Author Topic: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos  (Read 2802 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Wally

  • Moderator
  • Posts: 5666
  • Romans 8:35, 38, 39



The Good News From Patmos














Almost two millennia ago, the apostle John was exiled on a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea because of his faithful witness to the gospel. The aged apostle endured all the hardships of Roman imprisonment. On one particular Sabbath, he had a special visit from Jesus Christ, who came to encourage His servant in his suffering. In a series of visions, Jesus showed him the panoramic history of the church and what God’s people would experience as they waited for their Lord’s return.

What John had seen in vision he faithfully recorded in a scroll that he titled “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1). The book that he wrote reveals Jesus’ work in heaven and on earth since His ascension and what He will do when He returns. It was intended to assure Christians through the ages of Christ’s presence and to sustain them as they experience the trials of daily life amid a fallen world immersed in the great controversy.

This quarter, we will delve into this book. In broad brushstrokes we will focus on the book’s major parts and themes. The idea is to become familiar with the book’s key themes and to see that it, indeed, reveals Jesus Christ, His life, His death, His resurrection, and His high-priestly ministry in behalf of His people.

As we do so, we will proceed in the following ways:

1. Our study of Revelation is based on the biblical concept of the inspiration of the Bible. While the messages of the book came from God, the language in which they were communicated is human. Noting language and images derived from the history of God’s people in the Old Testament, we will discover how John communicated those messages.

2. A careful reading of Revelation’s prophecies (like those of Daniel) shows that the historicist method of prophetic interpretation is the correct way to understand the prophecies’ intended fulfillment because they follow the flow of history, from the prophet’s time to the end of the world. This method illustrates how we should make every effort to derive meaning from the text itself, rather than imposing a predetermined interpretation upon it.

3. The organizational structure of Revelation is in many ways crucial for responsible application of the book’s prophecies. Our analysis of Revelation will be based on the fourfold structure of the book:

a. Revelation 1:1-3:22 employs the situation of the churches of John’s day to prophetically address the situation of the church in different periods of history.

b. Revelation 4:1-11:19 repeats (or recapitulates) and builds on this history of the church, using apocalyptic symbols that add progressively more detail.

c. Revelation 12:1-14:20 is the thematic center of the book and spans the history of the great controversy from before the time of Jesus to the Second Advent.

d. Revelation 15:1-22:21 focuses exclusively on the end time.

4. A meaningful interpretation of Revelation’s prophecies must be Christ-centered. The entire book was written from the perspective of Christ. It is only through Christ that the symbols and images of Revelation receive their ultimate meaning and significance.

Revelation promises blessings to those who read or listen to its words and who heed and keep the admonitions found therein. “The book of Revelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction it contains. ‘Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy,’ God declares, ‘and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.’ When we as a people understand what this book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival. We do not understand fully the lessons that it teaches, notwithstanding the injunction given us to search and study it.” - Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Minsters and Gospel Workers, p. 113.

As we analyze this book, we invite you to discover for yourselves the things that you need to hear, and heed, as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ranko Stefanovic, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University. His specialty is the book of Revelation.
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

Wally

  • Moderator
  • Posts: 5666
  • Romans 8:35, 38, 39
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2018, 12:50:10 PM »
Lesson 1 *December 29-January 4





The Gospel From Patmos



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

Wally

  • Moderator
  • Posts: 5666
  • Romans 8:35, 38, 39
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2018, 03:09:12 AM »
Lesson 1 *December 29-January 4







Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 1:1-8; John 14:1-3; Deut. 29:29; John 14:29; Rom. 1:7; Phil. 3:20; Dan. 7:13-14.

Memory Text: “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” (Revelation 1:3, NKJV).



The prophecies of Revelation are an expression of God’s care for His people. They point us to the shortness and fragility of this life, to salvation in Jesus, and His work as our heavenly High Priest and King, to our calling to spread the gospel.



The word apocalypse, in Greek, means "an uncovering," hence the  title of the book "Revelation."  Unfortunately,  in today's convoluted way of thinking, it has come to mean "the complete final destruction of the world," or "an event involving destruction or damage on an awesome or catastrophic scale."  I believe these are just attempts by the devil to create more confusion, so that the book remains mysterious.

I would recommend perusing the book God Cares II, by Mervyn Maxwell for help with this quarter's study.  While he is not the final authority on the subject, he presents the subject in a way that the average layman can understand.  Understanding how Revelation is organized is invaluable, if one is to avoid the wild theories that are often given for the meaning of the  book.
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

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2019, 12:58:40 PM »
Amen, Wally.  Satan is indeed busy perverting the truths found in the Book of Revelation. How important is the Book? As the lesson points out, it reveals what our Savior is doing today to put an end to sin and prepare a people to receive Him at His soon coming. The last message of warning to be given to the world is found in the Book of Revelation.

We ought to understand that the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation is really one Book. They are that closely aligned. As we study this quarter, let us do so prayerfully with a desire to better understand the truths entrusted to us at this most important time. If we had better understood these two Books, and walked in the light given, we would have seen the appearing of our Savior already.
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

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2019, 01:13:19 PM »
Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 1:1-8; John 14:1-3; Deut. 29:29; John 14:29; Rom. 1:7; Phil. 3:20; Dan. 7:13-14.

Memory Text: “Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.” Revelation 1:3

The prophecies of Revelation were revealed in vision to the apostle John more than nineteen centuries ago during his exile on a small rocky island known as Patmos in the Aegean Sea (Rev. 1:9). Revelation 1:3 pronounces a blessing on those who read the book and hear and obey the teachings (compare Luke 6:47-48). This verse refers to the congregation assembled in the church to hear the messages. However, they are blessed not only because they read or listen, but also because they obey the words of the book (Rev. 22:7).

The prophecies of Revelation are an expression of God’s care for His people. They point us to the shortness and fragility of this life, to salvation in Jesus, and His work as our heavenly High Priest and King, to our calling to spread the gospel.

Biblical prophecies are like a lamp shining in a dark place (2 Pet. 1:19). They are intended to provide guidance for our life today and hope for our future. We will need this prophetic guide until the coming of Christ and the establishment of God’s everlasting kingdom.

Amen!  When prophecies are fulfilled, they then build our faith in Scripture since only God can tell the future. The Bible is the infallible Word of God. When we see that the prophecies do not fail, that God is who He says He is. The Book of Revelation not only tells us what is happening around us today, what is going to soon transpire, but it also reveals what has happened in the past. Some of that past history was prophesied many years before it occurred. There is a God in heaven who knows the end from the beginning. Revelation will inspire faith and love for our God and His Word and if the counsel given is followed, will prepare us for the soon coming of Jesus.
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

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2019, 01:49:19 PM »
Sunday         December 30

The Title of the Book


Read Revelation 1:1-2.

1:1   The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: 
 1:2   Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 


What is the significance of the full title of the book? What does the title teach us in terms of whom the book is really about?

Revelation 1:1 states the title of the book as “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”. The word “revelation” comes from the Greek word apokalupsis (apocalypse), which means “uncovering” or “unveiling”. The Apocalypse is an unveiling of Jesus Christ; it is both from Jesus and about Him. While it came from God through Jesus Christ (Rev. 22:16), the book testifies that Jesus also is the focus of its contents. The Apocalypse is His self-revelation to His people and an expression of His care for them.

Jesus is the central figure of Revelation. The book begins with Him (Rev. 1:5-8) and concludes with Him (Rev. 22:12-16). “Let Daniel speak, let the Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope, ‘the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning Star’”. - Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 118.

Also, the Jesus of the Apocalypse is the Jesus of the four Gospels. Revelation continues the description of Jesus and His work of salvation on behalf of His people as first depicted in the Gospels. The book of Revelation focuses on different aspects of His existence and ministry. Essentially, it begins where the Gospels end, with Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Together with the Epistle to the Hebrews, Revelation emphasizes Jesus’ heavenly ministry. It shows that, after His ascension, Jesus was inaugurated into His royal and priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. Without Revelation or Hebrews, our knowledge of Christ’s high priestly ministry in heaven in behalf of His people would be very limited. And yet, besides Hebrews, the book of Revelation provides us with a unique look into the ministry of Jesus Christ in our behalf.

Read John 14:1-3.

 14:1   Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 
 14:2   In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 
 14:3   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. 


 How does the very broad promise here help us better understand what Jesus is doing for us in heaven right now? What hope can we draw from this wonderful promise?

This is a good foundation upon which to study the Book of Revelation. God is love. He loves us and gave His Son for us. Not all will accept this grace, and thus the Book will reveal more than love. But, let us begin with this wonderful truth, that God has been and is working for our salvation.

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

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2019, 02:01:24 PM »
Monday         December 31

The Purpose of the Book


Revelation 1:1 also tells us that the purpose of the book is to show future events, starting from the time when the book itself was written. Anyone familiar with Revelation will notice that the prediction of events - whether those already fulfilled (at least from our perspective today) or those events still future (again, from our perspective today) - occupies most of the book’s content.

The primary purpose of biblical prophecies is to assure us that no matter what the future brings, God is in control. Revelation does just that: it assures us that Jesus Christ is with His people throughout this world’s history and its alarming final events.

Consequently, Revelation’s prophecies have two practical purposes: to teach us how to live today and to prepare us for the future.

Read Deuteronomy 29:29.

   The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that [we] may do all the words of this law. 


How does this text help us understand why some things are not revealed to us? According to this text, what is the purpose of the things that are revealed to us? That is, why are we told them? See also Rev. 22:7.

Revelation’s end-time prophecies are not revealed to satisfy our obsessive curiosity about the future. The book reveals only those aspects of the future important for us to know. They are disclosed to impress upon us the seriousness of what will happen so that we will realize our dependence on God and, in that dependence, obey Him.

For centuries, speculation - and even more sensationalism - has accompanied so much of the teaching regarding end-time events. Fortunes have been made by those who, predicting the immediate end, have scared people into giving money to their ministry because, well, the end was near. Each time, though, the end didn’t come, and people were left disillusioned and discouraged. As with all the good things God has given us, prophecy can be misused, and misinterpreted, as well.

Read John 14:29.

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 


Believe what? Believe God and His Word. Who else can tell the future perfectly all the time. Easy to understand, but why then so many who reject Bible truth when this evidence is set before them?


What crucially important principle for the purpose of prophecy can we find here in this verse?

One purpose of prophecy is to reveal the all knowing ability of God. He does know the end from the beginning. How sad that so many argue against Bible truth and the Author of the Bible. But, it is left to us to make that decision for ourselves. Even the devils believe. They are not that stupid to not believe there is a God.
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

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2019, 02:14:04 PM »
Tuesday        January 1

The Symbolic Language of Revelation


Read Revelation 13:1, Daniel 7:1-3, and Ezekiel 1:1-14. What is the one thing that all these visions have in common?

Revelation 1:1 further states: “And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John” (NKJV, emphasis added). Here we find a very important word in the book. The word “signified” is a translation of the Greek word semaino, meaning “to show by symbolic signs”. This word is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), in which Daniel explained to King Nebuchadnezzar that, by the statue made of gold, silver, bronze, and iron, God signifies to the king “what will take place in the future” (Dan. 2:45, NASB). By employing the same word, John tells us that the scenes and events of Revelation were shown to him in vision in symbolic presentations. Guided by the Holy Spirit, John faithfully recorded these symbolic presentations as he had seen them in the visions (Rev. 1:2).

Thus, for the most part, the language used to describe Revelation’s prophecies must not be interpreted literally. As a rule, the reading of the Bible, in general, presupposes a literal understanding of the text (unless the text points to intended symbolism). But when we read Revelation - unless the text points to a literal meaning - we need to interpret it symbolically. While the scenes and events predicted are real, they usually were expressed in symbolic language.

Keeping in mind the largely symbolic character of Revelation will safeguard us against distorting the prophetic message. In trying to determine the meaning of the symbols used in the book, we must be careful not to impose on the text a meaning that comes out of human imagination or the current meanings of those symbols in our culture. Instead, we must go to the Bible and to the symbols found in its pages in order to understand the symbols in the book of Revelation.

In fact, in trying to unlock the meaning of those symbols in Revelation, we must remember that most of them were drawn from the Old Testament. By portraying the future in the language of the past, God wanted to impress upon our minds that His acts of salvation in the future will be very much like His acts of salvation in the past. What He did for His people in the past, He will do for them again in the future. In endeavoring to decode the symbols and images of Revelation, we must start by paying attention to the Old Testament.

Amen. If we are ignorant of the Old Testament, then we cannot understand the Book of Revelation. And, if we do not understand the Book of Daniel, then we will not be able to rightly understand the Book of Revelation. They are one Book speaking of the same things. Until recently, the Book of Revelation could not be completely understood because the Book of Daniel was a closed Book until the "time of the end" when it was unsealed.

One more thought on the prophecies in the two Books. If one does not know some world history, it will also be impossible to understand portions of both Books. We may be very good Bible students, but that is not enough to interpret accurately all of the prophecies in the Books of Revelation and Daniel.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

colporteur

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 6537
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2019, 04:28:07 PM »
  The island of Patmos is the smallest and furthest north island in a cluster of 12 Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea. This sea is in the northeast part of the Mediterranean Sea which lies between Greece and Turkey. Patmos is a mile or so wide by about 10 miles long. The temperature averages 50 in the rainy winter and 77 in the sunny summer time. John was banished to Patmos under the persecution of Christians by the Roman Emperor Domitian.  John lived to about 100 A.D. and died of old age. It is believed he penned the book of Revelation between 54-96 A.D.. It is also believed that John was only about 15-16 years old when Jesus died which might explain why Jesus would have loved and nurtured him as He did.

It is interesting that Revelation and apocalypse have the same meaning. The thoughts that come to mind when one hears "apocalypse" is catastrophe or cataclysmic when in fact Revelation/ apocalypse  mean neither, necessarily, but rather " unveiling." Revelation, as a title, tends to give the average mind a more accurate understanding of what the book means.
It's easier to slow a fast horse down than to get a dead one going.

Richard Myers

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2019, 06:43:00 PM »

Wednesday         January 2

The Godhead


Revelation begins with a greeting similar to the ones found in Paul’s letters. The book was sent ostensibly as a letter to the seven churches in Asia Minor in John’s day (Rev. 1:11). However, Revelation was not written for them only, but for all generations of Christians throughout history.

Read Revelation 1:4-5 and Romans 1:7.

 1:4   John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 
 1:5   And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

1:7   To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 


What common greeting is found in both texts, and from whom is the greeting given?

Both texts offer an epistolary greeting: “Grace and peace to you”. This phrase consists of the Greek greeting charis (“grace”) and the Hebrew greeting shalom (“peace”, “well-being”). As we can see from these texts, the Givers of grace and peace are the three Persons of the Godhead.

God the Father is identified as the One “who is and who was and who is to come” (see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 4:8, NKJV). This designation refers to the divine name Yahweh, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exod. 3:14, NKJV) referring to God’s eternal existence.

The Holy Spirit is referred to as “the seven Spirits” (compare with Rev. 4:5 and Rev. 5:6). In Scripture, seven is a number of fullness. “The seven Spirits” means the Holy Spirit is active in all seven churches. This image refers to the omnipresence of the Holy Spirit and His constant work among God’s people through history, enabling them to fulfill their calling.

Jesus Christ is identified by three titles: “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 1:5, NKJV). They refer to His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His reign in heaven. Then John states what Jesus has done: He “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father” (Rev. 1:5-6, NKJV).

In the original Greek, He “loved us” refers to Christ’s ongoing love, which embraces the past, the present, and the future. The One who loves us has released us from our sins by His blood. In the Greek, the verb “released” refers to a completed act in the past: when Jesus died on the cross He provided a perfect and complete atonement for our sins.

Ephesians 2:6 and Philippians 3:20 describe the redeemed as citizens of heaven who are raised up and made to sit with Jesus in heavenly places. What might that mean, and how do we presently enjoy this glorious status in Christ as “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6, NKJV) while still in this sin-cursed world? How should this answer impact how we live?

Who are the redeemed? Those who are fully surrendered to Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit. They manifest the character of Christ because all of the fruits of the Spirit come when the Spirit takes possession of the heart. Living in a sin-cursed world is not an excuse for sin. How do we enjoy this new life? We have peace that passes understanding no matter what our situation. Nothing touches the redeemed that does not first go through Christ.

How we should live, or how do we live? If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will manifest all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one will be missing (Desire of Ages, pg 676). Grace when allowed into the heart, transforms the life then. We are new creatures in Christ Jesus.

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

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2019, 06:56:51 PM »
Thursday         January 3

The Keynote of Revelation

The conclusion of the prologue of Revelation points to the true focus of the whole book: the return of Jesus in power and glory. Christ’s promise to come again is reiterated three times in the conclusion of the book (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20).

Read Revelation 1:7-8.

 1:7   Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 
 1:8   I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 



The wording of this text is derived from several prophetic texts: Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 24:30. What do these texts tell us about the certainty of the Second Coming?

In Revelation, the second coming of Christ is the end point toward which history moves. The Second Coming will mark the conclusion of this world’s history and the beginning of God’s eternal kingdom, as well as freedom from all evil, anguish, pain, and death.

Like the rest of the New Testament, Revelation 1:7 points to the literal, visible, and personal coming of Christ in majesty and glory. Every human being alive on the earth at the time, as well as “those who pierced Him” (NASB), will witness His coming. These words point to a special resurrection of certain people right before the return of Christ, including those who crucified Him. While Jesus will, with His coming, bring deliverance to those waiting for Him, He will bring judgment to those inhabitants living on the earth who have spurned His mercy and love.

The certainty of Christ’s coming is affirmed with the words “Even so, Amen” (Rev. 1:7). The words “even so” are a translation of the Greek word nai; and amen is a Hebrew affirmative. Together, these two words express certainty. They also conclude the book in two similar affirmations (Rev. 22:20).

“More than eighteen hundred years have passed since the Saviour gave the promise of his coming. Throughout the centuries his words have filled with courage the hearts of his faithful ones. The promise has not yet been fulfilled: the Life-giver’s voice has not yet called the sleeping saints from their graves; but none the less sure is the word that has been spoken. In his own time God will fulfill his word. Shall any become weary now? Shall we lose our hold on faith when we are so near the eternal world? Shall any say, The city is a great way off? - No, no. A little longer, and we shall see the King in his beauty. A little longer, and he will wipe all tears from our eyes. A little longer, and he will present us ‘faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy’”. - Ellen G. White, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Nov. 13, 1913.

A promise is only as strong as the integrity of the person giving it and his or her ability to fulfill it. How does the fact that the promise of the Second Coming has been given by God, who has kept all His promises in the past, provide you with assurance that Christ will return as He has promised?

Either God is God or He is not. He is God and He never lies. If God said Jesus will return, then He will return. He did say Jesus is coming and gives us much more information as to when that will happen. Not the day or the hour, but the nearness of His coming is indicated by the fulfillment of prophecies given. Jesus is coming very soon. The only thing that has delayed His coming, is the church. We have not done that which was entrusted to us. Before Jesus can come, a people must be prepared to receive Him.

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

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 1--1st Quarter 2019--The Gospel From Patmos
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2019, 07:15:11 PM »

Friday         January 4


Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Study of the Books of Daniel and the Revelation”, pp. 112-119, in Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers.

“This revelation was given for the guidance and comfort of the church throughout the Christian dispensation. … A revelation is something revealed. The Lord Himself revealed to His servant the mysteries contained in this book, and He designs that they shall be open to the study of all. Its truths are addressed to those living in the last days of this earth’s history, as well as to those living in the days of John. Some of the scenes depicted in this prophecy are in the past, some are now taking place; some bring to view the close of the great conflict between the powers of darkness and the Prince of heaven, and some reveal the triumphs and joys of the redeemed in the earth made new.

Let none think, because they cannot explain the meaning of every symbol in the Revelation, that it is useless for them to search this book in an effort to know the meaning of the truth it contains. The One who revealed these mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who ‘hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein’”. - Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 583-585.


Amen!! The wise will understand as the Spirit leads.

Discussion Questions:

    If Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ, why does the word apocalypse have a negative meaning today? What does this negativity tell us about the popular perception of Revelation among Christians? Why is the word fear often associated with Revelation’s prophecies?

Not sure about the word, but there is good reason for unrepentant sinners to fear what is written in the Book of Revelation. Let us begin with a great perversion of Bible truth which paints God as a God who will burn sinners for eternity. Such a lie! God is fair. He is perfectly just. Will He punish unrepentant sinners? Yes, for every sin they have done in the flesh. Will there be fire and brimstone? Yes, the wicked will burn until every sin has been punished. Is this not something to fear?

In the Book of Revelation much is revealed, not just the love of God and His coming for His faithful people. The most fearful message given in Scripture is found in this Book. Let's read it. "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." Revelation 14:9-11.


    Think about some of the failed predictions that some people have made just in the past 20 years regarding end-time events and the second coming of Jesus. Regardless of the hearts or motives (which we can’t know anyway) of those individuals who make them, what are the negative results of these failed predictions? How do they make the ones who believed in those predictions feel? How do these failed predictions make Christians in general appear to those on the outside who see these failed predictions? As a people who believe in prophecy and who look for end-time events as waymarks, how do we strike the right balance in how we understand prophecy and how we teach it to others?

We understand it to be true when it is true. We teach what the Bible says, not what man says it says. The Bible interprets itself. The Holy Spirit leads into truth those seeking truth that they may walk in it. We are promised the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, will lead us into the truth that we need to know. It is always in harmony with the rest of Scripture. If we question what one is teaching, look at their character and look to see what else they teach. Often false teachers do not just teach one error, but many. If one is not standing on a sure foundation, the errors grow in number. As erring humans, we need to be very careful as to what we teach. God is not pleased when we teach things He never said. Listen to what God had to say to Job in regards to all of the untruths Job had uttered. The very first thing God said to Job out of the whirlwind was this: "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" Job 38:1,2.

From today's "further thought" in Testimonies to Ministers: "The Holy Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know what is truth...." pg 112  "Will our brethren bear in mind that we are living amid the perils of the last days? Read Revelation in connection with Daniel. Teach these things. Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit." Pgs 115,116.

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