Isaiah 6:8

KJV ⁸ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. CEV ⁸ After this, I heard the Lord ask, “Is there anyone I can send? Will someone speak for us?” “I'll go,” I answered. “Send me!”

- Lesson

Throughout Bible history, God called prophets to deliver His messages.

Some became important leaders, but their calling was rarely easy.

Many prophets faced rejection, ridicule, imprisonment, and persecution. Some were even killed for faithfully speaking God's truth.

Yet their messages were important because God's people often needed correction and encouragement.

Today, our world is filled with violence, greed, immorality, and many influences that lead people away from God.

The messages of God's prophets remain important.

Last week we learned how God continued communicating with humanity after sin entered the world.

This week we will see how God called particular people to bring His messages to a fallen world.

We are also called to listen to God's messages and share His hope with others.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Samuel faithfully delivered God's messages, even when they were difficult.

He encouraged Israel to turn away from idols and return to the Lord with sincere hearts.

Elisha also responded when God called him to become Elijah's successor.

He left his familiar life to serve God.

God does not require extraordinary talents before we can serve Him.

Faithfulness in everyday duties, a willing spirit, and genuine love for others are more important than impressive abilities.

- Conclusion

Being God's messenger has never been easy.

Yet God calls people to faithfully share His truth, warnings, and promises.

What matters most is our willingness to listen and obey Him.

- Reflection

Why was being a prophet often difficult?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What is more important than having extraordinary talents when serving God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- SUNDAY – Abraham, Defender of the Covenant

- Lesson

Throughout history, God has preserved faithful people who respond to His grace through obedience.

Abraham was one of them.

God called Abraham to leave his homeland and follow Him into an unknown future – Genesis 12:1-9

KJV ¹ Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: ² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: ³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. ⁴ So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. ⁵ And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. ⁶ And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. ⁷ And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. ⁸ And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord. ⁹ And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. CEV ¹ The Lord said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. ² I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. ³ I will bless those who bless you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you. ^4-5 Abram was 75 years old when the Lord told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had acquired while in Haran. When they came to the land of Canaan, ⁶ Abram went as far as the sacred tree of Moreh in a place called Shechem. The Canaanites were still living in the land at that time, ⁷ but the Lord appeared to Abram and promised, “I will give this land to your family forever.” Abram then built an altar there for the Lord. ⁸ Abram traveled to the hill country east of Bethel and camped between Bethel and Ai, where he built another altar and worshiped the Lord. ⁹ Later, Abram started out toward the Southern Desert.
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Abraham trusted God's promises, even when he did not know where God was leading him – Hebrews 11:8

KJV ⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. CEV ⁸ Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen.
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The Bible says Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted as righteousness – Genesis 15:6

KJV ⁶ And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. CEV ⁶ Abram believed the Lord, so the Lord was pleased with him and accepted him.
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This teaches us that salvation comes through faith, not through our own goodness – Galatians 3:6-9

KJV ⁶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. ⁷ Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. ⁸ And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. ⁹ So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. CEV ⁶ The Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith. ⁷ And so, you should understand that everyone who has faith is a child of Abraham. ⁸ Long ago the Scriptures said God would accept the Gentiles because of their faith. This is why God told Abraham the good news that all nations would be blessed because of him. ⁹ This means everyone who has faith will share in the blessings given to Abraham because of his faith.
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God also promised that all nations would be blessed through Abraham's descendants. This promise pointed forward to Jesus Christ.

Later, God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice – Genesis 22:1-17

KJV ¹ And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. ² And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. ³ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. ⁴ Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. ⁵ And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. ⁶ And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. ⁷ And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? ⁸ And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. ⁹ And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. ¹⁰ And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. ¹¹ And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. ¹² And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. ¹³ And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. ¹⁴ And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. ¹⁵ And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, ¹⁶ And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: ¹⁷ That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; CEV ¹ Some years later God decided to test Abraham, so he spoke to him. Abraham answered, “Here I am, Lord.” ² The Lord said, “Go get Isaac, your only son, the one you dearly love! Take him to the land of Moriah, and I will show you a mountain where you must sacrifice him to me on the fires of an altar.” ³ So Abraham got up early the next morning and chopped wood for the fire. He put a saddle on his donkey and set out with Isaac and two servants for the place where God had told him to go. ⁴ Three days later Abraham looked off in the distance and saw the place. ⁵ He told his servants, “Stay here with the donkey, while my son and I go over there to worship. We will come back.” ⁶ Abraham put the wood on Isaac's shoulder, but he carried the hot coals and the knife. As the two of them walked along, ^7-8 Isaac said, “Father, we have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” “My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb.” The two of them walked on, and ⁹ when they reached the place that God had told him about, Abraham built an altar and placed the wood on it. Next, he tied up his son and put him on the wood. ¹⁰ He then took the knife and got ready to kill his son. ¹¹ But the Lord's angel shouted from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. ¹² “Don't hurt the boy or harm him in any way!” the angel said. “Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son.” ¹³ Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it instead of his son. ¹⁴ Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.” And even now people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” ¹⁵ The Lord's angel called out from heaven a second time: ¹⁶ You were willing to offer your only son to the Lord, and so he makes you this solemn promise, ¹⁷ “I will bless you and give you such a large family, that someday your descendants will be more numerous than the stars in the sky or the grains of sand along the seashore. They will defeat their enemies and take over the cities where their enemies live.
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Abraham obeyed, but God stopped him and provided a ram instead.

This experience pointed toward God's own sacrifice of His Son for our salvation.

Abraham was not perfect, but he trusted God.

Like Abraham, God's people today are called to remain faithful in a world filled with false beliefs and idolatry.

We are also called to share God's final message of warning and salvation – Revelation 14:6-12

KJV ⁶ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, ⁷ Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. ⁸ And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. ⁹ And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, ¹⁰ The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. ¹² Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. CEV ⁶ I saw another angel. This one was flying across the sky and had the eternal good news to announce to the people of every race, tribe, language, and nation on earth. ⁷ The angel shouted, “Worship and honor God! The time has come for him to judge everyone. Kneel down before the one who created heaven and earth, the oceans, and every stream.” ⁸ A second angel followed and said, “The great city of Babylon has fallen! This is the city that made all nations drunk and immoral. Now God is angry, and Babylon has fallen.” ⁹ Finally, a third angel came and shouted: Here is what will happen if you worship the beast and the idol and have the mark of the beast on your hand or forehead. ¹⁰ You will have to drink the wine that God gives to everyone who makes him angry. You will feel his mighty anger, and you will be tortured with fire and burning sulfur, while the holy angels and the Lamb look on. ¹¹ If you worship the beast and the idol and accept the mark of its name, you will be tortured day and night. The smoke from your torture will go up forever and ever, and you will never be able to rest. ¹² God's people must learn to endure. They must also obey his commands and have faith in Jesus.
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- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

God first promised salvation after Adam and Eve sinned.

This covenant of grace was renewed with Abraham.

God promised that all nations would be blessed through Abraham's descendant, Jesus Christ.

Abraham believed God's promise and trusted Christ for forgiveness.

His faith was shown through obedience to God's commandments.

The covenant was finally confirmed through Christ's sacrifice.

God's grace provides forgiveness and the power to live according to His will.

- Conclusion

Abraham trusted God even when he did not fully understand His plans.

His faith was counted as righteousness, and his obedience demonstrated that faith.

God calls us to the same trusting relationship with Him.

- Reflection

Why was Abraham counted as righteous before God?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What does Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac teach us about faith?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- MONDAY – The Elijah Message

- Lesson

God called Elijah to warn Israel about its idolatry.

King Ahab and the people had turned away from God to worship Baal.

Elijah announced a drought, hoping the suffering would lead the people to repentance.

Instead, Ahab blamed Elijah for Israel's troubles and sought to kill him.

God then sent Elijah to confront the false prophets on Mount Carmel.

Read 1 Kings 18:19-39

KJV ¹⁹ Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. ²⁰ So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. ²¹ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. ²² Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. ²³ Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: ²⁴ And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. ²⁵ And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. ²⁶ And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. ²⁷ And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. ²⁸ And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. ²⁹ And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. ³⁰ And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. ³¹ And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: ³² And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. ³³ And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. ³⁴ And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. ³⁵ And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. ³⁶ And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. ³⁷ Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. ³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. ³⁹ And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God. CEV ¹⁹ Call together everyone from Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. Be sure to bring along the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table. ²⁰ Ahab got everyone together, then they went to meet Elijah on Mount Carmel. ²¹ Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you try to have things both ways? If the Lord is God, worship him! But if Baal is God, worship him!”The people did not say a word. ²² Then Elijah continued: I am the Lord's only prophet, but Baal has 450 prophets. ²³ Bring us two bulls. Baal's prophets can take one of them, kill it, and cut it into pieces. Then they can put the meat on the wood without lighting the fire. I will do the same thing with the other bull, and I won't light a fire under it either. ²⁴ The prophets of Baal will pray to their god, and I will pray to the Lord. The one who answers by starting the fire is God. “That's a good idea,” everyone agreed. ²⁵ Elijah said to Baal's prophets, “There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don't light the fire. Then pray to your god.” ²⁶ They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, “Answer us, Baal!” But there was no answer. ²⁷ At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he's daydreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up.” ²⁸ The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, ²⁹ and they kept it up until time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no answer of any kind. ³⁰ Elijah told everyone to gather around him while he repaired the Lord's altar. ^31-32 Then he used twelve stones to build an altar in honor of the Lord. Each stone stood for one of the tribes of Israel, which was the name the Lord had given to their ancestor Jacob. Elijah dug a ditch around the altar, large enough to hold about 14 liters. ³³ He placed the wood on the altar, then they cut the bull into pieces and laid the meat on the wood. He told the people, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it over the meat and the wood.” After they did this, ³⁴ he told them to do it two more times. They did exactly as he said ³⁵ until finally, the water ran down the altar and filled the ditch. ³⁶ When it was time for the evening sacrifice, Elijah prayed: Our Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Now, prove that you are the God of this nation, and that I, your servant, have done this at your command. ³⁷ Please answer me, so these people will know that you are the Lord God, and that you will turn their hearts back to you. ³⁸ The Lord immediately sent fire, and it burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones. It scorched the ground everywhere around the altar and dried up every drop of water in the ditch. ³⁹ When the crowd saw what had happened, they all bowed down and shouted, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”

1. Elijah Challenges Israel – 1 Kings 18:19-21

KJV ¹⁹ Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. ²⁰ So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. ²¹ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. CEV ¹⁹ Call together everyone from Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. Be sure to bring along the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table. ²⁰ Ahab got everyone together, then they went to meet Elijah on Mount Carmel. ²¹ Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you try to have things both ways? If the Lord is God, worship him! But if Baal is God, worship him!”The people did not say a word.

Elijah gathers the people and asks them to stop wavering between God and Baal.

2. The Prophets of Baal Fail – 1 Kings 18:22-29

KJV ²² Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. ²³ Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: ²⁴ And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. ²⁵ And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. ²⁶ And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. ²⁷ And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. ²⁸ And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. ²⁹ And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. CEV ²² Then Elijah continued: I am the Lord's only prophet, but Baal has 450 prophets. ²³ Bring us two bulls. Baal's prophets can take one of them, kill it, and cut it into pieces. Then they can put the meat on the wood without lighting the fire. I will do the same thing with the other bull, and I won't light a fire under it either. ²⁴ The prophets of Baal will pray to their god, and I will pray to the Lord. The one who answers by starting the fire is God. “That's a good idea,” everyone agreed. ²⁵ Elijah said to Baal's prophets, “There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don't light the fire. Then pray to your god.” ²⁶ They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, “Answer us, Baal!” But there was no answer. ²⁷ At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he's daydreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up.” ²⁸ The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, ²⁹ and they kept it up until time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no answer of any kind.

Baal's prophets cry out for hours, but their god gives no answer.

3. Elijah Prepares God's Altar – 1 Kings 18:30-35

KJV ³⁰ And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. ³¹ And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: ³² And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. ³³ And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. ³⁴ And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. ³⁵ And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. CEV ³⁰ Elijah told everyone to gather around him while he repaired the Lord's altar. ^31-32 Then he used twelve stones to build an altar in honor of the Lord. Each stone stood for one of the tribes of Israel, which was the name the Lord had given to their ancestor Jacob. Elijah dug a ditch around the altar, large enough to hold about 14 liters. ³³ He placed the wood on the altar, then they cut the bull into pieces and laid the meat on the wood. He told the people, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it over the meat and the wood.” After they did this, ³⁴ he told them to do it two more times. They did exactly as he said ³⁵ until finally, the water ran down the altar and filled the ditch.

Elijah repairs the Lord's altar, prepares the sacrifice, and pours water over everything.

4. God Answers Elijah's Prayer – 1 Kings 18:36-38

KJV ³⁶ And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. ³⁷ Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. ³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. CEV ³⁶ When it was time for the evening sacrifice, Elijah prayed: Our Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Now, prove that you are the God of this nation, and that I, your servant, have done this at your command. ³⁷ Please answer me, so these people will know that you are the Lord God, and that you will turn their hearts back to you. ³⁸ The Lord immediately sent fire, and it burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones. It scorched the ground everywhere around the altar and dried up every drop of water in the ditch.

Elijah prays, and God sends fire from heaven that consumes the sacrifice.

5. Israel Acknowledges God – 1 Kings 18:39

KJV ³⁹ And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God. CEV ³⁹ When the crowd saw what had happened, they all bowed down and shouted, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”

The people fall on their faces and declare that the Lord is the true God.

Elijah's message called Israel to abandon false worship and return to God.

Before Jesus returns, God's people are also called to proclaim a message of repentance and faithfulness.

The Elijah message includes restoring relationships within families – Malachi 4:5-6

KJV ⁵ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: ⁶ And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. CEV ⁵ I, the Lord, promise to send the prophet Elijah before that great and terrible day comes. ⁶ He will lead children and parents to love each other more, so that when I come, I won't bring destruction to the land.
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True revival begins in our hearts and homes before spreading to the church and community.

We must also examine our lives for modern idols, such as anything that becomes more important to us than God.

God calls us to turn away from these distractions and give Him first place in our lives.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Elijah was an ordinary man who trusted God's Word.

Although King Ahab threatened his life, Elijah faithfully delivered God's message.

He believed God's promises even when circumstances seemed impossible.

On Mount Carmel, Elijah boldly defended God's honour and called Israel to repentance.

God still needs people who are not ashamed of their faith.

Our strength comes from trusting Him, not from following our own plans.

- Conclusion

Elijah called God's people to reject idols and return to the Lord.

God still calls us to examine our hearts, strengthen our families, and remain faithful to Him.

True revival begins with personal repentance and obedience.

- Reflection

What was the main purpose of Elijah's message on Mount Carmel?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Where should true spiritual revival begin?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- TUESDAY – Isaiah, the Gospel Prophet

- Lesson

God called Isaiah to be His prophet during a difficult time in Israel's history.

The people had turned away from God, and Isaiah was called to warn them about the consequences of their sins.

Isaiah received a vision of God's holiness and glory – Isaiah 6:1-8

KJV ¹ In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. ² Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. ³ And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. ⁴ And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. ⁵ Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. ⁶ Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: ⁷ And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. ⁸ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. CEV ¹ In the year that King Uzziah died, I had a vision of the Lord. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple. ² Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, ³ as they shouted, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord All-Powerful! The earth is filled with your glory.” ⁴ As they shouted, the doorposts of the temple shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. ⁵ Then I cried out, “I'm doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord All-Powerful.” ⁶ One of the flaming creatures flew over to me with a burning coal that it had taken from the altar with a pair of metal tongs. ⁷ It touched my lips with the hot coal and said, “This has touched your lips. Your sins are forgiven, and you are no longer guilty.” ⁸ After this, I heard the Lord ask, “Is there anyone I can send? Will someone speak for us?” “I'll go,” I answered. “Send me!”
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Overwhelmed by God's greatness, Isaiah recognised his own sinfulness.

An angel touched his lips with a burning coal from the altar, symbolising God's forgiveness and cleansing.

When God asked who would go as His messenger, Isaiah responded, "Here am I! Send me" – Isaiah 6:8

KJV ⁸ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. CEV ⁸ After this, I heard the Lord ask, “Is there anyone I can send? Will someone speak for us?” “I'll go,” I answered. “Send me!”
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Isaiah's greatest message was about the coming Messiah.

More than five hundred years before Jesus died, Isaiah described His suffering and sacrifice.

Read Isaiah 53

KJV ¹ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? ² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. ⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. ⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. ¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. ¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. ¹² Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. CEV ¹ Has anyone believed us or seen the mighty power of the Lord in action? ² Like a young plant or a root that sprouts in dry ground, the servant grew up obeying the Lord. He wasn't some handsome king. Nothing about the way he looked made him attractive to us. ³ He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!” ⁴ He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. ⁵ He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. ⁶ All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved. ⁷ He was painfully abused, but he did not complain. He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off. ⁸ He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. ⁹ He wasn't dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb among cruel, rich people. ¹⁰ The Lord decided his servant would suffer as a sacrifice to take away the sin and guilt of others. Now the servant will live to see his own descendants. He did everything the Lord had planned. ¹¹ By suffering, the servant will learn the true meaning of obeying the Lord. Although he is innocent, he will take the punishment for the sins of others, so that many of them will no longer be guilty. ¹² The Lord will reward him with honor and power for sacrificing his life. Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins and asked God to forgive us.

1. The Rejected Messiah – Isaiah 53:1-3

KJV ¹ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? ² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. CEV ¹ Has anyone believed us or seen the mighty power of the Lord in action? ² Like a young plant or a root that sprouts in dry ground, the servant grew up obeying the Lord. He wasn't some handsome king. Nothing about the way he looked made him attractive to us. ³ He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!”

Jesus would be rejected and despised, experiencing sorrow and suffering.

2. He Bears Our Sins – Isaiah 53:4-6

KJV ⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. CEV ⁴ He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. ⁵ He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. ⁶ All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved.

Jesus would suffer for our sins, bringing us healing and peace through His sacrifice.

3. The Silent Lamb – Isaiah 53:7-9

KJV ⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. ⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. ⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. CEV ⁷ He was painfully abused, but he did not complain. He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off. ⁸ He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. ⁹ He wasn't dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb among cruel, rich people.

Jesus would willingly suffer and die, even though He had done nothing wrong.

4. His Sacrifice Brings Salvation – Isaiah 53:10-12

KJV ¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. ¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. ¹² Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. CEV ¹⁰ The Lord decided his servant would suffer as a sacrifice to take away the sin and guilt of others. Now the servant will live to see his own descendants. He did everything the Lord had planned. ¹¹ By suffering, the servant will learn the true meaning of obeying the Lord. Although he is innocent, he will take the punishment for the sins of others, so that many of them will no longer be guilty. ¹² The Lord will reward him with honor and power for sacrificing his life. Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins and asked God to forgive us.

Through His suffering and death, Jesus would make salvation possible for many.

Isaiah revealed that Jesus would die in our place.

We have all wandered away from God, but Christ took our sins upon Himself – Isaiah 53:6

KJV ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. CEV ⁶ All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved.
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His sacrifice provides forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.

Isaiah also warned that rejecting God's law and justice would bring destruction.

His message remains important today because sin still brings death, while Jesus offers eternal life – Romans 6:23

KJV ²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. CEV ²³ Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Like Isaiah, we are called to recognise our need for God's forgiveness and willingly serve Him.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

When Isaiah saw God's holiness, he recognised his own weakness and sinfulness.

He felt unworthy to serve as God's messenger.

But God cleansed him and prepared him for his mission.

Isaiah knew his message would face strong opposition, yet God's forgiveness gave him courage.

His experience reminds us that God can also cleanse and strengthen us for His work.

When we humbly recognise our weaknesses and trust Christ, He gives us hope and the strength to serve Him.

- Conclusion

Isaiah faithfully delivered God's warnings, but his greatest message was the promise of salvation through Jesus.

Christ would suffer and die for our sins so that we could be forgiven.

Like Isaiah, we should respond to God's call with willing hearts.

- Reflection

What did Isaiah learn when he saw God's holiness?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What does Isaiah 53

KJV ¹ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? ² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. ⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. ⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. ¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. ¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. ¹² Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. CEV ¹ Has anyone believed us or seen the mighty power of the Lord in action? ² Like a young plant or a root that sprouts in dry ground, the servant grew up obeying the Lord. He wasn't some handsome king. Nothing about the way he looked made him attractive to us. ³ He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!” ⁴ He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. ⁵ He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. ⁶ All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved. ⁷ He was painfully abused, but he did not complain. He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off. ⁸ He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. ⁹ He wasn't dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb among cruel, rich people. ¹⁰ The Lord decided his servant would suffer as a sacrifice to take away the sin and guilt of others. Now the servant will live to see his own descendants. He did everything the Lord had planned. ¹¹ By suffering, the servant will learn the true meaning of obeying the Lord. Although he is innocent, he will take the punishment for the sins of others, so that many of them will no longer be guilty. ¹² The Lord will reward him with honor and power for sacrificing his life. Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins and asked God to forgive us.
teach us about Jesus' sacrifice?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- WEDNESDAY – Daniel, the Faithful Seer

- Lesson

Daniel remained faithful to God even while living in Babylon.

As a young man, he refused the king's food and chose a simple diet of vegetables and water – Daniel 1:8-16

KJV ⁸ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. ⁹ Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. ¹⁰ And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. ¹¹ Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ¹² Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. ¹³ Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. ¹⁴ So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. ¹⁵ And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. ¹⁶ Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. CEV ⁸ Daniel made up his mind to eat and drink only what God had approved for his people to eat. And he asked the king's chief official for permission not to eat the food and wine served in the royal palace. ⁹ God had made the official friendly and kind to Daniel. ¹⁰ But the man still told him, “The king has decided what you must eat and drink. And I am afraid he will kill me, if you eat something else and end up looking worse than the other young men.” ¹¹ The king's official had put a guard in charge of Daniel and his three friends. So Daniel said to the guard, ¹² “For the next ten days, let us have only vegetables and water at mealtime. ¹³ When the ten days are up, compare how we look with the other young men, and decide what to do with us.” ¹⁴ The guard agreed to do what Daniel had asked. ¹⁵ Ten days later, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better than the young men who had been served food from the royal palace. ¹⁶ After this, the guard let them eat vegetables instead of the rich food and wine.
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His faithfulness in this small test prepared him for greater challenges, including the lions' den – Dan. 6

KJV ¹ It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; ² And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. ³ Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. ⁴ Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. ⁵ Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. ⁶ Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. ⁷ All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. ⁸ Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. ⁹ Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. ¹⁰ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. ¹¹ Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. ¹² Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. ¹³ Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. ¹⁴ Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. ¹⁵ Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. ¹⁶ Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. ¹⁷ And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. ¹⁸ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. ¹⁹ Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. ²⁰ And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? ²¹ Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. ²² My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. ²³ Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. ²⁴ And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. ²⁵ Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. ²⁶ I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. ²⁷ He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. ²⁸ So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. CEV ¹ Darius divided his kingdom into 120 states and placed a governor in charge of each one. ² In order to make sure that his government was run properly, Darius put three other officials in charge of the governors. One of these officials was Daniel. ³ And he did his work so much better than the other governors and officials that the king decided to let him govern the whole kingdom. ⁴ The other men tried to find something wrong with the way Daniel did his work for the king. But they could not accuse him of anything wrong, because he was honest and faithful and did everything he was supposed to do. ⁵ Finally, they said to one another, “We will never be able to bring any charge against Daniel, unless it has to do with his religion.” ⁶ They all went to the king and said: “Your Majesty, we hope you live forever! ⁷ All of your officials, leaders, advisors, and governors agree that you should make a law forbidding anyone to pray to any god or human except you for the next 30 days. Everyone who disobeys this law must be thrown into a pit of lions. ⁸ Order this to be written and then sign it, so it cannot be changed, just as no written law of the Medes and Persians can be changed.” ⁹ So King Darius made the law and had it written down. ¹⁰ Daniel heard about the law, but when he returned home, he went upstairs and prayed in front of the window that faced Jerusalem. In the same way that he had always done, he knelt down in prayer three times a day, giving thanks to God. ¹¹ The men who had spoken to the king watched Daniel and saw him praying to his God for help. ¹² They went back to the king and said, “Didn't you make a law that forbids anyone to pray to any god or human except you for the next 30 days? And doesn't the law say that everyone who disobeys it will be thrown into a pit of lions?” “Yes, that's the law I made,” the king agreed. “And just like all written laws of the Medes and Persians, it cannot be changed.” ¹³ The men then told the king, “That Jew named Daniel, who was brought here as a captive, refuses to obey you or the law that you ordered to be written. And he still prays to his god three times a day.” ¹⁴ The king was really upset to hear about this, and for the rest of the day he tried to think how he could save Daniel. ¹⁵ At sunset the men returned and said, “Your Majesty, remember that no written law of the Medes and Persians can be changed, not even by the king.” ¹⁶ So Darius ordered Daniel to be brought out and thrown into a pit of lions. But he said to Daniel, “You have been faithful to your God, and I pray that he will rescue you.” ¹⁷ A stone was rolled over the pit, and it was sealed. Then Darius and his officials stamped the seal to show that no one should let Daniel out. ¹⁸ All night long the king could not sleep. He did not eat anything, and he would not let anyone come in to entertain him. ¹⁹ At daybreak the king got up and ran to the pit. ²⁰ He was anxious and shouted, “Daniel, you were faithful and served your God. Was he able to save you from the lions?” ²¹ Daniel answered, “Your Majesty, I hope you live forever! ²² My God knew that I was innocent, and he sent an angel to keep the lions from eating me. Your Majesty, I have never done anything to hurt you.” ²³ The king was relieved to hear Daniel's voice, and he gave orders for him to be taken out of the pit. Daniel's faith in his God had kept him from being harmed. ²⁴ And the king ordered the men who had brought charges against Daniel to be thrown into the pit, together with their wives and children. But before they even reached the bottom, the lions ripped them to pieces. ²⁵ King Darius then sent this message to all people of every nation and race in the world: “Greetings to all of you! ²⁶ I command everyone in my kingdom to worship and honor the God of Daniel. He is the living God, the one who lives forever. His power and his kingdom will never end. ²⁷ He rescues people and sets them free by working great miracles. Daniel's God has rescued him from the power of the lions.” ²⁸ All went well for Daniel while Darius was king, and even when Cyrus the Persian ruled.
Footnotes:
6.
28 Cyrus the Persian ruled: 539–530 b. c. Cross references6.
7,24 : 3 Macc 6.
7.
6.
16 : Bel 31-42.
6.
22 : Tb 4.
17; 12.
14,15.
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God also gave Daniel wisdom to understand dreams and visions.

His faithful life became a powerful witness to the rulers of Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar recognised the greatness of Daniel's God after Daniel explained his dream – Daniel 2:46-48

KJV ⁴⁶ Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. ⁴⁷ The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. ⁴⁸ Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. CEV ⁴⁶ King Nebuchadnezzar bowed low to the ground and worshiped Daniel. Then he gave orders for incense to be burned and a sacrifice of grain to be offered in honor of Daniel. ⁴⁷ The king said, “Now I know that your God is above all other gods and kings, because he gave you the power to explain this mystery.” ⁴⁸ The king then presented Daniel with a lot of gifts; he promoted him to governor of Babylon Province and put him in charge of the other wise men.
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Later, the king acknowledged Daniel's special understanding – Daniel 4:18

KJV ¹⁸ This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. CEV ¹⁸ “Daniel, that was the dream that none of the wise men in my kingdom were able to understand. But I am sure that you will understand what it means, because the holy gods have given you some special powers.”
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King Belshazzar also heard about Daniel's wisdom and the Spirit of God working in him – Daniel 5:13-14

KJV ¹³ Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? ¹⁴ I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. CEV ¹³ When Daniel was brought in, the king said: So you are Daniel, one of the captives my father brought back from Judah! ¹⁴ I was told that the gods have given you special powers and that you are intelligent and very wise.
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Even King Darius eventually recognised that Daniel's God was the living God who rescues His people – Daniel 6:25-27

KJV ²⁵ Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. ²⁶ I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. ²⁷ He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. CEV ²⁵ King Darius then sent this message to all people of every nation and race in the world: “Greetings to all of you! ²⁶ I command everyone in my kingdom to worship and honor the God of Daniel. He is the living God, the one who lives forever. His power and his kingdom will never end. ²⁷ He rescues people and sets them free by working great miracles. Daniel's God has rescued him from the power of the lions.”
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Daniel's life shows that our actions can reveal God's character to others.

God also gave Daniel prophecies about the future.

In Daniel 2

KJV ¹ And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. ² Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. ³ And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. ⁴ Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. ⁵ The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. ⁶ But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. ⁷ They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it. ⁸ The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. ⁹ But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. ¹⁰ The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. ¹¹ And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. ¹² For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. ¹³ And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. ¹⁴ Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: ¹⁵ He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. ¹⁶ Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. ¹⁷ Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: ¹⁸ That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. ¹⁹ Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. ²⁰ Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: ²¹ And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: ²² He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. ²³ I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. ²⁴ Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. ²⁵ Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. ²⁶ The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? ²⁷ Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; ²⁸ But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; ²⁹ As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. ³⁰ But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. ³¹ Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. ³² This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, ³³ His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. ³⁴ Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. ³⁵ Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. ³⁶ This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. ³⁷ Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. ³⁸ And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. ³⁹ And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. ⁴⁰ And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. ⁴¹ And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. ⁴² And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. ⁴³ And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. ⁴⁴ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. ⁴⁵ Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. ⁴⁶ Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. ⁴⁷ The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. ⁴⁸ Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. ⁴⁹ Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. CEV ¹ During the second year that Nebuchadnezzar was king, he had such horrible nightmares that he could not sleep. ² So he called in his counselors, advisors, magicians, and wise men, ³ and said, “I am disturbed by a dream that I don't understand, and I want you to explain it.” ⁴ They answered in Aramaic, “Your Majesty, we hope you live forever! We are your servants. Please tell us your dream, and we will explain what it means.” ⁵ But the king replied, “No! I have made up my mind. If you don't tell me both the dream and its meaning, you will be chopped to pieces and your houses will be torn down. ⁶ However, if you do tell me both the dream and its meaning, you will be greatly rewarded and highly honored. Now tell me the dream and explain what it means.” ⁷ “Your Majesty,” they said, “if you will only tell us your dream, we will interpret it for you.” ⁸ The king replied, “You're just stalling for time, ⁹ because you know what's going to happen if you don't come up with the answer. You've decided to make up a bunch of lies, hoping I might change my mind. Now tell me the dream, and that will prove that you can interpret it.” ¹⁰ His advisors explained, “Your Majesty, you are demanding the impossible! No king, not even the most famous and powerful, has ever ordered his advisors, magicians, or wise men to do such a thing. ¹¹ It can't be done, except by the gods, and they don't live here on earth.” ^12-13 This made the king so angry that he gave orders for every wise man in Babylonia to be put to death, including Daniel and his three friends. ¹⁴ Arioch was the king's official in charge of putting the wise men to death. He was on his way to have it done, when Daniel very wisely went to him ¹⁵ and asked, “Why did the king give such cruel orders?” After Arioch explained what had happened, ¹⁶ Daniel rushed off and said to the king, “If you will just give me some time, I'll explain your dream.” ¹⁷ Daniel returned home and told his three friends. ¹⁸ Then he said, “Pray that the God who rules from heaven will be merciful and explain this mystery, so that we and the others won't be put to death.” ¹⁹ In a vision one night, Daniel was shown the dream and its meaning. Then he praised the God who rules from heaven: ²⁰ “Our God, your name will be praised forever and forever. You are all-powerful, and you know everything. ²¹ You control human events — you give rulers their power and take it away, and you are the source of wisdom and knowledge. ²² “You explain deep mysteries, because even the dark is light to you. ²³ You are the God who was worshiped by my ancestors. Now I thank you and praise you for making me wise and telling me the king's dream, together with its meaning.” ²⁴ Daniel went back to Arioch, the official in charge of executing the wise men. Daniel said, “Don't kill those men! Take me to the king, and I will explain the meaning of his dream.” ²⁵ Arioch rushed Daniel to the king and announced, “Your Majesty, I have found out that one of the men brought here from Judah can explain your dream.” ²⁶ The king asked Daniel, “Can you tell me my dream and what it means?” ²⁷ Daniel answered: Your Majesty, not even the smartest person in all the world can do what you are demanding. ^28-29 But the God who rules from heaven can explain mysteries. And while you were sleeping, he showed you what will happen in the future. ³⁰ However, you must realize that these mysteries weren't explained to me because I am smarter than everyone else. Instead, it was done so that you would understand what you have seen. ³¹ Your Majesty, what you saw standing in front of you was a huge and terrifying statue, shining brightly. ³² Its head was made of gold, its chest and arms were silver, and from its waist down to its knees, it was bronze. ³³ From there to its ankles it was iron, and its feet were a mixture of iron and clay. ³⁴ As you watched, a stone was cut from a mountain — but not by human hands. The stone struck the feet, completely shattering the iron and clay. ³⁵ Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed and blown away without a trace, like husks of wheat at threshing time. But the stone became a tremendous mountain that covered the entire earth. ³⁶ That was the dream, and now I'll tell you what it means. ³⁷ Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings, and God has highly honored you with power ³⁸ over all humans, animals, and birds. You are the head of gold. ³⁹ After you are gone, another kingdom will rule, but it won't be as strong. Then it will be followed by a kingdom of bronze that will rule the whole world. ⁴⁰ Next, a kingdom of iron will come to power, crushing and shattering everything. ^41-42 This fourth kingdom will be divided — it will be both strong and brittle, just as you saw that the feet and toes were a mixture of iron and clay. ⁴³ This kingdom will be the result of a marriage between kingdoms, but it will crumble, just as iron and clay don't stick together. ^44-45 During the time of those kings, the God who rules from heaven will set up an eternal kingdom that will never fall. It will be like the stone that was cut from the mountain, but not by human hands — the stone that crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. Your Majesty, in your dream the great God has told you what is going to happen, and you can trust this interpretation. ⁴⁶ King Nebuchadnezzar bowed low to the ground and worshiped Daniel. Then he gave orders for incense to be burned and a sacrifice of grain to be offered in honor of Daniel. ⁴⁷ The king said, “Now I know that your God is above all other gods and kings, because he gave you the power to explain this mystery.” ⁴⁸ The king then presented Daniel with a lot of gifts; he promoted him to governor of Babylon Province and put him in charge of the other wise men. ⁴⁹ At Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to high positions in Babylon Province, and he let Daniel stay on as a palace official.
, God revealed the rise and fall of four great world kingdoms.

The prophecy described a divided world that would eventually be replaced by God's eternal kingdom – Daniel 2:40-44

KJV ⁴⁰ And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. ⁴¹ And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. ⁴² And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. ⁴³ And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. ⁴⁴ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. CEV ⁴⁰ Next, a kingdom of iron will come to power, crushing and shattering everything. ^41-42 This fourth kingdom will be divided — it will be both strong and brittle, just as you saw that the feet and toes were a mixture of iron and clay. ⁴³ This kingdom will be the result of a marriage between kingdoms, but it will crumble, just as iron and clay don't stick together. ^44-45 During the time of those kings, the God who rules from heaven will set up an eternal kingdom that will never fall. It will be like the stone that was cut from the mountain, but not by human hands — the stone that crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. Your Majesty, in your dream the great God has told you what is going to happen, and you can trust this interpretation.
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Daniel also saw the Son of Man receiving an everlasting kingdom – Daniel 7:13-14

KJV ¹³ I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. ¹⁴ And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. CEV ¹³ As I continued to watch the vision that night, I saw what looked like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven, and he was presented to the Eternal God. ¹⁴ He was crowned king and given power and glory, so that all people of every nation and race would serve him. He will rule forever, and his kingdom is eternal, never to be destroyed.
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These prophecies remind us that human kingdoms will pass away, but God's kingdom will last forever.

Daniel's example encourages us to remain faithful, even in the small things.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Daniel remained faithful to God despite the temptations and dangers of Babylon.

His honesty, courage, and devotion made him an example for future generations.

God's people today need the same qualities.

Ellen White also reminds us that God does not forget His faithful children during trials.

He remembered Noah, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Daniel.

Even imprisonment and persecution cannot separate believers from Christ.

God knows every struggle and can give His people peace and strength.

- Conclusion

Daniel's life showed God's power to people who did not know Him.

His faithfulness in small and great trials brought honour to God.

His prophecies also remind us that earthly kingdoms will end, but God's kingdom will last forever.

- Reflection

How did Daniel's faithfulness influence the pagan kings around him?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What hope can we find in Daniel's prophecies about earthly kingdoms?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- THURSDAY – John the Baptist, Preparing a People

- Lesson

God called John the Baptist to prepare people for the coming Messiah.

His ministry fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy about a messenger preparing the way for the Lord – Isaiah 40:3

KJV ³ The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. CEV ³ Someone is shouting: “Clear a path in the desert! Make a straight road for the Lord our God.
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John preached repentance and baptised those who confessed their sins.

Read Mark 1:2-5

KJV ² As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ³ The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. ⁴ John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. ⁵ And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. CEV ² It began just as God had said in the book written by Isaiah the prophet, “I am sending my messenger to get the way ready for you. ³ In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’ ” ⁴ So John the Baptist showed up in the desert and told everyone, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.” ⁵ From all Judea and Jerusalem crowds of people went to John. They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.

1. The Promised Messenger – Mark 1:2-3

KJV ² As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ³ The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. CEV ² It began just as God had said in the book written by Isaiah the prophet, “I am sending my messenger to get the way ready for you. ³ In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’ ”

God promised to send a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord.

2. John Preaches Repentance – Mark 1:4

KJV ⁴ John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. CEV ⁴ So John the Baptist showed up in the desert and told everyone, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.”

John calls people to repent and be baptised.

3. People Respond – Mark 1:5

KJV ⁵ And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. CEV ⁵ From all Judea and Jerusalem crowds of people went to John. They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.

Many people come to John, confess their sins, and are baptised in the Jordan River.

John faithfully pointed people toward Jesus.

But his ministry was not easy.

He was eventually imprisoned, and his difficult circumstances caused him to question whether Jesus was truly the promised Messiah.

Jesus sent John a message of encouragement.

Read Matthew 11:1-6

KJV ¹ And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. ² Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, ³ And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? ⁴ Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. CEV (Luke 7.
18-35) ¹ After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left and began teaching and preaching in the towns. ² John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers ³ to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?” ⁴ Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. ⁵ The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. ⁶ God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do.”

1. John Sends a Question – Matthew 11:1-3

KJV ¹ And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. ² Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, ³ And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? CEV (Luke 7.
18-35) ¹ After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left and began teaching and preaching in the towns. ² John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers ³ to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?”

While imprisoned, John sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the promised Messiah.

2. Jesus Points to His Works – Matthew 11:4-5

KJV ⁴ Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. CEV ⁴ Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. ⁵ The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news.

Jesus tells them about the blind receiving sight, the sick being healed, and the good news being preached to the poor.

3. Jesus Encourages Faith – Matthew 11:6

KJV ⁶ And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. CEV ⁶ God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do.”

Jesus encourages those who continue trusting Him.

Although John did not understand why he remained in prison, he continued trusting God.

He remained faithful even when his life was in danger.

Like John, God's people today are called to prepare others for Christ's coming.

We must proclaim repentance, faith, and the good news of salvation – Revelation 14:6-12

KJV ⁶ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, ⁷ Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. ⁸ And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. ⁹ And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, ¹⁰ The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. ¹² Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. CEV ⁶ I saw another angel. This one was flying across the sky and had the eternal good news to announce to the people of every race, tribe, language, and nation on earth. ⁷ The angel shouted, “Worship and honor God! The time has come for him to judge everyone. Kneel down before the one who created heaven and earth, the oceans, and every stream.” ⁸ A second angel followed and said, “The great city of Babylon has fallen! This is the city that made all nations drunk and immoral. Now God is angry, and Babylon has fallen.” ⁹ Finally, a third angel came and shouted: Here is what will happen if you worship the beast and the idol and have the mark of the beast on your hand or forehead. ¹⁰ You will have to drink the wine that God gives to everyone who makes him angry. You will feel his mighty anger, and you will be tortured with fire and burning sulfur, while the holy angels and the Lamb look on. ¹¹ If you worship the beast and the idol and accept the mark of its name, you will be tortured day and night. The smoke from your torture will go up forever and ever, and you will never be able to rest. ¹² God's people must learn to endure. They must also obey his commands and have faith in Jesus.
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Even when circumstances are difficult, God promises to give us power to be His witnesses – Acts 1:8

KJV ⁸ But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. CEV ⁸ But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.”
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- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

God calls His people to work together in sharing His message.

Our service should be motivated by love for Christ and concern for others, not personal recognition.

John the Baptist demonstrated this attitude when he said that Jesus must increase while he must decrease.

God wants us to depend on Christ rather than our own strength.

As we seek Him through His Word, He provides the light and power needed to serve faithfully.

Our purpose is to point others toward Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

- Conclusion

John the Baptist prepared people for Jesus through repentance and faithful preaching.

Even when imprisoned and discouraged, he continued trusting God.

We are also called to prepare others for Christ's return by faithfully sharing His message.

- Reflection

What was the main purpose of John the Baptist's ministry?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How did Jesus encourage John when he was struggling with doubts in prison?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- FRIDAY – Called to Prophetic Ministry

- Lesson

God calls prophets at particular times to deliver messages His people need.

Seventh-day Adventists believe Ellen G. White received the prophetic gift to help guide and encourage God's people.

Her calling began after the Great Disappointment of 1844.

William Miller and his followers had studied the prophecy of the 2,300 days – Daniel 8:14

KJV ¹⁴ And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. CEV ¹⁴ The other answered, “It will be 2,300 evenings and mornings before the temple is dedicated and in use again.”
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They believed Jesus would return on October 22, 1844.

Thousands eagerly waited for His coming.

But Jesus did not return, leaving many believers deeply disappointed and confused.

In December 1844, God gave 17-year-old Ellen Harmon her first vision.

She saw Advent believers travelling along a narrow path toward the heavenly Jerusalem.

Jesus was leading them, and they were safe as long as they kept their eyes fixed on Him.

The vision encouraged disappointed believers not to abandon their faith.

Although they had misunderstood the prophecy, Jesus had not abandoned them.

He was still leading His people and would return as promised.

This message brought hope and helped prepare the way for the Adventist movement.

However, Ellen was initially afraid to accept her calling.

She knew that being God's messenger would bring difficult responsibilities, opposition, and suffering.

Like the prophets before her, she needed to decide whether she would trust God and obey His call.

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- Conclusion

God called Ellen White during a time of confusion and disappointment.

Her first vision encouraged believers to remain faithful and keep their eyes fixed on Jesus.

God had not abandoned His people.

He was still leading them toward His eternal kingdom.

- Reflection

What was the main message of Ellen White's first vision?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What can we learn from the Great Disappointment of 1844?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What qualities did Abraham, Elijah, Isaiah, Daniel, and John the Baptist share?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why does God sometimes allow His faithful messengers to experience suffering and opposition?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we respond to God's calling in our own lives today?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- LESSON SUMMARY

The Call of a Prophet

Throughout history, God has called prophets to communicate His messages of warning, repentance, and salvation.

Their calling was often difficult, but God gave them strength to remain faithful.

Abraham trusted God's promises and demonstrated his faith through obedience. His experience teaches us that righteousness comes through faith in God – Genesis 15:6

KJV ⁶ And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. CEV ⁶ Abram believed the Lord, so the Lord was pleased with him and accepted him.
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Elijah boldly confronted false worship and called Israel to return to the Lord. His message reminds us that true revival begins in our hearts and homes – 1 Kings 18:19-39

KJV ¹⁹ Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. ²⁰ So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. ²¹ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. ²² Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. ²³ Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: ²⁴ And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. ²⁵ And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. ²⁶ And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. ²⁷ And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. ²⁸ And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. ²⁹ And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. ³⁰ And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. ³¹ And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: ³² And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. ³³ And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. ³⁴ And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. ³⁵ And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. ³⁶ And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. ³⁷ Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. ³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. ³⁹ And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God. CEV ¹⁹ Call together everyone from Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. Be sure to bring along the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table. ²⁰ Ahab got everyone together, then they went to meet Elijah on Mount Carmel. ²¹ Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you try to have things both ways? If the Lord is God, worship him! But if Baal is God, worship him!”The people did not say a word. ²² Then Elijah continued: I am the Lord's only prophet, but Baal has 450 prophets. ²³ Bring us two bulls. Baal's prophets can take one of them, kill it, and cut it into pieces. Then they can put the meat on the wood without lighting the fire. I will do the same thing with the other bull, and I won't light a fire under it either. ²⁴ The prophets of Baal will pray to their god, and I will pray to the Lord. The one who answers by starting the fire is God. “That's a good idea,” everyone agreed. ²⁵ Elijah said to Baal's prophets, “There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don't light the fire. Then pray to your god.” ²⁶ They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, “Answer us, Baal!” But there was no answer. ²⁷ At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he's daydreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up.” ²⁸ The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, ²⁹ and they kept it up until time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no answer of any kind. ³⁰ Elijah told everyone to gather around him while he repaired the Lord's altar. ^31-32 Then he used twelve stones to build an altar in honor of the Lord. Each stone stood for one of the tribes of Israel, which was the name the Lord had given to their ancestor Jacob. Elijah dug a ditch around the altar, large enough to hold about 14 liters. ³³ He placed the wood on the altar, then they cut the bull into pieces and laid the meat on the wood. He told the people, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it over the meat and the wood.” After they did this, ³⁴ he told them to do it two more times. They did exactly as he said ³⁵ until finally, the water ran down the altar and filled the ditch. ³⁶ When it was time for the evening sacrifice, Elijah prayed: Our Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Now, prove that you are the God of this nation, and that I, your servant, have done this at your command. ³⁷ Please answer me, so these people will know that you are the Lord God, and that you will turn their hearts back to you. ³⁸ The Lord immediately sent fire, and it burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones. It scorched the ground everywhere around the altar and dried up every drop of water in the ditch. ³⁹ When the crowd saw what had happened, they all bowed down and shouted, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”
; Malachi 4:5-6

KJV ⁵ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: ⁶ And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. CEV ⁵ I, the Lord, promise to send the prophet Elijah before that great and terrible day comes. ⁶ He will lead children and parents to love each other more, so that when I come, I won't bring destruction to the land.
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Isaiah recognised his sinfulness before God's holiness and willingly accepted his prophetic calling – Isaiah 6:8

KJV ⁸ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. CEV ⁸ After this, I heard the Lord ask, “Is there anyone I can send? Will someone speak for us?” “I'll go,” I answered. “Send me!”
..He also foretold the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, revealing God's wonderful plan of salvation – Isa. 53

KJV ¹ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? ² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. ⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. ⁹ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. ¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. ¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. ¹² Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. CEV ¹ Has anyone believed us or seen the mighty power of the Lord in action? ² Like a young plant or a root that sprouts in dry ground, the servant grew up obeying the Lord. He wasn't some handsome king. Nothing about the way he looked made him attractive to us. ³ He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!” ⁴ He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. ⁵ He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. ⁶ All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved. ⁷ He was painfully abused, but he did not complain. He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off. ⁸ He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. ⁹ He wasn't dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb among cruel, rich people. ¹⁰ The Lord decided his servant would suffer as a sacrifice to take away the sin and guilt of others. Now the servant will live to see his own descendants. He did everything the Lord had planned. ¹¹ By suffering, the servant will learn the true meaning of obeying the Lord. Although he is innocent, he will take the punishment for the sins of others, so that many of them will no longer be guilty. ¹² The Lord will reward him with honor and power for sacrificing his life. Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins and asked God to forgive us.
Footnotes:
53.
8 my people: Or “his people.” 53.
9 but he … people: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
53.
10 The Lord … descendants: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. Cross references53.
1 : Ro 10.
16; Jn 12.
38.
53.
5 : Mt 8.
17; 1 P 2.
24.
53.
5-12 : 4 Macc 6.
29.
53.
6 : 1 P 2.
25.
53.
7 : Rev 5.
6.
53.
7,8 : Ac 8.
32,33.
53.
7-12 : 4 Macc 10.
18.
53.
9 : 1 P 2.
22.
53.
12 : Mk 15.
27,28; Lk 22.
37.
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Daniel remained faithful while living among people who did not worship God. His life revealed God's power, and his prophecies pointed toward God's everlasting kingdom – Daniel 2:44

KJV ⁴⁴ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. CEV ^44-45 During the time of those kings, the God who rules from heaven will set up an eternal kingdom that will never fall. It will be like the stone that was cut from the mountain, but not by human hands — the stone that crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. Your Majesty, in your dream the great God has told you what is going to happen, and you can trust this interpretation.
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John the Baptist prepared people for Jesus through repentance and baptism. Even when imprisoned and discouraged, he continued trusting God – Mark 1:2-5

KJV ² As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. ³ The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. ⁴ John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. ⁵ And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. CEV ² It began just as God had said in the book written by Isaiah the prophet, “I am sending my messenger to get the way ready for you. ³ In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’ ” ⁴ So John the Baptist showed up in the desert and told everyone, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.” ⁵ From all Judea and Jerusalem crowds of people went to John. They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.
; Matthew 11:1-6

KJV ¹ And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. ² Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, ³ And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? ⁴ Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. CEV (Luke 7.
18-35) ¹ After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left and began teaching and preaching in the towns. ² John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers ³ to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?” ⁴ Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. ⁵ The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. ⁶ God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do.”
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After the Great Disappointment of 1844, Ellen White received a vision encouraging believers to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus.

Her calling reminded Advent believers that God had not abandoned them and was still leading His people.

These experiences teach us that God does not require perfect people or extraordinary abilities before He can use them.

He calls people who are willing to trust Him, obey His Word, and faithfully share His message.

We may not all be called to be prophets, but we are all called to be faithful witnesses for Jesus.

Like Isaiah, may our response be:

"Here am I! Send me." – Isaiah 6:8

KJV ⁸ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. CEV ⁸ After this, I heard the Lord ask, “Is there anyone I can send? Will someone speak for us?” “I'll go,” I answered. “Send me!”
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