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Weekly Bible Study | Hebrews 13:7-25 | January 25, 2023
The Great Controversy Chapter 2: Persecution in the First Centuries
This week, Pastor Ted Wilson discusses the second chapter of The Great Controversy by Ellen White, entitled "Persecution in the First Centuries." Christ's followers suffered humiliation, suffering, and persecution. They were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. They were "falsely accused of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities…As they became the objects of popular hatred and suspicion, informers stood ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They were condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes of religion, and pests to society. Great numbers were thrown to wild beasts or burned alive in the amphitheaters. Some were crucified; others were covered with the skins of wild animals and thrust into the arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment was often made the chief entertainment at public fetes. Vast multitudes assembled to enjoy the sight and greeted their dying agonies with laughter and applause" (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, page 40). But despite this, the number of Christians increased. Since Satan wasn't succeeding in wiping them out through brutal persecution, he tried a more deceptive approach. "Persecution ceased, and in its stead were substituted the dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity and worldly honor. Idolaters were led to receive a part of the Christian faith while they rejected other essential truths. They professed to accept Jesus as the Son of God and to believe in His death and resurrection, but they had no conviction of sin and felt no need of repentance or of a change of heart" (page 42). This is how compromise and corruption entered the church. "The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith." Pagan rituals and festivals became a part of the Church's practice. "The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated" (page 45). Though ridiculed for their faith, early Christians remained faithful to the teachings of Christ and His disciples. "Well would it be for the church and the world if the principles that actuated those steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of God's professed people. There is an alarming indifference in regard to the doctrines which are the pillars of the Christian faith. The opinion is gaining ground that, after all, these are not of vital importance. This degeneracy is strengthening the hands of the agents of Satan, so that false theories and fatal delusions, which the faithful in ages past imperiled their lives to resist and expose, are now regarded with favor by thousands who claim to be followers of Christ" (page 46). We are living in the end times. Our only safety is to build on the solid rock of God's Word. As such, let us ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance as we study the Bible, understand its teachings, accept them into our hearts, and share them to others. To learn more about persecution in the first centuries, read The Great Controversy by Ellen White at https://greatcontroversyproject.org/. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zCKngWKenM
The Great Controversy Chapter 1: The Destruction of Jerusalem
This week, Pastor Ted Wilson discusses the first chapter of The Great Controversy by Ellen White, entitled "The Destruction of Jerusalem." Here, we find Jesus on the Mount of Olives, gazing down on Jerusalem and its temple, weeping while saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you, and close you in on every side, and level you and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another because you did not know the time of your visitation" (Luke 19:42-44, NKJV). Knowing the walls of Jerusalem were high and fortified, how could this destruction be possible? Forty years after that instance, the prophecy was fulfilled: "It was an appalling spectacle…The whole summit of the hill which commanded the city blazed like a volcano. One after another, the buildings fell in with a tremendous crash and were swallowed up in the fiery abyss. The roofs of cedar were like sheets of flame; the gilded pinnacles shone like spikes of red light; the gate towers sent up tall columns of flame and smoke. The neighboring hills were lit up; dark groups of people were seen watching in horrible anxiety the progress of the destruction…The shouts of the Roman soldiery as they ran to and fro, and the howlings of the insurgents who were perishing in the flames, mingled with the roaring of the conflagration and the thundering sound of falling timbers…all along the walls resounded [with] screams and wailing" (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, page 34). Amazingly, no Christians died in the destruction. How did they escape? Christ gave His disciples a warning: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her" (Luke 21:20-21, NKJV). They believed these words and watched for the promised sign. Then, under the command of Cestius, the Romans surrounded the city of Jerusalem. But later, they withdrew. "God's merciful providence was directing events for the good of His own people. The promised sign had been given to the waiting Christians, and now an opportunity was offered for all who would, to obey the Saviour's warning" (Ellen White, The Great Controversy, page 30). All who heeded this warning had already fled when the Romans returned under the command of Titus. These scenes will be repeated in a much bigger way. "The Saviour's prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint shadow. In the fate of the chosen city, we may behold the doom of a world that has rejected God's mercy and trampled upon His law…Terrible have been the results of rejecting the authority of Heaven. But a scene yet darker is presented in the revelations of the future," Ellen White continued on page 36. Nevertheless, we don't have to fear. Jesus "has warned the world of the day of final destruction and has given [us] tokens of its approach, that all who will may flee from the wrath to come" (page 37). Do you believe the end is near? Do you see the signs of Jesus' second coming? Are you ready for it? "Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper" (2 Chronicles 20:20, NKJV). To learn more about the destruction of Jerusalem, read The Great Controversy by Ellen White at https://greatcontroversyproject.org/. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jQ1X5E9beo
Esodo: 19:10 – Giovedì 26 gennaio 2023
Allora l’Eterno disse a Mosè: Va' dal popolo, santificalo oggi e domani e fa che si lavi le vesti. Meditazione giornaliera Apri la porta del tuo cuore, autori vari, presentazione di Daniele Magliulo Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZH3EQ31Hq8
Cambiando las viejas etiquetas por unas nuevas y auténticas
Siempre me han gustado las vans de los años 70’. Ya sabes, las furgonetas con cortinas en las ventanas y llenas de todas las calcomanías conocidas por la humanidad. Son conducidas por los espíritus libres del mundo, los tipos más excéntricos que dicen: “Oye mundo, esto es lo que soy, te guste o no”. Supongo […] Source: https://atoday.org/cambiando-las-viejas-etiquetas-por-unas-nuevas-y-autenticas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cambiando-las-viejas-etiquetas-por-unas-nuevas-y-autenticas
Angels Amazed at God’s Plan to Save Humanity
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 1:14.
The plan by which alone humanity’s salvation could be secured involved all heaven in its infinite sacrifice. The angels could not rejoice as Christ opened before them the plan of redemption, for they saw that salvation of the human race must cost their loved Commander unutterable woe. In grief and wonder they listened to His words as He told them how He must descend from heaven’s purity and peace, its joy and glory and immortal life, and come in contact with the degradation of earth, to endure its sorrow, shame, and death.
He was to stand between the sinner and the penalty of sin; yet few would receive Him as the Son of God. He would leave His high position as the Majesty of heaven, appear upon the earth and humble Himself as a man, and by His own experience become acquainted with the sorrows and temptations that humans would have to endure. All this would be necessary in order that He might be able to succor them that should be tempted.
When His mission as a teacher should be ended, He must be delivered into the hands of wicked men and be subjected to every insult and torture that Satan could inspire them to inflict. He must die the cruelest of deaths, lifted up between the heavens and the earth as a guilty sinner. He must pass long hours of agony so terrible that angels could not look upon it but would veil their faces from the sight. He must endure anguish of soul, the hiding of His Father’s face, while the guilt of transgression—the weight of the sins of the whole world—should be upon Him.
The angels prostrated themselves at the feet of their Commander and offered to become a sacrifice for lost humans. But an angel’s life could not pay the debt; only He who created them had power to redeem them. Yet the angels were to have a part to act in the plan of redemption. Christ was to be made “a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.” As He should take human nature upon Him, His strength would not be equal to theirs, and they were to minister to Him, to strengthen and soothe Him under His sufferings. They were also to be ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who should be heirs of salvation. They would guard the subjects of grace from the power of evil angels and from the darkness constantly thrown around them by Satan….
Christ assured the angels that by His death He would ransom many, and would destroy him who had the power of death.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 64, 65.
Christ Triumphant p. 31
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Eileen as her lip swells every time she goes out in the cold. Thankfully it doesn’t get that cold that often but is supposed to be in the twenties and thirties for the next week. Pray that the doctor will figure out what to do to help her. Rose
—-Prayers for my dear little girl. Not quite little shes 21. Tried to commit suicide today. Her name is Miranda. Heather
—-Would like prayers for husband Jerry. He just had total knee replacement. Day 2 lots of pain hard to get around. Muria
—-One friend just got results from a biopsy. Diagnosis: cancer
Her mother had a biopsy too. Not results yet for her but Dr. said doesn’t look good. Prayers appreciated. Debra
—-Please pray for my friend Isabelle who is dying of cancer. She has a great faith in Jesus.
For Matt who also dying of cancer. He has not accepted Jesus yet.
Phyllis and Sheri who are both Christians battling cancer.
Leon who is in hospital after serious car accident.
My friend’s mother Phyllis who is seriously ill with infection(s) and hospital. She is a Christian. And my friend’s father in law who I don’t believe he is a Christian who is dying of cancer.
My friend Cynthia’s puppy Pippy who has gone missing in New Mexico. It is very cold and snowy. Karen
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Dear Friends,
This winter has been a little colder than normal. We have had a little snow a few times and some very cold days. Most winters, it is in the 40’s or 50’s during the daytime.
Whenever the forecast is for ice or snow, I think of one January about twenty years ago when a terrible ice storm hit this area. Many tree branches snapped off and fell onto power lines causing them to snap. Thousands of homes were left in darkness. We were only without power for thirteen hours, but there were others who had no electricity for nearly two weeks. (During those thirteen hours I felt like I was going to freeze to death, but thankfully, we survived better than many.) Only a few homes had any heat source. Even the simplest activities became a challenge. Having the comforts of life is something everyone takes for granted, and only when we are without them do we realize how blessed we are to have them.
Because of sin, this world is spiritually dark and cold. It has no light of itself, no warmth. We cannot see our way. We grope about trying to live our life but fail miserably. We are in need of light and love and comfort and strength to endure but the things of this world cannot supply our need.
Praise God! There is Someone Who can supply all of our needs! Seeing our condition, His great heart of love broke for us. He does not leave us in the cold and darkness but laid down His Life that we might be delivered from the cold and darkness of sin. With lovingkindness He calls us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.” Matt 11:28-30; John 8:12;12:35,36 Life’s greatest blessing is to have the Light of the World dwelling within us. Only then can we see the way clearly. Only then can we find true comfort, true happiness, true peace in our heart.
We must never take His light for granted but cherish that Light lest it depart from us. We must not selfishly hoard the Light to ourselves but must reflect that light to others. Jesus tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16
Each day we meet those who feel the chill of sin and are in great darkness. Each day we come in contact with someone who needs the light that only we can impart. Yet, how often we hold it to ourselves and refuse to let it shine out from us to them, and they are left in their cold and dark condition. They are left to grope about, ever seeking for that which we could have given to them. How our Dear Saviour weeps when we are ashamed to tell others of His love. He warns us, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father” Mat. 10:32,33 Solemn words!
Just as our Great Example said, ” I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4; so we must work now while there is still time to bring others to Him. Soon our Great High Priest will stand up and make that fearful proclamation, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev 22:11 When that proclamation is made, it will be too late to come to the Light, too late to share Him with others.
May we be ready to hear our Dear Saviour proclaim those solemn words. May we, at every opportunity, spread His love and light to others that they too may be ready for that great day. May we soon worship together before the throne of our Great Redeemer is my prayer.
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/angels-amazed-at-gods-plan-to-save-humanity.html
Socialight 76 – Saverio Scuccimarri – Primi passi di fede
Torna SociaLight! In questa prima puntanta del 2023, ci accompagna Saverio Scuccimarri. Conosceremo la sua vita, i suoi primi passi nella fede e le esperienze più importanti che ha vissuto. Non perdetevi questo episodio! Instagram ➤ https://www.instagram.com/socialight_podcast/
Spotify ➤ https://spoti.fi/3tcxtL6
Apple Podcast ➤ https://apple.co/3K0upZi
YouTube ➤ https://bit.ly/36TywID
#SociaLight #Podcast Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNUBQ_MLrWU
ATSS: Bryan Ness on “Christians, Creation Care, and Climate Change”
25 January 2023 | I am going to make the case from the Bible that Christians have a more obligation to care for creation. I will show how climate change represents a moral failure of the part of society, and that Christians should be in the forefront of addressing the issue. I will also touch […] Source: https://atoday.org/atss-bryan-ness-on-christians-creation-care-and-climate-change/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=atss-bryan-ness-on-christians-creation-care-and-climate-change
Thursday: Special Projects ~ Big Jar Giving
Research has shown that only about 9 percent of people’s assets are liquid and could be contributed as an offering on a moment’s notice. Cash, checking, savings, money market funds, etc., are generally considered liquid assets, at least for those possessing things like this. Most of our assets, about 91 percent, are “invested” in real estate, such as our homes, our livestock (if we are rural), or other nonliquid items.
The differences in the percentages of liquid and nonliquid assets can be illustrated by putting 1,000 pennies in two different glass jars, with 10 pennies representing each percentage point. So you would have 90 pennies in a small jar representing the 9 percent liquid assets and 910 pennies in a large quart-size jar representing the 91 percent of nonliquid assets.
Image © Krieg Barrie at Goodsalt.com
Most people give their offerings or contributions from the small jar — from their liquid assets. This is what they have in their checking account or pocketbook. But when someone really gets excited about something, they give from the big jar. The Bible tells many such stories.
Read Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:2-8. Who were the main characters at Simon’s feast? What was the value of Mary’s gift? Why did she anoint Jesus at this time?
Mary’s gift was worth 300 denarii — a full year’s wages. It was, most likely, a “big jar” gift. Following this incident Judas betrayed Jesus for a little more than one third of that amount — a “little jar” gift, 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). It takes real love and commitment to make big jar gifts — from our investments. But when we get greedy, like Judas, we can sell our souls for next to nothing.
The work and activities of Barnabas are mentioned 28 times in the New Testament. We know him primarily as a companion to the apostle Paul and as a great missionary. But the foundation for all of this is established in the first passage where he is mentioned. In Acts 4:36-37, , we read of his giving, truly, a “big jar” offering. What a powerful example of Christ’s words: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, NKJV).
| Why is sacrificial giving as important for the givers as for the recipients? |
Amen!
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