Yancey County
Every June comes with a unique burden attached. It is the season of full commitment to summer, of closure of schools and sighs of relief from families, of long golden evenings. Yet the outside world does not seem eager to give anyone any respite. In our daily scrolling through the news, we confront stories of wars, financial worries, political tensions, and ecological concerns. Many Christians whisper a question that feels almost too daunting to speak aloud: Is God still there?
Those who read Scripture seriously have never been able to ignore the fact that history has a trajectory — that the Bible is not just an ancient book of divine knowledge but an ongoing guide. Ellen G. White captured this posture when she wrote, “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history” (White, 1915, p. 196). That sentence does not promise smooth waters. It promises an anchor. Fear looks at the waves; faith looks at the One who commands them.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
The practice of Sabbath rest occupies a central place in the life of many Christians who take the fourth commandment literally — and it should come as no surprise that the essence of the Sabbath is an act of trust. When one ceases activity and rests, one declares through the very act of stopping that security lies beyond human hands. As the Psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, KJV). In June 2025, when global uncertainties show no sign of relenting, that weekly act of surrender becomes more countercultural and more necessary than ever.
Scripture teaches that the conflict between good and evil is not a story without an ending. What can appear as chaos and upheaval are not signs of God’s helplessness; on the contrary, they signal that His plan is drawing toward its close. As Daniel and Revelation make plain, the closing chapter of earth’s history will not be tranquil — but there is no ambiguity about the outcome. “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57, KJV). Death will lose to life. June, for all her burdens, has a solid basis for peace of mind.
This is a message our broader Christian family urgently needs to hear. Those who hold a prophetic understanding of Scripture are uniquely positioned to speak into this moment — not with arrogance, but with the calm that comes from knowing the end of the story. With a focus on wholeness of body and soul, the church can show a weary culture that flesh and spirit were never meant to be at war. Through dedication to education and outreach, we can reach communities that have felt ignored for too long. Through our prophetic framework, we give voice to people who know something is deeply wrong but cannot name it.
As we step into another summer, may our posture be one of confidence grounded in grace — not in our own strength or certainty about timing, but in the One who holds all time in His hands. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11, KJV). May we be a people of hope not merely in our words, but in our very lives — hope that others can see, and perhaps, begin to share.
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Pastor Art Dmytriyev is originally from Siberia. He has traveled the world in Evangelism and pastoral ministry. He serves as a pastor in North Carolina, holds a Master of Divinity degree, and is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate. More information at: https://burnsvillenc.adventistchurch.org/pastors-blog
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