Friday: Further Thought – The End of God’s Mission
Daily Lesson for Friday 29th of December 2023
“The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is accomplished. ‘The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’ ”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 342.
But before that can become a reality, it is our duty to partner with God in His mission to reach the world with the message of warning so that people can accept and be a part of God’s promise of re-creation.
“I long to see very many laborers at work for those who know not the evidences of our faith. Many have received great light through hearing the three angels’ messages, and now they should proclaim these messages in all parts of the world. I desire to do my part and to open the way for others to carry the light of truth. May the Lord help us to put the armor on. The believers are to unite in the solemn work of giving the last note of warning to the world.”—Ellen G. White, Letter 390, 1907 (unpublished).
Throughout this quarter we have studied various aspects and issues related to God’s mission. This week we concluded our study by exploring Revelation’s keys to understanding what a restored relationship with God looks like, and it climaxed with a vision of the mission fulfilled—the re-creation and restoration of the earth. While it is true that the destruction of sin and suffering will be the most terrifying days of earth’s history, God casts our vision to a time beyond this destruction and provides comfort and encouragement in the promise of the earth restored.
Discussion Questions
- What is the “everlasting gospel”? Why is it “everlasting”? And why must what it teaches be foundational to our mission?
- Why do we have such an emphasis on the three angels’ messages? How do you respond to the argument that we need to focus on Jesus and not on something as supposedly “negative” as these messages, which include very strong warnings?
- How has this quarter helped you better understand not only the importance of mission but how you and your church could better participate in it, which is what we have been called to do?
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I would like to finish this study with a little illustration:
Marmite and Avocado on Toast
On crisp, sun-kissed sourdough, a canvas warm and wide,
Marmite unfurls, a symphony of earthy pride.
A salty sea unfurls upon the crusty shore,
Whispering of umami, secrets evermore.
Then avocado's emerald, creamy grace descends,
Like sunlit meadows, where taste and texture blend.
Each buttery bite, a velvet dream takes flight,
A tango of the tropics, bathed in morning light.
The crunch, the squish, a chorus sung in glee,
Marmite's dark magic meets avo's harmony.
On Cooranbong's horizon, where sunrise paints the sky,
This toast, a masterpiece, a teardrop in your eye.
So raise a slice, a toast to morning's golden call,
Where Marmite and avocado conquer one and all.
A flavour fiesta, dancing on your tongue,
A taste of Aussie magic, forever young.
…or, if you came to my house, I would just give you a piece of toast spread lightly with Marmite and thinly sliced Avocado, with the invitation, “Try this; I think you will like it!”
How does “mission” work: lyrical poetry or the practical taste test?
... and if you don't have a clue what I am talking about, maybe we need to ask ourselves about how we are communicating the Gospel message.
Oh, I almost forgot! I have finished my December bird slideshow. Its a bit short but I hope you enjoy it. Happy Sabbath Viewing
Thank you Maurice for your posts. I look forward to them every morning as a part of my study routine. I am terribly disappointed when they are absent. Your posts are always inspiring, thought-provoking, and insightful. At times I “get” the lesson’s meaning after I’ve read your writings here. May God continue to bless you as you minister in this way.
Thanks to you the administrators of this platform for the great work you are doing and for allowing us to get a glimpse of others’ thoughts and insights into our lesson study. It is like a global sabbath school class. Thanks to all of you who contribute your thoughts about aspects of the lessons, sometimes in the multiplicity of thoughts, clarity is found.
Happy Sabbath to all.
May God bless us all as we move into 2024. I look forward to many more lesson studies on this site.
PS. Maurice, I enjoyed the bird slideshow. Beauties of nature magnificently captured. Thanks.
Good day all. I wholeheartedly endorse this message
Brother Ashton,
As always, thank you for the BEAUTIFUL bird slideshow.
Wishing you a prosperous New Year.
Honestly, I draw lessons from Maurice's comments every day. And it makes the lesson easy to understand. I am not happy when you miss a day without a comment. God bless you
Wonderful point….
For me, sharing God’s mission is a privilege. Christs’ example and leadership, are constant reminders that if what is shared isn’t true and practical it isn’t worth anything spiritually.
God’s way of reaching out to people with His inclusive love helps me also remember that by His Spirit, He puts His Words in our minds and mouths. In unique ways He gives us opportunities to share His salvation and encourage others along the way. He uses us to point others to Him, using our personal experiences with Him. We are His witnesses that He is God.
Isaiah 43:12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
I must join Sandra in commending you Maurice for your thought-provoking insights into the daily lessons.
I too am disappointed the few times they are absent. Thanks to the other contributors as well and the administrators.
May God give us the strength to live for Him until He comes!!!!
Sandra,
Thanks for your comments. I greatly enjoy the blogs on the lesson, especially Maurice's.
Maurice Ashton, I won't close the 2023 without saying that you always light my heart in your in your comments! May God continue to give good health to continue raising God's burner high even in 2024!
And for all of us let the mission be live & real in our everyday life....
Carmel and I celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary yesterday. She knows me very well and her advice after reading your comments is to wear a tight band around my head to stop it from swelling. Thank you for your kind thoughts and I hope that our interaction will draw us all to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Blessings
Maurice & Carmel
Happy sabbath Maurice.All the best to you and Carmel as the new year approaches. I too have benefitted from your comments and always look forward to them. God bless you as we all look forward to that Great Day.
I very much appreciate Nanci Mosca including in her comment Isaiah 43:12 – ”I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.”
This is our witness and the message to the world – that we still believe in the God of the ancient Hebrews, the children of Abraham and his son Jacob who was to be called Israel; who fought the angel to be accepted by his heavenly Father to become His torch bearer.
God has declared, and saved, and shown that when there is no strange god among us, that we are His witnesses - to that it is HE who is God. Let us remove all encumbrances from our life to clearly demonstrate WHO our GOD is who gave us the Covenant of Faith delivered to all the world by His Son Jesus Christ.
On the Thursday last question about "hastening Christ's Return." The original Greek word used in 2 Peter 3:12, is "speudo" and it has 2 meanings. One meaning is: To hasten or urge on. The second meaning is: To desire earnestly.
For me, since this is only found in the 2nd Epistle of Peter but nowhere else from the other writers of the New Testament, I choose to believe that Peter meant to use the second meaning here. So then it should actually read in English, "...Looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God." I choose to believe that we can no more "Hasten or urge on" Jesus second coming anymore than man was able to "Hasten or urge on" his first coming. But to "Eagerly await it" definitely so and by all means necessary.
Thank you for the chance to share, during this 4th quarter.
The concept of our Creator God as the first missionary in the person of Jesus Christ, as seen in this past quarter's Sabbath School lesson study, has been both illuminating and inspiring.
What an example of loyalty and compassion our Heavenly Father has shown towards us! What an immeasurable gift is offered of forgiveness and ultimate re-creation and restoration! This undeserved gift is offered to each who will accept.
The popular song says that, "His goodness is running after me." Indeed, God's preparatory work and His advanced propitiation from sin, on our behalf, is unmatched. What am I doing to sound the alarm of His eminent return? Oh that my character resembles that of my Saviour.
We've read the end of the book. Literally. His word is sure, and His promises are true. What a great day that will be, when His mission - and ours too - is accomplished in glorious victory!
Praising God, as we finish out this year, that when we turn to Him, He always turns “cope” to “hope”.
Happy New Year! How can we be happy? God tells us in this passage from Isaiah that He’s doing a new thing for us already. Our role is to watch Him. Stay awake. Look earnestly for His blessings in every situation. They are there. Be willing to let the Lord fight for us in every battle, just like the Israelites, standing helplessly at a dead end of the Red Sea, with the Egyptian army behind them (Exodus 14:13-14). In temptations and times when Satan is triggering us into jealousy or fear or worry or whatever it may be, keep still and pray. Look at God’s character.
Sometimes the blessings come through us to each other. This quarter was all about joining God and his mission to deliver blessings. We can be a road through the wilderness… a connection between the life in God’s Word, and the barrenness in hearts looking to the world’s fake comforts. We can point people to Jesus. We can be channels for the streams of living water to flow through.
Thank you everyone here who shares what God is placing in your heart. It is a beautiful blessing to fellowship with one another on this blog and grow in faith and boldness to speak our testimonies of Him.