Daily Lesson for Tuesday 4th of March 2025

In the book of Job, we are given some fascinating insights into the reality of the great controversy.

Many significant details can be gleaned from these verses. First, there appears to be some kind of heavenly council scene, not merely a dialogue between God and Satan; other celestial beings are involved.

Image © Bible Adventure Collection at Goodsalt.com

Second, there is some existing dispute, signaled by the fact that God asks whether Satan has considered Job. Considered Job for what? The question makes sense in the context of a larger, ongoing dispute.

Third, while God declares Job blameless, upright, and God-fearing, Satan claims that Job appears to fear God only because God protects him. This amounts to slander against both Job’s character and God’s (compare with Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1-10).

Fourth, Satan alleges that God’s protection of Job (the hedge) is unfair and makes it impossible for Satan to prove his allegations. This indicates some existing limits on Satan (rules of engagement), and that Satan has apparently tried to harm Job.

God responds to Satan’s accusation before the heavenly council by allowing Satan to put his theory to the test, but only within limits. He first grants Satan power over “all that he has,” but prohibits personal harm to Job (Job 1:12, NKJV). Later, after Satan claims that Job cares only about himself, God allows Satan to afflict Job personally, but Satan must spare his life (Job 2:3-6).

Satan brings numerous calamities against Job’s household, yet in each case Job continues to bless His name (Job 1:20-22; Job 2:9-10), falsifying Satan’s charges.

We learn many things here, such as that there are rules of engagement in the cosmic conflict. There are parameters in the heavenly court within which the allegations raised against God can be settled, but without God violating the sacred principles inherent in love, the foundation of God’s government and how He rules the universe and the intelligent beings in it.

These heavenly scenes in the book of Job offer us fascinating insights into the reality of the great controversy, and how it is played out here on earth.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-10-the-case-of-job/

Daily Lesson for Monday 3rd of March 2025

The overarching perspective of celestial rulers in the cosmic conflict is encapsulated in the book of Revelation, where the devil is depicted as “the great dragon” who opposes God and “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9, NKJV).

The dragon (Satan) not only wars against God (Revelation 12:7-9) and His servants (for example, Revelation 12:1-6), but he is depicted as the ruler behind the earthly kingdoms who persecute God’s people throughout the ages.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The dragon “gave . . . his power, his throne, and great authority” to the beast from the sea (Revelation 13:2, NKJV; compare with Revelation 13:5; Revelation 17:13-14). This beast from the sea is “given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months” (Revelation 13:5, NKJV).

So, Satan (the dragon) gives power and ruling authority to a beast (an earthly religious-political power). This power is exercised in order to usurp the worship due to God. The beast blasphemes God’s name; it also wars against, and even overcomes, God’s holy ones (saints), at least for a period of time. This worldwide authority and jurisdiction is given to him by the dragon, the usurping ruler of this world.

Yet, there are clear limits on Satan and his agencies, as well, including temporal limits. “ ‘Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time’ ” (Revelation 12:12, NKJV).

Satan “knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12, ESV), and the events described in Revelation proceed along prophetic time lines, which show specific limits (see Revelation 12:14, Revelation 13:5) to the reign of these evil forces.

Indeed, God finally triumphs. “ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” (Revelation 21:4, NKJV).

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-10-the-dragon-of-revelation/

The studies in this quarter’s pamphlet encourage us to see God’s Love and Justice, just as we may sing in
Hymn 79 – O Love of God, How Strong and True! which is a beautiful theme hymn for our studies.

Rather than the fake gods that we read a lot about this week while studying, it is wonderful to be able worship our Creator God by singing 
Hymn 6 – O Worship The Lord and 
Hymn 83 – O Worship The King.

A part of a sentence in Sunday’s study caught my eye, “God works only by love”, and brings us several hymns that echo throughout the week:
Hymn 77 – O Love Of God Most Full,
Hymn 78 – For God So Loved The World,
Hymn 79 – O Love Of God, How Strong And True!,
Hymn 354 – Thy Love, O God, and
Hymn 641 – God In His Love For Us.

Later in the week, we are encouraged to look at just two of the many factors to open “up avenues for divine action that otherwise might not be (morally) available”:
Hymn 517 – My Faith Looks Up To Thee,
Hymn 523 – My Faith Has Found A Resting Place,
Hymn 533 – O For a Faith,
Hymn 602 – O Brother, Be Faithful, and
Hymn 608 – Faith Is The Victory.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/10-rules-of-engagement-singing-with-inspiration/