Academy

Major Prophets

BIB519-1 The Book of Isaiah – Unit 1

This is the most majestic of the Major Prophets; it has no rival in regards to literary style, versatility of expression and brilliance of imagery. It is regarded as the climax of Hebrew literary art, with its epigrams and metaphors, hyperbole and parables, and astonishing encryptions.

The writings of 66 chapters are divided into two units of 39 and 27 (ostensibly parallel to the Old and New Testaments). This section deals with God’s approaching judgment on the nation of Judah and many Gentile nations. In some of the most striking passages in the entire Bible, it also includes references to the coming Messiah: His virgin birth and His rule on the throne of David. It also includes a basic insight into the origin and career of Satan.

The subject matter (and the style) of the first unit is so distinct from those of the second unit that some pseudo-scholarship attribute them to two separate authors. However, this “Deutero-Isaiah” hypothesis is shredded by an understanding of the comprehensive design as well as by explicit rebuttal from within the Scriptures themselves.

Course Objectives:

See how Isaiah covers a wide span of themes from the creation of the universe to the creation of a new heavens and new earth.
See how all the nations of the world are included in his predictions.
Understand Isaiah’s focus on the redemptive work of the work of the Messiah.
Appreciate his unique Literary style of writing.

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Isaiah (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 12 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB519-2 The Book of Isaiah – Unit 2

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Isaiah (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 12 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB521-1 The Book of Ezekiel – Unit 1

Ezekiel was one of the most fascinating and mystical prophets of the Old Testament. He was captive with King Jehoiachin in the second of three deportations under Nebuchadnezzar, years before Jerusalem was overthrown. Daniel who had been in Babylon years before Ezekiel arrived, is mentioned three times.

Ezekiel was colorful and enigmatic in his prophetic perspectives. He was very direct, carefully vindicating God’s justice, and also provides insight on Satan’s origin.

Course Objectives:

Discover how he used symbols and allegory more than other prophets
Explore his life and how his strange behavior was intended by God to be a sign to Israel
Examine his remarkable vision of God’s Throne, which is referenced to throughout the book

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Ezekiel (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 12 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB521-2 The Book of Ezekiel – Unit 2

Ezekiel Unit 2, continues through the Book of Ezekiel by studying Chapters 26-48. This course will explore the famed vision of the Valley of the Dry Bones, which is unquestionably the monumental Biblical fulfillment of the 20th century. Beginning in the last half of the 19th century, the regathering which climaxed with the establishment of the State of Israel, is one of the most irrefutable evidences that we are on the threshold of God’s climax for the nations. The world’s challenge to the Abrahamic Covenant continues to dominate our current news headlines.

Course Objectives:

Examine the impending but ill-fated invasion of Gog and Magog
Understand the cauldron of the Middle East
Discover the astonishingly detailed description of the Millennial Temple

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Ezekiel (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 10 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB522 The Book of Daniel

The Book of Daniel chronicles one of the most remarkable careers in all of human history and also includes some of the most amazing passages in the entire Bible. Daniel, taken captive as a teenager, not only rises to a position of power in the world empire of the time, Babylon, but also survives to rise to an equivalent position in the empire that followed: the Persian Empire.

While the Bible generally views history—past and future—through the lens of Israel, the Book of Daniel is distinctive in that it focuses on Gentile history—both past and future. In a confidential briefing to His disciples, Jesus authenticates Daniel and points to his prophecies as the key to understanding the end times. A diligent study of the famed “Seventy Weeks” of Daniel is an essential prerequisite to any serious study of Bible prophecy.

Course Objectives:

Explore Gentile history – both past and future distinctive to the Book of Daniel
Understand how Jesus authenticates Daniel and points to his prophecies as the key to understanding the end times
Emphasize how a diligent study of the “Seventy Weeks” is an essential prerequisite to any serious study of Bible prophecy

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Daniel (MP3 CD-ROM or DVD is recommended as they include computer-aided visuals)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 14 sessions
Credit: 4 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB520-1 The Books of Jeremiah and Lamentations – Unit 1

This is the longest book in the Bible, probably the most misunderstood, and therefore the least read. Here is one of the bravest and most tender, yet most pathetic, of historical figures: a patriot and prophet. “The Weeping Prophet” presided over the terminal deterioration of his nation.

Jeremiah ministered about 80 years after Isaiah during the reigns of the last four kings of the Southern Kingdom. He was even jailed for treason because his message was so unpopular. (The parallels between the decline of his nation and that of our own are disturbingly provocative.)

His prophecies will renew our awe and respect for the precision of God’s Word. Among them is the prediction that the duration of the Babylonian captivity would be precisely 70 years (and it was—to the day!) He also records the blood curse on Jeconiah which requires the virgin birth of the Messiah. This book is quoted over fifty times in the New Testament, and over half of those are in the book of Revelation.

Course Objectives:

Examine Israel during the time leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian captivity
Explore the prophecies in the Book of Jeremiah
Examine Jeremiah’s mourning over the fall of Jerusalem

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Jeremiah and Lamentations (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 11 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours REGISTER HERE

BIB520-2 The Books of Jeremiah and Lamentations – Unit 2

The study of Jeremiah continues with the very passages that gave the New Testament its name: the “New Covenant” (which is elaborated in the Epistles to the Romans and to the Hebrews).

Another of the particularly timely prophecies of Jeremiah is the eschatological destruction of a literal Babylon on the banks of the Euphrates (which has never happened under the terms Jeremiah and Isaiah have predicted). This highly detailed episode constitutes a basic litmus test of literal hermeneutics, which lies yet ahead for each of us.

A review of Jeremiah’s Lamentations has also been appended.

Course Objectives:

Examine Israel during the time leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian captivity
Explore the prophecies in the Book of Jeremiah
Examine Jeremiah’s mourning over the fall of Jerusalem

Required Materials:
1) Expositional Commentary on the Book of Jeremiah and Lamentations (MP3 CD-ROM)
2) A good Bible translation (not a paraphrase).

Duration: 10 sessions
Credit: 3 credit hours REGISTER HERE