Bible Study Guides – “Who Can Bring a Clean Thing Out of an Unclean?”

November 5-11, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:2.

STUDY HELP: Testimonies, vol. 2, 609–614.

INTRODUCTION: “The glory of God hallowed the sanctuary; and for this reason the priests never entered the place sanctified by God’s presence with shoes upon their feet. Particles of dust might cleave to their shoes, which would desecrate the sanctuary; therefore the priests were required to leave their shoes in the court, before entering the sanctuary. In the court, beside the door of the tabernacle, stood the brazen laver, wherein the priests washed their hands and their feet before entering the tabernacle, that all impurity might be removed, ‘that they die not.’ All who officiated in the sanctuary were required of God to make special preparations before entering where God’s glory was revealed.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 348.

“The Washing of Regeneration”

1 What was placed between the altar of sacrifice and the Holy Place? Exodus 30:18.

NOTE: “The laver was placed between the altar and the congregation, that before they [the priests] came into the presence of God, in the sight of the congregation, they might wash their hands and their feet. What impression was this to make upon the people? It was to show them that every particle of dust must be put away before they could go into the presence of God; for He was so high and holy that unless they did comply with these conditions, death would follow.” Review and Herald, May 30, 1871.

2 What was the original source of the water for the laver? Exodus 17:5, 6.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 411.

3 How does Paul explain the spiritual significance of water in the plan of salvation? Ephesians 5:26, 27; Titus 3:5.

NOTE: “The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, causing the desert place to blossom, and flowing out to give life to the perishing, is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul. He in whom Christ is abiding has within him a never–failing fountain of grace and strength. Jesus cheers the life and brightens the path of all who truly seek Him. His love, received into the heart, will spring up in good works unto eternal life. And not only does it bless the soul in which it springs, but the living stream will flow out in words and deeds of righteousness, to refresh the thirsting around him.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 412.

“Beholding As In a Glass”

4 From what was the laver made? Exodus 38:8.

NOTE: “Between the altar and the door of the tabernacle was the laver, which was also of brass, made from the mirrors that had been the freewill offering of the women of Israel.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 347.

5 Into what mirror should all followers of Christ gaze? 2 Corinthians 3:18.

NOTE: “Pride and vanity are manifested everywhere; but those who are inclined to look into the mirror to admire themselves will have little inclination to look into the law of God, the great moral mirror. This idolatry of dress destroys all that is humble, meek, and lovely in character. It consumes the precious hours that should be devoted to meditation, to searching the heart, to the prayerful study of God’s Word.” Child Guidance, 433.

“There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Christ, the power of divine grace transforms and sanctifies him. Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, he is changed from glory to glory, until he is like Him whom he adores.” Acts of the Apostles, 559.

“A Fountain for Sin and for Uncleanness”

6 How does the water from the Rock explain the ministry of Christ? Zechariah 13:1.

NOTE: “In order to gain a proper knowledge of ourselves, it is necessary to look into the mirror, and there discovering our own defects, avail ourselves of the blood of Christ, the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, in which we may wash our robes of character and remove the stains of sin.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 58.

“The time has come for earnest and powerful efforts to rid the church of the slime and filth which is tarnishing her purity. The church of Christ is called to be a holy, powerful people, a name and praise in all the earth. There has been opened a fountain for Judah and Jerusalem, to wash from all uncleanness and sin. There is an astonishing backsliding with God’s people, to whom has been entrusted sacred, holy truth.” Testimonies to Ministers, 450.

7 How often were the priests to wash in the water of the laver? Exodus 30:18–20.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 347, 348.

“If Any Man Thirst, Let Him Come unto Me, and Drink”

8 What gracious invitation did Christ give on the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles? John 7:37.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 453.

9 How is the symbolism of water also used for spiritual cleansing today? Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3, 4.

NOTE: “Man was brought again into favor with God by the washing of regeneration. The washing was the burial with Christ in the water in the likeness of His death, representing that all who repent of the transgression of the law of God receive purification, cleansing, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism represents true conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism, and been raised in the likeness of His resurrection, have pledged themselves to live in newness of life. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’ Colossians 3:1, 2.” The Faith I Live By, 143.

10 What further symbol of cleansing was given to us by Jesus? John 13:3–17.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 646, 647.

“A Sea of Glass”

11 What is the counterpart of the laver in the sanctuary in heaven? Revelation 4:6, first part. (See also Revelation 15:2.)

12 What is said of those who will stand on that sea of glass? Revelation 15:2–4.

NOTE: “Through trials and persecution, the glory—character—of God is revealed in His chosen ones. The church of God, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. They walk in narrow paths on earth; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they are destined to be partakers of His glory. In holy vision the prophet saw the triumph of the people of God. He says, ‘I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory,….stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.’ ‘These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.’ Revelation 15:2, 3; 7:14, 15.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 31.