eternity

Bible Study Guides – Building for Eternity

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September 13 – 19, 2020

Key Text

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Study Help: Education, 301–309.

Introduction

“He who co-operates with the divine purpose in imparting to the youth a knowledge of God, and molding the character into harmony with His, does a high and noble work. As he awakens a desire to reach God’s ideal, he presents an education that is as high as heaven and as broad as the universe; an education that cannot be completed in this life, but that will be continued in the life to come; an education that secures to the successful student his passport from the preparatory school of earth to the higher grade, the school above.” Education, 19.

Sunday

A HIGHER PURPOSE

  • What do we have to look forward to in eternity? 1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:4.

Note: “God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’ (Matthew 5:48). This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan.” The Desire of Ages, 311.

“The education begun here will not be completed in this life; it will be going forward throughout eternity, ever progressing, never completed. Day by day the wonderful works of God, the evidences of His miraculous power in creating and sustaining the universe, will open before the mind in new beauty. In the light that shines from the throne, mysteries will disappear, and the soul will be filled with astonishment at the simplicity of the things that were never before comprehended.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 328.

Monday

BUILDING IN YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE

  • What often accompanies us in our Christian life, and what should our attitude be as a result? Why? 1 Peter 4:12, 13.

Note: “God’s children are always being tested in the furnace of affliction. If they endure the first trial, it is not necessary for them to pass through a similar ordeal the second time; but if they fail, the trial is brought to them again and again, each time being still more trying and severe. Thus opportunity after opportunity is placed before them of gaining the victory and proving themselves true to God. But if they continue to manifest rebellion, God is compelled at last to remove His Spirit and light from them.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1146.

  • What is tested by the fire of trial? 1 Corinthians 3:9, 10, 12.

Note: “It makes every difference what material is used in the character building. The long-expected day of God will soon test every man’s work. ‘The fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is’ (1 Corinthians 3:13). As fire reveals the difference between gold, silver, and precious stones, and wood, hay, and stubble, so the day of judgment will test characters, showing the difference between characters formed after Christ’s likeness and characters formed after the likeness of the selfish heart. All selfishness, all false religion, will then appear as it is. The worthless material will be consumed; but the gold of true, simple, humble faith will never lose its value. It can never be consumed; for it is imperishable. One hour of transgression will be seen to be a great loss, while the fear of the Lord will be seen to be the beginning of wisdom. The pleasure of self-indulgence will perish as stubble, while the gold of steadfast principle, maintained at any cost, will endure forever.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1087, 1088.

“This character building is a most important work. It is not a work that ends in this life, but which tells in the future life. What you make of yourself here through the merits and grace of Christ will be retained through eternal ages, and I am most earnest that you should not meet a low standard. ‘Learn of me,’ says the Great Teacher, ‘I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest to your soul’ (Matthew 11:29). The peace that Christ gives will never, never bring sorrow with it.” This Day With God, 37.

Tuesday

HOW GOD USES FIRE

  • What is revealed by the fire? 1 Corinthians 3:13.

Note: “The angels of God are walking up and down the streets of these cities, and marking the deeds of men. They record in the books of God’s remembrance the words of faith, the acts of love, the humility of spirit; and in that day when every man’s work shall be tried of what sort it is, the work of the humble follower of Christ will stand the test, and will receive the commendation of Heaven.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 987.

“Young men and women should regard a good character as a capital of more value than gold or silver or stocks. It will be unaffected by panics and failures, and will bring rich returns when earthly possessions shall be swept away. … Integrity, firmness, and perseverance are qualities which all should seek earnestly to cultivate; for they clothe the possessor with a power which is irresistible, a power which makes him strong to do good, strong to resist evil, strong to bear adversity.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 656.

  • How were Lot and Solomon saved “as by fire?” Genesis 19:16, 17; 1 Kings 11:4.

Note: “Lot chose Sodom as a place of residence because he looked more to the temporal advantages he would gain than to the moral influences that would surround himself and his family. What did he gain so far as the things of this world are concerned? His possessions were destroyed, part of his children perished in the destruction of that wicked city, his wife was turned to a pillar of salt by the way, and he himself was saved ‘so as by fire’ (1 Corinthians 3:15). Nor did the evil results of his selfish choice end here; but the moral corruption of the place was so interwoven with the character of his children that they could not distinguish between good and evil, sin and righteousness.” Messages to Young People, 419.

“Solomon may have been saved ‘as by fire,’ yet his repentance could not efface those high places, nor demolish those stones, which remained as evidences of his crimes. He dishonored God, choosing rather to be controlled by lust than to be a partaker of the divine nature.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1031.

Wednesday

ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES

  • How does the fire affect our learning and our future? 1 Corinthians 3:14, 15.

Note: “Eternity is before us. All improvements we make here of our mental powers, all the high attainments we make in refining and elevating ourselves by connecting closely with heaven, will be translated with us, while if we dwarf our capabilities by inaction, if we deteriorate our talents, which are susceptible of the highest cultivation, we cannot in the better world redeem that past neglect of self-culture, that great loss.

“Some may be saved as by fire. Their useless life has brought to them infinite loss. We should make improvement in this life, all that we can by the help and grace of God, knowing we can take these improvements with us into heaven. We will glorify our Father in heaven in proportion as we purify and perfect our characters here.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, 21.

“To go forth into the next, the future life, deprived of half the power which might be carried there is a terrible thought. The days of probation lost here in acquiring a fitness for heaven, is a loss which will never be recovered. The capacities of enjoyment will be less in the future life for the misdemeanors and abuse of moral powers in this life. However high we might attain in the future life, we might soar higher and still higher, if we had made the most of our God-given privileges and golden opportunities.” This Day With God, 350.

  • How did Daniel and his companions show the results of building their education on the eternal Rock? Daniel 1:20.

Note: “The youth should be learners for the next world. Perseverance in the acquisition of knowledge, controlled by the fear and love of God, will give them an increased power for good in this life, and those who have made the most of their privileges to reach the highest attainments here, will take these valuable acquisitions with them into the future life. They have sought and obtained that which is imperishable. The capability to appreciate the glories that ‘eye hath not seen, nor ear heard’ (1 Corinthians 2:9), will be proportionate to the attainments reached in the cultivation of the faculties in this life.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 49.

Thursday

REDEEMING THE TIME

  • How can we make up for lost opportunities? Ephesians 5:16.

Note: “We are admonished to redeem the time. But time squandered can never be recovered. We cannot call back even one moment. The only way in which we can redeem our time is by making the most of that which remains, by being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 342.

“The greatest possible good we can do to our fellow men is to overcome our own faults and improve our characters, making them as excellent and symmetrical as possible.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, 21.

  • How much time are we given to make the right decision? Hebrews 3:12–15.

Note: “We should watch and work and pray as though this were the last day that would be granted us. How intensely earnest, then, would be our life. How closely would we follow Jesus in all our words and deeds.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 200.

  • What should our prayer be? Psalm 139:23, 24.

Note: “Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 159.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    How does education throughout our lifetime constitute only a beginning?

2    What purpose does testing and trial serve in the work of education?

3    How do our choices affect our usefulness and even our eternal destiny?

4    What does it mean to be saved “as by fire”?

5    How can we ensure that we do the best work for eternity?

© 2019, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Life’s Sketches – Today’s Choice

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Bible prophecy predicts that America, as well as the rest of the world, is headed for a gigantic religious crisis, which will result in losing the religious liberty that we have long enjoyed. History has proven that Bible prophecy has an uncanny way of always turning out to be correct.

The Bible says in Romans 14:12 that all are going to give an account of themselves to God. When the apostle Paul was brought before Felix, the governor in Rome, and had the opportunity to reason with him about righteousness, and judgment, and self-control, Felix trembled. Paul told him of the judgment that was coming in the future when every secret of men would be revealed (Romans 2). Jesus said, “There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known” (Matthew 10:26). At that time, sins that have been covered and unconfessed will be revealed and an account will be required.

Felix realized that if he was to face the judgment with a clear conscience, he would have to confess his sins. To do that would result in severe consequences. After preaching on the subject of confession once, I was told by one man that it made him angry because if he confessed his sins he would have to go to jail. Another woman told me that if she confessed her sins it would break up homes all over town. But friend, whatever the consequences are, those sins will either be confessed now to those we have wronged or be confessed later in the judgment when we must give an account to God.

Though Felix trembled at the thought, he did not yield to his conscience, but put it off saying, he would do it at a more convenient time. That convenient time never came for Felix. How many others will there be like him on the Day of Judgment who planned to become Christians, but waited for that illusive convenient time?

How is it with you? Have you chosen to follow Christ today and be prepared for the coming judgment? Paul said, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 KJV). It does not matter what our background is, what we believe, or don’t believe. All will stand before the judgment seat and give an account of their life.

It is critical to confess and repent of your sins and have them covered by the blood of Christ. The Bible says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Felix neglected to take advantage of the offer of salvation. His tragic story is recorded so that others will not make the same mistake. Felix will not be seen inside the Holy City, but will be on the outside with those who never followed up with what they knew was right.

Concerning the New Jerusalem, it says in Revelation 21:27, “There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of life.” Is your name in that book?

Ironically, two years after Felix had left Paul in prison simply as a favor to the Jews, convinced that he had done nothing worthy of death or of even being in prison, he was removed from his position as governor by the Roman government. Festus, a man who was more competent and morally qualified than Felix was given the job and it was he who was left with deciding what to do with the apostle Paul.

“When Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. ‘Therefore,’ he said, ‘let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.’ And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought” (Acts 25:1–6).

Both Claudius Lysias and Felix had already declared that Paul had done nothing deserving of punishment. However, the Jews continued to bring their unsubstantiated charges against him. A third time Paul was brought to answer the Jews’ vehement accusations.

“When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, while he answered for himself,  ‘Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.’ But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?’ ” (verses 7–9).

The Jews, just as before, brought against Paul the same charges of heresy, of treason against the government, and of sacrilege, but they were unable to sustain the charges. They tried to intimidate Festus, but he would not accede to their demands to do something against Paul without a trial. As Festus looked upon this scene he was disgusted with the Jewish dignitaries, the priests and rulers who, although they had scowling faces and gleaming eyes, had forgotten the dignity of their office in reiterating their accusations until the tribunal rang with their cries of rage. This disgusting scene displayed before the governor while in contrast to the demeanor of Paul’s humility and self-possession was not lost on Festus.

Festus realized that he had a difficult situation at hand. If he did not accede to the Jew’s demands, there could be an insurrection. So, he thought to compromise—go down to Jerusalem with Paul for a trial there. Paul knew of the dangerous plot, but Festus did not know that the Jews had planned to kill Paul on the way to Jerusalem.

Paul was weary of strife. He was weary of the fierce reiteration of the same charges, having them refuted and then renewed again. He had suffered repeated delays for over two years. Paul case was the first for which Festus was to render judgment; so he requested of Paul if he wanted to go down to Jerusalem and be tried there before him. “So Paul said, ‘I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar’ ” (verses 10, 11). Today, that would be equivalent to a person saying, “I am appealing to the Supreme Court of the United States.”

Then the Bible says, “Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, ‘You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go’ (verse 12)! Festus, oblivious to the conspiracy of the Jews to murder Paul, was surprised at this appeal to Caesar. It was a little bit humbling that the very first case that he should try would get referred to a higher court. Once again, we see that the hatred that is borne of Jewish bigotry and self-righteousness ended up driving a servant of God to turn for protection to a heathen ruler. It was this same hatred that forced the prophet Elijah to flee for help to the widow of Sarepta. It was this same hatred that had forced the heralds of the gospel to flee from Judea and proclaim the gospel message to the Gentiles (Acts 8). And, it is the same spirit that, according to Bible prophecy, the people of God in this age have yet to meet.

The spirit of unrelenting hatred against the heralds of the gospel that was manifested by the Jewish nation in the first century is the same spirit that God’s people in this day and age have yet to meet, according to Revelation 13, and the same spirit that the people of God in the last days will go through. They will then become better acquainted with the experience of the apostle Paul.

Today, among the professed followers of Christ, there is the same pride, the same formalism, the same vain glory, the same selfishness and oppression, that existed then in the Jewish nation. Before the warfare is ended and the victory is won, God’s people will experience trials similar to those of the apostle Paul. They will encounter the same hardness of heart, the same cruel determination, the same unyielding hatred.

Read Revelation 13, especially the last several verses. Men professing to be representatives of Christ will take a course similar to that taken by priests and rulers in their treatment of Paul. All who would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of their own conscience will have to have moral courage, firmness, not only a knowledge of God and His word, but they will have to determine to stand, because persecution will be kindled against those who are true to God. Their motives will be impugned, and their best efforts will be misinterpreted. Their names will be cast out as evil.

And then what Jesus said will come to pass: “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (John 16:1, 2). Anyone who attempts to destroy the faithful will think that he is doing God’s service. Then it is that Satan will work with all of his fascinating power to influence the heart, to becloud the understanding and to make evil appear good and to make good appear evil. Jesus predicted that “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2, verses 9 to 12, concerning the very last days: “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

It’s coming, friend. Jesus predicted it many times. We read it in Matthew 24 and in John 16. Paul predicted it in 2 Thessalonians 2. John the revelator predicts it clearly in Revelation 13. God wants you to be prepared for the crisis that is coming upon this world. But whether you are prepared or unprepared, you are going to meet it. Only those whose characters are thoroughly disciplined to meet the divine standard will be able to stand firm in that testing time.

Remember, when there are enemies on every side watching them for evil, the God of heaven will be watching His precious jewels for good. When the time comes, when secular rulers unite with the ministers of religion to come between God and the conscience of His people, then those who cherish the fear of God will be revealed. When the darkness is the deepest, then the light of a noble God-like character will shine the brightest. When every other trust fails in this world, then it will be seen which people have an abiding trust in God. The stronger and the purer the faith of God’s people, the firmer their determination will be to obey Him, and the more will Satan stir up the rage of those who claim to be righteous while trampling on the law of God.

In this coming emergency rulers and magistrates will not interpose in behalf of God’s people. The apostle Paul could at least appeal to Caesar, appeal to a heathen ruler to get justice. But in the coming crisis, rulers and magistrates will not interpose in behalf of God’s people. There will be a corrupt harmony with all who have not been obedient to the law of God. In that day all timeservers, all who do not have the genuine work of grace in the heart, will be found wanting. It will require the firmest trust and the most heroic purpose to hold fast the faith that was once delivered to the saints, but the Bible predicts that there will be a group of people who will stand that test. It says in Revelation 13 verses 16 and 17, “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on the right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name’ ” (Revelation 14:9–11).

Those who receive the mark described in Revelation 13:16 and 17, in spite of the warning that is given in the third angel’s message, will receive, first of all, the seven last plagues, because it says in Revelation 16:2, “So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.”

At that time, the Bible predicts that there will be some faithful people who will refuse the mark. They will not be able to buy or sell; they will not be able to even buy food unless the Lord works a miracle to preserve them. Even so, they will stay true to the worship of God regardless of the cost.

“I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God” (Revelation 15:2, 3). These people refuse to worship images (Exodus 20:4). They refuse to worship the beast, or the image to the beast, or receive the mark. Revelation 14:12 describes them this way: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

In the very last days of earth’s history the whole world will be brought to a decision. Everyone will choose, some to receive the mark of the beast and others to receive the seal of God—marked for destruction or marked for salvation. Which mark will you receive?

In Revelation 22:14 it says, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”

Friend, life is serious. This life is very short compared with eternity, but it is in this life where the decisions you make determine your eternal destiny. The choice is yours. What will it be, eternal life or eternal death?

The scripture says, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (verse 17).

God offers eternal life if you are willing to listen, if you are willing to follow, and if you are willing to obey. You must make this decision for yourself; your eternal destiny is up to you.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

It Is Finished

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For many years I have been intrigued with a verse of Scripture which I believe is one of the most sublime of all inspiration. It is found in Psalm 85 verse 10:

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

When one reads this text for the first time, he is captured by its poetic nature and aroused by its romantic thought, but when one gives himself to prayerful study of this text he is filled with amazement as he begins to realize the very thoughts of God in achieving victory in the great controversy between Christ and Satan.

Today, mankind is faced with many unsolved questions. Each differs widely depending on where one lives, but our subject is of more importance than any problem found in this world today. We are dealing with a question of how to find permanent peace. I am not talking about the present war with terrorists around the world, nor the present peace movements on foot, yet in a way, these world efforts to obtain peace are connected with Satan’s ambition to destroy the peace of the universe.

Perhaps we should first question, How can this be? And the answer is: Because Satan had attempted to prove that the righteousness of God’s law is the enemy of peace. This is why the Son of God came to live on this earth, to reveal His Father’s eternal peace plan proving that His law and everlasting peace are inseparably joined together, that mercy and truth cannot exist without each other.

May the Holy Spirit guide us in our search for Divine understanding that we may realize the meaning of Christ’s final words on the cross when He cried, “It is finished.” His words forever ended any doubt throughout the universe as to the final outcome of the war with Satan.

The Scripture declares without question in Psalm 119:142, last part, “Thy law is the truth.”

The life of Christ on this earth proved beyond a doubt that God’s law is righteous and can be perfectly obeyed with Divine help. By the death of Christ on the cross He proved that Satan’s charges were utterly false, that justice did not destroy mercy in forgiving sin, that heaven’s peace will extend throughout all eternity and can be realized only on God’s terms.

I trust by now that we are beginning to comprehend a small portion of those dramatic words that Christ uttered on the cross when He cried, “It is finished.” It is no wonder when these words were uttered from His dying lips that all heaven broke forth in a mighty shout of victory. Usually when death comes in this life, it brings great anguish, for all hope has finally vanished. Death is the state of hopelessness. But this was not so when Christ died. Those dying words of Christ, “It is finished” was a cry of victory. The battle had been won. It was a time for rejoicing, for Christ had accomplished the task He had come to do. In dying He became a conqueror. All heaven participated in the Savior’s victory. Shouts of triumph echoed from one unfallen world to another throughout the vast universe.

Do you question why? Because Heaven’s peace had now become a reality. Satan, who for ages had harassed the angels of God and the inhabitants of sinless worlds, was no longer permitted to disrupt heaven’s harmony. He had become a defeated foe and, what’s more, he knew it. This is why his hatred for God has now turned to revenge. This is why he is going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

Those divine words, “It is finished,” mean that redemption was no longer a possibility but was now an accomplished fact, not only for us but for the peace of the unfallen worlds. It was not until the moment of Christ’s death on the cross that the character of Satan was clearly revealed to the angels of God and to the unfallen worlds. The arch apostate had so clothed himself with deception that even the remaining holy angels did not fully understand the principles of Satan’s kingdom. How could this be? We must realize that Satan was a created being, so wonderful, so powerful, and so great in his glory that he was above all created beings. He was actually next to the divine Godhead.

Inspiration speaks of him as “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12, last part). Lucifer was of the highest order of all creation. He was used by God to carry out the purposes of the Godhead to the universe. Angels trusted him. They never questioned any of his commands, but after Satan made the decision to take the place of Christ, God could no longer use him. The power and wisdom that he had used to achieve God’s purposes he now used to deceive. It was a most difficult task for God to unveil Satan’s character.

One often wonders why God didn’t immediately destroy Satan when he determined to overthrow God’s throne, but at that time, only God in His divine wisdom knew that rebellion is never overcome by force. Therefore, God rightly chose to resist such evil by revealing His goodness, His mercy, His truth and His love. Henceforth Satan would try to prove his false claims by using the power of force while God chose His divine principles as the only means to prove that truth and love can achieve a peaceful kingdom.

So, in Heaven’s council God took action with eternity in mind. It was decided that time should be given Satan to develop his government so that the universe might see the final results. Thus, during the next four thousand years Christ worked by truth and love to uplift man while Satan worked with his deception to ruin man.

Finally, the time came for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Satan immediately attempted to kill the Babe. No child has ever been tried as the Christ Child. Satan used every possible means within his power to keep Christ from developing a perfect character in childhood and to prevent Him from maintaining a faultless manhood. The devil did everything possible to disrupt His three years of holy ministry, which was dedicated to providing an unblemished sacrifice. Satan’s storm of wrath continually beat upon Him, but the more Satan attempted to force Him to sin the more firmly Christ clung to His Father.

Unnumbered created beings were absolutely captivated as they beheld Christ’s struggle with death in the Garden of Gethsemane, a death that exceeded that of the cross, forcing bloody sweat that fell to the ground from His pores. These sinless creatures watched and wondered. Three times they heard Him pray for deliverance until heaven could no longer endure the sight and the angel Gabriel was sent to strengthen Jesus.

All heaven beheld as Christ was betrayed into murderous hands. They watched the violence with which He was treated as He was hurried from one tribunal to another. They heard the sneers spoken of His lowly birth. The angels were amazed at the denial and cursing of His beloved disciple. They beheld thousands of demons turning the hearts of men against their Creator. What a picture is revealed! Jesus seized at midnight in the garden and mistreated from palace to judgment hall, two times arraigned before priest, twice before the Sanhedrin. By mob violence He is taken to Pilate who chastised Him and then sent Him to King Herod who cruelly handled Him. Finally, He is brought back to Pilate who condemned and scourged Him.

All heaven was watching as that whip with sharp metal attached to the many strands dug deep into the Saviour’s back, removing strength from His body, making it impossible for Him to carry the cross and He falls to the ground. Surely your heart is touched as we have joined with the universe in watching the nails driven through His hands and feet. We can actually sense the pain as the cross is lifted and dropped into the hole. And our eyes fill with tears as we watch His labored breath grow quick and deep. All this and more because the sins of the world have been heaped upon Him.

We cannot but marvel with heaven that Jesus prays amid such suffering, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Watch with contempt as we see the devil’s legions of demons inspiring the mob with the words, “If Thou be Christ, save Thyself” (Luke 23:39, last part). But in all this Satan gained absolutely nothing. Not one sin could be found in Jesus Christ. Suddenly Jesus gives that astonishing cry, “It is finished” as His head falls forward in death.

John tells us what happened in heaven at that very moment. Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” At last Satan’s disguise is torn away. His administration is laid wide open before the unfallen angels and the universe. Satan had revealed himself a murderer. How true were the words of Christ, “He was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). Never again would the angels of God in heaven have to listen to Satan’s accusations as he had taunted them at Jerusalem’s pearly gates. The last link of sympathy for Satan was forever broken.

Yet the angels of God did not know the depth of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. This mystery of iniquity must be fully revealed, so Satan’s existence must continue a little longer. For some two thousand years more they must see the full contrast between the Prince of Life and the prince of darkness.

Satan had declared that God’s law could not be obeyed, that God’s justice was inconsistent with His mercy, that it was impossible for a sinner to be pardoned for sin. He must be punished. And if sin should be forgiven, God could no longer be a God of justice because Satan himself had been banished from heaven and refused pardon. But beloved, let us pause for a moment and think this thing through clearly. Lucifer had been the covering cherub next to God. No one in the universe knew more fully and understood more clearly God’s government of love. Yet he openly rebelled, knowing full well that God is a God of love. But man was deceived by Satan’s sophistry. Man, at creation, had lived but a very short time and did not know the heighth and breadth and the depth of God’s love. There was hope for fallen man when given time to realize God’s love and thus be drawn back to God by beholding His character. God’s mercy and justice must be made manifest to sinful man. He must understand that mercy did not set aside God’s justice, that God’s law revealed the attributes of His character and in heaven’s sanctuary not one jot or tittle could be changed in that divine law.

So, wonder of wonders, what does the Godhead do? In order to prove to man that God is filled with love and mercy, Christ sacrifices Himself. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:19: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” Since the law requires righteousness, no man of himself can become righteous, but Christ can embrace men with God’s attributes. Jesus can give to us His character; thus, the righteousness of the law can be fulfilled in the believer. God can be just, “the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). Thus, Jesus revealed the way to God. Since the law is truth, Christ revealed that mercy and His law were insolubly joined together, that one cannot exist without the other. This is why our text states, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

This brings us to the most important truth for those living in this end time. It is here that we discover Satan’s final deception. Since the cross reveals such unquestionable love of Divinity, Satan now declares that Christ’s love had destroyed the law. Let’s think this through. If it had been possible for God to alter or to change His law, Christ need not have died. So, Satan in this end time has decided to use the love of God to immortalize transgression. Since Jesus’ love was so great that He died for mankind, Satan now uses God’s mercy as the means to do away with the requirements of the law. So today we need only to love God and not obey Him. This is the final deception of Satan in this end time.

Satan is working through the fallen Protestant churches and the Papacy to lead men to disobey one precept of God’s law, knowing full well that God has stated, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). Thus, in our world today most all have swallowed Satan’s lie, hook, line, and sinker, which is his masterly deception in keeping Sunday holy instead of the seventh day Sabbath. And by doing this they are making it possible for Satan to be worshiped as the God of this world.

I am sorry to say that this deception is gaining ground in the Seventh-day Adventist church. Never before has there been so much love-preaching. Never has there been so little preaching of obedience. The result is very obvious. Since God loves you so much, you do not have to obey Him anymore; you may sin until Jesus comes. The results are very evident. Two separate classes are being developed within God’s true church: those who love Jesus so much that they would rather die than sin, and, on the other hand are those who only want to hear of love and no obedience, believing that God’s mercy is so great that they can continue to sin and still be saved.

Beloved, Jesus is soon coming and will vindicate His law with the seven last plagues while at the same time He will deliver those who keep the commandments of God. Sin and sinners will be punished both root and branch – Satan the root, and those who accept his last deception, the branches. God’s word will be fulfilled of Satan and his followers. “I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire” (Ezekiel 28:16, last part). “Thou shalt be a terror, and never shall be any more” (Ezekiel 27:36). “The wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be” (Psalm 37:10). They shall be as though they had not been.

To those individuals who chose to believe Satan’s final deception that God’s love is so great that He will save them even in their sins will discover that they have actually cut themselves off from the peace of eternal life, for as Proverbs 8:36 states, “All they that hate Me love death.” The glory of God’s love will destroy them.

Let us never forget that at the beginning of the great controversy one third of the angels in heaven were deceived. The unfallen worlds did not comprehend what you and I have discovered in this study. If Satan and his angels had been destroyed by God the moment they had rebelled, the universe would never have known the results of sin and they may also have produced the deadly roots of rebellion, but this will not be so when this controversy ends, for God’s character will be fully vindicated. Every created intelligence of heaven and on earth will fully understand the character of God and they will know His precepts are perfect and immutable. Every created being will delight to do God’s will, for in their heart God’s love has been fully understood. Love has not destroyed His law but established His law. Peace, perfect peace will eternally reign, for mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

“And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise.

“ ‘And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever’ (Revelation 5:13).

“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.” The Great Controversy, 678.

For more than fifty years, Lawrence Nelson served the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a church pastor, evangelist, and then in Conference, Union, and General Conference leadership. When God laid upon him the responsibility to “tell it like it is” to alert the people how the church was leading them into the worldwide ecumenical movement, he was forbidden to preach in any church within the Oregon Conference. Elder Nelson passed to his rest on April 18, 2012.

Health Nugget – Destination: Eternity

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Our support systems are failing. Through greed and needless ignorance we ourselves have done much of the damage. Those who persist in harming God’s creation have an account to settle with the Designer/Creator. “I will destroy them that destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18).

As marvelous as this earth is, with its numerous life-supporting systems, the human being with his ability to love, to reason, to invent and to reproduce after his kind, is the Creator’s masterpiece—the ultimate evidence for a higher intelligent Being. Anyone who persists in abusing, misusing or harming the ultimate evidence of His creative power will not only suffer the present consequences of increased disease and perhaps premature death, but also must give an accounting to his Creator.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17).

Inherent in our life-by-design are the eight principles of proper care for this marvelous creation. To intelligently care for our bodies, we must understand how they are constructed and how they function. We must have an understanding of anatomy and physiology. We must also have an understanding of the support systems of our being and how best we can utilize them in their present, less than ideal, condition.

If we are to get out of this earth alive, each one of us, to a greater or lesser extent, must make a new start. We recognize that we have not always taken the best possible care of this amazing life that we have been intrusted with. Someone has placed the life-support systems for mankind in the form of the acronym NEW START—Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest, and Trust in Divine Power. Undoubtedly, we all need a new start.

There is definite evidence that if we will relate properly to these eight support systems, we will have a marked improvement in health and function of our bodies. It is well documented that two thirds of all deaths in America are due to causes which we know how to prevent. (“Closing the Gap,” JAMA, September 13, 1985.) The types of illnesses from which people suffer and die are determined largely by how they live hour by hour and day by day. Improper use of life-support systems are presently the major cause of disease and premature death.

Unhealthful living habits are rampant among earth’s inhabitants. When attempts to change are made, we discover that chronic thought patterns and physical habits are much more difficult to change than we believed. Many times we are confronted with the fact that we would rather continue in our misuse of nature’s resources and suffer the consequences than to make the struggle to change. This rebellion and arrogancy against that which is for our own good is known as sin. Because of sin, with its senseless disregard for the operating instructions for human life, mankind has been placed on the endangered species list of the universe.

When malfunction first occurred on this world, it was only because of emergency back-up systems that all was not instantaneously lost. These emergency measures have continued to keep this planet and the human race alive to this day, but they can be continued only until all have had the opportunity to choose knowledgeably as to whether they desire to remain in sinful rebellion or not. Those who choose to live in harmony with the Creator’s design standards are forgiven of the past. They are also given the power thereafter to cease their senseless rebellion.

Yes, the good news is that the Divine-Rescue plan for Planet Earth provides power to change the physical and spiritual health-destroying habits from which we suffer. No life on board need be lost. All that is required is a recognition of our hopeless state, a repentance for our past, a request for that transforming power, and a total surrender to God’s enabling power on a moment-by-moment basis.

Let’s face it. This planet is out of control. In spite of our own ingenuity and inventiveness, modern science cannot remove the selfishness from our own stubborn hearts. Man’s own selfish motives result in famine and pestilence stalking the earth. Social and political strife continue unabated. As a result of monetary greed, mankind continues to strip the earth of its vegetation, and to pollute his own water, air, and food supplies. The answer is not more technical ability. The problems demand a change of heart—a new birth—and that is available only through Heaven’s rescue plan of salvation.

Those who escape from this earth with their lives will be destined for eternity. Once mankind’s life is brought into harmony with his life-support systems, he can be safely reinstated into the original plan for the human race.

Those who are rescued and restored will be placed in an earth made new with its original support systems. Humanity will once again have access to the river and the tree of life. With stubborn rebellion thoroughly removed from mankind’s heart, malfunction will never rise again.

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” “And he [the angel] shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 21:3–5, 1; 22:1, 2).

Ellen White, in The Great Controversy, 677, 678, has penned it thus:

“All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God’s redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar—worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. With unutterable delight the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through ages upon ages in contemplation of God’s handiwork. With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of creation—suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator’s name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed.

“And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise.

“ ‘And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever’ (Revelation 5:13).

“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.”

Friend, let me assure you, this is not science fiction. This account is fact and not fancy. The destiny of those rescued from this crippled earth is perfect life throughout eternity. You and I, with our friends and loved ones, can be there. Yes, we must be there!

Health for Today, Vernon Sparks, M.D., No. 3, ©1991, 28, 29.

Vernon Sparks served as a guest lecturer at Life Abundant Missionary Institute, Eatonville, Washington.

“Over the years, my primary interests have shifted from physical health to spiritual health. Both areas are extremely important; however, of the two, the latter is primary. In the spiritual area, my interest is focused on the natural-to-fallen-man tendency to not measure up in experience to the spiritual knowledge available. My desire is to make available publications and truths that tend to be neglected, forgotten, or misunderstood.”

Dr. Sparks received his M.D. degree from Loma Linda University in 1962 and served in various capacities within the Seventh-day Adventist health system for many years. Since retiring in 1997, his work has focused on making available historic Adventist publications that have long been out of print.

Ask the Pastor – Where we will spend eternity

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Question:

Dear Pastor Mike,

I would like to know where we will spend eternity. Some people say that we will go to heaven when Jesus comes and stay there. Others say that we will go to heaven, but we will come back to this earth to spend eternity. What does the Bible say about this?

Answer:

Before we see where the Bible says we will spend eternity, let’s look at some background information, which should help us understand this issue.

On the sixth day of creation, the Bible tells us that God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . . .” Genesis 1:26. Verse 27 continues, “So God created man in his [own] image, . . . male and female created he them.” Genesis 2:7 tells us how this was done: “And the Lord God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life . . . .”

Man was formed out of the dust of this earth’s surface. The very elements of which man consists come from this planet. That in itself is significant. Man did not come from some foreign soil in outer space. Man is an earth creature.

When sin entered this planet, God had to delay His plan for this particular world, for the man and the woman and for all the rest of creation. We can now only glean little glimpses of just what God had in mind. But it must have been something! Every thing that God had created was good. (Genesis 1:31.)

Sin has caused a delay in the realization of God’s plan for some 6,000 years. But one day soon sin will no longer be able to interrupt God’s plan. That which He planned out long ago will become a reality to the redeemed and to this earth.

When God called Abraham, He gave him a promise that he and his offspring would inherit this earth. (See Genesis 17:8.) The Hebrews were to multiply upon the face of the earth, and they were to occupy the entire land. Sadly, the plan that God had for Abraham never reached fulfillment. When Jesus came to earth and died, the nation of Israel was cast aside and those who follow Jesus took its place. Jesus, speaking to the leadership of His day in Matthew 23:38, tells them, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 3:29, “If [ye be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

The promise to Abraham is not lost. It will still be realized, but now through those who follow Jesus. When He comes back again, He will take us to heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 assures us of that. But we are also told that after the 1,000 years of Revelation 20 are over, God is going to create a new earth. (See Revelation 21:1–7.) This new earth will be the home of the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from God. The inheritance will then become a reality. This earth will be the home of the redeemed throughout eternity. Jesus promised us this. (See Matthew 5:5.) So, we are going to heaven, for a while. But we will come back to earth and live here forever.

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life Ministry. If you have a question you would like Pastor Mike to answer, e-mail it to Landmarks@stepstolife.org, or mail it to LandMarks, P. O. Box 782828, Wichita, KS 67278.

A Glimpse of Eternal Realities – The Kingdom of Glory

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“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  John 14:1–3 KJV

All who are eagerly anticipating the soon return of their Redeemer have no doubt thought from time to time about what life is going to be like in heaven. Although we are told in 1 Corinthians 2:9 that “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him,” in His tender regard for His people, our Creator has given us a few hints of that eternal existence.

We know with a certainty, for example, that there will be no more pain, no sickness or death, and that God will wipe away all tears. We are promised that in Revelation 21:4. We know that there will be permanent dwellings for the faithful to live in that Jesus Himself has prepared. Jesus promised that in John 14:1–3.

Revelation 22:3 tells us that the two-fold curse cast upon the earth because of man’s sin will be removed. The earth was cursed when Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:17) and again when Cain slew Abel (Genesis 4:11, 12). Methuselah’s son, Lamech, Noah’s father, refers to the curse of the ground in Genesis 5:29 when he chose Noah’s name, “saying, ‘This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed.’ ”   Imagine how bountiful our gardens will be in heaven when this two-fold curse is removed!

An even more amazing promise is given in Revelation 21:3: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’  ”

All of these wonderful benefits will be preceded by the precious words of our Redeemer when He says, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34 KJV).

In addition to the Scriptural promises we are given, Seventh-day Adventists have been blessed with a more detailed glimpse of eternal realities through the writings of Ellen G. White, who—for the benefit of the faithful—has seen in vision and related in her writings the blissful realities of heaven of which Scripture only hints.

In remarking on the earth made new as seen in one of her many visions, Sister White notes: “The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption. All that was lost by sin has been restored.” The Great Controversy, 674.

The amazing aspects of heaven that can be gleaned from the Spirit of Prophecy are provided in exquisite and enticing detail primarily in two places in the writings of Sister White: the final chapter of The Great Controversy, “The Controversy Ended,” pages 662–678, and the final chapter of Education, “The School of the Hereafter,” pages 301–309.

In addition to the detailed description of heaven given in these chapters, which we will review shortly, other gems are sprinkled here and there in the writings of God’s prophet to the remnant. One example, and a very precious one, is in Testimonies, vol. 8, 254, where it is written that Jesus will lead the redeemed beside the living stream flowing from the throne of God and will explain the “dark providences” through which on this earth He allowed us to experience “in sorrow and amazement” in order to perfect our characters. (See Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4b, 99.)

Another gem is recorded in volume 3 of Spiritual Gifts, page 83, where the descent of the Holy City is described: “As His [Jesus’] feet touch the mountain, it parts asunder, and becomes a very great plain, and is prepared for the reception of the holy city in which is the paradise of God, the garden of Eden, which was taken up after man’s transgression.” It is difficult for the mind to grasp a city with a magnificence so overwhelming. Imagine a city so grandiose that within its confines is the Garden of Eden, “more beautiful, and gloriously adorned than when removed from the earth.” Ibid., 83, 84.

Because we have an enemy who seeks unceasingly to lead anyone and everyone away from the narrow way onto the broad road with inconceivable subtlety and deception, every life is tainted from time to time with the dark shadow of Satan falling across their daily walk. By reviewing the delights of the heavenly kingdom from time to time, we can anticipate identifying with an experience Sister White had in one of her visions. When the redeemed were asked by Brethren Fitch and Stockman what experiences they had passed through prior to Christ’s return, she wrote, “We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us that we could not speak them out, and we all cried out, ‘Alleluia, heaven is cheap enough!’ ” Early Writings, 17.

Following are a few of the elevating and encouraging delights—“the exceeding and eternal weight of glory”—described in the above-referenced chapters cited earlier from The Great Controversy  and Education:

  • No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God. GC, 675.
  • No one will need or desire rest. Ibid., 676.
  • The people of God will “ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall ever be far from its close.” Ibid.
  • The redeemed will hold open communion with the Father and the Son. Ibid.
  • The acquisition of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. Ibid., 677.
  • Jesus will reveal the “riches of redemption.” Ibid., 678.
  • He will also explain the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan. Ibid.
  • Eden restored will be present within the boundaries of the Holy City. Ibid., 674.
  • The redeemed will walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day. Ibid., 676.
  • There will be no tree of the knowledge of good and evil to afford an opportunity for temptation. Ed., 302.
  • Restored to God’s presence, man will again be taught of God. Ibid.
  • The “records of creation” will be available for endless study. Ibid., 303.
  • The veil that separates the visible and the invisible worlds will be drawn aside, revealing things that can only be vaguely imagined now. Ibid., 304.
  • The redeemed will understand what is owed to the care and interposition of the angels and the ministry of angels in their life. Ibid., 305.
  • The guardian angel who stood by the side of each saint will recount the many times he interposed to provide guidance and safety. Ibid.
  • Among the daily social experiences of the hereafter will be
  • Pure communion with holy beings. Ibid., 306.
  • A harmonious social life with angels and the faithful of all ages. Ibid.
  • Sacred fellowship that binds together “the whole family of heaven and earth.” Ibid.
  • Music and song such as no mortal ear has heard or mind conceived. Ibid., 307.
  • Every power will be developed and every capability increased. Ibid.
  • All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God’s children. Ibid.

The list is infinite and unfathomable. When contemplating this wonderful future, we are reminded of the statement of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:19: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

“We need to have more distinct views of Jesus and a fuller comprehension of the value of eternal realities. The beauty of holiness is to fill the hearts of God’s children; and that this may be accomplished, we should seek for divine disclosures of heavenly things.” Steps to Christ, 99.

Using the reasoning ability that God has given us as we “seek for divine disclosures of heavenly things,” the mind thrills with anticipation of a life devoid of sin and its consequences. This imagined list, too, is infinite and unfathomable.

In addition to the incredible aspects of life that Scripture and Inspiration give us, free from the efforts of the tempter and his evil agents to lead us into sin, we can add our own list of heavenly benefits if we free our minds from the confines of our earthly ties and let them roam freely, unbounded by conventional thought.

Among the more mundane things we might include in our contemplations are the following:

  • No worries about where we put the keys, for keys will not be necessary since there are no thieves in heaven.
  • No need to read labels for unhealthy contents of our food. There will be neither labels nor unhealthy foods.
  • No political bickering.
  • No worries about meeting budgets or paying bills.
  • No worries about where to educate our children.
  • No concerns about the weather.
  • No automobile maintenance or concerns about gas prices.
  • Time to engage in any and every hobby we have ever wanted to pursue.
  • Time to develop any talent we want, from playing any musical instrument to laying bricks.
  • Opportunity to design and build a country house, perhaps using techniques that do not exist on earth now, in any kind of environment we desire: mountain, desert, forest, prairie, lakeside, tropical, moderate, frigid.

The list is indeed limitless and unfathomable. We can only conclude, as he concluded in his epistle, “And there are many other things …, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen” (John 21:25).

The possibilities that lie before us in “eternal realities” are available to anyone and everyone who seeks them, diligently and faithfully obeying and following the instructions our loving Creator has given us to guide us in our daily lives here on earth.  The joy of an eternity of ever-new bliss in the presence of our God and the Lamb of our salvation is the joy that was set before that Lamb as He toiled during His life on earth to open the plan of salvation to all mankind.

May that joyful experience be yours.

All Bible quotes NKJV unless otherwise noted.

 John R. Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.

Bible Study Guides – A Present View of Eternity

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March 22, 2009 – March 28, 2009

Key Text

“Since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” Isaiah 64:4.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 2, 261–268; Education, 301–309.

Introduction

“Eternity alone can reveal the glorious destiny to which man, restored to God’s image, may attain.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 61.

1 What should we understand about the plan of salvation and our future? Isaiah 49:15, 16.

Note: “Through Christ alone can you make sure of heaven, where all is purity, holiness, peace, and blessedness, where there are glories that mortal lips cannot describe. The nearest we can come to a description of the reward that awaits the overcomer is to say that it is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 131.

“How little do the young suffer, or deny self, for their religion! To sacrifice is scarcely thought of among them. They entirely fail of imitating the Pattern in this respect. I saw that the language of their lives is: Self must be gratified, pride must be indulged. They forget the Man of Sorrows, who was acquainted with grief. The sufferings of Jesus in Gethsemane, His sweating as it were great drops of blood in the garden, the platted crown of thorns that pierced His holy brow, do not move them. They have become benumbed. Their sensibilities are blunted, and they have lost all sense of the great sacrifice made for them. They can sit and listen to the story of the cross, hear how the cruel nails were driven through the hands and feet of the Son of God, and it does not stir the depths of the soul.

“… ‘If such should be ushered into the city of God, and told that all its rich beauty and glory was theirs to enjoy eternally, they would have no sense of how dearly that inheritance was purchased for them. They would never realize the matchless depths of a Saviour’s love. They have not drunk of the cup, nor been baptized with the baptism. Heaven would be marred if such should dwell there.’ ” Testimonies, vol. 1, 155.

2 What aspect of the plan of redemption should we especially keep in mind? Isaiah 63:7–9; I Corinthians 1:18.

Note: “Few give thought to the suffering that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ’s agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God. Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him. When there came upon Israel the calamities that were the sure result of separation from God—subjugation by their enemies, cruelty, and death—it is said that ‘His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.’ ‘In all their affliction He was afflicted: … and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.’ Judges 10:16; Isaiah 63:9.” Education, 263.

3 What promises of God, referring to the new world, can have a partial fulfillment even on this earth? Isaiah 35:5–10. On what condition can we claim these promises? Revelation 7:14.

Note: “God will do great things for His people if they will co-operate with Him. He will work upon the minds of men, so that there will be seen in their lives, even in this world, a fulfillment of the promise of the future state.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 78.

“The washing of the robes of character in the blood of the Lamb is a work that we must attend to earnestly while every defect of character is to be put away. Thus are we working out our own salvation with fear and trembling. The Lord is working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Counsels to Writers and Editors, 81.

4 What privileges will be extended to the redeemed? Isaiah 33:17; 64:4.

Note: “Throughout the unnumbered host of the redeemed every glance is fixed upon Him [Jesus], every eye beholds His glory whose ‘visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.’ [Isaiah 52:14.] Upon the heads of the overcomers Jesus with His own right hand places the crown of glory. For each there is a crown, bearing his own ‘new name,’ and the inscription, ‘Holiness to the Lord.’ [Revelation 2:17; 3:12.]” My Life Today, 347.

“Those who have made the most of their privileges to reach the highest attainments here, will take these valuable acquisitions with them into the future life. They have sought and obtained that which is imperishable. The capability to appreciate the glories that ‘eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,’ [I Corinthians 2:9] will be proportionate to the attainments reached in the cultivation of the faculties in this life.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 49.

5 Mention some of the differences between the old world and the new world. Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 21:4.

Note: “The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

“Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. In the home of the redeemed there will be no tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. … One rich tide of happiness will flow and deepen as eternity rolls on.

“We are still amidst the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities. Let us consider most earnestly the blessed hereafter. Let our faith pierce through every cloud of darkness and behold Him who died for the sins of the world. He has opened the gates of paradise to all who receive and believe on Him. To them He gives power to become the sons and daughters of God. Let the afflictions which pain us so grievously become instructive lessons, teaching us to press forward toward the mark of the prize of our high calling in Christ.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 286, 287.

6 What conditions will characterize the eternal home of the redeemed? Isaiah 11:5–9; 32:17, 18; 65:17–19.

7 Describe the lifestyle on the new earth. Isaiah 65:21–25.

Note: “There [in the Holy City] the redeemed shall know, even as also they are known. The loves and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, the sacred ties that bind together ‘the whole family in heaven and earth’ (Ephesians 3:15)—these help to constitute the happiness of the redeemed.” The Great Controversy, 677.

8 What do you know about the religious services that will be held on the new earth? Isaiah 66:22, 23.

Note: “The Sabbath never will be done away; but that the redeemed saints, and all the angelic host, will observe it in honor of the great Creator to all eternity.” Early Writings, 217.

9 What should characterize our daily lives now if we are planning to be there? II Peter 3:13, 14.

Note: “In heaven God is all in all. There, holiness reigns supreme; there is nothing to mar the perfect harmony with God. If we are indeed journeying thither, the spirit of heaven will dwell in our hearts here. But if we find no pleasure now in the contemplation of heavenly things; if we have no interest in seeking the knowledge of God, no delight in beholding the character of Christ; if holiness has no attractions for us—then we may be sure that our hope of heaven is vain. Perfect conformity to the will of God is the high aim to be constantly before the Christian. He will love to talk of God, of Jesus, of the home of bliss and purity which Christ has prepared for them that love Him. The contemplation of these themes, when the soul feasts upon the blessed assurances of God, the apostle represents as tasting ‘the powers of the world to come.’ [Hebrews 6:5.]” My Life Today, 293.

10 What example of the apostle Paul should we ever have in mind? II Corinthians 4:17, 18; 11 Timothy 4:7, 8.

Note: “Let your soul’s burden be, how to secure the better life than this, a title to the mansions prepared for those who are true and faithful to the end. If you make a mistake here, everything is lost. If you devote your lifetime to securing earthly treasures, and lose the heavenly, you will find that you have made a terrible mistake. You cannot have both worlds. ‘What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ [Mark 8:36.]

“These trials of life are God’s workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit us for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory. But as we pass through these trials, as the fires of affliction kindle upon us, we must not keep the eye on the fire which is seen, but let the eye of faith fasten upon the things unseen, the eternal inheritance, the immortal life, the eternal weight of glory; and while we do this the fire will not consume us, but only remove the dross, and we shall come forth seven times purified, bearing the impress of the Divine.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 706, 707.

Additional Reading

“That which will bless humanity is spiritual life. He who is in harmony with God, will constantly depend upon Him for strength. ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’ [Matthew 5:48.] It should be our life work to be constantly reaching forward to the perfection of Christian character, ever striving for conformity to the will of God. The efforts begun here will continue through eternity. The advancement made here will be ours when we enter upon the future life.

“Those who are partakers of Christ’s meekness, purity, and love, will be joyful in God, and will shed light and gladness upon all around them. The thought that Christ died to obtain for us the gift of everlasting life, is enough to call forth from our hearts the most sincere and fervent gratitude, and from our lips the most enthusiastic praise. God’s promises are rich, and full, and free. Whoever will, in the strength of Christ, comply with the conditions, may claim these promises, with all their wealth of blessing, as his own. And being thus abundantly supplied from the treasure-house of God, he may, in the journey of life, ‘walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing;’ [Colossians 1:10] by a godly example blessing his fellow-men, and honoring his Creator. While our Saviour would guard His followers from self-confidence by the reminder, ‘Without me, ye can do nothing,’ [John 15:5] He has coupled with it for our encouragement the gracious assurance, ‘He that abideth in me … bringeth forth much fruit.’ [John 15:5.]” Sons and Daughters of God, 327, 328.

“The Lord reads the intents and purposes of men. Those who have exalted views of His character will feel it their highest pleasure to have everything which has any connection with Him of the very best work and displaying the very best taste. But those who can grudgingly build a poorer house to dedicate to God than they would accept to live in themselves show their lack of reverence for God and for sacred things. Their work shows that their own temporal concerns are of more value in their eyes than matters of a spiritual nature. Eternal things are made secondary. It is not considered essential to have good and convenient things to use in the service of God, but they are considered highly essential in the concerns of this life. Men will reveal the true moral tone of the principles of their hearts.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 257, 258.

“Shortsighted mortals do not comprehend the ways and works of God. Their eyes are not directed upward to Him as they should be. They do not have exalted views of eternal things. They only look at these things with a clouded vision. They take no special delight in contemplating the love of God, the glory and splendor of heaven, the exalted character of the holy angels, the majesty and inexpressible loveliness of Jesus, our Redeemer. They have so long kept earthly things before their vision that eternal scenes are vague and indistinct to them. They have limited views of God, heaven, and eternity.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 258.

Our Eternal Hope

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Death is something that many people do not like to think about and often a subject of discomfort. However, as Christians, God gives us the hope of another life much better than what we can ever have in this world, and He wants us to recognize the misconceptions about death that are so prominently believed in the world. The Bible says that at the end of time almost the entire world will be deceived and will be led captive by the devil and end up worshipping evil spirits because of their lack of understanding about death. A true understanding of the issue will help us to reinforce our hope of eternal life and be ready when Jesus returns.

Working in a medical institution, one cannot help but be around death. One day a lady was brought into the emergency room shaking with fever and in terrible pain. They tried to monitor what was going on but she got worse. One of the things we were afraid of was what was happening with her heart and blood pressure. Her blood pressure was dropping and she began feeling very light-headed, and began wondering what was happening. She felt like she was slipping out of her body and in a few moments it seemed as if she was floating around near the ceiling looking down at her body. She later reported that while she was in this condition she saw a light, and it felt like she was in the presence of somebody. She said, “I began to feel the most incredibly warm and loving feeling. There was a light and I felt a presence in the light.”

There are many similar reports of near death experiences. Books sold about this subject reach best seller status. People are fascinated by the mystery and by personal accounts of the sensation of leaving one’s body.

But the reality is that people who have had these experiences never actually died. It is very important to remember that they were very near death, but they did not die. Many near death experiences resemble hallucinations. This type of sensation can be brought on, not only as a result of a person being near death and perhaps losing a realistic perspective, but also as an effect of certain drugs, chemicals, or substances.

In an article in the Saturday Evening Post, November 2, 1963, about drugs and out of the body experiences, Timothy Leary stated, “After eating certain Mexican mushrooms I realized that I had died, that I could look back and see my body in bed.” He had not really died, but when he came out of that experience, he reported that the out of body sensation had been very real and he had felt like he had died.

In his book, The Doors of Perception, Aldus Huxley states: “After taking Mescaline my body seemed to have disassociated itself almost completely from my mind. It was odd, of course, to feel that I was not the same as these arms and legs out there.” He felt disassociated from his body with his mind in a different place. Some people who have lived through similar experiences have suffered permanent brain damage or severe memory loss.

In an experiment conducted to investigate the hallucinative effects of external substances, Dr. Lodiscus Maduna gave his subject a dosage of 30% carbon dioxide and 70% oxygen. 100% carbon dioxide would be fatal, but after receiving the 30% dosage, the subject stated: “I felt as though I was looking down at myself, as though I was way out in space. I felt sort of separated.” As in the previously mentioned case, her blood pressure had dropped drastically and her brain was suffering from oxygen deprivation. She lived through a near death experience, but she did not die.

One can find many similar accounts which occurred as a result of eating a toxic substance or taking drugs, either for personal use or as part of a scientific experiment. This type of experiment is very dangerous, and may result in permanent damage to the person.

The most important aspect of these out of body or near death experiences is that they contradict what Scripture says about death. There are no scriptural accounts of people experiencing the presence of light in or close to death. The Bible says that when a man goes down to the grave, he does not return. (Job 7:9.) That does not mean he will never return to life again. Job 14:12 says, “They lay down and they will sleep and they will not stop their sleep, their sleeping will not stop until the heavens [be] no more.” Here Job refers to Jesus’ Second Coming at the end of the world. Job believed that he would be raised again at the Second Coming, but until that time should happen, he would not return, neither would he go back to his house. He also says, “When a few years are come, then I shall go the way [whence] I shall not return.” Job 16:22.

When a person enters the coffin, they will not come out unless they are resurrected. One of the most wonderful things about the gospel is that the God of heaven loves you and me. He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him would not perish.” John 3:16.

Those who do not believe in Jesus will perish. This world does not guarantee everlasting life or immortality. Our worldly destiny is death, but we have a Friend who loved us so much that He paid the price for our sins and offered the free gift of eternal life to all who accept it.

Many accounts of near death experiences are frightfully similar to what Spiritualism teaches. Spiritualism claims that the dead are not really dead. In his book, Spiritualism, History, Phenomenon and Doctrine, J. Arthur Hill discusses the fundamental principle of Spiritualism and the idea that human beings survive bodily death and that sometimes the living are able to communicate with those who have gone before. According to Hill, Spiritualism claims that the dead communicate with the living.

This is a frightful teaching, because when the living think they are communicating with the dead, they are, as the Bible teaches, not really communicating with those who have passed away, but with evil spirits. A Spiritualist once said that there is no death in the grave yard and that he had frequent talks with the dead and could not doubt that people live after death because he had frequently talked with them.

Adam and Eve were created to have eternal life and if they had not eaten the forbidden fruit, they would never have died. The devil’s first lie was, “You will not surely die.” Genesis 3:4. God said, “If you eat of the forbidden fruit you will die.” (Genesis 2:15–17.) The devil contradicted God when he told Eve she would not die.

Spiritualists today believe the devil’s lie. They say that the dead know more than the living. They believe that the devil told the truth and that the Lord was in error. Referring to the devil, Jesus says, “There is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44.

The Bible predicts in Revelation, that evil spirits are going to deceive the whole world in the last days of earth’s history. How will this happen? The devil is now in the process of deceiving the entire world through the miracles of his evil spirits and people believe all kinds of reports. There are accounts of apparitions of the virgin Mary. Others claim to have spoken to famous men who are dead from past ages, and multitudes flock to the places where these signs or wonders have happened.

The Bible says that, “In the beginning the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7. It was not until God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils that man became a living soul. Only this combination of dust plus spirit makes man a living soul. When a person dies, the exact opposite occurs. Death is a reversal of creation. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was: and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” The Bible says, “All the while my breath [is] in me and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils.” Job 27:3.

When a person dies, he/she stops breathing and goes into an unconscious state. The Bible says that when a person dies, his thoughts perish. “Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help. His breath goeth forth, he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Psalm 146:3, 4. If somebody’s thoughts have perished and he/she is in an unconscious state, it is impossible to learn something from that person. You may think you are talking to that person, but you are actually communicating with an evil spirit capable of impersonating the dead perfectly in body form and tone of voice. In that way, people may be deceived into thinking that they are talking to the spirit of a dead person.

The element of earth minus breath equals a dead body. If you disconnect the electricity from a light bulb, the light will go off. The light bulb is still there but there is no spirit in it; there is no electricity in it. The breath of God also involves electricity. The electrical currents in the brain can be measured by taking an EEG. When somebody dies his/her brain wave registers flat because there is no current, and he/she is brain dead. Life support machines might be used to keep him/her breathing and maintain heartbeat, but if the EEG is flat, he/she is brain dead. The spirit is gone, so how much does he/she know? Nothing, for the Bible says, “The living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything.” Ecclesiastes 9:5. Neither do they praise the Lord. The Bible says, “The dead praise not the Lord.” Psalm 115:17. “For in death [there is] no remembrance of you: In the grave who will give you thanks?” Psalm 6:5.

I remember when I was a small child that I did not like going to bed and always wanted to stay up all the time. Once asleep, eight or ten hours can pass very quickly during which time it seems to the sleeper that only moments have passed. Time passes in the same way for a person who is sleeping in death and it will seem to them as if only moments had passed when they awake at the Second Coming. Even for someone like Abel, who has been dead for over 5,000 years, the resurrection will feel like waking from sleep.

This shows us how merciful God is. When a person dies, they no longer feel pain or experience disappointment. They do not look down from some other planet of heaven to watch their loved ones struggling and suffering. They do not have to go through any of those things again. They sleep peacefully, and in what seems like an instant, Jesus will come again and give them life.

The Bible teaches that human beings are mortal and the devil is mortal. The Bible says that “the soul that sins, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:20. The devil said, “You won’t die.” The Bible teaches that human beings are mortal. The word mortal means that you are “subject to death.” (See Job 4:17; Romans 6:12; Romans 8:11; II Corinthians 4:11.) Neither does the devil have eternal life. The Lord says He is going to destroy him and bring him to ashes. God is the only One who has immortality. The word immortality means “not subject to death.” If you follow Jesus and give your life to Him you will receive the gift of immortality when Jesus comes and you will still be alive a million years from now. You will never die and you will have a life that goes on equal with the life of God.

This is the most stupendous, marvellous gift that the Lord can give to us—the gift of eternal life when Jesus comes. Romans 2:7, and I Corinthians 15:51–55 describe how it will be when we will receive immortality.

Many churches believe that man has an immortal soul. The 19th Century English parliamentary reformer and former Prime Minister of Great Britain, William Gladstone says, “The pagan doctrine of the immortality of the soul crept in through the back door of the church.” Ancestor worship is based on the false doctrine of the immortality of the soul.

In the Garden of Eden the devil told Eve that if she ate the forbidden fruit, she would not die. She ate the forbidden fruit and died, and both Adam and Eve have been dead for about 5,000 years. The devil tried to win the argument by telling another lie and invented the pagan doctrine of immortality of the soul. The ancient Egyptian religion subscribed to the idea of immortality of the soul and the Cairo museum contains many interesting artifacts which testify to this belief. They worshiped the serpent which according to the Bible represents Satan. The symbol of the serpent was used extensively in religious ceremonies. The snake’s head decorated the front of the crowns of the pharaohs. Ancient Egyptians believed in the pagan doctrine of immortality of the soul. When their rulers died they were buried with food, boats, clothes and jewels and everything thought necessary for the afterlife.

The Babylonians continued with the belief of immortality of the soul. This pagan idea of the ancient civilizations is the same doctrine that has been carried through the ages and is still taught today by Spiritualists and Satanists who believe in immortality of the soul. This was never a belief of the Hebrew people, and a thorough search of the Scriptures shows overwhelming evidence against the idea of immortality of the soul. Old Testament Bible writers used the phrase slept, or rested with their fathers, as an expression for death. Jesus, the One who created the world and everything in it (John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2) said when Lazarus died, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.” The disciples said, “Lord, if he is asleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death, but they thought he had spoken of taking a rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” Jesus went to Bethany to raise Lazarus and He was met by Martha who said, “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.” Jesus answered her, “Your brother will rise again.” (John 11:11–14, 21, 23.) Neither Martha nor Jesus had the idea that Lazarus was in heaven, or hell, or anywhere else. They just knew that he was asleep—he was dead. Martha said, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Verse 24. Martha understood the state of the dead. But Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” “Take me to where he is buried. Take me to Lazarus’ tomb.” Verses 25, 34. So they went out to a cave which had a stone covering the entrance, and Jesus said to them, “Roll away the stone.” Martha said, “But Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Verse 39.

When Jesus returns, it will not matter whether a person has been dead four minutes, four days, four years, or four thousand years, because when He speaks, they will be given life. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and thus we shall always be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:16, 17.

One may ask about the thief on the cross. “He said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto you, today you shall be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 42, 43. The problem in this verse is the punctuation, which was added hundreds of years after the Bible was written. It should read: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto you today, you shall be with me in paradise.” Jesus was saying, “I am telling you today—today as we hang on these crosses—that you will be with Me in paradise.”

Even Jesus Himself did not enter paradise the Friday of his crucifixion. Jesus was resurrected three days later on Sunday morning, the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene, so distraught from grief that she did not recognize with whom she was talking, met Him the morning of His resurrection and He said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?” The Bible says she thought He was the gardener, and she said to Him, “If you have taken Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary,” and she recognized His voice and wished to embrace Him, but Jesus said to her, “Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father.” John 20:15–17.

Jesus did not go to paradise on the day of the crucifixion. Three days later when he saw Mary, He still had not ascended to His Father. He told her, “Go to my brethren and say to them, I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.” Verse 17.

The resurrection of Jesus guarantees that everyone who believes in Christ will also be resurrected and taken to heaven at His coming. Jesus said, “I [am] he that lives and was dead: and, behold, I am alive forever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18.

For a non-believer, pagan, an atheist or an infidel, death is goodbye for all eternity, goodbye forever. If you are a Christian, then death is simply goodbye until we meet again. Goodbye until the resurrection morning. Paul tells us that when Jesus comes, all the dead in Christ will rise first. It is one of the most exciting things to think about.

Some years ago when my brother was alive, he was preaching about the resurrection. In the congregation was a woman who was suffering from the recent death of her baby. Even with the help of psychiatrists and counselors she had not been able to escape depression and come to terms with her loss. Life for her was unbearable, but that day she learned of the hope of being reunited with her baby, and God’s love inspired her to keep going. Jesus is coming, and for Christians, His return will be the most exciting event we have ever seen. Those who have died in Christ, will be reunited with their loved ones for all eternity.

The Bible says, “The person who has the Son has life, and the person that does not have the Son of God will not see life.” (1 John5:12.) It is that simple. There is nobody else in the whole universe who can give eternal life—only Jesus Christ. He desires to give the gift of eternal life to all those who choose to follow Him and not rebel against His government. The exciting part of this news is that we are now living in the last days and this event will soon come to pass. It is now that you and I need to be ready to meet Him.

Pastor John Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316–788–5559.

Ephesus and Eternity

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“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.’ ” 

Revelation 2:1–5 NKJV

In this message to the Ephesians, God commends them for their good works, for their labor, their patience, their intolerance of evil, for perseverance and labor for Christ’s name. He commends the fact that they have not become weary. That is quite a list, a wonderful litany of praise. Not one negative or evil or wrong is given concerning the things this church is doing. We find no sins of commission; however, it seems there is only one thing missing. To us, this lack may not even be discernable as they seem to be doing all the right things. This is a church that has left its first love. And due to that one ingredient being missing, Jesus says unless they repent, He will remove their lampstand from its place. That signifies a condition of being rejected—bottom line, a loss of eternity.

Do we, in our human point of view think this is a little unreasonable, maybe just a little stern, or too demanding? What a wonderful litany is given of this church’s character, and just because of the loss of one thing they are rejected? Well, let’s consider a few things in relation to this.

The following quote was written in 1856, just 14 short years after the disappointment of the expected return of Jesus. This article gives us a glimpse of God’s view of things. “The glory and majesty of God was made to pass before me. Said the angel, ‘He is terrible in His majesty, yet ye realize it not; terrible in His anger, yet ye offend Him daily. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it’ (Matthew 7:13).” The Review and Herald, January 6, 1863. This is God’s message also in the message to the church of Ephesus.

Let’s think for a moment about who God is. Human words are too feeble, too weak, too inadequate, so we will turn to God’s inspired Word to find descriptions of who God is.

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16, 17).

“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3).

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:11–13).

“ ‘There is none like unto Thee, O Jehovah; Thou art great, And Thy name is great in might. Who should not fear Thee, O King of the nations’ (Jeremiah 10:6, 7, A. R. V.)? …

“ ‘Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” “Who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counselor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever’ (Acts 15:18; Romans 11:34–36). …

“ ‘He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, And hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in His thick clouds; And the cloud is not rent under them. … He hath compassed the waters with bounds, Until the day and night come to an end’ (Job 26:7–10).

“ ‘The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at His rebuke. He stilleth the sea with His power. … By His Spirit the heavens are beauty; His hand hath pierced the gliding serpent. Lo, these are but the outskirts of His ways: And how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand’ (Job 26:11-14, A. R. V., margin)?

“ ‘The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet’ (Nahum 1:3). …

“ ‘Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud Thy works to another, And shall declare Thy mighty acts. Of the glorious majesty of Thine honor, And of Thy wondrous works, will I meditate. And men shall speak of the might of Thy terrible acts; And I will declare Thy greatness. They shall utter the memory of Thy great goodness, And shall sing of Thy righteousness.’ …

“As we learn more and more of what God is, and of what we ourselves are in His sight, we shall fear and tremble before Him.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 281–283.

We see here a God of limitless power; a God of indescribable glory; God, the Great and Mighty, full of light brighter than the sun, the One who travels “from star to star.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 69. This is the God who is returning to this earth—not this time as “the meek and lowly one” (The Desire of Ages, 20, 112, 295, 422), but rather as “the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

At this point in time, what would happen to any human being if they were once to catch a glimpse of this God? “The Father’s person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, ‘If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist.’ ” Early Writings, 54. First Timothy 6:16 KJV tells us, “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

God does not want us to be destroyed. He loves us with a love stronger than death. What did He do, for a time that we might not be destroyed by His very presence? “God forbears for a time the full execution of the sentence of death pronounced upon man. Satan flattered himself that he had forever broken the link between Heaven and earth. But in this he was greatly mistaken and disappointed. The Father had given over the world into the hands of His Son for Him to redeem from the curse and the disgrace of Adam’s failure and fall. Through Christ alone can man now find access to God. And through Christ alone will the Lord hold communication with man.” The Review and Herald, February 24, 1874.

In His great mercy, love, and forbearance, the Father separated Himself from us that His majesty, His power, the brightness of His glory would not destroy us fallen, sinful, degraded human beings. Did He then abandon us? No, No. He now holds communion with man through Christ. Our God is so gracious, so merciful, so long-suffering. In mercy He separated Himself from fallen man, communicating His love, His mercy, His compassion, and the great plan for the restoration of fallen man, through Christ, His One and Only Son. He did this that His “light unapproachable” might not consume us! But He will not always maintain that separation.

“ ‘Hereafter,’ said Jesus, ‘shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven’ (Matthew 26:64). In these words Christ presented the reverse of the scene then taking place [in the judgment hall of Annas the high priest]. He, the Lord of life and glory, would be seated at God’s right hand.” The Desire of Ages, 707, 708. No, that separation will not be maintained forever.

At that time, not only will the Father return, but Christ will no longer veil the glory of the Father that He also bears. He will come in the full glory of the Father, who dwelt in light unapproachable by humanity, so full of glory that no man could behold his face and live (see 1 Timothy 6:16).

We don’t want to be destroyed by His coming. But I wonder sometimes if we really want to be changed to reflect His image, or if by our actions, if not by our very words, we rather express the unspoken desire that God Himself change and thereby accept us in our fallen state, or at least in some degree excuse or lesson the obligations just a little.

Let’s think that through for a moment. Do you want this God to change to meet us where we are? Just think what that would mean! Consider the earlier statements about who and what God is! He not only created ALL things, but He upholds ALL things through His power.

We all claim that we want a change from this world of pain, misery, sorrow and death. We all claim to desire heaven. Friends, the only option is for us to change—completely. There is no other option. If we didn’t change—completely, wholly, entirely, we would replicate this earth in heaven! This is why in Revelation 2, a message of rebuke is presented to the church of Ephesus. We must attain to the perfection of God if we want to meet Him at the second coming, if we want to “see His face” (Revelation 22:4) without being destroyed.

And the bottom line in this change, the motive power for this change, and all the things we think, say and do, must be love. Good works, perseverance, labor, intolerance of evil—all these things must be motivated or undergirded, must spring from the great underlying principle of all heaven, the very character of God—love. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). [Emphasis supplied.] Therefore, no matter what we do, think, say, are, if it is not undergirded by the very essence of God—love, it will not stand in the day of final account, and our lampstand will be removed.

This is the burden of my heart and thought—who God is, who we are, who and what we must become if we are to “see His face” and live.

My friends, let us “reason together” (Isaiah 1:18) as God invited us to do. Let us see the beauty, the wisdom, the love, the yearning, the tenderness, and the absolute justice of His will and way. Let us return unto our Lord with the motive of pure, unadulterated love so that we may “abide the day of His coming” and be able to “stand when He appeareth” (Malachi 3:2 KJV).

All Bible quotes NASB unless otherwise noted.

Brenda Douay is a staff member at Steps to Life. She may be contacted by email at: brendadouay@stepstolife.org.

Bible Study Guides – The Final Work and the Ultimate School

by

June 24, 2012 – June 30, 2012

Key Text

“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:33.

Study Help: Education, 301–309.

Introduction

“In our life here, earthly, sin-restricted though it is, the greatest joy and the highest education are in service. And in the future state, untrammeled by the limitations of sinful humanity, it is in service that our greatest joy and our highest education will be found.” Education, 309.

1 EAGER TO SERVE

  • What perspective do we need to gain in recognizing education as a means to an end—rather than an end in itself? Ephesians 1:17–19.

Note: “He [Christ] did not tell them [His disciples] to establish a seminary in Jerusalem, and to gather together students to be instructed in the higher classics. ‘Go ye into all the world,’ He said, ‘and preach the gospel to every creature,’ ‘teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world’ [Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:20].

“Do not gather together those to whom God has given this commission, and make them believe that they have to spend years in college in order to obtain a training for the Lord’s work. Christ’s presence is of more value than years of training. Let our young people come under the yoke of Christ, and by faith go forth as gospel medical missionaries, taking with them the promise, ‘Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ Let them go forth two and two, depending on God, not on man, for their wisdom and their success. Let them search the Scriptures, and then present the truths of God’s word to others. Let them be guided by the principles that God has laid down.” Loma Linda Messages, 71, 72.

2 A NEED THAT CANNOT WAIT

  • To what work is God calling His people today? Isaiah 54:1–3.

Note: “The Lord calls upon our young people to enter our schools and quickly fit themselves for service. In various places outside of cities, schools are to be established where our youth can receive an education that will prepare them to go forth to do evangelical work and medical missionary work.

“The Lord must be given an opportunity to show men their duty and to work upon their minds. No one is to bind himself to serve for a term of years under the direction of one group of men or in one specified branch of the Master’s work; for the Lord Himself will call men, as of old He called the humble fishermen, and will Himself give them instruction regarding their field of labor and the methods they should follow. He will call men from the plow and from other occupations to give the last note of warning to perishing souls. There are many ways in which to work for the Master, and the Great Teacher will open the understanding of these workers, enabling them to see wondrous things in His word.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 170.

  • Describe an inspiring prophecy soon to be fulfilled. Psalm 119:132.

Note: “So great are the world’s needs, that not all who are called to be medical missionary evangelists can afford to spend years in preparation before beginning to do actual field work. Soon doors now open to the gospel messenger will be forever closed. God calls upon many who are prepared to do acceptable service, to carry the message now, not waiting for further preparation; for while some delay, the enemy may take possession of fields now open. …

“Little companies who have received a suitable training in evangelical and medical missionary lines should go forth to do the work to which Christ appointed His disciples. Let them labor as evangelists, scattering our publications, talking of the truth to those they meet, praying for the sick, and, if need be, treating them, not with drugs, but with nature’s remedies, ever realizing their dependence on God. As they unite in the work of teaching and healing they will reap a rich harvest of souls.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 469.

3 FROM CITY TO CITY

  • What is a key aspect of education for the final work, and how can it spread blessings quickly? Proverbs 15:33; Zechariah 4:10, first part.

Note: “The Lord, in His great goodness and matchless love, has been urging upon His human instrumentalities that missionaries are not really complete in their education unless they have a knowledge of how to treat the sick and suffering.” Counsels on Health, 536.

“Soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work.” Ibid., 533.

“Now while the world is favorable toward the teaching of the health reform principles, moves should be made to secure for our own physicians the privilege of imparting medical instruction to our young people who would otherwise be led to attend the worldly medical colleges. The time will come when it will be more difficult than it now is to arrange for the training of our young people in medical missionary lines.” The Medical Evangelist, April 1, 1910.

“God has not given us the work of erecting immense sanitariums, to be used as health resorts for all who may come. Neither is it His purpose that medical missionary workers shall spend a long term of years in college before they enter the field. Let the young men and women who know the truth go to work, not in places where the truth has been proclaimed, but in places that have not heard the message, and let them work as canvassers and evangelists.” Loma Linda Messages, 71.

“As long as probation continues, there will be opportunity for the canvasser to work. … ‘When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another’ [Matthew 10:23]. If persecution comes there, go to still another place.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 478.

  • How only can we flourish in the sight of God? I Corinthians 1:26, 30.

Note: “The work will be given to those who will take it, those who prize it, who weave its principles into their everyday experience. God will choose humble men who are seeking to glorify His name and advance His cause rather than to honor and advance themselves. He will raise up men who have not so much worldly wisdom, but who are connected with Him, and who will seek strength and counsel from above.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 461.

4 FOCUSING ON THE AIM

  • What should be our overall goal whenever seeking to advance our education? I Corinthians 9:16, 22–24.

Note: “Those who have education, and who consecrate themselves to the service of God, can do service in a greater variety of ways, and can accomplish a much more extensive work in bringing souls to the knowledge of the truth than can those who are uneducated. They are on vantage ground, because of the discipline of mind which they have had. We would not depreciate education in the least, but would counsel that it be carried forward with a full sense of the shortness of time, and the great work that is to be accomplished before the coming of Christ. We would not have the students receive the idea that they can spend many years in acquiring an education. Let them use the education that they can acquire in a reasonable length of time, in carrying forward the work of God.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 369, 370.

  • What promise is precious to teachers struggling with the challenge of their high calling to educate souls for eternity? Isaiah 59:19.

Note: “Trials will be met in this work; discouragements will press in upon the soul as teachers see that their labors are not always appreciated. Satan will exercise his power over them in temptations, in discouragements, in afflictions of bodily infirmities, hoping that he can cause them to murmur against God and close their understanding to His goodness, mercy, and love, and the exceeding weight of glory that is to be the reward of the overcomer. But God is leading these souls to more perfect confidence in their heavenly Father. His eye is upon them every moment; and if they lift their cry to Him in faith, if they will stay their souls upon Him in their perplexities, the Lord will bring them forth as gold purified. The Lord Jesus has said: ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ Hebrews 13:5. God may permit a train of circumstances to come that will lead them to flee to the Stronghold, by faith pressing to the throne of God amid thick clouds of darkness; for even here His presence is concealed. But He is ever ready to deliver all that trust in Him.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 156, 157.

5 EDUCATION IN ETERNITY

  • In the day of final reckoning, what will be asked of parents, and what shall we answer, whatever it may cost us in this life? Jeremiah 13:20; Isaiah 8:18; Hebrews 2:13.

Note: “In whatever else we may fail, let us be thorough in the work for our children. If they go forth from the home training, pure and virtuous, if they fill the least and lowest place in God’s great plan of good for the world, our life work can never be called a failure.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 161.

  • How glorious is the eternal school? Isaiah 64:4; I Corinthians 2:9.

Note: “Heaven is a school; its field of study, the universe; its teacher, the Infinite One.” Education, 301.

“[In the school of the hereafter], all the perplexities of life’s experience will then be made plain. Where to us have appeared only confusion and disappointment, broken purposes and thwarted plans, will be seen a grand, overruling, victorious purpose, a divine harmony.” Ibid., 305.

“The years of eternity, as they roll [in the city of God], will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character.” The Great Controversy, 678.

“Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love.” The Desire of Ages, 19, 20.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 How can we revive the practical training Jesus gave His disciples?

2 Why is medical missionary training so valuable for the laity?

3 How can we prepare for the work soon to close earth’s history?

4 How can overwhelmed teachers be encouraged?

5 What perspective do we need in all that we do in life?

© 2005 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.