BC Conference Old Office Building Demolition Day 6 (April 24, 2025)

April 24, 2025 By admin

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS6tULRrj6E

Lesson 4.The Nations: Part 1 | 4.6 Summary | ALLUSIONS, IMAGES, SYMBOLS | LIVING FAITH

April 24, 2025 By admin

Lesson 4 – The Nations, Part 1

4.6 Summary

From Nimrod to Israel – God’s Plan for the Nations

Introduction – Between Kingdoms and Divine Calling

Since the days after Eden, people have sought structure, security, and significance—often in human kingdoms, political systems, and self-made paths. Yet again and again God calls out a people—not to be superior, but to become a living testimony of His truth and love. This lesson has taken us from Nimrod to the Three Angels’ Messages—and poses the question: What is our calling today?

Bible Study – A Journey Through the Nations’ Story

Nimrod and Nineveh – The Origin of Rebellion
Genesis 10:1–12 describes Nimrod as “a mighty hunter before the LORD”—not a compliment, but a sign of defiance. He founded cities like Babel and Nineveh, metropolises of pride and human power. The Bible warns: any attempt to reclaim Eden by human means ends in spiritual alienation. Nimrod’s story is the archetype of building a kingdom without God—and failing.
Abraham’s Calling – A Call to Separation
Genesis 12:1–9 shows a man who hears God’s voice—and leaves everything behind. Abraham is summoned out of Ur because God needed a fresh start. Israel was to be different: a nation without a human king, yet with a divine mandate. Deuteronomy 4:5–9 reveals that through obedience Israel was meant to shine as a light to the nations—not by isolation, but by godly influence.
Getting What It Wanted – The Bitter Fruit of False Desires
1 Samuel 8:4–18 recounts Israel’s demand for a human king “like all the other nations.” God granted their wish but warned of the cost: abuse of power, injustice, and spiritual decline—and tragically, that is exactly what followed.
The Rulers of the Gentiles – When the Church Embraced the State
Matthew 20:25–28 presents Jesus’ antidote to power-hunger: the greatest must become a servant. Yet as Israel once did, so the church later did under Constantine—seeking political approval, it began to wield power and lost its true character. This serves as a caution: we must not repeat the same error.
A Light to the Gentiles – The Call of the Last Generation
Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Revelation 18:1–4 reveal God’s longing for a people who bring light—not to judge, but to save. Revelation 18’s summons, “Come out of her, my people,” is not to shame but to free. We are called to live in such a way that others hear: “Come out!”

Spiritual Principles

Rebellion often begins quietly—with pride, self-will, and self-reliance.
God always calls out—to holiness, to mission, to witness.
The greatest danger is not an external enemy but compromising with the world’s system.
God’s light is never elitist—it is intended for all nations.

Daily Application

Read God’s Word not just to “know more,” but to “live differently.”
Continually measure your thinking against Scripture—especially when cultural norms seem acceptable.
Ask yourself: Where have I chosen human security over divine leading?
Be a light—not through loudness, but through faithfulness, gentleness, and love.

Conclusion

God has never stopped calling a people. From Abraham to the end-time church, He invites us not to conform to human order, but to His truth. Israel’s history is more than a warning—it’s a mirror. Yet amid all failure there is hope: if God showed patience with Israel, He will have patience with us—and use us when we yield to Him.

Thought of the Day

“God’s light is never meant to be hidden—but to shine through our lives.”

Illustration – “The Other Light”

Munich, a November evening.

The subway car was packed. Amid raincoats, laptop bags, and tired faces sat Elias, 19, a first-year theology student. He’d just finished Bible study on Nimrod, Abraham, and Israel’s downfall—stories that felt ancient and distant. But tonight was different.

An elderly woman across from him stared blankly into space. Her coat was thin; her hands trembled. Elias hesitated, then asked, “Are you okay?” She looked up, surprised. “Not really. No one ever asks.”

That simple question opened a window. She spoke of her loneliness, her lost faith, and a life that had once been bright but now felt empty. Elias said little—just that he believed in a God who always calls, even when His people don’t listen.

When she got off, she said, “You’re different. Thank you. Maybe… I’ll pray tonight.”

Alone again, Elias thought of Revelation 18: “Come out of Babylon, My people.”

He realized: the call doesn’t start with a sermon. It starts with a question. With listening. With love.

One light for the nations. One heart that hears.

“For behold, darkness shall cover the earth… but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen over you.” (Isaiah 60:2)

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-4-the-nations-part-1-4-6-summary-allusions-images-symbols-living-faith/

25.04.2025 – Genesis Chapter 9 | BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS

April 24, 2025 By admin

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis Chapter 9 – Laws for a New World. Covenant and Rainbow. Noah’s Curse and Blessing Over His Children.

April 25, 2025

Daily Chapter: Genesis 9

Bible Text – Genesis 9 (King James Version)

1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
11 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
26 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
28 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

Explanation & Context

Introduction

Genesis chapter 9 shows the reshaping of the world after the flood. God gives new laws for life, establishes His first great covenant with humanity, and sets the rainbow as its sign. The chapter ends with a family situation that brings both blessing and curse upon Noah’s descendants.

Commentary

1. New Rules for Life (Verses 1–7)

God blesses Noah and commands him to multiply.
Human dominion over animals is established.
Eating meat is permitted, but blood must not be consumed—showing respect for life.
Life is sacred: taking life brings accountability (v. 6).

2. God’s Covenant with Noah and All Creatures (Verses 8–17)

A universal covenant that includes humans and animals.
Sign of the covenant: the rainbow—symbol of hope, faithfulness, and peace.
God promises never again to destroy all life by flood.

3. Noah’s Drunkenness and the Blessing/Curse (Verses 18–29)

Noah becomes a farmer and plants a vineyard.
A moral misstep: drunkenness and exposure.
Ham mocks, while Shem and Japheth show respect.
Prophetic words follow: curse upon Canaan, blessing upon Shem and Japheth.

Summary

Genesis 9 reveals God’s patience, holiness, and covenantal faithfulness.
He gives new life structures after the flood.
The covenant with the rainbow still stands today.
How we respond to sin and respect life shapes God’s people.

Message for Today

God does not forget His covenant. When we see the rainbow, we remember: God’s faithfulness is firm.
Life is sacred – every human is made in God’s image. Dignity and protection apply to every life.
Honor starts at home: respect for parents, modesty, and discretion are marks of true greatness.
God works through imperfect people. He writes His story with us—even when we fail.

“I have set my bow in the clouds … and it shall be for a sign of the covenant.” (Genesis 9:13)

The rainbow is God’s sign of hope, patience, and renewal. Still today.

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen White | Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 1