12/06/2024
Sabbath School Lesson 11 Summary
The Impending Conflict
Sabbath Afternoon
Memory Text: John 17:17 “‘Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth’”
A biochip, or VeriChip, implanted in patients contains medical history information. Some Christians view this as a conspiracy to enforce the mark of the beast, while others believe it's related to the Masonic order, Illuminati, or the United Nations. This week's lesson reveals a global conflict over worship, with Satan challenging God's authority and using coercion to break believers' commitment to Christ. God's final appeal is to faithfulness to Christ despite persecution, economic boycotts, imprisonment, and death decrees.
Sunday
Revelation’s Final Conflict
Compare Revelation 14:7; Revelation 14:9; Revelation 4:11. What is the overarching theme of Revelation in this conflict between good and evil? The message of Revelation is more than cryptic symbols and strange beasts; it speaks of eternal truths given by a loving God to an end-time generation. The conflict between Christ and Satan began in heaven over worship and will come to its final climax over worship. Worship and creation are indissolubly linked throughout Revelation, with the Sabbath being an eternal reminder of our identity and Creator. Worshiping the Creator through keeping the commandments of God stands in direct opposition to worshiping the beast. God will have an end-time people who are loyal to Him despite the greatest opposition and fiercest persecution in history. The seventh-day Sabbath is a foundational symbol of God as Creator, and seeking to usurp it is to usurp the authority of God at the most foundational level possible.
Monday
The Coming Crisis
The mark of the beast prophecy in Revelation 13:1-18 describes Satan's final stage of his war against God. The enemy uses deception and force to take as many as possible, ultimately leading to the death of anyone who refuses to worship the beast or receive his mark. This persecution is not new, as it has been present throughout Christian history, particularly in the medieval church. The mark of the beast is the final link in this hellish chain, forcing everyone to conform to a certain set of beliefs and worship system. The prophecy emphasizes that the final test comes when professed Christians make compromises in their lives, and the central conflict between good and evil is over worship.
Tuesday
Identifying the Beast: Part 1
Revelation 13:1-2. Where does this beast rise from, and who gives it authority? The dragon in Revelation 12:3-5 is Satan, who attempted to destroy the "male Child" who was later caught up to God and His throne. This archenemy works through political and religious institutions to accomplish his purposes. The dragon gave him power, throne, and great authority, which was fulfilled when the Roman emperor Constantine moved his capital from Rome to Constantinople, giving the beast its seat. The sea beast of Revelation 13:1-18 is an apostate religious power that rises out of Rome and becomes a worldwide system of worship. The Roman Papacy has two distinctive doctrines that the Bible calls blasphemy: its claims that its priests have the power to forgive sins and that the pope has the prerogatives of God on earth.
Wednesday
Identifying the Beast: Part 2
Revelation 13:5. Write this identifying characteristic in the space below. God's people find their greatest joy and delight in worshiping Him, and their obedience stems from their heart of love. They are committed to Him because they know how committed He is to them. The Papacy, which had great influence from A.D. 538 to A.D. 1798, ended its prophetic period when Napoleon's general, Berthier, took the pope captive. The Papacy's influence is now felt worldwide. Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2012 speech, declared Sunday as the day of the Lord and of men and women, defending human freedom. The Great Controversy reveals that those who honour the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, leading to anarchy, corruption, and the call down of God's judgments. This movement reflects the rapid changes in our world and the potential for end-time events.
Thursday
The Beast From the Earth
Revelation 13:11-18. How does this second beast differ from the first beast of Revelation 13:1-18? The second beast, originating from the sea, represents a sparsely populated world and rises to prominence around A.D. 1798. The United States, a world power, declared independence in 1776 and adopted its constitution in 1789. The beast has two horns, symbolizing power and political and religious liberty. It eventually speaks like a dragon, exercising all the authority of the first beast and abandoning religious liberty. The United States forms an image to the beast, forming a union of church and state, and requiring everyone to worship it. The political instability in America today may lead to the fulfilment of this prophecy.
Friday
Further Thought
Worshiping the beast and its image is a central issue in ancient and modern Babylon, as it relates to the commandments of the king of Babylon to bow down to a golden image or face punishment. True worship comes from a mind taught by God's Word, a soul transformed by His love, and a heart filled with His Spirit. Satan's constant resort is cruelty, working through religious and secular authorities to enforce human laws in defiance of God's law. To endure the trial, one must understand God's will, act in accordance with His character, government, and purposes, and demand a plain 'Thus saith the Lord' in its support.”—The Great Controversy, p. 595.