Heaven

Bible Study Guides – The Reward of the Faithful

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June 20, 2010 – June 26, 2010

Key Text

“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.

Study Help: God’s Amazing Grace, 354, 355.

Introduction

“In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called a country. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the widespreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.” The Adventist Home, 542.

1 What qualification is necessary in order to be accepted of God? Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 18:4; James 4:6, 10.

Note: “Jesus, our precious Saviour, could not see us exposed to the fatal snares of Satan and forbear making an infinite sacrifice on our behalf. He interposes Himself between Satan and the tempted soul and says, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan’ [Matthew 16:23]. Let me come close to this tempted soul.’ He pities and loves every humble, trembling suppliant.” That I May Know Him, 77.

2 What will those who enter the kingdom of heaven need to be like? Matthew 18:3–5.

Note: “It was not enough for the disciples of Jesus to be instructed as to the nature of His kingdom. What they needed was a change of heart that would bring them into harmony with its principles. Calling a little child to Him, Jesus set him in the midst of them; then tenderly folding the little one in His arms He said, ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven’ [Matthew 18:3]. The simplicity, the self-forgetfulness, and the confiding love of a little child are the attributes that Heaven values. These are the characteristics of real greatness.” The Desire of Ages, 437.

3 What promise was made to the disciples? Acts 1:10, 11.

Note: “The disciples were still looking earnestly toward heaven when, ‘behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.’ Acts 1:10, 11.

“The promise of Christ’s second coming was ever to be kept fresh in the minds of His disciples. The same Jesus whom they had seen ascending into heaven, would come again, to take to Himself those who here below give themselves to His service. The same voice that had said to them, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end’ [Matthew 28:20], would bid them welcome to His presence in the heavenly kingdom.” The Acts of the Apostles, 33.

4 What is said about the future home of the faithful? I Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:4; Isaiah 65:17, 18.

Note: “As your senses delight in the attractive loveliness of the earth, think of the world that is to come, that shall never know the blight of sin and death; where the face of nature will no more wear the shadow of the curse. Let your imagination picture the home of the saved, and remember that it will be more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray. In the varied gifts of God in nature we see but the faintest gleaming of his glory. It is written, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.’ 1 Corinthians 2:9.” Christian Education, 55.

5 What is the reward of the faithful ones who have Christ’s righteousness? II Timothy 4:8; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 22:14.

Note: “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.

“ ‘If any man’s work abide … he shall receive a reward.’ I Corinthians 3:14. Glorious will be the reward bestowed when the faithful workers gather about the throne of God and of the Lamb. … They have been partakers with Christ in His sufferings, they have been workers together with Him in the plan of redemption, and they are partakers with Him in the joy of seeing souls saved in the kingdom of God, there to praise God through all eternity.” The Faith I Live By, 370.

6 What will living in the new earth be like? Isaiah 65:17–25; Isaiah 35:5–10.

Note: “A fear of making the future inheritance seem too material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead us to look upon it as our home. Christ assured His disciples that He went to prepare mansions for them in the Father’s house. Those who accept the teachings of God’s word will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly abode. … Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God.” The Adventist Home, 541, 542.

7 How did the apostle John describe the future home of the saved? Revelation 21:1–3, 4, 10–27.

Note: “We are homeward bound. He who loved us so much as to die for us hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest. There will be no sadness in the City of God. No wail of sorrow, no dirge of crushed hopes and buried affections, will evermore be heard. Soon the garments of heaviness will be changed for the wedding garment. Soon we shall witness the coronation of our King. Those whose lives have been hidden with Christ, those who on this earth have fought the good fight of faith, will shine forth with the Redeemer’s glory in the kingdom of God.

“Heaven is a good place. I long to be there and behold my lovely Jesus, who gave His life for me, and be changed into His glorious image. Oh, for language to express the glory of the bright world to come! I thirst for the living streams that make glad the city of our God.

“The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city to a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes; they were noble, majestic, and lovely.” The Adventist Home, 542, 543.

8 How does Isaiah describe the home of the saved? Isaiah 11:6–9.

Note: “ ‘The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker; … and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is His name. And I have put My words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of Mine hand.’ Isaiah 51:11–16.” The Great Controversy, 633.

9 How is Christ’s return to this earth described? Matthew 24:27; Acts 1:10, 11; Revelation 1:7; 19:11–21.

Note: “The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. Like peals of loudest thunder His words roll through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with His glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked cannot look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have honored God by keeping His Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory.

“Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man’s hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man. In solemn silence they gaze upon it as it draws nearer the earth, becoming lighter and more glorious, until it is a great white cloud, its base a glory like consuming fire, and above it the rainbow of the covenant. Jesus rides forth as a mighty conqueror. … His countenance outshines the dazzling brightness of the noonday sun. ‘And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.’ Revelation 19:16.” The Great Controversy, 640, 641.

10 Who will occupy the eternal city? Revelation 21:22–27.

Note: “Before the ransomed throng is the Holy City. Jesus opens wide the pearly gates, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. There they behold the Paradise of God, the home of Adam in his innocency. Then that voice, richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, is heard, saying: ‘Your conflict is ended.’ ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ [Matthew 25:34].” The Great Controversy, 646.

11 How many are in the special group? Revelation 7:4, 9; Revelation 14:3.

Note: “Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 65.

Additional Reading

“There are homes for the pilgrims of earth. There are robes for the righteous, with crowns of glory and palms of victory. All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find explanation. 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. …

“We are homeward bound. He who loved us so much as to die for us hath builded for us a city. The New Jerusalem is our place of rest. There will be no sadness in the city of God.” The Adventist Home, 542, 543.

“The 144,000 were all sealed, and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, ‘God, New Jerusalem,’ and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another’s feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 65.

This quarter’s lessons were prepared by Ruth Grosboll prior to her passing in January, 2010.

Jesus Opens the Holy Place

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Prophecy says that, “Her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.” Revelation 12:5. This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus ascended to heaven shortly after He rose from the dead. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God, until the day he was taken up to heaven (Acts 1:3, 2).

The ascension of Jesus, forty days following His death and resurrection, was in harmony with the dedication of the firstborn. In The Desire of Ages, we read, “About forty days after the birth of Christ, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord, and to offer sacrifice. This was according to the Jewish law, and as man’s substitute Christ must conform to the law in every particular. …

“The dedication of the first-born had its origin in the earliest times. God had promised to give the First-born of heaven to save the sinner.” The Desire of Ages, 50, 51.

Christ the Lamb of God had given His life on the cross to save the sinner and now He would ascend to heaven to be dedicated as our high priest in the Holy Place of the sanctuary in heaven. When the time came for His ascension, Jesus led His disciples out to the vicinity of Bethany. There He paused and “while he was blessing them, he left them, and was taken up into heaven.” “He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9.

When on the island of Patmos John was given a vision of the arrival of Jesus in heaven following His ascension. When John was taken off in vision he looked, and there before him was a door standing open in heaven (Revelation 4:1). He then describes what he saw through the open door. “There before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. … Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. … Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. Revelation 4:2–6.

“Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the ‘seven lamps of fire.’ ” The Great Controversy, 414, 415. Revelation chapter four and five is a description of the preparations being made in heaven to welcome Jesus home from His journey on this earth and of His inauguration as our High Priest.

When John became aware of the presence of Jesus, he said, “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne.” Revelation 5:6. Jesus still retained His human form and the marks of His sacrifice as the Lamb of God.

We find another account of the ascension of Jesus and His arrival to the Holy City. “Christ had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity. The disciples had beheld the cloud receive Him. The same Jesus who had walked and talked and prayed with them; who had broken bread with them; who had been with them in their boats on the lake; and who had that very day toiled with them up the ascent of Olivet—the same Jesus had now gone to share His Father’s throne.” The Desire of Ages, 832.

All of the hosts of heaven were there to welcome their King home. “The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train.

“As they drew near to the city of God, the challenge is given by the escorting angels—

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in.”

Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond—

“Who is this King of glory?”

This they say, not because they know not who He is, but because they would hear the answer of exalted praise—

“The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in.”

Again is heard the challenge, “Who is this King of glory?” for the angels never weary of hearing His name exalted. The escorting angels make reply—

“The Lord of hosts;

He is the King of glory.”

Psalm 24:7–10.

“The portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music.” The Desire of Ages, 833.

“There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. … all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.” Ibid., 834. Such is the glorious welcome the King of heaven received at His ascension.

At this time John the Revelator calls our attention to another scene. We pick up the story in the fifth chapter of Revelation. “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll, or look inside.” Revelation 5:1–4.

What a discordant note this seems to be in the midst of this celebration. Here are all of the heavenly universe pouring forth their praises to their glorious commander and the disciple John weeping and weeping. John is weeping because no one is found who is worthy to open this important scroll in the right hand of God the Father. Why does not Jesus have the power and authority to open the scroll at this time? It is because He has not yet appeared before the Father to have His sacrifice accepted in fulfillment of the covenant.

Ellen White explains, “Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, ‘It is finished,’ He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption.” The Desire of Ages, 834.

“The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. … The Father’s arms encircle His Son.” Ibid., 834.

After the sacrifice of Jesus has been accepted of the Father for the fulfillment of the covenant and Jesus is inaugurated as our High Priest, one of the twenty four elders comes to John and says, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5.

In response to the elder’s announcement John says, “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands; And among the lampstands was someone ‘like a Son of man,’ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were like blazing fire; His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace; and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars; and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword: His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” Revelation 1:12–16.

With the inauguration of Jesus as our High Priest and mediator in the Holy Place in the sanctuary in heaven completed, the word is given, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” Hebrews 1:6. With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of life. The angel host prostrate themselves before Him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Revelation 5:12.

“Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is found. Heaven rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming, ‘Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.’ Revelation 5:13.” The Desire of Ages, 835.

In these accounts from the Bible and The Desire of Ages we have a full description of the inauguration of Jesus and the opening of the Holy Place in the sanctuary in heaven in A.D. 31. This inauguration took place during the ten days between the ascension of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost which occurred fifty days after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

We shall now turn our attention back to this earth and see what His disciples were doing during these ten days leading up to the Day of Pentecost. Luke gives a brief view into their activities at this time. “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1:12–14).

The main activity of the believers that impressed Luke was that they “all joined together constantly in prayer.” In The Acts of the Apostles there is a detailed amplification of the disciples’ activities during these ten days. A thorough knowledge of their activities is important to the faithful believers at the present time, because they must make the same preparation today to participate in the latter rain.

In The Review and Herald, March 2, 1897, we find the following instruction. “The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of Man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. …

“Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.”

Seeing that we are required to make the same preparation to receive the latter rain that the disciples were required to complete and to receive the early rain, we should go back and study what these requirements are.

In The Acts of the Apostles we are given a detailed record of their preparation to receive the early rain. “The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship. They drew nearer and nearer to God, and as they did this they realized what a privilege had been theirs in being permitted to associate so closely with Christ. …

“These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised. …

“In obedience to the word of the Saviour, the disciples offered their supplications for this gift, and in heaven Christ added His intercession. He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it upon His people. …

“And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” The Acts of the Apostles, 37.

When their preparation was completed and they were all of one accord, they were ready to receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Now, when the ceremony for the opening of the Holy Place in heaven was completed and on earth the disciples had completed their preparation, the time was come for the promised blessing.

“The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven’s communication that the Redeemer’s inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people.” Ibid., 38, 39.

Now the hundred and twenty disciples who received the blessing of the Holy Spirit were qualified and prepared to take the gospel to the world. The foundation of their message was the death, resurrection, and ascension of a risen Savior. He was now their High Priest and mediator in the Holy Place of the sanctuary in heaven. From his position in heaven He is sending the message to all people under the burden of sin, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30.

It was this gospel under which thousands were converted in a day. The people of Thessalonica acknowledged that this message of Jesus’ work in the heavenly sanctuary to mediate for them was so powerful that it “turned the world upside down.” Acts 17:6.

The people of God have the promise today that when they complete the same preparation that the disciples did, the Holy Spirit will be poured upon them. The conditions for receiving this blessing are given in the following statement:

“Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. … They are making a terrible mistake. … The heart must be emptied of every defilement and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. … Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.

“At no point in our experience can we dispense with the assistance of that which enables us to make the first start. The blessings received under the former rain are needful to us to the end. … Divine grace is needed at the beginning, divine grace at every step of advance, and divine grace alone can complete the work. There is no place for us to rest in a careless attitude. We must never forget the warnings of Christ, ‘Watch unto prayer,’ [I Peter 4:7, last part], ‘Watch, … and pray always’ [Luke 21:36, first part]. … It will never do to cease our efforts. If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls, and the responsibility will lie at our own door.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 507, 508.

Maurice Hoppe is retired and volunteers at Steps to Life. His primary responsibility is working with the Training Program for Ministers and Church Leaders and the Training Program for Lay Workers. He also conducts a Bible Correspondence School from his home with emphasis on Bible prophecy. He can be contacted at: mauricehoppe@stepstolife.org.

Pen of Inspiration – A Vivid View of Future Events

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Mrs. White’s presentation of the views given her of the age-long conflict between Christ and His angels and Satan and his angels was a work in which she was, from time to time, engaged from early life to the close of her ministry. Again and again certain of the scenes were portrayed before her in vivid representations. To this she made reference in 1911, “While writing the manuscript of [The] Great Controversy I was often conscious of the presence of the angels of God and many times the scenes about which I was writing were presented to me anew in visions of the night so that they were fresh and vivid in my mind.”—Letter 56, 1900. (Notes and Papers, 134.)

One such scene which was presented to her on several occasions was that of the deliverance of the saints just before the second coming of Christ. An early presentation of this is found in Early Writings, pages 285–288, and it is presented again in the familiar chapter in The Great Controversy, pages 635–652, under the title of “God’s People Delivered.”

In 1911 Elder W.C. White stated, “While mother was writing this book [The Great Controversy], many of the scenes were presented to her over and over again in visions of the night. The deliverance of God’s people, as given in chapter 40, was repeated three times, and on two occasions, once at her home in Healdsburg, and once at the St. Helena Sanitarium, members of her family sleeping in nearby rooms, were awakened from sleep by a clear, musical cry, ‘They come! They come!’ (See The Great Controversy, 636.)

[On Sunday, January 20, 1884, while spending a few days at the St. Helena Sanitarium, Mrs. White penned a letter to two of the leading ministers of the denomination, George I. Butler, president of the General Conference, and S.N. Haskell, a worker of large experience, in which she described one of these presentations which was made to her on Friday night, January 18. That which follows is a vivid description of this experience.— A.L. White.] Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, 207.

Friday night several heard my voice exclaiming, “Look, Look!” Whether I was dreaming or in vision, I cannot tell. I slept alone. The time of trouble was upon us. I saw our people in great distress, weeping and praying, pleading the sure promises of God, while the wicked were all around us, mocking us and threatening to destroy us. They ridiculed our feebleness, they mocked at the smallness of our numbers, and taunted us with words calculated to cut deep. They charged us with taking an independent position from all the rest of the world. They had cut off our resources so that we could not buy or sell, and they referred to our abject poverty and stricken condition. They could not see how we could live without the world. We were dependent on the world, and we must concede to the customs, practices, and laws of the world, or go out of it. If we were the only people in the world whom the Lord favored, the appearances were awfully against us.

They declared that they had the truth, that miracles were among them; that angels from heaven talked with them and walked with them, that great power and signs and wonders were performed among them, and that this was the temporal millennium they had been expecting so long. The whole world was converted and in harmony with the Sunday law, and this little feeble people stood out in defiance of the laws of the land and the law of God, and claimed to be the only ones right on the earth.

They declared, “The angels from heaven have spoken to us,” referring to those whom Satan personated that had died and they claimed had gone to heaven. “You will bear the testimony of the heavenly messengers.” They sneered, they mocked, they derided and abused the sorrowing ones. There was much more but I have not time to write it.

But while anguish was upon the loyal and true who would not worship the beast or his image and accept and revere an idol Sabbath, One said, “Look up! Look up!” Every eye was lifted, and the heavens seemed to part as a scroll when it is rolled together, and as Stephen looked into heaven, we looked. The mockers were taunting and reviling us, and boasting of what they intended to do to us if we continued obstinate in holding fast our faith. But now we were as those who heard them not; we were gazing upon a scene that shut out everything else.

There stood revealed the throne of God; around it were ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands upon thousands, and close about the throne were the martyrs. Among this number I saw the very ones who were so recently in such abject misery, whom the world knew not, whom the world hated and despised. A voice said, “Jesus, who is seated upon the throne, has so loved man that He gave His life a sacrifice to redeem him from the power of Satan, and to exalt him to His throne. He who is above all powers, He who has the greatest influence in heaven and in earth, He to whom every soul is indebted for every favor he has received, was meek and lowly in disposition, holy, harmless, and undefiled in life. He was obedient to all His Father’s commandments. Wickedness has filled the earth; it is defiled under the inhabitants thereof. The high places of the powers of earth have been polluted with corruption and base idolatries; but the time has come when righteousness shall receive the palm of victory and triumph. Those who were accounted by the world as weak and unworthy, those who were defenseless against the cruelty of men, shall be crowned conquerors and more than conquerors.”

[Revelation 7:9–17, quoted: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”]

They are before the throne enjoying the sunless splendors of eternal day, not as a scattered, feeble company, to suffer by the satanic passions of a rebellious world, expressing the sentiments, the doctrines, and the counsels of demons. Strong and terrible have become the masters of iniquity in the world under the control of Satan, but strong is the Lord God who judgeth Babylon. The just have no longer anything to fear from force or fraud as long as they are loyal and true. A mightier than the strong man armed is set for their defense. All power and greatness and excellence of character will be given to those who have believed and stood in defense of the truth, standing up and firmly defending the laws of God.

Another heavenly being exclaimed with firm and musical voice, “They have come out of great tribulation. They have walked in the fiery furnace in the world, heated intensely by the passions and caprices of men who would enforce upon them the worship of the beast and his image, who would compel them to be disloyal to the God of heaven. They have come from the mountains, from the rocks, from the dens and caves of the earth, from dungeons, from prisons, from secret councils, from the torture chamber, from hovels, from garrets. They have passed through sore affliction, deep self-denial, and deep disappointment. They are no longer to be the sport and ridicule of wicked men. They are to be no longer mean and sorrowful in the eyes of those who despise them. Remove the filthy garments from them, with which wicked men have delighted to clothe them. Give them a change of raiment, even the white robes of righteousness, and set a fair mitre upon their heads.”

They were clothed in richer robes than earthly beings had ever worn; they were crowned with diadems of glory such as human beings had never seen. The days of suffering, of reproach, of want, of hunger, are no more; weeping is past. Then they break forth in songs, loud, clear, and musical; they wave the palm branches of victory, and exclaim, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

Oh, may God endue us with His Spirit and make us strong in His strength! In that great day of supreme and final triumph it will be seen that the righteous were strong, and that wickedness in all its forms and with all its pride was a weak and miserable failure and defeat. We will cling close to Jesus, we will trust Him, we will seek His grace and His great salvation. We must hide in Jesus, for He is a covert from the storm, a present help in time of trouble.—Letter 6, 1884, 1–4.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, 207–210.

Rapture and The Second Coming

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We are living in the final period of the time of the end, or the last days. As we approach the end of world history, the Book of Revelation teaches that God has sent a special message for the final generation.

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth—to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come; and worship Him that made heaven and earth, and the sea and the fountains of waters.’ ” Revelation 14:6, 7. This is an appeal to worship God as the Creator. God knew the theory of evolution that would be prominent in the last days and gave this warning.

The first angel’s message is described as being given by an angel flying in the midst of heaven (Revelation 14:6). The second angel announces, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, and has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Verse 8. These are followed by a third message which says, “And a third angel followed saying with a loud voice, ‘If any one worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture [or full strength], into the cup of His indignation. And 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 for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’ ” Revelation 14:8–11.

This is a most fearful warning that is given to the last generation living on the earth. The final verse in the third angel’s message says, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.

Here are pointed out two classes of people. The first class is the group who receive the mark of the beast, the mark of destruction, the mark of antichrist which involves the breaking of God’s commandments. The second class are the saints, or the holy ones of God, identified as those who keep God’s commandments.

The Book of Revelation pulls the curtain of mystery aside. Bible prophecy predicted that Christ would come to this earth twice. The first time He would come as a suffering servant. His visage would be marred more than any man (Isaiah 52:14) and He would be killed as a trespass offering for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53).

It is important to know exactly who Jesus really is. John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1–3. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Verse 14. Jesus is the Word.

Paul says, “By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth.” Colossians 1:16. Jesus was with God in the beginning and He was the creator of all things. He created this world for a purpose, to be inhabited. This Jesus is the same One who came to this world to pay the price of my sins and your sins.

The Bible says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and God’s law is so holy and so unchangeable, not only can it not be changed, even the penalty for breaking God’s law cannot be changed. When God’s law is broken, the penalty must be paid and Jesus was willing to give up His life in order for each person in this world to have life. During His trial, three times Pilate declared that he found no fault in Him (John 18:38; 19:4, 6). The Jews could not find any fault in Him. Nobody could find any fault with Him, but they crucified Him anyway because He said He was a king. Jesus was crucified for telling the truth. His innocent body was nailed to the cruel cross where He suffered an agonizing death to save man. It would do us all well to see Him on the cross more often than we do and contemplate why this had to happen. Was this the price for breaking God’s law?

The day of the crucifixion was the day the Bible describes as preparation day, preparation for the Sabbath. Jesus died in the middle of the afternoon on the day we call Friday. As the Sabbath drew on there was an urgency to prepare the body of Jesus for His burial. What did they do? “And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:55, 56. From this Scripture it is very clear that the Sabbath, according to the commandment, is the day between Good Friday and resurrection Sunday—Saturday!

The next day after the Sabbath Jesus rose and said, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” John 11:25. In Revelation 1:18, Jesus said to John, “I am He who lives (or who is living), and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore. And I have the keys of the grave, I have the keys of death and the grave.” In some Bibles this is translated hell, which really means grave. There is only one person who has the keys to the grave, and He is the One you need to know if you should die and want to be resurrected to eternal life. That person is Jesus.

It was imperative that the sacrifice would occur, in order for my sins to be forgiven and to have eternal life. There had to be a blood offering for the price of sin to be paid. Without Jesus going to the cross and paying the price, I would have to pay myself, and that would mean the second death. If the price of sin was a ten-year prison sentence, you could pay the price yourself, but that is not what the price of sin is. Even in this world there are some crimes that the price is capital punishment which means death.

The strongest evidence that can be given to prove that the law of God cannot be changed is the cross of Christ. If the law could have been changed there would have been no need for Jesus to die. It says in I Corinthians 15:3 that, “He died for our sins.” And “sin is breaking the law,” I John 3:4. Jesus died because we broke the law. Jesus uplifted the law when He told His disciples, “Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” Matthew 24:20. Here Jesus was referring to an event that was going to happen many years after the cross and He instructed His disciples to continue to keep holy the Sabbath day.

In the end, there is going to be a group of people ready and waiting for Jesus to come. They are described in Bible prophecy in Revelation 14:12: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15. Jesus not only created the world, but He is the One who spoke the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. He also wrote them with His own finger in tables of stone. Christ died to save us from our sins, our law breaking. It says in Titus 2:14, “He gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous of good works.”

Today, probation has not closed yet and the invitation for salvation is still being given to the whole world. Jesus died on the cross once and He is coming back again for those who are waiting for Him and ready to meet Him. Just before He left this world to go back to heaven again, He told His disciples what they were to do. As He was ascending, the angels came and told the disciples that, “This same Jesus will come as you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. In other words, He would come back the same way. It says, “A cloud received him out of their sight.” Verse 9. There are several places in the Bible that says when He comes back He will be coming with clouds.

Bible prophecy predicted that Jesus would come the first time as a suffering servant and would sacrifice His life to save sinners (Isaiah 53), thereby establishing the kingdom of grace whereby sinners could be saved from the guilt and power of their sins. Prophecy also predicted that Jesus would come the second time, not as a suffering servant to pay the price for our sins, but as a conquering Prince. The first time He came was to bear our sins and to pay the price for our sins. The text says that, “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Hebrews 9:28. The last part of the verse says, “And to those who eagerly await for Him He will appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation.”

Jesus is the rightful owner of this world for two reasons. First, He created it and second, because He paid the price on the cross to redeem it. Jesus warned us when He was here that before He would come again there would be a tremendous effort by Satan to deceive the whole world concerning His return. Notice what Jesus said about these deceptions that were going to come:

“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ, and will deceive many.’ ” Luke 21:8. Not every deceiver would claim to be Christ; some would just claim to be His prophets. “False Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:22. There are going to be a lot of miracles worked in the last days which will be very impressive. Your faith needs to be in the Word of God if you are not going to be deceived because the devil and his agents are going to work a lot of miracles in the last days. Jesus said, “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.” Matthew 24:26. In other words, do not believe anybody who comes along teaching about a secret coming of Christ.

Jesus told His disciples the night He was betrayed, “Let not your heart be troubled; you 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1–3. He said that He was going to come back and when He came back He was going to take His followers with Him to heaven.

Fact One—Literal Event

Christ’s coming is a literal event. He is going to come in the clouds and He is going to take His people, His children, with Him back to heaven. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote about this. He said, “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13.

Fact Two—Personal Event

Christ’s coming is a personal event. When Jesus left, while the apostles were looking up and watching, the angels said to them, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. Notice, He will come the same way you saw Him go. The disciples witnessed His ascension and just so, His modern disciples will see Him return.

Fact Three—Visible Event

Christ’s coming is a visible event. “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him.” Revelation 1:7. It is going to be the most exciting thing you have ever seen if you are one of His children. Most of the people living at that time will not be rejoicing at all. Notice these words of Christ Himself: “Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn.” Matthew 24:30. Why will they mourn? In the last days there is going to be a tremendous religious controversy over the subject of worship. Are you going to worship the Creator or are you going to worship the beast? How many people are going to worship the beast? Revelation says, “And all who dwell upon the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8.

The greatest deception of all time will be practiced on the people of this earth in the last generation. The dragon will deceive the whole world (Revelation 12:9). As a result, the whole world will marvel and follow the beast from the sea. The earth is then deceived by the beast from the earth. He deceives those who dwell on earth by those miracles which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast from the sea, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast. After the earth is deceived by the dragon, the beast from the sea and the beast from the land, the earth is deceived by spirits who they think are spirits from God in heaven.

The majority of people are going to mourn when Jesus comes because they have been deceived. They will realize too late that they have been worshiping the antichrist they thought was the real Christ. Incidentally, the word antichrist originally meant, somebody who stands in the place of Christ. The deceived will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory and they are going to mourn. Revelation 6:14–17 says, “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who shall be able to stand?’ ” Revelation 6:15–17.

Fact Four—Audible Event

The coming of Christ back to this earth will be an audible event. It is literal, personal, visible and audible. There is going to be a lot of noise when Jesus comes back. It says in Revelation 16, “And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” Revelation 16:18, 20. Paul says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” I Thessalonians 4:16. When that shout occurs, the graves are going to open up with that mighty earthquake and God’s children, who have been sleeping in death, are going to be raised up. Paul continues on to say, “And the dead in Christ will rise first.” I have often asked, Lord, if it’s all right with You, when it is the day of the resurrection, I would like to be at a cemetery. I would like to see the graves open up. I think it will be the most exciting thing that has ever happened.

At that trumpet sound when the graves open up you will be reunited with your loved ones who have been torn from you in death, never to be separated from them again. There is not going to be any sorrow or any pain attached to it; the resurrection does not hurt. “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:17.

Meaning of Rapture

The word rapture is not found anywhere in the Bible. It means to catch up or snatch away something. When Jesus comes, His people are going to be taken out of this world; they are going to go up in a cloud with Jesus to heaven.

Christ’s coming is described in one or two Bible verses as a thief. This, however, does not refer to how He comes, but when He comes. To those who are unprepared, it will be unexpected and a surprise. When a thief enters a house, he may tie the people up and there may be even gunfire and all kinds of noise, but he does not want anyone to know when he is coming. The coming of Jesus is described over and over as a surprise to this world. That is the way of a thief. It is going to be a surprise. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” I Corinthians 15:52. The word mortal means that you are subject to death. Immortal means that you are not subject to death. The second coming is described as literal, personal, visible, and audible (I Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

But, what about the text about two being in the field (Luke 17:36)? The Bible does not teach that those left are left alive. The wicked are destroyed with the brightness of his coming. “For the great day of His wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:17. It says, “They hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!’ ” Revelation 6:15, 16. How many are going to be left alive? Nobody!

The Bible says, “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse [Jesus] and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and the false prophet who worked signs in His presence by which He deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worship his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19:19–21.

When Jesus comes again, one of two things is going to happen. Either you will be saved, or you will be lost; there is no middle ground and there is no second chance. Each person, by then, will have made his/her decision for eternity. Jesus said that time will be like it was in the days of Noah. For one hundred and twenty years while Noah was building the ark he preached to the people what had been told him that the world was going to be destroyed by a flood. The masses did not believe him and scoffed at his message. Jesus said it will be the same in the last days. People will scoff at the soon coming of Christ and the judgment.

The people scoffed at Noah and even though they saw the animals go into the ark guided by an unseen hand, they still considered Noah a fanatic and crazy, refusing to go in. Only Noah and the seven other people in his family went into the ark. The nonbelief of the scoffers did not stop the flood. The time came when the rain, something they had never seen before that time, started to fall, eventually covering the whole earth. The Bible says the water covered the tops of the highest mountains (Genesis 8:20). People, terrified, climbed to the highest places, but when they got there it was just a temporary reprieve. They saw the ark floating on the water knowing that Noah and his family were safe inside and they were lost. Once the door of that ark was closed, they did not have a second chance.

Those who listened to God’s warning and entered the ark were saved. The people who were skeptical and scoffed, not believing, had no second chance. The flood came and all were destroyed. Jesus said when I come again it will be the same. There are many people today who have not studied history carefully enough. The idea of a rapture followed by a second chance is a relatively new doctrine. Jesus, as well as the apostles, taught that there would be no second chance after Jesus returns and there is no mention of a rapture. Read Matthew 13 or II Thessalonians 1 and 2.

Neither the Roman Catholic Church, nor any of the Protestant churches, had heard of or knew of this doctrine even fifteen hundred years after Christ in the days of Martin Luther, as this doctrine had not yet existed. The doctrine of the rapture was invented later in the sixteenth century and not until about a hundred years ago did it become popular in Protestant churches.

What is going to happen when Jesus comes? It says, “And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ (IIThessalonians 1:7, 8), whom the Lord will consume with the brightness of His coming (II Thessalonians 2:8).” Are they going to get a second chance? No. When Jesus comes again, you will either be saved or lost and that is the end. The Bible says you will either go up to heaven with Jesus, or you will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming.

God’s elect will say, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9. In this world, not only is it the unbelievers, but Christians also suffer grief, trouble, trial and bereavement. When Jesus comes, that experience will be over. At last we will be reunited with our loved ones. The graves will be opened up and God’s children will awake and rise from their dusty beds and go up on the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Fact Five—Glorious Event

Jesus said His return would be a very glorious event. He said, “And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30. It will be seen all over the sky. The Bible says, “As the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Verse 27.

Fact Six—Climactic Event

The second coming of Christ brings the climax to this world’s history. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True. And the armies in heaven, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.” Revelation 19:11, 14, 15.

Fact Seven—Decisive Event

Christ’s coming is a decisive event. Jesus is coming as a conquering king with ten thousand of His holy ones to execute judgment upon all and to convict all who are ungodly of their ungodly deeds. Jesus said, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12.

The prophets and the apostles wrote about what was going to happen to both the righteous and the wicked when Jesus returns. The angels will come forth to separate the wicked from among the just (Matthew 13:49). “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 you yourselves thrust out.” Luke 13:28. At that time no one will want to be on the outside looking in and not be able to go in. Everybody in the world will then want to go in that place with an inexpressible desire for salvation and eternal life. Jesus said, “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Matthew 16:26. What does it profit?

Heaven is a good place, a place you want to go and where you want to live. Jesus loves you and has done everything possible that you will be welcome there. Will He be able to welcome you in? He says, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according to his work.” Revelation 22:12. What reward is He bringing for you? Is it the gift of eternal life because you have accepted His invitation and washed your robes in His precious blood or are you one of the scoffers enjoying the pleasures of this world that will soon come to an end? Remember your eternal destiny will be decided before Jesus comes back and there will be no second chance. The Bible says in Revelation 22:11, 12, “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according as his work shall be.”

Jesus is coming soon; He is waiting for you to accept His invitation to be one of the people who is looking for Him anxiously waiting to meet Him. Or will you be one of the group looking for a place to hide because, “The great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:17.

Heaven is a good place where,

“ ‘They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 65:25. There will be people there from all countries of the world. Jesus said, “And I say unto you, many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down … in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:11.

Isaiah described heaven: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying. They shall build houses and inhabit them. They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain.” Isaiah 65:17, 19, 21, 22, 25.

Heaven is a good place, one to be desired. Today, without delay, ask the Lord to write His commandments in your heart that you will find His law a delight and be governed by the principles of heaven. “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:23.

In comparison to the world population, very few people are accepting the invitation of Jesus. Do not be alarmed to find yourself in the minority. When the flood came, Noah and his family were in the minority inside the ark. Though they were few, they were glad to be in safety and not drowning with the majority. “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And whoever desires, let him take of the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17.

This world is full of exclusive places with signs saying, “Keep out,” where the common people are not welcome but right at the end of the Bible God has hung up a sign; He says, “Come in!” Now is the time to accept the invitation and say, Lord, I am choosing to commit my life to You. I am not just going to profess to be a Christian and then go on living like the devil. Give me a new heart and live out your life in me so I can be obedient to all of Your commandments. I want to follow You all the way and be ready when Jesus comes to take me home with Him. I am tired of playing games and I give You my whole heart.

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.

Editorial – Escape

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Many people escape—some from communist or Nazi countries, some from prison or concentration camps, some from religious bigotry, and others from family or supposed friends of whom they were in danger. This world is a type of concentration camp—quarantined from the rest of the universe because of sin. However, a few people will escape. “Today angels are sent to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation, to help them to escape from the thraldom of Satan’s power, and stand as faithful volunteers in the army of him who in their behalf came to this world and endured suffering and affliction. Each human being is given the freedom of choice. It is his to decide whether he will stand under the black banner of rebellion, or under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel.” The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906.

Because everybody in the church is doing it is no excuse. In Noah’s day and Lot’s day, there were those who acted a certain way because everybody was doing it. They were all destroyed!

“When questioned why He [Jesus] did not join in the frolics of the youth of Nazareth, He said, It is written, ‘I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.’ Psalm 119:14–16.” The Desire of Ages, 89.

“Those who refuse to conform their characters to the divine similitude can never enter the city of God. They have cut themselves off from the happiness, and hope, and peace, and joy that might have been theirs. Had they accepted the grace of Christ, they would have been made strong to resist the temptations of the enemy; and they would at last have been received into the holy city as sons and daughters of God, to be eternally blessed, to live a life measuring with the life of God.

“But the mournful words that God spoke of Israel, he will be obliged to speak of many, many living on the earth today: ‘My people would not harken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels’ [Psalm 81:11, 12]. God would have rejoiced to number them with the saints in light, but he could not; for they refused all his invitations and appeals. He says, ‘O that my people had harkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured forever. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee’ [verses 13–16].” The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906.

Keys to the Storehouse – The Atmosphere of Heaven

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Just think about what the atmosphere of heaven is really like—where agape love is part of the heart and is lived out in everything. In just a casual reading of I Corinthians 13:4–8, we do not see or realize the positive impact this would make in our lives and the lives of those around us, if our hearts were truly full of love and it flowed out through our influence and actions and not merely just words. Would you not like to walk in the atmosphere of heaven right here and now? I surely would!

When each has an understanding of the real meaning of the words in I Corinthians 13:4–8 and the Holy Spirit works a miracle transformation in the heart and life, a heavenly influence would be felt that would impact everything and everyone around us. What does it really mean?

  • Love suffers long (patient)—agape love drives away all impatience
  • Love is kind (friendly)—agape love leaves room for no unkindness
  • Love envies not (jealous)—agape love banishes all jealousy
  • Love vaunts not itself (boasts)—with agape love, boasting and self-assertion disappear
  • Love is not puffed up (pride)—agape love makes no place in the heart for pride
  • Love does not behave itself unseemly—agape love makes no room for recklessness, foolishness and rashness
  • Love seeks not its own—with agape love, self is dead, selfishness is unknown
  • Love is not provoked—agape love banishes anger and wrath
  • Love takes no account of evil—brooding over so-called wrongs will be no more. Bitterness will not be found with agape love in the heart
  • Love beareth all things—complaining will never be heard
  • Love believeth all things—mistrust will not destroy fellowship
  • Love hopeth all things—despair, anxiety, despondency go

Whenever impatience and unkindness dwell in your life, it is evident that God’s agape love, which comes from God, is absent from your heart. There is such a need to really understand and to allow that heavenly atmosphere, that agape love into our very hearts—into our very lives.

Why are we in this world? In Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, 171, it says, “Believers in Christ are, in this world, to bring into action the principles of heaven.” Now is the time to bring into action in our personal lives these most wonderful principles of heaven so others may receive the blessings from God through us. God is waiting for you and me to represent His kingdom right here and right now.

There is no impatience, unkindness, rashness, bitterness, anger, complaining or brooding over so-called wrongs in God’s kingdom. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17. What a most wonderful atmosphere that could begin in our hearts right now and flow forth to others.

Oh Heavenly Father, I want more than anything to walk in the midst of that heavenly atmosphere so that others will receive a little sampling of heaven right here and now through me. Please fill me with Your agape love and let it so transform me as to bring into action the principles of heaven that all will be blessed. Amen.

Turn this key to the Storehouse to receive your heavenly sample right now.

To Be a Pilgrim

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“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. … These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:8–10, 13–16.

From this passage, we can gather the Bible’s description of a pilgrim and a stranger.

  • They obey, not consulting the consequences.

Abraham went out, not knowing whither he went. The first consideration of true Christians is: “What does God want me to do?” They are willing to give up whatever stands in the way of obedience.

  • They are sojourners as in a strange country.

This world is not our home, and we must live as if we believe this. We are not here to seek for personal comforts, but to perfect Christian characters and hasten the coming of Jesus. Therefore, Christians will turn away from materialism. While they may not dwell in tents, as did the patriarchs, they will keep their homes and possessions simple and not excessive.

  • Their goal is a heavenly city.

Others may try to persuade them to stop and enjoy the pleasures and advantages of the world, but their eye is single to their goal.

  • Although they do not yet see the fulfillment of God’s promise, they are fully convinced of the heavenly treasure that awaits them.

The world’s philosophy says, “Get all you can now, for you never know what will happen tomorrow.” The Christian, however, lays aside present comforts and gains for an enduring reward, as did Joseph.

  • They confess or plainly declare that their goal is a better country than this earth has to offer.

Christians are not ashamed of being different from the world. They let it be clearly known that they cannot participate in the world’s lifestyle, since they are pressing toward a better country.

  • Although they have opportunity to return to the world and its ways, they do not return.

How often the good seed springs up in someone’s heart, only to wither away after a short time! So many rejoice to hear God’s truth, but after a while they slip back into their old way of life. They view their original fervor for the truth as an overreaction, or fanaticism, and gradually pick up the worldly ways, which they had gladly cast aside at the time of their conversion. Such people have returned to the land “from whence they came” [Hebrew 11:15].

  • God is not ashamed to have them bear His name.

Their life fully harmonizes with their profession, thus presenting no contradiction to the watching world. They are not claiming to be preparing to meet Jesus while their conduct loudly declares, “My Lord delayeth His coming” [Luke 12:45]. Rather, they exemplify the beauty of holiness.

In these last days, God is looking for a revival of the pilgrim spirit. While we may not be led to far countries as some of His pilgrims have been, we need to be ready to go wherever He sends us, and do whatever He asks of us. We must accept the fact that we are different, that we are not here on this earth to fit in with the crowd, make a name for ourselves, or live a comfortable life. We cannot hope to just blend in with society, giving no noticeable witness for our Lord. Rather, as Christians we are destined to be different, a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

In our era, life has in many ways become easier and more comfortable than in any other age. No longer do we inhabit hot, dusty tents, or cold, drafty stone castles. We no longer need to wash our clothes by hand, harvest and mill grain, spin wool and weave cloth or haul water from the well. In some homes, convenience foods have replaced cooking to a great extent. Everything comes ready-made, from shirts to bread. Instead of chopping wood, all we need to do is flip on a heater. Dishwashers, washing machines, bread machines, food processors, computers, and many other devices now take care of jobs that once required hours. It is becoming easier and easier to settle down and feel comfortable in this world. Today we have more time and money for shopping, entertainment, increasing our possessions, or making a display than did our forefathers who carved their living out of the wilderness, yet we must guard against the temptation to become too comfortable in this world. Today, as luxury is within the reach of more people, materialism is a great temptation. Satan knows that our possessions can firmly root us to this earth, and he uses a profusion of advertising, excess income, idle time, and peer pressure to lure professed Christians into the trap.

God’s pilgrims have a peace and hope that cannot be destroyed when earthly surroundings are crumbling. Our home or possessions may be destroyed, lost, or stolen, but we still have our faith in God, and a promise of eternal life in the heavenly country. This heavenly peace in the midst of calamity is something that worldly people cannot understand.

“And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings … they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:36–38.

These people were not at home on earth. In humble garments, homeless, even persecuted, they wandered in deserts, mountains, and caves. Why? Why did they choose such a hard life? Why did men like Abraham and Moses leave home and family to go on long journeys? Why did Moses forsake riches and pleasures? Why did unnamed others consent to mockings and scourgings? Why were they content to wear goatskins and call a cave or den their home?

“And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Verses 39, 40.

These pilgrims and strangers were looking forward to a day in the future when they, with us, would receive the promise together. This will be the day when all of God’s people from all ages will receive their heavenly reward.

“That they without us should not be made perfect.” Our names can be added to the list of those faithful ones in Hebrews 11. When they receive the reward, we also can receive it. But how can this take place? Can we be borne to the heavenly treasure on the wings of ease? Or must we too become pilgrims and strangers, as were they? It is something to ponder.

Amy Pavlovik has been a teacher and missionary in Macedonia, but her highest calling at present is mother to two-year-old Naomi and helpmeet to her husband Mile Pavlovik, Bible worker at Steps to Life.

The Goal

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Life today is very busy, and each day does not seem to get any slower, only faster. Weeks go flying by and things that we plan to accomplish often do not happen. There just never seems to be enough time. Like most people, I have many goals for my life. When I was younger my goal was to make it through college and become an engineer. As I have become older and reached some of those goals, I have made different ones to reach, but none of them are ever reached without personal effort. Sometimes these goals can consume much time, and we must be careful not to become so absorbed and so busy that we forget the most important things in life. Jesus told a parable of a sower who went out to sow seed (Matthew 13:3). Some of the seed fell among thorns and were choked out (verse 7). That can also happen with our important goals; they can be choked out by the cares of this life.

“Success in any line demands a definite aim. He who would achieve true success in life must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. Such an aim is set before the youth of today. The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being. It opens a field of effort to everyone whose heart Christ has touched.” Education, 262.

Human examples of people who reach goals

Olympics – For Michael Phelps to reach his Olympic swimming goals he had to do some work. Firstly, he had to think about his diet and make sure that he ate enough to make up for the amount of physical exertion from swimming. Secondly, he had to have a workout plan. As well as practicing his different swimming strokes, he lifted weights and had a whole training program, especially tailored for his swimming goals.

Those who have high goals go to great lengths to achieve them. Their whole life is centered around it, and they are totally focused on the prize before them.

“The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams.” – Og Mandino quotes (American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996).< http:thinkexist.com> December 2010.

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” – Michelangelo quotes (Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet, considered the creator of the Renaissance, 1475–1564). Ibid.

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” – Thomas Jefferson quotes American Third United States President (1801-09). Author of the Declaration of Independence (1762–1826). Ibid.

“A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Abraham Lincoln.

“You’ll fail at a 100 percent of the goals you don’t set.” – Mark Victor Hansen.

“People with goals succeed because they know where they are going. … It’s as simple as that.” – Earl Nightingale quotes (United States motivational writer and author, 1921–1989).

My question for Christians

What is our goal? What is the single most important thing that we should be reaching for? The apostle Paul talked about his own life that according to outward appearance he was a good person keeping the law. But he said he counted all these things as loss for Christ. What he really needed was to know Christ; not have an outward observance of the law, but have Christ and His righteousness because all our righteousness is as filthy rages. He wanted to know Christ. He said not that he was already perfect, but he pressed on that he might lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of for him. Paul pressed on toward the goal of perfection, to reflect Christ’s character, to be ready for heaven. He said that he once just kept the law outwardly, but that was not righteousness. Only Christ can provide the righteousness. (See Philippians 3:1–16.)

The Christian’s goal is to seek first the kingdom of God, and all other things will be provided. First, let us define what heaven is. Heaven is more than just a place, even though there is a place called heaven.

“Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.” The Desire of Ages, 641.

Before we are ready to go to heaven, we have to have heaven in our hearts.

How are we going to reach the goal?

Generally, humans have to focus on one thing at a time to reach their goal. If you want to become a physician, you would not go to a mechanic school. At the same time you cannot become a physician in just one day. It would be impossible to take all the training necessary to be a physician in one day, one month, or even one year. Much study, time and effort are needed before taking the examinations to reach that goal. Goals are only reached by taking one step at a time.

Heaven Our Goal

If heaven is our goal, what are some steps that we can take that will help us reach that goal? What can we do today to help us be ready to live in the holy atmosphere of heaven?

The most important things that we can do to help us be ready is to spend time with God every day, in prayer and Bible study. After that, ask yourself, What am I doing today to help reach the goal of the Christian—heaven? It will certainly be different things for each of us. There may be some things that we need to do to help others. Maybe there is some sin that needs to be overcome with God’s help.

If heaven is our goal it must be foremost on our mind, thinking about it every day because no goal is ever reached without effort or thought. No one wins a race by not thinking about it. I Corinthians 9:24–27; Matthew 13:44–46. With all of the cares in this life it is necessary to prioritize and make sure that time is set aside for the most important goal.

What is Heaven like?

1 Corinthians 2:9 – eye has not seen

Isaiah 11:6–9 – no hurt in God’s holy mountain

Isaiah 25:8, 9 – no death or tears

Isaiah 33:17, 24 – see the king; not say I am sick

Isaiah 35:5–10 – no sickness or sorrow

Isaiah 51:11 – come to Zion with singing

Isaiah 65:17–25 – new heaven and new earth, not hurt

Heaven is a worthy goal! It is a wonderful place. There is no sadness or hurt there. If we are planning on being there we must first have heaven in our hearts here on earth. If it is a desirable place to be, then we must be desirable people to be around. If people find us odious, maybe we need to ask God to help us, so people will start saying that it is like heaven to be in our presence.

“Make the home life as nearly as possible like heaven. Let the members of the family forget not, as they gather round the family altar, to pray for the men in positions of responsibility in God’s work.” Child Guidance, 548.

What is Jesus’ Goal for Us?

“The religion of Christ never degrades the receiver; it never makes him coarse or rough, discourteous or self-important, passionate or hardhearted. On the contrary, it refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies and ennobles the thoughts, bringing them into captivity to Christ. God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. He has given in His holy law a transcript of His character.

“The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. There is opened before us a path of constant advancement. We have an object to gain, a standard to reach, that includes everything good and pure and noble and elevated. There should be continual striving and constant progress onward and upward toward perfection of character.

“We shall be individually, for time and eternity, what our habits make us. The lives of those who form right habits, and are faithful in the performance of every duty, will be as shining lights, shedding bright beams upon the pathway of others; but if habits of unfaithfulness are indulged, if lax, indolent, neglectful habits are allowed to strengthen, a cloud darker than midnight will settle on the prospects in this life and forever debar the individual from the future life.” Counsels for the Church, 78, 79.

“You may reach God’s ideal if you will resolve that self shall not be woven into your work. To know that you are striving in spirit and in works to be Christlike, will give you strength and comfort and courage. It is your privilege to become meek and lowly in heart; then angels of God will co-operate with you in your revival efforts. Christ died that His life might be lived in you, and in all who make Him their example. In the strength of your Redeemer you can reveal the character of Christ, and you can work in wisdom and in power to make the crooked places straight.” Gospel Workers, 164.

“Earnestly and untiringly we are to strive to reach God’s ideal for us. Not as a penance are we to do this, but as the only means of gaining true happiness. The only way to gain peace and joy is to have a living connection with Him who gave His life for us, who died that we might live, and who lives to unite His power with the efforts of those who are striving to overcome.

“Holiness is constant agreement with God. Shall we not strive to be that which Christ so greatly desires us to be—Christians in deed and in truth—that the world may see in our lives a revelation of the saving power of truth? This world is our preparatory school. While here we shall meet with trials and difficulties. Continually the enemy of God will seek to draw us away from our allegiance. But while we cleave to Him who gave Himself for us we are safe.” In Heavenly Places, 33.

“I urge you to turn your thoughts from worldly things and center them on the things of eternity. Christ has placed everlasting life within your reach, and He has promised to give you help in every time of need. … We should never rest satisfied with present attainments. If we put mind and heart into the work of reaching God’s ideal for us, if we go to Christ, the mighty helper, for aid, He will give us the very assistance that we need. He will bestow on us the very power that will enable us to be victorious in the struggle against evil.” Ibid., 355.

“The power of a higher, purer, nobler life is our great need. The world has too much of our thought, and the kingdom of heaven too little.

“In his efforts to reach God’s ideal for him, the Christian is to despair of nothing. Moral and spiritual perfection, through the grace and power of Christ, is promised to all. Jesus is the source of power, the fountain of life. He brings us to His word, and from the tree of life presents to us leaves for the healing of sin-sick souls. He leads us to the throne of God, and puts into our mouth a prayer through which we are brought into close contact with Himself. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power.

“God fixes no limit to the advancement of those who desire to be ‘filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.’ Through prayer, through watchfulness, through growth in knowledge and understanding, they are to be ‘strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power.’ Thus they are prepared to work for others. It is the Saviour’s purpose that human beings, purified and sanctified, shall be His helping hand. For this great privilege let us give thanks to Him who ‘hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son’ [Colossians 1:9, 11–13].” The Acts of the Apostles, 478. [All emphasis supplied.]

Jesus’ goal for us is to be one with Him (John 17:18-26); to be so much in love with Him that we are like Him in character; to spend so much time with Him that He will know without a doubt that we never want to be separated from Him, but desire to be with Him in heaven forever.

Recently, as I was driving and listening to a Christian radio station, I heard a man share some of his story. He spoke of his parents how, as he was growing up, they never showed any affection for each other. He said he was certain that they loved each other, but he never saw any evidence of affection. When he met his future wife, she was a very outgoing, caring person who loved people, and it was she who really showed him true love. After they married, they went as missionaries to a foreign land and on their return to the United States of America he was offered the position of president at a Christian college. His wife helped him on campus by counseling people, doing a radio program, and entertaining people in their home. While they were at the college, he noticed that his wife started to become forgetful, which she had never been before. They soon discovered that at fifty-five years old she had developed Alzheimer’s. The disease progressed to the point where his wife needed full-time care, so he quit his position at the college and stayed home to take care of his wife. They would go on daily walks together until she was physically unable to do that. She had not spoken to him for a full year, and then one day, on Valentine’s Day, he said to his wife, “I love you!” She responded to those words as he went over to her bed and gave her a big hug. That was the last day she ever said a word. He took care of his wife for 15 years before she died. He said, “I loved her so much! The hard thing was that she could not respond to my love, but I loved her anyway.” Every day he was there showering his love on her and caring for her, though she could not respond.

Every day Jesus is here showering us with His love, taking care of us, waiting to see if we will respond in some way to His love. But sometimes all we do is complain when we think that His care hurts us because we are going through a bad experience.

God waits for us to respond to His love, to trust Him that He is working all things out for our good. He gives and gives to us, and then He waits patiently for a response. He wants us to love Him back and be one with Him. Just the thought that God wants to have the same relationship with me that He shares with His Son is beyond what I can take in and sends shivers down my body.

Doesn’t that make you want to have that same relationship with God? Is that a goal you would desire to reach? What are you doing about it? Are you reaching out every day to the goal God has for you? If not, why not start today? Jesus wants us to be one with Him just as He is one with the Father. He is showering His love on each of us right now and waiting for our response. Don’t keep Him waiting any longer!

Jana Grosboll, a network engineer, lives in Derby, Kansas. 

Bible Study Guides – A Paradise on Earth

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August 14, 2011 – August 20, 2011

Key Text

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10.

Study Help: The Adventist Home, 421–429, 506–520.

Introduction

“Home should be made all that the word implies. It should be a little heaven upon earth, a place where the affections are cultivated instead of being studiously repressed.” The Adventist Home, 15.

1 A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN

  • How can we have here on earth a little taste of heaven? Matthew 18:3; Colossians 3:16.

Note: “Family religion is a wonderful power. …

“Hearts that are filled with the love of Christ can never get very far apart. …

“Only where Christ reigns can there be deep, true, unselfish love. Then soul will be knit with soul, and the two lives will blend in harmony. Angels of God will be guests in the home.” The Adventist Home, 94.

  • What will happen as we enter into an abiding experience with Jesus every day, and how can this be accomplished in our lives? Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:6.

Note: “Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in thee.’ This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.” Steps to Christ, 70.

“When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed.” Ibid., 73.

2 SHOWING AFFECTION

  • Describe what we need to cultivate in our homes and in our churches. Romans 12:10; I John 4:12.

Note: “Home is to be the center of the purest and most elevated affection. Peace, harmony, affection, and happiness should be perseveringly cherished every day, until these precious things abide in the hearts of those who compose the family. The plant of love must be carefully nourished, else it will die. Every good principle must be cherished if we would have it thrive in the soul. That which Satan plants in the heart—envy, jealousy, evil surmising, evil speaking, impatience, prejudice, selfishness, covetousness, and vanity—must be uprooted. If these evil things are allowed to remain in the soul, they will bear fruit by which many shall be defiled. Oh, how many cultivate the poisonous plants that kill out the precious fruits of love and defile the soul!” The Adventist Home, 195, 196.

  • What attitude must we have in order to have the kinds of relationships described? I Corinthians 13:1–8.

Note: “Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home missionaries in their families and neighborhoods. There are many ways in which church members may give the message to those around them. One of the most successful is by living helpful, unselfish Christian lives. Those who are fighting the battle of life at great odds may be refreshed and strengthened by little attentions which cost nothing. Kindly words simply spoken, little attentions simply bestowed, will sweep away the clouds of temptation and doubt that gather over the soul. The true heart expression of Christlike sympathy, given in simplicity, has power to open the door of hearts that need the simple, delicate touch of the spirit of Christ.” The Adventist Home, 485.

“Some parents—and some teachers as well—seem to forget that they themselves were once children. They are dignified, cold, and unsympathetic. … Such discipline is not Christlike. Children thus trained fear their parents or teachers, but do not love them; they do not confide to them their childish experiences. Some of the most valuable qualities of mind and heart are chilled to death, as a tender plant before the wintry blast.

“Smile, parents; smile, teachers. If your heart is sad, let not your face reveal the fact.” Child Guidance, 147, 148.

3 WHAT SHOULD WE SPEAK?

  • What kinds of words should we use with each other? Philippians 1:27; James 4:11; Ephesians 4:25, 29–32.

Note: “The voice is an entrusted talent, and it should be used to help and encourage and strengthen our fellow men. If parents will love God and keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment, their language will not savor of sickly sentimentalism. It will be of a sound, pure, edifying character. Whether they are at home or abroad, their words will be well chosen. They will descend to no cheapness.

“Every word spoken by fathers and mothers has its influence over the children, for good or for evil.” The Adventist Home, 434.

  • How should we speak? I Thessalonians 2:7; II Chronicles 10:7.

Note: “Religion is love, and a Christian home is one where love reigns and finds expression in words and acts of thoughtful kindness and gentle courtesy.” The Adventist Home, 94.

“Parents should keep the atmosphere of the home pure and fragrant with kind words, with tender sympathy and love; but at the same time they are to be firm and unyielding in principle. If you are firm with your children, they may think that you do not love them. This you may expect, but never manifest harshness.” Ibid., 434.

“We must subdue a hasty temper and control our words, and in this we shall gain great victories. Unless we control our words and temper, we are slaves to Satan. We are in subjection to him. He leads us captive. All jangling and unpleasant, impatient, fretful words are an offering presented to his satanic majesty. And it is a costly offering, more costly than any sacrifice we can make for God; for it destroys the peace and happiness of whole families, destroys health, and is eventually the cause of forfeiting an eternal life of happiness.” Ibid., 437.

  • How should we respond when receiving correction? Proverbs 8:33; 19:20.

4 HELPERS IN THE HOME

  • How does God want us to spend our time and energy? Colossians 3:23. What warnings are given against idleness? Ecclesiastes 10:18.

Note: “I have been shown that much sin has resulted from idleness. Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation which the enemy suggests, but idle hands and brains are all ready for Satan to control. The mind, when not properly occupied, dwells upon improper things. Parents should teach their children that idleness is sin. …

“The minds of children are active, and if not occupied with that which is good and useful, they will inevitably turn to what is bad. While it is right and necessary for them to have recreation, they should be taught to work, to have regular hours for physical labour and also for reading and study. See that they have employment suited to their years and are supplied with useful and interesting books.” The Adventist Home, 284.

“Parents should by their example encourage the formation of habits of simplicity, and draw their children away from an artificial to a natural life.” Child Guidance, 139.

  • What is the necessary principle we must keep in mind in choosing how we will spend our time? Ecclesiastes 11:9.

Note: “Educate men and women to bring up their children free from false, fashionable practices, to teach them to be useful. …

“There are plenty of necessary, useful things to do in our world that would make the pleasure-amusement exercise almost wholly unnecessary. Brain, bone, and muscle will acquire solidity and strength in using them to a purpose, doing good hard thinking, and in devising plans which shall train them [the youth] to develop powers of intellect and strength of the physical organs, which will be putting into practical use their God-given talents with which they may glorify God.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 321.

“I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but this, even in its simplicity, may be overdone. I shrink always from the almost sure result which follows in the wake of these amusements. It leads to an outlay of means that should be expended in bringing the light of truth to souls that are perishing out of Christ.” Ibid., 322.

5 PREPARING FOR HEAVEN

  • In order to prepare to dwell in that holy place called heaven, what must we do now? Genesis 35:2; Colossians 2:5.

Note: “We should teach our children lessons in simplicity and trust. We should teach them to love, and fear, and obey their Creator. In all the plans and purposes of life His glory should be held paramount; His love should be the mainspring of every action.” Child Guidance, 141.

  • What are some of the strange gods that should be put away before we are able to meet our Lord? II Corinthians 6:17; Revelation 21:27.

Note: “There are amusements such as dancing, card playing, chess, checkers … which we cannot approve, because Heaven condemns them.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 514.

“Children are not to be trained to be the devotees of society. They are not to be sacrificed to Molech, but they are to become members of the Lord’s family. … They are not to have their minds all engrossed in the fashions and practices of the world. They are not to educate their children to attend parties and concerts and dances, to have and attend feasts, because after this manner the Gentiles walk.” Child Guidance, 181.

“In the education of children and youth fairy tales, myths, and fictitious stories are now given a large place. … How can Christian parents permit their children to use books so filled with falsehood? …

“Never should books containing a perversion of truth be placed in the hands of children or youth.” The Adventist Home, 413.

“Some of the most popular amusements, such as football and boxing, have become schools of brutality. They are developing the same characteristics as did the games of ancient Rome.” Ibid., 500.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Can you now have a little bit of heaven? How?

2 How does showing affection help your spiritual development?

3 What words should be in your home?

4 How can habits of simplicity best function in the home?

5 From what must you cleanse your life in order to be prepared to live in heavenly places?

Copyright © 2002 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Keys to the Storehouse — The Price–Is It Too High?

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Price means that which must be given, done, or undergone to obtain something. (Webster’s Dictionary) What is the price of heaven—what must be given, done, or undergone—and is it too high?

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12, 13.

What must be given, done, or undergone for you and me to obtain heaven?

“Given”—Have you given of yourself—Is the price too high to give of yourself in the study of the word of God so that your heart may “receive” the only begotten Son of God? Who or what is receiving of the time which God has given to you as a gift and what are you receiving in return? Are you receiving worldliness for God’s gift of time? Are you receiving destruction for the gift of health? What are you receiving for the gift of time—the price of heaven? or the price of eternal life lost?

“Done”— Receiving God’s word into your heart—Is it done? Is your heart so complete in its relationship with Jesus that it can be said, “It is done—finished”? Or is the heart wide open to worldly influences and distractions, which are the price of eternal life lost? Will you receive the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” [Matthew 25:12]—which is the price of heaven? Or is there an unfinished/undone work—the price of eternal life lost?

“Undergo/undergone”—The old self needs to experience or “undergo” a transformation of self. See Ephesians 4:22–24. Is your “old self” undergoing a transformation? “The old nature, born of blood and the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The old ways, the hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up; for grace is not inherited. The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes, new tendencies.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1101. The new self—the new birth is the receiving of Jesus—the price of heaven; the old self is the price of eternal life lost.

In The Desire of Ages, on page 385, we are told: “The price of heaven is Jesus.”

Jesus is the price you will pay for heaven. It is the giving of your heart—your affection, your life—to receive Jesus. “Heaven is worth everything to us. We must not run any risk in this matter. We must take no venture here. We must know that our steps are ordered by the Lord. May God help us in the great work of overcoming.” Temperance, 114.

Is heaven in your future or is the loss of eternal life your earnings? “It is eternal loss if we gain the whole world, with all its pleasure and glory, and yet lose the soul. Heaven is cheap enough at any cost.” Confrontation, 78.

Father, I pray that I may not shrink from trials, but bear them with patience. I yield my heart fully to the transforming grace of Thy Holy Spirit that I may be able to give, to do, and to undergo all that is needed to receive the price of heaven and not the price of eternal life lost. Amen.