No Lo Se

Theocratic Ministry School Review

1.- What is represented by the altar that Ezekiel saw in vision?
The symbolic altar is God’s will in connection with Jesus Christ’s ransom sacrifice. Because of this provision, the anointed are declared righteous and the “great crowd” is clean and pure in God’s eyes. (Revelation 7:9-14; Romans 5:1, 2) Perhaps that is why “the molten sea” of Solomon’stemple—a huge water basin used for the priests to wash in—is lacking in the visionary temple.—1 Kings 7:23-26.

2.- What is pictured by the water of Ezekiel’s visionary river?
The water pictures Jehovah’s spiritual provisions for life, including the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus and the knowledge of God found in the Bible. (Jeremiah 2:13; John 4:7-26; Ephesians 5:25-27) The river progressivelydeepens to accommodate the influx of new ones who take up true worship. (Isaiah 60:22) The river will be flowing with the most potent water of life during the Millennium, and its waters will include further understanding obtained from the “scrolls” that will then be opened.—Revelation 20:12; 22:1, 2.

3.- What do the words “determined in his heart” reveal about the spiritual instruction Danielreceived in his youth?
The inspired account says: “Daniel determined in his heart that he would not pollute himself with the delicacies of the king and with his drinking wine.” (Daniel 1:8a) Although Daniel was the only one mentioned by name, it is evident by what followed that his three companions supported his decision. The words “determined in his heart” show that the instruction provided byDaniel’s parents and others back home had reached his heart. Similar training undoubtedly guided the other three Hebrews in their decision-making. This amply illustrates the value of teaching our children, even when they may seem to be too young to understand.—Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.

4.- What was represented, or symbolized, by the immense tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream?
The treeinitially represented Nebuchadnezzar as the ruler of a world power. Since the rulership extended “to the extremity of the earth,” however, the tree must signify something far grander. Daniel 4:17 connects the dream to the rulership of “the Most High” over mankind. The tree, then, also symbolized Jehovah’s universal sovereignty, especially with respect to the earth. Therefore, the dream has twofulfillments—in Nebuchadnezzar’s rulership and in Jehovah’s sovereignty.

5.- What does Daniel 9:17-19 teach us in connection with prayer?
Even when we pray for the coming of God’s new world, in which “righteousness is to dwell,” should not our primary concern be the sanctification of Jehovah’s name and the vindication of his sovereignty rather than an end to our personal suffering anddifficulties?—2 Peter 3:13.

6.- What covenant was ‘kept in force for the many’ until the end of the 70th week of years, or 36 C.E.?
The Law covenant was removed in 33 C.E. when Jesus was impaled. But by keeping the Abrahamic covenant in force toward fleshly Israel until 36 C.E., Jehovah extended the period of special favor to the Jews on the basis of their being descendants of Abraham. The Abrahamic covenantcontinues in force with regard to “the Israel of God.”—Galatians 3:7-9, 14-18, 29; 6:16.

7.- What can we conclude from the angel’s telling Daniel that “the prince of the royal realm of Persia” had stood in opposition to him? Who was this ‘prince of Persia’? The angel was obviously not referring to Persian King Cyrus, who at that time looked with favor upon Daniel and his people. Moreover, howcould a mere human king resist a spirit creature for three weeks when it took one angel only one night to destroy 185,000 mighty warriors? (Isaiah 37:36) This hostile ‘prince of Persia’ could only be an agent of the Devil, that is, a demon who was given control over the realm of the Persian Empire. Later in the account, God’s angel stated that he would once again have to fight against “the...