TEXT:
Genesis 22:15-18 — Promise to Abraham
Deuteronomy 28:64-66; Ezekiel 37:21-22 — Dispersion and restoration of people
Leviticus 26:27,31-33; Ezekiel 36:8-11,29-35 — Desolation and restoration of land
Leviticus 26:42-46 — National identity
SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURES
- Genesis 13:16
- Nehemiah 1:8
- Jeremiah 16:10-13
- Hebrews 6:13-14
The nation of Israel began with a promise to Abraham. Its name was taken from that of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. In later years the twelve tribes were dispersed in fulfillment of earlier prophecies. When they were restored to their land and became a nation in 1948, they named their country Israel.
QUESTIONS
- In reference to our text, what were the promises God made to Abraham?
- How were all the nations of the earth blessed through the seed of Abraham? See Matthew 1:1,21.
- Ten tribes of Israel went into captivity to the king of Assyria and were dispersed according to the prophecy in Deuteronomy 28. Why and how did this occur? See Deuteronomy 28:58 and 2 Kings 17:6-8.
- Jeremiah 25:1,11 tell us that the kingdom of Judah (which included the tribe of Benjamin) would go into captivity for seventy years. The name of the king who would order their return to Jerusalem was prophesied some two hundred years earlier in Isaiah 44:28. Read 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, and tell how these verses show a fulfillment of both of these prophecies.
- The destruction of the Temple, as foretold by Jesus, occurred when the Roman general, Titus, captured the city in A.D. 70. However, Jews continued to live in the land of Israel until A.D. 135. The Roman emperor, Hadrian, decided to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, make it a Roman colony, and build a temple to Jupiter on the former site of the Jewish Temple. The Jews revolted and were defeated and scattered over all the world, not having a nation of their own until 1948. What prophecy does this fulfill?
- For over 1800 years the Jews were without a homeland. Why, in spite of all their persecution, were they not completely destroyed?
- God told the Children of Israel that their land would be desolate if they disobeyed. Other than by the dispersion, how did God accomplish this? See Deuteronomy 28:23-24.
- What other events in today’s history verify that Ezekiel’s prophecy is coming to pass? Bring some documentation to class from current encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, etc.
THEME THOUGHTS
Time is running out! The human race today is facing a crisis that is literally unimaginable for most people. But indicators in God’s Word reveal that the dramatic events happening all around us signal the end time is at hand. In this quarter we will be delving into these events and their meanings in light of prophecy. In the heart of every true believer is the assurance that Jesus Christ will come back to earth and deal with the insurmountable troubles that face this globe, and will establish His dominion here upon earth. This quarter revolves around the statements made by a group of ancient Hebrew prophets, whose predictions and statements have the stamp of divine authenticity. Much of what they prophesied is yet to come. But we can have confidence in their predictions. All of their prophecies whose time for fulfillment has already come have been literally fulfilled with 100 percent accuracy. The events detailed by John in the Book of Revelation are interwoven with these earlier prophecies. The first lesson focusses on Christ. By establishing the validity of prophetic statements concerning Him, we provide a basis for the remaining lessons in the quarter and for our faith that soon the end-time prophecies will be fulfilled. The second lesson moves on to explore prophecies concerning the nation of Israel which have already been fulfilled. The third lesson, Signs of the Times, establishes where we now stand on the time-line of history. Succeeding lessons move on into events prophesied which are yet to come. The purpose of this quarter is to help us understand the events we are facing in this world and to recognize the urgency of being ready for the most exciting and glorious event of all—the Rapture of the Church.