Interpreting Prophetic Writings

Read for This Week’s Study

Matt. 5:17–48; 1 Cor. 16:20; Matt. 4:1–11; Luke 10:25–28; Luke 24:25–27, 44–49.

Memory Text: “Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27, NASB).

In the aftermath of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, Christ appeared to two downcast disciples, both of whom confessed, “ ‘We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel’ ” (Luke 24:21, NKJV). The disciples expected a Messiah who would deliver the Jews from Roman occupation. This false expectation and consequent disappointment derived from a biased, one-sided interpretation of the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.

Christ solved the misunderstanding of these two disciples by explaining the Scriptures to them from a broader perspective (Luke 24:25–27). Christ’s interpretation of Scripture opened their eyes and made their hearts burn within them (Luke 24:31, 32). Later, Jesus appeared also to a larger group of disciples in Jerusalem, and “He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45, NKJV; see also Luke 24:33, 36, 44–49).

These experiences highlight the positive results of correctly understanding prophetic writings. A false understanding of prophecy can lead to spiritual disaster.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 21.

Supplemental EGW Notes

The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that God’s hand had directed the great Advent Movement. Adventists then held that the earth, or some portion of it, was the sanctuary. They understood that the cleansing of the sanctuary was the purification of the earth by the fires of the last great day, and that this would take place at the Second Advent. Hence the conclusion that Christ would return to the earth in 1844.But the appointed time had passed, and the Lord had not appeared. The believers knew that God’s Word could not fail; their interpretation of the prophecy must be at fault; but where was the mistake? . . . In their investigation they learned that there is no Scripture evidence sustaining the popular view that the earth is the sanctuary; but they found in the Bible a full explanation of the subject of the sanctuary, its nature, location, and services. Those who followed in the light of the prophetic word saw that, instead of coming to the earth at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844, Christ then entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, to perform the closing work of atonement, preparatory to His coming.—The Faith I Live By, p. 284.

Now in the holy of holies they again beheld Him, their compassionate High Priest, soon to appear as their king and deliverer. Light from the sanctuary illumined the past, the present, and the future. They knew that God had led them by His unerring providence. Though, like the first disciples, they themselves had failed to understand the message which they bore, yet it had been in every respect correct. In proclaiming it they had fulfilled the purpose of God, and their labor had not been in vain in the Lord. Begotten “again unto a lively hope,” they rejoiced “with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Both the prophecy of Daniel 8:14, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed,” and the first angel’s message, “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come,” pointed to Christ’s ministration in the most holy place, to the investigative judgment, and not to the coming of Christ for the redemption of His people and the destruction of the wicked. The mistake had not been in the reckoning of the prophetic periods, but in the event to take place at the end of the 2300 days. Through this error the believers had suffered disappointment, yet all that was foretold by the prophecy, and all that they had any Scripture warrant to expect, had been accomplished. At the very time when they were lamenting the failure of their hopes, the event had taken place which was foretold by the message, and which must be fulfilled before the Lord could appear to give reward to His servants.—The Great Controversy, pp. 423, 424.

The above quotations are taken from Ellen G. White Notes for the Sabbath School Lessons, published by Pacific Press Publishing Association. Used by permission.