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Sabbath: The Bible and Prophecy — 7 Comments

  1. We have just finished a whole quarter on the study of Daniel, so probably this lesson may seem like a bit of overkill. I am reminded that on TV there are several media evangelists touting Biblical prophecy and their relationship to modern-day events. They exploit the media capital in letting people know that they are not surprised by these events because the Bible writers have prophesied they would happen.

    The issue that I have with most of these evangelists is that they are more interested in predicting the future (or explaining the present) than they are in pointing to Jesus and living a saved life as a result.

    Prophecies fail not when they are wrong but when those who interpret them fail to consider that Jesus is essentially the reason for prophecy.

    Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

    And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:8-13 NIV

    The point of prophecy is not about proving we are right but that Jesus should be our focus and that should affect they way we live.

    (41)
    • I so appreciate your contributions........erudite and understandable.......what a great combination.
      God Bless and continue to bless us here for many more years, or until Jesus comes!

      (15)
  2. We have yet to get to the anything that the title of this study suggests. The title of the study is "How to Interpret Scripture." So far all we have done is a drawn out apologetic on Scripture. We have done very little, if at all, actual work in interpretative exercises. It is a typical 13 week exercise in simply affirming our Fundamental Beliefs, in this case, our Fundamental Belief in Scripture. We have yet to be given any tools about how to study and interpret.

    Sadly, I find this too familiar in SS over the years. Rote and too predictable. It has always been a source of a bit of angst for me in the process.

    (12)
    • Hi Kevin. I have looked at the lessons as just a starting point, a conversation opener so to speak. I think the lessons are addressing some very crucial topics. I live near an SDA college, and right here at our own school, are teachers that are teaching some of the conflicting things that this quarters lessons have addressed. For those that have not thrown out what our church was founded on, this can seem a little redundant, but for those who have tossed our beliefs aside, if they are looking at this lesson, it could be the thing that might guide them back to truth.
      This thought has helped me in digging even deeper than the lesson may go, to solidify my belief, so I can be more equipped to share it with someone who doubts.

      (2)
  3. Kevin, there is a link to the Seventh Day Adventist Church approved “Methods of Bible Study” in Friday’s “Further Thoughts“ post that was very enlightening to me. I hadn’t ever read this and It was the most valuable part of the past weeks lesson.

    (4)
      • Phil, I believe it is only a secret to those who have yet to engage the word of God as they would their daily bread. God's word contains the simple instructions on how to interpret His word. We read, hear, and keep those things, and God does the rest by "instruct[ing] and teach[ing]" all who believe His promise to do so(Ps 32:8). The word must be interpreted by the Spirit that gave it, and we may have this if we do not grieve the Spirit in our daily living. If we do God's will, we "shall know the doctrine"(John 7:17; 8:31,32). Obedience is the key to advancing in the truth, for it is the way to become wise(Matt 7:24) which leads to understanding(Dan 12:10).

        All that is found in that document can be found in a daily study of God's word if/when it becomes incorporated into our daily life.

        I hope this doesn't get lost in this 13-week "study" of this topic.

        (4)

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