First Quarter, 2020, Sabbath School Lessons

Sunday's lesson for week three of this quarter borders on spiritualism in its teaching. Reader beware!

It starts in the very title of the day's lesson: "The Immanence of God."

At the bottom, it adds the following explanation:



That's pantheism, folks.

I couldn't post a picture here, so SEE HERE for more.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

I wish the author had NOT used the phrase "The Immanence of God' for indeed the Pantheists have appropriated the word, immanence, to their theories. It's use can open the door into dangerous belief systems. It has various philosophical meanings that be confusing.

However, the lesson was using a more theological meaning for the word to bring out a very important truth, referring to the closeness and concern of God for His people. While being distinct FROM creation He is still very closely involved. He is not a God Who lives way out there, and doesn't care about people, just letting things unravel as they will.

The book of Daniel places huge emphases upon our God Who is very much involved with people. He is very closely involved!

To many the events of this earth seem to be run by people. The conqueror goes forth to conquer and due to his superior strategy and manpower, defeats other nations and brings them under his control. He robs these nations of their gold and wealth and employs many builders and workers to build some pretty amazing structures and cities. It looks like human achievement, the powerful rule over the weak, until some other powerful person or nation changes the landscape. Life seems to be at the mercy of powerful humans . They see humans are either in control or subjected to other humans who are in control.

But one theme that rings strong all through the book of Daniel.
God is very much involved in the course of earth's history. And He is very much involved with individual people.

We see God --
Revealing Himself to people.
Saving people from danger.
Humbling people so they sense their fragile humanity and need for God.
Patiently working with people to win their hearts and minds.

Again and again we see the proud, ambitious Nebuchadnezzar confronted with the truth, that his short little reign is just a blip on the march of history, and there is ANOTHER, Who is eternal Sovereign and in control. Mankind may plan, fight, rage, wield temporal power, but through it all, God is leading and guiding to fulfill His plan of redemption.

Here's just a sample from the first four chapters to show just how involved God is in the affairs of mankind!

Daniel 1:2 "the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, "
Daniel 1:9 "God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince
Daniel 1:17 "God gave them knowledge and skill"
Daniel 2:20-21 ..God ... for wisdom and might are his: And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding
Daniel 2:28 "there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets, and makes known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.
Daniel 2:37 "The God of heaven has given you (Nebuchadnezzar) a kingdom, power, and strength
Daniel 3:17 "our God whom we serve is able to deliver us"
Daniel 3"25 " the form of a fourth, the Son of God" (was in the furnace with the three Hebrews)
Daniel 3:29 " there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. "'
Daniel 4:24 "the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king (Nebuchadnezzar)
Daniel 4:32 (driven out) "until you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will.
Daniel 4:34 "he (the God of Heaven) does according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

have the Preterists taken over the Sabbath School teaching?
In the 1840's past and current events identified the historicist prophetic view.
They knew where they stood and they stood for it!
Not now. It is "prophecy fulfilled" and maybe a smack of vague endtime hope from something that might come someday?
vague nonspecific generalities.