Saying No to God, by Matthew J. Korpman. Published by Quoir Press, Orange, California, 2019. 358 pages. Reviewed by TJ Sands When was the last time you said “no” to God? Is even the thought of that question preposterous to you? Or am I a heretic for even asking? Rarely do I turn the last […] Source: https://atoday.org/book-review-saying-no-to-god/
Making the GC Session Better
14 February 2020 | In 2015, Ivan Rechter and Berit Elkjær represented the Danish Union as delegates to the San Antonio General Conference Session. Afterwards, they wrote a letter to the General Conference giving their suggestions for making the Session work better. “Unfortunately, we haven’t heard anything from the GC,” they wrote Adventist Today. “We […] Source: https://atoday.org/making-the-gc-session-better/
Sabbath: From the Stormy Sea to the Clouds of Heaven
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Daniel 7:1-28, 2 Thess. 2:1-12, Rom. 8:1, Mark 13:26, Luke 9:26, Luke 12:8, 1 Tim. 2:5.
Memory Text: “Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:27, NKJV).
The vision of Daniel chapter 7, our topic for this week, parallels the dream in Daniel chapter 2. But Daniel chapter 7 expands on what was revealed in Daniel chapter 2. First, the vision occurs at night and portrays the sea agitated by the four winds. Darkness and water evoke creation, but here creation appears to be somehow distorted or under attack. Second, the animals in the vision are unclean and hybrid, which represents a violation of the created order. Third, the animals are portrayed as exerting dominion; thus, it appears that the dominion God gave to Adam in the garden has been usurped by these powers. Fourth, with the coming of the Son of Man, God’s dominion is restored to those to whom it properly belongs. What Adam lost in the garden, the Son of Man recovers in the heavenly judgment.
The above description gives a panoramic view of the biblical imagery that runs in the background of this highly symbolic vision. Fortunately, some of the crucial details of the vision are explained by the angel, so we can understand the main contours of this amazing prophecy.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 22.
Amen!
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(0)Right or Wrong Side—Which?
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Deuteronomy 30:19.
Those who are carrying forward the work of God must stand firm and steadfast, as faithful sentinels in the Lord’s army. They must stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel…. The last message of mercy is to be proclaimed. Men and women are to be aroused to prepare for the great issues before them….
The reason why men and women today do not believe the truth is because it condemns their life practices. They see that the truth calls for a reform, and they fight it because they hate the work involved in sanctification….
He whose conscience is a sure guide will not stop to reason [i.e., rationalize away] when light shines upon him out of God’s Word. He will not be guided by human counsel. He will not allow worldly business to stand in the way of obedience. He will lay every selfish interest at the door of investigation, and will approach the Word of God as one whose eternal interest is hanging in the balance.
There is a right side—the side of Him who declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments” (John 15:10). “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7). There is a wrong side—the side of the one who in heaven rebelled against God. With his sympathizers he was expelled from the heavenly courts, and from his action we may understand that no matter how high a position a man may occupy in the church or in the world, if he is disloyal to God, if he accepts human laws instead of the laws of Jehovah, he can never enter heaven, for he is living in direct opposition to God. He will receive punishment in accordance with the power of influence which instead of being placed on the side of God was placed on the side of Satan. The greater the talents and influence given him, the greater will be his punishment. God will require at his hands the souls he has turned aside from truth to falsehood. Instead of leading them to God, he led them away from God, and their blood will be charged to him….
In the day of judgment those who have refused the light and have led others to honor the false sabbath will see the course Satan has pursued in causing men to transgress the law of God. They will see and fully comprehend the virtue of God’s sign….
God’s people have a serious, solemn work to do. He bids them, “Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).—Manuscript 27, May 6, 1900, “Obedience and Disobedience.”
The Upward Look p. 140
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Prayer Requests
—-I have a special prayer request for for my sister Pat. who is semi comatose. she hasn’t eaten for several days. please pray for her salvation and for her to go to sleep in the Lord. Also pray for their distressing home situation. thanks M
—- Attained a hairline fracture in my left wrist on February 2nd. Still sore and unable to crochet and do normal things still, still sore. Please pray it heals quickly and properly or I will need to be sedated and have it broke it again to reset it! Heidi
—-Please pray for E who is greatly discouraged. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Ron’s Grandpa Taylor was an excellent gunsmith. Because he was such a fine craftsman, he had customers from all over the state. One day he was telling us a story of a man who had asked him to make a very powerful rifle for him. Grandpa Taylor was glad for the business and told that man that he would call him when the gun was ready.
The man agreed to wait.Unfortunately, the man couldn’t wait. The more he thought about that gun, the more he wanted to shoot it. He decided to visit Grandpa Taylor’s workshop and see how it was coming. When he arrived, he was told that the gun was not quite ready. It had not yet been tested. Grandpa Taylor, himself, would be the first one to shoot it. After that, adjustments would be made until it was perfect. Under no circumstances was he to touch that not-quite-finished gun.
The man seemed to understand; but as he looked at that rifle, he began to rationalize. The gun looked perfect. “Surely it is done,” he thought, “Mr. Taylor is just too fussy. I can test it as well as he can.” When Grandpa Taylor’s back was turned, the man quickly picked up the rifle, and sighted down the barrel. Everything looked fine. He aimed toward the indoor target and fired the powerful rifle. In his hurry to shoot it before Grandpa Taylor could stop him, the man did not have it sitting quite right on his shoulder. Grandpa Taylor told us that as a result of his rash action, the man lost his arm.
How often we are like that man. We think that we know best. We think that we can disobey our Great Creator’s direct commands without any consequences. We seem to think that He does not mean just what He says, that He is too loving to allow us to suffer the consequences of our sin. Yet, the life of David is an example of cause and effect. When he sinned in the matter of Bathsheba, there were very great consequences. Nathan told him, “Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.” 1 Sam 12:9-12 Although, David was forgiven, he and all Israel bore the consequences. As a direct result of his sin, their baby died. vs. 15-19 Moreover, David lost the respect of his subjects, lost the ability to rebuke them and his children when he saw them taking the wrong path. As a result, his son Absalom killed his half-brother Amnon for an incestuous relationship with his sister. Beyond this, Absalom attempted to take over the kingdom causing David and those loyal to him to have to flee for their lives. In the ensuing battle, Absalom lost his life. (chaptera 13-18) From that point on, there was war and bloodshed, troubles and trials, and a great weakening of the kingdom.
Jesus, Himself, obeyed. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Heb 5:8,9 Paul urges us, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil 2:5-13
When our Great Redeemer shall return in the clouds of glory with his all His mighty angels, He will take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel. (2 Th 1:7,8) How important, then, that we do as He has commanded us. Paul continues, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Rom 6:18 John adds, “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:2-4
Our Loving Saviour pleads with us today as He did so long ago, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 Let us obey His Voice. Let us be “doers of the word” from a heart filled with love for our Dear Saviour. James 1:22 Let us purify our “souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit.” 1 Peter 1:22 Let us “walk as children of light:(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” is my prayer. Eph 5:8-11
Rose
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/YMBthK2MX90/right-or-wrong-side-which.html
Please Send Michael!
In the book of Daniel we see a lot of spiritual warfare. In Daniel 10 we see Cyrus in the middle of a cosmic struggle that affected the destiny of not only his personal life or nation but of the entire world! In that struggle Michael comes on the scene to help Gabriel overcome evil in the cosmic battle. In Daniel 6 we see a cosmic battle between good and evil. This time Daniel is in the middle of the conflict, and he prays to his God who delivers him and sends his angels to shut the lions’ mouths. In Daniel 3, three Hebrews are tested in a spiritual battle, and they come out of the fire with flying colors and no burns at all. This time one like the Son of God appears in the fire with those who are caught in the literal crossfire of a cosmic battle. Amazing – whenever the cosmic battle gets intense, heavenly beings, even God Himself, shows up to defend his faithful followers. What about in Daniel 10, though? Was Michael another angel fighting for God’s people, or was Michael much more than an angel? Did Christ Himself show up to help Gabriel in the battle over Cyrus?
Recently I was studying with a man who believed Jesus was a really good person, even a savior who died for us, but he did not believe Jesus is God. I shared with him the importance of knowing Jesus is actually God. I asked him, “If your wife was trapped inside a burning building, which would convince her more that you love her – sending a fireman in to rescue her or going in yourself to rescue her?” He replied, “Going in myself.”
God the Son shows His love for us by dying Himself to rescue us.
In Daniel 10, Daniel is in a fierce spiritual battle when finally,
Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. Daniel 10:13 NKJV
In Daniel’s time of need did God send someone else to rescue Daniel, or did He demonstrate His love by rescuing Daniel Himself?
Image © Review and Herald Publishing Assn. Goodsalt.com
It’s easy for some to conclude, on surface reading, that Michael is just another angel. But as we look deeper, we see that Michael is actually the Son of God, who became incarnate as “Jesus,” coming to our rescue.
Archangel is a compound of two Greek words: “arche” which means beginning or commencement, and “aggelos” which means angel or messenger. The word arche is also closely related to the word “archo,” which means “to be first” or to “reign (rule) over.” Thus the “Archangel” is the One who began (created) the angels and reigns over them. That would be none other than Christ.
Bible scholars are in general agreement that an “archangel” is over the created angels. But not all agree that the Archangel is the Creator Himself.
Let’s look at a similar passage in which Christ is called the “beginning” of the creation of God:
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” (Rev 3:14)
In this text “arche” is translated as “beginning.” Is it not reasonable to conclude that since to all the other churches, the One speaking is Christ Himself, that this is clearly another description of Christ? Thus, it appears that in biblical usage, the “arch-creation” or “beginning of creation” means the Creator Himself.
Thus from the word usage, we could conclude that the “archangel” is also the Creator of the angels and not one of the created angels.
The name Michael means “One like God” or “There is no one else like God.” If Michael were only a created angel, then Lucifer’s aspiration to be “like God” could not be blasphemous and a reason for his expulsion from heaven. (See Isaiah 14:14.)
In Revelation 19:10 John starts to worship an angel and the angel tells him not to. Obviously this was a created angel who realized there was no way he, a created being could be equal with God. However, in Joshua 5, Joshua meets an Angel who accepts his worship, demonstrating that this was not a created angel, but the Angel who led Israel in the wilderness, referred to in Exodus 23:20-21:
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
Notice that the implication that this Angel can forgive transgression. Who but God Himself can forgive transgression? The Jews knew this and accused Christ of blasphemy when He forgave sin. (See Matthew 9:2-6)
So how do we know in the Bible that Michael is the Son of God, now known as Jesus?
Daniel called Michael a chief prince. Who is our chief prince?
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given….. And His name will be called…. Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
Who did Jude 1:9 say raises the dead?
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jude 1:9
When Jesus comes, who raises the dead?
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
It is the Lord Himself who has the voice of the archangel. The same voice that Jesus said would raise the dead.
Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. John 5:25
There are not two different persons who raise the dead. No created angel can raise the dead. Only Christ can do that.
While Michael rescued Daniel during his time of need, who will rescue us during our time of trouble?
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake…..” Daniel 12:1-2
Michael, the Son of God Himself will come to our rescue! How assuring to know that God loves us too much to let someone else save and rescue us! He rescues us Himself! Yes God also send angels both terrestrial and celestial to help us in our time of needs, but He also loves us so much that He will finally come rescue all His people Himself!
Daniel 10 gives me comfort that, in my time of need, when I feel I am being overcome by Satan, I can cry out God, “Please send Michael!” And Michael, the Only one “like Unto God,” Yes God Himself will rescue me!
Are you in the middle of a spiritual warfare now, and feel like you are losing the battle? Don’t wait. Call for Michael, the Son of God Himself, now!
Amen!(0)
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