March / April 2025 Volume 107, Number 2

In the Beginning – Memorial Considerations

The Master, faithfully pursued, even to death. Each experience he encountered was met with patient resolve. Whether the mock­ery of a crowd at his hard sayings, the strain of compelling service and lack of sleep, the deceit of those who came to trip him in his words, the confrontation of the Pharisees, or his betrayal by a friend — he always realized the promise of Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.” … read more

The Red Thread – Jesus is the Connecting Thread

“Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16, 17)

Adam respected God’s direction. But when Satan deceived Eve into supposing the threat was not real, Adam’s concern for his wife induced him to join in her disobedience — rather than, in faith, seeking the help and direction of their Creator. As a consequence, “through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men” (Romans 5:12, NASB). The penalty of Adam’s sin was death, and all mankind experiences death because we were born from Adam after he sinned and have inherited imperfection through Adam. … read more

The Red Thread (Part 2) – Jesus is the Connecting Thread

“The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. … I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:33, 51).

Jesus died at Passover in the spring of 33 AD at the age of 33. From his baptism in 29 AD to his death in 33 AD was 3½ years. Thus Jesus presented himself to be baptized at Jor­dan at the age of 30 in the fall of 29 AD, prob­ably following the feast of tabernacles. … read more

Ten Prayers – Watch and Pray Always

During the Memorial season we devote extra attention and effort to reflect on God’s love for us and the commitment of Jesus to die as a ransom. Part of that effort is themed Biblical studies of Jesus’ actions and teachings during his last week of life. We yearn for and try to achieve a closer and more inti­mate connection with our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus. When we turn our attention to other topics, the feeling of oneness and close­ness may fade, and we yearn for its return. … read more

Ten Prayers (Part 2) – Watch and Pray Always

There are two components to this prayer. The first pertains to who we are; the second with what we have. We have never been the best at anything. The most we can claim is that we may be proficient at some things. The fact of the matter is, we are not much of anything at all. … read more

News and Views – Current Events

Today in Prophecy – Realignment of the Middle East

The October 7, 2023 surprise attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists killed 1200 and took over 250 hostages. It began a sequence of events reshaping the Middle East. Before the attack, Israel was a divided nation with thousands of Israelis protesting against judicial reforms proposed by the Netanyahu government. Some military reservists boy­cotted training. The defense minister threatened to resign. The government felt it had secured the Gaza border through electronic surveillance. … read more

Exodus 12 – A Lamb Without Blemish

Nine plagues had passed upon Egypt, the ninth being a plague of darkness, “even darkness which may be felt.” “Moses stretched forth his hand toward heav­en; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days” (Exodus 10:21, 22). Pharaoh was distressed. He offered to let Israel depart, but without their flocks or herds. This was not agreeable with Moses, for they needed “sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God” (Exo­dus 10:25). … read more

Crossing the Jordan – Landslide at Adam, in Zaretan (Pierced)

“And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho” (Joshua 4:19).

This text refers to the crossing of Jordan by Israel at the close of the 40 year wil­derness wandering. Moses had been taken by God, Joshua was the new leader, and for the first time, Israel collectively was crossing the Jordan into the land of promise. The 40 years of wilderness wandering in this respect represents the Gospel Age, prior to the King­dom. Now the flow of the Jordan River was stopped by God, the Israelites passed over, and the long awaited Kingdom is pictured. … read more

Two Passovers – Two Ages of Redemption

“The LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season” (Numbers 9:1-3).

his account in Numbers refers to the second Passover that Israel would observe. The first one was at the time of the Exodus, this second one was a year later. Recall that in Exodus 12, when the Passover was instituted, verse 14 says, “ye shall keep it a feast … throughout your genera­tions.” Thus, it was to be an annual observance.

Therefore, on this second occasion, “They kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai … so did the children of Israel” (Numbers 9:5). … read more

Failure is Never Final, If – Encouragement to Proceed

The past year, month, or week might have been a partial failure — even a complete failure — but remember, to­morrow is the first day of the rest of your new creature life. If there is sorrow or pain in your heart, don’t suppress it. Do your grieving now. Face, accept, and resolve your pain; get up even if you have to drag yourself up, and go on. To do this effectively, there are several valuable qualities you need to have. … read more

A Remarkable Testimony – Encouragement from the Past

“He knoweth the way that I take” (Job 23:10). … read more

Between the Two Evenings – Two Views

The question sometimes arises, when ex­actly were the Passover lambs to be of­fered. Exodus 12:6 is clear that it was on the 14th day of month one (Abib, today called Nisan). But when on the 14th? The text specifies, “between the [two] evenings,” but what time of day does this refer to? (The word “two” is not in the Hebrew, but is intended by using a dual term for “evenings.”) … read more

God Gives — Back Cover