‘The seal of the living God’  

MEMORY VERSE: ‘And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.’ Revelation 14:5.

STUDY HELP:  Christ Triumphant, page 102.

LESSON SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

LESSON AIM: To study how God will separate His people from the world with His seal.  

Introduction  

‘The seal of the living God will be placed upon those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God, candidates for heaven. Love is expressed in obedience, and perfect love casteth out all fear. Those who love God, have the seal of God in their foreheads, and work the works of God.’ Last Day Events, page 221.  

‘Before Him shall be gathered all nations’  

1.        How did Jesus teach that God will divide mankind into two distinct groups? Matthew 25:31-32.

NOTE: ‘The remnant people of God, who keep His commandments, will understand the word spoken by Daniel, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:10). Satan has called this world his territory. Here his seat is, and he holds in allegiance to himself all who refuse to keep God’s commandments, who reject a plain, “thus saith the Lord.” They stand under the enemy’s banner; for there are but two parties in the world. All rank either under the banner of the obedient or under the banner of the disobedient.’ Our Father Cares, page 230.

‘Divisions will come in the church. Two parties will be developed. The wheat and tares grow up together for the harvest. There will be a shaking of the sieve. The chaff must in time be separated from the wheat. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. It is the very time when the genuine will be the strongest. The history of the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram is being repeated, and will be repeated till the close of time. Who will be on the Lord’s side? Who will be deceived, and in their turn become deceivers? The Lord is soon to come. There must be a refining, winnowing process in every church, for there are among us wicked men who do not love the truth or honour God. We are in the shaking time, the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and deed obey His commands.’ Last Day Events, page 173.  

2.        What symbols did Jesus use to illustrate this separation? Matthew 25:32, Matthew 13:30, Matthew 13:47-48.

NOTE: ‘The judgment will be conducted in accordance with the rules God has laid down. By the law which men are now called upon to obey, but which many refuse to accept, all will be judged. As by it character is tested, every man will find his proper place in one of two classes. He will either be holy to the Lord through obedience to His law, or be stained with sin through transgression. . . . He will place the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left. Then men and women will see that their course of action has decided their destiny.’ Lift Him Up, page 348.