Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
This session emphasizes that Christ's return is delayed until His character is perfectly reproduced in His people. It explores the "science of faith" as the most essential knowledge for a healthy Christian experience. Schofield points out that while sanctification is the work of a lifetime, the final generation will have to learn in a few months what others took years to learn. The 1888 message provides the foundation for this rapid preparation by shifting the focus from human effort to God's doing. The law demands perfection—not our best human effort, but God's own righteousness manifested in us. By learning how to let God work in us through faith, we unlearn the habits of self-reliance. This simpler, clearer understanding of righteousness by faith is the light needed for our generation to stand in the last days.
Key points
- Christ will return when His character is perfectly reproduced in His people.
- The "science of faith" is essential for obeying the gospel and having a healthy experience.
- The final generation must learn the truths of righteousness by faith in a very short time.
- The law demands God's doing in our lives, which is only possible through faith.
Key texts
- Hebrews 11:6
- Romans 14:23
- 2 Peter 3:8
From the book
Chapter 16 · Hebrews 11 · Read this chapter
- “When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” (ch. 16)
- “We cannot have a healthy Christian experience... until the science of faith is better understood.” (ch. 16)
- “The law will say, 'that is not what I want. I don’t want your best. I want perfection. It is not your doing I want anyhow; it is God’s I want.'” (ch. 16)
Put it into practice
- Study the "science of faith" to understand how to let God work in you.
- Reject the idea that your "best efforts" are what the law requires for salvation.
- Prepare for a rapid work of sanctification as time draws to a close.
- Comprehension
1. What is the condition for Christ's return according to Christ's Object Lessons?
- Scripture
2. How much time might new converts have to learn what others took years to learn?
- Doctrinal Clarity
3. What is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired?
- Contrast
4. Why was the law 'added' according to the study of Galatians in 1888?
- Doctrinal Clarity
5. What does the law say when a person says, 'I have done my best'?
- Scripture
6. Why is it impossible to please God without faith?
- Contrast
7. How does the message for our generation differ from the 1888 message?
- Application
8. In what way have you been relying on your 'best efforts' instead of 'God's doing'?