4HE )NTERNATIONAL 0APER FOR 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS
*ANUAR Y
!N URGENT APPEAL FOR 2EVIVAL 2EFORMATION $ISCIPLESHIP
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4HE .EHEMIAH 3TORY
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/ UR -OST 5RGENT .EED
*ANUAR Y
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'OD S 0ROMISED 'IFTS $ !6 ) $ " 3 ( % 2 7 ) .
7HEN 'OD POURS OUT (IS 3PIRIT THE CHURCH AND EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES IS CHANGED $ % 6 / 4 ) / . ! ,
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!LREADY 5NDER 7AY !DVENTIST 7ORLD EDITOR "ILL +NOTT HAS A CONVERSATION WITH 0ASTOR "RETT 4OWNEND & 5 . $ ! - % . 4 ! , " % , ) % & 3
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!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
4HE 0EOPLE S 0LACE
7/2,$ 6)%7 0RAYING FOR THE 2AINY 3EASON h)NTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL v 4HE POET S PROVERB REMINDS US OF THE INEVITABILITY OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND DISCOMFORT IN OUR LIVES 2AIN IS HIS META PHOR FOR ALL THAT KEEPS US FROM LIVING IN PERPETUAL SUNSHINE "UT TO A PARCHED PEOPLE AND A LANGUISHING LANDSCAPE THE INEVITABILITY OF RAIN READS MORE LIKE A PROMISE OR EVEN A PROPHECY h)NTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL v !ROUND THE WORLD 'OD S PEOPLE LIFT UP HANDS TO HEAVEN TO PRAY FOR PROMISED LATTER RAIN 7E DO SO WITH THE HOLY BOLDNESS OF BELIEVERS CONlDENT THAT THIS IS ONE PLEA HEAVEN CAN T REFUSE TO ANSWER h"E GLAD THEN YOU CHILDREN OF :ION AND REJOICE IN THE ,ORD YOUR 'OD FOR (E HAS GIVEN YOU THE FORMER RAIN FAITH FULLY AND (E WILL CAUSE THE RAIN TO COME DOWN FOR YOUˆ THE FORMER RAIN AND THE LATTER RAIN IN THE lRST MONTHv *OEL 4HIS SPECIAL EDITION OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD IS FOCUSED ON A CALL TO 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS AROUND THE GLOBE TO OPEN THEIR LIVES TO A NEW EXPERIENCE OF REVIVAL AND REFORMATION 5NLIKE ANY OTHER EDITION IN THE lVE YEAR HISTORY OF THIS JOURNAL THIS ISSUE CLUSTERS READINGS AND RESOURCES DESIGNED TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO 'OD S DESIRE TO RENEW (IS PEOPLE h'OD S 0ROMISED 'IFTv PAGE IS A COMPELLING CALL TO PERSONAL AND CORPORATE REVIVAL UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE DELEGATES AT /CTOBER S !NNUAL #OUNCIL MEETING OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE 2EAD IT CARE FULLYˆAND PRAYERFULLY
'ERALD +LINGBEIL S DEVOTIONAL h4HE .EHEMIAH 3TORY v TRACES THE NARRATIVE OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REVIVALS IN THE HISTORY OF )SRAELˆWITH LESSONS FOR TODAY h7HY .OT .OW 2EmECTIONS ON 2EVIVALv UNDERSCORES THE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES AND NEW ATTENTIVENESS THAT WILL CHARACTERIZE ANY GROUP OF BELIEVERS OPENING THEIR LIVES TO 'OD S LATTER RAIN POWER 4HIS MONTH S 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY SELECTION h4RUE 2EVIVAL v REMINDS US THAT THE 7ORD OF 'OD MUST BE CENTRAL TO EVERY GENUINE EXPERIENCE OF RENEWAL h2EVIVAL AND 2EFORMATION 2ESOURCESv OFFERS READERS A SAMPLER OF BIBLICAL MATERIAL DEVOTIONAL BOOKS MEDIA MATERIALS AND 7EB SITES THAT WILL CALL YOU AND YOUR CONGRE GATION TO PREPARE FOR THE OUTPOURING OF (OLY 3PIRIT h!LREADY 5NDER 7AY v AN INTERVIEW WITH A PASTOR WHOSE CHURCH IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING REVIVAL UNDERLINES THE SIMPLE STEPS THAT DRAW CONGREGATIONS INTO A NEW AWARENESS OF 'OD S POWER !ND THIS MONTH S &UNDAMENTAL "ELIEF ARTICLE h/UR -OST 5RGENT .EED v REMINDS US THAT REVIVAL AND REFORMATION HAVE ONE WORLD CHANGING EVENT IN FOCUSˆTHE 3ECOND #OMING OF #HRIST 2EAD THIS SPECIAL EDITION WHEN YOUR HEART IS QUIET AND YOU HAVE TIME TO PONDER AND PRAY !ND GET READY FOR THE SHOWERS OF BLESSING
(ENRY 7ADSWORTH ,ONGFELLOW h4HE 2AINY $AY v
ˆ "ILL +NOTT
7/2,$ 2%0/24
N 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST LEADERS OF THE CHURCH IN )NTER !MERICA RECOGNIZED THE SERVICE OF EIGHT OF ITS CHURCH EMPLOYEES BY GRANTING COMMISSIONED MINISTER CREDENTIALS DURING A SPECIAL CEREMONY HELD AT THE 3MYRNA 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN &ORT DE &RANCE -ARTINIQUE ON .OVEMBER 4HE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE AT THE END OF THE CHURCH S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS h7E ARE COMMUNICATING THAT THE
LEADERS OF THE DIVISION ARE COMMITTED CONSECRATED PEOPLE ABLE TO DO A QUALITY JOB UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT v SAID )SRAEL ,EITO PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH IN )NTER !MERICA h4HIS IS WHY WE HAVE HAD THIS COMMISSIONING CEREMONY 4O GIVE WITNESS TO THE DIVISION AND GRATITUDE TO THEM FOR THE FAITHFUL YEARS THEY HAVE SERVED WELL v &IVE WORKERS WERE GRANTED COM MISSIONED MINISTER CREDENTIALS IN
, ) " . ! 3 4 % 6 % . 3 ) ! $
)NTER !MERICA #HURCH 'RANTS #OMMISSIONED -INISTER #REDENTIALS TO %IGHT %MPLOYEES
#2%$%.4)!, 02%3%.4%$ (£CTOR 3ÖNCHEZ MINISTERIAL SECRETARY FOR )NTER !MERICA GRANTS A COMMISSIONED MINISTER CREDENTIAL TO $INORAH 2IVERA CHILDREN S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR FOR THE CHURCH IN )NTER !MERICA DURING A SPECIAL CEREMONY IN &ORT DE &RANCE -ARTINIQUE .OVEMBER
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7/2,$ 2%0/24
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
EMPLOYEES "ELKIS !RCHBOLD HEALTH MINISTRIES DIRECTOR WITH YEARS OF SERVICE -YRNA #OSTA VICE PRESIDENT WITH YEARS OF SERVICE ,ETICIA $E ,OS 3ANTOS 3HEPHERDESS COORDINATOR WITH YEARS OF SERVICE #ECILIA )GLESIAS WOMEN S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR WITH YEARS OF SERVICE !BEL -ÕRQUEZ ASSOCI ATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR WITH YEARS OF SERVICE ,OUISE .OCANDY YOUTH MINISTRIES DIRECTOR WITH YEARS OF SERVICE $INORAH 2IVERA CHILDREN S MIN ISTRIES DIRECTOR WITH YEARS OF SERVICE AND &AYE 0ATTERSON ASSOCIATE EDUCATION DIRECTOR WITH YEARS OF SERVICE %LLA 3MITH 3IMMONS A GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS DELIVERED A SPECIAL MESSAGE DURING THE CEREMONY TO A PACKED CHURCH 3IMMONS REmECTED ON -ATTHEW AND THE NEED FOR THE CANDIDATES TO BE CONSTANTLY lLLED WITH THE POWER OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT AS THEY CONTINUE IN THE SERVICE OF THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH h7E MUST SHINE AS LIGHTS WE MUST SET IT OUT FOR THE BENElT OF THE CAUSE v
SAID 3IMMONS AS SHE REMINDED CAN DIDATES TO BE DIFFERENT IN THE SIGHT OF 'OD AND ENSURE THAT EVIDENCE OF WHAT S INSIDE SHINES BRIGHT ON THE OUTSIDE h4HIS MAY BE A HIGH TURN FOR YOU AND THE CHURCH v CONTINUED 3IMMONS hBUT YOU MUST COME DOWN AND WALK ON EARTH LIKE *ESUS DID 4HIS ;COMMIS SIONING= IS FOR LIFE YOU DON T DROP OUT WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH OR YOU GET TIRED 9OU ARE NOW BOUND TO 'OD IN A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP v "EFORE THE PRAYER OF COMMISSION (£CTOR 3ÕNCHEZ MINISTERIAL SECRETARY FOR THE CHURCH IN )NTER !MERICA CHARGED THOSE BEING COMMISSIONED TO CONTINUE SERVING 'OD h)T IS WONDERFUL TO WORK FOR 'OD TO LIVE FOR 'OD AND TO WORK FOR THIS WONDERFUL CHURCH -AY PEOPLE SEE IN YOU AND BE INmUENCED BY YOUR DETERMINATION AND COMMITMENT TO lNISH THE WORK v 3ÕNCHEZ SAID &OR -YRNA #OSTA ONE OF THREE VICE PRESIDENTS FOR THE CHURCH IN )NTER !MERICA THE CEREMONY SIGNALED A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO HER WORK
30%#)!, #%2%-/.9 %IGHT )NTER !MERICAN $IVISION EMPLOYEES WERE GRANTED COMMISSIONED MINISTER CREDENTIALS DURING A SPECIAL CEREMONY IN THE 3MYRNA 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN &ORT DE &RANCE -ARTINIQUE
, ) " . ! 3 4 % 6 % . 3 ) ! $
-AY 4WO OTHERS BOTH WOMEN WERE COMMISSIONED IN MARKING THE lRST SUCH COMMISSIONING IN THE )NTER !MERICAN $IVISION )!$ )N TOTAL THERE ARE NOW MEN AND WOMEN COMMISSIONED AS MINISTERS IN ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE )!$ AND ITS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION h4HIS IS THE HIGHEST RECOGNITION THE CHURCH CAN GIVE TO NONMINISTERIAL WORKERS SO WE WANTED THEM TO HAVE THAT ASSURANCE AND THAT AFlRMATION AS THEY DO THEIR WORK IN THE DIVISION TERRITORY v ,EITO SAID !CCORDING TO THE CHURCH S WORKING POLICY WHENEVER AN EMPLOYING ORGA NIZATION CONSIDERS IT PRUDENT TO OFFER COMMISSIONED MINISTER CREDENTIALS TO ANY OF ITS WORKERS A CEREMONY IS HELD TO OFlCIALLY CONFER UPON SUCH A WORKER THIS HIGH HONOR OF THE ORGANIZATION S APPROVAL OF THE SERVICE OF THE WORKER )T IS ALSO A CEREMONY THAT SENDS THE WORKER FORWARD TO CONTINUE TOWARD FULlLLMENT OF THE MISSION THROUGH ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICE )N ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE COMMISSIONED MINISTER CREDENTIAL THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE IN REGULAR STANDING IN THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH WITH MORE THAN lVE YEARS OF SERVICE AND BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE PROl CIENCY IN THE ASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITIES #OMMISSIONED MINISTERS MAY SERVE AS ASSOCIATES IN PASTORAL CARE "IBLE INSTRUCTORS TREASURERS DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATE AND ASSISTANT DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTORS INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINS PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS OF MAJOR INSTITUTIONS AUDITORS AND DIRECTORS FOR #HRISTIAN 2ECORD 3ERVICES )NTERNATIONAL )NC h)N ADDITION SUCH COMMISSIONED MINISTERS ARE NOT NORMALLY ON THE PATH OF ORDINATION v STATES THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 7ORKING 0OLICY h#REDEN TIALS AND ,ICENSES v PP 4HE CEREMONY WAS HELD TO OFlCIALLY CONFER THE SPECIAL CREDENTIAL TO )!$
2USSIAN -EDIA #ENTER -ARKS 9EARS OF 3HARING 'OSPEL N )T HAS BEEN TWO DECADES SINCE THE CALL SIGN OF THE 6OICE OF (OPE -EDIA #ENTER IN 4ULA 2USSIA WAS TRANSMITTED FOR THE lRST TIME IN THE LARGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD h)T WAS NOTHING BUT A MIRACLE BECAUSE THE RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS OF THE 3OVIET 5NION WHICH HAD BEEN BUILT IN ORDER TO SPREAD #OMMUNIST PROPAGANDA NOW BEGAN BROADCASTING #HRISTIAN PROGRAMS v SAYS DIRECTOR 3ERGEY +UZMIN 4HE MEDIA CENTER BEGAN AS A SMALL STUDIO IN A PRIVATE HOUSE AND OVER THE YEARS IT DEVELOPED INTO A LARGE MEDIA CENTER WITH ITS OWN RADIO AND TELEVI
! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 7 / 2 , $ 2 ! $ ) / 0 ( / 4 /
h4O ME THIS CAPS MY EXPERIENCE IN WORKING FOR THE CHURCH IT GIVES ME A THRUST TO GO FORWARD TO DO MORE TO REACH OTHER GOALS AND LEVELS IN THE CAUSE v SHE SAID h4HIS CEREMONY MEANS RECOGNITION v SAID $INORAH 2IVERA h)T EMPOWERS YOU TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR MISSION WITH A STAMP v 3HE ADDED THAT WHILE THIS CREDENTIAL DOES NOT CHANGE HER RESPON SIBILITIES IT DOES INSPIRE A RENEWED COM MITMENT TO THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH %LSEWHERE IN THE TERRITORY MEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN GRANTED COMMISSIONED MINISTER CREDENTIALS IN THE #ARIBBEAN AND THE 7EST )NDIES REGIONS /THER CHURCH REGIONS ARE OPEN TO GRANTING SUCH CREDENTIALS IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHILE OTHER LEADERS AGREE THAT IT MAY BE IN THE FUTURE 4HE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN )NTER !MERICA HAS MORE THAN MILLION MEMBERS WORSHIPPING IN MORE THAN CHURCHES AND CONGREGATIONS )T OPERATES DOZENS OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS SCHOOLS AND HEALTH FOOD COMPANIES THROUGHOUT ITS CHURCH REGIONS ˆ2EPORTED BY ,IBNA 3TEVENS ASSISTANT COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR )NTER !MERICA $IVISION
6/)#%3 /& (/0% 3TAFF OF THE 6OICE OF (OPE -EDIA #ENTER IN 4ULA 2USSIA WHICH RECENTLY OBSERVED ITS TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY SION PRODUCTION )TS CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL HAS PROCESSED MORE THAN MILLION LETTERS AND PACKAGES AND THE CENTER HAS ALSO HOSTED SATELLITE 46 EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGNS 4HOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH #HRIST AS A RESULT AND MANY OF THEM HAVE ACCEPTED (IM AS THEIR 3AVIOR !PPROXIMATELY CHURCH MEMBERS AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE -OSCOW GOVERNMENT OTHER DENOMINATIONS AND RELIGIOUS MEDIA ATTENDED THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION HELD IN THE CENTRAL !DVENTIST CHURCH IN -OSCOW 4HE !DVENTIST ARTISTS WHO PERFORMED DURING THE EVENT HAD ALL RECORDED THEIR MUSIC IN THE 6OICE OF (OPE STUDIO OVER THE YEARS h/UR RADIO PROGRAM WAS THE lRST RELIGIOUS MEDIA PROGRAM BROADCAST IN 2USSIA AFTER THE FALL OF #OMMUNISM IN THE 3OVIET 5NION v SAID 0ETER +ULAKOV THE lRST 6OICE OF (OPE DIRECTOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD 2ADIO HAS PLAYED A SIGNIlCANT ROLE DURING THE MEDIA CENTER S YEAR HISTORY BY SPONSORING AIRTIME ON 2ADIO 2USSIA AND OTHER 2USSIAN STATIONS AND NETWORKS BROAD CASTING 2USSIAN PROGRAMS THROUGH SHORTWAVE FROM ITS STATION ON 'UAM AND STARTING 2USSIAN PODCASTS THIS YEAR h4ODAY WE ARE DOING OUR BEST SO THAT THROUGH RADIO TELEVISION AND THE )NTERNET THE BIBLICAL TRUTH WILL REACH THE MOST REMOTE PARTS NOT ONLY OF OUR COUNTRY BUT ALSO THE WHOLE PLANET v +UZMIN SAYS ,ISTENERS SUCH AS &RANCESKA 3KORO
DUMOVA ARE RESPONDING 3HE WRITES FROM THE CITY OF .OVOCHERKASSK IN THE 2OSTOV REGION h) WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL PROGRAMS 7HEN WE WAKE UP THE lRST THING THAT WE DO IS TURN ON 2ADIO OF 2USSIA IN ORDER TO LISTEN TO YOUR NEW PROGRAM )T IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT WE LISTEN TO YOUR RADIO INTERVIEWS AND TALKS ABOUT #HRIST THE "IBLE AND FAITH %ACH TIME WE ARE SURPRISED AT THE SPIRITUAL CONDI TION THAT COMES TO US AFTER WE LISTEN TO YOUR PROGRAMS BECAUSE IT FEELS AS IF HEALING OIL HAS BEEN POURED ;OUT= v ˆ2EPORTED BY 3HELLEY .OLAN &REESLAND !DVENTIST 7ORLD 2ADIO 0HILIPPINES %DUCATION $EPARTMENT 3PECIlES 2IGHT TO 3ABBATH /BSERVANCE N 4HE 0HILIPPINES $EPARTMENT OF %DUCATION RECENTLY SOLIDIlED ITS SUPPORT OF FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION FOR STUDENTS WISHING TO BE EXEMPT FROM 3ATURDAY SCHOOL CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES ! RECENT DEPARTMENTAL ORDER IS ALREADY ALLOWING 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST STUDENTS TO SUCCESSFULLY PETITION TEACH ERS FOR EXEMPTION FROM 3ATURDAY CLASSES AND EXAMS 4HE ORDER IS A FOLLOW UP TO A *ANUARY MEMO GRANTING EXEMP TION FOR !DVENTIST MEMBERS WORKING AS %DUCATION $EPARTMENT PERSONNEL FROM ATTENDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXAMS HELD ON 3ATURDAYS h) AM GLAD ;THIS ORDER= CAME AND ) AM SURE OUR STUDENTS WILL GREATLY REJOICE OVER THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT v *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7/2,$ 2%0/24 SAID *ONATHAN #ATOLICO DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FOR THE DENOMINATION S 3OUTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC REGION 4HE /CTOBER ORDER SAID IN PART h0ERSONNEL AND STUDENTS BELONGING TO ANY RELIGIOUS GROUP WHERE 3ATURDAY IS THEIR REST OR @CHURCH DAY SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND SEMINARS EXAMINA TIONS SPECIAL CLASSES TRAININGS AND OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ON 3ATURDAYS v 4HE ORDER ALSO STATES THAT STUDENTS WHO INCUR ABSENCES ON 3ATURDAYS BECAUSE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP WILL NOT HAVE THEIR GRADES REDUCED #ATOLICO CREDITED #ONGRESSWOMAN $ARYL 'RACE !BAYON WHO HE SAID HAD RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM !DVENTIST STUDENTS WHO FELT EXCLUDED BY THE *ANUARY MEMO !BAYON WROTE TO %DUCATION 3ECRETARY !RMIN ,UISTRO TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS #ATOLICO SAID 3EVERAL STUDENTS HAVE ALREADY MADE USE OF THE ORDER h)T HELPED ME TO EXPLAIN TO MY TEACHERS THAT !DVENTISTS ARE WORSHIPPING ON 3ATURDAYS AND NOW ) AM EXEMPTED ON MY 3ATURDAY CLASSES v SAID 2ALPH 7ALDO #AMAY 2EALISAN A FOURTH YEAR STUDENT AT 9OUNG !CHIEVERS )NTERNATIONAL 3CHOOL IN -ANILA #ARE -AE !GUIRRE A STUDENT AT % 2ODRIGUEZ (IGH 3CHOOL SAID HER GRADES HAD BEEN REDUCED AFTER THE SCHOOL REQUIRED 3ATURDAY CLASSES LAST YEAR FOLLOWING SCHOOL TIME LOST TO TYPHOONS h4HIS ;ORDER= WILL CAUSE A GREAT RELIEF FOR THE STUDENTS THAT ARE WORRYING TOO MUCH ABOUT THEIR STUDIES v SHE SAID (ER FATHER %RIC !GUIRRE A MEMBER OF 05# 2EMNANT !DVENTIST #HURCH SAID h!S PARENTS THROUGH THIS ORDER WE WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THE TEACHERS WHY OUR CHILDREN MUST BE IN THE CHURCH NOT IN THE SCHOOL v h) HOPE THAT THROUGH THIS WE CAN TEACH THE !DVENTIST STUDENTS TO STAND FOR THE 3ABBATH v !GUIRRE SAID 2EPORTED BY 2ON 'ENEBAGO !DVEN TIST .EWS .ETWORK
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
/UTREACH - NERS TO
2EPAID AT
%VANGEL SM %VENT 4WO RESCUED #HILEAN MINERS APPEAR AT 2OBERT #OSTA S CAMPAIGN
4
WO OF THE MINERS RESCUED FROM FEET BELOW GROUND AT #OPIAP #HILE WERE INTERVIEWED BY 2OBERT #OSTA A 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST EVANGELIST WHO RECENTLY BECAME AN ASSOCIATE MINISTERIAL SECRETARY FOR THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE DURING AN /CTOBER SATELLITE CAMPAIGN HELD IN 3ANTIAGO THE NATION S CAPITAL h7E WERE NOT ;UNDERGROUND= v ONE OF THE MINERS TOLD #OSTA h7E WERE BECAUSE *ESUS WAS WITH US 4HE 4IME OF (OPE EVANGELISTIC SERIES ORIGINATED IN 3ANTIAGO BUT WAS RELAYED VIA SATELLITE TO ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS #OSTA SAID IN AN INTERVIEW %STIMATES ARE THAT SOME MILLION PEOPLE SAW THE PROGRAMS VIA LIVE SATELLITE OR CABLE BROADCAST AND $6$ RECORDINGS ! PROMINENT FEATURE OF THE MEETINGS WAS THE BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH THE TWO MINERS #OSTA SAID 4HOUGH NEITHER IS A 3EVENTH DAY !DVEN TIST THE TWO MINERS INCLUDING -ARIO 3EP¢LVEDA WHO EMERGED FROM THE MINE WITH GIFTS OF ROCKS FOR HIS RESCUERS FEEL CLOSE TO 0ASTOR #ARLOS 0ARRA $¤AZ THE !DVENTIST PASTOR WHO ARRANGED FOR MINIATURE "IBLES TO BE SENT DOWN TO THE TRAPPED MINERS h4HIS BOOK BROUGHT US HOPE HOPE THAT SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING TO HAPPEN v ONE OF THE MINERS TOLD #OSTA #OSTA ALSO DISPLAYED A #HILEAN mAG SIGNED BY EACH OF THE MINERS ON WHICH GRATITUDE IS EXPRESSED TO THOSE WHO ENCOURAGED THEM
4OP TO BOTTOM &,!' /& 4(!.+3 &LAG SIGNED BY TRAPPED #HILEAN MIN ERS IS DEDICATED TO !SAF A 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST MUSICAL GROUP !DVENTIST PASTOR #ARLOS 0ARRA $¤AZ AR RANGED FOR MINIATURE "IBLES TO BE SENT TO THE MINERS WHO APPRECIATED HIS HELP %6!.'%,)34 ). #(),% 2OBERT #OSTA NOW AN AS SOCIATE MINISTERIAL SECRETARY FOR THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE WITH HIS WIFE .ANCY #OSTA PREACHED AN /CTOBER SATELLITE EVANGELISM SERIES IN 3ANTIAGO #HILE WHERE TWO OF THE LIBERATED MINERS SPOKE
- ! 2 + ! + % , , . % 2 ! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 7 / 2 , $
INCLUDING !SAF AN !DVENTIST SINGING GROUP THAT SENT RECORDINGS DOWN TO THE TRAPPED WORKERS -EANWHILE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE lRST MINERS RESCUED FROM THE 3AN *OS£ MINE ARE EXCITED AND SURPRISED NOT ONLY AT THE IMPACT OF SEEING THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AGAIN BUT ALSO TO SEE THAT SOME OF THEM WERE WEARING A T SHIRT WITH A SPIRITUAL MESSAGE OVER THEIR RESCUE SUITS THE 3OUTH !MERICAN $IVISION REPORTED !CCORDING TO THE 4ERRA 7EB SITE h4HE 4 SHIRTS HAVE A LARGE WHITE STAR OVER A BLUE AND RED SQUARE ON THE CHEST WITH WRITING OF 'RACIAS @3E¶OR ;4HANK 9OU ,ORD= v !BOVE THAT IS ALSO WRITTEN h)N HIS HAND ARE THE DEPTHS OF THE EARTH AND THE MOUNTAIN PEAKS BELONG TO HIM 4O 'OD BE THE HONOR AND GLORYv WHICH CORRESPONDS WITH 0SALM 0ASTOR #ARLOS 0ARRA $IAZ OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE REGION OF !TACAMA TOLD 4ERRA THAT THE 4 SHIRT S MESSAGE IS PRECIOUS AND THAT THE MINERS KEPT THEIR USE A SECRET !LBERTO 3EGOVIA BROTHER OF $AVID 3EGOVIA ONE OF THE MINERS WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED h7E DID NOT THINK THAT THEY WOULD COME OUT WITH THEM ONLY WITH THE GREEN RESCUE CLOTHES BUT WHEN WE SAW THE lRST WITH THE 4 SHIRT ) WAS SURPRISED v HE SAID
3EGOVIA BELIEVES THAT THE FACT THAT THEY USED THE 4 SHIRT WITH THIS MESSAGE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THE MINERS ARE EMERG ING SPIRITUALLY RENEWED FROM THE EARTH h;$AVID= TOLD ME THAT AFTER HE LEAVES HERE THE lRST THING HE WILL GO TO DO IS GO TO A CHURCH TO THANK 'OD v HE STATED /N !UGUST A LANDSLIDE IN THE 3AN *OS£ MINE IN #OPIAP˜ LEFT WORKERS TRAPPED IN A PASSAGEWAY NEARLY FEET METERS DEEP !FTER DAYS THE RESCUE TEAMS SUC CEEDED IN CONTACTING THE GROUP AND DISCOVERED THROUGH A NOTE SENT TO THE SURFACE THAT THEY WERE ALL ALIVE &ROM THEN ON THE OPERATION TO GET THEM SAFELY OUT OF THE MINE BEGAN 4HE PIPELINE EXCAVATION THAT REACHED THE MINERS LASTED DAYS 4HE PROCESS ENDED ON 3ATURDAY WHEN THE DRILLS REACHED THE REFUGE WHERE THEY WERE !FTER THIS STEP THE RESCUE TEAMS DECIDED TO REINFORCE THE PIPELINE ALTHOUGH PARTIALLY TO INCREASE THE SAFETY BEFORE TAKING THEM OUT 7ORKERS WERE HOISTED INTO THE CAPSULE 0HOENIX )) WHICH HAS A DIAMETER OF APPROXIMATELY INCHES CENTIME TERS FOR THE JOURNEY TO FREEDOM ˆ2EPORTED BY -ARK ! +ELLNER NEWS EDITOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM &ELIPE ,EMOS 3OUTH !MERICAN $IVISION *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
# /6 % 2 3 4 / 29
'ENERAL #ONFERENCE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE MEMBERS ON /CTOBER AT THE CHURCH S WORLD HEADQUARTERS VOTED TO ENDORSE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT A CALL FOR REVIVAL REFORMATION DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM AMONG CHURCH LEADERS AND MEMBERS WORLDWIDE ˆ%DITORS
'
OD HAS UNIQUELY CALLED THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH BOTH TO LIVE AND TO PROCLAIM (IS LAST DAY MESSAGE OF LOVE AND TRUTH TO THE WORLD 2EVELATION 4HE CHALLENGE OF REACHING THE MORE THAN BILLION PEOPLE ON PLANET %ARTH WITH (IS END TIME MESSAGE SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE 4HE TASK IS OVERWHELMING &ROM A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE THE RAPID FULlLLMENT OF #HRIST S 'REAT #OMMIS SION ANYTIME SOON APPEARS UNLIKELY -ATTHEW 4HE #HURCH S GROWTH RATE IS SIMPLY NOT KEEPING PACE WITH THE WORLD S BURGEONING POPULATION !N HONEST EVALUATION OF OUR CURRENT EVANGELISTIC IMPACT ON THE WORLD LEADS TO THE CONCLU SION THAT UNLESS THERE IS A DRAMATIC CHANGE WE WILL NOT COMPLETE (EAVEN S ASSIGNMENT IN THIS GENERATION )N SPITE OF OUR BEST EFFORTS ALL OUR PLANS STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES ARE INCAPABLE OF lNISHING 'OD S MISSION FOR (IS GLORY ON EARTH
GOD S
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#HRIST S 0ROMISE TO (IS .EW 4ESTAMENT #HURCH
4HE CHALLENGE OF TAKING THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD IS NOT NEW 4HE DISCIPLES FACED THIS CHALLENGE IN THE lRST CENTURY 7E FACE IT IN THE TWENTY lRST CENTURY 4HE .EW 4ESTAMENT CHURCH WAS SEEMINGLY CONFRONTED WITH AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK "UT EMPOWERED BY THE (OLY 3PIRIT THE CHURCH EXPLODED IN GROWTH !CTS 4HESE EARLY #HRISTIANS SHARED THEIR FAITH EVERYWHERE !CTS 4HE GRACE OF 'OD OVERmOWED FROM THEIR HEARTS TO THEIR FAMILIES FRIENDS AND WORKING ASSOCIATES *UST $ !6 ) $ " 3 ( % 2 7 ) .
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
A FEW DECADES AFTER THE #RUCIlXION THE APOSTLE 0AUL COULD REPORT THAT THE GOSPEL IS hPREACHED TO EVERY CREATURE UNDER HEAVENv #OLOSSIANS (OW WAS IT POSSIBLE FOR AN OBSCURE GROUP OF RELATIVELY INSIGNIlCANT BELIEVERS TO IMPACT THE WORLD IN SUCH A SHORT
MISED 'IFTS !N URGENT APPEAL FOR REVIVAL REFORMATION DISCIPLESHIP
EVANGELISM
AMOUNT OF TIME (OW COULD SO FEW #HRISTIANS BE USED OF 'OD TO CHANGE THE WORLD FOREVER #HRIST S 'REAT #OMMISSION WAS ACCOMPANIED BY (IS GREAT PROMISE 4HE 3AVIOR COMMANDED (IS DISCIPLES hNOT TO DEPART FROM *ERUSALEM BUT TO WAIT FOR THE 0ROMISE OF THE &ATHERv !CTS 4HE 3AVIOR PROMISED h"UT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE (OLY 3PIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO -E IN *ERUSALEM AND IN ALL *UDEA AND 3AMARIA AND TO THE END OF THE EARTHv !CTS 4HE LOVE OF #HRIST CONTROLLED EVERY ASPECT OF THE LIVES OF THE DISCIPLES AND MOVED THEM TO A PASSIONATE COMMIT MENT TO (IS SERVICE 4HEY SOUGHT 'OD FOR THE PROMISED POWER OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT AND KNELT BEFORE (IM IN HEARTFELT CONFESSION AND EARNEST REPENTANCE 4HEY PLACED PRIORITY ON SEEKING (EAVEN S BLESSING 4HEY SET ASIDE TIMES FOR PRAYER AND SEARCHING THE 3CRIPTURES 4HEIR PETTY DIFFERENCES WERE SWALLOWED UP IN THEIR ALL CONSUMING DESIRE TO SHARE #HRIST S LOVE WITH EVERYONE THEY MET 4HEY WERE ABSORBED IN REACHING THE WORLD WITH THE GOSPEL .OTHING WAS MORE IMPORTANT 4HEY RECOGNIZED THAT THEY WERE POWERLESS TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION WITHOUT THE MIGHTY OUTPOUR ING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT
$ESCRIBING THE EXPERIENCE OF THE DISCIPLES %LLEN 7HITE WROTE h0UTTING AWAY ALL DIFFERENCES ALL DESIRE FOR THE SUPREMACY THEY CAME CLOSE TOGETHER IN #HRISTIAN FELLOWSHIPx 3ADNESS lLLED THEIR HEARTS AS THEY THOUGHT OF HOW MANY TIMES THEY HAD GRIEVED (IM BY THEIR SLOWNESS OF COMPREHENSION THEIR FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THE LESSONS THAT FOR THEIR GOOD (E WAS TRYING TO TEACH THEMx 4HE DISCIPLES FELT THEIR SPIRITUAL NEED AND CRIED TO THE ,ORD FOR THE HOLY UNCTION THAT WAS TO lT THEM FOR THE WORK OF SOUL SAVING 4HEY DID NOT ASK FOR A BLESSING FOR THEMSELVES MERELY 4HEY WERE WEIGHTED WITH THE BURDEN OF THE SALVATION OF SOULS 4HEY REALIZED THAT THE GOSPEL WAS TO BE CAR RIED TO THE WORLD AND THEY CLAIMED THE POWER THAT #HRIST PROMISEDv 4HE !CTS OF THE !POSTLES P #HRIST FULlLLED (IS 7ORD 4HE (OLY 3PIRIT WAS POURED OUT IN 0ENTECOSTAL POWER 4HOUSANDS WERE CONVERTED IN A DAY 4HE MESSAGE OF #HRIST S LOVE IMPACTED THE WORLD )N A SHORT TIME THE NAME OF *ESUS #HRIST WAS ON THE LIPS OF MEN AND WOMEN EVERYWHERE h"Y THE CO OPERATION OF THE DIVINE 3PIRIT THE APOSTLES DID A WORK THAT SHOOK THE WORLD 4O EVERY NATION WAS THE GOSPEL CARRIED IN A SINGLE GENERA TIONv 4HE !CTS OF THE !POSTLES P #HRIST S 0ROMISE TO (IS %ND TIME #HURCH
4HE OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT AT 0ENTECOST IN THE EARLY RAIN WAS ONLY A PRELUDE OF WHAT IS TO COME 'OD HAS PROMISED TO POUR OUT (IS (OLY 3PIRIT IN ABUNDANCE IN THE LAST DAYS *OEL :ECHARIAH 4HE EARTH WILL BE hILLUMINATED WITH HIS GLORYv 2EVELATION 4HE WORK OF 'OD ON EARTH WILL BE lNISHED RAPIDLY -ATTHEW 2OMANS 4HE CHURCH WILL EXPERIENCE A SPIRITUAL REVIVAL AND THE FULLNESS OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT S POWER LIKE NEVER BEFORE IN ITS HISTORY 3PEAKING OF THE OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT AT 0ENTECOST 0ETER GIVES US THIS ASSURANCE *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
# /6 % 2 3 4 / 29
h&OR THE PROMISE IS TO YOU AND TO YOUR CHILDREN AND TO ALL WHO ARE AFAR OFF AS MANY AS THE ,ORD OUR 'OD WILL CALLv !CTS %LLEN 7HITE ADDS h"EFORE THE lNAL VISITATION OF 'OD S JUDGMENTS UPON THE EARTH THERE WILL BE AMONG THE PEOPLE OF THE ,ORD SUCH A REVIVAL OF PRIMITIVE GODLINESS AS HAS NOT BEEN WITNESSED SINCE APOSTOLIC TIMES 4HE 3PIRIT AND POWER OF 'OD WILL BE POURED OUT UPON (IS CHILDREN !T THAT TIME MANY WILL SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THOSE CHURCHES IN WHICH THE LOVE OF THIS WORLD HAS SUPPLANTED LOVE FOR 'OD AND (IS WORD -ANY BOTH OF MINISTERS AND PEOPLE WILL GLADLY ACCEPT THOSE GREAT TRUTHS WHICH 'OD HAS CAUSED TO BE PROCLAIMED AT THIS TIME TO PREPARE A PEOPLE FOR THE ,ORD S SECOND COMINGv 4HE 'REAT #ONTROVERSY P (UNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL ACCEPT 'OD S LAST DAY MESSAGE THROUGH THE TEACHING AND PREACHING OF (IS 7ORD 0RAYER "IBLE STUDY AND WIT NESS ARE THE ELEMENTS OF ALL TRUE REVIVAL 4HE MANIFESTATION OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT WILL INTENSIFY AS THE END APPROACHES h.EAR THE CLOSE OF EARTH S HARVEST A SPECIAL BESTOWAL OF SPIRITUAL GRACE IS PROMISED TO PREPARE THE CHURCH FOR THE COMING OF THE 3ON OF MANv 4HE &AITH ) ,IVE "Y P AND h"Y THOUSANDS OF VOICES ALL OVER THE EARTH THE WARNING WILL BE GIVEN -IRACLES WILL BE WROUGHT THE SICK WILL BE HEALED AND SIGNS AND WONDERS WILL FOLLOW THE BELIEVERSv 4HE 'REAT #ONTROVERSY P 4HERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWING *ESUS STUDYING (IS 7ORD UNDERSTANDING (IS TRUTH AND SEEKING (IS PROMISE FOR THE OUTPOUR ING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT IN LATTER RAIN POWER FOR THE FULlLLING OF THE GOSPEL COMMISSION 'OD S LAST DAY PROPHET TO THE REMNANT WROTE IN WORDS TOO PLAIN TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD h! REVIVAL OF TRUE GODLINESS AMONG US IS THE GREATEST AND MOST URGENT OF ALL OUR NEEDS 4O SEEK THIS SHOULD BE OUR lRST WORKv 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK P
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
)F A GENUINE SPIRITUAL REVIVAL IS THE GREATEST AND MOST URGENT OF ALL OUR NEEDS SHOULD WE NOT AS LEADERS PLACE PRIORITY ON SEEKING (EAVEN S PROM ISED BLESSING WITH ALL OUR HEARTS /UR 'REAT .EED 2EVIVAL AND 2EFORMATION
7HEN WE SEEK *ESUS (E lLLS US WITH (IS PRESENCE AND POWER THROUGH THE GIFT OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT 7E LONG TO KNOW (IM BETTER 4HE (OLY 3PIRIT REAWAKENS THE DORMANT SPIRITUAL FAC ULTIES OF THE SOUL 4HERE IS NOTHING WE DESIRE MORE THAN TO HAVE A DEEP AND LIFE CHANGING RELATIONSHIP WITH *ESUS 4HE REVIVED HEART EXPERIENCES A VITAL CONNECTION TO *ESUS THROUGH PRAYER AND THE 7ORD 2EFORMATION IS THE CORRESPONDING CHANGE THAT COMES INTO OUR LIVES AS THE RESULT OF REVIVAL h! REVIVAL AND A REFORMATION MUST TAKE PLACE UNDER THE MINISTRATION OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT 2EVIVAL AND REFORMATION ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS 2EVIVAL SIGNIlES A RENEWAL OF SPIRITUAL LIFE A QUICKENING OF THE POWERS OF MIND AND HEART A RESURRECTION FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH 2EFORMATION SIGNIlES A REORGANIZATION A CHANGE IN IDEAS AND THEORIES HABITS AND PRACTICES 2EFORMATION WILL NOT BRING FORTH THE GOOD FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNLESS IT IS CONNECTED WITH THE REVIVAL OF THE 3PIRIT 2EVIVAL AND REFORMATION ARE TO DO THEIR APPOINTED WORK AND IN DOING THIS WORK THEY MUST BLENDv 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK P 2EFORMATION DOES NOT MANIFEST ITSELF IN A SELF RIGHTEOUS ATTITUDE THAT CONDEMNS OTHERS )T IS THE TRANSFORMATION OF CHARACTER THAT REVEALS THE FRUITS OF THE 3PIRIT IN THE LIFE 'ALATIANS /BEDIENCE TO 'OD S WILL IS THE EVIDENCE OF ALL TRUE REVIVAL /UR ,ORD LONGS FOR A REVIVED PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES REmECT THE LOVELINESS OF (IS CHARACTER 4HERE IS NOTHING THAT *ESUS DESIRES MORE THAN A PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT PER SONALLY KNOWING (IS LOVE AND SHARING THAT LOVE WITH OTHERS
#OMMITMENT AND !PPEAL
!S LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH ASSEMBLED AT THE WORLD HEADQUARTERS IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 5NITED 3TATES OF !MERICA FOR THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL WE GIVE THANKS TO OUR GREAT AND AWESOME 'OD FOR (IS FAITHFUL NESS AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS TO (IS CHURCH SINCE ITS INCEPTION 4HE RAPID WORLDWIDE EXPANSION OF (IS CHURCH IN BOTH ITS MEMBERSHIP AND INSTITU TIONS IS NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE OF 'OD !LTHOUGH WE PRAISE (IM FOR MARVELOUSLY WORKING TO FULlLL (IS
-ORE THAN ANYTHING WE LONG FOR *ESUS TO COME * % 3 0 % 2 . / % 2
2 E V I V A L 2 E F O R M A T I O N
PURPOSES THROUGH (IS CHURCH AND THANK (IM FOR THE GODLY LEADERS WHO HAVE GUIDED (IS PEOPLE IN THE PAST WE HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BECAUSE OF OUR HUMAN FRAILTIES EVEN OUR BEST EFFORTS ARE TAINTED BY SIN AND IN NEED OF CLEANSING THROUGH THE GRACE OF #HRIST 7E RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE NOT ALWAYS PLACED PRIORITY ON SEEKING 'OD THROUGH PRAYER AND (IS 7ORD FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT IN LATTER RAIN POWER 7E HUMBLY CONFESS THAT IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES OUR ADMIN ISTRATIVE PRACTICES AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS WE TOO OFTEN HAVE LABORED IN OUR OWN STRENGTH 4OO OFTEN 'OD S MISSION OF SAVING A LOST WORLD HAS NOT TAKEN lRST PLACE IN OUR HEARTS !T TIMES IN OUR BUSYNESS DOING GOOD THINGS WE HAVE NEGLECTED THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGˆKNOWING (IM 4OO OFTEN PETTY JEALOUSIES AMBITIONS AND FRACTURED PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS HAVE CROWDED OUT OUR LONGING FOR REVIVAL AND REFORMATION AND CAUSED US TO LABOR IN OUR HUMAN STRENGTH RATHER THAN IN (IS DIVINE POWER 7E ACCEPT THE CLEAR INSTRUCTION OF OUR ,ORD THAT hTHE LAPSE OF TIME HAS WROUGHT NO CHANGE IN #HRIST S PARTING PROMISE TO SEND THE (OLY 3PIRIT AS (IS REPRESENTATIVE )T IS NOT BECAUSE OF ANY RESTRICTION ON THE PART OF 'OD THAT THE RICHES OF (IS GRACE DO NOT mOW EARTH WARD TO MEN )F THE FULlLLMENT OF THE PROMISE IS NOT SEEN AS IT MIGHT BE IT IS BECAUSE THE PROMISE IS NOT APPRECIATED AS IT SHOULD BE )F ALL WERE WILLING ALL WOULD BE lLLED WITH THE 3PIRITv 4HE !CTS OF THE !POSTLES P 7E ARE CONlDENT THAT ALL HEAVEN IS WAITING TO POUR OUT THE (OLY 3PIRIT IN INlNITE POWER FOR THE lNISHING OF 'OD S WORK ON EARTH 7E ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE COMING OF *ESUS HAS BEEN DELAYED AND THAT OUR ,ORD LONGED TO COME DECADES AGO 7E REPENT OF OUR LUKEWARMNESS OUR WORLDLINESS AND OUR LIMITED PASSION FOR #HRIST AND (IS MISSION 7E SENSE #HRIST CALLING
US TO A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH (IM IN PRAYER AND "IBLE STUDY AND A MORE PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO SHARE (IS LAST DAY MESSAGE WITH THE WORLD 7E REJOICE THAT hIT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF EVERY #HRISTIAN NOT ONLY TO LOOK FOR BUT TO HASTEN THE COMING OF THE 3AVIOURv 4HE !CTS OF THE !POSTLES P 4HEREFORE AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WORLD CHURCH AND ON BEHALF OF OUR ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP WE COMMIT OURSELVES 4O PERSONALLY PLACE PRIORITY ON SEEKING 'OD FOR SPIRITUAL REVIVAL AND THE OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT IN LATTER RAIN POWER IN OUR OWN LIVES OUR FAMILIES AND OUR MINISTRIES 4O INDIVIDUALLY SET ASIDE SIGNIlCANT AMOUNTS OF TIME DAILY TO FELLOWSHIP WITH #HRIST THROUGH PRAYER AND THE STUDY OF 'OD S 7ORD 4O EXAMINE OUR OWN HEARTS AND ASK THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO CONVICT US OF ANYTHING THAT MAY KEEP US FROM REVEALING THE CHARACTER OF *ESUS 7E DESIRE WILLING HEARTS SO THAT NOTHING IN OUR LIVES HINDERS THE FULLNESS OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT S POWER 4O ENCOURAGE THE MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH TO SPEND TIME PRAYING STUDYING 'OD S 7ORD AND SEEKING 'OD S HEART TO UNDERSTAND (IS PLANS FOR (IS CHURCH 4O ENCOURAGE EACH OF OUR CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS TO SET ASIDE TIME FOR ADMINISTRATORS PASTORS HEALTH CARE WORKERS PUBLISHING HOUSE WORKERS EDUCATORS STUDENTS AND ALL EMPLOYEES TO SEEK *ESUS AND THE PROMISED OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT TOGETHER THROUGH A STUDY OF 'OD S 7ORD AND PRAYER 4O USE EVERY AVAILABLE MEDIA OUTLET CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP TO APPEAL TO CHURCH MEMBERS TO SEEK A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH *ESUS FOR THE PROMISED REVIVAL AND REFORMATION 4O URGENTLY APPEAL TO AND INVITE OUR ENTIRE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP TO JOIN US IN OPENING OUR HEARTS TO THE LIFE CHANGING POWER OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT WHICH WILL
TRANSFORM OUR LIVES OUR FAMILIES OUR ORGANIZATIONS AND OUR COMMUNITIES 7E ESPECIALLY RECOGNIZE THAT 'OD IS GOING TO USE CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THIS LAST MIGHTY REVIVAL AND ENCOURAGE ALL OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SEEK ING 'OD FOR SPIRITUAL REVIVAL IN THEIR OWN LIVES AND THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO SHARE THEIR FAITH WITH OTHERS 7E APPEAL TO EACH CHURCH MEMBER TO UNITE WITH CHURCH LEADERS AND MIL LIONS OF OTHER 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS SEEKING A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH *ESUS AND THE OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT AT EACH MORNING OR EVENING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 4HIS IS AN URGENT CALL TO CIRCLE THE GLOBE WITH EARNEST INTERCESSION 4HIS IS A CALL TO TOTAL COM MITMENT TO *ESUS AND TO EXPERIENCE THE LIFE CHANGING POWER OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT THAT OUR ,ORD IS LONGING TO GIVE NOW 7E BELIEVE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT IN LATTER RAIN POWER IS TO lNISH #HRIST S MISSION ON EARTH SO (E CAN COME QUICKLY 2EC OGNIZING THAT OUR ,ORD WILL ONLY POUR OUT (IS 3PIRIT IN ITS FULLNESS ON A CHURCH THAT HAS A PASSION FOR LOST PEOPLE WE DETERMINE TO PLACE AND MAINTAIN REVIVAL REFORMATION DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM AT THE TOP OF ALL OUR CHURCH BUSINESS AGENDAS -ORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE LONG FOR *ESUS TO COME 7E URGE EVERY CHURCH ADMINISTRA TOR DEPARTMENTAL LEADER INSTITUTIONAL WORKER HEALTH WORKER LITERATURE EVAN GELIST CHAPLAIN EDUCATOR PASTOR AND CHURCH MEMBER TO JOIN US IN MAKING REVIVAL REFORMATION DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM THE MOST IMPORTANT AND URGENT PRIORITIES OF OUR PERSONAL LIVES AND OUR AREAS OF MINISTRY 7E ARE CONlDENT THAT AS WE SEEK (IM TOGETHER 'OD WILL POUR OUT (IS (OLY 3PIRIT IN ABUNDANT MEASURE THE WORK OF 'OD ON EARTH WILL BE lNISHED AND *ESUS WILL COME 7ITH THE AGED APOSTLE *OHN ON THE )SLE OF 0ATMOS WE CRY OUT h%VEN SO COME ,ORD *ESUSv 2EVELA TION
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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T HAD BEEN A TIME OF UTTER DARK NESS FOR 'OD S PEOPLE 7ITH *ERUSALEM IN ASHES THE 4EMPLE DESTROYED AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN "ABYLONIAN EXILE THE SITUATION SEEMED HOPELESS "UT THEN 'OD HAD DONE THE IMPOSSIBLE "ABYLON HAD FALLEN AND THE NEW SUPERPOWER OF -EDO 0ERSIA ALLOWED 'OD S PEOPLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMEˆTHE 0ROMISED ,ANDˆIN A SECOND EXODUS 4HE ,ORD HAD hSTIRRED
ACCESS TO GREAT UNIVERSITIES AND WHAT WOULD THEY RETURN TO ! DESTROYED CITY NEGLECTED lELDS UNFRIENDLY NEIGHBORS AND A DANGEROUS LOCATION SOMEWHERE ON THE FRINGE OF THE EMPIRE BETWEEN %GYPT AND -ESOPOTAMIA 7HEN WE READ THE lRST CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK OF %ZRA WE IMMEDIATELY RECOG NIZE THE IMMENSITY OF THE TASK AND THE MANY PROBLEMS CF %ZRA n (OWEVER A CAREFUL LOOK AT THE LARGER PICTURE TELLS US
THERE IS SILENCE FOR MANY DECADES 7E JUMP TO THE YEAR " # ROUGHLY YEARS AFTER THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE 4EMPLE AND *ERUSALEM IS IN TROUBLE .EHEMIAH A HIGH RANKING OFlCIAL AT THE 0ERSIAN COURT RECEIVES BAD NEWS ABOUT *ERUSALEM AND IN ONE OF THE GREAT PRAYERS OF 3CRIPTURE HE BRINGS HIS ANGUISH BEFORE THE ,ORD .EH (E CONFESSES HIS SINS AND THE SINS OF HIS PEOPLE BUT HE ALSO CLAIMS
4HE
.EHEMIAH
TORY 3
0AYING CLOSE ATTENTION AT A BIBLICAL REVIVAL MEETING "Y 'ERALD ! +LINGBEIL
UP THE SPIRIT OF #YRUSv %ZRA THE 0ERSIAN KING AND WHEN 'OD MOVES ON A HEART WHO CANNOT RESPOND IN KIND 4OUGH "EGINNINGS
"ASED ON EXTRABIBLICAL DOCUMENTS NAME LISTS SEALS AND OTHER INSCRIP TIONS SCHOLARS ESTIMATE THAT THE ROUGHLY PEOPLE %ZRA WHO RETURNED UNDER :ERUBBABEL REPRE SENTED ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF THE *EWS LIVING IN THE -EDO 0ERSIAN %MPIRE -ANY HAD SETTLED DOWN NICELY AND DID NOT WANT TO MOVE 4HE MORTGAGE WAS NEARLY PAID OFF ,IFE UNDER THE NEW REGIME WAS GOOD THEIR CHILDREN HAD
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
THAT THE ISSUE WAS BIGGER THAN A DESTROYED CITY AND MAJOR OPPOSITION FROM THE OUTSIDE 4HE PROPHET (AGGAI TELLS US THAT THE RETURNEES HAD A SPIRITUAL PROBLEM THEY STRUGGLED WITH WARPED PRIORITIES WORLDLINESS SELlSHNESSˆAND SOON HAD TO RECOGNIZE THAT WITHOUT PUTTING lRST THINGS lRST THEIR EFFORTS WOULD NOT AMOUNT TO ANYTHING (AGGAI %NTER .EHEMIAH
3CRIPTURE TELLS US THAT THE TEMPLE WAS lNALLY REBUILT ABOUT YEARS AFTER THE RETURN FROM EXILE AND THAT THE *EWISH COMMUNITY CELEBRATED THEIR lRST 0ASSOVER %ZRA "UT THEN
THE DIVINE PROMISES OF RENEWAL AND TRANSFORMATION VERSES !S HE PRAYS HE SEEMS TO RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS NOT ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM SEE HIS CONFESSION BUT NEEDS TO ALSO BE PART OF 'OD S SOLUTION 3TILL PRAYING BUT WITH TREMBLING HEART AND WOBBLY KNEES .EHEMIAH APPROACHES HIS BOSS WHO HAPPENS TO BE AN ABSOLUTE MONARCH WHOSE SIMPLE GESTURE OR WORD IS ENOUGH TO END ONE S LIFE IN AN INSTANT 'OD DOES ANOTHER MIRACLE AND .EHEMIAH LEAVES 0ERSIA EMPOWERED BY THE 0ERSIAN KING IN AN OFlCIAL GOVERNMENT CAPACITY (E NOW HAS THE CLOUT TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN
2 E V I V A L 2 E F O R M A T I O N
2EVIVAL IN *ERUSALEM
*ERUSALEM IS DEFENSELESS ITS WALLS NEGLECTED AND DESTROYED ITS HOSTILE NEIGHBORS GLOATING .EHEMIAH INSPECTS THE DAMAGE IN A SECRET NIGHT OPERATION .EH THEN SETS OUT TO WORK (OWEVER HE REALIZES THAT THIS GREAT WORK REQUIRES A COMMUNITY AND DESCRIBING 'OD S RECENT BLESSING AT THE 0ERSIAN COURT .EHEMIAH INVITES THE LEADERS TO JOIN IN THE GREAT WORK
TAKING TURNS WITH OTHER ,EVITES %VERY BODY LISTENS FOR HOURSˆCONCENTRATION SPANS MUST HAVE BEEN LONGER IN THOSE DAYS /NE OF THE KEYWORDS OF THIS REVIVAL MEETING IS THE TERM UNDERSTAND WHICH APPEARS SIX TIMES IN THE CHAPTER -EN AND WOMEN YOUNG AND OLD UNDERSTOOD THAT THEIR LIVES WERE NOT IN HARMONY WITH 'OD S 7ORDˆAND THEY WEEP AND MOURN .EH SO MUCH SO THAT %ZRA AND .EHEMIAH NEED TO REMIND THEM THAT 'OD S GRACE IS ALL SUFlCIENT !S A MAT TER OF FACT THE JOY OF THE ,ORD IS THEIR STRENGTH AND OURS AS WELL EXHORTS .EHEMIAH
IS A DAILY COMMITMENT THERE ARE KEY MOMENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CHURCH IN WHICH THE MOMENTUM OF PERSONAL REVIVAL LEADS TO A CORPORATE REVIVAL 2EVIVAL IS NOT FOCUSING UPON A REVIVAL LEADER 9ES .EHEMIAH AND %ZRA WERE STRONG LEADERS AND HAD A BURDEN FOR *ERUSALEM AND ITS TROUBLES "UT THEY COULD ONLY MOVE FORWARD WHEN OTHERS ALSO CAUGHT THE VISION 4HEY LED
BUT THEY DID NOT GENERATE THE REVIVAL 2EVIVAL LOOKS AT THE BIG PICTURE AND AVOIDS BEING SIDETRACKED BY OUT SIDE DISTRACTIONS ) AM SURE *ERUSALEM S ENEMIES WANTED THE CITY TO FOCUS UPON ITS PROBLEMS (OWEVER INSTEAD THE FAITH COMMUNITY FOCUSED UPON 'OD S 7ORD AND (IS MESSAGE FOR ITS TIME
7HAT #AN 7E ,EARN
! - 9 " 5 2 4 / .
OF REBUILDING THE WALLS OF *ERUSALEM .EH 9OU REMEMBER HIS SINGLE MINDED NESS .OBODY AND NOTHING IS GOING TO STOP HIMˆAND 'OD BE PRAISED *ERUSALEM S WALLS WERE REBUILT IN RECORD TIME CF .EH "UT REVIVAL AND REFORMATION IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF ACTION )T CALLS US BACK TO BASICS !ND AS WE CONTINUE READING THE .EHEMIAH STORY WE ARE PART OF A GREAT PUBLIC ASSEMBLY IN *ERUSALEM DURING THE SEVENTH MONTH %ZRA THE PRIEST REAPPEARS IN THE STORY AND READS FROM THE 4ORAH THE LAW REFERRING MOST LIKELY TO THE 0ENTATEUCH .EH
3OMETHING IMPORTANT BEGAN ON THAT DAY IN *ERUSALEMˆA REVIVAL THAT INVOLVED THE CLEAR RECOGNITION THAT 'OD AND SIN DO NOT GO TOGETHER AND THAT ALSO LED TO CHANGED RELATIONS AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE POSTEXILIC COMMUNITY (ERE ARE SOME KEY ELE MENTS OF BIBLICAL REVIVAL THAT WE CAN GLEAN FROM .EHEMIAH S STORY 2EVIVAL IS NOT A ONE TIME EVENT BUT A CONSTANT AND CONSCIOUS DECISION 7E READ ABOUT OTHER REVIVALS IN THE POSTEXILIC COMMUNITY E G %ZRA AND AND PRIOR TO THAT WE HAVE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF REVIVAL IN EARLIER PERIODS 2EVIVAL NEEDS TO BE A DAILY COMMITMENT 2EVIVAL IS 3CRIPTURE BASED NOT FOCUSED ON EMOTIONS AND THE RIGHT ACCOMPANYING MUSIC OR GROUP DYNAMICS 7HEN 'OD S PEOPLE ARE CONFRONTED WITH DIVINE REVELATION WHEN THEY LOOK INTO THE MIRROR OF 'OD S 7ORD AND RECOGNIZE WHO THEY REALLY ARE YES WE ARE SINNERS REVIVAL HAPPENS 2EVIVAL IN 'OD S PEOPLE INVOLVES A COMMUNITY WOMEN AND MEN YOUNG AND OLD RICH AND POORˆALL CAME TOGETHER TO LISTEN TO THE 7ORDˆ AND THEY RESPONDED AS A COMMUNITY 7HILE IT S TRUE THAT PERSONAL REVIVAL
2ESTORE 5S / ,ORD
$O YOU FEEL IN NEED OF THIS PER SONAL RENEWAL OF YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE )S YOUR TIME WITH 3CRIPTURE AND IN PRAYER LIMITED BY TOO BUSY SCHEDULES AND TOO MANY EVEN HELPFUL APPOINTMENTS .EHEMIAH S STORY IS PERSONAL AND AT THE SAME TIME FAR REACHING (E MUST HAVE OFTEN READ IN THE 0SALMS ABOUT THIS RESTORER 'OD h2ESTORE US / 'OD CAUSE YOUR FACE TO SHINE AND WE SHALL BE SAVED v 0S 'OD DID LET (IS FACE SHINE UPON (IS PEOPLEˆAND (E IS READY TO DO IT AGAIN
#OMPARE THE DISCUSSION IN ,AURIE % 0EARCE h.EW %VIDENCE FOR *UDEANS IN "ABYLONIA v IN *UDAH AND THE *UDEANS IN THE 0ERSIAN 0ERIOD /DED ,IPSCHITS AND -ANFRED /EMING EDS 7INONA ,AKE )ND %ISENBRAUNS PP AND ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY THERE 4HE /LD 4ESTAMENT SEVENTH MONTH CORRESPONDING TO 3EPTEMBER /CTOBER OF OUR CALENDAR IS IMPORTANT IN THE *EWISH RELIGIOUS SYSTEM 4HREE KEY EVENTS FALL IN THIS MONTH INCLUDING THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS ,EV THE $AY OF !TONEMENT ,EV AND THE FESTIVAL OF BOOTHS ,EV )T IS REALLY A REVIVAL AND REFORMATION MONTH
'ERALD ! +LINGBEIL IS AN ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF THE !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGAZINE AND LIVES WITH HIS WIFE #HANTAL AND THEIR THREE DAUGHTERS IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 5 3 ! *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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URING THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL GATHERING OF REPRE SENTATIVES OF THE WORLD CHURCH OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS /CTOBER AT THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE HEADQUARTERS 'OD S PRESENCE WAS FELT IN A MARKED WAY .UMEROUS DELEGATES SHARED THE SIG NIlCANT SPIRITUAL IMPACT THE MEETINGS HAD ON THEIR LIVES 4HE THEME OF THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL WAS h2EVIVAL FOR -ISSION v 4HE MAIN ITEM ON THE AGENDA WAS AN EMPHASIS ON REVIVAL REFORMATION DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM )N ADDITION TO THE MORNING DEVOTIONALS SIMPLE EARNEST PRAYER SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND TESTIMONY MEET INGS PROVIDED A SETTING FOR THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO WORK POW ERFULLY 4HE DELEGATES VOTED A MAJOR DOCUMENT ENTITLED h'OD S 0ROMISED 'IFT !N 5RGENT !PPEAL FOR 2EVIVAL 2EFORMATION $ISCIPLESHIP AND %VANGELISM v )T S EVIDENT THAT 'OD DID SOMETHING SPECIAL "UT THIS LEADS US TO A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS 7HAT ARE THE HALLMARKS OF TRUE REVIVAL !RE THERE ANY DANGERS IN BEING MISLED BY COUNTERFEIT REVIVALS 7HAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ALL REVIVALS (OW CAN THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL DOCUMENT ON REVIVAL BE APPLIED TO DIVISIONS UNIONS LOCAL lELDS LOCAL CHURCHES AND OUR PERSONAL LIVES
"Y 4ED . # 7ILSON -ARK ! &INLEY !RMANDO -IRANDA AND *ERRY 0AGE
7HY
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.OW 2EmECTIONS ON 2EVIVAL
(ALLMARKS OF 4RUE 2EVIVAL
!LL TRUE REVIVAL IS CHARACTERIZED BY THREE THINGS EARNEST HEARTFELT PRAYER A DEEP SEARCHING OF THE "IBLE AND A PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO WIN LOST PEOPLE 4HESE THREE ESSENTIALS OF TRUE REVIVAL ARE MANIFEST IN THE DISCIPLES EXPERIENCE IN !CTS *ESUS PROMISE OF THE OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT WAS NOT GIVEN WITHOUT CONDITIONS 4HE DISCIPLES WERE TO WAIT NOT IN IDLENESS BUT IN UNITED EARNEST PRAYER AND HEARTFELT SUPPLICATION !ND THEY DID 4HE !CTS NARRATIVE RECORDS h4HESE ALL CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD IN PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THE WOMEN AND -ARY THE -OTHER OF *ESUS AND WITH (IS BROTHERSv !CTS !T THE RIGHT MOMENT WHEN THE 2EDEEMER WAS EXALTED AT 'OD S THRONE AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF (IS SACRIlCE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE &ATHER BEFORE THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE THE (OLY 3PIRIT WAS POURED OUT IN ITS FULLNESS ,IKE THESE EARLY DISCIPLES WE ARE COUNSELED h)T IS OUR WORK BY CONFESSION HUMILIATION REPENTANCE AND EARNEST PRAYER TO FULlLL THE CONDITIONS UPON WHICH 'OD HAS PROMISED TO GRANT US (IS BLESSING ! REVIVAL NEED BE EXPECTED ONLY IN ANSWER TO PRAYERv 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK P 7ITHOUT THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT THROUGH PRAYER WE ARE POWERLESS TO FACE 3ATAN S TEMPTATIONS AND INCAPABLE OF BEING EFFECTIVE WITNESSES FOR THE -ASTER 4HE DISCIPLES BATHED THEIR LIVES IN PRAYER AND THE STUDY OF 'OD S 7ORD 0ETER S SERMON ON THE DAY OF 0ENTECOST WAS A MASTERFUL PRESENTATION BASED ON THE /LD 4ESTAMENT EVIDENCE OF *ESUS AS THE -ESSIAH 4HE PEOPLE BAPTIZED THAT DAY hCONTINUED STEADFASTLY IN THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE AND FELLOW SHIPv !CTS 4HE DISCIPLES hSPOKE THE 7ORD OF 'OD WITH
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2 E V I V A L 2 E F O R M A T I O N
BOLDNESSv !CTS AND GAVE THEMSELVES hCONTINUALLY TO PRAYER AND TO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORDv !CTS h4HEN THE WORD OF 'OD SPREAD AND THE NUMBER OF THE DISCIPLES MULTIPLIED GREATLYv VERSE 4HE AUTHORITATIVE TRUTHS OF 3CRIPTURE ARE THE FOUNDATION OF ALL REVIVAL AND REFORMATION !LL TRUE REVIVALS ARE ANCHORED IN THE 7ORD OF 'OD 4HERE IS NO GENUINE REVIVAL WITHOUT A CORRESPONDING INCREASED INTEREST IN "IBLE STUDY h4HERE IS NOTHING MORE CALCULATED TO ENERGIZE THE MIND AND STRENGTHEN THE INTELLECT THAN THE STUDY OF THE 7ORD OF 'OD .O OTHER BOOK IS SO POTENT TO ELEVATE THE THOUGHTS TO GIVE VIGOR TO THE FACULTIES AS THE BROAD ENNOBLING TRUTHS OF THE "IBLEv ! #ALL TO 3TAND !PART P !S WE READ AND MEDITATE UPON THE "IBLE THE SAME (OLY 3PIRIT WHO INSPIRED THE "IBLE INSPIRES US AS WE READ ITS PAGES 4HE PURPOSE OF OUR PRAYER AND DEVOTIONAL LIFE IS NOT TO ACHIEVE A DEGREE OF HOLINESS THAT MAKES US SUPERIOR TO OTHERS )NSTEAD IT HELPS US REALIZE OUR NEED TO COME HUMBLY BEFORE THE ,ORD TO RECEIVE (IS RIGHTEOUSNESS GRACE WISDOM AND STRENGTH )T EMPOWERS US TO REVEAL THE LOVING CHARACTER OF *ESUS TO OTHERS SO WE CAN BE POWERFUL WITNESSES OF (IS GRACE AND TRUTH 4HE DISCIPLES LIVES WERE FOCUSED ON MISSION 4HE BOOK 4HE !CTS OF THE !POSTLES OPENS WITH THESE WORDS h4HE CHURCH IS 'OD S APPOINTED AGENCY FOR THE SALVATION OF MEN )T WAS ORGANIZED FOR SERVICE AND ITS MISSION IS TO CARRY THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLDv P 4HE hDISCIPLES PRAYED WITH INTENSE EARNESTNESS FOR A lTNESS TO MEET MEN AND IN THEIR DAILY INTERCOURSE TO SPEAK WORDS THAT WOULD LEAD SINNERS TO #HRISTv )BID P 0RAYER WITHOUT A CLEAR FOCUS ON MISSION LEADS TO SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PHARISAICAL PRIDE -ISSION WITHOUT PRAYER LEADS TO A POWERLESS AND INEFFECTIVE WITNESS 0RAYER AND MISSION WITHOUT THE FOUNDATION OF 'OD S 7ORD AND (IS TRUTH CREATE A CLIMATE FOR DOCTRINAL ABERRATIONS AND HERESY 0RAYER "IBLE STUDY AND MISSION ARE THE HALLMARKS OF ALL TRUE REVIVAL 4HE !NNUAL #OUNCIL CALL TO REVIVAL IS THE CALL OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO A DEEPER EXPERIENCE WITH *ESUS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE LATTER RAIN POWER FOR THE lNAL PROCLAMATION OF THE THREE ANGELS MESSAGES 4HE CURRENT CALL FOR REVIVAL DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE (OLY 3PIRIT HAS NOT BEEN GUIDING INSTRUCTING AND EMPOWERING (IS CHURCH IN THE PAST 7ITHOUT A DOUBT (E HAS AND CONTINUES TO DO SO 4HE REMARKABLE GROWTH RATE OF THE CHURCH IN RECENT YEARS THE MORE THAN MILLION ACCESSIONS A YEAR AND THE FAITHFULNESS OF 'OD S PEOPLE ARE CLEAR INDICATORS OF THE BLESSINGS OF 'OD 9ET WHATEVER THE (OLY 3PIRIT HAS DONE FOR AND THROUGH (IS PEOPLE IN THE PAST IS NOT SUFlCIENT FOR TODAY 4HE (OLY 3PIRIT IS CALLING US TO A RENEWED EXPERI ENCE NOW 7E NEED THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO ACCOMPLISH 'OD S lNAL MISSION IN THIS CRITICAL HOUR OF %ARTH S HISTORY JUST BEFORE #HRIST S SECOND COMING 'OD HAS WANTED TO POUR OUT THE LATTER RAIN ON (IS REMNANT CHURCH FOR MANY
YEARS )T S UP TO US TO SUBMIT IN HUMILITY BEFORE THE ,ORD ASK ING FOR FORGIVENESS FOR OUR PRIDE AND SELF CENTEREDNESS 7E ARE TOLD THAT hTHE DESCENT OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT UPON THE CHURCH IS LOOKED FORWARD TO AS IN THE FUTURE BUT IT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF THE CHURCH TO HAVE IT NOWx 7E MUST HAVE IT AND (EAVEN IS WAITING TO BESTOW ITv %VANGELISM P /UR ,ORD URGENTLY APPEALS TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE CHURCH TO HAVE A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH (IM IN PRAYER "IBLE STUDY AND THE STUDY OF THE 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY AS MANIFESTED IN THE WRITINGS OF %LLEN ' 7HITE (E CALLS US TO A DEEPER COMMIT MENT TO WITNESS AND EVANGELISM (E INVITES US TO SEEK THE OUTPOURING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT FOR THE POWER OF THE LATTER RAIN TO lNISH (IS WORK ON EARTH 'OD S MISSION MUST BE ACCOM PLISHED IN 'OD S POWER SEE :ECH 2OM 2EV 4RUE AND &ALSE 2EVIVALS
4HE DEVIL HATES REVIVAL (E WILL DO ANYTHING HE CAN TO KEEP REVIVAL FROM HAPPENING AMONG 'OD S PEOPLE 4HE EVIL ONE KNOWS THAT AS THE (OLY 3PIRIT IS POURED OUT IN LATTER RAIN POWER 'OD S WORK ON EARTH WILL BE lNISHED h4HERE IS NOTHING THAT 3ATAN FEARS SO MUCH AS THAT THE PEOPLE OF 'OD SHALL CLEAR THE WAY BY REMOVING EVERY HINDRANCE SO THAT THE ,ORD CAN POUR OUT (IS 3PIRIT UPON A LANGUISHING CHURCH AND AN IMPENITENT CONGREGATION )F 3ATAN HAD HIS WAY THERE WOULD NEVER BE ANOTHER AWAKENING GREAT OR SMALL TO THE END OF TIMEv 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK P 4HE FRUITS OF A TRUE REVIVAL ARE REVEALED IN A TRANSFORMED CHARACTER THAT MANIFESTS THE FRUITS OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT 'AL ! GENUINE REVIVAL LEADS MEN AND WOMEN TO REVEAL THE FRUITS OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT IN THEIR LIVES 4HERE IS NO TRUE REVIVAL WITHOUT REPENTANCE CONFESSION AND OBEDIENCE TO 'OD S REVEALED WILL IN (IS 7ORD 3HALLOW SUPERlCIAL REVIVALISM PRIMARILY FOCUSING ON MIRACULOUS SIGNS PHYSICAL MANIFESTA TIONS AND WONDERS IS A DECEPTION 'OD CAN AND DOES WORK MIRACLES 4HERE WILL BE A MIGHTY MANIFESTATION OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT S POWER IN THE LAST DAYS "UT HERE IS THE POINT THE MAJOR OBJECT OF REVIVAL IS NOT MIRACLES IT S A REVELATION OF THE LOVING CHARACTER OF *ESUS IN OUR LIVES AND THE DESIRE TO SHARE (IS LOVE AND TRUTH WITH OTHERS "ECAUSE 3ATAN HATES *ESUS HE HATES THOSE WHO WANT TO BE LIKE *ESUS AND WITNESS FOR (IM 4HROUGHOUT #HRISTIAN HISTORY FROM !CTS TO THE 2EFORMATION TO THE !DVENT MOVEMENT THE DEVIL HAS TRIED TO COUNTERACT THE INmUENCE OF THE HEAVEN ANOINTED REVIVAL MOVEMENTS h(E ;3ATAN= IS WORKING WITH ALL HIS INSINUAT ING DECEIVING POWER TO LEAD MEN AWAY FROM THE THIRD
4ED . # 7ILSON IS PRESIDENT OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EV ENTH DAY !DVENTISTS -ARK ! &INLEY IS ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR EVANGELISM !RMANDO -IRANDA IS A GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT AND *ERRY 0AGE IS DIRECTOR OF THE -INISTERIAL !SSOCIATION *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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WORDS TRUE (EAVEN ORDAINED REVIVAL IS BALANCED AND NOT EXTREMIST IN FANATICAL BEHAVIOR OR UNIQUELY EMOTIONAL DEMONSTRATION )T S FOCUSED ON *ESUS AND (IS 7ORD AND lNDS EXPRESSION IN WITNESS AND SERVICE
7E BELIEVE 'OD S DREAM OF A lNISHED WORK WILL SOON BE ACCOMPLISHED
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'OD S 'OAL FOR !LL 2EVIVAL
4HE QUESTION MUST BE ASKED h2EVIVAL FOR WHAT v 4HE ANSWER IS THE PURPOSE OF ALL REVIVAL IS TO KNOW (IM BETTER SO WE CAN SHARE (IM MORE 2EVIVAL IS NOT A MEANS FOR THE CHURCH TO HAVE SOME WARM FUZZY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE 2EVIVAL PROVIDES THE MOTIVATION AND POWER FOR MISSION 4HE MORE WE LOVE *ESUS THE MORE WE DESIRE TO SHARE *ESUS LOVE AND THE MORE WE SHARE *ESUS LOVE THE MORE WE WILL LOVE *ESUS -ISSION IS NOT ONLY THE GOAL OF REVIVAL BUT PART OF THE MEANS OF REVIVAL 7E ARE DRAWN NEARER TO *ESUS BY SHARING (IS LOVE WITH OTHERS h'OD COULD HAVE REACHED (IS OBJECTIVE IN SAVING SINNERS WITHOUT OUR AID BUT IN ORDER FOR US TO DEVELOP A CHARACTER LIKE #HRIST S WE MUST SHARE IN (IS WORK )N ORDER TO ENTER INTO (IS JOYˆTHE JOY OF SEEING SOULS REDEEMED BY (IS SACRIlCEˆWE MUST PARTICIPATE IN (IS LABORS FOR THEIR REDEMP TIONv 4HE $ESIRE OF !GES P 7HEN THE CHURCH FAILS TO PLACE PRIORITY ON SOUL WINNING IT DIES SPIRITUALLY h4HE VERY LIFE OF THE CHURCH DEPENDS UPON HER FAITHFULNESS IN FULlLLING THE ,ORD S COMMISSION 4O NEGLECT THIS WORK IS SURELY TO INVITE SPIRITUAL FEEBLENESS AND DECAY 7HERE THERE IS NO ACTIVE LABOR FOR OTHERS LOVE WANES AND FAITH GROWS DIMv )BID P 2EVIVAL DOES NOT LEAD TO hSANCTIlED SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS v )T LEADS TO EVANGELISM )TS PASSION IS WINNING LOST PEOPLE )TS GOAL IS MEN AND WOMEN REDEEMED FOR THE KINGDOM OF 'OD )TS HEART CRY IS FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH *ESUS AND (IS REDEEMED PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE CEASELESS AGES OF ETERNITY 4HE !NNUAL #OUNCIL !PPEAL TO 9OU AND TO 9OUR #HURCH
7E BELIEVE 'OD S DREAM OF A lNISHED WORK WILL SOON BE ACCOMPLISHED 4HE LATTER RAIN OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT WILL BE ANGEL S MESSAGE WHICH IS TO BE PROCLAIMED WITH MIGHTY POURED OUT WITHOUT MEASURE #HRIST S MISSION ON EARTH POWER )F 3ATAN SEES THAT THE ,ORD IS BLESSING (IS PEOPLE WILL BE lNISHED *ESUS WILL COME SOON 7ILL YOU JOIN US IN AND PREPARING THEM TO DISCERN HIS DELUSIONS HE WILL WORK PERSONALLY ACCEPTING THIS CALL TO A DEEPER SPIRITUAL EXPERI WITH HIS MASTER POWER TO BRING IN FANATICISM ON THE ONE ENCE THROUGH PRAYER "IBLE STUDY STUDY OF THE WRITINGS HAND AND COLD FORMALISM ON THE OTHER THAT HE MAY GATHER OF THE 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY AND PLEADING WITH 'OD FOR THE IN A HARVEST OF SOULSv 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK P LATTER RAIN 7ILL YOU COMMIT YOUR LIFE TO SHARING (IS TRUTH 7HEN GENUINE REVIVAL OCCURS THEN CHURCHES hPETRIlED BY FORMALISMv ARE SET ABLAZE WITH NEW LIFE IN #HRIST 4HE hFORM PROCLAIMING THE THREE ANGELS MESSAGES LIVING A LIFE OF #HRISTIAN SERVICE AND BEING A WITNESS FOR (IM 7ILL YOU OF GODLINESSv THAT CHARACTERIZES ,AODICEAN COMPLACENCY IN SO MANY CHURCHES GIVES WAY TO EARNEST PRAYER SERIOUS "IBLE PRAY FOR YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THIS MIGHTY !DVENT MOVEMENT AROUND THE WORLD AS THE CHURCH HUMBLES ITSELF STUDY AND ENTHUSIASTIC WITNESS )N GENUINE (OLY 3PIRIT LED BEFORE THE ,ORD FOR THE LAST WARNING TO THIS DYING WORLD REVIVALS 'OD S PEOPLE ARE NOT CAUGHT UP IN AN EMOTIONAL /UR PRAYER IS THAT THE (OLY 3PIRIT WILL BE POURED OUT EXCITEMENT AND ENAMORED WITH SIGNS AND WONDERS 4HEY ARE IN LOVE WITH *ESUS COMMITTED TO THE TRUTHS OF (IS 7ORD MIGHTILY UPON 'OD S PEOPLE AND *ESUS WILL COME SOON h%VEN SO COME ,ORD *ESUSv 2EV AND LONG TO SHARE *ESUS AND (IS END TIME TRUTHS )N OTHER
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3PIRITUAL EALTH ( "Y !LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES AND 0ETER . ,ANDLESS
) M WORRIED ABOUT MY SPIRITUAL HEALTH /UR PASTOR IS DOING REVIVAL MEETINGS BUT HAVING FOLK CONFESSING SINS AND GIVING TESTIMONIES AROUSES A SENSE OF SUSPICION IN ME THAT S DISTURBING ) FEEL GUILTY THAT ) FEEL THIS WAY 7HAT S WRONG WITH ME #AN YOU GIVE ME A SPIRITUAL PRESCRIPTION ) DO WANT TO BE A GOOD #HRISTIAN
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ROM READING YOUR QUESTION IT S APPARENT THAT YOU RE FEELING GUILTY ABOUT NOT EXPERIENCING AN EMOTIONAL HIGH OVER THIS REVIVAL PROCESS 0OSSIBLY YOU VE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND MAY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE SINCERITY OF THE REVIVAL IN YOUR CHURCH 9OU MAY BE A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY FROM OTHERS AND WE NEED TO MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR THOSE DIFFERENCES -ANY OF US FAIL TO GRASP THAT THE (OLY 3PIRIT IS NOT SOME hLIQUID LIKE POWERv OR hVAPORv THAT ENVELOPS ONE BUT IS A 0ERSONˆTHE h#OMFORTER v THE hTHIRD 0ERSON OF THE 'ODHEAD v 3PIRITUALITY IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE (OLY 3PIRIT *ESUS AND THE &ATHER 4O GROW IN SPIRITUALITY IS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH *ESUS AND TO ENJOY A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS RICH MATURE AND ONGOING 7E ALL NEED CONSTANT REVIVAL RENEWAL HEALING AND A REWARDING RELATIONSHIP BUT DEPENDING ON ONE S PERSONALITY THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS OF NURTURING A RELATIONSHIP 7E ALL DON T lT THE SAME MOLD 'OD MADE EACH OF US UNIQUE 3OME OF US ARE SOBER AND INTENSE OTHERS ARE EXTROVERTED AND mAMBOYANT 3OME PAS TORS MAY STRIVE TO BE hREVIVALISTS v 4HEY MAY HAVE DEVELOPED A hCOOKBOOKv APPROACH TO SPIRITUALITY AND FEEL THAT IF YOU DO hTHUS AND SO v YOU WILL BECOME REVIVED &OR MANY SUCH STRUCTURED PROCESSES DO GIVE RESULTS BUT NOT FOR ALL
4HINK OF HOW PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE /NCE THE ATTRACTION IS THERE THEY CAN T DO ENOUGH FOR THEIR SWEETHEART 4HEY THINK ABOUT THAT PERSON ALL THE TIME AND SAY NICE THINGS 3OME BUY GIFTS FOR THEIR LOVED ONE 4HEY ENJOY WALKS TOGETHER ON THE BEACH HOLDING HANDS IN THE MOONLIGHT %ACH PERSON FALLS IN LOVE THEIR WAY IN A MANNER THAT SUITS THEIR PERSONALITY 'OD IS ABLE TO BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE AND (E UNDERSTANDS YOU (E S NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE PROCESS OF YOUR BECOMING (IS FRIENDˆAS LONG AS YOU DO BECOME (IS FRIEND 4HE 3PIRIT COMES SEEKING TO WOO US 7E OFTEN MISTAKE THE PROCESS FOR THE WHOLE OBJECTIVE "IBLE STUDY AND PRAYER ARE VERY IMPORTANT YET HOW EACH OF US READS THE "IBLE MAY DIFFER /NE PERSON MAY TRY TO IMAGINE BEING IN THE CROWD AND PARTICIPATING IN THE "IBLE STORY 2EADING FOR MINUTES BUT THEN THINKING ABOUT THE STORY FOR THE NEXT HOURS CAN GET SOME INDIVIDUALS INTO THE STORY SO INTIMATELY THAT THEY CAN FEEL THE HAIR STAND UP ON THEIR NECK AS ,AZARUS COMES FORTH 4HAT IS NOT TO DISPARAGE THE PERSON WHO CAN READ FOR A SOLID HOUR OR TWO BUT WE MUST REALIZE THAT PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT 7E DElNITELY NEED A CONSTANT RELA TIONSHIP WITH 'OD 2EADING THE 7ORD MEDITATION AND PRAYER ARE VITAL -EDITATION AND PRAYER SHOULD BECOME
ANYTIME OR ALL THE TIME ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY AS WE SENSE (IS PRESENCE !FTER DECADES OF MARRIAGE MANY MARRIAGE PARTNERS UNDERSTAND THEIR SPOUSE SO WELL THAT THEY CAN lNISH THEIR SENTENCES )N GOOD MARRIAGES LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER GROW 4HAT S THE RELATIONSHIP 'OD WANTS WITH US NATURAL AND TRUE HONEST AND OPEN 2EFOCUSING ON 'OD HELPS TO REVITALIZE THE RELATIONSHIP BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE IN WAYS THAT ARE NATURAL $ON T WORRY ABOUT THE METHODOL OGY SOMEONE ELSE USES BECOME CONTENT WITH SEEKING 'OD IN THE WAY YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE ! REVIVAL OF TRUE GODLINESS lNDS EXPRESSION IN GENTLENESS HUMILITY COMPASSION AND CARINGˆA WILLINGNESS TO SUFFER RATHER THAN TO HURT ANOTHER 4HESE ARE THE FRUITS OF SANCTIlCATION WHICH IS A LIFETIME OF REVIVAL
!LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES - " #H " &2#0# &2#3# &!#/' IS DIRECTOR OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE (EALTH -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT 0ETER . ,ANDLESS - " " #H - -ED & # 0 3! & ! # # IS )#0! EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE (EALTH -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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4RUE2EVIVAL "Y %LLEN ' 7HITE
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HEREVER THE 7ORD OF 'OD HAS BEEN FAITHFULLY PREACHED RESULTS HAVE FOL LOWED THAT ATTESTED ITS DIVINE ORIGIN 4HE 3PIRIT OF 'OD ACCOMPANIED THE MESSAGE OF (IS SERVANTS AND THE 7ORD WAS WITH POWER 3INNERS FELT THEIR CONSCIENCES QUICKENED 4HE hLIGHT WHICH LIGHTETH EVERY MAN THAT COMETH INTO THE WORLDv ILLUMINED THE SECRET CHAMBERS OF THEIR SOULS AND THE HIDDEN THINGS OF DARKNESS WERE MADE MANIFEST $EEP CONVICTION TOOK HOLD UPON THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS 4HEY WERE CONVINCED OF SIN AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND OF JUDGMENT TO COME 4HEY HAD A SENSE OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF *EHOVAH AND FELT THE TERROR OF APPEARING IN THEIR GUILT AND UNCLEANNESS BEFORE THE 3EARCHER OF HEARTS )N ANGUISH THEY CRIED OUT h7HO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH v !S THE CROSS OF #ALVARY WITH ITS INlNITE SACRIlCE FOR THE SINS OF MEN WAS REVEALED THEY SAW THAT NOTHING BUT THE MERITS OF #HRIST COULD SUFlCE TO ATONE FOR THEIR TRANSGRES SIONS THIS ALONE COULD RECONCILE MAN TO 'OD 7ITH FAITH AND HUMILITY THEY ACCEPTED THE ,AMB OF 'OD THAT TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD 4HROUGH THE BLOOD OF *ESUS THEY HAD hREMISSION OF SINS THAT ARE PAST v x
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2EVIVALS BROUGHT DEEP HEART SEARCHING AND HUMILITY 4HEY WERE CHARACTERIZED BY SOLEMN EARNEST APPEALS TO THE SINNER BY YEARNING COMPASSION FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BLOOD OF #HRIST -EN AND WOMEN PRAYED AND WRESTLED WITH 'OD FOR THE SALVATION OF SOULS 4HE FRUITS OF SUCH REVIVALS WERE SEEN IN SOULS WHO SHRANK NOT AT SELF DENIAL AND SACRIlCE BUT REJOICED THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER REPROACH AND TRIAL FOR THE SAKE OF #HRIST -EN BEHELD A TRANSFORMATION IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO HAD PROFESSED THE NAME OF *ESUS 4HE COMMUNITY WAS BENElTED BY THEIR INmUENCE 4HEY GATHERED WITH #HRIST AND SOWED TO THE 3PIRIT TO REAP LIFE EVERLASTINGx 4HIS IS THE RESULT OF THE WORK OF THE 3PIRIT OF 'OD 4HERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF GENUINE REPENTANCE UNLESS IT WORKS REFORMATION )F HE RESTORE THE PLEDGE GIVE AGAIN THAT HE HAD ROBBED CONFESS HIS SINS AND LOVE 'OD AND HIS FELLOW MEN THE SINNER MAY BE SURE THAT HE HAS FOUND PEACE WITH 'OD 3UCH WERE THE EFFECTS THAT IN FORMER YEARS FOLLOWED SEASONS OF RELIGIOUS AWAKENING *UDGED BY THEIR FRUITS THEY WERE KNOWN TO BE BLESSED OF 'OD IN THE SALVATION OF MEN AND THE UPLIFTING OF HUMANITY "UT MANY OF THE REVIVALS OF MODERN TIMES HAVE PRE
2 E V I V A L 2 E F O R M A T I O N
SENTED A MARKED CONTRAST TO THOSE MANIFESTATIONS OF DIVINE GRACE WHICH IN EARLIER DAYS FOLLOWED THE LABORS OF 'OD S SERVANTS )T IS TRUE THAT A WIDESPREAD INTEREST IS KINDLED MANY PROFESS CONVERSION AND THERE ARE LARGE ACCESSIONS TO THE CHURCHES NEVERTHELESS THE RESULTS ARE NOT SUCH AS TO WAR RANT THE BELIEF THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF REAL SPIRITUAL LIFE 4HE LIGHT WHICH mAMES UP FOR A TIME SOON DIES OUT LEAVING THE DARKNESS MORE DENSE THAN BEFORE 0OPULAR REVIVALS ARE TOO OFTEN CARRIED BY APPEALS TO THE
)N MANY OF THE REVIVALS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED DURING THE LAST HALF CENTURY THE SAME INmUENCES HAVE BEEN AT WORK TO A GREATER OR LESS DEGREE THAT WILL BE MANIFEST IN THE MORE EXTENSIVE MOVEMENTS OF THE FUTURE 4HERE IS AN EMOTIONAL EXCITEMENT A MINGLING OF THE TRUE WITH THE FALSE THAT IS WELL ADAPTED TO MISLEAD 9ET NONE NEED BE DECEIVED )N THE LIGHT OF 'OD S 7ORD IT IS NOT DIFlCULT TO DETERMINE THE NATURE OF THESE MOVEMENTS 7HEREVER MEN NEGLECT THE TESTIMONY OF THE "IBLE TURNING AWAY FROM THOSE PLAIN SOUL TESTING TRUTHS
NEGLECT TTHE TTESTIMONY 7HEREVER MEN NEGLECT THE TESTIMONY 7 HEREVER M MEN N OOF THE "IBLE TURNING AWAY FROM THOSE F TTHE " "IBLE TTURNING AAWAY FFROM TTHOSE WHICH P LAIN SSOUL TESTING TTRUTHS W PLAIN SOUL TESTING TRUTHS WHICH RREQUIRE SELF DENIAL AND REUNCIATION OF EQUIRE SSELF DENIAL AAND RREUNCIATION OOF WE M MAY BBE SSURE TTHAT TTHE WORLD THERE WE MAY BE SURE THAT HE W WORLD TTHERE W NOT BBESTOWED 'OD S BBLESSING IIS N 'OD S BLESSING IS NOT BESTOWED IMAGINATION BY EXCITING THE EMOTIONS BY GRATIFYING THE LOVE FOR WHAT IS NEW AND STARTLING #ONVERTS THUS GAINED HAVE LITTLE DESIRE TO LISTEN TO "IBLE TRUTH LITTLE INTEREST IN THE TESTI MONY OF PROPHETS AND APOSTLES 5NLESS A RELIGIOUS SERVICE HAS SOMETHING OF A SENSATIONAL CHARACTER IT HAS NO ATTRACTIONS FOR THEM ! MESSAGE WHICH APPEALS TO UNIMPASSIONED REASON AWAKENS NO RESPONSE 4HE PLAIN WARNINGS OF 'OD S 7ORD RELATING DIRECTLY TO THEIR ETERNAL INTERESTS ARE UNHEEDED 7ITH EVERY TRULY CONVERTED SOUL THE RELATION TO 'OD AND TO ETERNAL THINGS WILL BE THE GREAT TOPIC OF LIFE "UT WHERE IN THE POPULAR CHURCHES OF TODAY IS THE SPIRIT OF CONSECRATION TO 'OD 4HE CONVERTS DO NOT RENOUNCE THEIR PRIDE AND LOVE OF THE WORLD 4HEY ARE NO MORE WILLING TO DENY SELF TO TAKE UP THE CROSS AND FOLLOW THE MEEK AND LOWLY *ESUS THAN BEFORE THEIR CONVERSION 2ELIGION HAS BECOME THE SPORT OF INlDELS AND SKEPTICS BECAUSE SO MANY WHO BEAR ITS NAME ARE IGNORANT OF ITS PRINCIPLES 4HE POWER OF GODLINESS HAS WELL NIGH DEPARTED FROM MANY OF THE CHURCHES 0ICNICS CHURCH THEATRICALS CHURCH FAIRS lNE HOUSES PERSONAL DISPLAY HAVE BANISHED THOUGHTS OF 'OD ,ANDS AND GOODS AND WORLDLY OCCUPATIONS ENGROSS THE MIND AND THINGS OF ETERNAL INTEREST RECEIVE HARDLY A PASSING NOTICEx
WHICH REQUIRE SELF DENIAL AND RENUNCIATION OF THE WORLD THERE WE MAY BE SURE THAT 'OD S BLESSING IS NOT BESTOWED !ND BY THE RULE WHICH #HRIST (IMSELF HAS GIVEN h9E SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITSv -ATTHEW IT IS EVIDENT THAT THESE MOVEMENTS ARE NOT THE WORK OF THE 3PIRIT OF 'OD )N THE TRUTHS OF (IS 7ORD 'OD HAS GIVEN TO MEN A REVELATION OF (IMSELF AND TO ALL WHO ACCEPT THEM THEY ARE A SHIELD AGAINST THE DECEPTIONS OF 3ATAN )T IS A NEGLECT OF THESE TRUTHS THAT HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO THE EVILS WHICH ARE NOW BECOMING SO WIDESPREAD IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD 4HE NATURE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAW OF 'OD HAVE BEEN TO A GREAT EXTENT LOST SIGHT OF ! WRONG CONCEPTION OF THE CHARACTER THE PERPETUITY AND THE OBLIGATION OF THE DIVINE LAW HAS LED TO ERRORS IN RELATION TO CONVERSION AND SANCTIlCATION AND HAS RESULTED IN LOWERING THE STANDARD OF PIETY IN THE CHURCH (ERE IS TO BE FOUND THE SECRET OF THE LACK OF THE 3PIRIT AND POWER OF 'OD IN THE REVIVALS OF OUR TIME 4HIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN EXCERPTED FROM CHAPTER h-ODERN 2EVIV ALSv OF THE BOOK 4HE 'REAT #ONTROVERSY 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS BELIEVE THAT %LLEN ' 7HITE EXERCISED THE BIBLICAL GIFT OF PROPHECY DURING MORE THAN YEARS OF PUBLIC MINISTRY
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
EVIVAL 2 2EFORMATION 2 % 3 / 5 2 # % 3 .OT SURE HOW TO START #ONSIDER THE FOLLOWING #OMPILED BY 3ANDRA "LACKMER AND +IMBERLY ,USTE -ARAN 4HESE TWO PAGES CONTAIN A VARIETY OF RESOURCES AND INSPIRATIONAL QUOTATIONS TO HELP BRING REVIVAL AND REFORMATION TO OUR READERS AND THEIR CONGREGATIONS &OR OTHER RESOURCES RELEVANT FOR YOUR WORLD REGION CONTACT YOUR LOCAL !DVENTIST PUBLISHING HOUSE OR BOOK CENTERS ˆ%DITORS "IBLE 4EXTS
0SALM h7ILL 9OU NOT REVIVE US AGAIN THAT 9OUR PEOPLE MAY REJOICE IN 9OU 3HOW US 9OUR MERCY ,ORD AND GRANT US 9OUR SALVATION v N )SAIAH h!ND ONE SHALL SAY @(EAP IT UP (EAP IT UP 0REPARE THE WAY TAKE THE STUMBLING BLOCK OUT OF THE WAY OF -Y PEOPLE &OR THUS SAYS THE (IGH AND ,OFTY /NE WHO INHABITS ETERNITY WHOSE NAME IS (OLY @) DWELL IN THE HIGH AND HOLY PLACE WITH HIM WHO HAS A CONTRITE AND HUMBLE SPIRIT TO REVIVE THE SPIRIT OF THE HUMBLE AND TO REVIVE THE HEART OF THE CONTRITE ONES v N 2OMANS h) BESEECH YOU THEREFORE BRETHREN BY THE MERCIES OF 'OD THAT YOU PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIlCE HOLY ACCEPTABLE TO 'OD WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE !ND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND THAT N
YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF 'OD v N 4IMOTHY h,ET NO ONE DESPISE YOUR YOUTH BUT BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE BELIEVERS IN WORD IN CONDUCT IN LOVE IN SPIRIT IN FAITH IN PURITY v 1UOTATIONS &ROM THE 7RITINGS OF %LLEN ' 7HITE N h) TELL YOU THAT THERE MUST BE A THOROUGH REVIVAL AMONG US x4HERE MUST BE CONFESSIONS REPENTANCE AND CONVERSIONS -ANY WHO ARE PREACHING THE 7ORD NEED THE TRANSFORMING GRACE OF #HRIST IN THEIR HEARTS v LETTER IN ,AST $AY %VENTS P N h0RAYER AND FAITH WILL DO WHAT NO POWER ON EARTH CAN ACCOMPLISHv -Y ,IFE 4ODAY P N h4HE WORLD WILL BE CONVINCED NOT BY WHAT THE PULPIT TEACHES BUT BY WHAT THE CHURCH LIVESv 4ESTIMONIES FOR THE #HURCH VOL P
3ANDRA "LACKMER AND +IMBERLY ,USTE -ARAN ARE ASSISTANT EDITORS OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
* ! + % 3 4 2 / ( ! 5 % 2
"OOKS 3TUDY 'UIDES $6$S AND "ROCHURES N 4RUE 2EVIVAL BY %LLEN ' 7HITE 2EVIEW AND (ERALD 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION ˆ! RECENT COMPILATION ON REVIVAL AND REFORMATION IN A SMALL PAGE PAPERBACK ! 3PANISH AND 0ORTUGUESE TRANSLATION IS IN PRODUCTION 4O ORDER GO TO WWW ADVENTISTBOOKCENTER ORG N $AYS 0RAYERS AND $EVOTIONS TO 0REPARE FOR THE 3ECOND #OMING .+*6 EDITION BY $ENNIS 3MITH 2EVIEW AND (ERALD 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION ˆ $AILY DEVOTIONAL READINGS THAT FOCUS ON PRAYER AND SEEKING THE BAPTISM OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT ! 3PANISH TRANSLATION IS IN PRODUCTION 4O ORDER GO TO WWW ADVENTISTBOOKCENTER ORG
2 E V I V A L 2 E F O R M A T I O N
#OMING 4OGETHER SERIES BY THE #ENTER FOR #REATIVE -INISTRY DISTRIBUTED BY !DVENT3OURCE ˆ&OUR STUDY GUIDES DESIGNED TO BRING REVIVAL AND REFORMATION TO LOCAL CHURCHES 3ABBATH SCHOOL CLASSES MIDWEEK MEETING SERIES OR SMALL GROUPS 4HERE ARE LESSONS EACH ON PRAYER LIFE "IBLE STUDY PERSONAL WITNESSING AND CONTEMPLATING #HRIST 4HE lFTH VOLUME IS A LEADER S GUIDE FOR THE SERIES 4O ORDER GO TO WWW ADVENTSOURCE ORG N (UNGER 3ATISFY THE ,ONGING OF 9OUR 3OUL BY *ON , $YBDAHL !UTUMN (OUSE DISTRIBUTED BY 2EVIEW AND (ERALD 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION ˆ! PRACTICAL VOLUME THAT PENETRATES DEEP INTO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THE READER 4O ORDER GO TO WWW ADVENTISTBOOKCENTER ORG N %MPOWERED BY THE 3PIRIT $6$ !DVENTIST #OMMUNICATION .ETWORK DISTRIBUTED BY !DVENT3OURCE ˆ 2EVIVAL SERMONS BY EVANGELIST AND !DVENTIST 7ORLD EDITOR AT LARGE -ARK &INLEY )T INCLUDES lVE SERMONS ON TWO DISKS PLUS AN INTERVIEW WITH &INLEY 4O ORDER GO TO WWW ADVENTSOURCE ORG N 0OSSIBILITIES FOR 0RAYER -INISTRIES IN 9OUR (OME #HURCH BY 2ICK 2EMMERS ORDER OR DOWNLOAD AT WWW NADADVENTIST ORG ARTICLE PHP ID ACTION PRINT ˆ ! BROCHURE THAT OUTLINES EASILY INSTITUTED PRAYER MINISTRIES FOR LOCAL CHURCHES N
!DVENTIST 7ORLD !DVENTIST 2EVIEW !RTICLES &EATURING 2EVIVAL AND 2EFORMATION ONLINE N h%VERYDAY 2EVIVAL AND 2EFORMATION v BY +ATHY "EAGLES &EB !DVENTIST 2EVIEW WWW ADVENTISTREVIEW ORG ARTICLE PHP ID N h$REAMING 2EVIVAL v BY &ORDSON #HIMOGA !PRIL !DVENTIST 7ORLD WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ARTICLE PHP ID N h4HE 7ORLD )S 7AITING v BY ( - 3 2ICHARDS 3R *UNE !DVENTIST 7ORLD WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ARTICLE PHP ID SEARCH REVIVAL N h4HE )NCENDIARY &ELLOWSHIP v BY "ILL +NOTT /CTOBER !DVENTIST 7ORLD WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ARTICLE PHP ID SEARCH REVIVAL
7EB 3ITES N WWW REVIVALANDREFORMATION ORG A 7EB SITE SERVING AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR REVIVAL AND REFORMATION RESOURCES RECOMMENDED AND OR DEVELOPED BY THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE N WWW DISCIPLETREE COM ! 7EB SITE PRODUCED BY *IM 0ARK PROFESSOR OF EVANGELISM AND MISSION AT THE !DVENTIST )NTERNATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF !DVANCED 3TUDIES THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE UNIVERSITY FOR THE .ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC AND 3OUTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC DIVISIONS WHO WAS FOR YEARS A PASTOR AND EVANGELIST IN #ALIFORNIA 5NITED 3TATES )T INCLUDES MANY STUDY GUIDES FOR SMALL GROUPS BOOKS REVIVAL SERMONS ETC ON THE THEME OF REVIVAL AND REFORMATION N WWW NADADVENTIST ORG ARTICLE PHP ID ! 7EB SITE THAT SUGGESTS NUMEROUS RESOURCES ON THE TOPIC OF PRAYER
/NLINE !CCESS FOR )NTERNATIONAL 2ESOURCES N WWW ATC ORG ! 7EB SITE PRODUCED BY THE !DVENTIST 4RAINING #ENTER *AERIMYEONSOOWON FOR PRAYER AND SPIRITUAL REVIVAL AND REFORMATION HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY +OREAN 5NION #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS 4HIS !DVENTIST 4RAINING #ENTER HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL PROGRAMS FOR REVIVAL SEMINARS #HRIST CENTERED "IBLE LECTURES SERMONS PERSONAL PRAYER ROOMS AND h4REKKINGv COURSES N WWW IEBC ORG 5SED FOR REVIVAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN CHURCHES AND GROUPS IN THE &RANCO "ELGIAN 5NION IS h/SEZ GRANDIRv h$ARE TO 'ROWv A WRITTEN COURSE OF LESSONS OFFERED BY THE "IBLE #OR RESPONDENCE 3CHOOL IN &RANCE 4HE COMPLETE SET IS AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR EUROS )T IS GENERALLY PRINTED MATERIAL BUT ALSO OFFERED ONLINE TO PEOPLE WHO ENROLL AS STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL N WWW ELLENWHITEBOOKS COM )N 0ORTUGUESE TO lND THE BOOK ENTITLED 2EAVIVAMENTO E SEUS 2ESULTA DOS 2EVIVAL AND )TS 2ESULTS VISIT THE ABOVE 7EB SITE AND CLICK ON THE TITLE FROM THE LIST OF AVAILABLE BOOK TITLES 9OU CAN READ THROUGH THIS BOOK AS WELL AS USE THE SEARCH TOOL NEAR THE BOTTOM FOR SPECIlC WORDS TOPICS
(YMNS &ROM 4HE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST (YMNAL 2EVIEW AND (ERALD 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION N h*ESUS )S #OMING !GAIN v BY *ESSIE % 3TROUT .O N h'OD )S 7ORKING (IS 0URPOSE /UT v BY !RTHUR # !INGER .O N h4AKE -Y ,IFE AND ,ET )T "E v BY &RANCES 2IDLEY (AVERGAL .O N h&ATHER (ELP 9OUR 0EOPLE v BY &RED +AAN .O N h&ILL -Y #UP ,ORD v BY 2ICHARD "LANCHARD .O N h4HIS ,ITTLE ,IGHT OF -INE v ARRANGED BY !LMA "LACKMON .O
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
) . 4 % 2 6 ) % 7
!LREADY
5NDER AY
7
+ - % 2 ! " , ! # 3 ! . $ 2
!DVENTIST 7ORLD EDITOR "ILL +NOTT RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH 0ASTOR "RETT 4OWNEND LEFT FROM -URWIL LUMBAH .ORTH .EW 3OUTH 7ALES #ONFERENCE !USTRALIA TO TALK ABOUT THE REMARKABLE CHANGES OCCURRING IN 4OWNEND S MEMBER CONGREGATION
9OUR CHURCH IS RIGHT NOW EXPERIENCING A TIME OF RENEWAL AND REVIVAL THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER !DVENTIST CONGREGA TIONS ARE LONGING FOR 7HAT IS DIFFERENT NOW THAN WAS TRUE MONTHS AGO
4HERE S A NEW LEVEL OF ENTHUSIASM FOR "IBLE STUDY FOR ONE THING 0RAYERFULNESS IS THE SECOND MAJOR DIFFERENCE FROM A YEAR AND A HALF AGO 4HE THIRD THING IS A RENEWED INTEREST IN h7HAT CAN WE DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY (OW CAN WE MAKE CONTACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE SO WE CAN SHARE THE GOSPEL v 4HREE MAJOR THINGS ARE DIFFERENTˆA RENEWED INTEREST IN "IBLE PRAYER AND REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY 7ERE THERE SPECIlC STEPS YOU ENCOURAGED YOUR CHURCH TO TAKE TO PREPARE FOR REVIVAL
&IRST WE DID AN HONEST ASSESSMENT OF OUR CONDITION AS A CHURCH AND INITIALLY EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE GOING QUITE WELL "UT WHAT WE DISCOVERED WAS THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY )N OTHER WORDS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS AND EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD MAYBE KEEPING UP APPEARANCES BUT WE WEREN T REALLY HAVING A SIGNIlCANT IMPACT ON ANYONE LUKEWARM ) GUESS 3O WE ASKED h7HAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT v 4HE lRST THING WE DID AS LEADERSˆBECAUSE WE REALLY DIDN T KNOW WHAT TO DOˆWAS TO SAY h7ELL LET S GET TOGETHER EACH WEEK AND LET S SIMPLY SPEND TIME IN PRAYER AND SEE WHERE THAT TAKES US v 7AS THE HABIT OF MEETING FOR PRAYER ALREADY WELL ESTAB LISHED IN YOUR CONGREGATION OR WAS THIS SOMETHING NEW
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
7E HAD TO BUILD THAT HABIT 7E SIMPLY ANNOUNCED THAT WE WOULD MEET FROM TO EACH 4UESDAY EVENING 7E WEREN T ASKING FOR A HUGE CHUNK OF TIME BUT WE HAD A SPE CIlC TIME PICKED OUT 7E FOCUSED ON TWO THINGS REVIVAL FOR OUR CHURCH AND REVIVAL FOR OUR CHURCH SCHOOL 7E PRAYED FOR NEARLY MONTHS AS A LEADERSHIP GROUP BEFORE WE BEGAN TO SEE NOTICEABLE RESULTS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCHˆAND WE RE STILL PRAYING AS THEY CONTINUE 7HAT DID YOU GAIN PERSONALLY FROM THAT EXPERIENCE
/NE OF THE KEY THINGS ) LEARNED WAS 4HIS IS 'OD S CHURCH ) HAD BEEN FEELING A LOT OF PRESSURE AS A PASTOR TO BE SUCCESS FUL BUT ONLY (IS PRESENCE BRINGS SUCCESS 4HEN ) LEARNED /UR SCHOOL IS 'OD S SCHOOL ) WAS CHAIR OF THE SCHOOL COUNCIL AND FEELING A LOT OF WEIGHT BECAUSE OF DECLINING NUMBERS WE NEEDED STUDENTS TO BE VIABLE BUT lNISHED THE YEAR WITH !S WE PRAYED WE TURNED OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES OVER TO 'OD AND WE SAID h4HESE ARE 9OURS 7E WANT TO DO WHAT 9OU WANT US TO DO )T S 9OUR CHURCH AND 9OUR SCHOOL 4ELL US WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO v 9OUR CONGREGATION NOW HAS PEOPLE COMING OUT EVERY WEEK FOR "IBLE STUDY WHERE PREVIOUSLY THERE WERE ONLY FOUR OR lVE (OW DID THAT START
/NE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO US WAS A "IBLE READING PROGRAM ) HAD ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT PRAYER AND "IBLE STUDY WERE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE #HRISTIAN LIFE AND ) HAD BEEN PREACHING AND TRYING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN THE 7ORD "UT IF PEOPLE AREN T READING FOR THEMSELVES IT S LIKE GETTING A SNACK ON 3ABBATH MORNING AND TRYING TO LIVE THE REST OF THE WEEK ON THAT NOURISHMENT !T A SEMINAR THAT SEVERAL LEADERS ATTENDED WE HEARD ABOUT A "IBLE READING PROGRAM 3O WE ASKED OURSELVES h7HAT CAN WE DO BETWEEN *ULY AND $ECEMBER TO GET PEOPLE ENGAGED WITH THE "IBLE v 7E DECIDED h,ET S READ THE .EW 4ESTAMENT v 7E DIVIDED THE .EW 4ESTAMENT INTO DAILY READINGSˆUSUALLY A CHAPTER A DAY SOMETIMES TWO CHAPTERS !ND WE GAVE EVERYONE A 0 ( / 4 / 3 5 0 0 , ) % $ " 9 " 2 % 4 4 4 / 7 . % . $
2 E V I V A L 2 E F O R M A T I O N
BOOKMARK ON WHICH WERE PRINTED THREE QUESTIONS 7HAT IS 'OD SAYING TO YOU PERSONALLY THROUGH THESE READINGS 7HAT DO YOU THINK (E S SAYING TO US AS A CHURCH COMMUNITY !ND 7HAT CAN WE DO TO RESPOND TO 'OD S LEADING 7ITHIN A FEW WEEKS A SHOW OF HANDS INDICATED PERCENT OF THE CONGRE GATION WAS FOLLOWING THE "IBLE READING PROGRAM 3EVENTY PERCENT STARTED READING THE .EW 4ESTAMENT JUST BECAUSE YOU OFFERED THEM A PLAN AND SOME DIRECTION
) CHALLENGED THEM SAYING h7E RE SUPPOSED TO BE PEOPLE OF THE "OOK LET S STOP PRETENDING v 7E VE ACTUALLY GONE THROUGH THREE REPRINTING OF THE BOOKMARKS BECAUSE MEMBERS STARTED GIVING THEM AWAY TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS 4HEY CAME TO BELIEVE WE WERE SERIOUS ABOUT "IBLE STUDY ESPECIALLY WHEN ) CHOSE TO PREACH ABOUT WHAT WAS BEING READ IN THE "IBLE 9OU TOOK YOUR PREACHING TOPICS FROM THAT "IBLE READING CALENDAR
)T WAS A GOOD DISCIPLINE FOR ME AS A PASTOR SYSTEMATICALLY PREACHING THE "IBLE MOVES YOU INTO TOPICS AND TRUTHS YOU MIGHT NOT USUALLY ADDRESS ) BEGAN TO OFFER INTRODUCTIONS TO THE BOOKS OF 3CRIPTURE FROM THE PULPIT HELPING MEMBERS KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE TEXT HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND FOR INSTANCE WHY *OHN WROTE HIS 'OSPEL 4HE CHURCH MEMBERS REACTED VERY POSITIVELY TO THAT APPROACH 3ECOND WE DECIDED TO MEET ON 7EDNESDAY NIGHT FOR SOUP AND BUNS AND THEN DIVIDED INTO GROUPS TO DISCUSS WHAT WE HAD BEEN READING 3OME PEOPLE WERE ANXIOUS ABOUT HOW GROUPS WOULD FORM AND WHO WOULD LEAD THEM SO WE SAID h,ET S JUST MAKE IT SIMPLE 7E VE BEEN READING 'OD S 7ORD LET S GET TOGETHER EAT TOGETHER AND SHARE (IS 7ORD TOGETHER v 3O THAT S WHAT WE DID !ND ATTENDANCE JUMPED TO NEARLY PEOPLE EACH 7EDNESDAY NIGHT 7HAT ABOUT THE SCHOOL
)N A LITTLE MORE THAN NINE MONTHS THE ENROLLMENT HAS CLIMBED FROM LAST YEAR S lNISH OF TO AND INDICA TIONS ARE THAT WE LL START NEXT YEAR WITH 'OD ANSWERED OUR PRAYERS AND THOSE OF DEDICATED AND COMMITTED STAFF 4HIS STORY GETS VERY PERSONAL FOR YOU FOR IT INVOLVES YOUR OWN SON 4ELL ME ABOUT HIM
-Y YEAR OLD SON IS A GREAT KID BUT HE HAD TURNED AWAY FROM SPIRITUAL THINGS BECAUSE OF VERY PAINFUL THINGS THAT HAD HAPPENED IN HIS LIFE 7HEN ,ACHLAN WAS HIS BEST FRIEND DIED OF CANCER EVEN THOUGH THE WHOLE CHURCH COM MUNITY HAD PRAYED AND PRAYED FOR HIM !NOTHER BOY IN THE SAME CLASS DIED OF CANCER AS WELL &OR A YEAR OLD THAT S PRETTY HARD 4HEN HIS GRANDMOTHER ALSO WAS DIAGNOSED
WITH BREAST CANCER AND SHE DIED AS WELL (E TURNED TO SPORTSˆHE S A VERY GOOD BASKETBALL PLAYERˆAND IMMERSED HIMSELF IN THE GAME EVEN GETTING HIMSELF SELECTED TO THE REGIONAL UNDER TEAM "UT AS THE BASKETBALL SUCCESS PILED UP HE JUST FELT REALLY REALLY EMPTY /NE DAY HE DECIDED h7ELL $AD KEEPS TALKING ABOUT THIS "IBLE READING AND OTHERS TALK ABOUT IT 7HAT HAVE ) GOT TO LOSE ) LL DO IT v 3O HE STARTED STUDYING THE "IBLE JUST ABOUT THE TIME WE ACTUALLY LAUNCHED THE "IBLE READING PROGRAM (E FOUND THE ,ORD FOR HIMSELF AND HIS LIFE TURNED AROUND (E SHARED HIS TESTIMONY AT A SCHOOL CHAPEL SERVICE AND APPEALED TO THE OTHER KIDS TO lND THE ,ORD AS WELL (E TOLD THEM h) WANT TO START A YOUTH GROUP AS PART OF OUR CHURCH S 7EDNESDAY NIGHT GATHERING COME AND JOIN ME v 4WELVE OR SHOWED UP THE lRST NIGHT AND NOW THE GROUP IS NEARLY ˆA NUMBER FROM NON !DVENTIST HOMES AND SEEKING BAPTISM !ND THERE S NOTHING MORE DRAMATIC THAN GATHERING AROUND 3CRIPTURE .O GAMES NO #HRISTIAN ROCK CONCERTSˆ
.OTHING ELSE 3OUP AND BUNS %ATING TOGETHER AND SHARING THE 7ORD TOGETHER !ND TEENAGERS ARE lNDING THAT SATISFYING
4HEY RE lNDING IT VERY EXCITINGˆMORE THAN SATISFYING 3OME OF THEM HAVE GROWN REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT SEEKING THE ,ORD FOR THEMSELVES 9OU MENTIONED A THIRD COMPONENT TO REVIVAL REACHING OUT TO YOUR COMMUNITY
7E DECIDED h,ET S SEE IF WE CAN lND SOME FOLK WHO REALLY NEED SOME HELP v 7E WORK WITH A REGIONAL RESPITE CARE FACILITY TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNWELL OR PHYSICALLY IN NEED 7E TAKE A TEAM OF PEOPLE THERE AND IN A COUPLE OF HOURS TRANSFORM THE PLACE 0EOPLE ASK US h7ELL WHAT S THE CATCH v 7E TELL THEM h4HERE IS NO CATCH 7E BELIEVE AS A CHURCH COMMUNITY THAT *ESUS CAME TO SERVE 7E CALL OURSELVES (IS FOLLOWERS AND WE RE JUST HERE TO SERVE !ND WE HOPE YOU RE BLESSED BY WHAT WE VE DONE FOR YOU v 7E VE RECEIVED TREMENDOUS LETTERS OF RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE WE VE SERVED 9OUNG PEOPLE GET INVOLVED AND ARE KEEN TO DO SOMETHING PRACTICAL WITH THEIR FAITH ) HAVE A SENSE THAT 'OD ISN T lNISHED WITH YOUR CONGREGA TION YET
) THINK WHAT 'OD HAS IN MIND IS TO MAKE US THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT (E WANTS US TO BE IN SHARING (IS LOVE /URS IS A PRETTY SECULAR COUNTRY BUT AS WE BECOME A PEOPLE OF PRAYER AS WE GROW AS STUDENTS OF THE 7ORD OUR WITNESS WILL MAKE A PRACTICAL GODLY DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR NEIGHBORS *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
& 5 . $ ! - % . 4 ! , " % , ) % & 3
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WISH YOU HAD BEEN THERE (UN DREDS OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS CROWDED INTO THE TRAIN STATION WAITING FOR THE -ETRO TO TAKE THEM TO THE 'EORGIA $OME 4HEY SANG h7E (AVE 4HIS (OPE v WHILE OTHERS WON DERED ABOUT THIS JOYOUS CELEBRATION )T WAS THE lNAL 3ABBATH OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION IN *ULY 7HAT A JOY TO BE A 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST 7HAT A BLESSED HOPE WE HAVE
4HE 3IGNS OF #HRIST S #OMING
#HRIST SPOKE ABOUT (IS RETURN 9OU KNOW (IS SIGNS SERMON DON T YOU -ATT $ID YOU NOTICE THE DIS CIPLES QUESTION h7HAT WILL BE THE SIGN ;SINGULAR= OF 9OUR COMING AND OF THE END OF THE AGE v -ATT #HRIST ANSWERED h4AKE HEED THAT NO ONE DECEIVES YOUv VERSE AND WENT ON TO MENTION SEVERAL SIGNS 7AS #HRIST IGNORING THEIR QUESTION /R DID (E HAVE A DEEPER BURDEN BEYOND SIGNS EVEN THOUGH SIGNS ARE IMPORTANT &INALLY #HRIST POINTED TO (IS COMING IN THE CLOUDS AS hTHE SIGNv VERSE #HRIST SPOKE ABOUT FALSE CHRISTS AND PROPHETS WHO WILL DECEIVE VERSES "UT (IS ULTIMATE CONCERN WAS THE PREEMINENT FALSE CHRIST 3ATAN h)F THEY SAY TO YOU @,OOK (E IS IN THE DESERT DO NOT GO OUT OR @,OOK (E IS IN THE INNER ROOMS DO NOT BELIEVE ITv VERSE FOR MY COMING WILL BE LIKE LIGHTNING mASHING ACROSS THE SKY VERSE CF 4HESS h$ON T BE DECEIVED BY 3ATAN IMPERSONATING -Ev WAS (IS WARNING CF #OR h/NLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DILIGENT
.ORMAN 2 'ULLEY IS A RESEARCH PROFESSOR OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY AT 3OUTHERN !DVENTIST 5NIVERSITY IN 4ENNESSEE 5 3 ! (E IS THE AUTHOR OF NUMEROUS BOOKS INCLUDING #HRIST )S #OMING
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
OST RGENT 5 STUDENTS OF THE 3CRIPTURES AND WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH WILL BE SHIELDED FROM THE POWERFUL DELU SION THAT TAKES THE WORLD CAPTIVE v ! .EEDY #HURCH
#HRIST SAID THAT MANY END TIME PEOPLE WOULD BE COLD -ATT 4HAT S THE CULTURE SURROUNDING THE CHURCH (OW ABOUT THE CHURCH #HRIST SAID (IS CHURCH THINKS IT NEEDS NOTHING WHEN IT REALLY NEEDS EVERY THINGˆFOR #HRIST IS KEPT OUTSIDE 2EV #HRIST KNEW THAT SOME IN THE CHURCH WOULD LOVE PLEASURE MORE THAN 'OD hHAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT DENYING ITS POWERv 4IM #HRIST THEN TOLD THE PARABLE OF THE VIRGINS -ATT !LL VIRGINS FELL ASLEEP 4HE FOOLISH VIRGINS WERE LIKE THE OTHERS EXCEPT THEY LACKED OIL VERSES #HRIST ONCE SAID h"LESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THEY SHALL BE lLLEDv -ATT #HRIST WANTS (IS CHURCH TO BE lLLED NOT SATISlED WITH A LITTLE OIL WHEN THEY COULD HAVE SO MUCH #HRIST KNEW THAT SLEEPING VIRGINS NEEDED A REVIVAL AND A REFORMATION #HRIST SAID THAT PEOPLE IN .OAH S DAYS WERE SURPRISED WHEN THE &LOOD CAME AND THEY WERE OUTSIDE THE ARK (E SAID
(IS SECOND COMING WOULD BE A SURPRISE LIKE THAT -ATT )T WOULD BE LIKE THE COMING OF A THIEF hAT AN HOUR YOU DO NOT EXPECTv VERSE h7AIT A MINUTE v SAYS ONE h7OULDN T WE EXPECT #HRIST S COMING AFTER AN INTERNATIONAL 3UNDAY LAW INTERNATIONAL DEATH DECREE AND THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES (OW COULD WE BE TAKEN BY SURPRISE h)MPORTANT QUESTION v COMES THE REPLY h)T S NOT ABOUT SIGNS BUT ABOUT OIL v 4HE VIRGINS KNOW ABOUT THESE END TIME SIGNS BUT lVE OF THEM LACKED SUFlCIENT OIL 4HESE WENT TO BUY OIL EVIDENTLY GOT SOME TRIED TO GAIN ENTRANCE BUT #HRIST SAID h) DO NOT KNOW YOUv -ATT 4HEY MUST HAVE HAD COUNTERFEIT OIL -ATT 4HE /THER 3ECOND !DVENT
$ID YOU KNOW THERE ARE TWO SECOND ADVENTS #HRIST S AND THE (OLY 3PIRIT S 4HE 3PIRIT S lRST ADVENT OR FORMER RAIN WAS AT 0ENTECOST !CTS AND THE SECOND ADVENT OR LATTER RAIN IS IN THE END TIME *OEL #ONSIDER THE lRST ADVENT OF #HRIST 7AS THE *EWISH NATION READY FOR (IM .O $ID (E COME ACCORDING TO THEIR EXPECTATIONS .O 4HEY LOOKED FOR A -ESSIAH TO CONQUER THE HATED 2OMANS AND GIVE THEM NATIONAL FREEDOM 4HEY OVERLOOKED THE QUIETER
2 E V I V A L 2 E F O R M A T I O N
LATTER RAIN COMES TO SEAL US 7E MUST BE READY NOWˆBEFORE (E COMES (IS COMING IS THE NEXT EVENT #HRIST KNOWS THAT SOME WILL ABANDON THEIR FAITH AND GIVE HEED TO SPIRITS OF DEMONS CF 4IM GET FALSE OIL "Y THAT SOME WILL RESIST THE LATTER RAIN .ORMAN 2 'ULLEY BECAUSE (E DOES NOT COME ACCORDING TO THEIR EXPECTATIONS SIMILAR TO #HRIST S lRST COMING WHEN (E WAS RESISTED AND CRUCIlED 7HAT AN UTTER TRAGEDY TO RESIST THE VERY POWER THAT GUARANTEES A SECURE PASSAGE THROUGH END TIME EVENTS )T DOESN T GET ANY WORSE THAN THAT 4O BE UNREADY FOR THE COMING OF THE LATTER RAIN IS TO EXPERIENCE THE THIEF IN THE NIGHT .OW IS THE CRUCIAL TIME IN lNAL COMING OF #HRIST TO SAVE HUMANS INSURANCE POLICY THAT NOTHING IN THE EVENTS ) AM PRAYING TO 'OD FOR A THROUGH (IS DEATH *UST SO TODAY OUR END TIME WILL DECEIVE US 4HE BOTTOM DEEPER INlLLING OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO CHURCH LOOKS FORWARD TO THE CONQUER LINE IS THIS )F WE ARE NOT READY FOR THE BE READY TO BE SEALED TO GIVE MYSELF ING +ING OF KINGS TO LIBERATE THEM SECOND COMING OF THE LATTER RAIN WE WHOLLY EVERY DAY TO #HRIST AND (IS FROM A HOSTILE WORLD CF 2EV WILL NOT BE READY FOR THE SECOND COM WILL TO BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON (IM ) BUT SOME OVERLOOK ING OF #HRIST 4HE GOOD NEWS IS THIS IF LONG TO RECEIVE THE FULLNESS OF THE LATTER THE QUIETER COMING OF THE LATTER RAIN TO WE ARE READY FOR THE SECOND COMING OF RAIN THE HOLY OIL THE SEALING 3PIRIT SAVE THEM THROUGH SEALING THEM THE (OLY 3PIRIT WE WILL BE READY FOR THE 4HIS IS MY URGENT NEED AND IT IS OUR ! GLOBAL DIVINE DECREE GOES FORTH SECOND COMING OF #HRIST 'UARANTEED URGENT NEED ,ET S SEEK 'OD NOW AND h(OLD BACK WINDS OF STRIFE SO -Y BE READY FOR THE OTHER SECOND ADVENT (ERE #OMES THE "IG /NE PEOPLE CAN BE SEALEDv SEE 2EV 4HEN WE WILL BE READY FOR #HRIST S 4HERE S NO SIGN TO WARN US THAT 4HE SEALING IS hA SETTLING INTO THE TRUTH SECOND COMING THE LATTER RAIN IS COMING 4HOSE WHO BOTH INTELLECTUALLY ;KNOW THE TRUTH= %LLEN ' 7HITE 4HE 'REAT #ONTROVERSY P WAIT FOR THE LATTER RAIN TO GET THEM AND SPIRITUALLY ;LOVE THE TRUTH= SO %LLEN ' 7HITE -ANUSCRIPT IN 4HE 3EVENTH DAY READY WILL BE TOO LATE 4HE LATTER RAIN !DVENTIST "IBLE #OMMENTARY %LLEN ' 7HITE #OMMENTS VOL THEY CANNOT BE MOVED v 4HE LATTER P DOESN T COME TO PREPARE US 4HAT S RAIN SEALS US SO WE WILL REMAIN TRUE TO %LLEN ' 7HITE %ARLY 7RITINGS P %LLEN ' 7HITE ,AST $AY %VENTS PP THE WORK OF THE FORMER RAIN 4HE #HRIST COME WHAT MAY 4HIS IS 'OD S
EED .
3ECOND #OMING OF
#HRIST
4HE SECOND COMING OF #HRIST IS THE BLESSED HOPE OF THE CHURCH THE GRAND CLIMAX OF THE GOSPEL 4HE 3AVIOR S COMING WILL BE LITERAL PERSONAL VISIBLE AND WORLDWIDE 7HEN (E RETURNS THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD WILL BE RESURRECTED AND TOGETHER WITH THE
RIGHTEOUS LIVING WILL BE GLORIlED AND TAKEN TO HEAVEN BUT THE UNRIGHTEOUS WILL DIE 4HE ALMOST COMPLETE FULlLLMENT OF MOST LINES OF PROPHECY TOGETHER WITH THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE WORLD INDICATES THAT #HRIST S COMING IS IMMINENT 4HE TIME OF THAT EVENT HAS NOT BEEN REVEALED AND WE ARE THEREFORE EXHORTED TO BE READY AT ALL TIMES 4ITUS (EB *OHN !CTS -ATT 2EV -ATT 4HESS #OR 4HESS 2EV -ATT -ARK ,UKE 4IM 4HESS
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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ONEY IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE CONSIDER OURS AND WHO SHOULD RECEIVE IT 4HE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS )F IT IN A PARTICULAR WAY )T REPRESENTS THE FRACTION OF BELONGS TO 'OD (E IS THE ONE WHO DElNES ITS PURPOSE OUR LIVES THAT WE ACCUMULATE THROUGH THE INVEST AND DESTINATION 4HIS WAS CLEARLY THE CASE IN THE /LD MENT OF OUR ENERGY AND TIME )T IS LIFE PRESERVED IN LIQUID 4ESTAMENT h) GIVE TO THE ,EVITES ALL THE TITHES IN )SRAEL x FORM THAT IS TO SAY WE EXCHANGE IT FOR ALMOST ANY GOODS WE FOR THE WORK THEY DO WHILE SERVING AT THE 4ENT OF -EETINGv MAY WANT OR ENJOY 4HEREFORE WE USUALLY DON T WANT OTHERS TO .UM .)6 4ITHE IS ASSIGNED BY THE ,ORD TO A TELL US HOW TO USE IT OR WHAT TO DO WITH IT &OR BELIEVERS LIFE SPECIlC GROUP WITHIN (IS PEOPLE AND ITS PURPOSE IS TO PAY IS A GIFT FROM 'OD WHETHER IN THE FORM OF THE BREATH OF LIFE THEM FOR THE WORK THEY DO AT THE SANCTUARY ON BEHALF OF OR IN THE FORM OF MONEY 4HEREFORE IT IS TO BE USED THE PEOPLE A WORK ASSIGNED TO THEM BY 'OD 'OD %STABLISHED A TO THE GLORY OF 'OD 7ITH 3YSTEM .OT ONLY WERE THESE COMMENTS AS A BACK THE PURPOSE AND USE GROUND LET ME ADDRESS OF TITHE DETERMINED BY YOUR SPECIlC CONCERN 'OD AS THE OWNER OF 4HE /WNER OF 4ITHE TITHE BUT ALSO THE SYS 4ITHE IS A PERCENTAGE OF TEM THROUGH WHICH TITHE THE MONEY THAT REACHES REACHED THOSE APPOINTED US AS THE RESULT OF THE TO RECEIVE IT 4HE )SRA INVESTMENT OF OUR TIME ELITES WERE TO SEPARATE AND ENERGY )T IS THEREFORE THEIR TITHE AT HOME AND NATURAL TO CONCLUDE THAT 15%34)/. BRING IT TO THE HOUSE OF IT IS OURS AND THAT WE )S IT CORRECT TO RETURN TITHE TO THE ,ORD FOR THE ,EVITES SHOULD DECIDE HOW TO .UM -AL ADMINISTER IT (ERE THE ANY ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL 4HE hSTOREHOUSEv REFERS 3CRIPTURE SURPRISES US BY WHO CLAIMS TO BE DOING THE TO ROOMS IN THE 4EMPLE MAKING A CLAIM THAT IS WORK OF THE ,ORD EMPLOYED TO STORE THE SCIENTIlCALLY UNVERIlABLE TITHE THAT WAS TO BE 4ITHEˆTHE PERCENT OF DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE OUR INCOME OR INCREASEˆ "Y !NGEL ,EVITES )N OTHER WORDS BELONGS TO THE ,ORD h! -ANUEL 2ODR¤GUEZ PEOPLE WERE NOT FREE TITHE BELONGS TO THE ,ORD TO GIVE THEIR TITHE TO ;LE9AHWEH= IT IS HOLY TO WHOMEVER THEY WANTED THE ,ORD ;LE9AHWEH=v OR TO DEPOSIT IT IN ANY ,EV .)6 &ROM OTHER PLACE EXCEPT THE 4EMPLE 3PECIlC PERSONS WERE IN THE HUMAN POINT OF VIEW ALL INCOME IS THE RESULT OF THE INVESTMENT OF OUR TIME AND ENERGY 9ET THIS TEXT REJECTS THAT CHARGE OF COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING IT TO THE ,EVITES AND PRIESTS #HRON )N THE CHURCH TITHE IS CONCLUSION BY INDICATING THAT A PORTION OF OUR INCOME TO BE USED ONLY BY THOSE RECOGNIZED BY THE CHURCH TO BE INCREASE IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF IT )T IS DESCRIBED BY THE ,ORD AS hHOLY v )N THIS PASSAGE DIVINE OWN 'OD S APPOINTED INSTRUMENTS IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL #OR ERSHIP IS CLEARLY EMPHASIZED BY USING THE (EBREW PREPOSI 7E ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TITHE TO THE CHURCH THROUGH TION LE hBELONGING TOv TWO TIMES ALONG WITH THE WORD ITS LOCAL TREASURY NOT SEND IT TO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS WHO hHOLY v 4HE hHOLYv DESIGNATES THAT WHICH 'OD SET APART FOR RUN THEIR OWN PERSONAL RELIGIOUS BUSINESSES ,ET 'OD S TITHE (IS DIVINE PURPOSE THAT THEREFORE BELONGS TO (IM 7E BE USED BY THE ,ORD AS (E INTENDED IT FOR THE FULlLLMENT OF DO NOT CONSECRATE TITHE TO THE ,ORD THE ,ORD HAS ALREADY DECLARED IT HOLY (E HAS PLACED IN OUR HANDS SOMETHING THAT THE MISSION OF (IS CHURCH IS HOLY AND WE ARE SANCTIlED WHEN WE IN OBEDIENCE TO (IS WILL USE IT THE WAY (E INTENDED US TO USE IT $ETERMINING 0ROPER 5SE /NCE WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TITHE BELONGS TO THE ,ORD THE NEXT QUESTIONS WOULD !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODRÓGUEZ IS DIRECTOR OF THE "IBLICAL 2ESEARCH )NSTITUTE OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE BE 7HO HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE ITS PURPOSE
(OLYTO THE
ORD ,
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
" ) " , % 3 4 5 $ 9
$ELIVERANCE IN4RIAL "Y -ARK ! &INLEY
4HROUGHOUT THE /LD 4ESTAMENT A FEW "IBLE HEROES REALLY STAND OUT 4HEY WERE NOBLE MEN AND WOMEN OF FAITH WHO WERE LOYAL TO 'OD IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES !BRAHAM -OSES $ANIEL %STHER %LIJAH $AVID AND OF COURSE *OSEPH *OSEPH S LIFE REVEALS 'OD S CONSTANT BLESSINGS FOR THOSE WHO TRUST (IM IN TIMES OF TRIAL AND DIFlCULTY )N THIS LESSON WE WILL DISCOVER HOW THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDED *OSEPH S LIFE CAN GUIDE OURS AS WELL
7HAT MISTAKE DID *OSEPH S FATHER *ACOB MAKE IN RAISING HIS SON h.OW )SRAEL LOVED *OSEPH MORE THAN ALL OF HIS CHILDREN BECAUSE HE WAS THE SON OF HIS OLD AGE !LSO HE MADE HIM A TUNIC OF MANY COLORS "UT WHEN HIS BROTHERS SAW THAT THEIR FATHER LOVED HIM MORE THAN ALL HIS BROTHERS THEY HATED HIM AND COULD NOT SPEAK PEACEABLY TO HIMv 'EN h.OW )SRAEL
*OSEPH
ALL OF HIS CHILDREN v
! PARENT S PARTIALITY TO ONE CHILD CAN EASILY CREATE FRICTION IN A FAMILY *OSEPH S BROTHERS GRADUALLY DEVELOPED AN ATTITUDE OF ENVY AND JEALOUSY TOWARD HIM
(OW DID *OSEPH S ACTIONS CONTRIBUTE TO HIS BROTHERS JEALOUS ATTITUDES h.OW *OSEPH HAD A DREAM AND HE TOLD IT TO HIS BROTHERS AND THEY HATED HIM EVEN MOREx @4HERE WE WERE BINDING SHEAVES IN THE lELD 4HEN BEHOLD MY SHEAF AROSE AND ALSO STOOD UPRIGHT AND INDEED YOUR SHEAVES STOOD ALL AROUND AND BOWED DOWN TO MY SHEAF v 'EN .OT ONLY DID *OSEPH HAVE A DREAMˆHE
IT TO HIS BROTHERS
*OSEPH S BROTHERS WERE CERTAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS BUT *OSEPH S UNWISE DECISION TO TELL THEM HIS DREAM CONTRIBUTED TO THE JEALOUSY THAT WAS ALREADY GROWING IN THEIR HEARTS
7HAT DID THE JEALOUSY IN THE HEARTS OF *OSEPH S BROTHERS MAKE THEM WILLING TO DO h.OW WHEN THEY SAW HIM AFAR OFF EVEN BEFORE HE CAME NEAR THEM THEY CONSPIRED AGAINST HIM TO KILL HIMv 'EN 4HEY CONSPIRED TO
HIM
*EALOUSY AND ENVY LEAD PEOPLE TO DO THINGS THEY WOULD NEVER IMAGINE DOING "UT IN THIS CASE 'OD HAD OTHER PLANS *OSEPH WAS EVENTUALLY SOLD AS A SLAVE TO %GYPT
(OW DID 'OD HONOR *OSEPH EVEN AS A SLAVE h4HE ,ORD WAS WITH *OSEPH AND HE WAS A SUCCESSFUL MAN AND HE WAS IN THE HOUSE OF HIS MASTER THE %GYPTIAN !ND HIS MASTER ;0OTIPHAR= SAW THAT THE ,ORD WAS WITH HIM AND THAT THE ,ORD MADE ALL THAT HE DID TO PROSPER IN HIS HANDv 'EN 0OTIPHAR SAW THAT THE ,ORD PROSPERED
AND EVERYTHING HE DID
IN HIS HAND
4HROUGHOUT HISTORY 'OD HAS ESPECIALLY BLESSED THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL TO (IM (E HAS GIVEN THEM A PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THEIR STORMS STRENGTH IN THEIR TRIALS AND WISDOM IN THE FACE OF OVERWHELMING PERPLEXITIES 'OD S FAVOR HAS NOT ALWAYS COME IN THE FORM OF MATERIAL BLESSINGS BUT AT TIMES IT HAS *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7HEN 0OTIPHAR S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO LURE *OSEPH INTO TEMPTATION WHAT WAS *OSEPH S RESPONSE h4HERE IS NO ONE GREATER IN THIS HOUSE THAN ) NOR HAS HE ;0OTIPHAR= KEPT BACK ANYTHING FROM ME BUT YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE HIS WIFE (OW THEN CAN ) DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS AND SIN AGAINST 'OD v 'EN *OSEPH SAID h(OW THEN CAN ) DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS AND
AGAINST
v
*OSEPH S LOYALTY TO 'OD WAS STRONGER THAN THE TEMPTATION PLACED BEFORE HIM (E WOULD NOT DISHONOR 'OD BY INDULGING IN THE PASSIONS OF HIS YOUTHFUL HEART 0OTIPHAR S WIFE WAS FURIOUS AND ACCUSED *OSEPH FALSELY %VENTUALLY *OSEPH WAS UNJUSTLY CONDEMNED AND THROWN INTO PRISON
(OW DID 'OD HONOR *OSEPH S CHOICES EVEN IN PRISON h"UT THE ,ORD WAS WITH *OSEPH AND SHOWED HIM MERCY AND (E GAVE HIM FAVOR IN THE SIGHT OF THE KEEPER OF THE PRISONv 'EN 4HE ,ORD GAVE HIM
IN THE SIGHT OF THE KEEPER OF THE PRISON
2EAD 'ENESIS AND DISCOVER HOW 'OD BROUGHT *OSEPH INTO FURTHER FAVOR BY ALLOWING HIM TO INTERPRET THE DREAMS OF TWO OTHER INMATES
7HEN 0HARAOH DREAMED OF SEVEN FAT COWS AND SEVEN LEAN COWS SEVEN FULL HEADS OF GRAIN AND SEVEN WITHERED HEADS OF GRAIN WHAT WAS *OSEPH S INTERPRETATION h)NDEED SEVEN YEARS OF GREAT PLENTY WILL COME THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND OF %GYPT BUT AFTER THEM SEVEN YEARS OF FAMINE WILL ARISE AND ALL THE PLENTY WILL BE FORGOTTEN IN THE LAND OF %GYPT AND THE FAMINE WILL DEPLETE THE LANDv 'EN h3EVEN YEARS OF
WILL COME THROUGHOUT THE LAND BUT AFTER THEM SEVEN YEARS OF
WILL ARISE v
0HARAOH WAS AMAZED AT THE WISDOM 'OD GAVE *OSEPH AND APPOINTED HIM SECOND IN COMMAND OVER THE ENTIRE KINGDOM TO OVERSEE THE STORAGE AND PRESERVATION OF GRAIN DURING THE YEARS OF PLENTY SO THAT THE NATION COULD SURVIVE THE YEARS OF FAMINE
9EARS LATER WHEN *OSEPH MET HIS BROTHERS AGAIN WHAT WAS HIS TESTIMONY h*OSEPH SAID TO THEM @$O NOT BE AFRAID FOR AM ) IN THE PLACE OF 'OD "UT AS FOR YOU YOU MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME BUT 'OD MEANT IT FOR GOOD IN ORDER TO BRING IT ABOUT THIS DAY TO SAVE MANY PEOPLE ALIVE v 'EN h9OU MEANT
AGAINST ME BUT 'OD MEANT IT FOR
v
!S *OSEPH LOOKED BACK OVER HIS LIFE HE HAD ABSOLUTE CONlDENCE THAT 'OD HAD GUIDED HIM (E KNEW THAT IN SPITE OF THE TRIALS AND DIFlCULTIES HE FACED 'OD HAD WORKED THINGS OUT FOR HIS GOOD AND FOR THE GLORY OF HEAVEN S ETERNAL PURPOSES *OSEPH HONORED 'OD AND 'OD BLESSED HIM 7HEN EVEN IN DIFlCULT TIMES WE PLACE 'OD lRST IN OUR LIVES (E WILL BLESS US IN REMARKABLE WAYS !ND LIKE *OSEPH WE WILL LOOK BACK OVER OUR LIVES WITH REMARKABLE CONlDENCE THAT 'OD DOES ALL THINGS WELL
.EXT MONTH S "IBLE STUDY h4HE $IVINE (ELPER v BEGINS A NEW SERIES ABOUT THE (OLY 3PIRIT !DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
,%44%23 4HEN AND .OW
4HANKS FOR h#AN 7E 4ALK v BY !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODR¤GUEZ /CTOBER 3OME TOPICS CAN T BE SORTED OUT JUST BY READING 3CRIPTURE 4HERE IS MORE TO IT THAN JUST AN hIT IS WRITTEN v BECAUSE OUR TIME DIFFERS FROM BIBLICAL TIMES SO MUCH THEREFORE BIBLICAL TEXTS HAVE TO BE INTERPRETED ) APPRECIATED THIS ARTICLE BECAUSE IT TELLS THE TRUTHˆTHAT MANY QUARRELS EMERGE JUST BECAUSE OF FEAR LIBERAL VERSUS MAINSTREAM VERSUS EXTREME RIGHT ETC ) M HAPPY ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF A CHURCH THAT HAS ON ONE SIDE STRONG FUNDAMENTALS AND ALSO REALIZES ON THE OTHER SIDE THAT SOME TOPICS CONTAIN VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES TO TRANSFER THEOLOGY FROM THEORY TO LIFE ) TOO AGREE THAT WE MUST TALK TO AND PRAY WITH EACH OTHER MUCH MORE FOR 'OD IS THE ONE WHO GIVES UNITY 0LEASE GIVE SOME FOLLOW UPS IN THIS STYLE AND COVER SOME MORE ISSUES LIKE VEGETARIANISM JEWELRY MUSIC AND OTHERS #HRISTIAN -ACHER 3ALZBURG !USTRIA
3TILL IT S HARD TO EXPLAIN BUT THE MORE ) READ THE 7ORD THE MORE PRECIOUS IT BECOMES ) M lNALLY START ING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ALWAYS JUST SEEMED TO ME LIKE A CHILDISH CLICH£ THE "IBLE IS 'OD S LOVE LETTER TO ME 2EADING IT BRINGS ME PEACE 4HANK YOU FOR THE ARTICLE AND FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL WORK THAT YOUR PUBLICATION DOES FOR 'OD 3UZETTE 0ETERSON 2 EDLANDS #ALIFORNIA 5NITED 3TATES $OING 5NTO /THERS
) FELT SO SAD WHEN ) READ h-USTAQ v BY 3UDHA +HRISTMUKTI /CTOBER ) CANNOT BELIEVE PEOPLE TREAT OTHERS AS -USTAQ WAS TREATED 7ERE THESE !DVENTIST STUDENTS 7HY DIDN T THE TEACHER STEP IN AND OFFER TO HELP -USTAQ OR AT LEAST REPRIMAND THE OTHER STUDENTS FOR THEIR UN #HRISTLIKE BEHAVIOR ) FELT SO ASHAMED OF THE STUDENTS 7HY DID IT HAVE TO BE POINTED OUT TO PEOPLE OF THEIR AGE THAT HE WAS POOR #OULDN T THEY TELL ) FOUND MYSELF ANGRY AT HIS TORMENTORS AND AT HIS 2EADING FOR -YSELF TEACHER ) WANTED TO PUT MY ARM ) REALLY ENJOYED THE ARTICLE BY 3YLVIA AROUND HIM PULL HIM CLOSE TO ME AND 2ENZ h(UNGERING FOR THE 7ORDv LET HIM KNOW SOMEONE CARED /CTOBER ) IDENTIlED SO PERFECTLY 5NFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT ONLY YOUNG WITH HER EXPERIENCE OF THE h) ALREADY PEOPLE WHO ARE GUILTY OF SNUBBING OR KNOW THISv SYNDROME AND THE MENTAL RIDICULE 7E CAN lND IT OF ALL AGES RIGHT BLOCKADES SHE DESCRIBED THAT DISTRACT US IN OUR OWN CHURCHES !REN T WE WHO DURING OUR READING AND STUDY CALL OURSELVES #HRISTIANS SUPPOSED TO BE WALKING WITH *ESUS TOWARD SANCTIl CATION (OW CAN WE CALL OURSELVES BY #HRIST S NAME WHEN WE TREAT OTHERS AS -USTAQ WAS TREATED *EAN #UMMINGS 6IA % MAIL
4ACTFULLY 4REATED
) HAVE WORKED FOR MORE THAN YEARS AS DIRECTOR OF A "IBLE CLASS 7E ARE CURRENTLY STUDYING WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE ) WAS HAPPY TO READ THE ARTICLE ABOUT EVANGELISM IN THE CITY OF 2OME THROUGH THE WORK OF 3HAWN "OONSTRA h!DVENTIST /UTREACH 4AKES 2OME BY 3TORMv *ULY (AVING LIVED IN %UROPE ) WELL UNDERSTAND THE DIFlCULTY OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN CITIES SUCH AS 2OME ) AM PART OF AN OUTREACH PROJECT AIMED AT THE UPPER CLASS ) AM CURIOUS ABOUT HOW COMPLEX AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES WERE ADDRESSED #ARMEN 3ILVA 3ALVADOR "RAZIL )NSTRUCTION
) AM A MEMBER IN THE (IMO 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 4ANZANIA ) SAW THE !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGA ZINE AND h"EGINNING TO @ENDITNOW v -AY ) READ IT AND UNDERSTAND ESPECIALLY HOW !DVENTISTS SHOULD BE 'OD BLESS ALL OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATE IN WRITING ;FOR THIS MAGAZINE= 7ILSON -JEMA +ILIMANJARO -OSHI DISTRICT 4ANZANIA
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
,%44%23 /UTREACH
) AM A PASTOR OF A "APTIST CHURCH HERE IN -ALAWI ) HAVE READ !DVENTIST 7ORLD AND THE STORY h&ULlLL ING A -OTHER S $REAM v BY 3AMUEL .EVES !PRIL !FTER READING THIS ) DECIDED TO BECOME AN !DVENTIST MINISTER BUT ) DON T KNOW THE PROCEDURE ) ASK IF YOU CAN GIVE ME THE PROCESS ,EONARD +AZEMBE "LANTYRE -ALAWI
!PPRECIATION
4HANKS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL !DVENTIST 7ORLD ) GOT SOME MAGAZINES IN #HILLÕN #HILE #ONGRATULATIONS FOR THIS PUBLICATION WITH SUCH INTERESTING TOPICS THAT INFORM AND TEACH US SO MUCH -AY 'OD BLESS THE MINISTRY OF THIS MAGAZINE *OSE /RLANDO 3OTO /JEDA #HILLÕN #HILE #ONGRATULATIONS FOR THE !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGAZINE ) LIKE IT -Y FAVORITE SEGMENT IS 4HE 0LACE OF 0RAYER SO WE CAN PRAY FOR PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND ENRICH OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE 4HANK YOU AND KIND REGARDS -ARIA 4ERESA 0ASCUAL ,LAIDA 3PAIN
) RECEIVE !DVENTIST 7ORLD EVERY MONTH ) AM THANKFUL THAT IT IS EDIFYING MY SPIRIT 'OD BLESS YOU !NGELA 0AIEA #ORDEIRO 2ECIFE "RAZIL
,ETTERS 0OLICY 0LEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO LETTERS ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ,ETTERS MUST BE CLEARLY WRITTEN AND TO THE POINT WORD MAXIMUM "E SURE TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE ARTICLE THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND PAGE NUMBER WITH YOUR LETTER !LSO INCLUDE YOUR NAME THE TOWN CITY STATE AND COUNTRY FROM WHICH YOU ARE WRITING ,ETTERS WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY .OT ALL LETTERS SUBMITTED WILL BE PUBLISHED
4 ( % 0 , ! # % / & 0 2 !9 % 2 ) URGENTLY NEED YOUR PRAYERS FOR MY lNANCIAL HARDSHIP ) NEED TO COMPLETE MY TUITION FEE FOR THIS SEMESTER 3ATAN IS WORKING HARD TO DISORGANIZE THE WAY THAT THE ,ORD HAS PREPARED FOR ME /CEN 5GANDA -Y FAMILY AND ) NEED lNANCIAL BLESS INGS "ECAUSE OF HARDSHIP MY PARENTS DECIDED NOT TO HELP TO CONTINUE MY SECOND SEMESTER STUDIES ) REALLY DON T WANT TO STOP MY STUDIES -AY !NN 0HILIPPINES 0LEASE PRAY FOR OUR DAUGHTER WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER ) WOULD LIKE PRAYERS FOR HER FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD *OANNE 5NITED 3TATES
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
) COMPLETED MY MASTER S DEGREE LAST -AY AND AM LOOKING FOR A JOB ) AM SEARCHING BUT NOT ABLE TO GET INTO A COMPANY ) AM BECOMING WEAK IN MY FAITH THOUGH SINCE CHILDHOOD ) HAVE LEANED ON 'OD FOR EVERYTHING 0LEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS #AROLINE )NDIA 2EADERS OF THE !DVENTIST 7ORLD IN 5RDU ARE INCREASING EVERY DAY 0EOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN STUDYING THE "IBLE /NE PERSON HAS URGED ALMOST PASTORS TO OPEN THE SITE AND MAKE SERMONS FROM IT 0LEASE PRAY FOR THIS MINISTRY 3ALEEM 0AKISTAN
4HANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE PRAYED FOR ME ) REQUESTED PRAYER FOR MY CANCER LAST SPRING AND THE INDICATORS WERE VERY LOW IN 3EPTEMBER )T HAS NO CURE THEY SAY BUT 'OD DOES NOT KNOW THAT 2ALPH 5NITED 3TATES 0RAY THAT THE (OLY 3PIRIT WILL WORK ON MY HUSBAND S HEART AND GIVE HIM LIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING SO THAT HE CAN lND *ESUS AGAIN 0ETRA 'ERMANY 4HE 0LACE OF 0RAYER SEND TO PRAYER ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 3END US YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISE THANKS FOR ANSWERED PRAYER +EEP YOUR ENTRIES SHORT AND CONCISE WORDS MAXIMUM )TEMS SENT TO THIS CATEGORY WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY %VEN THOUGH WE WILL PRAY FOR EACH ENTRY DURING OUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETINGS NOT ALL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE PRINTED 0LEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY S NAME WITH YOUR ENTRY 9OU MAY ALSO FAX REQUESTS TO OR MAIL THEM TO !DVENTIST 7ORLD /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -$ 5 3 !
%8#(!.'% /& )$%!3
2OCK 3OLID 4HIS MONTH A READER SHARES WHAT A ROCK COLLECTION TAUGHT HER ABOUT 'OD
9
ARD WORK HAS NEVER BEEN SOMETHING ) ENJOY !S A YOUTH ) WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MOWING OF THE LAWN AND THE RAKING OF THE LEAVES )T WAS A YEAR ROUND JOB AND ) # ( ! 2 , % 3 4 ( / - 0 3 / HAD WISHES OF HAVING A YARD FULL OF TREE . LESS SAND THAT NEEDED NEITHER RAKING NOR MOWING !S AN ADULT ) STILL DO NOT ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL LEAVES IN MY YARD AS THEY FALL TO THE GROUND 4HE GRASS SEEMS TO GROW FASTER EVERY YEAR AND WEEDS POP OUT UNINVITED -Y HUSBAND HAS SEVERE ALLERGIES TO GRASS SO ) AM ALONE IN THESE CHORES ) DECIDED TO COLLECT ROCKSย LARGE BEAUTIFUL ROCKS THAT NEED NO MAINTENANCE AND BY THE NATURE OF THEIR SIZE WOULD TAKE UP SPACE ON MY YARD HELPING TO ELIMINATE THE AMOUNT OF WORK ) HAD OUTSIDE 7HENEVER WE TRAVELED ) WOULD BRING HOME A ROCK FOR A SOUVENIR ) HAD MY HUSBAND DRIVE OFF THE REGULAR FAMIL IAR ROUTES INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE IN SEARCH OF ROCKS ) HAVE WALKED THROUGH CREEKS MUD AND OTHER TERRAIN IN QUEST OF ROCKS /UR CHILDREN HAD CLEAR DIRECTIONS THAT ON EVERY HOLIDAY OR BIRTHDAY ) WANTED ROCKS FOR THE YARD ,OOKING OUT MY WINDOW ) SEE THE COLLECTION 2OCKS FROM THE WEEK MY TEEN DAUGHTER AND ) CAMPED AND HIKED ALONE DURING SUMMER ROCKS FROM VARI OUS HIKES IN THE MOUNTAINS AND ROCKS MY LOVING HUSBAND STOPPED AND BOUGHT ME IN LIEU OF THE mOWERS MOST WOMEN WOULD WANT FOR A SWEET SURPRISE (AS THIS OBSESSION WITH ROCKS REDUCED MY YARD WORK 5NFORTUNATELY NO )N FACT GETTING LEAVES OUT FROM AROUND ROCKS IS INDEED VERY TIME CONSUMING "UT TO ME THE ROCKS HAVE BECOME VISIONS OF BEAUTY POWER AND HOPE %VERY TIME ) MOVE ONE SIT ON ONE OR WALK BY ONE IN MY YARD ) AM REMINDED OF THE "IBLE VERSE FROM 0ETER h9OU ALSO AS LIVING STONES ARE BEING BUILT UP ;AS= A SPIRITUAL HOUSE v ) AM A LIVING STONE FULL OF STRENGTH AND POSSIBILITY TO DEVELOP INTO MORE OF THE PERSON 'OD WANTS ME TO BE 3OMETIMES ) HAVE CHIPS CRACKS AND DENTS IN ME WEATHERED DOWN BY LIFE AND POOR CHOICES 3OMETIMES ) AM SMALL BUT SERVING A BIG PURPOSE AND SOMETIMES ) AM LIKE A HUGE STONE FORMI DABLE AND STURDY EMBRACING THE POWER OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT WHO EMPOWERS ME 2OCKS STONES AND PEBBLES REMIND ME THAT WE ARE ALL UNIQUE INSIDE AND OUT BUT WITH ONE UNIlED PURPOSE TO KNOW 'OD AND TO MAKE (IM KNOW BY THE WAY WE LIVE ) PULL UP THE WEEDS ENCROACHING ON THE CENTER ROCK WITH ITS RED VEINS AND SHARP EDGES ) SIT AND ADMIRE ITS BEAUTY KNOWING 'OD HAD DESIGNED ITS INTRICACIES ) WONDER HOW THE hSTONESv IN MY LIFE ARE SHAPING UP (OW WAS MY SPIRITUAL HOUSE BEING BUILT 7ERE THERE TOO MANY WEEDS TAKING ROOT 3TONES CAUSE ME TO STOP AND REmECT ON SUCH QUESTIONS AND REMIND ME THAT AS 0SALM READS h-Y 'OD ;IS= THE ROCK OF MY REFUGE v ย -ALINDA &ILLINGIM 2OME 'EORGIA 5NITED 3TATES
h"EHOLD ) COME QUICKLYxv
/UR MISSION IS TO UPLIFT *ESUS #HRIST UNITING 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS EVERYWHERE IN BELIEFS MISSION LIFE AND HOPE 0UBLISHER 4HE !DVENTIST 7ORLD AN INTERNATIONAL PERIODICAL OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH 4HE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE .ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTSยง IS THE PUBLISHER %XECUTIVE 0UBLISHER "ILL +NOTT !SSOCIATE 0UBLISHER #LAUDE 2ICHLI )NTERNATIONAL 0UBLISHING -ANAGER #HUN 0YUNG $UK 0UBLISHING "OARD 4ED . # 7ILSON CHAIR "ENJAMIN $ 3CHOUN VICE CHAIR "ILL +NOTT SECRETARY ,ISA "EARDSLEY $ANIEL 2 *ACKSON 2OBERT ,EMON 'EOFFREY -BWANA !RMANDO -IRANDA ' 4 .G *UAN 0RESTOL -ICHAEL 2YAN %LLA 3IMMONS -ARK 4HOMAS +ARNIK $OUKMETZIAN LEGAL ADVISOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD #OORDINATING #OMMITTEE ,EE *AIRYONG CHAIR !KERI 3UZUKI +ENNETH /SBORN 'UIMO 3UNG #HUN 0YUNG $UK (AN 3UK (EE %DITOR IN #HIEF "ILL +NOTT %DITORS BASED IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 'ERALD ! +LINGBEIL ASSOCIATE EDITOR 3ANDRA "LACKMER 3TEPHEN #HAVEZ -ARK ! +ELLNER +IMBERLY ,USTE -ARAN %DITORS BASED IN 3EOUL +OREA #HUN *UNG +WON #HOE *EONG +WAN #HUN 0YUNG $UK /NLINE %DITOR #ARLOS -EDLEY 4ECHNICAL #OORDINATOR -ERLE 0OIRIER %XECUTIVE !SSISTANT TO THE %DITOR 2ACHEL * #HILD %DITORIAL !SSISTANTS -ARVENE 4HORPE "APTISTE !LFREDO 'ARCIA -ARENKO 2EADER 3ERVICES -ERLE 0OIRIER !RT $IRECTION AND $ESIGN *EFF $EVER &ATIMA !MEEN #ONSULTANTS 4ED . # 7ILSON 2OBERT % ,EMON ' 4 .G 'UILLERMO % "IAGGI ,OWELL # #OOPER $ANIEL 2 *ACKSON 'EOFFREY -BWANA !RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA -ICHAEL , 2YAN "LASIOUS - 2UGURI "ENJAMIN $ 3CHOUN %LLA 3 3IMMONS !LBERTO # 'ULFAN *R %RTON +ย HLER *AIRYONG ,EE )SRAEL ,EITO *OHN 2ATHINARAJ 0AUL 3 2ATSARA "ARRY /LIVER "RUNO 6ERTALLIER 'ILBERT 7ARI "ERTIL ! 7IKLANDER 4O 7RITERS 7E WELCOME UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS !DDRESS ALL EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE TO /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -$ 5 3 ! %DITORIAL OFlCE FAX NUMBER % MAIL WORLDEDITOR GC ADVENTIST ORG 7EB SITE WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 5NLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ALL "IBLE REFERENCES ARE TAKEN FROM THE .EW +ING *AMES 6ERSION #OPYRIGHT ร BY 4HOMAS .ELSON )NC 5SED BY PERMISSION !LL RIGHTS RESERVED 4EXTS CREDITED TO .)6 ARE FROM THE (OLY "IBLE .EW )NTERNATIONAL 6ERSION #OPYRIGHT ร )NTERNATIONAL "IBLE 3OCIETY 5SED BY PERMISSION OF :ONDERVAN "IBLE 0UBLISHERS !DVENTIST 7ORLD IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY AND PRINTED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN +OREA "RAZIL )NDONESIA !USTRALIA 'ERMANY !USTRIA AND THE 5NITED 3TATES 6OL .O
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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h0RAYER CAN MAKE DOUBTERS AND UNBELIEVERS ASK @(OW DID IT HAPPEN v ˆ0ASTOR $ESMOND -ICHAEL ASSOCIATE EVANGELISM DIREC TOR !BA #ENTRAL $ISTRICT %AST .IGERIA #ONFERENCE DURING A SERMON IN
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WITH OTHER CHURCH MEMBERS EN COURAGED 9ESSY S PARENTS TO SEND HIM TO THE %BEN %ZER 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST 3CHOOL IN -ARAN KIARI 0ERU %VEN THOUGH THEY ARE !DVENTISTS THEY STRONGLY RESISTED THE IDEA FEARING THAT 9ESSY WOULD BE RIDICULED &ER NANDO )NGARUCA SCHOOL DIRECTOR CONVINCED THE PARENTS TO SEND 9ESSY 4HE BOY IS NOW ENJOY ING SCHOOL AND ALL THE ACTIVITIES THERE INCLUDING READING AND WRITING 9ESSY IS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT DRAWING TOO 2ECENTLY HE SAW A VIDEO OF .ICK 6UJICIC
A YOUNG ADULT MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER BORN WITHOUT ARMS AND LEGS AND BECAME INSPIRED TO DO MANY THINGS ONE OF WHICH IS TO LEARN TO SWIM 4O hMEETv 9ESSY FOLLOW THIS LINK WWW YOUTUBE COM WATCH V % X6NC "#S
TOGETHER ON THE HILLSIDE AFTER CELEBRATING 4HIRTEENTH 3ABBATH AT CHURCH IN EARLY ! .37 %2 )N #OLOMBIA CHURCH MEMBERS IN 3AN *UAN .EPOMUCENO "OL¤VAR ENJOY NATURE
- % % 4 9 /5 2 .% ) ' ( " / 2 9ESSY IS A YEAR OLD STUDENT IN ONE OF OUR !DVENTIST SCHOOLS IN THE #ENTRAL !NDINA -ISSON OF 0ERU 9ESSY WAS BORN WITHOUT LIMBS (E IS AN INSPIRATION TO EACH OF THE STUDENTS THE STAFF AND THE PARENTS OF THE STUDENTS 4O SEE THE FACE OF 9ESSY FULL OF JOY IN SPITE OF HIS LIMITATIONS IS REALLY INSPIRING !BOUT ONE YEAR AGO $ANIEL 0ECHO /JEDA EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR FOR THE #ENTRAL !NDINA -ISSION ALONG