No episódio 135, discutimos a referência sobre a Babilónia se tornar uma casa de demónios em Apocalipse 18. O papa manifesta-se continuamente contra o proselitismo e as igrejas protestantes estão a voltar para a igreja mãe no ecumenismo. Quais serão as consequências para a igreja remanescente de Deus?
30.9.22
Rebellion in a Perfect Universe - Lesson 1 [Full]
Lesson 1, September 24-30
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 John 4:8, 16; 1 John 4:7-16; Ezekiel. 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12.
Memory Text: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” Isaiah 14:12
Many thinkers have tried to explain the origin of evil. Some suggest that evil always has existed because, in their view, good can be appreciated only in contrast to evil. Others believe that the world was created perfect but, somehow, evil emerged. For example, in Greek mythology, evil started when the curious Pandora opened a sealed box out of which flew all the evils of the world (this myth, however, does not explain the origin of the evils supposedly hidden in that box).
By contrast, the Bible teaches that our loving God is all-powerful (1 Chronicles 29:10, 11) and perfect (Matthew 5:48). All that He does must likewise be perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4), which includes how He created our world. How, then, could evil and sin appear in a perfect world? According to Genesis 3, the fall of Adam and Eve brought sin, evil, and death here.
But that answer raises another issue. Even before the Fall, evil already had existed, manifested by the “serpent,” who deceived Eve (Gen. 3:1-5). Hence, we need to go back, even before the Fall, in order to find the source and origins of the evil that so dominates our present existence and that at times can make it pretty miserable.
Sunday, September 25
Creation, an Expression of Love
Nature in its present condition carries an ambiguous message that mingles both good and evil. Rosebushes can produce lovely and fragrant roses but also harmful and painful thorns. A toucan can impress us with its beauty and then dismay us by assaulting the nests of other birds and eating their frail chicks. Even human beings, who are capable of kindness one moment, can be vicious, hateful, even violent in the next. No wonder that in the parable of the wheat and the tares, the servants asked the field owner, “Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?” (Matthew 13:27) And the owner replied, “An enemy hath done this” (Matthew 13:28). Likewise, God created the universe perfect, but an enemy defiled it with the mysterious seeds of sin.
Read 1 John 4:8, 16. What can the certainty that “God is love” tell us about the nature of His creative activities?
The fact that “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16) conveys at least three basic implications. First, love by its very nature cannot exist closed in itself but must be expressed. (What kind of love is not expressed?) God’s love is shared internally among the Three Persons of the Godhead, and externally in His relationship with all His creatures. Second, all that God does is an expression of His unconditional and unchangeable love. This includes His creative works, His redemptive actions, and even the manifestations of His punitive judgments. Actually, “God’s love has been expressed in His justice no less than in His mercy. Justice is the foundation of His throne, and the fruit of His love.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 762. And third, since God is love and all He does expresses His love, He cannot be the originator of sin, which is in direct opposition to His own character.
But did God really need to create the universe? From the perspective of His sovereignty, one could say “No,” because it was a decision of His free will. But from the perspective of His loving nature, He wanted a universe as a means of expressing His love. And how amazing that He created some forms of life, such as humans, not only capable of responding to God’s love but also capable of sharing and expressing love, not just to God but to others, as well. (See also Mark 12:30, 31.)
Look around at the created world. In what ways can you see in it reflections of God’s love, despite the ravages of sin? How can we learn to draw lessons of hope from the expression of God’s love revealed in the Creation?
Monday, September 26
Free Will, the Basis for Love
Read 1 John 4:7-16. What does this passage tell us about free will as a condition to cultivating love?
Artificial flowers can be gorgeous, but they do not grow and bloom as do real ones. Robots are pre-programmed to talk and to perform many tasks, but they have neither life nor emotions. In reality, life and free will are indispensable conditions for someone to receive, cultivate, and share love. So, our loving God created angels (including Lucifer) and human beings with freedom to make their own choices, including the possibility of following a wrong path. In other words, God created the whole universe as a perfect and harmonious environment for His creatures to grow in love and in wisdom.
In 1 John 4:7-16, the apostle John underscores that “God is love,” and that He manifested His love to us by sending His own Son to die for our sins. As a result, we should express our gratitude for His infinite love by loving one another. Such love, divinely originated, would be the most convincing evidence that God abides in us and that we abide in Him. This appeal to reflect God’s love to one another makes sense only if addressed to creatures who can choose to cultivate and express that love or, in contrast, to live a self-centered life. However, freedom of choice can easily be misused, a sad fact demonstrated in the tragic rebellion of Lucifer in heaven.
Even recognizing the importance of free will, some people still wonder, If God knew that Lucifer would rebel, why did God create him? Does the creation of Lucifer not make God ultimately responsible for the origin of sin?
That can be a very difficult question to speculate about, because it depends upon many factors, including what exactly is meant by the word “responsible.” The origin and nature of sin are mysteries that no one can fully explain.
Even so, God did not ordain sin to exist; He only allowed its existence, and then, at the cross, He took upon Himself the ultimate punishment for that sin, thus enabling Him, ultimately, to eradicate it. In all our painful musings about evil, we must never forget that God Himself paid the highest price for the existence of sin and of evil (see Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 5:6-11), and that He has suffered from them more than any of us ever will.
Free will, a gift from God, is sacred, but comes heavy laden with powerful consequences, not only for yourself but for others, as well. What important decisions are you, using this gift, about to make, and what will be the consequences of whatever choices you make?
Tuesday, September 27
Mysterious Ingratitude
Read Ezekiel 28:12-19. What can we learn from this passage about the mysterious origin of sin?
Much of the book of Ezekiel was written in end-time symbolic language. In many instances, specific entities (like persons, animals, and objects) and local events are used to represent and describe broader cosmic and/or historical realities. In Ezekiel 28:1-10, the Lord spoke of the king of Tyre (Tyre itself was a prosperous ancient Phoenician port city) as a rich and proud ruler who was only a “man” but who claimed to be a god and who even sat (he claimed) in the throne of the gods.
Then, in Ezekiel 28:12-19, this historical reality becomes an analogy to describe the original fall of Lucifer in the heavenly courts. So, the king of Tyre, who was a human being living “in the midst of the seas” (Ezekiel 28:2, 8), now represents “the anointed cherub that covereth,” (Ezekiel 28:14) living “in Eden the garden of God,” (Ezekiel 28:13) and “upon the holy mountain of God” (Ezekiel 28:14).
A crucial statement in the whole account is found in Ezekiel 28:15, which says, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee”. Hence, and importantly, Lucifer’s perfection included the potential for evil, the potential to do wrong, and that was because, as a moral being, Lucifer possessed free will, part of what it means to be a perfect being.
In reality, Lucifer was created perfect — which included his ability to choose freely. However, abusing that perfection by the misuse of his free will, he became corrupted by considering himself more important than he actually was.
No longer satisfied with how God had created and honored him, Lucifer lost his thankfulness to God and wished to receive more recognition than he actually deserved. How this could happen with a perfect angelic being living in a perfect universe is, as already mentioned, a mystery.
“Sin is a mysterious, unexplainable thing. There was no reason for its existence; to seek to explain it is to seek to give a reason for it, and that would be to justify it. Sin appeared in a perfect universe, a thing that was shown to be inexcusable.” The Truth About Angels, p. 30
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul says that “In every thing” we should give thanks. How can these words help us to overcome any feelings of ingratitude and self-pity, especially in trying times?
Wednesday, September 28
The Price of Pride
Within Scripture, one can see two major predominant themes or motifs that are competing with each other. One is the theme of Salem, Mount Zion, Jerusalem, and the New Jerusalem, which represents God’s kingdom. The other is the theme of Babel and Babylon, which stands for Satan’s counterfeit domain. Several times God called His people out of pagan Babylon to serve Him in the Promised Land.
For example, Abram (later Abraham) was asked to move from Ur of the Chaldees to the land of Canaan (Genesis 11:31-12:9). At the end of their long exile, the Jews left Babylon and returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 2). And in the book of Revelation, God’s people are called out of end-time Babylon (Revelation 18:4) to abide with Him eventually on Mount Zion and the New Jerusalem (Revelation 14:1; 21:1-3, 10).
Read Isaiah 14:12-15. What far-reaching consequences did Lucifer’s pride while in heaven bring to the universe and to this world?
In the Bible, the city of Babylon stands for a power in direct opposition to God and His kingdom; and the king of Babylon (with special allusion to Nebuchadnezzar) becomes a symbol of pride and arrogance. God had revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar that Babylon was only the gold head of the great image of successive empires (Daniel 2:37, 38). Challenging God’s revelation, the king made an image entirely of gold — a symbol that his kingdom would last forever — and even required everyone to worship it (Daniel 3). As in the case of the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:12-19), the king of Babylon also became a symbol of Lucifer.
Isaiah 14:3-11 describes the fall of the haughty and oppressive king of Babylon. Then, Isaiah 14:12-15 moves from the historical realm to the heavenly courts and highlights that a similar proud and arrogant spirit generated the original fall of Lucifer. The text explains that Lucifer planned to exalt his throne above all heavenly hosts and make himself “like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14). This was the beginning of a new and hostile situation in which God’s altruistic love and cooperation would be challenged by Lucifer’s selfishness and competition. The enemy was not afraid of accusing God of what he himself was and of spreading his lies to other angels. Here are the mysterious origins of evil in the universe.
Why is it so easy to become proud and boastful of either our positions or achievements, or both? How does keeping the cross before us prevent us from falling into such a trap?
Thursday, September 29
The Spread of Unbelief
Read Revelation 12. What does this chapter teach about the spread of the rebellion in heaven to the earth?
The fall of Lucifer was not a simple clash of conflicting ideas. Revelation 12 tells us that a major war broke out in heaven between Lucifer and his angels on one side and Christ and His angels on the other. In this passage, Lucifer is called “the great dragon,” the “old serpent,” “the Devil, and Satan,” and “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:9, 10). Christ is referred to as “Michael” (Revelation 12:7), which means “who is like God.”
Based on the allusion to “Michael the archangel” (Jude 9), some interpreters believe that He is only an angelic being. But in the book of Daniel, each major vision culminates with Christ and His everlasting kingdom — as the stone cut out without hands (Daniel 2:34, 45), as the Son of man (Daniel 7:13), as the Prince of the host and the Prince of princes (Daniel 8:11, 25), and as Michael the great prince (Daniel 12:1). So, as the Angel of the Lord is the Lord Himself (Exodus 3:1-6, Acts 7:30-33, etc.), Michael must be the same Divine Person, i.e., Christ Himself.
Revelation 12 provided a general overview of this ongoing controversy, which 1. began in heaven with the rebellion of Lucifer and one-third of the heavenly angels, 2. culminated with Christ’s decisive victory at the cross, and 3. still continues against God’s end-time remnant people.
Reflecting on the beginning of this controversy, Ellen G. White explains that “God in His great mercy bore long with Lucifer. He was not immediately degraded from his exalted station when he first indulged the spirit of discontent, nor even when he began to present his false claims before the loyal angels. Long was he retained in heaven. Again and again he was offered pardon on condition of repentance and submission.” — The Great Controversy, pp. 495, 496.
We do not know how long that war lasted in the heavenly realms. Regardless of its intensity and time span, the most important aspect of the whole struggle was that Satan and his angels “prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” (Revelation 12:8; see also Luke 10:18). The problem, of course, was that they came here, to the earth.
What are ways in which we can see the reality of this battle being played out on earth? What is our only hope to overcome our enemy in this battle?
Friday, September 30
Further Thought
Read in the Spirit of Prophecy: “Why Was Sin Permitted?” pp. 33-43, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Origin of Evil,” pp. 492-504, in The Great Controversy.
“There was no possible hope for the redemption of those [Satan and his angels] who had witnessed and enjoyed the inexpressible glory of heaven, and had seen the terrible majesty of God, and, in presence of all this glory, had rebelled against Him. There were no new and wonderful exhibitions of God’s exalted power that could impress them so deeply as those they had already experienced. If they could rebel in the very presence of glory inexpressible, they could not be placed in a more favorable condition to be proved. There was no reserve force of power, nor were there any greater heights and depths of infinite glory to overpower their jealous doubts and rebellious murmuring. Their guilt and their punishment must be in proportion to their exalted privileges in the heavenly courts.” Confrontation, p. 21
“From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great was His love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only-begotten Son, ’that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16.” The Desire of Ages, p. 22.
Discussion Questions:
1. In class, wrestle with the question about whether God is ultimately responsible for the origin and existence of evil in our world. How might we seek to answer that charge?
2. How does the cross fit in with our understanding of the whole question of evil? Why must the cross and what happened there be central to any understanding of the origin of evil?
3. After so many millennia of sin and suffering in our world, Satan should now be fully aware of the tragic consequences of his rebellion. Why then does he still carry on his rebellion against God?
4. In Matthew 5:43-48, Christ speaks of God’s unconditional love for all human beings as the pattern for all our own interactions. How can you reflect this pattern more closely within your family and church?
5. The apostle Peter warns us that “the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Read also Ephesians 6:10-20. How can we prevail against the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11)?
29.9.22
She Has Become A House Of Demons, Pope Against Fundamentalism
"In Episode 135 we discuss the reference about Babylon becoming a house of demons in Revelation 18. The pope is continually speaking out against proselytising and the protestant churches are flocking back to the mother church in ecumenism. What will the consequences be for God's remnant church?"
Batallas de Fe Bolivia | Battles of Faith Bolivia [1]
Junto a David Gates, Marcel Dulac, Michael Jenny y Walter Veith.
O Deus Crucificado, Sofredor, E Os Seus Seguidores
Quarta-feira, 21 de Setembro
A morte por crucificação era uma das punições mais severas que os romanos infligiam a qualquer pessoa. Era considerada a pior maneira de morrer. Portanto, era horrível alguém ser morto dessa forma, em particular o Filho de Deus! Jesus, devemos sempre lembrar, veio em carne humana. Entre as tareias, os açoites, os pregos cravados nas Suas mãos e pés, e o peso angustiante do Seu próprio corpo a rasgar as feridas, a dor física deve ter sido insuportável. Passar por isto era duro, mesmo para o pior dos criminosos; era muito injusto, então, que Jesus, inocente de tudo, enfrentasse tal destino.
No entanto, como sabemos, os sofrimentos físicos de Cristo foram brandos em comparação com o que estava realmente a acontecer. Aquilo foi muito mais do que a morte de um inocente.
6. Que eventos da morte de Jesus mostram que o que aconteceu era muito mais do que aquilo que a maioria das pessoas podia entender na época? O que houve de importante que revela o que aconteceu realmente?
Mateus 27:45; 27:51, 52; Marcos 15:38
Algo muito maior aconteceu do que apenas a morte, embora injusta, de um Homem inocente. De acordo com as Escrituras, a ira de Deus contra o pecado, o nosso pecado, foi derramada sobre Jesus. Na cruz, Cristo sofreu a justa indignação de um Deus justo contra o pecado, os pecados de todo o mundo. Como tal, Jesus sofreu algo mais profundo, sombrio e mais doloroso do que qualquer ser humano podia conhecer ou experimentar.
Ao passar por lutas, que esperança e conforto pode tirar da realidade do sofrimento de Cristo por si na cruz?
Quinta-feira, 22 de Setembro
É melhor que nos acostumemos: enquanto estivermos neste mundo, vamos sofrer. Como criaturas caídas, este é nosso destino. Nada na Bíblia nos promete algo diferente. Pelo contrário...
7. O que nos dizem os versos a seguir sobre o sofrimento dos seguidores de Cristo? Atos 14:22; Filipenses 1:29; 2 Timóteo 3:12
No meio do nosso sofrimento, devemos ter duas coisas em mente. Primeira, Cristo, o nosso Senhor, sofreu mais do que qualquer um de nós. Na cruz, “Ele tomou sobre Si as nossas enfermidades e as nossas dores levou sobre Si” (Isaías 53:4); o que conhecemos como indivíduos, Ele sofreu por todos nós. Aquele que não tinha pecado tornou-Se “pecado por nós” (2 Coríntios 5:21), sofrendo de uma forma que nós, como criaturas pecadoras, não poderíamos sequer imaginar.
Em segundo lugar, à medida que sofremos, devemos lembrar-nos dos resultados do sofrimento de Cristo, ou seja, ter em mente o que nos foi prometido através do que Ele fez por nós.
8. Leia João 10:28; Romanos 6:23; Tito 1:2; 1 João 2:25. Que promessa temos?
Sejam quais forem os nossos sofrimentos, temos a promessa da vida eterna, graças a Jesus, graças à Sua disposição de suportar o castigo pelos nossos pecados, graças à grande provisão do evangelho, no sentido de que pela fé podemos ser perfeitos em Jesus. Temos a promessa de que, por causa do que Cristo fez, por causa da plenitude e perfeição da Sua vida e sacrifício perfeitos, a nossa existência, cheia de dor, decepção e perda, não é mais do que um instante, um lampejo, em contraste com a eternidade que nos espera, uma eternidade num novo céu e numa nova Terra, sem pecado, sofrimento e morte. E tudo isto nos é prometido e garantido somente por causa de Cristo e do cadinho pelo qual Ele passou para que um dia, em breve, pudesse ver o fruto do trabalho da Sua alma e ficar satisfeito (Isaías 53:11).
Sexta-feira, 23 de Setembro
Estudo adicional
Textos do Espirito de Profecia: “Getsémani”, p. 484, e “O Calvário”, p. 524, em O Desejado de Todas as Nações.
“Três vezes proferiu essa oração. Três vezes recuou Sua humanidade do último, supremo sacrifício. Surge, porém, então, a história da raça humana diante do Redentor do mundo. Vê que os transgressores da lei, se deixados, têm de perecer. Vê o desamparo do homem. Vê o poder do pecado. As misérias e os ais do mundo condenado erguem-se ante Ele. Contempla-lhe a sorte iminente, e decide-Se. Salvará o homem custe o que custar de Sua parte. Aceita Seu batismo de sangue, para que, por meio dEle, milhões de almas a perecer obtenham a vida eterna. Deixou as cortes celestiais, onde tudo é pureza, felicidade e glória para salvar a única ovelha perdida, o único mundo caído pela transgressão. E não Se desviará de Sua missão. Tornar-Se-á a propiciação de uma raça que quis pecar. Sua prece agora respira apenas submissão: “Se este cálice não pode passar de Mim sem Eu o beber, faça-se a Tua vontade”. Mateus 26:42. O Desejado de Todas as Nações, p. 488
Perguntas para consideração:
1. Saber que Cristo sofreu mais do que todos ajuda-nos a enfrentar os nossos sofrimentos? O que devem os sofrimentos de Cristo em nosso favor significar para nós? O Espirito de Profecia diz: “Todo o sofrimento que constitui o resultado do pecado foi lançado no seio do inocente Filho de Deus” (Mensagens Escolhidas, v. 3, p. 129).
2. Os sofrimentos de Cristo assemelham-se aos nossos? Há diferenças? O que podemos aprender com a maneira como Ele lidou com estes desafios?
3. Quais são as suas promessas bíblicas favoritas, às quais se apega no meio da tristeza e da dor? Escreva-as, reivindique-as para si.
4. Resuma os destaques da Lição do trimestre. Que perguntas foram respondidas? Que questões permanecem sem resposta? Como podemos ajudar as pessoas a resolvê-las?
The Crucified God - The Suffering God - Further Thought
Wednesday, September 21
Death by crucifixion was one of the harshest punishments the Romans meted out to anyone. It was considered the worst way to die. Thus, how horrific for anyone to be killed that way, in particular the Son of God! Jesus, we must always remember, came in human flesh like ours. Between the beatings, the scourgings, the nails hammered into His hands and feet, the harrowing weight of His own body tearing at the wounds, the physical pain must have been unbearable. This was harsh, even for the worst of criminals; how unfair, then, that Jesus, innocent of everything, should face such a fate.
Yet, as we know, Christ’s physical sufferings were mild in contrast to what was really happening. This was more than just the killing of an innocent man.
What events surrounding the death of Jesus showed that more was going on than most people there understood at the time? What significance can we find in each of these events that can help reveal what happened there?
Clearly, something much more was happening here than just the death, however unfair, of an innocent man. According to Scripture, God’s wrath against sin, our sin, was poured out upon Jesus. Jesus on the cross suffered a righteous God’s righteous indignation against sin, the sins of the whole world. As such, Jesus suffered something deeper, darker, and more painful than any human being could ever know or experience.
As you go through whatever struggles you are facing, what hope and comfort can you draw from the reality of Christ suffering for you on the cross?
Thursday, September 22
We might as well get used to it: as long as we are here, in this world, we are going to suffer. As fallen creatures, it is our fate. Nothing in the Bible promises us anything different. On the contrary …
What do the following verses have to tell us about the topic at hand? Acts 14:22, Philippians 1:29, 2 Timothy 3:12.
Yet, in the midst of our suffering, two things we should keep in mind.
First, Christ, our Lord, has suffered worse than any of us ever could. At the cross, He “hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4); what we know only as individuals, He suffered corporately, for us all. He who was sinless became “sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21), suffering in a way that we, as sinful creatures, couldn’t begin to imagine.
But second, as we suffer, we should remember the results of Christ’s suffering, that is, what we have been promised through what Christ has done for us.
Whatever our sufferings here, thanks to Jesus, thanks to His bearing in Himself the punishment of our sin, thanks to the great provision of the gospel — that through faith we can stand perfect in Jesus right now — we have the promise of eternal life. We have the promise that because of what Christ has done, because of the fullness and completeness of His perfect life and perfect sacrifice, our existence here, full of pain, disappointment, and loss, is no more than an instant, a flash, here and gone, in contrast to the eternity that awaits us, an eternity in a new heaven and a new earth, one without sin, suffering, and death. And all this is promised to us and made certain for us only because of Christ and the crucible He went into so that one day, coming soon, He would see “the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied” (Isaiah 53:11).
Friday, September 23
Read in the Spirit of Prophecy: “Gethsemane,” pp. 685-697, and “Calvary,” pp. 741-757, in The Desire of Ages.
“Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the human race comes up before the world’s Redeemer. He sees that the transgressors of the law, if left to themselves, must perish. He sees the helplessness of man. He sees the power of sin. The woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending fate, and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life. He has left the courts of heaven, where all is purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep, the one world that has fallen by transgression. And He will not turn from His mission. He will become the propitiation of a race that has willed to sin. His prayer now breathes only submission: ’If this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.” The Desire of Ages, pp. 690, 693
Discussion Questions:
1. How does it help us in our own sufferings, this knowledge that God Himself, in the person of Christ, suffered more than any of us ever could? What should the sufferings of Christ in our behalf mean to us? What comfort can we draw from this amazing truth? As you think about your answer, keep in mind the following statement from the Spirit of Prophecy: “All the suffering which is the result of sin was poured into the bosom of the sinless Son of God.” Selected Messages, book 3, p. 129
2. As a class, go over the sufferings of Christ looked at in this week’s lesson. What were the crucibles that Christ faced? In what ways are they like our own, and in what ways are they different? What can we learn from how He handled these challenges that can help us amid our own crucibles?
3. What are some of your favorite Bible promises, promises that you can cling to amid sorrow and pain? Write them out, claim them for yourself, and share them in class.
4. Write out a summary paragraph, highlighting whatever few main points you got from this quarter’s lessons. What questions were resolved for you? What issues still remain unanswered? How can we help each other work through those things that still greatly perplex and trouble us?
28.9.22
Dilo al Mundo | Palpitando Batallas de Fe
Programa especial donde recordamos nuestro programa de Batallas de Fe Bolivia 2018, junto a David Gates, Oliver Coronado y Walter Veith.
26.9.22
Why Are Farmers So Happy? 4 Reasons!
"Out of over 270 jobs, farmers have been shown to be some of the happiest people. Why is that?Here are four potential reasons farmers are so happy."
Why Did They OUTLAW This Wild Edible? And the Health Benefits
"Why did they outlaw red and blackcurrants back in 1911 in the US? Why is it still illegal in multiple states? What are the scientifically-backed benefits of this berry? We will look at the research."
24.9.22
Cristo no Cadinho - Lição 13 [Sábado até Terça]
Lição 13, 17 a 23 de Setembro
Sábado à tarde
VERSO ÁUREO: “Por volta de três horas da tarde, Jesus clamou em alta voz, dizendo: – Eli, Eli, lemá sabactani? – Isso quer dizer: ‘Deus Meu, Deus Meu, por que Me desamparaste?’” Mateus 27:46
LEITURAS DA SEMANA: Lucas 2:7, 22-24; Mateus 2:1-18; João 8:58, 59; Lucas 22:41-44; Mateus 27:51, 52; Romanos 6:23; Tt 1:2
Sempre que ponderamos sobre o sofrimento, surge a pergunta: Como surgiram o pecado e o sofrimento pela primeira vez? Através da revelação divina, temos boas respostas: surgiram porque seres livres abusaram da liberdade que Deus lhes deu. Isto leva a outra questão: Deus sabia de antemão que estes seres cairiam? Sim, mas obviamente Ele pensou, como escreveu C. S. Lewis, “Vale a pena o risco”.
Vale a pena o risco? Para quem? Para nós, enquanto Deus está sentado no trono do Céu? Não exatamente. A liberdade de todas as Suas criaturas inteligentes era tão sagrada que, em vez de nos negar essa liberdade, Deus escolheu carregar em Si mesmo o peso do sofrimento causado pelo nosso abuso dessa liberdade. Vimos esse sofrimento na vida e na morte de Jesus, que, através do sofrimento como Homem, criou laços entre o Céu e a Terra, os quais durarão toda a eternidade.
Resumo da semana: O que sofreu Cristo por nós? O que podemos aprender com o Seu sofrimento?
Domingo, 18 de Setembro
Os Primeiros Anos
A Bíblia dá-nos poucas informações sobre os primeiros anos da vida de Jesus. Porém, alguns versos falam sobre as condições e o tipo de mundo ao qual veio o Salvador.
1. Leia Lucas 2:7, 22-24 (veja também Levítico 12:6-8) e Mateus 2:1-18. O que há nestes versos que nos mostra como Jesus vivia?
Claro, Jesus não foi a primeira pessoa a viver na pobreza ou a enfrentar aqueles que O queriam matar, mesmo desde a tenra idade. Há, entretanto, outro elemento que nos ajuda a entender a singularidade do que Cristo sofreu desde cedo.
2. Leia João 1:46. Que elemento há nesta passagem que nos ajuda a entender o que o jovem Jesus enfrentou?
Com excepção de Adão e Eva antes da queda, Jesus foi a única Pessoa sem pecado que já viveu. Na Sua pureza e impecabilidade, estava imerso num mundo pecaminoso. Que tortura deve ter sido para a Sua alma pura estar constantemente em contacto com o pecado, desde quando Ele era criança! Mesmo na nossa dureza por causa do pecado, com frequência evitamos a exposição aos erros e ao mal que consideramos repulsivos. Imagine como deve ter sido isso para Cristo, cuja alma era pura. Pense no nítido contraste entre Ele e os outros ao Seu redor. Deve ter sido extremamente doloroso.
Pergunte a si mesmo: “Até que ponto sou sensível aos pecados que existem ao meu redor? Eles me incomodam ou, por causa do meu coração endurecido, estou apegado a eles?” Se está insensível aos pecados, pode ser por causa das coisas que lê, vê ou até faz? Pense nisso.
Segunda-feira, 19 de Setembro
Desprezado e Rejeitado
3. Leia os versos a seguir, tendo em mente o facto de que Jesus é o Criador do céu e da Terra, e que veio para Se oferecer como sacrifício pelos pecados do mundo todo (Mateus 12:22-24; Lucas 4:21-30; João 8:58, 59). Como nos ajudam estes versos a entender os sofrimentos que Jesus enfrentou?
Os líderes, e até as pessoas comuns, interpretavam constantemente mal a vida, os atos e os ensinamentos de Jesus, e isto causava rejeição e ódio no coração das pessoas que Ele veio salvar. Em certo sentido, o sentimento de Jesus era como o de um pai que vê um filho rebelde a precisar de ajuda e, embora esteja disposto a dar tudo por aquele filho, ele rejeita-o, demonstrando desprezo talvez pela única pessoa que a poderia poupar da ruína. Foi isto o que Jesus enfrentou.
4. Leia Mateus 23:37. O que nos diz este texto sobre como Cristo Se sentia em relação à rejeição? Pergunte a si mesmo: “Ele sentia-Se mal por Si mesmo (como nos costumamos sentir quando enfrentamos a rejeição) ou por outro motivo?” Neste caso, qual?
Todos nós sentimos o aguilhão da rejeição e talvez a nossa dor seja semelhante à de Cristo no sentido de que era altruísta: sofremos, não apenas porque somos rejeitados, mas por causa do que a rejeição pode significar para aquele que nos rejeita (que pode ser alguém com quem nos importamos e que se recusou a aceitar a salvação em Cristo). Mas imagine como deve ter sido o sentimento de Jesus, que estava totalmente ciente do que enfrentaria para salvar os pecadores e, ao mesmo tempo, completamente consciente de quais seriam as consequências da Sua rejeição. “Foi, porém, devido à Sua inocência que Ele sentiu tão intensamente os ataques de Satanás.” (Mensagens Escolhidas, v. 3, p. 129).
Como é que os exemplos de Cristo nos podem ajudar a lidar melhor com a dor da rejeição? Como podemos aplicá-los à nossa vida?
Terça-feira, 20 de Setembro
Jesus no Getsémani
Jesus disse a Pedro, Tiago e João: “E disse-lhes: A minha alma está profundamente triste até a morte; ficai aqui, e vigiai” (Marcos 14:34). De tudo o que Jesus tenha sofrido ao longo dos Seus 33 anos, nada Se compara ao que Ele enfrentou nas últimas horas antes da cruz. O sacrifício de Jesus foi planeado desde os tempos eternos (Efésios 1:1-4; 2 Timóteo 1:8, 9; Tito 1:1, 2) como oferta pelos pecados do mundo, e então tudo estava para acontecer.
5. O que dizem os seguintes versos sobre o sofrimento de Cristo no Getsémani? Mateus 26:39; Marcos 14:33-36; Lucas 22:41-44
“Foi a uma pequena distância deles — não tão afastado que O não pudessem ver e ouvir — e caiu prostrado por terra. Sentia que, pelo pecado, estava sendo separado do Pai. O abismo era tão largo, tão escuro, tão profundo, que Seu espírito tremeu diante dele. Para escapar a essa agonia, não deve exercer Seu poder divino. Como homem, cumpre-Lhe sofrer as consequências do pecado do homem. Como homem, deve suportar a ira divina contra a transgressão.
Cristo Se achava então em atitude diversa daquela em que sempre estivera. Seus sofrimentos podem melhor ser descritos nas palavras do profeta: “Ó espada, ergue-te contra o Meu Pastor e contra o varão que é Meu companheiro, diz o Senhor dos Exércitos”. Zacarias 13:7. Como substituto e refém do pecador, estava Cristo sofrendo sob a justiça divina. Viu o que significa justiça. Até então, fora como um intercessor por outros; agora, ansiava alguém que por Ele intercedesse.” O Desejado de Todas as Nações, p. 485
Pense no que aconteceu a Jesus no Getsémani. Os pecados do mundo já começavam a cair sobre Ele. Tente imaginar como deve ter sido. Jamais nenhum ser humano foi chamado a passar por algo assim. O que nos diz isto sobre o amor de Deus por nós? Que esperança traz isto para si?
23.9.22
Christ in the Crucible - Lesson 13 [Sabbath to Tuesday]
Lesson 13, September 17-23
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 2:7, 22-24; Matthew 2:1-18; John 8:58, 59; Luke 22:41-44; Matthew 27:51, 52; Romans 6:23; Titus 1:2.
Memory Text: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46
Whenever we look at the issue of suffering, the question comes: How did sin and suffering first arise? Through divine revelation we have good answers: They arose because free beings abused the freedom God had given them. This leads to another question: Did God know beforehand that these beings would fall? Yes, but obviously He thought it was, as C. S. Lewis wrote, “worth the risk.”
Worth the risk? For whom? For us, while God sits in heaven on His throne? Not exactly. The freedom of all His intelligent creatures was so sacred that, rather than deny us freedom, God chose to bear in Himself the brunt of the suffering caused by our abuse of that freedom. And we see this suffering in the life and death of Jesus, who, through suffering in our flesh, has created bonds between heaven and earth that will last throughout eternity.
The Week at a Glance: What did Christ suffer in our behalf? What can we learn from His suffering?
Sunday, September 18
The Early Days
Scripture gives us little information about the early years of Jesus. A few verses, however, tell us something about those conditions and the kind of world the Savior entered.
Read Luke 2:7, 22-24 (see also Leviticus 12:6-8) and Matthew 2:1-18. What do we see in these verses that gives us an indication of the kind of life Jesus faced from the start?
Of course, Jesus was not the first person to live in poverty or to face those who wanted to kill Him, even from an early age. There is, however, another element that helps us understand the uniqueness of what Christ suffered from the earliest times.
Read John 1:46. What element does this add to help us understand what sufferings the young Jesus had faced?
With the exception of Adam and Eve before the Fall, Jesus was the only sinless person who ever lived on the earth. In His purity, in His sinlessness, He was immersed in a world of sin. What a torture it must have been, even as a child, for His pure soul constantly to be in contact with sin. Even in our hardness because of sin, we ourselves often shrink away from exposure to sins and evil that we find repulsive. Imagine what it must have been like for Christ, whose soul was pure, who wasn’t the least bit tainted by sin. Think of the sharp contrast between Himself and others around Him in that regard. It must have been exceedingly painful for Him.
Ask yourself, “How sensitive am I to the sins that exist all around us? Do they bother me, or am I hardened to them?” If you are hardened to them, could it be because of the things you read, watch, or even do? Think about it.
Monday, September 19
Despised and Rejected of Men
Read the following verses, all the while keeping in mind the fact that Jesus was divine, the Creator of heaven and earth, and that He came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (Matthew 12:22-24; Luke 4:21-30; John 8:58, 59). How do these verses help us understand the sufferings that Jesus faced here on earth?
Whether by leaders, or even by the common people, Jesus’ life, acts, and teachings were constantly misunderstood, leading to rejection and hatred by people He came to save. In a certain sense it must be like a parent who sees a wayward child in need of help, and though the parent is willing to give everything for that child, the child spurns the parent, heaping scorn and rejection upon perhaps the only person who can spare that child from utter ruin. That’s what Jesus faced while here on earth. How painful it must have been for Him.
Read Matthew 23:37. What does it tell us about how Christ felt about the rejection? As you read, ask yourself, too, “Was He feeling bad for Himself (as we often do when facing rejection), or was it for another reason?” If for another reason, what was it?
We’ve all felt the sting of rejection, and maybe our pain was similar to Christ’s in that it was unselfish: We were pained, not because we were rejected, but because of what the rejection would mean for the one who was rejecting us (perhaps someone we care about who refuses to accept salvation in Christ). Imagine, though, how it must have felt to Jesus, who was fully aware of what He was to face in order to save them, and at the same time fully aware of what the consequences of their rejection would be. “It was because of His innocence that He [Christ] felt so keenly the assaults of Satan.” — Selected Messages, book 3, p. 129.
What can you learn from Christ that can help you better cope with the pain of rejection? What does His example show you? How can you apply it to your own life?
Tuesday, September 20
Jesus in Gethsemane
“And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch” (Mark 14:34).
Whatever Jesus suffered throughout His 33 years here on earth, nothing compared to what He started to face in the last hours before the cross. From the eternal ages (Ephesians 1:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:8, 9; Titus 1:1, 2) the sacrifice of Jesus as the offering for the world’s sin was planned, and now it was all coming to pass.
What do the following verses tell us about Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane? Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:33-36, Luke 22:41-44.
“He went a little distance from them — not so far but that they could both see and hear Him — and fell prostrate upon the ground. He felt that by sin He was being separated from His Father. The gulf was so broad, so black, so deep, that His spirit shuddered before it. This agony He must not exert His divine power to escape. As man He must suffer the consequences of man’s sin. As man He must endure the wrath of God against transgression.
Christ was now standing in a different attitude from that in which He had ever stood before. His suffering can best be described in the words of the prophet, ’Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts.’ Zechariah 13:7. As the substitute and surety for sinful man, Christ was suffering under divine justice. He saw what justice meant. Hitherto He had been as an intercessor for others; now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself.” The Desire of Ages, p. 686
Dwell upon what was happening to Jesus in Gethsemane. Already the sins of the world were starting to fall upon Him. Try to imagine what that must have been like. No human being has ever been called to go through anything like this before or since. What does this tell us about God’s love for us? What hope can you draw from this for yourself?
20.9.22
Escola Sabatina - Terça-feira, 13/09 a Sexta-feira, 16/09
Terça-feira, 13 de Setembro
Disposição Para Ouvir
“Então veio o Senhor, e pôs-se ali, e chamou como das outras vezes: Samuel, Samuel. E disse Samuel: Fala, porque o teu servo ouve.” 1 Samuel 3:10
Já ouviu aquela voz mansa e delicada do Espírito Santo, mas ignorou-a? Consequentemente, tudo correu mal, e pensou mais tarde: porque não ouvi?
O primeiro livro de Samuel descreve a história de um homem e dois filhos maus que não deram ouvidos ao Senhor; descreve também a história de um menino que O ouviu. Embora houvessem fortes advertências de Deus, aqueles que precisavam mudar o seu comportamento não o fizeram.
3. Leia 1 Samuel 2:12–3:18. Que contraste fica aparente entre aqueles que ouvem a Deus e aqueles que não O ouvem?
Os filhos de Eli tinham outros interesses em mente além da vontade de Deus. Embora Eli tenha falado com os seus filhos depois de ter ouvido o que Deus queria, parece que ele não fez mais nada além disso. Os seus filhos obviamente não estavam prontos para submeter a vida à vontade divina. Que contraste com o jovem Samuel!
O pregador Charles Stanley descreveu como é essencial cultivar a disposição para ouvir a voz de Deus e chamou a isso a “mudança para o neutro”. Ele disse: “O Espírito Santo [...] não fala para transmitir informações, e sim para obter uma resposta. E Ele sabe quando os nossos interesses têm uma fatia tão grande da nossa atenção que é uma perda de tempo sugerir algo em contrário. Quando este é o caso, Ele geralmente fica em silêncio e espera que nos tornemos suficientemente neutros para ouvir e finalmente obedecer” (The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life [Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers], 1992, p. 179, 180).
O que quis Stanley dizer com tornar-se “suficientemente neutros”? Quando pensa sobre a sua abertura para Deus, o que o impede muitas vezes de ser “suficientemente neutro para ouvir e, finalmente, obedecer”? O que precisa fazer na sua vida para cultivar a abertura à voz de Deus e a determinação para obedecer a Sua orientação?
Quarta-feira, 14 de Setembro
Auto-suficiência
Quando Eva pecou no Jardim do Éden, não foi simplesmente porque duvidou da palavra de Deus. No cerne do problema estava sua crença de que tinha sabedoria suficiente para decidir por si mesma o que era bom e certo. Ela confiou em seu próprio julgamento. Quando confiamos em nosso próprio julgamento em vez de confiar na Palavra de Deus, nos abrimos a toda sorte de problemas.
A história de Saul descreve os passos para a auto-suficiência e a tragédia que se seguiu. Samuel tinha ungido Saul como rei de Deus (1 Samuel 10:1) e deu-lhe instruções específicas (1 Samuel 10:8), mas Saul desobedeceu.
4. Leia a sequência da história em 1 Samuel 13:1-14. O que fez Saul que o levou à queda?
Três passos levaram Saul ao caminho para a auto-suficiência logo após ter sido ungido rei. Embora nenhum deles tenha sido tão mau, continham as sementes da tragédia, pois foram tomados de forma independente de Deus.
1. Saul disse: “via” – ele estava a ver a dispersão das suas tropas e a ausência de Samuel... (1 Samuel 13:11). Ele estava sob pressão e avaliou com os seus próprios olhos o que estava a acontecer.
2. Saul mudou de “via” para “eu disse” – ele declarou que os filisteus os conquistariam (1 Samuel 13:12). O que Saul viu com os seus próprios olhos moldou o que presumiu e disse sobre a situação.
3. Saul mudou de “eu disse” para “ofereci” – ele sentiu-se compelido a oferecer sacrifício (1 Samuel 13:12). O que Saul pensava moldava os seus sentimentos.
Já todos fizemos isto: confiamos na nossa própria visão humana, que nos leva a confiar no nosso próprio pensamento, que nos leva a crer nos nossos próprios sentimentos. E então agimos de acordo com eles.
Porque foi tão fácil Saul seguir o próprio julgamento, embora as instruções de Deus ainda ressoassem aos seus ouvidos? Se sabemos que somos tão frágeis e temos um conhecimento tão imperfeito, porque ainda confiamos em nós mesmos? O que podemos fazer para confiar mais no Senhor e menos nas nossas próprias percepções?
Quinta-feira, 15 de Setembro
Substitutos
A submissão à vontade de Deus é enfraquecida quando confiamos na nossa própria força. Também é possível confiar em substitutos de Deus. Algumas pessoas, quando se sentem deprimidas, compram algo que as faça felizes. Outras, quando se sentem inadequadas, buscam a fama. Algumas, quando têm dificuldades com o cônjuge, procuram outra pessoa para lhes dar intimidade e emoção.
Pode ser que estas coisas aliviem a pressão, mas não resolvem necessariamente o problema, nem nos ensinam a lidar melhor com a situação da próxima vez que surgir uma crise. Apenas a ajuda sobrenatural de Deus pode fazer isso. O problema é que muitas vezes dependemos de substitutos de Deus, e não do próprio Deus.
Veja três substitutos que podemos usar no lugar de Deus:
1. Usar a lógica humana ou a experiência passada quando precisamos de uma nova revelação divina.
2. Fugir da realidade e evitar Deus quando precisamos da comunhão com Ele para obter poder divino.
3. Bloquear os problemas da nossa mente quando precisamos de soluções divinas.
Zacarias ajuda-nos a focalizar o que é importante quando somos tentados a usar substitutos. Depois de muitos anos longe, os exilados voltaram da Babilónia e começaram a reconstruir o templo. Mas havia uma oposição incrível (Esdras 4–6). Zacarias foi a Zorobabel, líder da obra, com uma mensagem de encorajamento.
5. O que quis Deus dizer em Zacarias 4:6? A conclusão de um projeto de construção pode ser afetada pelo Espírito Santo? O que nos ensina isto sobre a relação entre o Espírito Santo e o que fazemos como rotina?
Deus não evitou a oposição à construção do templo nem poupou Zorobabel do stress de lidar com isso. O Senhor nem sempre nos protegerá da oposição. Mas, quando ela surgir, Deus pode usá-la como cadinho para nos ensinar a depender Dele.
Quando o stress chega, qual é a sua reação? Comer? Ver TV? Orar? Submeter-se a Deus? O que diz a sua resposta sobre aquilo que precisa aprender ou mudar?
Sexta-feira, 16 de Setembro
Estudo adicional
Textos do Espirito de Profecia: “Eli e seus filhos,” p. 422 e “A presunção de Saul,” p. 455 em Patriarcas e Profetas.
A submissão à vontade de Deus ocorre quando morremos para nossos desejos. Isso abre o caminho para o serviço aos outros. Não podemos viver para Deus sem nos tornar um sacrifício e sem viver abertos à voz divina. Para submeter nossa vontade à vontade do Pai, devemos ver os perigos de confiar em nós mesmos e em substitutos da Palavra e do poder de Deus. A submissão à vontade divina é o cerne da vida cristã. Por isso, o Senhor pode permitir que os crisóis nos ensinem a depender Dele.
“A negligência de Eli é claramente apresentada diante de todo o pai e mãe da Terra. Como resultado de seu afeto não santificado e de sua má vontade em cumprir um dever desagradável, fez uma colheita de iniquidade em seus filhos perversos. Tanto o pai, que permitiu a impiedade, como os filhos, que a praticaram, eram culpados diante de Deus, e Ele não aceitaria oferta nem sacrifício por sua transgressão” Orientação da Criança, p. 175
Perguntas para consideração:
1. Jesus dispôs-Se a vir à Terra para morrer por nós. O que nos diz isto sobre abnegação? Embora não possamos fazer o que Jesus fez, o princípio é o mesmo para nós. De que forma podemos, na nossa esfera, imitar o sacrifício de Jesus na cruz?
2. Para alguns, submeter-se a Deus sem saber o futuro é assustador. Como podemos aconselhar os que confiam em si mesmos e não em Deus? O que diria para remover este medo?
3. Ore por pessoas que têm dificuldade em submeter-se à vontade divina, para que vejam que confiar na vontade de Deus é o caminho para a paz. O que pode fazer para ajudá-las a ver que render-se a Deus é a melhor escolha?
16.9.22
Sabbath School - Tuesday, 9/13 to Friday, 9/16
Tuesday, September 13
Willingness to Listen
“And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” (1 Samuel 3:10).
Have you ever heard that still small voice of the Holy Spirit but ignored it? Consequently, everything went wrong, and you thought to yourself later, Oh no, why didn’t I listen?
First Samuel describes a story of an old man and two wicked sons who didn’t listen to the Lord and a little boy who did. Though there were strong warnings from God, those who needed to change their course didn’t.
Read their story in 1 Samuel 2:12-3:18. What contrast is made apparent here between those who listen to God and those who don’t?
Eli’s sons had other things on their minds than the things of God. And even when Eli, after hearing what God wanted, spoke to his sons, he didn’t seem to do anything else. And his sons were obviously not ready to submit the details of their lives to God’s will. What a contrast with the young Samuel!
Preacher Charles Stanley describes how essential it is to cultivate openness to God’s voice in what he calls “shifting into neutral.” He says: “The Holy Spirit … does not speak for the sake of passing along information. He speaks to get a response. And He knows when our agenda has such a large slice of our attention that it is a waste of time to suggest anything to the contrary. When that is the case, He is often silent. He waits for us to become neutral enough to hear and eventually obey.” — The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992), pp. 179, 180.
What do you think Stanley means by becoming “neutral enough”? When you think about your openness to God, what things often prevent you from being “neutral enough to hear and eventually obey”? What do you need to do in your life to cultivate openness to God’s voice and a decisiveness to be obedient to His direction?
Wednesday, September 14
Self-Reliance
When Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, it wasn’t simply because she doubted God’s word. At the heart of the problem was her belief that she had enough wisdom to decide for herself what was good and right. She trusted her own judgment. When we rely on our own judgment as opposed to trusting God’s Word, we open ourselves up to all sorts of problems.
The story of Saul describes the steps to self-reliance and the tragedy that so quickly follows. Samuel anointed Saul as God’s king (1 Samuel 10:1). Then he gave Saul specific instructions (1 Samuel 10:8), but Saul disobeyed.
Read the next part of the story in 1 Samuel 13:1-14. What did Saul do that led to his own downfall?
There are three steps that led Saul down the road to self-reliance so soon after having been made king. The problem is that none of the steps were that bad in themselves. Yet, they contained the seeds of tragedy because they were each taken independently of God. Notice the order in which Saul’s fall occurred.
1. Saul said, “I saw” — the scattering of his troops and Samuel’s absence (1 Samuel 13:11). Saul was under pressure, and he evaluated with his own eyes what was happening.
2. Saul moved from “I saw” to “said I” — that the Philistines would conquer them (1 Samuel 13:12). What he saw with his own eyes shaped what he said, or surmised, about the situation.
3. Saul moved from “I said” to “I forced myself” — to offer sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:12). What Saul thought now shaped his feelings.
All of us have done this: we rely on our own human eyesight, which leads us to rely on our own human thinking, which leads us to rely on our own human feelings. And then we act on these feelings.
Why do you think it was so easy for Saul to follow his own judgment, even though he had God’s clear instructions still ringing in his ears? If we know that we are so fragile and have such imperfect knowledge, why do we still try to rely on ourselves? What can we do to learn to trust in the Lord’s commands more than in ourselves?
Thursday, September 15
Substitutes
As we saw yesterday, submission to God’s will can be undermined as we rely on our own strength. It also is possible to rely on other substitutes for God. When some people feel depressed, they go shopping for something to make them happy. When some feel inadequate, they pursue fame. When others have difficulties with their spouse, they look for someone else to give them intimacy and excitement.
Many of the things we use can relieve the pressure, but they do not necessarily solve the problem nor teach us how to handle the situation better the next time. Only supernatural help from God can do that. The problem is that many times we depend on substitutes for God rather than on God Himself.
Here are three substitutes that we may use instead of God:
1. Using human logic or past experience when we need fresh divine revelation.
2. Blocking problems from our minds when we need divine solutions.
3. Escaping reality and avoiding God when we need communion with God for divine power.
Zechariah helps us to focus on what really matters when we are tempted to use substitutes. After many years away, the exiles had finally returned from Babylon and immediately began to rebuild the temple. But there is an incredible amount of opposition to this (some background can be found in Ezra 4-6). So Zechariah came with this message of encouragement to Zerubbabel, who was leading the work.
Read this message in Zechariah 4. What does God mean in Zechariah 4:6? How could the completion of a building project be affected by the Holy Spirit? What does this teach us about the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the practical things that we do?
God did not prevent the opposition to the temple nor spare Zerubbabel from the stress of dealing with it. And God will not always protect us from opposition. But when opposition comes, God may use it as a crucible to teach us to depend on Him.
When stress comes, what’s your first reaction? Food? Television? Prayer? Submission to God? What does your answer tell you about yourself and the things you need to learn or to change?
Friday, September 16
Further Thought
Read in the Spirit of Prophecy: “Eli and His Sons,” pp. 575-580, and “The Presumption of Saul,” pp. 616-626, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
Submission to God’s will comes as we die to our own desires and ambitions. This opens the way for true service to others. We cannot live for God without becoming a sacrifice and living in continual openness to God’s voice. For us truly to submit our wills to our Father’s will, we must recognize the dangers of relying on ourselves and on substitutes for God’s Word and power. As submission to God’s will is at the heart of a Christlike life, God may allow crucibles to teach us dependence on Him.
“The neglect of Eli is brought plainly before every father and mother in the land. As the result of his unsanctified affection or his unwillingness to do a disagreeable duty, he reaped a harvest of iniquity in his perverse sons. Both the parent who permitted the wickedness and the children who practiced it were guilty before God, and He would accept no sacrifice or offering for their transgression.” Child Guidance, p. 276
Discussion Questions:
1. As a class, talk about the incredible condescension of the Son of God in coming to earth as a human being in order to die for our sins. What does it tell each of us about what self-sacrifice and self-denial for the good of others means? Though we certainly can’t do anything like what Jesus did, the principle is there and should always be before us. In what ways can we, in our own spheres, emulate the kind of submission and self-sacrifice that Jesus showed us at the cross?
2. For many people, submitting to God without knowing what will happen next can be a terrifying thing. How would you counsel people who are relying on themselves rather than God? What would you say to help remove their fears of not knowing — or being able to control — the future?
3. As a class, spend some time praying for people you know who have difficulty in submitting to God’s will, that they may see that trusting God’s will is the only route to a lasting peace. At the same time, what practical things can you do for these people to help them see that they can surrender to God and that His way is the best? In other words, how can God use you to help others know of His love and willingness to provide?
14.9.22
Digital Money & ID To Control Humanity In Buying And Selling
In Episode 133 we discuss the world wide push towards Digital Identities for all people. All the central banks are also pushing to introduce Digital currencies, which will be linked to the Digital Identities. Digital surveillance will enable the powers that be to keep an eye on, and track citizens' spending, earning and more. What does God say about all these things?
12.9.22
Morrer Antes De Conhecer A Vontade De Deus
Segunda-feira, 12 de Setembro
Muitos procuram conhecer a vontade de Deus. “Se eu soubesse a vontade do Senhor para minha vida, sacrificava tudo por Ele.” Mas, mesmo depois de dizer isto, podemos ficar confusos sobre a vontade do Pai. Encontramos a razão desta confusão em Romanos 12:1, 2. Paulo descreveu como conhecer a vontade divina e destacou um ponto: se deseja saber qual é a vontade de Deus, tem que se sacrificar primeiro!
Leia Romanos 12:1, 2. Paulo escreveu que seremos capazes de experimentar “qual seja a boa, agradável, e perfeita vontade de Deus” quando:
1. Tivermos verdadeiro entendimento da “compaixão de Deus” para connosco (Romanos 12:1).
2. Oferecermos a nós mesmos como sacrifícios vivos a Deus (Romanos 12:1).
3. A nossa mente for renovada (Romanos 12:2).
Apenas a mente renovada pode realmente compreender a vontade de Deus. Mas esta renovação depende da nossa morte para o eu. Não era suficiente que Cristo sofresse por nós. Ele tinha que morrer.
Peça ao Espírito Santo que lhe mostre as áreas para as quais não está completamente “morto”. De que coisas precisa o Espírito Santo que desista para se tornar um “sacrifício vivo” para Deus?
Quando há áreas da nossa vida que não estão totalmente mortas para o eu, Deus permite que os cadinhos as tragam à nossa atenção. No entanto, o sofrimento não nos ajuda apenas a confrontar o nosso pecado, mas dá-nos a percepção de como Jesus Se entregou por nós. Elisabeth Elliot escreveu: “A entrega do anseio mais profundo do coração seja talvez o mais perto que chegamos do entendimento da cruz. [...] a nossa experiência de crucificação, embora incomensuravelmente menor do que a do Salvador, dá-nos a oportunidade de O conhecer na comunhão dos Seus sofrimentos. Em cada forma do nosso sofrimento, Ele chama-nos para esta comunhão” (Quest for Love [Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1996], p. 182).
Leia Romanos 12:1, 2 e ore sobre este texto. Do que precisa abrir mão para se tornar um sacrifício vivo? Isto ajuda-o a entender os sofrimentos que Jesus enfrentou por si na cruz? Este conhecimento ajuda-o a ter comunhão com Jesus e os Seus sofrimentos?
Dying Comes Before Knowing God’s Will
Monday, September 12
Many Christians sincerely seek to know God’s will for their lives. “If only I could know God’s will for my life, I would sacrifice everything for Him.” But even after promising God this, we still may be confused about what His will is. The reason for this confusion may be found in Romans 12:1, 2. Paul is describing how we can know God’s will, and he makes an important point: if you want to know what God’s will is, you have to sacrifice first!
Read Romans 12:1, 2. Paul writes that we will be able to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2) when:
1. We have a true understanding of “God’s mercy” for us (Romans 12:1).
2. We offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1).
3. Our minds are renewed (Romans 12:2).
It is only the renewed mind that truly can understand God’s will. But this renewal hinges on our death to self first. It was not enough that Christ simply suffered for us — He had to die.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas in which you are not completely “dead.” What things does the Holy Spirit need you to give up in order for you to become a “living sacrifice” for God?
When areas of our lives are not completely dead to self, God permits crucibles to bring them to our attention. However, our suffering not only helps us confront our sin — it also gives us an insight into Jesus’ giving Himself up for us. Elisabeth Elliot writes, “The surrender of our heart’s deepest longing is perhaps as close as we come to an understanding of the cross … . our own experience of crucifixion, though immeasurably less than our Savior’s, nonetheless furnishes us with a chance to begin to know Him in the fellowship of His sufferings. In every form of our own suffering, He calls us to that fellowship.” — Quest for Love (Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 1996), p. 182.
Read and pray over Romans 12:1, 2. Think about the things you need to give up in order for you to become a sacrifice. How does this help you to understand the sufferings Jesus faced for you on the cross? How can this knowledge help you enter into fellowship with Jesus and His sufferings?
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