This document provides slides for the seventh day of a Week of Prayer series exploring the eight key doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The slides discuss the doctrine of the end times, with a focus on the core dynamic being a distortion of God's character that allows some to think they are serving God through coercion and persecution. It notes that Jesus said this would occur at the end, and emphasizes that knowing God as loving and non-coercive prevents this. The slides also address how Daniel and Revelation depict world empires seeking power through force but being replaced, and how Jesus conquers through truth and love instead of force.
Homily: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A 2017James Knipper
This document is a sermon that addresses the Gospel passage about being prepared for the coming of the Son of Man. It summarizes that early Christians expected Jesus to return soon, but as time passed without his return, the Gospel writers reminded people to always be prepared. The sermon urges focusing on living faithfully in the present rather than worrying about the future. It suggests "filling our lamps" by recognizing God's presence in daily life and relationships, examining our spiritual lives, and acting to bring God's kingdom to earth through caring for others. Living this way in the present prepares us without knowing when Christ will return.
Homily: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time A 2023.docxJames Knipper
Biblical scholars tell us that this Parable of the Ten Virgins was likely cobbled together from a few sources meant to drive home the message of always being prepared – a Gospel theme we will hear often between now and Christmas. But was does that mean to you and me? What does being prepared look like? And tapping into one of today’s Gospel metaphors, what is the oil that we need to be placing in our lamps? Check it out…
Summer Splash Developing a devotional life part 1 of 2Albert Soto
This document provides an overview and summaries of a 2013 summer series on developing a devotional life. It includes:
- An introduction and schedule for the summer series focusing on having a devotional life, reading the Bible, and living in community.
- Summaries of three talks from the series addressing fuel for the devotional journey, foundations for reading the Bible, and friends for the journey of living in community.
- Additional summaries of methods for daily devotion, why to read the Bible, and an example of using the S.O.A.P. Bible study method in a journal entry. The document offers guidance and perspectives on spiritual growth through regular Bible reading and prayer.
This document provides an overview of a tool for church discipleship. It discusses the need for both personal and corporate discipleship to help Christians grow in maturity and fruitfulness. The personal model of discipleship involves four components: focusing on God's word, making a commitment, modeling godly behavior, and providing individual attention. The goal of discipleship is to help believers progress from spiritual childhood to adulthood and produce spiritual reproduction through evangelism.
Homily: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A 2017James Knipper
This document is a sermon that addresses the Gospel passage about being prepared for the coming of the Son of Man. It summarizes that early Christians expected Jesus to return soon, but as time passed without his return, the Gospel writers reminded people to always be prepared. The sermon urges focusing on living faithfully in the present rather than worrying about the future. It suggests "filling our lamps" by recognizing God's presence in daily life and relationships, examining our spiritual lives, and acting to bring God's kingdom to earth through caring for others. Living this way in the present prepares us without knowing when Christ will return.
Homily: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time A 2023.docxJames Knipper
Biblical scholars tell us that this Parable of the Ten Virgins was likely cobbled together from a few sources meant to drive home the message of always being prepared – a Gospel theme we will hear often between now and Christmas. But was does that mean to you and me? What does being prepared look like? And tapping into one of today’s Gospel metaphors, what is the oil that we need to be placing in our lamps? Check it out…
Summer Splash Developing a devotional life part 1 of 2Albert Soto
This document provides an overview and summaries of a 2013 summer series on developing a devotional life. It includes:
- An introduction and schedule for the summer series focusing on having a devotional life, reading the Bible, and living in community.
- Summaries of three talks from the series addressing fuel for the devotional journey, foundations for reading the Bible, and friends for the journey of living in community.
- Additional summaries of methods for daily devotion, why to read the Bible, and an example of using the S.O.A.P. Bible study method in a journal entry. The document offers guidance and perspectives on spiritual growth through regular Bible reading and prayer.
This document provides an overview of a tool for church discipleship. It discusses the need for both personal and corporate discipleship to help Christians grow in maturity and fruitfulness. The personal model of discipleship involves four components: focusing on God's word, making a commitment, modeling godly behavior, and providing individual attention. The goal of discipleship is to help believers progress from spiritual childhood to adulthood and produce spiritual reproduction through evangelism.
The document provides commentary on Romans 5. It discusses the key points:
1) When justified through faith, believers have peace with God through Jesus Christ. This peace comes from God reconciling us and us being reconciled to God through the propitiation of Jesus.
2) Having peace with God eliminates the fear of God as judge, fear of death, and doubts/fears from the devil's attacks. Justification provides righteous acceptance and knowing God as a loving father.
3) Chapter 5 shows how justification leads to rejoicing at different stages - in our position, present troubles, and ultimately in God himself. Understanding theology should produce a rejoicing spirit even in suffering.
The document is a speech given by Tad R. Callister discussing Latter-day Saint beliefs about identity and destiny. It makes three main points:
1) Latter-day Saints believe that humans are literal spirit offspring of God, not just creations, and this identity determines their destiny to become like God.
2) God's plan is for His children to progress toward exaltation and godhood so they can experience eternal joy, as God does. Important scriptures are cited that support humans having the potential to become gods.
3) The doctrine does not diminish God's status but elevates it, as exalted beings can offer more intense worship. Critics who say it lowers
This is a study of Jacob experiencing God's presence and yet not being aware that he was in the presence of God. How often do we all forget that we are in His presence. We need to practice being in His presence for He is omnipresent,
This document is an introduction to a series of sermons on Bible Adventism. It discusses the author's faith as a Seventh-day Adventist, which emphasizes the second coming of Christ and observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. The introduction explains that Adventists differ from other religions based on their interpretation of the Bible, not for personal preference or denominational influence. It asserts that the Bible should be taken literally unless figures of speech are indicated, and that Adventists do not set dates for Christ's return but watch for the signs of the times as described in scripture.
This document discusses the importance of holiness from a biblical perspective. It provides several definitions of holiness, including: 1) having one's mind aligned with God according to Scripture; 2) striving to avoid sin and obey commands; 3) imitating Jesus Christ. It notes that holiness involves outward conduct, inward motivation, and obedience to God's word. The document laments the decline in holiness preaching and living, and attributes this to issues like undermining biblical authority, lack of role models, and a self-centered theology that focuses on what God can give rather than what He wants us to become.
1) The document discusses the story of Pinchas killing an Israelite man and Midianite woman for publicly engaging in immoral acts. Some see this as justified to defend God's ways, while others see it as fanatical.
2) God approves of Pinchas' actions and rewards him for having "passion for God" that turns away God's wrath.
3) The document examines lessons from a new census of Israelites and laws established in response to appeals from daughters concerned about inheriting their father's land. Living in God's way is favored, and God answers calls to establish ethical rules for the community.
(1) The document discusses the story of Pinchas from the Torah portion, who killed an Israelite man and Midianite woman for publicly violating God's ways. Commentators had differing views on whether this action was justified or set a dangerous precedent.
(2) The document then examines God's blessing of Pinchas, and interpretations of what "a passion for God" means in this context. It also discusses lessons from the census numbers and legal cases presented to Moses.
(3) Finally, the document analyzes why God repeats instructions about sacrifices and offerings, noting they foster relationship with God and community through order, peace, and deterring straying - though ritual alone cannot substitute for righteousness
The document discusses the importance of studying the doctrine of the Trinity. It provides several reasons why the Trinity is central to Christianity, notably that it is necessary for the atoning work of Christ. Removing the Trinity would cause the Christian faith to disintegrate. The document also explores scriptural support for the Trinity and how each person of the Godhead was involved in salvation through Jesus's life, death and resurrection.
This document summarizes key points from a conference on Christian identity and discipleship. It discusses Dietrich Bonhoeffer's views on cheap grace without repentance versus costly grace of following Jesus. It also examines double standards of having maximum and minimum obedience standards. Additionally, it explores what it means to be adopted sons of God through the Spirit rather than slaves, and implications for assurance, intimacy with God, and inheritance. The document provides biblical passages and quotes to support focusing on gospel-centered sonship and discipleship.
Martin Luther argues that Christians can have assurance of their salvation based on three grounds: 1) The promises of Scripture that those who trust in Christ alone are saved. 2) The sanctifying work of the Spirit seen in the lives of believers. 3) The witness of the Spirit causing believers to cry "Abba, Father." Luther says this cry, though small, expresses the believer's knowledge that they are God's child through Christ. He urges believers to train their conscience to believe that God approves of them, despite doubts, based on Christ's righteousness.
The biblical account of the fall of Adam can be summarized as follows:
1) God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, commanding them not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Disobedience would result in death.
2) Satan in the form of a serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. She and Adam disobeyed God.
3) As a result of their sin, Adam and Eve's fellowship with God was broken. They became ashamed and afraid, and were expelled from the garden. God cursed the serpent and pronounced judgment on mankind.
The document is a biblical study on the doctrine of man by Paul David Washer. It covers several topics related to man's origin and nature according to scripture, including the creation of man, the fall of Adam, the fall of mankind, spiritual death and moral inability, enslavement to Satan, the character and universality of sin, God's disposition towards sinners, God's judgment of sinners, the final judgment of the wicked, and hell. The study is designed to have students directly engage with scripture passages on each topic in order to gain understanding.
This document is the monthly newsletter of the First Baptist Church of Franklinton. It provides information about the church's services, activities, and leadership. The pastor discusses the importance of regular spiritual check-ups through daily Bible reading and prayer to experience conviction, confession, and growth in holiness. The student pastor encourages the congregation to pray bold prayers, trusting that God can do anything.
Jesus was the pioneer and perfecter of faithGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus as the pioneer and perfecter of faith. He endured the cross because of the joy set before Him, and then sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This is a study of Jesus being a poem creator. We are created in Christ Jesus to be poems in the world by doing good works that lead people to love and praise God. We are to express beauty in all that we do.
This document is an introduction to the book "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. It discusses the contents of the book and provides context for what motivated Tozer to write it. The introduction highlights that Tozer was seeking to help Christians rediscover a deep, personal relationship with God and find spiritual fulfillment rather than being satisfied with just doctrinal knowledge. It asserts the book deals with intimate knowledge of God that comes from prayer and meditation rather than intellectual understanding alone.
A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/presentations
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/documents
The document provides commentary on Romans 5. It discusses the key points:
1) When justified through faith, believers have peace with God through Jesus Christ. This peace comes from God reconciling us and us being reconciled to God through the propitiation of Jesus.
2) Having peace with God eliminates the fear of God as judge, fear of death, and doubts/fears from the devil's attacks. Justification provides righteous acceptance and knowing God as a loving father.
3) Chapter 5 shows how justification leads to rejoicing at different stages - in our position, present troubles, and ultimately in God himself. Understanding theology should produce a rejoicing spirit even in suffering.
The document is a speech given by Tad R. Callister discussing Latter-day Saint beliefs about identity and destiny. It makes three main points:
1) Latter-day Saints believe that humans are literal spirit offspring of God, not just creations, and this identity determines their destiny to become like God.
2) God's plan is for His children to progress toward exaltation and godhood so they can experience eternal joy, as God does. Important scriptures are cited that support humans having the potential to become gods.
3) The doctrine does not diminish God's status but elevates it, as exalted beings can offer more intense worship. Critics who say it lowers
This is a study of Jacob experiencing God's presence and yet not being aware that he was in the presence of God. How often do we all forget that we are in His presence. We need to practice being in His presence for He is omnipresent,
This document is an introduction to a series of sermons on Bible Adventism. It discusses the author's faith as a Seventh-day Adventist, which emphasizes the second coming of Christ and observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. The introduction explains that Adventists differ from other religions based on their interpretation of the Bible, not for personal preference or denominational influence. It asserts that the Bible should be taken literally unless figures of speech are indicated, and that Adventists do not set dates for Christ's return but watch for the signs of the times as described in scripture.
This document discusses the importance of holiness from a biblical perspective. It provides several definitions of holiness, including: 1) having one's mind aligned with God according to Scripture; 2) striving to avoid sin and obey commands; 3) imitating Jesus Christ. It notes that holiness involves outward conduct, inward motivation, and obedience to God's word. The document laments the decline in holiness preaching and living, and attributes this to issues like undermining biblical authority, lack of role models, and a self-centered theology that focuses on what God can give rather than what He wants us to become.
1) The document discusses the story of Pinchas killing an Israelite man and Midianite woman for publicly engaging in immoral acts. Some see this as justified to defend God's ways, while others see it as fanatical.
2) God approves of Pinchas' actions and rewards him for having "passion for God" that turns away God's wrath.
3) The document examines lessons from a new census of Israelites and laws established in response to appeals from daughters concerned about inheriting their father's land. Living in God's way is favored, and God answers calls to establish ethical rules for the community.
(1) The document discusses the story of Pinchas from the Torah portion, who killed an Israelite man and Midianite woman for publicly violating God's ways. Commentators had differing views on whether this action was justified or set a dangerous precedent.
(2) The document then examines God's blessing of Pinchas, and interpretations of what "a passion for God" means in this context. It also discusses lessons from the census numbers and legal cases presented to Moses.
(3) Finally, the document analyzes why God repeats instructions about sacrifices and offerings, noting they foster relationship with God and community through order, peace, and deterring straying - though ritual alone cannot substitute for righteousness
The document discusses the importance of studying the doctrine of the Trinity. It provides several reasons why the Trinity is central to Christianity, notably that it is necessary for the atoning work of Christ. Removing the Trinity would cause the Christian faith to disintegrate. The document also explores scriptural support for the Trinity and how each person of the Godhead was involved in salvation through Jesus's life, death and resurrection.
This document summarizes key points from a conference on Christian identity and discipleship. It discusses Dietrich Bonhoeffer's views on cheap grace without repentance versus costly grace of following Jesus. It also examines double standards of having maximum and minimum obedience standards. Additionally, it explores what it means to be adopted sons of God through the Spirit rather than slaves, and implications for assurance, intimacy with God, and inheritance. The document provides biblical passages and quotes to support focusing on gospel-centered sonship and discipleship.
Martin Luther argues that Christians can have assurance of their salvation based on three grounds: 1) The promises of Scripture that those who trust in Christ alone are saved. 2) The sanctifying work of the Spirit seen in the lives of believers. 3) The witness of the Spirit causing believers to cry "Abba, Father." Luther says this cry, though small, expresses the believer's knowledge that they are God's child through Christ. He urges believers to train their conscience to believe that God approves of them, despite doubts, based on Christ's righteousness.
The biblical account of the fall of Adam can be summarized as follows:
1) God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, commanding them not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Disobedience would result in death.
2) Satan in the form of a serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. She and Adam disobeyed God.
3) As a result of their sin, Adam and Eve's fellowship with God was broken. They became ashamed and afraid, and were expelled from the garden. God cursed the serpent and pronounced judgment on mankind.
The document is a biblical study on the doctrine of man by Paul David Washer. It covers several topics related to man's origin and nature according to scripture, including the creation of man, the fall of Adam, the fall of mankind, spiritual death and moral inability, enslavement to Satan, the character and universality of sin, God's disposition towards sinners, God's judgment of sinners, the final judgment of the wicked, and hell. The study is designed to have students directly engage with scripture passages on each topic in order to gain understanding.
This document is the monthly newsletter of the First Baptist Church of Franklinton. It provides information about the church's services, activities, and leadership. The pastor discusses the importance of regular spiritual check-ups through daily Bible reading and prayer to experience conviction, confession, and growth in holiness. The student pastor encourages the congregation to pray bold prayers, trusting that God can do anything.
Jesus was the pioneer and perfecter of faithGLENN PEASE
This is a study of Jesus as the pioneer and perfecter of faith. He endured the cross because of the joy set before Him, and then sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This is a study of Jesus being a poem creator. We are created in Christ Jesus to be poems in the world by doing good works that lead people to love and praise God. We are to express beauty in all that we do.
This document is an introduction to the book "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. It discusses the contents of the book and provides context for what motivated Tozer to write it. The introduction highlights that Tozer was seeking to help Christians rediscover a deep, personal relationship with God and find spiritual fulfillment rather than being satisfied with just doctrinal knowledge. It asserts the book deals with intimate knowledge of God that comes from prayer and meditation rather than intellectual understanding alone.
A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/presentations
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/documents
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
Chandra Dev: Unveiling the Mystery of the Moon GodExotic India
Shining brightly in the sky, some days more than others, the Moon in popular culture is a symbol of love, romance, and beauty. The ancient Hindu texts, however, mention the Moon as an intriguing and powerful being, worshiped by sages as Chandra.
Sanatan Vastu | Experience Great Living | Vastu ExpertSanatan Vastu
Santan Vastu Provides Vedic astrology courses & Vastu remedies, If you are searching Vastu for home, Vastu for kitchen, Vastu for house, Vastu for Office & Factory. Best Vastu in Bahadurgarh. Best Vastu in Delhi NCR
Heartfulness Magazine - June 2024 (Volume 9, Issue 6)heartfulness
Dear readers,
This month we continue with more inspiring talks from the Global Spirituality Mahotsav that was held from March 14 to 17, 2024, at Kanha Shanti Vanam.
We hear from Daaji on lifestyle and yoga in honor of International Day of Yoga, June 21, 2024. We also hear from Professor Bhavani Rao, Dean at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, on spirituality in action, the Venerable BhikkuSanghasena on how to be an ambassador for compassion, Dr. Tony Nader on the Maharishi Effect, Swami Mukundananda on the crossroads of modernization, Tejinder Kaur Basra on the purpose of work, the Venerable GesheDorjiDamdul on the psychology of peace, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on how we are all related, and world-renowned violinist KumareshRajagopalan on the uplifting mysteries of music.
Dr. Prasad Veluthanar shares an Ayurvedic perspective on treating autism, Dr. IchakAdizes helps us navigate disagreements at work, Sravan Banda celebrates World Environment Day by sharing some tips on land restoration, and Sara Bubber tells our children another inspiring story and challenges them with some fun facts and riddles.
Happy reading,
The editors
Protector & Destroyer: Agni Dev (The Hindu God of Fire)Exotic India
So let us turn the pages of ancient Indian literature and get to know more about Agni, the mighty purifier of all things, worshipped in Indian culture as a God since the Vedic time.
Trusting God's Providence | Verse: Romans 8: 28-31JL de Belen
Trusting God's Providence.
Providence - God’s active preservation and care over His creation. God is both the Creator and the Sustainer of all things Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:17
-God keep His promises.
-God’s general providence is toward all creation
- All things were made through Him
God’s special providence is toward His children.
We may suffer now, but joy can and will come
God can see what we cannot see
The Vulnerabilities of Individuals Born Under Swati Nakshatra.pdfAstroAnuradha
Individuals born under Swati Nakshatra often exhibit a strong sense of independence and adaptability, yet they may also face vulnerabilities such as indecisiveness and a tendency to be easily swayed by external influences. Their quest for balance and harmony can sometimes lead to inner conflict and a lack of assertiveness. To know more visit: astroanuradha.com
2nd issue of Volume 15. A magazine in urdu language mainly based on spiritual treatment and learning. Many topics on ISLAM, SUFISM, SOCIAL PROBLEMS, SELF HELP, PSYCHOLOGY, HEALTH, SPIRITUAL TREATMENT, Ruqya etc.A very useful magazine for everyone.
The Book of Samuel is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books in the Old Testament. The book is part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books that constitute a theological history of the Israelites and that aim to explain God's law for Israel under the guidance of the prophets.
The Enchantment and Shadows_ Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic and Black Magic...Phoenix O
This manual will guide you through basic skills and tasks to help you get started with various aspects of Magic. Each section is designed to be easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
4. In this
Week of Prayer series
we will be exploring
EIGHT KEY
Bible doctrines
of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
5. Welcome to day 7
of our
re-examination
of our
core beliefs.
6. The doctrinal truths of Scripture can
be thought of as a series of perceptual
windows through which God's
character may be viewed from various
different angles.
7. For our purposes, let’s imagine the
structure of truth as an octagon-
shaped building. On each of the eight
sides of the structure, there is a
window. Each window represents one
of our doctrinal beliefs:
8. DAY 1: The Trinity
DAY 2: The Great Controversy
DAY 3: The Law of God
DAY 4: The Sabbath
DAY 5: The Sanctuary
DAY 6: Death and Hell
DAY 7: The End Time
DAY 8: The Second Coming
9. Remember our guiding metaphor?
The doctrinal truths of Scripture are
like windows that look in upon the
God’s attractive character as revealed
in Christ.
No doctrine is an end in itself.
11. As Seventh-day Adventists, we are a
people of end-time Bible prophecy, or
what theologians call “eschatology”.
First, we believe that the movement
we’re part of was foretold in Bible
prophecy. Second, we believe we’re
living in the final phase of human
history.
12. These are big claims that have the
potential to either illuminate or darken
people’s minds, depending on how we
communicate them.
13. Ellen White discerned that there is a
potential danger we need to deliberately
avoid in our preaching of last day
events:
“The shortness of time is frequently
urged as an incentive for seeking
righteousness and making Christ our
friend.
14. This should not be the great motive
with us; for it savors of selfishness.
Is it necessary that the terrors of the
day of God should be held before us,
that we may be compelled to right action
through fear?
It ought not to be so. Jesus is attractive.
He is full of love, mercy, and
compassion. He proposes to be our
friend.” (Signs of the Times, March 17, 1887)
15. What an insightful and necessary
caution for a people called to
proclaim end-time prophecy!.
16. Preachers should not present Bible
prophecy in a manner that arouses fear.
God’s purpose in revealing end-time
events is not to scare us, but to prepare
us; not to freak us out, but to pull us in;
not to impose anxiety upon us, but to
generate hope and peace within us.
17. If I try to get right with God because
time is short, I don’t actually know
or love God.
I am merely on a self-preservation trip.
18. While I may look like I’m serving God,
I’m really serving myself.
There is only one legitimate motive for
serving the Lord. In Ellen White’s words:
“Jesus is attractive.” His love is the
actuating motive we need to keep in
focus as we preach end-time prophecy.”
20. Listen to King David on this matter:
“One thing I have desired of the Lord,
that will I seek: that I may dwell in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to
inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide
me in His pavilion; in the secret place
of His tabernacle He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.”
(Psalm 27:4, 5)
21.
22. Notice that David’s focus is not
on the time of trouble, but rather
on the on the beauty of God’s character.
In the context of that focus, he has a
sense of confidence, not fear, regarding
the time of trouble. Now that is a healthy
perspective on the time of trouble,
and on all end-time events!
23. Each of us needs to ask ourselves
if we resonate with David’s sentiments
toward God. Are we captivated by the
“beauty” of God’s character?
If not, we need to make it our highest
priority to obtain a vision of God’s love
so true and clear that we are swept off
our feet into the love of our amazing
Creator.
24. Outside of this experiential context,
last day events can only arouse fear
in our fragile hearts.
25. It is literally impossible for us to
rightly interpret end-time events
when we allow the events to eclipse
Jesus.
Doing so inevitably distorts the
eschatological picture into a disfigured
composite of fear-based speculations
and false alarms calculated to get
people hyped up on predictions about
the future rather than settled into
Christ as their security.
26. A fixation on end-time events will
inevitably develop an unhealthy
appetite for exposing the bad guys,
magnifying the threat of danger,
and driving people into uncertainty
regarding whether or not they can
make it through the time of trouble.
27. Eschatology is a vital part of our
message. That’s for sure.
But, like all of our doctrines, it only
serves its God-given purpose when
we allow it to function as a window
through which we discern God’s love.
So let’s approach end-time events
from that perspective and see what
we discover.
28.
29. The Core Dynamic of End-Time Events
We will begin our exploration of
eschatology by asking a simple
question:
What is the core dynamic we can
expect to see unfold in the final
events of human history?
Jesus gives us the answer in
John 16:1-4.
30. John 16:1-4:
“These things I have spoken to you,
that you should not be made to stumble.
They will put you out of the synagogues;
yes, the time is coming that whoever
kills you will think that he offers God service.
And these things they will do
to you because they have not known
the Father nor Me. But these things
I have told you, that when the time
comes, you may remember that I told
you of them.”
31. Wow!
Don’t miss what Jesus is telling us
here, because it is hugely significant.
Essentially, He says, “This is what’s
gonna go down at the end of the world:
there will be those who hold a picture of
God that will drive them to kill in God’s
name.
32. Their theological construct will dictate
violent actions. They will engage in a
mass persecution campaign, all the while
imagining that they are serving God as
they do it.”
33. But if they knew God as God really is,
they would never exercise force in Him
name. You see the implications, don’t you?
This means that the most crucial issue
you and I need to address is the picture of
God’s character that we hold in our hearts.
It also means an accurate revelation of
God’s character is the message we need to
be passionate about giving to the world!
Why?
34. Because, according to Jesus, we
humans are liable to misinterpret the
character of God in a way that will allow us
to justify exercising coercion in His name.
In fact, this is the prevailing theological
perspective that has dominated human
history and led to so much of the violence
that has characterized our world’s dark
saga. In the ancient pagan form, people
believed that God required their suffering
to appease His wrath.
35. Sometimes that meant doing certain
deeds to inflict harm on one’s self.
Sometimes it meant performing a set of
deeds prescribed by religious leaders.
Sometimes it meant going to war in
God’s name.
And sometimes it even meant offering
human sacrifice. This is what we might
call appeasement theology.
36.
37. The basic idea is very simple and terribly
dark— that God’s basic posture toward
humans is one of condemnation and wrath,
and He afflicts us with destructive
judgments unless and until we offer some
form of sacrifice to placate His anger.
The appeasement quest may take the form
of individual deeds of penance: emotional
groveling, physical self-harm, paying
money to a church, or performing a set
of deeds prescribed by a religious system.
38. It may take the form of a corporate
scapegoating crusade, in which a
person or a people group becomes
the sacrifice we offer to God.
However, the God of the Bible—the
one and only true God—explicitly told
Israel of old that He is not an
appeasement kind of God:
39. “For they have forsaken Me and made
this a place of foreign gods; they have
burned incense in it to gods that neither
they nor their ancestors nor the kings of
Judah ever knew, and they have filled
this place with the blood of the innocent.
They have built the high places of Baal
to burn their children in the fire as
offerings to Baal— something I did not
command or mention, nor did it enter
My mind.” (Jeremiah 19:4, 5)
40. Notice that last phrase: “nor did it enter
my mind”. Appeasement theology is
completely foreign to God’s nature, but it
is deeply imbedded in the human psyche
because it is the natural product
of our guilt.
Our sense of shame causes us to interpret
the bad things that happen to us as God’s
arbitrary punishments, which in turn drives
us to seek God’s favor by means of
sacrifice in various forms.
41. Now think this through very carefully,
because we are about to have a major
epiphany regarding the deeper issue
involved in the unfolding of final events.
Jesus was, in fact, crucified by religious
people on the premise of a salvation-by-
works, appeasement picture of God. The
religious leaders realized that they were
losing control of the people to Jesus.
Through the rationale of their
appeasement orientation,
42. they made a calculated, pragmatic
decision that naturally arose from their
distorted picture of God: “It is expedient
for us that one man should die for the
people, and not that the whole nation
should perish.” (John 11:50)
They imagined that killing Jesus would
avert the disaster they saw coming their
way. Similarly, according to Jesus, the
final persecution campaign of human :
43. history will be fueled by a distorted picture
of God that will allow the persecutors to
rationalize they are serving God by means
of their coercive political-religious system.
Jesus stated clearly what’s going on when
people seek to force others in God’s
name:
“These things they will do to you because
they have not known the Father nor Me.”
In other words, to know God as God really
is rules out using coercion in His name.
44. Amazing!
Now we understand the core issue that
will play out in the end-time events of
human history.
When the world is finally divided into the
persecutors and the persecuted, every
person will act out their picture of God.
Now let’s go a little deeper.
45. A Different Kind of Power
In Matthew 24 Jesus delineated a list of
what we call “signs” of the end times.
In verse 14 He named the final and most
significant sign of all: “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.”
46. When Jesus said this, He was using very
specific and familiar language to the
people of His time. In using the word
translated as “gospel”, which is
euaggelion in the Greek text, He was
employing the common term for military
victory.
47. When an ancient empire would win a battle
by force of arms, euaggelion was the word
used to herald the “good news” of victory.
Jesus came along and deliberately
employed the common word for military
victory, flipping its meaning in order to
signal the arrival of a new kind of
kingdom based on a new kind of power.
His kingdom is like no other. It is, in fact,
totally opposite to our world’s power
structures.
48. Jesus came to our world and founded
His church upon the principle of non-
coercive love. In the popular language
of His time, He called the relational
dynamic of His kingdom, “agape”.
Describing the ultimate outworking of
this principle, Jesus said,
49.
50. Giving totally defines God’s mode of
existence.
At the cross God gave Himself to the
point of suffering and death in order to
demonstrate His love for us, and that love
is the power—the one and only power—
He exerts for our salvation.
The cross reveals that God is only
interested in drawing human beings
to Himself by the attractive power of
His love.
51. Conversely, He is not interested in
outward compliance under coercive
pressure. Jesus also applied the
principle of non-coercive love to
human relations in general and to
church relations in particular.
Take a look at Matthew 20:25-28:
“You know that the rulers of the
Gentiles lord it over them, and those
who are great exercise authority over
them.
52. Yet it shall not be so among you; but
whoever desires to become great
among you, let him be your servant.
And whoever desires to be first among
you, let him be your slave—just as the
Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a
ransom for many.”
53. This is what Jesus intended His
church to look like, how He meant for
it to operate. And through His
church, this is how He wanted the
world to see His character.
Jesus is decidedly pro-freedom and
anti-force. His life, death, and teachings
set in motion a relational system
characterized by a “power-under”
dynamic rather than “power-over”
manner of relating.
54. His kingdom stands diametrically
opposed to imposing theological,
emotional, or civil coercion upon
human beings in matters pertaining
to one’s individual relationship with God.
After Jesus departed from the world, having
established His church on the premise of
what we might call the love-freedom
relational dynamic,
His disciples advance His peculiar upside-
down kingdom in two ways:
55. (a) by preaching the gospel, or
the good news of God’s non-coercive
love as the only legitimate basis for
human relationship with God
and
(b) by living out His love within the
church as a covenant community,
meaning that men and women only
joined the church on the premise of
voluntary response to God’s love.
56. The church was not to be a civil
system imposing its beliefs by means
of law, but rather a covenantal system
setting forth the attractive beauty of
God’s character as an invitation to
which all were free to say yes or no.
57. Once we understand that non-
coercive love is the foundational
principle of the gospel, we are
prepared to discern, by contrast, that
every political and religious system
that attempts to use force in the name
of Christ is, in fact, anti-Christ.
And this brings us to the prophecies
of Daniel and Revelation.
58. Daniel and Revelation
Daniel and Revelation tell the story
of Jesus conquering deception
and force with truth and love.
That’s the core logic embedded in
Bible prophecy. If we miss that,
we’ve missed the whole point.
Let’s break it down.
59.
60. Daniel shows us a series of world
empires. Each one seeks to advance
its claim of superiority by means of
brute strength, and each one
inevitably falls to the dominance of
another. Daniel describes the self-
defeating cycle of violence in Daniel 8:4-
9:
61. I saw the ram pushing westward,
northward, and southward, so that no
animal could withstand him; nor was
there any that could deliver from his
hand, but he did according to his will
and became great.
62. And as I was considering, suddenly
a male goat came from the west, across
the surface of the whole earth, without
touching the ground; and the goat had
a notable horn between his eyes.
Then he came to the ram that had two
horns, which I had seen standing beside
the river, and ran at him with furious
power.
63. And I saw him confronting the ram;
he was moved with rage against him,
attacked the ram, and broke his two
horns.
There was no power in the ram
to withstand him, but he cast him
down to the ground and trampled him;
and there was no one that could
deliver the ram from his hand.
64. Therefore the male goat grew very
great; but when he became strong,
the large horn was broken, and in
place of it four notable ones came
up toward the four winds of heaven.
And out of one of them came a little
horn which grew exceedingly great
toward the south, toward the east,
and toward the Glorious Land.”
65. Notice the escalating pattern of
self-exaltation Daniel outlines:
• “great”
• “very great”
• “exceedingly great”
And also notice the language of power
and violence:
• “with furious power”
• “confronting”
• “moved with rage”
• “attacked”
• “cast him to the ground”
• “trampled him”
66. Each kingdom advances over the
other by means of force.
Describing the last kingdom in the
prophetic lineup, Daniel says this in
verses 24-25:
“His power shall be mighty, but not
by his own power; he shall destroy
fearfully, and shall prosper and
thrive; he shall destroy the mighty,
and also the holy people.
67. Through his cunning he shall cause
deceit to prosper under his rule;
and he shall exalt himself in his heart.
He shall destroy many in their prosperity.
He shall even rise against the Prince of
princes; but he shall be broken without
human means.”
68. As with the kingdoms that preceded it,
destruction and deceit are the means
by which this kingdom exalts itself.
But then Daniel shows us something
new, something totally different.
69. This powerful system conquers
everything in its path until it rises
“against the Prince of princes”,
which is the Messiah.
In Jesus, self-exaltation has met
its match, but not in the way we
might think.
As this kingdom comes against Jesus,
Daniel says that it will be “broken
without human means”.
70. In other words, Jesus does not
conquer by the same principles
commonly employed by human
power structures.
He operates on principles that run
directly contrary to the principles
employed by the kingdoms of this
world.
71. They use deception and force.
His weapons are truth in love.
In chapter 9 Daniel gives us a more
detailed description of the Messiah’s
path to victory, and it is astounding.
72. Notice verse 26:
“Messiah shall be cut off, but not for
Himself.”
And verse 27: “Then he shall confirm
a covenant with many for one week;
but in the middle of the week He shall
bring an end to sacrifice and offering.”
73. This is a prophecy foretelling the
self-sacrificing death of Jesus.
The one true king of the world would
voluntarily give His life at Calvary—
“but not for Himself”.
74.
75. Powerful!
Daniel wants us to understand
that King Jesus operates by a
different kind of power.
Jesus went to the cross for His
enemies, for all of us as rebellious,
fallen human beings.
76. He allowed us to vent our rage upon
Him and He kept on loving us.
The way this prophecy played out
was that Jesus gave Himself without
resistance to the combined power of
church and state.
The religious system of Judaism and
the political power of Rome united to
kill Jesus.
77. Astoundingly, He was crucified by a
church-state alliance.
The amazing thing is that being God,
He actually had power over them, but
He freely submitted to their violence.
In John 10:18, Jesus said, “No one
takes it from Me, but I lay it down of
Myself.”
78. In Christ we have before us the king of
the universe conquering the kingdoms
of our world. But how does He do it?
By sacrificing Himself to our hatred
and rage!
79. Human nature and all the kingdoms
of our world operate on the Human
nature and all the kingdoms
of our world operate on the premise
of self-preservation at all costs.
Kill or be killed.
Tit for tat.
Blow for blow.
You hit me, I’ll hit you back.
And whoever has the superior brute
strength, wins.
80. Jesus comes along into this system
of cyclical violence and does
something completely counterintuitive
to human nature: He loves in the face
of evil.
Peter explains in 1 Peter 2:23, 24:
“When He was reviled, did not revile in
return; when He suffered, He did not
threaten, but committed Himself to Him
who judges righteously;
81. who Himself bore our sins in His own
body on the tree, that we, having died
to sins, might live for righteousness—
by whose stripes you were healed.”
82. Only love for one’s enemies has the
power to crush the enmity and birth
a new relational dynamic.
And that’s precisely the healing genius
of the cross. What we see on display
in Jesus is a love that cannot be
overcome by hate and violence.
83. All anti-love forces are crushed by
His love! No matter what we do to Him,
He will never stop loving us.
When we come up against God’s love,
we have encountered a force more
powerful than force. We can vent our
rage on Him until it breaks, but it will
not break Him.
84. Our knuckles bloody and our breath
exhausted, He just stares with
forgiveness into our angry eyes until
we are either subdued by His love or
irrevocably at odds with it.
That’s the central message of Daniel’s
prophecies.
85.
86. When we come to the book of
Revelation, we see the same story
playing out: love conquering evil.
John opens Revelation by telling us
that the Star of the book saves and
rules by means of self-sacrificing love.
87. “Grace to you and peace from Him
who is and who was and who is to
come, and from the seven Spirits
who are before His throne, and from
Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the
ruler over the kings of the earth.
88. To Him who loved us and washed us
from our sins in His own blood, and
has made us kings and priests to
His God and Father, to Him be glory
and dominion forever and ever.
Amen.” (Revelation 1:4-6)
89. John wants us to understand
that Jesus is a king like no other.
His dominion arises from the fact that
He laid down His life for us.
This message becomes clearer when
John describes what’s going on in the
throne room of the universe.
Let’s read Revelation 5:6, 7:
90. And I looked, and behold, in the
midst of the throne and of the four
living creatures, and in the midst
of the elders, stood a Lamb as though
it had been slain, having seven horns
and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
Then He came and took the scroll out
of the right hand of Him who sat on
the throne.”
91. Now notice verses 11-13:
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice
of many angels around the throne,
the living creatures, and the elders;
and the number of them was ten
thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands, saying with
a loud voice,
92. ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to
receive power and riches and wisdom,
and strength and honor and glory and
blessing!’
93. And every creature which is in heaven
and on the earth and under the earth
and such as are in the sea, and all that
are in them, I heard saying:
‘Blessing and honor and glory and
power be to Him who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’”
94. Jesus is the center of focus and
praise precisely because He gave
His life for us.
It is against this backdrop of victory
through self-sacrifice that Revelation
brings to view the final events of history.
In contrast to the One who saves and
rules by the power of non-coercive love,
95.
96. The striking point of the story is brought
into sharp focus in Revelation 12:11:
“And they overcame him by the blood
of the Lamb and by the word of their
testimony, and they did not love their
lives to the death.”
The message is clear.
97. The people of Jesus will overcome the
force of Satan’s end-time persecution
system by responding with the love of
Christ rather than retaliating.
In the story of Jesus, the true winners
win by losing, because non-violent love
is the deep secret principle of true
conquest.
98. Love that refuses to respond
to evil with evil!
Love that submits to abuse
rather than resorting to abuse!
Love that would rather die than
hate the haters!
99. Responding to hate and violence
with hate and violence only serves
to perpetuate hate and violence.
Force breeds force. As long as each
act of violence is responded to with
more violence, the cycle will literally
never end except with the complete
mutual destruction of both sides.
100. In Revelation 13 we encounter the
Sea-beast and the Land-beast,
Roman Catholicism and Protestant
America.
The prophecy warns us that these two
powers will eventually unite to enforce
upon the world the “mark of the beast.”
101. • Worship laws will be enacted that
will seek to coerce conscience
in the name of God.
• Religious liberty will eventually be
overturned and the lamblike beast
will “speak like a dragon.”
• Protestant America will become the
political engine that will bring upon
the world a crisis of individual
conscience and character.
102. • The system will dictate that
“no one may buy or sell except one
who has the mark or the name of the
beast, or the number of his name”
(verse 17).
In other words, the system will
leverage its economic power against
all who would resist its dominance.
103. There are two kinds of power on
display in Revelation: Lamb Power
versus Dragon Power.
The power employed by Satan and the
earthly systems that follow his lead is
that of force. In total contrast, the
power employed by Jesus is
self-sacrificing love.
Love versus force!
104. That’s the whole story of Daniel and
Revelation in a nutshell. And if that’s
the story, then the crucial question
that come through to each of our
hearts is simply this:
105. Do you and I really know Jesus as the
true revelation of God’s character?
When the final events of history unfold
upon the world, each of us will act out
our picture of God.
106. Each of us will either side with those
who violate the principle of religious
freedom in order to preserve ourselves,
or we will stand faithful for liberty of
conscience in harmony with God’s non-
coercive love.
And on that note, the world will end.
108. Share some stories of times you have been
tempted to use coercion in the name of love,
or times you have seen others do so.
What was the result?
What do you think is the remedy?
Is it possible for Adventists to fall into the
trap of trying to make others (within or outside
the church) believe or act in certain ways?
How can we confront and change this without
giving into force ourselves
109. Is it possible to go too far in the
other direction and become a
doormat because we are trying to
“submit to abuse rather than abusing”?
What are some safeguards against this?
In what way have you “acted out your
picture of God” during the past month?