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Lesson 12.Earth’s Closing Events | 12.1 Loyalty to God and His Word

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Lesson 12.Earth’s Closing Events 
Faithfulness, Outpouring of the Spirit, and the Ultimate Call 
In Lesson 12, we will delve into an extremely important topic: the last events of the Earth. The prophecy of the Bible gives us insight into the end-time events that will unfold in the near future. It is crucial that we understand these events as they will have a direct impact on our faith and daily lives. The Revelation of John, especially chapters 13 and 14, provides us with a detailed view of the events that will occur in the last days of humanity. We will closely examine the signs of the times and understand how we can personally prepare for them. The world as we know it is rapidly approaching a pivotal moment, and it is of utmost importance that we, as a believing community, remain vigilant and correctly interpret the signs of the times. Let us, therefore, together delve into the depths of the Holy Scriptures to understand the last events of the Earth and prepare ourselves accordingly.

12.1 Loyalty to God and His Word
The Power of Biblical Truth in the Great Controversy
Read Proverbs 23:2 and John 8:32; 17:17. What do these verses have in common?
The verses Proverbs 23:2 and John 8:32; 17:17 all share a common focus on truth. In Proverbs 23:2, it says: “When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you.” This verse warns against being seduced by false promises or deceptions.
John 8:32 says: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of truth in attaining freedom.
In John 17:17, Jesus says in His prayer: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” Here, it is made clear that God’s Word is the source of truth, bringing salvation and redemption.
These verses teach us that faithfulness to God and His Word means recognizing and accepting the truth to be liberated from the deceptions of Satan. God’s Word is the source of truth that guards us against deception and guides us in His will.
Read 2 Peter 1:16–21. What assurance does the apostle give us regarding prophecy? What illustration does he use to demonstrate the importance of God’s prophetic word?
The apostle assures us in 2 Peter 1:16–21 that the prophecy in God’s Word is reliable and illuminates the path before us. He emphasizes that they are not “cleverly devised stories” but divine revelation. The illustration he uses to demonstrate the importance of God’s prophetic word is that of light shining in a dark place. Just as a light in darkness shows us the way, God’s prophetic word guides us and helps us distinguish between truth and error. Without the Bible, we would be subject to the whims of human opinions and could easily be deceived. The Holy Scripture is our protection against the influence of false teachings and the deceptive power of the spirits of darkness. Satan will use every means to prevent us from gaining knowledge of the Bible because the clear statements of the Bible expose his deceptions.
The final great deception will soon be revealed. The Antichrist will perform his great deeds before our eyes, and the counterfeit will be so similar to the genuine that only through the Holy Scripture will distinction be possible. In this final great confrontation, only those whose spirits are strengthened by the truths of the Bible will remain steadfast. Each of us must ask ourselves, “Should I obey God rather than men?” The hour of decision is approaching. Are we firmly standing on the rock of God’s unchanging Word? Are we prepared to take a clear stand for God’s commandments and the faith of Jesus?
Reflect on the questions in the above quote. What will enable us to endure in the last crisis? What prevents us from studying the Word of God? Where are we in danger of compromising truth for personal pleasure?
In the last crisis, our steadfastness will enable us to endure, based on the study and acceptance of the Word of God. Only through a deep understanding and a personal relationship with God’s Word will we be able to resist the deceptions and temptations of the last days.
Various factors can prevent us from studying the Word of God. The most common include lack of time, distractions by worldly affairs, lack of prioritization, and even spiritual lethargy. Sometimes, false teachings or misinterpretations of the Word hinder us from truly understanding and appreciating the Bible.
We compromise truth for personal pleasure when we allow ourselves to be tempted to distort or interpret God’s Word to suit our own desires and preferences, rather than submitting to divine truth. When we selectively interpret the Bible to justify our own behavior, we risk deviating from the truth and deceiving ourselves.

The connection between our daily life and our faith is evident in these lessons. Faithfulness to God and His Word, as well as the power of biblical truth in the Great Controversy, have immediate implications for our daily lives:
  1. Steadfastness in the last crisis: Our steadfastness in the last crisis is enabled by our understanding and acceptance of the Word of God. A solid knowledge of Scripture and a personal relationship with God through His Word will enable us to resist the temptations and deceptions of the last days. This means that our daily life is strongly influenced by our relationship with the Bible and our faith.
  2. Obstacles to studying the Word of God: Our daily life may prevent us from studying the Word of God. Lack of time, distractions by worldly affairs, lack of prioritization, and spiritual lethargy are common obstacles. Also, false teachings or misinterpretations of the Word can prevent us from truly understanding and appreciating the Bible. This underscores the importance of setting our daily priorities accordingly to make time for studying the Bible.
  3. Danger of compromising truth for personal pleasure: There is a danger of compromising truth for personal pleasure when we are tempted to distort or interpret God’s Word to suit our own desires and preferences, instead of submitting to divine truth. When we selectively interpret the Bible to justify our own behavior, we risk deviating from the truth and deceiving ourselves. This highlights the importance of being vigilant in our daily lives and being aware of how we understand and apply God’s Word.

Faithfulness to God’s Word is the rock on which our steadfastness rests in the storms of life.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-12-earths-closing-events-12-1-loyalty-to-god-and-his-word/

The Great Controversy – Lesson 12.Earth’s Closing Events | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley

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Series THE GREAT CONTROVERSY with Pastor Mark Finley  |
Lesson 12.Earth’s Closing Events  |
Faithfulness, Outpouring of the Spirit, and the Ultimate Call  |
Lesson 12 delves into the dramatic and pivotal events of the end times, centered around worship and faithfulness to God. In these last days, the world faces a clear choice: worship the Creator or the beast. The Holy Spirit will be poured out in unprecedented measure to strengthen believers and powerfully spread the Gospel. This period will be characterized by an intense spiritual battle, where the light of truth contends against the darkness of deception. Believers are called to stand firm in their faith and carry the joyful message of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.
Memory Text: Proverbs 23:23 – “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.”
Content:
12.1 Loyalty to God and His Word
The Power of Biblical Truth in the Great Controversy
Proverbs 23:2 and John 8:32; 17:17 emphasize the importance of truth and wisdom found in God’s Word. Both verses show that true freedom and sanctification come through the truth revealed in the Scriptures. Throughout the centuries, the Great Controversy has been a conflict between truth and error, with Satan as the father of lies opposing Jesus, the author of truth. The Bible, as the source of truth, exposes Satan’s deceptions and reveals God’s plans. It is our protection against error and deception and shows us the way to discern between truth and falsehood. Prophecies in the Holy Scriptures serve as a light that illuminates our path and helps us stand firm in faith, especially in the face of impending great deceptions.
12.2 Sealed for Heaven
The Sign of Faithfulness in the Final Conflict
In the coming crisis of worship, the faithful people of God will not yield to worldly pressure (Revelation 14:12). These believers will be sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and stand firm in their conviction. In ancient times, a seal was a distinctive mark of authenticity, so we expect God’s seal to be embedded in His law (Isaiah 8:16). The Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:8–11) contains the three elements of a seal: name, title, and territory of God. God’s seal will be received on the forehead, symbolizing a conscious decision, while the mark of the beast will be received either on the forehead or on the hand, indicating adaptation or persuasion (Revelation 7:1–3; 14:1; 13:16–17). In the Great Controversy, those who keep God’s commandments and believe in Jesus stand firm against Satan’s deceptions.
12.3 Whom Do We Worship?
The Decision in the Great Conflict
In the last days, the great battle over worship will escalate dramatically: Either we worship the Creator or the beast and its image (Revelation 14:7-10). The first angel calls for honoring the Creator, while the third angel reveals the dire consequences of worshipping the beast. Those who worship God are described as those who keep His commandments and have faith in Jesus (Revelation 14:12). Satan, who hates the Creator, will try to force the world to accept a false Sabbath, thereby asserting his authority over God’s (Daniel 7:25). In the impending crisis, humanity will be threatened with economic sanctions and even death if they do not follow the beast (Revelation 13:13-17). Despite the uncertainties, we can be sure that the end-time persecutions will be real and intense.
12.4 The Early and Latter Rain
The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost fulfilled the prophecy from Joel 2:21-24 and Acts 2:1-4. On that day, 3000 people were converted, and the Christian church began to grow powerfully (Acts 2:41-47). The apostles preached the Gospel with such power that the number of believers quickly increased, and many communities were established (Acts 4:4; 6:7; 9:31). Through the Holy Spirit, the early church reached the entire known world, symbolized as the “early rain.” The “latter rain,” an even greater outpouring of the Spirit, will prepare the final harvest and complete God’s work on earth (Zechariah 4:6; 10:1; Hosea 6:3; James 5:7-8).
12.5 The Loud Cry
The Final Proclamation of the Gospel
Revelation 18:1-4, Habakkuk 2:14, and Matthew 24:14 show that God’s work on earth will end with a powerful and comprehensive proclamation of the Gospel. The angel in Revelation 18 has “great authority” and illuminates the whole earth with God’s glory, symbolically representing human messengers who proclaim the Gospel powerfully. These messengers are endowed with the authority of Jesus to act in His name (Matthew 28:18-19). The Holy Spirit will be poured out in unprecedented measure, and the Gospel will quickly spread throughout the world. Thousands will repent, and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God’s glory (Habakkuk 2:14). Thus, the Gospel will be spread to the ends of the earth, and the world will hear the message of hope (Matthew 24:14).
12.6 Summary
Faithfulness, Outpouring of the Spirit, and Worldwide Proclamation
The final events on earth will be characterized by a great conflict over worship, in which believers will resist the pressures of the world and remain faithful to God’s Word and His commandments. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the early and latter rain, will strengthen believers and spread the Gospel worldwide. A loud cry will warn the world and lead many to repentance, while the powers of hell attempt to suppress God’s truth. The faithful believers will be equipped with the power and authority of Jesus to remain steadfast in the end times. Ultimately, the Gospel will be proclaimed to all nations, and the earth will be filled with the glory of God.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-great-controversy-lesson-12-earths-closing-events-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/

Mission 150 – Episode 43 – From West Africa to the former Soviet Union: A 20th-Century Missionary Family

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Sam and David are joined by Elder Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, who talks about his and his family’s experiences as missionaries in West Africa and the former Soviet Union in the 1980s and 1990s.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/mission-150-episode-43-from-west-africa-to-the-former-soviet-union-a-20th-century-missionary-family/

Mission 150 – Episode 42 – Indigenizing Adventist Mission: The South Pacific

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David and Sam are joined again by historian Michael Campbell to talk about early Adventist mission in the South Pacific islands, and especially in Fiji. They discuss not only early missionaries but also early indigenous converts, thanks to whom the preaching of the Adventist message really took off.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/mission-150-episode-42-indigenizing-adventist-mission-the-south-pacific/

Mission 150 – Episode 41 – Twenty-first Century Missionary Service in the Philippines

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Sam and David are joined by historian Michael Campbell but this time not to talk history, instead to talk about Michael and his family’s history of ministry, incliuding as missionaries for six years in Southeast Asia

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/mission-150-episode-41-twenty-first-century-missionary-service-in-the-philippines/

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