The world, as it came from the Lord, was perfect (Genesis 1:31). Death was an unknown experience for Adam and Eve. In that context, God came to the Garden of Eden and warned: “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-7; Psalm 115:17; John 5:28-29; Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21. Memory Text: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12, NKJV). Christ was the Divine Agent through whom God brought the universe and the world … Continue reading –>
Set Free From Chains By Andrew McChesney Screams pierced the air in the rural village in Laos. A Seventh-day Adventist pastor, who was visiting the village with a small team of church workers, headed toward the loud cries to find out what was happening. He was surprised to see a 16-year-old boy chained to the … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Why Was Sin Permitted?” Pages 33-43, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Origin of Evil,” Pages 492-504, in The Great Controversy. “There was no possible hope for the redemption of those [Satan and his angels] who had witnessed and enjoyed the inexpressible glory of heaven, and had seen the terrible majesty of God, and, … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 12:1-17. What does this chapter teach about the spread of the rebellion in heaven to the earth? The fall of Lucifer was not a simple clash of conflicting ideas. Revelation 12:1-17 tells us that a major war broke out in heaven between Lucifer and his angels on one side and Christ and His … Continue reading –>
Within Scripture, one can see two major predominant themes or motifs that are competing with each other. One is the theme of Salem, Mount Zion, Jerusalem, and the New Jerusalem, which represents God’s kingdom. The other is the theme of Babel and Babylon, which stands for Satan’s counterfeit domain. Several times God called His people … Continue reading –>
Read Ezekiel 28:12-19. What can we learn from this passage about the mysterious origin of sin? Much of the book of Ezekiel was written in end-time symbolic language. In many instances, specific entities (like persons, animals, and objects) and local events are used to represent and describe broader cosmic and/or historical realities. In Ezekiel 28:1-10, the Lord … Continue reading –>
Read 1 John 4:7-16. What does this passage tell us about free will as a condition to cultivating love? Artificial flowers can be gorgeous, but they do not grow and bloom as do real ones. Robots are pre-programmed to talk and to perform many tasks, but they have neither life nor emotions. In reality, life and … Continue reading –>
Nature in its present condition carries an ambiguous message that mingles both good and evil. Rosebushes can produce lovely and fragrant roses but also harmful and painful thorns. A toucan can impress us with its beauty and then dismay us by assaulting the nests of other birds and eating their frail chicks. Even human beings, … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16; 1 John 4:7-16; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:1-17. Memory Text: “How you have fallen from heaven, you star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who defeated the nations!” (Isaiah 14:12, NASB). Many thinkers have tried to explain the … Continue reading –>
