Category: bible study

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet 3:1-4)

In the last days” scoffers will say that Jesus is never coming back, but Peter refutes their argument by explaining God’s mastery over time. The “last days” is the time between Christ’s first and second comings; thus, we, like Peter, live in the last days.

Recent news headlines are proffering to the world some very amazing ideas that are surprising many nations and individuals. To the alarm of the “Western Allies” the current US president Donald Trump has made what appears to be “breath-taking concessions to The Kremlin.”

Apparently, at the time of this writing, all US Military Aid to Ukraine has been suspended, as well as to many other nations. Most of those suspensions are very temporary, depending on the “US interest” that is affected in each case. The prime motivator for such surprising action is said by many commentators to be a bully-type method to force the geopolitical conditioning to be more to the bent of the USA. President Trump is on public record now for saying

“We are going to forge the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and MOST DOMINANT civilization ever to exist on the face of this earth.”

Many feel that the President is now saying things like some people do in the Bible, and that by any means necessary the US will dominate everything and everyone. And that it appears that the promised second coming of Jesus is not in those big plans. With many, it’s like Jesus has either forgotten to come, or has simply scrapped His plans altogether. Is that even possible? Would Jesus do that?

Other geopolitical players are involved. On his top rated news show, Dmitry Kislov, a prominent Russian State mouthpiece who once boasted how Russia could reduce the United States to a smoldering pile of radioactive ash has been talking about a “great troika” dominating the globe: Russia, China, and The USA.” Well, What then, is a “TROIKA?”

By dictionary definition, a troika is thought of as simply the number three. In some books it is called “a group of three men” responsible for controlling administrative or civil authority. In a closer context with how Kislov has used the term, it can be thought of as a modern-day Russian Triumverate. The geopolitical scene today in our world is starting to look like there are amalgamations and competitions between various entities, all seeking world control or dominance. Those who desire to rule over “everything at any cost.”

Is there anything similar to the “TROIKA” idea in scripture?” Perhaps the following will spell it out more clearly?

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16:13-14, NKJV)

The Bible clearly spells out details of a world-wide triumverate that will accomplish total domination of everything and everyone. What the Bible’s details are on this last days triumverate remain for us to study. But for now, it would appear that big things are afloat in the world geopolitical arena now. Mysteries. Surprises. Nations are angry. But by this we do know. Jesus is coming again! Don’t you think its about time we say that with belief Church? When should we give the second coming of our Lord and Savior the very loud cry that it deserves?

How do we know that Jesus is coming again? Well, John the Revelator was a witness of the terrible scenes that will take place, manifesting as signs of Christ’s coming. He saw armies mustering for battle, and people’s hearts failing them for fear. He saw the earth moved out of its place, the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waves thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He saw the vials of God’s wrath opened, and pestilence, famine, and death come upon the inhabitants of the earth. {7BC 982.3}

Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. [see Mat 25:4]

The sources from which these spirits issue, show us in Scripture how that they will work among three great religious divisions of mankind, represented by the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, or paganism, Roman Catholicism, and apostate Protestantism.

The Bible says

“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. (Rev 17:6)

And how do we specifically identify this woman? Just a few verses later we are told:

“And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Rev 17:18)

Thus is represented the papal power, The Vatican. (not the general body of faithful Catholic believers). With all deceivablness of unrighteousness, by outside attraction and gorgeous display and pomp, deceives all nations; promising them,as did Satan our first parents, all good to those who receive its mark, and all harm to those who oppose its fallacies.

The power which has the deepest inward corruption will make the greatest outward display, and will clothe itself with the most elaborate signs of power. The Bible plainly declares that this covers a corrupt and deceiving wickedness. “Upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great,The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.” {7BC 983.4}

What is it that gives its kingdom to this power? Apostate Protestantism, a power which, while professing to have the temper and spirit of a lamb and to be allied to Heaven, speaks with the voice of a dragon. It is moved by a power from beneath {7BC 983.5}

Could it be that this dragon’s voice is in its early stages of arising when a world power leader states:

“We are going to forge the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and MOST DOMINANT civilization ever to exist on the face of this earth.”

Lets look at the words of Jesus to see what He says about it all:

Signs of the End of the Age

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Mat 24:3-14)

On every occasion when persecution takes place, those who witness it make decisions either for Christ or against Him. Those who manifest sympathy for the ones wrongly condemned show their attachment for Christ. Others are offended because the principles of truth cut directly across their practice. Many stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once advocated. Those who apostatize in time of trial will,
to secure their own safety, bear false witness, and betray their brethren. Christ has warned us of this, that we may not be surprised at the unnatural, cruel course of those who reject the light. {DA 630.2}

Many are sucked into the commercial vortex of “end time preparations” yet what will all of these people do with their underground bunkers and hoarded foods and other resources that they have horded away somewhere when the first earth quake hits? Just the other week I was sitting at my desk when an earthquake hit our area in Northern Alberta. My computer monitor was waving back and forth, from side to side for several minutes.

Mathew 24:14 gives us the clearest clue on the better way to be properly prepared for the end times, for the end of time.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Mat 24:14, NKJV)

Most churches or individuals will just repeat deftly the part that says “this gospel will be preached in all the world, and the end will come.” But so many just gloss over that part that says “AS A WITNESS.” I have sometimes thought this is a very similar trick to what the devil tries to pull in order to deceive believers. “AS A WITNESS” means something that we saw heard and experienced ourselves. Personally. Like the Apostle once said when he was preaching the everlasting gospel

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3, NIV)

Bible prophecy tells us over and over in so many ways

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. (Dan 12:1)

The true preparation for this time of trouble such as never was is well summarized by the apostle John when he said “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Rev 12:11, NIV)

All who will can be over comers. Let us strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Christ knows our weakness, and to Him we can go daily for help. It is not necessary for us to gain strength a month ahead. We are to conquer from day to day. {7BC 974.3} We become over comers by helping others to overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The keeping of the commandments of God will yield in us an obedient spirit, and the service that is the offspring of such a spirit, God can accept {7BC 974.4}

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” Jeremiah 6:16

Jesus has not forgotten about coming back again. He is just waiting for us. WE CAN COME TO JESUS NOW, JUST AS WE ARE Perhaps the Holy Spirit has impressed you that you have a sinful heart and has opened your eyes to the load of guilt and shame you are carrying. Are you sick of your sins and how they have made you sick in your heart and mind? Do you want to be free from this heavy burden of sin that has destroyed the peace and happiness in your life and in your home? Are you fed up with how sin has messed up your life and is causing you to mess up the lives of those you love? Jesus is the answer. God’s Spirit has brought you here to this point  to meet Jesus.

You can come to Jesus exactly like you are right now, full of sin and needing His help—with all your bad habits and addictions, impure or mean thoughts, your jealousy, your anger and hatred— everything! Jesus wants to clean up your heart and help you clean up your life. But for Him to be able to do that, you must first come to Him. Jesus promises, “I will never turn anyone away who comes to me.” The Holy Spirit tells us that if we hear His voice today, not to harden our hearts. The “right time” is now, and the “day of salvation” is today.

No matter what your past has been, Jesus, your Creator, is waiting for you to come to Him. He is holding His outstretched, open arms of love
to you. His heart of love is so big! You can say the following prayer with me now, and step onto the trail to heaven with Him in faith.

Jesus will wrap His arms of love around you. You will then begin your amazing walk with Him on the right road to Heaven. This will be
the most exciting, satisfying journey of your life! John 6:37, Hebrews 3:7,8, 2 Corinthians 6:2

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

I am tired of my old, sinful way of life. I know I am a sinner, and I believe you died for my sins. I come to you just as I am. Please take my hand as I seek the right path to Heaven and lead me on this road to freedom from sin and to everlasting life. In Your name, Amen.

Am I so angry that I won’t go to Church? What then might be the problem?

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. (Luke 15:28-29)

Consider this story of The Prodigal Son. Was it really a story about him or about his older brother who was so angry that he would not go in? Maybe this verse from Proverbs will give us a clue?

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them. – Proverbs 20:12

Could it be that the older brother’s tongue made him totally deaf?

Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. – AC 22.1

Jesus speaks about several parables in Luke 15 to illustrate the joy that is felt over the recovery of that which was lost. He tells how the woman who had lost one of her ten pieces of silver, sought diligently until she found it, and then called in her neighbors to rejoice with her because she had found that which had been lost.

He spoke the parable of the prodigal son, to show us how God regards those who have strayed away, and have returned again to him. He said:

“A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of the country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself,”–when reason assumed the throne, and he began to consider what he had been doing,–“he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; an bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” {RH, July 16, 1889 par. 1}

We read that the elder son took exception to the way in which the prodigal was received. The elder son had had every spiritual and temporal advantage. He represented that class that do not go to great excesses of vice, and because of this they are filled with self-righteousness. This son is represented as being grieved that he had not received some marked attention because of his good works, and he was envious that his wayward brother should be so welcomed by his father. {RH, July 16, 1889 par. 2}

The prodigal’s soul had been stirred to the very depths by remorse and repentance, and why should not those who have been partakers of light, give the repenting sinner the right help at the right time? Tell them the good news instead of doting on the bad news? At one time, Jesus asked Simon who would love his benefactor most, the one to whom a small debt was forgiven, or the one to whom a large debt was forgiven. Simon answered that the one who had been forgiven most, would love most. (Luke 7:41-43) Those who have been in despair over their course of action, will manifest corresponding gratitude and love in return, as they receive the pardoning love of God.

“…forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Mat 6:12)

I have experienced many people who were in despair over their sins. They would say things like:

“I fear I am past all help.”

Did you know there is a verse that says as long as we are alive, there is hope for us In Christ? (see Eccl 9:4-5)

One man recently told me at our weekly prayer meeting something that really surprised me. We were talking about the resurrection as depicted by the Apostle in 1 Thes 4:13-18. When we got to the part about how the resurrected and living righteous will “rise together” to meet the Lord in the air, he simply said to the group:

“Ill likely be dead and gone by the time all that happens and I highly doubt that I’ll be risen on time for all that. I have not been a very good person and I am sure it will take more time to raise me up than anyone else, so count me out, I guess.”

He said the other even bigger reason he thought this, was because of the verse where we are told:

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Cor 15:52).

And also, where Jesus says:

“as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Mat 24:27)

My friend was thinking that because of how fast these verses say the second coming will be that there will not be enough time for someone as far gone as him to be fully resurrected in time to be included in the resurrection, simply because of the kind of life he has so often lived.

Fortunately for my friend, and for all of us, the Bible does tell us a different story.

Our personal identity is preserved in the resurrection, though not the same particles of matter or material substance as went into the grave. The wondrous works of God are a mystery to humanity. The spirit, the character of a person, is returned to God, there to be preserved for ever. In the resurrection everyone will have their own character. (Rev 22:11)  God in His own time will call forth the dead, giving again the breath of life, and bidding the dry bones live. (Ezekiel 37:1-5). From what we can understand, the same bodily form will come forth, but it will be free from disease and every defect. It lives again bearing the same individuality of features, so that friend will recognize friend. Family will recognize family. There is no law of God in nature which shows that God gives back the same identical particles of matter which composed the body before death. God shall give the righteous dead a body that will glorify Him. The prodigals will have nothing to worry about if they come back to Jesus, and give their hearts to Him.

Paul illustrates this subject by the kernel of grain sown in the field. The planted kernel always decays. But there comes forth a new kernel. The natural substance in the grain that decays is never raised as it was before planting. God gives it a new body as it has pleased Him. A much finer material will compose the human body, for it is a new creation, a new birth. (2 Cor 5:17, It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Cor 15:44)

Are you asking today:

“Is there any hope for me?”

Today, and always, my answer to you would be simple:

“Hope only in God. The Father has bread enough and to spare. Arise, and go to your Father. He will meet you a great way off. He will give you his love and compassion.” The Bible says “God will quiet you with His love…” (Zeph 3:17)

The prodigals in the world around us, in the church we attend,in the homeless camps, in our Indigenous populations, and everywhere that the gospel has been bruted by colonial Christianity. Everywhere that people who have been wounded and harmed by a perverted gospel, Jesus says that all of these beautiful souls that He died for desperately need our personal encouragement. Words of sympathy and love are worth more to them than gold and silver. Why are there so many who stand afar off from the churches when our own Bibles that we so readily proffer to make everyone think like us tell us simply to invite them in?

Some, like the prodigal’s older brother are “angry and will not go in.” Others, are kept out or pushed out by the crimes and abuses of some members who name the name of Christ, but deny the power thereof. Here is how it should be done:

the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:17)

For those of you who do not approve of the prodigals coming into your church, who, like the prodigal’s older brother would have some fancy explanation why they should not be let in the doors of your house of worship, Jesus has the following promise.

“All who are afar off are made near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)

It is interesting to note how that Peter came to Jesus, and asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” And he said again, “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

We need to let our hearts break. To be perfectly broken. To let the iron melt out of our souls. Let us be pitiful and courteous. Let us have the spirit of Christ. Let us manifest the compassion of Jesus. (Phil 2:5) Jesus even left his royal throne in heaven to die for us. Jesus clothed his divinity with humanity, and came to this earth, so distorted, cold and unfeeling, so seared by the curse, to meet our common adversary, and deliver us from the bondage of sin and death.

One of my Indigenous friends whom I pray with regularly told me something absolutely amazing. They have had horrific things inflicted and imposed upon them by professing Christians all “in the name of God.” I asked them, “well how on earth can you forgive anyone who treated you like that? They don’t even deserve our time, let alone our prayers. How can they ever be trusted again?” My friend just smiled and said “because it’s what God calls us to do.” Then we had a bit of a chuckle because, as I told them, “they don’t deserve anything from God,” I then realized, as three other fingers were pointing back at me, “well neither do I.” None of us deserve anything from God. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us. (Rom 5:8) And now Jesus lives for us that we all might abandon our prodigal life, and return home to our Father’s heart of everlasting love, mercy, and grace:

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom 5:10, see also Heb 7:25)

Consider anew this story of The Prodigal Son today, while there is still time. (2 Cor 6:2) Was it really a story about the prodigal? Was it a story about his older brother who was so angry that he would not go in? Consider today friend, which of the two you most closely resemble. Please, consider carefully.

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them. – Proverbs 20:12

Perhaps the older brother’s tongue made him totally deaf? What about your tongue?

Come Unto Me
(Mat 11:28)

Do hurts of this world; cares of your life
Crush the heart’s hope; pierce like a knife?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, come unto Me.’

Families break up, by death do we part
Temptations assault, sinking the heart.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

The hurting soul says ‘Can’t come at all!’
As they toss and turn against His call.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

Are you dark or lonely, do you sadly frown?
Are you sick or fearful, or lonely or down?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

You’re mad or glad, or rich or poor?
You can’t resist some evil lure?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

The story of your life may be Galilee
Raging turmoil, no hope you see.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

Come unto Jesus; and “rest” you’ll find
Whenever a burden shall tie or bind
Your Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

• by David T Battler

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him” (Psalms 37:7).

Have you prayed and prayed and waited and waited, and still there is no manifestation? Are you still waiting for God? Are you tired of seeing nothing move? Are you just at the point of giving it all up?

Perhaps we have not waited in the right way? This would take us out of the right place. The place where Jesus can meet you personally.

“With patience wait” (Rom 8:25).

Did you know there are many benefits to “waiting?” “Patience” has many rewards?

Patience takes away worry. Jesus said He would come, and His promise is equal to His presence. Patience takes away our weeping. Why feel sad and despondent? Jesus knows your need better than you do, and His purpose in waiting is to bring more glory out of it all. Patience takes away self-works. The work He desires is that you “believe” (John 6:29), and when you believe, you may then know that all is well. Patience takes away all want. Your desire for the thing you wish is perhaps stronger than your desire for the will of God to be fulfilled in its arrival.

Patience takes away all weakening. Instead of having the delaying time, a time of letting go, know that God is getting a larger supply ready and must get us ready too. Patience takes away all our wobbling.

“Make me stand upon my standing” (Dan 8:18, margin).

In some of Daniel’s testimony as to what happened to him here in vision, he tells us what the angel did after he lost his natural strength:

“He strengthened me.” Dan 10:18.

“I was strengthened.” Dan 10:19.

“Thou has strengthened me.” Dan 10:19.

“Be strong, yea, be strong.” Dan 10:19.

There are, herein, three urgent requirements for us all:

(1) Wisdom to act and speak wisely in the hour of trial

(2) faith that refuses to respond to the surging billows of doubt

(3) humility and contentment with God’s dealings

In making His servants the prophets fit channels for the transmission of the divine message, God deprives them of everything that might indicate human strength and power; then He Himself empowers them with His own strength, and so the more effectively can He use them as He desires. This would be one of may examples of patience and her “perfect work.”

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.(James 1:4)

We can’t really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. It is easy to be kind to others when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly? God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for promising to be with you in rough times. Ask him to help you solve your problems or to give you the strength to endure them. Then be patient. God will not leave you alone with your problems; Jesus will stay close and help you grow. (2 Pet 3:18,Heb 13:5)

God’s foundations are steadfast and when His patience is within, we are steadfast while we wait. Patience gives worship. Patience with praise is often “long-suffering with joyfulness” (Col 1:11) is the best part of it all.

“…from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; (Col 1:9-11)

How complete this prayer is! There is no limit to the blessings that it is our privilege to receive. We may be “filled with the knowledge of his will.” God’s Holy Educating Spirit would never have inspired Paul to offer this prayer in behalf of his brethren, if it had not been possible for them to receive an answer from God in accordance with the request. Since this is so, we can know that God’s will is manifested to His people whenever they need a clearer understanding of His will.

“Let (all these phases of) patience have her perfect work” (James 1:4) while you wait, and you will find great blessings that you can share with others. (Rev 12:11, 1 John 1:1-3)

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the person who carries out evil devices! (Psalms 37:4-7)

To delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Thus, to delight in the Lord, we must know him better. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed give us delight. To commit ourselves to the Lord means entrusting everything—our lives, families, jobs, possessions—to his control and guidance. To commit ourselves to the Lord means to trust in him (Psalms 37:5), believing that he can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently (Psalms 37:7) for him to work out what is best for us.

Our Shelter In The Storm

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (Mark 4:37)

The waves were probably excited by Satan, who, having got the author and all the preachers of the Gospel together in a small vessel, thought by drowning it, to defeat the purposes of God, and thus to prevent the salvation of a ruined world. What a good opportunity this must have appeared to be to the enemy of the human race!

No doubt they baled out the boat with all their might, and did their best, as well seasoned fishermen and sailors, to prevent it from sinking. Yet “ it was now full of water.” But where was their Lord and Master, and what was he doing while the storm was raging?

And he waves in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: (Mark 4:38)

So too, the Christian life may have more stormy weather than calm seas. The disciples needed rest, but they encountered a terrible storm. As Christ’s followers today, let us be prepared for the storms that will surely come. Do not surrender to the stress, or the terrors, but remain resilient and steadfast. Recover from setbacks through Christ. With faith in Christ, you can pray, trust, and move ahead. Push through. When a brutal storm approaches, lean right into the wind and trust God.

Many that have true faith, are weak in it. Christ’s disciples are very prone to be disquieted with fears and terror in a stormy day; to torment themselves that things are getting really bad with them, and with dismal thoughts that they will be worse. Great storms of doubt and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful calm. Created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. They were astonished. They never saw a storm so turned at once into a perfect calm. Our Jesus that can do this, can do any thing, which encourages confidence and comfort in the most stormy day, within or without.

Jesus keeps us in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him, because we trust in Him. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. (Isa 26:3-4)

We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but when we fix our thoughts on God, we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. As we focus our mind on God and his Word, we become steady and stable. Supported by God’s unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos Do you want peace? Keep your thoughts on God and your trust in him.

God’s peace is different from the world’s peace (see John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God’s peace guard your heart against anxiety.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:4-8)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12, NIV)

I cant think of a better theme to dwell upon in this new year, 2025 that we are all entering now.

Paul brings out two aspects of Christian living that must be stressed today. “We should live in this evil world . . . while we look forward with hope.” Both aspects of living and looking forward are essential to our Christian sanity in this present evil age. The living is made bearable because we live for God—seeking to build his Kingdom with whatever gifts he has given us. And it is that very Kingdom to which we are looking forward. As we live and look forward, we anticipate three great benefits of Christ’s return:

(1) Christ’s personal presence—we look forward to being with him.

(2) Redemption from our sinful nature—we long for the end of the battle with sin and our perfection in Christ.

(3) Restoration of creation—we anticipate the complete rule of grace when the image of God will be fully realized in people and when the created order will be restored.

Looking for that blessed hope – Expecting the grand object of our hope, eternal life. See Tit 1:2. This is what the Gospel teaches us to expect, and what the grace of God prepares the human heart for. This is called a blessed hope; those who have it are happy in the sure prospect of that glory which shall be revealed.

The Lord purifies the heart very much as we air a room. We do not close the doors and windows, and throw in some purifying substance; but we open the doors and throw wide the windows, and let heaven’s purifying atmosphere flow in. The Lord says, “Anyone  that does  truth comes  to the light.” The windows of impulse, of feeling, must be opened up toward heaven, and the dust of selfishness and earthliness must be expelled. The grace of God must sweep through the chambers of the mind, the imagination must have heavenly themes for contemplation, and every element of the nature must be purified and vitalized by the Spirit of God {7BC 940.4}

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, (Eph 6:13-19, NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isa 30:21)

Like Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross of Christ to the finish line, the cross may have slipped away from your agenda. It may interfere with our personal plans and objectives. It may even seem impossible to walk in the blood-stained path of Jesus. But let us always remember:

The cross stands alone, a great center in the world. It does not find friends, but it makes them. It creates its own agencies. Christ proposes that men shall become laborers together with God. He makes human beings His instrumentalities for drawing all men unto Himself. A divine agency is sufficient only through its operation on human hearts with its transforming power, making men colaborers with God {5BC 1138.1}

The path of grace that Jesus would have you walk upon in this new year will be made clear to you as soon as you put your first foot forward to walk therein. One step at a time is how God operates. (Mat 6:33-34)

God’s Promise Is Sure

“Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. (1 Kings 8:56, NIV)

Some day we shall understand that God has a reason in every NO which He speaks through the slow movement of life. “Somehow God makes up to us.” How often, when His people are worrying and perplexing themselves about their prayers not being answered, is God answering them in a far richer way! Glimpses of this we see occasionally, but the full revelation of it remains for the future.

May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need…(1 Kings 8:57-59, NIV)

He will protect His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom; He will gently and carefully lead those nursing their young. (Isa 40:11, CEV)

Jesus knows us individually, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows us all by name. He knows the very house in which we live, the name of each occupant. He has at times given directions to His servants to go to a certain street in a certain city, to such a house, to find one of His sheep.{DA 479.3}

God is often pictured as a shepherd, gently caring for and guiding his flock. He is powerful (Isa 40:10), yet careful and gentle. He is called a shepherd (Psalms 23); the good shepherd (John 10:11, John 10:14); the great Shepherd (Heb 13:20); and the Great Shepherd (1 Pet 5:4). Note that the shepherd is caring for the most defenseless members of his society: children and those caring for them. This reinforces the prophetic theme that the truly powerful nation is not the one with a strong military, but rather the one that relies on God’s caring strength to look after those in want, and the many families that are suffering these days.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.(James 1:27, ESV)

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalms 82:3-4)

In the first century, orphans and widows had very little means of economic support. Unless a family member was willing to care for them, they were reduced to begging, selling themselves as slaves, or starving. By caring for these people, the church put God’s Word into practice. When we give with no thought of receiving, we show what it means to truly serve others.

To keep ourselves from letting “the world” corrupt us, we need to commit ourselves to Christ’s ethical and moral system, not the world’s. We are not to adapt to the world’s value system, which is based on money, power, pleasure, convenience. True faith means nothing if we are contaminated with such values that tear down the foundations of our “religion.”

A Christian is a Christlike man, a Christlike woman, who is active in God’s service, who is present at the social meeting, whose presence will encourage others also. Religion does not consist in works, but religion works; it is not dormant {7BC 935.13}

Many seem to feel that religion has a tendency to make its possessor narrow and cramped, but genuine religion does not have a narrowing influence; it is the lack of religion that cramps the faculties and narrows the mind. When a person is narrow, it is an evidence that they need the grace of God, the heavenly anointing; for a Christian is one whom the Lord, the God of hosts, can work through, that they may keep the ways of the Lord of the earth and make manifest His will to others.{7BC 935.14}

It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Savior. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. “He that keeps His commandments dwells in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.” “Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 3:24; 2:3. This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness. {COL 312.3}

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy [yoke] you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28, ERV)

A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen. It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull. A person may be carrying heavy burdens of

(1) sin,

(2) excessive demands of religious leaders (Mat 23:4; Act 15:10),

(3) oppression and persecution, or

(4) weariness in the search for God.

Jesus frees people from all these burdens. The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God, not the end of all labor. A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Mat 11:28-30, Msg)

The Yoke of Restraint and Obedience.

Christ says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you”–the yoke of restraint and obedience–“and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” We are to find rest by wearing His yoke and bearing His burdens. In being co-workers with Christ in the great work for which He gave His life, we shall find true rest. When we were sinners, He gave His life for us. He wants us to come to Him and learn of Him. Thus we are to find rest. He says He will give us rest. “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” In doing this you will find in your own experience the rest that Christ gives, the rest that comes from wearing His yoke and lifting His burdens {5BC 1090.3}

Your work is not to gather up burdens of your own. As you take the burdens that Christ would have you, then you can realize what burdens He carried. Let us study the Bible, and find out what kind of yoke He bore. He was a help to those around Him. He says: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

You see there is a yoke to bear. Now this is the very faith that we want–a faith that will grasp the promises of God, one that will take the yoke of Christ and bear the burdens that He would have us. We often think we are having a hard time in bearing burdens, and it is too often the case, because God has not made any provision for us to carry these burdens; but when we bear His yoke and carry His burdens, we can testify that the yoke of Christ is easy and His burdens are light, because He has made provision for these.

But when you feel depressed and discouraged, do not give up the battle; you have a living Savior that will help you, and you will have rest in Him. You must not put your neck under the yoke of fashion, and yokes that God has never designed that you should bear. It is not our work to study how to meet the world’s standard, but the great question with each one should be, How can I meet God’s standard? Then it is that you will find rest to the soul; for Christ has said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” {5BC 1091.2}

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Mat 24:6-8, NIV)

Recent headlines for our area here yesterday read as follows:

The Russians Warned The West Again:

“No One Will Be Able To Prevent Our Retaliation, Learn the Nuclear Doctrine by Heart.”

So many people are dying because of this man and his aspirations. How many more will die? Not a pleasant subject to think about.

Our world has never been in such a state of war and rumors of war. Much sabre-rattling, threats,fighting, and slaughtering are breaking out everywhere. Russia and “The Axis Of Evil” countries are gaining new confidence to impose terror and fear upon the world. Russia seems to be on a hell-bent runaway. With help from North Korea and Iran, things look very frightening and uncertain. Yes, it’s quite true that Putin with his recent nuclear doctrine can possibly impose much death and destruction and spread abject fear, world wide. But Mr Putin is not immune to the hand of God.

My friends, if that is all we do is to read “the news” then yes. We are going to be scared. But, is there really something else we might read that will address what we are talking about and that give us assurance and hope, and that will help to inform us on what is happening in our world today? I believe that kind of reading is found in the Bible which just happens to be more up to date than next weeks news.

And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. (Dan 2:43, KJV)

History has shown consistently the accounts of other men, who thought they could do whatever they wanted to and rule the world. Or to  rule over Europe. In every single case, they have utterly failed. Yes, the death and destruction they imposed was formidable but no one has ever succeeded in trying to unite or rule all countries of the world, or even just the countries in Europe.

Did you know that the Bible, talking about the kingdoms in Europe, says “they shall not cleave, one to another?” No matter what they do today, kingdoms and rulers will never be able to accomplish the uniting of Europe, or of ruling the world. The question has been asked before:

“Will One Power Rule The World?”

In an Adventist publication called “Signs of The Times,” there was penned a very bold statement about this. The year was 1940 and Arthur S Maxwell penned the following bold words concerning the ancient Roman Empire and the future of Europe:

“Crushed beneath the weight of it’s own vast proportions, it crumbled to pieces. Never to be united again.It’s elements lost the power of cohesion, and no man, or combination of men can consolidate them.”

In all of the long years since those days, that Adventist magazine has never had to go back on this interpretation of the great prophecy in the second chapter of Daniel. And no matter how crazy things get today, that is one point that will never have to be retracted. “THEY SHALL NOT CLEAVE ONE TO ANOTHER.” (Dan 2:43)

Maxwell continues in the same magazine article:

“True, many are beginning to ask questions and to entertain doubts. The Adventist interpretation here is under fire from many quarters People are saying things to us like “Look what is happening in Europe today. This new Napoleon is so strong that no one can stop him. He is bound to spread his dominion over the whole continent.”

Friends,today we are seeing another repeat of this kind of scenario. Many are literally shaking in “their boots” as we witness the horrors Putin and his helpers are forcing upon our world today. Putin himself, like people in the past, is now saying publicly that

“No one will be able to prevent our retaliation.”

History shows a long line of over-confident men. Over estimating their power and their level of control. For it is God alone that sets Kings up or brings them back down. (Dan 2:21)

As an Adventist, my only reply to what we are seeing in the world today is exactly what my brethren of the past have said about this prophecy. There is no need to retract or revise anything we have taught about the prophecy of Daniel 2:43. This prophecy is the most remarkable,the most significant to be found anywhere in the Bible. Daniel 2 is absolutely authentic and 100% reliable. It is not possible that this interpretation of Daniel 2 will ever be overthrown by any sequence of world events that we are seeing now or that we will see in the near future.

The Daniel 2:43 prophecy is the only prophecy in the Bible to which the words “certain” and “sure” are both attached. If for no other reason, with these two seals upon it, then surely we can trust it 100%. It has never failed in the past. It cannot fail now.

Perhaps this is partly why the Apostle said later in The New Testament:

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:(2 Pet 1:19, KJV)

There is a compelling reason in the witness of Bible prophecy, through which the faith of all might be confirmed and securely anchored. “We have also,” Peter declared, “a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” {AA 534.3}

While exalting the “sure word of prophecy” as a safe guide in times of peril, the apostle solemnly warned the church against the torch of false prophecy, which would be uplifted by “false teachers,” who would privily bring in “damnable heresies, even denying the Lord.” (1 Tim 4:1, 2 Thes 2:3, Acts 20:30, 2 Tim 3:1-5) To such false teachers, arising in the church and accounted true by many of the superficial brethren in the faith, the apostle compared to “wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever.” “The latter end is worse with them,” he declared, “than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” {AA 535.1}

Looking down through the ages to the close of time, Peter was inspired to outline conditions that would exist in the world just prior to the second coming of Christ.

“There shall come in the last days scoffers,” he wrote, “walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” But “when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” 1 Thes 5:3.

Not all, however, would be ensnared by the enemy’s devices. As the end of all things earthly should approach, there would be faithful ones able to discern the signs of the times. While a large number of professing believers would deny their faith by their works, there would be a remnant who would endure to the end. {AA 535.2}

I recently spoke to a friend who said they were going to preach about something in Bible prophecy. I felt that I should remind them about the centrality of the cross and how they should make sure their message comes across as centered in Christ and Him crucified. The reply I got was something like this:

“I agree but I am teaching on signs of the times, and where we are in the prophetic time from Daniel’s statue.”

As if there was no way the cross needed to be included, much less be the central message of that part of Daniel, which, by the way is found in Dan 2.I am not talking about just one individual here. Quite a few people have told me recently that “the cross” is not really a part of Bible prophecy,

The biggest reason that Bible prophecy is scary to people is because when we talk about the Bible’s views on end time prophecy, we rarely talk about Jesus. As humans we often gravitate towards the beast, the mark, and all of the horrific things associated with them. In Gal 6:14 we are told to glory in nothing but the cross of Christ. The three angel’s message does just that. Prophecy is really just the story of Jesus, and His role in the great controversy with the devil. Rather than doting too much on history when we talk about prophecy, we desperately need a renewed focus on HIS-STORY. Lets look briefly at how the three angel’s message does this:

And I saw another angel flying in heaven: and with blood, he had the everlasting gospel, to proclaim to dwellers on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; (Rev 14:6, Murdock)

“With blood” is the phrase that tells us how God desires us to focus more on “Christ and Him crucified.” Thats why Paul said in Gal 6:14 “God forbid that I glory in anything but Christ and Him crucified.” One Christian writer put it like this

There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures–Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation. When Christ bowed His head and died, He bore the pillars of Satan’s kingdom with Him to the earth. He vanquished Satan. {FLB 50.2-3}

The very reason the gospel is therein called “everlasting” is because the cross has always been a fact and always will be the foundation of everything. Because of the cross we can all count on a solid foundation, no matter how horrible we have been or how much we have fallen short now.

“Those that are afar off are made near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)

If the three angel’s message starts with Christ and Him crucified,then why don’t we? “I saw another angel WITH BLOOD,” says what it means and means what it says. Yes, Bible prophecy tells us that terrible things are coming, but it also tells us that Jesus is coming. And that is the whole point of Bible prophecy. Satan loses. Jesus wins. And when Jesus returns, we will finally win with Him. Christ is coming the second time, with power unto salvation. To prepare human beings for this event, He has sent the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These angels represent those who receive the truth, and with power open the gospel to the world. {7BC 978.11}

Through His servants, God gave the Jewish people a last opportunity to repent. He manifested Himself through His witnesses in their arrest, in their trial, and in their imprisonment. Yet their judges pronounced on them the death sentence. They were men of whom the world was not worthy, and by killing them the Jews crucified afresh the Son of God. So it will be again. The authorities will make laws to restrict religious liberty. They will assume the right that is God’s alone. They will think they can force the conscience, which God alone should control. Even now they are making a beginning; this work they will continue to carry forward till they reach a boundary over which they cannot step. God will interpose in behalf of His loyal, commandment-keeping people. {DA 630.1}

On every occasion when persecution takes place, those who witness it make decisions either for Christ or against Him. Those who manifest sympathy for the ones wrongly condemned show their attachment for Christ. Others are offended because the principles of truth cut directly across their practice. Many stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once advocated. Those who apostatize in time of trial will, to secure their own safety, bear false witness, and betray their brethren. Christ has warned us of this, that we may not be surprised at the unnatural, cruel course of those who reject the light. {DA 630.2}

The Bible is clear that Putin cannot win. He will never control the world the way he wants to. For the simple reason that he is not the one that is in control.

As Christians, our calling from God is to become like Christ (Rom 8:29). This is a gradual, lifelong process that will be completed when we see Christ face to face (1 John 3:2). To be “worthy” of this calling means to want to do what is right and good as Christ would do and help us to do. (John 7:17, John 1:12).

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:13-18, NIV)

Bible prophecy is a real eye opener on the activities of Christ throughout history and how because of His death on the cross, we all can get through the crazy times in which we now live. Bible prophecy tells us that we may look forward with peace, strength, and assurance that as we glorify God now in our life, He too will glorify us as He leads us into the next life.

“…when [Jesus] comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thes 1:10-12, ERV)

Jesus once said that

“People who really want to do what God wants will know that my teaching comes from God. They will know that this teaching is not my own. (John 7:17, ERV)

Those who sincerely attempt to know God’s will and do it will know beyond any reasonable doubt that Jesus was telling the truth about Himself. Have you ever listened to religious speakers and wondered if they were telling the truth? Test them.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

Whatever they are saying should always end up glorifying God. Pointing others to Jesus. Not to themselves. (Acts 20:30) Just as the first angel of Rev 14:6 admonishes. If you want to know how to respond to what is happening around us today, just listen once again to that first angel:

I saw another angel flying in heaven: and with blood, he had the everlasting gospel, to proclaim to dwellers on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; saying with a loud voice, Worship God, and give glory to him; because the hour of his judgment is come; and adore ye Him, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. (Rev 14:6-7, Murdock)

A friend just reminded me of the following as I was penning this article

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“Jesus reminds us that no matter what we face; His victory is our source of real hope. These words encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that Christ’s triumph over the world  assures us of His enduring support and love.”

And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you(Gen 9:9,KJV)

I have entitled this article How Many Covenants because contrary to the popular notions of Churchianity, and our ever stretching “truth” there is technically no such thing as The Old and New Covenants. God’s covenant promise is always the same and can be seen recorded back in the book of Genesis. And ending in the book of Revelation. There is the odd context in Scripture, where a “new covenant” is mentioned but it is only called “new” because it’s typically something that the people concerned have never done before. Gods message of salvation never changes from Old Testament to New Testament. Much like the “new commandment of love” that Jesus reminded His hearers of in the New Testament, He knew that for His disciples, it was very new, since they had never done that before. That “new commandment” is also found in Lev 19:18.

Jesus once said:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34, NIV)

When you think of it, how could this be literally a “new commandment” as in a different or revised gospel message of some kind? Scripture tells us how that “God never changes,” “God never lies,” “God never contradicts Himself,” We may rejoice that this very same commandment can be found way back in Leviticus and further:

“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” (Lev 19:18)

There is something sometimes called “The Old Covenant” simply because its something that people have tried to do that is not a part of the “everlasting” covenant on the shed blood of Christ. As humanity we tend to seek ways and means of doing God’s will in our own strength and wisdom, even though God gives us plenty of reminders that He wants to do it through us. As they said in the Old testament, “all that you have said God WE WILL DO.” And God has to keep reminding by saying “I WILL write my law on your hearts. God has always wanted to be there for us and do what we can never do in our own strength or supposed wisdom. In our opening text God says I WILL ESTABLISH my covenant.” So there is always this tug of war between I WILL or God Will. That is why the Bible says “Christ in you THE HOPE in glory.” (Col 1:27)

A Covenant is simply a promise or undertaking resting on certain conditions, with a sign or token attached to it. The bow in the cloud, the Lord’s Supper, etc are signs and seals of their respective covenants. We should never witness a rainbow without remembering that as God hath sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so He will not withdraw His loving kindness.

“To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isa 54:9-10, NIV) here, the Covenant is called “everlasting.” From beginning to the end in the Bible, ‘everlasting’ is the favorite word used to describe the covenant. “From the foundation of the world” means “everlasting.”

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:8)

“From the foundation of The World” means ‘everlasting.’ Another verse does call the blood of Christ “the everlasting covenant.”

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,(Heb 13:20)

It is not Biblically correct to just say “Jesus Himself is the “everlasting covenant,” for a covenant by it’s very nature is an agreement about something by two parties. There is a covenant, or agreement between God and His people about the shed blood of Christ. The cross is the only thing in our earthly realm that can be called “everlasting.” No other belief or event can be called “everlasting.” Thats why the gospel is called simply wonderful and wonderfully simple.

“OLD”  COVENANT

Made when Israel came from Egypt. This is what God says about what we tend to call an “Old Covenant”

For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Heb 8:7-10, NIV)

It is more accurate to just call them the first covenant, and the second covenant, but not “the old” or “the new.” The reason it’s not a literal “new covenant” is because once again, it was just something that the people had not done before:

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jer 31:31-33)

First promise to obey by the people, Exodus 19:5-8. Second promise, Exodus 24:3. Third promise, Exodus 24:4-7.

This covenant was broken by our human efforts to keep it. Jer 31:32.

As humanity we have always promised to obey in our own strength and failed. It is always and only in Christ’s strength can anyone keep their covenant with God. Thats why John 14:15 says

Scripture says that the covenant made by God with the people was then ratified by blood, Exodus 24:8; Heb 9:17-21

This is called the first covenant, not because it was the first one made, or because its a different gospel, but because it was the first covenant ratified by blood. By the blood of Christ. By the blood of the Lamb, “slain from the foundation of the world.” Thats what makes “the covenant” EVERLASTING.

“NEW” COVENANT

Law of God the basis for the new Covenant. As with what we call “the old covenant,” The New Covenant was simply an agreement about the law between God and His people. Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10. What we now call The New Covenant was actually initiated very early in the Old Testament and will continue until the second coming of Jesus. Otherwise how can it be an “everlasting covenant” as scripture calls it? Forgiveness of sins are a central part of the covenant. Jer 31:34. ONLY Christ’s blood cleanses from sin, 1 John 1:7. Christ is the lamb slain “from the foundation of the world”, Rev 13:8; therefore, the new covenant began in the beginning and extends until sin is destroyed forever at the second coming.

Obedience to the law of God through the blood of Christ is the object of the everlasting, or new covenant, Heb 13:20-21. Technically speaking, it is only called “new” because as people learn about it they realize through The Holy Spirit that it is a way of life in Christ they have never done before. As humanity, we tend to always think “we can do that,” (Exodus 19:8) yet God, in His infinite love, mercy, and grace, tenderly reminds us that “I will do that.” (Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10)

Upon the first promise of a Savior, Gen 3:15 God promised that He alone would establish enmity between His people and the Devil. The Lord pledged the new, or everlasting covenant, to Noah and his posterity, Gen 9:9-17. The rainbow was given as a pledge of the covenant, Gen 9:13-16. This same covenant was pledged to Abraham and his children, Gen 17:2-7; Gen 17:21; and to Abraham’s seed, Gal 3:16; Gal 3:19.

A covenant is very much the same as a will, or a last testament. (Gal 3:15, margin; Heb 9:16-17). The death of testator seals the will, or covenant/testament made , Heb 9:16. Christ’s death sealed or ratified what people often call the new covenant, John 19:28-30. But as we have already seen, the covenant re the blood of Christ is everlasting, being called that “from the foundation of the world.” A person’s will cannot be broken after the death of the testator, Gal 3:15. Therefore, nothing can be added to Christ’s covenant after His death. Nothing else is needed in addition to the shed blood of Christ! (Gal 6:14, Eph 2:13) For that reason Jesus instituted baptism and the Lord’s supper,- HIS divinely appointed memorial of His death and resurrection. Even though Jesus was resurrected on Sunday, Sunday is not THAT memorial. Sunday is simply “the first day of the week” in Scripture.

Christ has, however, reaffirmed the Sabbath commandment before His death, Mat 24:20.

Pray that it will not be winter or the Sabbath day when these things happen and you have to run away,

The strongest advocates for Sunday observance give nothing earlier than the first day of the week upon which Christ arose from the dead as evidence for Sunday observance; but Sunday is on the wrong side of the cross to be included in the everlasting, or new covenant. Nothing can be added to the new covenant after Christ’s death. Scripture provides us with the following illustration of living under what some call the new covenant:

Moses said to the LORD, “You told me to lead these people, but you did not say who you would send with me. You said to me, ‘I know you very well, and I am pleased with you.’ If I have really pleased you, then teach me your ways. I want to know you. Then I can continue to please you. Remember that these people are your nation.” The Lord answered, “I myself will go with you. I will lead you.” Then Moses said to him, “If you don’t go with us, then don’t make us leave this place. Also, how will we know if you are pleased with me and these people? If you go with us, we will know for sure. If you don’t go with us, these people and I will be no different from any other people on the earth.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will do what you ask. I will do this because I am pleased with you and because I know you very well.” Exodus 33:12-17. Moses depended on God continually. Christ exemplified dependence on God fully in His life and ministry too

Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. John 8:28

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.  John 5:30.

The one who walks by faith, trusting in God for help continually, lives under the new/second covenant. The individual who walks by sight, trusting in their own strength, lives under the old/first covenant.

Under which covenant are you living today?

The LORD said to Moses

“I am coming to you in a storm cloud so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always believe you.” Moses told the LORD what the people had said. (Exodus 19:9, GW)

The cloud that guided Israel, stood over the tabernacle. The glory of the cloud emanated from Jesus Christ, who from the midst of the glory talked with Moses, as He had talked with him from the burning bush. The brightness of God’s presence was enshrouded in the darkness of the cloud which He made His pavilion, that the people could endure to look upon the cloud, as seeing Him who is invisible. This is God’s plan whereby He might approach humanity today. Rev 1:7 tells us that Jesus will come again on a cloud. (Rev 1:7) In all the dark clouds of our experience today, Jesus is there. Jesus is the “light of the world” (John 8:12)in every cloud.

Jesus talked to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.” (John 8:12)

“That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” The world has had its great teachers, men of giant intellect and wonderful research, men whose utterances have stimulated thought, and opened to view vast fields of knowledge; and these men have been honored as guides and benefactors of their race. But there is One who stands higher than they.

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” “No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” John 1:12, John 1:18.

We can trace the line of the world’s great teachers as far back as human records extend; but the Light was before them. As the moon and the stars of the solar system shine by the reflected light of the sun, so, as far as their teaching is true, do the world’s great thinkers reflect the rays of the Sun of Righteousness. Every gem of thought, every flash of the intellect, is from the Light of the world. In these days we hear much about “higher education.” The true “higher education” is that imparted by Him “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” Col 2:3; John 1:4. “He that followeth Me,” said Jesus, “shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” {DA 464.4}

In the words, “I am the light of the world,” Jesus declared Himself the Messiah. The aged Simeon, in the temple where Christ was now teaching, had spoken of Him as “a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” Luke 2:32. In these words he was applying to Him a prophecy familiar to all Israel. By the prophet Isaiah, the Holy Spirit had declared, “It is too light a thing that Thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth.” Isa 49:6, R. V. This prophecy was generally understood as spoken of the Messiah, and when Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,” the people could not fail to recognize His claim to be the Promised One. {DA 465.1}