Editor’s Note: This statement originally appeared on the North American Division website and is reprinted here in full with permission:
North American Division Leadership Responds to Events at the U.S. Capitol
The events in Washington, D.C., during the past few days have been traumatic for most Americans, and shocking for those around the world. Many of our members are deeply concerned regarding the actions that took place at the United States Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. The leadership of the North American Division affirms the rights of people to respectfully protest, but strongly condemns the reprehensible actions of rioters that show a clear disrespect for the safety of others, the institution of democracy, and the diplomatic and orderly process of the transition of government.
NAD leadership calls for our members to prayerfully reflect on Philippians 4:7, which states, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (NKJV), as we all seek to understand events taking place in the U.S. In times like these we need to pray with the words, “In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God” (Psalms 62:7).
We recognize that our U.S. members represent a full spectrum of viewpoints and positions on many issues. Moving forward, may the love of God draw us together as we reach out to each other and the communities where we live and work. May God grant us all peace, strength, and wisdom as we serve as citizens in this country. As followers of Christ, let us unite in prayer for our communities; our leaders; and that God’s Spirit will prevail.
G. Alexander Bryant, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America
Randy Robinson, Treasurer
Kyoshin Ahn, Secretary
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Photo by Cameron Smith on Unsplash
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As bad as that was, surely darker days are ahead.
But we have the promise in Psalm 91, that it will not come near us if we are sheltered under His wings!
This statement with its “full spectrum of viewpoints,” leaves members with no leader to follow, with on plan to resolve this issue within our churches and communities.
They missed an opportunity to teach Biblical ethics so needed in communities and congregations, except to pray and reflect.
What if: The a NAD leader would give visible leadership to create a campaign based on this 7th Beatitude
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (individuals that God is proud to claim as family).
Working Definition: They work for peaceful resolutions to human conflicts. One by one. They dislike war, anger, fighting, rioting and vengeance as a means of settling controversy. Peacemakers seek to bring out the best in others. To create harmony instead of differences.
They are peacemakers—undoing violence, undermining animosity and hatred between individual viewpoints.
God’s Response to Peacemakers: They are called His children. They are his immediate family; the ones God feels proud of. I image that earth politics is a topic in the cosmos. When heavenly leaders counsel together, God takes out his photo album to show to the ambassadors—Have you seen my children on planet Earth? Ones creating lights of peace and compassion in their communities. I am so proud of them…Speaking with his musical voice, extending his chest and his proud face upturned in deep approval. He said they are my children.
i don’t think darker days are ahead…trump is banned from facebook and twitter, and can’t communicate with his followers…he’s about to be impeached, or removed from office through the 25th amendment, and without the presidency behind him, he’s going to be a nobody…meanwhile vaccine distribution is going to be increased as soon as biden takes the presidency…
this means both trump and covid will soon be under control…things can only look up from here on out…
American politics are certainly taking unprecedented turns and twists.
But Daniel 4:17 states that God is in charge: He places the king in office
and that would certainly apply to the President of America,
which EGW states is going to be the last power to wage war
against the people of God.
I am certain that the parable of the Ten Virgins is worthy of study right now.
It is a spiritual sword–not physical. A sword that separates truth and error, in which there is often a painful cost to the individual.
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight (with swords) to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
all of this is true, but it’s also true that people will be saying peace and safety just before sudden destruction comes…
right now, the trump removal and vaccines seem to be paving the way for people to credibly say peace and safety…who knows whether peace and safety really will materialize, and if it does, for how long…but whatever happens in 2021, it’s hard to imagine things getting worse than a president instigating insurrection against a constitutionally mandated responsibility of congress, and a virus killing over 4,000 americans each and every day…it’s easier to imaging the possibility of things getting better in my view…
but i agree that now is the time to understand the parable of the 10 virgins…my understanding is that the combination of persecution and the latter rain will sort them out…because we haven’t seen these things yet, it means there’s still valuable time left…
It can be difficult to discern the Bible’s citation of the physical from the spiritual.
In Revelation 18 it is written that Babylon is fallen because of her fornication.
The spiritual fornication of Babylon is obvious to many.
But those who are a part of Babylon, not so much.
Thus, they do not heed the call to come out of her, My people.
Then comes the priests’ fornication scandal, i.e., the physical evidence.
And the physical fornication morphs from the mother church to her daughters.
Then the SCOTUS makes Babylon’s fornication America’s law of the land
in opposition to God’s plan that He established in the beginning.
The evidence of prophecy fulfilled uses the physical to reveal the spiritual.
But discernment is from God. Not everyone with eyes can see.
I read this counsel: Though no man knoweth the day nor the hour of His coming, we are instructed and required to know when it is near. We are further taught that to disregard His warning, and refuse or neglect to know when His Advent is near, will be as fatal for us, as it was for those who lived in the days of Noah not to know when the flood was coming (GC88 370.2).
That seems to say that it is possible to know when to prepare as Noah knew when to go into the ark
yes, i believe it is possible and incumbent on us to know when to prepare for the end…this isn’t a contradiction with paul because 1Thess 5:3 is really talking about the lost, who aren’t aware that the coming of christ, to them, will be like a thief in the night…
i actually believe that another prophet, or prophets, known and accepted by us, but not by the lost, will be used to guide us into what we must know and do when the time comes…of course we have a lot of counsel already…but big events, like the latter rain and loud cry, along with the closing up of IJ, must come before the time of trouble can occur…i believe we will know when we’re in the time of trouble - i don’t think that time is now, as bad as things are…
The Beatitudes have their place,
but isn’t the closing work to center around the three Angels’ Messages
and especially the Third Angel in unison with that other Angel in Revelation 18?
In my humble opinion the words and teaching Jesus are primary and should receive the most prominent position in preaching and teaching. This is what Jesus taught, did he not? The book of Revelation should never take a leading position above the words and life of Jesus.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 6
Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matt 7
By their fulfillment in the last days, Daniel and Revelation will explain themselves. I read that to be saying that they will explain themselves. Thus ,the physical and the spiritual explanation will reveal the truth that will establish the interpretations that are of God and the false will be seen as it is.
I agree that the Beatitudes are timeless and important. But in the endtime they have a special place in relation to the 3 Angels’ Messages. To separate them from their proper setting would be to distort Christ’s teaching. Anyone can say Lord Lord and practice the Beatitudes but be lost. There is a danger for individuals to talk the talk, but fail to walk the walk. In my humble opinion, talking the talk and walking the walk must go hand in hand in the Christian life.
How can this be true? There have been 1000’s of commentaries and books about Revelation, through the years. Just look into Amazon books of Revelation. They all differed in some ways and most of them differ with SDA positions. If Revelation could be easily self-explained, as you say, would we not find that almost all authors draw the same conclusions? Would we not find that the majority of authors would embrace the same approach as SDA hold? The fact is that honest authors see Revelation in differing ways.
Not according to Jesus
–The poor in spirit will be in the kingdom of God
–The meek will inherit the (new) earth.
–Those who are merciful will be shown mercy from God.
–The pure in heart are promised to see God (personally)
–Peacemakers are call by God as his children
–Those who suffer for righteousness will be in the kingdom of God.
Have you actually read the 3rd Angels message: Is this literal? Is this message filled with promise or hope or love? It appears as if God and all the holy angels enjoy watching scenes horror, that never ends due to the fury of God, having no love or mercy even for women and children.
."…will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever…"
The book of Daniel was sealed and closed until the time of the end. Daniel 8 is a great example. The 1611 KJV interpreted it to apply to Persia and Greece that were in existence at the beginning of the vision rather than to go along with heaven’s explanation that it related to the end of the vision. Now that Daniel is standing in his lot, the great horn is to be broken and the little horn will wax great.
Regarding Revelation being understood correctly. Many who have ears refuse to hear. Rather than allowing the Bible to explain itself, too many attempt to force it to align with their notions.
If those folks who profess to believe the Beatitudes do not really live them, their profession will be taking the name of God in vain. Jesus warned against that.
My loving God wants me to live forever in His kingdom with Him. He warns me what Satan is up to in these last days and God tells me not to be deceived because if I am deceived there will be consequences. In God’s love He tells me how to avoid the consequences and promises that if I am obedient His love will see me through. On the other hand, if I do not love Him enough to choose to obey Him there is nothing that He can do to save me from the choices that I make using my free will. The Third Angel’s Message is a message of love and hope that separates those who profess to love God from those who really love Him!