Sabbath School Lesson for April 19-25, 2025
Introduction of Lesson 4, The Nations: Part 1
Memory Text: ” ‘Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.’ “ Daniel 7:14 NKJV
The vision given to Daniel in chapter 7 makes it clear that a kingdom not of this world will someday be established, with God’s Son as its supreme commander. The fact that it is eternal reveals its divine nature. Earthly kingdoms and nations all come to an end at some point, but His heavenly kingdom will last forever.
Access to the tree of life that Adam and Eve originally enjoyed in the Garden of Eden will be restored, and close companionship in God’s presence will once again be ours in this “everlasting dominion”. Genesis, the story of our beginning, will conclude with the story of our ending in the book of Revelation. So, John’s visions might be thought of as the reversal of Moses’ account of our creation.
Humans have attempted repeatedly to control the planet through self-governance, but these experimental nations have never worked well and have often failed miserably. Their vain efforts will only worsen our tragic conditions on earth until God’s “everlasting kingdom” becomes a reality (Daniel 7:27).
- Sunday: Nimrod and Nineveh–The first nations were city-states established after the Flood.
- Monday: Abraham’s Call–Through Abraham, God tried to establish a nation that would bless, rather than curse, other nations.
- Tuesday: Given What You Asked For–Yearning for a human monarch led to trouble for God’s nation Israel.
- Wednesday: The Rulers of the Gentiles–The early church, in turning to the world, made the same errors as Israel of old.
- Thursday: A Light to the Gentiles–God’s church today is called to come out of Babylon and be another light to the Gentiles.
Sunday: Nimrod and Nineveh
Moses tells us that after Adam and Eve sinned, the Garden of Eden had to be closed to the human family so they would no longer have access to the tree of life. An angel, we are told, was even sent to guard its access (Genesis 3:23-24). It is thought that the flood must have resulted in God removing the Garden entirely from the planet, perhaps to save it for the earth made new.
Chapter ten of Genesis outlines the descendants born of Noah’s sons after the devastating, worldwide flood. The name Nimrod, grandson of Noah’s son Ham, stands out in this list of lineage (Genesis 10:8-9).
The fact that Nimrod was a mighty hunter is not meant as a compliment. Saying that he was a mighty hunter “before the Lord” indicated that he thought he came before God. It was well-known that he did much to defy and rebel against God. The name Nimrod even means “we shall rebel”, and it is thought that his rebellion later led to the building of the tower of Babel and the city of Nineveh, a very wicked city that Jonah was sent to with a message of destruction.
Verses and questions:
Genesis 3:19-24
- What were the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin, and why did God explain these things to the sad couple?
Genesis 10:1-12
- Why is rebellion against God so subtle and hard to detect, but why must we always stay away from it?
- How was the spirit of rebellion later seen in the Assyrian city of Nineveh (originating with Nimrod’s defiance)?
Monday: Abraham’s Call
The same words that describe the divisions of mankind found in Genesis 10:5 are also seen in Revelation 14:6. The divisions consist of lands, languages (tongues), families (tribes), and nations. As populations grow, we seem to just naturally divide ourselves this way.
Therefore, God’s first plan was to imbed Himself so much in one nation that it would provide a shining example to other nations around it, and thus effect needed change in their rapidly declining, paganistic behaviors.
One notably faithful individual was Abram from the land of Ur. He could only do so much alone. So, God called him out of the home of his fathers and sent him to Canaan, so he could be instructed by God and begin a new nation there. This new nation’s sole purpose was to glorify God.
With God as their leader, Abraham (as he was later called) would bless other families and nations on earth. This new nation would not only know God’s will, but they would be practicing His way of life and become a beacon of hope for anyone willing to follow God’s commandments.
Verses and questions:
Genesis 10:5 and Revelation 14:6
- Why have people always tended to divide themselves into these kinds of groups?
- In what ways is it helpful, and in what ways can it be harmful?
Genesis 12:1-9
- What was God’s purpose in calling Abram out of his country and into another?
Tuesday: Given What You Ask For
One primary difference in the nation Israel from its neighbors was that it was ruled by priests only, who represented God. It was a true theocracy at first, not a monarchy with a human potentate…up until they chose to have Saul as their king.
In order to be like other nations around them, Israel thought having a monarch, one supreme ruler, would be a benefit. God warned them otherwise, however. He even outlined the detriments of such a government. They would have their sons, daughters, and servants conscripted to serve either in the army or the palace, and would have their lands seized and heavily taxed. In addition, it would be a permanent decision, one that God would not reverse for them.
Despite the solemn warning, Israel chose to have their king. From that time on, they encountered trouble after trouble, depending solely on the character of their chosen leaders. Just like Adam and Eve saw after the fall, Israel experienced more curses than blessings for the unwise choice they had made.
Verses and questions:
I Samuel 8:4-18
- Why do you think God wouldn’t, or couldn’t, reverse their decision?
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
- What was the one thing that would act as a guardrail for the kings, if their reign was to be successful?
Wednesday: The Rulers of the Gentiles
It was God’s intention that His people be ruled by someone different than the ones typically found ruling over the Gentile nations. Most national leaders, back then and even now, rule in a way that brings power to themselves. Jesus explained that a faithful leader was more of a public servant–one to serve, rather than be served. Even He, the Son of Man, came to earth for that purpose. The whole world was blessed by the example of His life of service and His sacrificial death for all humanity.
Israel fell away from God’s preferred method of rulership by wanting a king to be like other nations. Their on-and-off-again periods of idolatry was the tragic result of their covetous desire, sometimes leading to looting and destruction and the captivity of its citizens.
Later, the early Christian church became tainted with the world as well, when they compromised their beliefs to accommodate their worldly counterparts. Many disputes had arisen among Christians by the fourth century, and the church allowed their nominally-converted Roman emperor Constantine to resolve them. He encouraged many compromises in order to unite all the empire under the Christian religion, such as the institution of Sunday worship.
It never pays for us to become close to the world. As happened with the church under Constantine, things can go from bad to worse when we allow church and state to act together to resolve our differences. The medieval church persecuted fiercely against those who dared defy their church-state institution, known as the Holy Roman Empire.
Verses and questions:
Matthew 20:25-28
- How did Jesus describe the perfect leader?
- How did Jesus demonstrate what a faithful and true ruler should be?
Thursday: A Light to the Gentiles
God wanted Israel to save the world by example, not be the condemning, accusing voice it had become, which only pushed people away from their loving Father. Instead of coming to Israel in peace, other nations often came bearing arms and seizing God’s people who, for the most part, had failed to be a light to the Gentiles.
Jesus was the perfect example of how we should invite, not compel, people to come to God. He was “the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (John 1:9).
In addition, His light was so bright, He calls us to be the light of the world by reflecting His light. The reason for this is found in Matthew 5:16. When people see our good works, they are moved to glorify God. His true character is revealed to them, and they can’t help but praise Him for such amazing love and justice.
Verses and questions:
Numbers 14:17-21 and Isaiah 60:3
- What was God’s purpose for Israel?
Revelation 18:1-4
- Why is God still calling His people to come out of darkness, just as Abraham had been called?
Friday: Final Thoughts
After the initial persecution of Christians by Jews and Roman authorities, the Christian church became lax in keeping itself from the worldly influence of pagan nations. By the third century, they no longer felt threatened by opposing forces, so alliances were formed with them that became harmful to the purity and separation God desired for His people. Many compromises were made and Christianity as a whole was never the same again.
“Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ.” ~Ellen G. White, “The Great Controversy“, p. 50.
Next Week: The Nations–Part 2
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