Every word of God proves true…Proverbs 30:5 NLT

God’s Word said “if you eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil you will die.” The serpent said, “You won’t die!” insinuating God is a liar. The serpent was talking so it appeared defiance to God actually gave him special powers. Eve believed in what she heard and saw from the serpent instead of believing God’s Word. Turns out God’s Word was true. She died.

Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com

God told us through the prophet Daniel that Europe would never be reunited into a one-world empire after Rome fell. In World War 2 Arthur Maxwell’s superiors were so afraid Hitler would take over Europe that they asked him not to publish his article claiming, according to Daniel 2, that there was no way Hitler could win and take over Europe. Maxwell published his article anyways. Good thing he did, because it turned out God’s Word was true. Hitler lost. Europe has never been reunited into a one-world empire.

In the wilderness Satan wanted to tempt Jesus and make Him doubt He was the Son of God. After all He probably did not look the best after 40 days of fasting. Jesus said He did not need any signs, like turning stones to bread to prove He was God’s Son. He had already heard God call Him “Son” at His baptism. Jesus put His faith in God’s Word instead of appearances. Turns out God’s Word is true. Even the centurion knew Jesus was God’s Son.

A boy told a story about dying and going to heaven. The Bible says when you die you remain in your grave, unconscious until Jesus comes and resurrects us. Like Eve, many people put their faith in what they saw and heard instead of God’s Word. The boy later recanted his story. Turns out the Bible is true. Those who die sleep until Jesus comes.

The moral of my story is, whenever appearances, sight, sound and feeling all contradict God’s Word, God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures will prove true every time. Trust God. Trust His Word above anything you see, feel, or hear.

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/Q1HpcR8i0XA/

Read Daniel 2:24-30. What does Daniel say here that’s so important for us always to remember? (See also John 15:5).

In response to prayer, God reveals the content of the dream and its interpretation. And Daniel does not hesitate to tell the king that the solution for the mystery comes from the “God in heaven”. Also, prior to reporting the content of the dream and its interpretation,

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

Daniel mentions the unexpressed thoughts and concerns of the king as the latter lay sleepless in bed. This circumstantial information further emphasizes the credibility of the message, because such information known only to the king must have come to Daniel through a supernatural power. But as Daniel proceeds to report the content of the dream, he risks triggering another crisis, because the dream is not necessarily good news for Nebuchadnezzar.

Read Daniel 2:31-49. What does the dream say is the fate of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom?

The dream consists of a majestic image with its head “of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay” (Dan. 2:32-33, NKJV). Eventually a stone “struck the image on its feet” (Dan. 2:34, NKJV), and the whole structure was destroyed and scattered like chaff on the wind. Daniel explains that the different metals represent successive kingdoms that will replace one another throughout the course of history. For Nebuchadnezzar, the message is clear: Babylonia, with all its might and glory, will pass away and be replaced by another kingdom, which will be followed by others until a kingdom of a completely different nature will replace them all: God’s eternal kingdom, which will last forever.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/u_DtL9u3AlQ/

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.

On Sabbath afternoon we learned of different winds driving icebergs, then looking at our lives we are able to see that God looks after the winds that swirl around us in
Hymn 519 “Give to the Winds Your Fears”. Like the four Hebrew young men,
”All My Hope on God Is Founded” Hymn 5 we see God’s help through change and chance.

On Sunday we find Daniel daring to request time from Arioch. I do hope you have
“Dare to be a Daniel” available for this study. Adding to that we find the Daniel asked for God’s leading:
Hymn 537 “He Leadeth Me”.

There are a number of hymns about Prayer (Sunday’s study) with the first choice being:
Hymn 501 “Tis the Blessed Hour of Prayer”. I am sure that Daniel and three friends said:
“At First I Prayed for Light” Hymn 488, then strength and faith to receive the dream of Nebuchadnezzar.

We find the rock/stone in Daniel 2:34, and following verses, is our God. This is found in:
Hymn 347 “Built on the Rock”. In Daniel 2:35 the stone becomes a mountain that we look forward to going to in
Hymn 450 “Beautiful Zion”.

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/~3/7Tv5olAGysw/

1. The immanence of God.How does the word, “immanence,” apply to the Christian concept of God? What do you think was the source of the multiple dreams that experts in Daniel’s day took seriously as warnings of approaching disaster? Imagine you are a “wise man” of Babylon. How would you feel when your fellow interpreters can’t explain this prophecy of unknown content, knowing that you are headed for the gallows because of your failure? How did Daniel feel about this and what did he do to turn things around? Do you think he knew that he and the other men would be rescued?
2. The prayer. Starting in Daniel 2:17 what kind of a meeting do Daniel and his four friends immediately call? Imagine if you can what they might have said in their first prayer, a prayer of petition. Besides answering this prayer of petition, what else does God reveal? Should we always take time to thank God for answering our prayers? Even if He doesn’t fill our requests? Why? Or why not?
3. The image, introduction. Would you describe the image presented to Daniel as a frightening presentation for the king? Or did he delight in the solid gold appearance of an image representing him, the king.
4. The image, interpretation. The explanation of the image is spelled out in our lesson for this week. Can you describe what each aspect of the vision represented?
   1. Head of gold
   2. Chest and arms of silver
   3. Belly and thighs of bronze
   4. Legs of iron
   5. Feet of iron mixed with clay
5. The Stone. Suddenly, instead of a gorgeous statue of valuable minerals, we have action. What happens to the stone? How does it change? Explain, if you can, how a mountain can fill the earth when the earth is round but the mountain is not? How do we interpret the mighty stone that arises on earth? How does this event fulfill Bible prophecy? Do you long to be on earth when the stone crashes to the earth? Why or why not? 

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/ugAtbzD-OIo/

Key Thought: The rise and fall of nations seems to happen based on human whim. But Daniel 2 shows it is the God of heaven who actually moves human history to its finale.
January 18, 2020

1. Have a volunteer read Daniel 2:1-6.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What crisis did the Hebrews face because of the dream the Lord gave to Nebuchadnezzar?
3. Personal Application: What does this dream tell us about how close God is to humanity? How close do you think God is to you? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why does Nebuchadnezzar get impatient and want to kill the astrologers, but is patient and gives Daniel time to pray and interpret the dream?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Daniel 2:17-23.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What was the first thing Daniel did when he was granted time? What are the two kinds of prayers offered by Daniel and his friends?
3. Personal Application: In what ways can we be thankful regardless of our circumstances in life we face? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why does God answer some people’s prayers for safety and preservation, while He doesn’t protect His people in other situations or circumstances? You know, Elijah was translated, Elisha died a slow lingering, painful death from disease. Where’s the equity and assurance when each situation is not answered the same way?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Daniel 2:38-44.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does this dream say is the fate of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom?
3. Personal Application: Why are church leaders and members so reluctant to tell people when they are doing something wrong and that judgment will come upon them if they don’t change? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What does this statue tell us about the future? How does this dream give us confidence in the accuracy of prophecy and Scripture? Why did God give this dream to a heathen king rather than to His own faithful people?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Daniel 2:44,45..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does this tell us about the ultimate fate of this world?
3. Personal Application: How does it disagree with those who believe in the US and Israel against the rest of the world in end-time prophecy? 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).

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/JwJt1lTawFg/