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There are 4 messages in this issue.
Topics in today's digest:
1. Fw: No Religious Significance to Year 2000 Says Adventist Church
From: "Shirley Allen" <chmin@xxx.xx.xxx
2. Re: Majoring on minors? - part 1 of 4
From: "Mashudu Ravhengani" <Ravhenmj@xxxxx.xxxx
3. RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN ANTI-AIDS DRIVE
From: "Mashudu Ravhengani" <Ravhenmj@xxxxx.xxxx
4. Re: Majoring on minors? - part 1 of 4
From: "Adv. Boyce Mkhize" <bhizaman@xxx.xx.xxx
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1999 11:16:53 +0200
From: "Shirley Allen" <chmin@hbc.ac.za>
Subject: Fw: No Religious Significance to Year 2000 Says Adventist Church
fyi
Shirley
-----Original Message-----
From: adventistnews@lists.gc.adventist.org
<adventistnews@lists.gc.adventist.org>
To: adventistnews@lists.gc.adventist.org
<adventistnews@lists.gc.adventist.org>
Date: Thursday, September 30, 1999 01:37
Subject: No Religious Significance to Year 2000 Says Adventist Church
>ANN Bulletin
>Adventist News Network
>Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters
>September 29, 1999
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>No Religious Significance to Year 2000 Says Adventist Church
>
>Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A. ... [ANN]
>
>The Seventh-day Adventist Church has issued a statement expressing its
>view about the Year 2000. "The year 2000 has no particular prophetic
>significance," the statement says. The Church rejects "any speculation
>concerning its religious meaning." Referring to the second coming of
>Christ, the statement affirms that Seventh-day Adventists "do not
>speculate about the precise historical moment when that event will take
>place."
>
>Commenting about the statement, Leo Ranzolin, vice president of the
>World Church, said that "if anything is of significance about the
>future, it is the hope we, as Christians, have in the soon return of
>Christ. While others worry, we are a people who have and live out our
>Christian hope."
>
>"Many people are afraid of the future," adds Ranzolin. "There is a lot
>of speculation about the Year 2000 and its importance for the world's
>history. Assigning spiritual dimension to a year's end and to the
>turning of yet another new year would be going beyond the value we give
>to such occasions. As a Church, we are not assigning anything special
>to this date. But as individuals who are counting the days of our
>lives, 2000 seems special. How often can we witness such a 'round'
>calendar number during our lifetime?"
>
>The "Statement About Adventism and the Year 2000" was voted on
>September 29 by 330 members of the Church's Executive Committee which
>is meeting at its Annual Council at the World Church Headquarters in
>Silver Spring, Maryland. The Council, which opened on Tuesday evening,
>September 28, will continue until October 7. The committee members,
>who represent the Church's highest governing body, are discussing the
>current church issues, as well as agenda matters for the up-coming
>quinquennial world Church Session in Toronto in July of 2000.
>
>The full text of the statement follows.
>
> "Statement About Adventism and the Year 2000"
>
> Seventh-day Adventists anchor their hope in the life, death, and
>resurrection of Christ and joyfully look forward to the consummation of
>that hope in the soon return of Jesus. Adventists base their faith on
>the teachings of Scripture and believe that the passage of time is
>significant inasmuch as it brings us closer to the most wonderful event
>that ever will be witnessed by human eyes. We eagerly expect the
>visible return of Christ. Yet we do not speculate about the precise
>historical moment when that event will take place. Jesus told us, "'It
>is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own
>authority'" (Acts 1:7, NIV).
>
>Consequently, Adventists do not attach religious significance to the
>ending of one millennium and the beginning of a new one. The year 2000
>has no particular prophetic significance; it is not mentioned in the
>Bible, and any speculation concerning its religious meaning is to be
>rejected. However, we see each year that passes as bringing us closer
>to the return of our Lord.
>
>We realize that the turn of a millennium has a significant emotional
>impact on the human race. No one alive has experienced such an event.
>Many are filled with concern, expectation, and even fear as we approach
>the year 2000. While many people are apprehensive in the face of
>turmoil in nature and in society, our Lord says, "Let not your heart be
>troubled" (John 14:1, KJV). Thus, as Seventh-day Adventist Christians,
>we share the hope of a glorious future that will become a reality at
>God's appointed time.
>
>-end-
>
>----------------------
>12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA 20904-6600.
>(301) 680-6306.
>CompuServe address: 74532,2611. News Bulletin is a review of news and
>information issued by the Communication Department from the Seventh-day
>Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service
>of Adventist News Network. It is being made available primarily to
>religious news editors. Our news includes dispatches from the Church's
>international offices and the world headquarters. The information
>provided in the Bulletin may be reproduced without permission providing
>that the source "Adventist News Network" is acknowledged.
>
>ANN Staff: Ray Dabrowski, director; Jonathan Gallagher, news director;
>Heather Brannan, editorial assistant. Copyright Adventist News Network
>1999.
>-----
>This list is operated by the Communication Department of the General
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_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1999 15:37:12 -0400
From: "Mashudu Ravhengani" <Ravhenmj@xxxxx.xxxx
Subject: Re: Majoring on minors? - part 1 of 4
Lulama,
Few months ago, in one of the US Adventist discussion list, there was a big debate that relates to the question that you have raised. A certain Adventist pastor who was trying to explain why there greater evangelism success in Africa than in western countries initiated this debate. He view was that people in Africa are not sophisticated enough to be bothered by theological debates that are in western countries. He continued to say that since most of them live in mud houses, the thought of mansions in heaven is very attractive to them. So, heaven to these poor Africans is the only way to escape poverty and mud houses.
Obviously this man was not only displaying ignorance but he was also insulting us.
I do not think that our to desire to go to heaven has to be motivated by materialism as much as I do not believe that our desire to be saved has to be motivated by the fear of the burning sulfur. To many, Christianity is a fire insurance (the way to escape hell fire), still to others Christianity it is a way to come out of poverty. I agree with Jongimpi when he talked about the eternal hope that gives us strength to carry on in the times of hopelessness. However, our desire to go to heaven/new earth should be motivated by love, the deep desire to be reunited with our Creator. When Christ spoke about heaven, His reason for us to be there was that "where I am you may be also".
Time and again the Bible uses the illustration of the bride and the groom to represent our relationship with our Lord. His Second Coming is represented as a wedding feast.
This representation fits well into an African wedding, In His first coming, He paid lobola (His death on the cross) and now like an African groom he knows the bride belongs to Him, He can't wait to come back to fetch His bride.
Why does a man/ woman decide to get married? Is it because he/she wants somebody to cook for him/her? Someone to wash and iron his/her clothes, someone to provide for him/her?
It might be so for some. However, I believe that marriage take place when two people love each other such that they can not stand to be apart from each other, they desire to live together for the rest of their lives.
Our marriage to Christ is no exception, love is to be the main reason for our marriage.
I believe that heaven for materialism is a misrepresentation of the gospel. This misrepresentation has led many, who are well off, to think that they do not need the gospel since they already have, in this current life, what the gospel is promising in the future.
I often tell people that I would still be a Christian even though there was no heaven (life after death). Christianity or the way of Christ is not an option but the only way. Christianity or Adventism makes me live the best life in this world. To me, heaven/new earth is just an added bonus. My faith is not so much about the future as much as it is about the past and the present, what Christ has done and is doing in my life. The glorious hope is that He will bring the good work that he has started in me to completion. Hallelujah!
What about the mansions and the streets of God? That does not matter. As long as I am with Him, everything will be all right. He knows what is best for me.
I want to be there!
I will see you in the morning!
Jeremiah
>>> "Lulama R. Zantsi HM 610 X 7675" <wels124@welspta.pwv.gov.za> 09/30 8:46 AM >>>
From: "Lulama R. Zantsi HM 610 X 7675" <wels124@welspta.pwv.gov.za>
Brethren in the Lord,
One finds himself sitting with a few questions in one's head.
Actually, it is a series of four different but related issues that
this humble learner is grappling with; but in order not to confuse
the trend of thought or thinking processes, I will raise them one at
a time.
Lesson 13 of Quarter 3, 1999 carried some extracts from the Spirit of
Prophecy like: "A fear of making the future inheritance seem too
material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead
us to look upon it as our home" (G.C. pp 674-5).
My country is characterized by the need to make politically correct
statements, lest one will be labelled as being "politically immature".
I also want to be "spiritually-accurate". Is there any harm in
confessing that one would want to go to heaven or even the New
Jerusalem City for the materials that come with the full package to
that environment? Is it really improper to look forward to the
streets of gold, the pearly gates, the precious stones or even the
mansions that Ellen White described as "most glorious houses that had
the appearance of silver" (E.W. p 18)? Is one being too
materialistic? Maybe someone say it is not about the dazzling
glamour, glitter, majesty and splendour ... but about the presence of
JESUS in heaven. Point taken, but for a poor person like me, is it
really harmful to look for that excellent experience since one hasn't
managed to obtain those material possessions in this cruel and
discriminating world?
A case in point:
Stewardship talks about us as managers of God's possessions. The fact
of the matter is that one may "own" a car, clothes, cattle, sheep, a
cell phone - the list is endless. What is the correct language to
use? Do you talk of "my" car, house, sheep, cell phone, etc. or
rather "the car, house, sheep, etc. lent me by God or entrusted to me
by God? The issue may seem trivial but if we think deeper it may not
be. The issue of protecting one's material possessions comes into the
picture. With a car, you may install some protective devices like
alarm, gearlock, anti-theft and anti-hijack systems. Someone may come
and accuse you of being too materialistic and of little faith since
the best "device" in town is Psalms 91! A house may actually have a
fire sensor and other such sophisticated devices. Is that wrong?
Maybe not, but the truth is that if you have a scenario of two people
praying for God's protection - the other one has all these devices
and the other has none. Which prayer, if any such a thing, is (taken
as) more meaningful and sincere?
The question still remains - is one being too materialistic? Or
perhaps, it's a matter of "striking a fine balance between that and
spiritualizing issues. Alternatively, is one really majoring on
minors? This humble learner looks forward to that new world
experience with its full package.
God bless.
Lulama R. Zantsi
"This Humble Learner"
The King is even at the door!
====
To contribute to the discussions: send your mails to sa-sda@onelist.com
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1999 16:08:05 -0400
From: "Mashudu Ravhengani" <Ravhenmj@xxxxx.xxxx
Subject: RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN ANTI-AIDS DRIVE
Are Adventist pastors also preaching Aids this weekend?
I found this in today's ZA*Now M&G
==
RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN ANTI-AIDS DRIVE
RELIGIOUS leaders will this weekend dedicate their sermons to the subject of HIV/Aids, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang announced on Wednesday. She said mosques, temples, churches, synagogues and other places of worship have agreed to take part in a nine-day campaign to boost awareness of the disease. Religious leaders will from Friday to Sunday base their sermons on the subject, focusing on abstinence, faithfulness and caring for those affected by HIV/Aids, Msimang said. The religious community has the ability to spread the message of prevention while encouraging followers to accept and support those already infected, Msimang said. Ministers, members of Parliament, politicians and community leaders are being encouraged to attend these church services.
==
The King is even at the door!
Jeremiah
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 11:27:26 -0700
From: "Adv. Boyce Mkhize" <bhizaman@xxx.xx.xxx
Subject: Re: Majoring on minors? - part 1 of 4
Zantsi
Thanks for joining in Mr Zantsi. I knew you would provoke us mentally. You
see Jesus said : In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so,
I would have told you....' John 14. Yes Jesus says so that where I am,
there you may be also. This latter statement is an expression of a strong
desire for the re-union. But, why does Christ decide to talk about mansions
when He knows the plight of some people who sleep in the streets? Why does
He make the statement at all? He could have easily stopped after saying so
that we may be with Him. I immediately thought of Him saying, the foxes
have holes, the birds of the earth have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere
to lay His head. Wasn't He looking forward to a day where the cup would
have passed and He will be back to His glory and splendour? I suppose He
was. Christ therefore presents going to heaven (the re-union) together with
mansions, streets of gold, the tree of life, the pearly gates etc.as a
package. Why reveal to John even the measurements of the city and the
entire design, if He was not interested, encouraging or even inciting us to
look forward to the city foursquare (Rev 21)? Brothers, we must look
forward to enjoying the riches and wealth of our Father inasmuch as we look
forward to an eternal re-union. He wants us to enjoy and be happy and we
seem to be saying, as long as we are with you Father even in poverty. No
ways, we serve a rich God and materialism is proposed by Christ Himself.
You see we did not assist Christ in His decision to make the streets of
gold. Neither did we suggest we would like some mansions. He decided and
also told us. I say therefore, these things, reunion and material heaven
are a package.
Possessions that have been entrusted upon you must not become your God.
There must still be a distinction between you and your possessions----here I
borrow from Ps Papu. Yes, you are a manager, but managers have what I may
call fiduciary duty/responsibility to take care or caretake the
business/property of the Master/Owner. It would be irresponsible for
instance to leave your car unlocked and say Psalm 91. It would be
irresponsible for you to drive in Johannesburg with your doors unlocked and
argue Psalm 91. The same obtains for gearlocks and alarms. In fact some of
these things are even dictated by insurance companies and you do not really
have a choice, especially if you want to be insured. Perhaps this may be
another debate because some people argue that the insurance is Christ. The
point I make, at least for now, is that we must appreciate what God has
blessed us with, and use it to bless His work. It must not be a situation
of ---you touch my car, you have touched the apple of my eye. There must
still be that distinction.
The Master owner will come and will not keep silent.
Boyce
-----Original Message-----
From: Lulama R. Zantsi HM 610 X 7675 <wels124@welspta.pwv.gov.za>
To: sa-sda@onelist.com <sa-sda@onelist.com>
Date: Wednesday, September 29, 1999 11:47 PM
Subject: [sa-sda] Majoring on minors? - part 1 of 4
>From: "Lulama R. Zantsi HM 610 X 7675" <wels124@welspta.pwv.gov.za>
>
>Brethren in the Lord,
>
>One finds himself sitting with a few questions in one's head.
>Actually, it is a series of four different but related issues that
>this humble learner is grappling with; but in order not to confuse
>the trend of thought or thinking processes, I will raise them one at
>a time.
>
>Lesson 13 of Quarter 3, 1999 carried some extracts from the Spirit of
>Prophecy like: "A fear of making the future inheritance seem too
>material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead
>us to look upon it as our home" (G.C. pp 674-5).
>
>My country is characterized by the need to make politically correct
>statements, lest one will be labelled as being "politically immature".
>I also want to be "spiritually-accurate". Is there any harm in
>confessing that one would want to go to heaven or even the New
>Jerusalem City for the materials that come with the full package to
>that environment? Is it really improper to look forward to the
>streets of gold, the pearly gates, the precious stones or even the
>mansions that Ellen White described as "most glorious houses that had
>the appearance of silver" (E.W. p 18)? Is one being too
>materialistic? Maybe someone say it is not about the dazzling
>glamour, glitter, majesty and splendour ... but about the presence of
>JESUS in heaven. Point taken, but for a poor person like me, is it
>really harmful to look for that excellent experience since one hasn't
>managed to obtain those material possessions in this cruel and
>discriminating world?
>
>A case in point:
>Stewardship talks about us as managers of God's possessions. The fact
>of the matter is that one may "own" a car, clothes, cattle, sheep, a
>cell phone - the list is endless. What is the correct language to
>use? Do you talk of "my" car, house, sheep, cell phone, etc. or
>rather "the car, house, sheep, etc. lent me by God or entrusted to me
>by God? The issue may seem trivial but if we think deeper it may not
>be. The issue of protecting one's material possessions comes into the
>picture. With a car, you may install some protective devices like
>alarm, gearlock, anti-theft and anti-hijack systems. Someone may come
>and accuse you of being too materialistic and of little faith since
>the best "device" in town is Psalms 91! A house may actually have a
>fire sensor and other such sophisticated devices. Is that wrong?
>Maybe not, but the truth is that if you have a scenario of two people
>praying for God's protection - the other one has all these devices
>and the other has none. Which prayer, if any such a thing, is (taken
>as) more meaningful and sincere?
>
>The question still remains - is one being too materialistic? Or
>perhaps, it's a matter of "striking a fine balance between that and
>spiritualizing issues. I look forward to that new world experience
>with its full package.
>
>God bless.
>
>Lulama R. Zantsi
>"This Humble Learner"
>
>>The King is even at the door!
>====
>To contribute to the discussions: send your mails to sa-sda@onelist.com
>To subscribe: send a blank email sa-sda-subscribe@onelist.com
>To unsubscribe: send a blank email to sa-sda-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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