The second angel’s message announces the fall, or apostasy, of Babylon and identifies it as a false religious system. In Revelation 17:5, “Babylon is said to be ‘the mother of harlots’. By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval … Continue reading –>
Revelation shows that the central issues in the last crisis of earth’s history will be worship and obedience to God, as revealed in keeping His commandments (Rev. 14:12). The people of the world will fall into two groups: those who fear and worship God, and those who fear and worship the beast. Review the first four commandments … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 14:7 along with Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. What does it mean to “fear God”? How does the concept of fearing God relate to the gospel, and what does the gospel have to do with keeping God’s commandments? (See also Rom. 7:7-13). What is the connection between fearing God and glorifying Him? The call to “fear God and give glory … Continue reading –>
Just before the end, God sends His warning messages, symbolically portrayed in terms of three vocal angels flying in the sky. The Greek word for angel (angelos) means “messenger”. Evidence from Revelation suggests that the three angels stand for God’s people who are entrusted with the end-time message to share with the world. Read Revelation 14:6 along with Matthew … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 14:6-12; Matt. 24:14; Eccles. 12:13-14; Exod. 20:2-11; Isa. 21:9; Isa. 34:8-10. Memory Text: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, NKJV). Revelation shows that Satan’s end-time deception will be so successful that the world will choose to worship the beast and … Continue reading –>
By Andrew McChesney Mordecai Msimanga turned to God and became a missionary to his fellow Zimbabweans after accidentally hearing a sermon from the Song of Solomon. As a young man, Mordecai was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rhodesia in 1963 and moved to the country’s second-largest city, Bulawayo, to find work. He stopped … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Revelation shows that the Sabbath will be a sign of obedience at the end of history. We have to remember, however, that a person’s observance of Sunday now does not itself mean that he or she has the mark of the beast. Sunday keeping will become “the mark of the beast” only when, having clearly understood … Continue reading –>
Revelation chapter 13 indicates that the lamblike beast will have the leading role in the final crisis. This world power will establish a global system in an attempt to control the beliefs of people. This system will mirror medieval Christianity under papal control. Read Revelation 13:16-17 along with Deuteronomy 6:4-8. What does putting the mark on the right … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 13:12-13. How do 1 Kings 18:38 and Acts 2:3 help us understand the nature of the lamblike beast’s deceptive activities – the greatest of which is bringing fire down from heaven? By working miracles, the lamblike beast will convince many that its words are true despite not being in full harmony with Scripture. “Through the agency of spiritualism, … Continue reading –>
The first half of Revelation chapter 13 describes the Roman Catholic power active during the prophetic period of 1,260 days/years. With the events of the French Revolution, this religio-political system received a deadly wound. However, the mortal wound will eventually be healed, restoring this system to life. The second half of the chapter describes how … Continue reading –>
