Page 9 Page 10 Page 16 October 2018 Don’t Let Your A Remnant Jonah’s Fishing Kids Read This Chosen by Grace Campaign Called to Belong

By Bill Knott

efore I reached the age of 6, I learned a central truth about the Bremnant. My Aunt Gladys was one of those remarkable women who illustrated “multi-tasking” long before the term grew trendy, for she was never doing only one thing. While telling long and fascinating stories or playing complicated word games, she was invariably cro- united states cheting, braiding a rug, or sewing shirts that little boys were proud to wear. Spending afternoons with Aunt Gladys meant entering a world of projects, including frequent visits to the “remnant store.” Among the bolts of printed cotton and yards of colorful fabrics, Aunt Gladys searched for bits of cloth—scraps and pieces—which her trained eye and frugal sense could imagine for her next project. We would return with plastic bags well-stuffed with About the Cover “remnants”—squares and triangles of fabric soon integrated into another quilt or sturdy, handmade rug. Tsega Sileshi T. was born into an By definition and repeated observation, a “remnant” was a Adventist home in Ethiopia. She moved thing created by the choice of someone else—something left to the United States seven years ago. when larger pieces found their designated purpose. No square of She is currently pursuing a B.Sc. degree red-checked gingham or floral fabric ever chose to be a remnant. A in biology in Chattanooga, Tennessee, remnant was a thing made valuable because an artist and creator where she attends the East Ridge saw possibilities in pieces. Seventh-day Adventist church. Tsega That understanding, planted in my mind before I even started is passionate about helping people and school, has always helped me when the rhetoric of “remnant” enjoys the outdoors. She dreams of seemed to imply an exclusive or self-chosen identity for those who serving others in the medical field and is rightly call themselves “God’s end-time remnant people.” The Scrip- excited about Jesus’ soon coming. tures are entirely clear: we don’t choose to make ourselves a rem-

Cover Photo: Tim Pethel nant any more than we can claim responsibility for our salvation. It’s the gracious call to follow Jesus that creates Focus the identity and purpose of His remnant. It’s His 10 A Remnant Chosen by Grace act to gather up small and frequently discarded fragments from other causes and faith groups 14 Faithful to His Word according to a pattern only He can see. 16 Jonah’s Fishing Campaign It’s the glory of our Saviour that “He has 18 Living With an Imperfect Remnant made everything beautiful in its time” (Eccl. 22 Jesus Has His Reasons 3:11), including what He makes of those the The Word world rejects or persecutes. The vast, un- 26 Bible Questions Answered counted throng seen by the apostle John in vision is assembled from the fragments others My Church spurned or counted worthless—a quilt, if 13 Millennial Voices you will, of hues and patterns pleasing to the 20 Global View Artist who repurposed them. His call creates 24 Discovering the Spirit of Prophecy His remnant: His grace is still what ties us to millions of other believers who differ in so many human categories but find our Living Faith satisfying place in His design. 27 Health and Wellness Rejoice in this: that you have been invited by grace to belong to 28 May I Tell You a Story? that remnant precious to the Lord, those who “keep the command- 30 Growing Faith—Children’s Pages ments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17).

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2 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org News Moment

Pedro Valença, an ADRA Connections Extreme participant from UNASP-Brazil, carries supplies while working on an Amazon River school site.

Photo: ADRA International

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 3 News in Brief

“It was a humbling experience. “Christian Many community and church members attended the launch.” youth to- —Apisalome Seru, Vanuatu Adventist Mission chief financial officer, who day want participated in the launch of a government-aided school renovation proj- ect on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. It is the first time the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the trans-Pacific region has received government to under- funding to renovate an Adventist school. Total funding for the project is close to AU$2 million (US$1.48 million). Speaking to those in attendance, stand faith Jean-Pierre Nirua, Vanuatu’s minister of education, thanked community members for their patience, prayers, and commitment to the project. and origins, and need First Phase of Medical School in Rwanda to Be Completed by 2019 The Adventist to hear The first phase of the East-Central Humanitarian Africa Division (ECD) medical school Source: Office of Archives, Statistics, and how top in Rwanda is expected to be com- Research Global Membership Survey 2013 pleted by March 2019, regional scientists Adventist leaders have reported. Once completed, the medical school will address some of Africa’s most like Walton pressing health challenges. The ratio of doctors to patients across have de- the ECD territory is very low. In Rwanda there is one physician veloped per 15,625 inhabitants. Leaders also expect that the new medical their sense program will support the 10 Seventh- day Adventist mission hospitals and 166 clinics across the ECD territory. of wonder in God’s 200,000 responsibility a deep sense of I feel suffering. to reduce creation.” The number of acres (equiva- 47% I often care a great deal about reducing deal about reducing a great care I often the world. country/around in my poverty lent to 80,937 hectares or 809 —Victor Hulbert, communication

square kilometers) that were on of a significant portion I give to help people. time/money director of the Trans-European fire in California when the Central 36% Division, commenting on the California Conference canceled 31% release of a new episode of the its Camp Wawona summer camp series Seeking Understanding. sessions for the remainder of The episode features University of the season. The decision was St. Andrews professor of chem- made because the air quality istry John Walton, and highlights index had reached very unhealthy one top scientist’s view on the levels. A few days later a man- origins of life. Hulbert organized datory evacuation order was a preview of the film on the given for those in the area. campus of Newbold College.

4 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org News in Brief “We have not been 350 able to transmit Number of victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) who have received the message of medical attention and reconstructive surgery at the Desert Flower salvation yet, but Center located in the Waldfriede Adventist that story is go- Hospital in Zehlendorf, Berlin, Germany. The center was launched in ing to change.” 2013 with the support of former top model Waris —Dany Perla, president of the Metropolitan El Salvador Conference, congrat- Dirie. According to United ulating a group of young Adventist members in San Salvador who decided Nations statistics, more to take a course in basic sign language in order to be able to minister to than 250 million women deaf individuals. Perla told the group that the church has so few members with hearing disabilities “simply because we have not been able to commu- worldwide are affected by nicate with them.” this damaging procedure. 8,742

Number of patients served over a three-day period by a mega clinic organized in Palawan, the Philippines. The clinic was a joint effort by Adventist World Radio and LifeSource International Medical Clinics, a humanitar- ian service associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Patients were offered a wide range of free medical services including access to Dental providers care for one of the 8,742 dental care, medical consulta- patients at the mega tion, minor surgeries, optical clinic organized in services, laboratory tests, a Palawan, Philippines. pharmacy, and counseling. Photo: Southern Asia-Pacific Division

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 5 News in Depth

Administrative Committee Takes Document to be considered Step Forward in Unity Process at the 2018 Annual Council.

By Adventist World and ANN

The Seventh-day Adventist The Unity Oversight Committee cle, and showed that a majority of Church’s General Conference Admin- was informed by quantitative and the world church’s union presi- istrative Committee (ADCOM) voted qualitative data gathered from dents favored some kind of process on Tuesday, July 17, a document rec- church leaders worldwide as well for dealing with noncompliance. ommended by the Unity Oversight as dialogues with the 13 world Following standard process and Committee. The recommendations divisions, General Conference Lead- protocol, the document voted on came after nine months of listening ership Council, and GC institutions. July 17 by GC ADCOM will also be and consultation with church enti- Comments from Executive Commit- discussed by the General Conference ties around the world, and outline tee members during previous Annu- and Division Officers Committee. It a process of addressing entities not al Councils were also considered. will then be sent to the GC Execu- in compliance with the actions of a The Office of Archives, Statistics, tive Committee at its Annual Coun- General Conference (GC) Session, the and Research was tasked with cil this October for consideration. GC Executive Committee, or working developing a questionnaire and policy. The outlined process includes administering a survey of all union The full document voted by the setting up a number of compliance and division presidents worldwide. General Conference Administrative review committees that will address All those surveyed submitted a Committee can be read at specific issues of noncompliance response, even though in some www.AdventistWorld.org/ and will make recommendations to cases they chose not to answer all UnityOversightCommittee. the General Conference Administra- questions. The results of the survey tive Committee. were published in a previous arti-

Photo: Brandon Roberts/GC Communication

6 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org News in Depth

Germany Hosts 2018 Global Leaders challenged to “pass it Youth Leaders Congress on” to the next generations

By Costin Jordache, director of communication and news editor, Adventist World

More than 1,600 Seventh-day Ad- ventist youth ministry leaders from around the world gathered in Kassel, Germany, for the 2018 Global Youth Leaders Congress. From July 31 to August 4, 2018, attendees grappled with significant challenges and op- portunities of ministering to teens and young adults in various cultural contexts. A total of 120 languages were spoken by the attendees. Photo: Dejan Stojkovic Previously open to both youth A MULTIFACETED THEME al aspect of the model. iCOR “is and youth leaders, this year’s The leadership congress was intended to provide churches with event was developed specifically organized around the theme “Pass value-oriented support in making for youth ministry leaders only, It On,” and aimed to “equip, engage, this spiritual home a reality for all a change in focus that came with and empower a generation of generations, all cultures, and all a level of disappointment from Spirit-filled leaders to pass on the social classes,” explains the initia- some who would not be allowed to legacy of the Reformation,” accord- tive’s Web site. “It’s a communal attend. In a letter to past attendees, ing to organizers. On opening night ‘i,’ in iCOR,” emphasized Stephan Gary Blanchard, director of Youth the theme was expanded on by Sigg, president of the Swiss Union Ministries for the Seventh-day Blanchard, along with world church Conference and one of the event’s Adventist Church, explained, “What associate youth director Andrés keynote speakers. “The significance we do not have but desperately Peralta. “Identity, mission, and lead- is that we grow, serve, and learn need is a congress for youth and ership,” said Blanchard, are three of together.” young adult leaders.” Apologizing the specific values that youth lead- In 2016 the world church ad- to those for whom the decision was ers are encouraged to pass along to opted iCOR as its main strategy in disappointing, Blanchard empha- upcoming generations. identifying local churches as the sized that the global church orga- Organizers focused on a specific “primary target of global youth nizes IMPACT events in partnership model of youth leadership, intend- ministry.” As such, all aspects of the with General Conference sessions, ed to be passed on and integrated youth congress were organized into which in essence function as global not only into future generations components such as iGrow, iCare, youth congresses. The next event is but into current local churches iLearn, and iThink. scheduled for Indianapolis, Indiana, around the world. Developed in Other keynote speakers included United States, in 2020. partnership with the Center for David Assherick and Ty Gibson, In a press conference organized Youth Evangelism (CYE), EUD, and who each delivered multipart series on opening day, Jonatán Tejel, the Trans-European Division (TED), throughout the event; Adventist youth director for the host Inter-Eu- the Intergenerational Churches world church president Ted N. C. ropean Division (EUD), explained of Refuge (iCOR) model seeks Wilson, who spoke on Sabbath that divisions normally plan their to create “inclusive, accepting, morning; A. Allan Martin, teach- own general youth congresses, and community-oriented, strategically ing pastor of Younger Generation reiterated the need for specialized placed, safe, spiritual environments Church; and Gilbert Cangy, former youth leadership training on a for young adults,” according to Ron world church youth director. global scale. Blanchard indicated Whitehead, CYE executive director. that all division youth leaders TED and EUD took the concept For more stories about the Global would discuss possibilities for the one step further, developing and Youth Leaders Congress, visit the news future while in Germany. emphasizing the intergeneration- page at AdventistWorld.org.

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 7 News Focus Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

“To be able to minister to the US$19.5 Billion 4,026 greater popu- The predicted size of the health-care market in the lation and their MENA membership United Arab Emirates by 2020. Across the country health needs is going awareness has increased rapidly alongside such lifestyle as of March 31, 2018 back to what disorders as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, Jesus’ meth- and cardiovascular disease. The Adventist Church in ods were to Dubai recently organized a health event attended by “We serve in an area help people.” 200 people. Visitors had a chance to check their cho- where the war made lesterol and glucose levels, get their eyes checked, strong demographic —Myron Iseminger, changes. Our students take a fitness test, and receive a health assessment. are now mostly non- former undersecretary of Christians. The trust we the General Conference received from parents who accepted an invita- and the community kept us working with full and tion to serve as presi- “As a church we believe it is our promising potential.” dent of the Egypt-Sudan duty to be a blessing to the com- Field. Iseminger formerly munity and to assist people to live —Elias Choufani, princi- served as treasurer of fully. The opening of the Ramses pal of the Mouseitbeh that field before join- Cultural Center is our way of fulfill- Adventist Secondary ing the world church’s ing our values as an organization, by School (MASS) in West Secretariat Department. elevating the dignity of people Beirut, Lebanon. MENA and extending God’s love to all.” staff members recently paid a service-oriented —Rick McEdward, MENA president, commenting on the visit to the school. They rededication of a renovated Adventist church in Cairo, told stories in classrooms, Egypt, which is now a community center as well. The painted murals on the facility will offer a preschool, dental clinic, fitness center, playground, played soccer massage room, apartments, a kitchen for healthful with the kids, and per- cooking lessons, and seven classrooms for wellness formed maintenance jobs. 96 lectures and English classes. The Adventist Church has MASS provides education The number of cities 800 members in Egypt, a country with a population of to approximately 700 in MENA with a pop- 100 million. Adventist Church president Ted N. C. Wilson students in grades K-12, of ulation of 500,000 or rededicated the four-story complex and appealed to which 99.9 percent come more, many of which have church members to remember that a key part of the from a Muslim background. no Adventist presence. church’s mission is helping people in big cities. (^-)

Adventist Church leaders cutting the red ribbon at the inauguration of the Ramses Cultural Center in Cairo. From left are Ted N. C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; Rick McEdward, MENA president; Johnny N. Salib, secretary of the Egypt-Sudan Field; and Kheir Boutros, MENA associate treasurer.

Photo: Chan Min Chung, MENA News

8 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org By Jared Thurmon, strategic partnership liaison for Perspective Adventist Review Ministries

Photo: Hal Gatewood Don’t Let Your looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7, NIV). frontal cortex and reduces the gray So what was it about David that matter in that part of the brain. Kids Read This had prepared him to lead better So hyper-arousing games create than his brothers? The details we a double whammy. Not only are know show us that he spent a great they addicting, but then addiction Screen exposure is eroding children’s deal of time in nature caring for perpetuates itself by negatively creativity, and perhaps ours too. animals, and using his creativity to impacting the part of the brain that write and play music. can help with impulsivity and good When Steve Jobs, cofounder of In writing about Adam and Eve decision-making.”3 Apple, was asked what his kids in Eden, Ellen White wrote that Often in Scripture we find refer- thought about the iPhone, he said, they were given “the occupation ences to the forehead. God puts His “The kids don’t use it. We don’t most favorable to development— seal or mark there; or Lucifer puts allow it in the home.” the care of plants and animals.”1 his mark there. The underlying con- Before you think of that as an Caring for plants and animals and cept is talking about the pre-frontal atypical tech titan response, note spending generous amounts of cortex (i.e., the frontal lobe). It is that a school near San Francisco, time in the outdoors sounds revolu- the seat of judgment, morality, and California, United States, is almost tionary in a world of gadgets. So character in addition to creativity entirely tech-free. The Waldorf what’s the concern with screens? and critical thinking. “The people of School of the Peninsula doesn’t “I’ve worked with hundreds of God are sealed in their foreheads,” allow iPhones, iPads, or computers. heroin addicts and crystal meth wrote Ellen White. “It is not any The school says that 75 percent of addicts, and what I can say is that seal or mark that can be seen, but the kids there have parents who are it’s easier to treat a heroin addict a settling into the truth, both in- tech executives. than a true screen addict,” says tellectually and spiritually, so they So what is it about screens that addiction expert Nicholas Kardaras. cannot be moved.”4 some of the wealthiest innovators He details how compulsive technol- As we all put our hopes in the in the world don’t want their kids ogy use and reliance on screens can next generation to pass the baton exposed to? neurologically damage the develop- of hope to, let’s be as innovative We are told that the prophet ing brain of a child in the same way as possible, even if that means we Samuel went to the house of Jesse that drug addiction can.2 need to go back to the future. to anoint the next king of Israel. If you’re a parent, or a prospec- 1 Ellen G. White, Education (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press As he arrived he looked at seven tive one, that last line should arrest Pub. Assn., 1903, 1952), p. 43. handsome young men, all of whom your attention. Could screen time 2 www.vice.com/en_us/article/how-screen-addiction-is-ruining- the-brains-of-children. appeared ready to be king. But the in those formative years be stunt- 3 Ibid. 4 Ellen G. White, Maranatha (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald one that God had chosen was not ing the life potential of a child? The Pub. Assn., 1976), p. 200. the one that he would have thought. answer seems to be “yes.” “The Lord does not look at the things Kardaras continues: “Research people look at. People look at the shows that both drug use and outward appearance, but the Lord excessive screen usage stunts the

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 9 Focus A Remnant Chosen by Grace BY FELIX H. CORTEZ

Photo: Javardh n 1926 Nikolai Vavilov had perhaps the carrier of the knowledge of Him in the face of “the least heralded scientific epiphany of Satan’s persistent attempts to destroy it and attain the modern era.”1 complete control over humanity.5 He understood that it was necessary to preserve the seeds from the wild rela- THE PURPOSE OF THE REMNANT tives and unknown varieties of the crops Scripture identifies Noah and his family as the we eat in order to preserve the genes first remnant (Gen. 7:23). When humanity became I from which we could produce in the depraved to the extent that every intention of the future the essential characteristics that crops need thoughts of their heart “was only evil continually” to fight diseases, develop pest resistance, and the (Gen. 6:5, 11), God preserved a future for humanity ability to withstand extreme climate conditions. and the animals through Noah, a righteous man What Vavilov conceived was the creation of the (Gen. 6:8; 7:1). He entrusted Noah with a message of equivalent of Noah’s ark to protect a remnant of warning to the world about the incoming destruc- the seeds of the world, a seed bank that, in case of tion, and asked him to build an ark to preserve a catastrophe, would protect the seeds that could those who heard his call (Heb. 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20; secure the survival of future food crops. Vavilov 2 Peter 2:5). God’s purpose was not only to preserve and his team considered this bank so important a remnant of humanity but also to preserve the that they protected it with their lives. Nine of his knowledge of Him for future generations. colleagues died of starvation during the siege of Not all of Noah’s children, however, remained Stalingrad during World War II protecting 400,000 faithful to God (Gen. 9:25). Yet the knowledge of God seeds, roots, and fruits stored in their bank. One was preserved through the line of Shem, which rec- of them left a letter along with the enormous ognized God as their sovereign and God dwelt among untouched collection: “When all the world is in the them (Gen. 9:27). A remnant, then, is not simply the flames of war, we will keep this collection for the persons God is able to preserve from a catastrophe, future of the people.”2 Today, there are about 1,400 but a visible instrument He uses to preserve the seed banks around the world. knowledge of Him and to call the world back to Him. God continued to preserve a remnant in later THE PROMISE OF A REMNANT crises.6 Following the rebellion of the nations of the Deceived by Satan, the serpent (Rev. 12:9), Adam earth at the Tower of Babel God chose Abraham— and Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden was a catastro- who was from the line of Shem and had remained phe of unimaginable magnitude that threatened the faithful to God’s original call (Gen. 11:31)—to bless future of humanity. Satan had usurped the rule of him and to bless through his descendants all the this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and humanity nations of the earth (Gen. 12:1-3; 22:16-18). God would have to be destroyed, with Satan, should he intended that Abraham’s seed, the people of Israel, achieve complete dominion (Rom. 6:23; 5:12-14). would become God’s treasured possession to In order to secure the survival of humanity, God whom God would entrust His law and upon whom decided to preserve a “seed” that would challenge He would bestow His blessings (Ex. 19:5; Deut. 4:5- the dominion of the serpent and eventually defeat 8; 28:1-4). They would be a “kingdom of priests,” him, even if this should cost Him His own life. whose work was to disseminate the knowledge of Thus God announced that He would put “enmity” God to the nations (Ex. 19:6; Mal. 2:7). Thus, God between the serpent and the “seed”3 of the woman, protected Israel both as a remnant from the nations and that the “seed” would eventually bruise the and the instrument through whom He wanted to head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). call the nations back to Him (Gen. 45:7; Amos 5:15). God would preserve both a remnant of human- But sadly, Israel failed to glorify God and profaned ity that would pledge loyalty to Him and challenge His name among the nations (Eze. 36:20-23; 39:7). Satan’s dominion, and also provide a Descendant, One who would destroy the power of Satan.4 FLAWED REMNANTS AND The story of the redemption of humanity tracks FUTURE CLEANSING this enmity. It follows God’s actions to preserve Throughout history God has worked through a remnant as an enclave of His kingdom and a those who have remained loyal to Him in the midst

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 11 the true meaning and depth of the law of God,12 God provided in Jesus and attracted all humanity back to God.13 Thus the solution that both God provided in Jesus the solution that both the remnant and the nations needed. the remnant and the Those who pledge loyalty to God join Christ. They are “branches” ripped from the wild vines nations needed. that are grafted into the “true vine.” As they open their being to the trunk and drink from its sap, they partake of the life of the trunk and of its of widespread apostasy. But these remnants have nature (2 Peter 1:4). This is the miracle of a new always consisted of flawed individuals and groups of birth for the branches, who are to grow toward all people that needed God’s saving grace just as much the nations so that its fruit may bring glory to the as those people God wanted to save through them. divine “vinedresser” (Matt. 28:18-20; John 15:8). Noah and his children, Abraham and his The work of Christ will reach a climactic fulfill- descendants, Judah and those taken to Babylon, ment in the last generation of believers on this earth. all committed grave mistakes. The paradox of the The predictions in Scripture of a future cleansed 14 flawed instrument is probably best expressed in remnant will be fulfilled in them. They are the ones God’s description of His people as His vine or vine- from among the churches who will “overcome” (Rev. yard. God brought a “choice vine” “from Egypt” and 2; 3). Revelation refers to them as the 144,000 who planted it “on a very fertile hill” so that it would have been sealed, who remain faithful, from among 15 send out its branches to the nations, but Israel God’s nominal people. They have been purified in became a “wild vine” that produced “wild grapes.”7 the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:4-14). In the darkest The problem of Israel was deep-seated. The reason moment of history, in the face of dragon and beast for its recurrent failure was that they had become threats (Rev. 13), they will remain pure, because they a “wild vine.” More than changing their actions, the “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev. 14:1-5). remnant needed a change of nature. This has been They keep witnessing to the truth by keeping “the true for all remnants throughout history. The proph- commandments of God,” holding “to the testimony ets predicted, however, that God would cleanse the of Jesus,” and calling “those who dwell on earth” remnant of His people as silver is refined (Zech. 13:8, back to God (Rev. 14:6-12, 12:17). They will succeed 9). Pride, deceit, jealousy, stumbling, and evildoers because the trunk into which they have been firmly would be removed from them and God would put grafted will never fail. His law and His Spirit in their hearts.8 This cleansed 1 Charles Siebert, “Food Ark,” National Geographic 220, no. 1 (July 2011): 108-131. remnant would include people from many nations 2 In Al Gore, “The Edge,” The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change (Kindle ed. (New York: Random House, 2013), chap. 6.3 The Hebrew world translated “offspring” also means “seed” zera‘( ). (Zech. 8:20-23; 14:16) and would attract the world 4 See the analysis by Jacques Doukhan, “The Seed,” On the Way to Emmaus: Five Major Messianic Prophecies Explained (Clarksville, Md: Lederer, 2012), chap. 1. back to God (Isa. 2:2-4; 60:1-3). 5 On the idea of a remnant that preserves humanity in the face of extinction, see Angel M. Rodríguez, ed., Toward a Theology of the Remnant: An Adventist Theological Perspective (Silver Spring, Md: Biblical Research Institute, 2009), p. 24. JESUS AND THE 144,000 6 Elijah and 7,000 faithful persons (1 Kings 19:14, 18); Judah (2 Kings 17:18); people taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:11); those who would return from exile (Jer. 31:7-9, 31-34); see Rodríguez, pp. 25-33. God had revealed, however, the solution to the 7 This is a composite picture taken from Psalm 80:8-18; Isaiah 50:1-7; Jereremiah 2:21; 5:10; 6:9; conundrum of the frail remnant from the very Ezekiel 15:1-5; 17:1-21; 19:10-14; Hosea 10:1, 2; Joel 1:7. 8 Isaiah 11:10-13; Jeremiah 31:7-9, 31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Zephaniah 3:11-13; Malachi beginning. The “seed” of the woman was both a 3:16–4:3; Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43; 25:1-4, 31-33. 9 See Doukhan. group of people and one person. God predicted 10 See also Rodríguez, pp. 201-203. 11 Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-28. that there would be “enmity” between the serpent 12 John 1:14-18; Matthew 5:17-48. and the “seed” of the woman throughout history, 13 John 12:32; 17:4, 6. 14 See note 8 above. but that it would be “One,” a “He,” who would 15 Rodríguez, pp. 91-94. smash the serpent’s head (Gen. 3:15).9 Paul also explained that the “seed” of Abraham was One, Christ (Gal. 3:16).10 Jesus Himself affirmed Felix H. Cortez, Ph.D., is an associate professor of New Testament literature at the Seventh-day this when He said, “I am the true vine, and my Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1). Jesus was in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. perfectly faithful,11 revealed the Father explaining

12 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org After that night the concept of know- ing God kept appearing everywhere. God whispered to me through sermons, Millennial Voices media, strangers. My church ran a series with Tim Jennings, a psychiatrist and author, on how our view of God shapes our brains and how that impacts our “And You lives. At work I interviewed a gospel artist who described God and His involvement in her life as if she were talking about a flesh-and-blood friend. Will Finally In each situation God was calling to me. “It is possible to know Me deeply. I want this for you.” Know Me” To know God seems a simple idea, but I believe it lies at the heart of what being part of the remnant means. Ellen White wrote that God’s purpose for the church is essentially to know God as He truly is and to freely share what ow do you see God, really?” that means with the world.3 We are to The question echoed in my be representatives of God, which means Hheart, inspired by the opening that we must know God, not merely statement of a book: “Imagine God is intellectual truths. thinking about you. What do you assume David experienced the pull of God’s God feels when you come to mind?”1 desire for relationship as he records in I squirmed as the author expanded on one of my new favorite verses: “My heart how our answer to that question reveals has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with much about the nature of our spiritual Me.’ And my heart responds, “ ‘Lord, I am journey and our knowledge of God. I had coming’ ” (Ps. 27:8, NLT). to admit that when I thought about God, God longs for us to know Him. How I often pictured Him as disappointed in will we respond to His call? me. Distant. Uninterested. There was a 1 David G. Benner, Surrender to Love (Downers Grove, Ill.: IinterVarsity Press, gap between what I read about God and my real knowledge of Him. 2015), p. 19. I had not fully understood that God wants to be known. I had talked 2 Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright (c) 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. about a “personal relationship” with God, but there was a disconnect Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. between my head and my heart. This was something God kept raising, 3 See particularly the first chapter entitled “God’s Purpose for His Church,” in Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., particularly as I went through a difficult period in my life. A relation- 1911), pp. 9-16. ship had just ended, I didn’t know what I was doing with my career, and my life generally felt like a mess. God began to speak to me, in many ways, of hope and restoration, but also of something deeper that He Lynette Allcock, a graduate of Southern wanted to do during this time. Adventist University, lives in Watford, As I lay sobbing on my bedroom floor one evening, God drew my United Kingdom, where she produces and presents for Adventist Radio London. attention to a passage in Hosea. In it God tells Israel that He can transform their valley of trouble into a gateway of hope. “ ‘When that day comes,’ says the Lord, ‘you will call me “my husband” instead of “my master.” . . . I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord,” (Hosea 2:14-20, NLT).2 I heard the longing of God’s heart in those words. Through the metaphorical language of marriage, He offers His people the deepest, most committed intimacy possible.

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 13 Focus hroughout the ages God has always had a remnant T who remained faithful to Him and His Word, regardless of the circumstances. For instance, in Faithful to the degraded antediluvian world, Noah and his family trusted and obeyed God’s word, which seemed illogical and unfulfillable (Gen. His Word 6-9:29; Heb. 11:7). When King Ahab and his pagan wife, Jezebel, led Israel into profound idolatry, Scripture has always been a focal Elijah, Elisha, and another 7,000 point of God’s remnant people remained on God’s side and did not worship Baal (1 Kings 16-19). In the court of Babylon Daniel and his three friends remained loyal to God under the most severe sociopoliti- cal pressures (Dan. 1; 3; 6). Hebrews 11 provides several other inspiring examples of loyalty. Christ Himself was “obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8; cf. Matt. 26:39, 42, 44). Many of His early disciples and later followers chose to die rather than to betray their Master and His teachings. During the Middle Ages Roman Catholic higher clergy removed the Bible from the lay members and accommodated its teachings to their own extrabiblical traditions. But such fearless pre-Reformers as John Wycliffe, John Hus, Jerome of Prague, and the Waldensians tried to restore the sole headship of Christ and the exclusive authority of the Scriptures. They helped to pave the way for the Protestant renewed emphasis on the authority of the Bible as the trustworthy Word of God.

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION The Reformation of the sixteenth century was first and foremost a hermeneutical reformation that shook the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and allowed the Bible once again the right to speak

Photo: Nguyen Nguyen error and moving ever closer to with Christ as the living center. The the teachings of Scripture, as truths we present from the Bible well expressed by the motto “The are as firm and immovable as the Reformed Church, Always Being throne of God.”5 This conviction, Reformed According to the Word however, should never be used of God.”2 Regrettably, however, the as an excuse to stop our ongoing notion of an ongoing reformation search for biblical truth. She also was largely lost under the post-Ref- wrote, “There is no excuse for any- ormation tendency of binding the one in taking the position that there understanding of Scripture to the is no more truth to be revealed, and authority of ecclesiastical creeds. that all our expositions of Scripture But new restoration movements are without error.”6 The Reformation emerged, reemphasizing the Thus, since the beginning of authority of the Bible and unfolding human history, God’s remnant of the sixteenth some of its crucial teachings. Many has always been characterized by century was first of them subscribed to the sola unconditional faithfulness to God scriptura principle, but no other and to “every word that proceeds and foremost a contemporary movement has taken from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). the tota scriptura principle as serious No wonder that in the last days hermeneutical as Seventh-day Adventists did. (Rev. 12:17; 14:12), God will have also “a people upon the earth to reformation. THE ADVENTIST maintain the Bible, and the Bible REFORMATION only, as the standard of all doc- We usually speak of early trines and the basis of all reforms.”7 Adventism as a prophetic move- Realizing that the search for truth ment that eventually organized is an endless process, we can affirm itself into a church. From an that a true member of God’s people ecclesiological perspective, this is someone who lives according to is indeed the case. But from a the light already understood from hermeneutical viewpoint, we can God’s Word and who continuously directly to every believer. The see Adventism as a major nine- seeks for new glimpses of light. Bible was restored to its central teenth-century reformation, which 1 Alberto R. Timm, “Historical Background of Adventist Biblical place through the principles of used the Protestant hermeneutical Interpretation,” in George W. Reid, ed., Understanding Scripture: An sola scriptura (the exclusiveness principles and applied them more Adventist Approach (Silver Spring, Md: Biblical Research Institute, 2005), pp. 3, 4. of Scripture) and tota scriptura consistently and more extensively 2 Edward A. Dowey, “Always to Be Reformed,” in John C. Purdy, ed., Always Being Reformed: The Future of Church Education (Philadelphia, (the totality of Scripture). Beyond to the Scriptures. Hence, several PA: Geneva Press, 1985), pp. 9, 10. See also Michael Bush, “Calvin and the Reformanda Sayings,” in Herman J. Selderhuis, ed., salvation by grace through faith important biblical teachings were Calvinus sacrarum literarum interpres: Papers of the International (Eph. 2:8-10), however, the Magis- rediscovered and integrated into a Congress on Calvin Research (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2008), pp. 285-299. 3 terial Reformers (including Luther, solid platform of truth. According 3 See Alberto R. Timm, The Sanctuary and the Three Angels’ Messages: Integrating Factors in the Development of Seventh-day Adventist Zwingli, and Calvin) did not go to Ellen White: “Of all the great reli- Doctrines (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Adventist Theological Society far enough toward restoring other gious movements since the days of Publications, 1995). 4 Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific major Bible doctrines that had the apostles, none have been more Press Publ. Assn., 1911), p. 401. 5 Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Washington, D.C.: Review and become obscured in the post-Ap- free from human imperfection and Herald Publ. Assn., 1958, 1980), book 2, p. 87. 6 Ellen G. White, Counsels to Writers and Editors (Nashville, Tenn.: ostolic Era. Even so, the Reformers the wiles of Satan than was that of Southern Publ. Assn., 1946), p. 35; see also pp. 28-54. laid the foundation to rediscover the autumn of 1844.”4 7 E. G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 595. key hermeneutical principles that In 1894 Ellen White stated, “The in time would lead toward more truth for this time is broad in its Alberto R. Timm, originally from thorough doctrinal restorations.1 outlines, far reaching, embracing Brazil, serves as an associate Much more than just an event many doctrines; but these doctrines director of the Ellen G. White Estate. in time, the Reformation should are not detached items, which mean be viewed as an enduring process little; they are united by golden of always breaking away from threads, forming a complete whole,

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 15 Focus Jonah’s Fishing Campaign

he story of Jonah and the big fish that swallowed him, then spat Mission him out on a beach three days later is a favorite among children and God’s and adults alike. The story illustrates God’s power and His ability to care for His creatures, but it also has a lot to teach about God’s remnant mission for lost humanity. This article will follow the narrative in people search of insights regarding God’s mission and His remnant. Jonah was a true prophet of Israel, descendants of Abraham, T who had been chosen as a special people for God’s mission to all nations (Gen. 12:1-3). As God’s missionaries, Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex. 19:6). Israel was to function as a spiritual magnet, drawing the nations to observe, learn, and participate in the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. Israel’s location at the transportation hub between Africa, Asia, and Europe made that possible. Occasionally missionaries such as Jonah went out from Israel to the nations. The word “remnant” does not appear in Jonah. However the remnant concept is implicit throughout the Old Testament, and it is implied in this book. A remnant is a group chosen by God’s grace to fulfill God’s mission as He directs.1 Thus, Jonah was a remnant missionary sent by God to Nineveh. The story of Jonah is one chapter in the larger narrative of the triune God’s mission for humanity. God the Father initiated this mission for lost humanity after the Fall (Gen. 3:15). God the Son embodied God’s mission in Himself and accom- plished the atonement to make redemption possible (Rom. 3:25). God the Holy Spirit empowers and supervises mission (Acts 2:1-4). God will bring His mission to glorious completion in His own time (Acts 1:7). God’s remnant people of all ages are His human mission agents, and Jonah was one of those agents.

16 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org Photo: Christopher Michel The story of Jonah is one chapter in

FOLLOWING GOD’S MOVEMENTS IN JONAH Jonah shared, was the larger narrative As the story begins, God commissions Jonah to justified, but it was proclaim judgment against Nineveh, the modern city of in God’s character of the triune God’s Mosul in Iraq (Jonah 1:2). However strong his commit- to be gracious and mission for humanity. ment to God may have been, Jonah does not want to go. compassionate, as The trip from Israel to Nineveh will be long and arduous, He willed. Neither and the thought of confronting the pagan city alone is no Jonah nor the nation of Israel had an exclusive claim on doubt terrifying. Nineveh is one of the capitals of Assyria, God’s grace, and showing grace to Nineveh would not the sworn enemy of Israel. Most significantly, Jonah diminish Israel. knows that God is merciful, compassionate, and forgiv- ing, and he does not think the pagan Ninevites should REMNANT LESSONS benefit from God’s forgiveness (Jonah 4:1-3). God’s missionary remnant, saturated in knowledge In the second movement of the story, Jonah flees about God and driven to fulfill God’s mission, must toward Tarshish in a ship; God blocks his flight by a never forget that mission is about God’s grace. Neither storm, saves his life through a big fish, and puts him Jonah nor the most devout Israelites of his day deserved back on track (Jonah 1:4-3:10). Jonah’s prayer from the God’s favor and salvation any more than the Ninevites. If belly of the fish is a spiritual masterpiece. everyone got exactly what they deserved, everyone would Jonah’s Fishing In the third movement, God calls Jonah a second time, be consumed by God’s holy wrath against sin. God’s and this time the prophet obeys (Jonah 3:1-3). Somehow remnant, with its careful attention to belief, behavior, and Jonah makes the long trek from somewhere on the Medi- lifestyle, should never forget that “by grace you have been terranean to Nineveh. Once in Nineveh, he proclaims God’s saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the impending judgment, the people believe God and call upon gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). Him, and God withholds destruction (verses 4-10). The remnant can sometimes feel exclusive and Campaign The fourth movement should have found Jonah self-centered. Jonah demonstrated an inward-focused praising God. Instead, Jonah is displeased that God has exclusivism on behalf of his own people, Israel. Jesus shown grace and compassion to Nineveh, and he asks addressed the same exclusivism by telling the Pharisees God to take his life (Jonah 4:1-3). Jonah says in effect, not to boast that “we have Abraham for our father” “You see, God. I knew even before I left home that You (Matt. 3:9). Israel had a message for all nations but would forgive Nineveh because You are so gracious. thought they should be the exclusive recipients of God’s That’s why I fled to Tarshish.” compassion and mercy. The next scene shows Jonah seated at a vantage point The remnant needs to remember that God’s mission outside the city waiting to see what will happen to the city belongs to God. God’s mission was much bigger than (verses 5-11). Possibly he waits because he understands Jonah, and it is always bigger than the church. Jonah did that a single repentance will not produce lasting change not surrender himself fully to God’s mission, even after within a very sinful culture. Perhaps he believes the city he had preached judgment successfully in Nineveh. still deserves destruction. As he waits and watches, his The book ends with Jonah’s relationship with God merciful God provides a plant to shade him from the and God’s mission unclear. We can hope, for Jonah’s scorching sun. But then God sends a worm to kill the sake and the sake of his mission, that his heart was plant. Once again, Jonah becomes angry and wishes to die. changed and that he eventually said to God, Yes, Lord. In the final scene God confronts Jonah. “You had You have a right to be merciful and compassionate to compassion on the plant for which you did not work whomever You will. I am Your humble servant. Send me and which you did not cause to grow, which came up wherever You wish and use me however You wish. overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have 1 Tarsee Li, “The Remnant in the Old Testament,” in Toward a Theology of the Remnant, ed. Ángel Manuel compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there Rodríguez (Silver Spring, MD: Biblical Research Institute, 2009), pp. 25-32. are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the 2 Scripture quotations in this article have been taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by difference between their right and left hand, as well as permission. many animals?” (verses 10, 11).2 God was the Creator of Jonah, the plant that shaded Jonah, the ignorant, misguided people, and the ani- Gorden R. Doss, Ph.D., is professor of world mission at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary mals of Nineveh. God’s wrath against Nineveh, which at Andrews University and lives in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 17 Focus Living With an Imperfect Remnant

t was one of those amazing pho- THE FIVE POINTS carpet, my brother a blue. Neither tographs in which the photogra- The church is a home for sinners is right or wrong or better than the I pher had just caught everything who, by definition, are broken other. It is a matter of preference, yet at the right millisecond. When I said people living in an imperfect world. churches have been divided over the as much, the photographer laugh- These are not the easiest of people color of a carpet or other furnish- ingly explained, “It was taken on a to live with, and sooner or later ings. Before starting a new program, cloudy, miserable day; I just tinkered tensions emerge. This is not a new it is always worth asking: is this a around with Photoshop until I got problem. Jesus experienced the biblical truth or a preference? If we the color balance right. Surely you same problem with His disciples. are honest, after a few weeks we do are not so naive as to believe that After three years with Jesus, the not even notice the blue carpet that any image you see is the original. disciples were still bickering over we disliked so much. Reality is irrelevant; it’s all about who was the greatest, and who presenting the perfect image.” should have the best position in PERSPECTIVE OR PREJUDICE In a world obsessed with the kingdom. We should not be sur- Coventry Cathedral in England presenting a “perfect” life, through prised when 2,000 years later we was bombed during World War II. “perfect” pictures, we are chal- still face tensions and challenges Following the war, a chapel of unity lenged when we are confronted living as part of God’s remnant was built in the shape of a tent. with a less-than-perfect reality, in people. These five points may be The “folds” of the tent form alcoves our homes, at work or school, and the key to doing more than just around the walls. It is possible to in the church. surviving: preference, perspective, see all the alcoves only by standing Ask any group of members, old prejudice, practice, and principle. in the center of the chapel and or young, for their views about the slowly turning around. From any church and sooner or later the crit- PREFERENCE other position, something always icisms creep out. “It’s time for an Some things are a matter of pref- obscures your view. upgrade. It’s time for the church to erence. There is no right or wrong, We all have blind spots or preju- come into the twenty-first century. just preference. For example, we dices; opinions or feelings that are Our structures are so outdated. should eat five portions of fruit and not based on fact, logic, or experi- Why can’t the church be more . . . ?” vegetables per day. I like some fruits ence. Things that obscure our view, The list is long. If only everyone and vegetables more than others: making it difficult for us to see and saw the world from our perspective it’s my preference. The same applies understand things from another’s then we would have the perfect in the church. I may prefer a red viewpoint. Letting go of our preju- church. Or would we? dices and perspectives opens untold

18 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org Photo: Ivan Vranic There are no shortcuts to heaven, no multiple entry points, yet our journeys can be very different.

possibilities. Jesus demonstrated this Salvation by faith. The Sabbath. We are all on the same journey. at Jacob’s well, where He talked with The sanctuary. The Second Coming. Where we live, our life experiences a disreputable woman. Breaking God’s holy law. These are eternal and opportunities color how we down her prejudice, changing her truths that identify the remnant, view the world. Some travel in perspective about herself, resulted yet sometimes we wrap our expres- air-conditioned cars, while others in a whole village learning about sion of them in our own prefer- walk with heavy loads in the heat Jesus, and the seeds were planted ences and practices, which makes it and dust. Along the road we need for the disciples to develop a better difficult for others to understand. to ask ourselves what is preference, understanding of mission. Jesus told His disciples: “I am the perspective, prejudice, practice, way, the truth, and the life. No one and principle. If it is any of the first PRACTICE comes to the Father except through four, perhaps we need to accept As children grow up there comes Me” (John 14:6). He is still the way, that we may have an imperfect a point when they ask “Why?” Why the truth, and the life. There are no view. What really matters is Jesus. do I have to brush my teeth? Why shortcuts to heaven, no multiple With Him in the center of our lives do I have to go to school? Why this? entry points, yet our journeys can and in our church, we can see more Why that? A thousand Whys? It is be very different. and become more accepting of one a normal, natural part of growing As we drove from the airport, it another. All of us are flawed. As up. Each new generation asks the was chaos to my Western eyes, but the wise man said: “When a man’s same questions in the church. They to my driver it was normal. Cars, ways please the Lord, he makes challenge the older generation. donkeys, bicycles, camels, trucks, even his enemies to be at peace This can lead to conflict. We should and pedestrians all shared the road. with him” (Prov. 16:7, ESV).* encourage examination of how we All were going in the same direc- *Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English do things and not be stubborn and tion, but our experiences were very Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division hold onto a preference. We should different. Sitting in an air-condi- of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ask and discuss: Is this practice, tioned car, we were protected from or way of doing things, just my the heat and dust. The relative Audrey Andersson, originally preference, the way we have always comfort of riding a donkey or camel from Ireland, serves as executive done things, or is it a principle? was preferable to walking. Cyclists secretary of the Trans-European were able to move quickly weav- Division and lives in St. Albans, PRINCIPLES ing between the traffic, and the United Kingdom. Some things are nonnegotiable. pedestrians somehow negotiated a They are core to our identity. way through it all.

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 19 Global View storm was brewing in Buffalo, New York. Located on the northeast side of Lake Erie, the city had never A felt such a strong, driving wind as during those early October days of 1844.1 But in spite of the inclement weather, crowds came to hear Charles Fitch explain why Jesus was coming very soon. Truth With the aid of a prophetic chart he had designed a few years earlier, Fitch guided listeners through the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, showing them, one beast at a time, how prophecy had been accurately fulfilled. Fitch, a well-educated preacher, had worked with famed evangelist Charles G. Finney. He had also pastored several for churches in New England, including the well-to-do Marlboro Street Congregational Church in Boston. Known as an abolitionist, Fitch wrote a pamphlet in 1837 titled Slaveholding Weighed in the Balance of Truth, and Its Comparative Guilt Illustrated. Attempting to describe the Today horrors of slavery, Fitch confessed, “The evil has a magnitude which my powers cannot describe; and the guilt a blackness which can never be painted, except by a pencil dipped in the Relics of the past? midnight of the bottomless pit.”2

AN OVERWHELMING INTEREST While Fitch was in Boston, someone gave him a copy of William Miller’s lectures entitled Evidence From Scripture and History of the Second Coming of Christ.3 Fitch eagerly studied the lectures, stating in a letter to Miller his “overwhelming interest, such as I never felt in any other book except the Bible.”4 At his church Fitch preached on the Second Coming, creating deep interest among his parishioners. Three days later he presented the topic to colleagues at the ministerial association in Boston. Expecting a warm reception, Fitch brought 12 copies of Miller’s Evidence for distribution. Unfortunately, his associates’ reaction was so negative and accompanied with “such searing ridicule and contempt that for a time [Fitch] lost confidence in [the Advent message], and lapsed into his former views. . . .”5

VIEWS OF SANCTIFICATION Although Fitch bowed to peer pressure, he continued diligently studying his Bible. In 1839, while pastoring the Free Presbyterian Church in Newark, New Jersey, Fitch wrote Views of Sanctification6—providing his statement of faith and stressing sanctification by divine grace through Scripture. Fitch’s book led some to label him a “perfectionist.” A com- mittee was appointed to “counsel” Fitch on his views, resulting in a Resolution of Censure, declaring his views to be a “danger- ous error” and requiring him to stop preaching on this topic. Refuting the charges, Fitch wrote: “Can I tell the people of God that they have no Saviour from sin during their whole lives; that live as long as they may, and labor as hard as they may to find out the path of life, and pray as fervently as they may, and trust

Images: Center for Adventist Research Fitch was firm. No in their Saviour for the fulfillment this man taught Bible truth. New of the promises as fully as they may, believers requested baptism and longer was they are doomed hopelessly to sin were baptized in Lake Erie. more or less against the Redeemer The wind was blowing as Fitch he afraid of they love, even to their dying hour; headed home in his wet clothes that all their cries and struggles for following the baptism. He had not ridicule or help are vain, and that they must be, gone far, however, when he met to some extent rebels against the another group desiring baptism. censure. heart of infinite love, until the grim Fitch returned to the lake and bap- monster death appears for their tized them. Again heading home, deliverance?”7 Fitch was met by a third group that justify us, but is powerful enough to Fitch was firm. No longer was pleaded to be baptized. Although sanctify us? Are we still eagerly look- he afraid of ridicule or censure. chilled by the wind and his wet ing forward to and “hastening . . . the Believing he was called to preach the clothes, Fitch went back to the lake day” (2 Peter 3:12) of Christ’s second “blessed doctrine of sanctification by and baptized them.11 coming? Is God’s truth, as revealed faith in Christ,”8 Fitch soon withdrew In spite of feeling ill, Fitch rode in the Bible, still more important from the Newark Presbytery. several miles the next day to than the opinions of others? keep an appointment. Sadly, he It is my prayer that we each THE ADVENT HOPE AND contracted pneumonia and died on recognize we have not followed SANCTIFICATION October 14, 1844, at the age of 39.12 “cunningly devised fables when we In 1841 Josiah Litch, a physician Although he did not live long made known to you the power and and Millerite preacher, urged Fitch enough to be part of the “little coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” to reconsider the Advent truth, stat- flock” that became Seventh-day (2 Peter 1:16), but will “hold fast ing: “What you need is the doctrine Adventists, Charles Fitch exhibited the confession of our hope without of the second advent to put with the same character qualities and wavering, for He who promised is the doctrine of holiness.”9 spiritual fortitude, and preached faithful” (Heb. 10:23). After further study and prayer much the same message, as the Maranatha! Jesus is coming Fitch fully embraced the message Adventist pioneers who continued soon! of Christ’s soon return. He became searching the Scriptures, sharing 1 “The ‘October Surprise’ of 1844”, www.buffalohistorygazette. one of the most respected and light with others, and eventually net/2010/09/the-lake-erie-seiche-disaster-of-1844.html. beloved Millerite preachers, known establishing the Seventh-day 2 Charles Fitch, Slaveholding Weighed in the Balance of Truth, and Its Comparative Guilt Illustrated (Boston: Isaac Knapp, 1837), p. for his compassion for people, his Adventist Church. In fact, Charles 3, https://ia802502.us.archive.org/28/items/ASPC0001888700/ ASPC0001888700.pdf. earnestness for their salvation, and Fitch is one of only a handful 3 Available at https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1321.13#13. 4 Letter from Charles Fitch to William Miller, March 5, 1838, www. his depth in Bible study. mentioned by name whom Ellen earlysda.com/miller/william-miller-biography-5.html. By 1843 Fitch realized from his White saw would be in heaven.13 5 LeRoy Edwin Froom, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers (Washing- ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1954, 1982), vol. 4, p. 534, study of Revelation 14 and 18 that m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1583.3109. 6 Available at m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1259.7#7. the Babylon referred to as “fallen” FABLE OR FACT? 7 Charles Fitch, “Letter to the Presbytery of Newark” (1840), p. 19, included not just the Roman Cath- Do we still believe today the m.egwwritings.org/en/book/1014.95#95. 8 Charles Fitch, “Reasons for Withdrawing From the Newark Presbytery,” olic Church but apostate Protestant Bible message that led honest 1845, p. 1, play.google.com/store/books/details/Reasons_for_with- drawing_from_the_Newark_Presbytery?id=HocxBHexWocC&hl=en. churches as well. He preached souls to “come out of Babylon” and 9 In Froom, p. 536. 10 Charles Fitch, “Come Out of Her My People” (Rochester, N.Y.: J. V. a powerful sermon, “Come Out become a part of the remnant “who Himes, 1843), m.egwwritings.org/en/book/2006.2#0. of Her, My People,”10 and soon keep the commandments of God 11 See Froom, p. 545. 12 Ibid. published it. Thousands responded, and have the testimony of Jesus 13 Ellen G. White, Early Writings (Washington, D.C.: Review and leaving the churches of their Christ” (Rev. 12:17)? Do we still Herald Pub. Assn., 1882, 1945), p. 17. childhood and joining the Bible- believe the “sure word of prophecy” based people who were looking for (2 Peter 1:19, KJV)? Are the proph- Ted N. C. Wilson is president of the Christ’s soon return. ecies of Daniel and Revelation still worldwide Seventh-day Adventist relevant today, or relics of the past? Church. Additional articles and BAPTISM IN LAKE ERIE Do we embrace the message of commentaries are available from As Charles Fitch preached during Christ’s ministry in the heavenly the president’s office on Twitter: @ pastortedwilson and on Facebook: that blustery day in Buffalo, New sanctuary? Do we still believe that @Pastor Ted Wilson. York, hearts were convicted that God is not only gracious enough to

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 21 What We Believe

The Church Jesus Has He knows how to His Reasons build His church.

lmost everything the church inspiring response that His church for speaking such nonsense: “Far of God stands for seems is unstoppable. be it from You, Lord; this shall not A compromised from the Responding to Jesus’ public poll- happen to You!” (verse 22). beginning. Yet knowing all that is to ing question, His disciples give Him Peter speaks for Satan so come, Jesus establishes His church. a good list: people think He might be directly that in responding Jesus John or Elijah or Jeremiah, prophets rebukes Satan himself: “Get behind THE CHURCH’S BEGINNING all; the bad list [glutton, winebibber, Me, Satan! You are an offense to At Caesarea Philippi in the friend of society’s scum (Matt. 11:19; Me, for you are not mindful of the summer of A.D. 30, Jesus promises: Luke 15:1)] does not come up. things of God, but the things of “The gates of Hades shall not Then Jesus asks what they men” (verse 23). prevail against” His church (Matt. themselves thought. Peter is ready: Despite Peter’s earlier confes- 16:18). He says this to 12 men “You are the Christ, the Son of sion, his rebuke of Jesus reflects whom He has called out of a group the living God” (Matt. 16:16). His the same pathetic limitations that of “those He Himself wanted” (Mark confession is “the foundation of sound in the disciples’ answer to 3:13). Out of that group He picks 12 [every] believer’s faith.”2 Jesus’ first question on public views to “be with him and that He might about Him. Labeling someone a send them out to preach, and to THE CHURCH prophet affirms them spiritually. have power to cast out demons” MISUNDERSTOOD And Peter wants the best for Jesus (verses 14, 15). It is His first step To the dismay of all, Peter’s as a political champion. Neverthe- “in the organization of the church spiritual insightfulness lasts less, Peter’s rebuke and his friends’ that after Christ’s departure is to be only moments. Soon enough he response are both pathetic failures His representative on earth.”1 And is contradicting Jesus when the of spiritual comprehension, even if it is the confession of one of those Master speaks of His coming they come from the lips of people wanted, called, and appointed men, sufferings (verse 21). Peter feels Jesus wants, calls, and chooses to that brings forth Christ’s awe- compelled to help Jesus. Discreetly. lead His church on earth. He takes Jesus aside to rebuke Him

22 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org Photo: Mike Kenneally Jesus Himself has gifts (1 Cor. 12:28). Whether from their homes, from city streets, or clarified what He from unity in thought and action is up to, or not, in with the rest of society, both these groups have come out. building His church. Consistently, over against other metaphors such as salt that must mix, God’s church hears the left to other people; it shall . . . stand metaphor of the loud angel voice forever” (Dan. 2:44). Construction insisting “come out” (Rev. 18:1-4), began with calling 12 apostles out of darkness into the marvelous (Luke 6:13). It advances by the Spir- light of saving truth (1 Peter 2:9; it’s leading (Rom. 8:14). Its progress John 8:32; 14:6). Over against a confounds every strategy designed mother’s ambition for her sons by the elders assembled at the gates (Matt. 20:20, 21), over against their of hell taking counsel together friend’s temporal focus, there is the wherever it be that their leader the focus on holiness, on piety, the goal devil lays territorial claims. One set by Him who is “holy, harmless, stronger than he is ever violating undefiled, separate from sinners” his claims and counsel as “he comes (Heb. 7:26); because, contrary to upon him and overcomes him,” our logic, there can be no continuity constantly setting sin’s captives free between His moral illumination (Luke 11:22; John 8: 36). and the darkness that facilitates Reliability: Jesus’ testimony to evil, no intimacies of fellowship the 12 is that He is building His between righteousness and unrigh- church on the immovable rock of teousness (2 Cor. 6:14, 15). Instead His unchanging self. Over against Christ’s church is utterly distinct abandonment and denial by one from the world around it: “chosen,” of His own, He has established His THE CHURCH’S END “royal,” “holy,” “special” church on His own integrity. As Paul “End” here is synonymous with (1 Peter 2:9; cf. Ex. 19:6). testifies, nothing can separate us “goal” and “purpose.” God’s church Salvation: He is building for from God’s love in Jesus (see Rom. may be composed of humans, but salvation, not for political fame: His 8:35-39). Nothing intimidates Him. its purpose and destiny are not kingdom is not of this world (John Our unchanging Lord will always be humanly circumscribed. Amazingly 18:36). Grace that offers everyone by our side to care for us (Mal. 3:6). enough, though, when God crashes salvation (Titus 2:11) will soon give Nothing will prevail against hell’s gates to rescue His children way to overwhelming glory (Rev. Christ’s church, because though from Satan, He uses many flawed 1:7). Meanwhile, the church is God’s composed of enfeebled and defec- humans who seem to be such an agency, broadcasting the good news tive human beings, it is more than embarrassment to His purposes. of His current and coming kingdoms a human institution. Its credibility, Thankfully, for the sake of all from (Matt. 28:18-20). Over against the durability, and universality are His Peter’s day to now, Jesus Himself sad account of His wanted, called, own, divine. We may be sure that it has clarified what He is up to, or and chosen cowardly abandoning will stand forever. not, in building His church. Him in Gethsemane, there is the 1 Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Separation: He is building miracle of millions from all points Press Pub. Assn., 1898, 1940), p. 291. 2 Ibid., p. 412. distinctiveness, but without conceit coming to “sit down [together] in the or exploitative discrimination. The kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29). Over Greek word for “church” requires against the shameful scattering of Lael Caesar, associate editor at “separation”: the crazy crowd in Crucifixion’s eve, Jesus sees down Adventist World, feels secure in the an Ephesian theater shouting for through the ages the growing gath- fact that God’s church is divine. two hours, not knowing “why they ering of family (Eph. 1:5), people had come together” (Acts 19:32), who will now belong to Him and to is identified with the same word, each other forever. Read more about ekklesia, that labels the body of Eternity: He is building for What We Believe at Christ, recipient of all His spiritual eternity: His kingdom “shall not be www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 23 Discovering the Spirit of Prophecy The Testimony of Jesus And its significance for today

evelation 12:1-6; 13-17 the Ten Commandments. Thus the THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY provides a brief outline of first identifying sign of the rem- What is “the Spirit of prophecy”? R church history from the nant church is its loyalty to God’s This phrase occurs only once in the time of Jesus (verse 5) to the time commandments—all His com- Bible, only in this text. The closest of the end (verse 17), when the mandments, including the fourth, parallel is found in 1 Corinthians dragon, Satan (verse 9), makes the Sabbath commandment. In 12:8-10. There Paul refers to the “war with the rest of [the church’s] Revelation 12:17 God essentially Holy Spirit, who, among other gifts, offspring, who keep the command- says, “At the end of time I will have gives the gift of prophecy. The per- ments of God and have the testi- a visible church—the remnant son who receives this gift is called a mony of Jesus Christ” (verse 17). church—which will be recognized prophet (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11). In The “rest of her offspring” are the by the fact that they keep the com- Revelation, just as in 1 Corinthians faithful members of God’s church in mandments as I gave them in the 12:28, those who have the gift of the time of the end. The dragon that beginning, including the Sabbath prophecy are called prophets, so in attempted to destroy the woman commandment.” Revelation 22:8, 9, those who have (the true church of God) throughout The second identifying mark the Spirit of prophecy in Revelation the 1,260-year period (verse 6), is explained in a vision in which 19:10 are also called prophets. now directs his anger against the John falls at the feet of the angel to The situation in both passages is remnant of her faithful believers. worship him. But the angel says: the same. John falls at the feet of the This remnant is identified by two “See that you do not do that! I am angel to worship him. The words of specific characteristics: They “keep your fellow servant and of your the angel’s response are almost iden- the commandments of God” and brethren who have the testimony tical, yet the difference is significant. they have “the testimony of Jesus.” of Jesus. Worship God. For the In Revelation 19:10 believers are Whatever commandments we testimony of Jesus is the spirit of identified by the phrase those “who may think to include in the first prophecy” (Rev. 19:10). hold to [or have] the testimony of mark, we must certainly include Jesus.” In Revelation 22:9 the

24 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org Photo: Anja Osenberg Rev. 19:10 Rev. 22:8, 9

And I fell down at his feet to worship him, I fell down to worship him at the feet of but he said to me, the angel who showed them to me; “You must not do that! But he said to me, I am a fellow servant with you and “You must not do that! your brethren who hold the testimony I am thy fellow servant with you of Jesus. Worship God.” and your brethren the prophets, For the testimony of Jesus is the and with those who keep the words of spirit of prophecy. this book. Worship God.”

believers are simply called “proph- we findsuch a one as this, a man THE SEVENTH-DAY ets.” Applying the Protestant prin- in whom is the Spirit of God?’” the ADVENTIST CHURCH ciple of interpreting scripture with Aramaic Targum reads, “Pharaoh From its very inception in 1863, scripture leads to the conclusion that said to his servants, ‘Can we find a the Seventh-day Adventist Church “the Spirit of prophecy” in Revelation man like this, in whom is the Spirit has always claimed these identify- 19:10 is not the possession of all of prophecy from the Lord?’” ing signs for itself. We Adventists church members in general, but only Jews understood the expression proclaim the Ten Commandments, of those who have been called by “spirit of prophecy” as a reference including the Sabbath; and we God to be prophets. to the Holy Spirit, who imparts believe that as a church we have That this is not purely an the prophetic gift. New Testament the testimony of Jesus, that God Adventist interpretation can be scholar F. F. Bruce comes to the manifested Himself in the life and seen from the writings of other same conclusion: “The expression work of Ellen G. White. Thus the scholars. Lutheran scholar Her- ‘the Spirit of prophecy’ is current in Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mann Strathmann, for example, postbiblical Judaism: it is used, for church prophetically foreseen, not says concerning Revelation 19:10: example, in a Targumic circumlocu- just one church among many. “According to the parallel 22:9 the tion for the Spirit of Yahweh which We Seventh-day Adventists are brothers referred to are not believ- comes upon this or that prophet. members of God’s remnant church. ers in general, but the prophets. Thus the Targum of Jonathan ren- But this identification with the Here, too, they are characterized ders the opening words of Isaiah remnant church does not afford us as such. This is the point of verse 61:1 as ‘The Spirit of prophecy from exclusive status with God. Salvation 10c. If they have the marturia Iesou before the Lord God is upon me.’ . . . is not guaranteed through church [the testimony of Jesus], they have In Revelation 19:10, however, it is membership in any church; people the spirit of prophecy, i.e., they through Christian prophets that the are saved as individuals, not as a are prophets, like the angel, who Spirit of prophecy bears witness. church. Nevertheless, it is a privilege simply stands in the service of What the prophets of pre-Christian to belong to the church God has marturia Iesou.”1 days foretold is proclaimed as an called into existence for the purpose accomplished fact by the prophets of proclaiming the three angels’ THE WITNESS OF THE of the new age, among whom John messages to a dying world. OLD TESTAMENT occupies a leading place.”2 1 Hermann Strathmann, “Martyrs,” Theological Dictionary of the Jewish readers in John’s day knew So we can say that the visible New Testament, trans. G. W. Bromiley, 10 vols. (Grand Rapids, MI: what was meant by the expression remnant church, which according to Eerdmans, 1964-1974), vol. 4, p. 501. 2 F. F. Bruce, The Time Is Fulfilled (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978), “spirit of prophecy,” because they prophecy exists after the 1,260-day pp. 105, 106. were familiar with this phrase period (after 1798), has two specific from the Targums (translations identifying marks: (1) It keeps the of the Hebrew Old Testament commandments of God, including Gerhard Pfandl, Ph.D., now retired, served as an associate director of into Aramaic), where it appeared the Sabbath command as God gave the Biblical Research Institute of the frequently. For example, where the it; and (2) it has the testimony of General Conference. Hebrew text in Genesis 41:38 says, Jesus, the Spirit of prophecy or “Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can prophetic gift, in its midst.

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 25 Bible Questions Answered The Love Chapter’s Big Three

What is the relationship 2. HOPE AND LOVE Hope is dynamic, and as such does not allow love Q between faith, hope, and to become pure sentimentality, so obsessed with its immediate object—the present needs of human love in 1 Corinthians 13:13? beings—as to forget the consummation of salvation. But love challenges hope to act in the present. It takes the future last-day existence characterized by freedom from selfishness and suffering and makes its presence felt in the here and now in selfless care for others (cf., Heb. Paul wrote, “And now these three remain: faith, hope 6:10, 11). In other words, love makes hope relevant in and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13, the now of human existence. The model for this type of A NIV). This triad of Christian virtues is mentioned often life is Jesus Himself (Matt. 4:23). Elements of the last-day in the New Testament demonstrating its importance expectation (e.g., freedom from sickness and evil pow- for the Christian life (e.g., 1 Thess. 1:3; 5:8; Gal. 5:5, 6; ers) were made present in Jesus’ ministry to illustrate Heb. 6:10-12; 1 Peter 1:21, 22). In the middle of the triad the quality of life in the future kingdom of God. found in our passage is hope, as if holding the other two together, or at least forming a bridge between faith 3. FAITH, HOPE, LOVE and love. Hope orients Christians toward the future, These three theological virtues are not natural to faith provides content to hope, and love energizes both humans. They are the result of God’s presence in our to service. I will comment on the relationship between lives through the power of the Spirit. The greatest of each, and the possible function of the triad itself. these three virtues is love, because faith and hope without love could become, during the time of waiting, 1. FAITH AND HOPE oppressive forces in the hands of corrupt human Hope directs faith to the future and challenges it to beings. In this triad love assures us that faith and hope persevere in the midst of great adversities by reminding find their source in God, who is love by nature. We faith that there is more to come than what we now see could even suggest that faith, hope, and love together and experience. The present is not the final expression constitute the basic profile of believers. In other words, of cosmic reality. Something new and wonderful is those who are united to God through Christ have at the coming; as such, hope imbues faith with expectation. center of their religious experience faith in the work of Hence hope is always willing to wait, trust, and endure, Christ on their behalf, hope that announces the soon providing to faith stability; hope is like an anchor (Heb. consummation of such a great salvation, and love that 6:19, 20). Since hope consists in trusting fully in God’s breaks their enslavement to selfishness and motivates promises, acknowledging His trustworthiness, faith them to the service of God and others. as trust and dependence on God is inseparable from hope. Faith informs hope that Jesus is not only the One who will come, but also the One who has already come, Angel Manuel Rodríguez is retired after a career serving as a pastor, professor, and theologian. bringing reconciliation to us, and in the process provid- ing hope a solid and reliable foundation for the time of waiting. Faith and hope together remind believers that they are pilgrims heading to the heavenly city (Heb. 11).

26 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org of God, are designed for our good; that obedience to them promotes happiness in this life, and aids in the preparation for the life to come.”1 Through comprehensive health ministry, we may educate on health, meet people’s needs in a practical way, and demonstrate God’s love. “As a people we have been given the work of making known the principles of health reform. There are some who think that the question of diet is not of sufficient importance to be included in their evangelistic work. But such make a great mistake. God’s word declares, ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or Health & Wellness whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ 1 Corinthians 10:31, KJV. The subject of temperance, in all its bear- ings, has an important place in the work Saved by Health? of salvation.”2 In our daily living, careful health Clarity on the role of the choices and temperate living may enhance our communication with God health message and relationship with Him. “The brain nerves which commu- nicate with the entire system are the In a recent church member survey this “agree/disagree” statement both- only medium through which Heaven ered me: “Following the health message ensures my salvation.” Does it? can communicate to man and affect his inmost life. Whatever disturbs the o. Our salvation comes through accepting Jesus, His righteous- circulation of the electric currents in the ness, and His death on the cross in our place: “For it is by grace nervous system lessens the strength of N you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from the vital powers, and the result is a dead- yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” ening of the sensibilities of the mind.”3 (Eph. 2:8, 9, NIV). Thankfully, this includes all forms of deeds and Good news! Saved by His grace, we actions—including healthful habits and behaviors. Our salvation is not may share wholeness and serve all. earned through exercise, rest, or even diet. Salvation is a gift! 1 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press A significant number of respondents to the world church survey you Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 146. (Italics supplied.) cite reported they thought that following the health message ensured their 2 Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1923) p. 443. salvation. It is vitally important that we have clarity on this question. 3 Ellen G. White, Child Guidance (Nashville: Southern Pub. Assn., 1954) p. 447. As a church and as individuals we have been blessed with a wonderful, wholistic, preventive, preserving, and at times even healing, grace-filled health message. After the Otsego, Michigan, United States, vision in June Peter N. Landless, a board-certified nuclear cardiologist, is director of 1863, Ellen White stated that we were given the health message because Adventist Health Ministries at the General our work was not yet done. In short, we are saved to serve, not healthy Conference. in order to be saved! Let’s allow Ellen White’s writings to elucidate the Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, a board-certified purpose for healthful living by asking the what, why, and how of it all. internist, is an associate director of The health message is wholistic and addresses all aspects of our Adventist Health Ministries at the General Conference. being—physical, mental, spiritual, social, and emotional. “In teaching health principles, keep before the mind the great object of reform—that its purpose is to secure the highest development of body and mind and soul. Show that the laws of nature, being the laws

Photo: Emma Simpson AdventistWorld.org October 2018 27 Mom’s Prayer

he editor’s request was simple was packed full of food, clothes, books, yet challenging: “Please provide prayers, and cameras. T us a photograph of a mountain * * * goat who is standing on an outcrop of Near the top, where the road is narrow rock looking out into a black canyon.” and the drop-off seems to go down all OK, I thought. No problem. the way to Arizona, I spied a goat high Big problem. on the mountain above us. I pulled I had photos of mama goats, billy into a wider spot that would have been “May I Tell goats, kid goats, many goats, and individ- perfect for a tiny smart car, gathered my You a Story?” ual goats sleeping on granite boulders. camera gear, and promised my family No photos of individual goats looking that I would be “right back.” BY DICK DUERKSEN out over a black canyon. Mom and the kids waved goodbye, I asked the publisher for a few more and I headed up a granite waterfall weeks and began praying for the perfect toward my distant quarry. Mom, know- photo to come my way. We were plan- ing that my “right away” might stretch ning a trip through Glacier National Park to an hour, got out the homeschool in Montana, so maybe we could find a materials and set up school in the van. goat somewhere up on Going-to-the-Sun “I couldn’t let anyone go outside the Road and bribe him to stand on a rock van,” Mom remembers. “There was a mil- and stare into a black canyon. lion-foot drop-off right out the van door!” Thinking it might be worth a try, we I hiked till my knees were ready to give drove the awesome curly road from west out. Then I hiked some more, always fol- to east over the top of Glacier National lowing the elusive mountain goat. He was Park. We were driving an old Dodge there, but always just over the next rise. van, a vehicle that was just right for After an hour of hiking, the goat and I Mom, Dad, and three kids under 8. It finally made friends. He wondered what I wanted, and I was praying God would help me speak “goat.”

28 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org Photo: Dick Duerksen “Please,” I said to the goat, “walk over “Kids,” Mom said in the van 1,000 feet to that granite rock and look into the down the hill, “we must pray for Daddy. I black canyon to your left.” feel as though he may be in bad trouble Publisher The goat continued chewing on his right now.” The Adventist World, an international periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist banquet of bright-yellow spring flowers. “Lord Jesus,” one of the kids prayed, Church. The General Conference, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of I jumped up and down, begged, pointed “please keep Daddy safe.” Seventh-day Adventists®, is the publisher. to the rock. If he would just understand The bear dropped onto all four legs and Executive Editor/Director of Adventist Review Ministries my need. I set up my tripod and prepared walked out from behind the willow bush, Bill Knott for a perfect 400-millimeter shot. right toward me. The wind was blowing International Publishing Manager * * * my way, and the bear smelled terrible. Chun, Pyung Duk Adventist World Coordinating Back in the van my photographer’s I begged God for help, but couldn’t Committee wife was beginning to worry. Ninety remember what I was supposed to do if I Si Young Kim, chair; Yukata Inada; German Lust; Chun, Pyung Duk; Han, Suk minutes was a bit longer than she had met a bear. Was I to stand still or to jump Hee; Lyu, Dong Jin expected. Worry, mixed with a large up and down while making lots of noise? Associate Editors/Directors, Adventist Review Ministries dose of frustration and blended with Since I was too weak and terrified to Lael Caesar, Gerald A. Klingbeil, the voices of three kids, resulted in a do anything, I stood still and tried to Greg Scott Editors based in Silver Spring, mother’s moment. taste as bad as I possibly could. Maryland, USA “I was hoping he wasn’t lying up there The bear stood again, sniffed the Sandra Blackmer, Stephen Chavez, Costin Jordache, Wilona Karimabadi with a broken leg,” Brenda remembers. breeze, roared like a bull elephant, then Editors based in Seoul, Korea “I was ready for him to return, and dropped to all fours and slowly walked Chun, Pyung Duk; Park, Jae Man; Kim, Hyo-Jun preparing to kill him when he did.” away over the hill. Operations Manager The mountain goat finally heard “Thank you for taking care of Daddy,” Merle Poirier me, or at least saw me, pointing to the Mom prayed. Editors-at-Large/Advisors Mark A. Finley, John M. Fowler, black canyon, and wandered toward the Fifteen minutes later my knees finally E. Edward Zinke canyon to see what was there. He stood agreed to support me. I stood, haltingly, Financial Manager Kimberly Brown squarely in my “hoped for” photograph, using my tripod as support, and headed Management Board in focus, and staring out into the inky slowly downhill. Five hours on the hill had Si Young Kim, chair; Bill Knott, secretary; Chun, Pyung Duk; Karnik Doukmetzian; black of the canyon. left me with a painful limp, and a worried Han, Suk Hee; Yutaka Inada; German It was perfect. Except that he was heart. I had been gone far too long! Lust; Ray Wahlen; Ex-officio: Juan Prestol-Puesán; G. T. Ng; Ted N. C. Wilson staring down and looked like he was so “Look, Mommy,” one of the kids said. Art Direction and Design depressed he might jump. “There’s Daddy! I think he’s hurt his leg.” Types & Symbols “Please, God, have him lift his head Brenda ran to meet me, ready to shout To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Address all editorial and look over at me.” at me for taking so long, eager to hug correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia The next picture was perfect. me for still being alive, and worried Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600, U.S.A. Editorial office fax number: I believe God answered my prayer about my leg. (301) 680-6638 because Brenda was kneeling in the van, “I was ready to go find a park ranger,” E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.adventistworld.org pleading that God bring me back down she said as she helped me back to the Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible the mountain. car. “What time was it when you hurt references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, I packed up my gear, turned around, your leg?” 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Texts and realized it was going to be harder to I told her, and she smiled. Her smile credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, climb down than it was to climb up. My made me feel better, even though I had New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. watch said I’d been gone more than five not yet been forgiven. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. hours. Far too long! Not fair to Brenda “That’s exactly the time we had a Unless otherwise noted, all prominent and the kids. Hurry down. special prayer for you.” photos are © Thinkstock 2017. * * * Then I told her about the grizzly bear. Adventist World is published monthly and printed simultaneously in Korea, Brazil, Ten minutes later I stumbled on Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Austria, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and the a granite ledge, fell to my knees, and United States. Dick Duerksen, a pastor and storyteller looked squarely into the face of a giant Vol. 14, No. 10 living in Portland, Oregon, United grizzly bear, who was only 30 feet away. States, is known around the world as “an A very tall and unhappy bear who was itinerant pollinator of grace.” standing tall behind a small willow bush and roaring at me to “GO AWAY!” I would have gladly obeyed, but her roar had turned my knees to butter.

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 29 Growing Faith Fun-filled pages for younger ages

Jesus Is Your Forever Friend hen Brawn Kyan some years now, would you “What, me?” replied Brawn was 6 years old, his like to study the Bible to know surprisingly. “Oh, no, I don’t know WBuddhist parents sent Jesus better?” asked his teacher enough of the Bible to preach to him to the Seventh-day Adven- earnestly. “Jesus can make your children, or to anyone!” tist school to learn English. He life happy, and He will give you “Don’t worry, Jesus will give learned much more than that! peace that no one else on earth you power to speak,” assured This is a really different can give you.” his teacher. “Moreover, I will school, thought Brawn Kyan. The “I would love to,” Brawn help you prepare your sermons. teachers are patient and kind, replied excitedly. “When can we There are just three.” and they always talk about a begin?” “OK, I’ll try,” Brawn responded. man called Jesus. Brawn studied the Bible with “I’ll pray every day that Jesus Brawn had never heard of his teacher faithfully for a whole will give me understanding to Jesus before, and every day he year. He learned so much about speak for Him.” learned more about Jesus from a Jesus that he wanted to follow Five hundred children special book called the Bible. He Him forever. He told his parents attended the evangelistic meet- loved such Bible stories as David about his new discovery, but ings every night. Brawn’s friends and Goliath, Joseph, Daniel in they were not happy at all. and classmates helped lead out the lions’ den, and many others. One day in 2016 his teacher in the singing and health talks. Soon he started attending told him some interesting news. Brawn preached his first sermon church and participating in many “Brawn, we are going to run on John 3:16. Each time he children’s activities. He loved it! evangelistic meetings for chil- preached he felt the Holy Spirit “Say, Brawn, now that you dren for 10 nights. I would like tug at his heart to love Jesus have been in our schools for you to be one of the speakers.” more and more.

30 October 2018 AdventistWorld.org Illustration: Xuan Le

BY WILONA KARIMABADI

Puzzle What do we need to make Jesus our forever friend? Strike out the colored letters to discover the answer.

A C Z X R D E K K PEW N D V T M A R K N T D V G B L M E B P A Y S P N O Q T

Finally Brawn preached his last sermon on following Jesus K I A X V Z Q E forever. At the end Brawn made an appeal for all those who wanted to follow Jesus and to be baptized to come forward. T D Z D G I J N Many children went forward. Brawn felt the Holy Spirit speaking to him strongly, so he stepped down from the stage T R F H S EN and went down to the front with the other children, indicating that he wanted to be baptized. W A P C U M I E There was joy in heaven on Sabbath when 104 children and some adults were baptized. Brawn was especially filled with Y Y OFZ H J M joy as the pastor baptized him in the water. “Jesus is my forever friend! He will never leave me!” shouted M E L S K T US Brawn with elation.

AdventistWorld.org October 2018 31 “There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures.” Ellen White, Steps to Christ, p. 90

START AGAIN FROM THE BEGINNING, ONE CHAPTER A DAY.

BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS Begins October 13th in Genesis.

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