Lessons From the Epistles to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians
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Sabbath, December 26, 2026Lesson 13
Bracing Ourselves for the Battle MEMORY VERSE: “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not” (Malachi 3:18).
Suggested Readings:
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 137–148, 449–467;
The Great Controversy, pp. 551–562.
“Those who claim to have the great power of God can only be discerned by the great detector, the law of Jehovah. . . . The sheep’s clothing seems so real, so genuine, that the wolf can be discerned only as we go to God’s great moral standard and there find that they are transgressors of the law of Jehovah.”—Faith and Works, p. 45.
1. DON’T BE SURPRISED Sun, Dec 20
a. What phenomenon is characteristic of the last days? 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 9.“I saw that Satan was working through agents in a number of ways. He was at work through ministers who have rejected the truth and are given over to strong delusions to believe a lie that they might be damned. While they were preaching or praying, some would fall prostrate and helpless, not by the power of the Holy Ghost, but by the power of Satan breathed upon these agents, and through them to the people. While preaching, praying, or conversing, some professed Adventists who had rejected present truth used mesmerism to gain adherents, and the people would rejoice in this influence, for they thought it was the Holy Ghost. Some even that used it were so far in the darkness and deception of the devil that they thought it was the power of God, given them to exercise.”—Early Writings, pp. 43, 44.“Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God’s people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God’s tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12–18. They are to take their stand on the living word: ‘It is written.’ This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 16.
2. THE PATH TO ENDURANCE Mon, Dec 21
a. What is lacking in those who are soon to perish? 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10.“Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive.”—The Great Controversy, p. 625.b. Regardless of their profession, what will God send to those who fail to love the truth, and why? 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12.“The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord, Satan will work ‘with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness;’ and they that ‘received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,’ will be left to receive ‘strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:9–11. Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete.”—Ibid., pp. 389, 390. [Author’s italics.]c. For what purpose has God called us and our families—and what duties and challenges does this involve? 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15; Malachi 3:17, 18.“Whether or not our youth who have received wise instruction and training from godly parents will continue to be sanctified through the truth depends largely upon the influence that, after leaving their homes, they meet among those to whom they look for Christian instruction.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 226.“Those who profess to believe in Jesus, should ever press to the light. They should daily pray for the light of the Holy Spirit to shine upon the pages of the sacred book, that they may be enabled to comprehend the things of the Spirit of God. We must have implicit trust in God’s word, or we are lost. The words of men, however great they may be, are not able to make us perfect, to thoroughly furnish unto all good works. . . . It is through the sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the truth, that we become laborers together with God.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 188, 189.
3. THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL Tue, Dec 22
a. What makes faithful endurance possible? 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17; 3:1–5.“Paul outlined the baleful work of that power of evil which was to continue through long centuries of darkness and persecution before the second coming of Christ. The Thessalonian believers had hoped for immediate deliverance; now they were admonished to take up bravely and in the fear of God the work before them. The apostle charged them not to neglect their duties or resign themselves to idle waiting. After their glowing anticipations of immediate deliverance the round of daily life and the opposition that they must meet would appear doubly forbidding. He therefore exhorted them to steadfastness in the faith.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 266, 267.b. What example did Paul set for gospel workers? 2 Thessalonians 3:6–9.“Men who are chosen of God to labor in this cause will give proof of their high calling and will consider it their highest duty to grow and improve until they shall become able workmen. Then, as they manifest an earnestness to improve upon the talent which God has entrusted to them, they should be helped judiciously. But the encouragement given them should not savor of flattery, for Satan himself will do enough of that kind of work. Men who think that they have a duty to preach should not be sustained in throwing themselves and their families at once upon the brethren for support. They are not entitled to this until they can show good fruits of their labor. There is now danger of injuring young preachers, and those who have but little experience, by flattery, and by relieving them of burdens in life. When not preaching they should be doing what they can for their own support. This is the best way to test the nature of their call to preach. If they desire to preach only that they may be supported as ministers, and the church pursue a judicious course, they will soon lose the burden and leave preaching for more profitable business. Paul, a most eloquent preacher, miraculously converted of God to do a special work, was not above labor. He says: ‘Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it.’ 1 Corinthians 4:11, 12.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 446, 447.
4. BASICS TO REMEMBER Wed, Dec 23
a. Name one basic, timeless principle that is an essential tenet of genuine Christianity. Proverbs 20:4; 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12.“Misguided souls have taught that the attainment of true holiness carries the mind above all earthly thoughts and leads men to refrain wholly from labor. Others, taking extreme views of certain texts of Scripture, have taught that it is a sin to work—that Christians should take no thought concerning the temporal welfare of themselves or their families, but should devote their lives wholly to spiritual things. The teaching and example of the apostle Paul are a rebuke to such extreme views.“Paul was not wholly dependent upon the labor of his hands for support while at Thessalonica. Referring later to his experiences in that city, he wrote to the Philippian believers in acknowledgment of the gifts he had received from them while there, saying, ‘Even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.’ Philippians 4:16. Notwithstanding the fact that he received this help he was careful to set before the Thessalonians an example of diligence, so that none could rightfully accuse him of covetousness, and also that those who held fanatical views regarding manual labor might be given a practical rebuke.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 348, 349.“The custom of supporting men and women in idleness by private gifts or church money encourages them in sinful habits, and this course should be conscientiously avoided. Every man, woman, and child should be educated to do practical, useful work. . . . All should be educated to use the members of their body to some purpose, and God is ready and willing to increase the adaptability of all who will educate themselves to industrious habits.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 912.b. When tempted to despair, what must we recall? 2 Thessalonians 3:13.“Holiness will lead its possessor to be fruitful and abound in all good works. He will never become weary in well-doing, neither will he look for promotion in this world. He will look forward for promotion to the time when the Majesty of heaven shall exalt the sanctified ones to His throne. Then shall He say unto them: ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ The Lord then enumerates the works of self-denial and mercy, compassion and righteousness, which they had wrought. Holiness of heart will produce right actions.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 445.
5. IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD Thu, Dec 24
a. How are we to treat the wayward? 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15.“We should be warned not to associate with those who by their course of action lay a stumbling block in the way of others. [2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15 quoted.] If he refuses the admonition of the Lord’s servants, and follows his own will and judgment under the inspiration of his leader, Satan, he will bring ruin upon himself, and must bear his own sin.’ ”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 912.“[Paul] enjoined upon the church to separate from their fellowship anyone who should persist in disregarding the instruction given by God’s ministers. ‘Yet,’ he added, ‘count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.’ ”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 267, 268.b. What final hope in this epistle are we to reflect? 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18.“We must offer men something better than that which they possess, even the peace of Christ, which passeth all understanding. We must tell them of God’s holy law, the transcript of His character, and an expression of that which He wishes them to become. Show them how infinitely superior to the fleeting joys and pleasures of the world is the imperishable glory of heaven. Tell them of the freedom and rest to be found in the Saviour. . . . He alone can satisfy the craving of the heart and give peace to the soul.“Of all people in the world, reformers should be the most unselfish, the most kind, the most courteous. . . .“We are to speak the truth in love, trusting in [God] to give it power for the reforming of the life. The Holy Spirit will apply to the soul the word that is spoken in love.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 157.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Dec 25
1. Describe some activity of the enemy of souls in the last days.2. What happens to those who know the truth, but don’t necessarily love it?3. Explain the secret of Christian endurance.4. What will always characterize the life of a true reformer?5. How am I to apply the biblical method of dealing with the erring?