Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15
2nd Quarter 2025: Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy
…Over the decades a stream of books, articles, videos, and now websites, all dedicated to prophecy, have made many predictions, including date setting, about final events—usually centered on wars or turmoil in the Middle East. And, surprise of surprises, in every case those predictions have not come true. As Seventh-day Adventists, we take a different approach, a Christ-centered approach, in which the focus of prophecy is no longer on a single geographic location in the Middle East and whatever military conflicts unfold there. Instead, we view the prophecies through the lens of the great controversy between Christ and Satan—a worldwide spiritual struggle that will climax when God’s people, Jew and Gentile (see Rev. 12:17, Rev. 14:12), face the final crisis, which centers on worshiping the Creator (see Rev. 14:7), as opposed to the beast and his image. Key elements in understanding these last-day prophecies are found in the book of Daniel, which contains not only the historical outline of the prophecies but the interpretive key to unlocking their meanings, as well.
...Symbols, and metaphors that, when studied prayerfully and with a humble, submissive spirit, will help make end-time prophecies, specifically in Revelation, come alive.
With this historical perspective as the foundation for understanding prophecy, we are going to study this quarter the theme of how to interpret Bible prophecy, specifically some of the allusions, stories, images, and metaphors that unlock prophetic truth and final events. We go from the Genesis creation account—important for understanding not only prophecy but for what follows, especially the cross and the atoning death of Jesus—to the tower of Babel, to the sanctuary service, to the Psalms, even to some Old Testament marriages. In all these, and more, we can find images, symbols, and metaphors that, when studied prayerfully and with a humble, submissive spirit (if you go to the Bible with a rebellious heart, you are wasting your time), will help make end-time prophecies, specifically in Revelation, come alive. One quarter is certainly not enough even to begin to study all the stories and images that help unlock prophetic truth. Who knows—we might need eternity for that. Until then, by God’s grace, we will study what we can.
Lesson 5: The Nations – Part 2
*April 26–May 2
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 2:9–17; Dan. 2:31–35; Isa. 17:12, 13; Dan. 7:1–3; Rom. 3:10–19; Rev. 12:15, 16; Rev. 10:1–11.
Memory Text: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10, NKJV).
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 3
