C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, November 3rd, 2019. That the Scriptures Must be Fulfilled. UNIT II: THE SCRIPTURES ARE FULFILLED. 

By | November 3, 2019

C.A.C SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, November 3rd, 2019. That the Scriptures Must be Fulfilled. UNIT II: THE SCRIPTURES ARE FULFILLED. 

II. The two dream-visions in Daniel 2,7 and 8 communicate essentially the same message. Both described four great world empires between the sixth century BC and r climax of the world history when Jesus Christ returns and God’s eternal kingdom is inaugurated on earth. God has deep concerns for all nations, He wants them to bow to His Lordship and sovereignty and the supremacy of His infinite Word.

A. THE GENTILES IN O.T PROPHECY (Dan. 2:28-40; 7:4-8,23-26; 8:19-27)

You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendour was excellent, stood before you; and it’s from was awesome (2:31).

i. In Dan. 2, Nebuchadnezzar saw a huge status of a man in his dream made of a succession of metals. Daniel was divinely enabled to explain thy the dream dealt the future and extended even to the “latter days” (2:28).

ii. 2:36-40: The golden head represented the Babylonia empire (the lion with eagle’s wings; 7:4) that would be succeeded by another, represented by the silver chest, which would be the Medo Persian (the bear raised up on one side; 7:5).

iii. This would, in turn, be toppled by another empire (the thighs of bronze) the Greek under the Alexander the Great (cf. 8:1-8,20-21) the legend with wings like a bird (7:6).

iv. The fourth empire was represented by the legs of iron (dreadful, terrible, and exceedingly strong beast, with huge iron teeth; 7:7), but was never specifically identified. However, we know in the fulfillment that it was the Roman Empire, which eventually split into two parts, the Eastern and Western Empires.

v. 7:24: The empire represented by the feet of iron mixed with clay has been shown in later dreams and visions of Daniel as referring to a loose confederation of ten nations that would arise out of the territory of the Roman Empire (the empire of iron) (vv. 7-8).

vi. This would form the base for the emergence of the last great gentile world power, the antichrist (7:8,23-26; 8:19-27), that would be ultimately destroyed by the coming of Christ.

vii. This prophecy came in 2 different presentations as a way of showing the empires from man’s viewpoint (Nebuchadnezzar’s dream) as beautiful and glorious, and from God’s viewpoint (Daniel’s vision) as a succession of ruthless wild beasts.

B. THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES (Lk. 21:24)

And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (v. 24).

i. Luke 21: shows, in Jesus’ words, that the gentiles will tread Jerusalem until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:24 (cf. Matt. 24:15,16; Mk. 13:14), foreshadow the Roman invasion and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

ii. 70 AD fulfilled the fact that Jerusalem would fail and be led away captive. In the sad event under the Roman emperor Titus, there were death and captivity that led to the Jews being scattered all over the world.

iii. From them till today, the city has continued to be under Gentile control. Does that connote the times of the Gentiles that would be fulfilled?

iv. As Israel captured Jerusalem in the 1967 war, many students of the Bible had thought the times of the Gentiles were over. But to their utter surprise, Israel’s secular government returned control of the Temple Mount to the Muslims!

v. When would the times of the Gentiles come to an end? Rev. 11:1-2 gives us the clue. It would be when Jesus returns to the earth, destroys the antichrist, and establishes His Kingdom.

vi. However, the times of the Gentiles also implies, more spiritually, that there would be period in God’s redemptive plan, when Gentiles would be dominant, and Jerusalem’s fall would clearly signify this. The gospel has since reached Gentiles and they are presently dominating the Church. How many countries of the world today are being ruled by practical Christians (not Christians by name).

vii. That the gentiles are dominating now, presupposes a time when Israel would once again play significant role in God’s redemptive plan (cf. Rom. 9-11).

viii.So far, Jerusalem has been the most disputed place on earth, today. Thank God the nation of Israel now has its independence. The world community representatives are also designing a peace treaty that will settle the control of Temple Mount. All these point to the fact that the times of the Gentiles are almost over and the second coming of our Lord is very near!

LESSON DERIVED

1. God has Gentiles in eternal redemptive plan, even as He began working with Israel. He is the King of all nations, not Israel alone.

2. The times of the Gentiles would soon be up. Are you prepared to meet our Lord Jesus on His return?

QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think God should re-gather and restore Israel, despite their disobedient and stiff-neckedness? Are we different today?

2. How is God dealing with the world in these times of the Gentiles, and when are the times ending?

SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1

Gof should re-gather and restore the Israelites, despite their disobedience and unfaithfulness, because of His covenant, which shall never fail.

The Bible has it that Israel will be restored to her land. This must be fulfilled. He cannot contradict His Word.

The restoration involves both physical and spiritual restoration.

The restoration is not based on Israel’s faithfulness, holiness, or bigness, but on God’s choice, character and promise.

We are not different from these unfaithful people today, but God’s faithfulness and mercy is speaking for us and liberating us from where sin, would and Satan have boxed us, and ultimately, we shall be gathered to Him. However, our repentance is inevitable.

ANSWER TO QUESTION 2

The fact that God rules the nation is undeniable.

He has never stoop aloof during any dispensation or government, contrary to the perspective of some people.

The same Jesus yesterday, today and forever more. He is impartial. God is still the same with this present world of the Gentiles.

His covenant and promises never change.

His words judge everything from beginning to the end.

He has sent His Son not to condemn the world but to save it. This showcases His perfect love.

All that is in His Word for the world shall come to pass. He allows the time of the Gentiles, peradventure some of the nations and kingdoms shall come to His knowledge.

Very soon, the time of the Gentiles shall pass away and give room to the eternal reign of Christ. Will you be part of that government?

LIFE APPLICATION

Just as nothing could stop the birth, persecution, crucifixion, death, resurrection and the ascension of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, none of the prophecies in the in the Scriptures would be stopped, or hindered from fulfillment. Remember that the fulfillment calls for preparation for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION

By the grace of God, we have concluded lesson eight of this series of Sunday School. The greatest tutor, Holy Spirit, has helped us to see some of the fulfilled end time events. It is believed that we are no longer in the dark concerning happenings that we are witnessing around us. Most of these things are fulfillment of some of the end time predictions. What is important is your preparation towards the final events, that is, the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the earth. You will not miss out in Jesus’ name, amen.

DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS FOR WEEK TWO

Mon. Oct. 28: The Pride of the Remnants (Isa. 28:2-4)

Tue. Oct. 29: The Strength of God’s People (Isa. 28:5-6)

Wed. Oct. 30: The Protection for God’s People (Isa. 29:5-8)

Thur. Oct. 31: The People would no longer Fear (Isa. 29:20,22)

Fri. Nov. 1: The Healer of God’s People (Isa. 29:17-19)

Sat. Nov. 2: The Lord would Prosper His People (Isa. 29:21,23-24)

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