Closer To Heaven
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Adventists have in recent years begun to realize how centralized and authoritarian our denomination is. Those in top church offices seem to want to exercise control over every aspect of church life, in every part of the world, right down to the everyday operation of local congregations. The recent kerfuffle in Berrien Springs Village has […] Source: https://atoday.org/editorial-why-is-our-denomination-so-authoritarian/
Defeating Giants — Gift Jayakar 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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Lesson 5: The Nations, Part 2………………………………………………………………….
Bible Study – Answers to the Questions
1. Why is it important to remember that all earthly achievements will pass away?
1 John 2:17 says, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Keeping this perspective helps us set true priorities—not fleeting fame, but eternal fellowship with God. When we focus on heavenly things, we invest our time, energy, and resources in what really lasts.
2. In what way is the sea beast the natural outgrowth of Babylon’s mindset?
The sea beast of Revelation 13:1–10 mirrors Babylonian pride—human power raised against God. Each of those empires—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome—was marked by arrogance, oppression, self-deification, and persecution of God’s people. Today’s materialism, human pride, and religious intolerance continue the same patterns birthed in ancient Babylon and Rome.
3. How do we find the right balance between obeying God and obeying the government?
Romans 13 urges submission to governing authorities—so long as they don’t conflict with God’s commandments. If human laws demand that we break God’s commands, then, as Acts 5:29 says, “We must obey God rather than men.” Adventists strive to be good citizens—honest, peaceable, respectful—yet are ready to suffer rather than violate God’s law.
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Spiritual PrinciplesRecognize impermanence: Everything earthly fades away—only God’s kingdom endures.
God’s Word over human systems: Obedience to God always takes precedence.
Faithful even under pressure: True loyalty shows itself in trials.
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Everyday ApplicationRegularly measure your goals against eternity.
Train your character to be faithful in small things, so you can stand firm in greater challenges.
Live simply and bear witness to God’s kingdom through your lifestyle, words, and priorities.
Pray daily for wisdom to know when to submit quietly and when to resist courageously.
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ConclusionThe world hastens toward an end long foretold by God. Kingdoms rise and fall, leaders ascend and collapse, but God’s Word remains. For those who trust Christ, the end of human empires is not fear but hope: the eternal, unshakeable kingdom of our God awaits.
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Thought of the Day“Build your life not on the shifting sand of human greatness, but on the rock that endures forever—Jesus Christ.”
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Illustration – “The Sound of the Bells”It was a cold autumn morning in Prague. The sun barely pierced the dense fog cloaking the ancient city. Tourists on the Old Town Square snapped photos of centuries-old buildings—witnesses to kingdoms long vanished. The Astronomical Clock struck nine, and somewhere in the narrow lanes a church bell began to toll.
Amid this scene, Marta Dvorak hurried over the cobblestones. In her backpack she carried no guidebooks, only a well-worn Bible. She belonged to a small fellowship that met weekly in a hidden wine cellar beneath an unused church. Not by choice—but because a new decree had banned public preaching without state approval.
Marta remembered how it all began. The government claimed the restrictions were for “public order.” But she knew the real motive ran deeper—a fear of independent truth, a dread of a message that couldn’t be controlled.
“You must prophesy again,” Pastor Josef had read to them from Revelation 10 at one of their last daylight gatherings. “To many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”
Now, weeks later, the group met in secret to do just that.
May 3, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Genesis 17 – God’s Covenant with Abraham: A Sign of Promise══════════════════════════════════════════════
Bible Text – Genesis 17 (KJV)1 When Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless.
2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,
4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.
5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
9 And God said to Abraham, “You shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.
10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised;
11 and you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.
13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
15 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
16 I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?”
18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”
19 And God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; he shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”
22 Then He went away from Him, and God went up from Abraham.
23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins in that very day, as God had said to him.
24 And Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 He and Ishmael his son were circumcised in the flesh of their foreskins in the selfsame day;
26 and all the men of his house, born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
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IntroductionIn Genesis 17 we witness a pivotal moment in Abraham’s story: God renews and deepens His covenant with him. This chapter overflows with identity changes—made tangible by new names, concrete promises, and the covenant sign of circumcision. The overarching message: God remains faithful, even when circumstances seem humanly impossible.
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CommentaryGod’s Self-Revelation (vv. 1–2)
“I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless.”
A call to unwavering loyalty and spiritual integrity.
This covenant is unmerited grace, not a contractual bargain.
Abram’s Name Change (vv. 3–6)
Abram (“exalted father”) becomes Abraham (“father of many nations”).
The new name embodies the promise’s fulfillment.
An Everlasting Covenant (vv. 7–8)
God promises the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants forever.
This land grant underlines the covenant’s permanence.
The Sign of the Covenant: Circumcision (vv. 9–14)
An outward mark representing inward belonging.
Faith and obedience are inseparable in God’s covenant.
Sarai Becomes Sarah (vv. 15–16)
Sarai (“my princess”) is renamed Sarah (“princess of nations”).
Despite her age, she too is called to bear the promise.
Isaac Promised; Ishmael Blessed (vv. 17–21)
Isaac is designated as the covenant heir.
Ishmael also receives blessing—but is not the covenant carrier.
Abraham’s Immediate Obedience (vv. 22–27)
Abraham circumcises himself and every male in his household that very day.
True faith translates into prompt action.
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SummaryGod reaffirms His covenant with Abraham through an everlasting sign—circumcision. New names signify new destinies. Isaac is promised as the covenant child, and Abraham responds in instant obedience, demonstrating that genuine faith manifests itself in faithful deeds.
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Message for TodayGod changes our names and destinies.
It is never too late for God’s timing—He keeps His promises.
Faith is shown in action, not mere belief.
The covenant lives on in the heart, not in external rites alone (cf. Romans 2:29).
“I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless.” – Genesis 17:1
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April 27 – May 3, 2025 WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 2 The Creation Read online here
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IntroductionChapter 2 unfolds the wonder of Creation in all its beauty:
The earth was formed in perfect harmony, and humanity is God’s crowning work—created in the image of the Creator.
This chapter not only describes the origin of the earth and of Adam and Eve, but also emphasizes the special blessing of the Sabbath and God’s institution of marriage.
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Commentary
1. The Beauty of the Created World
The earth came from God’s hand without swamps, deserts, or jagged mountains.
Every plant, animal, and landscape reflected God’s love and wisdom in harmonious unity.
2. Humanity as the Crown of Creation
Adam and Eve were made in God’s image, endowed with high intelligence, free will, and noble character.
There was no process of evolution—humanity sprang directly from God’s creative act.
Humans were appointed stewards of creation, embodying God’s glory in both form and function.
3. The Institution of Marriage
Eve was given to Adam as an equal helper—not subordinate, but a partner of equal worth.
Marriage was instituted by God Himself as a sacred, lifelong union.
4. The Garden of Eden
Eden was a specially prepared dwelling place—a glorious natural sanctuary.
At its center stood the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
5. The Institution of the Sabbath
After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day, blessing and sanctifying it.
The Sabbath was given to humanity as an eternal memorial of Creation.
This day of rest was meant for reflecting on God’s work and renewing our relationship with Him.
6. Humanity as a Moral Being
God tested Adam and Eve’s loyalty with the command regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Obedience was to be voluntary and motivated by love, not compulsion.
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SummaryChapter 2 reveals how perfect and beautiful God’s original creation was:
Adam and Eve lived in a world without death, pain, or suffering, surrounded by divine abundance.
The Sabbath and marriage were instituted as special gifts for humanity.
God sought a voluntary, loving relationship with His creatures, founded on trust, obedience, and shared delight in His work.
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Application for Today
What can we learn from Chapter 2 for our lives?
Stewardship of Creation: The world around us testifies to God’s love—we are called to preserve it.
Our Identity in God: We are not accidents; we are intentionally created and deeply loved by our Maker.
Value of Work and Community: Labor, marriage, and Sabbath rest are divine gifts intended for our well-being.
Freedom through Obedience: True life and joy are found in willingly following God’s good commands.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)
Today God invites us to marvel at His works, honor His wisdom, and find true fulfillment in communion with Him.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/3-05-2025-genesis-chapter-17-believe-his-prophets/
When God Doesn't Show Up — Matthew Rajarathinam
Study: Lesson 5, The Nations: Part 2 — Joseph Jerome 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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On this episode of ANN: From youth evangelism training in Brazil to historic medical breakthroughs in Trinidad and Tobago, Spring Meeting highlights at the Church’s world headquarters, and a unique Bible project traveling across Brazil, Adventists are making an impact worldwide through mission, health, and innovation. Stay tuned as ANN brings everything you need to know about what is happening in the church worldwide. For a deeper dive into these headlines, visit https://www.adventist.news ANN is the official news channel of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Follow ANN on social media!
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Daily Lesson for Sabbath 3rd of May 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Memory Text:
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation’ ” (Revelation 5:9, NKJV).
When Jesus came toward him, John the Baptist declared: “ ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ ” (John 1:29, NKJV). This was an unmistakable reference to the idea of animal sacrifice, all of which pointed to Christ’s substitutionary death in behalf of all humanity.
In the Bible, we cannot escape the theme of animal sacrifice; it runs like a scarlet thread throughout its pages and plays a central role in the grand scene in Revelation, where John is escorted into God’s throne room (Revelation 4:1-11 and 5). The fact that Jesus appears in this pivotal scene, looking like a slain lamb (Revelation 5:6), is an important key to understanding the entire prophetic episode.
This week we will look at some of the themes of sacrifice that inform our understanding of Jesus, the slain Lamb, the clear protagonist of the throne room scene. He is accepted as worthy, where no one else is, and His unique worthiness speaks volumes about what the Lord was doing through the sacrificial system. It reveals Him as a God of infinite love who made the ultimate sacrifice, an act that we, and the other intelligences in the universe, will marvel at for eternity.
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25b-06-understanding-sacrifice/
2 May 2025 | On April 29, 2025, Adventist missionaries had the opportunity to meet royalty in Greenland. Lasse Bech, the executive secretary for the Danish Union of Churches, reported that the king of Denmark, Frederik X, and the prime minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielson, were visiting the capital city of Nuuk and invited the […] Source: https://atoday.org/adventist-missionaries-meet-king-frederik-x-in-greenland/
✨ The Sabbath is more than just a day of rest; it’s a powerful reminder of God’s unchanging mercy. 🙏
In this message, we reflect on Psalms 107:1, which calls us to give thanks to the Lord for His everlasting goodness. 🌟
🕊️ The Sabbath serves as a sacrament that strengthens our relationship with God, renews our accountability to Him, and reminds us of the sacredness of life.
🌿 Join us in celebrating the Sabbath and experience the deep peace it brings.
📌 Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe for more messages of hope and renewal. #SabbathRest #GodsMercy Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ImmUwEb7QY
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