This weekly feature is dedicated to Adventists who are looking for biblical insights into the topics discussed in the Sabbath School lesson quarterly. We post articles which address each lesson as presented in the Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, including biblical commentary on them. We hope you find this material helpful and that you will come to know Jesus and His revelation of Himself in His word in profound biblical ways.
Lesson 9: “Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice”
COLLEEN TINKER
Problems with this lesson:
- It is an apologetic for the investigative judgment
- It teaches that sacrificial blood transfered sin to the tabernacle and defiled it
- It teaches that the law “is central to the gospel”
In spite of what many Adventists claim, this Sabbath School lesson demonstrates that the investigative judgment is still taught. Moreover, it is necessary for Adventism to exist. The entire theological framework of Adventism hangs on the great controversy worldview with the investigative judgment—the face-saving contrivance that allowed the founders of the organization to hang onto their errant date of October 22, 1844—at its core.
Life Assurance Ministries has produced many articles and videos that address this heretical doctrine and show that is is neither biblical nor honoring of our sovereign God. Instead of re-inventing the wheel and writing why this lesson teaches heresy and the investigative judgment is wrong, I will share links which I encourage everyone to peruse.
Blood NEVER defiled the tabernacle but ALWAYS cleansed. The notion that blood transferred sin and defiled the Holy Place is the cornerstone of the investigative judgment argument—and it is actually blasphemy against the Lord Jesus and His once-for-all sacrifice.
Here are my suggestions for a dive into the biblical answers to this foundational doctrine of Adventism.
Videos
- Dale Ratzlaff: Three Adventist Doctrines that Compromise the Gospel
- Colleen Tinker: Adventists Have the Wrong Priest
Articles
- Russell Kelly: Does Blood Defile the Tabernacle?
- Chris Badenhorst: Your Questions Finally Answered
- Colleen Tinker: New Improved Investigative Judgment
- April 27–May 3, 2024 - April 25, 2024
- We Got Mail - April 25, 2024
- April 20–26, 2024 - April 18, 2024
Colleen,
First of all, thank you for your ongoing work to help free us from the mire of cultic doctrine called Adventism.
As I read this week’s lesson, I was horrified even more than usual! This week they laid it all out—their entire purpose for this lesson on Hebrews. It is mangled and misued to deny Christ and elevate their own misguided thinking.
I was almost in tears by the end of it as I read the Bible-denying, God-lowering twisting of Hebrews!
I know that you didn’t try to break it all down again but pointed us to some helpful videos and articles but I just wanted to comment on a couple of things.
On Sunday it says:
“When Israel broke the covenant, God faced a painful dilemma. The covenant demanded the death of the transgressors, but God loved His people. If God should simply look the other way or refuse to punish the transgressors, His commandments would never be enforceable, and this world would descend into chaos. The Son of God, however, offered Himself as a Substitute.”
Somehow, God got caught looking the other way and ended up in a “painful dilema”! Nothing about how the plan of salvation was established before the foundation of the world. Just one more way that God was minimized and belittled. He has become a god that reacts because he does not know the future.
Then on Wednesday we see two of the worst of Adventism’s errors. To quote:
“the heavenly sanctuary needs cleansing”
That one is bad enough, assuming that Jesus’ blood defiles heaven! If that isn’t bad enough, the real blasphemy came a few sentences later:
“the scapegoat, Azazel, who represented Satan”
This one make it painfully clear that they almost worship Satan by making him pay for our sin. As you have noted before, they talk about Satan much more than they do about Jesus; they elevate the one while lowering the Other.
I know you know these things and I think you probably share my outrage and pain at seeing these lies.
Thank you again for letting me vent. And thank you for helping me disentangle myself from this kind of error.
In Christ
Jeanie