Sermon Study Guide: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Theme: Religious Liberty & The Final Crisis
Speaker Reference: Corin (from the transcript)
Key Text: Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13; Revelation 14

Part 1: Introduction & The War of Ideas

Opening Reflection:
The speaker opens with a personal story about changing his sermon to avoid “disfellowshipping.” He then quotes Revelation 12:7 about “war in heaven.”

Discussion Questions:

1. The speaker mentions that the “war in heaven” (Revelation 12) was not a physical war but a battle of ideas (polemos) regarding the character of God. Why is it important to know that the conflict started with ideas and propaganda, not just weapons?

2. Solzhenitsyn said, “To do evil, a human must first believe that what he is doing is good.” Have you ever seen an example of society justifying something wrong because of a “greater good” ideology?

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Part 2: Yesterday (The Soviet Union & The Kulaks)

Summary:
The speaker reviews the man-made famine in Ukraine (1932-33) where Stalin labeled a class of people (“Kulaks”) as enemies of the state to justify their extermination (approx. 15 million deaths).

Key Ideology: Marxism (Class warfare).

Scripture Connection: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men…” (Matthew 23:13). Leader, beware of using ideology to persecute the innocent.

Discussion Questions:

1. The speaker notes that Stalin redefined “Kulak” from “rich peasant” to anyone who was religious or owned a cow. How does changing the definition of words allow evil to flourish?

2. The speaker draws a parallel to modern “identity politics” (e.g., labeling specific groups as oppressors automatically). How can Christians resist the urge to sort people into “good” and “evil” boxes based on their group identity?

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Part 3: Today (The Pandemic & Technocracy)

Summary:
The speaker compares the Soviet situation to the COVID-19 pandemic. He describes the ideology of “secular technocracy” (rule by experts) where the “unvaccinated” became the demonized minority.

Key Ideology: Technocracy / Secular Science (denying God).

Discussion Questions:

1. The speaker states, “The goal was not a healthy population; the goal was a controlled population.” How do we balance legitimate public health concerns with the religious liberty principle of conscience?

2. In the pandemic, many felt pressure from government, employers, and social media (cancel culture). How can a Christian stand for liberty of conscience without being driven by fear or conspiracy, but by faith?

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Part 4: Tomorrow (The Final Crisis of Revelation)

Summary:
The speaker looks at Revelation 12, 13, and 14. He identifies the Sea Beast (Revelation 13:1) as the Papacy (citing historical Protestant/Catholic interpretation) and the Land Beast (Revelation 13:11) as the United States.

Core Issue: Worship.

• The Test: The Mark of the Beast vs. The Seal of God.

• The Specific Commandment: The Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) as the sign of creation and sanctification.

Scripture Focus:

• Revelation 14:7 – “Worship Him who made heaven and earth… the sea.”

• Exodus 31:13 – “My Sabbaths… a sign… that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”

Discussion Questions:

1. The speaker says the final crisis is about coerced false worship. Looking at Revelation 13:16-17 (the economic boycott), how is this different from standard religious persecution?

2. The Seal of God: The speaker explains the Seal is the Holy Spirit transforming the character (Ephesians 1:13), and the Sabbath is the external sign of that internal sanctification. Why is the Sabbath the specific point of attack according to this study?

3. “Charlie Kirk (a non-Adventist) concluded the Sabbath would be the final test of loyalty.” Why do you think a secular student of prophecy would land on the 4th Commandment as the focal point?

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Part 5: The Counterfeit & The Call

Summary:
The speaker warns of a counterfeit Second Coming (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11) where Satan appears as a “great physician” but brings destruction. He quotes The Great Controversy about how the world will blame Sabbath-keepers for disasters.

Final Chart:

• Demonized Group Yesterday: Kulaks.

• Demonized Group Today: Unvaccinated.

• Demonized Group Tomorrow: God’s faithful remnant (Sabbath keepers).

Application Questions:

1. The speaker warns that Satan will impersonate Christ and claim that Sunday observance will stop the plagues. If you saw a “healer” on TV performing miracles but demanding Sunday worship, how would you discern the truth (Isaiah 8:20)?

2. The speaker ends with a passionate plea to plant the Word of God in your hearts because it is the only 100% truth. Practically speaking, how can you make the Bible the center of your life this week to prepare for these events?

3. Personal Reflection: “Either we will have the character of God (Seal) or the character of Satan (Mark).” Which “character traits” are you struggling with today (fear, hate, compromise) that you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit?

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Closing Prayer Guide

Use this to close your study session:

“Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are the Creator and the only source of truth. Lord, we see the battles of yesterday and today, and we know the crisis of tomorrow is near. We ask for the Holy Spirit to seal us—not just with knowledge, but with a changed character. Give us courage to keep Your commandments, especially the Sabbath, as a sign of our love for You. We choose to follow the Lamb wherever He goes, even if the world turns against us. Maranatha. Amen.”

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Recommended Action Items (from the speaker)

1. Get the Book: The Great Controversy (Ellen White) – specifically the chapters on the final crisis.

2. Memory Verse: Revelation 14:12 – “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

3. Website: The speaker mentioned am2p.org (US) and a Canadian site for religious liberty resources.