Prophetic Manifestation in Crucial Moments

Read for This Week’s Study

2 Pet. 2:5; Judg. 4:4–16; 1 Kings 18:21, 38, 39; Isa. 59:1–4; Neh. 9:30; Rev. 1:1–3.

Memory Text: “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7, NKJV).

Since the Fall, human beings have been predisposed to choose the pleasures of sin for a season, as opposed to eternal life in Jesus. God knows this sad truth, and, despite it, He loves us and works for our salvation anyway.

This is why, at crucial junctures in history, God has acted in remarkable ways through the prophetic office in behalf of His people. However, when His efforts have been repeatedly refused, He has warned of judgment.

Through His prophets, the Lord always communicates His actions before He does them (Amos 3:7). If people repent, He is quick to forgive.

He continues to communicate with us in the same way today. It is reasonable, therefore, that God should speak to His people in earth’s last days, just as He spoke to His people in centuries past.

This week’s study will look back at crucial times in salvation history when God used prophets to make His will clear to His people and to the wider world. We will also explore the role of Ellen G. White’s inspired ministry at pivotal times in the growth of the Adventist movement.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 12.

Supplemental EGW Notes

The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression that would make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready. As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study. The last book of the New Testament scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand. The solemn messages that have been given in their order in the Revelation are to occupy the first place in the minds of God’s people. . . . Precious time is rapidly passing, and there is danger that many will be robbed of the time which should be given to the proclamation of the messages that God has sent to a fallen world. Satan is pleased to see the diversion of minds that should be engaged in a study of the truths which have to do with eternal realities. The testimony of Christ, a testimony of the most solemn character, is to be borne to the world. All through the book of Revelation there are the most precious, elevating promises, and there are also warnings of the most fearfully solemn import. Will not those who profess to have a knowledge of the truth read the testimony given to John by Christ? Here is no guesswork, no scientific deception. Here are the truths that concern our present and future welfare. What is the chaff to the wheat? Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only?—Maranatha, p. 160.

God lives and reigns. His glory is not confined to the temple made with hands. He has not closed heaven against His people. As in the Jewish age, so in this age God reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets. The image shown to Nebuchadnezzar [Daniel 2] in the visions of the night represents the kingdoms of the world. The metals in the image, symbolizing the different kingdoms, became less and less pure and valuable. The head of the image was of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the sides of brass, [the legs of iron], and the feet and toes of iron mingled with clay. So the kingdoms represented by them deteriorated in value. . . .­ If they had kept the fear of the Lord ever before them, they would have been given wisdom and power which would have bound them together and kept them strong.—Christ Triumphant, p. 327.

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