Study Genesis 3:15 and Revelation 12:1-17. Who are the key players in the controversy? While symbols are sometimes used to depict the players, why do we believe that the powers described here are real, literal beings? What would happen to our whole belief system were we to spiritualize away the reality of the great controversy between Christ and Satan and our role in it?

The controversy between Good and Evil is an ancient story. While Genesis is the book of beginnings the story of the great controversy begins in the book of Revelation when trying to understand the timeline of events I came with the following sequence.

Lucifer Falls>> War In Heaven >> Earth Created >> Fall of humanity.

Prior to the creation of the earth Lucifer became Satan. The rebellion in heaven reached its peak and there was a war in heaven. The Great Controversy started in heaven with Michael and Satan and continued with the church and all mankind. For the Great Controversy theme to be real then the characters mus be real. When the characters of the Great controversy are spiritualized then it undermines the foundation of the great controversy theme.

How strongly impacted is your own culture by the scientific, secular worldview? How much have you, personally, been impacted by it? Against what aspects of this worldview must we particularly guard?

There are some things that we simply can not understand. I believe there is a dimension to our existence which is unseen. This is the spiritual world. The bible clearly speaks about it’s existence but because it can not be easily explained the human mind it can be disregarded. The bible says that spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14). Man has a spirit of conquest and that which he can not conquer he seeks to explain away. We must live in humble submission to God.

Prayer:Lord God Almighty, please help us to understand the Great Controversy as we enter this lesson. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

Friday September 28

Further Study: "The Thessalonian believers were greatly annoyed by men coming among them with fanatical ideas and doctrines. Some were 'disorderly, working not at all, but . . . busybodies.' The church had been properly organized, and officers had been appointed to act as ministers and deacons. But there were some, self-willed and impetuous, who refused to be subordinate to those who held positions of authority in the church."-Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 261.

"Paul was not wholly dependent upon the labor of his hands for support while at Thessalonica. . . . Philippians 4:16. Notwithstanding the fact that he received this help he was careful to set before the Thessalonians an example of diligence, so that none could rightfully accuse him of covetousness, and also that those who held fanatical views regarding manual labor might be given a practical rebuke."-Pages 348, 349.

"The custom of supporting men and women in idleness by private gifts or church money encourages them in sinful habits, and this course should be conscientiously avoided. Every man, woman, and child should be educated to do practical, useful work. All should learn some trade. It may be tentmaking, or it may be business in other lines; but all should be educated to use the members of their body to some purpose, and God is ready and willing to increase the adaptability of all who will educate themselves to industrious habits."-Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 912.

Discussion Questions:

Summary: The two letters of Paul to the Thessalonians have taught us a great deal about how to be a church in a difficult environment. However different the immediate context he dealt with is to ours, the principles he espoused are enduring and eternal, because they are inspired by the Lord Himself.

According to Matthew 18:15-17, how is the church supposed to treat a person who has been disfellowshiped?

In Matthew 18:15-17 is outlined a process to conflict between Christians. If something can not be resolved between the two believers the passage instructs to bring another believer. Finally if the person who is at fault does not acknowledge their guilt they become as a heathen. This means that the church most continue to reach out to this individual.God still wants this person to be saved, we do not treat them meanly but with divine love. The process simply acknowledges a persons behaviour for what it is. Have you ever seen disfellowship happen in your church? what was the attitude toward of the church? How have you experienced tough love?

What does Paul have to say about church discipline? 2 Thess. 3:13-15.

Paul say to treat this person as a brother. He also uses the word admonish. The use of the word brother suggests a familial relationship. How would you treat your on brother how has done something wrong. How would you treat your sister, our your son our daughter. In Galatians 6:1, Paul says that we should approach those caught in a sin with a spirit of meekness. The reason he says this is because we can also be tempted. While discipline is a difficult thing in the local church it should be done with the persons salvation in mine. Tough love is redemptive love.

What experiences have you had with church discipline? How can the church maintain a balance between confrontation and acceptance?

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, teach us divine love. Thank in Jesus name we pray amen.

What unique type of problem does Paul face in the Thessalonian church? 2 Thess. 3:9-12.

There were some in Paul’s day who wanted to eat without working. As an Apostle Paul had the authority to do this. Paul choose not to do this in order to set a good example for the Thessalonians. After sin entered the world man is told that he will sweat to eat until the day that he dies Genesis 3:19. Ellen White says this “The thorn and the thistle–the difficulties and trials that make his life one of toil and care–were appointed for his good as a part of the training needful in God’s plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought. (SC. 10)” Also in the Sabbath command we are told six days though shalt labor…(Ex 34:21). In God’s command to rest there is also a command to work. When we choose to eat without working we are going against God’s divine plan. How would this advice look in the modern world with social assistance programs? Working and eating go hand and hand.

How amazing that, even so early in church history, Paul had to deal with so many problems among the members. How should this protect us (and especially new members) from the expectation that our churches are going to be filled with saintly people? More important, how can we be a positive force in our local church despite our own faults and weaknesses?

The grace of God is something that is very amazing. God’s grace can transform sinners into saints, but it is a process. We all have our rough edges ,and we have to learn to live with people in between their transformation. At the same time we must ask for the grace to God to set a good example as Paul. Paul shows us the connection between working and eating.

Prayer: Thank you for the blessing of work. Help us to faithfully work each day for you.