LESSON 4 *October 15–21
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Job 19:25–27; 1 Tim. 6:16;
Psalm 49; Psalm 71; Isa. 26:14, 19; Daniel 12.
Memory Text: “By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered
up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his
only son. . . . He considered the fact that God is able even to raise
someone from the dead—and figuratively speaking, he did receive him
back” (Hebrews 11:17, 19, NRSV).
The Old Testament hope is grounded, not on Greek ideas about the
natural immortality of the soul, but on the biblical teaching of the
final resurrection of the dead.
But how could a no-longer-existent human body, cremated into ashes or
destroyed by other means, be brought to life again? How can someone who
has been deceased, perhaps for centuries or even millennia, recover again
his or her identity?
These questions lead us to reflect on the mystery of life. We are alive
and enjoy the life that God graciously grants us every day. Even without
beginning to understand the supernatural origin of life, we know that in the
beginning God brought life into existence from nonlife through the power
of His word (Genesis 1; Ps. 33:6, 9). So, if God was able to create life on
earth the first time from nothing (Latin ex nihilo), why should we doubt His
capacity to re-create human life and to restore its original identity?
This week we will reflect on how the notion of the final resurrection
unfolded in Old Testament times, with special focus on the statements of
Job, some psalmists, and the prophets Isaiah and Daniel.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 22.
EGW Notes — SATURDAY ↓
Sabbath Afternoon, October 15
Lesson 4 - The Old Testament Hope
By and by the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit God’s
children, and from the lips of the King of glory the benediction will fall on
their ears like richest music, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew
25:34).
Then the redeemed will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is
preparing for them. There their companions will not be the vile of earth,
liars, idolaters, the impure, and unbelieving; but they will associate with
those who have overcome Satan and through divine grace have formed
perfect characters. Every sinful tendency, every imperfection, that afflicts
them here has been removed by the blood of Christ, and the excellence
and brightness of His glory, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, is
imparted to them.—Lift Him Up, p. 54.
Abraham believed that Isaac was the son of promise. He also believed
that God meant just what he said when he bid him to go offer him as a
burnt-offering. He staggered not at the promise of God; but believed that
God, who had in his providence given Sarah a son in her old age, and who
had required him to take that son’s life, could also give life again, and
bring up Isaac from the dead. . . .
. . . [As Abraham’s] hand is raised to slay his son, an angel of God who
had marked all the faithfulness of Abraham on the way to Moriah, calls to
him out of heaven, and says, “Abraham! Abraham! . . . Lay not thine hand
upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him; for now I know that
thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son,
from me.—Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, pp. 106, 107.
How precious to those who are losing their loved of this world are their
faith and hope in the promises of God which open before them the future
immortal life! Their hopes may fasten upon unseen realities of the future
world. Christ has risen from the dead the first fruits. Hope and faith
strengthen the soul to pass through the dark shadows of the tomb, in full
faith of coming forth to immortal life in the morning of the resurrection.
The Paradise of God, the home of the blessed! There all tears shall be
wiped from off all faces! When Christ shall come the second time, to be
“admired in all them that believe” (2 Thessalonians 1:10), death shall be
swallowed up in victory, and there shall be no more sickness, no more
sorrow, no more death! . . .
The Life-giver will call up His purchased possession in the first
resurrection, and until that triumphant hour, when the last trump shall
sound and the vast army shall come forth to eternal victory, every
sleeping saint will be kept in safety and will be guarded as a precious
jewel, who is known to God by
name.—That I May Know Him, p. 362.
SUNDAY October 16
I Shall See God
Read Job 19:25–27 and compare it with John 1:18 and 1 Timothy
6:16. When and under what circumstances was Job expecting to “see
God”?
* Your notes will not be saved!
Life is not fair. We see this especially when we see the “good” suffering
and the “unrighteous” prospering (see Ps. 73:12–17 and Mal. 3:14–18). For
example, Job was “blameless and upright” and “feared God and shunned
evil” (Job 1:1, NKJV). Even so, God allowed Satan to afflict him in several
disastrous ways. Physically, his body was ravaged by painful disease (Job
2:1–8). Materially, he lost large portions of his livestock and properties (Job
1:13–17). Within his household, he lost his servants and even his own
children (Job 1:16, 18). And emotionally, he was surrounded by friends
who accused him of being an impenitent sinner who deserved what he was
facing (Job 4:1–5:27, Job 8:1–22, Job 11:1–20, etc.). Even his own wife
stated, “ ‘Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!’ ” (Job
2:9, NKJV).
Job did not realize that he had become the epicenter of a deep cosmic
struggle between God and Satan. Afflicted by those struggles, Job regretted
his own birth and wished that he had never been born (Job 3:1–26). Yet, his
unconditional faithfulness to God is well expressed in the words “ ‘Though
He slay me, yet will I trust Him’ ” (Job 13:15, NKJV). Even imagining that
soon his life would end, he kept his assurance that death would not have the
final word. With strong conviction he stated that although he would die, his
Redeemer would one day stand up and he, Job himself, would see God in
his own flesh (Job 19:25–27). “This is an unmistakable glimpse of the
resurrection.”—The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 549.
What a glorious hope in the midst of such a tragedy! Surrounded by
sickness and pain, economic collapse, social reproach, and emotional
breakdown, Job could still anticipate the day when he would rise from the
dead and behold his beloved Redeemer. Actually, Job’s statement about the
resurrection was filled with the same assurance as found centuries later in
Martha’s utterance to Jesus: “ ‘I know that he [Lazarus] will rise again in
the resurrection at the last day’ ” (John 11:24, NKJV). Job, like Martha, had
to claim this promise by faith, even though, unlike Job, Martha would soon
be given powerful empirical evidence for her belief.
How can we learn to trust God even amid the harsh unfairness of
life?
EGW Notes — SUNDAY ↓
Sunday, October 16
I Shall See God
The doctrine of the second advent is the very keynote of the Sacred
Scriptures. From the day when the first pair turned their sorrowing steps
from Eden, the children of faith have waited the coming of the Promised
One to break the destroyer’s power and bring them again to the lost
Paradise. Holy men of old looked forward to the advent of the Messiah in
glory, as the consummation of their hope. Enoch, only the seventh in
descent from them that dwelt in Eden, he who for three centuries on earth
walked with his God, was permitted to behold from afar the coming of the
Deliverer. “Behold,” he declared, “the Lord cometh with ten thousands of
His saints, to execute judgment upon all.” Jude 14, 15. The patriarch Job in
the night of his affliction exclaimed with unshaken trust: “I know that my
Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”
Job 19:25.—The Great Controversy, p. 299.
He calls us to walk with Him in the path of humble, truthful obedience.
. . . If we choose to live with Christ through the ceaseless ages of eternity,
why not choose Him now as our most loved and trusted friend, our best
and wisest counselor.
It is our privilege to have daily a calm, close, happy walk with Jesus.
We need not be alarmed if the path lies through conflicts and sufferings.
We may have the peace which passeth understanding; but it will cost us
battles with the powers of darkness, struggles severe against selfishness
and inbred sin. The victories gained daily through persevering, untiring
effort in well-doing will be precious through Christ who has loved us, who
gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto Himself a “peculiar people, zealous of good
works.”—Lift Him Up, p. 98.
All heaven has the deepest interest in our welfare, that Satan shall not
control us and conform us to his character. “For, behold, the day cometh,
that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly,
shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the
Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto
you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in
his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall”
(Malachi 4:1, 2).—This Day With God, p. 123.
MONDAY October 17
From the Power of the Grave
Read Psalm 49. What led the psalmist to be so sure of his final
resurrection (Ps. 49:15) in contrast to those who perished without that
assurance (Ps. 49:6–14)?
Psalm 49 speaks about the false confidence of the foolish “who trust in
their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches” (Ps. 49:6, NKJV),
who “call their lands after their own names” (Ps. 49:11, NKJV), and who
live only to bless themselves (Ps. 49:18). They act as if their houses and
their own glory would last forever (Ps. 49:11, 17).
But the foolish forget that their honor vanishes and that they perish just
as the beasts do (Ps. 49:12, NKJV). “Like sheep they are laid in the grave;
death shall feed on them; . . . and their beauty shall be consumed in the
grave, far from their dwelling” (Ps. 49:14, NKJV).
As stated by Job centuries earlier, “ ‘Naked I came from my mother’s
womb, and naked I will depart’ ” (Job 1:21, NIV; 1 Tim. 6:7). The psalmist
points out that both the fool and the wise die, leaving “their wealth to
others” (Ps. 49:10, NKJV).
But there is a radical contrast between them. On one side are the fools
who perish, even though trying to find assurance in their own transient
possessions and accomplishments. In contrast, the wise behold, beyond the
human saga and the prison of the grave, the glorious reward that God has
reserved for them (1 Pet. 1:4). With this perception in mind, the psalmist
could say with confidence, “But God will redeem my soul from the power
of the grave, for He shall receive me” (Ps. 49:15, NKJV).
Consistent with the Old Testament hope, this statement is not suggesting
that at the time of his death, the soul of the psalmist would fly immediately
into heaven. The psalmist is simply saying that he would not remain forever
in the grave. A time would come when God would redeem him from death
and take him to the heavenly courts.
Once again, the certainty of the future resurrection is depicted, bringing
hope, assurance, and meaning to this present existence. So, the wise will
receive a far more glorious and everlasting reward than what the foolish
could gather for themselves during this short life.
What are the ways that you have been able to see the folly of those
who trust in their own wealth and accomplishments? How can
keeping your eyes on the cross protect you from falling into the same
error?
EGW Notes — MONDAY ↓
Monday, October 17
From the Power of the Grave
Christ claims all those as His who have believed in His name. The
vitalizing power of the Spirit of Christ dwelling in the mortal body binds
every believing soul to Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus are sacred
to His heart; for their life is hid with Christ in God. The command will
come from the Life-giver, “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy
dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead” (Isaiah
26:19).
. . . By the power of the Saviour that dwelt in them while living and
because they were partakers of the divine nature, they are brought forth
from the dead.—Selected Messages, book 2, p. 271.
Those who closely connect with God may not be prosperous in the
things of this life; they may often be sorely tried and afflicted. Joseph was
maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity.
David, that chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by
his wicked enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was
true and unyielding in his allegiance to God. Job was deprived of his
worldly possessions and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his
relatives and friends, yet he preserved his integrity and faithfulness to
God. . . .
These examples of human steadfastness, in the might of divine power,
are a witness to the world of the faithfulness of God’s promise s—of His
abiding presence and sustaining
grace.—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 525.
The sacrifice for man was infinite, beyond the comprehension of the
strongest intellect, yet men who claim to be partakers of these heavenly
benefits, which were brought to them at so great a cost, are too
thoroughly selfish to make any real sacrifice for God. Their minds are
upon the world, the world, the world. In the forty-ninth psalm we read:
“They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of
their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give
to God a ransom for him (for the redemption of their soul is precious, and
it ceaseth forever).” If all would bear in mind, and could in a small degree
appreciate, the immense sacrifice made by Christ, they would feel rebuked
for their fearfulness and their supreme
selfishness.—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 197.
TUESDAY October 18
“From the Depths of the Earth”
Read Psalm 71. What did David imply when he asked God to bring
him up “again from the depths of the earth” (Ps. 71:20, NKJV)?
In Psalm 49 we found a touching expression of hope in the resurrection,
in contrast to the false assurance of the fool who trusted in his wealth. In
Psalm 71, David seeks security and hope from God, while surrounded by
enemies and false accusers who say that God has forsaken him (Ps. 71:10,
11).
Amid his trials, David finds comfort and assurance in recalling how God
had cared for him in the past. First, he realizes that God had upheld him
from birth and even had taken him out of his mother’s womb (Ps. 71:6).
Then, he acknowledges that God had taught him from his youth (Ps. 71:17).
With the certainty that God was his rock and his fortress, David pleads
with Him, “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually” (Ps.
71:3, NKJV). “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me
when my strength fails” (Ps. 71:9, NKJV). “O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!” (Ps. 71:12, NKJV). And then David
adds, “You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me
again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth” (Ps. 71:20,
NKJV).
The expression “from the depths of the earth” could be understood
literally as an allusion to the future physical resurrection of the psalmist.
But the context seems to favor a metaphorical description of David’s
condition of deep depression, as if the earth were swallowing him (compare
with Ps. 88:6 and Ps. 130:1). So, we could say that “it is primarily
figurative speech, but also hints at a physical resurrectio n.”—Andrews
Study Bible, p. 726, note on Psalm 71:20.
In the end, what’s important to grasp is that, whatever our situation, God
is there, He cares, and ultimately, our hope isn’t found in this life but in the
life to come—the eternal life we have in Jesus after our resurrection at His
return.
We all have had some terrible moments of discouragement. How,
though, can focusing on the ways that the Lord has been with you in
the past help you press on ahead in faith and trust in the moments
when He seems far away?
EGW Notes — TUESDAY ↓
Tuesday, October 18
“From the Depths of the Earth”
David entreated the Lord not to forsake him in old age. And why did he
thus pray? He saw that most of the aged around him were unhappy,
because of the unfortunate traits of their character being increased with
their age. If they had been naturally close and covetous, they were most
disagreeably so in mature years. . . .
. . . He looked forward to the time when he should be aged, and feared
that God would leave him and he would be as unhappy as other aged
persons whose course he had noticed, and that he should be left to the
reproach of the enemies of the Lord. With this burden upon him he
earnestly prays [Psalm 71:9, 17, 19 quoted]. . . .
If [all] would take the position God would have them, their last days
might be their best, their happiest. . . . They should lay aside anxiety and
burdens, and occupy their time as happily as they can, in [readying] for
heaven.—Ellen G. White Comments,
in The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1148.
Since the days of David there had reigned no king who had wrought so
mightily for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God in a time of apostasy
and discouragement as had Hezekiah. The dying ruler had served his God
faithfully, and had strengthened the confidence of the people in Jehovah as
their Supreme Ruler. And, like David, he could now plead: . . .
“Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth. By
Thee have I been holden up.” “Forsake me not when my strength faileth.” “O
God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.” “O God,
forsake me not; until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and
Thy power to everyone that is to come.” Psalm 71:5, 6, 9, 12, 18.
He whose “compassions fail not,” heard the prayer of His servant.
Lamentations 3:22. . . .
Restored to his wonted strength, the king of Judah acknowledged in
words of song the mercies of Jehovah, and vowed to spend his remaining
days in willing service to the King of kings. His grateful recognition of
God’s compassionate dealing with him is an inspiration to all who desire
to spend their years to the glory of their
Maker.—Prophets and Kings, pp. 340–342.
When depression settles upon the soul, it is no evidence that God has
changed. He is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” You are sure
of the favor of God when you are sensible of the beams of the Sun of
righteousness; but if the clouds sweep over your soul, you must not feel
that you are forsaken. . . . Treasure up the lessons that His love provides.
Let your faith be like Job’s, that you may declare, “Though He slay me, yet
will I trust in Him.” Lay hold on the promises of your heavenly Father, and
remember His former dealing with you and with His servants; for “all
things work together for good to them that love
God.”—Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 496.
WEDNESDAY October 19
“Your Dead Shall Live”
Read Isaiah 26:14, 19. What is the contrast between those who will
perish forever (Isa. 26:14; see also Mal. 4:1) and those who will receive
eternal life (Isa. 26:19)?
The book of Isaiah presents a major contrast between the majesty of God
and our human fragility (see Isaiah 40). Though we are like the grass that
withers and the flower that fades, the Word of God remains forever (Isa.
40:6–8). Despite our human sinfulness, however, God’s saving grace is
available to all human beings and becomes effective even to the Gentiles
who embrace His covenant and keep the Sabbath (Isaiah 56).
In the book of Isaiah, the hope of the resurrection is broadened
significantly. While previous biblical allusions to the resurrection were
expressed more from personal perspectives (Job 19:25–27, Ps. 49:15, Ps.
71:20), the prophet Isaiah speaks of it as including both himself and the
covenantal community of believers (Isa. 26:19).
Isaiah 26 contrasts the distinct destinies of the wicked and the righteous.
On one side, the wicked will remain dead, without ever being brought to
life again, at least after the “second death” (Rev. 21:8). They will be
completely destroyed, and all their memory will perish forever (Isa. 26:14).
This passage underscores the teaching that there are no surviving souls or
spirits that remain alive after death. Speaking about the final destruction of
the wicked, which comes later, the Lord stated elsewhere that the wicked
will be completely burned up, leaving them “ ‘neither root nor branch’ ”
(Mal. 4:1, NKJV).
On the other side, the righteous dead will be raised from death to receive
their blessed reward. Isaiah 25 highlights that the Lord God “will swallow
up death forever” and “will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isa. 25:8,
NKJV). In Isaiah 26 we find the following words: “Your dead shall live;
together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who
dwell in dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast
out the dead” (Isa. 26:19, NKJV). All the resurrected righteous will
participate in the joyful feast that the Lord will prepare for all people (Isa.
25:6). The final resurrection will bring together all the righteous from all
ages, including your beloved ones who already died in Christ.
Imagine if we didn’t have any hope, any assurance, any reason to
think that our death was anything but the end of everything for us.
And then, even worse, anyone who ever knew us would be gone, and
soon it would be as if we never existed and our lives never meant
anything at all. How does this fate contrast with the hope that we
have?
EGW Notes — WEDNESDAY ↓
Wednesday, October 19
“Your Dead Shall Live”
In consequence of Adam’s sin, death passed upon the whole human
race. All alike go down into the grave. And through the provisions of the
plan of salvation, all are to be brought forth from their graves. “There shall
be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust;” “for as in Adam
all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians
15:22. But a distinction is made between the two classes that are brought
forth. “All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth;
they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have
done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28, 29. They who
have been “accounted worthy” of the resurrection of life are “blessed and
holy.” “On such the second death hath no power.” Revelation 20:6. But
those who have not, through repentance and faith, secured pardon, must
receive the penalty of transgression—“the wages of
sin.”—The Great Controversy, p. 544.
Jesus loves you and He wants your love. He would have you remember
that He gave His precious life that you should not perish; and He will be
unto you a present help in every time of need. Only look to Jesus and tell
Him every perplexity and trial. . . . Ask Him to help and strengthen and
bless you, and believe that He hears your prayers.
All heaven is looking upon you with deep interest. One soul for whom
Christ has died is worth more than the whole world. I wish every young
man and woman could appreciate the value of the human soul. If they
would give themselves to Jesus just as they are, though sinful and
polluted, He will accept them the very moment that they give themselves
to Him, and Jesus will put His Spirit in the humble seeker’s heart.
Whosoever cometh unto Him, He will in no wise cast out. You may love
Jesus with your whole heart, and He will never disappoint that love and
confidence.—Our High Calling, p. 98.
The great military commander conquers nations and shakes the armies
of half the world, but he dies of disappointment and in exile. The
philosopher who ranges through the universe, everywhere tracing the
manifestations of God’s power and delighting in their harmony, often fails
to behold in these marvelous wonders the Hand that formed them all.
“Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that
perish.” No hope of glorious immortality lights up the future of the
enemies of God. But those heroes of faith have the promise of an
inheritance of greater value than any earthly riches—an inheritance that
will satisfy the longings of the soul. They may be unknown and
unacknowledged of the world, but they are enrolled as citizens in the
record books of
heaven.—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 526.
THURSDAY October 20
Those Who Sleep in the Dust
As we will see, the New Testament talks a great deal about the
resurrection of the dead; and, as we have already seen, the idea of the
resurrection of the dead appears in the Old Testament, as well. These
people, in Old Testament times, had the hope of the final resurrection that
we do. Martha, living at the time of Jesus, already had this hope (John
11:24). No question, even then, the Jews had some knowledge of the
resurrection in the last days, even if not all believed it. (See Acts 23:8.)
Read Daniel 12. What resurrection hope is found here, in the
writings of this great prophet?
Daniel 12:1 refers to Michael, “ ‘the great prince,’ ” whose identification
has been much disputed. Because each of the great visions in the book of
Daniel culminates with the manifestation of Christ and His kingdom, the
same should be the case in regard to this specific passage. In the book of
Daniel we find allusions to the same Divine Being as “the Prince of the
host” (Dan. 8:11, NKJV), “ ‘the Prince of princes’ ” (Dan. 8:25, NKJV),
“ ‘Messiah the Prince’ ” (Dan. 9:25, NKJV), and finally as “ ‘Michael, the
great prince’ ” (Dan. 12:1, NASB). So, we should identify Michael also as
Christ.
The Old Testament passages considered so far (Job 19:25–27, Ps. 49:15,
Ps. 71:20, Isa. 26:19) all speak of the resurrection of righteous people. But
Daniel 12 speaks of a resurrection of both the righteous and unrighteous.
When Michael stands up, “ ‘many of those who sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting
contempt’ ” (Dan. 12:2, NKJV).
Many view this verse to be talking about a special resurrection of certain
people, both the faithful and the unfaithful, at Christ’s return.
“Graves are opened, and ‘many of them that sleep in the dust of the
earth . . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and
everlasting contempt.’ Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the
third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s
covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. ‘They also which
pierced Him’ (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s
dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people,
are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the
loyal and obedient.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 637.
EGW Notes — THURSDAY ↓
Thursday, October 20
Those Who Sleep in the Dust
From the rise and fall of nations as made plain in the books of Daniel
and the Revelation, we need to learn how worthless is mere outward and
worldly glory. Babylon, with all its power and magnificence . . . how
completely has it passed away! As “the flower of the grass,” it has
perished. James 1:10. . . . Only that which is bound up with His purpose,
and expresses His character, can endure. His principles are the only
steadfast things our world knows.
A careful study of the working out of God’s purpose in the history of
nations and in the revelation of things to come, will help us to estimate at
their true value things seen and things unseen, and to learn what is the
true aim of life. Thus, viewing the things of time in the light of eternity,
we may, like Daniel and his fellows, live for that which is true and noble
and enduring. And learning in this life the principles of the kingdom of
our Lord and Saviour, that blessed kingdom which is to endure for ever
and ever, we may be prepared at His coming to enter with Him into its
possession.—Prophets and Kings, p. 548.
From garrets, from hovels, from dungeons, from scaffolds, from
mountains and deserts, from the caves of the earth and the caverns of the
sea, Christ will gather His children to Himself. On earth they have been
destitute, afflicted, and tormented. Millions have gone down to the grave
loaded with infamy because they refused to yield to the deceptive claims
of Satan. By human tribunals the children of God have been adjudged the
vilest criminals. But the day is near when “God is judge Himself.” (Psalm
50:6). Then the decisions of earth shall be reversed. “The rebuke of His
people shall He take away.” Isaiah 25:8. White robes will be given to every
one of them. (Revelation 6:11.) And “they shall call them the holy people,
the redeemed of the Lord.” Isaiah
62:12.—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 179.
Christ would have everyone possess in abundance the grace of heaven.
He desires that His joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. . . .
The hand of God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power
and His wrath are against those who forsake Him, and who trust in the
help and friendship of the world. . . .
The children of God will know who is their helper. They will know in
whom they can trust implicitly, and with Christ’s help, they may, without
presumption, have a holy confidence. Yes, His servants may safely trust in
Him alone, without fear, looking unto Jesus, pressing on in obedience to
His requirements, leaving everything that is joined to the world, whether
the world opposes or favors. Their success comes from God, and they will
not fail because they have not the wealth and influence of wicked
men.—This Day With God, p. 354.
FRIDAY October 21
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Visions of Future Glory,”
pp. 722–733, in Prophets and Kings.
Modern science teaches that all matter is composed of atoms,
themselves made up of two smaller particles, quarks and leptons, which are
believed to be the building blocks of all physical reality. If, then, at the core
the physical world is quarks and leptons, couldn’t the God who not only
created and sustains that world also just reconfigure the quarks and leptons
when the time comes to resurrect us? Mocking the resurrection, atheist
Bertrand Russell asked what happens to those whom cannibals ate, because
their bodies are now part of the cannibals’, and so who gets what in the
resurrection? But suppose the Lord simply grabs quarks and leptons, the
ultimate building blocks of existence, from wherever, and, based on the
information that He possesses about each one of us, reconstructs us from
those quarks and leptons on up? He doesn’t need our original ones; any will
do. Or, in fact, He could just speak new quarks and leptons into existence
and go from there. However He does it, the God who created the universe
can re-create us, which He promises to do at the resurrection of the dead.
“The Life-giver will call up His purchased possession in the first
resurrection, and until that triumphant hour, when the last trump shall sound
and the vast army shall come forth to eternal victory, every sleeping saint
will be kept in safety and will be guarded as a precious jewel, who is known
to God by name. By the power of the Saviour that dwelt in them while
living and because they were partakers of the divine nature, they are
brought forth from the dead.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible
Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1143.
Discussion Questions:
-
1. There are an estimated two trillion galaxies out there, each made
of billions and billions of stars. And some of these stars have planets
orbiting them, just as the planets in our solar system orbit the sun.
Now, think about the incredible power of God, who not only created
all these stars, but who also sustains them and knows them by name
(Ps. 147:4). Though this amazing reality does not prove that this same
God can or will raise the dead, how does it reveal to us this same
awesome power that He does have and why, certainly, something like
the resurrection would not be beyond His power?
-
2. Hebrews 11 highlights the faithfulness and expectations of many
of the “heroes of faith” of ancient times. How can this chapter enrich
our understanding of the hope that the characters in the Old
Testament had, even before the resurrection of Jesus?
EGW Notes — FRIDAY ↓
Friday, October 21
For Further Reading
Maranatha, “Mysteries of the Resurrection,” p. 301;
The Upward Look, “God and His Creation,” p. 340.
INSIDE STORY
Sharing Living Water
By DAVID MALDONADO
Antonio Maldonado didn’t know much English, so he motioned to an
interpreter at the reception at the U.S. White House in Washington.
Antonio, a member of a mining delegation visiting from Peru, saw that
the guests were being served fine whiskey, but he simply wanted a glass of
pure water to raise for the toast with President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Speaking through the interpreter, he politely voiced his desire to a waiter.
It was a difficult request to make. Everyone seemed to be holding
glasses of whiskey, and Antonio didn’t want to make a scene. He didn’t
want to embarrass fellow delegates as they wrapped up U.S. trade talks. But
as a young man, he had made a commitment never to drink after seeing the
ruin that alcohol had brought to homes in Peru. Two years earlier, in 1963,
he had given his heart to Jesus after hearing Voice of Prophecy radio
broadcasts.
While Antonio spoke softly with the White House waiter, a pair of eyes
watched him. Those eyes followed the waiter as he brought Antonio a glass
of water. As Antonio accepted the water, he heard a voice speak.
“Waiter, wait,” the voice said. “What did the gentleman ask of you?”
“This guest wanted us to change his whiskey glass for one with pure
water, Mr. President,” the waiter replied.
Lyndon Johnson extended an arm and handed his own glass of whiskey
to the waiter. “Please bring me a glass of water, as well,” he said.
After the toast, the president approached Antonio and, almost
whispering, asked, “Why don’t you drink like the others?”
With the interpreter’s help, Antonio replied with a large smile. “When I
was young, I promised myself that I would never drink, and many years
later I renewed that promise with God,” he said. “So far, everything has
worked well.”
The president extended a hand. “Congratulations for being such a
magnificent example,” he said. “I, too, am a man of faith. God bless you.”
A firm handshake ended the conversation.
As Antonio mingled at the reception, he felt curious stares. His habit of
abstaining from alcohol, strengthened by his faith, had resulted in an
unexpected encounter with one of the most powerful people on earth. His
heart rejoiced that he had been able to represent God at the White House.
Today, Antonio seeks to represent God every day in Concepción, Peru, where he lives with his wife,
Enma. He is 99, and she is 90—a living witness to their conviction that “whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NKJV).
This mission story illustrates Spiritual Growth Objective No. 5 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s
“I Will Go” strategic plan, “To disciple individuals and families into Spirit-filled lives.” Read more:
IWillGo2020.org.
Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School
mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at
AdventistMission.org.
