John Lomacang 2025 Q1 L10 An Angel Delayed
3ABN SABBATH SCHOOL PANEL
010 - Sunday – March 2, 2025
Lesson Title: God’s Love and Justice
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Memory Text: 1 John 3:8 (NKJV) “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might
destroy the works of the devil.”
AN ANGEL DELAYED
We live amid an invisible conflict. Forces beyond our understanding contend over us. The
question is, should not allow the things we don’t understand to cause us to accuse
God?
Daniel 10:1-14 (NKJV) “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed
to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the
appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of
the vision. (2) In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. (3) I ate no
pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till
three whole weeks were fulfilled. (4) Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month,
as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, (5) I lifted my eyes and looked,
and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of
Uphaz! (6) His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes
like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of
his words like the voice of a multitude. (7) And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the
men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that
they fled to hide themselves. (8) Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision,
and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained
no strength. (9) Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his
words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. (10) Suddenly, a
hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my
hands. (11) And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words
that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was
speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. (12) Then he said to me, “Do not fear,
Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble
yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your
words. (13) But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and
behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone
there with the kings of Persia. (14) Now I have come to make you understand what will
happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to
come.””
The delay of Daniel 10:12-13 symbolizes the exercise of faith and the parameters of
Divinity. The Angel was sent from the day that Daniel began praying, but he did not prevail
until the 21st day.
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What happens when your faith is tried during a divine delay?
1. DIVINE TIMING: The answer to prayer comes according to God time: Isaiah 40:29-31
(NKJV) “(29) He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He
increases strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young
men shall utterly fall, (31) But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their
strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be
weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
2. THE TEST OF FAITH: The delay was a test of Daniel’s faith as it is a test of our faith:
James 1:2-4 (NKJV) “(2) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various
trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let
patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking
nothing.”
3. GOD’S SUSTAINING GRACE: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) “And He said to me, “My
grace is sulicient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore
most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
upon me.”
4. THE DIVINE PROHIBITION: God does not allow our strength to fail—even though it may
become weak: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NKJV) “(8) We are hard-pressed on every side,
yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) persecuted, but not
forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— (10) always carrying about in the body
the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our
body.”
5. EMBRACE THE VISION: When we don’t understand God’s timing, trust the vision:
Habakkuk 2:2-4 (NKJV) “(2) Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the
vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. (3) For the vision
is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it
tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. (4) “Behold the
proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”
6. DO NOT BE AFRAID: While we wait on the Lord, do not allow fear to incarcerate us:
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right
hand.’”
7. TRUST GOD’S LIMITS: We don’t know the limits of God, but we can trust Him: Job 11:7
(NKJV) “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of
the Almighty?”
Rules of Engagement: Directives issued by an authority specifying the
circumstances and limitations under which forces will engage in combat
with the enemy.
Matthew 4.4 NKJV “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’
{SSP 1Q 2025 Les 10}
Program: SS Panel 2025 1 Q
Quarterly title: God’s Love and Justice
Quarterly author: John C. Peckham
Lesson Title: #10 Rules of Engagement
For Lesson Dates: December 28-January 3, 2025
Section title: Tuesday - The Dragon of Revelation
Record date: Monday March 1-7, 2024
Note: This color and font = quarterly text
Note: This color and font = John Dinzey notes
]]> Emphasize this
Question:
>[=] Story:
REF:>>
Lesson 10 March 1-7
Rules of Engagement
SABBATH AFTERNOON
Read for This Week’s Study: Dan. 10:1–14, Rev. 13:1–8, Job 1:1–12, Job 2:1–7,
John 12:31, John 14:30, Mark 6:5, Mark 9:29.
Memory Text: “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might
destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8, NKJV).
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{SSP 1Q 2025 Les 10}
MONDAY March 3
The Dragon of Revelation
The overarching perspective of celestial rulers in the cosmic conflict is
encapsulated in the book of Revelation, where the devil is depicted as “the great
dragon” who opposes God and “deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9, NKJV).
Read Revelation 13:1–8. What does this reveal about the extent of the
dragon’s jurisdiction?
Revelation 13:1–8 1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast
rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten
crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a
bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power,
his throne, and great authority.
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly
wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
Revelation 13:4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the
beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able
to make war with him?”
Revelation 13:5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and
blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His
name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.
And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been
written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
***READ***
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The dragon (Satan) not only wars against God (Rev. 12:7–9) and His servants
(for example, Rev. 12:1–6), but he is depicted as the ruler behind the earthly
kingdoms who persecute God’s people throughout the ages.
The beginning of the Great controversy
Revelation 12:7-9 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought
with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,
8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.
9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and
Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels
were cast out with him.
The dragon “gave . . . his power, his throne, and great authority” to the beast
from the sea (Rev. 13:2, NKJV; compare with Rev. 13:5; Rev. 17:13, 14). This beast from
the sea is “given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given
authority to continue for forty-two months” (Rev. 13:5, NKJV).
REF:>>: Revelation 13:2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were
like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his
power, his throne, and great authority.
Revelation 13:5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies,
and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
they will give their power and authority to the beast
Revelation 17:13-14 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power
and authority to the beast.
14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for
He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called,
chosen, and faithful.”
***READ***
So, Satan (the dragon) gives power and ruling authority to a beast (an earthly religious-
political power). This power is exercised in order to usurp the worship due to God. The
beast blasphemes God’s name; it also wars against, and even overcomes, God’s holy
ones (saints), at least for a period of time. This worldwide authority and jurisdiction is
given to him by the dragon, the usurping ruler of this world.
he knows that he has a short time
Revelation 1212 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe
to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you,
having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
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{SSP 1Q 2025 Les 10}
***READ*** bold only
Yet, there are clear limits on Satan and his agencies, as well, including
temporal limits. “ ‘Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to
the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having
great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time’ ” (Rev. 12:12, NKJV).
***READ***
Satan “knows that his time is short” (Rev. 12:12, ESV), and the events described in
Revelation proceed along prophetic timelines, which show specific limits (see Rev.
12:14, Rev. 13:5) to the reign of these evil forces.
Revelation 12:14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she
might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and
times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
Revelation 13:5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and
blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
>> 42 months: 1260 years = 538 A.D. —1798 A.D.
Daniel 7:25 25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute
the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.
26 ‘But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume
and destroy it forever.
27 Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the
whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is
an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’
I run thus: not with uncertainty
1 Corinthians 9:24 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but
one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they
do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who
beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have
preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
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{SSP 1Q 2025 Les 10}
Indeed, God finally triumphs. “ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for
the former things have passed away’ ” (Rev. 21:4, NKJV).
However hard for us to see it now, in the end good will eternally triumph
over evil. Why is it so important that we never forget this wonderful promise?
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Additional Notes
Revelation 17:1-18 1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls
came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of
the great harlot who sits on many waters,
2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of
the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman
sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven
heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and
precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations
and the filthiness of her fornication.
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the
martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of
the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the
ten horns.
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless
pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose
names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when
they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on
which the woman sits.
10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet
come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven,
and is going to perdition.
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12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as
yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the
beast.
14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for
He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called,
chosen, and faithful.”
15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are
peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot,
make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind,
and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings
of the earth.”
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James Rafferty Q1-L10-2025-The Case of Job-March 4
Lesson 10: Rules of Engagement (Tuesday) March 1-7
Tuesday March 4
The Case of Job
In the book of Job, we are given some fascinating insights
into the reality of the great controversy.
Read Job 1:1–12 and Job 2:1–7. What principles of the great
controversy do we see unveiled here?
Many significant details can be gleaned from these verses.
-First, there appears to be some kind of heavenly council scene,
not merely a dialogue between God and Satan; other celestial
beings are involved.
-Second, there is some existing dispute, OVER PLANET
EARTH AS SATAN CLAIMS TO HAVE COME FROM
EARTH TO THIS HEAVENLY GATHERING OF THE SONS
OF GOD (PRESUMEDLY REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER
WORLDS) signaled by the fact that God asks whether Satan has
considered Job. Considered Job for what? The question makes
sense in the context of a larger, ongoing [Link]
PLANET EARTH -GIVEN TO ADAM- STOLEN BY SATAN-
RANSOMED BY CHRIST - HEBREW 2:6-9; JOHN 12:31;
-Third, while God declares Job blameless, upright, and God-
fearing, Satan claims that Job appears to fear God only because
God protects him. This amounts to slander against both Job’s
character and God’s, as well (compare with Rev. 12:10,
Zechariah 3).
-Fourth, Satan alleges that God’s protection of Job (the hedge) is
unfair and makes it impossible for Satan to prove his allegations.
This indicates some existing limits on Satan (rules of
engagement), and that Satan has apparently tried to harm Job.
God responds to Satan’s accusation before the heavenly council
by allowing Satan to put his theory to the test, but only within
limits. He first grants Satan power over “all that he has,” but
prohibits personal harm to Job (Job 1:12, NKJV). Later, after
Satan claims that Job cares only about himself, God allows
Satan to afflict Job personally, but Satan must spare his life (Job
2:3–6).
Satan brings numerous calamities against Job’s household, yet
in each case Job continues to bless His name (Job 1:20–22; Job
2:9, 10), falsifying Satan’s charges.
We learn many things here, such as that there are rules of
engagement in the cosmic conflict. There are parameters in the
heavenly court within which the allegations raised against God
can be settled, but without God violating the sacred principles
inherent in love, the foundation of God’s government and how
He rules the universe and the intelligent beings in it.
These heavenly scenes in the book of Job offer us fascinating
insights into the reality of the great controversy, and how it is
played out here on earth.
Quarter One: God’s Love and Justice
Jill Morikone
Lesson 10—Rules of Engagement
Wednesday: The (Temporary) Ruler of This World
March 5, 2025
• Last Week: “Cosmic Conflict”
o Study on the Great Controversy, it’s origin in heaven & on earth, & its nature
• This Week: “Rules of Engagement”
o The nature of the GC & how it gives insight into the problem of evil
o Understanding that “idolatry / foreign god” Scriptures pertain to the “cosmic conflict”
Memory Text: “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose
the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8, NKJV)
The week in brief:
• 1. Sunday: An Angel Delayed (John L)
o Dan 10 – God restraining His full power from being exercised to allow even Satan & his
angels to exercise power; love allows for free will
• 2. Monday: The Dragon of Revelation (John D)
o Rev 13:1 – 8 – Satan being behind the beast power (Roman power) & other systems that
persecute God’s people; yet, God limits on Satan’s authority & God wins in the end
• 3. Tuesday: The Case of Job (James)
o Job 1 & 2 – Satan’s accusations against Job (& God’s character) & claims that God has
been protecting Job; God allows Satan to test his theory (but within prescribed limits)
• 4. Wednesday: The (Temporary) Ruler of this World (Jill)
o Multiple Scriptures – the rules of engagement in the GC: Satan has limited & temporary
rulership, that God sets & controls; yet, God chooses to morally limit His power, too, to
mitigate & immediately destroy that evil
• 5. Thursday: Limits & Rules (SQ)
o God’s character is on trial in the GC; God’s allowance for a free, open investigation of
His character; limits & rules – two are faith & prayer
Wednesday: The (Temporary) Ruler of This World
John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Luke 4:6; 1 John 3:8
• Rules of Engagement in the Cosmic Conflict (limited understanding)
o God is all powerful
o Satan is granted power
§ A temporary & limited rulership of this world
o Satan’s power is limited
§ By those rules of engagement
§ & by God’s power
o God has chosen to limit His power
§ By those same rules of engagement
§ Allowing Satan limited power
§ Choosing to allow some evil to exist – the outworking of the GC
§ Lesson: “God has morally limited His future course of action (without lessening
His raw power).”
§ Real strength is having the ability to do something, and choosing not to.
• Often think:
o There are limits on Satan’s power (thus far, and no farther)
o Not often think about: Self-imposed limits on God’s power
§ Love allows free choice
§ If humanity / Satan choose the wrong, God cannot just squelch that evil
• Hence, God cannot immediately eliminate the evil in this world
§ Wheat & tares grow together until the harvest
o When we see evil & suffering, can wonder
§ Is God good?
§ Does God exist?
o Yet, understand in light of the GC
§ & the limits God has placed on how He deals with evil immediately – and free
choice – love does not force – understand better the continued existence of evil
• If God had immediately destroyed Lucifer after sin arose, the angels
would have forever wondered: I’m afraid of God; He might kill me too. I
actually thought Lucifer was right, but I’d better keep my thoughts to
myself…. Couldn’t see the outworking of sin yet.
§ The cross is where the true identity of sin & evil was unmasked
o 2 Pet 3:9 – “…God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance.”
§ God does everything possible to save us
Line of successorship
• 1. Adam & Eve given dominion / stewardship over this world
o Gen 1:26 – “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;
let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the
cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”
§ Adam & Eve were given dominion over this world
o Gen 2:15 – “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend
and keep it.”
§ Given stewardship over this earth
• 2. Satan wrested that control for himself (temporarily)
o Adam & Eve ate of the forbidden fruit
o Gen 3:10 – “So he (Adam) said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid
because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
§ Sin brings fear and guilt
o Gen 3:17 – because of Adam’s sin, the ground was cursed…
o Gen 3:24 – “So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden
of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of
life.”
§ Adam & Eve driven from the garden that they had dominion over
o John 14:30 – “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming,
and he has nothing in Me.”
§ No sin in Christ; no response to Satan’s attacks
• 3. Jesus’ death on the Cross, brought this world back under God’s dominion
o John 12:31 – “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast
out.”
§ At the cross, Satan was dethroned
§ Love & selfishness stood face to face
§ The angels & unfallen worlds & humanity saw Satan exposed for who he truly is
• And who God is
• God = love; God’s character = love; God’s law is holy, just & good
o Heb 2:14, 15 – “….He Himself likewise share in the same, that through death He might
destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. (15) and release those who
through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
§ Jesus’ death gained the victory
§ Jesus’ death destroyed the power of the devil = “the slanderer” (in Gk)
• Jesus’ death corrected some of the misinterpretations of the character of
God
• 4. Satan seeks to keep people under his control (even though they can be free under Jesus)
o 2 Cor 4:3, 4 – “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, (4)
whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the
gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”
§ Written after the Cross (Satan is no longer in “charge” of the world
§ Yet, he can deceive & tempt & blind people to the gospel
o John 1:4, 5 – “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shines
in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
§ Jesus = the Creator; the Author of both physical & spiritual life
§ We have to be open to receive & accept that life
o Col 1:13, 14 – “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the
kingdom of the Son of His love, (14) in whom we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins.”
§ Jesus’ blood forgives us & sets us free from the power of Satan / darkness
§ We don’t have to talk in darkness
o 1 John 3:8 – “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy
the works of the devil.”
§ Jesus came to expose Satan, & ultimately defeat Satan
Line of successorship
• 1. Adam & Eve given dominion / stewardship over this world
• 2. Satan wrested that control for himself (temporarily)
• 3. Jesus’ death on the Cross, brought this world back under God’s dominion
• 4. Satan seeks to keep people under his control (even though they can be free under Jesus)
Lesson 10 = Limits and Rules - Thursday
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THURSDAY Limits and Rules
Revelation 12:7–9 = War broke out in heaven = war of words = Satan
trafficked lies against God; vs 9: 9So the great dragon was cast out, that
serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole
world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
• Garden of Eden = Satan used serpent as medium = deceived Eve
• 1 Timothy 2:14 Adam [first Adam] not deceived, but deliberately
submitted to Satan = forfeiting his God-given rights
• to rule operations/ jurisprudence of the planet.
• Adam handed over his rights to Satan =
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves
slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of
sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
• When Jesus was tempted / wilderness / 40 days = Satan offered to
return authority over Earth to Him,
o if Jesus would only worship / fallen angel Luke 4:5–7
• See thru/out Scripture = cosmic conflict =
o between demonic rulers of darkness
o God’s kingdom of light/love
• God’s govt operates by power of love
o Satan governs by love of power /lies /motivated by desire for
worship that only belongs to God
ABSG lesson opens – QUOTE The cosmic conflict is primarily a
dispute over God’s character, caused by the devil’s slanderous
allegations against God’s goodness, justice, and government. It is a kind
of cosmic covenant lawsuit. Such a conflict cannot be settled by sheer
power but, instead, requires demonstration. If serious allegations are
brought against a person in power, the best (and maybe only) way to
defeat the allegations would be to allow for a free, fair, and open
Lesson 10 = Limits and Rules - Thursday
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investigation. If the allegations threaten the entire government (of
love), they cannot simply be swept under the rug. UNQUOTE
• Although God does not need counsel from anyone to approve His
decisions = we’ve seen Scripture indicates He graciously allows some
of His created beings to come into His presence / suggest input to
accomplish His will (Job 1:6; 1 Kings 22:19, Daniel 4:17).
• God= not authoritarian dictator = many accuse Him of being.
• Quite plausible / this council of beings / had input on allowing Satan
short time on Earth Rev 12:12= prove /disprove his accusations
• However determined / obvious rules of engagement for this conflict
o Are temporarily in place = short time
• Omnipotent God has agreed to these = morally bound/limited by
Mark 6:4–6 4But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without
honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and
in his own house.” 5Now He could do no mighty work there,
except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed
them. 6And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He
went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
• Jesus still had power to do mighty works
• People didn’t come to Him = because of unbelief
• He honored boundaries He places around “free will”
• Divine action = related to faith/prayer
• Mark 9:29 = So He said to them, “This kind can come out by
nothing but prayer and fasting.”
ABSG QUOTE: In both these narratives, some limits or rules of engagement
seem to be in place, dynamically related to things like faith and prayer.
Elsewhere we see abundant evidence that prayer makes a difference in
this world, opening up avenues for divine action that otherwise might
Lesson 10 = Limits and Rules - Thursday
Page 3 of 3
not be (morally) available. However, we should not make the mistake of
thinking that faith and prayer are the only factors.
There are likely many other factors of which we might be unaware. This
fits with what we’ve seen previously about rules of engagement. As we
said, there are certain rules of engagement in the great controversy that
limit what God can morally do, at least for now. As such, some evils may
fall within the temporary domain of the kingdom of [Link]
INTERCESSORY PRAYER = REMOVE GOD’S SELF-IMPOSED HANDCUFFS
OF LOVE = GIVE HIM MORAL PERMISSION TO RESPOND TO OUR
PRAYERS ON BEHALF OF OTHERS
• even though there are = many things we do not know
• we can trust = God knows what is best = wants what is best
• will bring an end to evil = usher in an eternity of bliss
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
• Christ defeated Satan /Cross= proved / nature of self-sacrificing love
o Paid penalty of our sins = Satisfy His own justice
• Last Adam [Jesus 1 Cor 15:45] regained legal authority to rule world
• Defeated devil = will be cast into lake of fire = at end
• God will recreate Earth = restore to Garden of Eden
Revelation 21:3–4 3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with
them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and
be their God. 4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be
no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
