Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary - SS-Q2-L13 - The Triumph of God's Love

Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary

Sabbath Afternoon - June 22, 2024

Scripture Reading for the Week:
Revelation 22:11-12; Jeremiah 30:5-7; Psalms 91:1-11; Jeremiah 25:33; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 20:11-15; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 22:19;

Thought for Meditation:
Reviewing God's Love.--Thank God for the bright pictures which He has presented to us. Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love that we may look upon them continually: The Son of God leaving His Father's throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged it, and brought again into connection with the infinite God, and having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and exalted to His throne--these are the pictures which God would have us contemplate.--SC 118 (1892). {1MCP 251.1} Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1, 1977

Memory Text:

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” (Revelation 21:3-4).

This week's SS Lesson will glance into the steadfastness of Christ's everlasting love which had been recorded in the anal of earth's history and the culmination of the completed work He has done in the great conflict between good and evil. This includes the assurance of God's promises that the wickedness will be done away eternally.

Study Outline:

Sunday - June 23, 2024

Hope in the Time of Trouble - Time of Anguish and Liberation

Revelation 22:11-12; Daniel 12:1-2; Jeremiah 30:5-7; Revelation 16:1-21; Jeremiah 25:33; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 20:11-15; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 22:19; Revelation 3:5; 1 John 3:1-3; John 8:29; John 14:30; Psalms 27:5; Psalms 91:1-11; Revelation 3:10-12.

Monday - June 24, 2024

Hope in Jesus' Soon Return - Time of Terror and Joy

John 14:1-3; Titus 2:11-14; Revelation 6:15-17; Isaiah 25:8-9; Revelation 15:3-4; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 17:13-14; Revelation 19:11-16.

Tuesday - June 25, 2024

The Millennium on Earth - Desolation and Judgment

Revelation 19:1-21; Revelation 20:1-15; 2 Peter 2:4; Genesis 1:2; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Jeremiah 25:33; Nahum 1:9.

Wednesday - June 26, 2024

Judgment in the Millennium - Time Life and Death

Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 20:7-9.

Thursday - June 27, 2024

Two Eternities - Time to Love and be Loved

2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-11; Revelation 20:11-15; Psalms 37:20; Malachi 4:1-2; Exodus 21:6; 1 Samuel 1:22; 1 Samuel 1:28; Jude 1:7; 2 Peter 2:4-6.)

Friday - June 28. 2024

Insights and Further Study

From the Pen of Inspiration

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Sunday - June 23, 2024

Hope in the Time of Trouble - Time of Anguish and Liberation

“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7)

Determination: Awake to the Realization of the Time of Trouble

The signs of the end are fast fulfilling. The time of trouble is very near us now. We are to be brought into strait places in a way in which we have not been brought heretofore. The time of trouble is near, and we are to awake to a realization of this. We are to be sure that our feet are in the narrow path. We need an experience that we have not yet had, that we may have the assurance that the God of all grace is a very present help in time of need.--Letter 54, 1906, pp. 3, 4. (To Brother and Sister Farnsworth, Jan. 30, 1906.) {2MR 20.3} Manuscript Releases Volume Two, 1987

Present Truth: The Preparation for Time of Trouble

Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar, and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble, and have no clogs to weigh them down. {CS 59.4} Counsels on Stewardship, 1940

Temporal Wants in the Time of Trouble will be Provided by God

The Lord has shown me in vision, repeatedly, that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints have food laid up by them, or in the fields, in the time of trouble when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it will be taken from them by violent hands, and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water would be sure at that time, and we should not lack, or suffer hunger. The Lord has shown me that some of His children would fear when they see the price of food rising, and they would buy food and lay it by for the time of trouble. Then in a time of need, I saw them go to their food and look at it, and it had bred worms, and was full of living creatures, and not fit for use. {Mar 181.2} Manatha, 1976

The Ever-present Help in Time of Trouble

God watches over these faithful witnesses, and abundantly rewards their confidence. The way to His throne is always open to them. He sees and supplies their wants. They find their safety in looking to Him. When Jehovah gives them His protection, and says of them, Ye are laborers together with me, they are safe in the midst of the greatest danger. Satan tries to deceive them, but God lifts up for them a standard against the enemy. Those who work righteousness have an ever-present help in time of trouble. In every time of need He is near. When they are tempted, He stands as their defense, saying, "I will guide thee with mine eye." I will deliver thee from perplexity, and be a covert for thee against the strife of tongues. {RH, July 16, 1901 par. 9} Review and Herald

Consider the Following

“Great changes are about to take place in the world, and the final movements will be rapid” (EGW, TI9, 11) .

What will these events be?

― Rev. 22:11 . The trial ends and every case is decided. The door of grace closes.

― Is. 8:21-22; Jer. 30:7. Time of anguish. The wicked act without moral restraint, and the righteous do not know if they have been forgiven.

― Rev. 15:7-8; Psa. 27:5 . The last 7 plagues fall on the unrepentant. God's people are guarded and protected.

― Rev. 16:14; 1Jn. 3:2-3 . Each group prepares to meet Jesus. Some to fight against Him; the others to receive him with joy.

When Jesus concludes his work of mediation and the Holy Spirit withdraws from the unrepentant, each person's fate will be sealed. The faithful will continue to have divine help and protection, while the wicked will be at the mercy of Satan. Each one will show with his character who he has decided to serve.

Monday - June 24, 2024

Hope in Jesus' Soon Return - Time of Terror and Joy

John 14:1-3; Titus 2:11-14; Revelation 6:15-17; Isaiah 25:8-9; Revelation 15:3-4; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 17:13-14; Revelation 19:11-16.

“And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16)

“And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Isaiah 25:9)

Those Who fell Asleep in Jesus will Realize their Hope of Life Eternal Life

He then spoke of his faith, and hope, and the goodness of God to him. A heavenly smile was upon his countenance, and those lips, a few moments before stained with blood, were opened to praise God for his great salvation. As the minister left the room he said to my parents, "That is a triumphant soul; I never saw so happy a soul before." Soon after this my brother fell asleep in Jesus, in full hope of having a part in the first resurrection. {2SG 164.1} Spiritual Gifts Volume 2, 1860

The Great Advantages through the Bestowal of Light will be Granted to His People

Ever are we to keep in mind the solemn thought of the Lord’s soon return, and in view of this to recognize the individual work to be done. Through the aid of the Holy Spirit we are to resist natural inclinations and tendencies to wrong, and weed out of the life every un-Christlike element. Thus we shall prepare our hearts for the reception of God’s blessing, which will impart to us grace and bring us into harmony with the faith of Jesus. For this work of preparation great advantages have been granted to this people in light bestowed, in messages of warning and instruction, sent through the agency of the Spirit of God. {OFC 167.3} Our Father Cares, 1991

Consider the Following

The wicked (Revelation 6:16):

― They have rejected the Law of God; They have rejected the living water and have dug for themselves “broken cisterns” (Jer. 2:13). Now they come face to face with the Judge. They can only expect wrath and condemnation. Who will free them? (Isa . 2:19; Rev. 6:16).

The redeemed (Isaiah 25:9):

― They have been faithful to the Law of God; They have drunk of the water of life (Rev. 21:6). Now they look face to face with their Judge. They can only hope for salvation. How can they not burst into praise? (Isa . 25:9; Rev. 15:3-4).

Tuesday - June 25, 2024

The Millennium on Earth - Desolation and Judgment

Revelation 19:1-21; Revelation 20:1-15; 2 Peter 2:4; Genesis 1:2; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Jeremiah 25:33; Nahum 1:9.

“The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word” (Isaiah 24:3)

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; […] and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4)

The Millennium - The Earth will be a Desolated Wilderness

My attention was again directed to the earth. The wicked had been destroyed, and their dead bodies were lying on its surface. The wrath of God in the seven last plagues had been visited upon the inhabitants of the earth, causing them to gnaw their tongues from pain and to curse God. The false shepherds had been the signal objects of Jehovah's wrath. Their eyes had consumed away in their holes, and their tongues in their mouths, while they stood upon their feet. After the saints had been delivered by the voice of God, the wicked multitude turned their rage upon one another. The earth seemed to be deluged with blood, and dead bodies were from one end of it to the other. {SR 415.1}

The earth looked like a desolate wilderness. Cities and villages, shaken down by the earthquake, lay in heaps. Mountains had been moved out of their places, leaving large caverns. Ragged rocks, thrown out by the sea, or torn out of the earth itself, were scattered all over its surface. Large trees had been uprooted and were strewn over the land. Here is to be the home of Satan with his evil angels for a thousand years. Here he will be confined, to wander up and down over the broken surface of the earth and see the effects of his rebellion against God's law. For a thousand years he can enjoy the fruit of the curse which he has caused. {SR 415.2} The Story of Redemption, 1947

The Earth if Filthy during a Thousand Years

"The saints will rest in the holy city, and reign as kings and priests one thousand years; then Jesus will descend with the saints upon the Mount of Olives, and the mount will part asunder, and become a mighty plain for the Paradise of God to rest upon. The rest of the earth will not be cleansed until the end of the one thousand years, when the wicked dead are raised, and gather up around the city. The feet of the wicked will never desecrate the earth made new. Fire will come down from God out of heaven and devour them, burn them up root and branch. Satan is the root, and his children are the branches. The same fire that will devour the wicked, will purify the earth." {CET 108.3} Christian Experience and Teachings of EGWhite, 1922

The Banishment of Satan, the Chaos and Desolation of the Earth Exist for a Thousand Years

The Revelator foretells the banishment of Satan, and the condition of chaos and desolation to which the earth is to be reduced; and he declares that this condition will exist for a thousand years. After presenting the scenes of the Lord's second coming and the destruction of the wicked, the prophecy continues: “I saw an angel come down from Heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season.” [Revelation 20:1-3.] {GC88 658.1} The Great Controversy, 1888

Please visit the link below for further information:

Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 30: The Flood: In Type and Antitype (google.com)

Consider the Following

Time of desolation:

― When Jesus comes, the saints of all ages will be resurrected; and the living faithful, transformed, will ascend with them to go to Heaven with Jesus (1Thes. 4:16-17).

The wicked will die in the presence of Jesus. Their corpses will remain unburied and, finally, no trace of life will remain on Earth (Jer. 25:33; Rev. 19:17-21; Jer. 4:23-26; Is. 24:3).

At that time, Satan and his angels will be locked in the abyss for a thousand years, unable to deceive anyone (Rev. 20:1-3).

The abyss (abyssos, place of darkness), perfectly describes the situation on Earth at that time. Without human life in it, no demon will tempt. It will be a time of reflection for the rebellious angels, bound by the chain of circumstances, without the possibility of leaving the desolate Earth.

Judgment time:

If the Judgment was celebrated before the Second Coming, and Jesus already executed the sentence, giving eternal life to those who believed in Him... what sense does a new judgment have (Rev. 20:4)?

For centuries, God has shown his love and offered salvation to anyone who would receive it. It has also allowed evil to fully develop.

During the Judgment, all the worlds and faithful angels have been able to witness the justice and mercy of God in his dealings with sin and rebellion. Now, they have before them the real result of satanic rule: an empty and desolate land.

But those of us who have lived in the enemy's territory during the conflict, now redeemed, will also need to witness the justice and mercy of God. In the millennial judgment we will be so fully convinced of God's love that evil will never rise again (Nah . 1:9).

Wednesday - June 26, 2024

Judgment in the Millennium - Time Life and Death

Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 20:7-9.

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1)

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (Malachi 4:2)

The Judgment of the Wicked Dead Consummated after a Thousand Years

After the judgment of the wicked dead had been finished, at the end of the one thousand years, Jesus left the city, and the saints and a train of the angelic host followed Him. Jesus descended upon a great mountain, which, as soon as His feet touched it, parted asunder and became a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great and beautiful city, with twelve foundations and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We cried out, "The city! the great city! It is coming down from God out of heaven!" And it came down in all its splendor and dazzling glory, and settled in the mighty plain which Jesus had prepared for it. {SR 416.4} The Story of Redemption, 1947

The Resurrection of the Wicked will Take Place after a Thousand Years

During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection, the judgment of the wicked takes place. Daniel declares that when the Ancient of days came, "judgment was given to the saints of the Most High." At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says, "I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them." "They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, "the saints shall judge the world." In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Satan also and evil angels are judged by Christ and his people. {SW, March 14, 1905 par. 10}

At the close of the thousand years the second resurrection will take place. Then the wicked will be raised from the dead, and appear before God for the execution of "the judgment written." Thus the Revelator, after describing the resurrection of the righteous, says, "The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." {SW, March 14, 1905 par. 11} The Southern Watchman

Consider the Following

At the end of the millennium, the wicked are resurrected. They accept Satan's direction again, and fight again against God and the saints. Nothing has changed, and all are destroyed by fire (Rev. 20:5-9).

But before they are destroyed, a final trial is held. The books are opened, and everyone recognizes in them their actions and their rejection of the loving callings of the Holy Spirit. All accept God's justice, and bow their knees before Him (Rev. 20:11-13; Is . 45:23; Phil . 2:10).

Far from living eternally (to be eternally punished), they suffer a “second death,” from which there is no resurrection (Rev. 20:14-15; Ps. 37:20; Mal. 4:1; Is . 26: 14).

Death and sin are over. It is time to wipe away every tear and enjoy eternal and happy life (Rev. 21:4).

Thursday - June 27, 2024

Two Eternities - Time to Love and be Loved

2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-11; Revelation 20:11-15; Psalms 37:20; Malachi 4:1-2; Exodus 21:6; 1 Samuel 1:22; 1 Samuel 1:28; Jude 1:7; 2 Peter 2:4-6.)

“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3)

God's Everlasting Love, Condescended to Remove All Cause for Doubt

His voice is heard, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." "With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee." How amazing is this love, that God condescends to remove all cause for doubt and questioning from human fears and weakness, and takes hold of the trembling hand reached up to him in faith; and he helps us to trust him by multiplied assurances and securities. He has made us a binding agreement upon condition of our obedience, and he comes to meet us in our own understanding of things. We think that a pledge or promise from our fellow men, if recorded, still needs a guarantee. Jesus has met all these peculiar fears, and he has confirmed his promise with an oath: "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us." Hebrews 6:17, 18. {RH, April 5, 1887 par. 12} The Review and Herald

Bear the Signet of the Faithful - His Government Mark (Cherish Pure Principles)

God will never, never allow any man to pass through the pearly gates of the city of God who does not bear the signet of the faithful, His government mark. Every soul who is saved will cherish pure principles, which proceed from the very essence of truth. He must fasten himself by golden links to the everlasting power and love of the God of truth. He must be loyal to the principles of God's word, loyal to the everlasting covenant which is a sign between man and his Maker. {15MR 36.2} Manuscript Releases Volume 15, 1990

The Tender Pleading of God's Spirit - Drawing the Wanderer to His Father's Heart of LOVE

But even this parable, tender and touching as it is, comes short of expressing the infinite compassion of the Heavenly Father. The Lord declares by his prophet, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." While the sinner is yet far from the Father's house, wasting his substance in a strange country, the Father's heart is yearning over him; and every longing awakened in the soul to return to God is but the tender pleading of his Spirit, wooing, entreating, drawing the wanderer to his Father's heart of love. {RH, October 8, 1914 par. 4} The Review and Herald

Look up, you that are doubting and trembling; for Jesus lives to make intercession for us. Thank God for the gift of his dear Son. Mrs. E. G. White.

Consider the Following

And what will we do on the New Earth for all eternity?

― The cross of Christ will be the science and song of the redeemed throughout eternity.

― On […] peaceful plains, on the edge of […] living streams, God's people […] will find a home

― There immortal intellects will contemplate with eternal delight the wonders of creative power

― Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased

― The acquisition of knowledge will not tire the intelligence or exhaust the energies

― The greatest undertakings will be able to be carried out, the most sublime aspirations will be satisfied, the loftiest ambitions will be realized.

― New heights will arise to overcome, new wonders to admire, new truths to understand, new objectives that sharpen the faculties of the spirit, soul and body.

― They share [with unfallen beings] the treasures of knowledge and understanding acquired over centuries and centuries in the contemplation of the works of God

― With clear vision, they consider the glory of Creation: suns and stars and systems that, in the order assigned to them, circle the Throne of Deity (Extracted from “The Great Controversy”, pages 651-666-668-675-677-678)

Friday - June 28. 2024

Insights and Further Study

The whole wicked world stand arraigned at the bar of God on the charge of high treason against the government of heaven. They have none to plead their cause; they are without excuse; and the sentence of eternal death is pronounced against them. {GC 668.2}

It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death. The wicked see what they have forfeited by their life of rebellion. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory was despised when offered them; but how desirable it now appears. "All this," cries the lost soul, "I might have had; but I chose to put these things far from me. Oh, strange infatuation! I have exchanged peace, happiness, and honor for wretchedness, infamy, and despair." All see that their exclusion from heaven is just. By their lives they have declared: "We will not have this Man [Jesus] to reign over us." {GC 668.3} The Great Controversy, 1888

From the Pen of Inspiration

“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.” EGW (The Great Controversy, pg. 678)

Questions to Ponder

For what purpose the great controversy had been allowed for a long period?
How long will God's people have the warnings and reproof in the realization of the time trouble that is to come? (Note the progression of events)
How do the prophets describe the events that transpire before and during a thousand years?
Why is it important that God's people - the righteous will have the privilege to observe His firsthand justice and love through a judgment for the wicked?
What's the significance of the judgment for the wicked during a thousand years?
How long will the "little season" of Rev. 20:3 be before the wicked will be punished and consumed by fire?
Based on the statement above, {GC 668.2-3}, in what way does this statement portray God's everlasting love for humanity along with the verdict pronounced for the wicked?

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