1. In what location can people receive either the seal of God or the mark of the beast?

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Revelation 13:16

 

1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Revelation 7:1-3

Both the seal of God and the mark of the beast can be received in the forehead. The mark of the beast, then, is really just a counterfeit of the seal of God. 

Ephesians 1:13 says that those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior are “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” and 2 Corinthians 3:3 describes the Holy Spirit as writing “in fleshy tables of the heart.” This work of the Holy Spirit is central to receiving the seal of God.

Personal Response

Should it surprise us that the mark of the beast involves a great deal of deception? How can we live and grow today as servants of God so that we won’t fall for spiritual deceptions?

Review

In what location can people receive either the seal of God or the mark of the beast? (Select the best answer.)

2. What does the Holy Spirit write in people’s minds and hearts?

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.

Hebrews 10:15-16

The Holy Spirit writes God’s law in human hearts and minds.

God’s sealed servants obey and worship Him in harmony with His divine law, because “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey” (Romans 6:16). God’s law is a “law of liberty” (James 2:12), and God’s servants will be spared from the destruction that ultimately and inevitably comes from false worship.

Personal Response

What practical difference would it make in our lives if God’s law was always foremost in our thoughts, and consistently guided our actions, words, and decisions? How would society be different if all people had this experience?

Review

According to Hebrews 10:16, what does the Holy Spirit write in human minds and hearts? (Fill in the blank.)

3. What four things connected with false worship will God give His servants victory over?

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Revelation 15:2

God’s servants receive victory over the beast, the image of the beast, the number of the beast’s name, and the mark of the beast.

Each of the four things God’s servants have victory over represent an attack against one of the first four Ten Commandments. Revelation 13:4 says, “all the world…worshipped the beast.” This is a direct attack on the First Commandment, which says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Likewise, the image of the beast represents a power that leads people into false worship: “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15). This is an attack against the Second Commandment which says, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them” (Exodus 20:4-5). In the same way, the “number of [the beast’s] name” infers an attack against the Third Commandment, which says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). The mark of the beast, therefore, must represent an attack against the Sabbath and the Fourth Commandment.

Personal Response

For what reasons might God choose to give His servants victory by passing through trials and persecution, rather than sparing them from all trouble?

Review

According to Revelation 15:2, what four things does God promise to give His servants victory over? (Multiple choice.)

4. What call regarding worship does God give to all people on earth?

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Revelation 14:6-7

God calls all people to worship Him as Creator. The Fourth Commandment states that loving and faithful observance of the seventh day Sabbath is central to our worship of God as Creator: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:11).

Personal Response

In what ways would our society and culture benefit from remembering and worshipping God as the Creator? What are some of the negative impacts have have resulted from failing to do this?

Review

What call regarding worship does God give to all people on earth? (Fill in the blank.)

5. What is the sign of God’s ability to save people from sin?

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Exodus 31:17

The seventh-day Sabbath is God’s chosen sign of His ability to sanctify people, or save and redeem them from sin.

Review

According to Exodus 31:17, what is the sign of God’s ability to save people from sin? (Select the best answer.)

6. What spiritual significance does Sabbath rest hold for those who trust in God?

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Hebrews 4:9-10

The Sabbath is a weekly reminder that salvation from sin comes through faith in Jesus Christ, and is a result of faith and trust in God’s love for us.

Review

According to Hebrews 4:10, what spiritual significance does Sabbath rest hold for those who trust in God?

7. What is the result in our lives of genuine love for Jesus?

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15

Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. This is much more of a promise than a command!

Personal Response

For what reasons is sincere obedience to Christ the sign of our love for Him?

Review

According to John 14:15, what is the result in our lives of sincere love for Jesus? (Fill in the blanks.)