Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Understanding Revelation 6 and Being Fully Persuaded in Your Own Mind

Understanding Revelation 6 and Being Fully Persuaded in Your Own Mind

By Allen Weber


 Allen Weber, one of our online members and friends, was asked why I have paraphrased Revelation chapter six the way I have. In answering that question he has done such an excellent job of both explaining my position and also modeling how each of us are to think and reason for ourselves, that I asked permission to post his response here. I hope you find this helpful—Dr. J.


 

Are you fully persuaded about the things you believe?

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you likely enjoy and believe what Dr. Jennings teaches. For many of us, his lessons and training have helped to illuminate why God has acted in history in the way that He has. However, do you just accept what Dr. Jennings presents because you believe he is much smarter than you or, perhaps, a deeper thinker than you? Or do you believe what he teaches because it seems logical when compared to the teachings of your church or upbringing?

Or do you accept ideas that are new to you only as you evaluate the evidence for them?

Dr. Jennings not only encourages his audience to be discerning, but he also insists that we do not accept what he teaches unless we have been fully persuaded by the evidence. In his classes, he often refers to Romans 14, where the apostle Paul explains,

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another person considers all days the same. A person’s opinion doesn’t make a day sacred or not sacred, but each person can only benefit by what they have come to understand and believe for themself, so each person must study the evidence and be fully convinced in their own mind (v. 5 REM).

In other words, Paul taught that we risk damage to our hearts and minds and those of others if we believe without evidence or try to coerce others to simply agree with our own thinking.

But how does this work in “real life”?

Recently, someone asked a friend of mine why Dr. Jennings’ paraphrase of Revelation 6:2 in The Remedy says that the first of the seven seals symbolizes Lucifer, which is at odds with most interpretations. Here is the passage in a typical Bible version:

I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest (NIV).

Here is Dr. Jennings’ paraphrase in The Remedy:

I saw that the war began with a rider on a white horse, holding a bow and wearing a crown—symbolizing Lucifer beginning his war in heaven under the guise of righteousness, yet intent on inciting rebellion and war, and achieving conquest.

They asked my friend to explain how Dr. Jennings arrived at a different conclusion than the usual Adventist interpretation, which is that the first seal represents the church in the apostolic age. My friend told the questioner they didn’t know how to explain it. My friend wondered if I’d like to take a stab at responding.

When I sent my response the next day, I copied Dr. Jennings and told my friend that I did not think I could say with full confidence what Dr. Jennings believes. I wanted Dr. Jennings to have the opportunity to correct me if I mischaracterized his interpretation of the verse. He wrote back and said that I correctly explained what he believes and then invited me to write a guest blog outlining the rationale for his interpretation of Revelation 6:2 and the principle that others must study for themselves before they come to their own conclusion using this experience as an example. I told him that I would give it a try—and that I would need much prayer!

 

Gathering the Evidence

Here are some resources that helped me in my evaluation of Revelation 6:2:

  • Several versions of the Bible
  • The writings of Ellen White (available here)
  • The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 1957 edition
  • Revelation of Jesus Christ, Commentary on the Book of Revelation, Second Edition, by Ranko Stefanovic, a professor at Andrews University
  • Various internet sites and online commentaries
  • comeandreason.com, especially the Bible Study Class archives
  • Other trusted, thinking friends. (I believe this is an essential, viable resource, in that openly discussing your current thinking on a topic with others who admire God’s ways and love Him will help you distill your thinking and articulate your views so that you can see flaws or find confirmation that you are on the right path; see Proverbs 15:22.)

My first step was to go through these various sources and take note of anything relating to the question. Once I did that, I began to formulate my own view. Here are some observations and conclusions that led me to believe that Dr. Jennings’ current interpretation of Revelation 6:2 is the best one to date.

Before continuing, it should be noted that I cannot find an explicit interpretation of the symbols of this vision in Scripture. Moreover, Ellen White did not specifically discuss the white horse or the rider in her writings. Thus, apparently, we do not have an interpretation that God has endorsed. We might conclude that interpreting this vision is not important to our salvation or our view of God. At a minimum, it does mean that we should not close our minds to differing views, because God has not given a definitive explanation. However, what is needed is an interpretation that improves or expands our knowledge of God and His character. Remembering this principle as I study has helped me understand many things in the Bible that once seemed strange or even contradictory.

 

A Larger View—Design and Reality

I was raised a Seventh-day Adventist. I attended church every week and went to Adventist schools from first grade through college. I have been taught Adventist theology all my life, but a lot of what I was taught did not ring true to me. On the other hand, the only thing more absurd than Christianity, as I understood it, was atheism and the theory of evolution. Even though I did not understand what I had been taught about God, I was certain that there is a God. No other explanation adequately explains why we exist. Adventism does make more sense than other theologies that I knew about, but I still did not like it. I didn’t care much for the “Adventist God,” even if the Godhead touted the sacrifice one of their members made to save humanity. As a young man of 26, I could not have articulated the way I saw God very well, but what I thought I had learned was that God requires love because He has done so much for us. And if we are not overwhelmed by love for Him, in the end He will resurrect and then destroy us in a lake of fire for our lack of appreciation for Him. And all this was said to be very just.

Then, about 40 years ago, I started listening to Dr. Graham Maxwell, who taught a weekly Sabbath School class. As I listened, I was stunned that he taught things about God that I wished were true but that conflicted with the ideas about God that I had learned. Of course, today I realize that I had been taught many things that are lies and some things that were true but that I had misunderstood. It took me several years of listening to Dr. Maxwell teach about God before I began to unlearn what I had mistaken as the truth about God. Then I was invited to listen to Dr. Jennings and have learned to dive even deeper into the purpose and meaning behind the actions of God in history.

Now when I study the Bible, I always ask, “What does this passage teach me about God and His character?” I have found a lot of information and a lot of differences among interpretations regarding the first seal in Revelation 6:2. When this happens, I evaluate the different interpretations by considering the implications they would have on the idea of a God who has built love into the design of His universe. The Bible is a history of God’s conflict with Satan. If an explanation of Scripture does not vindicate God and refute Satan’s accusations, it likely is either wrong or needs to be reworked. In the case of Jennings’ paraphrase of this verse, his conclusion is that the first seal represents the first battle in the Great Controversy. Here it is again from The Remedy paraphrase:

I saw that the war began with a rider on a white horse, holding a bow and wearing a crown—symbolizing Lucifer beginning his war in heaven under the guise of righteousness, yet intent on inciting rebellion and war, and achieving conquest.

Remember, heavenly beings did not explain this vision to the prophet, as they did with Daniel’s visions. We cannot say emphatically that one explanation is right and another is wrong. Therefore, we must let each person be “fully persuaded” about what this seal and the other seals mean. With that in mind, here is a quick summary of Dr. Jennings’ beliefs that lead to his interpretation of the seven seals symbolizing seven periods in the history of the Great Controversy and his belief that the first seal represents the commencement of the conflict:

  • According to the “Preface to Revelation” in The Remedy, the “general theme [of Revelation] is that of the conflict between Christ and Satan.”
  • The scroll/book introduced in Revelation chapter 5 is a “pre-record” of the Great Controversy; Dr. Jennings says, “My view is that the book is the book of God’s foreknowledge, of what would happen before anything was created, which God recorded and sealed” (“The Seven Seals,” Bible Study Class, 1st Quarter 2019, Lesson 5). Here is a link to Dr. Jennings’ notes for this class.
  • Each seal is a symbolic representation of the different “eras” of the Great Controversy (GC). Unsealing them will allow humanity and the onlooking universe to compare what was in the sealed scroll with the actual history of the GC.
  • The vision seen when Jesus breaks the first seal symbolically reveals the beginning of the GC: Satan claiming he is the equal of Michael the Archangel and going forth to prove it.
  • When the following seals are opened, each seal reveals further chapters of the GC.

As you will see, I think that Dr. Jennings’ interpretation is both valid and, most likely, the correct one, fitting the overall theme of the Bible better than any other analysis I’ve seen to this point.

 

What Is Your Premise?

According to Dr. Jennings’ Lesson Notes, the main underlying premises that lead to his explanation of the meaning of the seven seals are:

  • The Bible is a revelation of the truth about God, how He governs, and what His character is like.
  • The general theme of the book of Revelation is the conflict between Christ and Satan.
  • The seven seals conceal what is in the scroll that God is holding in Revelation 5:1.
  • Breaking the seals will reveal the contents of the scroll.

In contrast, the premises of those who believe that the first seal represents the emerging Christian church seem to be:

  • The first half of Revelation is a representation of the period from Christ’s ascension to heaven following His resurrection to His return at the Second Coming.
  • The seven seals cover the same time periods as the seven churches.
  • Revelation 4–8 is an expansion of and development of the theme of overcoming by Christ and then by humanity in Revelation 3:20, 21.

The interpretation following from these premises seems to be the most widely accepted one and, unless they have been given specific prophetic light from Ellen White, most Adventist scholars derive their interpretation from traditional biblical scholars.

These are vastly different starting points!

The Remedy focuses the reader’s mind on the contents of the scroll fastened shut by the seven seals.

But most Adventist scholars concentrate on the historical events that led to the establishment of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination in 1863. In this interpretation, the scroll almost “disappears” in relevance. The emphasis is on the seven seals, and some scholars even assert that the scenes presented by the seals have nothing to do with the contents of the scroll.

Neither the breaking of the seven seals nor the events that follow constitute the contents of the sealed scroll of Revelation 5. The scroll was not opened and its contents disclosed until all seven seals were broken. According to George E. Ladd, the breaking of all seven seals is “preliminary to the actual opening of the book and the events of the end.” Or, as Kenneth A. Strand explains, the opening of the seven seals represents “the steps or means by which God through Christ prepares the way in history for the opening and reading of … the book of destiny at the judgment in the eschatological consummation” (cf. Rev. 20:12)” (Revelation of Jesus Christ, p. 217).

With this explanation, the question arises whether the scroll and what is written in it are important. Dr. Jennings’ view is that it is essential. The scroll was recorded before Satan’s defection and prior to creation. When unsealed the contents reveal that He knew the course the GC would take and the ramifications resulting from ruling the universe by unselfish love—two key accusations of His enemy. This makes the scroll a critical piece of evidence in God’s victory in the GC.

In the historic Adventist view, despite the fact that John takes time to say there is writing on the scroll, the scroll is only seen as symbolic of Jesus’ claiming His throne and ancillary to the meaning of the vision John was given. Why Jesus may claim His throne must be the subject for another time, but viewing the Bible through the lens of design law means we see the Bible as a record of the GC and an explanation of reality. Without seeing through this lens, the highly symbolic nature of the visions of Revelation is often treated too literally. God is seen as rightly exercising His power in majestic and royal ways and we are taught not to question whether an interpretation is logical because He is the Creator. What’s more, we are given to understand that God is so far above us that we are not meant to understand. But if we do not use our reason or remember to put the Bible history into the setting of the GC, the false picture of an arbitrary, unapproachable God is reinforced instead of it illustrating that an ideal universe operates on the law of love and that God allows complete freedom to every created being.

 

Evaluating the Evidence

Next, I read Revelation 5 to try to learn why there was a sealed scroll and why those seals were being broken in chapter 6. As I did, I realized there are numerous clues to what is in the scroll, why it is sealed, why only Jesus could break the seals, and why the message of the scroll is so important. I was surprised by what I found, and now I wonder why the interpretation that the first seal represents the inauguration of the war in heaven, which triggered the Great Controversy, is nearly unique to Dr. Jennings.

So, let’s now consider what I found in Revelation 5 that helps make the meaning of the seals become clear. Here are some things we can ascertain about the scroll just from reading that chapter:

  • The 24 elders (healed humans representing all of humanity), the four living creatures (symbolic representatives of all beings created before humans), and millions of angels (in existence before the war with Satan began), as described in Revelation 4, are around the throne. They see God holding the scroll in Revelation 5:1. The fact that there is writing already on the scroll implies that it was written previously—maybe long before any created being existed.
  • The contents are written on both sides of the parchment, suggesting that it supplies vast amounts of information or evidence of something.
  • Learning the contents of the scroll seems imperative and significant to those looking on. John was heartbroken as it became clear to him that no one could open it, showing that without the knowledge of what the scroll’s contents teach or prove, there would be grave consequences.
  • Those interested in the contents of the scroll are on God’s side in the conflict, and most of them are not from Planet Earth. This tells us that they believe the knowledge found in the scroll will be valuable to their decisions and beliefs. Humanity wants to know why God acts as He does, but Scripture makes it clear that many other intelligent beings have similar questions (1 Corinthians 4:9; Colossians 1:20).
  • One of the elders points out that Jesus, symbolized by a lion who turns out to be a slain sacrificial lamb, can now open the seals on the scroll because of His victory in His mission to Earth. This means that what Jesus did by becoming a man is the key to knowing that the scroll has value to us. If He had not succeeded in His mission to develop a perfect sinless human character (Hebrews 5:8, 9), reveal what a God of love really looks like (John 17:6), and show humanity how to live in complete dependence on the Holy Spirit (John 3:6, John 14:17) the plan of salvation would have failed. The contents of the scroll would be invalid. If it describes the plan, put in place before the world was made (Revelation 13:8), but Jesus failed, it would be wrong and consequently its claims worthless. God’s love and the methods of governing that He claims to use were demonstrated by Jesus’ life and death. Without that reality, we would be left with empty, meaningless declarations in that scroll, and Satan could claim victory.
  • When John looked at the One taking the scroll from God and opening the seals, he saw a lamb that had been sacrificed but was now standing in a position of authority in the throne room. This clearly represents Jesus after His mission to our planet. He is the only being in the universe who has ever used His unlimited and underived power solely to benefit others. Jesus, with the full authority and power of the Godhead (John 13:3), allowed Himself to be destroyed by the very ones He wanted to save. But if His mission to this planet answered every question and provided all the evidence needed to end the GC, what value would the scroll being opened during His coronation have? The implication is that the scroll is additional information and ammunition in the war between good and evil.
  • The rest of chapter 5, starting at verse 9, describes the rejoicing that comes from learning that the scroll will be opened, signifying there is a victorious answer to the horrific war that Satan started and has prolonged. What Christ did while on Earth is what makes Him the key to unlocking the knowledge in the scroll. This suggests that the contents of the scroll will be crucial information needed to put the GC to rest forevermore.

Based on these clues, what can we determine? Even after the proof of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, what is still missing to defend against Satan’s accusations about God’s character of love? What can destroy the arguments against God’s claims about how love and freedom work? One of Dr. Jennings’ favorite Bible passages and a key to understanding how the GC will be won at last is 2 Corinthians 10:3–5:

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (NIV).

The war of which we are a part and the battles we are fighting described in this passage are about what God is like and how He has conducted Himself during the GC. Jesus’ life and death were certainly major evidences that God is love and that He can be trusted, but some questions remain. For instance, did God always know the ramifications of creating His beings free? If He did not, then He is not wise, all-knowing, and trustworthy. How can the scroll be the ultimate tool that brings this conflict to its end and proves God’s case for a universe governed by unselfish love? Revelation 13:8 says that Jesus was slain “from the foundation of the world” (NKJV). To me, this means that He knew before He created Earth that He would have to die for us. The Remedy paraphrases this idea by saying that the Book of Life belongs to “Jesus the Lamb who committed himself to be the Remedy to sin before the world was created.” The scroll God is holding in Revelation 5 cannot be the Book of Life that chapter 13 says belongs to Jesus. That book is used to record the names (or characters) of those who choose to allow God back into their hearts; these records of saved souls were added as the GC played out. But the scroll that was filled on both sides of the parchment with information was written and sealed long before. Nothing could have been added to it during the war.

In my view, as the seals were broken and the scroll’s contents revealed, the information in the scroll served as confirmation for everyone in that throne room scene, confirmation that they were desperate to learn. The scroll contains the entire story of the GC, but it was all written down by God before it happened. It is proof that God always knew the ramifications of the law of love. It shows that He knew since before Earth was created that love and freedom would turn out to be the only way to govern if God wants His created beings to be more than robots and the universe to eventually have peace and unity.

Next, the fact that Jesus committed Himself to remedy our situation before it ever happened could be proven if the scroll—written before Satan started his war, before mankind sinned, and even before this world was created—held a record of God’s rescue plan, written in detail, prior to what has happened after Satan mutinied against His Creator. It would also show beyond all doubt that God knew all along the risk He was taking, how He would remedy the problem, how He would win the war, and how it would all turn out in the end.

If this is the meaning of the coronation scene in chapter 5, it makes it clear why Dr. Jennings interprets the first seal as the beginning of the GC. It fits perfectly with God’s way of presenting evidence and leaving us free, evidence that has slowly been unsealed since Jesus’ ascension. The breaking of the first seal unveils the first event that God recorded in the scroll in pre-history, proving once again that He really is who He says He is—our all-knowing, loving Designer who created us to love while leaving us free to choose whether to return His love and share it with our brothers and sisters.

One last thing: The best way to share that love is to act on it. Providing a fantastic interpretation of the vision of the seven seals will not win anyone over to God’s love and methods; rather, loving them the way God would if He were here on Earth will.

 

 

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada