A Sacudidura Na IASD Começou - Um Alerta À Igreja

"Propôs-lhes outra parábola, dizendo: O reino dos céus é semelhante ao homem que semeia a boa semente no seu campo; Mas, dormindo os homens, veio o seu inimigo, e semeou joio no meio do trigo, e retirou-se. E, quando a erva cresceu e frutificou, apareceu também o joio. E os servos do pai de família, indo ter com ele, disseram-lhe: Senhor, não semeaste tu, no teu campo, boa semente? Por que tem, então, joio? E ele lhes disse: Um inimigo é quem fez isso. E os servos lhe disseram: Queres pois que vamos arrancá-lo? Ele, porém, lhes disse: Não; para que, ao colher o joio, não arranqueis também o trigo com ele. Deixai crescer ambos juntos até à ceifa; e, por ocasião da ceifa, direi aos ceifeiros: Colhei primeiro o joio, e atai-o em molhos para o queimar; mas, o trigo, ajuntai-o no meu celeiro." Mateus 13:24-30

Pedras

"E, respondendo ele, disse-lhes: Digo-vos que, se estes se calarem, as próprias pedras clamarão." Lucas 19:40 

Somente Para Seus Ouvidos, Mensagem Para O Nosso Tempo

No episódio 113, examinamos mais de perto a importância do evangelho de João para o fim dos tempos. A sequência da Bíblia nem sempre foi como nos acostumamos. Que impacto tem isso na forma como a maioria das pessoas estuda a Bíblia hoje?

The Gospel of John: For Your Ears Only, Message For Our Time

In Episode 113 we take a closer look at the importance of the gospel of John for the end time. The sequence of the Bible was not always as we have become accustomed to. What impact does that have on how the majority of people study the Bible today?

The Fall - Lesson 2 (full)

Lesson 2, April 2-8

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:7-9; John 8:44; Romans 16:20; Hebrews 2:14; 1 Timothy 2:14, 15.

Memory Text: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15

Amid all that God had given our first parents in Eden came also a warning: “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16, 17). This warning against eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil shows us that, though they were to know good, they were not to know evil.

We certainly can understand why, can’t we?

And, too, the threat of death attached to the warning about disobedience (Genesis 2:17) would be fulfilled: they will die (Genesis 3:19). Not only forbidden to eat from the tree, they were also driven from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24), and thus had no access to what could have given them eternal life as sinners (Genesis 3:22).

However, amid this tragedy comes hope, which is found in Genesis 3:15, called the protoevangelium, or “the first gospel promise.” Yes, this verse presents the first gospel promise found in the Bible, the first time humans are told that, despite the Fall, God has made a way of escape for us all.

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 9.

Sunday, April 3

The Serpent

Read Genesis 3:1, 2 Corinthians 11:3, and Revelation 12:7-9. Who is the serpent, and how does he deceive Eve?

The text begins with “the serpent.” The syntax of the phrase suggests emphasis: the word “serpent” is the first word of the sentence. Also, “the serpent” has the definite article, indicating that this is a well-known figure, as if the reader should already know who he is. The reality of this being is, thus, affirmed from the first word of the chapter.

Of course, the Scriptures identify the serpent as the enemy of God (Isaiah 27:1) and explicitly call him “the Devil, and Satan” (Revelation 12:9). Likewise, in the ancient Near East, the serpent personified the power of evil.

“In order to accomplish his work unperceived, Satan chose to employ as his medium the serpent — a disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception. The serpent was then one of the wisest and most beautiful creatures on the earth. It had wings, and while flying through the air presented an appearance of dazzling brightness, having the color and brilliancy of burnished gold.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 53.

When talking about the devil, in whatever form he appears, the Bible is not talking mere metaphor. In Scripture Satan is depicted as a literal being and not just some rhetorical symbol or an abstract principle to depict evil or humanity’s dark side.

The serpent does not present himself as an enemy of God. On the contrary, the serpent refers to God’s words, which he repeats and seems to support. That is, right from the start, we can see that Satan likes to quote God and, as shall later be seen, even quotes the Word of God itself (Matthew 4:6).

Note also that the serpent does not argue immediately with the woman, but he asks a question that implies that he believes in what the Lord has said to them. After all, he asked: “Yea, hath God said … ” (Genesis 3:1)? Thus, even from the start we can see just how cunning and deceitful this being was. And, as we will see, it worked too.

If Satan was able to deceive a sinless Eve in Eden, how much more vulnerable are we? What is our best defense against his deceptions?

Monday, April 4

The Forbidden Fruit

Read Genesis 2:16, 17 and Genesis 3:1-6 (see also John 8:44). Compare the words of God’s commandment to Adam with the serpent’s words to the woman. What are the differences between the speeches, and what is the meaning of these differences?

Note the parallels between God’s conversation with Adam (Genesis 2:16, 17) and Eve’s conversation with the serpent. It is as if the serpent has now replaced God and knows even better than He does. At first, he merely asked a question, implying that the woman had, perhaps, misunderstood God. But then Satan openly questioned God’s intentions and even contradicted Him.

Satan’s attack concerns two issues, death and the knowledge of good and evil. While God clearly and emphatically stated that their death would be certain (Genesis 2:17), Satan said that, on the contrary, they wouldn’t die, all but implying that humans were immortal (Genesis 3:4). While God forbade Adam to eat from the fruit (Genesis 2:17), Satan encouraged them to eat the fruit because by eating of it they would be like God (Genesis 3:5).

Satan’s two arguments, immortality and being like God, convinced Eve to eat the fruit. It is troubling that as soon as the woman decided to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit, she behaved as if God were no longer present and had been replaced by herself. The biblical text alludes to this shift of personality. Eve uses God’s language: Eve’s evaluation of the forbidden fruit, “saw that … was good” (Genesis 3:6), reminds of God’s evaluation of His creation, “saw … that it was good” (Genesis 1:4, etc.).

These two temptations, that of being immortal and of being like God, are at the root of the idea of immortality in ancient Egyptian and Greek religions. The desire for immortality, which they believed was a divine attribute, obliged these people to seek divine status as well, in order (they hoped) to acquire immortality. Surreptitiously, this way of thinking infiltrated Jewish-Christian cultures and has given birth to the belief in the immortality of the soul, which exists even today in many churches.

Think of all the beliefs out there today that teach there’s something inherently immortal in all of us. How does our understanding of human nature and the state of the dead provide us such powerful protection against this dangerous deception?

Tuesday, April 5

Hiding Before God

Read Genesis 3:7-13. Why did Adam and Eve feel the need to hide before God? Why did God ask the question “Where are you?” How did Adam and Eve seek to justify their behavior?

After they sinned, Adam and Eve felt naked because they lost their garments of glory, which reflected God’s presence (see Psalms 8:5, compare with Psalms 104:1, 2). The image of God had been affected by sin. The verb “make” in the phrase they “made themselves aprons” (Genesis 3:7) was so far applied only to God the Creator (Genesis 1:7, 16, 25, etc.). It is as if they replaced the Creator as they attempted to cover their sin, an act that Paul denounces as righteousness by works (Galatians 2:16).

When God approaches, He asks them the rhetorical question “Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9), the same kind of question that God will ask Cain (Genesis 4:9). Of course, God knew the answers to the questions. His questions were asked for the benefit of the guilty, to help them realize what they have done and yet, at the same time, to lead them to repentance and salvation. From the moment humans sinned, the Lord was working for their salvation and redemption.

In fact, the whole scenario reflects the idea of the investigative judgment, which begins with the judge, who interrogates the culprit (Genesis 3:9) in order to prepare him for the sentence (Genesis 3:14-19). But He does it also to prompt repentance, which will ultimately lead to salvation (Genesis 3:15). This is a motif seen all through the Bible.

At first, as so common with sinners, Adam and Eve both try to evade the charge, seeking to blame others. To God’s question Adam responds that it was the woman whom God had given to him (Genesis 3:12) — she led him to do it. It was her fault (and, implied, it was God’s as well), not his.

Eve responds that it was the serpent who deceived her. The Hebrew verb nasha’, “beguiled” (in Genesis 3:13), means to give people false hopes and makes them believe that they are doing the right thing (2 Kings 19:10, Isaiah 37:10, Jeremiah 49:16).

Adam blames the woman, saying that she gave him the fruit (some truth to this), and Eve blames the serpent, saying he deceived her (some truth to this, too). But in the end, they both were guilty.

Trying to blame someone else for what they have done? Why is it so easy for us to fall into the same trap?

Wednesday, April 6

The Fate of the Serpent

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15). What did the Lord say to the serpent here, and what hope is implied in these verses?

God begins His judgment with the serpent because he is the one who initiated the whole drama. The serpent, too, is the only being who is cursed in this narrative.

We reach here a kind of “reversal” of Creation. While Creation led to life, the appreciation of good, and blessings, judgment leads to death, evil, and curses — but also, to the hope and promise of salvation. Attached to the somber picture of the crushed serpent eating the dust (Genesis 3:14) shines the hope of the salvation of humankind, which appears in the form of a prophecy. Even before the condemnations of Adam and Eve, which will follow, the Lord gives them the hope of redemption (Genesis 3:15). Yes, they have sinned; yes, they will suffer because of their sin; and, yes, they will die, too, because of the sins. But despite all that, there is the ultimate hope, the hope of salvation.

Compare Genesis 3:15 with Romans 16:20, Hebrews 2:14, and Revelation 12:17. How is the plan of salvation, as well as the great controversy, revealed in these texts?

Notice the parallels between Genesis 3:15 and Revelation 12:17: the dragon (serpent), enraged (enmity); the seed (offspring); and the woman in Eden and the woman in Revelation 12:17. The battle (the great controversy) that moved to Eden, with the Fall, will continue to the end of time. However, the promise of Satan’s defeat was already given in Eden, in that his head will be crushed, a theme more explicitly revealed in Revelation, which depicts his final demise (Revelation 20:10). That is, right from the start, humanity was given hope that there will be a way out of the terrible mess that came from the knowledge of evil, a hope that we all can share in right now.

Why is it so comforting to see that, in Eden itself, where sin and evil on earth began, the Lord started to reveal the plan of salvation?

Thursday, April 7

Human Destiny

Read Genesis 3:15-24. As a result of the Fall, what happened to Adam and Eve?

While God’s judgment of the serpent is explicitly identified as a curse (Genesis 3:14), God’s judgment of the woman and of the man is not. The only time where the word “curse” is used again, it applies only to the “ground” (Genesis 3:17). That is, God had other plans for the man and the woman, as opposed to the serpent. They were offered a hope not offered to him.

Because the woman’s sin is due to her association with the serpent, the verse describing God’s judgment of the woman was related to the judgment of the serpent. Not only does Genesis 3:16 immediately follow Genesis 3:15, but the parallels between the two prophecies clearly indicate that the prophecy concerning the woman in Genesis 3:16 has to be read in connection to the Messianic prophecy in Genesis 3:15. God’s judgment of the woman, including childbearing, should therefore be understood in the positive perspective of salvation (compare with 1 Timothy 2:14, 15).

Because the man’s sin is due to his listening to the woman instead of listening to God, the ground from which man has been taken is cursed (Genesis 3:17). As a result, man will have to work hard (Genesis 3:17-19), and he will then “return” to the ground where he comes from (Genesis 3:19), something that never should have happened, and that was never part of God’s original plan.

It is significant that against this hopeless prospect of death Adam turns, then, to the woman, where he sees the hope of life through her giving birth (Genesis 3:20). That is, even amid the sentence of death, he sees the hope of life.

Meanwhile, as would any loving parent, God had wanted only good for them, not evil. But now that they knew evil, God was going to do all that He could to save them from it. Thus, even amid these judgments, all hope was not lost for our first parents, despite their open and blatant disobedience to God; even though they — living truly in paradise — had absolutely no reason to doubt God, to doubt God’s words, or to doubt His love to them.

Though we tend to think of “knowledge” in and of itself as good, why is that not always the case? What are some things that we are better off not knowing?

Friday, April 8

Further Thought: Consider the connection between “the tree of life” and “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” This relation is already suggested through the fact that they are both located “in the midst of the Garden” (Genesis 2:9). But there is more between the two trees than just a geographical relation. It is because humans have taken the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because they disobeyed God, that they lost access to the tree of life, and could not live forever, at least in this condition. This connection underlies a profound principle. Moral and spiritual choices have an impact on biological life, as Solomon instructed to his son: “My son, forget not my law; But let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, And peace, shall they add to thee” (Proverbs 3:1, 2). This connection reappears in the future heavenly Jerusalem, where only the tree of life is present “In the midst of the street of it” (Revelation 22:2).

“When God created Eve, He designed that she should possess neither inferiority nor superiority to the man, but that in all things she should be his equal. The holy pair were to have no interest independent of each other; and yet each had an individuality in thinking and acting. But after Eve’s sin, as she was first in the transgression, the Lord told her that Adam should rule over her. She was to be in subjection to her husband, and this was a part of the curse. In many cases the curse has made the lot of woman very grievous and her life a burden. The superiority which God has given man he has abused in many respects by exercising arbitrary power. Infinite wisdom devised the plan of redemption, which places the race on a second probation by giving them another trial.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 484.

Discussion Questions:

1. God confronted Adam in Eden and asked him questions in order not only to establish his guilt but also to lead him to repentance. This motif reappears with Cain (Genesis 4:9, 10), the Flood (Genesis 6:5-8), the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:5), and Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:21). How is the idea of an investigative judgment revealed in these incidents?

2. Why did Eve think that eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would give her wisdom? How could we avoid, in our context, making a similar mistake, that is, openly defying God’s Word in hope of something “better” than what God has offered us?

A Rebelião das Anciãs

"A Igreja Adventista do Sétimo Dia no Brasil começou a ordenar anciãs em 2021. [Em Portugal temos esta heresia há décadas! E nem falo das nossas "pastoras" ...] Entenda a controvérsia e 25 motivos bíblicos porque é errado a mulher exercer a função de líder na igreja."

Como Se Cada Dia Fosse O Último

Devemos vigiar e trabalhar e orar como se este fosse o último dia que nos fosse concedido. — Testemunhos Seletos 2:60.

Nossa única segurança está em realizar o nosso trabalho para cada dia como ele se apresenta, labutando, vigiando, esperando, confiando em todas as ocasiões na força dAquele que esteve morto, mas reviveu e está vivo para todo o sempre. — Carta 66, 1894.

Cada manhã consagrai-vos e vossos filhos a Deus, para esse dia. Não façais cálculos para meses ou anos; eles vos não pertencem. Um curto dia é o que vos é dado. Como se fosse esse vosso último dia na Terra, trabalhai para o Mestre durante as suas horas. Deponde perante Deus todos os vossos planos, para serem executados ou rejeitados, conforme o indique a Sua providência. — Testemunhos Seletos 3:93.

Eventos Finais, p. 77

¿Es Bíblico el Cierre de la Gracia Primero Para los Adventistas?

Alguna vez han escuchado la idea de que para los Adventistas habra un cierre de gracia antes que el resto del mundo? Es una idea muy difundida entre la Iglesia, pero ¿es bíblico? Moisés Terán investiga esta pregunta con ejemplos Bíblicos.

New World Order - Nova Ordem Mundial

New World Order: What is it and why is Joe Biden preparing America to be the leaders?

Nova Ordem Mundial: O que é e porque é que o Joe Biden está a preparar os Estados Unidos para serem os líderes?

“And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Revelation 13:12

"E exerce todo o poder da primeira besta na sua presença, e faz que a terra e os que nela habitam adorem a primeira besta, cuja chaga mortal fora curada." Apocalipse 13:12

Prepared or Scared?

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”Psalms 91: 1,2

We are in the midst of a STORM of evil being unleashed upon us. It is relentless in its fury and is driven by the evil one, our arch enemy and his puppets. He will not be satisfied until he extinguishes the image of God in all of mankind.

Our only Safety and Security is in Oneness with God and living within His guidelines for these times. For me that consists of three simple focuses in my life.

1. SIMPLIFY - Bringing my life down to the irreducible minimum. Eliminating all the good, as well as the better so that my life is totally given to the BEST! That was Jesus life!

2. PRIORITIZE - The absolute priorities. For me that means daily connecting with God, having an irresistible marriage, a connected family and touching other people’s lives in the midst of caring out life’s responsibilities. Balance is the key here and that balance differs for each individual.

3. CULTIVATE - A true daily Oneness with God not seen in the churches of today. Living in that “Secret Place” of a constant trust, sustained by continual communion, appropriated by an active faith through God’s daily grace! Consisting of many choices throughout my day to do His will - not mine! That was the life of Jesus and is to be ours as well.

When these are practically in place, we will find an empowered contentment, amidst the evil, producing real rest, peace, joy and fulfillment in and through Jesus Christ. It was in this kind of faith - faith in God’s love and care - that Jesus rested daily in, so it is to be with all His true followers.

We each have the freedom to choose which reality we live in, Prepared or Scared. “Choose you this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

May you find that peace that passes all understanding!

Jim Hohnberger, Empowered Living Ministries

Car-Free Sundays? IEA Sets Out 10-Point Plan To Reduce Global Oil Demand

“The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon.” Counsels for the Church, page 335.2.

Pope Francis meets with President of Zambia

"E adoraram o dragão que deu à besta o seu poder; e adoraram a besta, dizendo: Quem é semelhante à besta? Quem poderá batalhar contra ela?" Apocalipse 13:4

Como Viver nos Últimos Dias - Pr. Pavel Goia - Parte 5 (Dublado)

"O Senhor te abrirá o seu bom tesouro, o céu, para dar chuva à tua terra no seu tempo, e para abençoar toda a obra das tuas mãos; e emprestarás a muitas nações, porém tu não tomarás emprestado. E o Senhor te porá por cabeça, e não por cauda; e só estarás em cima, e não debaixo, se obedeceres aos mandamentos do Senhor teu Deus, que hoje te ordeno, para os guardar e cumprir." Deuteronómio 28:12,13

Quais São Os Resultados Da Guerra Ucrânia - Rússia No Mundo?

No episódio 111 discutimos os efeitos da guerra entre a Ucrânia e a Rússia no mundo em geral. Basicamente, não há ninguém que não seja impactado por isto. Quando olhamos para isto através das lentes proféticas, vemos que há mais nisto do que aparenta. O que está a acontecer e onde é que isto nos pode estar a levar?

A Royal Invitation | Ptr. David Gates

Consider the Lilies - by Anita & Sonica

Consider the Lilies - by Anita & Sonica

Written by Roger Hoffman,

Music arrangement and production by Sonica Veith,

Vocals by Anita and Sonica

Consider the lilies of the field,

How they grow, how they grow.

Consider the birds in the sky,

How they fly, how they fly.

He clothes the lilies of the field.

He feeds the birds in the sky.

And He will feed those who trust Him,

And guide them with His eye.

Consider the sheep of His fold,

How they follow where He leads.

Though the path may wind across the mountains,

He knows the meadows where they feed.

He clothes the lilies of the field.

He feeds the birds in the sky,

And He will feed those who trust Him,

And guide them with His eye.

Consider the sweet, tender children

Who must suffer on this earth.

The pains of all of them He carried

From the day of His birth.

He clothes the lilies of the field,

He feeds the lambs in His fold,

And He will heal those who trust Him,

And make their hearts as gold.

Páscoa? Não existe tal coisa! (Origens pagãs)

A Páscoa é conhecida pelos seus coelhinhos, ovos coloridos, pãezinhos quentes e o retorno da primavera. Mas de onde veio a Páscoa? Poucas pessoas percebem que a Páscoa não é sobre a ressurreição de Cristo.

Easter? There Is No Such Thing! (Pagan Origins)

Easter is known for its bunny rabbits, colored eggs, hot cross buns, and the return of springtime. But where did Easter come from? Few people realize that Easter is not about the resurrection of Christ. Discover the true origins of Easter and share them with others.

What Are The Results Of The Ukraine Russia War On The World?

In Episode 111 we discuss the effects of the war between Ukraine and Russia on the world at large. Basically there is no one that will not be impacted by it. When we look at it through the prophetic lens we see that there is more to this than meets the eye. What is going on and where could this possibly be leading?

Defendendo as doutrinas bíblicas - A Verdade vos Libertará - PARTE 2

No episódio 110, nos aprofundamos um pouco mais na importância da verdade e onde encontrá-la. Para se qualificar para ser a igreja remanescente final que são os embaixadores da Verdade e que tem que levar a Verdade ao mundo, existem doutrinas bíblicas que esta igreja tem que defender. Não é, portanto, da maior importância que tenha a correcta Palavra de Deus para defender estas doutrinas?

4AM... Again

Defending The Biblical Doctrines, The Truth Shall Make You Free

In Episode 110 we delve a little deeper into the importance of truth, and where to find it. To qualify to be the final remnant church that are the ambassadors of Truth and that have to take the Truth to the world, there are biblical doctrines that this church have to uphold. Is it not therefore of the utmost importance that you have the correct Word of God to defend these doctrines?

It is up to you! Great Reset UBI or Country Living? What is it?

UBI seems to be the wave of the future. It sounds like a friendly, generous idea, right? Give everyone free money. But might it come with a catch? What is universal basic income and who is seeking to give it?

El Fin De La Gracia Y El Apocalipsis

El fin de la gracia es un evento profético del cual habla la Biblia. En este programa presentamos el llamado que Jesús nos hace en Apocalipsis para que estemos preparados para aquel terrible momento.

Great Reset - What do they think of people who will live in the country?

Have you heard of the Great Reset promoted by the World Economic Forum? They tell us that soon we will own nothing and will be happy. What does this have to do with country living? They tell us. Here is the information directly from their sources.

06 Daniel Cuccaro - Evidencias Arqueológicas

10 Daniel Cuccaro - Las Piedras de Ica

"La verdad brota de la tierra, y la justicia mira desde los cielos." Salmo 85:11

The Big Lie Preachers Keep Telling You (And Where it Came From)

In this sermon produced by 3ABN, John Lomacang will share from the Bible a lie Satan started in the Garden of Eden that many preachers continue to tell. The idea of what happens when you die is very clear in the Bible, but Satan has infiltrated Christianity with a false idea. If you believe you go immediately to Heaven or Hell when you die then you believe a false doctrine not found in the Bible. In this video Pastor John will uncover what the Bible really teaches about death and where you go.

A verdade vos libertará, então o que é a verdade? EP 109

Episódio 109. A Bíblia afirma que vivemos de cada palavra que procede da boca de Deus, e também afirma que Jesus é a Palavra. Se estas Palavras de Jesus também são definidas como Verdade, quão importante é para nós ter a certeza de que temos as palavras correctas?

The Truth Shall Make You Free, What Is Truth Then? - WUP 109

Episode 109. The Bible states that we live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and it also states that Jesus is the Word. If these Words of Jesus are also defined as Truth, how important is it for us to be sure that we have the correct words?

O Dever Da Humanidade - Estudo Adicional

Quinta-feira, 31 de Março

Quando Deus criou o primeiro homem, ofereceu-lhe três presentes: o jardim do Éden (Génesis 2:8), o alimento (Génesis 2:16) e a mulher (Génesis 2:22).

5. Leia Génesis 2:15-17. Qual é o dever do homem para com a criação e para com Deus? Como é que estes deveres se relacionam?

O primeiro dever do homem diz respeito ao ambiente natural em que Deus o colocou: lavrar e guardar (Génesis 2:15). O verbo ‘avad, “lavrar”, refere-se a trabalhar. Não basta receber um dom, deve-se trabalhar nele e torná-lo frutífero, lição que Jesus repetiu na parábola dos talentos (Mateus 25:14-30). O verbo shamar, “guardar”, implica a responsabilidade de preservar o que se recebeu.

O segundo dever diz respeito ao alimento. Deus deu-o aos seres humanos (Génesis 1:29) e disse: “comerás livremente” (Génesis 2:16). Os seres humanos não criaram as árvores, nem os seus frutos. Eles são dádivas, presentes da graça.

Mas também há aqui um mandamento: eles deviam receber a oferta divina e desfrutar “de toda a árvore”, porém Deus adicionou uma restrição: não deviam comer de uma árvore em particular. Desfrutar sem qualquer restrição levaria à morte. Este princípio estava correcto no contexto do jardim do Éden e, em muitos aspectos, este mesmo princípio existe no presente.

O terceiro dever do homem diz respeito à mulher, o terceiro dom de Deus: “deixará o homem o seu pai e a sua mãe, e apegar-se-á à sua mulher” (Génesis 2:24). Esta declaração extraordinária destaca a responsabilidade humana para com a aliança conjugal e o propósito de ser “uma carne”, ou seja, uma só pessoa (compare com Mateus 19:7-9).

A razão pela qual é o homem (e não a mulher) que deve deixar os seus pais pode ter a ver com o uso genérico do masculino na Bíblia; portanto, talvez o mandamento se aplique também à mulher. Seja como for, embora o vínculo do matrimónio seja um presente de Deus, uma vez que tenha sido recebido, envolve a responsabilidade que deve ser cumprida fielmente pelo homem e pela mulher.

Pense em tudo o que recebeu de Deus. Quais são as suas responsabilidades para com esses dons?

Sexta-feira, 01 de Abril

Leia de Ellen G. White, “A ciência e a Bíblia”, em Educação, p. 128; “A Criação”, em História da Redenção, p. 21.

“Visto como o livro da Natureza e o da revelação apresentam indícios da mesma mente superior, não podem eles deixar de estar em harmonia mútua. Por métodos diferentes em diversas línguas, dão testemunho das mesmas grandes verdades. A ciência está sempre a descobrir novas maravilhas; mas nada traz de suas pesquisas que, corretamente compreendido, esteja em conflito com a revelação divina. O livro da Natureza e a palavra escrita lançam luz um sobre o outro. Familiarizam-nos com Deus, ensinando-nos algo das leis por cujo meio Ele opera.

Inferências erroneamente tiradas dos fatos observados na Natureza têm, entretanto, dado lugar a supostas divergências entre a ciência e a revelação; e nos esforços para restabelecer a harmonia, tem-se adotado interpretações das Escrituras que solapam e destroem a força da Palavra de Deus. Tem-se pensado que a geologia contradiga a interpretação literal do relatório mosaico da criação. Pretende-se que milhões de anos fossem necessários para que a Terra evolvesse do caos; e com o fim de acomodar a Bíblia a esta suposta revelação da ciência, supõe-se que os dias da criação fossem períodos vastos, indefinidos, abrangendo milhares ou mesmo milhões de anos.

Tal conclusão é absolutamente infundada. O relato bíblico está em harmonia consigo mesmo e com o ensino da Natureza.” Ellen G. White, Educação, p. 128, 129

Perguntas para consideração:

1. Porque é que a qualidade da nossa fé seria afectada se acreditássemos que estas histórias dos primórdios eram lendas, “mitos” essencialmente destinados a nos instruir em lições espirituais, mas sem realidade histórica? Que pistas no texto bíblico sugerem que o autor bíblico sabia que elas eram “históricas” tal como o resto das histórias do livro de Génesis? Qual é o testemunho de Jesus sobre a verdade histórica destas histórias?

2. O que nos ensina a história de Génesis sobre a importância da mordomia da Terra? Como podemos ser bons administradores do nosso planeta e, ao mesmo tempo, evitar o perigo de adorar a própria criação, em oposição ao Criador, que é uma tentação muito real? (Veja Romanos 1:25.)

3. Apesar da devastação do pecado ao longo dos longos milénios, de que maneira a maravilha original, a beleza e a majestade da “muito boa” Criação ainda se nos manifestam, falando connosco de maneiras poderosas da bondade e poder de Deus?

The Duty of Humanity - Further Thought

Thursday, March 31

As soon as God created the first man, He offered him three gifts: the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8), food (Genesis 2:16), and the woman (Genesis 2:22).

Read Genesis 2:15-17. What is man’s duty toward creation and toward God? How do these two duties relate to each other?

The first duty of man concerns the natural environment in which God has put him: “to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). The verb ‘avad, “dress,” refers to work. It is not enough to receive a gift. We have to work on it and to make it fruitful — a lesson that Jesus will repeat in His parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The verb shamar, “keep,” implies the responsibility to preserve what has been received.

The second duty concerns his food. We have to remember that God gave it to humans (see Genesis 1:29). God also said to Adam that “thou mayest freely eat” (Genesis 2:16). Humans didn’t create the trees, nor the food on them. They were a gift, a gift of grace.

But there is a commandment here, as well: they were to receive and enjoy God’s generous gift “of every tree”. As a part of this grace, though, God adds a restriction. They should not eat from one particular tree. Enjoying without any restriction will lead to death. This principle was right in the Garden of Eden and, in many ways, that same principle exists today.

The third duty of man concerns the woman, God’s third gift: “shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife” (Genesis 2:24). This extraordinary statement is a powerful expression that highlights human responsibility toward the conjugal covenant and the purpose of being “one flesh”, meaning one person (compare with Matthew 19:7-9).

The reason it is the man (and not the woman) who should leave his parents may have to do with the biblical generic use of the masculine; hence, perhaps, the commandment applies to the woman too. Either way, the bond of marriage, though a gift from God, entails human responsibility once the gift has been received, a responsibility that rests upon both the man and the woman to fulfill faithfully.

Think about all that you have been given by God. What are your responsibilities with what you have been given?

Friday, April 1

Read Ellen G. White, “Science and the Bible”, in Education, pp. 128; “The Creation,” in The Story of Redemption, pp. 20.

“Since the book of nature and the book of revelation bear the impress of the same master mind, they cannot but speak in harmony. By different methods, and in different languages, they witness to the same great truths. Science is ever discovering new wonders; but she brings from her research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation. The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the laws through which He works.

Inferences erroneously drawn from facts observed in nature have, however, led to supposed conflict between science and revelation; and in the effort to restore harmony, interpretations of Scripture have been adopted that undermine and destroy the force of the word of God. Geology has been thought to contradict the literal interpretation of the Mosaic record of the creation. Millions of years, it is claimed, were required for the evolution of the earth from chaos; and in order to accommodate the Bible to this supposed revelation of science, the days of creation are assumed to have been vast, indefinite periods, covering thousands or even millions of years.

Such a conclusion is wholly uncalled for. The Bible record is in harmony with itself and with the teaching of nature.” Ellen G. White, Education, pp. 128, 129

Discussion Questions:

1. Why would the quality of our faith be affected if we believed that these stories of the beginnings were legends, “myths” essentially designed to instruct us in spiritual lessons but without historical reality? What clues in the biblical text suggest that the biblical author knew that they were “historical” just as the rest of the stories in the book of Genesis are? What is Jesus’ testimony about the historical truth of these stories?

2. What does the Genesis story teach us about the importance of stewardship of the earth? How can we be good stewards of our planet while, at the same time, avoiding the danger of all but worshiping the creation itself, as opposed to the Creator, which is a very real temptation? (See Romans 1:25.)

3. Despite the ravages of sin over the long millennia, in what ways does the original wonder and beauty and majesty of the “very good” Creation still manifest itself to us, speaking to us in powerful ways of God’s goodness and might?