MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
August 19, 2026
God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration
THE DIVINE PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLE OF EDUCATION OF MAN IN HIS CREATION THEN REDEMPTION
Text: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Gen. 1: 27, KJV
Ellen G. White is “reputed to be the most translated woman author and the most translated author in American history. For eg. her little book, Steps to Christ, is available in more than 100 languages.” The following is an extract from her book, Education, subtitle, The Source and Aim of True Education, pp. 15, 16 (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied):
“In order to understand what is comprehended in education, we need to consider both the NATURE of man and the PURPOSE of God in creating him. We need to consider also the CHANGE in man’s condition through the coming in of the ‘knowledge of evil’ [cf. Gen. 2: 9, 17; 3: 1-24], and GOD’S PLAN for still fulfilling HIS GLORIOUS PURPOSE IN THE EDUCATION of the human race.
“When Adam came from the Creator’s hand, he bore in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a LIKENESS to His Maker. ‘God created man in His image’ (Gen. 1: 27) and it was HIS PURPOSE that the longer man lived the more fully he should REVEAL THIS IMAGE—-the more fully REFLECT THE GLORY of the Creator. All his faculties were capable of development; their capacity and vigor were to continually INCREASE. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened for their RESEARCH. The MYSTERIES of the visible UNIVERSE the wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge’ (Job 37: 16)—invited man’s study.
“Face-to-face, heart-to-heart COMMUNION with his Maker was his high privilege. Had he remained LOYAL to God, all this would have been his FOREVER. Throughout eternal ages he would have continued to GAIN NEW TREASURES OF KNOWLEDGE, to discover FRESH SPRINGS OF HAPPINESS, and to obtain clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the WISDOM, the POWER, and the LOVE of God. More and more fully would he have fulfilled THE OBJECT OF HIS CREATION, more and more fully have REFLECTED the Creator’s glory.
THE FALL IN EDEN:
“But by DISOBEDIENCE this was FORFEITED. Through sin the divine likeness was MARRED, and well-nigh obliterated. Man’s PHYSICAL powers were weakened, his MENTAL capacity was lessened, his SPIRITUAL VISION dimmed. He had become subject to DEATH. Yet the [human] race was not left without hope.
“By infinite love and mercy the PLAN OF SALVATION had been devised, and a LIFE OF PROBATION was granted to RESTORE in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the PERFECTION in which he was created, to promote the development of BODY, MIND, AND SOUL, that the DIVINE PURPOSE FOR HIS CREATION MIGHT BE REALIZED—this was to be the work of redemption.
“This is the OBJECT OF EDUCATION, the GREAT OBJECT OF LIFE.” (End of extract).
To be continued next MWM, God willing and enabling. Bless all, NMF.