Friday: Further Thought – The Destruction of Jerusalem
We are in continual danger of getting above the simplicity of the gospel. There is an intense desire on the part of many to startle the world with something original, that shall lift the people into a state of spiritual ecstasy, and change the present order of experience.
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There is certainly great need of a change in the present order of experience; for the sacredness of present truth is not realized as it should be, but the change we need is a change of heart, and can only be obtained by seeking God individually for His blessing, by pleading with Him for His power, by fervently praying that His grace may come upon us, and that our characters may be transformed. This is the change we need today, and for the attainment of this experience we should exercise persevering energy and manifest heartfelt earnestness. We should ask with true sincerity, ‘What shall I do to be saved?’ We should know just what steps we are taking heavenward.
-Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book One, pp. 187, 188.
Discussion Questions:
- As we saw, Jeremiah told the people to
seek the Lord.
How do we do that? What if someone were to say to you,I want to know God for myself; how do I find Him?
how would you reply? - Dwell more on this idea of why, historically, the prophets had been so mistreated and misunderstood in their own time. What should and could this teach us about how we relate to the ministry of Ellen G. White? Think about her in the context of what Jesus said here:
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets
(Matt. 23:29-31, NIV). - Dwell more on the final question at the end of Thursday’s study. Many Bible prophecies have been fulfilled in the past, and from our perspective today we can see that they were fulfilled. In what way can these fulfillments help us to trust that the ones yet future to us will be fulfilled as well?
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To know God intimately one must regularly, systematically open His word, recognize His hand in nature, and open your heart to Him in prayer. Keep notes of your prayer requests and answers. His leading will cause you to trust and love Him more. Of course, corporate worship and fellowship with like-minded individuals will further encourage and bless. Then you will want to share your journey to pass the blessings on to others.
You are correct in the ways noted, to know God "intimately". It also depends on what is meant by, "for myself" or "intimately". There will always be questions about the nature or character of God that are beyond human understanding. Such as speaking worlds and a universe into being, the scope of Gods love and wrath, and much more. By Grace are we saved through Faith. Eph.2:8. To me that is one of the most important characteristics of God. Faith is also a gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave His life for the forgiveness of our sins. All are gifts because God knows how to give Good gifts, Matt 7:11. I pray daily for a closer relationship with God because I feel that is possible.
By intimately I refer to having regular, private time with God, having His guidance in all decisions and attitudes and seeking His glory, not mine. I do not mean delving into the things that are not revealed to us. Eternity will explain things that we don't need to know now.