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Symbols of Hope |
 "I
set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me
and the earth." Genesis 9:13
SONG |
 God
has not left us without comfort. When we experience trials which bring
tears, God has ways to bring us hope. The Bible is full of promises held
out to anyone who will believe in God's power over sin. When the people of
Israel were in the desert they got tired of camping. |
| They complained that there was not enough water or food. They made fun of their leader Moses. God stopped protecting them from desert snakes. Soon many people were getting bitten and were dying. When Moses prayed, He was asked to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. Anyone who looked and believed could be made well. |
 The
serpent symbolized sin. Jesus was made sin for us. As we look at what
Jesus has done for us, we can be made well from Satan's disease, GUILT.
(Numbers 21:6. When we follow the example of Jesus and are baptized, this
shows the world that we plan to have Satan's disease cured. After baptism,
we must keep this commitment alive by daily studying and giving our lives
to God. Make this your first work every morning. As you take part in foot
washing, you renew the symbol of baptism as we studied in lesson 19.
Another symbol is the lamb. Look at Revelation 5:6. The lamb that was
killed had 7 horns and 7 eyes. Jesus has complete power to save us from
sin and He can see everything. |
 The
first recorded rainbow happened after the world wide flood. (Genesis
9:8) God promised that a flood would never destroy the whole earth again.
"The rainbow of promise encircling the throne on high is an everlasting testimony that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16. It testifies to the universe that God will never forsake His people in their struggle with evil. It is an assurance to us of strength and protection as long as the throne itself shall endure. |
 The
rainbow also means God hears our prayers and He'll answer them. (Signs of
the Times 5/2/95) |
 It
is an assurance that God's wrath won't fall on one soul that seeks refuge
in Him. (Special Testimony for our Ministers p. 14) |
 It
is an emblem of Divine mercy (Education p. 177) |
 He
has pledged Himself to hear our cry. (The Faith I live by p. 42) |
 In
the end of time there will be a rainbow around each praying company.
(Great Controversy p. 347) |
 It
is a symbol of grace and love. (Last Day Events. p. 240) |
In   Revelation
10:1 There is a description of Jesus wrapped in the pillar of cloud with
the rainbow at His head. |
| God
does not want us to become discouraged. He wants us to look up into the
rainbow and have hope even when we walk through the dark valley of death.
We must reflect this light to others and encourage them to LOOK UP. |
 Inside
each seed is a pocket full of codes necessary nutrients to make a
plant. The seed must have the right influences to grow. Water,
electricity, light, and certain amounts of warmth are needed for most
plants. You can give these things to the seed but you cannot make it
sprout and grow. Only God can.
When Jesus told the story of the seeds, He wanted you to think and think about a secret meaning. Mt. 13:31-32 He told a short story about a tiny mustard seed. It looks like it is nothing. It is the smallest of seeds. But when it grows it can get as big as a tree. Even birds like to make nests in its branches. When you listen carefully to what Jesus teaches and believe in Him, your faith seed will sprout and grow into a plant. The only way you can help it sprout is to keep your eyes on Jesus. He provides the sprouting and growth. He waters the seed. As your faith grows to the size of a tree, other people will find peace and happiness in being your friend. Your faith will encourage others.
|
 Earthly
governments work by physical force. They maintain their dominion by war;
but as Jesus plants truth it grows into a new loving life. This life
starts out small but grows to become strong as a tree. |
| Only a small number of people followed the teachings of Jesus. At that point it was like the small mustard seed. Now, in the last days when the message of warning and mercy is going to every nation, there are many people who have the truth planted in their hearts. The group of believers is very large like the mustard tree. (Christ Object Lessons p. 78-79 by Ellen White) |
 When
I see grapes or grape juice, I am reminded of a wonderful promise that
Jesus made in Mathew 26:29. Jesus promised He would to drink again of the
fruit of the vine until that day when He drinks it new in heaven with us.
In verse 28 Jesus said that the unfermented juice symbolized His blood and
together with the bread, represents the fulfillment of His Father's
promise that Jesus would come and die for the sins of the world. |
 When
I see a grave stone I think of the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 that
those who died believing in Christ will be raised and taken with the
believers which are still living when He comes. Together we will go to
live with Jesus.
Let's plan on it. Would you like to live with Jesus? |