Lesson 18
The Treasure in the Temple
Courtesy of Pastor Ken LeBrun
The Treasure in the Temple
Courtesy of Pastor Ken LeBrun
1. When the temple of God was opened in heaven, what was seen in His temple?
Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
2. What was written on tables of stone in the ark of the testament?
Deuteronomy 10:3-5 And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand. 4And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me. 5And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.
The ark containing the commandments is depicted in Revelation as being in the sanctuary in heaven. God’s commandments constitute the law of His universal government. The Psalmist declares that God’s kingdom “ruleth over all,” and that all the angels “do his commandments.” Psalm 103:19,20. The Ten Commandments are recorded in Exodus 20:3-17.
3. What dishonors God?
Romans 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
4. Why does this subject call for special attention today?
Psalm 119:126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
5. How do we show our love for God?
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
6. What is the evidence that we know God?
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4.
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:2, 3.
7. According to the words of Jesus, what are we to do with even the least of the commandments?
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:17, 18.
As an example to us, Jesus was careful to “fulfil all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15.
8. What did Isaiah prophesy that Jesus would do?
Isaiah 42:21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
Notice how Jesus magnified the sixth and seventh commandments:
“Ye have heard that it was said..., Thou shalt not kill.” “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Matthew 5:21, 22.
“Ye have heard that it was said..., Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:27, 28.
9. In His flesh, Christ abolished the law of commandments which were contained in what?
Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
10. What was the passover called?
Exodus 12:43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
In Old Testament times God’s people performed ceremonial ordinances involving burnt offerings and the sprinkling of blood (Ezekiel 43:18). While it was not the blood of bulls and goats which took away their sins (Hebrews 10:4), such ordinances were a means of demonstrating their faith in Christ and obtaining His righteousness by faith (Hebrews 11:4,28). Since they served only as a foreshadowing of Christ, those provisional laws were no longer needed after His death.
11. Christ nailed to the cross and blotted out the handwriting of what which was against us?
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
12. Yet what thing will God not alter?
Psalm 89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
13. Did the Ten Commandments come from His lips?
Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying...
We must not confuse the ceremonial ordinances with the moral law which is summarized in the Ten Commandments. As God does not change (James 1:17), neither do His commandments. God’s commandments are His righteousness (Psalm 119:172) which He puts in us when He justifies us (Compare Romans 3:22 with Hebrews 10:16, 17).
14. What law is it that has real significance for the Christian?
1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
15. How did Paul describe God’s commandments?
Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
16. Looking into the law is like unto a man doing what?
James 1:23-25 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
17. When we look into the law as a mirror, what does it show us?
Romans 3:20 herefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
18. Would we know what sin is if there was no law?
Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
19. To what else are God’s commandments compared?
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
20. Because God’s law reveals to us the sin in our lives, it plays an important role in doing what for the soul?
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
21. Once the law has shown us our sin, does it have the power to justify us?
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:
22. Who only can save us?
Acts 4:10,12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
23. Do we then make void the law?
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8.
“These things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8.
“For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23.
24. What is sin?
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
25. Is sin counted when there is no law?
Romans 5:13 For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
“The strength of sin is the law.” 1 Corinthians 15:56.
26. So if the law was abolished, there would be no more sin?
Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Jesus then could have eliminated sin without having to suffer. All He would have to do is change the law. Rewrite the law, and there would be no more violation, no need for anyone to pay the penalty. Christ would not have had to die.
The very fact that Christ died is the strongest proof that He would not change His law. For “it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17.
27. While justifying those who believe in Jesus, God must at the same time be what?
Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
28. How long will all God's commandments stand?
Psalm 111:7,8 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
“The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul:
The testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart:
The commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring for ever:
The judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
yea, than much fine gold:
Sweeter also than honey
and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
and in keeping of them
there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11
For further study on this subject see : What the Bible Says About Being Under the Law.
In the Light of God's Word...
I understand that the Ten Commandment Law of God is His supreme moral standard, and I choose by His grace to obey it.
I understand that God’s law defines sin and righteousness, and cannot be changed.
I understand that the ordinances which symbolized Christ’s atoning work were the only laws which His death affected.
Next Lesson: Remember Now thy Creator
It's interesting that if you put 6 equal coins together in a hexagon and touching each other, you can take a seventh equal-sized coin and place it in the middle so that it perfectly touches each of the 6 around it without disrupting the hexagon. Throughout the Bible, 7 represents completion and perfection. Back in Genesis God created everything in 6 days for it says that evening and morning were the first day and evening and morning were the second day and so on, on down to the sixth day. After 6 days of creating this earth, God did something special. On the seventh day He memorialized the first 6 days in which He had created everything so perfectly. Genesis 2 says that He blessed that day and made it Holy. Does that have any relevance for us in today's world? Lesson 19 examines God's special Memorial Day.