Revelation 6:6 states, “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou HURT NOT THE OIL AND THE WINE.” This powerful message underscores the enduring truth of God, which, despite oppression, remains intact and unbroken. In Scripture, wine symbolizes doctrine and teaching. Unfermented wine, or grape juice, represents truth and the untainted blood of Christ, which was shed for our redemption. Isaiah 55:1-3 beautifully invites all who are thirsty to partake of God’s abundant provision without cost: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Consuming the pure, unblemished truth of God’s Word, just as Christ’s blood is pure and untainted, provides spiritual nourishment that satisfies our deepest needs. This invitation speaks to the richness of God’s grace, offering nourishment that addresses our deepest spiritual hunger. The subsequent verses challenge us, asking why we spend our resources on what does not truly satisfy, emphasizing the necessity of hearkening to God’s word for true sustenance. Conversely, fermented wine represents false doctrine and misleading teachings. Revelation 14:8 further emphasizes this distinction: “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This stark warning highlights the destructive consequences of false teachings and the spiritual decay they bring upon nations. The preservation of oil and wine in Revelation signifies the enduring nature of God’s truth amid opposition. This idea resonates with the reflection on wine, especially in the context of the Last Supper, where it symbolizes Christ’s blood. Here, wine embodies both truth and the sacrifice of Jesus, who declared Himself to be “the way, the TRUTH, and the life.” The miracle of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana (John 2:1-11) connects deeply to these themes and carries profound spiritual significance. Relation to Oil and Wine In both instances, wine represents joy and blessing. Jesus’ act of transforming water into wine signifies the remarkable ability to convert the ordinary into the extraordinary, akin to how God preserves truth (oil and wine) in times of hardship. The wine at Cana symbolizes the new covenant established by Christ, representing the richness of God’s truth and the spiritual fullness available to all who believe. Spiritual Significance In biblical contexts, wine often symbolizes joy and celebration. Jesus’ miracle at the wedding feast emphasizes the joy that flows from His presence and the blessings inherent in His kingdom. This joy reflects the spiritual sustenance that God offers, standing in stark contrast to the bitterness of false teachings, represented by fermented wine. This miracle is described as the first of Jesus’ signs, revealing His glory and leading His disciples to believe in Him (John 2:11). This aligns with the notion of true doctrine (unfermented wine) serving as a revelation of God’s truth and character, guiding believers toward a deeper understanding of His will. Regarding oil, it is often associated with the work of the Holy Spirit, particularly in the context of anointing. Revelation 6:6 serves as a vital reminder not to overlook the Spirit’s essential role in our lives, helping us to discern and embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us to navigate through the complexities of doctrine, providing clarity amidst confusion. In summary, the wedding at Cana and the themes of oil and wine in Revelation emphasize the richness of God’s truth, the joy found in His presence, and the transformation that comes through Christ. The directive to “hurt not the oil and the wine” serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of God’s truth and the vital role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us away from false teachings that lead to spiritual decay. R Scott Holder is a writer on spiritual topics. Resources: outlookmag.org/the-teachers-notes-taken-and-tried-lesson-11/ Edited with ChatGPT  

Nancy Buxton, women’s ministries director for the Mid-America Union Conference, will retire on Dec. 31, 2024, after 21 years of service in this position. Over 30 years ago, Nancy and Pastor Angel Bock of College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, began Women in Touch, which monthly drew in 300 women from both the church and the community. It was designed for women who were taking a break from church, looking for a safe place to invite their friends, or looking to make friendships with other women. Years later, Pastor Dennis Carlson invited Nancy to be the women’s ministries director for the Mid-America Union. After much prayer and contemplation, Nancy accepted the position. DeeAnn Bragaw, women’s ministries director for the North American Division, attributes much of her growth and success to Nancy’s mentorship. “Nancy Buxton exemplifies godly leadership in action. A woman who deeply loves Jesus, Nancy listens, inspires and encourages other women. She attends every possible women’s ministries event across the Mid-America Union, connecting with women from all walks of life. At those leadership trainings, retreats, abuse awareness days, etc., Nancy looks for every opportunity to genuinely engage with women, hear their unique stories, and then connect them with helpful resources. She displays the beauty of a leader paving the way for other women to become leaders and models the necessity of continually growing both spiritually and professionally. Nancy knows the value and power of infusing hard work with joy!” Bragaw added that mentoring conference leaders and other women leaders comes naturally to Nancy. She lives out what she advocates as she ministers to women in her own local church and community. “Not only has Nancy been an exemplary leader for the women of Mid-America, women across the North American Division have also been blessed by her wisdom and compassion,” says Bragaw. “We celebrate Nancy and thank God for the lives that have been touched and changed throughout her ministry. Thank you, Nancy, for giving us such a beautiful example of an outstanding leader, and thank you for mentoring me!” Donna Brown, women’s ministries director for the Central States Conference, which covers the same states Nancy works in, stated that Nancy was a good example for her in the realm of balancing time. “She is so real. I appreciated when I accepted this position that she made a trip to Kansas City and we met at Panera Bread for lunch. We talked for about two hours. Her interest in my personal desires and aspirations was so important to her, and it made me feel like I could really do this ministry. The support of showing up for many events—including when I am preaching—shows the importance I was to her team. Thank you, Nancy, for your leadership and motherhood!” The Mid-America Union would like to sincerely thank Nancy for her decades of service and wish her all the best in retirement.

Each year, October 31 marks Reformation Day, a commemoration of the bold act of Martin Luther in 1517. By nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany, Luther sparked a movement that sought to return Christianity to the pure teachings of Scripture. This day ignited the Protestant Reformation, a revival that sought to challenge corruption, promote biblical literacy, and put God’s Word back into the hands of everyday believers. For Seventh-day Adventists, Reformation Day is more than a historic milestone; it’s a reminder of the heritage we embrace and a calling to continue reform. Our roots in the Protestant tradition are deeply intertwined with the principles Luther championed: sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), and sola gratia (grace alone). These principles remind us of the priority of Scripture and the beauty of salvation by faith, gifts we continue to cherish and proclaim. To reignite our passion for God’s Word and truth, Adventists can celebrate Reformation Day by immersing in personal and group Bible study, reflecting on the principles of the Reformation. This day can be an opportunity to read a portion of Luther’s works or the writings of Ellen White, both of which emphasize a return to Scripture. Prayer groups can focus on petitions for revival and reformation in our lives and church, asking God for the courage to stand for truth as Luther did. Finally, consider using Reformation Day to share the message with others—whether through social media, small group discussions, or community outreach. By rediscovering our history, we can reignite our commitment to the timeless message of God’s love and truth, preparing ourselves and the world for Christ’s soon return. May this day inspire us to live with conviction, courage, and clarity as we continue the work of reformation.     This article was generated by chatGPT. Prompting, editing, and curation by Hugh Davis

by Lena Toews Dr. Lena Toews, president of the Adventist Society for Religious Studies and professor of religion at Union Adventist University, presented a paper during the Women in History Conference organized by the North American Division last year. Following is a summary of her presentation, which explored the developing understanding of select issues and doctrines of long-time Union College (at that time) religion professor Dr. Beatrice Neall. Beatrice (Short) Neall was an Adventist missionary, educator, editor and author. In 1980, while teaching at Union alongside her husband Dr. Ralph Neal, Beatrice Neall was invited to serve on the Sanctuary Review Committee, which consisted of 114 members, and met at Glacier View Ranch, Colorado, in response to the Desmond Ford controversy over the sanctuary doctrine. Dr. Neall was the only woman on the committee. Neall took this assignment seriously and prepared well. She read over 2,000 pages on both sides of the argument. She was determined to study the sanctuary doctrine; she was dedicated to finding the truth. Beatrice did come to the conclusion, after 15 years of study, that Des Ford was not correct. She studied in depth and she stood her ground. However, that was not the case with her studies of the materials on women’s ordination. Her views on women gradually changed in the process of her studying. In 1975 the Adventist Church voted to not ordain women to gospel ministry. At Union College, women who wanted to study theology were told by faculty to take a second major because chances they would get a job as a pastor were bleak. Beatrice realized young women were being lost to jobs outside the church, and were not teaching Bible at our academies. She believed that for practical reasons it is good to ordain women. “They are doing the job; we should pay them,” she said. During the 1980s Union College struggled financially and was on the verge of closing. In addition to Beatrice, there were three men teaching religion, but due to finances it was Beatrice’s pay that was reduced to that of an adjunct/part-time faculty even though her teaching load was not reduced.  Despite the difficult circumstances this placed her in, she offered to teach some classes for free. She believed in the mission of Union College and she loved her students. Beatrice dedicated her talents and time to teaching students with minimal pay. Open to new light There is one pivotal article that Beatrice wrote that is crucial to mention when discussing her position on women in ministry. She was asked to write an article on the subject of women’s ordination.  She started with one viewpoint, and in the course of her research, completely changed that view. In the course of her studying, Beatrice looked at many difficult Old Testament and New Testament texts, including the passages in Titus 2, 1 Timothy 2 and 4, 1 Corinthians, Acts and many others.  She analyzed the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy references on the role and status of women. She mostly relied on her knowledge of biblical languages.  In her analysis of Scripture and hermeneutics, she used a variety of scholarly sources, Adventist and non-Adventist alike.  In this article, she did a careful exegesis of both Old Testament and New Testament texts related to the role of women, determining the original intent of the writer and what he had intended to say to the original readers.   Beatrice knew there was no term such as “ordination” in the gospels.  But the prophetic gift of Ellen White was the fulfillment of Acts 2:17: “Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.”  Beatrice called it “a clear example of the New Testament empowering of women for the proclamation of the gospel.” Peter believed on scriptural grounds that Jews should not associate with Gentiles.  The Holy Spirit demolished his theology by acting contrary to his expectations.  God was moving.  And Peter had to move with Him.    The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes that God called a woman to be His messenger in these last days.  God’s actions should be a check on our interpretation of Scripture. Was Ellen White ordained? Beatrice asked, “How could human hands ordain her when God Himself had signally empowered her with the greatest of gifts?” White taught, helped with defining the church’s doctrines, exercised authority over men, and did the work of the prophet and the apostle.  How is God moving today?   Does He use women to teach, to lead, to exercise authority? Beatrice shared her discovery from Genesis 1:26, “he created him, male and female, He created them.” Therefore, together male and female would reflect His likeness. The persons of the Godhead work together, and so should men and women. History and tradition have separated the roles of men and women.  But human creativity and potential, derived from the image of God, are limitless and unpredictable.  Gifts should not be suppressed, but valued and encouraged.  God Himself is complex; so is humanity, since we are made in His image. Neither sex should seek to dominate the other. Power is not in short supply and must not be fought over.  In summary, when God works no human being can stop His work.  Beatrice was an example of this work.  She was not afraid to question and challenge her own or the church’s beliefs. She studied and she grew. She had an open mind and heart to the Spirit and its work in her understanding of Scripture.  She took risks and was willing to take shots from all sides by embracing both traditional and feminist views in her articles on male-female roles.  Beatrice’s dedication as a woman professor and scholar still stands as an example of deep conviction, courage and lifelong learning. What makes Beatrice unique is that she was committed to lifetime learning and was willing to put her beliefs and Bible knowledge to the test.  She was not satisfied with the status quo. And through that learning, she grew and changed and helped her students to grow in their understanding of Scripture, doctrines Read more…