Lesson 12 Review: Earth’s Closing Events

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23, NKJV).

Like one getting a message to his daughter, carefully detailing how she can get home safely in the storm, Jesus wants to take us through the storms of life and get us home. There are closing events that will occur according to the prophetic Word and we will discover in this week those closing events and discover anew Christ’s strength to take us through earth’s final conflict and get us home.

What has the great controversy been about?

Throughout the ages, the great controversy has been a battle between truth and error. Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Jesus is the author of all truth (John 14:6).

What assurance does Peter give us regarding prophecy in 2 Peter 1:16-21?

No prophecy is of any private interpretation, the prophecies of God’s Word light up the road ahead, they let us distinguish the truth from error. Our only safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness is the Scriptures.

What are the characteristics of God’s faithful people in the coming crisis over worship?

In the coming crisis, God’s people will not yield to worldly pleasures (Rev. 14:12). They will be sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) and cannot be moved.

Where is God’s seal embedded?

In ancient times, seals attested to the authenticity of official documents. Since the final conflict centers on worship and God’s authority as revealed in His law, we would expect God’s seal to be embedded in His law (compare Isa. 8:16).

What elements of a seal are contained in the Sabbath commandment?

(1)    The name to whom the seal belongs, “the Lord thy God;”

(2)    His title, the One who “made”–the Creator;

(3)    and His territory, “heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.”

What does it mean when the seal or mark of God is placed in our forehead and the mark of the beast is placed in our forehead or in our hand?

The seal is sometimes called a sign in the Bible (Rom. 4:11). The seal of God is placed on the forehead. The forehead is a symbol of the mind and represents a conscious decision. The mark of the beast is received either in the forehead or in the hand indicating that people are convinced intellectually and by their own choice accept Satan’s lies or, alternatively, they conform to false worship to avoid being killed.

Where does the great controversy comes to the climax?

Satan hates those who are obedient to God. The great controversy comes to a climax when the dragon (Satan) wages war on the believing remnant who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12, NKJV). They are settled in their loyalty to Christ.

What is the nature of the great controversy?

The great controversy will be played out in the last days with everyone choosing to stand for or against Christ. There is no middle ground in the great controversy. Those who stand for Christ, worship Him who made the heavens and the earth (Revelation 14:7), those who stand against Christ will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation (Revelation 14:10). Those who stand for Christ worship the Creator, they keep “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, NKJV).

What is the basis of true worship?

Creation is the basis of true worship.

What does the coming conflict over the law of God focus on?

The coming conflict over the law of God focuses on authority. Satan wants to eradicate the Sabbath worship, to declare that his authority is greater than God’s authority.

How does Satan want to declare his authority?

Satan will attempt to convince or coerce the entire world to accept a counterfeit Sabbath.

What will those who are faithful to Christ face?

Those who are faithful to Christ, as opposed to following the beast and its image, will face economic penalties as well as the threat of death. Humanity remains corrupt, power-hungry and violent yet.

What made the early rain possible?

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was what launched the Christian church. Three thousand were baptized, they grew up to five thousand, 120 prayed, churches were planted in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee and many signs and wonders were wrought in the early church as a result of the powerful outworking of the Holy Spirit.

What should we expect after the early rain?

The early rain comes in the fall of the year in Israel’s harvest cycle to germinate the seed, the latter rain fell in the spring to ripen the harvest. There will be the latter rain after the early rain to ripen the harvest of the early rain which was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel.

Who do the angels represent?

The angels represent human messengers.

What will happen in the end time?

At the end time, the Holy Spirit will be poured out in unprecedented power, and the gospel will be spread out rapidly to the ends of the earth. Thousands will be converted a day, and God’s grace and truth will impact the entire planet. “The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening.” – Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 661,612. God’s authority will be given to us and we will manifest the power of God so mightily.

In Conclusion,

God is showing the people the way through the storm that is to befall the believing Christians, are you ready to be among the remnants who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus? May God help us to stand for Him even in the final crisis in Jesus’ name.