SDA Sabbath School Lessons
Friday August 23, 1996


Further Study

FURTHER STUDY: In the book of Revelation, along with the beast itself, the "image of the beast" is portrayed as the great end-time enemy of the people of God. Study: Rev. 14:9, 11; Rev. 15:2; Rev. 16:2; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:4.

Note how the "dragon" (Revelation 12), the "beast" (Rev. 13:1), and the "false prophet" (Rev. 16:13) are the three great powers that prepare the world for destruction at the second coming of Jesus. The dragon, Satan, and his "demonic spirits" (Rev. 16:14, RSV) are the evil forces inciting the "beast" and the "false prophets"

"You know that Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect.He claims to be Christ. and he is coming in, pretending to be the great medical missionary. He will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men to prove that he is God. We must stand barricaded by the truths of the Bible." -Medical Ministry, pp. 87, 88.

"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 Great Controversy, p. 612.

"The time is coming when Satan will work miracles right in your sight, claiming that he is Christ; and if your feet are not firmly established upon the truth of God, then you will be led away from your foundation. The only safety for you is to search for truth as for hid treasures."--E. G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, P. 911.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. What evidences of the influence of spiritism do you see in our world today?
  2. There is increasing pressure from some sources in the United States to lessen the separation between church and state. How do you react to this attempt?

SUMMARY: The dragon and his agents oppose God's law and offer false prophets, a substitute god, human priests who claim to forgive sins, and persecution for those who reject a church-state union. By contrast, Christ offers the power to keep His law, true prophets who teach His truth, worship of the only true God, a heavenly High Priest and Mediator, and eternal life in His kingdom for those who trust Him.