A seal, like a signature, is used to validate a document. In ancient times it was a stamp pressed onto soft wax or clay to show authenticity or ownership, having the authority of its owner behind it. What is the seal of God, and how and when is it given? Eph. 1:13-14; Eph. 4:30; 2 Tim. 2:19; Rev. 7:1-4; Rev. 14:1. … Continue reading –>
Read the following texts. What do they teach us about how important it is to avoid “the mark of the beast”? Rev. 13:17; Rev. 14:9-10; Rev. 16:2. Receiving the undiluted wrath of God, punished by the seven last plagues, and, in the end, cast into the lake of fire. What a contrast to those who refused the mark of … Continue reading –>
In Old Testament times there were two outward signs as identifiers of God’s true people. One of them was circumcision. To whom was this sign first given? Gen. 17:9-11. God commanded Abraham and his descendants to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant of salvation. Males were to be circumcised on the eighth day (Lev. 12:3) . However, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 17:9-11; Exod. 31:13, Exod. 31:17; Rev. 13:17; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb. 4:9-10. Memory Text: “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation 15:3). The Song of Moses and the Lamb begins with the words of our memory text this week. It is sung by “them that … Continue reading –>
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, Rev. 14:12) , for they alone on the earth will be refusing … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
Read the following texts. What do they teach us about Babylon? Jer. 51:6-7, Jer. 51:53, Jer. 51:57; Zech. 2:7; Rev. 17:5-6; Rev. 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, Rev. … Continue reading –>
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 chapter 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 … Continue reading –>
People have asked, and understandably so: How could Rome have the kind of influence today, or in the future, that is depicted in Revelation chapter 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 chpater 13. Read Revelation 13:11-12. What marks help … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
