B.

Encounter series (2017)

Jan 1, 2017 Mark 1:1 & Luke 1
Zacharias and Elisabeth were blameless and observing all the ten commandments of God. By
this, these two were blessed and chosen by God to bear Jesus Christ’s forerunner-John.

Where there is no hope, that’s where God manifest his power. Zacharias and Elisabeth were now
old and the wife was barren (Parallel: Abraham and Sarah-Gen 18:10-11). Consequences of not
believing God’s messengers, Zacharias was made dump

For important messages, God always sends Gabriel with instructions, conditions and names of
those to be born and their mission among us. If we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and used
by God, we have to be pure, not drink wine and strong drinks.

Jan 2, 2017 John 1:1-14

Jesus is the source of life and light to us. If we receive Him not, we are in darkness. John was not
the Light but was pointing people to the true Light-Jesus. The word “true” (John 1:9) tells us that
there are other lights which are not true lights.

Jesus created people and also came to redeem them but people did not receive Him. But those
who received Him and those who would believe in His name, He granted them the right to
become sons of God and heirs in His kingdom.

Jan 3, 2017 DA 19-21

Immanuel, God with us. Jesus took the earthly, lowly body and came to dwell with us. He came
to show God’s love to both men and the angels. He came to fulfill the plan of our salvation. He
took the form of man so that we can behold His glory.

He came to give us a good example of God’s love reflected through His life. We learn that love
is not self-seeking rather it is self-sacrificing. We learn that nothing created by God lives on its
own; there is a dependency on each other.

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Jan 4, 2017 DA 22-24
Satan misrepresented God, to men and to some of the angels, as God who is severe and
unforgiving. As God is love, He wants to save people from Satan’s deception not by force but by
love, so He gave His only begotten son-Jesus to die in our place for our sins.

Jan 5, 2017 DA 25-26

Jesus has authority given to Him in heaven and on earth. Jesus revealed a character different
from Satan, a character of self-sacrifice not self-exaltation. Being the Might One, He humbled
Himself and became obedient to the point of death. We learn that we must humble ourselves and
that God will exalt us. He took our punishment so that we can receive life which was His. Jesus
is the connecting ladder, connecting heaven and earth, men and the Creator.

Jan 6, 2017 DA 27-28

The Jews waited for their Saviour for a long time. But they did not study the scriptures carefully
enough leading to them not able to recognize Him and His mission on earth when He finally
came. Israelites were a chosen people and God’s purpose for them was to spread the gospel to
the heathen nations.

Because of the desire of worldly riches and fame, they ended up being disobedient to God, and
departed from the commandments despite the warnings from His prophets. As a consequence,
God allowed them to be subjected to the affliction of Babylon and the heathen nations. Through
pain some renewed their faithfulness to God.

Jan 7, 2017 DA 29-30

God intended the Israelites to become the light of the world. But their obedience to God was a
means of attaining to national greatness. While under captivity, they learnt more of heathen
practices. After the return from Babylon, they tried to build temples and to preach and teach the
precepts of God but all this was diluted by the teachings they learnt from the heathen nations
when they were in captivity. After Babylon, the Israelites were now under the rule of the
Romans, and the priests were elected by the Romans. So a lot of people ended up bribing and
killing others in order to be priests. And the priests ended up leading the people to believe that if
you sacrifice more, God will forgive your sins. The people’s focus shifted from God to
sacrifices. They also misunderstood Christ’s First and Second Advent and expected Him to free
them from Romans.

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Jan 8, 2017 Mat 1:1-17
Here we are told the generations from Abraham to David and to Jesus Christ our Saviour. There
is 42 generations altogether.

Jan 9, 2017 Luke 3:23-38; DA 31, 32

Jesus Christ was baptized at an age of 30years. We also find the generations from Jesus Christ
told in reverse up to Adam. At God’s appointed time, He sent his Son to redeem the people but
the people’s patience failed them as they expected speedy coming of the son of God. We also
learn that God declares the end with accuracy.

Jan 10, 2017 DA 33-35

The outcry was loud and the people longed for the Redeemer to come but Satan tried to blind
people’s eyes to the truth that men can only be saved by the atoning blood of Christ. He (Satan)
implanted the belief that people can be saved by their works. Jesus Christ was to come so that the
truth is revealed to mankind and also the son of perdition and his deceptions be revealed.

Jan 11, 2017 DA 36-38

The Jewish people became the agents of the devil by not spreading the good news (gospel) to
other nations. In not spreading the gospel, Satan corrupted it with his deception and marred the
image of the Creator. Instead of God destroying the world because of sin, God sent his only son
to destroy the strong holds of satanic deception. Satan lost the battle to accuse God as being the
tyrant.

Jan 12, 2017 Mat 1:18-25; DA 43, 44

Mary is found with the baby and Joseph is contemplating to leave her. The angel came to Joseph
in a dream and told him that this was the work of the Holy Ghost and also reminded him of the
words of the prophets that said the virgin shall be with a child and shall call his name Emmanuel,
that is, God with us. Joseph did as the angel has told him and called the son Jesus.

Jan 13, 2017 Luke 1:1-21

We are told that there was a decree by Augustus Caesar that everyone should return to his home
country to be taxed. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem (City of David) and there Mary
delivered the baby boy in a manger. Our Saviour Jesus Christ chose a humble and a lowly birth.

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Jan 14, 2017 DA 47-49
Ellen White narrates and expands on Luke 2:1-21. Those who were waiting for the first advent of
our Lord had the privilege to see Him. Those who prayed earnestly for the coming of the
Saviour and believed the prophecy, to them God gave them the privilege to welcome baby Jesus
on earth. This included the shepherds. Also Jesus pledged himself to redeem us.

Jan 15, 2017 Luke 2:22-38, DA 50-51

Our Lord is presented to the church priest after circumcision. We learn that Simeon was
promised to see Christ before he dies and this was a great pleasure to him to hold Jesus in his
arms. Presenting Jesus and offering him to God was in line with law of the Lord and also a
memorial of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

Jan 16, 2017 DA 52, 55

Those who are seeking for truth and read the prophecy with a humble spirit, God allowed them
to behold the Light (Jesus) of life. Those who seek higher positions and to be esteemed their eyes
were not opened. The priest saw a baby as usual but Anna and Simeon saw the King of kings.

Jan 17, 2017 DA 56-58

Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Things that must be noticed go unnoticed because
people acknowledge Christ in history but reject his word calling for self-sacrifice, as many are
comfortable with pride and self-seeking.

Jan 18, 2017 Mat 2:1-23; Luke 2:39-40

Those who studied the prophecy careful and believed it (The wise men), the Lord showed them
the star that led them to the Saviour Jesus. After hearing of Jesus, Herod was very angry and
sought to kill all the babies in Bethlehem, but God preserved Jesus showing Herod’s intention to
Joseph in a dream. Joseph was directed to flee to Egypt until Herod is dead.

Jan 19, 2017 DA 59-62

God’s light is shade to everyone, poor and rich, learned and unlearned; it’s up to those who
would accept it with humble hearts that God opens the door of the light to enter into their hearts.
Jealous and pride closes the door of salvation, for example, Herod and the priests and rabbis.

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Jan 20, 2017 DA 63-64
God is not silent; he gives his people signs and warnings of events to happen but to those would
welcome the warnings and signs with great joy are blessed. The shepherds saw the angel and
they wise men saw the star and all these groups spread the good news of Jesus’s birth. But the
priests rejected and Herod sought to kill the baby.

Jan 21, 2017 DA 65-67

Here we learn that without Jesus our Saviour we are destined to destruction, those Jews who
rejected the message of the shepherds and wise men led to the departure of Jesus from
Bethlehem to Egypt leaving them vulnerable to Herod’s wrath. Here Satan’s scheme to put off
the Light (Jesus) was unsuccessful.

Jan 22, 2017 DA 68-70

As we study the word of God, the heavenly hosts will be present if we invite them through
prayer. They are good attendants (Teachers). If we seek the truth with all our hearts, the Holy
Spirit is there to guide us. We should be careful in choosing the teachers as some are corrupted
like the rabbis. We also learned that we are there to serve others as Jesus gave the example of
Himself.

Jan 23, 2017 DA 71-72

Jesus set an example to us to use our hands and do our part in bearing the burdens of the
household. This teaches us that if we are not idle, there is no room for Satan to tempt us.
But if we are idle, we can end up caught in Satan’s snares. Another lesson is that we don’t
need to be rich to be saved by God.

Jan 24, 2017 DA 73-74

Jesus never complained of work and when he was with others, he always cheered them up and
sang songs of praise to God. Jesus was a blessing to every household, youth and even in church.

Jan 25, 2017 Luke 2:41-52; DA 75-76

As Jesus was 12 years, his parents took him to the Passover feast as was the custom. After the
feast Jesus tarried behind and after a day’s journey their parents looked for him and could not
find him for three days (Death and resurrection of Christ was three days when Christ was not

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found). At last he was found in the temple with the priests asking and answering questions (Now
He is in the heavenly temple).

Jan 26, 2017 DA 77-79

Jesus reveals the deep and forgotten truths to the teachers in the temple. He reminds them of the
coming Messiah and how his mission will be accomplished. Had the teachers accepted this
revelation, a reformation would have started that very day and more people in Israel would have
accepted Jesus and be saved.

Jan 27, 2017 DA 80-80

Our lives are in God’s hands, we must not lose sight of Him in any moment. If we are alone we
are vulnerable. Mary and Joseph were not supposed to lose sight of their Saviour.

Jan 28, 2017 DA 82-83

Most of the times, we are absorbed by worldly things and by company of our friends and end up
losing sight of our Redeemer. This is Satan’s calculated move to direct our attention from Jesus.
Once the sight is lost, it takes time to regain the light of Christ and have peace again.

Jan 29, 2017 DA 84-86

Jesus saw that the traditions practiced were in contrast with the law of God and he lived
according to the law of God. This excited hatred of the Pharisees who wanted Jesus to live
according to the traditions of men not God. As Jesus is the truth and knew the right way, he did
not rebuke them but did what was good in the sight of God and tried to explain to them his
position in reference to the bible.

Jan 30, 2017 DA 87-89

Even if we are faced with difficulties in life, scorn and hardship and even if the people around us
don’t understand our behavior, we should not move away from God’s law. But we should keep
on explaining what the bible requires of us. We should constantly meditate, search scriptures and
pray.

Jan 31, 2017 Luke 1:5-23, 57-80; DA 90-92

For the mission of Christ to begin, there was to be a forerunner to prepare the way as the people
had long lost sight of the truth and now depended on human traditions. The birth of John was a
mystery as their parents were old but God uses anyone whom he chooses to fulfil his mission.

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Feb 01, 2017 Mat 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8
John, messenger before Christ, was the voice in the wilderness preaching to people so that they
prepare the way of the Lord, and also baptized them with water. He clearly told the people that
the one to come after him was greater and will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Feb 02, 2017 Luke 3:1-18; DA 97

Here we are told how John carried out the task assigned to him by God to point the people to the
coming Messiah. He accomplished this by preaching and baptizing people. He also rebuked sin
and advised soldiers, tax collectors and the rich to be generous and giving.

Feb 03, 2017 DA 98-100

There are serious consequences of not believing the messengers of God, Zacharias was made
dump. In our nature we are slow to learn and quick to forget, so we need Christ in our lives. And
to be chosen to proclaim good news of God, we have to be pure so that the Holy Spirit may
dwell in us.

Feb 04, 2017 DA 101-102

John did not attend the school of the rabbis but rather he dwelt in the mountains and learned of
nature and nature’s God. He spent most of his life in isolation in fear of conforming to the
traditions of men. In solitude, he meditated, read the word of God and prayed. We learn that if
we feel we can be influenced by the world, we have to flee to a safe place.

Feb 05, 2017 DA 103-105

John himself did not fully understand the mission of Jesus. He thought he would come to free
them from the Roman rule. Nevertheless, he preached his coming with zeal. Many came for
baptism, others sincere and others in greed wanted only to gain access to Jesus’s kingdom.

Feb 06, 2017 DA 106-108

Jews had a belief that as being the seed of Abraham they were automatically entitled to kingdom
of Christ. But John made it clear that the tree is not spared from being axed because of its name
but only if it bears good fruit so the Jews should examine their characters.

Feb 07, 2017 Mat 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; DA 109-110
Here Jesus went to the river Jordan to be baptized by John to start his mission, but John said he is
unworthy to baptize the Saviour Christ rather he (John) should be baptized by Jesus. Jesus
advised him to do so to fulfil all righteousness and he baptized Jesus. As Jesus came out of the

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water, the heavens were opened and the Spirit of God came down as a dove and the loud voice
was heard saying this is my beloved Son and I am well pleased.

Feb 08, 2017 DA 111-113

Jesus went to be baptized by John not that he was a sinner but to set an example to us that we
ought to be baptized. He also gave an example that we must begin everything by prayer as he
also began his ministry by prayer after the baptism. John declared Christ as the Lamb of God but
he (John) did not understand his words.

Feb 09, 2017 Mat 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13

The Holy Spirit that after Jesus’s baptism led him to the wilderness for fasting and we ought to
fast as well. Then Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan always tempts us with three
things, that is, appetite, worship and pride. Our first parents could not overcome appetite. But
Jesus overcame all the Devil’s temptations and with Jesus living in our hearts we can win as
well.

Feb 10, 2017 Luke 4:1-13; DA 114-115

Satan saw an opportunity after our Saviour’s forty days of prayer and fasting and sought to tempt
him. By prayer and fasting we are made strong. We are told that after the Devil has failed to
tempt Jesus, he left him for a season. This tells us that if we overcome one temptation of the
Devil, he leaves us for only a while.

Feb 11, 2017 DA 116-118

After the fasting, Jesus was hungry and there the devil came to tempt him. His disguised himself
as the angel from heaven but Jesus was quick to see that he was Satan. He saw this by Satan’s
words, “If thou be the Son of God”. An angel from heaven would have known Jesus as the Son
of God, and behind Satan’s words there was a hidden meaning that God is not fair to let His son
to be hungry, Thanks be to God, Satan’s schemes failed.

Feb 12, 2017 DA 119-121

Satan thought that as Jesus was in lowly human body and form, he could overcome him and
break the plan of saving humanity, and that as Jesus was weakened by hunger, he could perform
a miracle to save himself. But Jesus did not come to prove himself Divine and that he was the
Son of God instead he came to save humanity from Satan’s deceptions and delusions.

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Feb 13, 2017 DA 122-123
By our own strength we can do nothing, but if we bring appetites and passions into subjection to
the will of God, then we can be rest assured that we have hope for eternal life. Jesus even if
tempted he rested upon the wisdom and strength of His heavenly father. So we are not to fear but
fix our eyes and hope to Jesus our High Priest.

Feb 14, 2017 DA 124-126

We should be aware of Satan’s schemes, as he mixes truth with error, in tempting Jesus to jump
down the temple, Satan misquoted the scriptures and left some or the remaining words of the
verse to suit his desire to deceive Christ. But Satan cannot force us to transgress God’s Law but
we allow him to tempt us. Christ set an example that we should not in any case open the door for
Satan to enter into our minds by always relying on the scriptures and Jesus.

We should not put God on test but we should seek him diligently.

Feb 15, 2017 DA 129-131

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