The time was 24th-30th January, the place to be was SR 16 and the event was the Voice of Prophecy week of prayer. Graced by one eloquent lady who turned out to be both articulate and meticulous in simple a manner, it was definitely a good way to kick start the semester and year for that matter. She was Keziah Moraa, and one of her favorite lines was “Follow me, you are sure not to get lost, for I am following the Holy Spirit”. And so it was.
Some prophecy amateurs like yours truly gained exceedingly much from the teachings,even quoting Bible verses.Well,not with the exact precision of one Elder Collins Omiti but atleast we learnt.Ask Elder Ngare and I to explain the meaning of "desolating sacrilege spoken of by Daniel" in Matthew 24:15 and we'll be glad to tell a tale.
Here is how the
week went down,in a nutshell:
DAY 1-THESE ARE THE END TIMES
The night started with a brief
singing session followed by prayer time. Being the first day of the week,the
presenter chose to start on a high note. And what better way to do so than to
give Luke 21:31 as the first verse: “So likewise ye,when ye see these things
come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh”. The Book of Matthew
chapter 24 also gives a very clear-cut message on the things Jesus said MUST
happen before He comes back the second time.Most of these prophecies have
actually been fulfilled,proving beyond reasonable doubt that truly the Word of
God is truth.
DAY 2-BIBLE PROPHECY
On this day which was Monday,
Sister Keziah delved into the deep waters of the Book of Daniel and Revelations,
taking the congregation along with her. Systematically the Holy Spirit led her
as she guided us through Daniel 2:31-33 which talks of the dream of King
Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation as given by Daniel. This was definitely a
day not to miss as history was brought to life by both scripture and world events.
DAY 3-SPIRITUAL DARKNESS
We learnt that we are approaching
the end of this earth's history, and Satan is working as never before. He is
striving to act as director of the Christian world. With an intensity that is
marvelous he is working with his lying wonders { LDE 155.1}
"If it were possible, they shall deceive
the very elect" [Matthew 24:24]. From false prophets who come in the name
of the Lord, assuming the title of holiness that only God and God alone should
be worthy of, they masquerade to be sheep when really wolves.(Philippians
2:5-8). Their expensive lifestyles do not reflect the image of Jesus Christ who
being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
On Wednesday it was time to take
the prophecy story a notch higher. The topic of the day did not disappoint.
Ellen G White expressly defines
this shaking that will take place in the last days in the Great Controversy
page 464 paragraph 1 “Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the
earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive
godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. This shaking is
likened to the time when Jesus went to the temple and found people selling and buying,
He chased them away for turning His house of prayer into a den of thieves(Matthew
21:12-13).Such is the purging and cleansing that should take place not only in
the church but in our own very hearts.
DAY 5-THE SEVEN TRUMPETS AND SEVEN PLAGUES
With precision and consistent
bible verses, Thursday was the day to tackle this topic that is deemed
difficult by those that have not studied it. We even went back to the book of Exodus
(Chapter 8-10) to relate the plagues of the time of Pharaoh to the end times.
The intricate relationship of the
book of Revelation to the Old Testament sorely proves the elasticity and truth
of the Bible.
DAY 6-CHRISTS’ RETURN
On Friday Vespers which was
impressively attended, Christ’s return was the message. A message of hope. It
makes us try, even when we are bound to fail. It’s the wind for our sails as Christians.
Yet we are told of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,
nor the son, but the Father only.(Matthew 24:36).It goes on to say that He
shall come like a thief, at a time when no one is expecting.(Vs. 43)
As much as that may sound frightening,
this knowledge is to urge us to be on watch at all times, and to be faithful to
the end when we will see Him coming in His glory in the clouds of air.
DAY 7-FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS
It was the Sabbath once again!
Best day of all weeks and this one was no exception. No exception because even
the district Pastor was in attendance, Pastor Maasi in flesh.Sister
Keziah was the main speaker. Speaking
she did. Of Mount Zion and Calvary, of Mount Carmel and Pisgah. Of Mount Moriah
and Sinai.All these mountains where the fathers of faith exalted God, are the
mountains to which we should run even today.
All in all, the voice of prophecy
week that ended on Saturday evening was phenomenal.To say the least. It reminded us that as
Adventists we should be alert and watch unto prayer,even as we wait for the 2nd
coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen and amen!
By Maryanne Nyanduko
