Sabbath Afternoon - April 8, 2023
Reading for the Week
Rev. 14:6-12; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 3:24-26; 1 Pet. 1:18-20; Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8.
Prayer Thought
The gospel of Christ is from beginning to end the gospel of saving grace. It is a distinctive and controlling idea. It will be a help to the needy, light for the eyes that are blind to the truth, and a guide to souls seeking the true foundation. Full and everlasting salvation is within the reach of every soul. Christ is waiting and longing to speak pardon and impart the freely offered grace. He is watching and waiting, saying as He said to the blind man at the gate of Jericho, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" I will take away thy sins; I will wash you in My blood. {Ev 552.4}
In all the highways of life there are souls to be saved. The blind are groping in darkness. Give them the light, and God will bless you as His laborers. --Letter 60, 1903. {Ev 553.1}
Memory Text
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, {Rev. 14:6}
This SS week's Lesson will describe how God works through the figures of angels flying in the midst of heaven proclaiming the everlasting gospel to the world. This includes the basic foundation of salvation as revealed through His end-time people.
Study Outline
Grace and Hope
Sunday - April 9, 2023
A Grace-filled Book of Hope
Rev. 1:1-3; 5, 6; 14:6
A Messenger and the Message
Monday - April 10, 2023
The "Everlasting" Gospel
Rev. 14:6; 1Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 3:24-26; 5:6-8; 2Tim 1:9; Titus 1:2; Eph. 1:4
A Messenger with a Purpose
Tuesday - April 11, 2023
A Story of Grace
Rev. 13:8; 1Pet. 1:1:18-20; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4
Wednesday - April 12, 2023
Into All the World
Rev. 14:6; Matt. 28:19, 20
Thursday - April 13, 2023
A Mission Movement
Rev. 14:6; Acts 1:8; Matt. 24:14
Friday - April 14, 2023
Further Study and Meditation
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Grace and Hope
Sunday - April 9, 2023
A Grace-filled Book of Hope
Rev. 1:1-3; 5, 6; 14:6
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,” (Revelation 1:1)
Things that are Soon to Take Place
Dan. 2:28 God reveals mysteries that take place in the last days
Matt 24: 6 Events that “must take place”
God Mode of Inspiration:
a. God gave to Jesus
b. Jesus to an angel
c. Sent angel to John
d. John-witness to the “Word” of God - Testimony of Jesus Rev. 19:10
Rev. 22:20 He who testifies-”I am coming soon” .... All he saw - 1:11, 19
Vs 3 Blessed are those who read, hear and Who keeps what is written. Reason: Time is near. What to do? Get ready!
Rev. 22:18, 19 Warning to those who hear
Those who will Add words will receive the plagues.
Those who will Take away words will lose a place in the kingdom.
The Blessedness of Reading and Having a Personal Experience with Christ
Never think that even when you do your best you are of yourself capable of winning souls to Christ. You must cultivate the habit of discerning a power beyond that which you can see with human vision,—a power that is constantly at work upon the hearts and minds of men. When you approach the stranger, when you stand face to face with the impenitent, with the afflicted, the soul-needy, the Lord is by your side, if you have indeed surrendered yourself to him. Through the living agent he makes the impression on the heart. Your words must not be a mere parrot-like speech, but the expression of a personal experience. If you cheer hearts with words of courage and hope, it is because the grace of Christ is to you a living reality. It is God's likeness, not your own, that is to be impressed on the heart. But if the worker has not himself been refined and transformed, he cannot present the truth with a freshness, a power, that awakens responsive feelings in those who hear the word of life. {GW92 309.2} The advocates of truth must hide in Jesus. He is their greatness, their power and efficiency.
We're Entrusted as His Agent to Work in His Vineyard
Hope and faith will increase as the agent of God works with all the talents that God has provided. {RH, August 28, 1900 par. 11}
When our entrusted capabilities are allowed to lie unimproved, God's vineyard is deprived of the labor it should have. We are to obey the command, "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." This is a duty, broad and deep, to be brought into our practical lives, one which, under God's divine working, will be a convincing power to the world. Go, laborers, go and work in humble ways to bring souls to the truth... In a faithful discharge of your duty, you will acquire increased ability, tact, knowledge, and experience. {RH, August 28, 1900 par. 12}
Consider the Following
The first word of the last book in the Bible summarizes its main theme, Revelation (ἀποκάλυψις [apokalupsis] in Greek). What is this revelation?
Jesus is revealed as the Lamb who was slain.
a. We can see Jesus’ hand reaching the sinners to save them and to overcome evil.
b. We can see God’s grace through the story of the Church and the world.
c. We can see the promise of eternal life
The book of Revelation is the revelation of the everlasting gospel; the grace God gives to the sinners. It’s a message of hope for each one of us.
When this gospel shall be presented in its fullness to the Jews, many will accept Christ as the Messiah. Among Christian ministers there are only a few who feel called upon to labor for the Jewish people; but to those who have been often passed by, as well as to all others, the message of mercy and hope in Christ is to come. {AA 380.2}
A Messenger and the Message
Monday - April 10, 2023
The "Everlasting" Gospel
Rev. 14:6; 1Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 3:24-26; 5:6-8; 2Tim 1:9; Titus 1:2; Eph. 1:4
“being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:24)
Who hath saved us, and called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, {2 Tim. 1:9}
What's the Gospel? The Righteousness of Christ is By Grace
"Being justified freely by his grace," the apostle Paul says, "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." {RC 78.2}
Here the truth is laid out in plain lines. This mercy and goodness is wholly undeserved. The grace of Christ is freely to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his part. Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God's forgiving grace. {RC 78.3}
You may review this Lesson:
Meat in Due Season - The Present Truth
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over His household, to give them [to the world] meat in due season" -- present truth? (Matt. 24:45.)
Note, that there is a question as to whom this faithful servant could be. If that people to whom primarily this gospel was committed had been faithful, then the following promise would have been their's: "Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That He shall make him ruler over all His goods." (Matt. 24:46, 47.) The significance of "all His goods" is the finishing of the gospel, bringing everlasting righteousness, and ushering in the kingdom of Christ! What a wonderful promise! But, observe the danger of losing this everlasting glory: "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken." (Matt. 24:48, 49.) The "servant" (singular) that shall "begin to smite his fellow servants" (plural) signifies the leadership -- the "angel" of the church of the Laodiceans -- those who have charge of the "household." But the "servants" (plural) apply to the ministry under that leadership. By the unfaithfulness of "that servant," the gospel has been delayed; the generation is about to pass, and the work is years behind. The result is, that the delay has not been expressed by action only, but it is even said by words, "My Lord delayeth His coming." And as one sin leads to another, the doctrine of "Health Reform," eating foods that have been devitalized by modern inventions the "dainties" of Babylon, etc. -- indulging fleshly lusts, has been largely disregarded, thus fulfilling the words, "eat and drink with the drunken."
Consider the Following
—The first angel brings the everlasting gospel (Revelation 14:6). The proper question here is, what is the gospel?
—Paul described it in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, it’s the news of Christ’s death for our sins, and His resurrection. We can be saved thanks to that.
—In Romans 3:24-26 and 5:6-8, Paul explained it more
Why is the gospel called “everlasting” (Rev. 14:6)?
The gospel was announced to Adam and Eve right after they sinned. It brought the hope of redemption to humankind (Gn. 3:15).
However, it was not a plan that God suddenly improvised. God loved us so much that He created humans free, so they could decide either to love Him back or not. Freedom came with a risk since humans might rebel against Him. Therefore, God had already planned a way to redeem them in case they rebelled but then repented and wanted to love Him back again (2Tim. 1:9; Tit. 1:2; Eph. 1:4; 1P. 1:18-20).
The gospel is everlasting because it was created before our time existed, and it points at an everlasting future.
A Messenger with a Purpose
Tuesday - April 11, 2023
The Work of Grace
Rev. 13:8; 1Pet. 1:1:18-20; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4
“[…] to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—” (Revelation 14:6)
The Extent of His Work - The Gospel of Salvation
Is it possible that all can be right when no two believe alike, with but one bible, one gospel, one Lord, one hell to shun and one heaven to gain? Jesus said: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:16.)
If God's ideal is to bless the world through the medium of His church on earth, and they to whom the gospel for the world is committed have left the sheep and are serving the devil, in the person of themselves, where is the hope of the world? The only answer that can be given is, woe to the sinners in Zion. God will gather His sheep. He will have a church; but what will be the reward of those who were instructed to feed the lambs and are feeding themselves? Christ, who sees the end from the beginning, and with his all-seeing eye focused on present day conditions, has said: "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites [with the heads of the beasts]; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 24:45-51.)
God's Church with a Progressive Work
Humanly speaking, to finish the work of the gospel in this generation (the generation being almost past) would be an impossible task; but prophecy declares that impossibilities will be accomplished. The church which travailed and brought forth her children is the church in the time of the loud cry of the third angel's message. There is a great ingathering to be accomplished in just a little while. "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory." Rev. 18:1. "And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob."
Consider the Following
After Jesus was resurrected, He commanded His disciples to preach the gospel to “all the nations” (Mt. 28:19). Just before ascending to Heaven, He guaranteed them that the small seed of the gospel would grow “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Now we are heirs to that great mission in the End Time! We must dedicate all our strength to fulfill it.
A commitment to the mission is needed. We must leave our self-interest aside. We must care for those who need to know Jesus, to have a hope, and to accept His grace.
Wednesday - April 12, 2023
Prophesy to Many People
Rev. 14:6; Matt. 28:19, 20
“You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” (Revelation 10:11)
A Limited Commission - To "many" not "ALL"
Therefore, to John, the incident was symbolically represented by eating the little book--the Word of God--and by being as sweet as honey at the first. But as the set date passed into eternity, and the Lord Whom they expected to come, did not appear, they, as John, felt their inexpressible joy turn into the gall of bitterness.
Furthermore, as the verse following the one which refers to the disappointment, says, "Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings" (Rev. 10:11), it proves to be an accurate prophecy of the understanding and experience of the movement prior to 1844, for they thought that the Gospel work was then finished, and that probation had closed. Therefore, the angel declared: "Thou must prophesy again;" that is, you have made a mistake, and now you must repeat the preaching of your message. Thus, the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, composed largely of those who had been First-day Adventists, arose to fulfill the heavenly commission while some of the First-day Adventists have maintained their own organization to this day.
According to the prophecies, the Seventh-day Adventist denomination was commissioned to "prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." (Rev. 10:11.) The word "many" is a limited word--it does not mean all. Thus, the prophecy in no uncertain terms declares that the Gospel commission to the S.D.A. church does not extend to all the nations, but only to "many," showing that before the Gospel is proclaimed to all the nations, there must be another commission. This fact is attested also by the Spirit of Prophecy:
"God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children.
"A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit."--"Christ Our Righteousness," p. 154.
Consider the Following
Revelation 10 contains a prophecy about a remnant that would suffer a great disappointment (Rev. 10:9-10), and then would preach all throughout the world (Rev. 10:11).
The first part of the prophecy was fulfilled after the disappointment of the Millerite movement in 1844. The Adventist Church was founded.
The second part began to be fulfilled in 1874 when the General Conference sent out the first missionary to Europe: John N. Andrews.
He was a highly skilled person who left everything behind to go to an unknown place. His motivation was the love for those who needed to meet Jesus, their Savior who was coming soon.
There are still places to reach and people to preach to. What is your part in this mission?
Thursday - April 13, 2023
A Movement with a Mission
Rev. 14:6; Acts 1:8; Matt. 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. {Matt. 24:14}
The Ultimate Sign of Christ's Coming - His Kingdom
PDF: Thy Kingdom Come | 3 ANGELS' CRY (3angelscry.org)
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.)
The Purpose of the Gospel of His Kingdom
PDF: God Restores His Children Into His Everlasting Kingdom | 3 ANGELS' CRY (3angelscry.org)
"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.
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.
When "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations" (Matt. 24:14), the work of the gospel shall end, and probation shall close for every human being.
Here we are told that in the latter days, in our time, the ancient Kingdom that was destroyed will be reestablished and exalted above all other Kingdoms. Then people shall "flow into it" because "the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." The gospel work, therefore, is to be finished while its headquarters stand in the Holy Land. Thus the Kingdom is set up in probationary time, in time of salvation and judicial purification, for after it is set up other people from many nations flow into it.
Consider the Following
“It is the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ. There is nothing that Christ desires so much as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and character. There is nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of the Saviour's love. All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human hearts.” E. G. W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 29, p. 419)
Friday - April 14, 2023
Further Study and Meditation
I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer's inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, "It is done." And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." {EW 279.2}
Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. {EW 280.1}
Questions to Ponder
How is the book of Revelation related to the gospel of the kingdom in Matthew 24:14?
In what way could we attach the prophetic warnings with the self-sacrificing death of Christ on our behalf?
What's the difference between God's Grace and the Gospel of the Kingdom?
What does Eph. 1:4 mean to you?
Does our existence as a church fulfill Revelation 14:6? What does preaching mean to you as a member of the SDA church?
How does the book of Revelation portray the final display of God's glory in His Church?
Based on the above statement {EW 279. 2, 280.1}, What event will transpire when the verdict for all will be declared? When will Christ receive His Kingdom, and how will the end be described?
For additional studies please visit the following sites:
1. Meat In Due Season - 6. The Establishment of the Kingdom of Glory (google.com)
2. Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 3 The 3 Angels and Other Angels (google.com)
3. Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 5 Last Workers in the Vineyard (google.com)
4. Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 33: A Movement Within a Movement (google.com)
From the Pen of Inspiration
“The entire church, acting as one, blending in perfect union, is to be a living, active, missionary agency, moved and controlled by the Holy Spirit.” E. G. W. (The Review and Herald, April 29, 1909)
SSL-Q2-L3-The-Everlasting-Gospel-April-8-14.pdf