Series ALLUSIONS, IMAGES, SYMBOLS with Pastor Mark Finley

Lesson 13.Images of the End
Prophetic Images – Signposts for the End Times

Lesson 13 takes us on a symbolic journey through biblical stories that are far more than historical records – they carry prophetic meaning for the end times. Characters such as Jonah, Belshazzar, and Cyrus, as well as events like the fall of Babylon, serve as foreshadowings of what is yet to come. In these stories, God reveals not only judgment but also His grace and willingness to save. These images are meant to awaken us, encourage us, and call us to make a decision for Christ. In a world full of spiritual confusion, it is essential to pay attention to God’s Word and interpret the signs of the times correctly. Those who learn from the past are prepared for what lies ahead.

Content:
13.1 The Reluctant Prophet
Jonah – A Reflection of God’s End-Time Messengers

Jonah was a reluctant prophet – and in that, he reflects many Christians today. His story shows how God patiently and purposefully shapes His messengers, even when they hesitate or run away. Jesus Himself referred to Jonah as a sign pointing to His own death and resurrection, giving the gospel its deepest meaning. Especially noteworthy is Jonah’s confession of the Creator God – a theme echoed in the first angel’s message in Revelation. Like Jonah, we are called today to proclaim a message of repentance – often against resistance. Yet God’s mission remains: Call people to turn back, even when it’s uncomfortable.

13.2 A Work of Repentance
Repentance Changes the Outcome – Even in the End Times

Jonah’s message was clear and uncompromising: Nineveh faced judgment. But the people’s response – sincere repentance and turning from evil – completely changed the outcome. This shows that God’s judgment is not arbitrary, but responsive to human decisions. In the end times as well, there will be people who heed God’s call and are spared. However, not all prophecies are conditional – some, like Christ’s return or the plagues, will be fulfilled without exception. The decisions we make today reveal whether we will be ready when the final events unfold.

13.3 Belshazzar’s Feast
Belshazzar – Knowledge Alone Does Not Prevent the Fall if the Heart Remains Proud

Belshazzar’s feast was more than a decadent act – it was a deliberate provocation against the God of heaven. Despite knowing his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar’s story and spiritual transformation, Belshazzar ignored the warnings. His greatest guilt was not ignorance, but willful contempt. He knew better – yet he did not humble himself. In the end times, it will be similar: Many will recognize the truth, but it is the heart that determines whether they turn to God or reject Him. Spiritual insight must be coupled with a humble heart – otherwise, it leads not to salvation, but to judgment.

13.4 The Drying of the Euphrates
When the River Runs Dry – The Fall of Babylon Is Near

The fall of ancient Babylon was both sudden and symbolic: the Euphrates, once a source of security, became a pathway for enemy invasion. Revelation 16 picks up this image prophetically – the “drying up of the Euphrates” signals the fall of end-time Babylon. The parallels are striking: indifference, celebration, and spiritual blindness once led – and will again lead – to sudden judgment. Yet even within these grim scenes shines a promise: “Behold, I come as a thief… Blessed is the one who stays awake.” (Rev. 16:15) Those who remain spiritually alert and clothed in Christ’s righteousness will not be caught off guard. The choice lies with each of us – now.

13.5 Cyrus, the Anointed
Cyrus – A Pagan King as a Foreshadowing of the Redeemer

Cyrus was not an Israelite, yet God used him to free His people – a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty over history. As the “anointed one” (Isa. 45:1), Cyrus prophetically prefigures Christ, who will also defeat Babylon and ultimately liberate His people. Cyrus’s decree not only initiated the rebuilding of the temple but also helped shape salvation history leading to the birth of Jesus. Like with Cyrus, we see that God often uses unexpected people to fulfill His promises. This strengthens our confidence that the final prophetic scenes will certainly unfold. Cyrus’s story reminds us: God is in control – even when His ways seem hidden.

13.6 Summary
Warning, Grace, and Hope – Lessons from the Past for the End Time

Lesson 13 uses vivid Old Testament imagery to show how seriously God takes His warnings – and how great His grace is. Jonah, Belshazzar, Babylon, and Cyrus symbolically represent spiritual realities of the end times. While God stirred Nineveh to repentance, Belshazzar’s pride led to judgment. The drying up of the Euphrates points prophetically to the fall of modern Babylon, while Cyrus foreshadows Christ as the ultimate liberator. This lesson emphasizes that our decisions today determine on which side we will stand when the final events take place. God’s call to repentance is still open – and His promise of deliverance remains sure.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/allusions-images-symbols-lesson-13-images-of-the-end-sabbath-school-with-pastor-mark-finley/