Month: March 2026

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration: PROPHET DANIEL MADE PRIME MINISTER IN BABYLON AND MEDO-PERSIA

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

March 25, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

PROPHET DANIEL MADE PRIME MINISTER IN BABYLON AND MEDO-PERSIA

Based on the book of Daniel. 

Daniel was always true to God while loyal to his government. Dan. 6: 16-23. He was a high government official for over 70 years under two successive pagan world empires: Babylon (under Nebuchadnezzar, briefly Belshazzar), on to Medo-Persia (under Darius and Artaxerxes). 

We read the following from the KJV Bible: 

    “Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him RULER over the whole province of Babylon, and CHIEF of the governors over all the wisemen of Babylon.” (Dan. 2:48, read 1-49). 

    “So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”(Dan. 6: 28; cf. Ezra 1:1-11; 2: 1, 2).

The Babylon herein referred to has its spiritual antitype as a major player at the end stages of the church. In Revelation it is a symbol of opposition against Christ and His followers (Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:18). Let’s first  consider facts of its secular historical aspect.

Source: SDA Bible Dictionary Complete with Atlas, Commentary Reference Series, Vol. 8, Review & Herald Publishing Asso., WA D.C, 1960, art. ‘Babylonia,’ pp. 108-9 (all emphasis provided): 

    “In the 13th century B.C., the Assyrians. . . invaded Babylonia. . . For 6 centuries Babylonia was more or less an Assyrian dependency. . . Tiglath-pileser III (745-727 B.C. . . made himself king of Babylon under the name of Pul.

    “Sargon II also ruled as king of Babylon, but Sennacherib, tired of the constant rebellions, thoroughly destroyed the city of Babylon. 

    “Esarhaddon rebuilt it.

After which the city experienced its most flourishing period. 

    “In 626 B.C. Nabopolassar, a Chaldean official subject to the Assyrians, declared himself king of Babylon, as one of his tribal relatives, Marduk-apaladdina (the Biblical Merodach-baladan) had done a century earlier. His bid for independence lasted only 18 years, but the new Kindom became a success, and developed into an EMPIRE that soon succeeded that of the Assyrians. 

    “After Nabopolassar had fought against the Assyrians for several years with uneven success, he joined the MEDES, and with their help after a siege of 3 months conquered NINEVEH in 612 B.C.

    “When the conquerors divided the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian king inherited all of MESOPOTAMIA, SYRIA, and PALESTINE. It was necessary for him to fight remnants of Assyrian resistance in Upper Mesopotamia for a few more years, and also the EGYPTIANS, who had helped the Assyrians and who tried to become the masters of SYRIA and PALESTINE.

   “In 605 B.C., NEBUCHADNEZZAR, still crown prince, defeated NECHO OF EGYPT, first at Charchemish and then at Hamath. Late in the summer his father [Nabopolassar] died and he succeeded to the throne. 

   “Annual campaigns in SYRIA and PALESTINE followed. JERUSALEM was taken several times, and after its THIRD CAPTURE in 586 B.C., the rebellious city was DESTROYED AND ITS POPULATION DEPORTED TO BABYLONIA. 

    “Nebuchadnezzar was a strong king and a great builder. He practically rebuilt the city of Babylon, and erected many structures in many cities. After a successful rule of more than 40 YEARS, he was followed by several weak rulers under whose inefficient government the empire DETERIORATED rapidly. 

    “His son Amel-Marduk, the Biblical Evil-merodach, reigned for only 2 years (562-560 B.C.),  and was then assassinated and succeeded by his brother-in-law Nergal-shar-usur, who ruled in Babylon for 4 years (560-556 B.C.). He was followed by his son Labashi-Marduk, who was murdered after a reign of less than 2 months. The murderers put one of the conspirators, NABONIDUS, on the throne. 

    “Nabonidus saw danger from PERSIA [modern-day Iran] and made an alliance against it with EGYPT, LYDIA, and SPARTA. He also campaigned in ARABIA and made Tema in northwestern Arabia his residence for a number of years, while his elder son, BELSHAZZAR, to whom he entrusted the kingship as COREGENT, ruled in Babylon.

   “In October, 539 B.C., only 23 YEARS after Nebuchadnezzar’s death, the empire fell to the hands of CYRUS THE PERSIAN, almost without a fight. Cyrus had forced an entrance into the Mesopotamian valley in the BATTLE OF OPIS, and a few days later the capital city fell to the Persians without a battle, and its fall ended the history of Babylon as an independent power. 

    “The Kindom became a part of the PERSIAN EMPIRE and later was reduced to a province. The territory then fell to ALEXANDER THE GREAT [of Grecia] and belonged successively to the SELEUCIDS, PARTHIANS, SASSANIDS, and others; now it is part of the country of IRAQ.” (End of excerpt). 

With this historical background of the “rise and fall” of the said empires, we can better appreciate Daniel’s recorded “true as steel to principle” and uncompromising faithfulness to God, while excelling in serving in the highest government offices of  successive pagan kings and their empires! 

It only takes one lit candle to dispel the darkness. As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: “Ye are the light of the world and salt of the earth.”

Are we? 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

God’s Purposes Revealed : God’s Men in High Government Positions (Part 1)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

March 18, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed

God’s Men in High Government Positions (Part 1)

JOSEPH TRUE TO GOD WHILE GOVERNOR IN ANCIENT EGYPT’S ATHEISTIC EMPIRE 

For the thrilling account of its fuller history, thus first establishing a firm Biblical foundation with its true contextual background, read Genesis chapters 39-45 on your own Bibles, KJV of RSV. 

We now proceed to quote extracts from E. G. White’s book ‘Patriarchs and Prophets,’ Pacific Press Publishing Asso., 1913, pp. 210-223. (All emphases, bracketed words, and Notes provided): 

    “Arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the king’s (Pharaoh) guard [by the heathen Ishmaelite traders whom his brothers sold him to], in whose service he remained for 10 years. He was here exposed to temptations of NO ordinary character. He was in the midst of IDOLATRY. The worship of FALSE GODS was surrounded by ALL THE POMP AND ROYALTY, supported by the wealth and culture of the MOST HIGHLY CIVILIZED [yet atheistic and heathen] NATION THEN EXISTING. 

     “Yet Joseph preserved his SIMPLICITY, and his FIDELITY TO GOD. The sights and sounds of VICE were all around him, but he was one who SAW NOT AND HEARD NOT. His THOUGHTS were not allowed to linger upon forbidden subjects. The desire to gain the favor of the Egyptians could not cause him to CONCEAL his principles. 

     “Has he attempted to do this, he would have been OVERCOME by temptation; but he was NOT ASHAMED of the religion of his fathers [the godly patriarchs] and he made no effort to HIDE the fact that he was a worshipper of Jehovah. 

    “‘And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a PROSPEROUS MAN. . . . And his master SAW that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made ALL that he did to prosper in his hand.’ (See Genesis 39). Potiphar’s confidence in him increased daily, and he finally PROMOTED him to be his steward [to the captain of the Pharaoh’s guard/security detail] with FULL CONTROL over all his possessions.  ‘And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not aught what he had, save the bread which he did eat.’ (Gen. 39).”

Now take note all Christian evangelists, preachers, ministers, pastors, and believers of the popular “prosperity gospel.”

    “The marked prosperity which attended everything placed under Joseph’s care was NOT THE RESULT OF A DIRECT MIRACLE; but his industry, care, and energy were crowned with the DIVINE BLESSING. Joseph attributed his success to the FAVOR of God, and even his IDOLATROUS MASTER accepted this as the SECRET of his unparalleled prosperity. 

     “Without steadfast, well-directed effort, however, success could NEVER had been attained. GOD WAS GLORIFIED BY THE FAITHFULNESS OF HIS SERVANT. It was HIS PURPOSE that in purity and uprightness the BELIEVER in God should appear IN MARKED CONTRAST to the worshippers of idols [in all its variant forms, animate and inanimate, including the idol of self in self-worship, philosophical ideas, opinions, theories, traditions, doctrines that contradict Bible truth] that the LIGHT of heavenly grace might shine forth AMID THE DARKNESS OF HEATHENISM.” (end quote). 

NOTE: These earliest form of ancient heathenism and paganism (religions) entered early Christian church through the “great compromise” and “falling away,” resulting in the development of “the man of sin,” in “the mystery of iniquity,” revealed by Paul as “already at work” in his time! See 2 Thess.2: 1-12, etc. 

Prophecy and history, both

sacred and common (secular) silently witness to the grand truth that God is in control, His divine purposes revealed and fulfilled in the rise and fall of nations and empires till “all is fulfilled” and His eternal kingdom finally rules over the “restored first dominion” of “the new heaven and the new earth.”

To be continued, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

GOD’S PURPOSE IN NATIONS : WHY JESUS PAID ‘UNJUST’ TEMPLE TRIBUTE: A VITAL LESSON FOR CHRISTIANS IN THESE LAST DAYS 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

March 11, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed

GOD’S PURPOSE IN NATIONS

(WHY JESUS PAID ‘UNJUST’ TEMPLE TRIBUTE: A VITAL LESSON FOR CHRISTIANS IN THESE LAST DAYS 

MAIN TEXT: “Does not your Master pay tribute?” Matt. 17: 24. See verses 22-27, KJV. 

Now follows extract from The Desire of Ages, by E. G. White, pp. 433-4 (all emphasis and notes provided):

    “Soon after they [Jesus with His first Twelve] reached the town [of Capernaum], the collector of the TEMPLE REVENUE came to Peter with the question, ‘Doth not your Master pay tribute?’ 

     “This tribute was NOT a civil tax, but a RELIGIOUS CONTRIBUTION, which every JEW was required to pay annually for the support of the temple. [It was essentially a clerical state!]. A refusal to pay the tribute would be regarded as DISLOYALTY TO THE TEMPLE,—in the estimation to the Rabbis a MOST GRIEVOUS SIN. 

   “The Savior’s attitude toward the RABBINICAL LAWS, and His plain REPROOFS to the defenders of TRADITION, afforded a PRETEXT for the charge that He was seeking to OVERTHROW THE TEMPLE SERVICE.  Now His enemies [from His own, the chosen people!] saw an opportunity of casting DISCREDIT upon Him. In the collector of the tribute they found a READY ALLY. 

    “Peter saw in the collector’s question an INSINUATION touching on Christ’s LOYALTY TO THE TEMPLE. Zealous for his Master’s honor [per usual compulsive-impulsive Peter], he hastily answered, WITHOUT CONSULTING Him, that Jesus would pay the tribute. 

    “But Peter only PARTIALLY comprehended the PURPOSE of his questioner. There were some classes who were held to be exempt from the payment of the tribute. 

    “In the time of Moses, when the Levites were set apart for the service of the sanctuary, they were given NO INHERITANCE among the people. The Lord said, ‘Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance.’ Deut. 10:9. 

    “In the days of Christ the priests and Levites were STILL regarded as especially devoted to the temple, and were not required to make the ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION for its support.

    “PROPHETS also were exempt from this payment. In requiring this payment, the rabbis were SETTING ASIDE His claim as a PROPHET OR TEACHER, and were dealing with Him as with any COMMONPLACE PERSON. A refusal on His part would be represented as DISLOYALTY TO THE TEMPLE; while, on the other hand, the payment of it would be taken as JUSTIFYING THEIR REJECTION OF HIM as a Prophet. 

    “Only a little before, Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God; but he now MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY on setting for the CHARACTER of His Master. [result of impulsive-compulsive self-confidence he was known for among the Twelve]. By his answer to the collector, that Jesus would pay the tribute, he had VIRTUALLY SANCTIONED THE FALSE CONCEPTION of Him do which the priests and rulers were trying to give currency. [another occasion of Peter’s ‘denials’ of Christ]. 

    “When Peter entered the house, the Savior made no reference to what had taken place, but inquired, ‘What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?’ Peter answered, ‘Of strangers.’ And Jesus said, ‘Then are the children free.’ 

    “While the people of a country are taxed for the maintenance of their king, the MONARCH’S OWN CHILDREN ARE EXEMPT. 

    “So Israel [as a nation], the professed people of God, were REQUIRED to maintain His service; but Jesus, THE SON OF GOD, was under no such obligation [!]. If priests and Levites were exempt because of their connection with the temple, HOW MUCH MORE He to whom the temple was His Father’s house.

    “If Jesus had paid the tribute WITHOUT A PROTEST, He would virtually have acknowledged the JUSTICE OF THE CLAIM,  and would have thus DENIED HIS DIVINITY. 

    “But while He SAW GOOD to meet the demand, He DENIED THE CLAIM upon which it was based. In PROVIDING FOR the payment of the tribute He gave EVIDENCE OF HIS DIVINE CHARACTER. It was manifest that He was ONE WITH GOD, and therefore was not under tribute as a mere subject of the kingdom. 

THE WAY JESUS PROVIDED FOR THE TRIBUTE PROVED HIS DIVINITY

   “Go thou into the sea,” He directed Peter, ‘and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a PIECE OF MONEY: and take, and give unto them FOR ME AND THEE.’ 

    “Though He had clothed His divinity with humanity [in the great mystery of godliness of His incarnation], IN THIS MIRACLE HE REVEALED HIS GLORY. It was evident that this was He who through David had declared, [Ps. 50: 10-12 quoted]. While Jesus made it plain that He was under NO OBLIGATION to pay the tribute, HE ENTERED INTO NO CONTROVERSY WITH THE JEWS IN REGARD TO THE MATTER; for they would have MISREPRESENTED His words, and turned them AGAINST Him.

    “Lest He should give OFFENSE by withholding the tribute, HE DID THAT WHICH HE COULD NOT BE JUSTLY BE REQUIRED TO DO. 

    “This lesson would be of GREAT VALUE to His disciples. [Why?] Marked changes were soon to take place IN THEIR RELATION TO THE TEMPLE SERVICE, and Christ taught them not to place themselves NEEDLESSLY IN ANTAGONISM TO ESTABLISHED ORDER. So far as possible, they were to AVOID giving occasion for MISREPRESENTATION OF THEIR FAITH. 

Lesson for today as Present Truth: 

   “While Christians are not to sacrifice ONE PRINCIPLE OF TRUTH, they should AVOID CONTROVERSY whenever it is POSSIBLE to do so [without compromising the truth].” (End of extract from Desire of Ages, pp. 433, 434. 

Let all true followers of Christ keep this vital, timely, and all-encompassing principle in mind and heart when facing and dealing with the prophesied controversies over the testing truths of these last days. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

Categories
Mid-week Manna

GOD’S PURPOSE IN NATIONS (WHY JESUS SANCTIONED ‘PAYING TAXES TO ROME’ IN HIS TIME Part 2) 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

March 4, 2026

God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration

GOD’S PURPOSE IN NATIONS (WHY JESUS SANCTIONED ‘PAYING TAXES TO ROME’ IN HIS TIME Part 2) 

See Matt. 22: 15-22; Mark 12: 13-17; Luke 20. 20-26, KJV 

Now follows extract from the inspired pen of Ellen G. White providing spiritual clarity on the subject (all emphasis provided): 

BACKGROUND. In Christ’s time the Pharisees formed one of three groups in the Sanhedrin; the other two being the Sadducees and Herodians. Historically, in the “religious spectrum” of New Testament Judaism, the Sadducees were the “liberals,” and the Pharisees, the “conservatives,” who stressed ‘separation from the world and its defilements’ through ‘righteousness by their works.’ The least of the three, the Herodians, were thought to be ‘Herod’s soldiers,’ according to Jerome; ‘court officials of Herod,’ by other commentators.    

Now follows an enlightening extract, providing spiritual and practical clarity for all, from the inspired pen of Ellen G. White: 

     “The Pharisees and Herodians had been bitter enemies, but they were now in enmity to Christ. The Pharisees had ever chafed under the exaction of tribute by the Romans. The payment of tribute (civil taxes) they held to be CONTRARY TO THE LAW OF GOD. 

     “Now they saw an opportunity to lay a snare for Jesus. Their spies came to Him, and with apparent sincerity, as though desiring to know their DUTY, said, ‘Master, we know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest Thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: is it LAWFUL for us to GIVE TRIBUTE TO CAESAR, or no?’ 

     “The words, ‘We know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly,’ had they been SINCERE, would have been a wonderful admission. But they were spoken to DECEIVE; nevertheless their testimony was true. The Pharisees did know that Christ said and taught rightly [all in truth and righteousness]. 

    “Those who put the question to Jesus THOUGHT they had sufficiently disguised their PURPOSE; but Jesus read their hearts as an OPEN BOOK, and sounded their HYPOCRISY. ‘Why tempt ye Me?’ He said; thus giving them a SIGN they had not asked, by showing that He read their HIDDEN purpose. 

    “They were still more confused when He added, ‘Show Me a penny.’ They brought it, and He asked them, ‘Whose image and superscription has it?’ They answered and said, Caesar’s.’ Pointing to the INSCRIPTION ON THE COIN, Jesus said, ‘Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Cesar’s; and unto God that things that are God’s.’ 

    “The spies had EXPECTED Jesus to answer their question directly, IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. If He should say, It is UNLAWFUL to give tribute to Caesar, He would be reported to the ROMAN authorities and arrested for inciting REBELLION. 

    “But in case He would pronounce it LAWFUL to pay the tribute, they designed to accuse Him before the PEOPLE as opposing the law of God. . . .

    “Christ’s reply was no evasion, but a candid answer to the question. Holding in His hand the Roman coin, upon which were stamped the name and image of Caesar, He declared that since they were LIVING UNDER THE PROTECTION of the Roman power, they SHOULD RENDER to that power the support it claimed, SO LONG AS THIS DID NOT CONFLICT WITH A HIGHER DUTY. But while PEACEABLY SUBJECT to the laws of the land [or nation], they should at all times give their FIRST ALLEGIANCE TO GOD.

     “The Savior’s words, ‘RENDER. . . UNTO GOD the things that are God’s,’ were a SEVERE REBUKE TO THE INTRIGUING JEWS. [Here’s how and why:]. “Had they faithfully fulfilled their obligations to God, they would NOT HAVE BECOME A BROKEN NATION, SUBJECT TO A FOREIGN [and malign] POWER. No Roman ensign would have waved over JERUSALEM, no Roman sentinel  would have stood at her gates, no ROMAN GOVERNOR would have ruled within her walls. THE JEWISH NATION WAS THEN PAYING THE PENALTY OF ITS APOSTASY FROM GOD. 

     “When the Pharisees heard Christ’s answer, ‘they marveled, and left Him, and went their way.’ He had rebuked their HYPOCRISY AND PRESUMPTION, and in doing this, He had stated A GREAT PRINCIPLE, A PRINCIPLE THAT CLEARLY DEFINES THE LIMITS OF MAN’S DUTY TO THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND HIS DUTY TO GOD. 

     “In many minds a vexed question had been settled. Ever after they had held to the right principle. [Righteousness is also ‘right doing]. And although many went away DISSATISFIED, they saw that the PRINCIPLE UNDERLYING the question had been CLEARLY set forth, and they marveled at Christ’s FAR-SEEING discernment [down to our very time, up to the stupendous culmination of Bible’s prophecies regarding the kingdoms and nations of the fallen earth].” From The Desire of Ages, April,1950 ed., Pacific Press Publishing Asso., pp. 601-3. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.