Lesson 4: The Nations - Part 1

[Chief]

Lesson 4: The Nations - Part 1

Memory Text:
“ ‘Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed’ ” (Daniel 7:14, NKJV).

Sabbath School Video is provided courtesy of Hope Sabbath School.
Watch more episodes at: Hope Sabbath School - Official

Read more about this lesson...

 

[Chief]

Daniel 7:14 emphasizes Christ’s eternal, divine kingdom, contrasting with transient human nations. This lesson traces humanity’s governance failures and God’s redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation.

Key Themes and Daily Insights:​

1. Sunday: Nimrod and Nineveh
   • Post-Flood, humanity’s rebellion resurged with Nimrod (Genesis 10:8-9), whose defiance led to Babel and Nineveh’s wickedness. The expulsion from Eden (Genesis 3:23-24) underscores sin’s consequences: separation from God and reliance on flawed human rule.
2. Monday: Abraham’s Call
   • God called Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9) to create a nation that would bless others, countering pagan divisions (Genesis 10:5; Revelation 14:6). Israel’s mission was to exemplify divine truth, though they later faltered in this role.
3. Tuesday: Given What You Ask For
   • Israel’s demand for a king (1 Samuel 8:4-18) rejected God’s theocracy, leading to oppression and instability. Deuteronomy 17:14-20 warned kings to prioritize God’s law, a guardrail often ignored, mirroring humanity’s preference for autonomy over divine guidance.
4. Wednesday: The Rulers of the Gentiles
   • Gentile rulers sought power, but Jesus modeled servant leadership (Matthew 20:25-28). The early church’s compromise with Rome (e.g., Constantine’s Sunday worship) corrupted its purity, echoing Israel’s idolatry and underscoring the dangers of church-state alliances.
5. Thursday: A Light to the Gentiles
   • Israel failed to be a light, but Christ (John 1:9) fulfilled this role. Revelation 18:1-4 urges God’s people to “come out of Babylon,” rejecting worldly compromise. The church’s mission is to reflect God’s character (Matthew 5:16), drawing others to His love.

Final Thoughts (Friday):​

Human governance repeatedly fails due to rebellion and compromise. The church’s alliance with pagan practices (e.g., Ellen White’s critique of pagan influences - see The Great Controversy, p. 50.) diluted its witness. Yet, hope remains in Christ’s eternal kingdom, which will reverse humanity’s brokenness. From Abraham to the New Jerusalem, God’s plan transcends human failure, calling believers to faithfulness amid a fractured world.

Trust in God’s unchanging kingdom over transient human systems. Reject worldly compromise, embrace servant leadership, and shine as lights in darkness, pointing others to the hope of Christ’s eternal reign.