Author Topic: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--2nd Quarter 2018--America and Babylon  (Read 2877 times)

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Wally

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 Lesson 10 June 2-8





America and Babylon






Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon








So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--2nd Quarter 2018--America and Babylon
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2018, 08:50:11 AM »

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 13:1-12; 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4; Jer. 51:6, 7, 53, 57; Rev. 18:1-4.

Memory verse: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1

Last week we looked at “the counterfeit trinity”, Satan (the dragon) and two earthly powers that together will bring persecution against God’s people.

One of these powers, the sea beast (Rev. 13:1-10), is described as a composite of a leopard, a bear, and a lion (Rev. 13:2) — images taken directly from Daniel 7:4-6. We saw in week six that in Daniel 7 — after the rise of Babylon (lion), Media-Persia (bear), and Greece (leopard) — came the final earthly power, Rome. It started out as pagan Rome and then turned into papal Rome, the little horn power of Daniel 7:7, 8; 19-21; 23-25; which rose directly out of the fourth beast. We saw, too, that many of the characteristics of papal Rome, as depicted in these verses in Daniel 7, reappear in the sea beast of Revelation 13:1-10. Hence, Bible scholars have seen Rome as one of the key antagonists in the end-time scenario of Revelation 13.

However, Rome is not alone. Another power is depicted. This week we will focus mostly on Revelation 13 and the events and powers portrayed in it, as always asking the questions: What do these events mean, and how can we be prepared for them?

 13:1   And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 
 13:2   And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 
 13:3   And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 
 13:4   And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 
 13:5   And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months. 
 13:6   And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 
 13:7   And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 
 13:8   And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 
 13:9   If any man have an ear, let him hear. 
 13:10   He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 
 13:11   And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 
 13:12   And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 
 13:13   And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 
 13:14   And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 
 13:15   And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 
 13:16   And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 
 13:17   And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 
 13:18   Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six. 


Who will receive the "mark of the beast"? Those who offend in one point. Does it matter which point (law)? No. For James tells us that if we offend in one point, we offend in all. So, are we not offending (sinning) in one point today?


Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 9.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--2nd Quarter 2018--America and Babylon
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2018, 08:21:21 PM »

Sunday •  June 3

Deadly Wound Healed

Read Revelation 13:1-10 and go over the reasons why this is referring to the papacy, both its role in the past and in the future. Notice specifically just how prominent a role it is given. What does this mean in terms of last-day events?

Though God has faithful people in all churches, Scripture does point to a specific role that this institution has played in history and will play in last-day events.

Read Revelation 13:3. What is happening here, and what does this teach about Rome’s prominence?

For centuries the Roman church had been the central religion and, in many ways, the political center of the Western world. A telling example of her power is seen in the story of Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, who, angering Pope Gregory VII, came to the pope’s castle to make peace. There, the Roman emperor was made to wait in an outer court for three days in the winter cold before the pope granted him entrance. Gregory VII, elated with his triumph, boasted that it was his duty to pull down the pride of kings.

Nevertheless, through the influence of the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the French Revolution, Rome’s political and religious hegemony had been shattered by the late eighteenth century. One of the popes, Pius VI, had actually been taken captive by the French army in 1798 and died in exile in 1799.

Revelation 13, however, speaks of a resurgence, the healing of its “deadly wound”. And though Rome today doesn’t have the kind of political power it wielded in the day of Gregory VII, yet thanks to the popularity of recent popes, it is an influential force, both religiously and politically (for instance, Pope Francis’s speaking to both houses of the American Congress in 2015 was a historical first). According to prophecy, this influence will only grow.

Why was it a first? Because America used to be a Protestant nation believing in liberty of conscience which is anathema to Roman Catholicism. They are seeking national Sunday laws which will soon punish those who keep God's command to not work on the seventh day, not the sun day.

How can we be faithful to the message that we have been called to preach but do so in a way that causes as little offense as possible? Why, though, must we not bow down to “political correctness” as we proclaim present truth?

We ought to obey God and not man. God's Word is as a two edged sword. The truth separates the goats from the sheep.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--2nd Quarter 2018--America and Babylon
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2018, 08:22:16 PM »
Monday •  June 4

The United States in Prophecy

People have asked, and understandably so: How could Rome have the kind of influence today, or in the future, that is depicted in Revelation 13? Long gone are the days when it could command armies, such as it did in times past. The answer is found, too, in Revelation 13.

Read Revelation 13:11, 12. What marks help us identify who this power is?

The beast that precedes this one, long viewed as Rome by Protestants, was depicted as having been given power forty-two months (Rev. 13:5). The forty-two months are the same as the “time and times and the dividing of time” of Daniel 7:25, or three and a half years (Rev. 12:14) or 1260 prophetic days (Rev. 12:6) — the time during which the papal power oppressed its opponents. This prophetic time period (using the day-year principle) began with the supremacy of the papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798, the year that the pope was taken captive. At this time the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled.

Around this point in history, near the close of the “forty-two months” (1798), another power appears (Rev. 13:11, Rev. 13:1), this time arising out of the earth, which is in contrast to many of the previous powers, which arose out of water (see Dan. 7:2, 3) , a symbol of masses of people. “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (Rev. 17:15, NKJV).

For these reasons, and others, this power must be the United States of America, which arose in a relatively uninhabited part of the world and didn’t need to overthrow any major empires in order to do so.

“What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world? The application of the symbol admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America”. — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 440.

Though this power is first described as having two horns like a lamb, symbolizing gentleness, it will speak “as a dragon” (Rev. 13:11), indicating a time of persecution such as took place under the previous power. Revelation 13:11-17, then, answers the question about how Rome could exert the influence that prophecy predicts. It will have the might of the United States behind it — that’s how.

We might then ask the question, who is it in America that has such influence? And, we would say that it is apostate religion which influences America to make a national Sunday law.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--2nd Quarter 2018--America and Babylon
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2018, 09:06:19 PM »

Tuesday •  June 5

An Issue of Worship

All through sacred history, the Lord constantly had to deal with those who fell into idolatry and other forms of false worship (see Matt. 4:8-10). In the final crisis as depicted in Revelation 13, the issue of worship will again arise. Here, too, God’s people will have to make a choice about whom they will worship and serve (see Josh. 24:15).

In week 2, in the lesson titled “Daniel and the End Time”, we studied the story of three Hebrew boys who were ordered to “worship the golden image” (Dan. 3:5). We saw, too, how Revelation 13 uses language from that chapter in depicting the persecution that God’s people will face in the end times. That is, we may see what happened in Daniel 3 as a precursor to what will happen in the last days, as depicted in the immediate context of the beast powers in Revelation 13. All were commanded to worship the golden image, or they would be put to death in a fiery furnace. Similarly, in Revelation 13, whoever “would not worship the image of the beast [is] to be killed” (Rev. 13:15, NKJV) .

Read Revelation 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4. What do these verses tell us about how crucial the issue of worship will become?

Babylon has always been the capital of false worship. The Tower of Babel testified to its builders’ desire, like Lucifer, to “ascend above the heights of the clouds” (Isa. 14:14) as well as to efforts to save themselves in case of another global deluge. Thus, they refused to believe God’s promise never to bring another flood upon the earth (Gen. 9:8-11) .

The neo-Babylonian Empire likewise exalted the work of human hands. Nebuchadnezzar extolled “this great Babylon, that I have built” (Dan. 4:30) . Later, King Belshazzar took the golden cups of Solomon’s temple for a feast, and “they drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone” (Dan. 5:3, 4, NKJV) . Notice that the true vessels of the temple were filled with intoxicating wine and deadened the sensibility of all who drank from them. As a result, many in the city perished when Babylon fell. An outward appearance of truth can deceive us by disguising the deadly “wine of Babylon”. False worship and false ideas are the currency of Satan’s kingdom.

How can we make sure we aren’t involved in any false worship now?

We are and all know it. The Bible says that he who brings another gospel into the church is accursed. Who will deny that are not multiple "gospels" being preached from our pulpits and published on our presses? Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. We must be abiding in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit in order to not be deceived. The Bible tells us that if possible even the very elect will be deceived. But, they will not because they are looking unto Jesus and His Word for their wisdom. Many are looking to man and many of these will be deceived.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--2nd Quarter 2018--America and Babylon
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2018, 09:06:33 PM »

Wednesday •  June 6

“Babylon the Great”

Read the following texts. What do they teach us about Babylon? Jer. 51:6, 7, 53, 57; Zech. 2:7; Rev. 17:5, 6; 18:2, 3.

As we saw yesterday, Babylon has a long history as the capital of false worship; so, it is a fitting symbol of an end-time power that deceives the nations.

Compare the dragon, the sea beast, and the scarlet beast (Rev. 12:3, 13:1-3, 17:3) . What are the similarities and differences?

All three beasts have seven heads and ten horns, which represent the sum total of heads and horns of the beasts of Daniel 7. Each successive empire was built upon those that went before. Similarly, the scarlet beast combines elements of the dragon and the sea beast (symbolizing pagan and papal Rome respectively), as well as of the land beast (Rev. 13:11-14) , grouping “all three powers — all of God’s enemies — into a real coalition”. — Jacques B. Doukhan, Secrets of Revelation, The Apocalypse Through Hebrew Eyes (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald® Publishing Association, 2002), p. 162. An additional element in Revelation 17 is the woman who rides on the scarlet beast, symbolizing an illicit union of religious and political powers. This woman contrasts sharply with the pure woman of Revelation 12:

Pure Woman (Rev. 12)      Harlot (Rev. 17)

In Heaven                      On the Waters
Clothed with the Sun      Clothed in Purple and Scarlet
Crown of Twelve Stars      Adorned With Gold, Gems, Pearls
Attacked by the Dragon      Supported by the Dragon
Mother of the Remnant      Mother of Harlots

As “the Mother of Harlots”, Babylon has been busy reproducing itself. The apostate mother church has many apostate daughters. But God does not take ownership of the errors promulgated and atrocities committed by apostate Christianity. His true people, though attacked by Satan, survive through the centuries.

Revelation 14:8 has already warned people of Babylon’s fall or apostasy from the truth, which eventually leads to the final deception issuing in the mark of the beast (Rev. 14:9-11) . This warning will be repeated with much greater power, culminating in one last appeal for God’s people still in Babylon to come out of her and unite with God’s end-time remnant church (Rev. 18:1-4) .

God does not work mightily to bring in many who would come   because many would leave since they can see the world is in the church. We need to clean up the church before the great multitude can come in.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--2nd Quarter 2018--America and Babylon
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2018, 09:06:49 PM »


Thursday •  June 7

Come Out of Her, My People

Over the years, students of Bible prophecy have been following world events with great interest, particularly as they seem to relate to the end time. Think, for instance, about the role of the United States. As far back as 1851 some Adventists were identifying America as the second beast power (Rev. 13:11-15), which was a very remarkable identification given the status of the United States then. In the mid-1800s, the big powers were still the Old World ones: Prussia, France, Austria-Hungary, and England. At that time America had a peace-time army of about twenty thousand men, about one-tenth the number of combatants at the Battle of Waterloo (1815) alone. In 1814, just forty years earlier, the British invaded and burned Washington, D.C. In 1867, Sitting Bull’s braves wiped out General Custer’s Seventh U.S. Cavalry regiment. Thus, even after some commentators identified the United States as the power that would one day enforce the “mark of the beast” on the world, the nation was still fighting native Americans on its own soil, and not always winning either!

No question, world events are following as we have believed they would. But still more things need to unfold before we reach the end. That’s why, for instance, in talking about the “mark of the beast”, it’s very important to emphasize that right now no one has it, regardless of whether or not they are keeping the fourth commandment.

Besides, more needs to unfold.

Read Revelation 18:1-4. What is happening here, and why is this important for us to remember now? What do these verses teach us about our mission to the world?

These verses paint a bleak picture of the world politically, morally, and spiritually. They show the malevolent influence of false religious teaching in the world. At the same time, though, they offer great hope, because another angel from heaven lights the world with his glory. Further, God’s faithful people, the ones who haven’t learned yet what they need to know, are called out of Babylon. This means, then, that right up to the end, God’s people who are already out of Babylon have a work to do for those who are still in it.

What should it mean to us that the Lord calls some of those still in Babylon “My people”? Why is this an important point for us to remember as we relate to others?

There are in  Babylon some who are truly converted, real Christians. And, some who will be converted when they hear Bible truth. We are to give the gospel message before calling the other churches Babylon.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 10--2nd Quarter 2018--America and Babylon
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2018, 09:35:13 PM »

Friday •  June 8

Further Thought: Satan’s attack on God’s law is an attack on God Himself, both on His authority and on His government. So, in the last days, in the climactic events of the final crisis, Satan will be attacking those who keep “the commandments of God” (Rev. 12:17, 14:12) , for they alone on the earth will be refusing to pay him homage through his proxies here on earth. The battle that he waged against God in heaven long ago will be continued here on earth, and just as he was defeated in heaven he will be defeated here on earth, as well. “From the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been Satan’s purpose to overthrow the law of God. It was to accomplish this that he entered upon his rebellion against the Creator, and though he was cast out of heaven he has continued the same warfare upon the earth. To deceive men, and thus lead them to transgress God’s law, is the object which he has steadfastly pursued. Whether this be accomplished by casting aside the law altogether, or by rejecting one of its precepts, the result will be ultimately the same. He that offends ‘in one point’, manifests contempt for the whole law; his influence and example are on the side of transgression; he becomes ‘guilty of all.’ James 2:10”. — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 582.

Are we still transgressing God's laws (sinning)?  Jesus will not come until His church is purified. What does our memory verse have to do with this?


Memory verse: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1

It may be that at some time in the future, our lessons may tell us what this verse means, but it is not in this week's lesson. It is very sad that the Memory verse is not explained, for many do not understand what is being said. Since most of us already understand the lessons presented, let's take time to go over Daniel 12:1.

God people who go through the "time of trouble such as never was" will not sin. Probation has closed and all who are righteous will remain righteous, and all who are filthy will remain filthy. Character will not change from one to the other, it is fixed. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev 22:11. 

When will this be? It tells us in our memory that it is when Jesus stands up. The verse before our memory verse tells us something else happens at that time also. What happened in Daniel 11:45? "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him."

Someone is going to come to his end, then Michael (Jesus) shall stand up and walk out of the Most Holy Place in heaven. There will be no more forgiveness of sin, no more Mediator for sinners. Then, without a Mediator, God's children will not be forgiven any sins because they shall not sin. Their character has become fixed. They will not take their eyes off of Jesus. They will by His grace vindicate His character before angels and men. Satan's lies that man cannot keep His laws will be seen to be just that, lies. And, His mercy is revealed because every single one of these holy Christians had sinned and been forgiven. God can be just and merciful because His innocent Son suffered in our place.

Having studied the Book of Daniel, chapter 11, we know who it is that comes to His end before Jesus leaves the heavenly Sanctuary. How is it that he comes to his end before probation closes, according to Daniel the Prophet? What has he done that brings his destruction and no one is willing to help him?

A great memory verse that not only reveals the future, but reveals the "great controversy" will be active and there will be those who will holy and remain holy even going through a time of trouble such as never was. This is the power of grace to keep one from sinning.

 



Discussion Questions:


    In class, talk about world events and in what ways they are pointing to what we believe needs to happen in the last days. What events still need to unfold? How can we learn to keep vigilant about the signs of the times while avoiding fanaticism, date setting, and making bold predictions about things that the Bible and Ellen White’s writings have not explicitly taught?

Our only hope is to abide in Christ. Then we shall have spiritual discernment and escape the lust that is in fallen man and in the world.


    Dwell more on the question of worship. What does it mean to worship something? How do we worship whatever it is we do worship?

    Dwell more on the idea that God still has people in Babylon. What do we understand as the meaning of the term “Babylon” (which is obviously a symbol and not literal)? What does this teach us about our obligation to continue preaching our message to others, regardless of their political and or religious beliefs?

We are told to give the message. Shall we disobey God? But, if we do not keep the law of God, why would we expect others to follow us? They will not. Before we can tell Babylonians to come out of apostasy, we must be a faithful witness. We must love Jesus with the whole heart and keep His commandments, all of them all of the time.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.