Sabbath School From Home Cameron and Lachlan Rogers

We look honestly at the world in light of "the upcoming conflict" between God and Satan. 
The lesson this week takes a deliberate focus on the Catholic church and the pope, but we can't help looking broader for the Beastly powers mentioned in Revelation's description of end times. Our lived social experience no longer resounds to the great dichotomy between catholic and protestant - indeed there's a variety of societal divides which seem far more entrenched. Illicit drugs and family violence are deeply destructive of human society and does not seem any exaggeration to call them beastly tools of the devil. We don't have all the answers, but feel drawn to reflect on the primary importance of true worship in the care for poor and widows and orphans.

Deception is a key theme when discussing spiritual conflict and controversy. 
The topic for this week is satanic deception, which the Adventist lesson guide identifies quite specifically with spiritualism. 2 Thessalonians 2 has a lot to say about a "man of lawlessness" instigating grand deceptions, but we find some of the details are not straightforward to understand. We are drawn to a question from the lesson that has broader relevance beyond its context: "what kind of deceptions will people face in the last days?"

How does God's law reveal His character? 
We explore how God's Law (and the Sabbath) impact our picture of who God is. Are they the only way (or even a good way) of understanding God's character?

Imagery from the Old Testament sanctuary pervades the Bible. 
A listener comment points us towards Zechariah 4, which mirrors many elements from Rev 11 that we discussed recently. It also speaks of the sanctuary both literally (foundations being laid) and figuratively (lampstand metaphor). The New Testament seems to take this temple idea and radically apply it to the community of Christ.

Hope is an incredibly powerful motivator. 
Prophets are fascinating and unsettling in an incredible variety of ways throughout the Bible, but one consistent theme is anticipation of the future. We look at Joseph's teenage dreams and explore how things don't turn out the way he probably expected. It seems one important role of prophecy is to remind us of hope.

There's definitely controversy described in Revelation 11, and there could also be about this chapter! 
The lesson this week makes quite a strong statement about this chapter pointing to the French Revolution. We discuss a few cautions about confirmation bias, and don't see this connection particularly vividly in the text itself. Rather than try to reach a definitive interpretation, we explore some details in this passage and meditate on the power of God despite the observation of suffering and oppression.