1. THE CHURCH REVEALED Sun, May 24

a. What is seen at the beginning of John’s fourth vision? Revelation 12:1. b. In Bible symbolism, what is a woman designed to represent? 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ezekiel 23:2–4; Revelation 17:3–6. “In Revelation 17 Babylon is represented as a woman—a figure which is used in the Bible as the symbol of a church, a virtuous woman representing a pure church, a vile woman an apostate church.“In the Bible the sacred and enduring character of the relation that exists between Christ and His church is represented by the union of marriage. The Lord has joined His people to Himself by a solemn covenant, He promising to be their God, and they pledging themselves to be His and His alone. He declares: ‘I will betroth thee unto Me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies.’ Hosea 2:19. And, again: ‘I am married unto you.’ Jeremiah 3:14. And Paul employs the same figure in the New Testament when he says: ‘I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 11:2.”—The Great Controversy, p. 381.

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2. THE CHURCH IN CONFLICT Mon, May 25

a. How did the church travail in expectation of the Messiah child? Revelation 12:2; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:25–32. “The dying words of Jacob filled [the faithful among the Jews] with hope: ‘The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come.’ Genesis 49:10. The waning power of Israel testified that the Messiah’s coming was at hand. The prophecy of Daniel pictured the glory of His reign over an empire which should succeed all earthly kingdoms; and, said the prophet, ‘It shall stand forever.’ Daniel 2:44. While few understood the nature of Christ’s mission, there was a widespread expectation of a mighty prince who should establish his kingdom in Israel, and who should come as a deliverer to the nations.“The fullness of the time had come. Humanity, becoming more degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the Redeemer.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 34. b. What civil power is depicted by the great red dragon? Revelation 12:3. “Under the symbols of a great red dragon, a leopardlike beast, and a beast with lamblike horns, the earthly governments which would especially engage in trampling upon God’s law and persecuting His people, were presented to John.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 972. c. Because of this dragon-like power, what danger did the church and the Messiah face? Revelation 12:4. “Satan had been working to make the gulf deep and impassable between earth and heaven. By his falsehoods he had emboldened men in sin. It was his purpose to wear out the forbearance of God, and to extinguish His love for man, so that He would abandon the world to satanic jurisdiction.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 34, 35.“Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.”—Ibid., p. 49.

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3. WAR IN HEAVEN Tue, May 26

a. What insight into the past was revealed to John, and what does it mean? Revelation 12:7–9. “Opposition to the law of God had its beginning in the courts of heaven, with Lucifer, the covering cherub. Satan determined to be first in the councils of heaven, and equal with God. He began his work of rebellion with the angels under his command, seeking to diffuse among them the spirit of discontent. And he worked in so deceptive a way that many of the angels were won to his allegiance before his purposes were fully known. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character, nor see to what his work was leading. When Satan had succeeded in winning many angels to his side, he took his cause to God, representing that it was the desire of the angels that he occupy the position that Christ held.“The evil continued to work until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. Then there was war in heaven, and Satan, with all who sympathized with him, was cast out.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, pp. 972, 973. b. How does the announcement in Revelation 12:10, 11 indicate the completion of Satan’s being cast out during Jesus’ ministry? “With prophetic eye Christ traced the scenes to take place in His last great conflict. He knew that when He should exclaim, ‘It is finished,’ all heaven would triumph. His ear caught the distant music and the shouts of victory in the heavenly courts. He knew that the knell of Satan’s empire would then be sounded, and the name of Christ would be heralded from world to world throughout the universe.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 679.“The plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe. . . . The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 68, 69.

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4. WAR ON EARTH Wed, May 27

a. What increased danger would now be presented to the church? Revelation 12:12, 13. “Satan, knowing that the empire he had usurped would in the end be wrested from him, determined to spare no pains to destroy as many as possible of the creatures whom God had created in His image. He hated man because Christ had manifested for him such forgiving love and pity, and he now prepared to practice upon him every species of deception by which he might be lost; he pursued his course with more energy because of his own hopeless condition.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, pp. 973, 974.“The great controversy between good and evil will increase in intensity to the very close of time. In all ages the wrath of Satan has been manifested against the church of Christ; and God has bestowed His grace and Spirit upon His people to strengthen them to stand against the power of the evil one. When the apostles of Christ were to bear His gospel to the world and to record it for all future ages, they were especially endowed with the enlightenment of the Spirit. But as the church approaches her final deliverance, Satan is to work with greater power. . . . And all the depths of satanic skill and subtlety acquired, all the cruelty developed, during these struggles of the ages, will be brought to bear against God’s people in the final conflict. And in this time of peril the followers of Christ are to bear to the world the warning of the Lord’s second advent; and a people are to be prepared to stand before Him at His coming, ‘without spot, and blameless.’ 2 Peter 3:14. At this time the special endowment of divine grace and power is not less needful to the church than in apostolic days.”—The Great Controversy, pp. ix, x. b. Describe the experience of the church during the 1260 years of oppression and persecution. Revelation 12:6, 14. c. What help came to deflect the assault of the human agencies that the dragon intended to use against the faithful? Revelation 12:15, 16. “As the tidings spread through the countries of Europe, of a land where every man might enjoy the fruit of his own labor and obey the convictions of his own conscience, thousands flocked to the shores of the New World.”—Ibid., p. 296.

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5. THE REMNANT Thu, May 28

a. As the anger of the dragon reaches its peak, how are the faithful described? Revelation 12:17. “The revelator, looking down the ages to the close of time, has declared, ‘The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’ Revelation 12:17. Some who today are living on the earth will see these words fulfilled. The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church, will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God. Even now preparations are being made for this last great conflict.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 605. b. How do the characteristics of the remnant describe the church in the last days? Revelation 14:12; 19:10. “The remnant church will acknowledge God in His law and will have the prophetic gift. Obedience to the law of God, and the spirit of prophecy has always distinguished the true people of God, and the test is usually given on present manifestations.”—Loma Linda Messages, p. 33.“The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects, he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 231.“A refusal to obey the commandments of God, and a determination to cherish hatred against those who proclaim these commandments, leads to the most determined war on the part of the dragon, whose whole energies are brought to bear against the commandment-keeping people of God.”—Ibid., vol. 8, p. 117.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, May 29

1. Why is the church symbolized in the Bible by a woman? 2. Explain the risk that the Son of God took to come to the earth as a human. 3. When was the casting out of Satan from heaven fully completed? 4. Describe the reason for the wrath of the dragon against the church. 5. What characteristics do we look for when identifying the remnant?