It is important to note that while the three Hebrews never even hinted at bowing to the image, they still attended the demonstration. They did not refuse to show up just because they knew where this was going. They obeyed the king as far as they could, until the king gave a command that directly violated God’s law. The example the three Hebrews gave us aligns with biblical counsel.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities….Romans 13:1 NKJV

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 NKJV

Paul instructs us to obey civil laws as far as possible without violating God’s law. Peter says that, of course, the law of God trumps civil law when civil law directly violates God’s law, but Peter did not teach us to violate civil law just for the sake of demanding our rights. After all, as a Christian, the only right I have is to pick up my cross and die with Christ. See Luke 9:23.

The same Peter who was thrown into prison by the civil servants, the same Peter who said we ought to obey God rather than men, also told us,

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:13-17 NKJV

Peter gave no validation for those who refuse to obey simply to defy the civil laws.

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 1 Peter 2:20 NKJV

During the COVID shutdown, I was saddened by Christians who were making fun of people wearing masks and refusing to wear masks where they were required simply because they felt their rights were being taken away. Again, Luke 9:23 tells me the only right I have is to die with Christ. Wearing a mask in no way interferes with any of God’s laws. Some Christians were defiant, claiming that even more rights may be taken away that would interfere with God’s law. Still, remember the three Hebrews did not demand their rights. They obeyed just as far as they could without violating God’s law. They did not refuse to attend the ceremony just because they knew where this was going to go.

Jesus tells us,

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 NKJV

Jesus gave no validation for those who are persecuted for any other reason than for righteousness’ sake.

Even though Jesus, Paul, and Peter had some serious run-ins with the civil authorities, they never taught us to defy civil laws just for our rights. Even when Paul mentioned in Acts 22:25 that it was unlawful for him to be scourged as a Roman citizen, he was going by civil law and not opposing it.

Many of the things people were asked to give up or do during the COVID shutdown did not violate civil law or God’s law. We recognize that these circumstances are likely to recur, and it is essential to recall that Scripture offers no justification for disobeying civil law unless it directly conflicts with God’s law. The Three Hebrews, Paul, Peter, and even Jesus, set an example for us to follow civil law as far as possible, until it directly contradicts God’s law.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/does-the-bible-teach-us-to-disregard-man-made-laws-at-times/

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Shawn Boonstra, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-precursors-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/

View an in-depth discussion of Precursors in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-precursors-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/

Daily Lesson for Wednesday 18th of June 2025

It’s not just the Old Testament that gives us precursors to final events; the New Testament does, as well. Life was not easy for first-century Christians. They were hated by many of their own fellow religionists, who saw them as a threat to the faith of Moses. They also faced the wrath of the pagan Roman Empire. “The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against Christ in the person of His followers. Paganism foresaw that should the gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept away; therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. The fires of persecution were kindled.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 39.

There is a story in the book of Acts that demonstrates, quite powerfully, what God’s people might expect as we head toward the scenario found in Revelation 13:1-18.

Image © Review and Herald Publishing Assn. Goodsalt.com

James had been beheaded, and Peter was to be next; there was a death penalty against Christians. Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of this story can be found in the fact that Peter is sleeping on what should be the worst night of his life—so soundly that the angel actually has to strike him to wake him up!

Peter, of course, was miraculously set free and found his way to a meeting of believers who had trouble believing that he had really been delivered, even though they had been praying. The Bible says they were _astonished_—which makes one wonder how often we pray and scarcely dare to believe that God will actually answer us.

Some believers were spared; others were killed. As we approach the end time, the same thing will happen. Even Peter, though spared then, eventually died for his faith. Jesus Himself even told him how: “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me’ ” (John 21:18-19, NKJV).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25b-12-early-church-persecution/

Key Thought : Daniel and Revelation focus on the ultimate fate of the world/. But they are messages of hope: God will save His faithful followers at the end of time.
June 21, 2025

1. Have a volunteer read Daniel 2:31-45.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What was Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, and how did Daniel interpret it?
3. Personal Application: How can we be sure that the last kingdom will come and fight against God’s people in the name of God? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How does Daniel 2 prove to us that God knows the future and is in charge of it?” How would you respond to your relative? .

2. Have a volunteer read Daniel 3:1-12, 17,18.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is important about the statue being pure gold and the king demanding that everyone worship it?
3. Personal Application: What do the Hebrew youth’s words teach us about faith and what it may demand of us at times? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How can we avoid the easy rationalisations to compromise our faith in the little things? If we continue to compromise on the little, daily things, how can we stand when we face the larger issues of economics, jail, and death?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Revelation 13:11-17; 14:9-12; Rev 16:2; Rev 19:20, 20:4.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What contrast is present here that pits the commandments of God against the commandments of men?
3. Personal Application: How do we shake off the spirit of fear and find God’s message of hope even when facing persecution for our faith? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “How should we relate to Catholic people? How is the Babylon mentality found in our church, in our characters, and in our relationships? How do we shift from a Babylon mentality to a Biblical mindset?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 12:9-14, John 5:1-16.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What caused the religious leaders to want to kill Jesus?
3. Personal Application: How could people rationalise not wanting to die because of breaking one of the commandments of God? 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).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-precursors-teaching-plan/