Lesson 6 Review: The Hour of His Judgment

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Romans 13:11, 12, NKJV).

Jesus bore all the fires of God’s judgment at Calvary, and like the bed with her baby birds safe under her wings to protect them from the fire, anyone who is in Christ is safe forever under His wings. ‘He was judged as a criminal so that we could be set free from the destructive fires of eternal loss, both figuratively and, yes, literally, as well.

What specific timetable does Daniel give us regarding the cleansing of the sanctuary?

Daniel 8:14 (NKJV), “And He said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days, then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.””

What was Daniel’s response to the vision of the 2,300 days, and what was God’s response to him?

Daniel fainted and later exclaimed, “I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it” (Daniel 8:27, NKJV). Angel Gabriel explains the 2,300-day prophecy to Daniel, “ ‘O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand’ ” (Dan. 9:22, NKJV).

What period of time were the 2,300 days?

The 2,300 days’ prophecy representing 2,300 literal years refers to the “time of the end”.

What can we draw from the prophecy of the 2,300 days?

The climax of Daniel 8 is ‘God’s answer to the challenge of earthly and religious powers that have attempted to usurp the authority of God. It is part of God’s solution to the sin problem.’

What matter does the angel ask Daniel to consider and what vision?

There is no vision recorded in Daniel 9, ‘the angel Gabriel must be speaking of the portion of the vision in Daniel 8 that the prophet did not understand ¾ the vision of the 2,300 days (Daniel 8:27)’

What is the explanation of the seventy weeks determined according to Tuesday’s lesson?

The seventy weeks relates to God’s people, the Jews. “ ‘The Seventy weeks are determined for your people’ ” (Dan. 9:14, NKJV). One prophetic day refers to one literal year (Ezek. 4:6, Num. 14:34), and “determined” means cut off, which refers to the fact that seventy weeks (490 days) will be cut off, but from where? From the 2,300 days which refers to 2,300 literal years.

What happens in Daniel 9?

Angel Gabriel with this prophecy is coming to help Daniel understand what he didn’t understand in the previous chapter: the 2,300 days.

When does the counting of the 2,300 days begin?

“Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem, Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.” (Daniel 9:27, NKJV). The going forth of the command was in 457 B.C.

What great truths are revealed in Romans 5:6-9 and Daniel 9:26?

The Messiah would be “cut off” or crucified but not for Himself but for us. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Christ would “ ‘bring an end to sacrifice and offering’ ” (Daniel 9:27, NKJV) in the middle of the week (the week equals 7 days that start from A.D. 27 – A.D. 34, and the middle is A.D. 31).

How can the 2,300-day prophecy be explained?

The first 490 years of the 2,300-year prophecy were designated especially for the Jewish nation of antiquity and the coming of the Messiah which ended in A.D. 34. The last part of the 2,300-day prophecy has to do with God’s people both Jew and Gentile, along with the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, and ultimately the second coming of Christ. Subtracting the 490 years from 2,300 years which ended in A.D. 34 we have 1810 years left, adding these 1810 years to 34 A.D., we come to 1844.

What was the reason for the cleansing of the sanctuary?

‘The cleansing of the sanctuary was because of the people’s sins, the people’s iniquities, the sanctuary had to be cleansed.’

What does the cleansing of the sanctuary teach us about the gospel?

‘We need a Savior, whose life is symbolized by the animals slain on the Day of Atonement, as the only way to make it through judgment.’

How does God’s children condition themselves on that day of judgment mean for us today?

The Israelites were to “afflict their souls”. This indicates that they were to humble themselves and examine their hearts, confess their sins, repent, and ask God to cleanse them as the high priest was cleansing the earthly sanctuary.

In Conclusion,

The Hour of God’s judgment is truly come, the 2,300-day prophecy further tells us of the veracity of Christ’s second coming, the events that happened as predicted in Daniel and Revelation. I pray that God helps us prepare for Christ’s coming in Jesus’ name. 

Lesson 5 Review: The Good News of the Judgment

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water’ ” (Revelation 14:7, NKJV).

The sound of judgment can be scary, indeed God will “bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccles. 12:14, NKJV). Judgment reveals God’s goodness and the grace of God and that He is both just and merciful in how He deals with the saved, and even with the lost.

What is the significance of the Judgment hour?

The unfallen worlds will see that God has done everything He can to save every human being. ‘The Judgement Reveals God’s justice and mercy. It says something about His law and love. It speaks of His grace to save and His power to deliver.’

What is the nature of God’s final judgment?

Our works reveal our choices and our loyalty to God, but they in no wise save us for it is “by grace that we are saved through faith…not …of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9, NKJV).

How do we see God’s Mercy and Judgment intertwine?

We are judged according to our works, ‘but while we realize our sinful condition, we are to rely on Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption.’ ‘Christ alone can make effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own.”

Where is the destiny of all humanity decided?

‘The destiny of all humanity is decided in heaven’s courtroom. Right prevails. Truth triumphs. Justice reigns.’

What is the Judgment scene?

‘Jesus approaches His Heavenly Father in the presence of the entire universe. Heavenly beings crowd in around the throne of God. The entire universe of unfallen beings stands in awe of this judgement scene. The long conflict that has been waged for millennia is soon to be over. The battle for the throne of the universe is fully, completely decided.’

What are some of the reasons to believe these prophecies of what is to come?

Firstly, God does not lie. Daniel was right about the empires that came and went, just a predicted.

What are some of the symbols and what they represent in Revelation 4:2-4?

The thunder and lightning symbolize God’s judgments.

The 24 elders are present around God’s throne, could perhaps represent all the redeemed that one day will rejoice around the throne of God; or perhaps, they represent the people resurrected at Christ’s resurrection, who ascended to heaven with Him (Matt. 27:52; Eph. 4:7, 8).

The white robes won by the redeemed from the earth signify Christ’s righteousness.

How did the redeemed overcome?

‘Through the grace of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, they overcame.’

What glimpse of Heaven in Wednesday can be seen?

We see a throne set in heaven with God sitting upon it. There are heavenly beings around the throne, and soon all of heaven begins to sing, and the crescendo of praise builds higher and still higher: “ ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created’ ” (Rev. 4:11, NKJV).

Why did John weep?

No One can open the scroll.

What was the only way anyone can pass the judgment at the throne of God?

Jesus is the only way anyone can pass through the final judgment at the throne of God. “But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep, Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll.’…And I looked, and behold, … a Lamb as though it had been slain” (Rev. 5:5, 6, NKJV).

What does the judgment speak of?

It speaks of the end of the reign of sin and the deliverance of God’s people.

What encouragement can we derive from Revelation 5?

Jesus stands for us in the judgment, we do not have to fear, the powers of evil are defeated. The purpose of the judgment is not to find out how bad we are but to reveal how good God is.

In Conclusion,

The first important principle to be gleaned from our study this week is that we are living in the hour of God’s judgment. The destinies of all humans are to be decided. The second vital truth is that we need not fear the judgment since Jesus is both our Judge and our defense attorney. The third Bible truth is that Christ will be honored, Satan will be exposed, and the righteous will be redeemed.

Lesson 4 Review: “ ‘Fear God and Give Glory to Him’ ”

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Here is the patience of the saints, here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, NKJV).

The end of the world and the events leading up to it are as we know no joke. Peter himself used the flood in Noah’s time as a symbol of the end, warning that just as the world of Noah perished with water so will the end. Rather than take the warning as a Joke as the audience took the warning of the clown, we are to be prepared for what is coming.

What is the essence of the great controversy?

‘The essence of the great controversy revolves around submission to God.’

What does it mean to fear God?

‘Simply put, to fear God is to place Him first in our thinking. It is to renounce our self-centeredness and pride and to live a life wholly for Him.’

What is the link between fearing God and obedience to God’s commands?

Fearing God is an attitude of reverential respect that leads us to obedience.

What is heaven’s urgent appeal?

Heaven’s urgent appeal is for those saved by grace to be obedient to God’s commands (Eph. 2:8-10). Grace does not free us from obeying the commands of God. The gospel sets us free from the law’s condemnation, not from our responsibility to obey it.

Does Christ free us from obedience to the law?

The Christ of scripture never leads us to reduce His teaching ¾ of which He is an embodiment of ¾ to pious platitudes that are nonessential.

What is Revelation’s Final Appeal?

‘Revelation’s final appeal calls us through faith in Jesus to accept the fullness of everything He offers. It calls us to “fear God,” expressed by faith in His redeeming power to empower us to live godly, obedient lives.’

What is the central issue in Earth’s final conflict?

‘The central issue in earth’s final conflict is a battle for the mind.’

What is our role in earth’s final conflict?

Our role is to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2:5, NKJV). We are to choose between good and evil, we make that choice not just by words but in our daily actions. However, we are admonished to make a conscious effort to dwell on the right things, the “things above, not…things on the earth” (Col. 3:2, NKJV).

How do we give glory to God?

We give glory to God in every aspect of our lives, when God is the center of our lives, our desire is to glorify God whether through our diet, our dress, our entertainment, or our interaction with others.’

What are other ways we glorify God?

By making a total commitment to “fear God” and “glorify Him” in all we do, giving our mind, our body, and our emotions to Him. Also, in light of God’s judgment, taking heed to obey is, indeed, a good idea.

How do we overcome even Satan’s fiercest temptations?

We overcome because Jesus overcame, we overcome not because of who we are but because of who Christ is. We overcome by looking unto Jesus and believing in Him and we too can be victorious as He was.

Why is it wrong to think of overcoming as legalism?

We gain victory over Satan’s temptations not through our works, but through Christ’s perfect life of perfect righteousness, and that alone is what gives us the promise of eternal life.

In Conclusion,

We fear God by putting God first in our thinking, this leads us to obey God’s commands, and it leads us to glorify God in everything we say or do. We also overcome because Christ overcomes, this is good news for all Christians, our earnest prayer should be that we fear God and give glory to Him, even so, we pray in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 3 Review: The Everlasting Gospel

 

Introduction

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 earth¾to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6, NKJV).

The three angels’ messages in Revelation 14:6-12 define who we are as Seventh-day Adventists and describe our mission to the world. The three angel’s message is our unique prophetic identity. It is our Shema, the prayer that reminded the Jews of the spiritual vision.

What is the book of Revelation about?

‘Revelation is all about Jesus. It is His message to His people and is especially applicable to His church in the last days. It is the grace-filled message of our end-time hope.’

What is the message of Revelation?

Christ is described as the lamb from which our sins are forgiven. ‘Grace pardons our past, empowers our present, and provides hope for our future. That is, in Christ we are delivered from sin’s presence. This is the message of the final book, Revelation.’ It is an urgent message, grace-filled messages are contained in Revelation first pictured in the three angels’ message.

What does Christ’s death for our sins and resurrection do for us?

Christ’s death and resurrection for our sins delivers us from the sin’s power and penalties. However, we accept this grace by faith.

What are the four points in Romans 3:24-26; 5:6-8?

1.       ‘We are justified freely by grace.

2.       Grace is a declaration of God’s righteousness.

3.       Grace justifies those who by faith accept Jesus.

4.       God’s love was demonstrated for us while we were yet sinners.’

What in Monday’s lesson helps explain why it is called “the everlasting gospel”?

‘And this plan, the plan of salvation, had been put in place even before the beginning of time (2 Tim. 1:9, Titus 1:9, Eph. 1:4), which helps explain why it is called “the everlasting” gospel.’

When was the plan of salvation conceived in the mind God?

The plan of salvation was conceived in the mind of God before our first parents’ rebellion in Eden.

What does love require?

Love requires choice, it cannot be forced.

What does the freedom of choice imply?

With freedom to choose comes to the freedom to choose the wrong option.

What does the “eternal gospel” speak about?

It speaks of the past, the present and also is the basis of a future with hope. ‘It speaks of living eternally with the One whose heart is aching to be with us forever.’

What is to be done according to the urgent, end-time message of the first of the three angels?

The “everlasting gospel” is to be proclaimed to every nation, tribe tongue and people.

What should this commission inspire in us?

It should inspire with something larger than ourselves and leads us out of that narrow confines of our minds to a grander vision.

What does it mean that we are given this task and Matthew 28:19, 20 says so too?

The commission given by God described in Revelation 14 is the greatest task ever committed to the church. It is an earnest appeal to give our lives to heaven’s grandest task to reveal God’s incomprehensible love just before Jesus’ return. There is nothing more inspiring, more fulfilling, more rewarding than being part of those who accomplish this task.

What should be the grandest reason to motivate us to go preach the word?

Jesus is coming soon and the message of end-time must go to the entire world.

In Conclusion,

What a great honor to be tasked by God with the responsibility of proclaiming the God’s incomprehensible love to the world. I pray that we faithful carry out this task, with urgency knowing that the time is near in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 2 Review: A Moment of Destiny

 

Introduction

Memory Text: Then I looked and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe’ ” (Revelation 14:14, 15, NKJV).

God has always given His people relevant truths they needed to hear at the time. He warned the people before the flood of the coming destruction (Gen. 6:7) ‘to the first coming of Jesus (Dan. 9:24-27) to the pre-Advent judgement (Dan. 7:9, 10; Dan. 8:14) to final events before Christ’s return (Revelation 12-14).’ The warning for our time is the warning of the three angels, the message leads us from trusting in our own righteousness to trusting the righteousness of Jesus to justify us; to sanctify us; and, at the end of time to glorify us. Our choices now, will impact the choices we will make in the final crisis.

What promise did Jesus give to His disciples regarding the worldwide spread of the gospel just before His return?

Jesus’ promise is that “ ‘this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world’ ” (Matthew 24:14, NKJV). Its final fulfilment is found in Christ’s last-day message, in Revelation 14:6, which says that the gospel is to proclaim to “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (NKJV).

What is the reality of our free-will in the last-day?

In our choices even in the “little things,” we are choosing either for or against Jesus. ‘In the context of His soon return, our Lord adds, “ ‘He who is unjust, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still’ ” (Rev. 22:11, NKJV).

What does the “Son of Man” used to describe Jesus in Revelation 14:14 signify?

The term is used as an expression of endearment to identify with us. It further shows that the same Jesus who lived among us, just like us, but unlike us, never sinned is He who comes for us. The same Jesus who was tempted as we are, but was victorious comes to reap the harvest.

What three elements are in these passages, Matt. 16:27; Matt. 24:27, 30; Matt. 25:31, 32?

1.       ‘Jesus, the Son of Man, is coming in glory with His angels

2.       He will divide the sheep from the goats (basically a judgement)

3.       The destiny of the nations and all humanity will be decided for eternity.’

What message is found in Revelation 14:14 and Acts 1:9-11?

This “same Jesus” who ascended to heaven as Luke records in Acts 1:9, is the “same Jesus” who John states that “I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man” (Rev. 14:14, NKJV).

This “same Jesus” the “Son of Man”¾the One who walked the dusty streets of Nazareth, ministered in the crowded streets of Jerusalem, healed the sick in the villages of Israel, and preached on the grassy hillsides of Galilee¾is coming again.

How does Daniel 7:9, 10 view the Heavenly Court?

Daniel 7:9, 10 views the seating of the heavenly court with ten thousand times ten thousand angelic, heavenly beings gathered around the throne.

What does the Judgement reveal?

‘The judgement reveals before the entire universe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have done everything possible to save all humanity. It also vindicates not only the Saints but God’s character against the false charges of Satan.’

What does Revelation 14:14 describe the “Son of Man”?

John describes Jesus as the “Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle”.

What is the reality of illustrations from Agriculture?

“The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development, our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase”¾Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 65, 66.

The ripening of the golden grain represents all those transformed by grace, motivated by love, and living obedient lives to the glory of Christ’s name.

What is the urgent message of Revelation 14?

‘Every seed has gone to harvest. The grain is fully ripe, and the grapes are fully ripe. The people of God reveal His image of grace, compassion, mercy, and love before the universe. The children of the evil one reveal greed, lust, jealousy, and hate. The character of Jesus is revealed in one group, and the character of Satan is revealed in the other.’ ‘The contrast between good and evil, right and wrong, obedience and disobedience, will be apparent to all the universe, to both humans and angels.’

In Conclusion,

Our greatest desire should be the desire for victory over anything that will keep us from being ready for the return of the “Son of Man”. I pray that God, by His grace, gives us victory over anything that would keep us from being ready for His return in Jesus’ name.