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Allusions Images Symbols: How to Study Prophecy — Ruth and Esther — Further Thought:

Join us as we study the Bible Study Guide for the second quarter of 2025 called Allusions Images Symbols: How to Study Prophecy. We are studying the lesson for week 11 called Ruth and Esther.    

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John Millea joins Kahn to share how he brings life to Bible narratives and characters through music. In this episode, John shares about his track, "Call Me Blessed."

Thank you for listening to Adventist Waves! I hope you enjoy this episode. Please share with me how it's impacted your life. I'd love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected]

Explore John Millea's music and connect with him on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/johnmillea.

Tune in next month on Adventist Waves for another inspiring story and uplifting music from a talented Adventist artist.

This episode was brought to you by Blue Vineyard Audio. It was produced, edited, mixed, and mastered by Kahn Ellmers. For professional audio production services, visit bluevineyardaudio.com.

Moral growth and moral decline may be intertwined throughout history. 

The story of Ruth is well-known and widely loved, and for good reason. It's a love story, with vivid characters and fabulous prophetic echos of Jesus the Redeemer. Interestingly, it also intersects with the idea of moral decline that came up in last week's episode. We are challenged to look deeper than the all-too-easy dismissive judgementalism that can be so tempting.

Who cares for those who care for the grieving? While first responders were celebrated during the pandemic, funeral directors—our last responders—quietly carried the burden of death. How can we minister to these unsung heroes of compassion?

“The First King of Israel,” pp. 605, 606, in Patriarchs and Prophets.

“Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, men will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a ‘Thus saith the Scriptures’ to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who fear God, cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people.”—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, pp. 605, 606.

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think God allows His people to pass through trying times? What is the point of allowing it?

How does a believer prepare himself or herself for any potential hardship that may come with loyalty to Christ? Where do you find hope in the midst of difficult circumstances?

Why do you think we tend to dwell on the harder things of prophecy and allow them to eclipse the bigger picture that provides good news?

A friend comes to you after reading the book of Revelation and confides that she finds it “terrifying.” What approach would you use to help her understand more clearly and find peace of mind?

Someone says, “I’m not convinced that God loves me or wants me. If you knew what I’ve done, you would understand why.” What response would you give? How do the stories of Ruth and Esther inform your approach?

Jesus said the kingdom belongs to those who become like children—but what does that look like? How do we grow and mature in our faith and as individuals while still maintaining childlikeness? Can mature faith and childlike faith co-exist? 

Wherever grace is welcomed and received, joy follows, just as daylight follows dawn.

And so we can read backwards from so many grayed-out, joyless souls to learn how few have heard and loved and lived the gospel. All fearful, anxious following of Jesus—all dim preoccupation with the things we've done or left undone—reveals that we are still in darkness, wrestling with the shadows Jesus rose to vanquish. “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5).

So hear the gospel chorus in the songbirds’ pre-dawn trilling, bringing light to weary souls—like yours:

“Arise, shine; for your light has come,


  and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,


  and thick darkness the peoples;


but the Lord will arise upon you,


  and His glory will be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1-2).

The Light of all the world invites you: be done with anxious, midnight brooding. The day that dawns is meant to be abundant and eternal, the endless morning of the Son.

And stay in grace. – Bill Knott