November 22/23

The dying words of Jacob filled them with hope: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come." Gen. 49:10. The waning power of Israel testified that the Messiah's coming was at hand. The prophecy of Daniel pictured the glory of His reign over an empire which should succeed all earthly kingdoms; and, said the prophet, "It shall stand forever." Dan. 2:44. While few understood the nature of Christ's mission, there was a widespread expectation of a mighty prince who should establish his kingdom in Israel, and who should come as a deliverer to the nations.

The fullness of the time had come. Humanity, becoming more degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the Redeemer. Satan had been working to make the gulf deep and impassable between earth and heaven. By his falsehoods he had emboldened men in sin. It was his purpose to wear out the forbearance of God, and to extinguish His love for man, so that He would abandon the world to satanic jurisdiction.

     Back to that same theme, the Bible gives words of hope. The Bible has often been described as the world’s best-selling book. Sadly it is often left on the shelf. The impression is given that it is a lucky charm rather than a guidebook for life.

     You have probably met our Conference President already, the man with the vision. At the top of the strategy to put the vision into practice is the call to study the word of God and read Ellen White writings. You can watch a video with a bit more detail here.

     The blog you are reading is a part of the application of the strategy that we are applying for you. In our current reading we recognise that the Bible not only gives hope for our future, “something better is on the way”, but the Bible is also a guide to help us determine if we are remaining on the rails or following some wider track to destruction.

     Now what was that verse we were learning together?

          ^“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

          Titus 2:11-14

     Now that is what I call an excellent summary of one week’s focus on the Word of God.