Closer To Heaven
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SILVER SPRING, Md. — In a presentation to overwhelmed General Conference leaders this morning, Japanese organization consultant, Marie Kondo, urged the group to declutter their approach to faith. “Holding up the ever-growing book of Adventist fundamental beliefs, Kondo said attempting the reading of the dense volume on the flight from Tokyo ranked as one of […] Source: https://atoday.org/satire-marie-kondo-to-gc-which-fundamental-beliefs-spark-joy/
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 29th of March 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Memory Text:
“ ‘But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:24, NKJV).
As with most everything else in Scripture, Christians disagree about prophecy, which often convinces others that Bible prophecy is a waste of time. After all, if Christians fight over every prophetic jot and tittle, how valid could it be? Unfortunately, many believers also begin to think that some books of the Bible, such as Revelation, are simply incomprehensible. Instead of reading them, they avoid them, sometimes with the encouragement of a well-meaning pastor who thinks that studying prophecy causes more problems than it solves.
It was not always so. For the first eighteen centuries of Christian history, most Christians were very comfortable with biblical prophecy, and there was a surprising level of agreement on what the key messages of the prophecies were. This is how God intended for it to be: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10, NKJV).
This week, we will explore some principles that yield a consistent and reliable understanding of prophecy.
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25b-01-some-principles-of-prophecy/
During the First Gulf War (1991), a well-known Protestant writer and speaker was convinced that the book of Revelation predicted this conflict. His argument was based on the fact that some of the helicopters in the war looked like the locusts depicted in Revelation 9. “And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” (Revelation 9:2, 3, NKJV).
Image © Pacific Press
Not exactly the best way to interpret biblical prophecy, is it? Yet, interpretations like this are fairly common. In fact, over the decades a stream of books, articles, videos, and now websites, all dedicated to prophecy, have made many predictions, including date setting, about final events—usually centered on wars or turmoil in the middle east.
As Seventh-day Adventists, we take a different approach, a Christ-centered approach, in which the focus of prophecy is no longer on a single geographic location in the Middle East and whatever military conflicts unfold there. Instead, we view the prophecies through the lens of the great controversy between Christ and Satan—a worldwide spiritual struggle that will climax when God’s people, Jew and Gentile (see Revelation 12;17, Revelation 14:12), face the final crisis, which centers on worshiping the Creator (see Revelation 14:7), as opposed to the beast and his image.
A key element in understanding these last-day prophecies is Daniel 2, which contains not only the historical outline of the prophecies but the interpretive key to unlocking their meanings, as well.
Daniel 2 depicts four world empires—Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome—followed by God’s establishing His eternal kingdom, “ ‘which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.’ ” (Daniel 2:44 NKJV). The parallel prophecies in Daniel 7 and 8 contain this same basic outline, that of these worldly empires arising and vanishing until God’s kingdom is forever established.
In Daniel 7, the angel interpreter sets it all out for us “ ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever’ ” (Daniel 7:17, 18, NKJV).
Four worldly empires (Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome) move in an unbroken succession through history until, after the second coming of Jesus, God established His eternal one.
Of course, we are still here, in the time of the division of Rome, the fourth and final earthly kingdom before Christ returns.
With this historical perspective as the foundation for understanding prophecy, we are going to study this quarter the theme of how to interpret Bible prophecy, specifically some of the allusions, stories, images and metaphors that unlock prophetic truth and final events.
We go from the Genesis creation account—important for understanding not only prophecy but for what follows, especially the cross and the atoning death of Jesus—to the tower of Babel, to the sanctuary service, to the Psalms, even to some Old Testament marriages. In all these, and more, we can find images, symbols, and metaphors that, when studied prayerfully and with a humble, submissive spirit (if you go to the Bible with a rebellious heart, you are wasting your time), will help make end-time prophecies, specifically in Revelation, come alive.
One quarter is certainly not enough even to begin to study all the stories and images that help unlock prophetic truth. Who knows—we might need eternity for that. Until then, by God’s grace, we will study what we can.
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/introduction-precursors-for-prophecy/
What does it truly mean to worship God on the Sabbath? In John 4:23, we’re told that “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” The Sabbath is more than a day off—it’s a divine appointment with our Creator. In this video, you’ll explore meaningful ways to spend the sacred Sabbath hours: reading God’s Word, spending time in nature, prayer, Bible study, and heartfelt praise. Discover how to make the Sabbath a true day of worship focused entirely on Jesus and His love. 📖 Let’s embrace the beauty of the Sabbath—set apart, sanctified, and filled with spiritual purpose. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more uplifting Bible-centered content. #SabbathTruth #WorshipInSpirit Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx_A-Bu43fQ
"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=J5iIVTpUTOM
“Non fate le vostre vendette, cari miei, ma cedete il posto all'ira di Dio, poiché sta scritto: ‘A me la vendetta; io darò la retribuzione’, dice il Signore”. 📖 Romani 12:19
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💌 Apri la porta del tuo cuore
🗣 Speaker: Alessia Calvagno Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkQsEUz0Iaw
Se espera que la escuela Bass Memorial Academy de la Asociación de Estados del Golfo (Alabama, Misisipi y parte de Florida) cierre este año, a la espera de una reunión de sus miembros prevista para el 8 de junio. La escuela cuenta con 49 alumnos, de los cuales 20 se han graduado. En un mensaje […] Source: https://atoday.org/proyecto-para-cerrar-la-escuela-adventista-bass-memorial-con-internado/
13.1 The Law of Love 13.2 The Law Is Holy, Righteous, and Good 13.3 Law and Grace 13.4 Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law 13.5 Above All, Love One Another
Conclusion
“For love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10)
1. Lived-Out Love in Daily Life
2. Grace Softens Our Hearts
3. The Law Provides Orientation
4. Love as Preparation for Eternal Life Conclusion for Daily Life
Introduction
Commentary
Core Message: Spiritual life cannot be faked. Wake up—before it’s too late! Core Message: Faithfulness counts more than outward strength. Whoever endures will be exalted and preserved by God. Core Message: Spiritual self-satisfaction is dangerous. Repentance leads to true fellowship with Christ.
Summary
Message for Us Today Jesus calls us to vigilance, faithfulness, and repentance. He does not want to condemn us but to restore us—with the goal of genuine fellowship, eternal hope, and a royal calling. “Whoever overcomes…”—that applies to you as well.
Introduction Commentary Summary Message for Us TodaySource: https://fulfilleddesire.net/28-03-2025-revelation-chapter-3-believe-his-prophets/
By Pamela Maize Harris | 27 March 2025 | Oakwood University’s Board of Trustees is expected to announce its choice for president at any minute. According to sources familiar with the situation, three candidates have already interviewed and a vote has been taken by the Board, who has kept everything as secret as possible, skipping […] Source: https://atoday.org/oakwood-board-expected-to-announce-new-president/
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