| THE THEOLOGY OF ALMOND JOY |
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The Almond Joy candy bar has become an official symbol of Destination Sabbath School. It is offered freely and regularly to all our guests, visitors, teachers and workers, and even on special occasions been handed out to all our regular members.
As you carefully examine your Almond Joy candy bar, you will find symbols that contain beautiful truths concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that this little flyer will multiply the pleasure of your Almond Joy experience, providing nourishment not only for your body, but also your soul.
Joy
The Almond Joy candybar proclaims to us that most beautiful truth, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
The Almond
The almond reminds us of Aaron’s budding staff, which supernaturally produced almonds in a single day. By this we remember it is never too late for us to do good in God’s kingdom. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, even “dry sticks” can become instantly fruitful. Numbers 17:8
Peter and Paul
Peter was the Apostle to the Jews and Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. These two names symbolize that the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus is for ALL, saint and sinner alike. NO ONE who wants to be saved is to be excluded, and ALL who come to Jesus must be welcomed into God’s family. Galatians 2:7 & John 3:16
Sweetness
Almond Joys are sweet to the taste, and so it is with the gospel of Christ; when you “taste the Lord,” you will find that He is Good! 1 Peter 2:3
Indescribably Delicious
When you eat an Almond Joy, you will find it to be “Indescribably Delicious.” And so it is in the Kingdom of God. Words are totally and completely inadequate to describe how great, glorious and good is the Love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit towards us. Ephesians 3:14-21
Jagged Edges
The Almond Joy wrapping paper has jagged edges, a reminder that we all still have “rough edges” in our sin-damaged lives. Since none of us has yet reached the full stature and maturity of Christ, let us always remember to be tender and kind to other struggling sinners. Galatians 6:1
Expiration Date
Every Almond Joy comes with an expiration date. If you wait too long, the candy bar will spoil. And so we are soberly reminded that God’s offer of eternal life to sinners will not go on forever. TODAY is the day of salvation. Waiting too long to respond to God’s good voice is to risk losing out on Heaven and eternal life. Hebrews 3:7-19
Net Weight
Almond Joys weigh only 1.76 ounces, making them lightweight and easy to carry. So it is with the Gospel of Jesus and his requirements, for the Son of God assures us that his “yoke is easy and his burden is light.” Matthew 11:30
Ingredients list
It takes many ingredients to make an Almond Joy. In the same way, God mixes into every Christian a variety of skills, gifts, abilities and disciplines to produce within us the sweetness of sanctification. 2 Peter 1:5-8
Bar Code Stripes
The Bar Code on the bottom of the candybar is a series of stripes, and by this we are reminded that when Jesus was brutally whipped, his back was ripped open by those cruel and terrible blows, and in some supernatural way, “by his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:56 KJV
Inexpensive
Everyone can afford the price of an Almond Joy, costing only about 65 cents. And so it is with salvation, which God has made affordable to ALL! Romans 3:23,24
Rounded Letters
The words “Almond Joy” are written with letters that are rounded. This symbolizes that the words we speak to one another should always be with the “roundness” of compassion and gentleness.” We should never speak to one another with “sharp-edged words” that are harsh and mean. Ephesians 4:31,32
Sealed
Every Almond Joy is factory sealed to keep it fresh. In the same way, God has sealed every Christian, to guarantee that the sweet Holy Spirit within us will remain pure and fresh until the day of our full redemption at the Resurrection. Ephesians 4:30
Two Parts
The Almond Joy comes in two parts, and so it is with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which contains the two parts of Old and New Testaments; Law and Grace; Heaven and Hell; Human Effort and Divine Intervention; Man’s Free Will and God’s Sovereignty; Revelation and Mystery; Spirit and Truth; Faith and Works; Words and Deeds. We need both parts to experience and enjoy the complete Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Stiff Cardboard
This tasty dessert comes to us packaged on a piece of stiff cardboard. This is a glorious reminder that the sweet gospel of Jesus comes to us on a “firm foundation.” Our trust in a good God is not some wild-eyed fantasy, but instead is a beautiful reality! 2 Peter 1:16
Crushed Coconut
The heart of the Almond Joy is white, crushed coconut. By this we remember that our pure and holy Jesus was crushed for our iniquities. He descended into Hell and experienced our death so we who are sinners can ascend into Heaven and enjoy eternal life. Isaiah 53:5
Questions or Comments
People are invited to share their “questions or comments” with the maker of Almond Joys, just as God our Maker is eager to hear from us. He gladly invites us all to communicate with Him our questions and comments, joys and sorrows, pains and perplexities, thanksgivings and praises. Our God looks forward to hearing from you! Ephesians 6:18
1995 by Spiritual Borg