Lesson 2 Review: The Genesis Foundation

Introduction

Memory Text: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” (John 1:29, NKJV).

The Genesis foundation of concepts in the Revelation is essential for studying the book of Revelation. After all, for instance, it shows the path by which our world descended into sinful chaos. Nearly every key concept mentioned in Revelation appears—in some form—in the opening chapters of the Bible. A few of these big concepts at the core of Revelation is the study for this week.

What is the “law of first mention?”

The “law of first mention” refers to the introduction of a concept or symbol with a general understanding of that concept which helps understand how it’s being used later on.

What principle is mentioned in Sunday’s lesson for anchoring the study of prophecy?

When God establishes truth, He does not change His mind. When truth is established, repetitions of that truth does not change the truth but further sheds light on the already-established truth.

How can we understand love from the first mention of “love” in the Bible found in Genesis 22:1-13?

The first mention of love in the Bible foreshadowed God’s love for the human race. He loved us to the point where He “gave His only begotten Son” (Gen. 22:2, 12, 16)—and, then, raised Him from the dead.

How does the story of Isaac’s near-sacrifice help us understand how lambs are used symbolically?

The first mention of a seh (lamb) in the Bible comes in the form of Isaac’s question: “Where is the lamb?” (Gen. 22:7). And interestingly enough, the rest of the Bible answers that question in great detail. From the Passover rituals to David’s early occupation. In the New Testament, the question is answered when Jesus appears in flesh and blood, ministers among His people, and finally sacrifices His life at the cross.

How does the first mention of a Lamb in John’s Gospel, in John 1:29-34 personally answer Isaac’s question of a lamb?

The first mention of Lamb in John’s gospel seems to be personally answering Isaac’s question. Sinners are repenting and baptizing, symbolizing the death of the sinner and the beginning of a new life. In this context, Jesus, the Lamb of God, suddenly appears and, according to Matthew’s account, the heavens open to announce Him: “ ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’ ” (Matt. 3:17, NKJV) just as the voice from heaven announced the solution to Abraham and Isaac’s problem (Gen. 22:11-14).

“Where is the Lamb?”

The Lamb is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lamb of God, and is our substitute.

How does the understanding of the Lamb all through the Bible tie into what John sees in Revelation 5?

By weaving together all the threads found in the Bible, it is clear that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is our Substitute. That sheds much light on our understanding of the slain Lamb in John’s vision.

What parallels are found between the first mention of death and Christ’s death on the cross?

The first mention of death is the murder of Abel, the righteous by the unrighteous, Cain. This parallels with Christ’s murder by the unrighteous.

What is the key subject in the book of Revelation?

The issue of worship is a key subject in the book of Revelation.

Who is the perpetrator and enabler of false systems of worship?

The “dragon” (Rev. 13:2-4), who is Satan, is the perpetrator and enabler of false systems of worship.

What are the two accounts in the Scripture in which Satan leads the whole world astray?

In Genesis, at a moment when there were only two people in existence; and then in the account given in Revelation 12 and 13, in which Satan is identified as the one who “deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9) and as the one who enables the sea beast power so that “all the world” marvels and follows it (Rev. 13:2, 3).

What is the nature of the great controversy?

God’s character and Word do not change, and the ambitions of the devil does not change. God’s character is love. The devil may wear a thousand disguises, but millennia of fallen human history, coupled with the prophetic scenario painted in Revelation, demonstrate that he never strays from the game plan he used in Eden.

In Conclusion,

Every truth about Christianity, about God, about our salvation has its roots in the Bible. It is important to bear this in mind, when we study prophecies, because God has given us everything through history with His people. Going against God’s Word can lead to deception and consequently lead us away from God. May God help us to stand in the truth, in Jesus’ name. 

Lesson 1 Review: Some Principles of Prophecy

Introduction

Memory Text: “ ‘But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:24, NKJV).

Most Christians in the first eighteen centuries were very comfortable with Bible Prophecy, and there was a surprising level of agreement on what the key messages of the prophecies were. Prophecies are not to be discarded on account that they are too hard to understand, neither are they to be invalidated because some Christians disagree over every prophetic jot or tittle. God’s intention is this: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10, NKJV).

What is God’s intention for us concerning prophecies?

God’s intention for us concerning prophecies is that we may understand.

How can we avoid missing the messages or misunderstanding the loving and holy character of God as recorded in the Bible?

By being surrendered to the Lord, by having a heart open to learning the truth, and by reading the Bible under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can avoid missing the messages or misunderstanding the loving and holy character of God as recorded in the Bible.

What is available for us to understand now?

What is necessary for our salvation.

Where should Bible prophecy lead us to?

In the end, Bible prophecy must ultimately, in one way or another, lead us to Jesus and the promise of salvation that He offers to all humanity. Prophecy helps us to know what God offers us in Jesus.

What makes the book of Daniel somewhat different from the book of Revelation?

The angel’s instruction to Daniel begins with an injunction to “shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end” (Daniel 12:4, NKJV), John was told to “not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand” (Rev. 22:10, NKJV).

What is the fulfillment of Daniel’s prediction that “knowledge shall increase” at “the time of the end?”

The birth of our global movement, in other words, is a fulfillment of Daniel’s prediction that “knowledge shall increase” at “the time of the end.”

Why can we be so grateful for the knowledge of the truth?

The knowledge of the truth is something we should be grateful for, especially when we think of it in light of its contrast to the “darkness” that so much of Christendom exists in. For instance, some have the wrong idea of something as basic as the seventh-day Sabbath. Some too, are ignorant about death.

How do we ought to approach Bible Prophecy?

We ought to approach Bible prophecy by studying carefully everything the Bible says on a particular topic, and to taking into consideration the context in which it says it, as well.

What rule should be followed in understanding Bible prophecy?

The Bible must be allowed to define its own terms. We can tell from the Bible texts in Thursday’s lesson that a horn can symbolize a political power or nation. A sword can symbolize the Word of God. And yes, a woman can symbolize the church.

In Conclusion,

To get a consistent and reliable understanding of prophecy, we must study prophecies under the influence of the Holy Spirit, study prophecies with an open mind, and study prophecies in the full context, in comparison with all the Bible says about a topic. We must make the Bible interpret itself. Prophecies lead us to the understanding of the salvation we have been offered in Christ and may we all be saved (sheaves for the heavenly garner, Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pg. 342), in Jesus’ name. 

2nd Quarter of Sabbath School Study Guide Introduction

The theme for the Sabbath School Study Guide for the Second Quarter of 2025 is “Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy.” We, Seventh-day Adventists, view prophecies through the lens of the great controversy between God and Satan — a worldwide spiritual struggle that will climax when God’s people, both Jew and Gentile face the final crisis, which centers on worshipping the Creator as opposed to worshipping the beast and his image. The key for understanding these last day events is the prophecy in Daniel 2 about the four worldly empires and how they move in unbroken succession through history until, after the second coming of Jesus, God establishes His eternal one.

Here is an outline for the weekly topics for this quarter:

WEEK	LESSON’S TOPIC	PERIOD
1	Some Principles of Prophecy	March 29–April 4
2	The Genesis Foundation	April 5–April 11
3	Images From Marriage	April 12–April 18
4	The Nations: Part 1	April 19–April 25
5	The Nations: Part 2	April 26–May 2
6	Understanding Sacrifice	May 3–May 9
7	Foundations for Prophecy	May 10–May 16
8	In the Psalms: Part 1	May 17–May 23
9	In the Psalms: Part 2	May 24–May 30
10	Upon Whom the Ends Have Come	May 31–June 6
11	Ruth and Esther	June 7–June 13
12	Precursors	June 14–June 20
13	Images of the End	June 21–June 27

 

Lesson 13 Review: Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

Introduction

Memory Text: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8, NKJV).

Love is the fulfillment of the law according to the memory text. In contrast to the man who, in a church meeting said decisions cannot continue to be made out of compassion, compassion is part and parcel of love. God’s law is a part of the expression of love as God Himself expresses it.

How does Exodus 20:1-17 reveal the Law of love?

The first four commandments deal with people’s relationship with God, the way we are to love God. The last six deals with human relationships, how we are to love the people around us. Jesus explicitly said, “ ‘On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matt. 22:10, NKJV).

What makes “the law holy, and the commandment holy and just and good?”

The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good because, among other things, it makes sin and our sinfulness apparent to us. It reveals our great need of salvation.

What is the nature of God’s Law?

God’s Law is unchangeable; it is significant that the law was written on stone. Jesus said, “ ‘until heaven and earth pass away,’ ” not even “ ‘the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the law’ ”  (Matt. 5:18, NASB 1995).

On what is the Government of Christ founded?

The government of Christ is founded on love.

How do we know that love and grace is not opposed to each other?

God gave us the law inscribed on stones, an act of grace. Yes, the law couldn’t save us but it showed us how we can love our God and our fellow men. The law also, was to be written in the hearts of the people, so that it is not just external to us but internal as well, an act of grace. The law only shows us our need of salvation, it shows us our sin, we are not saved by law-keeping, we are saved by grace. We do not keep the law to be saved, we keep the law because we are saved. We do not keep the law to be loved, we keep the law because we are loved, and thus we desire to love God and others (see John 14:15).

What are the “weightier matters of the law” (Matthew 23:23,24)?

“Justice and mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23,24).

How is the Sabbath commandment connected with the weightier matters of the law?

The Sabbath commandment in Deuteronomy 5 is connected with God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The Sabbath is not only a memorial of creation; it is a memorial of deliverance. When Isaiah 58 talks about turning away from one’s pleasure to call the Sabbath a delight, it means taking delight in the Lord, the emphasis is on works of justice and love for others—feeding the hungry, housing the homeless.

What lesson is recorded in the Bible for those who are concerned about fulfilling the law through love?

They are not only to be concerned about not violating the letter of the law, they should be concerned about actively doing good—doing works that advance love and justice.

What does it mean to become a follower of Christ?

Being a follower of Christ means that you love God and have love for the people around you. James 2:1-9 strong decries injustice in the society, specifically identifying the dishonoring of the poor and oppression by some who are rich, calling attention to the law of love for one another saying if you do them, then “you do well” (James 2:8, NKJV).

What is above all things according to 1 Peter 4:8?

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’ ” (NKJV).

In Conclusion,

“ “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” ” So help us, Oh God, in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 12 Review: Love and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20, NKJV).

God makes all things good in the end, but what we do now still matters. We are obligated as Christians to alleviate suffering and evil we come across to any degree possible. Love and justice are inseparable, God loves justice, and if we love God, we will love justice too. Likewise, if we love God, we will love one another, sharing a concern for the well-being of those around us.

What are the two greatest commandments?

The “ ‘first and greatest commandment’ ” is “ ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ’ ” “ ‘The second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ’ ” “ ‘On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matt. 22:37-40, NKJV).

What lessons can we learn from the encounter between Jesus and the lawyer and the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler?

“To keep back little or much from God was to retain that which would lessen [the rich young ruler’s] moral strength and efficacy”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 520. We must love God with all our hearts, all our soul, and with all our mind, not holding back anything or cherishing anything else above God. Our love for God means we love the people around us and on this hangs all the Law and the Prophets.

What are the two greatest sins?

The two greatest sins are idolatry to which God responds with the anger of love and the mistreatment of His people, whether individually or corporately. They are basically failings of love.

What does Scripture declare about God’s stand with justice?

Scripture declares that God loves justice and hates evil.

What does God desire and require from those who claim to love Him?

“ ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?’ ” (Micah 6:8, NKJV).

Was the call for justice a concern only for the Old Testament?

No. Justice was an utmost concern to Christ Himself. According to Matt. 23:23, “ ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone’ ”  (NKJV).

“Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)?

Your neighbor is anyone who is in need of help. Christ gave Himself in love in order to establish justice. He is both just and the Justifier of all who believe. Jesus came in fulfillment of the cry for justice (Luke 4:16-21).

In Conclusion,

Love for God is love for our neighbor, love for God is love for justice. May God help us to love Him with all our heart, with all our souls and with all our mind, in Jesus’ name. 

Lesson 11 Review: What More Could I Have Done?

Introduction

Memory Text: “Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice’ ” (John 18:37, NKJV).

Many people view God somewhat the way Denis viewed the king. This king separated Denis from his parents for his good, but Denis did not know it was for his good casing Denis to develop hatred for the king. God can be trusted and everything He does is for our good. When we look to Jesus on the cross, we can see that God can be trusted, even with all the questions that remain unanswered for now.

What does the Bible say about the battle between Jesus and Satan?

Jesus is the victor over Satan in every way:

1.       Jesus came into “ ‘into the world, to testify to the truth’ ” (John 18:37, NASB);

2.       Through the cross, Jesus supremely demonstrated God’s perfect righteousness and love (Romans 3:25, 26; Rom. 5:8); thereby disproving the devil’s slanderous allegations (Rev. 12:10, 11); and

3.       Jesus will finally destroy the kingdom of the devil, who “ ‘knows that his time is short’ ” (Rev. 12:12, ESV) and Christ “ ‘will reign forever and ever’ ” (Rev. 11:15, NLT).

Who is the devil?

The devil is:

1.       The deceiver of the whole world from the beginning (Rev. 12:9, Matt. 4:3)

2.       The Slanderer and accuser of God and His people in heaven (Rev.12:10; Job 1,2); and

3.       The usurping ruler of this world (John 12:31, John 14:30, Acts 26:18).

What is the key for us in the cosmic conflict?

The key for us is to claim Christ’s victory for ourselves, because Satan is already a defeated foe.

What are the stages of the total defeat of the enemy’s rulership?

First, through the work of the Cross, Christ disproves Satan’s slanderous allegations. And, later, Satan and his kingdom will be destroyed.

How does Christ defeat the allegations of the devil?

God provides the ultimate manifestation of God’s righteousness and love, and He did so through the Cross. At the Cross, the greatest manifestation of the love of God for humanity was shown. On the contrary, Satan revealed himself before the heavenly universe as a murderer and uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings.

What lesson can we draw from the Scripture about God?

The God of Scripture always does what is good and preferable, given the avenues available for Him in the great controversy. Revelation 12:10-12 tells us of the victory God has won for us.

Who is speaking in Isaiah 5:1-4?

Isaiah sings a song.

Whom is Isaiah speaking about?

Isaiah sings a song about His beloved’s vineyard.

Whom do the vineyard owner and vineyard represent?

The vineyard owner is God Himself and the vineyard represents God’s people.

What is the implication of the vineyard owner on behalf of the vineyard?

The implication of the vineyard owner on behalf of the vineyard is that the vineyard, despite everything the vineyard owner did for it, bore “worthless fruits.” The implications can be expanded to a broader work in the world. God did everything that could be done for the flourishing of His vineyard (people) but they produced “wild grapes.” To the point that God asks us to judge between Him and His vineyard and He said, “ ‘What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it?’ ”

What is the significance of Christ’s parable of the vineyard?

The first part of Christ’s parable quotes directly from the song of Isaiah 5 about the vineyard owner and His vineyard. Then, Jesus adds that the vineyard owner leased “His vineyard” to vinedressers and went into a far country (Matt. 21:33, NKJV). The vineyard owner sent two of His servants (the prophets) and the vinedressers killed them. Finally, the vineyard owner sent His Son (Jesus), saying, “ ‘They will respect my son’ ” (Matt. 21:37, NKJV), but they murdered His Son. God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son. What more could He have done?

What does the Bible teach about God Himself being vindicated in the cosmic conflict?

In the end, when all “books” are opened, we will see the evidence that God is perfectly just and righteous. There was nothing more He could have done that He had not done.

When would God be vindicated before the onlooking universe and the redeemed?

In the end, God is vindicated at the cross and through the entire plan of salvation. In the pre-advent Judgement, God is vindicated before the onlooking universe. Then, in the post-advent judgment, during which the redeemed will even “judge angels” (1 Cor. 6:2, 3), God is vindicated, as the redeemed have the opportunity to review the records and see for themselves that God is just. Finally, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:10, 11).

In Conclusion,

Jesus has won the victory over Satan. He has done everything that could have been done to save us, the choice to not be saved rests on our individual choices. Although, we may have questions that may perplex us, we can be sure that in the end, we will find that God was faithful. In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. May God help us to be on God’s side, in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 10 Review: Rules of Engagement

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8, NKJV).

There is only one God, other gods are false. But more than just been false gods, these false gods are demons. These demons were the objects of worship of the gentiles and anyone who commits idolatry is worshiping demons. Any texts dealing with idolatry or false worship are “cosmic conflict” texts, and these help us to understand the more the nature of the conflict.

How can we make much sense of the fact that the angel sent by God was delayed for twenty-one days by the prince of Persia?

God must not be exercising all of His power in this situation where the angel of God was delayed. There are parameters known to both parties which are not revealed to us, and that guides how both parties operate. We can say that whatever these parameters are, they emanate from God’s nature of love. God can only work from the principles emanating from love.

What does Revelation 13:1-8 reveal about the dragon’s jurisdiction?

The dragon (Satan) not only wars against God (Rev. 12:7-9) and His servants (for example, Rev. 12:1-6), but he is depicted as the ruler behind the earthly kingdoms who persecute God’s people throughout the ages.

What hope is there for God’s people being persecuted by the dragon?

The hope for God’s people being persecuted by the dragon is that the dragon’s time is short. Satan “knows that his time is short” (Rev. 12:12, ESV). Indeed, God triumphs.” ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” (Rev. 21:4, NKJV).

What are the significant details from the case of Job?

There appears to be some kind of heavenly council scene, with other celestial beings involved including Satan. Second, there is an existing dispute, signaled by the fact that God asks whether Satan has considered Job. Third, while God declares Job blameless, upright, and God-fearing, Satan claims that Job appears to fear God only because God protects him, thus indicating slander against God’s character and Job’s. Fourth, Satan alleges that God’s protection of Job (the hedge) is unfair and makes it impossible for Satan to prove his allegations, thus indicating some limits on Satan (rules of engagement), and that Satan has apparently tried to harm Job.

How does God respond to Satan’s allegations and how does it help us understand the rules of engagement in the cosmic conflict?

God responds to Satan’s allegations by first giving Satan power over “all that he has,” but prohibits personal harm to Job (Job 1:12, NKJV). Later, after Satan claims that Job cares only about himself, God allows Satan to afflict Job personally, but Satan must spare his life (Job 2:3-6). This response helps us to understand that there are the rules of engagement in the cosmic conflict, there are parameters in the heavenly court within which the allegations raised against God can be settled without violating the sacred principles inherent in love, the foundation of God’s principles and how He rules the universe and the intelligent beings in it.

What does the Bible teach about the rulership of the enemy of this world?

The New Testament sets forth a clash of kingdoms, the kingdoms of light and darkness, with the darkness coming from Satan and his rebellion. Satan and his cohorts have been temporarily granted significant jurisdiction in this world, limited according to some kind of rules of engagement. Part of Christ’s mission was to defeat the kingdom of Satan: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8, NKJV).

What are some of the limits of the rules of engagements?

(1) the granting of free will to creatures and (2) the covenantal rules of engagement, which we are not privy to, at least now.

What are some limits or rules of engagement that seem to be in place in the narratives of Mark 6:5 and Mark 9:29?

The limits or rules of engagement that seem to be in place according to the narratives of Mark 6:5 and Mark 9:29 are dynamically related to such things as faith and prayer.

What lessons can we take for ourselves from the limits or rules of engagement that seem to be in place in Mark 6:5 and Mark 9:29?

Prayer makes a difference in this world, opening up avenues that would otherwise not be (morally) available. However, faith and prayer are not the only factors, there are other factors as well. There are factors or parameters that affect the rules of engagement and God’s actions are according to these rules.

In Conclusion,

There are rules of engagement in the cosmic conflict, although we may not know about them entirely we are sure that they are in accordance with God’s nature of love. May we all be faithful to Christ and rely on His strength to overcome, in Jesus’ name.