Calling all seniors aged 55+ to the annual Adventist Seniors of Michiana Corn Roast to be held Sunday, August 10 at 1 PM in the Andrews Grove Pavilion. Bring a dish to share, enjoy the corn provided, and learn who will be our new officers for next year. Early registration for the 2025-2026 membership year will be available. Despite inflation dues remain at $20 per person. Call Cheryl Doss with any questions 269-277-0767.
Three Angels, One Warning
Three Angels, One Warning: American Confusion
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
More In This Series
“Three Angels, One Warning: American Confusion”
□ Revelation 14:9-11—Angel #3
“The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel’s message.” (The Great Controversy 449)
□ Revelation 13:11-17—Power #2
- What power on earth sprang into existence and began its comparatively rapid growth into global dominance around the (see Matthew 13:17 for same verb)?
- What power on earth sprang into existence from the waters, from the masses and multitudes of the great nations of the Middle Ages (compare with Revelation 17:15)?
- What power on earth sprang into existence with those credentials and today holds sway?
- Given the historical background as well as the time frame for its emergence, there is only one international power that fits the prophetic description of Revelation 13—late 1700s, away from Europe and the masses, growing rapidly into eventual global dominance—the .
- “The Lord has done more for the than for any other country upon which the sun shines.” (Maranatha 193)
□ Catalysts of American Confusion
#1—The mistaken belief that the United States is God’s chosen .
Paul Dean: “Most American Christians believe that America has a special place in God’s heart. ‘God and Country’ are inseparable in the minds of many to the point that to be a good Christian is to be a good American and vice versa. . . . [However] we must learn to think biblically about ‘God and Country’ and the connection between the two. We must debunk the popular notions that America is a Christian nation (the is the only Christian nation according to the Scriptures); or that America is the New Israel; or that America will one day establish a Christian government and be the light of the world; or that to be a good Christian is to be a good American. . . . You can be a good Christian anywhere in the world and love your country of origin. The issue is not what country we love but whether we truly love .” (www.crosswalk.com/blogs/dr-paul-j-dean/the-shining-city-on-a-hill-americ...)
#2—The mistaken belief that any is God’s chosen agent.
Loren Seibold: “It has become virtually impossible to get elected as a Republican without leaning in some way toward conservative Christian values and promising governmental advocacy for the ideas that conservative Christians hold dear. I should clarify that many of these Christian values are also mine. However if were running for president today, it’s unlikely he could even be nominated by his own Republican Party. He was a member of no church, never publicly confessed a creed, and never publicly used religious beliefs to justify his policies.” (“Is God a Republican?” Signs of the Times November, 2012)
“Jesus never placed much value on occupying an earthly throne. His kingdom, He insisted, wasn’t anywhere on this earth (John 18:36). Who ruled the nations down here was far less important to Him than that everyone understood the character and purposes of the of the universe.” (Ibid)
“Suppose, for example, that a politician decided that everyone should worship on Sunday (an idea that has been proposed from time to time through history). That would be fine for most Christians, but it would put Jews and Seventh-day Adventists (who observe the seventh day of the week) in a situation where they’d have to choose between obeying a human law or their understanding of obeying God’s law. The politicians who give one religious group what they want may be taking from another.” (Ibid)
“When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government . . .” (5T 451)
□ The Prayer of John Knox
“Give me America or I die!”
Pioneer Operating Budget
Birthdays were always a special and happy occasion in our home. When it is one of the sibling’s birthdays, we give all our kids gifts to enjoy, not just the celebrant. But when it was our birthday, our children would draw pictures and color them expressing their creativity and love for us. They didn’t have the money to purchase gifts or nice Hallmark cards. Yet when they presented them to us, we cherished those handmade cards more than all the commercial cards produced by Hallmark. Why? Because they were our children’s expression of love from the heart.
It’s hard not to express this love without giving a gift. Likewise, every offering gift should be measured by the unfathomable Gift of heaven. The greatest offering one could make would then appear as nothing in comparison. “How vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money, and love against a love and sacrifice that is measureless and incomputable!" (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.4, p.119). If we can catch a glimpse of just how much God loves us, we would faint. All self-interest and selfish motives will disappear, we will be lost in awe and wonder. It would spur us to shower our Lord with more gifts and with praise and thanksgiving.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2025/2026 school year. We invite you to join the AA family! You will be blessed by what Andrews Academy has to offer. Students consistently score above state and national levels on standardized testing, they are involved in many spiritual and service activities throughout the school year. Our Seventh-day Adventist school’s mission is to inspire our students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly and to honor God completely. School begins August 18. Registration day is August 13. Financial assistance may be available. Call 269-471-3138 for more information or visit https://www.andrews.edu/aa/ and click on “apply today”.
Although registration for District Nine Family Camp is still open at www.midistrictnine.com, ALL rooms and RV sites have been reserved! However, if you wish to tent there are spaces still available. If you wish to bring your RV, there are spaces available ONLY in the Northwoods.
Many new faces will soon join us as they begin their academic journey at Andrews University. We are preparing to welcome them with our traditional Welcome Picnic on Sabbath, August 23. You can support Belong by signing up to be a table host, preparing food, becoming a general volunteer—or all of the above! Text the word “PICNIC” to 269-281-2345
Join us for the Midweek House of Prayer, held online every Wednesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. Come and see how your contributions can benefit everyone in the group! The Zoom link is https://andrews.zoom.us/j/9889172131.
Better Decisions/ Fewer Regrets video series by Andy Stanley continues
- July 19–The The Conscience Question
- July 26–The Maturity Question
- August 2–The Relationship Question
Everyone is welcome in PMC Boardroom off of the Fellowship Commons Room from 10:30-11:30 AM on Sabbath.
There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.