Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary - 2023 Q2-L2

Sabbath Afternoon - April 1, 2023

Reading for the Week

Matt. 24:14, Rev. 14:14-20, Matt. 16:27, Acts 1:9-11, Mark 4:26-29, Rev. 16:1.

Prayer Thought

It is the reception or rejection of the message that will fix the DESTINY of the two classes as described in the following testimony: "I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the true witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people." -- "Early Writings," p. 270.

Memory Text

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto 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 that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. {Rev. 14:14, 15}

This SS week's Lesson will discover the deep things in a prophetic framework where God reveals to His end time believers who are open to God's inspiration, the Spirit of Truth guiding us and leading us to take part in its fulfillment. The Gospel of His Kingdom will be preached to all the world and the end shall come (Matt. 24:14). It includes the integrated understanding of the harvest or judgment that will decide our destiny.

Study Outline

It's Time to Decide (Rev. 14:6-13)

Sunday - April 2, 2023

Eternal Choices (Three Cosmic Messages: A Moment of Destiny)

Matt. 24:14; Rev. 14:6; Rev. 22:7, 11-12, 20; 1John 5:3

Analyzing the Decisions (Rev. 14:14)

Monday - April 3, 2023

The Son of Man

Rev. 14:14; Mk 14:62; Matt. 16:27; 24:27, 30; 25:31, 32

Tuesday - April 4, 2023

The Heavenly Judgment

Rev. 14:14; Acts 1:9-11; Dan. 7:9, 10, 13, 14; Ps. 51:1-4; Job 1-2; Rom. 8:1

The Result of the Decisions (Rev. 14:15-20)

Wednesday - April 5, 2023

The Harvest: The Destiny of the Righteous - The Victor's Crown

Rev. 14:14, 15; Mark 4:26-29

Thursday - April 6, 2023

The Grapes: The Destiny of the Wicked - Every Seed Produces a Harvest

Rev. 14:10, 17-20; 15:1; 16:1; 2Cor. 5:21; Gal 3:13; Heb. 5:14

Friday - April 7, 2023

Further Study and Meditation

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It's Time to Decide (Rev. 14:6-13)

Sunday - April 2, 2023

Eternal Choices (Three Cosmic Messages: A Moment of Destiny)

Matt. 24:14; Rev. 14:6; Rev. 22:7, 11-12, 20; 1John 5:3

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

The Gospel of the Kingdom

The direct question put to Christ and His answer as to the assurance of His second coming, and the end of this present world, is too plain and self explanatory to leave room for doubt. He did not say that the end of the present sinful world was not to come, but He plainly stated that it will come. However He said before the end shall come, "This gospel of the kingdom [the signs of His second coming as foretold in this chapter] shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations [not that all nations shall be converted, but for a witness] and then shall the end come." Those who teach contrary to this plain statement of the Master, are they of whom He says: "Many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many." Furthermore, the Lord says: "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt. 24:27.)

Please visit this site for more information about the subject:
Meat In Due Season - 6. The Establishment of the Kingdom of Glory (google.com)

Unceasing Warfare of Satan Against the Establishment of God's Kingdom on Earth

"Not without a struggle does Satan allow the kingdom of God to be built up in the earth. The forces of evil are engaged in unceasing warfare against the agencies appointed for the spread of the gospel and these powers of darkness are especially active when the truth is proclaimed before men of repute and sterling integrity." -- "Acts of the Apostles," p. 167.

For a deeper study please visit this site:

Meat In Due Season - 14. Rev 12: The Woman and the Dragon (google.com)

Ingathering of Modern Israel - the 144,000 (House of David - Zech. 12:8)

Not only do we have the example of the Israelitish church, but also of the early Christian believers, who followed "the same principles of piety and justice that were to guide the rulers among God's people in the time of Moses and of David", as "oversight" was given to the "newly organized church of God in the gospel dispensation."--"Acts of the Apostles," p. 95. And now, in the time of the ingathering of modern Israel--the one hundred and forty-four thousand--who are to make up the antitypical "house of David," and who are to constitute the first fruits of the kingdom for which Christ taught His disciples to pray, there is incumbent upon all, who, have heard the call for a reorganization, the obligation to be ready to march with those who respond to the call for the "great reformatory movement among God's people."--"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. 9, p. 126. Meat In Due Season - 3. The Great Multitude (google.com)

Consider the Following

— Jesus foretold that everyone on Earth will have heard about the Gospel when He returns (Revelation 14:6-7; Matthew 24:14).

— Everyone will have to experience the power of His word in choosing between the false teachings of Babylon or the truth that the faithful remnant will keep (Revelation 14:8).

— Everyone will have to experience the indwelling power of Christ to choose between the mark of the enemy (symbolized by the beast) or the seal of God (Revelation 14:9-11; Mark 8:35).

— When should we make our decision by His guidance? Now it’s the time. Our final decision will depend on what we choose today through Christ our mediator.

The Purpose of the Message of Purification - to Bring About Christ's Kingdom on Earth

And since it is already here, it must of course be the divine instrumentality through which, as a sort of base of operations, the Lord is ordering and directing His work, and through which He shall do so until "this gospel of the kingdom...be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and...the end come." Matt. 24:14. "The end" -- the unbelievable! to those who say "Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (2 Pet. 3:4); but the long-looked-for, to those who shall say, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him and He will save us" (Isa. 25:9). -- Dreadful awful, finality! it should drive all to ascertain The Purpose of the Message.

Analyzing the Decisions (Rev. 14;14)

Monday - April 3, 2023

The Son of Man

Rev. 14:14; Mk 14:62; Matt. 16:27; 24:27, 30; 25:31, 32

“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27)

The Sealing of the Saints before the Four Winds will be Loosed

Already kingdom is rising against kingdom. There is not now a determined engagement. As yet the four winds are held until the servants of God shall be sealed in their foreheads. Then the Powers of earth will marshal their forces for the last great battle. How carefully we should improve the little remaining period of our probation! How earnestly we should examine ourselves! We should eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God; that is, carefully study the Word, eat it, digest it, make it a part of our being. We are to live the Word, not keep it apart from our lives. The character of Christ is to be our character. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our hearts. Here is our only safety. Nothing can separate a living Christian from God. {RH, November 27, 1900 par. 16}

The Thrusting of Sickle by the Son of Man is the Harvest of the First Fruit, not the 2nd Coming

Rev.14:14 – “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Rev.14:15-16 – “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.”

NOTE

The one on the cloud is Jesus, but is this at His 2nd Coming? Note that here, He has upon His head a crown – that is, one crown. But at His 2nd Coming, He will not have one crown. Let’s read:

Rev. 19:11-12 – “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.”

Early Writings 281 – “Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a crown within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left heaven. The plagues were falling upon the inhabitants of the earth.

The Sower and the Reaper of the Harvest - The Son of Man-God Jesus Christ

"And He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." {COL 62.2}

The husbandman who "putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come," can be no other than Christ. It is He who at the last great day will reap the harvest of the earth. But the sower of the seed represents those who labor in Christ's stead. The seed is said to "spring and grow up, he knoweth not how," and this is not true of the Son of God. Christ does not sleep over His charge, but watches it day and night. He is not ignorant of how the seed grows. {COL 62.3}

Consider the Following

— Jesus emphasized His human nature by using the expression “Son of Man” when talking about His suffering and mission to save everyone (Luke 9:22; Mark 10:45). He’s the only one source of forgiveness of sin (Mark 2:10-11) and salvation (Luke 19:10).

— Jesus walked on this Earth as a man. He healed the sick, He was tempted as we are, and He went through the same trials. We can be sure that He understands us. He’s qualified to judge our decisions (John 5:26-27).

— Once everyone has made their decision in the End Time, “this same Jesus” will return to harvest (Acts 1:11).

For more deeper study on the above studies, please visit the links below:

Tuesday - April 4, 2023

The Heavenly Judgment

Rev. 14:14; Acts 1:9-11; Dan. 7:9, 10, 13, 14; Ps. 51:1-4; Job 1-2; Rom. 8:1

“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.” (Daniel 7:13)

His Coming in Dan. 7:13 is not on Earth but in the Heavenly Sanctuary to perform the Investigative Judgment

...The coming of Christ here described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of days in heaven to receive dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, which will be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator. It is this coming, and not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844. Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies, and there appears in the presence of God . . . to perform the work of investigative judgment, and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits. {FLB 209.4}

The Investigative Judgment for the Dead and the Living

The "Midnight Cry" was first proclaimed prior to 1844, and the coming of the "Bridegroom" was Christ's coming to the Most Holy place in the heavenly sanctuary for the investigative judgment of the saints. The investigation being in two sections; first, the judgment for the dead, and the second for the living, the "cry" must be repeated, otherwise we would have no present truth for the time of the judgment of the living. The "cry" for the living being of a greater importance to the world than the one for the dead, and as the "virgins" are a figure of the living church, the parable must have a direct application to the church at this present time, -- the coming of the bridegroom for the judgment of the living. But indirectly it points back to the commencement of the "Midnight Cry" (the first angel's message -- the judgment for the dead). The messages being of the same event, judgment, both (for the living and for the dead) are called the "midnight cry." The same is proven by the parable itself.

The investigative judgment being in two sections (the first, devoted to the dead; the second, to the living) , the fact is evidenced that though the first, the second, and the third angel's messages (Rev. 14:6-12) apply directly to the period of the judgment of the living, they must also, though indirectly, apply to the period of the judgment of the dead. In this relation only, except as a warning of coming events, have they been preached since 1844. When, therefore, the judgment of the living commences and the image of the beast is fully made up, then these messages are, with a loud cry, to be repeated as present truth concerning the living instead of the dead.

Meat In Due Season - An Exposition of Biblical-Prophetic Interpretation on Rev. 4-8 (google.com)

Consider the Following

— John saw Jesus seating on a cloud with a sickle in His hand, waiting for the order to go (Revelation 14:14).

— John didn’t see Jesus coming to Earth in that moment. The Second Coming takes place when Jesus is ordered “Thrust in Your sickle and reap.” (Revelation 14:15)

— Revelation 14:14 is parallel to Daniel 7:13. Both describe God’s judgment prior to the Second Coming.

— Once the judgment ends, every case will be solved (Revelation 22:12). God’s character will have been vindicated before the Universe (Psalm 51:4), and Jesus will return to take the redeemed with Him (Mark 13:26-27).

The Result of the Decisions (Rev. 14:15-20)

Wednesday - April 5, 2023

The Harvest: The Destiny of the Righteous - The Victor's Crown

Rev. 14:14, 15; Mark 4:26-29

“[…] Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” (Revelation 14:15)

The First Reaping - Harvest of the First Fruit

Said Jesus, "in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them." The tares, therefore, are gathered just prior to the harvest, and burned in the time of the harvest (for note the prefix "in"). "But gather the wheat into My barn." Matt. 13:30. The wheat represents the 144,000; the "barn" is a symbol of security. This glorious company is saved and protected. Satan cannot harm them. They are to be translated without seeing death. John describes them as "being the firstfruits [of the harvest] unto God and the Lamb."

The tares are taken away by the five men with the slaughter weapons of Ezekiel's vision. This is the event that makes the change, and brings about God's church, in the last probationary section (Israel), as shown on the chart.

Harvest for the Great Multitude

During this time of "harvest" (the Loud Cry), the third angel's message shall penetrate to the remotest parts of this sin-cursed world. John, pointing to this glorious harvest of ingathering, says, "I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Rev. 7:9. God "Will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness." Rom. 9:28. Thus God's church will be made ready to meet her Lord. Isaiah, looking forward to this church reflecting "the Divine", says, "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." Isa. 62:3. Glorious is God's church in the day of the Lord.

Consider the Following

— Before the harvest, Jesus changes His crown of thorns for a “golden crown” (John 19:5; Revelation 14:14). That is not a king’s crown (diadēma), but a victor’s crown (stephanos).

— Jesus will reap the harvest and give us the victor’s crown (1 Peter 5:4). How can we be victorious?

— The grain must have grown and be ripe in order to be harvested (Matthew 5:48).

— We must also be transformed in holiness every day by Him who loved us and has overcome (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Thursday - April 6, 2023

The Grapes: The Destiny of the Wicked - Every Seed Produces a Harvest

Rev. 14:10, 17-20; 15:1; 16:1; 2Cor. 5:21; Gal 3:13; Heb. 5:14

“[…] Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” (Revelation 14:18)

The Second Reaping - Harvest of the Great Multitude

For the second reaping, however, He uses His guileless "servants," the "firstfruits," the 144,000, as prefigured by the angel with the sharp sickle (Rev. 14:17, 18). And just as there are two fruits and two reapings from two different places, the church and the world, there are, as shown before, also two ways of harvesting: at first the bad are cast from among the good, and at last the good are called out from among the bad.

These are some of the signs and events that precede the Kingdom of glory, the second coming of Christ. Then, too, there are other signs, the first of which is seen from the parable of Matthew 25.

Harvest for the Great Multitude

Consider the Following

— The righteous (the harvest) grow in holiness, and the wicked (the grapes) grow in wickedness.

— Once everyone has made their decision by the end of the End Time, they will have been either sanctified or rejected according to their decision (Revelation 22:11).

— The contrast between the righteous and the wicked will be impressive and obvious. Their words and behavior will testify of their decision. Our final decision will be built on the decisions we make every day.

Friday - April 7, 2023

Further Study and Meditation

"The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people." (Isa. 3:13.) "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isa. 55:7.)

God Makes It His Battle Ax.

"Thou art My battle axe and weapons of war," declares the Lord in foreshadowing to the posterity of Jacob their ultimate destiny, "for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers." Jer. 51 :20-23.

Questions to Ponder

. What's the difference between these phrases, “I choose God or God choses me?” Which is first?
What promises do Mat. 24:14 and Rev. 14:6 portray concerning the last days?
Can we transform from glory to glory by ourselves? If not, who is able to do it for us? And How?
Does Revelation 14:14, describe the second coming of Christ or the harvest of the first fruit of the living?
Why did John and Daniel (Dan. 7:9-10, 13-14; Rev. 14:14), call Jesus with the title the "Son of Man" compared with His Second coming where He will be the "King of kings"?
What does this statement mean, "at every stage of development, our life may be perfect"?
Based on the statement above (Jer. 51:20-23). Who are God's weapons at war on earth and who breaks in pieces all the nations that are against it?

You may visit these links for further study:

From the Pen of Inspiration

“The Bible will be opened from house to house, and men and women will find access to these homes, and minds will be opened to receive the word of God; and when the crisis comes, many will be prepared to make right decisions even in the face of the formidable difficulties that will be brought about through the deceptive miracles of Satan […] There will be an army of steadfast believers who will stand as firm as a rock through the last test […]

Brethren and sisters, the Lord wants to impart to us increased light. He desires that we shall have distinct revealings of his glory; that ministers and people shall become strong in his strength.” E. G. W. (The Review and Herald, December 24, 1889)

SSL-Q2-L2-A-Moment-of-Destiny-April-1-7 (fliphtml5.com)

SSL-Q2-L2-A-Moment-of-Destiny-April-1-7.pdf