LESSON 9- THE FOUNDATION OF GOD’S GOVERNMENT

READ FOR THIS WEEK’S STUDY

Revelation 14:6-12; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Proverbs 28:9; Daniel 7:25.

MEMORY TEXT:

“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).

SABBATH & SUNDAY SEVEN IMPORTANT POINTS

1. The Significance of the Law in the Heavenly Sanctuary
   • Bible Text: Revelation 11:19
   • Explanation: The ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary contains God's law, indicating its sacred and unchanging nature.
2. The Role of the Sabbath in Identifying God as Creator
   • Bible Text: Revelation 14:7
   • Explanation: The Sabbath commandment emphasizes God as the Creator, forming the foundation of true worship, which is especially relevant in the end times.
3. Satan's Aim to Undermine God's Law
   • Bible Text: James 2:10
   • Explanation: Satan seeks to thwart the worship of God by encouraging transgression of His law, knowing that breaking one commandment is akin to breaking all.
4. The Day of Atonement as a Day of Judgment
   • Bible Text: Leviticus 23:29-31
   • Explanation: The Day of Atonement, a solemn day of repentance and judgment, underscores the necessity of atonement and the cleansing from sin through Christ's sacrifice.
5. The Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place
   • Bible Text: Exodus 25:16; Exodus 31:18
   • Explanation: The ark housed the Ten Commandments, highlighting their importance and God's presence through the Shekinah glory above the mercy seat.
6. The Unchanging Character of God's Law
   • Bible Text: Revelation 12:17
   • Explanation: The divine law, as seen in the heavenly sanctuary, is immutable, signifying that God's commandments, including the Sabbath, remain relevant.
7. The Sabbath as a Recurring Reminder of Creation
   • Bible Text: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
   • Explanation: The Sabbath serves as a continual reminder of God's creative power and authority, reinforcing the importance of observing God's commandments.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Why is the Sabbath commandment particularly significant in identifying God as our Creator?
   • Answer: The Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) specifically calls for rest on the seventh day, commemorating God's creation of the world in six days and His rest on the seventh. This weekly observance is a continual reminder of God's creative power and His authority as the Creator, distinguishing Him from false gods and idols.
2. How does the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament relate to the judgment in the heavenly sanctuary?
   • Answer: The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) was a day of judgment and cleansing of sin through the high priest's atonement rituals. In the heavenly sanctuary, Jesus, our High Priest, performs a similar role, offering His blood for the cleansing of sin and final judgment, as depicted in Hebrews 9:24-28.
3. What does Revelation 12:17 reveal about the characteristics of God's end-time people?
   • Answer: Revelation 12:17 describes God's end-time people as those who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." This indicates their faithfulness to God's law, including the Sabbath, and their commitment to the teachings and witness of Jesus.
4. In what ways does Satan attempt to undermine the worship of God through His law?
   • Answer: Satan attempts to undermine God's worship by promoting the transgression of His law (James 2:10), attacking the validity and observance of the commandments, particularly the Sabbath, to distract people from recognizing God as the Creator and adhering to His divine authority.
5. What implications does the unchanging character of God's law have for Christians today?
   • Answer: The unchanging character of God's law (Matthew 5:18) implies that all of God's commandments, including the Sabbath, remain relevant and binding for Christians today. It calls for adherence to the entirety of God's moral law as a reflection of His eternal and holy character, guiding believers in righteous living.

MONDAY

FIVE IMPORTANT POINTS ON THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD’S LAW

1. Christ's Affirmation of the Law
   • Bible Text: Matthew 5:17-18
   • Explanation: Jesus declared that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, emphasizing that not even the smallest letter will disappear from the law until everything is accomplished.
2. The Permanence of God’s Commandments
   • Bible Text: Psalms 111:7-8
   • Explanation: God's commandments are steadfast and done in truth and uprightness; they are established forever and ever.
3. The Whole Duty of Man
   • Bible Text: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
   • Explanation: The conclusion of the matter is to fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man, underscoring the ongoing relevance of God's law.
4. Love and Obedience
   • Bible Text: 1 John 5:3
   • Explanation: Loving God means keeping His commandments, which are not burdensome, indicating the enduring nature of His law in the life of a believer.
5. Prayer and the Law
   • Bible Text: Proverbs 28:9
   • Explanation: Those who turn away from listening to the law, even their prayer is an abomination, highlighting the importance of heeding God's commandments.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. How did Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:17-18 emphasize the continuity of God's law?
   • Answer: Jesus stated that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. This shows that the moral law remains in force, as He underscores that not even the smallest part of the law will disappear until everything is accomplished. His teachings affirmed the law's lasting significance.
2. What does Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 tell us about the relevance of God’s commandments today?
   • Answer: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 teaches that fearing God and keeping His commandments is the whole duty of man. This indicates that God's commandments are not obsolete but are integral to our purpose and relationship with Him, serving as a moral compass for all humanity.
3. Why might people argue that the Ten Commandments are no longer binding, and what is often the underlying reason?
   • Answer: People may argue that the Ten Commandments are no longer binding due to beliefs that they were specific to Old Testament times or were replaced by the New Covenant. The underlying reason often is a desire for autonomy and resistance to moral accountability, preferring to live without the constraints of God's law.

TUESDAY

FIVE IMPORTANT POINTS ON THE SABBATH AND THE LAW

1. The Sabbath as a Memorial of Creation
   • Bible Text: Genesis 2:1-3
   • Explanation: God rested on the seventh day after creating the world, sanctifying and blessing the Sabbath as a perpetual reminder of His creative power and love for humanity.
2. The Sabbath Commandment in the Ten Commandments
   • Bible Text: Exodus 20:8-11
   • Explanation: The fourth commandment calls for remembering the Sabbath day to keep it holy, emphasizing rest and worship, grounded in God's creation work.
3. The Call to Worship the Creator
   • Bible Text: Revelation 14:6-7
   • Explanation: The first angel's message calls for worshiping God as Creator, linking the Sabbath to end-time worship and acknowledging God’s authority over creation.
4. The Sabbath as a Sign of Sanctification
   • Bible Text: Ezekiel 20:12
   • Explanation: The Sabbath is a sign between God and His people, signifying that He sanctifies them, reinforcing the Sabbath's role in our spiritual identity and relationship with God.
5. The Connection Between Creation, Redemption, and the Sabbath
   • Bible Text: Revelation 4:11
   • Explanation: God is worthy of worship because He created all things. The Sabbath, celebrating both creation and redemption, reflects God's ongoing care and redemptive work in our lives.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is the significance of the Sabbath being instituted at Creation, according to Genesis 2:1-3 and Exodus 20:8-11?
   • Answer: The Sabbath was instituted at Creation when God rested on the seventh day, sanctifying it as a day of rest. Exodus 20:8-11 reiterates this, commanding us to remember and keep the Sabbath holy. This underscores its perpetual relevance as a memorial of God's creative power and His provision for rest and worship.
2. How does Revelation 14:6-7 link the Sabbath to the end-time message?
   • Answer: Revelation 14:6-7, part of the three angels' messages, calls humanity to worship God as the Creator, directly linking the Sabbath to the end-time call for true worship. This message emphasizes the importance of the Sabbath as a sign of allegiance to God, contrasting with the false worship promoted by the beast.
3. Why is the Sabbath described as a symbol of redemption and grace rather than legalism?
   • Answer: The Sabbath symbolizes rest in God's finished work of creation and redemption. It is a day to cease from our labors and rest in God's grace and salvation, reflecting our dependence on Him rather than our works for salvation. This stands in contrast to legalism, which focuses on human efforts to earn God's favor. Observing the Sabbath highlights our trust in God's provision and our identity in Him, not our own merits.

Additional Insights

• Creation and Value: Creation underscores our value in God's sight. We are not accidents but intentional creations of a loving God, which the Sabbath continually reminds us.
• Weekly Pause: The Sabbath provides a weekly pause to reconnect with God, receiving His special blessing and reaffirming our dependence on Him.
• Eternal Symbol: The Sabbath is an eternal symbol of rest in God's grace, pointing forward to the restoration of Eden and the new heavens and new earth.

WEDNESDAY

FIVE IMPORTANT POINTS ON THE MARK OF THE BEAST

1. Satan’s Wrath Against God’s People
   • Bible Texts: Revelation 12:12, Revelation 12:17, Revelation 13:7
   • Explanation: These verses reveal Satan's intense anger towards God's end-time people, focusing his wrath on those who keep God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus, making war against them.
2. The Controversy Over Worship
   • Bible Texts: Revelation 13:4, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:15
   • Explanation: A central theme in these verses is worship. They illustrate the conflict between worshiping the Creator and worshiping the beast, highlighting the importance of true worship.
3. The Beast’s Attempt to Change God’s Law
   • Bible Texts: Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:5
   • Explanation: The beast seeks to change God's times and laws, particularly targeting the Sabbath commandment, representing an attack on God's authority and an attempt to establish a counterfeit system of worship.
4. The Mark of the Beast and False Worship
   • Bible Texts: Revelation 14:9-11, Revelation 16:2, Revelation 19:20
   • Explanation: These passages warn against receiving the mark of the beast, which is associated with false worship and allegiance to the beast's authority rather than God's commandments.
5. Faithfulness to God’s Commandments
   • Bible Texts: Revelation 12:17, Revelation 14:12
   • Explanation: God's faithful people are identified as those who keep His commandments, including the Sabbath, and maintain their faith in Jesus, contrasting with those who follow the beast and receive its mark.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Why is Satan so angry with God’s end-time people according to Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 13:7?
   • Answer: Satan is furious with God's end-time people because they keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Their faithfulness represents a direct challenge to his authority and his attempts to lead the world in rebellion against God. This anger fuels his relentless persecution and war against them.
2. What key theme is emphasized in Revelation 13 and Revelation 14 regarding worship?
   • Answer: The key theme emphasized is the contrast between worshiping the Creator and worshiping the beast. Revelation 13 describes the beast's efforts to compel false worship, while Revelation 14 calls for true worship of God as the Creator. This theme highlights the central issue of allegiance and obedience in the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan.
3. How does the attempt to change the Sabbath relate to the mark of the beast as described in Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:5?
   • Answer: The attempt to change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday represents an effort to usurp God's authority, as the Sabbath is a sign of His creative power and sanctification. The mark of the beast is associated with this counterfeit worship, indicating allegiance to the beast's authority rather than God's. Accepting this change is seen as rejecting God's commandments and, consequently, receiving the mark of the beast.

Additional Insights

• Worship and Loyalty: The battle over worship is fundamentally about loyalty to God versus allegiance to false powers. Keeping the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to God's authority and His law.
• End-Time Persecution: The end-time persecution of God's people stems from their refusal to conform to false worship practices, highlighting the importance of standing firm in faith and obedience.
• Eternal Consequences: The decisions regarding worship and allegiance have eternal consequences, as seen in the warnings and judgments described in Revelation 14 and 16.

THURSDAY

FIVE IMPORTANT POINTS ON THE THREE ANGELS’ MESSAGES

1. Call to Worship the Creator
   • Bible Text: Revelation 14:7
   • Explanation: The first angel's message calls for people to fear God, give Him glory, and worship Him as the Creator in light of the impending judgment. This message emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and authority over all creation.
2. The Fall of Babylon
   • Bible Text: Revelation 14:8
   • Explanation: The second angel announces the fall of Babylon, representing a fallen, apostate religious system that promotes false worship. This message highlights the danger of being led astray by false doctrines and the ultimate downfall of systems that oppose God.
3. Warning Against Worshiping the Beast
   • Bible Text: Revelation 14:9-11
   • Explanation: The third angel warns against worshiping the beast and its image, stressing the severe consequences for those who do. This message underscores the importance of loyalty to God and the rejection of false systems of worship.
4. Characteristics of God’s End-Time People
   • Bible Text: Revelation 14:12
   • Explanation: God's end-time people are described as those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. These two characteristics—obedience to God's law and a deep, trusting faith in Jesus—are crucial for standing firm in the final conflict.
5. The Heart of the Controversy: Worship
   • Bible Text: Revelation 14:7, Revelation 14:12
   • Explanation: The central issue in the great controversy between Christ and Satan is worship. The Sabbath, as a sign of allegiance to the Creator, stands in opposition to the worship of the beast, highlighting the critical role of true worship in the end times.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What does Revelation 14:7 teach us about the importance of worshiping God as the Creator?
   • Answer: Revelation 14:7 calls us to worship God as the Creator in light of the judgment. This highlights the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and creative power. Worshiping God as Creator reinforces our acknowledgment of His authority and our relationship with Him, contrasting with the false worship promoted by the beast.
2. How does the message of the second angel in Revelation 14:8 relate to the concept of false worship?
   • Answer: The second angel's message in Revelation 14:8 announces the fall of Babylon, symbolizing a system of false worship and apostasy. This message warns against being deceived by false religious systems that lead people away from true worship of God. It emphasizes the consequences of aligning with these systems and the ultimate triumph of God's truth.
3. Why are the characteristics of God’s end-time people in Revelation 14:12—keeping the commandments and having the faith of Jesus—important for facing the final crisis?
   • Answer: The characteristics of keeping the commandments and having the faith of Jesus are vital for facing the final crisis because they represent complete loyalty and trust in God. Obedience to God's commandments, including the Sabbath, signifies allegiance to His authority, while the faith of Jesus provides the strength and perseverance needed to endure persecution and trials. Together, they equip God's people to remain steadfast in their faith during the end times.

FRIDAY

Further Thought

“Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing that in so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath; and there are now true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion, who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment. God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him. But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshiping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome—‘the mark of the beast.’ And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive ‘the mark of the beast.’ ”—The Great Controversy, p. 449.

Ellen G. White emphasizes the importance of adhering to the teachings of Scripture over popular opinion or the traditions of men. She points out that true Christians, regardless of their current understanding of the Sabbath, are sincere in their worship. However, when Sunday observance is enforced by law, those who continue to observe it will be aligning themselves with the authority of Rome rather than God's commandments, thus receiving the "mark of the beast" only when they have clear knowledge of the true Sabbath.

Discussion Questions and Answers

1. Why must we always be vigilant so that last-day events don’t catch us unprepared?
   • Answer: The rapid and dramatic changes in the world can easily catch us off guard if we are not spiritually vigilant. Jesus warned in Matthew 24:42-44 to "keep watch" because we do not know the hour of His coming. Being spiritually prepared involves staying close to God, studying His Word, and living a life of faith and obedience, so we are not deceived or led astray in the final days.
2. How does an understanding of the judgment and the law of God harmonize with the fact that we are saved by grace alone?
   • Answer: Understanding the judgment and God's law helps us recognize our need for a Savior. Romans 3:20 says that through the law we become conscious of sin. However, Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. The law points out our sins and leads us to Christ, who offers forgiveness and salvation by grace. This grace then empowers us to live obedient lives in harmony with God's commandments (John 14:15).
3. What are ways you can witness to those who don’t grasp the significance of the true Sabbath and sincerely keep Sunday, the first day of the week?
   • Answer: Witnessing to those who keep Sunday can be done through loving dialogue and biblical teaching. Share the biblical foundation of the Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11), and discuss the historical shift from Sabbath to Sunday worship. Highlight the blessings of Sabbath observance and how it deepens our relationship with God. Always approach the conversation with respect, understanding, and a willingness to listen.
4. What dangers lie in the union of church and state powers?
   • Answer: The union of church and state powers poses significant dangers, such as the loss of religious freedom and the imposition of religious practices by law. Revelation 13:15-17 describes how religious and political powers will unite to enforce the worship of the beast, leading to persecution of those who refuse. As Christians, we are to respect government authority (Romans 13:1-7) but also recognize the supremacy of God's commandments and the importance of religious liberty.
5. How are we to relate to the government as Christians?
   • Answer: Christians are called to respect and obey governmental authorities as long as their laws do not conflict with God's commandments (Romans 13:1-7). Acts 5:29 provides guidance when there is a conflict: "We must obey God rather than human beings." We should be good citizens, pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and stand for truth and justice, always prioritizing our allegiance to God above all else.