Facing the Future with Hope and Joy United Filipino SDA Church, La Puente, California | September 27, 2014 Texts: Isaiah 43:1-3a; Genesis 7:14-11:10; Revelation 162-17. Introduction: Current events seldom bring us good news. In fact, the Bible describes ours as a time when “men’s hearts [are] failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth . . . .” Luke 21:26, NJKV. Theme: Jesus told us not to fear because He is in control of our lives and destiny; we can face the future with confidence in Gods faithfulness to us! Message: Looking back into sacred history and forward through prophecy, we can have peace and joy as we live amidst a tumultuous and seemingly gone-berserk world. There is good news even in the seven last plagues of Revelation 15-16. I got this inspiration that a look back at the ten plagues cast on Egypt just before God liberated Israel from slavery (as recorded in Exodus 7- 11) would help me better understand the apocalyptic messages in the book of Revelation. Let me share with you some thoughts I gathered from my recent re-survey of the historic and prophetic landscape: 1. Confrontation/Conflict: Beginning in Exodus 7, the contention between Moses and Pharaoh over the fate of the Israelites is a manifestation of the unseen controversy between God and Satan over the eternal destiny of humankind. The final battle of this confrontation/conflict is prophesied in the book of Revelation. 2. Contrast/ Division: Exodus 8:22, 23 (NKJV) portrays the division of and contrast between God’s chosen people and those who choose to follow the path of rebellion: “And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.” The characteristics of both groups are likewise expounded in the book of Revelation. 3. Consecration /Confirmation: In Exodus 12:21-23 the chosen people are exhorted to focus on and get ready for leaving Egypt. The confirmation and salvation of Israel are assured by the blood of the Lamb on their doorposts. In Revelation 12:12 the saints “overcame [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony . . .” Let us sing a song that exults the power of the blood of the Lamb: youtube/watch?v=kj4qNrCcato Appeal: “Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee. This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. SC 70 Dear brothers and sisters, let us continue to focus on Gods love and grace to see us through as we live through these troubled times. Closing Hymn: youtube/watch?v=CmbkpRqLuOU Benediction: “Now may the eternal love of God the Father, the everlasting grace of our Lord Jess Christ and the ever-present companionship of the Holy Spirit be with us all as we journey to our heavenly home.”
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 17:55:11 +0000
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