Closer To Heaven
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Hace años, organicé un acto en la Universidad del Sur de California con Paul Woodruff, filósofo de la Universidad de Texas, que escribió un libro que me influyó profundamente: Reverence: Renewing a Forgotten Virtue (Reverencia: la renovación de una virtud olvidada). Decía que la reverencia no pertenece a ninguna religión en particular, ni se encuentra […] Source: https://atoday.org/ortodoxia-reverente/
Lesson 7: Foundations of Prophecy…………………………………………………………………
IntroductionGod’s desire was never to remain distant. From the very beginning, His goal was to dwell among His people—not above them, not outside them, but in their very midst. The Tabernacle was the first visible sign of this nearness: a meeting place set up in the middle of the Israelite camp, surrounded by the twelve tribes—ordered, each under its banner, with a clear center: God’s presence.
This ancient camp arrangement reflects more than mere organization. It reveals God’s wish to live in relationship with us, at the center, not relegated to the margins. And though we no longer have a Tabernacle today, God still calls people in the twenty-first century back into His center.
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Bible StudyIn Numbers 2, God gives precise instructions for the arrangement of Israel’s camp. Each tribe had its appointed place. On each side of the Tabernacle stood a leading tribe, whose banner indicated the direction:
East: Judah (Num. 2:3) – representing kingship.
South: Reuben (Num. 2:10) – representing the firstborn.
West: Ephraim (Num. 2:18) – symbolizing fruitfulness and blessing.
North: Dan (Num. 2:25) – representing judgment and vigilance.
Rabbinic tradition assigns each tribe a symbol on its banner—lion, man, ox, eagle—the same four living creatures Ezekiel and John later saw around God’s throne. This connection between the earthly camp and the heavenly order is deeply symbolic: what begins on earth is fulfilled in heaven.
In Revelation 21, John sees the New Jerusalem—a city with four sides and three gates on each side, named after the tribes of Israel. And again, at its center is not a tent, but the living God Himself: “For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Rev. 21:22).
Which were the four leading tribes in Numbers 2?East: Judah (v. 3)
South: Reuben (v. 10)
West: Ephraim (v. 18)
North: Dan (v. 25)
These four each led three other tribes and symbolized four facets of divine order: royal rule, humanity, fertility, and judgment—the same aspects seen in the heavenly throne visions.
How can we draw near to God’s presence today?Center our lives consciously on Him.
Engage in prayer, worship, and Scripture reading.
Be part of a living community.
Place Jesus at the center—He is the Lamb in the midst.
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Spiritual PrinciplesGod is a God of order—He dwells where He is given space.
God desires to live in our midst, not merely observe from afar.
Outer order reflects an inner reality: the human heart organizes itself around a central focus.
Christ fulfills the Tabernacle—through Him we have direct access to God’s presence.
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Application for Daily LifeDesign your daily routine around God’s presence. Schedule regular times for prayer and silence—just as the tribes camped around the Tabernacle.
Carry your banner: What do you stand for? How can others see that God is at your center?
Introduce spiritual order into your life—not as legalism, but as spaces that invite God’s nearness.
Join a spiritual community—like the tribes of Israel, you were never meant to journey alone.
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ConclusionIsrael’s camp layout was more than a practical arrangement—it was a spiritual invitation. God wants not only to save us but to live in our tent. The four banner bearers—Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan—point to God’s universal reign, fulfilled in Christ. Even though we are not desert wanderers, we are on a journey—and we need orientation, His presence, and holiness.
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Thought of the DayIf God once dwelt in tents among His people to draw near, how much more does He desire to dwell in your heart today—making you His temple through His Spirit?
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Illustration – “The Place in the Center”Miriam was an interior designer. She created spaces, arranging furniture, colors, and light. She understood the importance of a focal point—the element that gives a room meaning and structure: a table, a fireplace, a window.
Yet her own life lacked that very center. Her days were filled with projects, meetings, and lonely evenings on Netflix. Everything looked good—but inside, she was empty.
One evening, working on a design for a nursing home intended to be a place of gathering, Miriam remembered a childhood story from Sunday school: the Tabernacle in the center of the Israelite camp. She googled “Tabernacle” and landed on Numbers 2.
She read about the four leading tribes, their banners, and the holy center. Then she found Revelation 21, where there is no tent but God Himself in the city’s heart. Something stirred within her.
She realized: her apartment had a center; her projects had structure—but her heart was like a camp without a center. Everything revolved around success, recognition, aesthetics—but not around God.
That night, amid fabric swatches and blueprints, Miriam did something she hadn’t done in years: she closed her eyes and spoke to God, “Be my center.”
She began to declutter her heart—not perfectly, but sincerely. From that moment on, her heart wasn’t just a place for designing homes—it became a place for encountering God. Just like in the wilderness, just like in the heavenly city.
And every room she designed thereafter followed a new guiding principle: “What is in the center?
May 14, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Genesis 28 – Jacob’s Flight and God’s Heavenly Ladder: An Encounter between Heaven and Earth══════════════════════════════════════════════
Bible Text – Genesis 28 (KJV)1 Then Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, “Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.
3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
5 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, “Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan”;
7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;
8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, “I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.”
17 And he was afraid, and said, “How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:
22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
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IntroductionAfter Jacob deceitfully obtained the firstborn blessing in chapter 27, he flees alone—possessed of nothing but a promise, heading into unfamiliar territory and feeling intensely vulnerable. Yet in the midst of his flight, God reveals Himself in a remarkable way. The vision of the “heavenly ladder” marks a pivotal turning point in Jacob’s life: he meets the living God face to face. This event inaugurates a genuine, personal faith relationship between Jacob and the God of his fathers. It is the story of a man on the run who discovers God’s faithfulness in solitude.
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CommentaryIsaac’s Blessing and Jacob’s Commission (vv. 1–5)
Isaac blesses Jacob again—this time openly and deliberately. He passes on Abraham’s blessing: fruitfulness, numerous offspring, and inheritance of the promised land. Isaac charges Jacob not to marry a Canaanite but to go to Paddan-aram and take a wife from his maternal relatives. Notably, Isaac’s attitude has shifted since chapter 27: he now acknowledges God’s plan and confirms Jacob as heir to the promise.
Esau’s Desperate Response (vv. 6–9)
Seeing that Isaac favored Jacob, Esau realizes his own Canaanite marriages displeased their father. In a belated attempt to win Isaac’s approval, he marries Mahalath, a daughter of Ishmael—yet this act is empty conformity, outside the covenant line.
Jacob’s Flight—Alone and Landless (vv. 10–11)
Jacob departs from Beersheba toward Haran, homeless and fleeing Esau’s wrath. As night falls, he stops at a random spot and uses a stone for a pillow—symbolizing his vulnerability. But it is here, at this unassuming place, that he will encounter God.
The Heavenly Ladder—God’s Revelation (vv. 12–15)
In a dream, Jacob sees a ladder (or stairway) bridging earth and heaven, with angels ascending and descending. Above it stands the LORD, who reiterates Abraham’s promises and adds personal commitments: God’s presence, protection, guidance, and eventual return. Verse 15 is striking: “I will not leave you until I have fulfilled my purpose for you.” For a man with no future on the horizon, this word is revolutionary.
Jacob’s Awakening—Awe and Worship (vv. 16–19)
Jacob awakes trembling: “Surely the LORD is in this place—and I did not know it!” His perspective is transformed. He names the place Bethel (“House of God”), anointing the stone pillar with oil. What was once a simple camping spot becomes a sacred sanctuary.
Jacob’s Vow—The First Steps of Faith (vv. 20–22)
Jacob responds with a vow. His faith is tentative and conditional: if God will watch over him and bring him home safely, then the LORD will be his God. He pledges a tenth—an early sign of devotion and gratitude.
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SummaryIn Genesis 28, Jacob flees in weakness and fear, but in that very night God meets him. The ladder vision powerfully bridges heaven and earth and renews the covenant promises in Jacob’s life—now delivered personally and unconditionally. Out of a fugitive, God begins to shape a patriarch of faith. Even a pillar stone can become an altar of worship when God reveals Himself there.
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Message for TodayGod meets us in our desert seasons. Often, when we feel alone and afraid, God reveals Himself as faithful and present.
God’s promises are personal. The covenant promises spoken over Abraham and Isaac now speak directly to Jacob—and speak directly to us today.
Heaven and earth connect in Christ. Jacob’s ladder foreshadows Jesus (see John 1:51), who opens the way to God for us.
Ordinary places can become holy. Bethel was just a campsite until God spoke there; our everyday lives can become sacred meeting grounds with God.
Faith often begins with small steps. Jacob’s vow was tentative, yet God honored his honest beginning and walked with him onward.
“I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
— Rest in God’s unbreakable commitment to fulfill His word in your life.
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May 11–17, 2025 WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 4 “The Plan of Redemption” Read online here
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IntroductionChapter 4 of Patriarchs and Prophets, titled “The Plan of Redemption,” offers a profound glimpse into the heart of the Christian gospel. It portrays the cosmic significance of the Fall and God’s response through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. From heaven’s anguish over humanity’s sin to the unfolding of the rescue plan in Christ’s sacrifice, the text reveals the unfathomable depth of God’s love.
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Commentary══════════════════════════════════════════════
SummaryThe plan of redemption reveals God’s character—infinitely loving and perfectly just. Despite the depth of humanity’s fall, God offers restoration through Jesus Christ. Heaven, the universe, and humankind alike bear witness to the greatness of this plan, which was ordained before the foundation of the world.
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Application for Today“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
— John 3:16
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/14-05-2025-genesis-chapter-28-believe-his-prophets/
Imagine a church packed with new faces eager to hear life-changing truths. At the Chernivtsi Central Church in Ukraine, up to 100 people each night were brand-new visitors, hearing Bible truths for the first time. This incredible story shows how faith continues to reach hearts even in challenging times. Be inspired by this powerful movement of faith. Like, share and subscribe to learn more about how lives are being transformed through hope and truth. #FaithInAction #BibleTruth #HopeInUkraine Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPAkLyqIJcU
We pray for those who feel distant from God. May your heart be reignited with light, warmth, and renewed faith. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQWFrqhV4b8
It's not about being strong on your own… it's about who gives you true strength! Philippians 4:13 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXsxZlHn0zc
by Davide Romano | 13 May 2025 | On Monday, April 21 at 7:35 a.m. Pope Francis’s death was announced. The news, as always when a pope dies, shook many people. And, as expected, it immediately set off the formidable media apparatus in Italy and the whole world. This significant event saddened Roman Catholics, and […] Source: https://atoday.org/the-death-of-a-pope/
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 14th of May 2025
Following the leading of God’s presence in the cloud, the Israelites would stop in their journey to the Promised Land, set up the tabernacle, and then the tribes would pitch their camps around it—three tribes on each side. The Presence of God would descend into the Most Holy Place and take up residence in the midst of His people.
Numbers 2:3 (East):
Numbers 2:10 (South):
Numbers 2:18 (West):
Numbers 2:25 (North):
Notice that each dominant tribe flew its own “standard,” or special flag, to designate who they were.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
While the Scriptures are not explicit in describing what was on each flag, there is an interesting tradition—loosely based on the tribal characteristics described in Genesis 49:1-33 and Deuteronomy 33:1-29—that assigns one of the four faces to each of the four compass points. “According to rabbinical tradition, the standard of Judah bore the figure of a lion, that of Reuben the likeness of a man or of a man’s head, that of Ephraim the figure of an ox, and that of Dan the figure of an eagle; so that the four living creatures united in the cherubic forms described by Ezekiel were represented upon these four standards.”—Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2011), vol. 1, p. 660.
It is possible to read too much into tradition, of course, but it is still interesting to compare this ancient tradition with the Bible’s description of the New Jerusalem. An interesting pattern emerges: there are gates representing three tribes on all four sides of the city (Revelation 21:12-13).
The descriptions of both the camp of Israel and the New Jerusalem underscore one crucial fact: God intends to pull humanity close to His throne. The book of Revelation teaches us that “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Revelation 21:22, NKJV).
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Of course, we don’t live in the camp of Israel. But how can we, in our own lives now, draw close to the presence of God? |
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Il Salmo 139 ci dice una cosa importante: siamo stati creati in modo stupendo e i nostri giorni sono nel cuore di Dio. Non significa che tutto è già deciso… ma che non siamo qui per caso. 🎬 Guarda il nuovo episodio di Passi di speranza! https://youtu.be/yiAyXXAInuQ?si=-XF4zl6Clm9IF28P Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3zOlWdRZLI
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