Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, April 5, 2025.

Main Theme: This week, we will explore some principles that yield a consistent and reliable understanding of prophecy.

Read in Class: Matthew 24:15, Revelation 1:3 Matthew 11:29 and Jeremiah 9:23-24. Ask the class if they see any common threads in these passages.

Study: What do these texts suggest about God’s intention to make Himself understood?

Apply: What are some technigues you have found helpful in understanding the Word of God?

Share: Your friend says she enjoys trying to find “loopholes” in the Word of God. Why may that not be a good idea. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 139:1-6, Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33 and 1 John 3:20. Ask the class if they see any common threads in these passages.

Study: What do these passages suggest about God’s understanding in comparison to our own?

Apply: Though, yes, there is much that we don’t know, why is it crucial to focus now on what we do know and to follow what we know—as opposed to obsessing over what we don’t know?

Share: Your friend says his pastor said we should not worry about things we read in the Bible that are not salvation issues. Your friend asks what is meant by salvation issues? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 5:18, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, and Luke 24:27. Ask the class if they see any common threads in these passages.

Study: What do these verses teach us about the way we ought to approach Bible prophecy?

Apply: What has been your experience with those who use only certain selected texts to try and make their point about, say, the state of the dead? Or even the Sabbath? What is the best way to respond?

Share: Your friend asks if Seventh-day Adventists have any traditions, good or bad, that cannot necesarrily be supported by Scripture? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Daniel 7:7, Daniel 7:24, Revelation 1:16, and Revelation 1:20. Ask the class what common threads they see in these passages.

Study: How does Daniel 7:24 help us understand Daniel 7:7 and how does Revelation 1:20 help us understand Revelation 1:16? Does this show us that the Bible inteprets itself for us?

Apply: Even if some symbols and prophecies remain mysteries, how can focusing on what we do understand strengthen our faith?

Share: Your friend asks why God speaks in symbols instead of just being more literal or forthright? What do you tell your friend?