God’s Seal or the Mark of the Beast – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : The seal of God indicates our belonging to God as both our Savior and Creator. It is a sign of life and hope. The mark of the beast indicates apostasy and is a sign of loss and death.
1. Have a volunteer read Ezekiel 20:12,20.
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A. Ask class members to share what the most important point of this text is.
B. What two things is the Sabbath a sign of mentioned in these verses? How do they both point toward Christ?
C. Personal Application : We now the Sabbath is a sign of Creation, but how have you seen the Sabbath in your life as a sign of redemption? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I thought the seal of God was the Holy Spirit. How does the Sabbath fit in with the Holy Spirit as the seal of God?” How would you reply to your relative?
(Note: We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. It is the instrument that makes the mark. The mark it makes has God’s name, title, and territory. (Isaiah 8:16, Exodus 20:8-11)
2. Have a volunteer read Revelation 14:9,10.
A. Ask class members to share what the most important point of this text is.
B How can we show people that true rest comes from having an experiential
knowledge of God as Creator and Redeemer? Why does receiving the mark of the
beast lead to no rest?
E. Personal Application : What aspects of worship are essential to show our loyalty to God? Share your thoughts.
F. Case Study: One of your friends states, “I thought the mark of the beast was a Satanic symbol, 666; and that those who would enforce it were based on atheism and anti-Christian views. As long as we have faith in Jesus, we have nothing to worry about.” How would you reply to your relative?
3. Have a volunteer read Revelation 7:1-4.
A. Ask class members to share what the most important point of this text is.
B. What is the seal of God?
(Note: See Isaiah 8:16, Exodus 31:13-17, Exodus 20:8-11, Romans 4:11 – A sign is a seal. The seal has God’s name, title, and territory. The law is sealed among God’s people. The Sabbath signifies God as Creator and Redeemer.)
C. Personal Application : What does true Sabbath-keeping represent that goes against the challenge that we are trying to earn salvation by keeping it? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why does the seal go in the forehead, but the mark of he beast goes in the forehead and on the hand? Why the difference?” How would you reply to your relative?
4. Have a volunteer read Revelation 14:12.
A. Ask class members to share what the most important point of this text is.
B. What two things do those who don’t worship the beast and receive his mark have? Why are they both important – in other words, you can’t have one without the other?
C. Personal Application : What is th difference in having faith in Jesus and having the faith of Jesus? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with that person.
(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. MH p. 149)
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