Key Text
“Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”” Revelation 14:12 (WEB)
Lesson
Have you ever seen a giant moth? One of the biggest moths in the world is called the Atlas moth (Attacus atlas). Its wingspan is between 9-12 inches (25-30 cm)! The atlas moth is primarily orange and has beautiful geometric patterns of white and black across its wings. As with other moths, the Atlas begins its life as a caterpillar. It eats and grows until it is ready to turn into a winged moth. Then it wraps itself in a cocoon and the pupa slowing transforms into an adult moth. Once it has transformed, the Atlas moth can no longer eat. It has no functional mouthparts. In fact, many moth species are unable to eat once they transform from the larva state. The Luna, Polyphemus, Promethea, and other species of adult moths do not have mouthparts.
Because it has no mouth, the Atlas moth must survive off the energy it consumed as a caterpillar. It spends most of its short adult life being still in order to conserve energy. It’s one purpose as an adult is to reproduce. It does not waste time looking for food sources to perpetuate its own life. God gave the adult moth one job. And it has everything it needs to do it.
Likewise, as Christians living in these last days, God has given us one job. We may fret that we don’t have certain talents, good looks, money or other things. God has given or will give what we need to do the job he has given us. In the next life we will have everything we want, long life, good looks, money, even the streets will be paved with gold. But in this short life on earth, God has left us one job— to tell people of his soon return.
We are to live with this as our primary priority. We are the Remnant people. We do not have time to be preoccupied with chasing after worldly things. We have an urgent message for the world. Jesus instructed us not to worry about anything, not even what we will eat (Matt. 6:31). We need to be focused on telling people to get ready for Jesus’ soon return, encouraging them to repent and prepare for his coming judgment. We need the perseverance to stay focused on our one task, which is to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Questions
Is it wrong if we do have good looks or lots of money? Do you think God gives these gifts to some people for a reason?
How do we share God with others when they don’t seem to want to hear it?
Does God expect us to trust him even if we have lost everything?
Is it wrong to feel worried about things?
How do you stay focused on God even when you feel worried?
Source
1. Kasey, "Atlas moth," Remain Gardens: Iowa State University, July 2017, accessed March 13, 2019 from https://www.reimangardens.com/2015/07/atlas-moth/.
Written by David F. Garner
Photo credit: Crazygoat www.pixabay.com
SDA Belief Series 13/28