May 25, 2016 Steps to Life Newsletter

Dear STL Supporter

How Do You Explain the Universe?

At the start of 2016, the Astronomical Journal, a journal which publishes the serious academic papers of astronomers, reported that Hundreds of galaxies hidden from view behind the Milky Way have been unveiled in unprecedented detail for the first time.  An international team of researchers used the Parkes Radio Telescope to look through the Milky Way's layers of gas, dust and bright starlight, into a previously unexplored region of space to see what lies behind our galaxy's far side.

Some of the spectacular key findings were - 

• 883 galaxies (galaxies, not single stars!) were detected hidden in the nearby universe behind the Milky Way.  

•  The discovery provides new data on collections of galactic clusters and super clusters that make up the mysterious Great Attractor.  

• Our Milky Way galaxy is moving towards the Great Attractor at two million kph! 

•  New information about a mysterious gravitational anomaly in intergalactic space known as the Great Attractor.   The Great Attractor contains a large number of galaxy clusters and super clusters which exerts a strong gravitational force in space on other galaxies.

•  Professor Staveley-Smith and colleagues, from the CSRIO, also identified a number of galaxies in a vast empty region of the nearby universe known as the local void.  He was quoted by the ABC as saying, We confirmed the void does exist, but the sensitivity of the Parkes telescope means we did find some galaxies in and around the void. 

Then there is the Pinwheel Galaxy.  An enormous stellar city over 170,000 light-years across.   It’s almost twice the size of our own Milky Way galaxy.  It’s located about 27 million light-years away in the northern constellation Ursa Major, the great bear and M101.  M101 contains over a trillion stars.  Astronomers have calculated that M101's disk, which includes the spiral arms, has a total mass of about 100 billion times that of the Sun, while the central bulge around the galactic core has about three billion solar masses. 

These numbers, sizes and speeds used by astronomers to measure and describe what can be known of our expanding universe, through ever increasing powerful telescopes and space probes travelling further out into the space of the universe, are really incomprehensible to us puny inhabitants of planet Earth.  We don’t know what we don’t know!

Then the bigger we make our telescopes the more powerful our cameras become, the more data computers can process, the more we learn about what we don’t know!  So in the physical world, what else don’t we know that we don’t know about?

Likewise in the Bible based spiritual world.  We know what we know because God has revealed it in the Bible.  But beyond the capacity of our experienced world and what God has seen fit to tell us, there must be so many things that we don’t know and we don’t know it.  For example, we know how the Bible describes heaven – but there must be so much more to heaven and God’s total world, including all His creations, plans, designs, natural and spiritual laws – that we don’t know about. 

We are limited by our finiteness.  How much do we really comprehend about one God and the Three Eternal Persons of the Godhead or the birth of Jesus or how we will be caught up to meet Jesus in the sky at His second coming and then travel through space to His heavenly home or how God sustains life, etc.  When we start to speculate beyond what the Bible tells us we are actually second guessing God and this places us on a slippery spiritual slope. 

In our finite ignorance how do you explain the universe?  With God or without Him?  By chance or design?  By God, a mysterious force, who set it all in motion and now has stepped back to watch what happens?  Or by God who knows us and loves us so intimately that he knows our thoughts and cares for each person that has ever lived?

I’m for deeply searching the scripture and accepting in faith what the Bible tells us – 

• In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.(Genesis1: 1).

• The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork (Psalms 19: 1)

• The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.  (Psalms 97: 6)

• Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12: 6,7)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3: 16, 17)

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith …. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; ……….  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  …..(Romans 1:  17 to 22)

How do you respond?

God’s Undertaker:  Has Science Buried God?

Professor John Lennox is one of the outstanding Christian minds of the 21^st century.  In his book - God’s Undertaker:  Has Science Buried God? – he draws on his expertise as a Professor of Maths at Oxford University, with his expertise as a Doctor of Philosophy and of Science. He confronts the new atheists and provides a powerful case for accepting the teachings of the Bible on the existence of God, a literal six days creation and the purpose of mankind.  Reviewers use words like fascinating, thought provoking, scientific detective story, brilliantly argued, a must-read, in describing the book.  It’s available from STL.

Exciting News!  Steps to Life to Partner in the Production of a Documentary on the Significance of 1844 – The Sanctuary Message.  You Can be a Partner in This Project.

STL has stepped out in faith in committing $30,000 over the next two years to help with the funding of the production of a DVD/download video affirming the veracity of the Seventh-day Adventist belief in what is known as The Sanctuary Message.  The vital significance of what the Bible teaches about The Heavenly Sanctuary and Jesus’ role in it as our High Priest since 1844, is being lost on of the younger generations of Adventists.  So, while the documentary will have appeal to a wide audience, it will be specifically produced to engage younger people.  Joel Ridgeway, our Media Producer, is producing and directing the project.  Already we have filmed six contributors to the documentary.   They all talk about what their understanding of the Sanctuary Message means to them, its importance to Adventism and what it tells us about how we should be preparing for Jesus’ second coming. To find out more about the project and to subscribe to updates, go to www.1844.tv.

The $30,000 is needed to cover production costs, and for the purchase of equipment needed to make a film of this calibre.  Are you able to be financial partner in the project?  Would you be willing to pray for the project?  Please go to the donate page on the Steps to Life website to make a donation for this project. Besure to make it for the 1844 project. Or click the following button to donate via PayPal:

Christian greetings from Cherryl and the STL Team

Brian Way/Programs Coordinator