Closer To Heaven
|
|
|
2 June 2025 | Dear Aunt Sevvy, I’m a baptized Adventist in Africa, and I have been wrestling with Adventist teachings: I think that we are too rule-based and treat Christianity more as a religion, and not a relationship with Jesus. And we are very judgmental of other Christian churches. I don’t want to leave […] Source: https://atoday.org/im-so-tired-of-hearing-how-we-are-the-only-true-believers-and-the-rest-arent/
"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=vi_jF5lUXEg
Me interesó leer sobre una acción reciente (abril) del Consejo de Rushmoor Borough (una región al suroeste de Londres, Inglaterra, que incluye las ciudades de Aldershot y Farnborough) para restringir las actividades de los predicadores en la calle. La prohibición incluía «Orar, ya sea con los brazos extendidos o de otro modo, por cualquier persona […] Source: https://atoday.org/es-persecucion-religiosa/
“Lo Spirito del Signore è sopra di me […] per proclamare l’anno di grazia del Signore”. 📖 Luca 4:18,19
—
💌 Apri la porta del tuo cuore
🗣 Speaker: Rebecca Sandu Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ7PvaGZZzw
1 June 2025 | In an article published for the Adventist Record, the official news site for the Southern Asian Division, a biofuel project led by Pacific Adventist University (PAU) is gaining global attention. International climate organizations are recognizing the project’s potential. The article states: Representatives from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Climate Change […] Source: https://atoday.org/pacific-adventist-university-project-earns-the-attention-of-global-climate-organizations/
Lesson 10: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come
10.2 Noah’s Evangelism
Steadfast in the Call to Salvation…………………………………………………………………
IntroductionNoah was no ordinary man. He was a preacher, a builder, a prophet—but also a father, husband, and son of his time. He lived in a world saturated with moral decay, violence, and indifference toward God. Yet for decades he held fast to a message that no one wanted to hear. No applause, no visible successes, no sign of change—and still: Noah remained faithful.
His story is not merely a glimpse into a distant past, but a mirror for the final generation on this earth. Jesus Himself compared the end times to the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37–39). Peter speaks of mockers who will deny God’s judgment, just as they did in the time of the Flood (2 Peter 3:3–7). In the midst of an indifferent and arrogant world, we are today called to live—and speak—like Noah.
………………………………………………………………….
Bible Study – “As in the Days of Noah…”a. The World in Noah’s Time (Genesis 6:1–8)
The Bible describes a world full of wickedness: “every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (v. 5).
The earth was “corrupt” and “filled with violence” (v. 11).
There reigned moral lawlessness, violence, and spiritual blindness.
These conditions strikingly resemble our own time:
Lawlessness, corruption, wars, moral collapse
Technological progress, but spiritual regression
A “world like in Noah’s days”—outwardly alive, inwardly dead.
b. Matthew 24:37–39: Jesus’ Warning
Jesus compares His return to the days of Noah. What were people doing then?
“They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage… and did not know until the flood came and swept them all away.”
It was not open rebellion, but deadly indifference. Daily life consumed them so completely that they ignored God’s reality. Their “normal” routine became their ruin.
c. Hebrews 11:7 – Noah’s Faith
Noah built an ark for a flood that no one had ever seen—only on God’s word. He was mocked, ridiculed, perhaps even pitied. Yet he remained faithful. And that faithfulness—not outward success—made him righteous in God’s eyes.
………………………………………………………………….
Answers to the Questions
Question 1: What were the moral conditions in Noah’s time, and how do they resemble our time?Noah’s time was marked by moral decay, violence, and disregard for God. It was a society in which the self became god. Today we live in an age of individualism, relativism, sexual confusion, and global indifference toward the Creator. The parallels are unmistakable.
Just as then, today the gospel is proclaimed—and just as then, many do not hear it or actively reject it. The ark stands ready—but only a few enter it.
Question 2: How can we continue when our evangelism seems to bear no fruit?Jesus said, “One sows, another reaps” (John 4:37). Not every seed immediately bears fruit—but every seed matters. Noah preached for 120 years and ultimately saved only his family. In God’s eyes, that was enough—because faithfulness is more important than visible success.
We must not be discouraged when people do not respond. God calls us to faithfulness, not to statistical efficiency. Every seed sown in love can—perhaps years later—sprout. We sow, and God grows in His own time.
………………………………………………………………….
Spiritual PrinciplesObedience despite mockery is a sign of genuine faith.
God’s standard is not visible success, but faithfulness.
Evangelism is often a quiet work—like rain that seeps deep into the soil.
God’s judgment does not come without warning—but His patience has an end.
The time of grace is not infinite. Today is the day of decision.
………………………………………………………………….
Application for Daily LifeDon’t let rejection discourage you—you never know what God is doing in someone’s heart.
Live so that your life reflects Christ’s message—credible, honest, and loving.
Use every opportunity to share a kind word, a prayer, or an invitation.
Persist in prayer—even when you see no change. God hears.
Work as though you were touching heaven—even if you labor alone.
………………………………………………………………….
ConclusionNoah stood alone—but with God. He preached for 120 years—to a handful of people. And yet he is called “heir of righteousness” (Hebrews 11:7). In a world of mockers and the ignorant, we are called to be faithful—not famous, but ready. The rainbow at the end of the Flood was God’s answer to Noah’s obedience. At the end of our time, it will be no different.
………………………………………………………………….
Thought of the Day“Success in heaven means: faithfulness on earth—even if no one applauds.”
………………………………………………………………….
Illustration – The Ark in the CityThe small town lay on the edge of a great metropolis. Amid concrete, hustle, and skyscrapers stood an unassuming wooden house with a broad porch. Every Thursday evening, a handful of people gathered there. No advertising, no modern lighting setup, no livestreams. Just one man, a Bible, and a voice that never gave up. The man’s name was Elias.
He was no famous preacher, had no theological degree, no sponsors, no congregation of hundreds. But he had a calling. Nearly twenty years ago in prayer, a verse fell into his heart—“As in the days of Noah…”—and it never let go. Elias began to preach, first on the street, then in squares, then in front of his house. And finally on that little porch, which soon became synonymous with hope.
But who came? Occasionally a young woman with a stroller, then a homeless man, a teenager who stayed only for the cookies. Elias preached, explained, invited, wept, prayed—and remained alone. Over and over again.
Years passed. The city grew. The people became more digital, faster, more distant. And Elias grew older. His hair grayer, his knees weaker, his voice quieter—but his faithfulness remained unshaken.
Once he was asked, “Why do you still do this, Elias? No one comes.” He answered calmly, “I’m building an ark. Not of wood—but of words. If only one person enters, it’s worth it.”
What no one knew: Elias had once had everything—career, money, a comfortable life. But one night twenty years ago changed everything. In a dream he saw a flood coming over the city—not of water, but of meaninglessness, fear, and lostness. He heard a voice say, “Call them. They don’t know it, but they are drowning.” When he awoke, he knew he would sell his house to build that porch. People laughed at him. His friends turned away. But Elias refused to be deterred.
The last years were hard. Often he sat alone, sang a song, prayed—and went back inside. Yet every Thursday he was there. Until that one evening.
It was rainy. The sky gray, the streets empty. Elias seriously considered skipping—“Come on, no one’s coming,” he muttered, setting his Bible on the table. But then he heard footsteps. First one. Then another. Finally six people stood in the rain. Young, old, silent faces. Strangers.
They said nothing. They sat down. And when Elias spoke, one wept. Then a second. Then all of them. The rain drummed on the roof as Elias spoke of Noah, of the Lamb who wants to save, of the open heavens, and of grace that waits.
After the devotion, a woman approached him. “I saw you here years ago,” she said. “Back then I laughed. But then my husband died. I couldn’t go on. Yet I remembered your light in the darkness. Tonight I wanted to hear what you have to say.”
Elias smiled. “Not me,” he said softly, “but Him. I am only the porch.”
And so he continued to sit week after week on that porch. The city roared, the world called aloud—but Elias remained. For he knew: The ark is needed. Even today. Even when no one looks. Perhaps especially then.
June 2, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Genesis 47 – Jacob before Pharaoh and God’s Provision in Times of Need
God Provides in a Foreign Land: Jacob in Egypt, Hope Amidst Famine══════════════════════════════════════════════
Bible Text – Genesis 47 (KJV)1 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
2 And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
3 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
4 They said morever unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
5 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
6 The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
7 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
8 And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
13 And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine.
14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.
15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
16 And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.
17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s.
21 And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.
22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
23 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.
24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
25 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.
26 And Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth part, except the land of the priests only, which became not Pharaoh’s.
27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
29 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:
30 But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
31 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
IntroductionThe forty-seventh chapter of the Book of Genesis describes a pivotal stage in the life of Jacob and his family: the beginning of their sojourn in Egypt, the land of exile. While famine and economic collapse shake the land, we see how God’s providence, through Joseph’s wisdom, provides for an entire nation—especially the chosen people. At the same time, Jacob meets the most powerful man in the world at that time, Pharaoh, not as a petitioner but as a blessing patriarch.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
CommentaryJoseph brings some of his brothers before Pharaoh. Their identity as shepherds is not a disadvantage but rather the very means by which God secures for them the territory He has prepared: Goshen, the fertile region best suited for grazing flocks. Notice especially the moment when Jacob blesses Pharaoh—a vivid picture of spiritual authority that transcends mere political power.
“And Jacob blessed Pharaoh.” (v. 7)
The people of God bring blessing into the world, even in a pagan environment.
Joseph grants his father, his brothers, and their households the best land in Egypt. This illustrates how God’s provision often flows through mortal instruments. The unity of the patriarchal family underlines God’s unwavering faithfulness to His covenant.
The famine is so severe that initially all the money in both Egypt and Canaan is used to buy grain. When money runs out, Joseph exchanges food for livestock; when livestock is gone, the people eventually sell their land and themselves into servitude to Pharaoh. Joseph’s prudent administration brings order out of chaos and ensures ongoing provision.
A repeated principle emerges: God uses crises to accomplish His purposes, yet He never abandons His children. Joseph’s wisdom stabilizes the nation at a time of profound scarcity.
Despite the hardship, the Israelites prosper and multiply in Goshen. Jacob lives seventeen years in Egypt, a testimony that even in exile and need, God can grant peace and blessing.
On his deathbed, Jacob asks Joseph to swear that he will not be buried in Egypt but will be taken back to Canaan to be laid to rest with his fathers. This request reveals Jacob’s enduring faith in God’s promise of the Promised Land. Though Egypt offers security, his heart remains fixed on the covenant inheritance.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
SummaryIn Genesis 47, Jacob and his family settle in Egypt and experience God’s faithful provision during a severe famine. Joseph emerges as a wise leader who, by God’s empowerment, leads not only his own kin but all of Egypt through economic crisis. Jacob remains a man of faith to the very end, setting his gaze on God’s promises rather than Egypt’s temporary security.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Message for TodayGod provides even in foreign lands. Even when we are not in the “promised land,” God can sustain, protect, and cause us to flourish.
Blessing transcends circumstances. Just as Jacob blessed Pharaoh, we are called to extend spiritual blessing regardless of our environment.
True leadership emerges in crisis. Joseph’s handling of severe famine shows that faith and responsible stewardship must go hand in hand.
Keep your eyes on God’s promises. Like Jacob, who, despite living securely in Egypt, longed for the land of promise, we too must remain anchored in God’s eternal word, not simply in worldly comfort.
Times of crisis are opportunities for faith and growth. Individually and as a community, hardship can draw us closer to God and refine our trust in Him.
~~~~~
June 1 – 7, 2025 WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 8 After the Flood Read online here
══════════════════════════════════════════════
IntroductionThe flood was over. The waters receded, and the ark came to rest. But life after the flood was not simply a continuation—it was a complete new beginning. In Chapter 8 of Patriarchs and Prophets, we read how God not only saves but also leads, protects, and grants new promises. Noah, the faithful preacher of righteousness, stands as a shining example of obedience, gratitude, and trust—even in times of deep uncertainty. The world that awaited him was no longer the same—but God had not changed: faithful, powerful, and full of grace.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Commentary1. Faith in the Test (The Months in the Ark)
The five months spent in the ark were a hard trial of patience. Without knowing when the waters would recede, Noah remained steadfast. He did not doubt God’s leading. Faith carried him and his family through the darkness.
Lesson: True trust is shown in the silence of waiting. God’s hand guides even when we cannot see it.
2. The Ordered Return (The Birds and Patience)
Noah sent out the raven and the dove in search of a sign. But he did not act impatiently—he left the ark only when God explicitly commanded him.
Lesson: Even when we see signs, our decisions must be guided by God’s word, not by circumstances alone.
3. The First Altar (Gratitude and Sacrifice)
Before he built a home for himself, Noah built an altar for God. He offered clean animals—an expression of his faith in the coming sacrifice of Christ.
Lesson: True gratitude first honors the One who gave everything—even when our own resources are scarce.
4. God’s Response: The New Covenant
God smelled the “pleasing aroma” of the sacrifice and declared a new covenant: there would be no more global flood. The rainbow became the sign of this covenant.
Lesson: God uses visible signs to assure us of His invisible faithfulness. His promises are for all generations.
5. A Changed Earth, A Changed Lifestyle
The earth was completely altered—landscape and ecosystem. God permitted the eating of meat as an adaptation to the new reality.
Lesson: God’s care and instructions adapt to human situations, but His moral will remains unchanged.
6. Hidden Treasures and Judgment
The flood buried not only bodies but also human pride, wealth, and idolatry. From this came coal, oil, and ore—evidence of God’s judgment but also of His mercy.
Lesson: What man abused, God transformed into a testimony of His power and justice.
7. Future Judgments: Fire Instead of Water
As water once cleansed the earth, so fire will purify it at the end. Volcanoes, earthquakes, and disasters are forerunners of Christ’s return.
Lesson: God’s warnings are not meant to frighten but to call us to repentance—His grace protects His people.
8. God’s Protection for His Own
Just as Noah was safe in the ark, God’s people will be protected by His power at the end. Psalm 91 becomes a personal promise amid chaos.
Lesson: The safe place is not geographical, but spiritual—under God’s wings.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
SummaryAfter the flood, Noah stepped into a radically changed world. But in the midst of death and destruction, his heart remained focused on God. His obedience, gratitude, and faith make him a model for all generations. And God responded with grace, promise, and protection. The rainbow stretching across the sky and throne remains the eternal sign: God’s covenant stands. And though future judgments will come, He will preserve those who trust in Him.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Message for Us TodayIn a world again marked by uncertainty, disasters, and moral decay, God calls us to live like Noah: with faith, obedience, and gratitude. When all that we know is shaken, we can rest assured:
God’s hand is still at the helm.
His covenant still stands. The rainbow in the sky is more than a natural phenomenon—it is a testimony of His faithfulness. And just as Noah was preserved in the midst of judgment, so we too can know:
The righteous are safe—not because they are strong, but because they trust in God.
So then, let us build altars of gratitude before we build houses. Let us give before we take. Let us believe before we see.
For the Lord, your Redeemer, says:
“My kindness shall not depart from you.” (Isaiah 54:10)
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/2-06-2025-genesis-chapter-47-believe-his-prophets/
Comments of the Week May 26-June 1 “All our churches use this as the code I’m not even joking.” –Andrew Mod on SATIRE: Security Experts Warn Adventists to Stop Using 1844 as PIN Number Comments on PTSDA, Is This Religious Persecution?; SATIRE: Wilson Confirms Retirement, Promises Not to Manipulate GC Session Nominating Committee; Evangelist Says […] Source: https://atoday.org/comments-of-the-week-may26-june1/
He will find you, even if you think you've gone too far. You are a beloved sheep of the Good Shepherd. 🐑 SHARE this message and bless someone today! Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLHuzVewB3M
What happens after death according to the Bible? Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z_HdAr2loA
Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]
