BEREAN LIBRARY STUDY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 20, 1900

BEREAN LIBRARY STUDY.

(February 25 to March 3.)

It may seem to some that this lesson is a difficult one; but it may be thoroughly mastered by every one if faithful study is given to it. We have this instruction for our encouragement: “The noble powers of the mind may be so dwarfed by lack of exercise on themes worthy of their concentration as to lose their ability to grasp the deep meaning of the word of God. The mind will enlarge if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture, and spiritual things with spiritual. There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures.” Take up the arithmetical calculation carefully, step by step. Go over it again and again, until even the children can take the dates, and solve the problem. Draw a simple diagram, indicating the different periods of time mentioned, and the events connected therewith. No review topics are suggested, as it will perhaps be more helpful to review the regular lesson.

Lesson 13.

(Dan. 9 : 24-27; “Thoughts on Daniel,” pages 196-212.)

1. How long a time was to be allotted to the Jewish people? What events were to occur during that period?

2. Divide the seventy weeks into the three divisions given, fixing in mind the events that were to mark each division.

3. With what commandment were the seventy weeks to begin? Study the history of the various decrees issued for the restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem, and determine the date from which to reckon.

4. Review the texts which indicate that in symbolic prophecy each day stands for a year.

5. Beginning with 457 B. C., and counting forty-nine years (the seven weeks), where does this period end? How fully had the church been restored in Jerusalem at that time?

6. Beginning with 457 B. C., and counting four hundred and eighty-three years (the seven weeks, and the threescore and two weeks), when would this period end? (Allowance must be made for the fact that the decree of 457 B. C. was not issued until after several months of the year had passed. This throws the date of the ending of the time into the autumn of A. D. 27, instead of on the last day of A. D. 26, as might at first be thought.)

7. What event marked the close of the four hundred and eighty-three years? What is the cause of the difference between Luke 3 : 21-23 and the date given in the margin?

8. Beginning in the autumn of A. D. 27, and reckoning by the Passovers, when did the ministry of Christ close? What date and what event marked the “midst” of the seven years (the one week)? What date and events marked the close of the seven years, which is the close of the time allotted to the Jews?

9. How many years remain of the twenty-three hundred after the four hundred and ninety years (the seventy weeks) are passed? If the four hundred and ninety years end in A. D. 34, when would the twenty-three hundred years end?

10. What is the nature of the event that began in 1844, and is called in the prophecy the cleansing of the sanctuary?