From news release, 4 February 2020 | Adventists in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, recently opened their first “center of influence” in the province. The Really Living Centre was launched in the fall of 2019 at an opening ceremony with hundreds of church members and guests in attendance from across North America. A “center of influence” is […] Source: https://atoday.org/adventists-in-ontario-canada-open-their-first-center-of-influence-relating-to-a-secular-society/
HopeSS: From Arrogance to Destruction (February 8, 2020)
You can view an in-depth discussion of “From Arrogance to Destruction” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:
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You may download an MP4 video file, and audio file or a PDF lesson outline from the HopeSS site.
With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.
Amen!
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(0)06: From Arrogance to Destruction – Singing with Inspiration
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.
Nebuchadnezzar took a long time to acknowledge God and then said “I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever” –
Hymn 7 The Lord in Zion Reigneth. Sadly, Belshazzar does not follow in Nebuchadnezzar’s footsteps, and fails to say
Lord, Speak to Me – Hymn 541. Meantime, Daniel has remained faithful
Hymn 602 O Brother, Be Faithful, and the Queen steps forward (Tuesday) to bring Daniel to the attention of the king
Are we found wanting, as was the King on Wednesday? –
Hymn 416 The Judgment Has Set.
The polar opposite of the fall of Babylon (Thursday) is God’s kingdom being forever in
Hymn 506 A Mighty Fortress.
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!(0)
(0)Tuesday: Enter the Queen
Read Daniel 5:9-12. What does the queen say about Daniel that the king should have known already? What does it say about him that he seems ignorant even of Daniel’s existence?
As the banquet hall is thrown into confusion because of the mysterious message on the wall, the queen comes and provides direction to the befuddled king.
Image © Review and Herald Publishing collection at GoodSalt.com
She reminds the king about Daniel, whose ability to interpret dreams and solve mysteries has been demonstrated during the time of Nebuchadnezzar. If Belshazzar were as smart as his predecessor, he would have known where to turn to find the meaning of this mysterious writing. The intervention of the queen proves necessary for the king, who at this point seems utterly at a loss as to what to do next. Her words sound like a rebuke to Belshazzar for having overlooked the only person in the kingdom who can interpret the mysterious writing. And she also gives the king an oral resumé of Daniel: The prophet has the Spirit of the Holy God, light and understanding and divine wisdom, excellent spirit, knowledge; he is capable of understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas; he was chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers in Nebuchadnezzar’s time (Dan. 5:11-12).
At this point, we again wonder why Belshazzar had ignored Daniel. The text does not offer a direct answer to this question, but we presume that at this time Daniel, after serving the king at least until the third year of his reign (Dan. 8:1, Dan. 8:27), is no longer in active service. One factor could be Daniel’s age. He is probably around 80 years old, and the king may have wanted to replace the old leadership with a younger generation. The king may have also decided to ignore Daniel because he did not want to commit himself to Daniel’s God. But whatever the reason or combination of reasons, it remains striking that someone with such a portfolio as Daniel’s could be forgotten so soon.
| Read Romans 1:16-32. In what ways do we see the principle expressed in these texts manifested, not just in this story, but in the world today? |
Amen!(0)
(0)06: From Arrogance to Destruction – Discussion Starters
- Let’s celebrate!. Shouldn’t memories of King Nebuchadnezzar stir Belshazzar, who is now in charge of the country, to show signs of divinity touching humanity in his heart? Instead, what do we see in Belshazzar? What does he see as the most important event he can stage?
- Belshazzar’s feast. What is important about the drinking utensils he chooses for drinks at the party? How does the king turn this part of the celebration into a
testimony to his gods? What gods does he honor? How do the six gods represent Babylon at its fullest? The drink offered in these once-holy vessels is polluted in what way? Is there a “modern Babylon” in our world today? If so, what can you see around you that profanes the truth of God’s Word, even to the point of turning sacred liquid into junk? Or poison? - An uninvited guest. Imagine the surprise Belshazzar felt when he saw life-like fingers of a hand writing on the plastered wall. With the knocking of his knees together and his feet trembling mightily, the king frghtened those who saw him, but none more so than Belshazzar himself. Even though written in his native language, the words didn’t male sense to Belshazzar.
- Enter the queen. Isn’t it true that sometimes women act more intelligently than men? After glancing at the words on the wall, the queen goes straight to Belshazzar and tells him what to do to learn the meaning of the message. What is it that she tells the king he must do? How does she manage to be so successful in explaining why he should follow Daniel? Why didn’t Belshazzar think of Danial on his own?
- Weighed and found wanting. Imagine the “shock and awe” Belshazzar feels when he goes to Daniel for advice. Daniel has a short explanation for the end of Belshazzar’s life, and the king hears of his failure in dealing with the Hebrew God. Can you interpret the vision of a handwriting on the wall? What do you think of Belshazzar’s apparent inability to seek the God who had shown His leadership of His people?
- The Fall of Babylon. Why does the king offer an assortment of gifts to Daniel, and why does Daniel accept them? Or does he? How is it possible for the city of Babylon to fall so soon without a battle? How does Belshazzar react to the news the he is about to die? How did the city fall? Why did it fall? What lessons can the Fall of Babylon have for us living in this troubled time?
Amen!(1)
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