Friday: Further Thought – Precursors
Daily Lesson for Friday 20th of June 2025
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “God’s People Delivered,” Pages 635–652, in The Great Controversy.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“In all ages, God has wrought through holy angels for the succor and deliverance of His people. Celestial beings have taken an active part in the affairs of men. They have appeared clothed in garments that shone as the lightning; they have come as men in the garb of wayfarers. Angels have appeared in human form to men of God. They have rested, as if weary, under the oaks at noon. They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes. They have acted as guides to benighted travelers. They have, with their own hands, kindled the fires at the altar. They have opened prison doors and set free the servants of the Lord. Clothed with the panoply of heaven, they came to roll away the stone from the Saviour’s tomb.
“In the form of men, angels are often in the assemblies of the righteous; and they visit the assemblies of the wicked, as they went to Sodom, to make a record of their deeds, to determine whether they have passed the boundary of God’s forbearance. The Lord delights in mercy; and for the sake of a few who really serve Him, He restrains calamities and prolongs the tranquillity of multitudes. Little do sinners against God realize that they are indebted for their own lives to the faithful few whom they delight to ridicule and oppress.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, Pages 631, 632.
Discussion Questions
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The speed at which the world is changing is overwhelming, yet prophecy serves as a spiritual compass in times of such uncertainty. Prophets were raised by God not to create panic, but to call people to purpose-driven transformation and change, in line with God's will and desire for the specific times. Mirrors in our homes and offices help us to recognize possible mistakes and embarrassments that could have been, and so is prophecy on the signs of the times, so that our response is not out of fear but based on facts as presented. This week’s lesson underscores that change is all around us our, environment being fluid in terms of technology, culture, and values. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven." Thus, change is not only inevitable, but it is part of God’s design.
The Key theme throughout this week's study is word is understanding of the prophetic call to awareness and preparedness in a fast-changing world, whether through climate shifts, technological revolutions, or social upheavals, we MUST NOT remain passive. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 16:3, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” This rebuke reminds us to stay spiritually alert. Prophecy does not demand change for novelty’s sake; it calls for discernment and the need to build upon a firm foundation in line with reassurance of Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever," implying that even in a rapidly changing world, God’s truth is our unshakable and unchangeable!.
Carmel and I have been reading C S Lewis's "Mere Christianity" for worship lately. It has been a real blessing. I read it many years ago when I was a student, and had underlined all the good bits that I refer to from time to time. But this is the first time in 60 years that I am in the process of reading it right through again. It is still one of the best arguments for Christianity in an atheistic world, but it is also a challenge for believers because Lewis understands our weaknesses and foibles so well.
Here is what I read last night:
And I had just been studying the lesson about the images of Daniel 2 and giving ourselves a pat on the back for having a better understanding of their importance than apostate Christians. Ouch!! The chapter on "Pride" describes it as the worst sin of all.
And then I read:
If we know the way, how do we put it into practice? If you want to be a good teacher, think like a student!
Link to free copies of Mere Christianity
Being Love, God will never abandon His followers. He will never allow evil to overthrow His perfect will. It is time for believers to step up and stop crying or hiding because of the "unknown" future. I'm sure God desires to build up our characters and develop a sense of assurance in us, based on our relationship with Him. Let's engage with the Father of Love once and for all.
For those who doubt or dismiss the Seventh-day Adventist view on a coming Sunday law in America, it's important to remember how quickly global events can shift public opinion and policy. Just as unexpected crises have led to sweeping changes in laws and freedoms, the final events predicted in Scripture—including the enforcement of false worship—can unfold rapidly under the right circumstances.
While it may seem improbable now, the Bible warns of a time when worship will become a central issue, and Revelation 13 outlines a scenario where religious laws are enforced globally. The Sabbath versus Sunday issue is not merely about a day but about allegiance—whether to God’s commandments or man-made traditions.
This is why our faith must not rest on what seems likely based on current events, but on the sure word of prophecy. Scripture has accurately predicted countless events throughout history. Likewise, God’s final warning message will be fulfilled—not because it seems likely today, but because God has spoken it. Faith in His Word prepares us for what eyes may not yet see.
"Read 2 Timothy 1:7. Discuss the things in prophecy that have worried you most. How do we shake off the spirit of fear and find God’s message of hope even amid the prophecies that talk about persecution for our faith?"
Answer: Be ready for Jesus to come. Live a Christian life daily. John 3:16, John 14:1-3, 1 John 1:9, 1John 2:1-2, 1 Peter 1:3-12. Simply put be born again to a living hope daily. Say the Lord's prayer daily, ask for forgiveness of sins daily. Now salvation is assured. Take a look at John 14:1-3 again. It shoul dispel fear also. Noif you are still uncertain read the chapter 12 in Steps to Christ about doubt, then finish with chapter 13 rejoicing in Christ, believe me. Oh and ask that the Holy Spirit be by your side and put a hand of encouragement on your shoulder, He will, again believe me.
Let me add for this week, keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath is the mark(seal) of Jesus Christ in our 'foreheads'. Foreheads is symbolic of minds. God said I will put my laws in their hearts, or write it on their minds if you prefer, because they love Me. We keep the Seventh-day Sabbath because we love God, therefore we obtain the seal of the living God in our foreheads. Revelation 9:4. We have in our minds that if we do turn away from our own delight, six days of labor, then rest on the 7th, doing for others instead of our self, then the seal of the living God stays in our minds. We are ready for Jesus to come, and say we'll done, enter into the joy of My Father, and yes, Myself, for a thousand years, then I will return the 3rd time and set up My kingdom on earth with you who have been sealed. John 14:1-3. "And where I go there ye may be also." Yes and along with the 4th commandment we keep the other nine. Revelation 14:12.
"13 The Lord says, “If you will stop trampling on the Sabbath—pursuing your own interests and doing what you please on my holy day—and start honoring the Sabbath instead, making it a delight, not doing your own work or talking about your own business on that day, but consider others— 14 Then you will find the joy that comes from serving the Lord. I will cause you to be honored all over the world, and you will delight yourselves in the inheritance that I promised to your father Jacob.” The mouth of the Lord has spoken." The Clear Word Paraphrase. Isaiah 58:13-14.
Hebrews 4 is New Testament evidence of the Seventh day Sabbath as the Day of rest God gave to us as told in Mark 2:27.