(Genesis 41:57.). For added emphasis, the Lord reiterates the same thought in the next verse too. Without a prophet, people in the land began to divide into parties and groups, each claiming the right to interpret the scriptures and lead the people. For example, in ‘Blessed Assurance’, we find the lyrics, ‘VISIONS of Rapture now burst on my SIGHT’ ‘WATCHING and waiting, LOOKING above’. God says, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25). If you are therefore battling with shame and humiliation and have never invited Jesus into your life, why not take that step now? Later the exiles began to return to Palestine and to rebuild their homes and religious life (see Ezra 3). We do not have to choose among the spiritual crosswinds that arise without the guidance of prophets and apostles. Many years ago, some of the frescoes were vandalized by an unknown group of people, with, (if I remember correctly), either ink or paint being thrown, to deface them. As a result, the true understanding of who the Savior would be became confused. It is also said that although she was blind, Fanny spoke about vision and sight in most of her songs. Jesus (c. 4 BC – AD 30 / 33), also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ, was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. ‘Plastic surgeons can do almost anything with a person’s nose today, except keep it out of other people’s business!! Verse 14 says, “…. The true understanding of Jehovah diminished among these groups. 1) Renew your joy2) Expand your influence3) Remove your shame and4) Push back all opposing forces. Because the Jews rejected the Samaritans’ offer to help reconstruct the temple, the Samaritans built an alternate temple in the late fourth century on Mount Gerizim, some 40 miles (64 km) north of Jerusalem. CLOSING – Dear friend, let’s not get weary of waiting. They believed He would join with them to throw off the oppressive yoke of Rome, whose rulers had conquered Palestine some 60 years before the birth of Jesus. Can you believe God for greater influence in 2021? The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Prince of Peace, Tithing Helps Build Up the Kingdom of God, The Church in Sweden—Growth, Emigration, and Strength, The Lost 500 Years: From Malachi to John the Baptist, The Dead Sea Scrolls—Window to the Modern Bible, Nurturing Testimonies by Nurturing Readers, “The Lost 500 Years: From Malachi to John the Baptist,” Ensign, December 2014, 56–61, By S. Kent Brown, Professor Emeritus of Ancient Scripture, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. We sometimes call them the ‘lost years’. Similarly, God will make the waiting period during the ‘lost years’ a blessed experience, as He brings restoration into our lives. When Jesus Christ began His ministry, He taught the people “as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:29). However, she allowed God to work His plan through what seemed like a tragedy, with no bitterness in her heart, and today, the church is so much more richer due to the hundreds of songs she wrote. That’s harvesting at its best! I have always loved music and singing. It would have been a severe setback and a humiliation for me as a young boy. In their view, the coming of the Messiah was near. This pivotal change had major consequences as people attempted to understand and live the law without a prophet’s authoritative teachings and interpretations. He is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion.Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament.. H ow did the calendar begin and why did it change in the way years were counted after Jesus was on earth?. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies …”. (This I believe led me into a career in Radio Broadcasting later on.) The Hebrews had their own calendar but theirs was based upon the new moon or the moon phase that began the new month. The first prophet of the new dispensation, John the Baptist, announced the coming of the true Messiah and clarified the type of salvation He would provide. One of the highlights of Sigiriya is the frescoes that are painted on the rock walls. Prepare yourself for the restoration that God is bringing. The Sadducees, on the other hand, whose origins remain unknown, rejected any appeal to oral tradition and held strictly to the five books of Moses, turning their backs on the writings of other prophets. your foundations …. As an effect of this apostasy, the people divided into groups with varied political, religious, and social agendas. He said to Lazarus, “Lazarus, come forth!” And Lazarus came out of the grave (John 11:11-44). When he died, his kingdom was divided among his generals. The passage in Joel 2 says, “….you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed (vs 26). Unfortunately, I didn’t know that I couldn’t sing too well!! This group consisted mostly of the elite in Jerusalem society. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. The ‘lost years’ could well be part of God’s discipling process in your life and He will eventually make it to work out for good. Sixth, Jesus said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He offers us eternal life. The ‘lost years’ need never be ‘wasted years’, if we allow God’s purposes to be accomplished in us. “That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:23–24). It is an amazing place to see & tourists flock there to view its beauty, grandeur and craftsmanship. How often we have been inspired by hymns like ‘Blessed Assurance’! Regardless of their religious persuasion, righteous men and women still looked forward to the coming of the Messiah during the intertestamental period. Eventually, when God’s restoration came in, Joseph’s influence extended not only to the Egyptian Empire, but to most of the then known world.