At the end of the vision of the 2,300 evenings and mornings, the prophet is astonished because he cannot understand it (Dan. 8:27, NKJV). Ten years later, Gabriel comes to help Daniel “understand” the vision (Dan. 9:23). This latter revelation supplies the missing information and reveals that the work of the Messiah is to be accomplished toward the end of a period of seventy weeks. According to the year-day principle and the course of the events predicted, the seventy weeks must be understood as 490 years. And the starting point for this period is the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25).

Image © Review and Herald Publishing collection at GoodSalt.com

This command is issued by King Artaxerxes in 457 B.C. It allows the Jews under the leadership of Ezra to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra chapter 7). According to the biblical text, the seventy weeks are “determined” or “cut off”. This indicates that the time period of 490 years has been cut from a larger time period, that is, from the 2,300 years designated in the vision of chapter 8. It follows from this that the 2,300 years and the 490 years must have the same starting point, namely, 457 B.C.

The prophecy of the seventy weeks is divided into three sections: seven weeks, sixty-two weeks, and the seventieth week.

The seven weeks (49 years) most likely refer to the time during which Jerusalem will be rebuilt. After these seven weeks, there will be sixty-two weeks (434 years) leading to “Messiah the Prince” (Dan. 9:25). Thus 483 years after Artaxerxes’ decree, that is, in the year A.D. 27, Jesus the Messiah is baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit for His messianic mission.

During the seventieth week, other crucial events will take place: (1) “Messiah shall be cut off” (Dan. 9:26, NKJV), which refers to the death of Christ. (2) The Messiah “shall confirm a covenant with many for one week” (Dan. 9:27, NKJV). This is the special mission of Jesus and the apostles to the Jewish nation. It is undertaken during the last “week”, from A.D. 27 to 34. (3) “But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering” (Dan. 9:27, NKJV). Three and a half years after His baptism (that is, in the middle of the week), Jesus brings the sacrificial system to an end — in the sense that it no longer has any more prophetic significance — by offering Himself as the final and perfect sacrifice of the New Covenant, thus voiding the need for any more animal sacrifices. The last week of the 70-week prophecy ends in A.D. 34, when Stephen is martyred and the gospel message begins to reach not only the Jews but the Gentiles as well.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(1)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/q6UbE3dUk-w/

You can view an in-depth discussion of “From Confession to Consolation” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:

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!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/KzL9jsMKmGw/

The South Pacific Division has made a series of short videos on the current lessons. This series has been scripted and presented by David Tasker. I know it is a bit late in the series to add these to our resources, but time has been a bit tight for me lately.

I hope that you will find these resources useful. Next quarter’s series has been scripted and presented by Dr. Kayle de Waal from Avondale College and hopefully, we will be posting those at the appropriate time.

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/qQvGXoueAec/

The intercessory prayer of Daniel addresses two main concerns: the sins of the people and the desolation of Jerusalem. Thus, God’s response deals with these two petitions. Through the work of the Messiah the people will be redeemed and the sanctuary will be anointed. The two specific petitions, however, are answered in ways that transcend the immediate historical horizon of Daniel: the work of the Messiah will benefit the entire human race.

Read Daniel 9:21-27. What work was to be done within the 70-week period? Why can only Jesus accomplish it?

Image © Review and Herald Publishing collection at GoodSalt.com

1. “To finish the transgression”. The Hebrew word for “transgression” (pesha‘) suggests the willful violations by an inferior against a superior (for example, Prov. 28:24). This word also occurs in the Bible with regard to open defiance of God by humans (Ezek. 2:3). Through the blood of Jesus, however, rebellion against God is quashed and humans are offered the merits that flow from Calvary.
2. “To make an end of sins”. The verb carries the meaning of “to seal”, and here it means that sin is forgiven. Since the fall, the human race has been unable to live up to God‘s standards, but the Messiah will take care of our failures.
3. “To make reconciliation for iniquity”. As Paul says: “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:19-20, NKJV). Here, too, only Jesus can bring about this reality.
4. “To bring in everlasting righteousness”. Christ took our place on the cross and thereby bestowed upon us the blessed condition of “being right” with God. Only by faith can we receive this righteousness that comes from God.
5. “To seal up vision and prophecy”. When Christ offered Himself in sacrifice, the Old Testament prophecies that pointed to His atoning work were sealed up in the sense that they were fulfilled.
6. “And to anoint the Most Holy”. The Most Holy mentioned here is not a person but a place. So the statement refers to the anointing of the heavenly sanctuary as Christ was inaugurated there as our great High Priest (Heb. 8:1).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(2)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/vo0Wg2eF_Kc/

The hymn 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.

The memory verse requests the Lord to hear, as does
Hymn 684, Hear Our Prayer, O Lord, 
Hymn 668, O Thou Who Hearest and 
Hymn 658, Heavenly Father Hear Our Prayer.

Daniel trusts the Word of God, knowing that soon the people will return to Jerusalem. We sing of the Word of God in 
Hymn 274, O Word of God Incarnate and 
Hymn 273, Lord, I Have Made Thy Word My Choice. Further on Sunday, we are urged to study the Scriptures – 
Hymn 420, Jerusalem, My Happy Home.

Daniel says in his prayer that the people did not 
Trust and Obey, Hymn 590 God and walk in His laws. Daniel then appeals to God for 
Marvelous Grace, Hymn 109 and requests 
Forgive Our Sins, Hymn 299. Following this, Daniel seeks to honor God’s name as we do in 
Hymn 35, With Songs and Honors.

Point 4 on Wednesday shows we need faith
Hymn 533, O For a Faith and 
Hymn 608, Faith Is the Victory.

The prophetic calendar indicates that at the end of the 490 years Jesus will bring the sacrificial system to an end 
At the Cross, Hymn 163.

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)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/CGPwaXF-rgU/