Lesson Thirteen: IMAGES OF THE END
Introduction: In this final week, we look at the historical accounts of Jonah’s mission 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 land of promise. Various elements from these stories help us better understand what the Bible calls “present truth”. (2 Peter 1:12).
Memory Text: Jonah 1:9(NKJV)
“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. ”
SABBATH: This week, we seek to see how best we can understand the present truth from interpretation of situations such as those in the times of Jonah, Babylon and the reign of Cyrus who liberated God’s children. These events all have lessons on how we are to go about these end times in preparation for Christ’s return. We’re encouraged to major on the key lessons and not digging up specific detail in the line of seeking hidden truth that is not fit for these last days.
SUNDAY: Regardless of the seemingly unreceptive nation, Jonah finally chooses to share the warning of the Gospel, of which he identifies as a worshipper of God Our Creator. This draws similarities with the First Angel’s message in Revelation 14 which calls the whole world to worship the true Creator, who made heaven and the earth, in these last days. Despite the hostility that comes with sharing this present truth, we are encouraged to preach it as we prepare for these harsh dags ahead.
(READ Matthew 12:38-42: Luke 19:10; Revelation 18:4; Jonah 1-4)
MONDAY: God had prophesied destruction of Nineveh. However, upon the Ninevites repenting of their iniquity, the Lord forgave them and they were saved from destruction. Likewise, one will be required to take a stand to worship either God or the beast and its image. In addition, we’re reminded of the Bible prophecies that will come to pass regardless of what we do: for example the plagues and the mark of the beast. The choices we make now will determine which side we’ll stand when the final events unfold.
(READ Jonah 3:4-10; Revelation 14:12; Jeremiah 18:4,7-10)
TUESDAY: Even with the example of King Nebuchadnezzar being obedient to God, his son, King Belshazzar decides to take up full authority, contrary to what his father did, because of his pride. He disobeys God even with proof that it does not make God happy. Likewise, just like Belshazzar. we shall all be given the chance to know the truth and the choices we make now, will determine which side of the great contoversy we are standing on.
(READ Daniel 4:34-37; 5:1-31)
WEDNESDAY: Cyrus was able to enter Babylon’s centre secretly by using a dried water route while the Babylonians enjoyed a feast and were unaware of what was going on. We are warned that the second coming of Jesus Christ will get many unaware, not because they weren’t in the know of His coming, but because they will have chosen not to believe God’s prophecies about that particular time. Therefore, we’re warned to stay woke in such times lest we fall victim of the same.
(READ Daniel 5:18-31; Revelation 16:12-19)
THURSDAY: The reigns of Cyrus and Jesus Christ share quite a number of similarities. Both of their reigns were foretold. Each of them was/is a king coming from the East. Each wages war against Babylon. Each liberates people so that they can occupy the promised land. As the Old Testament anticipates the first coming of Christ, the New Testament anticipates Christ’s second coming. And furthermore, the book of Revelation closes with the repeated promise of Christ’s return.
(READ Matthew 24:27; Revelation 19:11-16; 2Chronicles 36:22&23;Isaiah 44:24-28; Ezekiel 21:25-27; Matthew 24:27; Isaiah 45:1; Revelation 18:1-10)
FRIDAY: Prophecy has traced the rise and progress of the world’s great empires—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. With each of these, as with the nations of less power, history has repeated itself. Each has had its period of test; each has failed, its glory faded, its power departed. While nations have rejected God’s principles, and in this rejection have wrought their own ruin, yet a divine, overruling purpose has manifestly been at work throughout the ages.
(READ “The Unseen Watcher” pp. 535-538 in Prophets and Kings by Ellen G White)
CAPTIONS:
SUNDAY; The reluctant prophet
MONDAY; A work of repentance
TUESDAY; Belshazzar’s feast
WEDNESDAY; The dying of the Euprates
THURSDAY; Cyrus, the anointed
FRIDAY; Further thought
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS;
- How much of Jonah do you find in yourself? How can you move beyond this wrong attitude?
- What choices are you making now that could help determine what choices you will make when the issue of worshipping God or the image breaks upon the world?
- Think about Jesus’ statement that the judgement will be easier for Nineveh than the people of God who have strayed from the truth.(Matthew 12:39-42). What lesson can God’s church derive from this warning?
- Think through the idea that it’s often not the mind, the intellect, that keeps people from faith, but the heart. How might this knowledge impact how you witness to others?
