Sabbath School Lesson for March 29-April 4, 2025
Introduction of Lesson 1, Some Principles of Prophecy
As we begin our new study this quarter, perhaps this will help you understand the importance of the topic:
https://www.outlookmag.org/bible-prophecy-101/
Memory Text: ” ‘But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:24 NKJV
There are various interpretations when it comes to prophecy, but there’s also a lack of interest among some believers, especially in books such as Revelation, which are highly symbolic and prophetic in nature. These people feel that the study of prophecy is a waste of time. God, however, has repeatedly stated that He wants us to know and understand Him. And that includes His messages of prophecy, no matter how difficult or divisive they may seem to us.
In order to correct this situation, several principles to aid our understanding of prophecy will be covered in this week’s lesson. We must pay close attention to the text by reading it…
- candidly, carefully, esthetically, contextually, and intertextually.
And also by responding to it…
- spiritually, intelligently, corporately, existentially, and ethically.
A more detailed explanation of these ten principles are found here:
https://www.outlookmag.org/bible-prophecy-102/
Through the week:
- Sunday: Whoever Reads, Let Him Understand–Matthew 24:15
- Monday: God Wants to be Understood–2 Timothy 3:16
- Tuesday: Daniel–Shut Up the Words–Daniel 12:4
- Wednesday: Studying the Word–Luke 24:27
- Thursday: Figurative or Literal?–recognizing symbols, such as horns (kings), sword (word of God), woman (the church)
Sunday: Whoever Reads, Let Him Understand
God is adamant about wanting us to know and understand Him (Matthew 24:15). He wants us to learn about Him (Matthew 11:29, Jeremiah 9:24). This includes the prophetic knowledge we read about in Revelation (Revelation 1:3).
Being humble about our abilities and fully surrendered to God are prerequisites for all Bible scholars. If we aren’t reading the word with a mind open to learning the truth about God, we will not only miss the message He has for us, but are also likely to misinterpret it.
The right tools and the right attitude, with the Holy Spirit guiding us, becomes the essential framework for any Bible study. With this foremost in our experience, we can gain a deeper appreciation about God’s unchanging character, allowing us to deal with our troublesome past and prepare for His glorious future.
Verses and questions:
Matthew 24:15 and Revelation 1:3
- Why does God want us to understand the words of Daniel and Revelation?
- What can these prophetic books do for us, especially in the end times?
Jeremiah 9:23-24 and Matthew 11:29
- Why is it important for us to know God?
- What is it about knowing God that is most satisfying to you?
Monday: God Wants to Be Understood
Knowing the infinite wisdom and omniscient powers of God can sometimes overwhelm us, making us give up on ever knowing Him as much as we’d like. But we should keep in mind that God not only knows everything about our world, He also knows everything about us (Psalm 139:1-3). And that includes our limited ability to comprehend His plans for the universe.
We are promised though that we can understand enough from our studies to ensure our salvation (2 Timothy 3:14-15). And since the ultimate purpose of Bible prophecy is to encourage us to follow Jesus, our Savior, then prophecies will be unfolded as needed by the sincere student of God’s word.
Therefore, instead of worrying about what we don’t know about God, we can rejoice in what we do know. We can know that God loves us so much that He first created us and later died for us, in order for us to have an eternal, loving relationship with Him.
Verses and questions:
2 Timothy 3:14-16
- What does God especially want us to know about Him?
Psalm 139:1-6
- How did the psalmist feel about God’s knowing so much about him?
- How do you feel about God’s knowing you so intimately?
Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33, and 1 John 3:20
- What’s the difference between God’s knowledge and His understanding?
- Why is it important for God to have both knowledge and understanding, especially as it pertains to our future?
Tuesday: Daniel–Shut Up the Words
It’s interesting to note that the prophet Daniel was told to seal his book “until the time of the end” (Daniel 12:4). But at the end of Revelation, the prophet John was told not to seal his book, because “the time is at hand” (Revelation 22:10). In other words, it was close enough to the time of the end that the prophecies John was given would be helpful.
In Daniel 12:4, it was also mentioned that “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” This might indicate a time of great technological advances and rapid transportation systems. But, a much deeper and likelier interpretation would be that knowledge of Daniel’s prophecies would increase later in earth’s history. Amos supported this when he foretold a time when, “…they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it” (Amos 8:12).
Understanding of the prophecies in Daniel saw an increase after 1798, when the 1,260 day/year prophecy ended. It led to William Miller’s Great Advent Movement in the nineteenth century, with many Christians expecting Christ to return around 1844, when the sanctuary would be cleansed (at the end of the 2,300 day/years). See Daniel 8:14.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church was founded shortly after that time, when a fuller understanding of the heavenly sanctuary revealed their mistake concerning its cleansing. Instead of the Second Coming, it referred to a time of judgment that would take place in the heavenly sanctuary. We are indeed living in the time of the end now, making the prophecies in Revelation a welcome, relevant resource for believers.
Verses and questions:
Daniel 12:4 and Amos 8:12
- What kind of knowledge might Daniel most likely be talking about in this verse?
Revelation 22:10
- Why was John told not to seal up his book, as opposed to Daniel being told to do so?
- How does this indicate that we are now living in the time of the end, and the study of Revelation is needed?
Wednesday: Studying the Word
One of the most well-known Bible studies occurred on the road to Emmaus, when the risen Jesus met two of His disappointed followers and opened the Scriptures to them, in order to uplift their fallen spirits. Luke tells us that Jesus explained to them all the texts concerning Himself (Luke 24:27). He certainly followed the principles of studying a topic as it connected with other verses, and in context with the surrounding passages. And He did it carefully and candidly, noting the beauty of its message.
When they later recognized who their Bible instructor was, the two disciples expressed how their hearts had been touched when Christ had studied with them (Luke 24:32). Their hearts had burned within them, they said, indicating that those principles involved with their response had also been met in their study with Jesus.
With Christ’s excellent example here, we know we must move beyond using the Scriptures as a loose collection of sayings that help us with only one given situation at a time. It’s better for us to include the entire word of God, and dig deeper into the truths than ever before. When Bible study is done correctly, our hearts will also burn within us, inspiring us to share our discoveries with everyone we know.
Verses and questions:
Matthew 5:18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and Luke 24:27
- How do these verses show us that all of the Bible is profitable for us to study–not just bits and pieces of it?
Luke 24:32
- Why is our response, and the response of those with whom we study the Bible, important?
- What are some of the ways we can make sure an appropriate response is reached by both teachers and students of God’s word?
Thursday: Figurative or Literal?
Only by comparing a symbol with other verses in the Bible can we be assured that we are making correct assumptions about its meaning. At times, those meanings may change, depending on the context. For example, a horn may symbolize a king, kingdom, or some political power. But other times it signifies strength, such as in Psalm 75:10.
A sword is mentioned in Revelation 1:16, describing the vision John had of the Son of Man (Revelation 1:13). That sword is easily identified as the word of God. See Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17.
One reason why symbols, and other images and allusions, are used in prophecy is to protect God’s messenger and His people. Christian believers, for example, would have suffered even more persecution had John identified Rome as the truly evil political force that it was and would later become. Calling it Babylon seemed like a safer choice of words to symbolize the confusion that would come out of Rome. See also 1 Peter 5:13.
Verses and questions:
Daniel 7:7, 8:3, 7:24
- Why might a horn be used represent a king and a beast represent a kingdom?
Revelation 1:16, Ephesians 6:17, and Hebrews 4:12
- What is the best way to use our “sword” without harming others? In other words, what is the purpose of God’s word?
Revelation 12:1, 21:2, Ephesians 5:31-32, and Jeremiah 6:2
- Why do you think a woman is chosen as a symbol of God’s church?
Friday: Final Thoughts
Let’s remember that the book called Revelation isn’t meant to be a mystery. From John’s time on, its purpose has been to reveal God’s actions as earth’s history draws to a close. What a useful, beautiful revelation it is to know that God’s plan of salvation will prevail and heaven will someday be our home.
God has always wanted us to know the full story. Even back in Daniel’s time, similar visions were given to him that help unravel many prophecies that John was given. Studying Daniel and Revelation together has proven to be most helpful in expanding our awareness of future events. Thankfully, “None need be in darkness in regard to what is coming upon the earth.” ~Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 342.
Next Week: The Genesis Foundation
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