Closer To Heaven
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Comments of the Week May 13-18 “When leaders cling to tradition and bad theology, a church becomes irrelevant.” –Janelle Smiley on Your Church Is Too Told Comments on Editorial, Can Adventists Use Condoms?, This, Right Here, Is Church, Members of the Dorcas Society Honored by Zambia’s President, & The Death of a Pope EDITORIAL: Your […] Source: https://atoday.org/comments-of-the-week-may13-18/
Los caudillos, caracterizados por ser líderes carismáticos y poderosos que se apoyaban en redes personales y regionales para mantener su poder e influencia, no fueron exclusivos del entorno secular latinoamericano del siglo XIX. La organización adventista también desarrollo sus propios caudillos locales, si bien en formar tardía, pero muy presentes. La mayoría de estos dirigentes […] Source: https://atoday.org/como-opera-la-union-asociacion-panamena-de-los-adventistas-parte-1/
Daily Lesson for Monday 19th of May 2025
In Revelation 14:1-20, we find God’s people standing on Mount Zion. The original Mount Zion was located just west of the old city of Jerusalem today and was thought of as the seat of God’s throne, or presence, among His people. In time, the temple mount, located on Mount Moriah, came to be identified with Mount Zion, as well.
In other words, this important depiction of God’s last-day remnant is presented in sanctuary language, as with most of the key scenes in the book of Revelation. Thanks to the Lamb, God’s people are on His holy hill!
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
The description found in David’s psalm of those permitted into the presence of God is a pretty tall order for mere sinners to fulfill. Who among us can honestly say that we have always walked uprightly? Or have always spoken the truth in our hearts (Psalms 15:2)? None of us can say that we “shall never be moved” (Psalms 15:5, NKJV). If we say that we have never sinned, the Bible teaches that we have no truth in us (1 John 1:8).
We can come to no conclusion other than it is the Lamb who enables us to stand on Zion. The Lamb is not mentioned in David’s psalm, but He suddenly appears in the description found in Revelation 14:1-20. It is almost as if Revelation 14:1-20 is answering David’s question. Now that the Lamb of God is established on Mount Zion, in the sanctuary, we can also be present there because of His perfect righteousness credited to us by faith. We can have the “boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20, NKJV). Without His blood, what hope would we have? None, actually.
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Think about all the Bible promises of victory over sin. Why, even with those promises, do we still find ourselves falling short of the perfect example Jesus has set for us, and why do we need His perfect life as our substitute? |
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"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=fCUCe-Q1G1s
Lesson 8.In the Psalms: Part 1…………………………………………………………………
IntroductionImagine glimpsing into heaven—not at the stars but into the true sanctuary realm: Jesus Christ, our Savior, stands there as High Priest. From the Psalms through Hebrews to Revelation, Scripture testifies to this spiritual reality just as relevant today as for ancient Israel. Moses saw a copy, David longed for it, and we may know the original by faith. The question is not whether Christ ministers, but do I trust His ministry for me? In this lesson we dive into Hebrews 9 and Psalm 122, exploring Christ’s priestly work in heaven and its meaning for your life now.
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Bible StudyHebrews 9:11–15 – Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things that are now already here… He entered once for all into the Most Holy Place, not by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
Christ serves not in an earthly tent but in heaven’s true sanctuary.
He offers His own blood, not animal sacrifices.
His aim: eternal redemption—cleansing our conscience, not just our actions.
He is Mediator of a new covenant: a living relationship with God.
His sacrifice fully atones our sins—no further offerings needed.
Psalm 122 – Joy in God’s Presence
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ … May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
Joy in worship and fellowship.
The temple as place of justice, peace, and safety.
Prayer for Jerusalem’s peace—a model of divine order.
Unity and praise as expressions of God’s presence.
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Discussion Questions
1. What does Hebrews 9:11–15 teach about Christ’s work for us?Christ is both Priest and Sacrifice—once, fully, personally. No repeated offerings, no lingering guilt, no other intercessor is needed. His blood cleanses our conscience. The new covenant transforms us from within, not just our circumstances.
2. What can Psalm 122 teach us today about Christ’s work and our worship?Though no earthly temple stands, the heart of worship—joy, peace, unity, praise—lives on. The worldwide Church gathers before God’s throne through Christ. Every prayer, every song is offered in Him, who grants us access to the Father’s presence.
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Spiritual PrinciplesChrist is our sole access to God.
True redemption transforms the heart, not just behavior.
Worship flows from gratitude for His priestly work.
God’s plan unfolds through His eternal covenant, not human systems.
Christ’s ministry is active, present, and personal.
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Application for Daily LifeBegin your day aware of Jesus’ heavenly ministry—your Advocate at the Father’s side.
Keep worship fresh: you enter the Most Holy Place through Christ’s work.
Pray confidently: your conscience is cleansed by His blood, not your efforts.
View judgment as hope: your High Priest intercedes, not condemns.
Cultivate fellowship: Psalm 122 invites collective rejoicing in God.
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ConclusionNo barrier stands between you and God—Christ’s blood, His priestly service, and His love keep the way open. The Psalms and Hebrews blend into a mighty chorus: “Come, enter in! Trust!” What was once a tent is now a living ministry in heaven—and in your heart. Sanctuary truths aren’t obsolete; they are the gospel’s heartbeat.
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Thought of the DayYou don’t need an earthly sanctuary—your High Priest lives, and He ministers for you today.
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Illustration – “The Locked Room”
May 18, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Genesis 32 – From Fear to Encounter: Jacob’s Wrestle with God and His Renaming as Israel══════════════════════════════════════════════
Bible Text – Genesis 32 (KJV)1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
8 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:
10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.
12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
13 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
14 Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,
15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
16 And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
17 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?
18 Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.
19 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.
20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
21 So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.
22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.
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IntroductionHaving been reconciled with Laban, Jacob now faces perhaps his greatest trial: meeting his brother Esau. Fear of revenge weighs heavily on him—after all, Jacob once deceived Esau. This chapter shows Jacob in deep inner turmoil, guided by divine messengers, strategic action, humble prayer, and a mysterious, life-changing encounter by night: wrestling with God. Jacob’s renaming to Israel marks a turning point in his spiritual journey and foreshadows the nation that will spring from him.
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CommentaryGod’s Messengers and Preparation (vv. 1–3)
Jacob meets God’s angels—as he did at Bethel—and names the place Mahanaim (“Two Camps”), hinting at both the angelic host and his divided family. This divine encounter fortifies him for the coming test.
News of Esau’s Approach—Fear and Strategy (vv. 4–9)
Jacob sends humble messengers to Esau: “Your servant Jacob…” Their return report—that Esau approaches with 400 men—fills Jacob with dread. He wisely divides his household and flocks into two camps, hoping at least one will survive.
Jacob’s Humble Prayer (vv. 10–13)
In earnest humility Jacob appeals to God:
He invokes God’s promise.
He confesses his unworthiness.
He pleads for rescue from Esau.
He recalls God’s pledge of blessing.
This prayer reveals Jacob’s growing trust that real help comes from God, not just human planning.
Reconciliation by Gifts (vv. 14–21)
Jacob assembles a lavish gift of herds for Esau, sending them ahead in separate droves. This is not bribery but a sincere effort at making amends, while still exercising caution.
Night at the Jabbok—Separation and Solitude (vv. 22–24)
Jacob crosses his wives and children over the ford, then remains alone. This deliberate solitude sets the stage for a divine encounter.
The Wrestle with God (vv. 25–30)
A mysterious “man”—God manifest—wrestles with Jacob till dawn. Jacob’s thigh is dislocated, yet he refuses to relent until he receives a blessing. God then renames him Israel, “He who struggles with God.” In this moment Jacob is transformed, learning that his deepest conflict is with God himself—and that perseverance, not strength, yields blessing.
A New Name—Israel (vv. 28–29)
The new name defines Jacob’s identity and calling: a nation will bear the name Israel. No longer “supplanter,” Jacob now clings to God.
Peniel—“Face of God” (vv. 30–33)
Jacob calls the place Peniel, “I have seen God face to face.” His limp and the dietary prohibition on the hip sinew forever commemorate this profound encounter: true strength emerges from sacred weakness.
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SummaryGenesis 32 finds Jacob on the brink of meeting Esau. Fear, strategy, and prayer precede a stunning nocturnal struggle with God Himself. Renamed Israel, Jacob emerges no longer as a crafty fugitive but as a blessed champion of God. His true adversary was not his brother but God—yet God meets him in the struggle, changes him, and grants him a new identity.
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Message for TodayGod meets us in our darkest nights. When fear grips us, God is often nearer than we think.
Breakthrough comes in wrestling with God. Holding on, even when it hurts, defeats despair.
Prayer matters more than plans. Jacob’s strategy was wise, but his deliverance began with humble prayer.
Encounter changes us. We do not emerge from divine struggles unchanged—our limp can become a sign of grace.
Weakness is no disgrace. Like Jacob, our scars can testify to God’s transforming power.
God grants new identity. In Christ we receive names and destinies far beyond our past failures.
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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/18-05-2025-genesis-chapter-32-believe-his-prophets/
God did not call His people to fix Babylon. He didn't ask them to get close and evangelize and prophesy. He didn't command the church to judge Babylon or throw stones. His command was simple: "Come out of her, my people" (Revelation 18:4, NIV). How will we respond to this command? Share this post to share the warning. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9w996ae0Ws
Daily Lesson for Sunday 18th of May 2025
When Moses oversaw the construction of the tabernacle, he was not permitted to use just any design he wished. God gave him a blueprint to follow. “ ‘See to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain’ ” (Exodus 25:40, NKJV). We discover in the book of Hebrews that the pattern used was that of a higher reality, the heavenly sanctuary.
Image © Educational Concepts Collection at Goodsalt.com
The earthly sanctuary foreshadowed Jesus in astonishing detail, from the priest and the offerings to the furniture and other design details. _All _of it speaks of Jesus.
The book of Revelation, of course, is very rich in sanctuary imagery. We find the sanctuary lampstand in the opening verses, the ark of the covenant explicitly mentioned in chapter four, and numerous other allusions to the temple. Without an understanding of the Old Testament sanctuary, it becomes impossible to grasp what John is driving at in his descriptions of his visions. The experiences of Israel, Paul writes, “happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11, NKJV).
There is much we can learn from studying the details of the temple. In the book of Psalms, we find an important component for understanding some of these details: how God’s people personally related to the temple. We catch glimpses of how David related to the sanctuary and its services, and we see the heart response of God’s people to what the Messiah would do for them. It is not just the patterns that help us see Jesus; we also can mine the personal experiences of those who understood what God was teaching us through the sanctuary and draw lessons for ourselves and for our own experiences with God.
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Read Psalms 122:1-9. Though we cannot go literally to the earthly “house of the Lord” (it’s not there, and even if one were built in the same place, it would be meaningless), what elements are found in this psalm that can encourage us about what Christ has done for us? Notice the themes of peace, security, praise, and judgment. |
(0)Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4.
Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of guilt on His own account. He identified Himself with sinners, taking the steps that we are to take, and doing the work that we must do. His life of suffering and patient endurance after His baptism was also an example to us.56The Desire of Ages, 111.
Christ as the head of humanity was to take the same steps that we are required to take. Although sinless, He was our example in fulfilling all the requirements for the redemption of the sinful race. He bore the sins of the whole world. His baptism was to embrace the whole sinful world who by repentance and faith would be pardoned. “After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:4-8. Man was brought again into favor with God by the washing of regeneration. The washing was the burial with Christ in the water in the likeness of His death, representing that all who repent of the transgression of the law of God receive purification, cleansing, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism represents true conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.57Manuscript 57, 1900.
Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism, and been raised in the likeness of His resurrection, have pledged themselves to live in newness of life. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1, 2.58Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 258.
The Faith I Live By p. 143
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Prayer Requests
—-E needs God guidance in an important matter. R
—-Please pray for my son who recently had surgery to straighten out his leg. Jennifer
—-Please pray for Kenneth whose wife died yesterday. Adam
—-Please pray for my niece, she is losing her sight in one eye. ST
—-Please pray for a lady named Rhonda I met in a parking lot. She is homeless and her car was stolen. Her family is a mess and won’t help her. She is suicidal. Renae
—-Please pray for a lady that works at a nearby store. She sits in her walker and greets people. She has MS. I witnessed to her today. Please pray for her Salvation and that it won’t get any worse in fact that God would give her a miracle. Debra
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Dear Friends,
My grandparents lived in a neighborhood where most of the people were retired. Except for about two weeks in the summer when Mrs. Caswell’s grandchildren came to visit her, there were only one or two children to play with. Because of this, I spent most of my time playing alone. When I got really bored, my Grandmother allowed me to look at her oldest photo album. I would study each photo with care trying to imagine what the people were doing, what they were like.
One of the pictures that fascinated me, was a picture of Harold, my Grandfather’s
younger brother. He had only two pictures of him. One was taken when the two brothers were little boys. It was taken in 1890 when my grandfather was six and Harold, two. They looked so frightened sitting there on a large piece of material that had been arranged by someone with an artistic eye. It seemed unbelievable that my grandfather had ever been a tiny boy.
The other photograph of Harold was his wedding picture. He had grown to be a handsome young man and had married a beautiful girl. What a lovely couple! How happy they looked! Harold and Hattie should have had an “and they lived happily ever after” ending to their romance; but their life together was short. He had joined the merchant marines and had been sent to the South Pacific. There, he contracted a parasite which eventually ate through his intestines. They had not been married long before this parasite had multiplied enough to cause him trouble. Within a short time, he died a horrible and painful death.
We, too, are infected with a “parasite” that is eating away our life just as surely as that parasite caused Harold’s death. That “parasite” is sin. Year by year it is within us, eating out our very life, giving us pain, changing us, hardening us, causing us to lose the happy life we might have had. Strangely, we consider this “parasite” as a normal part of life. This “parasite” of sin even gives us momentary pleasure. How mixed up the evil one has made us!
Our Dear Saviour looks upon us with pity. We may hide the “parasite” of sin from others, but He sees our true condition. He knows that we are as Isaiah described— “the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 1:5,6 With tears in His voice He says to us, “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die…? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Eze 18:31,32
Our Great Redeemer has paid the price for our redemption. We can be free from the sins that are eating away at us. All we need to do is accept His great sacrifice for us. Only He can rid us of the parasite of sin. Only He can cleanse us deep within. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 3:1-8; 1:9-2:6 With yearning desire our Loving Saviour pleads, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” “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.” Isa 1:18; 55:1; Matt 11:28-30
May we come to Him now, just as we are, that we may receive cleansing from the “parasite” of sin, praying as did David, ” Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps 51:10
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/our-lords-example-2.html
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