Lesson 5 Review: The Nations: Part 2

Introduction

Memory Text: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10, NKJV).

God never intended that Satan or humanity descend into sin and death. The rebellion of Satan, and then of humanity, was a tragedy of immense consequence, and our joy in God would have remained complete had our first parents not fallen. The book of Daniel reveals the truths about the problems caused by the fall. God was right with what would happen when humanity turned away from Him and chose earthly monarchs instead. Exactly what they got was earthly monarchs and sinners lording it over sinners—never a good combination.

 What was the very first commandment given to humans?

The very first commandment given to humans was the command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16).

What was God’s intention for man concerning acquiring knowledge?

God’s intention for man was to educate His people thoroughly while sparing them from the long-term suffering that some knowledge would cause, such as what would later happen when people chose to rule themselves rather than to be ruled by the Lord Himself.

How can we explain the chaos caused from the worldly kingdoms?

The march of empires depicted in Daniel is not only an indictment of “the nations”—the Gentiles—it is also an indictment of Israel’s failures, their refusal to follow His mitswot (commandments).

What important truths can we learn from the amazing prophecy in Daniel 2:31-35?

The metals in Daniel 2 move from most valuable to least valuable. Though, in some ways, human existence has improved (at least at a physical level), who actually looks ahead to the future of this world, as it is now ruled and governed, with much optimism about peace, security, and prosperity?

How does the imagery of the beast first arising from the sea help to explain the problem faced today by God’s people?

Gentile problems had now become the problem of God’s people. Daniel was watching the chaos from the shore, when suddenly the beasts start coming up on the land—into his territory. They had chosen to live like the Gentiles, so now they would live with (and under) Gentiles and never enjoy complete or long-lasting autonomy until the close of time, when Christ is restored to His rightful place as our King.

What was the problem with these nations?

Although some nations were more peaceful or better than others, ultimately, these nations experienced oppression or tragedy. Despite the good intentions of some of the rulers, ultimately, there were its weaknesses.

What does land and sea represent in Bible prophecy?

Land is a place of stability, established on the government of God; sea represents the unstable turmoil of nations established on human pride.

What does it mean that the dragon used water to persecute the woman?

With water symbolizing worldly governments, and the woman symbolizing the church. The devil uses the masses, prodded by their leaders, to persecute God’s people through much of church history.

What does Revelation say about the American republic?

The American republic is identified as the “beast coming up out of the earth” (Rev. 13:11, NKJV), it has been a land of religious freedom for millions of the world’s religiously oppressed. Unfortunately, the lamblike beast will one day speak “like a dragon” (Rev. 13:11, NKJV). The United States, a place of religious freedom will one day become a dominant persecutor. Another example of what happened when humanity chose to rule itself instead of being ruled by God.

What potential insights can be found in Revelation 10:1-11?

The “little book” (Dan. 12:4, NKJV) is now open for the first time in many generations. One foot on the land and another on the sea can be in reference to the idea that the message covers the globe — “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Rev. 14:6). God is pushing human history to its grand conclusion: the end of human empires and the permanent enthronement of Christ where there is no sickness, suffering, or death.

In Conclusion,

We are to trust God enough to keep His commandments knowing that He has great plans for us. In as much as God’s people chose to be like the Gentiles, God still has a grand plan for us        : the end of human empires and the permanent enthronement of Christ. May we all be part of this permanent kingdom, in Jesus’ name. 

Lesson 4 Review: The Nations: Part 1

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “ ‘Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed’ ” (Daniel 7:14, NKJV).

The book of Revelation shows us God’s solutions for fallen humanity. It is the book of Genesis in Reverse, it shows us that everything that was lost in the book of Revelation will be restored, God’s “everlasting kingdom” (Dan. 7:27) is established.

Who is Nimrod before God?

Nimrod is great in his own estimation, and he stands “before” the Lord in the sense that he defies God.

What do we see in Genesis 10:1-12 concerning Nimrod and Nineveh?

What we see in these texts is the spreading of the rebellion against God, a rebellion that will exist until, ultimately, all rebellion will be forever eradicated.

Why did God call Abram (later Abraham) out from his country of origin?

God intended to use Abraham to establish a nation that would stand in contrast to human kingdoms. They were to show what would happen if the human race returned to their Creator. Israel was established to be a blessing to “ ‘all the families of the earth’ ”(Gen. 12:3, NKJV).

What was God’s message to the children of Abraham, God’s children, in Deuteronomy 4:5-9?

God’s message to His children was that they keep the statues and commandments as a nation. By so doing, they would cause other nations to say, “ ‘ “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” ’ ” (Deut. 4:6, NKJV).

What was the consequence of not living up to the expectations of God?

Not living up to the expectations of God, that is, not obeying God’s statues and commandments, would bring curses instead of blessing and death instead of life.

What was the implication of Israel’s request for a king?

Israel’s request for a king was a rejection of God’s reign over His people. The Israelites were to answer to God directly, and their relationship with God was put in display through the sanctuary and its services, among other things. But by requesting a king, they would bring the same kinds of suffering on themselves that the Gentile kingdoms experienced. They would discover that human potentates tend to rule in their own favor instead of benevolently, as God does.

What is the problem with human governments?

The problem with human governments is the fact that sinners govern sinners.

What error did Jesus warn His disciples to avoid in establishing the work of the Christian church?

Jesus warned His disciples to avoid the error of being like the Gentiles who have rulers and lords over them. The admonition is to serve as Christ served.

What led to the corruption of the Christian Church in the fourth century?

The church made an appeal to the roman emperor to intervene in disputes that broke out in the church. This was how the bishop of Rome rose in prominence (against God’s ideal) where he had been one senior bishop among equals. This was how things went from bad to worse.

What is God’s intended role for His people in this world?

God’s intended role for His people in this world is for them to be illuminated with the glory of God, to come to Christ.

In Conclusion,

All nations shall be illuminated with the glory of God. The role the Israelites were to play to the nations is the same role the church has to “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Rev. 14:6, NKJV): to illuminate the earth with the glory of God, to draw sinners to Christ. May God help us to draw sinners to Him, in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 3 Review: Images From Marriage

Introduction

Memory Text: “Then he said to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” ’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true sayings of God’ ” (Revelation 19:9, NKJV).

Marriage can be a powerful way of revealing truth, even prophetic truth. The marriage relationship proves to be a school in which, if we allow ourselves to experience it the way that God has intended, we can discover deep lessons about God’s love for us, about our relationship to Him, and about the lengths to which He has gone to redeem us.

What was God’s ideal intention for marriage in the human race?

Lifetime, faithful marriage was the ideal established by God at the foundation of the human race.

What were the two gifts bestowed to us in Eden?

Marriage and the Sabbath.

In what ways does a human marriage mirror Christ’s bond to humanity?

The human marriage is an intimate pairing of two imperfect people; it will always lead to tension. Christ’s bond to humanity is the marriage of a perfect Savior with an imperfect bride. Nevertheless, we can learn about God’s love from what a good marriage offers.

Why is God’s bride beautiful?

God’s bride is beautiful because of the favor God has bestowed upon her, not because of anything the bride has done.

Why were we created?

We were created to reflect the goodness and glory of God.

What happens when God’s creation assume that their beauty is their own?

When God’s creations assume that their beauty is their own, that beauty is cheapened, and trouble awaits.

Why was Hosea asked by God to take a wife of harlotry?

God asked Hosea to take a wife of harlotry that He might demonstrate the manner in which God’s wife, Israel, had gone after other gods for solutions to their problems, and how God repeatedly took her back and restored her.

How can we know, among other things, that God really wants to save us despite our straying?

The cross of Christ, more than anything else, should show just how earnestly the Lord wants to save His wayward people.

Why was it so important that Isaac does not marry “ ‘from the daughters of the Canaanites’ ” (Gen. 24:3, NKJV)?

Abraham knew about the moral degeneracy of Canaanite religious practices, not to mention their worship of false gods, and he knew how easy it would be for his son to fall into these practices were he to marry from among them. Therefore, Abraham did not want Isaac to marry “ ‘from the daughters of the Canaanites’” (NKJV).

What example is given in Wednesday’s lesson of how God’s people get caught up instead in the world?

The introduction of Sunday, the pagan day of the Sun, in place of the biblical seventh-day Sabbath, a reality that will play a prominent role in the last days is an example of how God’s people get caught up in the world’s wrong religious practices.

What lessons can we glean about Christ and His church from some details found in Isaac and Rebekah’s meeting story?

We are undoubtedly related to our Creator, having originally been made in His image. We have been separated from Him by sin, and yet, we are still considered to be the right bride for Him though our choices can make the marriage more turbulent than it needs to be.

At what point will God’s forbearance with sin come to an end?

When our world reaches a point where hearts have hardened deeply enough that there will be no more repentance, then there will be no point exists in continuing history and allowing the unbridled suffering of sin to continue.

What can the redeemed celebrate about?

The redeemed can celebrate that sin is finally over—and that the world is restored back to how God originally created it. This time, there will be no turning away from God, because we have all learned, the hard way, that God was correct about the devastation that comes from separation of ourselves from Him.

What is our assurance of the hope promised us in Revelation 21:1-4?

Christ suffered unimaginable pain, to redeem us from our infidelities and adulteries so that, if we repent and turn away from them, we have the promise of eternal life. This is our assurance. Christ has paid the ultimate price to redeem us from sin, He will not hesitate to come and reap the harvest He has sown.

In Conclusion,

The marriage supper of the Lamb is where we all want to be, when sin will be destroyed forever. May God grant that we be part of this marriage supper of the Lamb, in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 2 Review: The Genesis Foundation

Introduction

Memory Text: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” (John 1:29, NKJV).

The Genesis foundation of concepts in the Revelation is essential for studying the book of Revelation. After all, for instance, it shows the path by which our world descended into sinful chaos. Nearly every key concept mentioned in Revelation appears—in some form—in the opening chapters of the Bible. A few of these big concepts at the core of Revelation is the study for this week.

What is the “law of first mention?”

The “law of first mention” refers to the introduction of a concept or symbol with a general understanding of that concept which helps understand how it’s being used later on.

What principle is mentioned in Sunday’s lesson for anchoring the study of prophecy?

When God establishes truth, He does not change His mind. When truth is established, repetitions of that truth does not change the truth but further sheds light on the already-established truth.

How can we understand love from the first mention of “love” in the Bible found in Genesis 22:1-13?

The first mention of love in the Bible foreshadowed God’s love for the human race. He loved us to the point where He “gave His only begotten Son” (Gen. 22:2, 12, 16)—and, then, raised Him from the dead.

How does the story of Isaac’s near-sacrifice help us understand how lambs are used symbolically?

The first mention of a seh (lamb) in the Bible comes in the form of Isaac’s question: “Where is the lamb?” (Gen. 22:7). And interestingly enough, the rest of the Bible answers that question in great detail. From the Passover rituals to David’s early occupation. In the New Testament, the question is answered when Jesus appears in flesh and blood, ministers among His people, and finally sacrifices His life at the cross.

How does the first mention of a Lamb in John’s Gospel, in John 1:29-34 personally answer Isaac’s question of a lamb?

The first mention of Lamb in John’s gospel seems to be personally answering Isaac’s question. Sinners are repenting and baptizing, symbolizing the death of the sinner and the beginning of a new life. In this context, Jesus, the Lamb of God, suddenly appears and, according to Matthew’s account, the heavens open to announce Him: “ ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’ ” (Matt. 3:17, NKJV) just as the voice from heaven announced the solution to Abraham and Isaac’s problem (Gen. 22:11-14).

“Where is the Lamb?”

The Lamb is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lamb of God, and is our substitute.

How does the understanding of the Lamb all through the Bible tie into what John sees in Revelation 5?

By weaving together all the threads found in the Bible, it is clear that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is our Substitute. That sheds much light on our understanding of the slain Lamb in John’s vision.

What parallels are found between the first mention of death and Christ’s death on the cross?

The first mention of death is the murder of Abel, the righteous by the unrighteous, Cain. This parallels with Christ’s murder by the unrighteous.

What is the key subject in the book of Revelation?

The issue of worship is a key subject in the book of Revelation.

Who is the perpetrator and enabler of false systems of worship?

The “dragon” (Rev. 13:2-4), who is Satan, is the perpetrator and enabler of false systems of worship.

What are the two accounts in the Scripture in which Satan leads the whole world astray?

In Genesis, at a moment when there were only two people in existence; and then in the account given in Revelation 12 and 13, in which Satan is identified as the one who “deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9) and as the one who enables the sea beast power so that “all the world” marvels and follows it (Rev. 13:2, 3).

What is the nature of the great controversy?

God’s character and Word do not change, and the ambitions of the devil does not change. God’s character is love. The devil may wear a thousand disguises, but millennia of fallen human history, coupled with the prophetic scenario painted in Revelation, demonstrate that he never strays from the game plan he used in Eden.

In Conclusion,

Every truth about Christianity, about God, about our salvation has its roots in the Bible. It is important to bear this in mind, when we study prophecies, because God has given us everything through history with His people. Going against God’s Word can lead to deception and consequently lead us away from God. May God help us to stand in the truth, in Jesus’ name.