LESSON 13 *June 17–23
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Thess. 5:1–6; John 8:32;
Rev. 18:1; Rev. 4:11; Exod. 33:18, 19; Rev. 5:6, 12; Rev. 13:8.
Memory Text: “After these things I saw another angel coming
down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated
with his glory” (Revelation 18:1, NKJV).
Sooner or later, final events will unfold. Exactly when, exactly
how—we have not been told. But we have been told enough.
Some kind of legislation enforcing Sunday keeping, in contrast
to Sabbath keeping, will occur. Revelation has revealed to us the crucial
issues at stake, the crucial players involved, and in broad sweeps, it has
told us what will happen when, in contrast to the worship of the One
“ ‘who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water’ ” (Rev.
14:7, NKJV), people—all “whose names have not been written in the
Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev.
13:8, NKJV)—will worship the beast and his image. In other words, all
those who have chosen to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and obey His
commandments—their names remain in the book of life. How much
better to be in the register of God than in the records of man.
God has raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church to preach this
message to the world. Thus, we need, ourselves, to be converted to the
truth as it is in Jesus, and to have been transformed and made new
by the “everlasting gospel” of Revelation 14:6, which is centered on
Christ’s death for us, the assurance of our salvation in Him.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 24.
EGW Notes — SATURDAY ↓
Sabbath Afternoon, June 17
Lesson 13 - Ablaze With God’s Glory
The fall of man filled all heaven with sorrow. The world that God had made was blighted with the curse of sin and inhabited by beings doomed to misery and death. There appeared no escape for those who had transgressed the law. . . .
The Son of God, heaven’s glorious Commander, was touched with pity for the fallen race. His heart was moved with infinite compassion as the woes of the lost world rose up before Him. But divine love had conceived a plan whereby man might be redeemed. . . . None but Christ could redeem fallen man from the curse of the law and bring him again into harmony with Heaven. . . .
The plan of salvation had been laid before the creation of the earth; for Christ is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8); yet it was a struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race. But “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Oh, the mystery of redemption! the love of God for a world that did not love Him! Who can know the depths of that love which “passeth knowledge”? Through endless ages immortal minds, seeking to comprehend the mystery of that incomprehensible love, will wonder and
adore.—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 63.
The foundation of our hope in Christ is the fact that we recognize ourselves as sinners in need of restoration and redemption. It is because we are sinners that we have courage to claim Him as our Saviour. Then let us take heed lest we deal with the erring in a way that would say to others that we have no need of redemption. Let us not denounce, condemn, and destroy as though we were faultless. It is the work of Christ to mend, to heal, to restore. God is love. He gives Satan no occasion for triumphing by making the worst appear or by exposing our weaknesses to our enemies.
Christ came to bring salvation within the reach of all. The most erring, the most sinful, were not passed by; His labors were especially for those who most needed the salvation He came to bring. The greater their need of reform, the deeper was His interest, the greater His sympathy, and the more earnest His labors. His great heart of love was stirred to its depths for the ones whose condition was most hopeless and who most needed His transforming
grace.—In Heavenly Places, p. 291.
SUNDAY June 18
Preparing for the Final Crisis
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6. What admonition does the apostle Paul
give us regarding the last days of human history?
* Your notes will not be saved!
The apostle Paul urged the believers at Thessaloniki to “watch” and
“be sober” in the context of the second coming of Christ. And if Paul
would say that to believers then, what would he say to us today?
He also declared that they were “children of light” (1 Thess. 5:5,
NIV) and that they were not in “darkness, so that this day [the return of
Christ]” (1 Thess. 5:4, NIV) should overtake them “as a thief ” (1 Thess.
5:4, NKJV). Jesus used the expression to “watch” in connection with
earnest, heartfelt prayer (Matt. 24:42, Matt. 26:40, 41). To watch is to
be spiritually alert. To be sober minded is to be serious about the times
that we are living in and focused on the things that really matter.
Ellen G. White adds: “We who know the truth should be preparing
for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming
surprise.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 28.
And while it might be a surprise to the world, it should not be a
surprise to us. Though we don’t know when it will happen, we can see
enough to know that it is coming, and that now, today, is the day to be
ready.
Review Daniel 2, and note the sequence of kingdoms that came and
went, exactly as predicted. What should this teach us about how
we can trust that what God says will happen, will indeed happen?
Christ has given us these last-day messages so that, knowing what is
coming, we can prepare for it. The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation,
combined with the modern gift of prophecy, give us divine insight into
what is coming upon this world. The prophetic Word of God outlines
salvation history in advance, and Daniel 2 provides powerful, rational
evidence that we can trust God.
Paul says not “to sleep” as others do. What does that mean, and
how can we know if we are, indeed, sleeping and, if we are, what
will it take to wake us?
EGW Notes — SUNDAY ↓
Sunday, June 18
Preparing for the Final Crisis
The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal state—men will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. Before the flood, after Noah entered the ark, God shut him in, and shut the ungodly out; but for seven days the people, knowing not that their doom was fixed, continued their careless, pleasure-loving life, and mocked the warnings of impending judgment. “So,” says the Saviour, “shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every man’s destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy’s offer to guilty men.
The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of
God.—Maranatha, p. 264.
Every true follower of Christ has a work to do. God has given to every man his work. A few are now pointing to the roll of fast-fulfilling prophecy and proclaiming, Get ready, show your obedience to God by keeping His commandments. . . .
Let everyone who loves God consider that now while it is day is the time to work, not among the sheep already in the fold, but to go out in search of the lost and perishing ones. These need to have special help to bring them back to the fold. Now is the time for the careless to arouse from their slumber. Now is the time to entreat that souls shall not only hear the word of God, but without delay secure oil in their vessels with their lamps. That oil is the righteousness of Christ. It represents character, and character is not transferable. No man can secure it for another. Each must obtain for himself a character purified from every stain of
sin.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 233.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44. . . .
We know not the precise time when our Lord shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven, but He has told us that our only safety is in a constant readiness—a position of watching and waiting. Whether we have one year before us, or five, or ten, we are to be faithful to our trust today. We are to perform each day’s duties as faithfully as though that day were to be our last.
We are not doing the will of God if we wait in idleness. To every man He has given his work, and He expects each one to do his part with fidelity. As never before, resistance must be made against sin—against the powers of darkness. The time demands energetic and determined activity on the part of those who believe present truth. They should teach the truth by both precept and
example.—That I May Know Him, p. 358.
MONDAY June 19
Knowing Truth
Read John 7:17, John 8:32, and John 17:17. What promises does Jesus
give regarding knowing truth and where is it found?
God’s final appeal to His people is to flee the errors of Babylon
and walk in the light of eternal truth found in His Word. The key to
everything is the Bible. As long as people stick to the Bible and follow
what it teaches, they will not be deceived in the final crisis, particularly
regarding the Sabbath.
The message of the second angel appeals to us to accept truth rather
than error, Scripture rather than tradition, and the teachings of God’s
Word rather than the errors of false doctrine.
The third angel’s message, which follows the first two angels’, presents
a warning against the mark of the beast. Throughout the prophecies of
the Bible, a beast represents a political or religious power. The
sea beast of Revelation 13 and 14 arises out of Rome as a worldwide
system of worship. Eventually this Roman power extends its influence
over the whole world and will lead out in a movement to unite church
and state. The goal will be to achieve world unity at a time of economic
upheaval, natural catastrophes, social turmoil, international political
crisis, and global conflict.
And the United States will eventually take the lead in this global
confederation. “Through the two great errors, the immortality of the
soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his
deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the
latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the
United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf
to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp
hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold
union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the
rights of conscience.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 588.
These messages conclude with an urgent appeal for Christ’s faithful
followers to keep the commandments of God through the living faith of
Jesus dwelling in their hearts (Rev. 14:12).
How do you understand Jesus’ words: “ ‘the truth shall make you
free’ ” (John 8:32, NKJV)? What does that mean? How has the
truth set you free? What does it mean to be “free” in this context?
EGW Notes — MONDAY ↓
Monday, June 19
Knowing Truth
Those who desire to find the treasures of truth must dig for them as the miner digs for the treasure hidden in the earth. No halfhearted, indifferent work will avail. It is essential for old and young, not only to read God’s word, but to study it with wholehearted earnestness, praying and searching for truth as for hidden treasure. Those who do this will be rewarded, for Christ will quicken the understanding.
Our salvation depends on a knowledge of the truth contained in the Scriptures. It is God’s will that we should possess this. Search, O search the precious Bible with hungry hearts. Explore God’s word as the miner explores the earth to find veins of gold. Never give up the search until you have ascertained your relation to God and His will in regard to you. Christ declared, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13,
14.—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 111.
Those who cry unto God for deliverance from the terrible spell that Satan would weave about them, will set a high estimate upon the Scriptures. Our only safety is in receiving the whole Bible, not taking merely detached portions, but believing the whole truth. Your feet are upon sliding sand if you depreciate one word that is written. The Bible is a divine communication, and is as verily a message to the soul as though a voice from heaven were heard speaking to us. With what awe and reverence and humiliation should we come to the searching of the Scriptures, that we may learn of eternal realities. Let everyone study the Bible, knowing that the Word of God is as enduring as the eternal throne. If you come to the study of the Scriptures in humility, with earnest prayer for guidance, angels of God will open to you its living realities; and if you cherish the precepts of truth, they will be to you as a wall of fire against the temptations, delusions, and enchantments of
Satan.—Our High Calling, p. 210.
All who are traveling the road to heaven need a safe guide. We must not walk in human wisdom. It is our privilege to listen to the voice of Christ speaking to us as we walk the journey of life, and His words are always words of wisdom.
Satan is working with great diligence to compass the ruin of the souls of men. He has come down with great power, knowing that he has but a short time to work. Our only safety lies in following closely after Christ, walking in His wisdom, and practicing His truth. We cannot always readily detect the working of Satan; we do not know where he lays his traps. But Jesus understands the subtle arts of the enemy, and He can keep our feet in safe paths. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) Christ
declares.—Our High Calling, p. 16.
TUESDAY June 20
The Reformation Continues
God has raised up a last-day people to stand on the shoulders of the
great Reformers of the past with the Bible as their only creed, Christ
alone as their only Source of salvation, the Holy Spirit as their only
Source of strength, and the return of our Lord as the consummation of
all their hopes. Truths long obscured by the darkness of error and
tradition, including the true Bible Sabbath, will be proclaimed to the world
just before the return of our Lord.
The three angels’ messages gave birth to this last-day movement
to complete the Reformation and to participate with Christ in finishing
His work on earth. The great prophecies of the Bible’s last book
reveal a divine movement of destiny arising out of disappointment to
proclaim God’s final message to the world. Revelation 14 describes
a worldwide church spanning the globe with the good news of the
eternal gospel.
The three angels of Revelation 14 are joined by a fourth angel in
Revelation 18. This angel gives power to the proclamation of the three
angels so that the “earth [is] lightened with [God’s] glory” (Rev. 18:1).
Chapter 18 focuses on the major events leading up to the climax of
human history and the final, ultimate triumph of the gospel.
Read Revelation 18:1. What three things does John tell us about this
angel? (See also Hab. 2:14.)
The angel who comes down from the glorious presence of God in the
throne room of the sanctuary is commissioned to proclaim God’s last
message of mercy and to warn the inhabitants of the earth of what is
coming upon planet Earth.
The text says that the angel comes with “great authority.” The New
Testament Greek word for “authority” is exousia. Jesus uses this word
in the Gospel of Matthew in harmony with the sending out of His
disciples. In Matthew 10:1, Jesus gives His disciples “authority” (NIV)
over the principalities and powers of evil. He sends them out with the
divine power to be victorious in the battle between good and evil. In
Matthew 28:18, 19, He once again sends them out, but this time with
“ ‘all authority’ ” in heaven and on earth to go and “ ‘make disciples of
all the nations’ ” (NKJV).
Ultimately, how do the issues in the last days (as they really do
every day) come down to authority? Whose authority do we follow:
God’s, our own, the beast power’s, or someone else’s? Whose
authority are you following now?
EGW Notes — TUESDAY ↓
Tuesday, June 20
The Reformation Continues
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. Revelation 18:1.
The prophecies in the eighteenth of Revelation will soon be fulfilled. During the proclamation of the third angel’s message, “another angel” is to “come down from heaven, having great power,” and the earth is to be “lightened with his glory.” . . .
There is to be, at this period, a series of events which will reveal that God is Master of the situation. The truth will be proclaimed in clear, unmistakable language. As a people, we must prepare the way of the Lord, under the overruling guidance of the Holy Spirit. The gospel is to be given in its purity. The stream of living water is to deepen and widen in its course. In all fields, nigh and afar off, men will be called from the plow and from the more common commercial business vocations that largely occupy the mind, and will be educated in connection with men of experience. As they learn to labor effectively, they will proclaim the truth with power. Through most wonderful workings of divine providence, mountains of difficulties will be removed, and cast into the sea. The message that means so much to the dwellers upon the earth will be heard and understood. Men will know what is truth. Onward, and still onward the work will advance, until the whole earth shall have been warned. And then shall the end
come.—Maranatha, p. 218.
The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God. God cannot pour out His Spirit when selfishness and self-indulgence are so manifest. . . .
When the hearts of the believers are warm with the love for God, they will do a continual work for Jesus. They will manifest the meekness of Christ and display a steadfast purpose that will not fail nor be discouraged. God will use humble men to do His work, for there is a large vineyard calling for laborers. . . .
The more closely believers have walked with God, the more clearly and powerfully have they testified of their Redeemer’s love and of His saving grace. The men and women who through the long centuries of persecution and trial enjoyed a large measure of the presence of the Spirit in their lives, have stood as signs and wonders in the
world.—My Life Today, p. 59.
WEDNESDAY June 21
God’s Glory Fills the Earth
Read Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 19:1, and Revelation
21:26. What words are associated with the glory of God that fills
the earth as described in Revelation 18:1?
The great controversy between good and evil in the universe also is
about God’s honor or reputation. Satan, a rebel angel, has declared that
God is unjust, that He demands worship but gives little in return. The
evil one declares that God’s law restricts our freedom and limits our joy.
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection exploded that myth. The One who
created us plunged into the snake pit of this world to redeem us. On the
cross, He answered Satan’s charges and demonstrated that God is both
loving and just.
Charmed by His love, concerned about His honor, His end-time
people reveal His glory—His loving, self-sacrificing character to a
self-centered, godless world, and the earth is illuminated by the
character of God.
Read Exodus 33:18, 19. How does God reveal His glory to Moses?
What is God’s glory?
God’s glory is His character. The earth will be filled with the glory
of God when we are filled with the love of God and our characters are
changed by redeeming love.
Revealing His love in our personal lives reveals His glory, His
character, to the world. The last message to be proclaimed to a world
engulfed in spiritual darkness carried by three angels in the midst of
heaven is “ ‘Fear God and give glory to Him’ ” (Rev. 14:7, NKJV).
There is no glory for us in our good works, or our righteousness,
or our goodness. “The message of Christ’s righteousness is to
sound from one end of the earth to the other. . . . This is the glory
of God which closes the work of the third angel.”—Ellen G. White,
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 19. Ellen G. White also writes:
“What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the
glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in
his power to do for himself.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel
Workers, p. 456.
No glory for ourselves but, yes, glory to God instead.
EGW Notes — WEDNESDAY ↓
Wednesday, June 21
God’s Glory Fills the Earth
We are not only to contemplate the glory of Christ, but also to speak of His excellences. Isaiah not only beheld the glory of Christ, but he also spoke of Him. While David mused, the fire burned; then spoke he with his tongue. While he mused upon the wondrous love of God he could not but speak of that which he saw and felt. Who can by faith behold the wonderful plan of redemption, the glory of the only-begotten Son of God, and not speak of it? Who can contemplate the unfathomable love that was manifested upon the cross of Calvary in the death of Christ, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life—who can behold this and have no words with which to extol the Saviour’s
glory?—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 43.
The word of God reveals His character. He Himself has declared His infinite love and pity. When Moses prayed, “Show me Thy glory,” the Lord answered, “I will make all My goodness pass before thee.” Exodus 33:18, 19. This is His glory. The Lord passed before Moses, and proclaimed, “The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Exodus 34:6, 7. He is “slow to anger, and of great kindness,” “because He delighteth in mercy.” Jonah 4:2; Micah 7:18.
God has bound our hearts to Him by unnumbered tokens in heaven and in earth. Through the things of nature, and the deepest and tenderest earthly ties that human hearts can know, He has sought to reveal Himself to us. Yet these but imperfectly represent His
love.—Steps to Christ, p. 10.
The unveiled glory of God no man could look upon and live; but Moses is assured that he shall behold as much of the divine glory as he can bear in his present, mortal state. That Hand that made the world, that holds the mountains in their places, takes this man of dust—this man of mighty faith—and mercifully covers him in a cleft of the rock, while the glory of God and all His goodness pass before him. Can we marvel that “the excellent glory” reflected from Omnipotence shone in Moses’ face with such brightness that the people could not look upon it? The impress of God was upon him, making him appear as one of the shining angels from the throne.
This experience, above all else the assurance that God would hear his prayer and that the divine presence would attend him, was of more value to Moses as a leader than the learning of Egypt or all his attainments in military science. No earthly power or skill or learning can supply the place of God’s immediate presence. In the history of Moses we may see what intimate communion with God it is man’s privilege to enjoy. To the transgressor it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But Moses was not afraid to be alone with the Author of that law which had been spoken with such awful grandeur from Mount Sinai, for his soul was in harmony with the will of his
Maker.—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 533.
THURSDAY June 22
The Lamb, the Slain Lamb
There are many symbols in Revelation, biblical symbols of importance;
that is, a dragon in heaven (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7), angels flying in the midst of
heaven (Rev. 14:6), a woman riding a scarlet beast (Rev. 17:3), and so
forth. They are in the Word of God; the Holy Spirit inspired John to put
them there, and they have important roles in revealing truth to those who
read the words of this book and do them, for, as it says, “Blessed is he who
reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things
which are written in it; for the time is near” (Rev. 1:3, NKJV).
There is, however, another image that appears, again and again, all through
the book of Revelation. What is the image, and what does it represent?
Read Revelation 5:6, 8, 12; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 14:1; Revelation
15:3; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:22, 23; and Revelation 22:1, 3.
What is the meaning of the symbolism of the Lamb, and why would
it appear so many times in the book of Revelation?
Of course, as the opening words of the book say, this is a revelation “of
Jesus Christ.” And not only is He a Lamb but also a Lamb “slain” (Rev.
5:6, 12; Rev. 13:8). That is, Jesus Christ crucified. Here is the heart and
soul, not only of all the Bible but also of the book of Revelation and of
the three angels’ messages. We cannot be faithful to our calling, we cannot
do the work that God has raised up this church to do, unless we have
the Lamb, the slain Lamb, Jesus crucified, a sacrifice for our sins, as the
focal point of our message.
“We must intentionally place the Lamb that was slain at the very center
of our doctrines and mission and at the heart of every sermon we preach,
every article we write, every prayer we make, every song we sing, every
Bible study we give, and in everything we do. Let the love revealed by
the Lamb on the cross transform the way we treat each other and move us
to also care for the world.”—Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, “The Closing of
the Cosmic Conflict: Role of the Three Angels’ Messages,” unpublished
manuscript, p. 70.
That is, amid the imagery of dangerous beasts, of a dragon making war,
of plagues, of persecution, and of the mark of the beast, there remains front
and center the Lamb, the Lamb slain. And He alone, and what He has done
for us, is doing now, and will do before it’s all over—He is, ultimately, what
the three angels’ messages are about.
Why is keeping the slain Lamb at the center of our message
crucial not only for leading others to Him but also for your own
spiritual life?
EGW Notes — THURSDAY ↓
Thursday, June 22
The Lamb, the Slain Lamb
There are not many ways to heaven. Each one may not choose his own way. Christ says, “I am the way: . . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” Since the first gospel sermon was preached, when in Eden it was declared that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head, Christ had been uplifted as the way, the truth, and the life. He was the way when Adam lived, when Abel presented to God the blood of the slain lamb, representing the blood of the Redeemer. Christ was the way by which patriarchs and prophets were saved. He is the way by which alone we can have access to
God.—The Desire of Ages, p. 663.
When the loud cry, “It is finished,” came from the lips of Christ, the priests were officiating in the temple. It was the hour of the evening sacrifice. The lamb representing Christ had been brought to be slain. Clothed in his significant and beautiful dress, the priest stood with lifted knife, as did Abraham when he was about to slay his son. With intense interest the people were looking on. But the earth trembles and quakes; for the Lord Himself draws near. With a rending noise the inner veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand, throwing open to the gaze of the multitude a place once filled with the presence of God. . . . The most holy place of the earthly sanctuary is no longer sacred.
All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to slay the victim; but the knife drops from his nerveless hand, and the lamb escapes. Type has met antitype in the death of God’s Son. The great sacrifice has been made. . . . It was as if a living voice had spoken to the worshipers: There is now an end to all sacrifices and offerings for sin. The Son of God is come according to His word, “Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God.” “By His own blood” He entereth “in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 10:7;
9:12.—The Desire of Ages, p. 757.
What a theme for meditation is the sacrifice that Jesus made for lost sinners! . . . How shall we estimate the blessings thus brought within our reach? Could Jesus have suffered more? Could He have purchased for us richer blessings? Should it not melt the hardest heart when we remember that for our sakes He left the happiness and glory of heaven and suffered poverty and shame, cruel affliction and a terrible death? Had He not by His death and resurrection opened for us the door of hope, we should have known nothing but the horrors of darkness and the miseries of despair. In our present state, favored and blessed as we are, we cannot realize from what depths we have been rescued. We cannot measure how much deeper our afflictions would have been, how much greater our woes, had not Jesus encircled us with His human arm of sympathy and love, and lifted us
up.—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 316.
FRIDAY June 23
Further Thought: “Servants of God, with their faces lighted up
and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to
proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the
earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will
be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. Satan also
works, with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the
sight of men. Revelation 13:13. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be
brought to take their stand.
“The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the
deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been
presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear
fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted
their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented
from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience.
Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its
clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have
held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay
them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the
agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand
upon the Lord’s side.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 612.
Discussion Questions:
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1. Ellen G. White states that “the message of justification by faith
is the third angel’s message . . . in verity.”—Evangelism, p. 190.
What does that mean? What relationship does justification by
faith have to the three angels’ messages?
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2. Read Revelation 14:12 again. What is the difference between
keeping the commandments of God and legalism? When does obedience
become legalism? In what ways can someone who doesn’t
keep the commandments of God still be a legalist?
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3. What answer can you give to those who criticize us when we
talk about the ferocious beasts and fearsome warning found in the
book of Revelation? Besides the obvious answer, which is that we
talk about them because, well, they are there, written in the book,
what other answers can you give?
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4. Discuss in class current world events. What things have you
seen happen that could help lead to final events? How do we strike
a balance between being aware of the times we are living in and
not getting caught up in fruitless speculation about what hasn’t
been revealed to us yet?
EGW Notes — FRIDAY ↓
Friday, June 23
For Further Reading
Our High Calling, “The Cord Let Down From Heaven,” p. 45;
Reflecting Christ, “The Truth Makes Us Free,” p. 114.
INSIDE STORY
Training Boys to Read the Bible
By Andrew McChesney
What is the secret for teaching a child to spend personal time with God?
Christian Müller, an Argentine volunteer at a Seventh-day Adventist
school in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, surprised me with his answer as we spoke
in his home. I was in town to collect mission stories for Adventist Mission.
Christian said his six-year-old son, Thomas, had interrupted his personal
devotions that morning.
“Normally, I would have asked him to wait,” Christian told me. “But he
held up his Bible in his little hands and said, ‘Papa, I don’t understand what
I am reading. Can you help me?’ What else could I do but help him?”
I expressed astonishment that a such a small boy was reading his Bible in
the morning. My incredulity grew as Christian explained that Thomas and
his seven-year-old brother, Lukas, read their Bibles every morning.
“How did you teach them to have morning devotions?” I asked.
Christian thought for a moment. “Actually, I have never taught them to
have morning devotions,” he said.
The boys began having personal devotions around the time that they
were learning to walk. Christian and his wife, Romina, would sit at opposite
sides of the kitchen table to read their Bibles for personal devotions
every morning in their home in Argentina. The boys would wake up and,
naturally, want to be with their parents. Crawling out of bed, they would
find their father and mother in the kitchen. Christian told the boys from the
beginning that it was very important for Daddy and Mommy to spend time
with God in the morning and that the boys could not interrupt the morning
devotions. If the boys wanted to remain in the kitchen, they needed to be
quiet and have their own devotions. The boys chose to stay. Initially, they
could not read, so they quietly leafed through Bible picture books. As they
grew older, they began to read their Bibles. After moving to Kyrgyzstan,
the parents and the boys had morning devotions in their own rooms.
This was the secret for teaching a child to spend personal time with God
in the morning. “I never once told the boys that they
needed to start having morning devotions,” Christian
said. “They just saw that their mother and I had devotions and followed our example.”
Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering in the fourth quarter of
2017 helped enlarge the Seventh-day Adventist school where
Christian volunteered in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Thank you for
your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering this Sabbath that will help
spread the gospel around the world. Read more about Thomas
and Lukas online: bit.ly/mission-kids.
Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School
mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at
AdventistMission.org.
