Lesson 5: The Nations, Part 2

5.3 Daniel 7
Tumultuous Seas and the Unshakable Kingdom of God

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Introduction

In a small teahouse on the outskirts of Shanghai, under the pale glow of countless neon signs, Liang sat alone. It was late; the streets lay empty, and a fine mist hung like a veil over the glistening pavement. Before him lay his well-worn Bible. Tonight he had been studying Daniel 7—the vision of surging waters and wild beasts, of restless nations and a coming King who would one day end all chaos.

As the low hum of the city sounded like distant thunder, Liang felt those ancient words of Daniel strike deep in his own heart.

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Bible Study

Question 1: Read Daniel 7:1–3. What lessons emerge from the image of the raging sea?
In Daniel 7, the four beasts rise out of a turbulent sea—symbolic of nations in turmoil. Violence and power-lust characterize human kingdoms. True order and lasting peace can never come from such realms; they must come from God Himself. Chaos is the inevitable result when humanity governs itself.

Question 2: How does Romans 3:10–19 help us understand this world?
Romans lays bare humanity’s fallen nature: “There is none righteous… no one seeks God.” Men may create new political, economic, or philosophical systems—but sin remains in their hearts. Hence every human order will ultimately fail.

Question 3: Why, then, do we urgently need the gospel, as verse 19 indicates?
Because no one can stand before God on their own merit. The law reveals our guilt—but the gospel reveals our salvation. Without Christ, we would be lost in these turbulent waters.

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Spiritual Principles

• God’s kingdom transcends earthly nations: it stands apart from the chaos to bring it to an end.

• We live between two realms: our hearts must be anchored in Christ’s coming kingdom, not in the shifting powers of this world.

• The gospel is our deliverance: only Christ’s truth offers peace amid history’s storms.

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Daily Application

In a world ever more like a stormy sea—wars in Asia, political unrest, economic crises—we must not fix our gaze on the roiling waves. Instead, we lift our eyes to the coming King and live each day in the hope of His reign:

• Trust instead of fear.

• Faithfulness instead of despair.

• Be light where darkness rages.

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Conclusion

God’s kingdom will come—not by human effort, but by divine intervention. Daniel 7 is not a hopeless vision of violence, but a brilliant assurance: the chaos will end. An unshakeable kingdom awaits the faithful.

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Thought of the Day

“Anchored in Christ, we do not falter—even when the seas of this world roar.”

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Touching Illustration – “The Lantern in the Mist”

The mist had grown thicker.
Liang left the teahouse and wandered the narrow, damp alleys of Shanghai. Pale red and gold lanterns glowed everywhere, reflecting on the wet cobblestones.

He heard voices—heated arguments through open windows, street vendors calling out, radios crackling with political debate. The world around him was one vast roar—just like the turbulent sea Daniel had described.

By a small bridge, Liang paused. In the middle of the slowly flowing river, a single, lonely lantern drifted. Someone had set it afloat for a festival.

Despite the current, the lantern floated calmly, its light firm—a tiny star in the mist.

A gentle warmth filled Liang’s heart.
“That is me,” he thought. “Or at least what I should be.”

Not part of the raging waters, but a light moving steadily through the darkness.
Not trapped by the storms of this world, but guided by another King—the King who is coming.

Softly he prayed, the mist wrapping around him:
“Lord, make me a lantern in this misty world.”

Then he walked on—neither faster nor more fearful, but step by step—toward an unshakeable kingdom.

April 29, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 13 – Abram and Lot Part Ways

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Bible Text – Genesis 13 (KJV)

1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.

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Introduction

Abram and his nephew Lot had returned from Egypt together, increased their wealth, and proclaimed God’s promises. But their growing prosperity led to conflict among their herdsmen. In a gesture of peace, Abram offered to separate, allowing Lot to choose first. After Lot departed, God reaffirmed His land promise to Abram. This episode shows how divine guidance and human choices work together in God’s plan.

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Commentary

1. Tension Amidst Blessing (vv. 1–7)

• Shared Return: Abram and Lot come up from Egypt into the Negev (vv. 1–2).

• Growing Wealth: Their great increase in livestock, silver, and gold is both blessing and challenge (v. 2).

• Conflict Arises: The land cannot support both; strife breaks out between their herdsmen (vv. 6–7).

2. Abram’s Peacemaking Offer (vv. 8–12)

• Brotherly Reconciliation: Abram urges Lot to avoid quarreling and offers to divide the land (vv. 8–9).

• Lot’s Choice: Lot eyes the fertile Jordan plain but chooses poorly, settling near wicked Sodom (vv. 10–13).

• Paths Diverge: Abram stays in Canaan; Lot pitches his tent toward Sodom, setting each on different trajectories.

3. God’s Renewed Promise (vv. 14–18)

• Look Up: God tells Abram to lift his eyes in all directions (v. 14).

• Unbounded Inheritance: God promises every land Abram can see, and innumerable descendants (vv. 15–16).

• Move Out: Abram is encouraged to explore the land and then settles at Hebron, building an altar (vv. 17–18).

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Summary

This chapter teaches that blessing often brings conflict. Abram’s selfless choice to give Lot first pick showed humility and peace-making. In response, God reaffirmed His promise, extending Abram’s inheritance. We see how divine covenant unfolds amid human decisions.

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Application for Today

• Selfless Peacemaking: Yielding your rights honors God’s character and opens the way for blessing.

• Trust Amid Uncertainty: God’s promises stand regardless of circumstances—step out in faith to claim your inheritance.

• Divine Guidance in Conflict: Trusting God enables wise decisions and keeps you aligned with His purposes.

“Lift up your eyes … for all the land which you see, to you will I give it …”
(Genesis 13:14–15)

May our eyes remain fixed upward—on God’s faithfulness and the responsibilities He entrusts to us.

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April 27 – May 3, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 2

The Creation

Read online here

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Introduction

Chapter 2 unfolds the wonder of Creation in all its beauty:
The earth was formed in perfect harmony, and humanity is God’s crowning work—created in the image of the Creator.
This chapter not only describes the origin of the earth and of Adam and Eve, but also emphasizes the special blessing of the Sabbath and God’s institution of marriage.

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Commentary

1. The Beauty of the Created World

• The earth came from God’s hand without swamps, deserts, or jagged mountains.

• Every plant, animal, and landscape reflected God’s love and wisdom in harmonious unity.

2. Humanity as the Crown of Creation

• Adam and Eve were made in God’s image, endowed with high intelligence, free will, and noble character.

• There was no process of evolution—humanity sprang directly from God’s creative act.

• Humans were appointed stewards of creation, embodying God’s glory in both form and function.

3. The Institution of Marriage

• Eve was given to Adam as an equal helper—not subordinate, but a partner of equal worth.

• Marriage was instituted by God Himself as a sacred, lifelong union.

4. The Garden of Eden

• Eden was a specially prepared dwelling place—a glorious natural sanctuary.

• At its center stood the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

5. The Institution of the Sabbath

• After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day, blessing and sanctifying it.

• The Sabbath was given to humanity as an eternal memorial of Creation.

• This day of rest was meant for reflecting on God’s work and renewing our relationship with Him.

6. Humanity as a Moral Being

• God tested Adam and Eve’s loyalty with the command regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

• Obedience was to be voluntary and motivated by love, not compulsion.

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Summary

Chapter 2 reveals how perfect and beautiful God’s original creation was:
Adam and Eve lived in a world without death, pain, or suffering, surrounded by divine abundance.
The Sabbath and marriage were instituted as special gifts for humanity.
God sought a voluntary, loving relationship with His creatures, founded on trust, obedience, and shared delight in His work.

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Application for Today

What can we learn from Chapter 2 for our lives?

• Stewardship of Creation: The world around us testifies to God’s love—we are called to preserve it.

• Our Identity in God: We are not accidents; we are intentionally created and deeply loved by our Maker.

• Value of Work and Community: Labor, marriage, and Sabbath rest are divine gifts intended for our well-being.

• Freedom through Obedience: True life and joy are found in willingly following God’s good commands.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

Today God invites us to marvel at His works, honor His wisdom, and find true fulfillment in communion with Him.

Lesson 5: The Nations, Part 2

5.2 Daniel 2 – From Gold to Ashes
God’s Kingdom Endures

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Introduction

Amid wars, revolutions, and technological marvels, the prophecy of Daniel reminds us that every earthly kingdom is fleeting. Daniel 2 gives us a sweeping overview of human history—from golden empires to a fractured world of iron and clay. Despite all human ambition, one truth remains: in the end it will not be a human kingdom that triumphs, but God’s eternal reign.

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Bible Study

Question 1: What key lessons can we draw from Daniel 2:31–35?
The statue of mixed precious metals symbolizes the decline of human rule. Gold gives way to silver, then bronze, iron, and finally a brittle mixture of iron and clay. Human history isn’t a story of moral or spiritual ascent, but of decay. Yet at the critical moment a stone—struck not by human hands—shatters the statue and establishes an everlasting kingdom. This prophecy assures us that despite all human failings, God remains sovereign.

Question 2: How can we draw comfort from Jesus’ warnings?
Jesus never promised an earthly paradise prior to His return. He spoke of wars, earthquakes, and famines—not to discourage us, but to prepare us. Knowing these events fit into a larger divine plan gives us hope: we are not lost in senseless chaos, but led toward redemption.

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Spiritual Principles

• Human empires pass away, but God’s kingdom endures.

• True progress is spiritual, not merely technological.

• God’s prophetic word gives us hope amid crises.

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Daily Application

• Do not place your trust in political systems or economic stability—they come and go.

• Read prophecy not as fearmongering but as an invitation to ready your heart.

• Learn to recognize the signs of the times without giving way to fear—hope is our anchor.

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Conclusion

Daniel 2 opens our eyes to history’s true trajectory: not toward a human utopia, but toward God’s ultimate victory. The stone that crushes all earthly kingdoms reminds us: the future belongs not to the rulers of this world—but to Christ.

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Thought of the Day

Those who invest in God’s kingdom build on eternal ground. Everything else is dust in the wind.

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Illustration – “The Boy at the Lincoln Memorial”

Location: Washington D.C., USA, 2024

It was a gray afternoon when Elijah, 17, climbed the broad marble steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Rain dripped from his hoodie. In his pocket was a well-worn Bible—a gift from his grandmother.

His heart felt heavy. Headlines about wars in Europe, famines in Africa, and political unrest in America flooded his phone daily. It seemed as if the world were falling apart.

He stood before the statue of Abraham Lincoln and read the engraved words of the Gettysburg Address:
“… that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom.”

“A new birth…” Elijah whispered.
His gaze lifted to the sky, where dark clouds rumbled.

In that moment he recalled the stone in Daniel 2—the stone “cut out, not by human hands,” that struck the statue and obliterated all those kingdoms. Elijah realized: his hope need not rest on presidents, laws, or global treaties.

His true home was not here.
His kingdom was yet to come.

He grabbed his phone, deleted the news apps—for at least one day—and instead opened his Bible to Daniel 2.

As he descended the steps, his heart felt lighter.
The world would shake, yes. But God’s plan would prevail.

And he, Elijah, wanted to be among those waiting for the stone.