Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary - SS25-Q2-L4

Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary

SS25-Q2-L4 - The Nations Part 1

April 19-25, 2025

Sabbath Afternoon–April 19, 2025

Scripture Reading for the Week:

Gen. 10:1-12; Gen. 12:1-9; 1 Sam. 8:4-18; Matt. 20:25-28; Rev. 18:1-4

Thought for Meditation

Clearly, then, the bride represents the holy city, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper. [Revelation 19:9.] If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride. Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of days in Heaven, “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom,” he will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of his kingdom, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” [Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2.] Having received the kingdom, he will come in his glory, as King of kings, and Lord of lords, for the redemption of his people, who are to “sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,” at his table in his kingdom, [Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30.] to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb. {GC88 426.2}

Memory Verse

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. {Daniel 7:14}

a 14:4}

Purpose of the Study

This lesson seeks to trace the divine hand in the rise and development of nations from the post-Flood era to the end-time prophetic climax. It aims to lead God’s people into a clearer understanding of His overarching purpose in allowing nations to rise, governments to form, and dominions to fall—all under the sovereign direction of Him “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” As we examine the nations from their origin in Genesis to their prophetic destiny in Revelation, this study will help us discern the spiritual warfare between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of Christ. Through the lens of inspiration—from both Scripture and the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy—we will see how God is preparing a kingdom that shall not be destroyed and calling His people out of Babylon to be part of that kingdom.

Introduction

The lesson titled “The Nations, Part 1” begins with the table of nations in Genesis 10, a vital record of the sons of Noah and the families that formed the foundation of post-Flood civilizations. These genealogies, far from being mere historical notes, reveal the divine origin of earthly governments and the spreading of peoples and tongues across the face of the earth—fulfilling God's directive to replenish and subdue it.

Yet, as time progressed, these nations departed from the governance of Heaven and demanded rulers after their own image—“like all the nations” (1 Sam. 8:5). This rebellion against divine theocracy continues today as modern powers claim sovereignty independent of God's law. But Scripture foretells a divine intervention—one that will not only judge the nations but also establish an everlasting dominion under Christ, as described in Daniel 7:14 and Revelation 18.

The Spirit of Prophecy sheds remarkable light on this subject. In The Great Controversy, we are shown that Christ will receive His kingdom—the New Jerusalem, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”—before He returns to gather His people. Thus, the “bride” represents the kingdom, while the “guests” (His saints) are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The prophetic type and timing are clear: before the second coming, the kingdom must be received and the call to come out of Babylon must be made (Rev. 18:4).

From the Inspiration's perspective, the rise and fall of nations, including modern global systems, are not random political events but fulfillments of divine prophecy. The kingdoms of today—economic, political, and ecclesiastical—are rapidly forming the final image of the beast, from which God’s people must be sealed and separated.

This week, as we study the nations through history and prophecy, let us look beyond the earthly kingdoms to the heavenly reality: a kingdom that shall not be destroyed, and a call to come out and take our place at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Outline of the Study

The Origin of Nations

Sunday- April 20, 2025

Nimrod and Nineveh: The First Nations

Gen. 3:16-19; Revelation 21:1; Genesis 10:1-12.

Monday- April 21, 2025

Abraham's Call: A Nation Begotten by God

Genesis 10; Gen. 10:5; Rev. 14:6; Genesis 12:1-9.

The Chosen People

Tuesday- April 22, 2025

Given What You Asked for: The History of Israel

1 Samuel 8:4-18; Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Kings 11:6, 1 Kings 15:26, 1 Kings 16:30, 2 King 3:2,

Wednesday- April 23, 2025

The Rulers of the Gentiles: The History of the Church

Matthew 20:25-28.

Thursday- April 24, 2025

A Light to the Gentiles: The Role of the Chosen People

Rev. 14:12; John 3:16-21; Rev. 14:6; 18:1; Num. 14:17-21

Friday- April 25, 2025

Further Prophetic Insights

The Origin of Nations

Sunday- April 20, 2025

Nimrod and Nineveh: The First Nations

Gen. 3:16-19; Revelation 21:1; Genesis 10:1-12.

“These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood” (Genesis 10:32)

After the judgment of the Flood, God began to repopulate the earth through the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 10, often referred to as the “Table of Nations,” is more than a genealogical record—it is a prophetic map of the dispersion of nations and the foundation of future prophetic fulfillments. It documents the divine origins of nations, but also hints at the early corruption of divine order, especially through the figure of Nimrod, a “mighty hunter before the Lord” (Gen. 10:9), whose kingdom began with Babel and extended to Nineveh, the future capital of Assyria.

The Corruption of God’s Original Plan

Ellen White writes that God never designed that men should rule over their fellowmen as tyrants, nor that nations should be built on rebellion against Heaven. After the Flood, the opportunity was given for humanity to start afresh under God’s guidance. But instead of submission, men soon began to repeat the sin of Cain—building cities in defiance of God's plan and centralizing power.

"The dwellers on the plain of Shinar disbelieved God's covenant that He would not again bring a flood upon the earth. Many of them denied the existence of God and attributed the Flood to the operation of natural causes. Others believed in a Supreme Being, and that it was He who had destroyed the antediluvian world; and their hearts, like that of Cain, rose up in rebellion against Him... The whole undertaking was designed to exalt still further the pride of its projectors and to turn the minds of future generations away from God and lead them into idolatry." {PP 119.1}

“The men of Babel had determined to establish a government that should be independent of God... The tower was to be a monument to their power... The purpose was to secure their own glory and to prevent their dispersion.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 119–123

Thus, Nimrod's kingdom was the first prototype of human dominion in opposition to divine rule, symbolizing the spirit of Babel—confusion, pride, and rebellion. These early cities (Babel, Erech, Accad, Nineveh) were not just population centers but became hubs of false worship, centralized power, and coercive authority—traits that will climax again in the end-time image of the beast.

The Prophetic Role of Nations in the Last Days

According to the Shepherd’s Rod message, the establishment of nations after the Flood serves a prophetic purpose. God permitted the development of nations so that truth could be preserved among a faithful remnant while allowing the wicked to manifest their rebellion until the time of harvest (see White House Recruiter, p. 29–31; Tract No. 8, Mt. Sion at the Eleventh Hour).

Nimrod's kingdom, notably Babel and Nineveh, becomes symbolic of apostate powers in prophecy. Just as ancient Nineveh was called to repentance by Jonah, so modern Nineveh (symbolic of end-time corrupt systems) is being warned by present truth today. Babel, on the other hand, evolves prophetically into Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots (Rev. 17), from which God calls His people out (Rev. 18:4).

The Rod emphasizes that these early developments are not isolated history, but types of final events. The spiritual descendants of Nimrod's system—political tyranny, economic control, and false religion—will coalesce into the final Babylon, against which the Loud Cry will be given.

"There are tower builders in our time. Infidels construct their theories from the supposed deductions of science and reject the revealed Word of God. They presume to pass sentence upon God’s moral government; they despise His law and boast of the sufficiency of human reason. Then, “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” {CTr 70.3}

“History repeats. That which was in the beginning shall be in the end. Nimrod founded the first kingdom; it was Babel. The last kingdom of confusion will likewise fall by divine judgment.” – SRod Vol. 1, p. 154 (paraphrased from its principles)

Hope Beyond the Nations: A New Heaven and a New Earth

While the lesson highlights the origin of nations from Noah's sons, Revelation 21:1 gives us the ultimate prophetic contrast: the end of all earthly kingdoms and the ushering in of God’s eternal kingdom. The record of human governments that began in Genesis 10 will close in Revelation 20, and God will create a new heaven and a new earth, where “there shall be no more sea”—no more separation, division, or rebellious nations.

In that glorious future, the redeemed shall be citizens not of Babel or Nineveh, but of New Jerusalem, the capital of Christ’s everlasting dominion.

The rise of the first nations was not merely a natural consequence of post-Flood survival—it was a prophetic act, overseen by God but also permitted to reveal the hearts of men. From Nimrod to Nineveh, we see the roots of rebellion and centralized power, which will ultimately be judged and overthrown. Yet amid this history, God preserves a people and unfolds a plan to establish a kingdom “which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:14).

Let us then understand the past in the light of prophecy and prepare to be part of that eternal nation whose builder and maker is God.

Consider the Following

❖ The first nations.

— Because of their sin, Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden and forbidden to enter it. They and their descendants continued to come to the entrance to Eden, guarded by the cherubims, to offer sacrifices to God.

— In this way, humanity, for a time, continued to recognize God as its supreme ruler.

— When, because of the prevailing wickedness, God decided to destroy the Earth with the flood, he also removed the Garden of Eden. After the flood, men like Nimrod decided to create their own states outside of God, ruled by themselves (Gen. 10:6-12.)

— Nimrod is said to have been “a giant hunter against the Lord” (Gen. 10:9 LXX.) Among the cities he built were Babel and Nineveh, from which nations sprang that were declared enemies of God’s people.

Monday- April 21, 2025

Abraham's Call: A Nation Begotten by God

Genesis 10; Gen. 10:5; Rev. 14:6; Genesis 12:1-9.

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2)

God’s Answer to the Corruption of the Nations

Genesis 10 shows the origin and dispersion of nations after the Flood. As humanity spread, so did apostasy. The centralized rebellion at Babel had been judged, but the spirit of idolatry and self-glorification lingered. In this context, God called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees, a center of false worship and worldliness (Gen. 12:1–3), to initiate a holy nation—not formed by mere genealogy, but by covenant and faith.

After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. Abraham had grown up in the midst of superstition and heathenism... God has ever preserved a remnant to serve Him. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, in unbroken line, had preserved from age to age the precious revealings of His will. The son of Terah became the inheritor of this holy trust. Idolatry invited him on every side, but in vain. Faithful among the faithless, uncorrupted by the prevailing apostasy, he steadfastly adhered to the worship of the one true God. "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18. He communicated His will to Abraham, and gave him a distinct knowledge of the requirements of His law and of the salvation that would be accomplished through Christ. {PP 125.1}

“The call from heaven first came to Abraham... Obedient to the call, he forsook his country, his kindred, and his father’s house, to go forth, he knew not whither, to follow where God should lead. ‘By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country.’” – Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 125

Abraham’s obedience marks the beginning of God’s spiritual dominion on earth, a direct counter to the counterfeit kingdoms founded by men like Nimrod. This was the divine pattern: to build a nation not by force, but by faith; not through conquest, but through covenant. Abraham's descendants were to be a light to the Gentiles, through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:3; Isa. 49:6).

A Spiritual Nation Called to Bless the Earth

The Spirit of Prophecy affirms that the calling of Abraham was God's plan to preserve truth and righteousness in a world overwhelmed by idolatry. Through his seed, Christ would come. But even before that fulfillment, Abraham’s family was to reflect the principles of Heaven, becoming a spiritual prototype of God's kingdom.

Yet God had chosen Israel. He had called them to preserve among men the knowledge of His law, and of the symbols and prophecies that pointed to the Saviour. He desired them to be as wells of salvation to the world. What Abraham was in the land of his sojourn, what Joseph was in Egypt, and Daniel in the courts of Babylon, the Hebrew people were to be among the nations. They were to reveal God to men. {DA 27.2}

“The people of Israel were set apart from the surrounding nations to preserve the knowledge of God and to be a channel through which the light of Heaven should shine upon the world.” – Desire of Ages, p. 27

Unfortunately, as time passed, the descendants of Abraham began to boast of lineage rather than emulate his faith. They forgot that their greatness was not in bloodline but in obedience to God's covenant.

The True Fulfillment of the Great Nation

From the Shepherd’s Rod perspective, Abraham's call is both literal and prophetic, pointing not only to ancient Israel, but to a spiritual Israel in the last days. The promise that Abraham would become “a great nation” (Gen. 12:2) finds its ultimate fulfillment in the purified, end-time church, made up of the faithful from all nations who heed the final gospel call (Rev. 14:6–7).

Please visit the link below for additional light on the subject:
1. Meat In Due Season - 35. First Angel's Message - Rev. 14:6, 7
2. Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 3 The 3 Angels and Other Angels
3. Prophetic Insights on the Present Truth - 10. How many angels are there in Revelation 14 -1? The 1st Angel's Message

“The Lord is not calling out a multitude to come under another man-made denomination, but to be purified, sealed, and organized into His theocratic kingdom—His own ‘great nation.’” – SRod, Vol. 2, p. 265

Thus, the Abrahamic call is now being echoed by the Three Angels’ Messages, calling spiritual descendants out of modern Babylon and into a nation begotten not by flesh, but by the Spirit. The “great nation” today is the 144,000, spiritual Israelites called to proclaim God's last warning to the world and prepare for the kingdom to be established on earth before Christ’s return (see SRod, Vol. 1, p. 61–62; Tract No. 8).

The Gospel to All Nations

Revelation 14:6 declares the everlasting gospel must go “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” This worldwide scope echoes Genesis 10:5, where the early nations are dispersed according to “their lands, every one after his tongue.” The contrast is clear: whereas Babel divided and confused the nations, the gospel unifies them under Christ—fulfilling God’s promise to bless “all families of the earth” through Abraham’s seed.

The final fulfillment of Abraham's call will climax when the gospel has gathered God’s elect into one fold (John 10:16), to be citizens of the soon-coming kingdom prepared for the righteous.

The call of Abraham is a prophetic template for the final call in our day. Just as God separated him from idolatrous lands to form a holy nation, so He is now calling His faithful ones out of spiritual Babylon to prepare for the kingdom that shall never pass away. The promise of a “great nation” is not limited to ethnic Israel but extends to all who walk in the faith and obedience of Abraham.

Let us answer that call today—not merely as church members, but as covenant keepers and spiritual citizens of God’s coming kingdom.

Consider the Following

❖ A nation begotten by God.

— Genesis 10 uses the Hebrew word goyim to refer to the nations. This same word is used to refer to the Gentiles, that is, those who are far from God.

— In order to recover those nations, God decided to bring forth a new nation, Israel, through the descendants of Abram/Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3.)

— Why choose Abraham? Gen. 18:19. In this way, God could show the world what happens when we let ourselves be led by Him.

— He gave them just standards that would astonish the nations, causing them to desire to come into contact with Israel to imitate it, and thus receive the blessing that God desired to impart to them (Deut . 4:5-8.)

The Chosen People

Tuesday- April 22, 2025

Given What You Asked for: The History of Israel

1 Samuel 8:4-18; Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Kings 11:6, 1 Kings 15:26, 1 Kings 16:30, 2 King 3:2,

Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; therefore, now appoint us a king to judge us, such as all the nations have” (1 Samuel 8:5)

God’s Theocracy Rejected

Israel’s request for a king in 1 Samuel 8 marked a critical turning point in their history. Though they were a nation personally chosen and governed by God—a theocracy unlike any other—they demanded to be like the nations around them, asking for a human king to lead them.

“And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people… for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” – 1 Samuel 8:7

From a prophetic standpoint, this was not simply a political shift, but a spiritual rebellion. They desired the form of godliness without its power, preferring visible leadership to the invisible rule of Jehovah. This foreshadowed future apostasies in which God’s professed people would again exchange divine leadership for human authority.

The Downward Slope of Human Rule

Ellen White vividly describes how Israel’s desire for a king stemmed from pride and a lack of spiritual discernment. Though warned of the oppressive consequences, they insisted, thinking a monarch would strengthen their national image and military prowess.

"Those who despise and reject the faithful servant of God show contempt, not merely for the man, but for the Master who sent him. It is God's words, His reproofs and counsel, that are set at nought; it is His authority that is rejected". {PP 605.1}

The days of Israel's greatest prosperity had been those in which they acknowledged Jehovah as their King--when the laws and the government which He had established were regarded as superior to those of all other nations.

“They desired to be freed from the rule of their divine sovereign, and to place themselves under the jurisdiction of men, as were the surrounding nations... Had Israel been true to God, He Himself would have been their king.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 605

God granted their request—but it came with a warning: human rulers would tax, conscript, and oppress. The reigns of Saul, Solomon, and the succession of kings—many of whom “did evil in the sight of the Lord”—were living proof of that prophecy fulfilled.

This transition demonstrates a key SOP principle: when men reject divine instruction, God sometimes grants their desire to let them experience its bitter fruit, as a means of discipline and eventual redemption.

A Prophetic Parallel for Today

The Shepherd’s Rod sheds deeper prophetic light on this transition. Israel’s desire for a human king symbolizes the Laodicean condition of the church in the last days—a people who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, yet unknowingly walk in spiritual blindness (Rev. 3:17). Like ancient Israel, modern spiritual Israel has often preferred organized systems, traditions, and human authority over the living guidance of the Spirit and the prophetic Word.

“As ancient Israel rejected the theocracy and set up a monarchy, so spiritual Israel today has rejected the Lord’s voice through the prophets and preferred church manuals and man-made governance in its stead.” – SRod Vol. 1, p. 59–60 (paraphrased)

This rejection of God's leadership repeats itself whenever His people refuse advancing light, prophetic messages, or the call to reformation and instead cling to formality and tradition. As a result, just as Israel was divided into two kingdoms and later scattered, so today, division, lukewarmness, and spiritual weakness plague the church, because God’s voice is no longer central.

The Lesson from Kings: Apostasy Follows Rejection of Divine Order

The pattern seen in the books of Kings—where one monarch after another “did evil in the sight of the Lord”—is not just history, but prophecy. The names listed (Jeroboam, Ahab, etc.) represent successive stages of apostasy that led Israel away from truth and ultimately into captivity.

"We must cause distraction and division. We must destroy their anxiety for their own souls, and lead them to criticize, to judge, and to accuse and condemn one another, and to cherish selfishness and enmity. For these sins, God banished us from His presence; and all who follow our example will meet a similar fate." {TM 475.2}

Let Heaven Guide

Prophecy must be fulfilled. The Lord says: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, [SEE APPENDIX.] and when he appears, men may say: "You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message." {TM 475.3}

“Those who do not walk in the light, and continue to reject the instruction of God, will eventually call good evil and evil good.” – Testimonies to Ministers, p. 475

Read and study the fourth chapter of Zechariah. The two olive trees empty the golden oil out of themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowl from which the lamps of the sanctuary are fed. The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God's ministers are to be constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to church. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." God's servants can obtain victories only by inward purity, by cleanness of heart, by holiness. It is of the utmost importance that ministers set a right example. {TM 188}

For further studies, please visit the sites below:
1. Meat In Due Season - 11. The Golden Bowl - Zec 4
2. Present Truth Lessons 2020 - Lesson 1 When the Spirit Comes: Importance of SOP
3. Prophetic Insights on the Present Truth - 6. What's the Importance of the Spirit of Prophecy 2

This shows us that when God's people refuse to be governed by His Word, even religious leaders can become instruments of oppression rather than blessings. Like Israel of old, the modern church is warned that if it does not heed God's voice, it will suffer judgment—not because God is unjust, but because He honors our freedom to choose, even when it leads to sorrow.

Hope in Prophetic Restoration

Though Israel’s history reflects failure, it also reveals God’s relentless mercy. He sent prophets, preserved a remnant, and promised a restoration through a future kingdom. The Rod emphasizes that the purified church of the last days will once again be a theocracy—a kingdom under God’s direct rule (see Tract No. 8: Mt. Sion at the Eleventh Hour).

This coming kingdom will not be man-organized but divinely established, composed of those who submit to the Lamb and follow Him wherever He goes (Rev. 14:4). It is the spiritual fulfillment of the government Israel could have had, and the final answer to the prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth…”

Israel's request for a king illustrates the danger of choosing human strength over divine guidance. It is a prophetic warning for us today: to reject God’s rule is to forfeit divine protection and blessings. Yet even in our failures, God is faithful. He calls us now to return to the divine pattern, to restore the theocracy in our hearts and churches, and to prepare for the kingdom to come—a kingdom ruled not by flawed men, but by the King of kings.

Let us choose God as our King, lest we, too, be “given what we ask for”—only to discover it is not what we truly needed.

Consider the Following

❖ The history of Israel.

— Unfortunately, instead of wanting to be an exemplary nation, led directly by God, Israel wanted to be like the other nations (1 Sam. 8:5.)

— By asking for a king, they rejected God (1 Sam. 8:7.) Even when warned of the consequences of having a king, they persisted in their rebellion (1 Sam. 8:9, 19.)

— Knowing in advance this reaction of Israel, God had dictated laws that, if obeyed, would ensure that the requested king would remain as close as possible to God's ideal (Deut . 17:14-20.)

— Despite this, even the best kings had great flaws. Most of them are said to have done evil (1 Kings 11:6.)

— After all, they were sinners ruling over sinners. For that reason, there is no righteous government except the one to come, the Kingdom of God ( Dan . 2:44.)

Wednesday- April 23, 2025

The Rulers of the Gentiles: The History of the Church

Matthew 20:25-28.

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”. (Matthew 20:26)

Christ’s Kingdom: A Radical Departure from Worldly Rule

In Matthew 20, Jesus confronts a deep-rooted issue that would challenge the Church in every age—the thirst for position and power. His statement rebukes the worldly model of leadership that seeks dominance, prestige, and control. Instead, He introduces heaven’s principle of servant-leadership.

“Not so with you.” These words are not merely corrective but prophetic. They outline the divine ideal for church leadership, contrasting sharply with Gentile rulership—a system that thrives on authority, status, and subjugation.

Servant Leadership is the Mark of Heaven

Ellen White strongly warns against the tendency within church systems to mirror worldly power structures. The spirit of self-exaltation, she says, is the root of all apostasy, beginning with Lucifer himself.

“The spirit of self-exaltation prepared the way for Satan's fall… and whenever men yield to the desire for supremacy, they repeat the sin of Lucifer.” – DA 435.1

In The Desire of Ages, she notes how even the disciples were not immune. They argued over “who should be the greatest,” missing the point of Christ’s mission. The world esteems power and authority; heaven esteems humility and service. True greatness in the church is measured not by position, but by Christlike character.

A Prophetic Diagnosis of Ecclesiastical Pride

The Shepherd’s Rod literature builds upon this principle and warns that the spirit of “Gentile rulership” has infiltrated the modern church. Inspired writings emphasize that many today in positions of leadership have forgotten Christ’s model of servant-leadership, often reflecting the same authoritarian spirit that Jesus condemned.

“The ancient and modern church alike, while professing holiness, have too often ruled the people with an iron rod—exalting human authority over the Word of God.” – SRod, Vol. 1, p. 99 (paraphrased)

This misuse of power is prophetically addressed in Revelation 3:14–17, the message to Laodicea—a self-deceived church that claims spiritual wealth while lacking true righteousness. When church authority becomes centralized in human hands, the Spirit of God is replaced by policy, and church order degenerates into spiritual hierarchy.

True Leadership: Lifting, Not Lording

Jesus models a leadership that bends low to wash feet, heal wounds, and bear burdens. Heaven’s government does not exalt a few at the expense of the many, but calls all to humble service.

“Christ was establishing a kingdom on different principles. He called men not to authority, but to service. The strong were to bear the infirmities of the weak.” – DA 550.3

This is in direct contrast to the oppressive systems of the nations, and sadly, often of the visible church. The greatest prophetic tragedy is when those entrusted to lead become lords rather than servants, and forget that the authority of truth must never be replaced by the truth of authority.

Prophetic Fulfillment and Warning

The misuse of church authority through history—especially during the union of church and state in the Dark Ages—is a fulfillment of Jesus' warning in Matthew 20. Even in modern times, leadership struggles, denominational control, and administrative authoritarianism reveal that the "rulers of the Gentiles" spirit is still alive.

In the antitypical setting, these lessons apply to Laodicea and the purification of the church foretold in Ezekiel 9 and Malachi 3. The Shepherd’s Rod teaches that Christ will soon cleanse His church of unfaithful shepherds who "lord it over the flock" rather than feed and protect them (see 1 Peter 5:2–3).

“Only those who follow the Lamb in humility and obedience—serving rather than ruling—will be part of the 144,000 and stand with Him on Mount Zion.” – SRod, Vol. 2, p. 186

A Call to Reform and Return

Christ is calling His church to reflect the divine order of service, not the worldly structure of dominance. The path to true leadership is the cross, not the crown—and the true test of authority is not how many follow you, but how well you follow Christ.

Let every pastor, elder, and church leader examine whether their leadership reflects Christ’s humility—or the Gentile model of control. The final church, purified and led by the Spirit, will be a serving remnant, not a ruling class. This is the leadership heaven can trust.

The church’s history mirrors the tension between two models of leadership: heavenly servanthood vs. worldly dominance. Christ’s words remain a standing rebuke to every generation of believers tempted to pursue greatness through power. May we reject the path of the Gentiles and embrace the towel and basin of Christ, preparing for His kingdom where the meek, the humble, and the faithful servants will reign with Him.

Consider the Following

❖ The history of the Church.

— After Israel's apostasy, Jesus instituted a new people: the Church. But this people was not to have a king or a specific nationality. Those who governed it were to do so by serving others (Mt. 20:25-28.)

— During a 300-year persecution, the Church remained more or less faithful.

— But freedom arrived. Constantine (4th century) legalized Christianity. And he became its "unofficial" ruler! He presided over congresses and issued laws governing the Church.

— In the 5th and 6th centuries, the Church relied increasingly on the state, and the Bishop of Rome gained greater authority. Service was no longer the norm of government.

— Throughout the Middle Ages, anyone who did not obey the authority of the Church had to pay for their rebellion with death, torture, or imprisonment.

— The Church thus made the same mistakes as the people of Israel.

Thursday- April 24, 2025

A Light to the Gentiles: The Role of the Chosen People

Rev. 14:12; John 3:16-21; Rev. 14:6; 18:1; Num. 14:17-21
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6)

Israel’s Original Mandate: Light Bearers to the World

From the very beginning, Israel’s calling was missional, not merely national. God formed the nation of Israel as His chosen people—not to hoard the light, but to reflect it. Their election was not for privilege only, but for purpose: to proclaim the truth about the character of God, to preserve the knowledge of His law, and to prepare the world for the coming Messiah.

“The children of Israel were to occupy all the territory which God appointed them. Those nations that rejected the worship and service of the true God were to be dispossessed.” – PK 19.2

This light was not to be confined to a single people, but was to shine out to all nations—a light to the Gentiles, as prophesied in Isaiah 42 and 49. But tragically, history records how the chosen people failed to fulfill this divine commission.

A Failure of Representation

Ellen White repeatedly laments how Israel, as a people, turned inward, becoming exclusive and self-righteous, losing sight of their mission. In Christ’s Object Lessons, she notes:

“The Jewish nation was not rejected arbitrarily. They rejected themselves by failing to be the light God called them to be. They shut themselves away from the world, and their blessings became their condemnation.” – COL 304.3

Rather than being missionaries to the nations, they became isolated custodians of a dying form—the form of religion without the Spirit. But God's purpose for a people to shine the light never ceased. The baton of responsibility was passed from literal Israel to spiritual Israel, the church.

The Role of the 144,000 as Antitypical Israel

The Shepherd’s Rod expands this concept by identifying a last-day remnant, the antitypical Israel, who will finally fulfill the mission ancient Israel failed. The 144,000—sealed from the tribes of spiritual Israel—are to be that faithful body who will bear the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people (Revelation 14:6).

“The 144,000 are to be God’s firstfruits, fully redeemed and empowered to proclaim the Loud Cry under the power of the angel of Revelation 18:1.” – SRod, Vol. 2, p. 164

This faithful company will reflect the righteousness of Christ (Rev. 14:12), stand as unshaken witnesses against apostasy and deception, and call God’s people out of Babylon into present truth.

“God’s plan will not fail. What ancient Israel lost through disobedience, the purified church—led by the faithful—will finally accomplish.” – SRod, Vol. 1, p. 89

God’s Glory to Fill the Whole Earth

In Numbers 14:21, God declares: “As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” This will be fulfilled in the closing work of the gospel. As darkness covers the earth, God’s purified church will shine with heavenly brilliance.

The glory spoken of is character, as shown in Exodus 33:18–19 and 34:6–7. God's glory is His mercy, justice, truth, and holiness. It is this character, displayed in the lives of His people, that will enlighten the world.

Christ, the True Light—and His Body, the Church

Jesus is the Light of the World, but He declared that “you are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14), reflecting His glory. This light must shine in homes, communities, and churches—and in these last days, through the final Loud Cry, empowered by the latter rain and the angel of Revelation 18.

“The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.” – 9T 117.3

A Prophetic Commission

The role of the chosen people has always been to bring light to a dark world. While literal Israel failed, God’s purpose moves forward through a remnant who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. In the final movement, this spiritual Israel, made up of faithful believers from all nations, will give the final warning, call the honest-hearted out of Babylon, and illuminate the earth with God’s glory.

Let us, then, recognize our prophetic calling: to reflect Christ, to proclaim His truth, and to be a light to the Gentiles in this last hour of earth’s history.

Consider the Following

❖ The role of the chosen people.

— How could Israel have been “a light to the nations” (Isa . 42:6)? How can the Church be “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14)?

(1) Through his obedience (Deut . 4:6; Matt. 5:16)

(2) Showing the solution to sin (Lev . 4:27-29; Jn . 3:16)

(3) Announcing the Second Coming of Jesus (Isa. 40:9-10; Rev. 14:6-11)

— The historical reality of God's people has been that of a people who have failed to accomplish the work God had designated for them.

— Yet the world has been blessed, through Israel and the Church, with the blessed message of Salvation.

— We are living in the final stretch of history. The last opportunity to fulfill our purpose of being the light of the world, of proclaiming God's salvation (Isa . 52:7)

Friday- April 25, 2025

Further Prophetic Insights

The Nations Part 1: God's Sovereign Purpose Among the Nations

God Overrules in the Affairs of Nations

From Babel to Babylon, and from ancient Israel to the modern Gentile powers, the rise and fall of nations have always been under God’s sovereign oversight. The confusion of languages at Babel (Genesis 11) was not merely a judgment—it was also a providential act to scatter rebellious humanity and establish boundaries for divine purposes (Acts 17:26).

“Every nation that has come upon the stage of action has been permitted to occupy its place on the earth, that the fact might be determined whether it would fulfill the purposes of the Watcher and the Holy One.” – Prophets and Kings, p. 535.2

But amid these developments, God’s plan was never limited to national boundaries—it was always about a kingdom not made by hands, a spiritual nation, that would ultimately fill the earth.

The Kingdom to Be Established Before the Second Coming

The prophecy of Daniel 2 speaks of a stone, “cut out (Heb. word, 'ghezar' which means, 'to quarry' without hands”, that strikes the image, grinds it to powder, and grows into a great mountain that fills the whole earth (Daniel 2:35, 44–45). This stone is not the Second Coming itself, but the setting up of Christ’s Kingdom on earth before His return in glory—a purified church and movement raised during probationary time.

Pease visit the following sites for deeper understanding of the study:

“The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed... it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” – Daniel 2:44

The Shepherd’s Rod clarifies that this kingdom is to be established before the Second Advent, during the loud cry period (Revelation 18:1–4), to prepare the earth for the final harvest.

“This stone kingdom is not Christ at His second coming, for at that time the kingdoms of earth are already gone. The stone smites the image while the kingdoms still stand.” – SRod, Vol. 2, p. 141

This same truth is echoed in Daniel 7:27, where it is prophesied:

“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High.”

This is the antitypical theocracy, a revival of God’s kingdom governance, under Christ’s leadership through His purified people (Micah 4:1–2; Joel 2:28–32).

The Remnant Nation Within the Nations

Thus, while the nations of earth continue their trajectory toward judgment, God is raising up a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9)—not based on ethnicity or geography, but on faithfulness to His law and the testimony of Jesus. This remnant is to reflect the principles of heaven and act as ambassadors of the coming kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:20).

The Rod teaches that this kingdom begins with the sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7; Ezekiel 9), who form the nucleus of this divine government, and proclaim the gospel with power to gather the great multitude from all nations (Rev. 7:9).

Conclusion: History Marches Toward a Kingdom

As this week’s lesson has shown, the nations have been instruments in God’s hand, yet each must give account. The real climax of history is not found in political alliances or global empires, but in the Kingdom that God Himself establishes—first in the church, and finally in the world to come.

“In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored.” – Prophets and Kings, p. 678

“And the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” – Habakkuk 2:14

May we be among those who stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb, members of that immovable Kingdom that shall never pass away (Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 14:1).

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