ArmchairAdventists

Revelation: Justification by Faith A New Name Revelation 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it." The book of Revelation is filled with themes of "newness." Here, we see the promise of hidden manna, which is not yet revealed, and a new name written on a white stone. Let us first examine the meaning of the white stone. In the judicial system of that time, a white stone was given to someone who was acquitted in a trial. It was a small pebble used to symbolize judgment: a black stone indicated condemnation, while a white stone signified acquittal. On this stone, however, is also inscribed a new name. In Hebrew thought, a name often represented character and reputation. We still use this concept today when we speak of someone having "a good name....

Revelation: Justification by Faith The Appearance of Samuel [By M.L] In our previous discussion , we spoke about the dead and the prohibition against contacting them. God had good reasons for this command. Humans tend to exalt the dead as gods, and though the dead do not live, Paul tells us these so-called gods are, in fact, demons. They are not real gods or the spirits of the deceased but demonic entities. The Bible often refers to them as "gods" or "the dead," but they are not truly either: “What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:19-20, ESV) A prime example of this in Scripture is the story of King Saul at Endor. Saul was the first king of Israel. He had experienced victories over their national enemies, the Philistines. During this time, Samuel, a prophet of God...

  Revelation: Justification by Faith Worship of the Dead [By M.L] Numbers 25:2 "They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel... 9. And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand." Psalm 106:28 "They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor, And ate sacrifices made to the dead. 29. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds, And the plague broke out among them." It is human nature to glorify the dead in a more exalted and radiant light than the living. All too often, the talents, virtues, and friendship of those who are alive are overlooked or even despised. Yet, when they pass away, memories of them come flooding back. Their faults are quickly forgiven, and their virtues are magnified—sometimes to the point of exaltation. Words of sympathy, honor, and love are then expressed—words that would have m...

  Revelation: Justification by Faith The Temptation of Balaam [By M.L] In our previous study , we examined the character of Balaam. It’s recommended to read that first for more context. Balaam was a greedy, ambitious, and fallen prophet of God. This character itself is troubling, but its effects were even more severe. We saw how Balak, the king of Moab, tried to get Balaam to curse God’s people, who posed a threat to him. Balaam went along, but by God’s intervention, he spoke a blessing instead of a curse. Balaam realized he could not curse God’s people as long as they were faithful to God, and in direct conflict, Moab could never win. There was only one way to bring Israel down—they had to be led away from God. And Balaam, with his authority and knowledge, was uniquely positioned to devise such a scheme. Though he couldn’t receive the wealth and honor Balak promised by cursing Israel, he saw a way to gain them through a different approach. He devised a plan. Balak was to send Moab...

  Revelation: Justification by Faith The Temptation of Balaam [By M.L] Revelation 2:12-15 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13. I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15. So also you have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore, repent!’" In the city of Pergamum, a church existed that felt Satan’s influence very strongly. God addressed those closest to His throne, so to speak—the ones who had seen the most of God. They had remained faithful to His name and the faith of Jesus, ...