Center for Creative Ministry A research organization and research center for Seventh-day Adventist pastors and their congregations
In the Psalms: Part One
Throughout history, people often wrote important messages in code to confound people they didn’t want to understand the message (think of the secret notes you passed to your friends in school). Spyscape.com has listed several of the most famous codes passed down through the ages—some of them never cracked.
The Rosetta Stone is one of the most well-known, although unintentional, examples of a cipher. Discovered by Napoleon’s soldiers in 1799, the stone provided the key for cryptographers to unlock the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Another notable case is the story of the Enigma machine, used by the Nazis during World War II to send encrypted messages. Allied code-breakers at Bletchley Park used a captured machine to learn how to decipher intercepted Enigma transmissions.
When British intelligence services intercepted the Zimmerman telegram in 1917, they used a captured codebook to reveal the shocking contents to U.S. authorities: the Germans proposed an alliance with Mexico to invade the United States (which was still neutral). That revelation prompted President Woodrow Wilson to enter World War I.
On a less perilous note, one puzzle could be worth a fortune if some clever cryptologist ever cracked it. Thomas Beale left a strongbox in a Lynchburg, Virginia hotel in 1820, and then promptly disappeared. The box contained coded details of the location of about 50 million dollars in treasure, but the key to unlock the ciphers was never found.
And one code could get you into trouble if you crack it. The US government’s Advanced Encryption Standard is unbreakable (so far) for good reason. It’s the programming used to protect not only government secrets, but also online banking and shopping services. If you do happen to stumble on an encryption key and crack the code, according to the website, “expect a knock on the door.”
Encryption keys are essential to unlocking secret codes.
Although many of the prophetic messages in scripture seem to be given in obscure codes, the Bible itself provides its own clues to their meaning. Many of these encryption keys are found in the book of Psalms. The Psalms often explain prophetic insights more fully, and prophetic passages can help us better understand the Psalms.
One example of this back-and-forth relationship is found in the connection between the 144,000 of Revelation 14 and the depiction of God’s people in Psalms 15 and 24. David asked, “Who can stand on God’s holy mountain?” and Revelation 14:1 prophesies that the 144,000 will stand on Mount Zion. While the description of this group in Revelation 14 is a bit vague, Psalms 15 portrays them as those who speak the truth, deal honestly with their neighbors, keep their promises, and help the poor. Psalm 24 adds that they don’t worship false gods, and that they stand in the presence of the King of glory. They can stand in God’s presence thanks to the Lamb of Revelation 14.
Revelation 14 is also linked to Psalm 5. The three angels’ messages of Revelation 14 proclaim a clear separation between those who worship the Creator God, and those who fall for the deceptions of Babylon the Great and worship the beast and its image. Psalm 5 identifies the characteristics of the fallen as bloodthirsty, deceitful, rebellious, and cruel. God, according to the Psalm, will banish the wicked, and protect and favor the righteous.
David promised the Lord in Psalm 51:7-15 that, being fully reconciled to God, he would teach the gospel message to help other sinners repent. The ultimate purpose of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12 is to save the lost. Revelation 18:4 adds that these messages can draw God’s people out of Babylon.
The poetic language of the Psalms and the cryptic communications found in prophecy both have one fundamental intent—to bring lost souls into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
For Reflection
Connecting: Without revealing any secrets—do you have a particular code or cipher that you use to concoct online passwords? If so, does this process help you remember your passwords? Do you think this makes your passwords safe from hackers?
Sharing: The psalmists composed poetry that arose from their own personal experiences of pain and joy. How did those personal experiences become prophetic utterances? Did the psalmists know that they were describing both the life and ministry of the coming Messiah and world events near the end of the age?
- God often inspires people to simply share from the heart, never knowing the full long-term effects of their testimonies
- Some psalmists may have recorded prophetic visions in poetic form
- As the psalmists shared their personal experiences, God ordered later events to line up with these expressions
- Though God generally inspires people’s thoughts (rather than dictating the words of scripture) sometimes the Spirit does put the exact wording into the minds of Bible writers, especially when it comes to prophecy
- David and the other psalmists were so in tune with God that it’s as if they could read God’s mind
- Other:
Applying: We typically focus on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation in our evangelistic outreach, which largely appeals to logical, analytical thinkers. Is it possible to construct an evangelistic outreach based on the Psalms—especially designed to reach more artistic, creative minds? What evangelistic topics can you think of that arise from reading the Psalms?
Valuing: Have you ever attempted to write a psalm—a poem or song that expresses your walk with God through the highs and lows of life? What would you include in this psalm? How open and vulnerable could you be? Can you envision this work impacting the lives of others (your descendants possibly) in the future?
~ Chuck Burkeen
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| Is it almost June already?
It’s time to start making those summer plans, and I recommend adding some outdoor activities to your to-do list. There’s something sacred about soaking in the stillness of a forest, the rhythm of waves, the grandeur of mountains. The apostle Paul declares that this sacredness in nature exists because “ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.” (Romans 1:20 NLT) Paul reiterates revelations previously noted by King David: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4 NLT) David recognized nature as an encryption key to better understanding God’s character. Paul came to understand this as well. And we can too. In those quiet, awe-filled moments surrounded by God’s creations, we’re reminded that God is not only Creator but Companion. Nature becomes a sanctuary, and each breeze, birdsong, or sunrise invites us to slow down and simply be with the Lord. Enjoying what God has made isn’t just about admiring the scenery—it’s about encountering His presence woven into every landscape and every living creature. Whether you’re one of the 56 percent of U.S. Christians who view their spiritual lives as private, or one of the 44 percent who feels compelled to actively share the gospel, seek God in those you meet and the destinations you go. And let others see God in you (1 Corinthians 6:19), who has been lovingly crafted in God’s image (Psalm 139:13-14, Genesis 1:27). Stefani Leeper | Content Coordinator Image retrieved from: https://naturecanada.ca/ |
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