WHEN THE END IS A NEW BEGINNING

Is the second coming of Jesus just a happy ending? Or could it be what my father would always say to our family: this is not the ending but the beginning?

This is the end of our look at God’s love for us and his plan (his mission) to bridge the gap between us and him. But, though it’s the end of this lesson, let it be a new beginning for you.

God’s mission is to bring us back into a loving relationship with him. He wants us to become His disciples and members of his family.

Thus, He calls for us to respond to His love.

But our relationship with Him does not end with His call, for his call requires action from the one being called.

He calls for us today to be light in the darkness until the end of this earth’s history and our new beginning in our heavenly home when Christ returns. How can this lesson be not an ending but a new beginning for you?

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Sabbath School Daily by Dr. Brenda Ware Davis

Let Us Inviting God’s Presence:

Father, we are looking forward to that ultimate happy ending when Jesus returns; greater still is our anticipation of that new beginning in which we will live eternally with you. Grant us this promised reward, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God’s Mission, My Mission

(Lesson 13)

Part 1: The End of God’s Mission

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God . . . ?” (2 Peter 3:11, 12 NKJV).

The book of Revelation allows us to see the future. The central focus of this book is the cosmic battle between Christ and Satan.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross when he died and rose again, Satan has lost his legal hold over the earth. Because he has lost his power to control the earth, his pursuit becomes the people who remain loyal to God.

The highlight of the book is Jesus’ return to deliver His people, both the righteous living and the righteous dead. The righteous dead are the faithful ones who have died since the fall of Adam and Eve.

The book of Revelation also reveals that God will destroy Satan, his evil angels, and all the wicked by fire.

This is the point that Peter makes in 2 Peter 3:11 and 12:

11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?  (2 Peter 3:11, 12)

Then, there will be a new beginning in which Jesus will establish His everlasting kingdom on the newly recreated earth.

Many Bible scholars diligently study the Book of Revelation with the intent of identifying the predicted signs and events that mark church history from the first century A.D. down to our day to the end of time. And this is a good thing.

However, in this final lesson, we will look at Revelation from the perspective that is more than a book about what will happen in the end times.

The book of Revelation is about a God who wants to save humanity and He calls us to help in completing His mission. God commands His church to announce the Messages of the Three Angels found in Revelation 14:6-12. These messages are present the truth. Present truth is the truth appropriate for the times. It is the truth that will exist up until everyone has made the choice for or against God. It is the last message of mercy to a dying world. What role will the people of God play in the Last Days of Earth History? Read Revelation 1:1-7)

Then, continue to the next segment of this video.

Part 2: Revelation: God’s Last-Day Mission

God’s Mission, My Mission

(Lesson 13)

The End of God’s Mission

Part 2: Revelation: God’s Last-Day Mission

The opening verses of the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:1–7) let us know that its focus is on God’s mission.

These seven verses let us know that Revelation is about God’s mission to humanity in the last days of Earth’s history.

The first verses of the book of Revelation show us that Jesus is the reason for God’s saving mercy. In Revelation 1:4, 5, we read about all three Members in the Godhead: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Together, They work to save humans. The Father is the everlasting One “who is, who always was, and who is coming” (Revelation 1:4, ERV).

Revelation 1:4-5

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Next, the Holy Spirit is named. Then John tells us about Jesus.

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, (Revelation 1:5,). John now tells us that Jesus is the legal owner of planet Earth. Satan tried to set up his kingdom on this earth. His plan failed. John also tells us that Jesus’ blood makes us clean from guilt and shame.

Read Revelation 1:6 and 1 Peter 2:9. In these verses, what do the names for the saved mean?

Revelation 1:6

6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6)

I Peter 2:9

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (I Peter 2:9)

God’s saving plan includes more than forgiveness and saving us from sin. God wants to make us new people, with new hearts and lives. God wants to live in our hearts. Then we will be holy as He is holy. God’s saved people will become kings. Jesus spilled His blood for us. His blood makes us part of God’s family. Because we are part of God’s family, we are now the children of the King who controls everything in heaven and on earth. As royal family members, we join the Royal Family in heaven in Their work to save people on this planet.

In Revelation 1:7, we learn Jesus will come soon.

Revelation 1:7

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

The people on earth will cry when they learn, too late, that they are lost. God wants to save them before it’s too late. So, the book of Revelation opens with God’s saving plan.

God made us and saved us. Why does this Bible truth give you hope?

Read Revelation 14:6-12

And Continue to the next segment of this video, Part 3: The Three Angel’s Messages and Mission

God’s Mission, My Mission

(Lesson 13)

Esther and Mordecai

Part 3: The Three Angels’ Messages and Mission

The book of Revelation shows us the worldwide war between God and Satan. Revelation 12:12 shows us this Bible truth in a powerful way. John hears a loud voice announce from heaven: ‘Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time’ ” (NKJV). It’s hard to imagine how anyone can understand anything in Scripture apart from the great controversy motif, which will climax in the last days. (Revelation 12:12,).

Read Revelation 14:6–12. What part do these verses have in our work as a church? How are they connected with the Good News about Jesus?

The most important part of God’s work is the Good News about Jesus. The message is the work. Everyone on earth needs to hear this message. They need to be warned about what is going to happen. Every person on earth who hears these messages will need to make a final choice: a choice for life or for death.

Jesus said, “ ‘He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters’ ” (Luke 11:23). What does Jesus mean? What is the connection between this Bible truth and our church’s work?

God gave the Seventh-day Adventist Church important work. We must announce the Three Angels’ Messages in Revelation 14 to everyone on earth. We must invite people to accept the Good News about Jesus (Revelation 14:6) and to worship God because He made us Revelation 14:6

6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—. (Revelation 14:6)

Everyone will see that God’s end-time people do both things: they live the Good News and they worship God. God’s end-time people will be very patient. They will obey all of His commandments. They will have the faith of Jesus Revelation 14:12

12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12, KJV).

In all the work we do for God, we always must remember that we must warn the people on this earth about end-time happenings. We must give them the Three Angels’ Messages. We must announce the hope that is in the Good News that continues forever.

 

23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. (Luke 11:23). Read Jesus’ words and look into your heart. Ask yourself, where am I with God? Am I with Him?

Watch my upcoming video, Part 4: The Final Crisis

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