Closer To Heaven
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2 April 2025 | Monte Sahlin, educator, pastor, researcher, sociologist, writer, and church administrator, died this afternoon, 2 April, at a hospice in Dayton, Ohio. He was 76 years old. Monte C. Sahlin was born into the fourth generation of a dedicated Seventh-day Adventist family. Originally from Saint Joseph, Missouri, he moved to Southern California […] Source: https://atoday.org/monte-sahlin-scholar-pastor-administrator-sociologist-dies/
Sometimes, what we think is just a history lesson is more. Moses' subtle humor in Genesis 11 lets us know one thing: we are much smaller than we think we are—even when we can accomplish amazing things. Share this bit of humor with a friend. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKGwTSaGJus
Family worship is essential for strengthening faith, fostering connection, and ensuring that Christ remains at the center of our homes. In this episode of Resources for You, Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, shares a meaningful resource from the Family Ministries department, led by Willie and Elaine Oliver. Why is family worship so important?
The Bible prophesies in Malachi 4:5-6 that before the great day of the Lord, hearts will be turned back to God and to each other. In Elijah’s time, the altar of God had fallen into disrepair, and today, many homes face the same crisis. Rebuilding the family altar means prioritizing time for daily worship, prayer, and reflection as a family. To help you reestablish or strengthen the habit of family worship, the General Conference Family Ministries department has developed Rebuilding the Family Altar—a free, downloadable resource designed to guide families in daily devotionals, scripture memorization, and practical faith application. Download your free copy today:
family.adventist.org/family-worship/#rtfa
Available in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been an established Protestant denomination since 1863. With over 21 million members worldwide, we are dedicated to helping people find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus Christ. Learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church:
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The Cross, A Portrait Of Grace — Pr. Sujjan John THANK YOU for your continued financial support of our Media Ministries. Please donate by visiting "https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANB4RC/envelope/start" and select “Media Ministries”. Connect With Us
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2 April 2025 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has partnered with Southern Adventist University (SAU) to provide GNTC students the opportunity to enroll in the online Adult Degree Completion (ADC) program. Beginning March 1, 2025, GNTC students who have not yet completed a four-year degree can earn a bachelor’s degree online in as little […] Source: https://atoday.org/southern-adventist-university-partners-with-gntc-for-adult-learning/
Daily Lesson for Thursday 3rd of April 2025
One of the key issues students of prophecy need to deal with is how to determine whether the language of the Bible is to be taken literally or figuratively. How does one determine if the author was using symbolic language, and how does one know what the symbol represents? The crucial way to do this is to see how that figure, the symbol, has been used all through the Bible, as opposed to looking at how a symbol is used in contemporary times. For example, some see the bear symbol in Daniel 7:1-28 as pointing to Russia, because that image is often used today as a symbol of Russia. This is not a sound or safe way to interpret prophetic symbolism.
Daniel 7:7, Daniel 8:3, Daniel 7:24
Revelation 1:16, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12
Revelation 12:1; Revelation 21:2; Ephesians 5:31-32; Jeremiah 6:2
Image © Justinen Creative Collection at Goodsalt.com
By following the simple rule that the Bible must be allowed to define its own terms, most of the mystery behind prophetic symbolism simply disappears. For example, we see that a horn can symbolize a political power or a nation. A sword can symbolize the Word of God. And, yes, a woman can symbolize the church. Here we can clearly see the Bible explaining itself.
What remains to be answered, however, is why God would speak in symbols instead of being forthright? Why, for example, would Peter cryptically refer to the city of Rome as Babylon, in 1 Peter 5:13?
There may be many reasons why God has chosen to communicate symbolically in prophecy. In the case of the New Testament church, for example, if the book of Revelation had plainly named Rome as the perpetrator of so much evil, the already bad persecution of the church might have been even worse. Whatever the reasons, we can trust that God wants us to understand what the symbols mean.
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Even if some symbols and prophecies remain mysteries, how can focusing on what we do understand strengthen our faith? |
(1)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25b-01-figurative-or-literal/
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22, NIV).
Tag someone in need of prayer, and kindly share your prayer requests here:
https://wkf.ms/3DBuapQ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxcHX4wu4Zc
“Perché l'Eterno prende piacere nel suo popolo, egli adorna di salvezza gli umili”. 📖 Salmo 149:4
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💌 Apri la porta del tuo cuore
🗣 Speaker: Bianca Stoian Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSoMJyPh_lE
The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Yet, in His infinite mercy, grace abounds even more. On this episode of ANN In-Depth, host Sam Neves and Willie Oliver, Family Ministries director, discuss how the church should be a place of love, where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and uplifted on their journey to healing. Watch the full episode now.
https://youtu.be/03CHHaQUbuw Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-VqfQwPg3w
Lesson 1 – Some Principles of Prophecy
Introduction – Seeing the WholeMany Christians look for quick answers in the Bible – a verse for comfort, a quote against doubt, a proof text for a debate. But to understand prophecy, one must go deeper.
Like a puzzle, the picture only becomes clear when enough pieces are properly connected. Two verses don’t make a doctrine – and a text ripped out of context can confuse more than enlighten.
William Miller wasn’t perfect, but he had a method: Let the whole Bible speak. And this approach paved the way for a movement still searching for truth today.
Bible Study – What does Scripture say about studying Scripture?Matthew 5:18: “Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law…”
2 Timothy 3:15–17: All Scripture is God-breathed – useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
Luke 24:27: Jesus Himself explained to the disciples “what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
Key Point:
The Bible is a unified whole. To understand prophecy, we must be willing to compare Scripture with Scripture. Jesus is the central thread – even in prophecy.
Spiritual Principles – The Bible Interprets ItselfThe Bible is not a quote dictionary. Quoting verse by verse in isolation misses the bigger picture.
Context is crucial. A text without context easily becomes a pretext.
Prophecy is not a guessing game. Imposing current events over Scripture often leads to speculation.
The Holy Spirit leads us into understanding – through patience and humility.
Application in Everyday Life – How We Should Read the Bible Today Take time for the whole. Don’t just read verses – read entire chapters. See how they connect. Let the Bible explain the Bible. When a verse is unclear, find other passages that speak about it. Don’t ask: “What fits my opinion?” – but rather: “What does God say in His whole Word?” Be cautious with so-called new discoveries. What seems “new” often results from disconnected texts. Speak with love when others argue from isolated proof texts. Truth doesn’t win by quarrels, but through clarity and heart.
Conclusion – All of Scripture Leads to the Fullness of ChristWe don’t need new speculations but a return to the proven method: Interpret Scripture with Scripture.
Not the loudest voice is right – but the one who listens deeply.
Not the fastest judgment brings clarity – but patient searching.
The Bible is not a patchwork, but a woven whole.
And the center of all prophecy is Jesus Christ.
Thought of the DayHe who knows only isolated verses barely knows the Bible. He who listens to it fully hears God’s voice.
Illustration – More Than One VerseIt was late evening in a small apartment in Munich.
Lina sat on the couch, laptop on her knees, Bible app open. She was preparing for the Friday night Bible study.
Her brother Leo, 25, had just returned from work. He wasn’t a churchgoer – but always ready for a debate.
“You’re reading that old Bible again?” he teased, pulling off his jacket.
“Yes,” Lina replied calmly, “we’re going to talk about the prophecy of Daniel.”
“Oh, Daniel. I saw something on TikTok – apparently it all happened already. Back during the Roman Empire or whatever.”
Lina smiled. “TikTok is fast – but not always deep.”
Leo sat down. “So what do you think?”
Lina opened to Daniel 8:14.
“Many people quote just this one verse – but William Miller did something different. He searched for how this verse fits into the whole context. And it took him years to see the connections.”
“That sounds complicated,” Leo muttered.
“It is. But it’s like a puzzle. You can’t stop after the second piece and say you know the picture.”
Leo was silent for a moment. Then he asked, “So… what is the picture in the end?”
Lina looked at him.
“Jesus. Always Jesus.”
He said nothing. But as she continued reading, he leaned back. Not convinced – but curious.
And maybe that was the beginning.
Not with a single verse.
But with a picture.
A picture the Bible itself paints.
For everyone who wants to see.
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)
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