Although we call them the “minor” prophets, their message is not insignificant! The name is simply due to the fact that the books they wrote are brief. Yet these power-packed messages are forceful, direct, and highly relevant for today. This is why Sabbath school students worldwide will focus on for the next three months as a timely investment in our preparation for the close of probation and return of Christ.

The minor prophets do not bring smooth, easy messages. No indeed—they cut like an axe laid at the very root of a tree. “God does not send messengers to flatter the sinner. He delivers no message of peace to lull the unsanctified into fatal security. He lays heavy burdens upon the conscience of the wrongdoer, and pierces the soul with arrows of conviction.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 104.

“God has ever been faithful to punish crime. He sent His prophets to warn the guilty, denounce their sins, and pronounce judgment upon them. Those who question why the word of God brings out the sins of His people in so plain a manner for scoffers to deride and saints to deplore, should consider that it was all written for their instruction, that they may avoid the evils recorded and imitate only the righteousness of those who served the Lord.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 12.

“Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. The prevalence of a sinful desire shows the delusion of the soul. Every indulgence of that desire strengthens the soul’s aversion to God. The pains of duty and the pleasures of sin are the cords with which Satan binds men in his snares. Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful.”—Ibid., vol. 5, p. 53.

The minor prophets called for God’s people to be awake, to understand His providence, and to accept His work in their hearts. This is the very message that we also need to hear.

“Brethren, to whom the truths of God’s word have been opened, what part will you act in the closing scenes of this world’s history? Are you awake to these solemn realities? Do you realize the grand work of preparation that is going on in heaven and on earth? Let all who have received the light, who have had the opportunity of reading and hearing the prophecy, take heed to those things that are written therein; ‘for the time is at hand.’ Let none now tamper with sin, the source of every misery in our world. No longer remain in lethargy and stupid indifference. Let not the destiny of your soul hang upon an uncertainty. Know that you are fully on the Lord’s side.”—Ibid., vol. 6, pp. 404.

May the Lord guide us as we study these lessons!

The General Conference Sabbath School Department