The Undercover Adventist

  Sabbath School Standing in All the Will of God  Lesson 13 - Friday Further thought Two Sides in the Great Controversy: The Urgent Call to Choose Christ The idea that there are only two sides in the great controversy is not a comfortable one—but it is a biblical one. Jesus states it plainly in Luke 11:23: “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” There is no neutral ground, no middle space where we can safely stand without choosing. That reality cuts against human instinct, because we often prefer to think of ourselves as independent, able to delay decisions or live in spiritual gray areas. But Christ removes that illusion. From a Seventh-day Adventist perspective, this truth sits at the heart of the great controversy between Christ and Satan—a conflict not merely over power, but over allegiance, character, and love. Every human life becomes a stage where that conflict is revealed. And the uncomfortable truth is this: if we are not ac...

   Uniting Heaven and Earth Christ in Philippians and Colossians  Lesson 2 - Thursday Prayer Power Read Colossians 1:9–12 Paul’s prayer for the believers in Colossae gives us a clear window into what powerful, effective prayer looks like. He does not pray first for comfort, ease, or protection from hardship. Instead, he prays that they would be “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:9, NKJV). From that foundation flows a life that pleases God, bears fruit, grows spiritually, endures trials, and overflows with gratitude. Paul understood that when prayer is aligned with God’s will, it transforms every area of life. At the heart of Paul’s prayer is wisdom—wisdom that does not originate in human reasoning, culture, or personal preference. The most important source of wisdom is the Word of God itself. Scripture reveals God’s character, His purposes, and His principles for living. As the psalmist declares, “Your word is a lamp ...

  " Faithful in the Face of Pharaoh: The Legacy of Shiphrah and Puah " Text: Exodus 1:9–21 Introduction: Courage in Unlikely Places In the pages of Exodus, amid a backdrop of growing oppression and fear, we find an incredible example of godly courage—not from warriors or prophets, but from two humble women: Shiphrah and Puah , Hebrew midwives who defied the most powerful ruler on earth at the time. Their story is not just history—it’s a prophetic message to us living in the final days before Christ’s return. 1. The Context of Crisis (Exodus 1:9–14) Pharaoh, seeing the Israelites multiply, feared their numbers. In paranoia and pride, he said, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we” (v. 9). He then enslaved them, hoping harsh labor would stifle their growth. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied—because God was with them. The devil often tries to crush God's people through affliction. But history shows tha...

  "The Writing on the Wall: Lessons from Belshazzar's Fall" Text: Daniel 5:1–31 In Daniel 5, we witness a sobering moment in biblical history—the fall of Babylon’s King Belshazzar, brought about not by a lack of military power, but by a spiritual failure. The king held a grand feast, using sacred vessels from God’s temple to toast idols of gold, silver, and stone. In that moment of defiance, a hand appeared, writing words on the wall that neither he nor his wise men could understand. But Daniel, God’s servant, explained it clearly: Belshazzar’s kingdom was over, and so was his life. This chapter is more than history—it is prophecy in motion, echoing spiritual warnings for the last days. Let’s explore three key spiritual lessons we can take from this account and how they relate to us today. Pride Leads to a Fall Belshazzar knew about his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel reminded him in verses 18–21 that Nebuchadnezzar had been humbled by God until he acknowledged...

  “When God Changes His Mind: The Power of Our Choices” Text: Jonah 3:5–10 Jonah came to Nineveh with a message that sounded final: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” There were no conditions, no “if you repent, then...” Just a clear warning of destruction. But in Jonah 3:5–10, we see that this prophecy never came to pass. Why? Because the people responded with repentance—and God responded with mercy. This story is not just about a city in ancient Assyria. It speaks directly to us today, living in a world that, like Nineveh, stands on the brink of judgment. The message of Jonah shows us that divine judgment is not set in stone—and neither is our future. Why the Prophecy Was Not Fulfilled Verse 10 says it plainly: "Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it." The prophecy was not fulfilled because it was conditional . God's warn...

  "Delivered by God, Faithful unto Death" Text: Acts 12:1–17 In Acts 12:1–17, we read of a powerful story—one filled with persecution, prayer, deliverance, and courage. Herod, seeking to gain favor with the Jews, stretches out his hand against the church. James, the brother of John, is killed by the sword (Acts 12:2), and Peter is imprisoned with the intention of executing him as well. But God intervenes. While the church prays, an angel of the Lord delivers Peter in a miraculous way. This event, though historical, also serves as a prophetic shadow —a glimpse into the challenges the faithful will face in the last days. A Pattern of Persecution (Acts 12:1–5) The early church knew that following Christ could mean facing prison or even death. James, one of the closest disciples of Jesus, is martyred here—just as Jesus predicted (Mark 10:39). Peter, next in line, is bound with chains between soldiers, awaiting his fate. This isn’t just an ancient tale—Revelation tells us th...

  “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 them...

    Psalm 46: A Very Present Help in Time of Trouble Text:   “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  — Psalm 46:1 (KJV) Beloved, in a world that often feels like it is unraveling before our eyes, Psalm 46 stands like a lighthouse in the storm. Whether we are looking at the turbulence of our own lives—sickness, loss, uncertainty—or the greater shaking of nations, economies, and even nature itself, these ancient words ring with power and promise. God Is Our Refuge and Strength The psalm opens with a bold declaration:  “God is our refuge and strength.”  Notice, it doesn’t say our government, our bank account, or even our family—though all of these may be blessings. It says  God  is our refuge. He is where we run when the winds howl and the earth quakes beneath us. Refuge is more than shelter; it is security. And strength is more than muscle; it is the power to endure. When we feel weak, He does not merely lend us strength—H...

  “Be Ready: The Parable of the Ten Virgins” The parable of the ten virgins is a deeply meaningful story, especially for those who look forward to Christ’s return. It teaches about watchfulness, preparation, and the personal nature of our relationship with Jesus. Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1). But what lessons does this parable offer for the last days and for our walk with Christ—both personally and as His church?  The Parable and the Last-Day Context The context of Matthew 25 is the Olivet Discourse—Jesus’ final teachings before His crucifixion, where He speaks at length about the end of the world (see Matthew 24). The ten virgins represent those who profess to be waiting for the return of Christ, but only half are truly prepared. This directly parallels the last-day church. Jesus warns that not everyone who appears to belong to Him will enter the kingdom: “Not ever...

The Justice of the End and the Joy of the Beginning In the final pages of Scripture, we are brought into the heavenly courtroom and the wedding feast of the Lamb. Revelation 19 and 21 seem to speak of two vastly different moments: the downfall of Babylon—the great harlot—and the glorious marriage of Christ and His bride. And yet, both scenes pulse with the same heartbeat: the righteous and loving character of God. Today, we ask: how can judgment and joy both reveal the same holy love? And what does this marriage mean for us?  God’s Righteousness in Judgment (Revelation 19:1–3): "After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, 'Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just...'" The fall of Babylon—the symbol of corruption, idolatry, and oppression—is not simply a political or moral downfall. It is the collapse of everything that has exalted itself against God and har...

  To be a Christian and avoid false prophets, it’s important to be grounded in your faith, understand biblical teachings, and be discerning.  The Adventist Church at the moment is proliferating with self-appointed prophets. The pandemic helped usher in a new wave of conspiracy theories and false teachings. Sadly, many of them remain popular in Adventist circles. You see them on youtube and they peddle a variety of seminars, promising to give you the latest and greatest. Everything in the news is ripe for a new prophecy. We will not name names, but hope you know exactly who we are talking about. None of what they say ever comes true, and they only comment on an event AFTER it happens. A well-known Adventist author once said that they do this because they need to keep the money flowing in. Here are some principles to guide you. Know the Bible Study Scripture: Knowing the Bible helps you recognize teachings that contradict its core messages. False prophets often distort or misin...

  The Great Tribulation: Mark 13:19 What tribulation is Jesus referring to? Many believe this was the persecution during the Middle Ages and during the early church. Or the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Both of those fall short of what the Bible text says. In Mark 13:20, Jesus shifts to times that are clearly not AD 70 nor the Middle Ages. We know that because of verse 22.  Mark 13:22 NIV "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." This parallels the narrative of Revelation shortly before Jesus comes. Mark 13:24-26 NIV “But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened,     and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky,     and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory." It is easy to understand this is a future event that has not happened yet. These thi...