Key Thought : In the most trying and exciting time in earth’s history, we see Christ’s steadfast love and triumph in the great controversy. Revelation gives us hope for today, tomorrow, and forever.
June 29, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read Revelation 22:11,12; Daniel 12:1,2; Jeremiah 30:5-7…

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on the most important point in this passage.
2. What events occur just before the second advent?
3. Personal Application: What do you think is your only sufficient preparation for the time of trouble? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of you relatives states, “What reassuring promises does God give us for the time of trouble? How do I know He will keep His promises for me personally?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 14:1-3; Titus 2:11-14.

1. Ask class members to share their thoughts on the most important point in this text.
2. Why are these verses so encouraging in light of the coming time of trouble and future challenges?
3. Personal Application: What is the difference in the attitude of the saved and the lost in the last days? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What if the close of probation catches me off guard or unaware? What if I’m not completely ready when probation ends? Is there any indication or event in the Bible that tells me when probation has closed?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Revelation 20:1-3; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Jeremiah 25:33.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is Satan’s fate when Jesus returns?
3. Personal Application: How does Jeremiah describe this scene of the second coming aftermath? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why has God allowed sin to go on so long? It seems like things are getting worse and worse. Why doesn’t God step in and stop it now? What is He waiting for?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Revelation 20:4-6, 7-9. 2 Peter 3:10-12.

1. Ask class members to share their thoughts on the most important point in this text.
2. What are the righteous doing during the thousand years and why is it important?
3. Personal Application: How do the thousand years end? What is the fate of Satan and His followers? Where is hellfire? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Daily Lesson for Sunday 23rd of June 2024

The close of human probation is followed by a time of trouble “ ‘such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time.’ ” Revelation 16:1-21 describes seven last plagues that will be poured out on the wicked world.

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But, as with the plagues that fell on Egypt, God’s people will be shielded from them. Note the promise in Daniel: “ ‘And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book’ ” (Daniel 12:1, NKJV). This must be referring to the “book of life” (see Philippians 4:3; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 20:12,15; Revelation 22:19). If we have stayed faithful to Jesus, our names will not be blotted out of the book of life (Revelation 3:5).

In the time of trouble, God’s people have a personal relationship with Jesus so deep that nothing can change it. Their consummate desire is to please Him in all things so that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, they will be as pure as He is pure. There was nothing in Christ’s heart that responded to Satan’s deceptions. We can reflect this aspect of His character, as well.

There are some who have misunderstood the concept of living through the time of trouble without a mediator. Jesus ceases His mediation in heaven’s sanctuary when everyone has made their final decision for or against Him. But this does not mean we are alone during this time, trusting our own strength. Jesus has assured us He will be with us always (Matthew 28:20). Faith trusts when it cannot see and believes even when the world around us is falling apart. During the time of trouble, our faith strengthens and our longing for eternity increases so that our one desire is to live forever with Jesus.

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Daily Lesson for Sabbath 22nd of June 2024

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

Revelation 22:11-12; Jeremiah 30:5-7; Psalms 91:1-11; Jeremiah 25:33; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 20:11-15.

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, NKJV).

We can face the future with hope. Although challenging times are coming, whatever suffering we must go through, whatever hardships we must endure, whatever sorrows we experience, if we have hope a better day is coming, we can live life today with purpose and joy. Franklin D. Roosevelt was president during 1933–1945, one of the most difficult periods of U.S. history. He was paralyzed by polio and unable to walk unaided. He once wrote, “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction, that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.” Albert Einstein, one of the world’s most brilliant men, wrote, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” Alfred Lord Tennyson, a popular English poet during Queen Victoria’s reign, once wrote, “Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘It will be happier.’ ”

In this quarter’s final lesson, we will see Christ’s steadfast love during the most exciting time in the history of the universe and His complete triumph in the great controversy. The Bible’s last book, Revelation, gives us hope for today, tomorrow, and forever.

*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 39–42 of The Great Controversy, to prepare for Sabbath, June 29.

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Inside Story for Friday 21st of June 2024

By Andrew McChesney

Ukrainian national Vadym Krynychnny moved to Portugal to install air conditioners. Two decades later, he was ministering to the needs of Ukrainian refugees as the pastor of a Russian-speaking church in Spain.

What happened?

“We started with just a few members, but our church has become a center of influence for many,” said Vadym, 44. “This is a blessing from God.”

After leaving Ukraine, Vadym and his wife, Alina, established a successful air-conditioning business in Portugal and obtained Portuguese citizenship.

But 12 years into their new life, their path changed abruptly when they were asked to help a newly arrived family who didn’t speak Portuguese. Vadym and Alina invited the Russian-speaking family to attend church with them, and the family also accepted an offer to study the Bible together. Three months later, the family gave their hearts to Jesus in baptism.

Vadym and Alina were delighted, and they sought out more Russian speakers to help. In 18 months, they formed a house church of 20 people. Vadym preached every Sabbath, and Alina oversaw the music. “On Saturday evenings, we were exhausted from the day’s activities,” Vadym said. “But we were filled with an inexpressible satisfaction, joy, and happiness.”

The couple sensed that God was calling them to a new purpose. Their sole desire was to win souls for God’s kingdom. Closing their business, they moved to Sagunto Adventist College in neighboring Spain. Vadym graduated four years later with a master’s degree in theology.

Vadym formed a group of 20 Russian speakers that met every Sabbath afternoon for Bible studies while he worked as an intern pastor in Valencia, a city near the college. Visitors to the group were invited to church. Before long, about 10 visitors were attending church services regularly, and the Sabbath afternoon group kept growing. “We noticed that people had a need to gather with their own language group,” Vadym said.

When the number of Russian-speaking church members reached 26, a Russian-speaking church was born in Valencia with the support of the Adventist Church in Spain and the Inter-European Division, whose territory includes Spain.

“Our idea was to serve all Russian-speaking people, no matter whether or not they are Russian citizens, and to bring them to Jesus,” Vadym said. “God has abundantly blessed us in our mission.”

Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering next Sabbath will help spread the gospel in the Euro-Asia Division, the home of many Russian speakers. Thank you for planning a generous offering. This mission story will conclude next week.

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Daily Lesson for Friday 21st of June 2024

As early as 1851, Adventist pioneers identified the second beast of Revelation 13:11-17 with the United States of America. But it must have been difficult back then to see how the United States could cause all the world to worship the first beast (Revelation 13:12). Even by the 1880s the entire United States Navy consisted of just forty-eight aging ships.

But since the end of the Cold War, no power matches the United States militarily. And though Americans have enjoyed wonderful freedoms, as times get harder, it’s not difficult to see those freedoms being trampled on—or even completely undermined. Many believe that even now we are seeing this happen.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

“All who refuse compliance [in observing the false sabbath] will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of God enjoining the Creator’s rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 604.

“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 608.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is an understanding of last-day events so important in the coming crisis? How are the Scriptures a safeguard from deception?
2. Democratic societies worldwide have been bastions of religious freedom for centuries. How might that change rather quickly?
3. Look at Ellen White’s statement above. What choices are you making today that could result in your being with those professed Adventists tomorrow?
4. How does the second angel’s message change under the loud cry, and what personal preparation can we make for receiving the latter rain to finish God’s work on earth?

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