Lesson 1. The War Behind All Wars
The Cosmic Conflict: Origin, Impact, and Hope of Redemption

In our fast-paced and often challenging world today, it’s easy to get lost in daily worries and distractions. However, behind the visible wars, conflicts, and challenges of life lies an even greater, deeper spiritual battlefield – the eternal struggle between Good and Evil, known as the great cosmic conflict.

The first lesson of our series delves into this fascinating and central theme, which not only forms the foundation of our faith but also shapes our understanding of our own existence, purpose, and relationship with God. It is the struggle that has raged since the dawn of time in the heavens and whose effects manifest in every aspect of our world, from the personal struggles we face to the global conflicts that dominate the news.

In this lesson, we will explore the origins of this eternal conflict, analyze its impact on our world and our lives, and highlight the role and significance of Jesus Christ in this battle. We will discover how this understanding can give us hope, strength, and a deeper connection to God in our daily lives.

Prepare yourself to dive deeper into the mysteries and truths of the great cosmic conflict and recognize how these insights can shape our understanding of God, our faith, and our mission in this world.

1.1 War in Heaven
The Cosmic Conflict: Origin of Evil and Freedom in Heaven

Read Revelation 12:7-9. What does this passage reveal about the freedom that exists in heaven and the origin of evil? How could God have reacted when Lucifer rebelled?

The section Revelation 12:7-9 reveals a profound image of the cosmic battle between good and evil that occurred in heaven. It seems paradoxical that such a conflict could take place in a realm of perfect purity and harmony like heaven. This raises questions about the nature of freedom and the existence of evil.

God, as the omniscient and omnipotent Creator, certainly had the power to immediately destroy Lucifer or prevent him from rebelling. However, in His infinite wisdom and love, God granted freedom to His creatures, including the angels. This freedom allows beings to choose genuine love, loyalty, and devotion to God, but it also carries the risk of rebellion and evil.

Lucifer, once a radiant angel, became Satan due to his pride and desire to exalt himself above God. His rebellion was not the result of a demonic being created by God but a choice stemming from his own free will.

Revelation shows us that evil was not created by God but is the result of the free choice of His creatures. God could have certainly acted harshly against Lucifer, but He chose to respect his freedom and confront him with the consequences of his choice.

Overall, this section reveals not only the origin of evil but also the magnitude of God’s love and wisdom. It reminds us that true love requires freedom and that God will ultimately triumph despite the existence of evil.

Compare Ezekiel 28:12-15 and Isaiah 14:12-14. What was going on in the mind of this angel named Lucifer that led to his rebellion?

The two sections from Ezekiel 28:12-15 and Isaiah 14:12-14 offer deep insights into the mindset of Lucifer before his rebellion and transformation into Satan. These passages describe Lucifer as an angel of unparalleled beauty and wisdom but corrupted by his own pride and ambition.

In Ezekiel, Lucifer is described as the “seal of perfection,” full of wisdom and flawless beauty. Isaiah depicts his fall with the words: “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!” These verses reveal Lucifer’s desire to exalt himself above God and be worshipped.

It seems that in Lucifer’s heart, the desire arose to be equal to or even above God. His pride and jealousy led him to challenge divine order and authority. He wanted to ascend God’s throne and claim the worship that belongs only to the Creator.

God’s creation, including the angels, was endowed with the freedom of will, a fundamental attribute that makes love and devotion authentic. Yet, this freedom also carries the risk of rebellion and disobedience. Despite the warnings and counsel of the heavenly council and the Son of God, Lucifer remained steadfast in his resistance.

God, in His infinite love and justice, could not allow Lucifer to corrupt heaven through his rebellion. Although He had long patience with him, He ultimately had to act to preserve the divine order and purity of heaven.

Overall, these Bible passages reveal the tragic transformation of a once radiant angel due to his own pride and rebellion. They remind us of the power and dangers of pride and jealousy and underscore the necessity of humility, obedience, and devotion to God.

What can you learn about God’s character through His dealings with evil?

Through God’s dealings with evil, we can recognize several important aspects of His character:

1. Love and Mercy: Despite the rebellion of Lucifer and other fallen angels, God displays boundless love and mercy. He has been patient, warning multiple times and attempting to lead them to repentance before taking action.

2. Justice and Holiness: God is perfectly just and holy. He cannot ignore or tolerate evil as it contradicts His nature and essence. His justice demands that sin and rebellion have consequences.

3. Wisdom and Sovereignty: God’s actions reveal His unparalleled wisdom and sovereignty. He knows how to deal with evil to ultimately achieve His divine purpose without compromising His love and mercy.

4. Patience and Long-suffering: God’s patience and long-suffering are astonishing. He gives creatures, including fallen angels and humans, ample time and opportunity for repentance and atonement before taking final measures.

5. Power and Authority: Despite the existence of evil, God remains omnipotent and sovereign over all. Evil cannot thwart His plans and intentions. He has the power and authority to overcome evil and ultimately triumph.

6. Faithfulness and Constancy: God’s character is marked by His unwavering faithfulness and constancy. He remains true to His promises, His word, and His creation, even when these promises are challenged by rebellion and sin.

In summary, through God’s dealings with evil, we can recognize Him as a God of love, mercy, justice, wisdom, sovereignty, patience, power, authority, faithfulness, and constancy. These attributes shape His essence and guide His actions concerning evil and the entire creation. They also invite us to reflect these qualities in our own lives and strive to emulate them.

The above reflections on God’s character and His dealings with evil have direct applications and connections to our daily lives and faith. Here are some ways these biblical insights can influence our everyday life:

1. Freedom and Responsibility: Just as God has given His creatures freedom, He also grants us humans freedom. This freedom allows us to make choices but also comes with consequences. We are called to use this freedom responsibly and bear the consequences of our decisions.

2. Humility and Obedience: The story of Lucifer reminds us of the dangers of pride and rebellion. We should practice humility and obedience towards God rather than elevating ourselves excessively or rebelling against God’s commandments.

3. God’s Love and Mercy: In our daily lives, we should reflect God’s love and mercy by being loving and merciful towards others, even when they make mistakes or wrong us.

4. Justice and Holiness: We should strive to live justly and holily by doing what is right and avoiding evil. Justice and holiness are fundamental principles important to God and should also be central in our lives.

5. Wisdom and Sovereignty: We can acknowledge God’s wisdom and sovereignty in our lives by entrusting ourselves to Him, trusting Him, and seeking His guidance in our lives.

6. Patience and Long-suffering: We should show patience and long-suffering in our interactions with others, as God does with us. This means forgiving others’ mistakes, giving them a second chance, and patiently waiting for changes.

7. Power and Authority: We should recognize that God has ultimate power and authority over our lives and the world. This should give us peace and confidence even in challenging times.

8. Faithfulness and Constancy: Our relationship with God and others should be characterized by faithfulness and constancy. We should keep our promises, remain loyal to our loved ones, and support each other in good and bad times.

In conclusion, insights into God’s character and His dealings with evil can guide, inspire, and encourage us to lead a life that honors God, serves others, and makes us better individuals. They remind us that our faith should not only be theoretical but should also have practical implications for our daily lives.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-1-the-war-behind-all-wars-1-1-war-in-heaven/

Join Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as he continues with Chapter 25 of The Great Controversy by Ellen White, with a look at the foundation leading up to the “Mark of the Beast.”

What is this mark? Is it a literal mark or a symbol that carries a deeper meaning? Explore more deeply and find answers in scripture with Pastor Ted Wilson.

To learn more about the Sabbath and its importance to your life, read The Great Controversy by Ellen White at https://greatcontroversyproject.org/ and join us next week for more.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-great-controversy-chapter-25-the-foundation-of-the-mark-of-the-beast-pastor-ted-wilson/

13.6 Summary
Waiting on God’s Time: Patience and Trust Amidst Challenges

The summary of Lesson 13, “Wait for the Lord,” involves an in-depth examination of various biblical passages and their application to the daily lives of believers. The lesson emphasizes the importance of patiently waiting on God, trusting in His guidance, and hoping for the fulfillment of His promises.

In Lesson 13, various Bible verses such as Psalm 27:14; 37:7,9,34; 39:8; 40:2; 69:7; Galatians 5:5; and Romans 8:18–25 are first explored, calling God’s people to be patient and to trust in God’s timing and guidance. These verses emphasize the need for patience, perseverance, and hope in times of waiting and uncertainty. The Apostle Paul particularly describes in Romans 8:18–25 the creation’s waiting for redemption and encourages believers to hope for the fulfillment of God’s promises amid difficulties.

As Adventist Christians, we are called to testify to the hope of the new creation in Christ, which is associated with His second coming. Our waiting for His return is based on the certainty of His first coming and the associated resurrection. Therefore, our waiting is not passive but an active trust and anticipation of the fulfillment of divine promises.

The lesson also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and resting in His guidance, as depicted in Psalm 131. The psalm teaches us humility, dependence on God, and trust in His care. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 18:3 to be humble and trusting like children in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Furthermore, the power of remembering past deeds of God is highlighted, as depicted in Psalm 126. The experiences of past rescue and deliverance give God’s people strength and hope for the present and the future. By remembering God’s faithfulness and care, we can express our gratitude and find comfort in difficult times.

Finally, the symbolism of the morning in the Bible is considered, particularly in Mark 16:1–8, where the resurrection of Jesus Christ is described on the morning of the first day after the Sabbath. Jesus’ resurrection promises us hope and victory over death, showing that death is not the final word and that through Christ, we have hope of eternal life with God.

Overall, the lesson illustrates the close connection between faith and the daily lives of believers by encouraging them to patiently wait on God, trust in His guidance, remember His faithfulness, and hope for the fulfillment of His promises.

The connection between the biblical teachings on waiting for God and the daily lives of believers is complex and influences various aspects of our lives:

1. Patience and Endurance: The teachings on waiting for God teach us patience and endurance in difficult situations. In daily life, we often encounter challenges that require immediate solutions, but faith teaches us to be patient and trust that God will act in His time.

2. Trust and Hope: By waiting for God’s guidance, we learn to trust Him and have hope in His promises. In everyday life, we can rely on God’s guidance even when circumstances seem unclear or difficult.

3. Humility and Dependency: The Bible teaches us to be humble and to rely on God like children. In daily life, this humility reminds us that we do not have control over everything and that we depend on God’s grace and guidance.

4. Gratitude and Remembrance: Remembering God’s faithfulness and care in the past inspires gratitude and gives us hope for the future. In daily life, we can express gratitude and find comfort in difficult times through remembering God’s blessings.

5. Hope for Eternal Life: The teachings on waiting for God’s kingdom and the promise of resurrection give us hope for eternal life with God. This hope influences our perspective on life and gives us confidence even in the midst of suffering and difficulties.

Overall, the connection between faith and daily life shows that the biblical teachings on waiting for God and hoping in His promises can have practical effects on our daily behavior, attitudes, and relationships. Faith gives us strength, comfort, and hope as we navigate the challenges of life.

1.Why is waiting important in our spiritual lives? Discuss the experiences of waiting by some biblical heroes of faith. How did waiting refine and strengthen their faith? (Romans 4:19–22; Hebrews 11)

Waiting plays a crucial role in our spiritual lives for several reasons:

1. Patience and Character Building: Waiting teaches us patience and endurance, important virtues in the Christian life. By waiting for God’s timing, we develop a character that is steadfast and not influenced by circumstances.

2. Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Through waiting, we learn to rely on God’s sovereignty and trust Him even when we do not see immediate answers or solutions. This strengthens our faith and relationship with God.

Some biblical heroes of faith, such as Abraham and Sarah, are examples of individuals who were strengthened through waiting for God:

• Abraham and Sarah (Romans 4:19–22; Hebrews 11): Abraham and Sarah waited many years for the fulfillment of God’s promise that they would have a son. Although they initially showed doubt and impatience, their faith grew over time. Eventually, they received Isaac, the son of promise, and their faith was strengthened as they realized that God is faithful, even when His timing is different from ours.

• Noah (Hebrews 11:7): Noah waited for decades for God’s promise of a great flood to be fulfilled, and during this time, he obediently built the ark. His faith and loyalty were tested during this waiting period, but in the end, he was saved through his patience and obedience.

• Joseph (Genesis 37-50): Joseph had to wait many years for God’s plan for his life to be fulfilled. Despite many trials and sufferings, he maintained his faith and loyalty to God. In the end, he was exalted and served as a savior for his family and the people of Israel.

These examples demonstrate that waiting on God is often accompanied by trials and challenges, but it is also a means through which our faith is refined and strengthened. Ultimately, God’s faithfulness and sovereignty are revealed as we patiently wait on Him.

2.What is the goal of our waiting? (Psalm 37:34–40) In other words, what is promised to us when all things are finally settled? What hope do we find in these texts, for example, for the justice that has been lacking in this life for so long?

The goal of our waiting is outlined in the quoted Bible verses from Psalm 37:34–40. Here are some key points:

1. The Promise of Salvation: The psalmist promises that those who wait on the Lord will be saved and inherit the land. This salvation includes not only material blessings but, above all, deliverance from evil and eternity in God’s presence.

2. Liberation from the Wicked: God will exterminate the wicked and protect the righteous. This means that in the end, righteousness will prevail, and those who remain faithful to God will be shielded from injustice and oppression.

3. The Perseverance of God’s Children: God’s children will not perish but will stand forever. Even in times of trial and suffering, believers can trust in God’s faithful hand that enables them to endure.

4. Salvation by the Lord: The Lord will rescue His servants who trust in Him. This promise offers hope amid difficulties and urges believers to wait for God’s salvation, even if it may not be immediately apparent.

The hope found in these texts is the certainty that God will ultimately triumph and provide His justice and salvation for those who patiently wait on Him. This hope encourages believers to remain steadfast even in the midst of suffering and injustice, trusting in God’s promises. Ultimately, God will resolve all things and establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace, where His children will be with Him forever.

3.Why is the waiting for Jesus almost over for the deceased, as far as their experience is concerned (Ecclesiastes 9:5)? What hope can we draw from this answer?

In Ecclesiastes 9:5, it says: “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten.” This verse speaks about the state of the deceased, emphasizing that they no longer experience anything that happens in life. Their perception and experience have ceased, and they no longer have a share in the things that occur under the sun.

The waiting for Jesus by the deceased is considered almost over because according to the Christian belief, the return of Jesus Christ will mark the end of time and the resurrection of the dead. For those who have died in faith, this means that their waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises is nearing its completion. The hope we can draw from this answer is the certainty that death is not the end, but rather Jesus Christ will come again to establish His kingdom and grant eternal life to believers.

For those who die in faith, the waiting for Jesus is almost over because they can be assured that they will be resurrected and have eternal communion with God. This hope provides comfort and assurance, especially in times of loss and grief, and encourages believers to stand firm in their faith and trust in God’s promises.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-13-wait-on-the-lord-13-6-summary/