Thursday: Prophesy Again
Daily Lesson for Thursday 1st of May 2025
The remnant church was born in the New World, precisely where those seeking religious liberty had fled during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Given the long-standing religious and political obstacles that existed elsewhere, it is doubtful that the launch of this movement would have been as swift or powerful in some other location as it was in the new land that became the United States.
Read Revelation 10:1-11, which describes the birth of the movement. Look for some of the elements we have studied, such as “the nations,” the land, and the sea. Applying appropriate caution so that you do not read too much into the passage, what potential insights can you find in this account?
Image © Steve Creitz at Goodsalt.com
The angel cries with a loud voice, much as the three angels of Revelation 14:1-20 and the angel of Revelation 18:1-24 do. This is an urgent moment in history when the work of the remnant church is established for the sake of “ ‘many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings’ ” (Revelation 10:11, NKJV).
The angel holds a “little book”—likely the book of Daniel (see Daniel 12:4)—which is open for the first time in many generations. He has one foot on the sea and another on the earth. This might be in reference to the idea that the message covers the globe, both the Old World and the New. It might also be a reference to the idea that this message is for all nations: those who live on the land and those who live in the “Gentile” sea.
The world, at long last, will be lighted up with the glory of God, and the final messages of Revelation 14:1-20 are carried to everyone. As with Israel, our mandate as a church is to preach the gospel “ ‘in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come’ ” (Matthew 24:14, NKJV).
God is pushing human history toward its grand conclusion: the end of human empires and the permanent enthronement of Christ. Read Daniel 2:34-35,44-45. The Bible makes it perfectly clear, without any ambiguity, that all these worldly kingdoms will be eradicated, without a trace of them and their ugly legacies left, and will be replaced by God’s eternal kingdom, where sin, suffering, sickness, evil, and death will never rise again.
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Look at how accurately the prophecies of Daniel 2:1-49 and 7 predicted the rise and fall of all these worldly empires. Why should that accuracy, amazing if you think about when Daniel was written, help us trust Him on the promise of God’s final and eternal kingdom? |
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The Seventh-day Adventist Church developed and was organised during the second half of the nineteenth century, mainly in North America. It is interesting to read a secular history of America during this period and see some of the influences that helped shape our church. It is also interesting to read church history from that period as well to grasp some of the dynamics of how our faith grew and our beliefs crystallised within the interactions of church thought leaders with one another. The church was largely American, dealing with the issues that were seen in America. Today the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a worldwide church. The church is no longer a North American church and the demographic has shifted to Africa and South America.
I mention this because some of our interpretations of prophecy have a nineteenth-century North American atmosphere about them that does not transmit all that well once it crosses over the ocean. I am not saying we should give up our interpretation but rather expand it. I mentioned in my comment yesterday, the issue on focusing on current politics and forgetting that Satan is the master of distraction and will attack us where we least expect it. It is easy for the enemy to put on a fireworks display and while everyone is distracted by it, attack from the rear.
Then I need to turn to God. Focus on Christ. And listen for the Holy Spirit. Three against one.
As someone who has often felt criticized, judged, and even excluded from the body of Christ, reflecting on the prophecies in Daniel 2 and 7 brings me unexpected comfort. These chapters show how God foresaw the rise and fall of powerful empires—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome—with stunning accuracy long before they happened. That kind of foresight reminds me that God is not bound by human opinion or limitations. If He can predict history with such precision, then surely I can trust His promise of a final, eternal kingdom—a place where broken, rejected people like me are not cast aside, but welcomed and restored. These prophecies assure me that God’s plan is bigger than earthly kingdoms and church cliques, and that His kingdom will be one of true justice, mercy, and belonging for all who trust in Him. As Christians we must recognize our lack of humlity in the words we speak, the unkindness and impatience that often push people away from Christ instead of bringing them to him (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
I woke up with this morning with #523 in my heart. I'm playing it on repeat today.
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place
Not in a manmade creed
I will trust the ever living One
That He for me will plead.
Testimony - I previously left the church because of powers, pomp and arrogance - I was watching the behaviors of 'church folk' who 'I thought' were reflections of Christ. Today my feet are firmly planted in my Creator footsteps - tracing each one to glory. I measure myself by His yardstick alone and when I'm found wanting, I go to Him for respite! May God teach us how to 'bridle' our tongues (Proverbs 18:21 and James 3:1-12) and fingers as we respond to others in and out of this forum.
Have a blessed day everyone!
Dear Lindsey – I appreciate your frank and uplifting testimony about the way you chose to respond to the shortcomings of ‘church folk’. I have struggled with the same issues as long as I can remember being part of the body of the organized church.
Like you, I finally came to understand that we have been saved by a loving and kind heavenly Father who’s aspects of righteousness are not always reflected by the conduct of our fellow believers. Though He calls all to repentance, some are reluctant to reflect and rest in His Mercy and Grace. But His Kingdom will be established in the end.
For those who feel sidelined by the ‘cliques’, His Grace surely is experienced as becoming sufficient for us – 2 Cor.12:9; our eyes become focused on Him and Him alone. As you say: “He is our Respite”. The words of Isa.30:15 comfort me. Thank you for sharing the words of the song - I will add them to my meditations.
Thank you for your testimony, Mary! Indeed, we may safely trust in Christ, recognizing that the believers around us are all fellow travelers with faults and failings - some like ours and others different from ours. When we are secure in Christ, we can overlook the faults of others in love - just as Christ looks past our faults and failings to recognize our heart's desire to serve Him.
When we look at people, we are bound to be discouraged. Yet some of us are slow learners. I remember the first time I worked for a college teacher whom I admired for his humility - so much so that I think I put him on a pedestal. But, as circumstances developed, both the pedestal and the man I had placed on it were smashed into smithereens while I mourned in tears over the demise of my spiritual idol. The humility I had so admired turned out to be a veneer for spiritual pride. Since I'm a slow learner in spiritual matters, I had to travel the same path twice more!
Thank you for sharing that the study of prophecy helped you in this very personal way. I had not thought of it in such a way before.
In the case that we are too busy with our agendas to complete, let's not forget that God is in control of everything; nevertheless, people are free to choose, although powerful, God gives us the freedom to do so. So let us choose the winning side, the One Who's going to restore His everlasting kingdom here once more.
Personally, I believe that the "Seven Thunders" of Revelation 10:4 are "Prophetic Utterances," that, though John was told to "Seal them up and not write them," are "Prophetic Truths," that will be revealed to God's people before He starts pouring His Seven Last Plagues against "Spiritual Babylon" and the "Last Day Unrepented Sinners."
Thank God
for remembering us all in His great and tender mercies.
Happy Sabbath and have a nice week!
In Jesus' name, Amen.