Study Guide Prepared by: John McVay

Key Texts: Acts 18-20; Eph 1:1, 2; 6:21-24

Key Questions

Which of the events, listed below, provides the most help in understanding the setting of Ephesians? Why?

One modern commentator writes, “‘Pound for pound’ Ephesians may be the most influential document ever written.”Klyne Snodgrass, Ephesians, NIVAC (Zondervan, 1996), 37. Why do you think Ephesians has been so impactful?

An Adventist author of yesteryear compared studying Ephesians to a mountain climber who “suddenly comes out at a place where bursts upon his vision a grand and enrapturing scene in every direction, filling his soul with wonder ...

Opening Question

What prophecy of the Bible do you most look forward to seeing fulfilled and why?

Introduction

This week, we wrap up our study of the three angels’ messages. We will consider the goal that awaits God’s redeemed, those who are faithful and keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus.

Revelation 21-22

Read Revelation 21-22. Consider what awaits you as you struggle through this life. Then answer the following questions as we conclude our overall study of Revelation 14:6-13.

In light of the challenges God’s people go through on earth, would you say that Revelation 21-22 make up for it? Is the ...

Opening Question

In what ways would someone know you are a Christian if you never told them?

Introduction

The lesson today should have taken more time to speak about the Seal of God, and instead spent a bit of time on Christian history; helpful history, but not directly in the text of the Bible. We’ll ask more questions about Revelation 7 and the sealed saints today.

Revelation 7

When we read Revelation 7, we see angels holding back the four winds of heaven waiting for God’s saints to be sealed. They are said to receive God’s seal on their foreheads only, as opposed to ...

Opening Question

What is the Mark of the Beast in Revelation?

Introduction

Our lesson today begins to address the 3rd angel’s message. This is a sobering note, and requires us to recount the context again. In Revelation 13, the land-beast compels people to worship an image (of the sea-beast) just as Daniel’s friends in Dan. 3. Anyone who refuses to worship the beast will receive God’s seal and favor, but face death from human forces. Anyone who does worship the beast will live temporarily and be marked, but must turn their backs on God. It is into this world-wide dilemma that the ...

Opening Question

Can you recall a time someone lied to you or led you astray? How did it make you feel?

Introduction

Today’s lesson is less from an exegesis (study drawing meaning from the text) of the three angels’ messages and more about a theme from Ellen White’s book Great Controversy. It deals with two main issues: the role that Sunday plays in the Christian religious world today, and the role of spiritualism in the last days and the ability of the forces of evil to play on misconceptions about life and death. This is not to say these are not Biblical ...

Opening Question

Do you believe that ancient Babylon will be rebuilt?

Introduction

We now move to the 2nd Angel’s message. Although the city of Babylon has not been mentioned yet in the apocalypse, at our very first glimpse we learn that it fell. In the Old Testament, Babylon was a city rebuilt at Shinar, the location of the ancient city of Babel. (compare Genesis 10:10 and 11:2 with Daniel 1:2). Babylon was, according to the prophets, a tool in the hand of God to punish His people for their sin and disobedience. But they went too far, and failed to give Yahweh ...

Opening Question

Why does it seem so hard to find time for real rest these days?

Introduction

The lesson this week links the judgment with human accountability for right actions, and then ties in the commandments of God and the Sabbath particularly. The theme appears to be obedience through actions, but little is said about the source of the power to live out the law. Phrases like “make decisions in light of eternity,” “adherence to the seventh-day Sabbath,” “faithfulness” and “obedient lives” suggests we pass through the judgment by simply knowing the right thing, and then doing it. Because the lesson shows ...

Opening Question

With so many scientific claims made about life on earth evolving through millions of years, can Christians still believe in God as a creator?

Introduction

The final phrase of the 1st angel’s message is another imperative, and this time it urges people to worship. Many secular humanists have said that God is narcissistic because He commands people worship Him or die. But here in Revelation 14, it is an angel giving this message, and the context is vitally important. We must remember that there are conflicting objects of worship, of allegiance, of homage, or service. Revelation 13 pictured a Christ-like ...

Opening Question

What are some of the most important turning points in the history of this world?

Introduction

This lesson jumps back to Daniel 8 and 9, and relates the time-prophecies there to the three angels’ messages. The links between the two chapters are abundant, and there is no question that although the vision of Daniel 8 and the visit of the angel in Daniel 9 may be separated by some time, they are literarily and thematically bound. The real shame in the lesson is that it doesn’t return to Daniel 2 and 7 also to build a stronger historicist foundation. In ...

Opening Question

When have you ever questioned whether God was who you hoped He was?

Introduction

This week’s lesson studies the next phrase of the 1st Angel’s message: because the hour of His judgment came. Many people fear judgment, and that is only natural if they know that the judge who condemns or acquits is using a law which they’ve broken. But judgment need not be negative. Many people cry out for justice under the law, they want their case heard, especially when the prosecutor is being unfair with the evidence and the defendant is innocent. The judgment is then the best ...