Support the New Website

[Viktor]

Peace be with you all! My name is Victor and I'm from Latvia! I've been an Adventist since 1994! I've decided to create a website for the Glory of our Savior Jesus Christ (https://jesus-love.net/) and thereby bring a drop of light into our dark world! I've also created a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/theworldofthebible/). I'd be very grateful to everyone who supports me by following me on Facebook and sharing the site!
Sincerely, Victor!

[Viktor]

The Curse of Golden Babylon

Babylon. It was loved and hated, idolized and despised. Three times it was razed to the ground, only to rise from the ashes again. Its exterior was fortified to perfection, yet it rapidly weakened from within. It was promised eternal prosperity, but it turned into a legend, descending for a long time into the underworld of oblivion.

“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew…” This verdict was pronounced by a biblical prophet for the greatest of ancient Eastern cities—Babylon—a hundred years before it reached the pinnacle of its splendor. It struck awe into the hearts of both the small and the great, mystically mesmerizing and enchanting them with its superiority and beauty. In all of human history, no city in the world rose as high in its outward magnificence as Babylon, and none fell as low from its reached peak as Babylon.

“Gate of God”

The very name of the city, Babylon, originates from the Semitic “bab-Illu” and means “Gate of God.” Even in the first half of the nineteenth century, many scientists found it hard to believe in the reality of its existence. The testimonies of the Bible and ancient scholars and philosophers like Herodotus or Strabo were not taken seriously, as it was believed these sources were greatly exaggerating.

The City Beneath Feet

March 1899 was drawing to a close when archaeologist and architectural historian Robert Koldewey, leading an expedition commissioned by Berlin museums, reached the mysterious site that would become his life’s work after 26 days of travel. It was here, a hundred kilometers south of Baghdad—the capital of Iraq—that lifeless, flat-topped hills with steep slopes were destined to “speak” under the archaeologist’s shovel. None of the local residents knew that right there, beneath their feet and under meters of sand and rubble, lay the greatest city of all time—Babylon.

Previous attempts by several archaeologists to find anything significant in these parts had met with little success. To penetrate the secrets of Babylon required the systematic work of hundreds of laborers and dozens of scientists, with a fantastic investment of funds—far more than the cost of excavating all the already discovered ancient cities in modern-day Iraq. Thanks to the generous financial support of the German Oriental Society and the indomitable energy of Robert Koldewey, a significant portion of what remained of legendary Babylon was brought to the surface. For eighteen years, Koldewey and his team excavated the remains of the buried city, sometimes clearing piles of rubble as high as a modern nine-story building. These were the remains of Babylon at the peak of its glory and power (605–538 BC), when the great king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire from the Chaldean dynasty, Nebuchadnezzar II, ascended the throne.

The New Empire

“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty!” According to the Bible, Nebuchadnezzar II uttered these words while walking through his palaces in Babylon. Inscriptions of Nebuchadnezzar II with similar content were also found during the excavations. Although the city of Babylon had existed for about two millennia before him, it owes its earthly fame and power specifically to this king.

After the overthrow of the Assyrian Empire and the death of his father, King Nabopolassar, Prince Nebuchadnezzar II ascended the throne with dominant military power in the Near East. He was a brilliant commander and politician. Yet, despite his military conquests, not a single relief or depiction of battle scenes featuring him was found in the ruins of Babylonian palaces, and records of his campaigns are quite modest. Unlike other warlike rulers, Nebuchadnezzar II considered the large-scale reconstruction of Babylon, the fortification of its walls, and the rebuilding of temple complexes to be the greatest achievements of his life. Thanks to his genius, we know one of the seven wonders of the world—the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

That Which No King Had Done

The scale of Babylon in the era of Nebuchadnezzar II staggers the imagination. The city was a true giant of its time. It stretched in a quadrangle along both banks of the Euphrates and was surrounded by two massive walls with 360 fortress towers. Nebuchadnezzar II enclosed the eastern half of the old city with a third wall, nearly eighteen kilometers long. He recorded: “To prevent attackers from approaching Imgur-Bel, the wall of Babylon, I did what no king before me had done… I surrounded it with waters as mighty as sea waves.” By modest estimates, the height of the inner wall alone was approximately 25 meters—the height of a modern nine-story building.

The city featured eight gates of sacred significance. From each gate, a wide, straight processional way led to one of the temples. The layout of Babylon amazed foreigners accustomed to the narrow, crooked streets of their own cities. Main streets were 10 to 20 meters wide and intersected at right angles—a level of urban planning European builders only returned to in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Cultural Center of Paganism

Beyond defensive superiority, Babylon claimed the title of the religious and cultural center of the ancient world. The city boasted 53 temples and 384 street altars. The main complex was the Esagila, covering over 29 hectares, featuring the temple of Bel-Marduk and the famous Etemenanki (the Ziggurat/Tower of Babel). This seven-tiered pyramid stood 90 meters high (equivalent to a 30-story building).

Read the full article on the website - https://jesus-love.net/the-curse-of-golden-babylon/

[Viktor]

Our Greatest Need

To be engaged in any branch of the Lord’s work is a great privilege. To be a co-worker with God in the salvation of souls in whatever capacity is to occupy an honoured position. We are told it is a work the angels would gladly do, but the great Gospel commission given by Christ, “Go ye into all the world,” was spoken to men. How, wonderful it is that we are called to carry to completion the great scheme of human redemption.

The work of true evangelization should not be carried on alone by ministers, but with the ministry there should be a seed-sowing. This can be done by consecrated individuals. In the days of Luther, while he was hidden behind the curtain and the world did not see him, Luther’s writings were carried to the uttermost parts of Germany by people who were not suspected by the dignitaries of the church. These God-fearing men (colporteurs) were used by the Lord to bring about the Reformation in that great country. In like manner God will use colporteurs in preparing the minds of the people for the reception of present truth.

The greatest message that was ever given to the world is now due, and the people who know this message should endeavour in some way to give it forth to the world. Our ministers are few in number. They will not be able to reach every city and town, but the faithful colporteur can sell and distribute that which will give the people the same message that the minister would give. With a world ready to listen, with liberty practically on every hand, and with an abundance of precious literature, our great need to-day is for a large number of men and women to carry the literature from place to place, acquainting the people with the truth. The peculiar age in which we live should appeal, in a special way, to our laity to respond to give the message which explains “that the end of all things is at hand.” In Testimonies, Vol. 9, page 11, we read:

“We are living in the time of the end. The fast fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is neat at hand The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude.”

We as followers of Christ are to carry this last message to a dying world. We are told that we are to visit the people, to talk and to pray with them. In the same volume, page 42, we read also these solemn words: “It is a mystery that there are not hundreds at work where there is but one.”

Truly our greatest need in the Northern European Division is men—men and women who are consecrated, prepared, and fitted to carry our precious literature to the homes of the people. Read these words from the spirit of prophecy (Vol. 9, page 34):

“The work of the canvasserevangelist, whose heart is imbued with the Holy Spirit, is fraught with wonderful possibilities for good. The presentation of the truth, in love and simplicity, from house to house, is in harmony with the instruction that Christ gave His disciples when He sent them out on their first missionary tour. By songs of praise, by humble, heart-felt prayers, many ill be reached. The divine Worker will be present to send cenviction to hearts. ‘I am with you alway,. is His promise. With the assurance of the abiding presence of such a helper, we may labour with faith and hope and courage.”

In view of the great need let us all unite in one great effort to find men and women who will give their lives to the “Literature Ministry” for the carrying of God’s warning message to the world. May the Lord of the harvest lay the burden of this work heavily upon the hearts of His people, and cause many to answer the call to help to swell the “loud cry” and hasten the coming of our Saviour.

[Viktor]

The Godhead

A Tragic Mistake

At Calvary almost everyone rejected Jesus. Only a few recognized Him for who He truly was. Among them were the dying thief, who called Jesus Lord, and the Roman soldier who said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39).

When the apostle John wrote, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11), he was thinking not only of the crowd around the cross or even of Israel alone, but of all generations that have lived on earth. With the exception of a few people, all humanity, like that screaming crowd at Calvary, failed to recognize Jesus as their God and Savior. This greatest and most tragic mistake shows that what people lack most is knowledge of God.

Ways of Knowing God

Many theories that try to explain God, and many arguments “for” and “against” His existence, show that human wisdom is not able to rationally comprehend the Deity. Attempting to know God by human wisdom alone is like trying to study constellations with an ordinary magnifying glass. Therefore, for many, God’s wisdom is “hidden wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:7). To them God is a mystery. His wisdom, as the apostle Paul wrote, “none of the rulers of this age understood; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:8).

One of the main commandments of Scripture calls us to love “the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37; cf. Deut. 6:5). But we cannot love someone we know nothing about, nor can we fathom the depths of God through research (Job 11:7). So where is the way out? What should we do so that we can know and love our Creator?

It Is Possible to Know God

Understanding the difficult position people are in, God in His love and mercy revealed Himself to us through the Bible. It shows that Christianity is not the result of human search for God, but the result of God’s revelation of Himself and His purposes for humanity. This revelation of God about Himself was given to bridge the chasm between a rebellious world and a merciful God.

The greatest love of God was revealed through the supreme revelation—Jesus Christ, His Son

The Knowledge of God

The knowledge of God, unlike any other knowledge, requires the participation of both mind and heart—that is, the whole human personality, not just its intellect. A person must be open to the Holy Spirit and willing to do God’s will (John 7:17; cf. Matt. 11:27). Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

That is why unbelievers cannot understand God. The apostle Paul exclaims: “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe” (1 Cor. 1:20–21)

When studying the Bible, we come to know God in a completely different way than we acquire other knowledge. We cannot place ourselves above God and treat Him as an object of analysis and quantitative measurements. In our search for knowledge about God, we must submit to the authority of His revelation of Himself—that is, the Bible. Since the Bible interprets itself, we should submit to the principles and methods it offers. Without this biblical guidance, God cannot be known

The Existence of God

Two main sources testify to the existence of God: the book of nature and Sacred Scripture.

Testimony of creation. Anyone can learn about God through nature and human experience. David wrote: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps. 19:1). John affirmed that God’s revelation, including nature, enlightens every person (John 1:9). And Paul declared: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made” (Rom. 1:20)

Is God One? Who Then Is Christ and the Holy Spirit?

God is one. In contrast to the pagans who surrounded the Israelites, this people believed in one God. The concept of monotheism is also emphasized in the New Testament (Mark 12:29–32). This monotheistic conviction does not contradict the Christian concept of the Triune God, or Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It only confirms that there are no other deities besides Him.

Although the Old Testament does not give an exact indication of the Trinity of God, there are still confirmations that the Godhead does not consist of one Person. Sometimes Bible writers convey the Creator’s direct speech using plural pronouns and endings, for example: “Let Us make man in Our image” (Gen. 1:26); “Behold, the man has become like one of Us” (Gen. 3:22); “Let Us go down” (Gen. 11:7)

The Relationship of the Persons of the Godhead

The first coming of Christ reveals to us the truth about the Triune God much more clearly. The apostle John shows that the Godhead is a unity of three co-eternal Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Between these Persons there is no disunion, yet each Person has His own Divine authority and attributes

Though consubstantial, they lived in complete self-giving and love for one another. Such a long abiding with each other testifies to the perfect, absolute love between Them. The words “God is love” (1 John 4:8) mean that each of the Persons of the Godhead finds in life for the others complete satisfaction and happiness

https://jesus-love.net/the-godhead-en/

[Viktor]

Which Church Would Christ Call His Own?

Many have likely asked themselves the question: “Which church would the Lord call His own?” This is not a rhetorical question, but a fateful one. Indeed, belonging to a church as such determines one’s affiliation with the institution of Jesus Christ and carries great promise from His side.

The Declaration of Christ

Jesus Christ once declared to His disciples: “…I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Christ never said anything that was not truly significant. Nor did He make promises He would not keep. The importance of Christ’s statement to His disciples cannot be overstated. He was to organize and lead the Church.

“I Will Not Leave You Orphans”

When, shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus informed His disciples of His departure, they were naturally devastated. His presence was the bond that held them together. It seemed to them that without Him, they would fall apart and scatter. But then He told them: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you,” and “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” The invisible but living Holy Spirit was to prevent the discouragement of Christ’s followers. He was to do even more: He was to unite them all into a living organic union with each other and with Christ. This was to be the beginning of the creation of Christ’s Church.

The Birthday of Christ’s Church

This event took place on the day of Pentecost (the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ) when, as the Gospel says, the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus. In reality, it was the return of the Great Teacher to His disciples through the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus had spoken of earlier: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.”

Pentecost is the place where the promise met its fulfillment. What Jesus spoke of then came to pass. What a tremendous blessing it is to know that the formation of the Church as a historical reality is connected to the coming of the Holy Spirit on that day. It was the transformation of timid, confused, and disappointed disciples into courageous heralds, capable of convincing by the power of the word and the power of the Spirit. It was the conversion of many mockers and opponents of Christ into His supporters. It was the bestowing of amazing joy, love, and unity upon a multitude of people who were previously strangers to one another. It was the creation of a community of people dwelling in a conscious union of faith with each other and with Christ. All of this came with the emergence of Christ’s Church.

The Historical Mission of the Church

The mighty power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ in the life-stream of God’s followers were directed into a sinful world for its renewal. Over time, this stream expanded, watering the fallen world with the dew of the Gospel preaching. People of all races, nations, and classes are called to join this living, breathing organism—the Church—which is filled with faith and the aspiration to save. This is the greatest fact of human history.

Meaning of the Term “Church”

The original meaning of the word “church” is related to the ancient Greek word ekklesia, found in New Testament manuscripts, where ek means “out of” or “from,” and klesis means “to call,” or “those who are called.” Therefore, it is clear that the word “church” (ekklesia) indicates the actions of heavenly power among people, with the aim of calling (klesis) them out of (ek) the world of sin into the world of the Gospel. Thus, the church represents the highest degree of human privilege and power in the spiritual realm. This is exactly what Jesus had in mind when He announced the creation of the Church.

The Church of Our Time

The origins of the appearance of God’s Church in the distant past are stunning. But how do things stand in the present? The prophecies of the Biblical book of Revelation speak unambiguously about His Church, which will survive, endure, and stand through all the vicissitudes of fate that have fallen to its lot. Furthermore, the book of Revelation reveals to the modern seeker the characteristic features of God’s Church and its purpose for our day.
Read the full article on the website - https://jesus-love.net/which-church-would-christ-call-his-own-en/