Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Mark Finley, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz719C2rJiY&w=560&h=315]

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You can view an in-depth discussion of The Seal of God and Mark of the Beast Part 1 in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZYzI03ZJFg&w=560&h=315]

With thanks to

Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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The prophecy regarding the mark of the beast is about religious intolerance, an economic boycott, persecution, and eventually a death decree. Surprisingly, it is also a message of encouragement. Even in the worst of times, God will sustain His people who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, NKJV). And, among those commandments, of course, is the fourth — the seventh-day Sabbath.

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

The mark of the beast prophecy in Revelation 13:1-18 tells us about the worst, the absolute fever pitch, of Satan’s war against God. His first strategy in this campaign is deception. Revelation 13:1-18 tells about a time in the future when the devil will work through an earthly religiopolitical power called the beast and resort to force.

Religious persecution, of course, is not new. It has been around ever since Cain killed Abel for worshiping the way God instructed them to worship (see Genesis 4:1-8). Jesus said persecution would happen even to believers in the first century and down through the ages: “The time is coming,“ He warned, “that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service“ (John 16:2, NKJV; see also Matthew 10:22, 1 Peter 4:12).

The mark of the beast prophecy is about the final link in this ungodly chain. Like the persecutions in the past, it is designed to force everyone to conform to a certain set of beliefs and an approved system of worship.

Read Revelation 13:15-17. What will God’s end-time people face in the final crisis?

The prophecy says the persecution will start with economic sanctions: “No one can buy or sell” unless they have “the mark.” When this happens, the immense majority will capitulate. Anyone who refuses will eventually be placed under a death decree.

The devil is preparing professed Christians by compromises in their lives to receive the mark of the beast when the final test comes upon us in the future. God’s love for each one of us will strengthen us and preserve us during the troublous times ahead.

Read Galatians 6:7-9. Though this is not written in the context of last-day events, why is the principle there so relevant to issues over the mark of the beast, and how we can stand faithful?

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Key Thought: The central issues between Christ and Satan are loyalty, authority, and worship. Love is the great motivating force in the kingdom of God.
June 10, 2023

1. Have a volunteer read Revelation 14:12.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What two characteristics do we discover in this passage about God’s last-day people? Why are both important
3. Personal Application: How faithful are you in little things? What does that tell you about how you might be when the real trials come? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “We live by faith and not by works or sight. You people focus too much on obedience instead of faith. Can you give me an example in your life when faith got you through tough times?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Revelation 13:13-17.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How does the second beast cause everyone to worship the first beast?
3. Personal Application: How does one receive the mark of the beast in the forehead or the hand? Is this literal or spiritual? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What is this fire that the second beast makes come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men? ” How would you respond to your friend?
   (Note: Spiritually, fire is the presence of God. Moses and the burning bush, fire for Elijah on the mount, fire of tongues on Pentecost. But this is a false fire by the second beast – making people think that God is with them.)

3. Have a volunteer read Revelation 13:1,2.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Where does this beast come from, and who gives this beast his authority?
   (Note: the sea is a populated area –Rev. 17:15 – Europe. The dragon, Pagan Rome, gave the Holy See (seat of government) to the Vatican by Constantine)
3. Personal Application: How can we call people out of Babylon – fallen Catholicism and fallen Protestantism – when we are accused of sheep stealing and separation rather than unifying with the Christian communities? What might these compromises be? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Who do these animals represent and what is the Biblical definition of blasphemy? ” How would you respond to your relative?
   Note: Daniel 7 tells us the lion is Babylon, the leopard is Greece, the bear is Medio-Persia. The dragon is pagan Rome and spiritually the devil. Blasphemy is claiming to be God and claiming to forgive sins.)

4. Have a volunteer read Revelation 13:4,5.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How do you respond to people who deny that Satan is real? They claim he is just the representation of the evil in mankind’s own minds, that there is no real devil.
3. Personal Application: How can we not worship this beast and the devil behind the beast when the whole world is taken in? 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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“Three Cosmic Messages” encourages us to 
Watch, Ye Saints – Hymn 598 as we near the end of this old world’s history to witness the Second Coming of our Lord, and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is a wonderful hymn to give courage, dear people, and is our theme for this quarter.

 We will be noting at times throughout the quarter that 
“Tis Almost Time For The Lord To Come – Hymn 212 and we should be proclaiming the message that
Jesus Is Coming Again – Hymn 213.

Sabbath afternoon’s study reminds us that it is wonderful to sing 
Hymn 6 – O Worship The Lord and 
Hymn 83 – O Worship The King and then to 
Come, All Christians, Be Committed – Hymn 634.

 It follows then that we will ultimately say 
My Faith Looks Up To Thee – Hymn 517 and 
O For A Faith – Hymn 533 (Sunday).

The Cosmic Struggle (Monday) shows that 
Faith Is The Victory – Hymn 608 as our preparation now stands us in good stead for 
In The Hour Of Trial – Hymn 491. Tuesday confirms this latter hymn, and states for us: 
Don’t Forget The Sabbath – Hymn 388 because 
We Love Thy Sabbath, Lord – Hymn 390.

 “God will have a people who will “follow the Lamb” “ states Wednesday’s study: 
Hymn 623 – I Will Follow Thee.

The culmination of all aspects of our study this week results in us looking back to creation: 
Lord of Creation – Hymn 320.

So, dear people, be encouraged to go forward and
“Lift up the trumpet and loud let it ring, Jesus IS coming again” – Hymn 213.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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