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America and Babylon
S abbath afternoon
Read for This Weekâs Study: Rev. 13:1â12; 14:9â11; 16:2;
19:20; 20:4; Jer. 51:6, 7, 53, 57; Rev. 18:1â4.
Memory Text: â âAt that time Michael shall stand up, the great
prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the bookâ â (Daniel 12:1, NKJV).
L
ast week we looked at the counterfeit trinity, Satan (the dragon) and two earthly powers that together will bring persecution against Godâs people. One of these powers, the sea beast (Rev. 13:1â10), is described as a composite of a leopard, a bear, and a lion (Rev. 13:2) âimages taken directly from Daniel 7:4â6. We saw in week 6 that in Daniel 7âafter the rise of Babylon (lion), Media-Persia (bear), and Greece (leopard)â came the final earthly power, Rome. It started out as pagan Rome and then turned into papal Rome, the little horn power of Daniel 7:7, 8; 19â21; and 23â25 that rose directly out of the fourth beast. We saw, too, that many of the characteristics of papal Rome, as depicted in these verses in Daniel 7, reappear in the sea beast of Revelation 13:1â10. Hence, Bible scholars have seen Rome as one of the key antagonists in the end-time scenario of Revelation 13. However, Rome is not alone. Another power is depicted. This week we will focus mostly on Revelation 13 and the events and powers por- trayed in it, and as always asking the questions: What do these events mean, and how can we be prepared for them?
* Study this weekâs lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 9.
L esson *June 2â
June 3
Deadly Wound Healed
Read Revelation 13:1â10 and go over the reasons why these texts are
referring to the papacy, with regard to its role in the past and in the future. Notice specifically just how prominent a role it is given. What does this mean in terms of last-day events?
Although God has faithful people in all churches, Scripture does point to a specific role that this institution has played in history and will play in last-day events.
Read Revelation 13:3. What is happening here, and what does this
teach about Romeâs prominence?
For centuries the Roman church had been the central religion and, in many ways, the political center of the Western world. A telling example of her power is seen in the story of Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, who, upon angering Pope Gregory VII, came to the popeâs castle to make peace. There, the Roman emperor was made to wait in an outer court for three days in the winter cold before the pope granted him entrance. Gregory VII, elated with his triumph, boasted that it was his duty to pull down the pride of kings. Nevertheless, by the late eighteenth century through the influence of the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the French Revolution, Romeâs political and religious hegemony had been shattered. One of the popes, Pius VI, actually had been taken captive by the French army in 1798 and died in exile in 1799. Revelation 13, however, speaks of a resurgence after the healing of its âdeadly woundâ (Rev. 13:3). And although Rome today doesnât have the kind of political power it wielded in the day of Gregory VII, it is an influential force, both religiously and politically, thanks to the popularity of recent popes (for instance, Pope Francisâ speaking to both houses of the U.S. Congress in 2015 was a historical first). According to prophecy, this influence only will grow.
How can we be faithful to the message that we have been called to preach, but do so in a way that causes as little offense as possible? Why, though, must we not bow down to âpolitical correctnessâ as we proclaim present truth?
sunday
An Issue of Worship
All through sacred history, the Lord constantly had to deal with those who fell into idolatry and other forms of false worship (see Matt. 4:8â10). In the final crisis, as depicted in Revelation 13, the issue of worship will again arise. Here, too, Godâs people will have to make a choice about whom they will worship and serve (see Josh. 24:15). In week 2, in the lesson titled âDaniel and the End Time,â we stud- ied the story of three Hebrew boys who were ordered to âworship the golden imageâ (Dan. 3:5). We saw, too, how Revelation 13 uses language from that chapter in depicting the persecution that Godâs people will face in the end times. That is, we may see what happened in Daniel 3 as a precursor to what will happen in the last days, as depicted in the immediate context of the beast powers in Revelation 13. All were commanded to worship the golden image, or they would be put to death in a fiery furnace. Similarly, in Revelation 13, whoever âwould not worship the image of the beast [is] to be killedâ (Rev. 13:15, NKJV).
Read Revelation 14:9â11; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4. What do these verses tell
us about how crucial the issue of worship will become?
Babylon always has been the capital of false worship. The Tower of Babel testified to its buildersâ desire, like Lucifer, to âascend above the heights of the cloudsâ (Isa. 14:14), as well as to its buildersâ efforts to save themselves in case of another global deluge. Thus, they refused to believe Godâs promise never to bring another flood upon the earth (Gen. 9:8â11). The Neo-Babylonian Empire likewise exalted the work of human hands. Nebuchadnezzar extolled âthis great Babylon, that I have builtâ (Dan. 4:30). Later, King Belshazzar took the golden cups of Solomonâs temple for a feast, and âthey drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stoneâ (Dan. 5:3, 4, NKJV). Notice that the true vessels of the temple were filled with intoxicating wine, which deadened the sensibility of all who drank from them. As a result, many in the city perished when Babylon fell. Thus, an outward appearance of truth can deceive us by disguising the deadly âwine of Babylon.â False worship and false ideas are the currency of Satanâs kingdom.
How can we make sure we arenât involved in any false worship now?
T uesday June 5
June 6
âBabylon the Greatâ
Read the following texts. What do they teach us about Babylon? Jer.
51:6, 7, 53, 57; Zech. 2:7; Rev. 17:5, 6; 18:2, 3.
As we saw yesterday, Babylon has a long history as the capital of false worship; so it is a fitting symbol of an end-time power that deceives the nations.
Compare the dragon, the sea beast, and the scarlet beast (Rev. 12:3,
13:1â3, 17:3). What are the similarities and differences?
All three beasts have seven heads and ten horns, which represent the sum total of heads and horns of the beasts of Daniel 7. Each succes- sive empire was built upon those that went before. Similarly, the scarlet beast combines elements of the dragon and the sea beast (symbolizing pagan and papal Rome, respectively), as well as of the land beast (Rev. 13:11â14), grouping âall three powersâall of Godâs enemiesâinto a real coalition.ââJacques B. Doukhan, Secrets of Revelation: The Apocalypse Through Hebrew Eyes (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and HeraldÂŽ^ Publishing Association, 2002), p. 162. An additional element in Revelation 17 is the woman who rides on the scarlet beast, symbol- izing an illicit union of religious and political powers. This woman contrasts sharply with the pure woman of Revelation 12: Pure Woman (Rev. 12) Harlot (Rev. 17) In heaven On the waters Clothed with the sun Clothed in purple and scarlet Crown of twelve stars Adorned with gold, gems, pearls Attacked by the dragon Supported by the dragon Mother of the remnant Mother of harlots As âthe mother of harlots,â Babylon has been busy reproducing itself. The apostate mother church has many apostate daughters. But God does not take ownership of the errors promulgated and atrocities com- mitted by apostate Christianity. His true people, although attacked by Satan, survive through the centuries. Revelation 14:8 has already warned people of Babylonâs fall or apos- tasy from the truth, which eventually leads to the final deception, the mark of the beast (Rev. 14:9â11). This warning will be repeated with much greater power, culminating in one last appeal for Godâs people still in Babylon to come out of her and unite with Godâs end-time, rem- nant church (Rev. 18:1â4).
W ednesday
June 8
Further Thought: Satanâs attack on Godâs law is an attack on God
Himself, both on His authority and on His government. So in the last days, in the climactic events of the final crisis, Satan will be attacking those who keep âthe commandments of Godâ (Rev. 12:17, 14:12), for they alone will be refusing to pay him homage through his proxies here on earth. The battle that he waged against God in heaven long ago will be continued here on earth, and just as he was defeated in heaven, he will be defeated here on earth. âFrom the very beginning of the great contro- versy in heaven it has been Satanâs purpose to overthrow the law of God. It was to accomplish this that he entered upon his rebellion against the Creator, and though he was cast out of heaven he has continued the same warfare upon the earth. To deceive men, and thus lead them to transgress Godâs law, is the object which he has steadfastly pursued. Whether this be accomplished by casting aside the law altogether, or by rejecting one of its precepts, the result will be ultimately the same. He that offends âin one point,â manifests contempt for the whole law; his influence and example are on the side of transgression; he becomes âguilty of all.â James 2:10.â âEllen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 582.
Discussion Questions:
ď In class, talk about world events. In what ways are they point- ing to what we believe needs to happen in the last days? What events still need to unfold? How can we learn to keep vigilant about the signs of the times while avoiding fanaticism, date setting, and making bold predictions about things that the Bible and Ellen Whiteâs writings have not explicitly taught?
ď Dwell more on the question of worship. What does it mean to worship something? How do we worship whatever it is we do worship?
ď Dwell more on the idea that God still has people in Babylon. What do we understand as the meaning of the term âBabylonâ (which is obviously a symbol and not literal)? What does this teach us about our obligation to continue preaching our message to oth- ers, regardless of their political and/or religious beliefs?
F riday
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.
Web site: www.AdventistMission.org^87
Story
i n s i d e
âTrust Jesusâ Hats
by andRew Mcchesney, Adventist Mission
Tony Pouesi, imprisoned for nine months after the death of a man in a bar fight, began a closer walk with God following his surprise release from jail in the U.S. state of Alaska. With nowhere to go, he moved into a Seventh-day Adventist home for former inmates, the Greater Works Christian Living Center, in Anchorage. He began to have morning devotions. He attended prayer meetings on Wednesday and Friday evenings. He kept the Sabbath. âIt was the first time that I got to experience a real Christian family,â he said. A desire swelled in his heart to share his newfound love for Jesus, and he decided to establish Alaska Street Ministry. Five days a week, he distributes GLOW tracts, Bible promise books, food, and clothing. He prays with strangers and talks about Jesus. Tony has found that wearing a custom-made hat or shirt stamped with the words, âTrust Jesus,â is an excellent conversation starter. âIt is a great tool for witnessing,â he said. âA lot of people come up to me and just start talking about God. If they are responsive, I tell them how God changed my life.â Tonyâs biggest burden, however, is his own family. He called his single mother in Shelton, Washington, shortly after being freed from jail. âThere is only one thing in this world that I will ask of you,â he told her. âI want you to do these Discover Bible studies.â As a result of the Voice of Prophecy studies, his mother has quit smoking and lost 30 pounds (14 kilograms). She keeps the Sabbath. âI knew that she would never be the same after the Bible studies,â Tony said. âThis is the power of God.â Tony is now looking for new ways to share Jesus. One Sabbath as he left church, he encountered a man carrying a large white cross. The man explained that he had been carrying the cross around the world for six years and, after hearing Tonyâs story, presented it to him. It took Tony some time to gather the courage to drag the cross around the city block. But when he did, the reaction was astounding. âPeople were honking their horns, and waving, and saying, âPraise the Lord!ââTony said. âIt was awesome.â Tony isnât convinced that the cross is the best way to witness. But he is confident that his âTrust Jesusâ clothing is effective. He is looking to support his street ministry by selling the hats and shirts online. âGod gave me this fire to spread the gospel, and I still have that fire,â he said. Read more about tony pouesi , left, last week.
