sanctuary message, and the untiring work of our Great High Priest? May these lessons have prompted you to a deeper life in Jesus, so that you can meet Him in peace and remain by His side through the unceasing ages of eternity.