Friday: Further Thought ~ From Reading to Understanding

Further Thought: From Reading to Understanding

“The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of their Maker. God gave to men the sure word of prophecy; angels and even Christ Himself came to make known to Daniel and John the things that must shortly come to pass. Those important matters that concern our salvation were not left involved in mystery.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

They were not revealed in such a way as to perplex and mislead the honest seeker after truth. Said the Lord by the prophet Habakkuk: ‘Write the vision, and make it plain, … that he may run that readeth it’. Habakkuk 2:2. The word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. ‘Light is sown for the righteous’. Psalm 97:11. And no church can advance in holiness unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure”. — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pages 521, 522. “Study the history of Daniel and his fellows. Though living where they were, met on every side by the temptation to indulge self, they honored and glorified God in the daily life. They determined to avoid all evil. They refused to place themselves in the enemy’s path. And with rich blessings God rewarded their steadfast loyalty”. — Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases [No. 224], vol. 4, pages 169, 170.

Discussion Questions:

As we study the book of Daniel, one powerful point will come through. God is not only sovereign over all the nations but also intimately acquainted with each of us, at even the deepest level. For example, as we will see in Daniel chapter 2, He was able to give a pagan king a dream. To be able to get into someone’s mind while that person is sleeping and implant a dream reveals a closeness that we cannot even begin to fathom. At the same time, as we will see, the nature of the dream reveals that God is ultimately in control even of the world’s vast empires and knows how everything is going to end. What comfort and hope can we draw from these depictions of reality? At the same time, how does it make you feel to know that the Lord is so close that He knows your very thoughts? In this context, why does the promise of the Cross become so important?
In class, discuss the difference between classical and apocalyptic prophecy. What other examples of both can you find in the Bible?

<–Thursday

Print/PDF/Email

(14)

Thank you Maurice for boldly giving us both the 'permission' and the encouragement to undertake "some serious learning rather than recitation". I believe it is a highly valid and vital point that you are inviting us to keep in focus as we embark on this quarter's lesson study.

I am reminded of someone who was a prominent influence earlier in the history of the Adventist church who encouraged its members to do the same and supported the validity of careful and constructive re-examination of what has been believed to date:

"Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and to do. The men in whom this power is developed are the men who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character. It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men's thought." (Education p 17)

"There is no excuse for anyone (valid basis) in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation." (Review and Herald Dec 20, 1892 )

"Investigation of every point that has been received as truth will richly repay the searcher ... And in closely investigating every detail which we think is established truth, in comparing scripture with scripture, we may discover errors in our interpretation of Scripture." (Treasure Hidden, Review & Herald July 12, 1898).

May God's Spirit guide us as we once again commit to seeking, not for mere intellectual knowledge (gnosticism), but for truth that spills over into actual life change: ours and others (John 4:14).

(26)

Reply ↓

Comments

Friday: Further Thought ~ From Reading to Understanding — 7 Comments

Maurice Ashton on January 2, 2020 at 10:46 am said:

There is much that I would like to say as I look back over this week's lesson, but I have to remember this is an overview of Daniel and the time will come later in the series to say more about the detail. For now, I would like to think that we have set the direction for some serious learning rather than recitation.

Here is a challenge. Seventh-day Adventists use the historicist approach for interpreting Daniel. I do not have a problem with that. It is a tried and tested methodology. But one result of that approach is that we have tended to cast aspersions on the other methodologies. For example Idealism seeks to interpret prophecies as a set of spiritual lessons. I am not suggesting that we replace Historicism with Idealism but rather extending it to find and include a deep spiritual application.

It is my premise that if we get the spiritual application right then the Historicist approach will not only make more sense but be easier to explain to others. I want to explore this theme further in these coming weeks because that notion should take us beyond congratulating ourselves about how good our maths is to understanding and applying the message of Daniel more fully.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.James 1:22-24

[Thank you for your prayers and comments about the emergency bushfire situation here in Australia. The crisis is not over yet. There are a lot of people unable to get out of the affected areas and they are having to send in navy ships to rescue them. Further, Sabbath is predicted to be another very hot day with temperatures over 40C (~116F). You will be happy to know that ADRA is in there with the other emergency services doing a great relief work.]

(38)

Reply ↓
- Phil van der Klift on January 2, 2020 at 5:47 pm said:
  
  Thank you Maurice for boldly giving us both the 'permission' and the encouragement to undertake "some serious learning rather than recitation". I believe it is a highly valid and vital point that you are inviting us to keep in focus as we embark on this quarter's lesson study.
  
  I am reminded of someone who was a prominent influence earlier in the history of the Adventist church who encouraged its members to do the same and supported the validity of careful and constructive re-examination of what has been believed to date:
  
  "Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and to do. The men in whom this power is developed are the men who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character. It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men's thought." (Education p 17)
  
  "There is no excuse for anyone (valid basis) in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation." (Review and Herald Dec 20, 1892 )
  
  "Investigation of every point that has been received as truth will richly repay the searcher ... And in closely investigating every detail which we think is established truth, in comparing scripture with scripture, we may discover errors in our interpretation of Scripture." (Treasure Hidden, Review & Herald July 12, 1898).
  
  May God's Spirit guide us as we once again commit to seeking, not for mere intellectual knowledge (gnosticism), but for truth that spills over into actual life change: ours and others (John 4:14).
  
  (26)
  
  Reply ↓
- Maxine K Nack on January 3, 2020 at 6:01 am said:
  
  Our prayers continue for the folks in danger there in Australia.
  Thank you for your insight on this week's lesson; your perspective is helpful to help us understand now to study the book of Daniel.
  
  (4)
  
  Reply ↓
Shirley De Beer on January 2, 2020 at 8:20 pm said:

Labels can be helpful but can also limit our understanding. So let me breakdown what I do and don't believe:
I do not believe the prophecies in Daniel are:
A) all in the past
B) all in the future
C) only ideals not actual events

I do believe that the whole book of Daniel including the prophecies was written for multiple reasons, namely to:
1) reveal character of the LORD
2) reveal world events from Daniels days until Jesus second coming
3) reveal the LORD working behind world events
4) reveal the LORDs Principles of Life and how they apply to my life
5) confirm my trust and belief in the Bible when the events happen as foretold
John 20:31, John 16:12-13

(16)

Reply ↓
Newbegin Devaraj on January 3, 2020 at 3:12 am said:

Saturday - When Philip asked the question, "Do you understand?" The Eunuch could have easily answered I am in high position therefore no one needs to teach me anything I know it all. Instead, he was willing to be lead by Philip. Generally people don't have the patience to listen. Are you willing to listen to the Spirit's leading?
Sunday - Purpose of the Old Testament is to reveal Christ unto us. The disciples identified Christ from the Old Testament prophecy. Jesus had only the Old Testament in testifying about himself.
Monday - Structure in the book of Daniel gives clear instruction on what to follow which allows us to confirm with historical accuracy of the Word of God.
Tuesday - God is Love begins the conflict series. God is Love ends the conflict series. All scripture beginning to end must be interpreted on the basis of his phrase God is Love. Prophecy should lead us toward God, so that we know him, have faith in him, and seek him through Jesus Christ.
Wednesday - God is never one minute late or one minute, He is always on time.
Galatians 4:4-7 When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.
Thursday - In a world of crisis without end through the book of Daniel we can see God has a purpose and plan for the restoration of humanity to the prefall status.
Friday - God is ultimately in control. Even the rise and fall of nations does not surprise him. What does surprise him, knowing and understanding this great gospel truth how ignorant we are toward God given mandate does surprise him.

Inside Story:
“Our goal is not to make Adventists out of non-Christians. Our goal is to make friends for Jesus”
By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission

(5)

Reply ↓
Lyn Lew on January 3, 2020 at 7:52 pm said:

Guidance me and speak to me Holy One.

Which comes first- God is my friend or I am a friend of God? Does God only speaks to his friends ( no), or does he speaks to everyone? (yes). Does God speaks to wicked people? (Yes). John 3:16-17. He came to save everyone, his desire is to save everybody. It is by speaking to humans by the Holy Spirit that men are drawn to Christ.
At that time the Lord choose the Heathen king whose cup was not full to conquer the people who thought they were righteous and took them captive. Years after the Lord choose the same heathen king to give him a dream about the future. Can anyone trying asking why was the dream not given to a Holy brother?
Many dictators rule countries of the world? Did the Lord place them there? Does he behold their ways? Many unbeliever rulers who cause men to disbelieve Jesus are in our world, if the say the Lord gave them a dream, will we believe them?

(0)

Reply ↓
Maxine K Nack on January 4, 2020 at 5:28 am said:

Our prayers continue for the folks in danger there in Australia.
Thank you for your insight on this week's lesson; your perspective is helpful to help us understand now to study the book of Daniel.

(0)

Reply ↓