Sabbath School Summary

By Elder Dr Masimba Mavaza

Precursors

Lesson 12

Memory Text:
Memory Text: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV).

Introduction

This week, we will look at two more Bible stories that foreshadow last-day events in remarkable detail.

First, we will examine the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, which has obvious allusions to the issues portrayed in Revelation 13. Then we will turn to the New Testament, where we find that the experience of the early Christians also can help us understand what to expect between now and the return of Christ.
Both examples highlight remarkable courage and provide keys to finding peace of mind under the most trying of circumstances.

Again and again, Jesus said such things as “Do not fear,” and “Why do your thoughts trouble you?” It is important to remember that the focus of prophecy is Christ, and, as such, we must be able to find the same counsel throughout the scenes portrayed in earth’s closing moments. “ ‘Let not your heart be troubled,’ ” He taught His disciples, “ ‘you believe in God, believe also in Me’ ” (John 14:1, NKJV).

In other words, yes, last-day events will be difficult and trying for those who seek to stay faithful to God. But ultimately, we should view these events with hope, not fear.

SABBATH:
In the Bible stories, God has told us what to expect in the last days. The future is open before us to make us alert & hopeful in Christ. Two more Bible stories involving the ordeal of the 3 Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego) & the early Christians of the NT church shall be used to help us grasp last-day events. They call us to have faith in Christ who bids us “Do not fear” (John 14:1). The last hours will be trying for the saints but hope is in God.

Daniel 2 and the Historicist Approach to Prophecy

SUNDAY:
SDAs apply historicism as a method to study prophecy. Historicists view major Bible prophecies as a linear flow of history, from past to present, & to the future. Daniel 2 is an example that depicts one world empire after another until God installs His eternal kingdom. Daniel 2 serves as a foundation for apocalyptic prophecies in Daniel (Dan. 2:44; 7:13, 14). Penned over 500 years before Christ, it tells us about disunity in the last empire. We’ve seen that not even intermarriages could unite Europe.

Worshiping the Image

MONDAY:
King Nebuchadnezzar for a moment honored the God of Daniel. In response to the 4 perishable kingdoms shown to him, he made a giant statue entirely of gold to convey that Babylon will never fall & that he’ll be king forever. Those who dared to challenge him were to be put to death. His desire was like that of Lucifer who was prideful. In the end, Nebuchadnezzar came to faith in the true God & it’s likely we’ll meet him in heaven (Dan. 2:46-48, 3:17, 18). The 3 Hebrew boys were faithful to God.

Worshiping the Image, Again

TUESDAY:
Daniel 3 and last-day events in Revelation (Rev. 13:15) convey similar truths. The command to “worship the image” in Daniel 3:15, punishable by death, is seen in Revelation 13:15 where there is a call to worship another image. But God’s people are called to worship the Creator of the universe (see Rev. 13:11-17; 14:9, 11, 12; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). The 3 Hebrew boys facing the threat of death chose to worship God. Worship can come in different forms & we’re to be alert (Rom. 1:18-25, Rev. 14:9, 10, Matt. 12:30).

Early Church Persecution

WEDNESDAY:
Just like the OT, the NT gives us precursors to final events. The early Christians met fiery persecution, even from fellow religionists who saw them as a threat to the faith of Moses (GC, p. 39). King Herod had James beheaded & Peter imprisoned. But an angel of God saved Peter from death. Peter was sleeping in what should be the worst night of his life—he was next to be killed. Believers prayed but were shocked to see him saved. Peter died later as prophesied (John 21:18, 19).

The Mark of the Beast

THURSDAY:
There are many who have expressed doubts about the church’s interpretation of final events such as the mark of the beast because it has not occurred. The Bible is clear that the seal of God, Sabbath, would be central to worship, the Creator or the beast, in the last days. The Sabbath dates back to Eden while Sunday is a false day of worship imposed by the beast power (Gen. 2:1-3, Rev. 14:6, 7). The Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus due to His acts on Sabbath (Matt. 12:9-14, John 5:1-16).

Further Thought

FRIDAY:
In every age, God has worked through holy angels to aid and deliver His people. These celestial beings have come in human form, resting under trees, accepting hospitality, & guiding lost travelers. They opened prison doors & rolled away the stone from Jesus’ tomb, & have taken an active role in the lives of men. Unbeknownst to many, the mercy of God is often extended for the sake of the faithful few who serve Him, preserving the lives of those who may scorn them. God delights in mercy.

—Ellen G. White, “God’s People Delivered,” pp. 631, 632, 635–652, in The Great Controversy

Keywords

OT- Old Testament

NT- New Testament

SDAs- Seventh-day Adventists

The Divided Nations (For Sunday)- The prophecy in Daniel 2 is amazingly fulfilled (Daniel 2:31-45). All sorts of intermarriage could not bring unity. For example, the British monarchy is called the House of Windsor, a nice English name. However, that name is a relatively recent development— 1917, actually. Before then, the family was called Saxe- Coburg-Gotha, a distinctly German name, because many of the British royalty—through mingling “with the seed of men”—were blood relatives with the Germans. However, those blood ties were not enough to keep them from war, and so, during World War I, wanting to dissociate themselves from their hated enemies, they changed the name to the House of Windsor.

Worship- God alone should be worshipped. Anything else is idolatry. Worship doesn’t necessarily mean bowing and offering incense, though it can. We worship whatever holds our ultimate allegiance.

GC- The Great Controversy

Apocalyptic prophecy- In apocalyptic prophecy God uses mainly dreams and visions to convey His message to the prophet. In apocalyptic prophecy God shows symbols and imagery beyond the world of human reality, such as hybrid animals or monsters with wings and horns. In apocalyptic prophecies are unconditional.

Discussion Questions

📌 Read 2 Timothy 1:7. Discuss the things in prophecy that have worried you most. How do we shake off the spirit of fear and find God’s message of hope even amid the prophecies that talk about persecution for our faith?

📌 Though right now it might be hard to see how Sabbath and Sunday could become front and center in final events, look at how quickly the world can change. What should this truth teach us about not basing our faith on current events, which can change in an instant, but only on the revealed Word of God?

📌 Think about Daniel 2 (and even 7). All the empires came and went exactly as predicted. Today, looking back over history, we can see that they did, as predicted. From our perspective today, only one more kingdom is to come. Which one is that, and why can we be assured that it will, indeed, come as predicted?

For June 14-20, 2025. Happy Sabbath!