Lesson 13 Review: Images of the End

Introduction

Memory Text: "So he said to them 'I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land' " (Jonah 1:9, NKJV).

This week's lesson focuses on accounts of the mission of Jonah to Nineveh; the fall of Babylon; and the rise of Cyrus, the Persian king who liberated God's people and enabled them to return to the Promised Land. These accounts contain elements that can help us understand "present truth," and rather than focusing on every detail in hopes of finding truth, we will look for major points and principles.

What lessons can be drawn from the mission of Jonah to the people of Nineveh?

Jonah, when asked who he was, declared, " 'He is a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land' " (Jon  1:9, NKJV). This is foundational to why we worship God, God is our Creator.

What is the relationship between the experience of Jesus and that of Jonah?

Jesus spent 3 days in the tomb for our sins, Jonah spent 3 days in the great fish because of his sins. Jesus came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luk 19:10, NKJV) Jonah was sent to preach to the Ninevites a message that would save them.

How does the mission of Jonah correlate with our time?

Like Jonah, we have been charged with preaching an unpopular message to spiritual Babylon. To say "come out of her, my people" (Rev. 18:4, NKJV) is to tell the world to repent, a message that brings negative response from many people.

What can we expect in the last days?

We can expect that people will heed the call to "come out of her" (Rev. 18:4, NKJV). People, all over the world, will take their stand, and in defiance of the beast, will "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12, NKJV). These people, like those in Nineveh, will be spared the judgment that falls upon the lost.

What are the different kinds of prophecies as highlighted in Monday's lesson?

Some prophecies are conditional, such as God's announcement that Nineveh would be destroyed. The Ninevites would be destroyed only if they do not repent. Other prophecies are not conditional, such as the Messianic prophecies of Christ's first and second comings, the mark of the beast, the outpouring of the plagues, and the end-time persecution. However, what humans do and the choices they make determine instead whether they are on the Lord's side or the devil's side.

What important messages can we take from the account of Belshazzar's feast and fall?

Belshazzar used God's temple vessels in a profane manner, although he knew what had befallen Nebuchadnezzar as a result of defying God, thus he was underscoring the fact that Babylon had conquered the Jews and now possessed their God's religious articles. In other words, Belshazzar meant that he still had supremacy over this God Who had predicted their demise. As with Belshazzar, it is not enough to know truth, we should follow the truth. Belshazzar had enough evidence, the problem, instead, was his heart.

What parallels can be found between the fall of Babylon and the coming of Christ?

Just as in the fall of Babylon, the coming of Christ will catch modern Babylon by surprise. However, we have been given ample evidence of the soon coming of Jesus in a multitude of detailed prophecies, the coming of Christ is not to catch us by surprise.

Why would the second coming of Christ get the world by surprise?

The second coming of Christ would get the world by surprise because it has chosen not to believe what God has said would happen.

How does Cyrus appear as a type of Christ?

Cyrus would orchestrate the rebuilding of the temple; Jesus begins His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, leading up to His return and liberation. Cyrus campaigns against Babylon, Jesus' second coming will end spiritual Babylon. Cyrus liberates God's people, Jesus saves His people who keep His commandments and have His faith. Cyrus is not a perfect representation of Christ, no type lines up perfectly with antitype, but he broadly functions as a type of "Savior."

In Conclusion,

The second coming of Christ is not a conditional promise, but our being part of those who will be in God's kingdom at Christ's second coming is on condition that we obey God. May God help us to fear Him, keep His commandments, and have His faith, in Jesus' name.