After the vision of the four animals and the activities of the little horn, the prophet sees a scene of judgment in heaven (Dan. 7:9-10, Daniel 7:13-14). As the court convenes, thrones are put in place and the Ancient of Days takes His seat. As the heavenly scene shows, thousands and thousands of heavenly beings minister before the Ancient of Days, the court is seated, and the books are opened.

Image © Review and Herald Publishing collection at GoodSalt.com

What’s important to note about this judgment is that it occurs after the 1,260-year period of the little horn’s activity (A.D. 538-1798; see Friday’s lesson) but prior to the establishing of God’s final kingdom. In fact, three times in the vision the following sequence appears:

1. Little horn phase (538-1798)
2. Heavenly judgment
3. God’s eternal kingdom

Read Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 7:21-22, Daniel 7:26-27. In what ways does the judgment benefit God‘s people?

The Old Testament describes several acts of judgment from the tabernacle and temple, but the judgment referred to here is different. This is a cosmic judgment that affects not only the little horn but also the saints of the Most High, who will eventually receive the kingdom.

Daniel chapter 7 does not describe the judgment or give details about its beginning and closing. But it implies that the judgment is undertaken in the wake of the little horn’s attack against God and His people. The point here, then, is to emphasize the beginning of a judgment of cosmic proportions. From Daniel chapters 8 and 9 (see following weeks), we will learn about the time of judgment’s beginning and the fact that this judgment is related to the purification of the heavenly sanctuary on the heavenly Day of Atonement. The lesson here is that we clearly will have a pre-Advent judgment in heaven that will be in favor of God’s people (Dan. 7:22).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Amen!(2)

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Key Thought: The vision in Daniel 7 parallels the dream of Daniel 2, except with more detail concerning the course of human history.
February 22, 2020

1. Have a volunteer read Daniel 7:1-6.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does Daniel see in vision and what seems to be the focus?
3. Personal Application: How much comfort can you get from knowing that amid all the chaos, God rules? What does this teach us about the Scriptures being trustworthy? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “If this is a repeat vision of Daniel 2, what is different about this vision that helps us understand things more here?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Daniel 7:7,8,19-25.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. Who is the little horn that arises from the fourth beast and remains part of the fourth beast?
3. Personal Application: Why is it important to know what God has predicted in prophecy in keeping His people from being deceived and misled in the future? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Who or what are the three horns this little horn plucked up by the roots? And who is this little horn? How did he speak blasphemy, how was he different from the other horns? How did he think to change times and laws? How did he rule for a time, times, and half a time?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Daniel 7:13,14,21,22..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. In what ways does the idea of a judgment benefit God’s people?
3. Personal Application: Why id an understanding of what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross so central to why we can assurance in the day of judgment? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “If so many Christians are wrong on some doctrinal things like the state of the dead and the Sabbath and yet have the assurance of vindication in the judgment because of Jesus; are they deluded and deceived or not? What difference is it for Sabbath-keepers who have assurance, but may be falling short in some other area, for them to be deceived and deluded as well?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Daniel 7:13.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does it mean for one like the Son of Man to come before the Ancient of Days?
3. Personal Application: How do you feel about a judgment in which all your thoughts and deeds will be exposed before all of heaven, or will they? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!(0)

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The hymn that will be used as the theme for this quarter is from “The Church Hymnal, Official Hymnal of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church” which was surpassed by the “Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal” in 1985.In the ‘old’ hymnal,
Number 497 – Standing by a Purpose True,
that is, ”Dare to be a Daniel” will be the favourite. I do hope you are able to source this hymn and use it frequently during this quarters Sabbath School study time.

Our introduction shows that there is a violation of the created order, but we know
A Mighty Fortress is our God, Hymn 506. This hymn shows the domination over all the kingdoms of the earth forever.

The Court Was Seated (Tuesday) and we can hear the strains of “how shall we stand in that great day?” – Hymn 416, The Judgment Has Set. This is followed by Hymn 417, O Solemn Thought. The Day of Atonement then follows with Hymn 335, What a Wonderful Savior.
This latter hymn is shown again in Wednesday in the third point.

True worship is eventually restored (Wednesday) and we will
O Worship the King, Hymn 83 and
Hymn 6, O Worship the Lord.

Hymn 91, Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones is reflected in Thursdays study. Victory is given in
Hymn 608, Faith Is the Victory for all those whom Jesus represents. Jesus states in Mark 14:62 that He is “coming with the clouds of heaven”
Hymn 200, The Lord Is Coming, Hymn 213, Jesus Is Coming Again,
Hymn 454, Don’t You See My Jesus Coming,  and
Hymn 438, You Will See Your Lord A-Coming.

God’s blessings as you enjoy your “Singing with Inspiration” this quarter.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Amen!(1)

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