Lesson 38: The Final Warning
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Revelation 14: 9-11
Introduction
Before the close of human probation in the great controversy, God's people, filled with His Holy Spirit, will deliver the last message to the world warning them not take the mark of the beast. It is a message of reconciliation and pleading to not turn to the enemy's side. But Satan is ready to cloud the minds of humanity into believing that it doesn't matter if you take the mark of the beast. God's commandment keeping people will have to trust in God's word to be able to deliver this final warning.
What are the elements of this chapter?
Concept: BABYLON
The second angel of Revelation 14 declares that Babylon is fallen. (Revelation 14:8; Revelation 18:1-3)
Question: What makes Babylon fallen?
Spiritualism Corrupts the Church
Spiritualism is accepted by corrupted churches, leading to a culture of excusing sin.
Belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. (1 Timothy 4:1)
Concept: GOD'S WORD
God’s Word is proof against sin if it is heeded. (Psalm 119:9, 11, 28, 41, 129-131)
It is: A lamp, Salvation, Strength, A delight to meditate upon
Concept: THE REMNANT
God’s remnant people are called to come out of Babylon and admonished not to take the mark of the beast. (Revelation 14:9-12; 18:2-4)
The reason for preaching the second angel’s message is to let them know what their condition is.
Concept: MARK OF THE BEAST
Characteristics that are contrary to God’s Law.
It tramples the author through disregard for the Sabbath.
It is a sign of disobedience to God.
Concept: THE SABBATH
(GC 604.3, 605.2)
The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty as it draws a line of distinction between those who obey God or who rebel against Him.
God’s people will keep the Sabbath in obedience to Him.
The Sabbath = Seal of God
Name, Title, Territory of the Author
What makes the Sabbath a seal?
“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:11)
Mark of the Beast = Seal of the Enemy
Submission to earthly authority in defiance of God’s law is embodied in Sunday sacredness. (Revelation 14:9, 10)
Concept: THE REMNANT
The remnant is called to rebuke sin in the world and in the church.
Led by the Holy Spirit, the remnant will stand as Elijah and John the Baptist in the work of reformation by desiring to live sinless lives as a witness.
Unfortunately, the apostate churches do not accept rebuke because they view the truth as unacceptable but accept smooth messages that lull them back into a slumber.
Concept: THE THREE ANGELS MESSAGES
The remnant will be the ones to deliver the third angel's message in humility laying open the sins of Babylon.
People will inquire of their former teachers/pastors about the third angel’s message and get fables in return.
Concept: NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW
Satan stirs up his agents in the church to declare war on God’s law. (GC 607.1, 608.1)
They will bring protestants and Catholics together to unite church and state to enforce Sunday Laws against commandment keepers.
Obedience to the Word of God will be the same as rebellion to the church and state.
(Revelation 13:16
Concept: PERSECUTION
Persecution is a time of testing the believer’s faith in God.
(Matthew 5:10; Matthew 5:12; John 15:20 ) (GC 608.3-610.2)
Those who are persecuted will flee to God for strength because the words that they speak belong to God.
The Remnant Persecuted
They will suffer persecution for the truth just as the prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus, The Apostles, and the Reformers did and will continue to as long as Satan is around.
Service to God will invite and escalate persecution of future reformers by what they preach. They will think that the persecution is their fault, but they will be assured from The Word of God and the Holy Spirit that they are on the right path.
Concept: THE SANCTUARY
Jesus is interceding for us in the heavenly sanctuary.
Jesus is restraining those forces that are in opposition to the truth for the purposes of allowing the third angel’s message to be preached.
Concept: WITNESS
The Holy Spirit will lead the remnant church to give the third angel's message. (Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23; )
The work is similar to that of outpouring of the Holy Spirit at pentacost. (Acts 2:17, 21; Acts 3:19 - 20)
What does this have to do with me today?
When do we preach the third angel's message?
What does the Bible say about God's Word and His law? (Psalm 119:11; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:97)
What constitutes Babylon today?
Who/What is the church?
Who are Satan’s agents in the church?