In 1965, because of an injury, I was taken to the emergency department of a local hospital and was subsequently admitted. My uncle was my attending physician.
At first, it did not appear that my situation was serious. However, a few days later, early in the morning, I asked my nurse to call my uncle immediately because I knew something was wrong, but she didn’t do it. Three hours later, my uncle arrived. When he saw me, he knew that he needed to call my parents and have them come to the hospital. My nurse had thought that I was just apprehensive and that she knew better than me whether something was really wrong. She decided there was no need to bother my uncle, but as a result of that delay, I almost lost my life.
I was rushed into surgery. Later, as I was regaining consciousness, I thought maybe this was the resurrection, and I was just about to get happy, but as I opened my eyes, the pain hit, and I knew right away it was not. I had survived the surgery, but I would remain in the hospital for many days.
I will never forget those days. It was summer, and my room was on the first floor. Through my window, I could look outside at the green shrubs and grass, and the beautiful Colorado sunshine that made everything warm and inviting. I wanted to go outside, but I couldn’t. As if being stuck within the four walls of my room wasn’t bad enough, I was also connected to so many electrical and mechanical gadgets that I couldn’t even walk to the bathroom by myself.
During those days, Curley Putman—a country/western singer from Nashville, Tennessee—wrote a song made popular by Tom Jones—a famous international singer/musician from Great Britain. It was a very emotional song, and I liked to listen to it. Maybe, because of my experience in the hospital, I could relate to it.
It is the story of a Spanish Roman Catholic man sentenced for execution. Lying on the bed in his prison cell on the last night before his execution, he falls asleep and begins to dream. The words of the song chronicle his dream.
The old hometown looks the same
As I step down from the train,
And there to meet me is my mama and papa.
Down the road, I look, and there runs Mary,
Hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they’ll all come to meet me,
Arms reaching, smiling sweetly.
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home.
The old house is still standing
Though the paint is cracked and dry,
And there’s that old oak tree that I used to play on.
Down the lane, I walk with my sweet Mary,
Hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Then I awake and look around me
At four grey walls that surround me,
And I realize, yes, I was only dreaming.
For there’s a guard and there’s a sad, old padre.
On and on, we’ll walk at daybreak.
Again, I’ll touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they’ll all come to see me
In the shade of that old oak tree
As they lay me ’neath the green, green grass of home.
The Green, Green Grass of Home, Curley Putman, 1965
That song became one of the most beloved songs of the 20th century and is still considered a classic today. Its lyrics were the inspiration for this study. We will look at some very hard scriptures because the Bible talks a lot about the hope of eternal life in heaven and why, for the majority of the Christian world, it will be but a dream that will never come true.
“And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then one said to Him, ‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’
“And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, “Lord, Lord, open for us,” and He will answer and say to you, “I do not know you, where you are from,” then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.” But He will say, “I tell you, I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed, there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” ’ ” Luke 13:22–30
“Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.’
“And Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’
“The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, “Go,” and he goes; and to another, “Come,” and he comes; and to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’
“When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ” Matthew 8:5–12
“ ‘To what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament.” For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon.” The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” But wisdom is justified by her children.
“Then He began to upbraid the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.’ ” Matthew 11:16–24
“Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish”? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.’ ” Luke 14:25–33
This is a parable about the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews are spiritually rich, while the Gentiles are spiritually poor.
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19–31
“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, as it was also in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise, the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:26–32
The message found in these scriptures is unmistakable. People from every corner of the world believe they are saved, but most will find they are lost. How can this be? In the Christian world, two classes of people dream of having eternal life, but one class will see their dream drift away.
So, let’s study these two classes so that we can be in the class that will see its dream come true.
A perfect Pharisee. A perfect Laodicean.
The word Laodicea means “the judging of the people.” This is the description of the church today during the judgment.
“These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ‘I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing”—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’ ” Revelation 3:14–22. Laodicea says, “I am rich and increased with goods. I need nothing. Investigate for yourself, you won’t find any sin in me.”
In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees held this same belief about themselves. Jesus gave us a parable to demonstrate the difference between the proud and self-righteous who believe they need nothing and the humble sinner who recognizes that he needs salvation.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!’
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:11–14
Scary, isn’t it? To think of being so deceived regarding your true nature that you cannot see that, despite all your pride and self-conviction, you are bereft of the humility of spirit that will open your eyes to your actual condition and need. Those who are in and will remain in the Laodicean condition will not be part of the 144,000, nor will they have a place in eternity. The Pharisees believed, and Laodicea believes that sin is just a choice, and if sin is just a choice and they did not commit sin, then they are not sinners.
Paul describes his experience as a Pharisee, saying, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” Philippians 3:5, 6
“I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.” Romans 7:9. To his own eyes, Paul appeared to be perfect. But when he met Jesus on the Damascus road, when his eyes beheld His infinite purity, he instantly knew what he was: a sinner, rotten on the inside, and needing to be saved.
Christians, including Seventh-day Adventists, have been and continue to be taught that sin is just a choice. Jesus didn’t choose to sin, I’m not going to choose to sin, so He and I are the same. What nonsense.
The same, and yet, different
Every person born into this world is born in sin; Jesus Christ alone was the exception, having been born into this world without a single taint of sin. Jesus was not exactly the same as we are, and we must never think He was. Do not reduce Jesus just to the level of a man. He was a man, but He was not like every other man in one single point.
“Christ’s life of humiliation should be a lesson to all who desire to exalt themselves above others. Though He had no taint of sin upon His character, yet He condescended to connect our fallen human nature with His divinity. …
“In humility Christ began His mighty work of lifting the fallen race from the degradation of sin, recovering them by His divine power, which He had linked with humanity.” Christ Triumphant, 232
“Though He had no taint of sin upon His character, yet He condescended to connect our fallen human nature with His divinity. By thus taking humanity, He honored humanity. Having taken our fallen nature, He showed what it might become, by accepting the ample provision He has made for it, and by becoming partaker of the divine nature.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 453
“It was a difficult task for the Prince of Life to carry out the plan which He had undertaken for the salvation of man, in clothing His divinity with humanity. He had received honor in the heavenly courts and was familiar with absolute power. It was as difficult for Him to keep the level of humanity as for men to rise above the low level of their depraved natures and be partakers of the divine nature.” The Review and Herald, April 1, 1895. Amazing statement.
A faulty definition
The Pharisees had a faulty definition of sin, and because of this, they thought they were okay. This erroneous definition of sin makes people believe they are okay. The Pharisee said, “I’m not like other men.” The Laodicean says, “I have ned of nothing.” It is a fatal mindset.
Wrong comparison
The Pharisee did not compare his life with Jesus’ life, but with other men. Since he is better, in his estimation, than other men, he is satisfied with himself. Consequently, he learns to despise others because they are not as good as he believes he is.
Motivated by self-interest
The Pharisee’s worship is motivated by self-interest. He worships the Lord because of the benefits he thinks he will receive. People around the world choose the religion they will follow and the church they will attend based on what will benefit them most and is easiest to follow, requiring the least sacrifice.
Ceremony and outward display
The Pharisee’s religion was comprised entirely of form, ceremony, and outward religious observances—a religion dealing only with the outward life—without any heart work. He was very spiritual, at least to the human eye. He helped the poor, held church offices, paid his tithe, and often prayed so that he could be seen and praised by men as being very religious, but his religion involved only the outward. His religion was not from the heart. Jesus said that the Pharisee’s heart was rotten, like a tombstone that appears beautiful on the outside but inside is full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. On the outside, the Pharisee was zealous for God, but inside, he plotted to murder the Son of God.
Proud and self-sufficient
As a result, the Pharisee became proud and self-sufficient—the most spiritually-dangerous condition. What greater delusion can there be than believing you are saved but are actually lost?
The disobedient Christian
The second class of Christians for whom eternal life in heaven is just a dream that will never come true are not Pharisees or Laodiceans. This class does not boast that they are without sin. This Christian has one giant problem that will keep him out of heaven.
“ ‘Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” ’ ” Matthew 7:21–23
This verse speaks of the Christian on the day of judgment. He is certain that he is saved, so much so that he argues with the Lord, reminding Him of all the good works he has done in His name. But what does Jesus say? “I never knew you; depart from Me you who practice lawlessness.” This Christian has just one big problem—he is disobedient.
However, there is another category of Christian for whom the dream of eternity spent with Jesus will become a reality.
Humiliation, repentance, and transformation
This Christian
- Knows he is sinful and polluted. He is not deceived by the Pharisaic delusion that sin is just a choice.
- Because he knows he is sinful and polluted, is often overwhelmed with guilt. Therefore, he comes to God confessing that he is lost, knowing his only hope is found in the unmerited love of God. He comes to God in repentance and humiliation, knowing and confessing that he is hopelessly lost without Him.
- Understands that the human heart of all humanity, except for Jesus Christ, is deceitful above all things and incurably wicked. He knows that unless he allows the Holy Spirit to open his eyes, he cannot see his own sinfulness. Once the Holy Spirit begins the work of transformation in him, he is immediately convicted of sin, and he no longer can say he is okay.
- In beholding Christ’s purity and excellence he can see his weaknesses, defects, and poverty. He realizes that he is lost and hopelessly clad in the garments of self-righteousness like every other sinner. Self now appears to him as nothing but shame, and he cries out to the Lord.
“No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, 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.
“It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward, it is to be renewed. All our good works are dependent on a power outside of ourselves. Therefore, there needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the soul before Him. Only by constant renunciation of self and dependence on Christ can we walk safely.
“The nearer we come to Jesus and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly we shall discern the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the less we shall feel like exalting ourselves. …
“Men who have lived nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God had honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their own nature. They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ. So will it be with all who behold Christ.
“At every advance step in Christian experience our repentance will deepen. It is to those whom the Lord has forgiven, to those whom He acknowledges as His people, that He says, ‘Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight.’ Ezekiel 36:31.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 159, 160
This experience does not happen at baptism. Instead, as the power of Christ draws the sinner, he chooses to approach and look upon Christ on the cross, suspended between heaven and earth. In his mind and heart, he falls prostrate at the foot of the cross. It is then that a miracle happens. He is given a new heart and made a new creature, a true Christian, in Christ Jesus. God is the Justifier of man. When He looks upon him and finds nothing more to require, He will glorify him (Romans 8:30).
Jesus gave us the parable of the wedding feast to help us understand that salvation predestines everyone to be saved. Unfortunately, not every person will accept salvation, and their dream of living in heaven for all eternity will be nothing more than that—just a dream. But for those who accept God’s gift of salvation, heaven is waiting, her gates opened wide to receive all of God’s children home.
“ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.
“ ‘Again, he sent out other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, ‘See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.’ ”
“ ‘But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.
“ ‘But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
“ ‘Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore, go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.”
“ ‘So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
“ ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless.
“ ‘Then the king said to the servants, “Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” ’ ” Matthew 22:2–14
All are called, all are invited, but only those who accept salvation and surrender their lives to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, will be found wearing the wedding garment—the robe of Christ’s righteousness. Only these are chosen.
It is this wedding garment that Jesus is referring to when He says to the Laodicean, “buy from Me … white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.” Revelation 3:18
Obedience opens the gates of heaven. Without it, man can never obtain the wedding garment. He cannot produce righteousness in or by himself, and he cannot receive it from Christ if he is disobedient to the law of God. Those who want to go to heaven must become obedient by the power of the Holy Spirit. The devil says that man cannot obey, and sadly many Christians believe him. It is true that we cannot do it alone, but God has promised each one who comes to Him in complete surrender of the will, will be given the grace and power to overcome.
“There is not one of us who will be placed in heaven with the mold of our own will.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 9, 259
“You are not able, of yourself, to bring your purposes and desires and inclinations into submission to the will of God; but if you are ‘willing to be made willing,’ God will accomplish the work for you … . ‘For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.’ ” The Signs of the Times, May 18, 1904
If any man doubts that he can overcome, he need only look in Revelation 2 verses 7, 11, 17, 26, and Revelation 3 verses 5, 12, and 21. Jesus says that we can and are to overcome. And Inspiration tells us that “All His biddings are enablings.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 333. Whatever God asks us to do, He provides the ability to do it.
“If we would seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, the principles of righteousness would guide our lives, and self-seeking would find no place in our hearts. The desire to do our own will would be submerged in the desire to do the will of God.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 20, 82
“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
Pastor John J. Grosboll is the Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be reached by email at historic@stepstolife.org or by telephone at 316-788-5559.