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It was 150 years ago this October 1
that the pioneers of our church chose
the name “Seventh-day Adventist.”
This year [2010], as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our name, we encourage churches, schools, health-care institutions, publishing houses, and conferences to seriously ask the question, “How can we maximize the impact of our identity, embodied in our name, ‘Seventh-day Adventist’ in our communities?” This website contains ideas and resources to help churches, schools and other institutions, not only celebrate the 150th anniversary of our name, but to explore this important question.
“The name Seventh-day Adventist, carries the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 223. Thus wrote Ellen White after the name Seventh-day Adventist was chosen in 1860.
In response to published invitations to attend a “General Conference,” ministers from five states met at Battle Creek, Michigan, September 28 to October 1, 1860. James White, one of those who called the meeting, urged the formation of an organization that could legally own the publishing house. Finally an organization was proposed, but without a name both legally and organizationally it could accomplish nothing. Some were opposed to choosing a name feeling that by doing so Adventists would become just another denomination, or even worse, we would become “Babylon.”
When possible names were finally discussed, “Church of God” was favored by many, including initially even James White. Others thought that name sounded too presumptuous, not to mention that it was already being used by other churches. Eventually “Seventh-day Adventist” was proposed. Adoption of the name was moved by David Hewitt, Joseph Bates’ first convert in Battle Creek in 1852. Once the name for the publishing house was chosen, it was quickly voted that the same name also be recommended to the churches generally. Thus, on October 1, 1860, the name that “carried the true features of our faith in front” was chosen. At the time, there were a total of about 2,500 Seventh-day Adventists in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Today, that number has grown to well over 16,000,000 church members worldwide.
Source: http://www.150sda.org
At http://www.150sda.org/,
you can listen to James R. Nix's interview.
Elder Jan Paulsen, Former President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,
remarks on the name Seventh-day Adventist.
James R. Nix - Interview
Director of the Ellen G. White Estate
What would you be if you weren’t a Seventh-day Adventist? Elder W. A. Spicer, former president of the General Conference, was once asked that question. With a smile and twinkle in his eye, Elder Spicer responded, “I’d be ashamed of myself.”1
It was 150 years ago this October 1 that the pioneers of our church chose the name “Seventh-day Adventist.” 1860 was a long time ago. So it is fitting that on this significant anniversary we look again at what it means to be Seventh-day Adventist.
When choosing our church name, the pioneers incorporated into it two primary teachings that still characterize us today: observance of the biblical seventh-day Sabbath and belief in the soon return of Jesus. After the name was decided, Ellen White commented, “No name which we can take will be appropriate but that which . . . expresses our faith . . . . The name Seventh-day Adventist carries the true features of our faith in front, and will convict the inquiring mind.”2
This year October 2 is the Sabbath closest to the actual anniversary date. It is our hope that every member, church congregation, and institution will use the anniversary to consider carefully and prayerfully what being “Seventh-day Adventist” means today. For instance, if your church or school closed, would anyone in your community even notice? What difference are you making in your local area? What more could your congregation be doing to share the good news of Christ’s soon return?
On this Website you will find a variety of resources to help you commemorate the name “Seventh-day Adventist.” Included are weekend programming suggestions, discussion questions, historical resource materials, as well as other useful things.
Elder Spicer also used to say, “The Adventist family is a good family to belong to.”3 On Sabbath, October 2, I invite you and your church to think seriously about two things…what it means to be Seventh-day Adventist today, and how to more effectively invite others to join our worldwide church family. Elder Spicer was right: The Seventh-day Adventist family really is a great family to belong to!
1 Ochs, The Past and the Presidents, 145, 146.
2 E. G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 223, 224.
3 Anderson, Spicer: Leader with the Common Touch
Reference: http://www.150sda.org/article.php?id=34
I’m sure you are all familiar with the story of Hagar and Ishmael running out of water. As I was reading this old and familiar story
I learned something new.
Gen 21:15,16- The bible says that the water was all gone and Ishmael is about to die. Out of sorrow, Hagar puts Ishmael under some
shrubs and begins to cry. In verse 17 The bible says something I’ve never caught before. And I quote “And God heard the voice of the lad”
For some reason I always thought that it was Hagar that prayed. But no, the bible says that Ishmael prayed. When Hagar didn’t know what
to do. Ishmael knew exactly what to do. He had learned from Abraham to trust and rely on God in times of need.
LSF what are you in need of? Is school work bogging you down? Are you havning a hard time transitioning into college life? Whatever may be
your need God is willing to answer. There is power in prayer. (come to praydee brunch)
The verse goes on. “and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven…”
This is cool to me because Ishmael prays but God approaches Hagar. Hagar wasn’t even praying. She was crying. Yet God comes to her first.
It’s so amazing to see the grace and mercy of God reaching out to this woman. God was showing Hagar how much He cared for her. He knew
she would influence Ishmael in a negative way but He stilled ministered to her need, He still gave her an amazing promise.
God comes to this Egyptian woman and leads her to water that will give life to both herself and her son. Friends God wants to lead us to the
living water Jesus Christ. It’s the only way we can make it through this wilderness expereince called life. When your feeling down and out,
when you feel like you’ve reached your limit with work, school, relationships, family. Call out to God, let Him bring back life where there is no life.
Let Him revitalize your soul with healing water.
As Hagar was refreshed with the water, she gave that same water to Ishmael and he lived. Members of LSF there are thirsty people everywhere.
They are the lonely person sitting in the cafe by themselves. It's the person who always looks sad in the classes that we attend. Friends they are
waiting for someone to come and care for them. They are waiting for someone to bring them to the Living Spring.
Let us drink deeply the water that Jesus offers and become living fountains to those around us.
Have a great week
Pastor Roy
I heard a preacher make a statement that made me think about my understanding of God. He said, “if we get a picture of what the true character of God is really like, it would completely change our lives.” I want to share a few passages that helped me gain a picture of what God is like, and I hope this helps you as it has helped me.
Gen 12:9-20. (Summarizing the story) Abram went to Egypt, and because of Sarah’s beauty, he lies about his relationship with Sarah. Abram didn’t want to lose his life for his wife so he tells everyone that she's his sister. Pharaoh hears of Sarah's beauty, thinks she is Abram's sister, and takes her to his palace. Abram got to keep his life but lost his wife. Which is worse?
The Bible says that God plagued Pharaoh’s house with great plagues because of Sarah. (Gen 12:17) Pharaoh calls in Abram and finds out that Sarah is actually Abrams wife. He rebukes Abram and sends the two out of Egypt with great wealth. (Gen 12:20,Gen 13:2,3, Patriarchs and Prophets pg 131 last paragraph)
What confuses me is that Abram and Sarah did a terrible job of revealing the character of God to this pagan king. THEY LIED TO HIM. For some reason God blesses them with much wealth as they leave this fiasco. I’ve come to the conclusion that God placed this story in the Bible for two reasons.
1. to teach us that when people receive the blessings of God, it doesn't always reveal the faithfulness of the "blessed" individual. We have this superstition that if we do good, God will bless us. If we do bad, God will punish us. Not always true.
2. to give us a picture of how salvation works. In life we are so used to being rewarded for doing good things. We do well in school, we get good grades, with good grades comes scholarships. We are valued and rewarded in society based on the things that we accomplish. Friends, God does not interact with us this way. God offers salvation and His love to those who are undeserving regardless of past mistakes. He offers complete security to those that are insecure. The effect of this security has the power to transform the character.
When you read Gen 22, you will find that Abraham learns complete dependance and trust in God. Abraham had walked with God and spent time with Him for so long that Abraham loved to rely on God. Too many times we follow God because we want something. We want heaven, or we want blessings so we obey. Sometimes we do the right thing out of fear because we don't want to suffer the consequences of disobedience. God looks down from heaven and simply wants us to trust Him, spend time with Him, and find security in Him. Worthy or unworthy God loves you.
I hope this year you can learn to really experience the unconditional love of God day by day. LSF spend time with Jesus morning by morning and evening by evening. You will find such a great God and in doing so you will find yourself becoming more like Jesus.
May you finish the week in good spirit.
As His representatives among men, Christ does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings . . . However imperfect and sinful we may be, the Lord holds out to us the offer of partnership with Himself, of apprenticeship to Christ. He invites us to come under the divine instruction, that, uniting with Christ, we may work the works of God.
"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves." 2 Cor. 4:7, R. V. This is why the preaching of the gospel was committed to erring men rather than to the angels. It is manifest that the power which works through the weakness of humanity is the power of God; and thus we are encouraged to believe that the power which can help others as weak as ourselves can help us. And those who are themselves "compassed with infirmity" should be able to "have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way." Heb. 5:2. Having been in peril themselves, they are acquainted with the dangers and difficulties of the way, and for this reason are called to reach out for others in like peril. There are souls perplexed with doubt, burdened with infirmities, weak in faith, and unable to grasp the Unseen; but a friend whom they can see, coming to them in Christ's stead, can be a connecting link to fasten their trembling faith upon Christ" (p 295-297)
I want to remind everyone to "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4) - even though we have finals left and other things going on in our lives, remember how God has always delivered us in the past, how He continues to give us GOOD gifts (like the beautiful weather today) and THANK Him - David thanked God for bringing the ark back toJerusalem in the following Psalm - take 2 minutes to read it prayerfully and may it be your praise today!
1 Chronicles 16:8-36
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 24 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. 25 For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. 27 Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place.
28 Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. 29 Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! 30 Tremble before Him, all the earth. The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved. 31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." 32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it. 33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD, For He is coming to judge the earth.
34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 35 And say, "Save us, O God of our salvation; Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise." 36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting!
And all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD."
Revelation 10:9-10 speaks of such a prophetic experience:
"So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me,'take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey. (v10) "... I ate it, an in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter."
This prophetic passage describes the unparalleled joy and excitement experienced by early Adventists leading up to 1844. But after midnight of Oct. 22, all that "sweet" anticipation turned to "bitter" disappointment. But even in hindsight, early Adventist pioneers described those moments leading up to 1844 the happiest times of their lives. And ultimately, in God's unmeasurable wisdom, God had a purpose for the great disappointment of 1844.
Friends, the greatest joy we can experience comes in knowing & experiencing God, and to be with God in heaven! Nothing that the world has to offer can even remotely compare to the joy of the Lord. Early Adventist understood this and were greatly disappointed that Jesus had not come in the time frame they had expected. But for us, the second coming of Jesus is more of a reality! I believe that Jesus is coming soon! In our lifetime! Jesus is coming soon to fulfill that Joy that was so anticipated. May we all experience that joy. God bless!
(If you want biblical evidence to support this interpretation that this event in Rev 10 is speaking of the great disappoint of 1844, email me and I'll be happy to send it you)
Pastor Steve
Revelation is a wonderful book to study, because it is a "revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place" (1:1). By reading and studying Revelation, we will know Jesus better, as well as understand prophecy for now and the future. John said, "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near" (1:3).
In Revelation 1, John sees one "like a son of man" (does that sound familiar? It should - we read this in Daniel 3 & 7) - Jesus Christ. He is dressed in priestly attire (robe, sash), with eyes like fire, feet like bronze, and a mouth that has a double-edged sword. He has seven stars in His hand and walks among seven lampstands.
This description is very important for the rest of the book; when Jesus dictates what John is to write to the 7 churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea), He describes Himself using the different parts of the imagery (for example, for Ephesus, He says, "These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands" (2:1). For Symyrna, He says, "These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again" (2:8).
Jesus reveals Himself in different ways to the different churches, emphasizing one aspect of His character to encourage and exhort that particular group to overcome a specific spiritual trial. Read all the seven letters and ask yourself, What characteristic of Jesus is being hilighted to this church and why? And as you read the 7 letters and gain a composite picture of Jesus, also remember that we need each other (just as the 7 churches all read/shared each other's letters and experiences with God) to understand and know God better: "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:11-13).
So spend some time today sharing your understanding and knowledge of Jesus with each other, so that we may gain a fuller picture of who He is - and read Rev 1-3 with another crucial question: "Could these 7 letters apply to different times of my life, when I experienced what that church had experienced? Could the revelation of Jesus Christ in these letters, as well as His promises and warnings, apply to me today?"
The 7 letters can also serve as 7 introductions to the book of Revelation - you can read the book from 7 different angles (perseverance through trials; upcoming persecutions; false teachings vs. word of God; immorality and spiritual pollution; judgment; second coming, etc.) So re-read Rev 1-3 and truly gain a good basis for what the rest of the Revelation of Jesus Christ will be about . . .
May you fall more in love with Him today.
Praying for you,
Pastor Jinha
It's been a long week... and Revelation 7 is just what I needed to remember the source of my strength and joy - I pray that as you read and meditate on the passage and the devotional, that God will heal our hearts and send us the Holy Spirit.
"Who Can Stand?" - Rev 7:
At the end of Rev 6, we were left with a question, "For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (6:17). The answer is found in Rev 7: "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands" (9).
How could they stand before a righteous and holy God? The answer:"These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them" (14,15). Those who can stand before God are those who have washed away their sins through repentance & forgiveness made possible by theblood of Jesus.
And the promise given to them is one of the most beautiful passages in Revelation: (it's an echo of Isaiah 49:10)
16Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
I am praying that prayer for me, for you - that although we're weak, although we're unworthy, because of His grace, because of His mercy, that we may STAND before Him unashamed.
God bless & Happy Preparation Day,
Pastor Jinha
1 John chapter 4 mainly speaks about how God is love. It shares the message of love and how the origin of love comes from our Heavenly Father and if we love, we know God.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God."
-1 John 4: 7
This weekend was Valentine's Day. It was definitely a memorable weekend not because we all had a special someone to enjoy it with, but we shared our love with strangers, the homeless and with each other. There was a reason why God wanted us to go to Chicago and outreach to the city of Chicago on Valentine's Day. Love has no limitations. Sometimes we limit love between boyfriend and girlfriend or man and wife, but love covers all types of relationships including the relationship we have with people we just met.
God loved us so much and wanted to save us that "He sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him" -verse 9.
We are given the greatest example of love for others and because we were created by a God who is love, we also have love within us.
I know its hard to outreach constantly, but we sometimes think of outreach as going to nursing homes, cities, soup kitchens, etc. We can outreach everyday to our friends, to our classmates, to anyway that is in our surroundings that need God's love. If it's for a friend who is struggling, or healing a friendship, we can always do our part in showing the love God gave us.
I hope you have a blessed week and always keep God first.
Love,
Jason Park.
Verse 19 says "We love, because He first loved us". We must have open arms to people, all people no matter how much it hurts, no matter how awkward it is and no matter how difficult it can be. Love conquers all and that is why God gave us this amazing gift.
I want to focus in on a few verses in chapter 3. In verses 16-18 it says "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." Powerful stuff right? Please meditate on these verses before reading on. This is so powerful I have to meditate before continuing to type.
I can only really pretend to imagine that kind of love. God, the creator of this universe, the most powerful being by far, loves and cares about us sinful, rebellious people so much that He sent His son to be our propitiation. Despite who we are and how much we've wandered from Him, His desire is to be with us. His death is the gracious act that allows us to have a relationship with God in the way that we can. So yes, in verse 16 when it says that we also should lay our lives down for each other, it means that we must sacrifice our lives (become living sacrifices, please don't get the wrong idea) to God in order that our brothers and sisters here on earth, whether they are believers or not, may have the same relationship that you are experiencing with Him today.
It goes on to say that we should not shut up our hearts from our brothers and sisters. If we are truly living with the love of God in us than how can withhold that great blessing from anyone that we may meet. I'm happy that we as LSF spent our wonderful Sabbath on the streets and subways of Chicago sharing the love that God has put in our hearts! Kudos.
Verse 18 touches me the most because it hits close to home. As a theology major I fear I become to preachy, and I think I achieved that in this somewhat lengthy email. But live your lives in the accordance of God's love. The old axiom of "actions speak louder than words" applies here. The preacher only spends an hour on the pulpit, the sabbath school teacher only teaches for a few minutes. The real sermon starts in our daily walk with God and with other people. Words are empty if there is no action to back them up. I challenge you, LSF, to continue to be living sermons for others and show the amazing love that God has given to us, not just for the rest of the 40-day fast but for the rest of our time here on earth as well.
Blessings and prayers,
Richmond
Have you ever wept over your unworthiness? Have you truly recognized that "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away" (Isaiah 64:6)? No matter how "faithful" we think we may be, no matter how much we have changed, no matter how much service and worship we do, ultimately, we still do not deserve to even LOOK into the plan of salvation let alone partake of it. We do not deserve to receive a second, third, fourth chance... and if this were the end of the story, then I too, would weep and weep with John.
But then here's the gospel grace -- "Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders . . . He came and took th escroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.... And they sang a new song" (Rev 5:5-9).
Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed over sin on the cross!! He did what NONE of us could do, and so He alone is worthy to provide salvation and the end of sin for the world. He alone is worthy for worship, because He is a Lion who chose to become a Lamb, the most humble and vulnerable animal, in order to be slain for our sins. He alone could take our filthiness away and give us new robes - His righteousness covering our nakedness - and so we sing a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."(6-10)
And thousands and thousands of angels join in this song, as well as "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them" (13). Earth's story, MY story, and yours also, would all be tragedies were it not for Jesus, who has turned our mourning into dancing, our tears into praises, our sin-ridden death-bound lives into life abundant and eternal in Him.
Praying for you - as I ask you to pray for me -Jinha
My professor made an interesting note - that they do not sing "Love, love, love is the Lord God Almighty..." or "Good, good, good is the Lord God Almighty..." but "Holy, holy, holy." In Isaiah 6, a similar scene unfolds. Why is His holiness emphasized?
Holy means.. consecrated, set apart, dedicated, pure, blameless, perfect, whole, entire, complete... He is all of these things. He is separate and distinct from all of creation, because He created and exists without dependence nor defect. The fact that He is Creator is an attribute of His holiness: Isaiah 43:15 "I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." Rev 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created."
The amazing thing is that such a Holy God commands us to be holy as well (Lev 19;2 "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy). How can we be consecrated, set apart, dedicated, pure, blameless, perfect, whole, entire, or complete? He gives us the Holy Spirit, which sets us apart, cleanses us, and makes us whole through the sacrifice and sustaining power of Jesus Christ. In fact, it was to commemorate creation as well as re-creationas His disciples that the Sabbath was made holy (set apart, blessed): Exodus 31:13 '"Say to the Israelites, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy." By keeping the Sabbath holy, we recognize that God alone is holy and that we can only be holy by Him and not our own efforts. Thus Sabbath is a time of REST - rest in God's promise/grace to make us whole, rest from our own efforts/work to try to be holy ourselves.
So today, spend some time worshiping the holy God who created and is re-creating us to be holy ... perhaps you can sing "Holy, holy, holy" or "Holy is the Lord, God Almighty" or "Holiness is What I Long for"and meditate on His identity as Creator. Ask for His Holy Spirit to make us a little more like Him today.
Praying for you,
Pastor Jinha
First of all, Sardis was a wealthy city 50 miles east of Smyrna and 30 miles souteast of Thyatira (the letters were being circulated in a U-pattern; see map). Most of the city practiced pagan mystery cults and secret religious societies. Unfortunately, the Christian church in Sardis was almost dead spiritually - they may have had packed services and many programs, but they did not HAVE THE SPIRIT of God providing INNER LIFE. (Remember, what makes life: dust + breath = life. Without the Breath of God, the Holy Spirit, we are all just zombies going through the MOTIONS of Christianity).
The condition of the church of Sardis reminds me of the foolish virgins in Matthew 25, who slept and woke up too late to prepare enough oil to meet the bridegroom in thd midnight hour. Jesus exhorts them and those of us who may be spiritually sleeping/dead: "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you . . . He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels" (Rev 3:2-5). For us is the solemn message, "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:11,12).
And when we wake up from our slumber, when we are made alive by the Spirit, we experience true fellowship & community, like the Church in Philadelphia (a City of Brotherly Love, a city that was an important route for trade and thus a perfect place for evangelism and outreach). Those who truly LOVE are those who keep God's word and do not deny His name (Rev 3:8) - His name is His character, and He is love. Those who love as God loves receive the name of God on our foreheads (that is, we become like Him in character) and share Him to as many people as we can. Rev 3:7-13 carefully to see the full promises to us who overcome and OUTREACH in love to others.
The Church in Laodicea is the church that most of you know applies to our generation, the generation before the Second Coming. The city of Laodicea was rich, with a thriving economy of wool cloth, medical school that produced an eye-salve, center for banking, etc. The members of the church had become complacent with such a busy and comfortable lifestyle, much like us today. And just as water from the hot springs 6 miles away became lukewarm when they reached the city of Laodicea, our passion for God has been watered down over the years as second and third-generational Adventists, pursuing professional careers, lose focus and mission of why we are Seventh-day Adventists.
To us, then, Rev 3:14-22 pleads for us to realize that Jesus Christ offers so much more than this world, with all its comforts and pleasures, can provide. Jesus Christ begs us to be earnest and repent; He even stands at the door and knocks. He promises to cover our shameful nakedness with His white robe - the nakedness that Adam and Eve experienced when they sinned and that was covered by the animal skins symbolizing Jesus Christ. Will you surrender your sinful nakedness to Jesus this morning and ask Him to wake you up from your spiritual stupor, to send you the Holy Spirit, to enable you to love others, and to live on FIRE for the Lord, making the change and preparing the way?!
Then start by re-reading Rev 3 and replacing "To the church of .... write" with "to me, (insert your name here), Jesus writes..." and ask Him in sincere prayer to help you today overcome evil with good.
Praying for you,
Pastor Jinha
P.S. For those of you who are memorizing Scripture verses, today's verse is Romans 8:28-34 and tomorrow's is Romans 8:35-39.
Revelation is a wonderful book to study, because it is a "revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place" (1:1). By reading and studying Revelation, we will know Jesus better, as well as understand prophecy for now and the future. John said, "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near" (1:3).
In Revelation 1, John sees one "like a son of man" (does that sound familiar? It should - we read this in Daniel 3 & 7) - Jesus Christ. He is dressed in priestly attire (robe, sash), with eyes like fire, feet like bronze, and a mouth that has a double-edged sword. He has seven stars in His hand and walks among seven lampstands.
This description is very important for the rest of the book; when Jesus dictates what John is to write to the 7 churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea), He describes Himself using the different parts of the imagery (for example, for Ephesus, He says, "These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands" (2:1). For Symyrna, He says, "These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again" (2:8).
Jesus reveals Himself in different ways to the different churches, emphasizing one aspect of His character to encourage and exhort that particular group to overcome a specific spiritual trial. Read all the seven letters and ask yourself, What characteristic of Jesus is being hilighted to this church and why? And as you read the 7 letters and gain a composite picture of Jesus, also remember that we need each other (just as the 7 churches all read/shared each other's letters and experiences with God) to understand and know God better: "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:11-13).
So spend some time today sharing your understanding and knowledge of Jesus with each other, so that we may gain a fuller picture of who He is - and read Rev 1-3 with another crucial question: "Could these 7 letters apply to different times of my life, when I experienced what that church had experienced? Could the revelation of Jesus Christ in these letters, as well as His promises and warnings, apply to me today?"
The 7 letters can also serve as 7 introductions to the book of Revelation - you can read the book from 7 different angles (perseverance through trials; upcoming persecutions; false teachings vs. word of God; immorality and spiritual pollution; judgment; second coming, etc.) So re-read Rev 1-3 and truly gain a good basis for what the rest of the Revelation of Jesus Christ will be about . . .
May you fall more in love with Him today.
Praying for you,
Pastor Jinha
Have you ever had to leave a place with the possibility that you would never see it again? Many years ago when I packed up my things to move from New Jersey to Michigan, knowing that the place I grew up my whole life would no longer be called my home left me with a sense of sadness and nostalgia. Sure many consider Jersey the armpit of America (falsely), but it was here where my family still resided and I had fond memories of my home. Yes there was the possibility that I would return someday but I knew that things would not be the same any more.
Now place yourself in Daniel's shoes. When King Nebuchanezzar besieged Jerusalem and conquered it, Daniel and many of other promising youths were taken as captives into a foreign land. I imagine that as Daniel saw the remains of his beloved city of Jerusalem fade into the distance, the sudden reality that he would in all likelihood never see his home again sunk in. Sure Jerusalem lay in ruins and its glory days were long gone, but it was still his home. His memory of family, friends and all that he knew were associated with this place. But it was all but a memory now. To say his situation was bleak would be an understatement. How great the temptation would have been to question, challenge and even forsake God. Why God? Why me?
Arriving in Babylon, the king in attempts to indoctrinate and assimilate these captives gave them new clothes, food, names… a new identity. In particular to the food, the food and drinks were not just disharmonious with the dietary laws of his God but was directly associated with idol worship. And here's one my favorite lines of the chapter, "But Daniel MADE UP HIS MIND that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine…" (verse 8). Daniel chose to be faithful no matter the cost.
Most of us know the rest of the story. After 3 years, Daniel and his three friends were "10 times better" than the others in wisdom and understanding. What was the source of their success? It makes you wonder, what kind of vegetables and water were they eating and drinking anyway? Because I want some of this wonder food! There is a lot to be said about vegetarianism and it is God's ideal for food, BUT Daniel's success did not ultimately come from merely diet. Verse 17, "As for these youths, GOD GAVE them knowledge and intelligence…" God honored Daniel and his 3 friends because even in the avenue of Diet they were FAITHFUL. And God blessed them for their faithfulness!
LSF, let us be Daniels and be FAITHFUL in everything no matter the cost. As we do so, God will be more than faithful to us. God bless!
P. Steve
Dreams. Whether you realize it or not, we all have them. In our dreams we do some unimaginable things... we fly through the air, travel through time, encounter monsters... you know what I'm talking about. These kind of dreams are what Koreans call "gae koom." I think literally translated, it means a dog's dream. There are also dreams of a such a serious nature that it demands our attention and leaves a deep impression on our minds. It makes you wonder, was that dream from God? After all, God does still work through dreams (Joel 2:28).
King Nebudchanezzar had such an experience. Babylonians generally welcomed dreams as divine messages, but this one for the king was troubling. Daniel 2:1 states, "...Nebudchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him." The verse indicates that the king had the same dream multiple times. He understood that this dream was not by chance, but he could not remember it nor could he understand it. And he was troubled! Verse 3 states that he was "anxious to understand them" (NASB), and literally translated it is, "my heart beats for the knowledge of this dream."
To make a long story short, none of the Babylonian wise men could reenact this untold dream, and hence they could not even attempt at an interpretation. In great anger the king dooms all the wise men to death. Interestingly enough, Daniel was not present at this meeting, but an opportunity is given to him to do the impossible.
The first thing that Daniel does is found in verse 17. Daniel gathers his God-loving, trusted friends. What do you think they did? Do you see them panicking and heading for the hills? Do you see them cursing God and their misfortune? Verse 18 states that theyrequest[ed] compassion from God. They prayed! In all likelihood they fasted!
God honors their request.Daniel not only thanks God (verse19) but gives ALL the GLORY TO GOD (verse 27, 28)! In verse 36, when Daniel interprets the dream, he states: "nowWE will tell its interpretation before the king." Did you catch that? Daniel doesn't say "I" but "WE"! It is an acknowledgment that he is only able to do this impossible task because he is cooperating with the almighty God! It is a tribute to God.
Is it any wonder that God honors, uplifts and blesses such a man as this! Living Springs, may we too choose the life of Daniel! I'm praying for all of you. God bless!
Pastor Steve
Yesterday, in Daniel 2, Nebudchadnezzar has a dream of a great statue. The head of gold on this statue represented Babylon and after it would come another inferior kingdom (Medo-Persia) represented by the chest of silver.
Chapter 3 starts off with Nebudchadnezzar building a statue of solid gold from head to toe. Do you think Nebudchadnezzar was making a statement here? You bet ya! It is a direct defiance against Daniel's God... he is making a statement that his kingdom will last forever! This is the backdrop in which the showdown between Nebudchadnezzar and Daniel's 3 friends occurs.
Nebudchadnezzar makes a decree that all should worship this golden image. To refuse would mean a death sentence. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego do not comply. The king makes one last plea/threat to these faithful. His threat ends with this (verse 15): "But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" The King's overconfidence and misplaced self-grandeur is evident in this statement.
And I love their answer: (verse 16) "we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter..." As if they had already expected the King to know that they would not compromise. They go on to say (verse 17, 18) "if it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us... and He will deliver us... even if He does not, let it be known to you, O King, that we are not going to serve your god or worship the golden image." That is bold! What faith! What Trust! What unbelievable loyalty to God!
Living Springs... May this firmness and unwaivering trust we our story! In the end Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are delivered. They are not even remotely singed. In fact, not even the smell of smoke was on them (verse 27). They are untouched by this persecution. If it is His will, God can and will do the same for us.
God bless!
P. Steve
Welcome to Day 4. Hope it is going well with all of you.
Today we come to chapter 4. Just how much time has passed between chapter 3 and 4 we do not know, but there is a now change in Nebuchanezzar. Verse 2, "It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for ME." For the first time, King Nebuchadnezzar now addresses God personally and identifies his experience with that of the Most High God. Praise God! Yet, there are still some issues that need to be addressed in this lofty king.
The King is again troubled by a dream. Verse 5 states that he was "fearful" and "alarm[ed]" by this dream. So he brings out all the so called magicians, wisemen, etc… In the king's first dream (Daniel 2) these men declared that if the king would tell them the dream they would be able to interpret it. Now, even when the king does share the details of his dream they are not able. It is also interesting that someone is conspicuously missing… Daniel. Verse 8, "But finally Daniel came …" As if to say, "finally, what a relief"
Daniel is deeply troubled by the dream knowing its interpretation. And he does not have the heart to share the meaning initially. Well, you can read the rest of story (if you haven't done so already). The dream was an act of mercy, a warning for the blessed king. Sadly, the king did not heed the warning and this conditional prophecy was fulfilled.
So what was the great concern God was trying to address? This dream had perfectly described the King's kingdom. Nebudchadnezzar had completely conquered the then known world. And in terms of wealth, beauty and glory, Babylon was unsurpassed by any other subsequent kingdom (hence represented by the head of gold in ch. 2). And because of his unmatched accomplishments, as you can imagine, he had an issue of pride. Verse 30 reveals the heart of Nebudchadnezzar: "The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built… by the might of my powerand for the glory of my majesty.' " I, myself and Me… he is taking all the glory that belong to the true giver, God. It was not a one-time occasion, but his pride had been built up and persisted for quite some time.
In the end, Nebudchadnezzar learned this invaluable lesson the hard way. What was that lesson?
True beauty and greatness is found in humility… humility that gives God all the glory!
Living Springs… let us pray for this greatness of humility! God Bless!
Pastor Steve
Proverbs 16:18
