Sunday
December 27
1. A TERRIBLE WARNING
a. What is the Bible’s most portentous warning ever addressed to mortals? Revelation 14:9–11.
“The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel’s message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy. Men are not to be left in darkness concerning this important matter; the warning against this sin is to be given to the world before the visitation of God’s judgments, that all may know why they are to be inflicted, and have opportunity to escape them.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 449, 450.
b. Why do we need to study such warnings? Can’t we find better Bible topics to study? Romans 15:4.
“If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation would be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message. We have no time to lose; God calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must give an account. . . . Let Daniel speak, let the Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope.”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 118.
Monday
December 28
2. DANIEL AND THE REVELATION
a. In these last days of earth’s history, why is it important to study together the books of Daniel and Revelation? Daniel 12:4; Revelation 1:19; 22:10.
“In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 585.
b. Why is the true understanding of Revelation 14:6–12 of vital importance today?
“I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.’ I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience. It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. God had led them along step by step, until He had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform.”—Early Writings, pp. 258, 259.
“We talk about the first angel’s message and the second angel’s message, and we think we have some understanding of the third angel’s message. But as long as we are content with a limited knowledge, we shall be disqualified to obtain clearer views of truth. He who holds forth the word of life must take time to study the Bible and to search his own heart. Neglecting this, he will not know how to minister to needy souls. The diligent, humble student, seeking by earnest prayer and study for the truth as it is in Jesus, will most assuredly be rewarded.”—Gospel Workers, p. 251.
c. Revelation 14:6, 7 speaks of a message that is given by “another angel.” Why do we refer to this message as being given by the “first angel”? Revelation 14:9 (compare Revelation 8:13).
Tuesday
December 29
3. THE GOSPEL COMMISSION
a. What is the first of the three angels of Revelation 14 preaching? Revelation 14:6, 7.
“[Revelation 14:6, 7 quoted.] The fact that an angel is said to be the herald of this warning is significant. By the purity, the glory, and the power of the heavenly messenger, divine wisdom has been pleased to represent the exalted character of the work to be accomplished by the message and the power and glory that were to attend it. And the angel’s flight ‘in the midst of heaven,’ the ‘loud voice’ with which the warning is uttered, and its promulgation to all ‘that dwell on the earth’—‘to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people’—give evidence of the rapidity and worldwide extent of the movement.”—The Great Controversy, p. 355.
“The message proclaimed by the angel flying in the midst of heaven is the everlasting gospel, the same gospel that was declared in Eden when God said to the serpent, ‘I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel’ (Genesis 3:15). Here was the first promise of a Saviour who would stand on the field of battle to contest the power of Satan and prevail against him.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 106.
b. To whom is given the commission to preach the gospel? Mark 16:14–16.
“Service to God includes personal ministry. By personal effort we are to cooperate with Him for the saving of the world. Christ’s commission, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,’ is spoken to every one of His followers. (Mark 16:15.) All who are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. Their hearts will throb in unison with the heart of Christ. The same longing for souls that He has felt will be manifest in them. Not all can fill the same place in the work, but there is a place and a work for all.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 300, 301.
“The Saviour’s commission to the disciples includes all believers to the end of time. All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be coworkers with Christ.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 466.
Wednesday
December 30
4. THE WORK OF THE ANGELS
a. In what way do holy angels participate in earthly activities? Hebrews 1:13, 14.
“Christ longs to work mightily by His Spirit for the conviction and conversion of sinners. But, according to His divine plan, the work must be performed through the instrumentality of His church; and her members have so far departed from Him that He cannot accomplish His will through them. He chooses to work by means, yet the means employed must be in harmony with His character.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 189.
“As His representatives among men, God does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save. Christ took humanity that He might reach humanity. A divine-human Saviour was needed to bring salvation to the world. And to men and women has been committed the sacred trust of making known ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ’ (Ephesians 3:8).
“In His wisdom the Lord brings those who are seeking for truth into touch with fellow beings who know the truth. It is the plan of Heaven that those who have received light shall impart it to those in darkness. Humanity, drawing its efficiency from the great Source of wisdom, is made the instrumentality, the working agency, through which the gospel exercises its transforming power on mind and heart.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 134.
b. Give examples of the ministry of angels on behalf of human beings. Acts 10:1–4.
“[As we draw nearer to the end of time,] Satanic agencies in human form will take part in this last great conflict to oppose the building up of the kingdom of God. And heavenly angels in human guise will be on the field of action. The two opposing parties will continue to exist till the closing up of the last great chapter in this world’s history. Satanic agencies are in every city. We cannot afford to be off our guard for one moment. The true, stanch believers will pray more and more, and will talk less of matters of little consequence. More and more decided testimonies will come from their lips to encourage the weak and the needy.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 383.
Thursday
December 31
5. REPRESENTING A PEOPLE
a. After Saul and Cornelius had been called by the Lord, what work had to be done for them and by whom? Acts 9:5–12; 10:5, 6, 19–24.
“The marvelous light that illumined the darkness of Saul was the work of the Lord; but there was also a work that was to be done for him by the disciples. Christ had performed the work of revelation and conviction; and now the penitent was in a condition to learn from those whom God had ordained to teach His truth.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 121.
b. Since God uses people to preach the gospel to this world, whom do these angels of Revelation 14 represent? Isaiah 52:7, 8.
“Christ is coming the second time, with power unto salvation. To prepare human beings for this event, He has sent the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These angels represent those who receive the truth, and with power open the gospel to the world.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, pp. 978, 979.
“We are to be as faithful stewards, not only of our means, but of the grace given unto us, that many souls may be brought under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel. The purposes and ends to be attained by consecrated missionaries are very comprehensive. The field for missionary operation is not limited by caste or nationality. The field is the world, and the light of truth is to go to all the dark places of the earth in a much shorter time than many think possible.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 209.
Friday
January 1
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
a. Why do we need to study the prophecies depicting our days?
b. Before the announcement of the judgment, what does the first angel proclaim with a loud voice?
c. How involved are literal angels in earthly things?
d. Those who are called to follow the Lord—who is to instruct them in the truth?
e. What do the three angels of Revelation 14 represent on earth, and what is our responsibility?