Sabbath School

Adult Sabbath School Bible study guide.

Read Revelation 1:1–3. What was John called to do?

Early Christians lived in a state of anticipation for the promised return of Jesus. The apostle John had seen Christ rise into the clouds and heard the angel explain that He would return in the same way (Acts 1:10, 11). Now the early church faced the unknown. Yes, Jesus said He would return. But when?

While he was exiled on the island of Patmos, John wrote about the promise of Jesus’ second coming: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him” (Rev. 1:7, NKJV). John also received an expansive revelation of the events that would signal the end of time. Besides encourage­ment and rebuke for the seven churches (Revelation 2, 3), the reve­lations included visions of judgment (Rev. 14:6–12), of the end of the world (Revelation 20), of the second coming of Christ (Rev. 14:14–16), and of the re-creation of the world (Revelation 21, 22).

John identified himself as a “brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:9, NKJV). He knew what it was to suffer, not just from the agony of waiting, but from the persecution that came with proclaiming the Word of God and having the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the book of Revelation, John was invited to see and was commanded to write what he saw. In the last chapter, he wrote, “Now I, John, saw and heard these things” (Rev. 22:8, NKJV). John was a prophetic witness to the events of the last days, commissioned to share with the churches of his day what had been shown him in vision (Rev. 22:16). He is reminiscent of John the Baptist, who heralded the first advent of Jesus Christ (John 1:6–8) at a crucial moment in earth’s history.

We also are called to testify as John did. We also must keep the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 19:10)—the testimony He gave about Himself through the prophets. We may not receive visions as John did, but we can wait patiently for Christ’s return while giving witness to His work in our lives and watching for signs of our deliverance.

Think about all the light we have been given. What responsibilities rest upon us simply because we have been given so much?

Supplemental EGW Notes

The mighty Angel who instructed John was no less a personage than Jesus Christ. Setting His right foot on the sea, and His left upon the dry land, shows the part that He is acting in the closing scenes of the great controversy with Satan. This position denotes His supreme power and authority over the whole earth. The controversy has waxed stronger and more determined from age to age, and will continue to do so to the concluding scenes when the masterly working of the powers of darkness shall reach their height. . . . After these seven thunders uttered their voices, the instruction comes to John, as to Daniel, in regard to the little book: “Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered.” . . . John sees the little book unsealed. . . . Then Daniel’s prophecies have their proper place in the first, second, and third angels’ messages to be given to the world. The unsealing of the little book was the message in relation to time. The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one. One is a prophecy, the other a revelation; one a book sealed, the other a book opened. . . . The special light given to John, which was expressed in the seven thunders, was a delineation of events that would transpire under the first and second angels’ messages. . . . The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work. . . . This time, which the Angel declares with a solemn oath, is not the end of this world’s history, neither of probationary time, but of prophetic time, which would precede the advent of our Lord. That is, the people will not have another message upon definite time. After this period of time, reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time. The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844. The Angel’s position, with one foot on the sea, the other on the land, signifies the wide extent of the proclamation of the message. It will cross the broad waters and be proclaimed in other countries, even to all the world. The comprehension of truth, the glad reception of the message, is represented in the eating of the little book. The truth in regard to the time of the advent of our Lord was a precious message to our souls.—Christ Triumphant, p. 344.

As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study. The last book of the New Testament scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many, so that they have been glad of any excuse for not making the Revelation their study. But Christ through His servant John has here declared what shall be in the last days, and He says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” “This is life eternal,” Christ said, “that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Why is it that we do not realize the value of this knowledge? Why are not these glorious truths glowing in our hearts, trembling upon our lips, and pervading our whole being? . . . . In eternity we shall learn that which, had we received the enlightenment it was possible to obtain here, would have opened our understanding. The themes of redemption will employ the hearts and minds and tongues of the redeemed through the everlasting ages. They will understand the truths which Christ longed to open to His disciples, but which they did not have faith to grasp. Forever and forever new views of the perfection and glory of Christ will appear. Through endless ages will the faithful Householder bring forth from His treasure things new and old.—Lift Him Up, p. 378.

The above quotations are taken from Ellen G. White Notes for the Sabbath School Lessons, published by Pacific Press Publishing Association. Used by permission.