Articles – Steps to Life

The Former Rain and the Latter Rain

June 30, 2026 by Reformation Herald Publishing

August 23 – 29, 2026

Key Verse

“Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth.” Hosea 6:3

Study Help: Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, 19–23; The Acts of the Apostles, 47–56

Introduction

“The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 506

Sunday

1 THE PROMISE

1.a. What promise did Christ give to the disciples immediately before His ascension? Acts 1:4, 5, 8. Describe their spiritual condition when this promise was fulfilled. Acts 2:1

Note: “Christ’s visible presence was about to be withdrawn from the disciples, but a new endowment of power was to be theirs. The Holy Spirit was to be given them in its fullness, sealing them for their work.” The Acts of the Apostles, 30

“Notice that it was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit was poured out. They were of one accord. All differences had been put away. And the testimony borne of them after the Spirit had been given is the same. Mark the word: ‘The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.’ Acts 4:32. The Spirit of Him who died that sinners might live animated the entire congregation of believers.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, 20, 21

1.b. Why was a special endowment of the Holy Spirit indispensable in those days? Acts 2:38–40, 43

Note: “The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endowment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. The work committed to the disciples would require great efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and strong against them. A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the forces of darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right only through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give them.” The Acts of the Apostles, 31

“God does not ask us to do in our own strength the work before us. He has provided divine assistance for all the emergencies to which our human resources are unequal. He gives the Holy Spirit to help in every strait, to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our minds and purify our hearts.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, 19

Monday

2 THE “FORMER RAIN”

2.a. How does Scripture describe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the early disciples? What specific gift is often misunderstood today? Acts 2:1–18

Note: “During the dispersion the Jews had been scattered to almost every part of the inhabited world, and in their exile, they had learned to speak various languages. Many of these Jews were on this occasion in Jerusalem, attending the religious festivals then in progress. Every known tongue was represented by those assembled. This diversity of languages would have been a great hindrance to the proclamation of the gospel; God therefore in a miraculous manner supplied the deficiency of the apostles. The Holy Spirit did for them that which they could not have accomplished for themselves in a lifetime. They could now proclaim the truths of the gospel abroad, speaking with accuracy the languages of those for whom they were laboring. This miraculous gift was a strong evidence to the world that their commission bore the signet of Heaven. From this time forth the language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate, whether they spoke in their native tongue or in a foreign language.” The Acts of the Apostles, 39, 40

2.b. What resulted from the remarkable manifestation of God’s power under the former rain? Acts 2:41, 46, 47. How can this relate to us?

Note: “The disciples did not ask for a blessing for themselves. They were weighted with the burden of souls. The gospel was to be carried to the ends of the earth, and they claimed the endowment of power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, 21

“To us today, as verily as to the first disciples, the promise of the Spirit belongs. God will today endow men and women with power from above, as He endowed those who on the Day of Pentecost heard the word of salvation. At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need them and will take Him at His word.” Ibid., 20

Tuesday

3 THE “LATTER RAIN”

3.a. How is the prophecy of Joel to have a second application in our days? Joel 2:23, 28, 29

Note: “As the ‘former rain’ was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the upspringing of the precious seed, so the ‘latter rain’ will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest. …

“The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close. Here are ‘the times of refreshing’ to which the apostle Peter looked forward. …

“Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers.” The Great Controversy, 611, 612

3.b. On what condition is the Lord willing to bestow His Spirit upon us in fullness? Zechariah 10:1; Acts 1:14

Note: “Let Christians put away all dissension and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, 21

Wednesday

4 A SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION

4.a. How did God illustrate the Holy Spirit’s role in the revival of the house of Israel? Ezekiel 37:1–5, 9–12, 21, 22. What application does the parable of Ezekiel 37 have for our days? Hosea 6:1–3; Ezekiel 36:25–28

Note: “Not only does this simile of the dry bones apply to the world, but also to those who have been blessed with great light; for they also are like the skeletons of the valley. They have the form of men, the framework of the body; but they have not spiritual life. But the parable does not leave the dry bones merely knit together into the forms of men; for it is not enough that there is symmetry of limb and feature. The breath of life must vivify the bodies, that they may stand upright, and spring into activity. These bones represent the house of Israel, the church of God, and the hope of the church is the vivifying influence of the Holy Spirit. The Lord must breathe upon the dry bones, that they may live.” Seventh day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1165, 1166

Thursday

5 THE MOVEMENT OF REVELATION

5.a. How will the power of God be manifested through the movement symbolized by the angel of Revelation 18:1—in the final stage of his work—when he shall be giving the last warning of the third angel’s message? Revelation 18:1

Note: “The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here brought to view. The Advent movement of 1840–44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in this country, there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be far exceeded by the mighty movement under the loud cry of the third message.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, 429

5.b. What constitutes the last warning and how is it to be accomplished? Revelation 18:4

Note: “God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and ‘receive not of her plagues.’ Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: ‘Come out of her, My people.’ These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth.” The Great Controversy, 604

“The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.” Ibid., 612

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

What are the reasons and conditions for the Holy Spirit to be sent in fullness?
What is the gift of tongues, and why was it bestowed?
How is the latter rain prophesied and described?
How does the vision of Ezekiel 37 relate to us?
Why is the work of the angel of Revelation 18 so important?

Preparing for the Crisis

June 30, 2026 by Reformation Herald Publishing

August 16 – 22, 2026

Key Text

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

Study Help: Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 199–202; Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 516–520

Introduction

“Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 216

Sunday

1 OUR GREATEST CONCERN

1.a. What should be our greatest concern while the door of probation is still open? Acts 16:30; Matthew 16:26 (compare Revelation 7:13–17).

Note: “Are our people reviewing the past and the present and the future, as it is unfolding before the world? Are they heeding the messages of warning given them? Is it our greatest concern today that our lives shall be refined and purified, and that we shall reflect the similitude of the divine? This must be the experience of all who join that company who are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 56

1.b. What is the secret to gaining spiritual victory? Hebrews 12:2

Note: “Many make a serious mistake in their religious life by keeping the attention fixed upon their feelings and thus judging of their advancement or decline. Feelings are not a safe criterion. We are not to look within for evidence of our acceptance with God. We shall find there nothing but that which will discourage us. Our only hope is in ‘looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.’ There is everything in Him to inspire with hope, with faith, and with courage. He is our righteousness, our consolation and rejoicing.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 199, 200

“We must look to Christ for strength and grace, and we shall gain the victory as surely as Jesus died for us.” The Sanctified Life, 93

Monday

2 THE NEEDED ASSURANCE

2.a. What assurance should we seek every morning? Exodus 33:14, 15

Note: “Morning by morning, as the heralds of the gospel kneel before the Lord and renew their vows of consecration to Him, He will grant them the presence of His Spirit, with its reviving, sanctifying power. As they go forth to the day’s duties, they have the assurance that the unseen agency of the Holy Spirit enables them to be ‘laborers together with God.’ ” The Acts of the Apostles, 56

2.b. How can we obtain this assurance? Luke 18:7, 8. Under what conditions are we in danger of forfeiting God’s presence?

Note: “It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not cooperate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.” The Desire of Ages, 324

“It is now that we are to learn [the] lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith. The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favor of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 203

Tuesday

3 HOW WE ARE ENABLED TO STAND

3.a. What would we see and do without delay if our eyes could be opened? Ephesians 6:12–18. Who only will be able to stand in the last great conflict?

Note: “If our eyes could be opened to see the good and evil agencies at work, there would be no trifling, no vanity, no jesting or joking. If all would put on the whole armor of God and fight manfully the battles of the Lord, victories would be gained that would cause the kingdom of darkness to tremble.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, 41

“None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.” The Great Controversy, 593, 594

3.b. As we bear the whole armor of God, what position and action will make us victorious in the spiritual battle? James 4:7, 8

Note: “The soul that loves God, loves to draw strength from Him by constant communion with Him. When it becomes the habit of the soul to converse with God, the power of the evil one is broken; for Satan cannot abide near the soul that draws nigh unto God.

“ ‘Draw nigh to God.’ What is the result of this? We cannot draw nigh to God and behold His loveliness and compassion without realizing our defects and being filled with a desire to rise higher. ‘And He will draw nigh to you.’ The Lord will draw nigh to him who confesses to his brethren the wrongs he has done them, and then comes to God in humility and contrition.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 937

“The forces of the enemy of all righteousness are strongly entrenched; only by the power of God can the victory be gained. The conflict before us calls for the exercise of a spirit of self-denial, for distrust of self and for dependence on God alone, for the wise use of every opportunity for the saving of souls. The Lord’s blessing will attend His church as they advance unitedly, revealing to a world lying in the darkness of error the beauty of holiness as manifested in a Christlike spirit of self-sacrifice, in an exaltation of the divine rather than the human, and in loving and untiring service for those so much in need of the blessings of the gospel.” Prophets and Kings, 74

Wednesday

4 SALVATION, A JOINT OPERATION

4.a. In cooperation with divine strength, what is absolutely necessary if we would be victors? Philippians 2:12, 13; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 3:3

Note: “No one of us will gain the victory without persevering, untiring effort, proportionate to the value of the object which we seek, even eternal life.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 511

“God cannot save man against his will from the power of Satan’s artifices. Man must work with his human power, aided by the divine power of Christ, to resist and to conquer at any cost to himself. In short, man must overcome as Christ overcame. And then, through the victory that it is his privilege to gain by the all-powerful name of Jesus, he may become an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ. This could not be the case if Christ alone did all the overcoming. Man must do his part; he must be victor on his own account, through the strength and grace that Christ gives him. Man must be a coworker with Christ in the labor of overcoming, and then he will be partaker with Christ of His glory.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 33 [Author’s italics.]

4.b. How does the apostle Paul describe his efforts in the interest of his own salvation? 1 Corinthians 9:25–27; 15:31, last part; 2 Timothy 4:7, 8

Note: “Paul attained to the full moral stature of a man in Christ Jesus. By what a process was his soul developed! His life was a continual scene of hardship, conflict, and toil.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 903

Thursday

5 VICTORY WITHIN OUR REACH

5.a. How does the apostle summarize the essentials of a victorious Christian life? Colossians 1:23, 27; Galatians 2:20; Titus 2:11–14. Why must we examine ourselves daily? 2 Corinthians 13:5

Note: “Who is it that is ruling the world today, and who is it that have chosen to stand under the banner of the prince of darkness? Why, it is nearly the whole world at large. All the world that have not accepted Jesus Christ have chosen for their leader the prince of darkness; and just as soon as they stand under his banner, they have connection with evil angels. Either the evil angels or the angels of God are controlling the minds of men. Our minds are given to the control of God, or to the control of the powers of darkness; and it will be well for us to inquire where we are standing today—whether under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel, or under the black banner of the powers of darkness.

“We must make every preparation in our power in order to resist the enemy of souls. Every provision has been made; everything in God’s plan has been arranged so that man should not be left to his own impulses, to his own finite powers, to carry on the warfare against the powers of darkness in his own finite strength; because he would certainly fail if he were thus left to himself.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, 1120

5.b. What work is to be done by the Holy Spirit, through us, in behalf of the world? John 16:8

Note: “The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to exalt the Lord alone, and guided the pens of the sacred historians, that the record of the words and works of Christ might be given to the world. Today this Spirit is constantly at work, seeking to draw the attention of men to the great sacrifice made upon the cross of Calvary, to unfold to the world the love of God to man, and to open to the convicted soul the promises of the Scriptures.” Gospel Workers, 286

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

What is our greatest need today and how can it be fulfilled?
Why is an active prayer life essential?
How are we to draw nigh unto God—and what will be the results?
What should we learn from the daily life of the apostle Paul?
How only can the world be warned today?

False Prophets and False Revivals

June 30, 2026 by Reformation Herald Publishing

August 9 – 15, 2026

Key Text

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 471–478; Selected Messages, Book 2, 56–60

Introduction

“Delusions and deceptions will come in among us, and will multiply as we near the end.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 952

Sunday

1 BEWARE!

1.a. Why must we examine the spirit of professed religious teachers rather than blindly accept or reject evidences? 1 John 4:1; Acts 7:51

Note: “In these days of peril we are not to accept everything that men bring to us as truth. As professed teachers from God come to us declaring that they have a message from God, it is proper to inquire carefully, How do we know that this is truth? Jesus has told us that ‘false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many.’ But we need not be deceived; for the word of God gives us a test whereby we may know what is truth. The prophet says, ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ ” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 951

1.b. What danger has always surrounded the people of God? Jeremiah 14:14; 23:21; 2 Peter 2:1

Note: “Christ foretold that the going forth of deceivers would be accompanied with more danger to His disciples than would persecution. … The effort of seducers has been to undermine confidence in the truth of God and to make it impossible to distinguish truth from error. Wonderfully pleasing, fanciful, scientific problems are introduced and urged upon the attention of the unwary; and unless believers are on their guard, the enemy, disguised as an angel of light, will lead them into false paths.” Evangelism, 359

Monday

2 MIRACULOUS HEALING

2.a. Through what means will Satan deceive many souls who have no background in the truth? 2 Kings 1:2; Acts 8:9–11

Note: “The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal. They attribute this power to electricity, magnetism, the so-called ‘sympathetic remedies,’ or to latent forces within the mind of man. And there are not a few, even in this Christian age, who go to these healers, instead of trusting in the power of the living God and the skill of well qualified physicians. The mother, watching by the sickbed of her child, exclaims, ‘I can do no more. Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?’ She is told of the wonderful cures performed by some clairvoyant or magnetic healer, and she trusts her dear one to his charge, placing it as verily in the hand of Satan as if he were standing by her side. In many instances the future life of the child is controlled by a satanic power which it seems impossible to break.” Prophets and Kings, 211

2.b. What danger lies before those who are not anchored in Christ? 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. What standard of righteousness is ignored by false prophets? Romans 8:4, 7

Note: “Many make great pretensions to holiness, and boast of the wonders they perform in healing the sick, when they do not regard this great standard of righteousness. But through whose power are these cures wrought? Are the eyes of either party opened to their transgressions of the law? and do they take their stand as humble, obedient children, ready to obey all of God’s requirements?” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, 1099

Tuesday

3 DISCERNING BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG

3.a. Before the Holy Spirit is poured out in fullness, how will Satan try to counterfeit the work of God? Matthew 7:22

Note: “Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit.” The Great Controversy, 464

3.b. What discernment do we need when faced by the confusion introduced by the enemy of souls? Hebrews 5:14. How does this relate to our health message and medical missionary work?

Note: “The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God’s servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought.

“For this reason, the Lord has marked out a way in which His people are to carry forward a work of physical healing, combined with the teaching of the word. Sanitariums are to be established, and with these institutions are to be connected workers who will carry forward genuine medical missionary work. Thus, a guarding influence is thrown around those who come to the sanitariums for treatment.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 54

Wednesday

4 “BY THEIR FRUITS”

4.a. Why will God’s remnant people not be deceived by modern revivals and spurious miracles? 1 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 1:17, 18

Note: “In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s word, it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed.” The Great Controversy, 464

4.b. While we should avoid a judgmental spirit (Matthew 7:1, 2), what enables us to face Satan’s subtleties? Matthew 24:4; 1 John 2:3–5

Note: “In these days of delusion, everyone who is established in the truth will have to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Every variety of error will be brought out in the mysterious working of Satan, which would, if it were possible, deceive the very elect, and turn them from the truth. There will be human wisdom to meet—the wisdom of learned men, who, as were the Pharisees, are teachers of the law of God, but do not obey the law themselves. There will be human ignorance and folly to meet in disconnected theories arrayed in new and fantastic dress—theories that it will be all the more difficult to meet because there is no reason in them.

“There will be false dreams and false visions, which have some truth, but lead away from the original faith. The Lord has given men a rule by which to detect them: ‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ (Isaiah 8:20) If they belittle the law of God, if they pay no heed to His will as revealed in the testimonies of His Spirit, they are deceivers. They are controlled by impulse and impressions, which they believe to be from the Holy Spirit, and consider more reliable than the Inspired Word. They claim that every thought and feeling is an impression of the Spirit; and when they are reasoned with out of the Scriptures, they declare that they have something more reliable. But while they think that they are led by the Spirit of God, they are in reality following an imagination wrought upon by Satan.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 98, 99

Thursday

5 THE GREATEST COUNTERFEIT

5.a. What will be the climax in Satan’s deceptions? Matthew 24:23

Note: “The conflict is not yet ended; and as we draw near the close of time, the battle waxes more intense. As the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ draws near, satanic agencies are moved from beneath. Satan will not only appear as a human being, but he will personate Jesus Christ; and the world that has rejected the truth will receive him as the Lord of lords and King of kings. He will exercise his power, and work upon the human imagination.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, 1105, 1106

5.b. In the final crisis, on what basis must we test every miracle, every claim, and every doctrine?
James 1:22–25; Isaiah 8:20

Note: “At every revival of God’s work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.” The Great Controversy, 593

Friday

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

Why are we called to be on guard in these last days?
Explain the dangers of spiritistic and “New Age” health practitioners.
Describe the strategy which the enemy of souls is soon to unleash.
How can we discern between the miracles of God and those of Satan?
What is our only safeguard against Satan’s greatest delusion?

The Lamblike Beast

June 30, 2026 by Reformation Herald Publishing

August 2 – 8, 2026

Key Text

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” Revelation 13:11

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 440–450; Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 975–977

Introduction

“Prophecy represents Protestantism as having lamblike horns, but speaking like a dragon. Already we are beginning to hear the voice of the dragon.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 975

Sunday

1 A NEW POWER

1.a. Besides the power represented by the first beast of Revelation 13, what other power did John see on the stage of history? Revelation 13:11, first part

Note: “But the beast with lamblike horns was seen ‘coming up out of the earth.’ Instead of overthrowing other powers to establish itself, the nation thus represented must arise in territory previously unoccupied and grow up gradually and peacefully. It could not, then, arise among the crowded and struggling nationalities of the Old World—that turbulent sea of ‘peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.’ Revelation 17:15. It must be sought in the Western Continent.

“What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world? The application of the symbol admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America.” The Great Controversy, 440

1.b. What did the prophet record as the first notable feature of that second beast? Revelation 13:11, middle part

Note: “The lamblike horns indicate youth, innocence, and gentleness, fitly representing the character of the United States when presented to the prophet as ‘coming up’ in 1798. Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America and sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty. Their views found place in the Declaration of Independence, which sets forth the great truth that ‘all men are created equal’ and endowed with the inalienable right to ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ And the Constitution guarantees to the people the right of self-government, providing that representatives elected by the popular vote shall enact and administer the laws. Freedom of religious faith was also granted, every man being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity.” The Great Controversy, 441

Monday

2 A SHOCKING CHARACTERISTIC

2.a. Since the second beast had shown lamblike innocence, what surprised John the Revelator? Revelation 13:11, last part

Note: “The lamblike horns and dragon voice of the symbol point to a striking contradiction between the professions and the practice of the nation thus represented. The ‘speaking’ of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities. By such action it will give the lie to those liberal and peaceful principles which it has put forth as the foundation of its policy.” The Great Controversy, 442

2.b. In what sense will the second beast imitate the first beast? Revelation 13:1, first part

Note: “The prediction that it will speak ‘as a dragon’ and exercise ‘all the power of the first beast’ plainly foretells a development of the spirit of intolerance and persecution that was manifested by the nations represented by the dragon and the leopardlike beast.” The Great Controversy, 442

Tuesday

3 AN “IMAGE” OF ROME

3.a. What will the United States of America do to enforce homage to Rome? Revelation 13:12, last part

Note: “The statement that the beast with two horns ‘causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast’ indicates that the authority of this nation is to be exercised in enforcing some observance which shall be an act of homage to the papacy.” The Great Controversy, 442

3.b. How will America not only imitate Rome but induce other nations to do the same? Describe the meaning of “making an image to the beast.” Revelation 13:14, last part

Note: “As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, 18

“The ‘image to the beast’ represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas.”

“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” The Great Controversy, 445

Wednesday

4 THE MARK OF THE BEAST

4.a. Largely with the support of Protestant America, in what area will the encroachment of Rome upon human conscience become prominent? Revelation 13:16

Note: “After the warning against the worship of the beast and his image the prophecy declares: ‘Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ Since those who keep God’s commandments are thus placed in contrast with those that worship the beast and his image and receive his mark, it follows that the keeping of God’s law, on the one hand, and its violation, on the other, will make the distinction between the worshipers of God and the worshipers of the beast.” The Great Controversy, 445, 446

“When Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshipping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome—‘the mark of the beast.’ And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive ‘the mark of the beast.’ ” Ibid., 449

4.b. What will be imposed on those who refuse to accept the mark of the beast? Revelation 13:17

Note: “In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden to buy or sell.” The Desire of Ages, 121, 122

“The Lord has clearly defined the road to the city of God; but the great apostate has changed the signpost, setting up a false one—a spurious sabbath. He says: ‘I will work at cross-purposes with God. I will empower my delegate, the man of sin, to take down God’s memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath. … Human laws shall be made so stringent that men and women will not dare to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing God’s law.’ ” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1171, 1172

Thursday

5 THE DEATH DECREE

5.a. In what way will Protestant America (the second beast) also imitate the most cruel aspects of the character of papal Rome (the first beast)? Revelation 13:15

Note: “Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that ‘all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond’ (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of God enjoining the Creator’s rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts.” The Great Controversy, 604

5.b. What advice should we take to heart in view of the time of trouble just before us? 1 Peter 3:14–17

Note: “What course shall the advocates of truth pursue? They have the unchangeable, eternal word of God, and they should reveal the fact that they have the truth as it is in Jesus. Their words must not be rugged and sharp. In their presentation of truth, they must manifest the love and meekness and gentleness of Christ. Let the truth do the cutting; the word of God is as a sharp, two-edged sword, and will cut its way to the heart. Those who know that they have the truth should not, by the use of harsh and severe expressions, give Satan one chance to misinterpret their spirit.” Evangelism, 236

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

What does the second beast represent, and how do we know this?
By what means does this lamblike beast adopt dragon-like traits?
How does the second beast begin to relate to the first beast?
What is the mark of the beast and why, ultimately, is it imposed?
In light of the approaching crisis, what should we bear in mind?

The Beast of Revelation 13

June 30, 2026 by Reformation Herald Publishing

The Third Angel’s Message

July 26 – August 1, 2026

Key Text

“And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great … he cast down the truth to the ground. He did all this and prospered.” Daniel 8:9, 12

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 434–439; Selected Messages, Book 2, 367–375

Introduction

“Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history.” The Great Controversy, 565

Sunday

1 SYMBOLS USED FOR KINGDOMS

1.a. What symbols are used in the Bible to represent earthly powers? Give examples. Daniel 7:3, 17, 23

Note: “To Daniel was given a vision of fierce beasts, representing the powers of the earth.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1171

“The Holy Spirit represents worldly kingdoms under the symbol of fierce beasts of prey.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 77

1.b. What symbols represent the Roman Empire in its divided state? Daniel 7:7; Revelation 12:3

Note: “The dragon is said to be Satan (Revelation 12:9); he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death. But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and His people during the first centuries of the Christian Era was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus, while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome.” The Great Controversy, 438

Monday

2 PAPAL ROME

2.a. What symbols stand for papal Rome? Daniel 7:8, 24; Revelation 13:1, 2

Note: “In [Revelation] chapter 13 (verses 1–10) is described another beast, ‘like unto a leopard,’ to which the dragon gave ‘his power, and his seat, and great authority.’ This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once held by the ancient Roman empire. Of the leopardlike beast it is declared: ‘There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. … And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy.” The Great Controversy, 439

2.b. What was the predicted duration of the supremacy of papal Rome as a persecuting power? Daniel 7:25, last part; Revelation 13:5, 7

Note: “ ‘Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.’ And, says the prophet, ‘I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death.’ And again: ‘He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.’ The forty and two months are the same as the ‘time and times and the dividing of time,’ three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7—the time during which the papal power was to oppress God’s people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began with the supremacy of the papacy, AD 538, and terminated in 1798.” The Great Controversy, 439

Tuesday

3 MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

3.a. In what sense is Rome accused of uttering “great words”? Daniel 7:25, first part; Revelation 13:5, first part; 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 7

Note: “The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority. They were taught that the pope was their earthly mediator and that none could approach God except through him; and, further, that he stood in the place of God to them and was therefore to be implicitly obeyed. A deviation from his requirements was sufficient cause for the severest punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of the offenders. Thus, the minds of the people were turned away from God to fallible, erring, and cruel men, nay, more, to the prince of darkness himself, who exercised his power through them. Sin was disguised in a garb of sanctity. When the Scriptures are suppressed, and man comes to regard himself as supreme, we need look only for fraud, deception, and debasing iniquity.” The Great Controversy, 55

3.b. According to prophecy, what would Rome do with the law of God and with the truth in general? Daniel 7:25, middle part; 8:12

Note: “The papacy has attempted to change the law of God. The second commandment, forbidding image worship, has been dropped from the law, and the fourth commandment has been so changed as to authorize the observance of the first instead of the seventh day as the Sabbath. But papists urge, as a reason for omitting the second commandment, that it is unnecessary, being included in the first, and that they are giving the law exactly as God designed it to be understood. This cannot be the change foretold by the prophet. An intentional, deliberate change is presented: ‘He shall think to change the times and the law.’ The change in the fourth commandment exactly fulfills the prophecy. For this the only authority claimed is that of the church. Here the papal power openly sets itself above God.” The Great Controversy, 446 [Author’s emphasis.]

Wednesday

4 THE DEADLY WOUND IS HEALED

4.a. What is meant by the wounding of the head of the symbolic beast? Revelation 13:3, first part

Note: “At that time [1798], the pope was made captive by the French army, the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, ‘He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.’ ” The Great Controversy, 439

4.b. What is meant by the healing of the wound? Revelation 13:3, middle part. How should this affect us personally?

Note: “The Scriptures teach that popery is to regain its lost supremacy, and that the fires of persecution will be rekindled through the time-serving concessions of the so-called Protestant world. In this time of peril, we can stand only as we have the truth and the power of God. Men can know the truth only by being themselves partakers of the divine nature. We have need now for more than human wisdom in reading and searching the Scriptures; and if we come to God’s Word with humble hearts, He will raise up a standard for us against the lawless element.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 367, 368

Thursday

5 THE BASIC AIM OF THE VATICAN

5.a. As the political influence of the papacy is steadily increasing, what position will Rome reach before the whole world? Revelation 13:3, last part, 8

Note: “The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. ‘I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.’ Verse 3). The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, ‘his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.’ Paul states plainly that the ‘man of sin’ will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3–8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: ‘All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.’ Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church. …

“Marvelous in her shrewdness and cunning is the Roman Church. She can read what is to be. She bides her time, seeing that the Protestant churches are paying her homage in their acceptance of the false sabbath and that they are preparing to enforce it by the very means which she herself employed in bygone days. Those who reject the light of truth will yet seek the aid of this self-styled infallible power to exalt an institution that originated with her.” The Great Controversy, 579, 580

5.b. Under what other symbol is the growing power of the Roman Catholic Church also represented? Revelation 17:1, 15, 9, 18

Note: “Protestants little know what they are doing when they propose to accept the aid of Rome in the work of Sunday exaltation. While they are bent upon the accomplishment of their purpose, Rome is aiming to reestablish her power, to recover her lost supremacy. Let the principle once be established in the United States that the church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country is assured.

“God’s word has given warning of the impending danger; let this be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the word of God will thereby incur reproach and persecution.” The Great Controversy, 581

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

What role did pagan Rome have in prophecy and history?
What do prophecy and history teach us about papal Rome?
Why is it necessary to point out warnings about the papal power?
What evidence do we have of the “healing” of the “deadly wound”?
How is the Protestant world now cooperating with Rome’s agenda?

Recipe – Mock Halibut Salad

June 30, 2026 by Lynette Golia

Pine Nuts

Pine nuts are not nuts, but the edible seeds of the pine family known as Pinaceae. Pine nuts form within the scales of a pine cone. Each cone contains one or two nuts tucked under each of the cones’ spiny, hard-shelled scales. They possess a thin, hard, multi-colored, seamless shell, with amber and chocolate hues, which, when peeled away, exposes the ivory-toned “nut.”

Pine nuts, typically about the size of a black-eyed pea, have a smooth surface and exhibit a firm but slightly-soft, almost rubbery texture. They have a mild, sweet, and nutty aroma with a hint of resinous pine, especially when fresh. They emit a warm, toasted, rich, buttery fragrance when roasted. Their taste is sweet and complex, with hazelnut, maple, and fig notes. When roasted, pine nuts unveil a soft, buttery taste comparable to cashews and macadamia nuts.

Pine nuts offer notable health benefits, such as boosting energy with their protein, iron, and magnesium content. They may also stabilize blood sugar and aid diabetes management by balancing fats and fiber, promoting heart health. Additionally, high in vitamins K and E, pine nuts are beneficial for bone strength, skin health, and immune function. In traditional Chinese medicine, pine nuts are used to alleviate coughs and respiratory ailments by eliminating phlegm.

Native Americans in the Southwest have revered the pinyon or piñon tree, a pine-nut-bearing variety of pine, and its sacred ability to sustain the population of indigenous peoples for thousands of years.
The pinyon jay is a bird that collects and stores up to 30,000 pine nuts for its winter eating.
Mongolians eat toasted, unshelled pine nuts like peanuts, cracking them open with their teeth and snacking through bags at a time.
Native Americans store the nuts by roasting them and burying them to preserve them.
The Navajo also crack open pine nuts using their teeth.

Sources: foodprint.org/realfood/pine-nuts; specialtyproduce.com/produce/Foraged_Pine_Nuts_9429

Recipe – Mock Halibut Salad

Ingredients

1 cup shelled pine nuts, soaked in water 4–6 hours

1 cup macadamia nuts, soaked in water 4–6 hours

1 cup yellow onion, chopped

1/2 cup purple onion, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 Tbs. dulse flakes (edible seaweed)

Sea salt, to taste

Process

Drain the soaked nuts and place in a food processor. Process until nuts become pasty. Empty into another dish. Cut the vegetables into workable pieces, add the dulse flakes and salt, and process until the vegetable pieces are small. Mix the processed vegetables with the nut mixture by hand and chill for an hour. Wrap in lettuce or collard leaves.

Who and What Constitutes the Church

June 30, 2026 by John J. Grosboll

To be a Free Seventh-day Adventist, you must first be a Seventh-day Adventist.
To be a Seventh-day Adventist, you must first be an Adventist.

As God’s work for this world is in its final stages, having a clear conscience becomes more and more important. To have a clear conscience, we must be where God wants us to be, doing what He wants us to do. Whatever the work may be: building a house, repairing an automobile, working on a farm, growing plants, working in an industry, a factory, or a business.

Free Seventh-day Adventists around the world are interested in and trying to restore and practice the New Testament church organization. We must study the New Testament church of the first century—when it was founded, organized, and how it functioned—to understand this type of organization.

To Help the Sincere

The book of Daniel was written so that sincere heathen and idolatrous peoples could learn the truth about the God of heaven and choose to follow Him.

In Daniel 3, we find the account of the three Hebrew young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. The whole world at that time knew of their religion and how they were thrown into the fiery furnace because, regardless of the cost to themselves, they would bow down and serve only the God of heaven. They were taken from the fiery furnace and examined by representatives from all over the then world. There was no evidence that the fire had affected them at all—no smell of smoke, no damage to their clothes or person. This report went to the whole world as evidence that there is a God in heaven and He could deliver even from the fiery furnace.

We see in the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had made a symbol of an established religion. This religion did not teach that one should love and serve the God of heaven, but rather, Nebuchadnezzar put himself as God before the people.

In Daniel 2, Daniel interprets a dream for Nebuchadnezzar.

“There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these … . In the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Daniel 2:28, 44

In Daniel 4, we find that the heathen king had another dream and he called upon Daniel to give him the interpretation of it. A year after hearing the interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar declared:

“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” Verse 30

We are told that while the words were still in his mouth, a voice from heaven said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” Verses 31, 32

“Then he [Nebuchadnezzar] was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. ‘But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.’ ” Daniel 5:21–23

At the end of his seven-year period of insanity, Nebuchadnezzar said, “At the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ ” Verses 34, 35

“Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end.” Daniel 6:25, 26

Written for a Different Purpose

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.” Revelation 1:1

Revelation is a special message from Jesus Christ written especially to His church. Jesus said “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches.” Revelation 22:16, first part

By the time Revelation was written, Jerusalem had been destroyed and was no longer the center of Christianity in the world. Chapters 2 and 3 document messages to seven different churches throughout history. The first is the church at Ephesus.

If we look at the writings of the apostles Peter in 1 Peter 2 or Paul in Ephesians 2, we will clearly see that both taught that Jesus Christ was the chief Cornerstone of the church. He was the Rock on which the church was built.

How Is the Sinner Bound or Let Loose?

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

What are the keys to the kingdom of heaven? The words of Jesus Christ. We have those words today because of Jesus’ apostles. Jesus gave them the keys, and they wrote down the words that He spoke; and we call them the gospel.

When the gospel is presented, we have but two choices—acceptance or rejection. Jesus said we cannot sit on the fence. We are His or we are not. And those who are not with Jesus are against Him. So when you hear the gospel, you are forced to make a decision. If you accept the gospel, committing your life to Jesus Christ, your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, and you are bound for glory. If you reject the gospel, you are set free from salvation, ultimately however, you will pay the price for your sins.

The Churches

The word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia. It is a group or assembly of people who have been called out from the world. Prior to the organization of the Christian church, human society tended to be bound together by a common religious loyalty. Society was held together by a common religion to which all members of that society were expected to be committed. The Old Testament talks about the Egyptians, Amorites, and Canaanites, each nation having its own gods. But when Jesus came, He said He would call out a people from all nations to serve and follow Him; society would no longer be homogeneous.

Paul uses church to describe the church universal (the world-wide church). For example, we find it used this way in the book of Ephesians. “And He [the Father] put all things under His [the Son’s] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22, 23

T. Jones used this verse to prove that the church was the biggest thing in the universe. He talks about the church again specifically in Ephesians 5:24, 25, and 32.

“And He [Christ] is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:17, 18. Jesus must have first place in our hearts and lives.

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter [petros], and on this rock [Petra] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.’ ” Matthew 16:15–18

We find many texts in the New Testament that talk about the church universal, but the vast majority of New Testament texts are about the local church.

“Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.” Romans 16:5

The churches mentioned in the Scriptures were all organized.

“So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:23

Every church was organized with elders and eventually deacons as well. The New Testament church was not organized as a hierarchy. The Jewish church in Christ’s day was organized as a hierarchy. A hierarchy is a ruling body of clergy organized into orders or ranks, each subordinate to the one above it; and a hierarchical church organization is one of the marks of Babylon.

Read that carefully, I did not say that every church with an established hierarchical system is part of Babylon. However, it is still true that a hierarchical system is one of the identifying marks of Babylon.

Where Is the Catholic Church?

Contrary to what many people think, the Roman Catholic church was not yet in existence when Christ was here. How do we know?

There were no Christian churches anywhere when Christ was here.
Roman Catholic theology believes that Peter was head of the church. However, Acts 15 shows us that James was the presiding elder at the church council, not Peter.
Paul wrote the book of Romans to the church in Rome, well after Christ’s crucifixion and ascension to heaven.
It is thought by millions of Christians that Peter was the first bishop of the church of Rome, but there is no proof of that. In Romans 16:3–23, Paul sends greetings to many different people in the Roman church. If Peter was the bishop of the church of Rome, wouldn’t Paul have sent greetings to Peter, too? In fact, Peter is never mentioned in the book of Romans.
The book of Romans teaches that the law will be fulfilled in the life of a Christian. “But now having been set free from sin [set free from breaking the law and you’re not in bondage anymore], and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Romans 6:22
“As many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law.” Romans 2:12. The Bible is saying that sin is transgression of the law and the penalty for transgression is death. “For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.” Verse 13. “That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:4
The book of Romans teaches that the righteousness of the law must be fulfilled in your life, making you a doer of the law. That’s the strongest proof that I know that the Roman Catholic church did not yet exist when the book of Romans was written. One of the central doctrines of Roman Catholicism is that Sunday is the Lord’s day. In keeping Sunday, people break the fourth commandment. There were no Sunday-keeping churches when Romans was written.
While visiting Budapest a number of years ago, I entered a large Roman Catholic church. While admiring the beautiful stained-glass windows and paintings, I noticed in a corner a life-sized crucifix and a young woman kneeling in front of it. As I left the church, I saw that she was still kneeling there. She was breaking the second commandment. Luke says, “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, ‘Stand up; I myself am also a man.’ ” Acts 10:25, 26. It is wrong to kneel down and worship a man, a statue, an image, a relic. It is wrong to bow down in worship of the created instead of the Creator.

Ephesus

At the inception of the Christian [apostolic] church, Jesus ordained 12 apostles. Then in counsel with the church, these 12 apostles ordained seven deacons (Acts 6). In Acts 15, there arose a theological difference among the church members, so a church council was convened to study and pray about the issue. It is evident, with careful study, that at the time of Christ, the world headquarters of the church was in Jerusalem. However, after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, it appears that the world headquarters of the apostolic church was moved to Ephesus.

The best evidence we have that Ephesus became the center of the Christian church is seen after the apostle John was delivered from the Isle of Patmos. Domitian (Caesar Domitianus Augustus), who exiled the apostle to the Isle of Patmos, had died. Nerva (Nerva Caesar Augustus) reversed Domitian’s decisions and set the apostle John free. Upon his release, John returned to Ephesus.

Second Timothy, Paul’s letter to Timothy, written while Paul was in prison, instructs Timothy to come to visit him in prison before he is martyred, and tells him that he is sending Tychicus to watch over things in Ephesus while Timothy is away visiting Paul. This tells us that the church in Ephesus was organized. Timothy was its bishop. There was a church membership list.

There are people in Adventism today who engage in theological speculation that there are two true churches. These two churches are known as the visible and invisible churches. Material—tapes, letters, mimeograph materials, videos, and all sorts of things—have been sent all over the world teaching that there are two true churches. These people do acknowledge that the invisible church has no human leadership, no planned mission, no system of discipline, no church membership. However, there is no invisible church, and the Bible clearly states that there is only one true church.

The Visible True Church

Jones taught that there was an invisible church, but if you look at the context of his teaching, you will understand that he meant you could never literally see all the members of the church at the same time.
All the churches spoken of in the New Testament are visible, organized, and with human leaders called elders and deacons.
The true church has a membership list. This church has many times had to go underground, and during those times, its membership list was kept secret.
It has a system of church discipline. “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” Revelation 2:2
It has a mission to take the gospel to the world.

Society Divided

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s foes will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34–39

Society is to be divided—those who accept Christ and those who will not.

Jesus Taught Respect and Obedience

We are to respect worldly government in its proper sphere. Regarding paying taxes He said, “ ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ ” Matthew 22:20, 21

The government (federal or state) has a right to know that its citizens are married or not. (Romans 13). It has the right to enforce the last six commandments of the law—you do not steal from or murder your neighbor. Although it is no longer enforced anymore, you are not to commit adultery with or covet anything your neighbor has. You are not to lie to the government or lie about your neighbor. And if you do these things, it has a right to put you in prison or punish you in some other way. But there are things that belong only to God. (See Romans 13 and 14.) In other words, we are to respect and obey our government and our leaders, but only as they do not interfere with our obedience to God and His law.

An example of this is worship. The government has no authority or right to force its citizenry to worship God in a certain way or on a certain day. That is God’s business, between you and Him. Caesar has no seat at the table.

In the World, but Not of It

The early Christians knew that it was the Master’s will that they be the salt of the earth, partakers of an anointing, a transaction where they would live in contrast to, being separate from, the world around them. They were to be holy and seek peace with all men.

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

Early Christianity learned that Jesus had come to create a people from within a people. It realized that it is by an act of faith that men become the sons of God, that this sonship to God is not simply continuous with being in a certain area of the country or belonging to a certain country. Primitive Christianity knew that although God is a Saviour of all men, He is especially the Saviour of those who believe.

However, a split occurred in Christianity. Constantine took things back to the Old Testament idea that if you belonged in a certain country, you were part of the Christian church. In this way, he established the Roman Empire as part of Christianity; he made Rome Christian and then everyone who lived in Rome automatically became a Christian.

Secular and Sacred Blended

The Donatists were a group of people who believed that a true church could not exist if secular rule and the Christian church were blended. Both the government and the church viewed them as deadly enemies and eventually destroyed them. Why were the Catholic church and the Roman Empire so against the Donatists? Augustine understood why. He said, “The issue between us and the Donatists is about the question of where this body is to be located, that is, what and where is the church.” Both the Donatists and the Catholics had their own definition of who and what the church is.

Down through history, one group after another has said we need to go back to New Testament church organization where the church is comprised of people who are called out from the world. That was the issue with the Waldenses, the Huguenots, the Albigenses, and the Anabaptists, and it will be the issue at the end of time.

Have you been called out? You cannot be a Christian if you are still part of the world. Christ’s true church is made up of people who have been called out from the world and who, having completely left the world and the things of the world behind, have fully surrendered themselves to Christ.

Pastor John J. Grosboll is the Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be reached by email at historic@stepstolife.org or by telephone at 316-788-5559.

Healthy Feet, Happy Walkers

June 30, 2026 by Esteban Salazar

When I think about sports such as soccer or football, I am reminded of how rough those hits on the lower extremities can be and wonder how intense the pain must be for two players when they smack into each other. Beyond the excitement the match brings, I feel sorry for those who play on a regular basis.

But yes, whether you play rough sports or just like to enjoy a brisk morning walk, among those parts of the body that suffer the most are, without a doubt, the feet.

Perhaps our feet are the part of our body that receives the least care, even though they are very important for our mobility.

Not only sports, but wearing high heels, using synthetic fiber socks, insufficient hydration, lack of exfoliation, shoes that are too tight and worn for many hours, and sweaty feet are some of the factors that can cause problems, and if the feet don’t receive proper attention, signs of damage and neglect begin to appear.

Calluses form in various areas on the feet, but especially on the heels, the sides of the big or little toes, on top of the toes, or on the soles. At first, they are bothersome, and then, if they don’t receive proper care, they become increasingly painful. If you’ve had calluses, then you know just how unbearable and uncomfortable they can be all day long.

Conversely, if you haven’t developed calluses yet, then it’s important to prevent them. Use moisturizing foot cream every time you get out of the bath. Once a week, massage your feet with a few drops of olive oil, fully-refined petroleum jelly, or mashed bananas. Also, make sure your shoes are comfortable enough—not too tight, not too loose, with good padding. If your shoes are new, put a bandage on any areas where you know blisters or calluses might form and don’t wear the shoes for extended periods. When you get home, it’s important to take off your shoes and socks and soak your feet in a basin of warm water with herbs to help them relax.

If you already have calluses, you can use a pumice stone every time you get out of the shower, as your skin will be softer and more pliable. However, you must use it very carefully to avoid injury. You can also use a foot file to remove roughness from your heels, soles, and toes, but don’t do this for more than three minutes at a time, and always apply a moisturizing cream afterward.

Always wear comfortable shoes and pay attention to any discomfort or pain that may arise.

Here are some home remedy suggestions for calluses on the feet.

Calluses Home Remedies

Onion

Onions are healing and anti-inflammatory. Cut an onion in half and gently rub it on the affected area. Repeat this every night before bed. There’s no need to rinse your foot; just try to let the onion juices penetrate your skin. Sleep with socks on.

Garlic and Olive Oil

Crush a clove of garlic and mix it with olive oil. Cover the callus with the paste, cover with gauze or a cloth, and leave it on overnight. Remove it in the morning without rinsing. Repeat every day until the callus disappears.

Nettle and Water

Take a handful of nettle stems and flowers, blend them with a tablespoon of water, and apply the paste directly to the callus. Cover the area with gauze or a cloth and leave it on for at least three hours before removing it.

Calendula and Water

The procedure is the same as for nettle. Apply it every night before going to bed.

This fruit has anti-inflammatory properties, and it also provides a cooling and soothing effect. Cut a fig in half, remove the pulp and apply it to the callus before going to bed. Cover the area with a bandage and put on socks to avoid making a mess. Leave it on overnight and soak your feet in warm water in the morning. Then, gently file the callus with a pumice stone and apply a moisturizing cream.

Baking Soda and Water

Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water. Apply the paste to the callus using circular motions, as if you were exfoliating. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and remove it with warm water. Gently file or use a pumice stone over the area and moisturize with cream.

Chamomile and Water

Make an infusion with 4 tablespoons of dried chamomile herb and 1 quart of boiling water. Cover and let it steep for a few minutes, and then soak your feet in the water. This will soften your calluses, allowing you to use the pumice stone without any problems. Always finish these treatments with moisturizing cream.

I Gave My Life for Thee

June 30, 2026 by Judy Rebarchek

She sat across from a painting of Christ hanging on the cross. The words “This have I done for thee; what hast thou done for Me?” were printed just above the wreath of thorns on Jesus’ head. Inspired by the scene before her and this simple question, she jotted down a few lines of poetry.

Later that evening, as she sat before the fire, she pondered the words she had written and decided they just weren’t right; crumpling the paper, she tossed it into the flames. However, Providence had other plans for this young woman’s half-begun poem. A gust of wind came down through the chimney and blew the crumpled poem out of the fire unharmed.

She showed the verses to her father, a hymn writer and composer himself, and he encouraged her to add additional stanzas. She did so, and thus began one of the most brilliant careers in hymnology.

Francis Ridley Havergal wrote hundreds of hymns and an entire volume of poems. Her scholastic achievements were extensive. She spoke French, Greek, German, Hebrew, and Latin. She memorized the entire New Testament, Psalms, and Isaiah. She was a vocalist, pianist, and the composer of several hymn tunes. She died at the age of 43, but in her short lifetime, she wrote some of the most memorable and well-loved hymns; hymns still just as popular and loved today as they were when she first wrote them. I Gave My Life for Thee, Take My Life and Let It Be, Like a River Glorious, and Live Out Thy Life Within Me, are found in the 1985 Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal (hymns 281, 330, 74, and 316, respectively).

Frances’ entire life and all her strength were consecrated to God and her poems “were permeated with the fragrance of her passionate love for Jesus.” (Rev. James Davidson, B.A.)

The song inspired by a painting, a question, and saved from the fire was I Gave My Life for Thee.

I gave My life for thee,

My precious blood I shed,

That thou might ransomed be,

And quickened from the dead.

I gave, I gave My life for thee,

What hast thou given for me?

I gave, I gave My life for thee,

What hast thou given for Me.

My Father’s house of light,

My glory-circled throne,

I left, for earthly night,

for wand’ rings sad and lone;

I left, I left it all for thee

Hast thou left aught for Me?

I left, I left it all for thee,

Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee,

More than thy tongue can tell,

Of bitterest agony,

To rescue thee from hell.

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee,

What hast thou borne for Me?

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee,

What has thou borne for Me?

Source: A Hymn is Born by Clint Bonner; hymnary.org/person/Havergal_Frances

The Devil Is Hardly Harmless

June 30, 2026 by Judy Rebarchek

Recently, in staff worship, we read this passage:

“The history of the past shows an active, working devil. He can no more be idle than harmless.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 504

Who could imagine for a single moment that the devil could be harmless? Or idle?

Most people are happy that life goes along smoothly with no real trouble or hardship. But I think that’s the time we should take the closest look at our spiritual condition. The devil is satisfied when we go along through life thinking that we are in pretty good shape spiritually when, in reality, we do not see ourselves for who and what we are—sinful, selfish, in desperate need of saving.

“Satan was found in only one tree to endanger the safety of Adam and Eve. He planned to attract the holy pair to that one tree, that they might do the very thing God had said they should not do—eat of the tree of knowledge. There was no danger to them in approaching any other tree. How plausible his speech! He laid hold of the very arguments which he uses today—flattery, envy, distrust, questioning, and unbelief. If Satan was so cunning at first, what must he be now after gaining an experience of many thousands of years? Yet God and holy angels, and all those who abide in obedience to all the Lord’s expressed will, are wiser than he. The subtlety of Satan will not decrease, but the wisdom given to men through a living connection with the Source of all light and divine knowledge will be proportionate to his arts and wiles.” Ibid., 504

Knowledge. Knowing is a good thing most of the time. But I think we can all agree that the knowledge Eve achieved that day in the garden, standing under that tree, listening to that lilting voice filled with feigned concern and insidious persuasion, is a knowledge none of us needed; certainly not the knowledge God had intended for us.

“If men would stand the test which Adam failed to endure, and would, in the strength of Jesus, obey all the requirements of God, because they are righteousness, then they would never become acquainted with the objectionable knowledge. God never designed that men should have this knowledge which comes of disobedience, and which, carried into practice, ends in eternal death. When men almost invariably choose the knowledge that Satan presents; when their taste is so perverted that it craves that knowledge as though it were a fountain of supreme wisdom, then they give evidence that they are separated from God and are in rebellion against Christ.” Ibid., 504, 505

Is it any wonder that our God, His Son, the Holy Spirit, and the angels of heaven never sleep?

“Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper … . The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalm 121:4, 5, first part, 7, 8

August 23 – 29, 2026

Introduction

Sunday

1 THE PROMISE

Monday

2 THE “FORMER RAIN”

Tuesday

3 THE “LATTER RAIN”

Wednesday

4 A SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION

Thursday

5 THE MOVEMENT OF REVELATION

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

August 16 – 22, 2026

Key Text

Introduction

Sunday

1 OUR GREATEST CONCERN

Monday

2 THE NEEDED ASSURANCE

Tuesday

3 HOW WE ARE ENABLED TO STAND

Wednesday

4 SALVATION, A JOINT OPERATION

Thursday

5 VICTORY WITHIN OUR REACH

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

August 9 – 15, 2026

Key Text

Introduction

Sunday

1 BEWARE!

Monday

2 MIRACULOUS HEALING

Tuesday

3 DISCERNING BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG

Wednesday

4 “BY THEIR FRUITS”

Thursday

5 THE GREATEST COUNTERFEIT

Friday

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

August 2 – 8, 2026

Key Text

Introduction

Sunday

1 A NEW POWER

Monday

2 A SHOCKING CHARACTERISTIC

Tuesday

3 AN “IMAGE” OF ROME

Wednesday

4 THE MARK OF THE BEAST

Thursday

5 THE DEATH DECREE

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

The Third Angel’s Message

July 26 – August 1, 2026

Introduction

Sunday

1 SYMBOLS USED FOR KINGDOMS

Monday

2 PAPAL ROME

Tuesday

3 MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

Wednesday

4 THE DEADLY WOUND IS HEALED

Thursday

5 THE BASIC AIM OF THE VATICAN

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

Pine Nuts

Recipe – Mock Halibut Salad

To be a Free Seventh-day Adventist, you must first be a Seventh-day Adventist. To be a Seventh-day Adventist, you must first be an Adventist.

To Help the Sincere

Written for a Different Purpose

How Is the Sinner Bound or Let Loose?

To be a Free Seventh-day Adventist, you must first be a Seventh-day Adventist.
To be a Seventh-day Adventist, you must first be an Adventist.