Tag / Pastor Homosassa Seventh-day Adventist Church

by In Light Of The Cross

Crucial Conversations With God

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Often in our conversations with others, we try to avoid conflict and complaining. We certainly don’t want to seem disrespectful. However, this should not keep us from having crucial conversations. In this week’s Sabbath School Lesson, Moses has a crucial conversation with God, where Moses makes some crucial accusations that some mortals may be afraid to make.

So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.” Exodus 5:22-23 NKJV

This same Moses, who was told earlier to take off his sandals and not come too close to the burning bush because he was standing on holy ground, does not seem to have any problem here calling God out on the carpet, even accusing Him of doing nothing at all to save His people.

First, let’s address the fact that while things seemed to be getting worse and Moses could not see God working, God was working on behalf of His children. Sometimes things must get worse before they can get better. God is often working behind our backs on our behalf.

Years ago, I was a local hire Bible Worker in the Texas Conference, where I was paid by the local church rather than the conference. While I was getting several baptisms, it seemed to me that I was left out of things with the conference, and they did not seem to care. That should not have bothered me, as I was working for God, not for men, and I was a local church employee, not a conference employee. Still, it bothered me that they didn’t seem to care. Then one day, I received a letter from the conference office telling me they appreciated my work and were praying for me when they prayed for the pastors during their prayer time at the conference office. Later, as a gift, they sent a check out to all the pastors, telling them to take their wives out for dinner and a lovely evening out. Although I was not a conference employee, they sent me the same check and offer. Knowing I was single, they suggested I bring a lady friend, which I did. Just when I thought the Texas conference didn’t care, it turned out they did. They were praying for me behind my back without me even knowing about it till after the fact.

Many times, when it does not look like God is doing anything for us, He is working quite hard on our behalf, behind our backs. He has our back!

Likewise, God was working hard behind Moses’ back, even though it sure did not look like it at first. Sometimes things getting worse is a sign that something extraordinary is about to happen. You have heard the saying, “Sometimes things seem to be falling apart when they are falling into place.” That was sure true for Jacob when he had to send Benjamin to Egypt with his brothers after already losing Joseph. Poor Jacob thought everything was falling apart when, in fact, it was falling into place.

Now let’s consider Moses’ brash accusations towards God. Notice that Moses did not get struck by lightning. God understands we are only human. He expects to have crucial conversations with us. He expects us to be real with Him. Some suggest all our prayers should be nothing but praise and thanksgiving, but keep in mind that at least a third of the Psalms are lamentations, and then there is an entire book of lamentations. I think it’s called Lamentations. In Will Baron’s book, Deceived by the New Age, there is a part where Baron is deceived into thinking God wants him to give a considerable sum of money he cannot afford. Baron began cursing God and calling Him some obscene things that I will not repeat. Did God strike Baron down with lightning? No. He showed him His mercy and delivered him from the deceptions he was under.

God does not get angry with us when we are mad at Him. Being mad at Him can be a good sign because it means we at least believe He exists! And that is the difference between lamenting and just being cynical. When we lament to God, we are grieving with faith and hope. I have to believe that Moses had already seen enough of God’s goodness that even when he accused God of doing nothing at all to save them, he was meaning, “Here is your opportunity to prove me wrong, God. Go ahead and show me your glory again.”

God does not avoid crucial conversations. He invites us to have crucial conversations with Him. Is there a crucial conversation you need to have with God now? He is waiting to hear from you.

by In Light Of The Cross

What We Need to Learn From Moses’ Radical Attitude Change Towards Ministry

In this week’s lesson, we are learning about when Moses was called to lead God’s people out of Egypt. He was very reluctant to take this calling. After several miraculous signs confirmed his calling, Moses still asked to be relieved of his responsibilities.

But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” Exodus 4:13 NKJV

Of course, we know Moses goes on to take this calling and leads God’s people out of Egypt. I’m sharing here what I would like to know. How did Moses go all the way from saying, “Send anyone but me,” to telling God right after one of Israel’s lowest points,

Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” Exodus 32:32 NKJV

What I want to know is, what made Moses go from “I don’t want anything to do with this mission” to “I am willing to be blotted out of the book of life if that’s what it takes to make this mission a success.” 

While contemplating this, I think I found a clue. Moses spent a lot of time with God before the golden calf incident. God was instructing Moses concerning the sanctuary and the plan of salvation. In the sanctuary, did Moses get a glimpse of the cross? Of course, Moses had already received glimpses of the cross, like the first Passover, for example. Did the shadow of the cross change Moses’ whole disposition and attitude? Moses went from trying to avoid leading the people to immediately interceding for them when they were causing trouble. When  Mirriam has leprosy, Moses immediately intercedes for her. Then in Numbers 16, when Korah leads a rebellion, Moses again intercedes for others in the camp.

I believe Moses saw something in the sanctuary service. I believe he saw something in the shadow of the cross that radically changed his ministry. 

I shared this story before, so I will be brief here. However, I recall that when I was a literature evangelist, I was very bitter that I did not receive the award I had expected to receive. Later  I found myself walking through an old cemetery, pondering the meaning of life, when I realized I was not alive to receive awards. I was alive to share the hope of Jesus. Once I took my eyes off my pain and set them back on the cross, everything in my life made sense and became balanced again. That was 35 years ago. Ever since then, I have found that when I become hurt, bitter, and discouraged, it is because I have taken my eyes off the cross and centered them on self. At the time, I justified it by calling it self-care and taking care of my own mental health. Every time I shift my focus away from myself and back to the cross, I find healing. It’s no wonder Isaiah 53:5 states, “by His stripes we are healed.”

Regardless of what our calling is, it can be anything from parenting to leading a large organization to hosting a small group Bible study, we all have had moments when we want to throw in the towel and call it quits. Life is hard for everyone. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us no temptation comes to us but what is common to all humanity. Moses had his moments, and Elijah had his too. And so do we when we just want to throw in the towel and be done with it all. When these moments come, take some time for self-care. Take a mental health day or at least a mental health hour. But instead of a self-pity party, try this instead.  

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit.-Ellen White,  Desire of Ages, p. 83.

May I add that our mental health will be restored and balanced again, so we will be encouraged to complete the mission God has called us to. It is when I take my eyes off the cross that discouragement sets in, and I am tempted to throw in the towel and find a nice island on Google Maps where I can go live by myself. You can’t believe I just shared that on an open forum? Well, 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells me I am not alone. It happened to Moses. It happened to Elijah. I bet it’s crossed your mind too. That’s why I am sharing with you that when I place my eyes back on the cross, I find healing for my mental health. I find peace, courage, and even the happiness I need to continue my calling. 

I think Moses went from running away from his God-given ministry to fiercely interceding for those he was called to minister to when he saw the glory of God’s love and His amazing sacrifice. Nothing ruins a perfectly good self-pity, woe-is-me party like the cross. Nothing brings healing, mental health, and mental stability like the cross to take on the toughest missions. It is when I look at the cross that everything in my heart and mind becomes reconciled and I am at peace. By His stripes I am healed. Isaiah 53:5.

I invite you to join me this quarter as we witness God’s grace transform Moses and the way he conducts ministry. 

by In Light Of The Cross

Does the Bible Teach Us to Disregard Man-Made Laws At Times?

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It is important to note that while the three Hebrews never even hinted at bowing to the image, they still attended the demonstration. They did not refuse to show up just because they knew where this was going. They obeyed the king as far as they could, until the king gave a command that directly violated God’s law. The example the three Hebrews gave us aligns with biblical counsel.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities….Romans 13:1 NKJV

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 NKJV

Paul instructs us to obey civil laws as far as possible without violating God’s law. Peter says that, of course, the law of God trumps civil law when civil law directly violates God’s law, but Peter did not teach us to violate civil law just for the sake of demanding our rights. After all, as a Christian, the only right I have is to pick up my cross and die with Christ. See Luke 9:23.

The same Peter who was thrown into prison by the civil servants, the same Peter who said we ought to obey God rather than men, also told us,

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:13-17 NKJV

Peter gave no validation for those who refuse to obey simply to defy the civil laws.

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 1 Peter 2:20 NKJV

During the COVID shutdown, I was saddened by Christians who were making fun of people wearing masks and refusing to wear masks where they were required simply because they felt their rights were being taken away. Again, Luke 9:23 tells me the only right I have is to die with Christ. Wearing a mask in no way interferes with any of God’s laws. Some Christians were defiant, claiming that even more rights may be taken away that would interfere with God’s law. Still, remember the three Hebrews did not demand their rights. They obeyed just as far as they could without violating God’s law. They did not refuse to attend the ceremony just because they knew where this was going to go.

Jesus tells us,

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 NKJV

Jesus gave no validation for those who are persecuted for any other reason than for righteousness’ sake.

Even though Jesus, Paul, and Peter had some serious run-ins with the civil authorities, they never taught us to defy civil laws just for our rights. Even when Paul mentioned in Acts 22:25 that it was unlawful for him to be scourged as a Roman citizen, he was going by civil law and not opposing it.

Many of the things people were asked to give up or do during the COVID shutdown did not violate civil law or God’s law. We recognize that these circumstances are likely to recur, and it is essential to recall that Scripture offers no justification for disobeying civil law unless it directly conflicts with God’s law. The Three Hebrews, Paul, Peter, and even Jesus, set an example for us to follow civil law as far as possible, until it directly contradicts God’s law.

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

Your Current Career Does not Define you; Your Entire Life Defines you

 While I had always planned to become a pastor, my early twenties found me spinning my wheels as I forgot to return to college in the fall to complete my degree. I found a job working in the warehouse for a business forms company, where I made deliveries. There, I met Alan, who had already been there for a while, and he showed me the ropes. We became friends and started going to ball games together and eating out at Tex-Mex restaurants. He became more than just a friend to hang out with. He became a friend who helped me move from one place to another across town. He was the friend I called when my car broke down outside of town late at night. He was a little older than I, and he became like a big brother to me. 

One day, while we were waiting for clearance to make a large delivery in a secured area of the Tulsa International airport, our conversation turned to Jesus. Now, Alan was already a Christian, but he seemed eager to learn more about the faith. I shared the Sabbath with him, explaining that I observe the Seventh-day Sabbath because it is the example Jesus gave us, and our salvation is found solely in Him. He found that interesting. 

Now, I suppose I wasn’t spinning my wheels entirely, as at my local church, I had become the youngest elder at the time in the Oklahoma Adventist Conference and was doing a lot of preaching in my church and around the state. Alan would sometimes come and hear me speak, though for the most part, he was an outdoorsman who found nature to be his sanctuary, where he met with God. 

Meanwhile, Alan and I enjoyed working together about as much as you can enjoy working in a warehouse and doing deliveries. Some parts of the job were a lot of fun, such as driving to Arkansas and back to make deliveries, and meeting all the people we encountered. In the evenings, when I would drive across town to visit friends, it gave me a sense of satisfaction driving by all the businesses where I had delivered business forms. Making deliveries was a tangible way I could see the results of my labor. Still, there were times when I would be sweating while making deliveries or even in the warehouse during the day, and I would think to myself, ‘If only I were a pastor, I could spend my time making hospital visits and giving Bible studies, making better use of my time.’ I would even have more time for personal Bible study and sermon preparation. 

During the four years I worked at the business forms company, Alan and I continued our conversations about Jesus, while also doing other things. Over time, he had become familiar with my friends from church, as he joined some of our group studies and attended ball games with us. Eventually, some friends from church led me to become a literature evangelist, and I left the business forms company. However, Alan and I continued our friendship, and he even came to my rescue once when my car broke down 30 miles outside of town, where I was selling Christian books. 

After being a literature evangelist for a couple of years, a new pastor came to my church and hired me as a Bible Worker. I told Alan I needed practice giving Bible studies, and he said I could practice giving him studies. He started visiting the church with me again. Later, when I moved to Texas for a Bible Worker position, Alan and I continued being friends. Over time, we lost contact for a few years, but when Facebook emerged, we reconnected and started being friends again. By this time, I was in Florida, where I was serving as a Bible Worker. He was at my 50th birthday celebration, which I had back home in Tulsa. When my mother passed away, he was a pallbearer. Alan had his tragedies, as his son was killed in a motorcycle accident, and his wife died of a lingering illness. He would call and talk, and he was comforted as I reminded him of what we had learned in our Bible studies about the state of the dead and the hope of the second coming. 

When the conference asked me to stop being a Bible Worker so I could be a full-time conference pastor, Alan, as well as the rest of my friends, were very happy. Alan was there when I came back to Oklahoma as a guest speaker, this time as a full-time pastor, even though it was still just me. 

Alan would continue texting me prayer requests whenever anything was going on with his family or his health. He faithfully followed me on Facebook, telling me my inspirational messages were always just what he needed to read. About a week ago, Alan crossed my mind again. It had been a month since I heard from him, so I picked up the phone to call. His number was no longer working. Concerned, I went to Facebook and everything looked normal, but later I found his obituary online. He had no opportunity to text me this time as he died suddenly. 

Later, Alan’s sister contacted me on Facebook. She told me Alan often mentioned me to her and that he had always felt that I was his personal pastor. That made me feel warm inside. I thought back to earlier days at the business forms company. I always felt like I was spinning my wheels there and should have been working on becoming a pastor instead of dealing with business forms. But was I just spinning my wheels? Should I have become a pastor in my early twenties instead of spending all that time working in a business forms company? I thought to myself, one day I will meet Alan again on the streets of gold, and he will tell me he was glad I did notbecome a pastor in my early twenties. Alan will assure me that I was exactly where I belonged the whole time. 

As much as I loved being a Bible Worker and love being a pastor, I am consoled by the thought that being a pastor does not define me. My years as a Bible Worker and Pastor do not define me. My entire life defines me, and it has purpose and meaning. I wasn’t spinning my wheels at the business forms company in my early twenties. I was exactly where God wanted me to be the whole time. 

I hope my story has opened your eyes to ways God is using you where you are today. Too often, we spend our time longing to reach a life goal, not realizing that God is already using us for a purpose, every step of the way. Even if you become president of your country, that will not define you. Your whole life has purpose. Your entire life defines you. 

That day, when I was sitting in the delivery truck with my friend Alan, talking about Jesus while waiting to make our delivery at the airport, had just as much meaning and purpose as sitting behind the desk in my pastor’s office today. 

by In Light Of The Cross

Genesis to Revelation Teaches the Truth About Death and God’s Love

One of the saddest things I have ever had to do, was go to a funeral for a little girl who was hit and killed by a car. In the funeral the minister talked about how much fun Jesus and the little girl were having in heaven right now. I thought, how cruel the minister is making Jesus look to the girl’s poor mother. Jesus does not break our hearts and tear our world apart so He can have fun with our loved ones while we suffer. Jesus will be reunited with the little girl the same time the mother is-at the second coming. This is why it is so important to study the topic of death in the light of the cross and the light of God’s love. 

The minister even tried to use David as an example, claiming that when he died, he went straight to heaven to be with his son who had died. After the service I wanted to mention to the minister what Peter said in Acts 2 while sharing the prophecies about Jesus in Scripture. 

“For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Acts 2:34-35 NKJV

Peter makes it clear that David’s prophecy was about Jesus and not himself, as David has not gone to heaven yet, but remains in his grave, awaiting the resurrection. 

The minister then talked about how the little girl who died is now an angel watching over us. Many believe that angels are our dead loved ones. They find comfort in the false idea that our dead loved ones are watching over us, but this lie not only leads to spiritualism, but it also leads to idolatry as it puts dead loved ones in the place of God. I find it comforting knowing God is watching over me. Why would I think my dead loved ones watching over me would be more comforting than God watching over me, when my soul hungers and thirsts for God’s love more than my family’s love? 

Nowhere does the Bible teach that our dead loved ones are angels. As a matter of fact, in Genesis we read:

So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24 NKJV

We all know Cherubim are angels, In Genesis 3 we have angels before anyone has died. Therefore, angels are clearly not our dead loved ones. God Himself and the angels of heaven are watching over us now, while our dead ones are resting from their labors. I find that way more thrilling and amazing than the lie that my dead loved ones are watching over me. Prophecy teaches me our dead loved ones are taking a deserved rest. 

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” Revelation 14:13 NKJV

While we are looking at Genesis and Revelation lets look at another passage that has been skewed by the lie of spiritualism. 

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Revelation 6:9-11 NKJV

Many twist this passage to say that the souls of dead loved ones are literally under the altar in heaven. This makes no sense literally as we will not be living under the altar in heaven. Plus, if the dead are currently in heaven why would they be asking for vengeance against those who put them in heaven? Remember in Genesis 4:10 God tells Cain that Abel’s blood was crying out for vengeance. Abel’s blood was not literally crying out. It was symbolic. the situation was symbolically crying out for justice. Likewise in Revelation 6:9-11 it is the situation that symbolically cries out for justice, as the passage goes on to explain, while the dead continue to rest. 

From Genesis to Revelation the Bible is clear that God is love. God loves us more than our family loves us, and therefore the truth about God and angels is comforting, knowing God Himself and His angels are watching over us, and not our dead loved ones. God is also not going to tear a young mother’s world apart so He can go have fun with the mother’s child. When a child dies, God will be reunited with the child the same time the mother is, at the second coming. 

From Genesis to Revelation, we see the truth about the state of the dead, in the light of the cross and God’s love. 

You may study this week’s sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

The Final Goal of the Sacrifice

In this week’s Sabbath School lesson, I read,

… I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Haggai 2:7-9 NKJV

I was already familiar with the meaning of this passage, that even though the latter temple was not filled with the temporal splendor of the former temple, it would be filled with greater glory than the former, when the Son of God bodily entered the temple. I paused, though, and wondered if that was the final goal. I also question if we, as Seventh-day Adventists, are missing the final goal when considering the heavenly sanctuary as greater than the earthly sanctuary. Of course it is “greater,” but is the sanctuary in heaven the final goal? Was the latter sanctuary the final goal? What is the final goal

Then I considered these passages,

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19 NKJV

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:27-28 NKJV

These passages may remind you of similar passages, but you may already see where I am going with this. Even if the latter earthly sanctuary was filled with more glory than the former, what good does that do me today? Even if the heavenly sanctuary is filled with more glory than either earthly sanctuary, what good does that do me today down here on earth, unless my heart becomes God’s sanctuary? For our theology to be balanced and correct, we must see beyond the earthly temporal sanctuaries and realize that the goal is not even met in the heavenly sanctuary. The real goal is for God to dwell in our hearts and lives.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we talk about being the remnant church and restoring the church to how it was in the New Testament before the compromises of the Dark Ages. That is correct, but it still is not the goal.

The final goal of Christ’s sacrifice and the Gospel is to restore people into the image of God that man was created with before the fall. The final goal is also to restore our relationship with God to how it was before the fall. In other words, the goal of the Gospel goes way beyond restoring a people to how they were before the Dark Ages; the goal of the Gospel goes back to restoring people to how they were created to be before the fall.

What happened in the earthly sanctuary and what is happening now in the heavenly sanctuary are amazing. But what is more amazing is what God, through His Son and the Holy Spirit, is actively doing in our hearts today.

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NKJV

People today can’t visibly see Christ entering the latter temple mentioned in Haggai. However, they can visibly see the results of Christ living in our hearts today, which is the real goal.

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

How did we Come up With 360 Days for a Year in Bible Prophecy?

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While we are studying prophecy, with an emphasis this week on the book of Genesis, I thought it might be a good idea to elaborate on the day-for-a-year principle in prophecy and use the story of Noah, in the book of Genesis to illustrate why there are only 360 days in a prophetic year instead of 365.

Occasionally, when I am studying Daniel and Revelation with someone, they will question how we get 360 days to a prophetic year instead of 365. First, the Cambridge University Press confirms that ancient Israel had a 360-day year with each month having 30 days.

The story of Noah also confirms that in Bible times, each month had exactly 30 days, thus giving us 360 years in a Biblical year. 1
First, where do we get a day-for-a-year in Bible prophecy?

The first time we find a day for a specific year in prophecy is in the book of Numbers.

According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection. Numbers 14:34

Later, in Ezekiel repeats this idea of a day for a year.

For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year. Ezekiel 4:5-6

So now, how does the story of Noah and the flood help us establish one year equaling 360 days to a year in Bible prophecy?

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. Genesis 7:11NKJV

And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. Genesis 7:24 NKJV

And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. Genesis 8:3-4 NKJV

Here we clearly see that from the 17th day of the second month to the 17th day of the seventh month is exactly 150 days. Every month had 30 days equaling 360 days for a year. The 42 months of Revelation 13:5 would be 1260 prophetic days or 1260 years. 2 and “Appendix Two: The day-for-a-year principle,” .]
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1. The Jewish 360-day luni-solar calendar was adjusted by adding a leap month of 30 days every six years to coordinate with the solar year. See “Bible Prophecy Year of 360 Days,”  ↩
2. See also “What the Bible says about Day-for-a-Year- Principle,” ↩

Posted in 2025b Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy, Daily, Feature Tagged The Genesis Foundation permalink

You may study this week’s Sabbath School Lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

What is Wrong With the Futuristic View of Revelation?

Protestant reformers like Martin Luther used a system of prophetic interpretation based on fulfilled prophecies of the past. They found the keys to prophecies for the future in fulfilled prophecies of the past. They saw, for instance, how prophecies had been given in days and fulfilled in years. They saw names and animals that had been used for certain world powers, and they saw these same names and some of the same animals used in prophecies for the future. When Martin Luther used this system to interpret the prophecies of Revelation, he concluded that the system of the papacy was the antichrist in the book of Revelation.

Now keep in mind that it was never Martin Luther’s intention to start a new church. He wanted to reform the Catholic church. He was trying to work within the church to bring it back to the Bible, but when the church refused to go back to the Bible, Luther had to move forward.

John Hus, John Knox and many more Protestant reformers preached that the Pope was the antichrist, and that interpretation was carried on by the churches they founded. The 1260 day-for-a-year prophecy has demonstrated their calculations to be correct. Yet today, while we understand that God has His people in every church, including the Catholic church, 1many are afraid to identify the antichrist in Revelation as the papal system. Because of this, a new way of studying Bible prophecy was devised, 2which is what we now know as the futuristic approach in place of the previous historicist approach used by the Reformers and earlier Christians. It played an important role in the  Counter Reformation. This places all of the events in Revelation in the future so as not to identify the papacy as the antichrist. However, this theory has several flaws.

For instance, in January 1991, the United States began Desert Storm to relieve Kuwait from Iraqi oppression. U.S. helicopters and other aircraft were swarming the desert. At the time, a popular theologian in the futuristic tradition suggested that Revelation 9:3 was being fulfilled since the locusts mentioned in this passage were symbolic of the helicopters swarming the desert.

The problem with that interpretation is that Revelation 9 has already been precisely fulfilled, using the day-for-a-year principle concerning 391 years and 15 days, ending on exactly August 11, 1840, when the Ottoman Empire accepted guarantees and declared its dependence upon surrounding nations to survive. 3When this prophecy was fulfilled right down to the exact day of August 11, 1840, many people who had scoffed at the Bible became Bible-believing Christians. 

Today most popular Protestant churches have rejected the historicist method of interpreting prophecy, as it is no longer politically correct to identify the antichrist biblically. They have joined the Catholic church’s interpretation of prophecy in Revelation to put everything in the future, thus nullifying much of what was accomplished and gained in the Reformation. 

Here are some problems that exist now with the futuristic view of prophecy.

With the futuristic approach to Revelation, there is no way to determine the probable accuracy of an interpretation because there are no checks and balances, such as the day-for-a-year principle, to test predictions. For example, Desert Storm does not fit the time period for Revelation 9.  However,  interpretations using the day-for-a-year principle fall into place with other prophecies in Daniel and Revelation. With the futuristic approach, there is no rhyme or reason to interpretations, and many predictions are only proven wrong once they don’t come to pass. That’s why some have called The Revelation “the happy hunting ground of fraudsters and religious fanatics.” 

The futuristic view denies all prophecies that have already been accurately fulfilled using the day-year principle by putting them in the future. This means nullifying much of the evidence that the Bible is true. This destroys not only the credibility of prophecies but of the Bible itself. 

While recognizing that God has His people in all churches, and that every church has sincere worshipers who will make up the kingdom of heaven, we should not be afraid to teach accurate prophetic interpretations, even though they may not be currently “politically correct.”

By using the historical day-for-year principle in studying the prophecies of Revelation, we prove the Bible to be true and trusted by what has already been accurately fullfifilled, and we can properly warn all of God’s people in all of us churches of the false teachers and their doctrines which lead men away from Jesus, as our only True Teacher. 

Do you have any experience to share about the day-for-a-year principle compared to the futuristic view?

References

  1. I believe there will be more Catholics in heaven than in any other church. ↩
  2. Look up Francisco Ribera (1537–1591), the originator of the futuristic approach to prophecy. ↩
  3. You can see a facsimile copy of Josiah Litch’s original article in the Signs of the Times of Aug. 1, 1840 ↩

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

Does Intercessory Prayer Work?

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:5 NKJV

When Peter was arrested and put in prison for the sake of the Gospel, the church asked God to intervene and free Peter, which He did. Some may wonder how intercessory prayers work. Does it make a difference? First, I don’t necessarily know how it works, but I know it does. When I flip the light switch on, I can’t explain electricity how it lights up the bulb, but I know it does. I don’t have to understand how the switch makes a light bulb turn on, but that does not keep me from turning on the light.

Do intercessory prayers work? Yes, they do. When my mother was dying and was unconscious, I prayed for God to wake her up just long enough for me to tell her I loved her one more time, and that is exactly what happened. A few years ago, I baptized a mother and her three children, while the husband and father thought baptism was the craziest thing in the world. The family and I prayed for the husband and father, and a year later I baptized him too. Others have told me how a spouse or a loved one accepted Jesus as their Savior after 30 or 40 years of intercessory prayer. I remember a friend in Oklahoma gave a testimony about how she left the church as a teenager, but her mother kept praying for her. Years after her mother died, she came back to Jesus. When she was rebaptized her aunt told her, that her mother made her promise to “take over” praying for her when she died. That story has always stirred my heart, as well as affirming the power of intercessory prayer. I remember praying for my friend whom I will call Anne, who had left our small group Bible study and the church. Every night I prayed, “Lord please send your Holy Spirit to work upon Anne’s heart.” After weeks of praying, she called me and told me she was coming back to Jesus because she felt “The Holy Spirit working on her heart.”

Intercessory prayer works, but again how? Like I’ve previously stated, I don’t understand everything but considering this week’s Sabbath School Lesson we are learning there are parameters in the great cosmic battle between Christ and Satan. Satan claims this world as his own, and while I know well that this is my Father’s world, there are rules to the battle. Temporarily, at least, there is some validity to Satan’s claim to this planet. Why else would he be allowed in those meetings with the other sons of God in Job 1 and 2? In John 14:30 and John 16:11 Jesus refers to Satan as the prince of this world.

In Matthew 8:29 in the NLT the demons accuse Jesus of “interfering” with them. While I am sure Jesus was not breaking any rules, that does give us a hint that there are parameters in the cosmic battle. God cannot intervene where He is not invited, as that would be using force and manipulation, as opposed to love. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus stands knocking at the heart’s door but does not force His way in as that would not be love. We have to open the door to let Him in. This is where intercessory prayers come in. When we pray as members of humanity on behalf of humanity for God to intervene in the lives of humanity, He now has an invitation and is not using force. If Satan protests God’s involvement in meddling with human hearts, God can tell Satan, “I am not using force or manipulation. I have been invited to intervene.” 

This is why Jesus encourages us in Matthew 18:19 -20 that when we gather together in His name He is there to work powerfully to grant our requests, Just as he answered Elijah’s powerful prayers. See James 5:14-18. Being gathered in his name does not mean we have to be gathered in a certain building. We may be in separate hemispheres and be gathered in His name. 

In Matthew 6:10 Jesus prays for His Father’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Revelation 12:7-9 Satan was cast out of heaven. When we pray as humanity on behalf of humanity, it opens the way for God to cast Satan out of our hearts, homes and communities. The human heart still has free choice, but God can intervene on behalf of humanity within the parameters of the cosmic battle without using force and manipulation, as He has been invited to intervene just as Elijah prayed for God’s intervention in his day. 

Elijah witnessed a great miracle on Mount Carmel when he prayed for God to intervene with the Baal worshippers in 1 Kings 18. What are some amazing things you have witnessed after praying for God’s intervention? 

by In Light Of The Cross

We are not Left Alone to Fight in the Cosmic Battle

We are all in the midst of the cosmic battle. We are all wounded warriors struggling to survive and even thrive. The other day, to remind myself how everyone is fighting a battle against the adversary in this conflict, I walked into my local grocery store. However, this time I did something different.

Instead of just seeing random faces in the isles, when I saw the lady examining ripe tomatoes, I told myself, for all I know this woman just lost her father earlier this week. As I saw the man passing me in the other direction in the cereal aisle, I told myself, for all I know his wife just left him yesterday, As I went to get bread, I told myself the lady getting the whole wheat rolls may have just been diagnosed with cancer, As I waited in the checkout lane I told myself the teenage boy in front of me may be fighting an addiction that terrifies him, and yet he is too afraid to cry out for help for fear of his family and community condemning him and only making matters worse. So, the war rages inside of him while he battles alone, standing there in the middle of the supermarket crowd, feeling about as isolated as a lone kayaker swept out to sea.

Photo by Guy Kawasaki on Pexels.com

Then I thought of how Jesus came into our dark world not only to conquer sin and death for His own sake but on behalf of every warrior who has been wounded by the adversary in the cosmic battle. What words would He have today for the boy fighting unimaginable addictions all alone, or for the others who were picking out produce, cereal and bread in the midst of their heart-wrenching ordeals? My mind remembered, 

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction Isaiah 42:1-4 NLT

Then I remembered a passage from Desire of Ages, I looked it up when I got home, and interestingly enough found it to be in the chapter entitled, “Days of Conflict.“

He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul. In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstances. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God. Often He met those who had drifted under Satan’s control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear.-Ellen White, Desire of Ages, Pages 91-92. 

I remembered reading in Steps to Christ recently in prayer meeting, 

There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. –Ellen White, Steps to Christ, Page 64. 

I appreciated that fact that while we are in the midst of this cosmic battle that,

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:15-16, NLT.

So when we are tempted, we can go to our sympathizing High Priest to find the grace to obey (Romans 1:5) and do good works (Ephesians 2:8-10) and even live godly lives right here on earth (Titus 2:11-12). However, if for any reason we fall, God will never despise a broken and repentant heart (Psalm 51:17) no matter how many times the same sin has already broken the same heart. Every time we fall we are to claim His mercy and forgiveness. This is not cheap grace. This is expensive grace –biblical grace . Too many people have been accused of wanting cheap grace when in reality they are broken-hearted and tired of hurting their Savior. To such I say, “You hurt Jesus more by not accepting His forgiveness and mercy. Jesus promises the power to overcome when we are tempted, and if we fall He promises forgiveness.”

When you are tempted to sin don’t fall for the lie that you cannot overcome the temptation. “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NLT

When you have fallen into sin don’t fall for the lie that Jesus won’t forgive you. “But if we confess our sins to him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 NLT 

In the midst of the raging cosmic battle, we never need to be discouraged. Mercy and grace, forgiveness and victory are all ours whenever we need them. When we are tempted, Jesus is telling us, “Don’t give up. I can help you overcome this temptation.” When we overcome, hallelujah, praise the Lord! Keep holding tightly to Jesus, because that’s the only way we overcame. But when we fall, Jesus tells us, “I can forgive you – again.” Either way Jesus is always telling us “Don’t give up!” 

Jesus is here to encourage us. Let’s encourage one another. 

You may study this week’s Sabbath School Lesson here.