Sep28-Oct4: God’s Nature: The Basis of Atonement

SUNDAY

Atonement and the Godhead

1. Observe the definitions of atonement.

ANSWER:

• English-

  • reparation for an offense or injury

  • reconciliation, unity

• Hebrew-
  

  • 3722. kaphar, kaw-far´; a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:- appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).

  • 3725. kippur, kip-poor´; from 3722; expiation (only in plural):- atonement.

• Greek-
  

  • 2643. katallage, kat-al-lag-ay´; from 2644; exchange (figuratively, adjustment), i.e. restoration to (the divine) favor: - atonement, reconciliation(-ing).

  • 2644. katallasso, kat-al-las´-so; from 2596 and 236; to change mutually, i.e. (figuratively) to compound a difference: - reconcile.

OBSERVATION: Atonement can be broken down to “at-one-ment” which means
the act of bringing to one in unity

2. Is there a connection between the nature of God and the basis of the atonement?

• Deut.6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD

NOTICE: The word “one” means united as one in the Hebrew language.

ANSWER: Yes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are united as one.

3. Observe the Prayer of Jesus in John 17 and see atonement element in His prayer.

• John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
  

ANSWER: They also may be one in us

Atonement and Eternal God

1. Observe a way the phrase, “in the beginning” has been used in the Bible.

• 7225. re`shiyth, ray-sheeth´; from the same as 7218; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit):—beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing.

• Gen.1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

• Prov. 8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. Prov. 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

• John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

• Heb. 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands

• Rev. 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God

OBSERVATIONS:

• The phrase “in the beginning” is connected to the creation of God many times in the Bible.

• The word “beginning” is an expression of the starting time which began at the creation of the world in the Bible. However it is broader than that.
  

• Since we need the earth, the moon, and the sun to calculate our time, our way of calculating time did not exist before the creation of the earth, the moon, and the sun. Therefore any time before the creation of the earth the Bible calls it “the beginning” or “everlasting” past. “…From everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was” Prov. 8:23

2. What do the words “in the beginning God created…” (Gen. 1:1) imply about the nature of God?

• Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

ANSWER: God had to existed before the beginning of the creation of the heaven and the earth. Therefore God is from the everlasting past.

• Psa. 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God”. Since God is “from everlasting”, there is no beginning for God. Since God continues to exist until “everlasting”, there is no end for God. Therefore God is eternal.

3. What is the meaning of the word “God” in chapter 1 of Genesis in the Hebrew language?

• Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  

ANSWER: God=430. elohiym, el-o-heem´; plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:—angels, x exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), x (very) great, judges, x mighty.

OBSERVATIONS:

• Contextually speaking “God” in Gen. 1 is more than one God. Observe the following verse:

• Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness

• God the Spirit was there at the creation: Gen. 1:2 … And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  

• God the Father was there at the creation: Prov. 8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: Prov. 8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: Prov. 8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Prov. 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him (Note: “he” is referring to the Father and “I” is referring to Jesus as “Wisdom” read
  verse 1)
  

• God the Son was there at the creation: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4. What is the meaning of the word “LORD” in chapter 2 of Genesis in the Hebrew language?

• Gen. 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens

ANSWER: LORD=3068. Yhwh; from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; name of God:—the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

5. What is the meaning of “LORD God”?

ANSWER: “LORD God” = Yhwh Elohiym = Self-Existent or Eternal God(s). Therefore, since God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were all involved in the creation of the world, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all called Yhwh Elohiym which mean they all are self-existent eternal God.

CONCLUSION: The atonement provides the possibility to be united with God for eternity. Therefore we can see the clear connection between the nature of God and the atonement.

MONDAY

Atonement and a Loving God

1. Who loves us so much?

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

ANSWER: God the Father

2. Through whom did God the Father express His love to us?

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

ANSWER: God the Son

3. Who helps us to experience the love of God in our hearts?

• Rom. 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

ANSWER: God the Holy Ghost

4. How did God show His love toward us?

• Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

ANSWER: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

5. What else did God do for us besides dying for us?

• 1John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

ANSWER: He was the propitiation for our sins.

6. What does the word “propitiation” mean in the Greek language?

ANSWER: 2434 hil-as-mos´; atonement, i.e. (concretely) an expiator: — propitiation.

OBSERVE: 2434 is connected to 2435 hilasterion, hil-as-tay´-ree-on; neuter of a derivative of 2433; an expiatory (place or thing), i.e. (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specially) the lid of the Ark (in the Temple): — mercy seat, propitiation.

Therefore propitiation is connected to atonement and atonement is connected to the mercy seat in the most holy place.

OBSERVATION POINT: God the Father loves us so much that God the Son died for us and the God the Holy Spirit helps us to experience that love in our hearts. Therefore all Three are involved in loving us for to provide the atonement for our sins in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• Could the love of God towards us be completed if Jesus died for us but did not minister for us in the most holy place in heaven?

• Are you experiencing the love of God according to the above verses?
  

  
  

TUESDAY

Atonement and God as Creator

1. Observe the Greek word katallage in the following verses.

• 2Cor. 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (katallage which mean atonement);
  

• 2Cor. 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (katallage).
  

OBSERVATION: The work of reconciliation is the work of atonement (Read Rom.
5:10-11)

2. Observe 2 Cor. 5:17.

• 2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

OBSERVATION: There is a connection between the work of reconciliation and “a
new creature.” Since only the Creator can make us a new creature therefore there is a connection between atonement and the Creator.

PROPHETIC APPLICATION QUESTION: Do you see the connection between atonement and the Creator in the last day message?

WEDNESDAY

Atonement and Holy God

1. Who is God according to the following verse?

• Psa. 99:9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

ANSWER: Holy

2. Observe the Prayer of Jesus in John 17 and see the connection between the atonement (to be one) and the holiness (being sanctified) concept in His prayer.

• John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
  

• John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
  

• John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
  

• John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
  

• John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

OBSERVATION: Those who are sanctified can be one with the holy God.

3. Who can be one with Jesus?

• Heb. 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

ANSWER: Those who are sanctified or holy.

APPLICATION QUESTION: Do you have the desire to be one with God? If yes, then
why? If no, then why?

THURSDAY

Atonement and Omniscient God

1. If those who are sanctified called are “brethren,” then who is Jesus to them?

• Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

ANSWER: “The Firstborn” or the Elder Brother.

2. Observe Omniscient God concept in Rom. 8:29.

• Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

OBSERVATION: “Foreknow” gives the idea of Omniscient God.

3. What is the meaning of “foreknow” in Greek?

ANSWER: 4267. prog-in-oce´-ko; from 4253 and 1097; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee: — foreknow (ordain), know (before).

4. When was the decision made for Christ to shed His blood as a lamb?

• 1Pet. 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1Pet. 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

ANSWER: Jesus was “foreordained before the foundation of the world.”

CONCLUSION: God’s original plan was for us to be with the Eternal God for
eternity. However sin caused a separation between God and man. Thus the loving God made the plan to be one (atonement) with us again through the death of Jesus. In the plan of salvation, the Creator will recreate our hearts so that we can be reconciled (atonement) to God. In the process of reconciliation, God will help us to be holy so that we can be one (atonement) with the Holy God. This grand plan of
atonement was already in the mind of God from eternity past because He is the Omniscient God. Why is He doing all of this? Because that’s Who He is. That is His nature.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• How much do you appreciate the atonement?
  

• How can we have the “one with God” experience today?
  

• How can we have the reconciliation experience through the re-creation of
  our hearts?
  

Sep 21-27: The Prophet Isaiah

SUNDAY

Woe Is Me!

1. Why did Isaiah say, “woe is me”?

• Is.6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

NOTE: Read the previous verses

• Is. 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Is. 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. Is. 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is
  the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Is. 6:4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

ANSWER: Isaiah saw the holiness of the Lord, and he felt so unholy in the
presence of God.

2. Observe the “woe” messages before Isaiah 6:

• Is. 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

• Is. 3:11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

• Is. 5:8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! Is. 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

• Is. 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:

• Is. 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Is. 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Is. 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

OBSERVATION: It was possible for Isaiah to fall into the sin of self-righteousness, because he was giving the message of “woe unto” you. This type of message can cause messengers to think that they are better then their audience, because they are comparing themselves with the wicked audience. For this reason, before Isaiah continue to give “woe” messages, God wanted Isaiah to compare himself with His holiness so that Isaiah can feel his helplessness and feel his total dependency on God.

MONDAY-THURSDAY

Thy Sin Is Purged

1. What does it mean when the Bible say “thy sin is purged”?

• Is. 6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

ANSWER: Purging of sin means to take away iniquity.

2. Who can take away our sin?

• John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
  Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

• 1John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our
  sins; and in him is no sin.

• Heb. 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others Heb. 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

ANSWER: Jesus can take away our sin, because He is the Lamb of God and our High Priest.

3. What did the seraphim use to take away Isaiah’s iniquity? And where did the seraphim get it?

• Is. 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar

ANSWER: A live coal from the altar

4. Which altar?

• Is. 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

OBSERVATION: This altar is connected to the temple. Most likely, it was the altar
of incense.

5. What filled the temple?

ANSWER: His train

6. What is His train?

• Train = 7757. shool; from an unused root meaning to hang down; a skirt; by implication, a bottom edge:—hem, skirt, train.

OBSERVATION: The same Hebrew word was used to describe the robe of the High
Priest.

• Ex. 28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
  

• Ex. 28:34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

• Ex. 39:24 And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.
  

• Ex. 39:25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates;
  

• Ex. 39:26 A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the LORD commanded Moses.

OBSERVATION: Based upon the following facts, such as “His train”,
“temple”, “altar”, I conclude that Isaiah saw God in the heavenly sanctuary in his vision.

7. Where else in the Bible do we have angels with six wings crying “holy, holy,
holy” before the throne of God?

• Rev. 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Rev. 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

OBSERVATION: Rev. 4 is also talking about God in the heavenly sanctuary.

8. Observational Questions

• Why did God (most likely Jesus) reveal Himself as High Priest to Isaiah?
  

• Why did God lead Isaiah to feel his uncleanness so that Isaiah would cry
  out “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips”? Really, Isaiah was asking for cleansing.
  

• Why didn’t Isaiah use the expression “forgive me”?
  

• Why was a coal from the altar used to cleanse Isaiah?
  

• What is God trying to tell us through this story?
  

9. Observational Conclusions

• Isaiah was having a “day of atonement” experience.

  • He was looking at the High Priest in His temple

  • He was afflicting his soul: “woe is me!”

  • He was asking for cleansing

• God wanted Isaiah to give cleansing message to his people

  • Is. 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil

  • Is. 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

  • Is. 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

• God wants us to give this message in the last days. Dan. 8:14 and Rev. 14:6, 7

• God’s great missionaries are like Isaiah, who can say with great humility, “Here am I send me”. These types of missionaries can give the message of hope to the hopeless world. And the message of hope is cleansing of our sins in the heavenly sanctuary by our High Priest, Jesus Christ. Only then we can have the hope of His second coming!! This is the reason why we are Seventh-day Adventists.

Sep 14-20: Philip the Evangelist

SUNDAY - THURSDAY

Philip the Evangelist

1. Who was Philip?

• Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

• Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

Answer: First, he was a deacon. Then he became an evangelist.

2. What caused Philip to be a full-time evangelist? What happened between his deaconship and evangelism work?

• Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Answer: Persecution

3. Observe the way Philip obeyed the command of the angel of the Lord.

• Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. Acts 8:27 And he arose and went:
  

Observation: Philip just arose and went without the knowledge of what purpose and where exactly.

Application Questions:

• When should we just obey without the knowledge of the details, such as the purpose, or where exactly?

  
  

4. Observe the man of Ethiopia.

• Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Acts 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Observation: The man of Ethiopia was...

• An eunuch of great authority under Candace queeen of Ethiopians

• A man in charge of all her treasure

• A worshipper of Hebrews’ God
  

• A man who loved to study the Hebrew scripture

Discussion Questions:

• What were the potentials for this Ethiopian to become a believer of Jesus Christ?

• How do we learn to listen to the command of the angel of the Lord, so that we may meet people by witnessing?

  
  

5. Observe what the Spirit said unto Philip.

• Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

Observation:

• “Go near and join thyself to this chariot”

• God only gave simple commands to Philip;
  

  • “Arise and go”

  • “Go near and join”

Discussion Question:

How hard is it for us to obey those simple commands? And if they are hard, why are they so hard to obey?

6. Observe the way Philip responded to what the Spirit told him to do.

• Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

Observation:

• Philip ran to the chariot
  

• Philip also had a simple response to the command of God
  

  • “He arose went”

  • “Philip ran”

• After obeying the command of God, now it was Philip’s turn to initiate witnessing opportunity and he did that by asking the question “understandest thou what thou readest?”

Application Question: Based upon the example of Philip above, what else is important in the work of evangelism, besides knowing your Bible?

7. Observe the character of the Ethiopian based upon the following verses.

• Acts 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. Acts 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: Acts 8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. Acts 8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Observation:

• He was humble enough to ask for guidance.

• He was diligent student of the scripture, because he knew exactly what
  questions to ask.

  
  

8. Observe the way Philip responded to the question of the Ethiopian.

• Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Observations:

• Philip knew his Bible so well that he was able to teach from the “same
  scripture” and was able to connect that with the ministry of
  Jesus.

• Apparently, Philip was able to connect Isaiah to Jesus, and Jesus to the doctrine of baptism. Perhaps Philip was able to talk about so many other things “as they went on their way,” because we do not know how long they were together, according to the Bible.
  

• Philip was not a “pushy” preacher. The Ethiopian man asked for
  baptism, not Philip.

Discussion Question: In certain ways, Philip was still had the title of deacon. Therefore, could a deacon who preaches the gospel baptize people?

9. What was God’s next appointment for Philip?

• Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Answer: Keep on preaching!

Application Question: Could you see yourself doing the similar work as Philip?

Sep 7-13: Daniel and Company

SUNDAY

A Spiritual Foundation

1. Describe the characteristics of Daniel and the company.

• Dan. 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

• Dan. 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science

• Dan. 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Description of Daniel and the company:

• Young people - children

• Royalty - the king’s seed and of the princes

• Physically and morally strong - no blemish (physically or morally)

• Socially well balanced - well-favored

• Intellectually wise - cunning in knowledge and understanding science

• Vegetarian - ate pulse and water

Application Questions:

• Since the Bible says that king Nebuchadnezzar wanted the best young people, who do you think will be attacked in the last days?

• Based upon your observations of the description of Daniel and the company, who will be ready to stand in the final spiritual Babylonian captivity?

MONDAY/TUESDAY

The Early Tests

1. Observe how Babylon wanted to change the Hebrew young men.

• Dan. 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

• Dan. 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

• Dan. 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

• Dan. 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Observation: Babylon tried to bring about...

• Mental change by teaching them the learning and the language of the Chaldeans

• Physical change by giving them Babylonian diet

• Spiritual change by giving them Babylonian names

Application Question:

• How will the final spiritual Babylon try to change God’s people in the last days?

• How can you see God’s mental, physical, and spritual message in the Three Angels’ message?

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY

Agents of Hope in Babylon

1. Observe the process of conversion for Nebuchadnezzar from chapter one to four.

• Dan. 1:19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. Dan. 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

• Dan. 2:46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. Dan. 2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

• Dan. 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

• Dan. 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: Dan. 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Dan. 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Observation:

• Chapter One: Nebuchadnezzar saw the Hebrew young men possessed superior wisdom and understanding to the wise men of Babylon.

• Chapter Two: Nebuchadnezzar saw that the Hebrew men worshipped a superior God than the wise men of Babylon worshipped.

• Chapter Three: Nebuchadnezzar saw more powerful Being than himself.

• Chapter Four: Nebuchadnezzar surrendered to the only true God of heaven.

Application Question: How can we be an agent of hope in the modern day of spiritual Babylon?

2. How did Daniel and the company help Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion experience?

• Dan. 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

• Dan. 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Dan. 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: Dan. 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

• Dan. 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. Dan. 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. Dan. 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Answer: Daniel and/or the company…

• Chapter One: …stood firm on the health and moral issues

• Chapter Two: …weren’t ready to die. Therefore with courage and faith, they made their request before God.

• Chapter Three: … was ready to die and not compromise the principle.

Application Questions:

• Based upon the book of Daniel, how did Daniel and the company share the light in Babylon?

• Based upon the above observation, what is more important, living the truth or sharing the truth?

• Is it necessary to have the spirit of ‘ready to die for the truth’ in the last days? If so, then how do we develop that spirit today?