The Afternoon of Adventism

April 30, 2025 By admin

by Reinder Bruinsma | 30 April 2025 | After a recent day of preaching and teaching in Stuttgart, Germany, I was graciously presented with a copy of Tomáš Halík’s most recent book, The Afternoon of Christianity: The Courage to Change. Tomáš Halík (b. 1948) is a Czech Roman Catholic priest and theologian who has also […] Source: https://atoday.org/the-afternoon-of-adventism/

Lesson 5.The Nations: Part 2 | 5.5 Prophesy Again | ALLUSIONS, IMAGES, SYMBOLS | LIVING FAITH

April 30, 2025 By admin

Lesson 5: The Nations, Part 2

5.5 Prophesy Again
The Final Message to a Dying World

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Introduction

God’s plan moves relentlessly toward its goal. Despite the chaos of human empires and the failures of the church, God continually gathers a faithful people. In this lesson, we see that in the New World God raised up a movement to carry the last warning to humanity. Seventh-day Adventists understand themselves as part of this prophetic commission: to “proclaim again”—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

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Bible Study

Question 1: What insights do we find in Revelation 10:1–11?
Revelation 10 portrays a mighty angel standing with one foot on the sea and one on the land. This posture symbolizes that God’s message extends over both the old and the new territories—the whole earth. The little scroll that he opens points back to Daniel’s prophecies, especially about the end of earthly kingdoms. The movement that follows is global and urgent. The commission is to prophesy again—now clearly, loudly, and worldwide.

Question 2: Why should the accuracy of Daniel’s prophecies strengthen our trust in God?
The precise sequence of empires that Daniel forecast—from Babylon to the divided kingdoms—demonstrates that God’s Word is utterly reliable. If earlier prophecies were fulfilled in such detail, we can be fully confident that His promise of an ultimate, eternal kingdom will also come true. That assurance gives us stability and hope in a chaotic world.

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Spiritual Principles

God works through history: He guides nations and peoples to fulfill His plan of redemption.
Prophetic fulfillment builds faith: Seeing Scripture come true bolsters our confidence in God’s Word.
“Proclaim again” is for every generation: Each generation must share the gospel with all peoples.
God’s kingdom will replace all earthly realms: We serve not for a temporary triumph but for an eternal crown.

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Practical Application

Study prophecy regularly to grasp God’s overarching plan more fully.
Live as living witnesses: Let your lifestyle, decisions, and words point people to God’s coming kingdom.
Trust the promises: Even when circumstances are bleak, rely on what God has revealed in His Word.
Proclaim boldly: Today more than ever, we must speak of Christ and His return with courage and love.

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Conclusion

We live in a time when ancient prophecies are coming to pass. The “remnant church” is called to be a clear voice for truth. As the world increasingly pursues its own paths, we are commissioned to point people to God’s coming, eternal kingdom. Studying prophecy isn’t mere theory—it’s preparation for eternity.

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Thought of the Day

“God’s Word has always been fulfilled. Why should it be different now? The final chapter of history is already written—and it ends in victory.”

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Illustration – “The Little Lighthouse”

In 2025, on a storm-tossed stretch of America’s East Coast, stood a small, weather-beaten lighthouse. Scoured by salt and battered by wind, every night it bravely cast its beam across dark, rolling seas.

Ella, a young doctor who grew up there, loved that lighthouse. Her grandfather often told her, “If you ever feel lost, look for the light. It reminds you you’re not alone.”

Over the years, so much changed: new technologies, new wars, new promises of peace that quickly broke. Ella traveled the world, encountering turmoil, a hunger for truth, and despair everywhere. One evening back home, she walked the beach and saw the familiar beam cutting through the darkness. Tears filled her eyes.

“That,” she thought, “is our task as God’s people.” In a world full of darkness and deception, we must keep the light of God’s kingdom shining—clear, unwavering, unbowed by any storm.

Ella resolved to devote her life to that “ministry of light”: bringing hope, guiding people to Christ—the only safe harbor.

For no matter how stormy the sea of nations becomes—God’s light will never go out.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-5-the-nations-part-2-5-5-prophesy-again-allusions-images-symbols-living-faith/

1.05.2025 – Genesis Chapter 15 | BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS

April 30, 2025 By admin

May 1, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 15 – God’s Covenant with Abram

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Bible Text – Genesis 15 (KJV)

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

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Introduction

Genesis 15 is one of the most profound chapters in the Bible. In it, God appears to Abram in a vision, promises him a son, and makes a covenant with him. The core theme is Abram’s faith, which is counted as righteousness—a central verse for the biblical concept of righteousness by faith (cf. Romans 4; Galatians 3).

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Commentary

1. God’s Promise (Verses 1–5)

God speaks directly to Abram in a vision.
Though Abram is still childless, God promises him a biological heir.
The starry sky becomes a symbol of his countless future descendants.

2. Abram’s Faith (Verse 6)

Key verse: “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”
This verse forms the basis for the New Testament’s teaching on faith (cf. Romans 4; Galatians 3).
Faith responds to God’s Word, not to what is humanly visible.

3. Covenant Ceremony (Verses 7–11)

Abram asks for a sign—God answers with a solemn covenant.
Animals are split—symbolizing an unbreakable contract.
Birds of prey symbolize danger, yet Abram protects the covenant pieces.

4. Prophetic Revelation (Verses 12–16)

God prophesies: Abram’s descendants will be strangers and oppressed (fulfilled in Egypt).
Their return is based on God’s timing.
Note God’s patience: “The sin of the Amorites is not yet full.”

5. Covenant and Land Promise (Verses 17–21)

A smoking furnace and flaming torch: God alone walks through the pieces—a unilateral covenant.
The land promise stretches from Egypt to the Euphrates—vast and secure.

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Summary

Genesis 15 marks a turning point in Abram’s life.
He trusts in God’s promise despite impossible circumstances.
God responds to this faith by crediting him with righteousness and confirms His promise through covenant.
This chapter affirms: God’s promises are trustworthy—our faith is the proper response.

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Message for Today

God sees our uncertainty and speaks comfort: “Do not be afraid!”
Faith means trusting in God’s Word, even before it becomes visible.
God’s promises are fulfilled—often differently and later, but always surely.
Even in moments of darkness (v. 12), God remains faithful.
God also invites us into His covenant—a promise He alone keeps.

“Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” – Genesis 15:6

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April 27 – May 3, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 2