Sabbath: Ablaze With God’s Glory
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; John 8:32; Revelation 18:1; Revelation 4:11; Exodus 33:18-19; Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12; Revelation 13:8.
Memory Text: “After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory” (Revelation 18:1, NKJV).
Sooner or later, final events will unfold. Exactly when, exactly how — we have not been told. But we have been told enough. Some kind of legislation enforcing Sunday-keeping, in contrast to Sabbath keeping, will occur. Revelation has revealed to us the crucial issues at stake, the crucial players involved, and in broad sweeps, it has told us what will happen when, in contrast to the worship of the One “who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (Revelation 14:7, NKJV), people — all “whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8, NKJV) — will worship the beast and his image. In other words, all those who have chosen to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and obey His commandments — their names remain in the book of life. How much better to be in the register of God than in the records of man.
God has raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church to preach this message to the world. Thus, we need, ourselves, to be converted to the truth as it is in Jesus, and to have been transformed and made new by the “everlasting gospel” of Revelation 14:6, which is centered on Christ’s death for us, the assurance of our salvation in Him.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 24.
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None of what we say about the future makes any sense if all we have to offer are predictions of salvation. The preaching of the Gospel to all the world must be "lived preaching" not "get up in front of an audience" preaching. As we learned last week, the "Christian" label has been ambushed by those seeking control and riches for themselves. Their preaching and living have been diametrically opposed to one another.
A fair bit of we describe as the books of the Gospels are actually about what Jesus did when he was on earth. He healed people, talked to bad people, provided compassion to the needy, forgave the accused, had discussions with academics and he ate with sinners.
His version of preaching the Gospel was the one that did not mind getting its hand dirty. He did not hold himself apart but interacted with common people. He told stories and played with the children.
When we understand the true meaning of salvation in the present then we can talk about the future with confidence.
Brother Maurice, you are so right.
Most of us Christians live our lives in Christian isolation, not blending with those that are of the world (except at work or maybe PTA meetings). We used to love to say, "don't be involved with worldly people, or go to secular places".
How many of us have gone to a Birthday party, where we know that only secular people and worldly music. If we are invited, then we should go. Maybe if you attend the party, then God could use you to save someone at that party. God has people that are searching for Him everywhere, at all events, whether it be a secular or Christian event. And what do we have to gain by continuing in Christian isolation?
As for me, if invited, I will go. I don't have to participate in the activities at this event, to be in attendance. I was invited to my niece's baptism in another denomination recently, and I went to support her. I also went to the baptism party afterwards, but I couldn't stay because it took them too long to get started, so I had to leave. I was able to talk to many of the guest that had arrived before I left. I also wrote to her that I want to visit her church in the near future.
Maybe, if we get out of our Christian isolation, God will lead us to people that are truly seeking Him. Maybe, if we accept their invitation, then they will have more respect for us, instead of thinking that we are those weird people.
But we would rather just give them Bible studies, then pat ourselves on the back that we did God's work. If they accept our teachings, fine; if not, we are not going to go to them. Oh boy, we have a lot to learn. Jesus accepted their wedding invitations, and He went to the wedding. Jesus accepted their invitation to dine in their homes, and He went and ate with them. If we truly say that we want to follow Jesus' methods of teaching, then it starts with accepting their invitation. Just a little food for thought.
God's blessing to you all.
Yes, Jesus Christ, God’s faithful Son, is ‘ablaze with God’s Glory’, and all who are found in Him, all who’s names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, reflect His Glory throughout their life by faith as they have their new Life in Him who has conquered death as evidenced by His resurrection.
It is God who calls out His faithful, the body of Christ here on earth – His church, the ekklesia, the ‘called out ones’ – Ex.33:18-19.
What is the meaning of Ekklesia? Wayne Jackson in the ‘Christian Courier’ (https://christiancourier.com/articles/what-is-the-meaning-of-ekklesia)shares that this term is found 114 times in the New Testament. He explains:
1. It represents the body of Christ worldwide, over which the Lord functions as head (Mt.16:18; Eph. 1:22; 1 Tim.3:15).
2. The expression can refer to God’s people in a given region (Acts 9:31 ASV, ESV).
3. Frequently, it depicted a local congregation of Christians (Cor.1:2; Rev.1:11).
4. It could also signify a group of the Lord’s people assembled for worship (1Cor.14:34-35).
In the Greek language - “The word is a compound of two segments: ek, a preposition meaning “out of”, and a verb, kaleo, signifying “to call” – hence, “to call out.”
The Glory of God's ‘Good News’ is that man finds Life as he is found in Christ Jesus, the risen Son of God, who imparts His Life to all found in 'His Book of Life' by faith.
There is such a power in the Word of God. There is no need for fear! But please hold; the truth can set anyone free. There are so many fiction movies out there, and no complaints about them. Why is it so hard to picture these monsters from Revelation? Their figurative language had to surpass the Dark Ages, and after the pavement of the Enlightenment, humanity would have more access and curiosity to study the Bible. Why would God let His sons and daughters be blind?
The above verse sounds victorious and wonderful, but the context that follows doesn't sound good at all, as it defines a world worshipping and involved in a system gone totally wrong.
But the message is a message of hope and urgency to "come out".
Another verse may cause us to put a little different light on the verse.
What hour is Jesus referring to?
Jesus was referring to His crucifixion! The glorifying sought is that reached through death. It wasn't for Himself that He prayed for glorification, but that God's name may be glorified among the people.
At this time Christ's mission didn't look victorious either, rather it looked more like cruel defeat. The priests and Pharisees had been given plenty of evidence of Who Christ was, but what was also becoming evident was that they would never receive Him as the Messiah, they were determined to kill Him! To His disciples the case seemed hopeless.
And yet it was the hour He would be glorified! Christ was approaching the consummation of His mission. Christ was to open up the fountain of grace for the whole world!
Yes, those verses mean dying to self and living for Christ.
Yet, there is another thought expressed.
How will the third angel's message lighten up the earth and bring everyone to decision, causing many to leave Babylon and cast their lot in with God's people who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.
At present, when the three angel's messages of the importance of the Sabbath is shared the response too often is "don't be so arrogant", "you think you're better than us?" "the Sabbath is legalism". etc. And true, the message is sometimes given in a manner that gives that impression. Mere religious words in our society don't "lighten the earth".
But when a people would rather suffer the lose of all that makes life livable, and even die (and yes there will be martyrs before probation closes), rather than deny the God who created all things and offers salvation, by trampling on His Sabbath. When this is brought before the world and discussed in the courts of law people are going to ask questions?
Sure, many will think the Saturday keepers are crazy insubordinates and deserve what they get, but others will seriously think -- is the legal mandate to set apart Sunday under the pretext of restoring God's favor, actually submitting to a false god, and to powers that are defying God's commands, and denying Christ as the Creator and Redeemer?
Which day did God actually set apart, and if not Sunday, why is Sunday now being mandated legally?
This message (depicted as an angel) which lightens the whole earth with glory, before Babylon receives her plagues and is destroyed, will be given by people who have so committed themselves to Christ, that their stand to be faithful to the Creator God (by the power of the Holy Spirit that is promised to be poured out upon them) will, by their very willingness to suffer, be that glory that lightens the world.
"Come out of Babylon my people, that you be not partakers of her plagues."