Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2016 Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2016 powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente

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Rebellion and Redemption General Introduction The great controversy came to earth when Satan deceived Adam and Eve with flattery and deception, diverting their allegiance from God to himself. Had they remained faithful to what God had told them, had they obeyed His simple commands, the world as we know it, with all its miseries, trials, and suffering, never would have arisen.

Rebellion and Redemption General Introduction God has pledged to bear in Himself the full responsibility for all human rebel- lion and to suffer the consequences for every evil we have committed. Only in this way could God restore His relationship with the human race, relationships between humans, and humanity’s relationship with the rest of creation.

Rebellion and Redemption General Introduction Throughout Scripture, God is constantly defeating Satan’s purposes. Jesus’ coming as Immanuel recovered the territory stolen from Adam and Eve. Jesus showed His authority over creation and the forces of evil. Jesus recommissioned His followers and at Pentecost empowered them to extend the borders of His heavenly kingdom.

Rebellion and Redemption Our Goal Jesus has won the decisive victory. The challenge has always been where we place our loyalties. The controversy still rages and the deceptions are ever-present. Our prayer, then, is that this quarter’s lessons will reveal some of these deceptions and thus help us not just to choose Christ but to remain with Him.

Rebellion and Redemption Contents 1 Crisis in Heaven 2 Crisis in Eden 3 Global Rebellion and the Patriarchs 4 Conflict and Crisis: The Judges 5 The Controversy Continues 6 Victory in the Wilderness 7 Jesus’ Teachings and the Great Controversy 8 Comrades in Arms 9 The Great Controversy and the Early Church 10 Paul and the Rebellion 11 Peter on the Great Controversy 12 The Church Militant 13 Redemption

Rebellion and Redemption Lesson 1, January 2 Rebellion and Redemption Lesson 1, January 2 Crisis in Heaven

Crisis in Heaven Key Text Revelation 7:10 NKJV “ ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ ”

Crisis in Heaven Quick Look 1. Fall in Heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15) 2. War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7-9) 3. War From Heaven (Revelation 12:13, 17)

Crisis in Heaven Initial Words So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe. All it took was one rebel, and everything changed. Lucifer thought that he could do a better job than God did. He wanted God’s position and the prestige that went with it.

Crisis in Heaven 1. Fall in Heaven Isaiah 14:12-15 NKJV How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground.... For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven,...exalt my throne above...God;...sit on the mount of the congregation...be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol.”

1. Fall in Heaven Satan Depicted No earthly king has ever fallen from heaven. The images of ascending to heaven, of being in a position higher than angels, and of presiding over the assembly on the mountain in the far north are all recognized descriptions of deity. Satan’s ambitions are exposed clearly here.

1. Fall in Heaven Satan Depicted: Ezekiel 28:12-19 “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden.... You were the anointed cherub.... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom.... You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities.... You have become a horror and shall be no more forever.”

1. Fall in Heaven Satan Depicted Isaiah and Ezekiel give us insight: all that was beautiful and perfect in God’s order of things was marred by destructive ambition. If a perfect being, created by a perfect God, in a perfect environment, could mess himself up because of pride, what should that tell us fallen beings about how deadly this sentiment really is?

Crisis in Heaven 2. War in Heaven Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon...and his angels...but they did not prevail.... So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan...; he was cast to the earth, and his angels....”

2. War in Heaven Satan Evicted We have no idea what war in heaven means. We don’t know what kind of physical battles were fought other than the casting out of Satan and his angels. The Bible does not say any- thing about the physical aftermath of this heavenly conflict. It deals, instead, with the spiritual results here on earth.

2. War in Heaven Satan Evicted “Then the seventy returned with Joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’ And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven’... Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20, NKJV).

2. War in Heaven Satan Evicted Jesus warns the disciples that their joy must not be based on their success over demonic forces but rather on having their names written in heaven. This reminder places human salvation firmly where it belongs—in the hands of our Savior. It is Jesus, not we, who has defeated the enemy.

Crisis in Heaven 3. War From Heaven Revelation 12:13, 17 NKJV Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.... And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring....”

3. War From Heaven Prince of This World God first established Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He entrusted them with the management of Eden. By naming all creatures, Adam was clearly demonstrating his status as the ruler of the world. When Adam lost that dominion, Satan very quickly filled the vacuum.

3. War From Heaven Three Great Threats “The dragon...persecuted the woman who gave birth.... So the serpent spewed water out of his earth like a flood after the woman.... And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went to make war with the rest of his offspring....” (Rev. 12:13-17 NKJV).

3. War From Heaven The Continuing Battle Satan may have been defeated at Calvary, but the danger is not over yet. Jesus was clear that His followers would not have an easy time, but instead of focusing on the challenges, He focused on the victory that they would have in Him.

3. War From Heaven Heroes of Faith Abel offers a perfect sacrifice. Enoch habitually draws near to God. Noah warns of unseen events and offers salvation. Abraham leaves a great civilization to go to a land of promise. Sarah gives birth to a promised son even though she is too old. Moses chooses to suffer with his people. And Rahab witnesses to God’s greatness.

Crisis in Heaven Final Words If an excuse for it could be found, then God could ultimately be held responsible for it. Lucifer could not justify his actions. Though there’s a lot we don’t understand, we should understand enough to know just how careful we ourselves need to be with the sacred gift of free will and free choice.