Sunday
December 17
1. KEEPING PERSPECTIVE IN LIFE
a. How does Scripture depict worldly kingdoms being overturned? Daniel 11:1–4. Contrast this to the followers of Christ.
“Many falter and fall because of the indulgence of a perverse temper. . . . God calls upon you to yield pride and stubbornness, and to let His peace rule in your hearts. A meek and quiet spirit must be cherished. Carry Christ’s meekness with you in all your labors. An excited temper and cutting censure will not impress the people or gain their sympathy. If we have the truth, we can afford to be calm and unexcited. Our language should be modest and elevated. The spirit you have cherished within has left its impression upon the countenance. Christ, enthroned in the soul-temple, will efface that fretful, peevish, unhappy look; and as the cloud of witnesses look upon a man reflecting the image of Christ, they will realize that he is surrounded by a pleasant atmosphere.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 348.
b. After years of struggle between the southern and the northern kingdoms (Daniel 11:5–19), our attention is drawn to Rome. What is written about Caesar Augustus? Daniel 11:20; Luke 2:1–3.
“As in old time Cyrus was called to the throne of the world’s empire that he might set free the captives of the Lord, so Caesar Augustus is made the agent for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in bringing the mother of Jesus to Bethlehem. She is of the lineage of David, and the Son of David must be born in David’s city. Out of Bethlehem, said the prophet, ‘shall He come forth . . . that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity’ (Micah 5:2, margin). . . . In a rude building where the beasts are sheltered, [Joseph and Mary] at last find refuge, and here the Redeemer of the world is born.”–The Desire of Ages, p. 44.
Monday
December 18
2. THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION
a. How did the heavenly messenger describe the actions of papal Rome? Daniel 11:31; 12:1 (cf. Daniel 8:11, 12).
“The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority. They were taught that the pope was their earthly mediator and that none could approach God except through him; and, further, that he stood in the place of God to them and was therefore to be implicitly obeyed. A deviation from his requirements was sufficient cause for the severest punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of the offenders. Thus the minds of the people were turned away from God to fallible, erring, and cruel men, nay, more, to the prince of darkness himself, who exercised his power through them. Sin was disguised in a garb of sanctity.”–The Great Controversy, p. 55.
b. What is said about the faithfulness of God’s people in the time of persecution under papal Rome? Daniel 11:32.
“In lands beyond the jurisdiction of Rome there existed for many centuries bodies of Christians who remained almost wholly free from papal corruption. They were surrounded by heathenism and in the lapse of ages were affected by its errors; but they continued to regard the Bible as the only rule of faith and adhered to many of its truths. These Christians believed in the perpetuity of the law of God and observed the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Churches that held to this faith and practice existed in Central Africa and among the Armenians of Asia. But of those who resisted the encroachments of the papal power, the Waldenses stood foremost. In the very land where popery had fixed its seat, there its falsehood and corruption were most steadfastly resisted.”–The Great Controversy, pp. 63, 64.
Tuesday
December 19
3. PERSECUTION: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
a. Describe the sufferings of God’s people under papal Rome. Daniel 11:33–35; Matthew 10:17–22; 24:21.
“In the thirteenth century was established that most terrible of all the engines of the papacy–the Inquisition. The prince of darkness wrought with the leaders of the papal hierarchy.”–The Great Controversy, p. 59.
“Persecution will spread the light. The servants of Christ will be brought before the great men of the world, who, but for this, might never hear the gospel. The truth has been misrepresented to these men. They have listened to false charges concerning the faith of Christ’s disciples. Often their only means of learning its real character is the testimony of those who are brought to trial for their faith. Under examination these are required to answer, and their judges to listen to the testimony borne. God’s grace will be dispensed to His servants to meet the emergency.”–The Desire of Ages, p. 354.
b. How will history be repeated? Matthew 24:9; Revelation 12:17; Matthew 10:23.
“The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. And now, instead of seeking expensive dwellings here, we should be preparing to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Instead of spending our means in self-gratification, we should be studying to economize. Every talent lent of God should be used to His glory in giving the warning to the world.”–Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 464, 465.
Wednesday
December 20
4. GOD’S MERCY FOR HIS PEOPLE
a. What benefits should we draw from trials permitted by God? 1 Peter 1:7; Psalm 139:23, 24.
“Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify God’s children from the dross of earthliness. It is because God is leading His children that trying experiences come to them. Trials and obstacles are His chosen methods of discipline, and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifications which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these souls into different positions and varied circumstances, that they may discover the defects that are concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to overcome these defects and to fit themselves for service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to burn, that they may be purified.”–The Acts of the Apostles, p. 524.
b. How will God interpose in behalf of His people during the last great crisis? Isaiah 26:20, 21.
“In this time of prevailing iniquity we may know that the last great crisis is at hand. When the defiance of God’s law is almost universal, when His people are oppressed and afflicted by their fellow men, the Lord will interpose.
“The time is near when He will say, [Isaiah 26:20, 21 quoted]. Men who claim to be Christians may now defraud and oppress the poor; they may rob the widow and fatherless; they may indulge their Satanic hatred because they cannot control the consciences of God’s people; but for all this God will bring them into judgment. They ‘shall have judgment without mercy’ that have ‘showed no mercy’ (James 2:13). Not long hence they will stand before the Judge of all the earth, to render an account for the pain they have caused to the bodies and souls of His heritage. They may now indulge in false accusations, they may deride those whom God has appointed to do His work, they may consign His believing ones to prison, to the chain gang, to banishment, to death; but for every pang of anguish, every tear shed, they must answer. God will reward them double for their sins.”–Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 178, 179.
Thursday
December 21
5. HEAVENLY OMNISCIENCE
a. What parallel exists between Daniel 11:36, 8:25, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 and Revelation 13:6?
“Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity. She possesses the same pride and arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the prerogatives of God. Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now than when she crushed out human liberty and slew the saints of the Most High.”–The Great Controversy, p. 571.
b. What should we know concerning the final verses of Daniel 11? Habakkuk 2:3.
“The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place.”–Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 14.
Friday
December 22
REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. How did Caesar Augustus unknowingly fulfill Micah 5:2?
2. What is “the abomination that maketh desolate”?
3. Relate some examples of victorious faith amid persecution.
4. How do life’s trials benefit us?
5. Contrast the kingdoms of earth and heaven.