Friday: Further Thought – The Genesis Foundation
Daily Lesson for Friday 11th of April 2025
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Revelation,” Pages 578–581, in The Acts of the Apostles.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Many world religions simply deal with ideas; in powerful contrast, the ideas found in the Christian religion are anchored firmly in historical events. The Bible is the story of God’s interacting with humanity throughout history, and by studying thousands of years of such interactions, we can learn much about the consistent character of God.
Sometimes, however, Christians complain that they are getting tired of hearing the same things. Sometimes, when our distinctive prophetic message is being preached publicly, we think that we already have heard it and have nothing new to learn.
The fact that our message is unchanging and consistent, however, does not mean that it is simplistic or unchallenging. Quite the opposite: when you are studying information relayed to us from the mind of an infinite God, you quickly discover that you will never reach the end of a subject.
Ellen G. White states that one of the reasons the book of Revelation was written was to anchor the Christian church in its historical message for all time. “Some of the younger workers [at that time] . . . had become weary of oft-repeated truths. In their desire for something novel and startling they attempted to introduce new phases of doctrine.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 580. To that extent, it is not merely a book about the future; it is also a book about the past, designed to keep us rooted in our historical faith so that we are not led astray by a desire to seek originality.
Discussion Questions
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Discussion question number 3 caught my attention because I remember sitting at a dinner table with a family from my church several years ago, as the man of the family explained that if I never got married and had kids, then when I died, it would be as if my whole life was all about nothing and I never existed. (He came from a culture where everyone was expected to get married and have several kids.) That comment could have hurt me, but it was so irrational I laughed instead. I am glad that Jesus gives purpose to my life, and my one desire is that even after I am gone, my blog posts will continue to be read, and that the words of hope I shared with others will continue to be passed on.
To God be the glory, great things He hath done.In all things give thanks. No matter what, God is awesome amazingly powerful,and Mighty,also faithful to His promises.
As usual, the Further Thought Reading is worth your time. It provides background for John's vision of "The Revelation.)
“The Revelation,” Pages 578–581, in The Acts of the Apostles.
If you haven't read it yet, perhaps you can settle in for a good Friday evening read. 😊
Inge Anderson, Thank you for encouraging the "little flock" of bloggers here to read Friday's excellent FURTHER THOUGHT READING, as you did last week's as well.
We, the last church are described as luke warm and having need of nothing. Is that a description of some of us that think that there is nothing new to learn by hearing or attending a prophecy seminar one more time? We are forever going to be learning if when we open the bible we ask that the Holy Spirit teach us!
Please, bloggers, my prayer, and I'm sure Inge's prayer is for each of you to take time to read the FURTHER THOUGHT READING! Even if it takes 20 - 30 minutes from your Sabbath evening or Sabbath day studies, it is presented in such a way that it just might be the encouragement that you need most in this late hour of earth's history when we need to be ready for Jesus' SOON coming.
There was a song on Christian radio stations about a year ago. It was loud rock music, but the message was loud and clear! "Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming! Are you ready?
I would loved to have played it in church! Haha!
Thank you for the feedback, Thomas!
I find that no matter how often I read a Bible passage or even a reading from one of Ellen White's books, I am blessed again each time. I would like all our readers to have the same experience.
Yes, Jesus is Coming SOON! Only those who are thoroughly grounded in the truths of the Bible will be able to survive the last great crisis that will come upon this world as an overwhelming shock. It will be too late then to get "oil" in our lamps. We must do it now. Matt. 25:6-13
Question 2 catches my eye. I tend to get the sense from many that "new light" is heresy essentially. I on the other hand see new light as essential. Of course, we should examine all things for error or poor exegesis, but must we settle for the pioneer's views as if God cares not to enlighten his people today?
Regarding question #1, we must always remember that truth never goes out of date. It may go out of style with society, but that's their problem. We must stay with the "old waymarks," because truth loses nothing with the passage of time and many times it becomes more relevant.
We as the people of God must not become so bored with prophecy because "we heard it all before." So what?! Do we know it well enough to clearly and accurately share it with someone who doesn't yet know it? This was brought home to me several years ago when our local church held a prophecy series by Pastor Doug Batchelor. We had several visitors from the community but very poor local church member attendance. One of the visitors asked me point blank, as I was the local host, "if this is so good where are all your members?" That hurt. I could only respond that many people feel that if they heard something once they don’t need to hear it again. I had to apologize for the lack of support from our members. It was a missed opportunity for which I felt both sad and embarrassed.
We need to resist the urge to look for the next "shiny new object" when it comes to Bible teachings. The Word of God is living and active. It doesn't change, but it can and does change us when we spend time in it. So many times I have gotten new insights, things that I hadn't seen before, from old familiar verses and Bible stories. If we just want that "shiny new object," you can be sure that the enemy of our souls can come up with one tailor made to lead us astray.
Stay with the "old waymarks"! There you will find safety.
Well, I'll be honest and tell you my answer, Tim. I don't get very excited over prophecy seminars, though I have been to several in my life. The reason for this is not that I think I know everything or don't need to hear it again. The reason I get discouraged by them is that there is very little Jesus in them. They are all about our distinctive beliefs with one or maybe two days about Jesus (in the context of the 70 week prophecy to prove He is the messiah).
In the Western world where the knowlege of the Jesus is becoming more and more minimal, our prophecy seminars can really only be understood well by people who already have a Christian background. For everyone else, they will get a bunch of teachings but not be grounded in Jesus which is a very dangerous thing. It will reach people who are into conspiracies and sensational things, but if they are not grounded in Jesus, that alone is not enough.
Somehow the focus needs to change. Our world is not the same world as it was in 1880 or even 1940.
If they would be first and foremost about Jesus, I think more of our members would give them a chance. And perhaps there are some that are, but not in my personal experience.
Hi Christina, I understand, because that is the same conclusion I came to.
But I would just like to add a little encouraging word: Here in Texas, we have an evangelist whose presentations are Christ-centered, and he presents the message in a very down-to-earth engaging way. In fact, he tells the church that he doesn't like to call himself and "evangelist." We are the evangelists, and he only comes to present the "reaping" meetings. He is very well received by attendees from the community. Let's pray that God will call more evangelists like that. 🙏🙏
Hello Christina, all our doctrines are founded on the Word and should be centered on Christ, not being a "hollow square." Christ must be at the center of all our doctrines, and I believe that He is. We don't always present it that way and instead try to scare people into the church and into heaven. Lord forgive us. Doing so only makes shallow converts, instead of committed disciples. Uncommitted converts will rebel at the slightest hardship. Comitted, converted disciples will lay down their lives for the gospel. They will sacrifice so that others may have an opportunity to hear the "Good News" of the gospel. The members must support the outreach of the church to both fill in the gaps of the evangelist by being Jesus in the flesh to these searching souls. Friendship evangelism reinforces the preaching of the Word.
So I guess the question comes down to which one are we?
I have attended all of the prophecy seminars that were held in the churches I went to my whole life. The messages were never enough for me. I wanted more. They were never boring because each presenter mingled the messages with their own experiences and related them differently which made them very interesting!
The sailor’s story is a mirror. It shows us the weight of mortality but also the hunger for significance that no amount of oblivion can extinguish. Whether we find meaning in the transient beauty of a life well-lived or in the hope of eternity, the question remains: How will you live, knowing you will die? Should we seek to make a difference yet we shall die be be forgotten? Very Deep!. The good news is God will remember us He will not forget us let us strive to live differently committing to loving others seeking to understand bible truths, as we wait for the coming of our Lord who has promised a new home for us.
I'm sorry, I just don't like the direction of question 3. It says "However well-meaning the medic’s words, sooner or later he also would die, and so would the memory of the orphaned sailor."
Except his memory didn't die. The medic was clearly moved enough to share the story, others remembered it, and we're here reading about it today. It's the same way the Bible stories were preserved for generations. No one would say everyone who heard Paul or David or John the Baptist are also dead, therefore no one remembers them.
Back during the worst of COVID-19 in 2020, I spent time in isolation doing some genealogy research. I found a great-great grandfather who died fighting for the Union in the US Civil War, despite living in a Confederate state. I shared it with other family members who also enjoyed hearing about it. Yes, we had forgotten, but he is remembered now. We found his tombstone as well, which was also kind of special.
Maybe it's just me, but I feel like emphasizing the sailor actually being remembered would've tied into the quarterly theme of prophecy a lot better. Yes, we forgot (or didn't understand) a lot of their meanings over time, or even neglected to study them at all. But you know what? They're being remembered and studied now. We're here doing it together.
Originality is what sin opened to our reality. Any day can bring uncertainties and pain. Suddenly, we can be caught by a "massive block" in our way, and boom, the whole context is changed! Suddenly a disease shows up. To deal with all these new things and facing them with the Lord can take us to new dimensions every day.
Yes, indeed, Leela A. So in my experience. Jesus has been revealed more clearly, every time.
As a parent, as well as an academic, I can appreciate God’s unfolding, from the beginning, of His tremendous love for His created protégé. He has, in numerous ways, demonstrated His love for me. Know that He loves you, as well, reader.
You see, the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation, rather than mar the image of God’s great love for us, highlight the elimination of His/our greatest enemy. This is the essence of “The Three Angels’ Message”. Sin and death will soon be no more. 1Cor. 15:26
We can note the waymarks, "passing, one by one." as the great deceiver faces total annihilation. Paradise will shortly be regained. Praise God for the Victorious, Redeeming Sinless Lamb who can and will usher us into the joys of eternal life! Rev 7:10-15