Sabbath: A Message Worth Sharing
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Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Peter 1:12, 2 Peter 16-21; Revelation 19:11-18; Revelation 14:14-20; Eccles. 12:13-14; Revelation 14:6-12.
Memory Text: “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people — saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water’” ( Revelation 14.6-7, NKJV).
Christ’s atoning death was universal; that is, it was meant for all people who have ever lived, regardless of when or where. Thus, the gospel speaks to people of every language group, culture, and background. It bridges ethnic divides. It is the incredibly good news that Jesus, in His life, death, and resurrection, has triumphed over the principalities and powers of hell. The gospel is all about Jesus. He died for us and now lives for us. He came once to deliver us from the penalty and power of sin and is coming again to deliver us from the presence of sin. He died the death we deserve so that we can live the life He deserves. In Christ we are justified, sanctified, and one day glorified.
The Bible focuses on the two comings of Jesus. He came once to redeem us and will return to take home what He has purchased at such an infinite cost. The Bible’s last book, Revelation, was written especially to prepare the world for Jesus’ return. It is an urgent message for this generation. In this week’s lesson, we will study Revelation’s relevance for a 21st century contemporary society. Together we will discover anew Jesus’ appeal to His last day church to share this end-time message.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 19.
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I know a fair bit of the book of Revelation off by heart. I don't see that as a really great asset and sometimes quip that, given enough time I could train a flock of Galahs (Australias very funny pink and grey parrots) to recite the book of Revelation. Now while that would be a bit of a sensation, ultimately, that is all it would be - a lot of noise in the sky.
For the book of Revelation to be relevant, we must learn that simply making a lot of noise about it does not go anywhere. It has to change our lives. We believe that Revelation teaches us that we live in perilous times where Christianity is under threat. Do we live as though that message has sunk in or are we content to talk about it, analyse it and turn it over in our minds? If you were on a sinking ship and knew a lot about nautical engineering, would you spend time teaching people the theory of vessel flotation, and Archimedes' Principle?
It is time for practical application.
Revelation 1: 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
I have another challenge for myself and anyone else who cares to respond as well. The challenge is to compare the message in the Gospels with the message in Revelation. Both are centered on Jesus and His loving kindness, His descriptions of the Kingdom of Heaven and being transformed into His Image.
What message do we find in Revelation that is not in the Gospels, what would we be missing if we didn't have the book of Revelation?
The message contained in the Book of Revelation comes to us with a blessing in this life and for eternity."Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near" - Rev.1:3(NIV).We have been promised a blessing if we read aloud(share) its message with others. The blessing becomes ours if we listen to the message and take it to our heart (treat the message as of great significance). The message is of great caution and urgency("the time is near").Disobedience to this message has got eternal consequences.This is the message of the hour.This is the message worth sharing in the 21st century.
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Its a worldwide message that we need to share.
Like we studied last week it would be useless to share a message we do not understand, believe or live and I agree with Maurice above on this.
This questions will guide me as I study this week's lesson:
1. What is this message?
2. Do I understand it?
3. Does it make sense to me?
4. Am I living this message?
5. How will I share it? Will my method of sharing be received or accepted by my recipients?
I believe its an important message that we have to share especially in these end times we are living in. Truth shared in love.
2Peter1:17 - "For He (Jesus) received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
(19) "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
(20) knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
(21) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT."
The Gospel message is not ABOUT Jesus it IS 'Jesus - offered to mankind as the Spirit of Truth and Life'.
John6:44 - "No one can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
1John5:10,11 - "He that believeth on the Son of God HATH THE WITNESS IN HIMSELF; he that believeth not God, hath made him (Jesus) a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
(11) And this is the record - that God hath given to us eternal life, and this Life is in his Son." (Starting this new, spiritually accountable life now as we walk by faith in what we believe to be the Truth
of Jesus)
Jesus' Spirit of Truth and Life will raise the faithful believer up to eternal life at Christ's return. In the meantime, we are told to 'occupy' - be about the Father's business - Luke19:12-27.
And this is the message I share - I am about my Father's business as I point those seeking for the Ultimate Truth to the Light of the Gospel - Jesus!
Maurice, I have to comment on the case you have presented about teaching the Parrots the book of Revelation and to your assessment, "it would be like a noisy sky". But in reality, this is what we have become right? Because we hourd all of this information from the Bible studies we have attended over a lifetime !and when we are together we try to prove how well versed we are in the Scriptures and can recite the 28 fundamental beliefs (typical of the parrots making noise in the sky). When our better yet My MO should how I can put what I believe in it's simplest form so that my acquaintance can be transformed in the Fullness of the character of Jesus Christ.
Hi Bro. Maurice I see the analogy of your view on the book of Revelation. My take is similar but yet expressed in a different way.I believe that no one will neither appreciates or understand the book of Revelation except one begin at the beginning .If anyone fail to “read the scripture for in them there is light “ then the book of Revelation will be just a lot of rumbling or unrecognized noise. Learning the pathway of a Christian, the struggles and ultimate rewards as well as the prophesy on perilous times help us to truly understand the book of Revelation. John wrote the apocalyptic prophecy addressing the seven churches in Rome to warn them of what was to come .Our God always want us to be forewarned Amos 3:7 says Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless he reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.I am living in New York one of the chief Epicenters of the World I can surly see perilous times are beginning to creep up on us.May God help us all to open our eyes and see, open our ears and listen ,If anyone lack wisdom let him ask of God who give liberally, and as Solomon say get also understanding.