For Such a Time As This

 

“For Such a Time As This”
Text: Esther 4:13–14; Esther 5:1–3; Esther 9:20–28

We are living in momentous times—days that are shaping the eternal destiny of millions. As Christians, we often look at biblical stories as past history, but in reality, they are prophetic blueprints for the present and future. The story of Esther is more than a tale of bravery—it is a warning and a call to action for God’s people in the last days.

A Critical Choice in a Crisis (Esther 4:13–14)

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Mordecai's words to Esther are striking. A death decree had gone out. God's people were marked for destruction. And Esther, in her position of influence, could not remain silent.

Likewise, in Revelation 13 and 14, we are told that a spiritual "death decree" will again go forth—a final crisis where God's remnant will be tested for their loyalty. The message to us is clear: We cannot remain neutral or passive. God has placed each believer in a unique position—for such a time as this.

Lessons:

• Silence in times of moral crisis is betrayal.

• Every believer has a role to play in God’s unfolding plan.

• Fear must never override faith when God calls us to speak or act.

Boldness in the Face of Risk (Esther 5:1–3)

“And the king held out to Esther the golden scepter... Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request?”

Esther risked her life to approach the king uninvited, knowing the law could cost her everything. But she understood the urgency and the responsibility. She fasted, prayed, and stepped forward in faith.

As the end approaches, God's people must learn to approach the "throne of grace" boldly (Hebrews 4:16). We may not face literal swords, but ridicule, exclusion, persecution, and isolation await those who stand for truth. Even now, Christian values are under attack.

Lessons:

• True intercession requires both prayer and action.

• Courage is not the absence of fear, but faith in the midst of fear.

• God honors those who honor Him—even when the odds are against them.

A Lasting Witness and Celebration (Esther 9:20–28)

“...to establish among them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day... as the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies.”

The crisis passed. God's people were delivered. And Mordecai and Esther instituted a memorial—the feast of Purim—to remind future generations of God’s faithfulness and the importance of standing firm.

In Revelation 14, God's end-time people are also given a message to proclaim—a threefold message that calls the world to worship the Creator, avoid the mark of the beast, and endure patiently. Just as Purim was to be remembered, our faithful witness now will be remembered in eternity.

Lessons:

• We must not forget God's deliverance or fail to teach it to the next generation.

• God always preserves a faithful remnant.

• Our trials today are testimonies tomorrow.

Our Role Today

Just like Esther, we are:

• Positioned by Providence.

• Called to intercede for others.

• Urged to speak when silence is tempting.

• Equipped by prayer and the Holy Spirit.

Christians are not just to be passive spectators in the last days—we are God's ambassadors, light bearers in a dark world (2 Corinthians 5:20, Matthew 5:14–16). We must live boldly, pray fervently, and speak truth compassionately.

Esther’s story is a prophetic picture of what God’s people will face in earth’s final chapter. Her courage, intercession, and boldness are a model for us today. You may feel small, overlooked, or unimportant—but you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.

The question is not whether we will face a crisis. The question is whether we will stand in the gap, like Esther did, or shrink back in fear. Let us take up the mantle and move forward in faith.

If you know that God is calling you to take your place “for such a time as this,” surrender your heart fully. Ask God to give you the courage of Esther, the discernment of Mordecai, and the boldness to act, no matter the cost.

Key Texts for Reflection:

• Revelation 14:12 – "Here is the patience of the saints..."

• 2 Timothy 1:7 – "God has not given us a spirit of fear..."

• Hebrews 4:16 – "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace..."

More: Lesson 11: Ruth and Naomi

For Such a Time as This: Esther and God’s Remnant in the Last Days

 

“For Such a Time as This: God’s Remnant in the Last Days”

Scripture Readings:

• Esther 3:1–14

• Revelation 12:14–17

• Revelation 13:15

There is a profound and sobering parallel between the ancient story of Esther and the prophetic visions of Revelation. Although separated by centuries, both deal with a faithful people, targeted for destruction, yet preserved by God’s providence. In both cases, a remnant is under attack—because they are different, because they are loyal to God, and because they refuse to compromise.

The Ancient Decree of Death (Esther 3:1–14)

In Esther 3, we meet Haman, a man elevated by King Xerxes, who becomes infuriated because Mordecai, a Jew, refuses to bow down to him. Haman doesn’t just seek revenge on Mordecai—he manipulates the king into passing a law that will annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire.

Note Haman’s words in Esther 3:8:

“There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people...”

Haman’s accusation is essentially this: These people don’t fit in. They are different. They obey a higher law. Therefore, they are a threat.

The End-Time Attack (Revelation 12:14–17)

Fast forward to Revelation, and we hear of a woman—symbolic of God’s faithful church—fleeing into the wilderness from the dragon, Satan himself. Revelation 12:17 says:

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commandments and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

Just like in Esther, there is a certain people—different from the rest of the world. They are identified not by ethnicity but by character and faith. They obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

Satan, like Haman, is not content to let them live. He is furious. He wants to wipe them out.

Forced Worship and Persecution (Revelation 13:15)

Revelation 13:15 speaks of an image of the beast that is given breath:

“The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.”

Here we see the ultimate end-time decree—death to all who will not conform. Like Mordecai, the faithful will not bow. Like the Jews of Esther’s day, the remnant are marked for destruction because they stand firm in their convictions.

Parallels Between Haman and the Beast Power

1. Targeting God’s People:

   • Haman seeks to destroy all Jews (Esther 3:6).

   • The beast seeks to destroy all commandment-keepers (Rev. 12:17).

2. Accusations of Difference:

   • Haman says “their laws are different.”

   • The end-time remnant keep commandments most ignore.

3. Legal Decree of Death:

   • Haman secures a royal edict to kill.

   • The beast power enforces death on all who will not worship.

4. Worldwide Scope:

   • Haman’s decree covers 127 provinces.

   • Revelation describes global enforcement (Rev. 13:7–8, 15).

5. God’s Deliverance:

   • In Esther, God works through Esther and Mordecai to save His people.

   • In Revelation, God protects His remnant with “two wings of a great eagle” (Rev. 12:14) and ultimately gives them victory.

Lessons for Today

 God Has a Remnant:
Throughout Scripture, God has always preserved a faithful people. In the end, that remnant is clearly identified—not by denomination, race, or nationality, but by loyalty to God's commandments and faith in Jesus (Rev. 14:12).

 Loyalty to God Will Bring Opposition:
Just as Mordecai's refusal to bow made him a target, so in the last days, faithfulness will put us at odds with the world. The easy path is compromise—but the narrow path leads to life.

 God Is Still in Control:
In Esther, God is never mentioned by name, yet His hand is everywhere. Similarly, in the chaos of the last days, God is not absent. He is preparing His people, orchestrating events, and ultimately bringing deliverance.

 We Are Called for Such a Time as This:
Esther had to risk everything to intercede for her people. So must we be willing to stand boldly, intercede for the lost, and trust God's timing and power.

The echoes between Esther and Revelation are not coincidental—they are prophetic patterns. Satan’s war against God’s people is age-old, but so is God’s faithfulness to preserve them. The remnant may be small, scattered, and opposed—but they are never abandoned.

Like Mordecai, we must not bow. Like Esther, we must rise. Like the remnant in Revelation, we must keep God’s commandments and cling to Jesus.

And the good news? The story ends not in death but in victory.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11).

Call to Commitment

Will you be part of that remnant? Will you remain faithful even when pressured to bow? Will you stand for God—for such a time as this?

More: Lesson 11: Ruth and Naomi

Judged Already: Rethinking the Investigative Judgment

 

"Judged Already: Rethinking the Investigative Judgment"

Text for Today:

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
—Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)

The Doctrine of the Investigative Judgment

Seventh-day Adventists hold a unique doctrine in Christian theology known as the Investigative Judgment. According to traditional Adventist teaching, this judgment began in 1844 based on the prophecy in Daniel 8:14: "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Interpreted through the historicist method and the day-year principle, this was applied to the heavenly sanctuary, and it was taught that Christ moved into the Most Holy Place in heaven to begin a pre-Advent judgment, investigating the lives of professed believers to determine their eternal destiny.

This doctrine was developed during the aftermath of the Great Disappointment of 1844, when early Adventists—expecting Christ to return physically—reinterpreted the prophecy after He did not appear.

How the Doctrine Has Evolved

In early Adventism, the Investigative Judgment was portrayed with almost legalistic imagery: books opened, names examined, sins weighed, and probation hanging in the balance. Over time, however, many Adventist scholars and pastors have softened the tone, shifting away from fear-based imagery to more grace-focused interpretations. Some now see it more as a vindication of God’s justice than as a rigid examination of the saved.

Still, the traditional version taught by Ellen G. White remains a cornerstone of classic Adventist theology, particularly in The Great Controversy and Early Writings.

What Scripture Says About Judgment

Let us now examine the Scriptural framework surrounding the idea of judgment, to see if the concept of an investigative judgment beginning in 1844 aligns with the Bible.

Judgment Occurred in the Past: The Flood and Sodom

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth… So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created.’”
—Genesis 6:5–7

“The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great… I will go down now and see…”
—Genesis 18:20–21

In both cases, we see God executing judgment immediately, without indication of a lengthy investigative phase. God's omniscience did not require a multi-century process to evaluate righteousness. He already knew the state of their hearts.

Jesus Knows His Sheep Right Now

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”
—John 10:14

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me… and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
—John 10:27–28

Christ claims a present knowledge of who belongs to Him. There is no ambiguity. No need for investigative discovery. This calls into question a system where God must search the records to determine who is truly His.

Judgment Happens After Death

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
—Hebrews 9:27

This verse suggests a post-mortem judgment, not one that occurs before the Second Coming. There is no mention of a heavenly process starting in a specific year. Each soul faces judgment after death, not as part of a cosmic investigation that spans centuries.

The Separation of the Sheep and the Goats

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory… He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”
—Matthew 25:31–33

This scene of judgment happens at the Second Coming, not in 1844. The criteria for separation? Love in action:

“I was hungry and you gave Me food… I was a stranger and you took Me in.”
—Matthew 25:35

This is not a record-based investigation; it is based on visible fruit of the Spirit: mercy, compassion, and love. The judgment is public, direct, and immediate, not private and administrative.

Other Biblical Concerns with the Investigative Judgment

God Does Not Need Time to Learn

“Great is our Lord… His understanding is infinite.”
—Psalm 147:5

Why would an all-knowing God need 180+ years to determine who is saved? This implies a limitation in divine omniscience, inconsistent with Scripture.

Salvation is Secure in Christ

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
—Romans 8:1

“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment.”
—John 5:24

The believer already has eternal life. There is no limbo period waiting on a heavenly verdict.

God Forgets What He Forgives

The gospel assures us not only of forgiveness, but of divine forgetfulness. When God forgives, He does not hold our sins in suspended judgment. He removes them entirely from the record.

“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
—Jeremiah 31:34

This is not poetic metaphor—it is God’s declaration of His covenantal mercy. He does not save us and then keep our sins filed away for later review. The blood of Jesus cleanses fully and finally.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
—Psalm 103:12

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
—Isaiah 1:18

These verses speak not of sins temporarily set aside, but of sins obliterated, never to be brought up again. A truly forgiven person is not under ongoing evaluation—they are free. The idea of an investigative judgment weighing forgiven sins against the believer’s record stands in tension with the overwhelming testimony of Scripture: in Christ, we are clean.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
—1 John 1:9

This is not a conditional promise pending future investigation—it is immediate, complete, and guaranteed by the character of God.

Replacing Fear with Faith

The Investigative Judgment, as traditionally taught, may have offered a sense of prophetic clarity to early Adventists. But Scripture invites us to a simpler, surer hope. Our salvation is not dependent on a record audit in heaven, but on a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

The true judgment will be righteous, public, and unambiguous, when Jesus returns in glory. Until then, we live not in fear of 1844’s shadows, but in the light of God’s grace.

Call to Decision

Today, do not wait for a judgment in a record book. Come boldly to Jesus.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
—Hebrews 4:16

If your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, it is not because of investigative scrutiny, but because of redemptive grace.

The Battle for Humanity: Satan's Claim and Our Redeemer

 

"The Battle for Humanity: Satan's Claim and Our Redeemer"

Scripture Focus:

• Job 1:6–11

• Matthew 4:8–9

• Jude 1:9

• Luke 22:31

• Book of Ruth

From Genesis onward, we see a cosmic controversy—Satan claiming ownership of this fallen world and the souls within it. Scripture paints a sobering picture of the adversary’s accusations, ambitions, and attacks. But it also gives us hope—a Redeemer who steps in when we are helpless.

Satan’s Bold Claim to Ownership

In Job 1:6–11, Satan appears before God, not as a trespasser but as one who believes he has the right to speak for the earth. When God highlights Job’s righteousness, Satan mocks it, claiming Job only serves God because of divine protection. In other words, Satan claims that no one truly belongs to God—they’re his, bought by fear or favor.

In Matthew 4:8–9, Satan dares to offer Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. He doesn’t say he’ll steal them—he offers them as though they are already his. And Jesus doesn’t argue that point, because the world, steeped in sin, was indeed under Satan’s dominion, temporarily.

In Jude 1:9, we see a spiritual tug-of-war over the body of Moses. Satan contends even for the dead! He doesn’t yield his claim easily. This reveals how deeply he believes that humanity—living or dead—belongs to him.

And in Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has “asked to sift you like wheat.” Satan claims the right to test, to shake, to try us—again showing his belief that we are his to break.

Boaz and the Story of Redemption

This brings us to the book of Ruth. In Ruth’s story, Naomi and Ruth return from Moab destitute and without hope. Ruth, a foreigner and widow, had no standing, no claim to land or future. But Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, steps in—not because he had to, but because he chose to.

Boaz pays the price to redeem Ruth and the land that belonged to her family. He confronts legal obstacles, just like Christ faced Satan’s accusations. He satisfies the requirements of the law and covers Ruth with his name—just like Jesus covers us with His righteousness.

The Gospel in One Word: Redeemer

Satan may claim us—by sin, by heritage, by right of death. But just as Boaz redeemed Ruth from loss and shame, Jesus is our Redeemer. He came not just to silence Satan’s claims, but to fulfill the law and purchase us with His blood.

Just as Boaz stood before the elders to redeem Ruth publicly, Jesus triumphed openly over Satan at the cross (Col. 2:15). Satan's claim was real—but Christ’s authority is final.

Though Satan claims dominion over humanity, Jesus claims us in love. He redeems us not just from sin, but from the false ownership of the enemy. In a world where Satan says, “They are mine,” Jesus says, “No—they are Mine, bought with a price.”

Just like Ruth, we were outsiders with no hope. But God sent a Redeemer. And in Him, we are safe, loved, and free. Amen!

More: Lesson 11: Ruth and Naomi

Ruth and Boaz: A Glimmer of Redemption

 

“A Glimmer of Redemption”

Text: Ruth 2:5–20

Sometimes the smallest events—a chance meeting, a kind word, a random connection—can become turning points in our lives. In Ruth 2:5–20, we find one such moment. Ruth, a Moabite widow and foreigner, just happens to glean in the field of a man named Boaz. But what seems like coincidence is, in truth, divine orchestration. This moment becomes pivotal—not just for Ruth and Naomi—but in the lineage of Jesus Himself.

A Pivotal Encounter (Ruth 2:5–9):

Ruth, humbly gleaning to survive, catches the attention of Boaz. He asks, “Whose young woman is this?” (v. 5). That question sets the stage for everything that follows. Boaz shows unusual kindness—offering Ruth protection, provision, and dignity.

This is pivotal because it marks the first real sign of hope for Ruth and Naomi after so much loss. For Ruth, it’s not just about food—it’s about being seen, valued, and treated with grace in a foreign land.

God often meets us in the fields of our faithfulness. Ruth wasn't looking for a husband—she was looking to serve. In her humility, God began to unfold His greater plan.

Naomi’s Discovery (Ruth 2:18–20):

When Ruth returns and tells Naomi about Boaz, Naomi’s heart leaps: “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers!” (v. 20). For Naomi, who had earlier described herself as “bitter,” this was the first taste of sweetness in a long time.

This was good news because Boaz had the legal right to redeem their family line—restoring their name, property, and future. It meant there was still hope. It meant God had not forgotten them.

We may not see it at first, but God is working behind the scenes. Naomi went from hopeless to hopeful in a single moment of realization. Sometimes all it takes is recognizing that God is still moving.

Boaz as a Type of Christ:

Boaz is more than a kind man—he is a foreshadowing of Christ. Like Jesus:

• He notices the outsider.

• He extends unearned favor.

• He provides refuge and redemption.

• He is willing to pay a price to make the broken whole again.

Ruth had nothing to offer Boaz—no wealth, no status—yet he chose to care for her. In the same way, we bring nothing of worth to Jesus, and yet He redeems us out of sheer love.

Boaz points us to a greater Redeemer. Just as Boaz stepped into Ruth's story with grace and strength, so Jesus steps into ours—meeting us in our lowest places and offering new life.

God in Our Struggles:

This chapter shows that God is not distant from our pain. He was guiding Ruth’s every step. Her “chance” encounter with Boaz wasn’t random—it was providence.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” That truth is woven through Ruth’s story. Even in the silence and sorrow, God was actively working to bring healing and restoration.

Your current struggle might feel like a dead end, but God may be orchestrating a divine meeting that will change your future. Trust Him in the field, even when you don’t see the harvest yet.

Ruth 2:5–20 is more than a love story—it’s a redemption story. It reminds us that:

• God is always working behind the scenes.

• Hope can be born in the most ordinary places.

• Boaz’s kindness reflects Christ’s redeeming love.

• Our pain is never wasted in God’s hands.

So stay faithful in the field. Keep gleaning. Because the Redeemer is near. Amen!

More: Lesson 11: Ruth and Naomi