Jana Wagner, Author at Steps to Life

Lesson 23 – God’s Final Generation

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: Today we study a prophecy found in Revelation 10. In this prophecy God describes how He would “generate” His final movement to warn the world and to prepare a people for Christ’s second coming, which is described in the next chapter.

1. What did the mighty angel of Revelation 10 have in His hand? Rev. 10:1, 2 [The Further-study verse is Rev. 4:3.]

2. What little book of the Bible had been closed until the “time of the end”? Dan. 12:4 [Note: Daniel is the only Bible book that had been closed and was thus to be opened in the last days. Dan. 12:9]

3. What message did the angel proclaim from the book of Daniel after it was opened? Rev. 10:5-7 [Note: The KJV translates verse 6 literally and correctly as, “time (‘chronos’) no longer.” Dan. 2:44; 7:9, 10, 26, 27; 8:14]

4. This prophecy foretells the rise of a people to whom God would speak by opening up the meaning of the prophecies of Daniel. These people believed Jesus was coming soon, at a time revealed in the book of Daniel. Thus there would be “time no longer.” As they received (or ate) the message, how did it taste? Rev. 10:8, 9 [Ps. 119:103]

5. Though the prophecies of Jesus’ coming, in the book of Daniel, were sweet to contemplate, they were not fully understood. When time did not end the way the people expected it to with Jesus’ second coming, how did those who had received the message of Daniel feel? Rev. 10:10 [Note: This was fulfilled in the Advent Movement headed by William Miller, who, in 1831, began a great revival by preaching Daniel’s message about the cleansing of the sanctuary, which he expected to take place around 1844. Eventually he settled on October 22, 1844 as the exact date. This was the correct date that foretold the beginning of the judgment in the heavenly sanctuary (See Lesson 19). God permitted them to misunderstand the word “sanctuary” to mean the earth, instead of the real sanctuary in heaven where the judgment must take place and Christ receive His kingdom before He returns. Thus, when the judgment hour arrived, they were expecting Jesus to come, and they were bitterly disappointed. Rev. 19:6-9; Luke 12:36 (This wedding is the judgment, not the second coming, for we are to WAIT until “He will return FROM the wedding.”)]

6. After October 22, 1844, there was “[prophetic] time no longer”– Jesus could now come as soon as His final movement finished work–but the Adventists joyfully thought there would be “[literal] time no longer.” Why were they “bitterly” disappointed? Rev. 10:11 [Note: The KJV says, “Thou must prophesy (i. e., teach the prophecies) again before many peoples.” Their work was not yet finished as they had hoped. Matt. 24:14]

7. Who else had been bitterly disappointed because they had misunderstood the prophecies, and had expected Jesus to set up His earthly kingdom? Luke 24:17-21 [Luke 19:35-40]

8. The disciples had the right time but misunderstood what was to happen and were scoffed at; but did either the scoffing or their misunderstanding prove the prophecy wrong? 1 Cor. 1:18, 23, 24 [Rom. 1:16]

9. To help generate and establish His final, Advent Movement, Jesus promised to give certain signs that would immediately follow the tribulation period. What were they? Matt. 24:29, 30 [Note: The tribulation of prophecy is that period of persecution that existed during the 1260 years of Papal dominion (See Dan. 7:25, Rev. 6:9-13, and Lesson 15). Toward the end of this period, just after persecution ceased, came the historic “Dark Day” on May 19, 1780. Next came the greatest star (or meteorite) shower of history on November 13, 1833, just two years after Miller began preaching. Many, at the time, recognized these signs as fulfilling Christ’s prophecy, and it gave great impetus to the Advent Movement. Rev. 6:9-14; Joel 2:31; Luke 21:25-33]

10. The Greek word for “generation” (genea) “literally [means] those descended from a common ancestor” (Anedt and Gingrich’s Lexicon, but it may mean the lifetime of a person, movement, or nation. It is the generation of God’s final movement, or church, that concerns prophecy. How long would “this” generation that God began at the time of these heavenly signs, last? Matt. 24:32-34 [Ps. 22:30, 31 KJV]

11. Was this a conditional prophecy? Matt. 24:35 [Note: Some prophecies are conditional–i.e., “If you do this, this will happen….” Others, as this one, are unconditional. Jer. 18:7-10; Jonah 3:10; Gen. 41:32; Dan. 2:45]

Commitment: The Advent Movement of Revelation 10, which proclaimed the special messages of Daniel and Revelation, became the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is God’s final generation that will not pass away until Jesus comes. Would you like to become a part of this, God’s final movement, that is preparing for Jesus’ second coming?

STEP 3 (Lessons 21-30): Becoming Part of Christ’s Remnant People

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson 22 – God’s People Identified

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: Throughout history God has had a special people with a special message. In this lesson we will discover who are God’s special people in this age.

1. Who did God say would be His people? Eze. 34:30, 31 [Isa. 51:16 “Zion” was the hill on which Jerusalem was built and is used often as a symbol to refer to the descendants of Israel. Isa. 10:24; 37:22; Micah 4:8]

2. What was the sign that a person gave to become part of the House of Israel? (or part of God’s people) Genesis 17:9-14 [Exodus 12:48 Note: It is important to understand that becoming part of the house of Israel was available not only to the blood descendants of Abraham but to all peoples and nations who were willing to come under the covenant relationship as Exodus 12:48 says.]

3. What did this sign represent? Deuteronomy 30:6 [Jeremiah 4:4]

4. What New covenant sign replaced the old covenant sign of circumcision and makes us a part of Israel? Gal. 3:26-29 [Col. 2:11, 12]

5. We belong to Christ by baptism and are Abraham’s seed or part of Israel when we are baptized, so how is Spiritual or the professed Israel of today organized today? Gal. 1:2; 3:7; 6:16 [Ans: into churches Eph. 2:18-22]

6. What happened to those of Israel who rejected Jesus as the Messiah? Matt. 21:43 [Matt. 23:37, 38]

7. Does God always have a people, a true and faithful remnant of Israel even in times of apostasy? Rom. 9:27 [Rom. 11:5; Luke 12:32]

8. What symbol does God use to represent Israel (or Zion) in prophecy? Jer. 6:2 [Eph. 5:23; Rev. 19:7]

9. What are the two identifying marks of God’s people in the last days (symbolized by a woman, His last or remnant people today)? Rev. 12:17

10. What is the testimony of Jesus? Rev. 19:10 [Rev. 22:9, 16 Note: The two texts in question eight and nine shoe that God’s people in the last days will be a Sabbath-keeping people and will have the gift of prophecy in their midst.]

11. How do we know that God’s professed people in the last days will be a worldwide fellowship or church? Rev. 14:6, 7 [Matt. 24:14]

12. How do we know that God’s professed people in the lasts days will be a Christian people? Rev. 14:12 [Rev. 22:16, 17; Ans. Because they not only keep God’s commandments but have the faith of Jesus.]

13. Just as the Jews were the professed people of God in the time of Christ (although they were in an apostate condition) who are the professed people of God today who meet the above criteria? [Ans. The professed people of God today who meet all the above criteria are the Seventh-day Adventists around the world because they (1) are professed Christians (2) profess to keep all the commandments including the fourth or Sabbath commandment and (3) are worldwide (4) and have the gift of prophecy in their midst. Note: In 1844 God gave to this church the promised gift of prophecy through Ellen G. White. After two men, one after the other, refused to be God’s messenger, He chose this 17-year old woman. She continued her inspired, prophetic ministry until she died in 1915. (See the book Prophet of the End.)]

14. What other women did God call to be His prophets? Luke 2:36; Judges 4:4 [Ex. 15:20; Isa. 8:3; 2 Kings 22:14; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 21:9]

15. Just as the Jews were in a state of apostasy and most lost their souls in the time of Christ what does Ellen G. White predict will happen to professed Seventh-day Adventists in the last years of earth’s history? [Ans. “In His Word the Lord declared what He would do for Israel if they would obey His voice. But the leaders of the people yielded to the temptations of Satan, and God could not give them the blessings He designed them to have, because they did not obey His voice but listened to the voice and policy of Lucifer. This experience will be repeated in the last years of the history of the people of God, who have been established by His grace and power. Men whom He has greatly honored will in the closing scenes of this earth’s history pattern after ancient Israel.” (13MR, 379) “The word of God plainly tells us that few will be saved, and that the greater number of those, even, who are called will prove themselves unworthy of everlasting life. They will have no part in heaven, but will have their portion with Satan, and experience the second death.” (2T 293, 294)]

16. How can I avoid a bitter disappointment when Jesus comes and be part of His true and faithful remnant people who are prepared and ready to meet Him? Rev. 19:7, 8 [Rev. 14:12; James 1:22. Ans: “He (God) draws the dividing line between those who bear his name by profession, and those whose character shows them to be his children.” Ellen G. White in ST, June 30, 1881.]

17. If I make a complete commitment of myself to God and surrender myself totally to Him, will He see to it that I am able to, by His grace to develop such a character? Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23, 24 [Mark 9:23, 24; 1 Cor. 10:12, 13]

Commitment: As responsible human beings in search of salvation, we must find the predicted remnant people of God in the last days and the reformation messenger God promised to send before His second coming. In Jesus day, because of the apostasy among God’s people, Jesus’ disciples had to be organized separately from the Jewish organization. In the same way because of apostasy from the commandments of God and the instruction of His reformation prophet, it has become necessary for the remnant to be organized separately from God’s chosen people of today in many places. If there is not a congregation of true and faithful remnant meeting the specifications of Revelation 12:17 and 19:10 in your area, you can still be part of the worldwide movement which is coming into harmony with every Word of God.

STEP 3 (Lessons 21-30): Becoming Part of Christ’s Remnant People

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson 21 – Elijah Returns

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: We are now beginning our third step to eternal life-finding and joining God’s true church, the body of Christ (Col. 1:24). Let us begin by studying a fascinating prophecy about how Elijah is going to return to earth!

1. By what name did Jesus refer to John the Baptist? Matt. 11:13-15 [The Further-study verses are Mal. 3:1; Matt. 17:11-13]

2. Was John the Baptist really Elijah? John 1:19-21 [1 Cor. 15:45]

3. If John the Baptist was not really Elijah, why was he given that title? Luke 1:17 [Matt. 3:1-3]

4. Does the work of some messengers from the Lord include more than the word “prophet” signifies? Luke 7:26-28 [1 Cor. 12:28]

5. Elijah, like John the Baptist, did not write a book of the Bible. He was a “reformation” prophet, sent to bring the people back to the true worship of God. What was Elijah’s message? 1 Kings 18:21 [Isa. 58:1]

6. What had Israel forsaken that demanded a reformation? 1 Kings 18:18 [Neh. 9:13-16; 13:17, 18; Dan. 9:10, 11]

7. With the Christian world trampling on God’s Sabbath and forsaking His commandments, as Israel was doing in Elijah’s day, will God again send another trumpet like message calling upon people to choose between God and the Beast, as Elijah called Israel to choose between God and Baal? Rev. 14:6-12 [Rev. 18:1-5]

8. Will God send another “Elijah-prophet” to go along with this “Elijah” message of Revelation 14? Mal. 4:5 [Note: Though John the Baptist partially fulfilled this prophecy, the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” is specifically Jesus’ second coming, and finds its major fulfillment then. Another messenger of the Lord will come to do two things: (1) To prepare God’s people to give His final message to the world, and (2) to help them be ready for His second coming, as John the Baptist prepared a people for Jesus’ first coming. Rev. 6:17]

9. How long has God promised to continue sending prophets to His people? Eph. 4:11-13 [Note: We have not yet come to “the fullness of Christ.” That is yet in the future (1 John 3:2; Rev. 3:21; 14:1, 12; 19:7, 8; 22:11, 12; 2 Peter 3:14). John 16:12, 13]

10. Jesus warned against false prophets, but did He say there would be no more prophets of any kind? Matt. 7:15-17, 20 [Note: Why would Jesus tell us to test the prophets, instead of reject them, if there were not to be any more true prophets? 1 John 4:1]

11. What test does the Bible give to help us differentiate between true and false prophets? Isa. 8:20 [Heb. 13:8; James 1:17; Mal. 3:6]

12. While the Bible warns against accepting false prophets, it also warns against rejecting true prophets. What warning does Paul give about quenching the Spirit? 1 Thess. 5:19-21 [Note: After testing a prophet we are to hold fast to the good (for Satan always tries to discredit God’s messengers and cause us to lose faith in them). Let us not sin against, and quench, the Holy Spirit by despising prophecies. 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Chron. 20:20; Matt. 10:40, 41]

13. Though but few accepted them, God sent reformation prophets to prepare a people for the flood, to save the northern kingdom of Israel, and to prepare for Jesus’ first coming. He has promised to do so again before Jesus’ second coming. God’s unchanging truth is revealed in the Bible, but He loves us too much to leave anything undone to save us, and so He has promised to again communicate with us directly. What has God promised not to do? Amos 3:7 [Hosea 12:13]

14. How does God reveal His secrets to His prophets? Num. 12:6 [2 Peter 1:21; Gen. 46:2; Num. 24:15, 16; Isa. 1:1; Eze. 1:1; Dan. 10:7-9; Hosea 12:10; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 16:9, 10; 18:9; Rev. 9:17]

15. Who only will recognize Jesus’ voice when He speaks through someone He has called to be His messenger? John 10:27 [John 7:17; 8:31, 32; 14:16-18]

Commitment: Will you determine, by God’s help, to walk so close to Jesus that you will be able to recognize, and be willing to accept, the voice of a messenger from Him-even a prophetic messenger?

STEP 3 (Lessons 21-30): Becoming Part of Christ’s Remnant People

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson 20 – The Thousand-year Reign of the Saved

June 24, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: This lesson is about a prophecy that describes a time when the saved will reign with Christ. Here we will learn the answers to such questions as, “Where will the redeemed live, in heaven or on earth?” and, “Where will hell be located?”

1. How long will the saved reign with Christ? Rev. 20:4 [The Further-study verses are 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3]

2. When does the thousand years begin? Rev. 20:6 [Ans: At the first resurrection. Dan. 7:26, 27 (In this verse the reign of the redeemed begins when the “little-horn” Beast power is destroyed, for that coincides with the resurrection); Matt. 19:28]

3. Thus the resurrection marks the beginning of the thousand years. When does this resurrection take place? 1 Thess. 4:15-17 [Ans: At Jesus’ second coming. 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; John 6:54; 11:24; Matt. 24:30, 31]

4. Where will the righteous be taken at Jesus’ second coming in order to reign with Him for a thousand years? John 14:2, 3 [Ans: They will be taken to heaven, where Jesus is. Acts 1:11; Eph. 6:9; Heb. 9:24; Col. 1:5]

5. What will happen to the wicked when Christ returns? 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2:8 [Rev. 14:14-20]

6. If the righteous are taken to heaven at Jesus’ second coming, and all the wicked are destroyed, who will be left to bury them? Jer. 25:33 [Rev. 19:21]

7. Revelation pictures a dreadful earthquake mingled with fire at Jesus’ second coming. What will the earth be like during the thousand years while the righteous are reigning with Jesus in heaven? Jer. 4:23-26 [Rev. 16:18-21; Gen. 1:1, 2]

8. Where will the Devil be during the thousand years? Rev. 20:1-3 [Note: The expression “bottomless pit” comes from “abussos,” the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “tehom” (“deep” or “abyss”) in Genesis 1:2, which describes this earth in a condition of chaos. Jeremiah 4:23 says that this earth will again be “without form, and void,” as in Genesis 1:2. Thus Satan will be chained to this desolate and empty earth. Job 1:6, 7 (This verse tells of the time Satan could still go back to heaven, along with the sons of God [from other planets], to represent earth. But during the thousand years he will be isolated upon dark, cold, sunless, uninhabited earth. It will indeed be like a bottomless pit!)]

9. What will come down from heaven to earth at the close of the thousand years? Rev. 21:2, 10 [Rev. 3:12; Ps. 37:9-11; Matt. 5:5; Zech. 14:4, 9]

10. Will the “rest of the dead” (the wicked who were not resurrected, along with those who were slain at Jesus’ second coming) ever live again? Rev. 20:5 [John 5:28, 29]

11. Satan is bound to this planet during the thousand years with no one to tempt, for the righteous are in heaven and the wicked are dead. But after the thousand years, when the wicked are raised, what will Satan do? Rev. 20:7, 8 [Eze. 38:18-23]

12. What will happen to the wicked at this time? Rev. 20:9a, 11-13 [Note: The judgment of the righteous takes place before the second coming, but the records of the wicked are reviewed by the saved during the thousand years–Jesus allows them to reign with Him on His judgment seat. After the thousand years, the wicked receive their final sentence, as written in the books. 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; 1 Peter 4:17; Joel 3:12-17]

13. The sentence is death. What is this death called? Rev. 20:9b, 10, 14, 15 [Ans: The “second death.” The “first death” is an unconscious sleep prior to the resurrection, but the second death is annihilation in the lake of fire. Rev. 20:6; Eze. 28:9; 39:6; Ps. 37:10; Obadiah 1:16]

14. This earth, after the thousand years, will become the eternal home of the saved (Matt. 5:5; Ps. 37:9). What will it be like? Isa. 65:17, 21-25 [Rev. 21:1-4]

Commitment: Where will you spend the thousand years? If we will take up our cross and follow Jesus today (Matt. 16:24), we will reign with Him then (Rev. 3:21), as He has promised. Will you choose to follow Jesus all the way, whatever the cost?

STEP 2 (Lessons 11-20): Accepting Christ’s Final Message

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson 19 – When Will the Judgment Begin?

June 24, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: In Lessons 11 and 12 we learned that Jesus is involved in a work of investigative judgment in the heavenly sanctuary that must precede His second coming. In this lesson we will learn when that judgment began.

1. When Jesus comes, will the results of the judgment, showing who is saved or lost, be already known or will it remain to be decided? Rev. 22:12 [The Further-study verse is Matt. 16:27.]

2. Has God foretold a specific day for His second coming? Matt. 24:33, 36 [Matt. 24:42-44]

3. Has God appointed a specific day for the judgment to begin? Acts 17:31 [Amos 3:7]

4. Will God’s people know and proclaim this set time? Rev. 14:6, 7 [Acts 24:25]

5. In Daniel 7:2-8, God revealed the successive rise and fall of earthly powers from ancient Babylon through the Papal power of the middle ages (the “little horn”), which came to an end in 1798. (See Lessons 7 and 15.) What did Daniel see happening in heaven sometime after this? Dan. 7:9, 10 [Rev. 5:8-11]

6. As Daniel’s prophecies each expand on the one before, the next prophecy gives the exact date for this judgment to begin. We noted in Lesson 12 that God’s throne, before which the judgment is held, is in the sanctuary in heaven. Another term for this judgment in the sanctuary is the “cleansing of the sanctuary.” This expression is used because the record of sins for those who pass the judgment will be cleansed and blotted out of the books of record (Lev. 16:16, 30, 34; Heb. 9:7-12, 23, 24; 10:16, 17; Isa. 43:25; Acts 3:19 KJV), while the names of those who do not pass the judgment will be blotted out of the book of life (Ex. 32:33; Rev. 3:5; Lev. 23:28-31). When does the Bible say that this “cleansing of the sanctuary” would begin? Dan. 8:14 [Ans: After 2300 prophetic days, or literal years. Remember, a day in prophecy equals one year. Eze. 4:6; Num. 14:34; Rev. 11:15-19]

7. The angel Gabriel explained to Daniel the whole vision of Daniel 8, except the last part, the starting date for the 2300 years (possibly because Daniel fainted). Did Gabriel come back to finish the explanation? Dan. 9:21-23

8. In explaining “the vision” of the 2300 years, Gabriel said that 490 years of it (70 weeks) were “determined” for certain purposes. (The word “determined” is from the Hebrew “chathak,” which literally means to “cut off.”) For whom were these first 490 years cut off? Dan. 9:24 [Ans: The Jewish nation. Matt. 21:43; Eph. 2:11-14]

9. In Lesson 9 we learned that this 490 year period lasted from 457 B.C. to 34 A.D. Four hundred and ninety years cut off from 2300 leaves 1810 years from 34 A.D. until the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the beginning of the judgment. What year would that be? [Ans: 34 A.D. plus 1810 years comes out to 1844 A.D.]

10. As the Passover in the spring (Jewish first month) symbolically pointed forward to Jesus’ crucifixion, what ceremony in the autumn (Jewish seventh month) symbolically pointed forward to the cleansing of the sanctuary? Lev. 16:29-34 [Note: As Jesus died on the very day of the Passover in 31 A.D., so the judgment must have begun on the Day of Atonement in 1844, which was on October 22. Lev. 23:26-32]

11. In light of the fact that the judgment has already begun, how should we live? Ecc. 12:13, 14 [1 John 2:3-6; 3:1-8]

12. Who has promised to be our advocate in this judgment? 1 John 2:1, 2 [Micah 7:9; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25]

13. If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior by allowing Him to forgive our past sins and to write His law in our hearts, what attitude can we have toward the judgment? 1 John 2:28 [Ans: One of confidence. Heb. 10:19-23]

14. After the judgment is finished, what decree will God issue? Rev. 22:11, 12 [Note: As the door of the ark was closed seven days before the flood began, so probation will close shortly before Jesus comes. Matt. 24:37-41]

Commitment: God could have finished this judgment, which He began on October 22, 1844, long ere this, but He delays, for He is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Yet He will not wait forever. God has already given us longer to repent than He gave the people of Noah’s day. Will you choose today, while probation lingers, to let Jesus be your advocate in the judgment by making Him the Lord of your life?

STEP 2 (Lessons 11-20): Accepting Christ’s Final Message

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson 18 – Would God Burn Sinners Forever?

June 24, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: In the last lesson we learned that the dead sleep in their graves until Jesus resurrects them. When the righteous are resurrected they will go to heaven, and when the wicked are resurrected they will go to the lake of “everlasting fire.” Yet, how could a God of LOVE torture sinners forever? It seems inconsistent with His character! In this lesson, as we compare “Scripture with Scripture,” letting the Bible explain itself, we will find the truth of this matter, and you will understand the love of God as never before.

1. How does the Bible describe God? 1 John 4:7, 8 [The Further-study verse is Eze. 33:11.]

2. Will God’s love excuse those who neglect or refuse to let Jesus take away their guilt? Num. 14:18 [Note: God does not hold the children accountable for their parents’ sins (Eze. 18:20), but the results of sin are often passed on. God will forgive the sins of the penitent, but He will not excuse sin in those who try to justify themselves. Ex. 34:6, 7; Luke 12:47, 48; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7]

3. When and how will the wicked be punished for their deeds? Matt. 25:31, 41, 46 [John 5:28, 29; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12]

4. Thus the wicked will be cast into hell after the judgment of the last days. Some people, not comparing Scripture with Scripture, misinterpret 1 Peter 3:18-20 that says that Jesus was “put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient . . . in the days of Noah.” What is a “soul in prison”? Isa. 42:6, 7 [Luke 4:18; John 8:34, 36; Isa. 61:1]

5. When did Jesus preach with the power of the Spirit to the souls who were prisoners of sin in Noah’s day? Gen. 6:3 [Rom. 8:11; Matt. 24:38, 39]

6. When the wicked are cast into hell, will there be any rest during the time they are burning, and will their smoke or memory or anything about them ever return to earth again? Rev. 14:11 [Rev. 20:10]

7. Who has already suffered “eternal fire” as an example of the hell fire in the last days? Jude 7 [Note: “Eternal” or “everlasting” fire was a common Hebrew expression for a fire that could not be put out but burned until everything was consumed. Even today, if you say a fire could not be put out, it does not mean that it continues to burn even after everything has been reduced to ashes. 2 Peter 2:6; Eze. 20:47, 48; Jer. 17:27]

8. What will be left when the fire is through burning? Mal. 4:1, 3 [Isa. 47:14]

9. Is man immortal? 1 Tim. 6:15, 16 [Note: The Bible never calls man or his soul or his spirit or anything else about him, immortal. It says: God “alone has immortality.” 1 Cor. 15:51-55; 2 Tim. 1:9, 10]

10. What will happen to the “soul” of the unrepentant person? Eze. 18:4, 20 [Obadiah 1:16]

11. How will the soul be destroyed? Matt. 10:28 [2 Peter 3:9-11]

12. What is death in hell called? Rev. 20:12-15 [Ans. The Second Death. Nahum 1:9]

13. Will every sinner receive the same punishment? Luke 12:45-48 [Rom. 2:6; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12]

14. What will happen to Satan in the fire of hell? Eze. 28:18, 19 [Note: Though the Hebrew verbs here can technically be translated in either the past or future tense, the King James Version correctly translates this as future, for Satan obviously hasn’t died yet!– “Therefore WILL I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it SHALL devour thee, and I WILL bring thee to ashes upon the earth” (KJV). Rev. 20:9, 10]

15. After the wicked are through burning, where will they be found? Ps. 37:9, 10 [Ps. 145:20; Oba. 1:16; Prov. 24:20]

16. What is the wages of sin? Rom. 6:23 [Rom. 5:21]

17. If we believe in Jesus, from what will we be saved? John 3:16 [John 17:3; John 4:14; John 6:27, 47]

Commitment: Isaiah 28:9, 10 says that anyone who clings to a preconceived interpretation of an isolated text, without comparing everything else the Bible says on the subject, cannot be taught truth! As we compare ALL that the Bible says on hell, it is evident that a God of love will not burn people forever. Satan has slandered and misrepresented the character of God! Aren’t you glad that you can enjoy heaven without worrying about one of your relatives being tortured throughout eternal ages, while you are trying to be happy regardless? Does this wonderful truth help you to understand God’s love more? Will you respond to that love by accepting Christ as your Savior?

STEP 2 (Lessons 11-20): Accepting Christ’s Final Message

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson 17 – Where Are the Dead?

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: If, as some teach, the dead are already in heaven with Jesus, why are they resurrected at His second coming? Why did Jesus tell the disciples they would be with Him again when He returned instead of when they died (John 14:3)? Why does God forbid us to consult with our departed loved ones, if they are alive and can talk to us? In this lesson, we will learn the answers to these important questions.

1. What does God say about consulting spiritualists and the supposed spirits of the dead? Lev. 19:31 [Note: God warns that in the last days some “will give heed to deceiving spirits” (1 Tim. 4:1). These spirits deceive us by coming to us in “familiar” form, such as the form of some departed loved one. That is one reason they are called “familiar” spirits. The Further-study verses are Lev. 20:27; Deut. 18:10-12; Rev. 22:15]

2. Where does the spirit go at death? Eccl. 12:7 [Note: The spirit is the breath of life from God (i.e., the “element of life,” the “spark of life,” or the “life force”). Solomon uses “breath” and “spirit” interchangeably in Eccl. 3:19-21. Job 27:3; Gen. 2:7]

3. Is this spirit that returns to God, conscious? Eccl. 9:5 [Ps. 146:4; Ps 115:17]

4. What did Jesus call death? John 11:11-14 [Note: Paul also called death a sleep. See 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; 1 Cor. 15:16-18; 11:30]

5. What did David call death? Ps. 13:3 [Note: Other Old Testament writers also called death a sleep. See Job 14:12; Jer. 51:39, 57; Dan. 12:2; 1 Kings 1:21]

6. Is there any memory in this sleep of death? Ps. 6:5 [Isa. 38:18; Ecc. 9:5,6,10]

7. Did David go to heaven when he died? Acts 2:29, 34 [Acts 13:36]

8. Where will the dead be when Jesus resurrects them at His second coming? John 5:28, 29 [Job 14:12-15]

9. When do the dead go to heaven or to hell? Matt. 25:31-34, 41 [Matt. 16:27; John 14:2, 3; Rev. 22:12]

10. When did the thief on the cross look forward to being with Jesus? Did Jesus assure Him of salvation that very day? Luke 23:42, 43 [Note: The punctuation in the Bible was supplied by the translators, for there was no punctuation in the original Greek. The comma should go after the word “today” (“Assuredly I say unto you today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”), for Jesus Himself did not go to heaven that day. See John 20:17; Luke 19:9]

11. Jesus often illustrated truth with parables which, like prophecies, use symbols. Yet some have rejected the very truth Jesus so plainly taught about death by taking literally some of the symbols in the parable of the “Rich man and Lazarus” (Luke 16). What did Jesus say would happen to those who try to understand parables without “having” (or knowing) what the rest of the Bible says on a subject? Matt. 13:10-13 [1 Cor. 2:12-14; 2 Tim. 2:15; Luke 16:19-31]

12. What was the devil’s first lie? Gen. 3:3, 4 [Question: Who do you think told the truth, Satan or God? Today Satan is still perpetuating his original lie, and he is doing so through religion and by misapplying and twisting Scripture, as he did with Jesus in Matthew 4:5, 6. 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Thess. 2:9-12]

13. With what promise did Paul tell us to “comfort one another” when death occurs? 1 Thess. 4:15-18 [1 Cor. 15:51-55; 1 John 5:11, 12; Rev. 1:18; John 6:39, 40]

Commitment: Isn’t God’s way really the best? Instead of floating around somewhere after death, a person sleeps until he is bodily resurrected as Jesus was. And, since he is unconscious, the resurrection is the next instant to him! Instead of a dying baby going to a strange place alone, the next thing he knows is his mother’s smiling kiss! The parents will take up the raising of their departed child right where it left off! Will you accept Jesus’ assurance that we will all go to heaven together, at the same time, after the resurrection?

Notes on the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31): God has written the Bible in such a way that we must compare Scripture with Scripture to understand it (Isa. 28:9, 10; I Cor. 2:13, 14; 2 Thess. 2:11, 12). If this parable provided the only information the Bible gives on death, we would have to conclude that the dead go directly to heaven or hell, but it is not. This story comes in the middle of a group of parables and is itself a parable, for it uses figurative language throughout–i.e., Lazarus went to “Abraham’s bosom”; those in Hades and Heaven can see and talk to each other; and a drop of water suffices to cool one’s tongue in hell. In this parable Jesus used common Jewish and Greek ideas (as evidenced in Josephus’ works) to teach that (1) the rich have no advantage for salvation, (2) this life provides our only chance for salvation, and (3) the Scriptures are all sufficient for salvation. Jesus was not teaching a new doctrine on death, or He would be contradicting what He Himself repeatedly taught in other places.

STEP 2 (Lessons 11-20): Accepting Christ’s Final Message

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson S3 – Speaking in Tongues

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: The tongues movement is bringing divergent religions into harmony, and could be paving the way for a united effort to enforce the mark of the Beast.

1. How will religious leaders of the United States deceive “those who dwell on the earth” into making an image to the Beast? Rev. 13:12, 13 [Note: See Lesson S-2. Some Bible students understand the fire to be literal; others consider it symbolic. The Further-study verses are 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Thess. 2:9, 10; Matt. 24:24; Rev. 16:13, 14; 19:20]

2. At Pentecost, what group received “fire from heaven,” and what did it cause them to do? Acts 2:1-4 [Luke 3:16]

3. The spiritual gifts (“fire”) in Revelation 13 bring a kind of unity, but they are counterfeit, for they result in efforts to cause all to worship the Beast. Can Satan counterfeit the gift of tongues by speaking through people? Mark 1:23-26 [Note: Ecstatic utterances have been reported in non-Christian cultures too. (See Phaedrus and Timaeus by Plato, and Aeneid by Virgil.) Mark 5:7-9]

4. 1 John 4:1 says, “Test the spirits, whether they are of God.” How can we test tongues? Isa. 8:19, 20 [Note: A spirit must uphold God’s law, including the Sabbath, or it is a counterfeit. Matt. 7:15, 20-23]

5. At Pentecost, did the apostles speak in languages or in unknown tongues? Acts 2:5-11 [Note: This gift enabled the disciples to fulfill Jesus’ commission to take the gospel to “all the nations;” to every “tribe, tongue, and people” (Matt. 28:19; Rev. 14:6). The Pentecostal gift of tongues was the ability to speak in other languages. Some who did not understand these languages thought the disciples were drunk (Acts 2:13). Each person did not miraculously hear in his own language while one of the apostles spoke, for the multitude did not receive the ”gift of ears.” Apparently each disciple spoke to a different group, using its particular language. Acts 1:8; Col. 1:23]

6. Was the next occurrence of tongues like that at Pentecost? Acts 10:44-47 [Note: They “received . . . just as we have. ” Acts 11:15; 15:8]

7. Do all born-again Christians receive the gift of tongues? 1 Cor. 12:4-11 [Rom. 12:6-8]

8. Did Jesus say every believer would receive every sign? Mark 16:17, 18 [Note: Are all Christians to “take up serpents”? Phil. 4:19; Matt. 28:18-20]

9. Who decides which gifts a person shall receive? 1 Cor. 12:11, 18 [Rom 12:6; Matt. 25:15]

10. Where are the gifts placed? 1 Cor. 12:18, 28 [Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:11, 12; Col. 1:24; 1 Cor. 12:13]

11. How important is the gift of tongues in relation to other spiritual gifts? 1 Cor. 12:28-31 [Note: Of the three places Paul enumerates these gifts he mentions tongues in only one, and there he lists it last. Paul was not encouraging the Corinthians to speak in tongues; he was correcting their misuse of the gift. Rom. 12:3-16; Eph. 4:7-16]

12. In 1 Corinthians 13:1 Paul says that to have love is more important than to speak in the language (or with the ability) of angels. What language do angels speak? Luke 1:26-31 [Dan. 9:21-23; Rev. 22:6-9; Matt. 1:20]

13. Tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 must be understood in harmony with the rest of the New Testament. Evidently some who had received the gift of tongues for missionary work exulted in their ability and began to preach, pray and sing in these foreign languages which the uneducated, who probably knew only Greek, did not understand. What was Paul’s counsel to these people who misused their gifts? 1 Cor. 14:9-12 [Note: Most versions say “kinds of languages.” Isa. 28:9, 10]

14. Paul did not forbid the use of tongues in church, but when one was used, what counsel did he give? 1 Cor. 14:27, 28

15. 1 Corinthians 14:14 says that one’s “understanding is unfruitful” (in others) when thus misusing tongues. How does a speaker’s understanding bear fruit? Col. 1:36 [Ans: By being understood by others. Rom. 1:13; John 15:8, 16; Phil. 1:22; 4:17]

16. Some congregations still pray or sing or preach in another language (e.g., Latin). Does this edify the congregation? 1 Cor. 14:14-17 [Note: Praying with the understanding means “understandably.” 1 Cor. 14:2; Luke 1:47; 1 Cor. 2:11]

17. Why was the gift of tongues given? 1 Cor. 14:22 [Ans: Primarily for witnessing to others who spoke foreign languages. Mark 16:15-17]

18. What kind of ecumenical spirits are going to unite the world? Rev. 16:13, 14 [Note: These spirits come out of the “mouth” and are likened to “frogs.” Frogs catch their prey with their tongues! Rev. 18:1-5]

19. For what purpose is the Holy Spirit given? John 16:13, 14 [Ans: To teach truth. 2 Thess. 2:9, 10]

Commitment: Though each spiritual gift is still given where needed, the special gift for the last days is the spirit of prophecy (Lesson 21), not tongues. Ecstatic utterances are a counterfeit gift that is uniting apostate Protestantism, Catholicism, and Spiritualism into spiritual Babylon (“Babel”). Will you heed God’s invitation to come out of Babylon (Rev 18:1-5)?

SUPPLEMENTAL LESSONS (Sl-S4): Studies for Further Knowledge

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson S2 – The United States in Prophecy

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: Today’s lesson focuses on a dramatic event in the political and religious world.

1. In Lesson 15 we discovered that the Beast power of Revelation 13 represented the Papacy that reigned as a political power for 1260 years, from 538 A.D. until it received a deadly (but not permanent) wound in 1798. What did John see “coming up out of the earth” about the time this deadly wound (in verse 10) was inflicted? Rev. 13:10, 11

2. Notice that this is the only prophetic beast arising from “the earth.” What does water symbolize? Rev. 17:15 [Note: All the other prophetic powers arose from existing civilizations (“water”). But here was a power arising toward the end of the 1700s in a largely unpopulated area. What country could this be? The Further-study verses are Dan. 7:3; Rev. 13:1]

3. How did this beast evolve? Rev. 13:11 [Note: “Coming up” is from the Greek word “anabaino,” meaning to “grow or spring up as a plant” (see Matt. 13:7). Could this be the United States? Did this nation come from conquest or from growth (e.g., immigrants and land purchases)?]

4. The beast of Revelation 13:1, representing the nations of Europe, had crowns to represent kingdoms. Did the beast of verse 11 have any crowns? [Now note these clues: This nation was to (1) grow to power, (2) arise from a largely uninhabited territory, (3) toward the end of the 1700s, (4) without a king.]

5. What kind of horns did this beast have? Rev. 13:11 [Note: A lamb (versus a ram) depicts a young, new power, as America was in 1798.]

6. The dragon of Revelation 12 was pagan and the Beast of Revelation 13:1-10 was Catholic. Is the Lamblike beast involved with religion too? Rev. 13:12 [Note: He would cause to “worship.” America became the seat of Protestant strength. Protestants brought separation of church and state. Thus this beast has two harmless-appearing horns, representing religious power and civil power.]

7. Contrary to appearance, what will this beast eventually do? Rev. 13:11b, 12 [Note: Like a false prophet, its appearance is deceiving. The first Beast used civil power to enforce religion. Protestant America, “the land of the free,” eventually will do the same! And it will lead the world in following the beast whose “deadly wound was healed.” Rev. 13:3, 7, 12; 16:13, 14; 19:20]

8. What religious dogma will America enforce? Rev. 13:16 [As noted in Lesson 16, the mark of the Beast is its lawlessness, specifically its attempt to change the Sabbath, God’s holy day, from Saturday to Sunday. America will thus enforce the mark of the papacy. Dan. 7:25; 2 Thess. 2:3, 8; Rev. 12:17]

9. This mark is symbolic. What mark do God’s people receive, and how are they identified? Rev. 14:1, 12 [They receive their Father’s name (i.e.,character) in their foreheads (i.e., minds) by keeping His laws, while the Beast’s followers receive his name in their foreheads by keeping his laws. Ex. 13:9; Deut. 11:18; Eze. 20:20; Heb. 8:10; Rom. 6:16]

10. How will America enforce Sunday observance? Rev. 13:15-17 [Note: As disasters multiply because of the world’s wickedness, there will be a great “back-to-God” movement to reclaim His blessings. This will result in stringent Sunday laws and oppressive acts against those who keep God’s Sabbath. Rev. 12:17]

11. What kind of agents does Satan often use to deceive people? 2 Cor. 11:13-15 [Ans: Religious leaders. Matt. 7:15]

12. How will religious leaders who have discarded God’s law deceive the people of America into enacting Sunday laws? Rev. 13:13, 14 [ Rev.16:14; 18:2, 3; 19:20]

13. What “signs” will these religious leaders use to deceive the people? 2 Thess. 2:8-10 [ Matt. 24:24]

14. The book of Revelation contains many symbols. What is one possible meaning of “fire from heaven” (Rev. 13:13)? Acts 2:3, 4 [Note: In Acts 2, fire from heaven represents the Holy Spirit and symbolizes the gift of tongues (See Lesson S3). However, the apparent gift of the Holy Spirit in Revelation 13 is a counterfeit, for it leads people to worship the Beast rather than to worship God. Matt. 3:11]

15. When Jesus comes again, what will He say to those who have received the counterfeit gifts of the Holy Spirit and the mark of the Beast (“lawlessness”)? Matt. 7:21-23.

16. How deceptive will these signs be? Matt. 24:24 [ Rev. 12:9, 12]

Commitment: Before Jesus comes, all the world will be forced, on pain of boycott and death, to receive the mark of the Beast by keeping Sunday holy. But those who receive this mark will receive “the wrath of God” (Rev. 14:9,10). The question, then, is, Whom will we obey? Will we say, “The Lord is my light and . . . strength . . . Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear . . . for in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion” (Ps. 27:1-5)? Will you follow God regardless of any and all human pressure to follow another master?

SUPPLEMENTAL LESSONS (Sl-S4): Studies for Further Knowledge

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.

Lesson 16 – The Mark of the Beast

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: The Bible tells of a mark, or sign, that will identify the Beast and his followers. By receiving this mark one gives allegiance to the Beast, and acknowledges His authority to be greater than God’s! In this lesson we will identify that mark.

1. What sign, or mark, reveals allegiance to God? Deut. 11:1, 8, 18 [Note: The outward observance of God’s commandments is a “sign on your hand,” and believing them is as “frontlets between your eyes.” This is GOD’S symbolic mark in the forehead and in the hand. The Further-study verses are Duet. 6:6, 8; Ex. 13:9.]

2. People look at outward marks, but where does God look? 1 Sam. 16:7b [Ps. 37:37; Eze. 9:4]

3. Everyone will one day receive a mark. What mark will God’s people receive? Rev. 14:1 [Rev. 7:2-4]

4. Anciently a name represented one’s character. God wants to write His name-or character-in us. God’s character is described in His law. Where will God’s character, or law, be written? Will this writing be visible to mankind? Heb. 10:16 [Note: In prophecy the forehead symbolizes thoughts, and the hand symbolizes actions. Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10]

5. Which one of God’s laws especially identifies God’s people, marking them as those who accept His authority? Eze. 20:12, 20 [Note: The fourth commandment is God’s “seal.” It contains His NAME, TITLE, and DOMAIN-the elements of an official seal. Ex. 20:8-11]

6. Will the Beast power acknowledge God’s authority? 2 Thess. 2:4 [Isa. 14:12-14]

7. What will the Beast boast that he can do to God’s law? Dan. 7:25 [Note: The Pope claims preeminence over God, for he says he can change His laws! (See Lesson 15.) Only one of greater authority can change another’s law. The Catholic Church repeatedly claims the responsibility for changing the Sabbath commandment as proof of its authority. “The day mentioned in the Bible is not the Sunday . . . but the Saturday It was the Apostolic Church which changed the changed to the Sunday.” “Isn’t it curious that non-Catholics . . . observe Sunday . . .[which] rests upon the authority of the Catholic Church and not upon an explicit text in the Bible? That observance remains as a reminder of the Mother Church.”-John O’Brien of Notre Dame in The Faith of Millions, 1974, pp. 136-137, 400, 401. Rom. 6:16]

8. What is it that identifies and marks the Beast power? 2 Thess. 2:3, 7-9 [Ans: “Sin” and “lawlessness” (NKJV). Note: “Sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).]

9. When Jesus comes, all will have accepted God’s mark or the Beast’s mark. How are those who have received the mark of the Beast described? Matt. 7:21-23 [Ans: They call Jesus “Lord” but “practice lawlessness” (NKJV). 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Matt. 7:13, 14; 1 John 2:3, 4]

10. How are those who receive God’s mark (Rev. 14:1) described? Rev. 14:12 [Ans: They too call Jesus Lord, but they “KEEP” God’s commandments. James 2:10]

11. What will Satan do to those who refuse to receive the mark of the Beasts authority by keeping Sunday? Rev. 12:17 [Rev. 22:14 (KJV or NKJV)]

12. How will Satan make war with them? Rev. 13:16, 17 [2 Tim. 3:12]

13. While God’s followers symbolically receive God’s name in their foreheads, the Beast’s followers receive the Beast’s name (his character of lawlessness), signified by a number. What is the number of the Beast? Rev. 13:18 [Note: This is the number of a “man.” The Douay Bible notes that “The numeral letters of his name shall make up this number.” In ancient Rome, numbers were letters of the alphabet-called Roman numerals. As such, every name had a numerical value. The Pope’s official title is: VICARIUS FILII DEI- “Vicar of the Son of God” (Our Sunday Visitor, April 18, 1915). The numerical value of this name is 666. This is one explanation that fits the prophecy and, when compared with all other prophecies, helps to identify the Beast power. People will receive the Beast’s name in their right hand when Sunday laws become enforced and they yield obedience, and they will receive it in their foreheads when his character of lawlessness is written in their minds. Rev. 15:2]

14. What warning has God given against receiving the mark of the Beast? Rev. 14:9-11 [Ps. 37:12-20, 32-40]

Commitment: God says that the Sabbath marks His people as His, and that the Beast would make war on them. The Beast is that “lawless” one who would try to “change” God’s law, specifically the command involving “times”- i. e., the Sabbath. Thus, when Sunday keeping is enforced by law it will constitute the mark of the Beast. “You are that one’s slaves whom you obey” (Rom. 6:16). Today God is calling us to receive His mark (or seal). As you look upon your crucified Savior, will you acknowledge His authority by obeying Him and keeping His Sabbath?

STEP 2 (Lessons 11-20): Accepting Christ’s Final Message

Return to the Bible study lesson contents.