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Lesson 23 - God's Final GenerationIntroduction: 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] (Revelation 10:1-2 NKJV) I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. {2} He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 2. What little book of the Bible had been closed until the "time of the end"? Dan. 12:4 (Daniel 12:4 NKJV) "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." [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 (Revelation 10:5-7 NKJV) The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven {6} and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, {7} but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. [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] (Revelation 10:8-9 NKJV) Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth." {9} So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." 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 (Revelation 10:10 NKJV) Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. [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 (Revelation 10:11 NKJV) And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings." (Revelation 10:11 KJV) And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. [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 Him earthly kingdom? Luke 24:17-21 [Luke 19:35-40] (Luke 24:17-21 NKJV) And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?" {18} Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" {19} And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, {20} "and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. {21} "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 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] (1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV) For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24 NKJV) but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, {24} but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 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 (Matthew 24:29-30 NKJV) "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. {30} "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [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] (Matthew 24:32-34 NKJV) "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. {33} "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors! {34} "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 11. Was this a conditional prophecy? Matt. 24:35 (Matthew 24:35 NKJV) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. [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?
Further Study VersesQuestion 1 - Further Study (Revelation 4:3 NKJV) And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. -->Back to Study Question 2 - Further Study (Daniel 12:9 NKJV) And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. -->Back to Study Question 3 - Further Study (Daniel 2:44 NKJV) "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 7:9-10 NKJV) "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; {10} A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. (Daniel 7:26-27 NKJV) 'But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. {27} Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.' (Daniel 8:14 NKJV) And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed." -->Back to Study Question 4 - Further Study (Psalms 119:103 NKJV) How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! -->Back to Study Question 5 - Further Study (Luke 12:36 NKJV) "and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. (Revelation 19:6-9 NKJV) And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! {7} "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." {8} And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. {9} Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." -->Back to Study Question 6 - Further Study (Matthew 24:14 NKJV) "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. -->Back to Study Question 7 - Further Study (Luke 19:35-40 NKJV) Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. {36} And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. {37} Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, {38} saying: " 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" {39} And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." {40} But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." -->Back to Study Question 8 - Further Study (Romans 1:16 NKJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. -->Back to Study Question 9 - Further Study (Daniel 7:25 NKJV) He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. (Revelation 6:9-13 NKJV) When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. {10} And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" {11} Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. {12} I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. {13} And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. (Joel 2:31 NKJV) The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. (Luke 21:25-33 NKJV) "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; {26} "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. {27} "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. {28} "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." {29} Then He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. {30} "When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. {31} "So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. {32} "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. {33} "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Revelation 6:9-14 NKJV) When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. {10} And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" {11} Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. {12} I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. {13} And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. {14} Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. -->Back to Study Question 10 - Further Study (Psalms 22:30-31 KJV) A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. {31} They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. -->Back to Study Question 11 - Further Study (Jeremiah 18:7-10 NKJV) "The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, {8} "if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. {9} "And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, {10} "if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it. (Jonah 3:10 NKJV) Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. (Genesis 41:32 NKJV) "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. (Daniel 2:45 NKJV) "Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure." -->Back to Study
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