Commentary on "Sin"

STEVE PITCHER

 

Day 7: Friday, May 8, 2009

On this final study for the week, a suggestion is made to read “The Fall of Satan,” “The Fall of Man,” and “The Plan of Salvation” from Early Writings, pages 145-153.

Because this passage opens with an incredibly heretical statement, I will only address that statement and then provide an alternative suggestion.

The passage opens up with this sentence:

Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Christ.

The implication that Satan and Christ were both angels (Jesus being the Archangel Michael) in heaven and that the Father went to Jesus and not to Satan when deciding to create man, resulting in Satan becoming jealous, is blasphemous.

Inherent in this statement is the original Arian heresy James White was professing, and which Ellen White never directly addressed (although she did address it indirectly, much later in her life.) Most honest leaders in the SDA Church now openly admit the Arian origins within the SDA movement.

Rather than read Early Writings, may I suggest the following:

In a translation that is different from the one that you normally use when studying for the Sabbath School lesson, and one that is not marked up with notes/underlinings/etc., read the following:

1. Romans chapters 5-8 (hopefully, you've read chapter 5 as suggested earlier!)
2. Hebrews chapters 7-10.
3. First Corinthians chapter 15.
4. Second Thessalonians chapter 2.

Hebrews 4:12 provides an incredible insight. It says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Each chapter will only take a few minutes. But those few minutes will provide you with much more to deal with your personal sin, and provide you with the righteousness that is found in Christ alone, than is found in the lessons this week from the Sabbath School Quarterly.

When all is said and done, may you be found in Him alone!

 

Summary

1. The Quarterly suggests reading a few pages from Early Writings. That passage opens with a statement that denigrates the position of Jesus and elevates the position of Satan.
2. Rather than reading EGW, four scripture passages are suggested: Rom. ch. 5-8; Heb. ch. 7-10; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Thess. 2.
3. The word of God is powerful and can point to the righteousness that is found in Christ alone more clearly than anything this world has to offer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2008 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised May 1, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 6

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 6

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 6

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings