Lesson 13 Review: The End of God’s Mission

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God…?” (2 Peter 3:11, 12, NKJV).

The book of Revelation fills the mind with scenes of the end. The epicenter of the book deals with the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan, however, it ends with Jesus’ return to deliver His children from the destruction that awaits the devil and unrepentant sinners. The Revelation is a missionary book focused on a missionary God who is calling us to be a missionary church. Everyone ultimately has to make a choice for or against God.

In what ways do we see evidence that the book of Revelation is focused on God’s mission in the last days?

The first verses reveal that Jesus is the source of Revelation. Revelation 1:4, 5 alludes to all Three Members of the Godhead, who are working unitedly to save human beings. The Father is the eternal one who was and is and is to come, the Holy Spirit, who is working powerfully among the first-century churches, is named and John recalls the status of Jesus Christ-the “faithful witness,” “the firstborn of the dead” (Rev. 1:5, NRSV), who possesses legal ownership of this planet. God has victory over Satan, our Creator’s shed blood washes away our guilt and shame. We also find the urgency of mission in Revelation 1:7: Jesus is coming, and the nations will mourn because they are lost.

What does God’s salvation offer?

God’s salvation offers a new and honorable status because God’s image is restored in us, beyond simply dragging perishing people to safety.

What then does the Book of Revelation open with?

The book of Revelation opens, then with God’s mission for human beings.

What is the message in Revelation 14:6-12?

The message, in a real sense, is the mission. The world needs to be warned about what is coming upon it, and every person will be forced to make a choice, a choice for either life or death.

What is central to the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14?

“the everlasting gospel” (rev. 14:6, NKJV) and the worship of the Creator appearing in the depiction of the saints: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12, NKJV).

What is our special calling and mission?

To proclaim to a lost world, the hope found in the “everlasting gospel,” as well as to warn the world of what will one day come upon it knowing that we are either for or against Christ.

What is simply the “present truth” (2 Pet. 1:12)?

The Great Commission, and in many ways the three angels’ messages, with a call to “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Rev. 14:6, NKJV), is simply the “present truth” (2 Pet. 1:12) expression of the Great Commission.

What does Tuesday’s lesson teach us about how God treats every group of people?

Everyone will be judged based on how much they did or didn’t understand (Rom. 2:11-16). There will be only two groups, those who submitted to the authority of Satan through religious and political institutions as shown in Revelation 13 and 17, and those who have fully submitted to Jesus Christ, whose faith is made manifest by their keeping “the commandments of God” (Rev. 14:12).

What, really is success in mission?

While we think of many baptisms, big churches and rapid growth rates as success in mission, our focus is to be on the process; God’s focus will be on the growth. The object of God’s mission is saving the lost in every people group on earth by making them disciples of Jesus who are involved in His mission. Hence success in mission results in making disciples of Jesus.

What are the qualities of the disciples of Jesus?

Disciples of Jesus are pure, remaining loyal to Jesus as a pure bride would to her betrothed. This prevents them from being led astray, they recognize that they are imperfect, requiring God’s cleansing grace and mercy, hence they are open to correction and instruction from other believers.

What are some of the qualities of the new earth?

Death and sin will be gone, Satan and his wickedness will be destroyed. We will meet our loving Savior and reunite with loved ones. And the new earth will be populated with representatives from every ethnicity and language.

What metrics does the General Conference Mission Board of Seventh-day Adventist use to determine whether a people group is reached and unreached?

A “reached people group” is one that has adequate numbers and resources to witness effectively to the rest of the group without requiring outside assistance. An “unreached people group” is one that has no indigenous community of believing Adventists with adequate numbers and resources to witness effectively to their own group without assistance from outside their culture.

What is expected of every local church and conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

Every local church and conference must determine the people groups in their community who need to be reached and invest in God’s mission of making disciples in all people groups, hastening our Savior’s return and, in the end, living with them in the new heaven and new earth that is promised to us here.

In Conclusion,

The re-creation and restoration of the earth is the climax or end of God’s mission. I pray that God helps us to make disciples who will be part of this new earth in Jesus’ name.