August 2, 2020 – Revelation 13 – 14

Lesson Date: August 2, 2020

Focal Scripture Passage: Revelation 13:1 – 14:20

AIM: To lead students to discover and list consequences of rejecting or accepting Jesus Christ, and to give any who are lost the opportunity to be saved.

Before class: Read the notes on Revelation 13 – 14 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Have enough copies of the “Lost vs. Saved” study guide for your anticipated attendance. Be sure to have some pens or pencils on hand for any who might need one. Write the following words on the marker board or chalkboard: “Antichrist,” “False Prophet,” “Mark of the Beast,” “144,000,” “Three Angels,” and “Winepress.”

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Give each of the students a copy of the “Lost vs. Saved” study guide. Direct their attention to the timeline of end times events printed on the back. Ask: “Where are we on that timeline?” (we are living in the church age, shown on the extreme left of the timeline).

Remind the class that Jesus appeared to the aged Apostle John, who was exiled on the island of Patmos for preaching the Gospel. Jesus told John to write what he saw concerning the past, present, and future. John recorded past and present events in chapters 1 – 3. Referring to the timeline, tell the students that most of the book of Revelation describes the future Tribulation period that follows the Rapture of the church. Near the end of the book we will learn about events after the Tribulation.

Tell the students in today’s lesson we will learn about some important people and events that will figure prominently during the last half of the Tribulation. Read the list of people and events written on the board. Tell the class we will also use the “Lost vs. Saved” study guide to discover consequences of rejecting or accepting Jesus Christ.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Remind the class that we are studying the book of Revelation.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (Satan’s rebellion, his unending attacks on God and His people, and the weapons with which we can overcome him).
   • Ask if any volunteer would recite last week’s memory verse ( 12:11).
2. The Antichrist.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 13:1-10.
   • Direct the students’ attention to the board, and tell them these verses describe the beast, whom we commonly refer to as the Antichrist.
   • Ask: “According to verse 2, where will he get his power and authority?” (from the dragon – Satan).
   • Tell the class the Antichrist will be the supreme world ruler during the Tribulation.
   • Explain from verse 3 that near the mid-point of the Tribulation the Antichrist will be killed and then rise from the dead.
   • Ask: “According to verses 3 and 4, how will people respond to this miracle?” (they will worship the Antichrist and Satan).
   • Ask: “According to verse 7, what will the Antichrist do to the saved people (saints)?” (make war on them and kill them).
   • Ask: “According to verse 8, who will worship the Antichrist?” (all the lost people on earth, but none of the saved).
   • Lead the students to fill in the following blanks on their study guides:

1. • Summarize: The Antichrist will become the object of the world’s worship during the Tribulation. He will make war with the saints of God and kill many of them.

3. The False Prophet.
   • Read Revelation 13:11-12.
   • Direct the students’ attention to the board, and tell them these verses describe the False Prophet.
   • Ask: “According to verse 12, what will he cause everyone to do?” (worship the Antichrist).
   • Ask the class to listen for words to fill in the next row of blanks on their study guides as you read Revelation 13:13-15.
   • Lead the students to fill in the following blanks on their study guides:

1. • Summarize: The False Prophet will lead unsaved people to worship the Antichrist and his image, but the image will kill many Christians.

4. The Mark of the Beast.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 13:16-18.
   • Ask: “What else will the False Prophet do?” (cause everyone to take the mark of the beast).
   • Direct the students’ attention to words “Mark of the Beast” on the board.
   • Ask: “How will he enforce that requirement?” (no one will be able to buy or sell unless they have the mark).
   • Ask: “What is the number of the Antichrist?” (666).
   • Explain that the False Prophet cannot deceive those who are truly saved. They will refuse the mark and many will die as martyrs.
   • Lead the students to fill in the following blanks on their study guides:

1. • Summarize: The False Prophet will force everyone to take the mark of the beast. Those who refuse will not be allowed to buy or sell.

5. The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists.
   • Read Revelation 14:1-5.
   • Explain that the Lord gave John a vision of His ultimate victory at the end of the Tribulation.
   • Ask: “Who are these 144,000 people standing with Jesus on Mount Zion (Jerusalem)?” (the Jewish evangelists He saved and sealed in chapter 7).
   • Direct the students’ attention to the number “144,000” written on the board.
   • Ask: “How are they described?” (they are with Jesus in Jerusalem, they are pure and faultless, they follow Jesus everywhere, and they are first fruits to God and the Lamb).
   • Lead the students to fill in the following blanks on their study guides:

1. • Summarize: The 144,000 sealed Jewish evangelists will survive the terrible Tribulation and stand with Jesus in Jerusalem.

6. The Three Angels.
   • Direct the students’ attention to words “Three Angels” on the board, and tell them John saw three angels who made very important announcements.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 14:6-7.
   • Ask: “What did the first angel do?” (preached the Gospel to the whole world, warning that the hour of judgment was at hand).
   • Read Revelation 14:8.
   • Ask: “What did the second angel announce?” (the fall of Babylon, which we will learn about in chapters 17 – 18).
   • Read Revelation 14:9-12.
   • Ask: “What did the third angel announce?” (those who worship the Antichrist will face the wrath of God and eternal torment).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 14:13.
   • Ask: “What did the voice from heaven say about those who die in the Lord?” (they are blessed, they will rest, and they will be rewarded).
   • Lead the students to fill in the following blanks on their study guides:

1. • Summarize: Near the end of the Tribulation the Lord will send angels to preach the Gospel and pronounce judgment on those who worship the Antichrist.

7. The Winepress of the Wrath of God.
   • Tell the class they are about to hear a very graphic description of God’s wrath upon those who reject Jesus Christ.
   • Read Revelation 14:14-20.
   • Direct the students’ attention to word “Winepress” on the board.
   • Briefly describe the form and function of an ancient winepress (see the notes on pages 79-80 of the Sunday School Teacher Book).
   • Explain that these verses foreshadow the death and carnage that will result from the battle of Armageddon. Those who reject Jesus will be “harvested” from the earth and cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God (Isa. 63:1-4; Joel 3:11-17).
   • Lead the students to fill in the following blanks on their study guides:

1. • Summarize: At the end of the Tribulation the Lord Jesus will destroy all who reject Him.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Direct the students’ attention to their completed study guides. Briefly read over the statements about those who accept Jesus Christ. Tell the class that people who receive Christ during the Tribulation will endure attack and perhaps even death at the hands of the Antichrist (Rev. 6:11 says there would be more martyrs). Eventually, however, they will enjoy blessing, everlasting fellowship with the Lord, rest, and reward.

Next read over the statements about those who reject Jesus. They have nothing good to look forward to. Everyone living during the Tribulation who rejects Jesus Christ will take part in the worship of the Antichrist. Ask: “What will ultimately happen to those who reject Christ?” (they will suffer everlasting torment).

Stress the fact that there is a distinct difference between those two groups of people. The dividing line is Jesus Christ. This passage, along with many others in the Bible, shows that God will certainly and severely punish those who reject Him. It is certain. Say: “If you have never been saved, you are headed for God’s wrathful punishment, which will last for eternity.”

Briefly share the plan of salvation, using the “Roman Road” (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10, 13) or the verses printed on the back of the Sunday School Member Quarterly. Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes. Urge any who are not saved to confess their sins, beg for God’s mercy, and place their faith in Jesus Christ right now. Tell those that are already saved to pray for those who aren’t. Voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Encourage any who have just received Jesus Christ to tell you or someone else right away. Tell the class everyone on earth is either headed for eternal bliss in heaven or eternal torment in hell. Ask them to look for opportunities to tell others about Jesus Christ this week.