What do the following texts teach us about the “state of the dead”? What great protection can these texts give us against one of “the two great errors”? Eccles. 9:5-6; Eccles. 9:10; Ps. 115:17; Ps. 146:4; 1 Cor. 15:16-18; Dan. 12:2. In recent decades much attention has been given to stories about people who have “died” — in that their hearts have … Continue reading –>
Read the following texts. What do they tell us about Satan’s power to deceive? 2 Cor. 11:13-15 2 Thess. 2:9-10 Rev. 12:9 Rev. 20:10 As we noted in an earlier lesson, Jesus had warned His followers about end-time deceptions. Among those He specifically warned about were the rise of false christs and false prophets who would … Continue reading –>
The first lesson of this quarter talked about the “cosmic controversy”, which, unfortunately, has reached beyond the cosmos to our earth itself. The problem, though, is that many people, Christians included, don’t believe in this great controversy because they don’t believe in Satan. For them, Bible texts talking about Satan or the devil are merely … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 2:13; Rev. 2:24; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Ps. 146:4; Gen. 1:2-3; Rev. 13:1-17. Memory Text: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9, NKJV). Even in heaven, before … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Bible students have long seen a link between the call in Revelation 14:7, to “worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of water” (RSV), and the fourth commandment, in Exodus 20:11, when the Sabbath points back to the fact that “in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, … Continue reading –>
Read again Revelation 14:6-7. What are the specific elements found in the entire first angel’s message, and how do they relate to one another? Along with the gospel, the call to witness to the world and the call to fear God and give glory to Him comes the call to worship God as the Creator. And no … Continue reading –>
In the first angel’s message, the idea of fearing God and giving glory to Him is linked to judgment (Rev. 14:7). If the Bible is clear about any teaching, it is clear that God is a God of justice and of judgment. One day the judgment and justice so lacking in this world will indeed come. No … Continue reading –>
After talking about the proclamation of the “everlasting gospel” to all the world, the first angel’s message then expands on this message. As we proclaim the “everlasting gospel”, we must include the truths that are part of this gospel message for this time. In other words, “present truth” for the last days also includes Revelation 14:7. … Continue reading –>
In Revelation 14:6, the message to be proclaimed to the world is “the everlasting gospel”. It’s a message of hope for people in a world that, in and of itself, offers no hope at all. Read Luke 23:32-43. How does this story reveal the great hope of the “everlasting gospel” for all sinners? Writing about the thief, … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 14:6, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:19. What is the similar theme found in these texts? How do these texts together help us understand how important outreach and witness are to our purpose as a church? In a sense, one can say that the first angel’s message is the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) now given in the context of the … Continue reading –>
