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Sabbath Lesson !uarterly: - The Book of Revela
Sabbath Lesson !uarterly: - The Book of Revela
«!UARTERLY
Senior Division
10. When the "little book" presented to John was eaten and
assimilated, what commission was given to him? Rev. 10:11.
4. Who was the chief instrumentality used by God for the pro-
clamation of this message?
Ii. How are we able to definitelY locate the time for the pro-
clamation of this message~
NOTE: "Like the first disciples, William Miller and his associ-
ates did not, themselves, fully comprehend the import of the
message which th ey bore. Errors that had been long established
in the church prevented them from arriving at a correct interpre-
tation of an important point in the prophecy. Therefore, ·though
they proclaimed the message which God had committed to them
to be given to the. world, yet thmugh a misapprehension of its
meaning, they suffered disappointment.
"In explaining Dan. 8: 14, 'Unto two thousand and three hundred
days, then shall the sanctuary be cleans€d,'- Miller, as has been
stated, adopted the generally received view that the earth is the
sanctuary. and he believed that the cleansing of the sanctuary
represented the purification of the earth by fire at the coming of
the Lord. When, therefore, he found that the close of the 2300
days was definitely foretold, he concluded that this revealed the
time of the s",cond advent. His error resulted from accepting the
popular view as to what constitutes the sanctuary.' Great
Controversy, pp. 351-352.
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Lesson No.3 :- Sabbath, January 15, 1955
The First Angel's Message (continued)
Questions
NOTE: "The movement was chiefly among the lower class, and
it was in the humble dwellings of the laborers that the people
assembled to hear the warning." Great Controversy, p. 3GG.
"As his work tended to build up the churches, it was for a time
regarded with favor." Great Controversy, pp. 375, 37G.
NOTE: "nut the churches generally did not accept the warning.
Their ministers, who, as 'watchmen unto the house of Israel,'
should have' been the first to discern the tokens of Jesus' coming,
had failed to learn the truth, ei th er from th e testimony of the
prophets or from the signs of the "times. As worldly hopes and
.ambitions filled the heart, love for God and faith in His word
had grown cold; and when the advent doctrine was presented, it
only aroused their prejudice and unbelief. The fact ·that the
message was, to a great extent, preached by laymen, was urged
as an argument against it. As of old, the plain testimony of
God's word was met with the inquiry, 'Have any of the rulers or
of the Pharisees beljeved?'" Great Controversy, p. 3lJO.
NOTE: "The message which God had sent for the testing and
purification of the church, revealed all too surely how great was
the number who had set their affections on this world rather than
upon Christ•. Th e ties which bound them to earth were stron ger
than the attractions heaven-ward. They chose to listen to the
voice of worldly wisdom, and turned away from the heart-searching
message of' truth." Great Controversy, p. 3lJO.
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5. What was the effect of this message on a few of the most
earnest ministers? Upm what class of people did the burden
of proclailJ1ing it largely rest?
8. How did the churches treat those who stood steadfast to the
message?
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NOTE: "Those who dared not withhold from others the light
which God had given them, were shut out of the churches; but
Jesus was with them, and they were joyful in the light of His
countenance. They were prepared to receive the message of the
second angel." Early Writings, p. 237.
NOTE: "Wherever the cause exists, the same results will follow.
He who deliberately stifles his convictions of duty because it
interferes with his inclinations, will finally lose the power to
distinguish between truth and error. The understanding becomes
darkened, the conscience callous, the heart hardened, and the
soul is separated from God. Where the message .of divine truth
is spurned or slighted, there the church will be enshrouded in
darkness; faith and love grow cold, and estrangement and dis-
sension enter. Church-members center their interests and energies
in worldly pursuits, and sinners become hardened in their impeni-
tence." Great Controversy, pp. 378-379.
1. Which angel follows the first angel and what is the burden
of his message? Rev. 14:8.
NOTE: I I 'In' all my labors,' said Miller, 'I never had the desire
or thought to establish any separate interest from that of existing
denominations, or to benefit one at the expense of another. I
thought to benefit all. Supposing that all Christians would reo
joice in the prospect of Christ's coming, and that those who.
could not see. as I did would not love any the less those who
should embrace this doctrine, I did not conceive there would
ever be any necessity for separate meetings. • • .'" Great
Controversy, p. 375.
NOTE: "This work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of
men, but in the power of God, and His saints who heard the cry
could not resist it. The most spiritual received this message
first, and those who had formerly led in the work were the last to
receive and help swell the cry, 'Hehold, the Bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet Him"" Early Writings, p. 23fl.
NOTE: "The hand of the Lord was removed from the figures,
and the mistake was explained. They saw that the prop'hetic
periods reached to 1844, and that the same evidence which they
h ad presented to show that the prophetic periods closed in llJ43,
proved that they would terminate in llJ44. Light from the word
of God shone upon their position, and they discovered a tarrying
time - 'If the vision tarry, wait for it.''' Early Writings, p. 23G.
NOTF: "Jesus did not come to the earth as the waiting, joyful
company expected, to cleanse the sanctuary by purifying the
earth by fire. I saw that they were correct in their reckoning of
the prophetic periods; prophetic time closed in lQ44, and Jesus
entered the most holy place to cleanse the sanctuary at the eliding
of the days." Early Wri~ings, p. 243.
NOTE: "Many who had led in the first and second messages
now denied them, and there was division and confusion through-
out the body." Early Writings, p. 257.
NOTE: "They joined in the work of the third angel, and raised
their voices to proclaim the solemn warning. But few at first
received it, ret the faithful continued with energy to proclaim
the message.' Early Writings, p. 25G.
NOTE: "After Jesus opened the door of the most holy, the light
of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God were tested, as
the children of Israel were tested anciently, to see if they would
keep God's law.•••
"It was represented to me that the remnant followed Jesus into
the most holy place, and beheld the ark and the mercy-seat, and
were captivated with their glory." Early Writings, p. 254-255.
NOTE: "I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm,
giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established
faith of the body. God looked upon th em with approbation. I was
shown three steps, - the first, second, and third angels' mes-
sages. Said my accompanying angel, 'Woe to him who shall move
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a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding
of these messal'"es is of vital importance. The destiny of souls
hanfts upon the manner in which they are received.' ••• God had
led them along step by step, until He had placed them upon a
solid, immovable platform. I saw individuals approach the plat-
form and examine the foundation. Some with- rejoicing immediately
stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the founda-
tion. They wished improvements made, and then the platform
would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some
stepped off the platform ·to examine it, and declared it to be laid
wrong." Early Writings, p p. 25U-259.
NOTE: "We are to throw aside our narrow, selfish plans, remem-
bering that we have a work of the largest magnitude and highest
importance. In doing this work we·are sounding the first, second,
and third angels' messages, and are thus being prepared for the
coming of that other angel from heaven who is to lighten the
earth with his glory." Testimonies, Vol. G, p. 40G.
10. What prolllise is made to those who have died in the faith
of tile third angel's message? Rev. 14:13.
NOTE: "The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon
the earth in their mortal state - men will be planting and building
eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable
decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above." Great
Controversy, p. 491.
6. What glorious sight did John behold after the last of the
plagues had been poured out? Rev. 14:14.
2. What feeling of remorse will come upon many who have known
the truth, but have· failed to take their stand for it? Amos
8:11-12.
NOTE: Here is stated that "all nations shall come and worship
before thee." It is true that the redeemed company will consti-
tute the' 'holy nation," but here is mentioned "all nations" and
this could not be said until after the thousand years, when "all
nations" that eVer lived upon the earth will be called to life.
See Matthew 25: 31-3 2.
"With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole
universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare,
'Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of s~ints.''' Great Con-
trover sy, p. G71.
NOTE: John .sel'}s the sanctuary still open, not for intercession,
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but in preparation for th~ execution of the order that has gone
forth to punish the wicked world.
NOTE: This verse discloses that the command for the destruction
of the wicked world comes directly from the throne of God. This
"beast" is not to be understood in the ordinary sense of the word,
but refers to the intelligent creatures about the throne of God as
was described in nevelation 4. They are a special order of the
heavenly host entrusted to this high office.
9. What factors deterrr.ine the time when the door of mercy shall
be shut for all impenitent world? What particular sign on
earth will show that transgression has reached its limit?
10. What provisiop is made for the people of God during this
terrible time? What account is carefully chronicled in the
in the record books? Isaiah 26:20-21.
1. What ·order from the sanctuary was given to the seven angels?
Rev. 16:1.
5. What was the effect of the pouring out of the second vial?
Rev. 16:3.
6. Where will the third plague have its effect? Rev. 16:4.
NOTE: "In the plague that follows, power is given to the sun
'to scorch men with fire. And men- were scorched with great
heat.' Rev. IG:2-G,U,9. The prophets thus describe the cen-
dition of the earth at this fearful time: 'The land mourneth; •••
because the harvest 0 f the field is perished.' 'All the trees of
the field are withered: because joy is 'withered away from the
. sons of men.' 'The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners
are laid desolate.' 'How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle
are perplexed, because they have no pasture•••• The rivers of
waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of
the wilderness.' 'The songs of the temple shall be howlings in
that day, saith the Lord God: there shall be many dead bodies
in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence.' Joel
1: 10-12; 17-20; Amos U:3," Great Controversy, p. G2U.
NOTE: In the tenth verse we have evidence that those who suf-
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fered under the first plague are still "gnawing their tongues for
pain" when the fifth plague is poured out. The seat of the beast
is today, and will no doubt continue to be, nome. "His kingdom"
probably embraces the ecclesiastical subjects of the Pope wher-
-ever they may be. All the glory which' for ages has enshrouded
this great apostate power is torn away. Da~kness and ~hame
cover her kingdom. She thought to be a queen forev3r, but now
she comes to an unexpected end. All her subjects now know that
they have been deceived, that hers was a false religion as the
god of nome has no power to protect her in the day of calamity.
NOTE: In his account of the plagues, the prophet did not in all
cases use symbolic language. In the second plague it must be
the literal "sea" that is referred to. In the third plague the
"rivers and fountains of waters" apply to natural rivers and
water'supplies. In the fourth it was the actual sun that scorched
the wicked. However, in the fifth plague the prophet uses sym-
bolic language to identify the power which is to be the subject
of God's wrath. The drying up of the River Euphrates cannot
have reference to the literal drying up of its waters, for the mere
waters of this river would present no difficulty to a modern army.
The prophet used this River Euphrates to symbolize the Turkish
nation, as was explained in Rev. 9: 14, where the four angels
bound to the niver Euphrates symbolized the four sultans of the
Moslem empire.
10. With what event does the seventh plague commence? Rev.
16:17,18,20; Eze. 38:19·20.
NOTE: "That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There
is a mighty earthquake, 'such as was not since men were upon
the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.' The firmament
appears to open and shut. The glory from the throne of God
seems flashing through. The mountains shake like a reed in the
wind, and ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a
roar as of a coming tempest. The sea is lashed into fury. There
is heard the shriek of the hurricane, like the voice of demons
upon a mission of destruction. The whole earth heaves and
swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up.
Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are
sinking. Inhabited islands disappear. The seaports that have
become like Sodom for wickedness, are swallowed up by the
angry waters." Great Controversy, p. 1)37.
12. What secret weapon has the Lord preserved for this last
plague? Rev. 16:21; ,Tob 38:22,23.
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Lesson No. 11 - Sabbath, March 12, 1955
1\'lystery, Babylon the Great
Questions
NaTE: That John might be able to fully iden tify this wicked
power forming "great Dabylon" and more especially that Cod's
people living in the last days should have sufficient enlightment
concerning this great system of apostate religion, a further
revelation was deemed necessary. This power is here symbolized
by a "whore", a corrupted woman, and she sits upon many waters,
representing "nations, and tongues and peoples."
NOTE: When the vision was given to John, Pagan flo me was in
existence, and there was no division. The future disintegration
of nome and its division into ten kingdoms is here foretold.
1J. When the nations reach this state of unity. what will be
their next move? Rev. 17:14 (first part).
6. Against whom will the dragon make war in this closing work?
Rev. 12:17 (Iastpart).
NOTE: "In the final victory God will have no use for those
persons who are nowhere to be found in time of peril and danger.
when the strength. courage. and influence of all are required to
make a charge upon the enemy. Those who stand like faithful
soldiers to battle ag~inst wrong. and to vindicate the right,
warring against principalities and powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world. against spiritual wickedness in high
places. will each receive the commen~ation from the Master.
'Well done. good and faithful servant. enter thou into the joy of
thy Lord ... • Testimonies. Vol. 3. p. 327.
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9. By what figure is the power of Papacy upon the nations of
the world represented? Rev. 17:15.
10. During the seven last plagues, what will the nations do to
this false religious power that has for so long deceived
them? Rev. 17:16,17.
NOTE: "We are to throw aside our narrow, selfish plans, remem-
bering that we have a work of the largest magnitude and highest
importance. In doing this work we are sounding the first, second,
and third angels' messages, and are thus being prepared for the
coming of that other angel from heaven who is to lighten the
earth with his glory." Testimonies, Vol. G, p. 40G.
4. What ,was to be the result if this work was neglected?
NOTE: "I know that a work must be done for the people, or
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many will not be prepared to receive the light of the angel sent
down from heaven to lighten the whole earth with his glory. Do
not think you will be found as vessels unto honor in the time of
the latter rain, to receive the glory of God, if you are lifting up
your souls unto vanity, speaking perverse things, in secret cher-
ishing roots of bitterness." Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 460-
469.
NOTE: "'The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of
tne third angel has already begun in the revelation of the right-
eousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the
beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the
whole earth.' - Review and Herald, Nov. 22, Hl92." Christ
Our Righteousness, p. 72 {old edition}.
8. At that time what was the most urgent need of the church
and leadership?
NOTE: "God's people will not endure the test unless there is
a revival and a reformation. The Lord will not admit into the
mansions He is preparing for the righteous, one soul who is
self-sufficient." Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 205.
The reformation called for has never taken place in the follow-
ing years. Some of the leaders have tried to give the impression
that the reformation came with the moving of the headquarters
from Battle Creek to Washington, D.C., after the calamity came
upon the Review and Herald Publishing House, the Sanitarium
and later the Tabernacle. This change, though it was necessary,
did not bring about the called for reformation, otherwise there
would have been no need for the further calls to be made in the
years that followed. .
NOTE: "I see a crisis before us, and the Lord calls for His •
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laborers to come into line. Every soul should now stand in a
position of deeper, truer consecration to God than' during the
years that have passed ••.• " Testimonies to Ministers, p. 514.
The following statement was omitted from Testimonies to
Ministers, but is reproduced from the General Conference Bulletin:
"During the General Conference of 1909, a work should have
been done in the hearts of those in attendance that was not, done.
Hours should have been given up to heart-searching that would
have led to the breaking up of the fallow ground of heafts of
those who were at the meeting. This would have given them in-
sight to understand the work so essential to be ,done in repent-
ance and confession. But though opportunities were given for
confession of sin, for heartfelt repentance, and for a decided
work of reformation, thorough work was not done."
11. What step into apostasY was taken by the Church leaders
when the great crisis came in 1914? What guilt was thus
brought upon the church?