Sabbath Afternoon - June 15, 2024

Scripture Reading for the Week:
John 8:32; Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 20:20; Revelation 7:1-2; Revelation 14:1; Joel 2:21-24; Hosea 6:3; James 5:7-8; Revelation 18:1-4. 


Thought for Meditation:
 There is danger of not making Christ's teachings a personal matter, of not receiving them as though they were addressed to us personally. In his words of instruction, Jesus means me. I may appropriate to myself his merits, his death, his cleansing blood, as fully as though there were not another sinner in the world for whom Christ died. In listening to his teachings, with understanding open to receive his words, we display the highest wisdom. In being doers of the word,—obeying Christ by leading self-denying lives and forming pure and holy characters, —we shall secure the life which measures with the life of God.  {GW92 470.1} Gospel Workers, 1892


Memory Text:

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


This week's SS Lesson will dig deeper into the mine of truth and describe the coming events that had been written for our sake, that we may be equipped by God's grace and power. 


Study Outline:

Preparation for the Final Crisis

Sunday - June 16, 2024

Loyalty to God and His Word

Proverbs 23:23; John 8:32; John 17:17; 8:44; 14:6;  Psalms 119:105; 119:130;  119:160;  2 Peter 1:16-21.  


Monday - June 17, 2024

Sealed for Heaven

Revelation 14:12; Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 8:16;  Exodus 20:8-11; Romans 4:11; Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 20:20; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 7:1-2; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 13:16-17.  


Tuesday - June 18, 2024

Whom Do We Worship?

Revelation 14:1-20; Ephesians 3:9; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:13-17; John 2:25.    


Power from Above

Wednesday - June 19, 2024

The Early and Latter Rain

Joel 2:21-24; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:41-47;  Acts 4:4; 6:7; 8:4; 9:31;  17:6; Zechariah 4:6; Zechariah 10:1; Hosea 6:3; James 5:7-8.  


Thursday - June 20, 2024

The Loud Cry

Revelation 18:1-4; Habakkuk 2:14; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 14:1-20; Matthew 10:1; Matthew 28:1-20; Colossians 1:23. 


Friday - June 21. 2024

Insights and Further Study

From the Pen of Inspiration


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Preparation for the Final Crisis

Sunday - June 16, 2024

Loyalty to God and His Word - Directed by the Word

Proverbs 23:23; John 8:32; John 17:17; 8:44; 14:6;  Psalms 119:105; 119:130;  119:160;  2 Peter 1:16-21.  

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105)


Everything in the World is in the Hands of God

God has laid His hand upon all things, both man and his possessions; for all belong to Him. He says, I am the owner of the world; the universe is Mine, and I require you to consecrate to My service the first fruits of all that I, through My blessing, have caused to come into your hands. God's word declares, "Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits." "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase." This tribute He demands as a token of our loyalty to Him.  {CS 72.1} Counsels on Stewardship, 1940 


Walking the Footsteps of Christ - Experimental Knowledge Following His Word Implicitly

There is no education to be gained higher than that given to the early disciples, and which is revealed to us through the word of God. To gain the higher education means to follow this word implicitly; it means to walk in the footsteps of Christ, to practice His virtues. It means to give up selfishness and to devote the life to the service of God. Higher education calls for something greater, something more divine, than the knowledge to be obtained merely from books. It means a personal, experimental knowledge of Christ; it means emancipation from ideas, from habits and practices, that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness, and which are opposed to loyalty to God. It means to overcome stubbornness, pride, selfishness, worldly ambition, and unbelief. It is the message of deliverance from sin.  {CT 11.2}  Counsels to parents, Teachers, and Students, 1913


Loyalty through Obedience, Thoughts, and Mind will be His

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

God created man for His own glory, that after test and trial the human family might become one with the heavenly family. It was God's purpose to repopulate heaven with the human family, if they would show themselves obedient to His every word. Adam was to be tested, to see whether he would be obedient, as the loyal angels, or disobedient. If he stood the test, his instruction to his children would have been only of loyalty. His mind and thoughts would have been as the mind and thoughts of God. . . .  {AG 344.2} God's Amazing Grace, 1973 


The Preservation of Earthly Life, Unsullied Loyalty to God

Christ is our ideal. He has left a perfect example for childhood, youth, and manhood. He came to this earth, and passed through the different phases of human experience. In His life sin found no place. From the beginning to the close of His earthly life, He preserved unsullied His loyalty to God. The Word says of Him, “The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him.” He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” {OFC 285.4} 

The Saviour lived not to please Himself. . . . He had no home in this world, only as the kindness of His friends provided Him one, yet it was heaven to be in His presence. Day by day He met trials and temptations, yet He did not fail or become discouraged. He was always patient and cheerful, and the afflicted hailed Him as a messenger of life and peace and health. His life held nothing that was not pure and noble. . . . {OFC 285.5} Our Father Cares, 1991


Consider the Following

In the final moments Satan will be allowed to perform real wonders and pose deceptions so subtle that they will be irrefutable (Rev. 13:13-14; Mt. 24:24).

Only a thorough knowledge of the Bible, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will allow us to remain firm in the truth (2 Pet. 1:19-21).

Monday - June 17, 2024

Sealed for Heaven - Sealed on the Foreheads

Revelation 14:12; Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 8:16;  Exodus 20:8-11; Romans 4:11; Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 20:20; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 7:1-2; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 13:16-17.  

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1)


Every Soul is Precious in His Sight, Sealed by the Lord of Heaven and Earth

The path is so narrow, so holy, that sin cannot be tolerated therein, yet access to the path has been made for all, and not one desponding, doubting, trembling soul needs to say, “God cares nought for me.” Every soul is precious in His sight. . . . When Satan was triumphing as the prince of the world, when he claimed the world as his kingdom, when we were all marred and corrupted with sin, God sent His messenger from heaven, even His only begotten Son, to proclaim to all the inhabitants of the world, “I have found a ransom. I have made a way of escape for all the perishing. I have your emancipation papers provided for you, sealed by the Lord of heaven and earth.” {OFC 92.4} Our Father Cares, 1991


Sealing of God's Servants Before the Four Winds Blow

We should especially seek God for grace and power to be given his people now. God lives; and we do not believe that the time has fully come when he would have our liberties restricted. The prophet saw "four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree." Another angel ascending from the east, cried to them, saying, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." This points out the work we now have to do, which is to cry to God for the angels to hold the four winds until missionaries shall be sent to all parts of the world, and shall have proclaimed the warning against disobeying the law of Jehovah. But every conceivable thing that the enemy can bring against the people of God, to hinder them in their work, will be employed. The Lord, on the other hand, bids all to be awake and to watch; for it was while men slept, that the enemy sowed tares.       E. G. White.  {RH, December 11, 1888 par. 18}  The Review and Herald


Holding the Four Winds to Blow, that the 144,000 will be Sealed

 I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a voice of deep pity cried, "My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!" Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, "Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads."  {EW 38.1}  

I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go; but while their hands were loosening, and the four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed, and He raised His hands to the Father and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels and bid them hold, until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads. {EW 38.2} Early Writings, 1882

For more studies related to sealing, please visit the links below.


Consider the Following

The seal of God is identified in three different ways:

1. The Holy Spirit. Believers of all ages are sealed with Him (Eph. 4:30).

2. The name, or character of God. All who achieve victory will possess it (Rev. 14:1; 22:4).

3. A recognizable sign (Rev. 9:4; Ez. 9:4). God left his seal on one of the 10 commandments, as a distinctive sign of those who worship him (Ez. 20:20).

The seal, mark or sign can be received in two different ways: on the forehead or on the hand. While the faithful will receive it on their foreheads, the unbelievers will receive it on their foreheads or in their hands (Rev. 13:16). What is the difference?

1. Front: INTELLECTUAL CONVICTION. Believe in the one we adore

2. Hand: INTEREST (obtaining profits). We worship for fear of the consequences

While Satan does not care about the reasons for worship, God only accepts sincere and complete worship (Rom. 12:1)

Tuesday - June 18, 2024

Whom Do We Worship? - Loyalty in Worship

Revelation 14:1-20; Ephesians 3:9; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:13-17; John 2:25.    

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Rev. 13:17)


Worship is Light Bearers' Loyalty 

God intended that his people Israel should be light-bearers to all the people of the earth. In maintaining his public worship they were bearing a testimony to the existence and sovereignty of the living God. And this worship it was their privilege to sustain, as an expression of their loyalty and their love to him.  {RH, September 10, 1889 par. 14}  The Review and Herald


The Creator as the Object of Reverence and Worship

“The importance of the Sabbath as the memorial of creation is that it keeps ever present the true reason why worship is due to God,” because he is the Creator, and we his creatures. “The Sabbath therefore lies at the very foundation of divine worship; for it teaches this great truth in the most impressive manner, and no other institution does this. The true ground of divine worship, not of that on the seventh day merely, but of all worship, is found in the distinction between the Creator and his creatures. This great fact can never become obsolete, and must never be forgotten.” It was to keep this truth ever before the minds of men, that God instituted the Sabbath in Eden; and so long as the fact that he is our Creator continues to be a reason why we should worship him, so long the Sabbath will continue as its sign and memorial. Had the Sabbath been universally kept, man's thoughts and affections would have been led to the Creator as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, an atheist, or an infidel. The keeping of the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to the true God, “him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” It follows that the message which commands men to worship God and keep his commandments, will especially call upon them to keep the fourth commandment.  {GC88 437.2} The Great Controversy, 1888


The Test during the Sunday Law, a Day of Worship

"A refusal to obey the commandments of God, and a determination to cherish hatred against those who proclaim these commandments, leads to the most determined war on the part of the dragon, whose whole energies are brought to bear against the commandment-keeping people of God. 'He causeth all, both small and great, . . . to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.'" Not only are men not to work with their hands on Sunday, but with their minds are they to acknowledge Sunday as the Sabbath. "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."  {RH, April 27, 1911 par. 13} The Review and Herald


The Sabbath - a Great Test of Loyalty

Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that no man may buy or sell, save he that has the mark of the beast, and, finally, that whoever refuses to receive the mark shall be put to death. [Revelation 13:15, 17.] The word of God declares: "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." [Revelation 14:9, 10.] But not one is made to feel the wrath of God until the truth has been brought in contact with his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many in the churches of our country who have never, even in this land of light and knowledge, had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. Jesus reads every heart, and tries every motive. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Every one is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently. The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty; for it is the point of truth especially controverted.  {4SP 422.2} The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4, 1884


Consider the Following

Those who refuse to receive the mark of the beast cannot buy or sell, and are threatened with death (Rev. 13:15-17). On the other hand, if they receive it they will suffer the last plagues and the “second death”, losing eternal life (Rev. 16:2; 14:9 11; 20:4, 13-15).

If the Sabbath is the visible sign (mark) of the faithful, will not the mark of the beast have the same nature?

Since the Bible does not speak of any change in the day of worship, accepting Sunday as a day of worship is accepting the authority of the Church that made the change (identified as 666).

What authority then shall we accept? The authority of a human institution or the authority of God, clearly manifested in His Word?

Power from Above

Wednesday - June 19, 2024

The Early and Latter Rain 

Joel 2:21-24; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:41-47;  Acts 4:4; 6:7; 8:4; 9:31;  17:6; Zechariah 4:6; Zechariah 10:1; Hosea 6:3; James 5:7-8.  

“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before” (Joel 2:23).


God's Appointed Time for the Early and Latter Rain

"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain." Do not rest satisfied that in the ordinary course of the season, rain will fall. Ask for it. The growth and perfection of the seed rests not with husbandman. God alone can ripen the harvest. But man's co-operation is required. God's work for us demands the action of our mind, the exercise of our faith. We must seek his favors with the whole heart if the showers of grace are to come to us. We should improve every opportunity of placing ourselves in the channel of blessing. Christ has said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst." The convocations of the church, as in camp-meetings, the assemblies of the home church, and all occasions where there is personal labor for souls, are God's appointed opportunities for giving the early and the latter rain.  {RH, March 2, 1897 par. 6}  The Review and Herald


A Special Bestowal of Spiritual Grace, the Latter Rain

Under the figure of the early and the latter rain, that falls in Eastern lands at seedtime and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God's church. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former rain, and glorious was the result.... But near the close of earth's harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest "in the time of the latter rain."  {AG 220.2}  

As Christ was glorified on the day of Pentecost so will He again be glorified in the closing work of the gospel, when He shall prepare a people to stand the final test, in the closing conflict of the great controversy.  {AG 220.3} God's Amazing Grace, 1973 

For further study, please visit the sites below.


Consider the Following

The prophet Joel uses rain as a metaphor for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:23, 28). This is how Peter applied it in his speech on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-17).

Just as the Church began with a rain of the Holy Spirit, the final proclamation of the gospel, the last harvest, will occur after the outpouring of the latter rain: the Holy Spirit poured out in power on the believers of the last generation (Rev. 18 :1)

Thursday - June 20, 2024

The Loud Cry - The Preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom

Revelation 18:1-4; Habakkuk 2:14; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 14:1-20; Matthew 10:1; Matthew 28:1-20; Colossians 1:23. 

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor” (Revelation 18:1)


A Counterpart Before Christ's Second Coming

The experience of the disciples who preached the “gospel of the kingdom” at the first advent of Christ, has its counterpart in the experience of those who proclaimed the message of his second advent. As the disciples went out preaching, “The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand,” so Miller and his associates proclaimed that the longest and last prophetic period brought to view in the Bible was about to expire, that the Judgment was at hand, and the everlasting kingdom was to be ushered in. The preaching of the disciples in regard to time was based on the seventy weeks of Daniel 9. The message given by Miller and his associates announced the termination of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14, of which the seventy weeks form a part. The preaching of each was based upon the fulfillment of a different portion of the same great prophetic period.  {GC88 351.1} The Great Controversy, 1888


The Everlasting Gospel to be Preached to Every Nation

In the prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction Christ said, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 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." This prophecy will again be fulfilled. The abounding iniquity of that day finds its counterpart in this generation. So with the prediction in regard to the preaching of the gospel. Before the fall of Jerusalem, Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, declared that the gospel was preached to "every creature which is under heaven." Colossians 1:23. So now, before the coming of the Son of man, the everlasting gospel is to be preached "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Revelation 14:6, 14. God "hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world." Acts 17:31. Christ tells us when that day shall be ushered in. He does not say that all the world will be converted, but that "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord's return. We are not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the day of God. 2 Peter 3:12, margin. Had the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned, and the Lord Jesus would have come to our earth in power and great glory.  {DA 633.3} The Desire of Ages, 1898 


For further study, please visit these sites.


Consider the Following

The Holy Spirit will descend with power on the faithful “who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12), and who are already proclaiming the gospel, along with the warning of the beginning of judgment, and the invitation to worship the Creator (Rev. 14:6-7).

Faced with these messages, and thanks to the power of the latter rain, humanity will be faced with choosing between two possibilities: accepting the seal of God or the mark of the beast (Rev. 14:9-11).

Many voices will proclaim the last message. Many will decide to be faithful to the end.

Friday - June 21. 2024

Insights and Further Study

 "'The Lord's people are to be one. There is to be no separation in his work. Christ sent out the twelve apostles, and afterward the seventy disciples, to preach the gospel and to heal the sick. "As ye go," He said, "preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7, 8. As they went forth preaching the kingdom of God, power was given them to heal the sick and cast out evil spirits. In God's work teaching and healing are never to be separated. His commandment-keeping people are to be one. Satan will invent every device to separate those whom God is seeking to make one. But the Lord will reveal Himself as a God of judgment. We are working under the eyes of the heavenly host. There is a divine Watcher among us, inspecting all that is planned and carried on.' {PH095 36.1} Testimonies and Experiences Connected with The Loma Linda Sanitarium and College of Medical Evangelists, 1906


From the Pen of Inspiration

“The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is looked forward to as in the future, but it is the privilege of the church to have it now. Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and Heaven is waiting to bestow it." EGW (Last Days Events, pg. 189)

“But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. He who reads every heart, and tries every motive, will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently.” EGW (The Great Controversy, pg. 605)


Questions to Ponder

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