Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, December 30, 2023.

Main Theme: God’s mission will be fruitful and have much success.

Read in Class: Revelation 14:6-7. Summarize the first angel’s message.

Study: What do these verses have to do with our last day message and mission?

Apply: Do you have a plan for sharing the everlasting Gospel? If a friend asked you how they can know if they are saved what would you tell them? See Salvation in Light of the Cross. How does this everlasting Gospel help you prepare for the judgment?

Share: Your friend asks how the Seventh-day Adventist Gospel is different from any other Gospel preached in protestant churches? Don’t we all preach the same cross? Is the Gospel preached by Adventists any different? What do you tell your friend? See the God-forsaken God.

Read in Class: Revelation 14:8 and Revelation 18:1-4. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: How do the teachings of Babylon oppose the Gospel and the cross? How is Babylon legalistic? For clues see Daniel 1:2, Daniel 4:17 and Daniel 4:31-32.

Apply: 1 John 4:8 says God is love. How do the teaching of Babylon skew our understanding of God’s love? For an example, see Hell in Light of the Cross.

Share: Your friend says that instead of preaching the Three Angel’s message in the last days we should be Preaching the cross instead. What do you tell your friend? See The Three Angel’s Message in Light of the Cross.

Read in Class: Revelation 14:9-12. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What exactly is the mark of the beast? How is accepting the mark of the beast not only rejecting the Bible Sabbath but also rejecting the cross of Christ and salvation by grace? For example what is wine of God’s wrath that is poured into the cup of His indignation? Is this the same cup Jesus asked to pass from him, but ended up drinking for us?

Apply: What assurance do you see in Revelation 7:9-14 and Revelation 15:1-4 that the call out of Babylon and the warnings not to take the mark of the beast will be successful? What other passages in the Bible assure you of the success of God’s mission in the last days?

Share: Your friend asks you if the 144,000 who are saved in the last days is a literal number or symbolic? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 21:1-4, Revelation 21:22-27, and Revelation 22:1-5. What is the common thread of these passages?

Study: What is the scene described here?

Challenge: How are you hastening Christ’s return? Are you planting seeds of hope in the hearts of those who need to hear good news? Are you “watering” new believers by helping them learn what it means to live a life of loyal obedience to Christ? Pray for opportunities to communicate the promise of the earth made new with the people on your daily prayer list.

Challenge Up: Some of your “disciples” may be ready to accept Christ. This includes joining a church or group of believers. Put yourself in his or her place and imagine attending your church for the first time. What kind of experience would he or she have? How prepared is your church to welcome and disciple new people? Are you open to starting new groups of believers, not just building up your own existing church? Create a strategy to address weak areas. Share your thoughts with your church leaders, and work with them to implement a plan to become a more intentional disciple-making church.