Heaven...
Heaven and The Beginnings of Sabbath Observance by A special number dated February 7, 1846, was devoted entirely to this Bible study on the question of the sanctuary. And in this end history of Earth of COVID-19, Probation will close for all 7th Day Sabbath Keepers on October 22nd, 2020, Just before the Sunday Law is enacted on February 7th, 2021.
- Preface
- Chapter 1—The Way to Heaven
- Chapter 2—His Promise Will Be Fulfilled
- Chapter 3—The Second Coming Promised Throughout History
- Chapter 4—God's People Delivered
- Chapter 5—Christ's Second Coming
- Chapter 6—Our Eternal Inheritance
- Chapter 7—A Heavenly Atmosphere
- Chapter 8—Face-to-Face at Last
- Chapter 9—Eden Restored
- Chapter 10—Who Will Be There?
- Chapter 11—Some Are Already in Heaven
- Chapter 12—Some Who Will Not Be There
- Chapter 13—In Heaven One Thousand Years
- Chapter 14—The End of Evil
- Chapter 15—The Earth Made New
- Chapter 16—Heaven Is a School
- Chapter 17—It Will Not Be Long
- Chapter 18—Heaven Can Begin Now
- Chapter 19—The Music of Heaven
- Chapter 20—A Call for Us to Be There
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Chapter 1—The Way to Heaven
By Jesus Alone—“Let not your heart be troubled,” He [Jesus] said; “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. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” For your sake I came into the world. I am working in your behalf. When I go away, I shall still work earnestly for you. I came into the world to reveal Myself to you, that you might believe. I go to the Father to cooperate with Him in your behalf. Hvn 9.1
The object of Christ's departure was the opposite of what the disciples feared. It did not mean a final separation. He was going to prepare a place for them, that He might come again, and receive them unto Himself. While He was building mansions for them, they were to build characters after the divine similitude. Hvn 9.2
Still the disciples were perplexed. Thomas, always troubled by doubts, said, “Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.” Hvn 10.1
There are not many ways to heaven. Each one may not choose his own way. Christ says, “I am the way: ... no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” Since the first gospel sermon was preached, when in Eden it was declared that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, Christ had been uplifted as the way, the truth, and the life. He was the way when Adam lived, when Abel presented to God the blood of the slain lamb, representing the blood of the Redeemer. Christ was the way by which patriarchs and prophets were saved. He is the way by which alone we can have access to God.—The Desire of Ages, 663. Hvn 10.2
The Surety of Our Deliverance—By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold upon the throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey. It was Christ who from the bush on Mount Horeb spoke to Moses saying, “I AM THAT I AM.... Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:14. This was the pledge of Israel's deliverance. So when He came “in the likeness of men,” He declared Himself the I AM. The Child of Bethlehem, the meek and lowly Saviour, is God “manifest in the flesh.” 1 Timothy 3:16. And to us He says: “I AM the Good Shepherd.” “I AM the living Bread.” “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” John 10:11; 6:51; 14:6; Matthew 28:18. I AM the assurance of every promise. I AM; be not afraid. “God with us” is the surety of our deliverance from sin, the assurance of our power to obey the law of heaven.—The Desire of Ages, 24, 25. Hvn 10.3
Help Others Find Jesus, The Way—Christ gave Himself to a shameful, agonizing death, showing His great travail of soul to save the perishing. Oh, Christ is able, Christ is willing, Christ is longing, to save all who will come unto Him! Talk to souls in peril and get them to behold Jesus upon the cross, dying to make it possible for Him to pardon. Talk to the sinner with your own heart overflowing with the tender, pitying love of Christ. Let there be deep earnestness; but not a harsh, loud note should be heard from the one who is trying to win the soul to look and live. First have your own soul consecrated to God. As you look upon our Intercessor in heaven, let your heart be broken. Then, softened and subdued, you can address repenting sinners as one who realizes the power of redeeming love. Hvn 11.1
Pray with these souls, by faith bringing them to the foot of the cross; carry their minds up with your mind, and fix the eye of faith where you look, upon Jesus the Sin Bearer. Get them to look away from their poor, sinful selves to the Saviour, and the victory is won. They behold for themselves the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. They see the Way, the Truth, the Life. The Sun of Righteousness sheds its bright beams into the heart. The strong tide of redeeming love pours into the parched and thirsty soul, and the sinner is saved to Jesus Christ. Hvn 11.2
Christ crucified—talk it, pray it, sing it, and it will break and win hearts. This is the power and wisdom of God to gather souls for Christ. Formal, set phrases, the presentation of merely argumentative subjects, is productive of little good. The melting love of God in the hearts of the workers will be recognized by those for whom they labor. Souls are thirsting for the waters of life. Do not be empty cisterns. If you reveal the love of Christ to them, you may lead the hungering, thirsting ones to Jesus, and He will give them the bread of life and the water of salvation.—Testimonies for the Church 6:66, 67. Hvn 12.1
The True Path That Leads to Heaven—Many are losing the right way, in consequence of thinking that they must climb to heaven, that they must do something to merit the favor of God. They seek to make themselves better by their own unaided efforts. This they can never accomplish. Christ has made the way by dying our Sacrifice, by living our Example, by becoming our great High Priest. He declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” If by any effort of our own we could advance one step toward the ladder, the words of Christ would not be true. But when we accept Christ, good works will appear as fruitful evidence that we are in the way of life, that Christ is our way, and that we are treading the true path that leads to heaven.—The Review and Herald, November 4, 1890. Hvn 12.2
Chapter 2—His Promise Will Be Fulfilled
Keynote of Scriptures—One of the most solemn and yet most glorious truths revealed in the Bible is that of Christ's second coming to complete the great work of redemption. To God's pilgrim people, so long left to sojourn in “the region and shadow of death,” a precious, joy-inspiring hope is given in the promise of His appearing, who is “the resurrection and the life,” to “bring home again His banished.” 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. Hvn 13.1
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: ... in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.” Job 19:25-27.—The Great Controversy, 299. Hvn 13.2
To Take His People Home—Christ has declared that He will come the second time to gather His faithful ones to Himself: “Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:30, 31.—The Great Controversy, 37. Hvn 14.1
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,” would bid them welcome to His presence in the heavenly kingdom.—The Acts of the Apostles, 33. Hvn 14.2
The proclamation of Christ's coming should now be, as when made by the angels to the shepherds of Bethlehem, good tidings of great joy. Those who really love the Saviour cannot but hail with gladness the announcement founded upon the Word of God that He in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered is coming again, not to be insulted, despised, and rejected, as at His first advent, but in power and glory, to redeem His people. It is those who do not love the Saviour that desire Him to remain away, and there can be no more conclusive evidence that the churches have departed from God than the irritation and animosity excited by this Heaven-sent message.—The Great Controversy, 339, 340. Hvn 14.3
These truths, as presented in Revelation 14 in connection with “the everlasting gospel,” will distinguish the church of Christ at the time of His appearing. For as the result of the threefold message it is announced: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” And this message is the last to be given before the coming of the Lord. Immediately following its proclamation the Son of man is seen by the prophet, coming in glory to reap the harvest of the earth.—The Great Controversy, 453, 454. Hvn 15.1
Freedom From Sin—This earth has been trodden by the Son of God. He came to bring men light and life, to set them free from the bondage of sin. He is coming again in power and great glory, to receive to Himself those who during this life have followed in His footsteps.—Letter 117, 1903 quoted in Medical Ministry, 20, 21. Hvn 15.2
“The Redemption of the Purchased Possession.”—God's original purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed. “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” The time has come to which holy men have looked with longing since the flaming sword barred the first pair from Eden—the time for “the redemption of the purchased possession.” The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption. Hvn 15.3
All that was lost by the first Adam will be restored by the second. The prophet says, “O Tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” And Paul points forward to the “redemption of the purchased possession.” Hvn 16.1
God created the earth to be the abode of holy, happy beings. That purpose will be fulfilled when, renewed by the power of God and freed from sin and sorrow, it shall become the eternal home of the redeemed.—The Adventist Home, 540. Hvn 16.2
To Make All Things New—The work of redemption will be complete. In the place where sin abounded, God's grace much more abounds. The earth itself, the very field that Satan claims as his, is to be not only ransomed but exalted. Our little world, under the curse of sin the one dark blot in His glorious creation, will be honored above all other worlds in the universe of God. Here, where the Son of God tabernacled in humanity; where the King of glory lived and suffered and died—here, when He shall make all things new, the tabernacle of God shall be with men, “and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” And through endless ages as the redeemed walk in the light of the Lord, they will praise Him for His unspeakable Gift—Immanuel, “God with us.”The Desire of Ages, 26. Hvn 16.3
Cost of Redemption Realized—Never can the cost of our redemption be realized until the redeemed shall stand with the Redeemer before the throne of God. Then as the glories of the eternal home burst upon our enraptured senses we shall remember that Jesus left all this for us, that He not only became an exile from the heavenly courts, but for us took the risk of failure and eternal loss. Then we shall cast our crowns at His feet, and raise the song, “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.—The Desire of Ages, 131. Hvn 17.1
Earth's Purpose Fulfilled—God created the earth to be the abode of holy, happy beings. The Lord “formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.” Isaiah 45:18. That purpose will be fulfilled, when, renewed by the power of God, and freed from sin and sorrow, it shall become the eternal abode of the redeemed. “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.” “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him.” Psalm 37:29; Revelation 22:3.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 67. Hvn 17.2
Jesus Suffered to Save—I saw the beauty of heaven. I heard the angels sing their rapturous songs, ascribing praise, honor, and glory to Jesus. I could then realize something of the wondrous love of the Son of God. He left all the glory, all the honor which He had in heaven, and was so interested for our salvation that He patiently and meekly bore every indignity and slight which man could heap upon Him. He was wounded, smitten, and bruised; He was stretched on Calvary's cross and suffered the most agonizing death to save us from death, that we might be washed in His blood and be raised up to live with Him in the mansions He is preparing for us, to enjoy the light and glory of heaven, to hear the angels sing, and to sing with them.—Testimonies for the Church 1:123, 124. Hvn 17.3
Chapter 3—The Second Coming Promised Throughout History
Key to History—An understanding of the hope of Christ's second coming is the key that unlocks all the history that follows, and explains all the future lessons.—Letter 218, 1906 quoted in Evangelism, 220. Hvn 19.1
Told to Enoch—“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints” (Jude 14).... The doctrine of Christ's coming was made known at this early date to the man who walked with God in continual communion. The godly character of this prophet is to represent the state of holiness to which the people of God must attain who expect to be translated to heaven.—The Review and Herald, July 31, 1888 quoted in That I May Know Him, 348. Hvn 19.2
Sacrifices A Perpetual Reminder.—In patriarchal times the sacrificial offerings connected with divine worship constituted a perpetual reminder of the coming of a Saviour, and thus it was with the entire ritual of the sanctuary services throughout Israel's history. In the ministration of the tabernacle, and of the temple that afterward took its place, the people were taught each day, by means of types and shadows, the great truths relative to the advent of Christ as Redeemer, Priest, and King; and once each year their minds were carried forward to the closing events of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, the final purification of the universe from sin and sinners. Hvn 19.3
The sacrifices and offerings of the Mosaic ritual were ever pointing toward a better service, even a heavenly. The earthly sanctuary was “a figure for the time then present,” in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices; its two holy places were “patterns of things in the heavens;” for Christ, our great High Priest, is today “a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Hebrews 9:9, 23; 8:2.—Prophets and Kings, 684, 685. Hvn 20.1
The slaying of the Passover lamb was a shadow of the death of Christ. Says Paul: “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:7. The sheaf of first fruits, which at the time of the Passover was waved before the Lord, was typical of the resurrection of Christ. Paul says, in speaking of the resurrection of the Lord and of all His people: “Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.” 1 Corinthians 15:23. Like the wave sheaf, which was the first ripe grain gathered before the harvest, Christ is the first fruits of that immortal harvest of redeemed ones that at the future resurrection shall be gathered into the garner of God.—The Great Controversy, 399. Hvn 20.2
Good News—The gospel message proclaimed by Christ's disciples was the announcement of His first advent to the world. It bore to men the good tidings of salvation through faith in Him. It pointed forward to His second coming in glory to redeem His people, and it set before men the hope, through faith and obedience, of sharing the inheritance of the saints in light. This message is given to men today, and at this time there is coupled with it the announcement of Christ's second coming as at hand. The signs which He Himself gave of His coming have been fulfilled, and by the teaching of God's Word we may know that the Lord is at the door. Hvn 21.1
John in the Revelation foretells the proclamation of the gospel message just before Christ's second coming. He beholds an angel flying “in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Revelation 14:6, 7. Hvn 21.2
In the prophecy this warning of the judgment, with its connected messages, is followed by the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven. The proclamation of the judgment is an announcement of Christ's second coming as at hand. And this proclamation is called the everlasting gospel. Thus the preaching of Christ's second coming, the announcement of its nearness, is shown to be an essential part of the gospel message.—Christ's Object Lessons, 226-228. Hvn 21.3
The Prayer Jesus Taught—“Thy kingdom come.” Matthew 6:10. God is our Father, who loves and cares for us as His children; He is also the great King of the universe. The interests of His kingdom are our interests, and we are to work for its upbuilding. Hvn 22.1
The disciples of Christ were looking for the immediate coming of the kingdom of His glory, but in giving them this prayer Jesus taught that the kingdom was not then to be established. They were to pray for its coming as an event yet future. But this petition was also an assurance to them. While they were not to behold the coming of the kingdom in their day, the fact that Jesus bade them pray for it is evidence that in God's own time it will surely come. Hvn 22.2
The kingdom of God's grace is now being established, as day by day hearts that have been full of sin and rebellion yield to the sovereignty of His love. But the full establishment of the kingdom of His glory will not take place until the second coming of Christ to this world. “The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,” is to be given to “the people of the saints of the Most High.” Daniel 7:27. They shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them “from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. And Christ will take to Himself His great power and will reign. Hvn 22.3
The heavenly gates are again to be lifted up, and with ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy ones, our Saviour will come forth as King of kings and Lord of lords. Jehovah Immanuel “shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one.” “The tabernacle of God” shall be with men, “and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 21:3. Hvn 22.4
But before that coming, Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” Matthew 24:14. His kingdom will not come until the good tidings of His grace have been carried to all the earth. Hence, as we give ourselves to God, and win other souls to Him, we hasten the coming of His kingdom. Only those who devote themselves to His service, saying, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8), to open blind eyes, to turn men “from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified” (Acts 26:18)—they alone pray in sincerity, “Thy kingdom come.”Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 107-109. Hvn 23.1
Promise Gave Joy—As Christ ascended, His hands outstretched to bless His disciples, a cloud of angels received Him and hid Him from their sight. As the disciples looked with straining eyes for the last glimpse of their ascending Lord, two angels from the rejoicing throng stood by them and 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 1:11). Hvn 23.2
The disciples were filled with great joy. Over and over again they repeated the words Christ had spoken to them in His last lessons, as recorded in the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John; and every one had something to say about the instruction, especially with regard to the words of the fourteenth of John ... Hvn 24.1
The promise that He would come again, and also the thought that He had left them His peace, filled their hearts with joy.—Letter 55, 1886 quoted in The Upward Look, 357. Hvn 24.2
John Saw History of God's People—John was strengthened to live in the presence of his glorified Lord. Then before his wondering vision were opened the glories of heaven. He was permitted to see the throne of God and, looking beyond the conflicts of earth, to behold the white-robed throng of the redeemed. He heard the music of the heavenly angels and the triumphant songs of those who had overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. In the revelation given to him there was unfolded scene after scene of thrilling interest in the experience of the people of God, and the history of the church foretold to the very close of time. In figures and symbols, subjects of vast importance were presented to John, which he was to record, that the people of God living in his age and in future ages might have an intelligent understanding of the perils and conflicts before them.—The Acts of the Apostles, 582, 583. Hvn 24.3
Prophecy Reassures—We must have a knowledge of the Scriptures, that we may trace down the lines of prophecy and ... see that the day is approaching, so that with increased zeal and effort we may exhort one another to faithfulness.... Give up our faith? lose our confidence? become impatient? No, no. We will not think of such a thing.... See how the specifications of the prophecies have been and are fulfilling. Let us lift up our heads and rejoice, for our redemption draweth nigh. It is nearer than when we first believed. Shall we not wait patiently, filled with courage and faith? Shall we not make ready a people to stand in the day of final reckoning?—The Review and Herald, July 31, 1888 quoted in That I May Know Him, 348. Hvn 24.4
His Promise Gives Courage—More than eighteen hundred years have passed since the Saviour gave the promise of His coming. Throughout the centuries His words have filled with courage the hearts of His faithful ones. The promise has not yet been fulfilled; ... but none the less sure is the word that has been spoken.—The Review and Herald, November 13, 1913 quoted in Our High Calling, 367. Hvn 25.1
Chapter 4—God's People Delivered
God Manifests His Power at Midnight—By the people of God a voice, clear and melodious, is heard, saying, “Look up,” and lifting their eyes to the heavens, they behold the bow of promise. The black, angry clouds that covered the firmament are parted, and like Stephen they look up steadfastly into heaven and see the glory of God and the Son of man seated upon His throne. In His divine form they discern the marks of His humiliation; and from His lips they hear the request presented before His Father and the holy angels: “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” John 17:24. Hvn 26.1
Again a voice, musical and triumphant, is heard, saying: “They come! they come! holy, harmless, and undefiled. They have kept the word of My patience; they shall walk among the angels;” and the pale, quivering lips of those who have held fast their faith utter a shout of victory. Hvn 26.2
It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come up and clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: “It is done.” Revelation 16:17.—The Great Controversy, 636. Hvn 27.1
The Foundations of the Earth Seem to Be Giving Way—There is a mighty earthquake. The firmament appears to open and shut. The glory from the throne of God seems flashing through. The mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a roar as of a coming tempest. The sea is lashed into fury. There is heard the shriek of the hurricane, like the voice of demons upon a mission of destruction. The whole earth heaves and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking. Inhabited islands disappear with their living freight. The seaports that have become like Sodom for wickedness are swallowed up by the angry waters. Great hailstones, every one “about the weight of a talent,” [Revelation 16:21] are doing their work of destruction. The proudest cities of the earth are laid low. The costly palaces, upon which the world's great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are crumbling to ruin before their eyes.—The Spirit of Prophecy 4:453, 454. Hvn 27.2
A Special Resurrection Before Jesus Appears—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. Hvn 28.1
Thick clouds still cover the sky; yet the sun now and then breaks through, appearing like the avenging eye of Jehovah. Fierce lightnings leap from the heavens, enveloping the earth in a sheet of flame. Above the terrific roar of thunder, voices, mysterious and awful, declare the doom of the wicked. The words spoken are not comprehended by all; but they are distinctly understood by the false teachers. Those who a little before were so reckless, so boastful and defiant, so exultant in their cruelty to God's commandment-keeping people, are now overwhelmed with consternation and shuddering in fear. Their wails are heard above the sound of the elements. Demons acknowledge the deity of Christ and tremble before His power, while men are supplicating for mercy and groveling in abject terror.—The Great Controversy, 637, 638. Hvn 28.2
The Ten Commandments Revealed to All in The Sky—Through a rift in the clouds, there beams a star whose brilliancy is increased fourfold in contrast with the darkness. It speaks hope and joy to the faithful, but severity and wrath to the transgressors of God's law. Those who have sacrificed all for Christ are now secure, hidden as in the secret of the Lord's pavilion. They have been tested, and before the world and the despisers of truth they have evinced their fidelity to Him who died for them. Hvn 29.1
A marvelous change has come over those who have held fast their integrity in the very face of death. They have been suddenly delivered from the dark and terrible tyranny of men transformed to demons. Their faces, so lately pale, anxious, and haggard, are now aglow with wonder, faith, and love. Their voices rise in triumphant song: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” [Psalm 46:1-3]. Hvn 29.2
While these words of holy trust ascend to God, the clouds sweep back, and the starry heavens are seen, unspeakably glorious in contrast with the black and angry firmament on either side. The glory of heaven is beaming from the gates ajar. Then there appears against the sky a hand holding two tables of stone folded together. The hand opens the tables, and there are revealed the precepts of the decalogue, traced as with a pen of fire. The words are so plain that all can read them. Memory is aroused, the darkness of superstition and heresy is swept from every mind, and God's ten words, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, are presented to the view of all the inhabitants of earth. Wonderful code! wonderful occasion!—The Spirit of Prophecy 4:456, 457. Hvn 29.3
God Tells His People the Day and Hour of Jesus’ Coming—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.—The Great Controversy, 640. Hvn 30.1
Chapter 5—Christ's Second Coming
A Small, Black Cloud Is The Sign of Jesus’ Coming—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.—The Great Controversy, 640, 641. Hvn 31.1
Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man's hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son of man. In solemn silence we all gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer, and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud. The bottom appeared like fire; a rainbow was over the cloud, while around it were ten thousand angels, singing a most lovely song; and upon it sat the Son of man. His hair was white and curly and lay on His shoulders, and upon His head were many crowns. His feet had the appearance of fire; in His right hand was a sharp sickle, in His left a silver trumpet. His eyes were as a flame of fire, which searched His children through and through.—Testimonies for the Church 1:60. Hvn 31.2
Whole World Will See—“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:24-27, 31; 25:31; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This coming there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known—witnessed by the whole world.—The Great Controversy, 625. Hvn 32.1
Jesus Returns in Glory Surrounded by a Cloud of Angels—With anthems of celestial melody the holy angels, a vast unnumbered throng, attend Him on His way. The firmament seems filled with radiant forms—“ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” No human pen can portray the scene; no mortal mind is adequate to conceive its splendor.... As the living cloud comes still nearer, every eye beholds the Prince of life. No crown of thorns now mars that sacred head; but a diadem of glory rests on His holy brow. His countenance outshines the dazzling brightness of the noonday sun.... Hvn 32.2
The King of kings descends upon the cloud, wrapped in flaming fire. The heavens are rolled together as a scroll, the earth trembles before Him, and every mountain and island is moved out of its place. “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people.” Psalm 50:3, 4.—The Great Controversy, 641, 642. Hvn 32.3
Jesus Clearly Seen on the Cloud—The living cloud of majesty, and unsurpassed glory, came still nearer, and we could clearly behold the lovely person of Jesus. He did not wear a crown of thorns; but a crown of glory decked his holy brow. Upon his vesture and thigh was a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. His eyes were as a flame of fire, his feet had the appearance of fine brass, and his voice sounded like many musical instruments. His countenance was as bright as the noon-day sun.—Spiritual Gifts 1:207. Hvn 33.1
Joy of God's People—The revelation of His own glory in the form of humanity will bring heaven so near to men that the beauty adorning the inner temple will be seen in every soul in whom the Saviour dwells. Men will be captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ. And in currents of praise and thanksgiving from the many souls thus won to God, glory will flow back to the great Giver. Hvn 33.2
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isaiah 60:1. To those who go out to meet the Bridegroom is this message given. Christ is coming with power and great glory. He is coming with His own glory and with the glory of the Father. He is coming with all the holy angels with Him. While all the world is plunged in darkness, there will be light in every dwelling of the saints. They will catch the first light of His second appearing. The unsullied light will shine from His splendor, and Christ the Redeemer will be admired by all who have served Him. While the wicked flee from His presence, Christ's followers will rejoice. The patriarch Job, looking down to the time of Christ's second advent, said, “Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not a stranger.” Job 19:27, margin. Hvn 33.3
To His faithful followers Christ has been a daily companion and familiar friend. They have lived in close contact, in constant communion with God. Upon them the glory of the Lord has risen. In them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ has been reflected. Now they rejoice in the undimmed rays of the brightness and glory of the King in His majesty. They are prepared for the communion of heaven; for they have heaven in their hearts. Hvn 34.1
With uplifted heads, with the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness shining upon them, with rejoicing that their redemption draweth nigh, they go forth to meet the Bridegroom, saying, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.” Isaiah 25:9. Hvn 34.2
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.... And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” “He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 19:6-9; 17:14.—Christ's Object Lessons, 420, 421. Hvn 34.3
Righteous Dead and Living Will See Jesus Together—Paul showed that those living when Christ should come would not go to meet their Lord in advance of those who had fallen asleep in Jesus. The voice of the Archangel and the trump of God would reach the sleeping ones, and the dead in Christ should rise first, before the touch of immortality should be given to the living. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” [1 Thessalonians 4:17, 18].—The Acts of the Apostles, 258. Hvn 35.1
Garments of Whitest White—Christ emptied Himself, and took the form of a servant, and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. As the high priest, after performing his service in the holy of holies, came forth to the waiting congregation in his pontifical robes, so Christ will come the second time clothed in glorious garments of the whitest white, “such as no fuller on earth can whiten them.” He will come in His own glory, and in the glory of His Father, as King of kings and Lord of lords, and all the angelic host will escort Him on His way.—Ms 113, 1899 quoted in The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 1:1111, 1112. Hvn 35.2
Jesus Raises the Sleeping Saints to Immortal Life—Amid the reeling of the earth, the flashing of lightning, and the roaring of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then raising His hands to heaven He cries, “Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust, and arise!” Throughout the length and breadth of the earth, the dead shall hear that voice, and they that hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. From the prison-house of death they come, clothed with immortal glory, crying, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” [1 Corinthians 15:55.] And the living righteous and the risen saints unite their voices in a long, glad shout of victory. Hvn 35.3
All come forth from their graves the same in stature as when they entered the tomb. Adam, who stands among the risen throng, is of lofty height and majestic form, in stature but little below the Son of God. He presents a marked contrast to the people of later generations; in this one respect is shown the great degeneracy of the race. But all arise from their last deep slumber with the freshness and vigor of eternal youth. In the beginning, man was created in the likeness of God, not only in character, but in form and feature. Sin defaced and almost obliterated the divine image; but Christ came to restore that which had been lost. He will change our vile bodies, and fashion them like unto His glorious body. The mortal, corruptible form, devoid of comeliness, once polluted with sin, becomes perfect, beautiful, and immortal. All blemishes and deformities are left in the grave. The redeemed bear the image of their Lord. Oh, wonderful redemption! long talked of, long hoped for, contemplated with eager anticipation, but never fully understood.—The Spirit of Prophecy 4:463, 464. Hvn 36.1
First Thought of the Resurrected—As they [the righteous] are called forth from their deep slumber they begin to think just where they ceased. The last sensation was the pang of death; the last thought, that they were falling beneath the power of the grave. When they arise from the tomb, their first glad thought will be echoed in the triumphal shout: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” [1 Corinthians 15:55].—The Great Controversy, 550. Hvn 37.1
Death is a Small Matter—To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Saviour the life that was lost through sin is restored; for He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. He is invested with the right to give immortality. The life that He laid down in humanity, He takes up again, and gives to humanity. “I am come,” He said, “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” “Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 10:10; 4:14; 6:54. Hvn 37.2
To the believer, death is but a small matter. Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment. “If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death,” “he shall never taste of death.” To the Christian, death is but a sleep, a moment of silence and darkness. The life is hid with Christ in God, and “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” John 8:51, 52; Colossians 3:4. Hvn 37.3
The voice that cried from the cross, “It is finished,” was heard among the dead. It pierced the walls of sepulchers, and summoned the sleepers to arise. Thus will it be when the voice of Christ shall be heard from heaven. That voice will penetrate the graves and unbar the tombs, and the dead in Christ shall arise. At the Saviour's resurrection a few graves were opened, but at His second coming all the precious dead shall hear His voice, and shall come forth to glorious, immortal life. The same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise His church, and glorify it with Him, above all principalities, above all powers, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come.—The Desire of Ages, 786, 787. Hvn 37.4
Children Restored—His faithful ones [will] be rewarded, when, at His coming, death loses its sting and the grave is robbed of the victory it has claimed. Then will He restore to His servants the children that have been taken from them by death. “Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded ... and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.” Jeremiah 31:15-17.—Prophets and Kings, 239. Hvn 38.1
Sleeping Saints Guarded As Precious Jewels—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.—Letter 65a, 1894 quoted in The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1143. Hvn 38.2
We Will Know Our Friends—The resurrection of Jesus was a type of the final resurrection of all who sleep in Him. The countenance of the risen Saviour, His manner, His speech, were all familiar to His disciples. As Jesus arose from the dead, so those who sleep in Him are to rise again. We shall know our friends, even as the disciples knew Jesus. They may have been deformed, diseased, or disfigured, in this mortal life, and they rise in perfect health and symmetry; yet in the glorified body their identity will be perfectly preserved. Then shall we know even as also we are known. 1 Corinthians 13:12. In the face radiant with the light shining from the face of Jesus, we shall recognize the lineaments of those we love.—The Desire of Ages, 804. Hvn 39.1
We Will Know One Another—God's greatest gift is Christ, whose life is ours, given for us. He died for us, and was raised for us, that we might come forth from the tomb to a glorious companionship with heavenly angels, to meet our loved ones and to recognize their faces, for the Christlikeness does not destroy their image, but transforms it into His glorious image. Every saint connected in family relationship here will know each other there.—Letter 79, 1898 quoted in Selected Messages 3:316. Hvn 39.2
Personality Preserved in a New Body—Our personal identity is preserved in the resurrection, though not the same particles of matter or material substance as went into the grave. The wondrous works of God are a mystery to man. The spirit, the character of man, is returned to God, there to be preserved. In the resurrection every man will have his own character. God in His own time will call forth the dead, giving again the breath of life, and bidding the dry bones live. The same form will come forth, but it will be free from disease and every defect. It lives again bearing the same individuality of features, so that friend will recognize friend. There is no law of God in nature which shows that God gives back the same identical particles of matter which composed the body before death. God shall give the righteous dead a body that will please Him. Hvn 40.1
Paul illustrates this subject by the kernel of grain sown in the field. The planted kernel decays, but there comes forth a new kernel. The natural substance in the grain that decays is never raised as before, but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him. A much finer material will compose the human body, for it is a new creation, a new birth. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.—Ms 76, 1900 quoted in The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1093. Hvn 40.2
Closeness Between God and Resurrected Saints—Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him.—The Desire of Ages, 606. Hvn 40.3
Raised to Oneness With Christ—He [the believer] may die, as Christ died, but the life of the Saviour is in him. His life is hid with Christ in God. “I am come that they might have life,” Jesus said, “and that they might have it more abundantly.” He carries on the great process by which believers are made one with Him in this present life, to be one with Him throughout all eternity. Hvn 41.1
At the last day He will raise them as a part of Himself.... Christ became one with us in order that we might become one with Him in divinity.—The Review and Herald, June 18, 1901 quoted in Maranatha, 301. Hvn 41.2
Awakened to Die No More—Ministering angels are round about us giving us to drink of the water of life to refresh our souls in the closing scenes of life. There is a pledge from Him who is the resurrection and the life, that those who sleep in Jesus will Christ bring with Him from the grave. The trump will sound, the dead will awaken to life, to die no more. The eternal morning has come to them, for there will be no night in the city of God.—Letter 78, 1890 quoted in Selected Messages 2:250. Hvn 41.3
The Finishing Touch of Immortality—The Life-giver is coming to break the fetters of the tomb. He is to bring forth the captives and proclaim, “I am the resurrection and the life.” There stands the risen host. The last thought was of death and its pangs. The last thoughts they had were of the grave and the tomb, but now they proclaim, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” The pangs of death were the last things they felt. “O death, where is thy sting?” The last thing they acknowledged was the pangs of death. When they awake the pain is all gone.... Hvn 42.1
Here they stand, and the finishing touch of immortality is put upon them, and they go up to meet their Lord in the air. The gates of the city of God swing back upon their hinges, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. There are the columns of angels on either side, and the ransomed of God walk in through the cherubims and seraphims. Christ bids them welcome and puts upon them His benediction. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” What is that joy? He sees of the travail of His soul, and is satisfied. Hvn 42.2
That is what we labor for. Here is one, who in the night season we pleaded with God on his behalf. There is one that we talked with on his dying bed, and he hung his helpless soul upon Jesus. Here is one who was a poor drunkard. We tried to get his eyes fixed upon Him who is mighty to save and we told him that Christ could give him the victory. There are the crowns of immortal glory upon their heads, and then the redeemed cast their glittering crowns at the feet of Jesus.—Ms 18, 1894 quoted in The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1093. Hvn 42.3
Righteous Dead and Living See Jesus Together—In his first epistle to the Thessalonian believers, Paul endeavored to instruct them regarding the true state of the dead. He spoke of those who die as being asleep—in a state of unconsciousness: “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.... For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Hvn 43.1
The Thessalonians had eagerly grasped the idea that Christ was coming to change the faithful who were alive, and to take them to Himself. They had carefully guarded the lives of their friends, lest they should die and lose the blessing which they looked forward to receiving at the coming of their Lord. But one after another their loved ones had been taken from them, and with anguish the Thessalonians had looked for the last time upon the faces of their dead, hardly daring to hope to meet them in a future life. Hvn 43.2
As Paul's epistle was opened and read, great joy and consolation was brought to the church by the words revealing the true state of the dead. Paul showed that those living when Christ should come would not go to meet their Lord in advance of those who had fallen asleep in Jesus. The voice of the Archangel and the trump of God would reach the sleeping ones, and the dead in Christ should rise first, before the touch of immortality should be given to the living. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”The Acts of the Apostles, 257, 258. Hvn 43.3
The Future Kingdom in Miniature—Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ's victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ's second coming, and who will be “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” when “this mortal must put on immortality,” and “this corruptible must put on incorruption.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come “the second time without sin unto salvation.” For He will come “in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Hebrews 9:28; Mark 8:38. The Saviour's promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature—Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones.—The Desire of Ages, 421, 422. Hvn 44.1
Lines Penned on the Death of Mrs. White's Niece—Our fondest hopes are often blighted here. Our loved ones are torn from us by death. We close their eyes and habit them for the tomb, and lay them away from our sight. But hope bears our spirits up. We are not parted forever, but shall meet the loved ones who sleep in Jesus. They shall come again from the land of the enemy. The Life-giver is coming. Myriads of holy angels escort Him on His way. He bursts the bands of death, breaks the fetters of the tomb, the precious captives come forth in health and immortal beauty. Hvn 45.1
As the little infants come forth immortal from their dusty beds, they immediately wing their way to their mothers’ arms. They meet again nevermore to part. But many of the little ones have no mother there. We listen in vain for the rapturous song of triumph from the mother. The angels receive the motherless infants and conduct them to the tree of life. Hvn 45.2
Jesus places the golden ring of light, the crown upon their little heads. God grant that the dear mother of “Eva” may be there, that her little wings may be folded upon the glad bosom of her mother.—The Youth's Instructor, April, 1858 quoted in Selected Messages 2:259, 260. Hvn 45.3
Families and Friends Reunited—The living righteous are changed “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” At the voice of God they were glorified; now they are made immortal and with the risen saints are caught up to meet their Lord in the air. Angels “gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Little children are borne by holy angels to their mothers’ arms. Friends long separated by death are united, nevermore to part, and with songs of gladness ascend together to the City of God. Hvn 45.4
On each side of the cloudy chariot are wings, and beneath it are living wheels; and as the chariot rolls upward, the wheels cry, “Holy,” and the wings, as they move, cry, “Holy,” and the retinue of angels cry, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.” And the redeemed shout, “Alleluia!” as the chariot moves onward toward the New Jerusalem.—The Great Controversy, 645. Hvn 46.1
The Wicked Unsuccessfully Attempt to Hide From Jesus—The wicked pray to be covered by the rocks of the mountains, rather than meet the face of Him whom they have despised and rejected.... Hvn 46.2
Those who derided His [Jesus'] claim to be the Son of God are speechless now. There is the haughty Herod who jeered at His royal title, and bade the mocking soldiers crown Him king. There are the very men who with impious hands placed upon His form the purple robe, upon His sacred brow the thorny crown, and in His unresisting hand the mimic scepter, and bowed before Him in blasphemous mockery. The men who smote and spit upon the Prince of life, now turn from His piercing gaze, and seek to flee from the overpowering glory of His presence. Those who drove the nails through His hands and feet, the soldier who pierced His side, behold these marks with terror and remorse. Hvn 46.3
With awful distinctness do priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary. With shuddering horror they remember how, wagging their heads in Satanic exultation, they exclaimed, “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him.” [Matthew 27:42, 43.] ... Hvn 46.4
And now there rises a cry of mortal agony. Louder than the shout, “Crucify him! crucify him!” which rang through the streets of Jerusalem, swells the awful, despairing wail, “He is the Son of God! He is the true Messiah!” They seek to flee from the presence of the King of kings. In the deep caverns of the earth, rent asunder by the warring of the elements, they vainly attempt to hide.—The Spirit of Prophecy 4:460-462. Hvn 47.1
Redeemed Take Seven Days Traveling to Heaven—We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet. Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city. Jesus raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, “You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in.” We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right in the city.—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 66, 67. Hvn 47.2
Jesus Welcomes the Redeemed to the New Jerusalem—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.” Hvn 48.1
Now is fulfilled the Saviour's prayer for His disciples: “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” “Faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24), Christ presents to the Father the purchase of His blood, declaring: “Here am I, and the children whom Thou hast given Me.” “Those that Thou gavest Me I have kept.” Hvn 48.2
Oh, the wonders of redeeming love! the rapture of that hour when the infinite Father, looking upon the ransomed, shall behold His image, sin's discord banished, its blight removed, and the human once more in harmony with the divine! Hvn 48.3
With unutterable love, Jesus welcomes His faithful ones to the joy of their Lord. The Saviour's joy is in seeing, in the kingdom of glory, the souls that have been saved by His agony and humiliation. And the redeemed will be sharers in His joy, as they behold, among the blessed, those who have been won to Christ through their prayers, their labors, and their loving sacrifice. As they gather about the great white throne, gladness unspeakable will fill their hearts, when they behold those whom they have won for Christ, and see that one has gained others, and these still others, all brought into the haven of rest, there to lay their crowns at Jesus’ feet and praise Him through the endless cycles of eternity.—The Great Controversy, 646, 647. Hvn 48.4
The Two Adams Meet in the Holy City—As the ransomed ones are welcomed to the City of God, there rings out upon the air an exultant cry of adoration. The two Adams are about to meet. The Son of God is standing with outstretched arms to receive the father of our race—the being whom He created, who sinned against his Maker, and for whose sin the marks of the crucifixion are borne upon the Saviour's form. As Adam discerns the prints of the cruel nails, he does not fall upon the bosom of his Lord, but in humiliation casts himself at His feet, crying: “Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain!” Tenderly the Saviour lifts him up and bids him look once more upon the Eden home from which he has so long been exiled. Hvn 49.1
After his expulsion from Eden, Adam's life on earth was filled with sorrow. Every dying leaf, every victim of sacrifice, every blight upon the fair face of nature, every stain upon man's purity, was a fresh reminder of his sin. Terrible was the agony of remorse as he beheld iniquity abounding, and, in answer to his warnings, met the reproaches cast upon himself as the cause of sin. With patient humility he bore, for nearly a thousand years, the penalty of transgression. Faithfully did he repent of his sin and trust in the merits of the promised Saviour, and he died in the hope of a resurrection. The Son of God redeemed man's failure and fall; and now, through the work of the atonement, Adam is reinstated in his first dominion. Hvn 49.2
Transported with joy, he beholds the trees that were once his delight—the very trees whose fruit he himself had gathered in the days of his innocence and joy. He sees the vines that his own hands have trained, the very flowers that he once loved to care for. His mind grasps the reality of the scene; he comprehends that this is indeed Eden restored, more lovely now than when he was banished from it. The Saviour leads him to the tree of life and plucks the glorious fruit and bids him eat. He looks about him and beholds a multitude of his family redeemed, standing in the Paradise of God. Then he casts his glittering crown at the feet of Jesus and, falling upon His breast, embraces the Redeemer. He touches the golden harp, and the vaults of heaven echo the triumphant song: “Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and lives again!” The family of Adam take up the strain and cast their crowns at the Saviour's feet as they bow before Him in adoration. Hvn 50.1
This reunion is witnessed by the angels who wept at the fall of Adam and rejoiced when Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended to heaven, having opened the grave for all who should believe on His name. Now they behold the work of redemption accomplished, and they unite their voices in the song of praise.—The Great Controversy, 647, 648. Hvn 50.2
Standing With The Lamb Upon the Sea of Glass—Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled with fire—so resplendent is it with the glory of God—are gathered the company that have “gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.” With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, “having the harps of God,” they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, “the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” And they sing “a new song” before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance. Hvn 50.3
None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as “the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5. “These are they which came out of great tribulation;” they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God's judgments. But they have been delivered, for they have “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” “In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault” before God. “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.” Hvn 51.1
They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst. But “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.” Revelation 7:14-17.—The Great Controversy, 648, 649. Hvn 51.2
Chapter 6—Our Eternal Inheritance
Immortal Inheritance—Language fails to express the value of the immortal inheritance. The glory, riches, and honor offered by the Son of God are of such infinite value that it is beyond the power of men or even angels to give any just idea of their worth, their excellence, their magnificence. If men, plunged in sin and degradation, refuse these heavenly benefits, refuse a life of obedience, trample upon the gracious invitations of mercy, and choose the paltry things of earth because they are seen, and it is convenient for their present enjoyment to pursue a course of sin, Jesus will carry out the figure in the parable; such shall not taste of His glory, but the invitation will be extended to another class.—Testimonies for the Church 2:40. Hvn 53.1
Inheritors at Last—Not until the personal advent of Christ can His people receive the kingdom.... Man in his present state is mortal, corruptible; but the kingdom of God will be incorruptible, enduring forever. Therefore man in his present state cannot enter into the kingdom of God. But when Jesus comes, He confers immortality upon His people; and then He calls them to inherit the kingdom of which they have hitherto been only heirs.—The Great Controversy, 322, 323. Hvn 53.2
Life Insurance—Through the agency of the Holy Spirit, God works a moral change in the lives of His people, changing them into the likeness of Christ. Then, when the last trumpet call shall reach the ears of the dead who sleep in Christ, they will come forth to a new life, clothed with the garments of salvation. They enter in through the gates into the City of God, welcomed to the happiness and joy of their Lord. Would that we all could understand and ever keep in mind the joys that await those who keep their eyes on the pattern Christ Jesus, and in this life seek to form a character like His. Hvn 54.1
The Word of God contains our life insurance policy. To eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God means to study the Word and to carry that Word into the life in obedience to all its precepts. Those who thus partake of the Son of God become partakers of the divine nature, one with Christ. They breathe a holy atmosphere, in which only the soul can truly live. They carry in their lives an assurance of the holy principles received from the Word—their lives are worked by the power of the Holy Spirit, and they have an earnest of the immortality that will be theirs through the death and resurrection of Christ. Should the earthly body decay, the principles of their faith sustain them, for they are partakers of the divine nature. Because Christ was raised from the dead, they grasp the pledge of their resurrection, and eternal life is their reward. Hvn 54.2
This truth is an eternal truth, because Christ Himself taught it. He has engaged to raise the righteous dead, for He gave His life for the life of the world. “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me” (John 6:57). “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger” (verse 35).—Letter 82, 1907 quoted in The Upward Look, 78. Hvn 55.1
Mansions Prepared for Redeemed—How great will be the joy when the redeemed of the Lord shall all meet—gathered into the mansions prepared for them! Oh, what rejoicing for all who have been impartial, unselfish laborers together with God in carrying forward His work in the earth! What satisfaction will every reaper have, when the clear, musical voice of Jesus shall be heard, saying, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”—The Review and Herald, October 10, 1907 quoted in Counsels on Stewardship, 348. Hvn 55.2
Title to the Kingdom—We have His promise. We hold the title deeds to real estate in the kingdom of glory. Never were title deeds drawn up more strictly according to law, or signed more legibly, than those that give God's people a right to the heavenly mansions. “Let not your heart be troubled,” Christ says: “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)—Letter 144, 1903 quoted in This Day With God, 202. Hvn 55.3
Crowns for the Faithful—When the Lord makes up His jewels, the true, the frank, the honest, will be looked upon with pleasure. Angels are employed in making crowns for such ones, and upon these star-gemmed crowns will be reflected, with splendor, the light which radiates from the throne of God. Hvn 56.1
Talk of heavenly things. Talk of Jesus, His loveliness and glory, and of His undying love for you, and let your heart flow out in love and gratitude to Him, who died to save you. O, get ready to meet your Lord in peace. Those who are ready will soon receive an unfading crown of life, and will dwell forever in the kingdom of God, with Christ, with angels, and with those who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. Hvn 56.2
A crown of glory ... is laid up for us who wait, and love, and long for, the appearing of the Saviour. Hvn 56.3
It is the waiting ones who are to be crowned with glory, honor, and immortality. You need not talk ... of the honors of the world, or the praise of its great ones. They are all vanity. Let but the finger of God touch them, and they would soon go back to dust again. I want honor that is lasting, honor that is immortal, honor that will never perish; a crown that is richer than any crown that ever decked the brow of a monarch. Hvn 56.4
In that day the redeemed will shine forth in the glory of the Father and His Son. The angels of heaven, touching their golden harps, will welcome the King, and those who are the trophies of His victory—those who have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. A song of triumph will peal forth, filling all heaven. Christ has conquered. He enters the heavenly courts accompanied by His redeemed ones, the witnesses that His mission of suffering and self-sacrifice has not been in vain.... Hvn 57.1
I saw a very great number of angels bring from the city glorious crowns—a crown for every saint, with his name written thereon. As Jesus called for the crowns, angels presented them to Him, and with His own right hand the lovely Jesus placed the crowns on the heads of the saints. In the same manner the angels brought the harps, and Jesus presented them also to the saints. The commanding angels first struck the note, and then every voice was raised in grateful, happy praise, and every hand skillfully swept over the strings of the harp, sending forth melodious music in rich and perfect strains.... Hvn 57.2
Within the city there was everything to feast the eye. Rich glory they beheld everywhere. Then Jesus looked upon His redeemed saints; their countenances were radiant with glory; and as He fixed His loving eyes upon them, He said, with His rich, musical voice, “I behold the travail of My soul, and am satisfied. This rich glory is yours to enjoy eternally. Your sorrows are ended. There shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” ... Hvn 57.3
I then saw Jesus leading His people to the tree of life.... Upon the tree of life was most beautiful fruit, of which the saints could partake freely; in the city was a most glorious throne, from which proceeded a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal. On each side of this river was the tree of life, and on the banks of the river were other beautiful trees bearing fruit.... Hvn 58.1
Language is altogether too feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and exclaim, “Oh, what love! what wondrous love!” The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or the matchless depths of a Saviour's love.—Maranatha, 309, 310. Hvn 58.2
Rich Robes and Glorious Crowns.—The heirs of God have come from garrets, from hovels, from dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains, from deserts, from the caves of the earth, from the caverns of the sea. But they are no longer feeble, afflicted, scattered, and oppressed. Henceforth they are to be ever with the Lord. They stand before the throne clad in richer robes than the most honored of the earth have ever worn. They are crowned with diadems more glorious than were ever placed upon the brow of earthly monarchs. The days of pain and weeping are forever ended. The King of glory has wiped the tears from all faces; every cause of grief has been removed. Amid the waving of palm-branches they pour forth a song of praise, clear, sweet, and harmonious; every voice takes up the strain, until the anthem swells through the vaults of Heaven.—The Spirit of Prophecy 4:467. Hvn 58.3
Crowns, Harps, and Palm Branches—Before entering the City of God, the Saviour bestows upon His followers the emblems of victory and invests them with the insignia of their royal state. The glittering ranks are drawn up in the form of a hollow square about their King, whose form rises in majesty high above saint and angel, whose countenance beams upon them full of benignant love. Throughout the unnumbered host of the redeemed every glance is fixed upon Him, every eye beholds His glory whose “visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Upon the heads of the overcomers, Jesus with His own right hand places the crown of glory. For each there is a crown, bearing his own “new name” (Revelation 2:17), and the inscription, “Holiness to the Lord.” In every hand are placed the victor's palm and the shining harp. Then, as the commanding angels strike the note, every hand sweeps the harp strings with skillful touch, awaking sweet music in rich, melodious strains. Rapture unutterable thrills every heart, and each voice is raised in grateful praise: “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.” Revelation 1:5, 6.—The Great Controversy, 645, 646 Hvn 59.1
Chapter 16—Heaven Is a School
Eternity Will Provide Endless Opportunity for Learning and Growth—Heaven is a school; its field of study, the universe; its teacher, the Infinite One. A branch of this school was established in Eden; and, the plan of redemption accomplished, education will again be taken up in the Eden school. Hvn 146.1
“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. Only through His Word can a knowledge of these things be gained; and even this affords but a partial revelation. Hvn 146.2
The prophet of Patmos thus describes the location of the school of the hereafter: Hvn 146.3
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.... And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1, 2. Hvn 146.4
“The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Revelation 21:23. Hvn 147.1
Between the school established in Eden at the beginning and the school of the hereafter there lies the whole compass of this world's history—the history of human transgression and suffering, of divine sacrifice, and of victory over death and sin. Not all the conditions of that first school of Eden will be found in the school of the future life. No tree of knowledge of good and evil will afford opportunity for temptation. No tempter is there, no possibility of wrong. Every character has withstood the testing of evil, and none are longer susceptible to its power. Hvn 147.2
“To him that overcometh,” Christ says, “will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7. The giving of the tree of life in Eden was conditional, and it was finally withdrawn. But the gifts of the future life are absolute and eternal. Hvn 147.3
The prophet beholds the “river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” “And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life.” “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 22:1; 22:2, R.V.; 21:4. Hvn 147.4
“Thy people also shall be all righteous:
They shall inherit the land forever,
The branch of My planting,
The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.” Isaiah 60:21. Hvn 147.5
Restored to His presence, man will again, as at the beginning, be taught of God: “My people shall know My name: ... they shall know in that day that I am He that doth speak: behold, it is I.” Isaiah 52:6. Hvn 148.1
“The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:3. Hvn 148.2
“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.... 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.” Revelation 7:14-17. Hvn 148.3
“Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:” now we know in part; but then shall we know even as also we are known. 1 Corinthians 13:12. Hvn 148.4
“They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.” Revelation 22:4. Hvn 148.5
There, when the veil that darkens our vision shall be removed, and our eyes shall behold that world of beauty of which we now catch glimpses through the microscope; when we look on the glories of the heavens, now scanned afar through the telescope; when, the blight of sin removed, the whole earth shall appear in “the beauty of the Lord our God,” what a field will be open to our study! There the student of science may read the records of creation and discern no reminders of the law of evil. He may listen to the music of nature's voices and detect no note of wailing or undertone of sorrow. In all created things he may trace one handwriting—in the vast universe behold “God's name writ large,” and not in earth or sea or sky one sign of ill remaining. Hvn 148.6
There the Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field. “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isaiah 65:21, 22. Hvn 149.1
There shall be nothing to “hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 65:25. There man will be restored to his lost kingship, and the lower order of beings will again recognize his sway; the fierce will become gentle, and the timid trustful. Hvn 149.2
There will be open to the student, history of infinite scope and of wealth inexpressible. Here, from the vantage ground of God's Word, the student is afforded a view of the vast field of history and may gain some knowledge of the principles that govern the course of human events. But his vision is still clouded, and his knowledge incomplete. Not until he stands in the light of eternity will he see all things clearly. Hvn 149.3
Then will be opened before him the course of the great conflict that had its birth before time began, and that ends only when time shall cease. The history of the inception of sin; of fatal falsehood in its crooked working; of truth that, swerving not from its own straight lines, has met and conquered error—all will be made manifest. The veil that interposes between the visible and the invisible world will be drawn aside, and wonderful things will be revealed. Hvn 149.4
Not until the providences of God are seen in the light of eternity shall we understand what we owe to the care and interposition of His angels. Celestial beings have taken an active part in the affairs of men. They have appeared in garments that shone as the lightning; they have come as men, in the garb of wayfarers. They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes; they have acted as guides to benighted travelers. They have thwarted the spoiler's purpose and turned aside the stroke of the destroyer. Hvn 150.1
Though the rulers of this world know it not, yet often in their councils angels have been spokesmen. Human eyes have looked upon them. Human ears have listened to their appeals. In the council hall and the court of justice, heavenly messengers have pleaded the cause of the persecuted and oppressed. They have defeated purposes and arrested evils that would have brought wrong and suffering to God's children. To the students in the heavenly school, all this will be unfolded. Hvn 150.2
Every redeemed one will understand the ministry of angels in his own life. The angel who was his guardian from his earliest moment; the angel who watched his steps, and covered his head in the day of peril; the angel who was with him in the valley of the shadow of death, who marked his resting place, who was the first to greet him in the resurrection morning—what will it be to hold converse with him, and to learn the history of divine interposition in the individual life, of heavenly cooperation in every work for humanity! Hvn 150.3
All the perplexities of life's experience will then be made plain. Where to us have appeared only confusion and disappointment, broken purposes and thwarted plans, will be seen a grand, overruling, victorious purpose, a divine harmony. Hvn 150.4
There all who have wrought with unselfish spirit will behold the fruit of their labors. The outworking of every right principle and noble deed will be seen. Something of this we see here. But how little of the result of the world's noblest work is in this life manifest to the doer! Hvn 151.1
How many toil unselfishly and unweariedly for those who pass beyond their reach and knowledge! Parents and teachers lie down in their last sleep, their lifework seeming to have been wrought in vain; they know not that their faithfulness has unsealed springs of blessing that can never cease to flow; only by faith they see the children they have trained become a benediction and an inspiration to their fellow men, and the influence repeat itself a thousandfold. Many a worker sends out into the world messages of strength and hope and courage, words that carry blessing to hearts in every land; but of the results he, toiling in loneliness and obscurity, knows little. So gifts are bestowed, burdens are borne, labor is done. Men sow the seed from which, above their graves, others reap blessed harvests. They plant trees, that others may eat the fruit. They are content here to know that they have set in motion agencies for good. In the hereafter the action and reaction of all these will be seen. Hvn 151.2
Of every gift that God has bestowed, leading men to unselfish effort, a record is kept in heaven. To trace this in its wide-spreading lines, to look upon those who by our efforts have been uplifted and ennobled, to behold in their history the outworking of true principles—this will be one of the studies and rewards of the heavenly school. Hvn 151.3
There we shall know even as also we are known. There the loves and sympathies that God has planted in the soul will find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages, the sacred fellowship that binds together “the whole family in heaven and earth” all are among the experiences of the hereafter. Hvn 152.1
There will be music there, and song, such music and song as, save in the visions of God, no mortal ear has heard or mind conceived. Hvn 152.2
“As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there.” Psalm 87:7. “They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord.” Isaiah 24:14. Hvn 152.3
“For the Lord shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” Isaiah 51:3. Hvn 152.4
There every power will be developed, every capability increased. The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of body and mind and soul. Hvn 152.5
All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God's children. With unutterable delight we shall enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. We shall share the treasures gained through ages upon ages spent in contemplation of God's handiwork. And the years of eternity, as they roll, will continue to bring more glorious revelations. “Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20) will be, forever and forever, the impartation of the gifts of God. Hvn 152.6
“His servants shall serve Him.” Revelation 22:3. The life on earth is the beginning of the life in heaven; education on earth is an initiation into the principles of heaven; the lifework here is a training for the lifework there. What we now are, in character and holy service, is the sure foreshadowing of what we shall be. Hvn 153.1
“The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Matthew 20:28. Christ's work below is His work above, and our reward for working with Him in this world will be the greater power and wider privilege of working with Him in the world to come. Hvn 153.2
“Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.” Isaiah 43:12. This also we shall be in eternity. Hvn 153.3
For what was the great controversy permitted to continue throughout the ages? Why was it that Satan's existence was not cut short at the outset of his rebellion? It was that the universe might be convinced of God's justice in His dealing with evil; that sin might receive eternal condemnation. In the plan of redemption there are heights and depths that eternity itself can never exhaust, marvels into which the angels desire to look. The redeemed only, of all created beings, have in their own experience known the actual conflict with sin; they have wrought with Christ, and, as even the angels could not do, have entered into the fellowship of His sufferings; will they have no testimony as to the science of redemption—nothing that will be of worth to unfallen beings? Hvn 153.4
Even now, “unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places” is “made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God.” And He “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places: ... that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 3:10, RV; 2:6, 7. Hvn 154.1
“In His temple doth everyone speak of His glory” (Psalm 29:9), and the song which the ransomed ones will sing—the song of their experience—will declare the glory of God: “Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the ages. Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy.” Revelation 15:3, 4, R.V. Hvn 154.2
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—witnessing, and ever as we witness learning anew “the riches of the glory of this mystery;” “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27. Hvn 154.3
“It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2. Hvn 154.4
Then, in the results of His work, Christ will behold its recompense. In that great multitude which no man could number, presented “faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24), He whose blood has redeemed and whose life has taught us, “shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isaiah 53:11.—Education, 301-309. Hvn 154.5
Christ Will Be Our Teacher—Do you think we shall not learn anything there? We have not the slightest idea of what will then be opened before us. With Christ we shall walk beside the living waters. He will unfold to us the beauty and glory of nature. He will reveal what He is to us and what we are to Him. Truth we cannot know now because of finite limitations, we shall know hereafter.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 162 quoted in The Adventist Home, 547. Hvn 155.1
Heavenly Knowledge Will Be Progressive—All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God's redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar—worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. With unutterable delight the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through the ages upon ages in contemplation of God's handiwork. With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of creation—suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator's name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed.—The Great Controversy, 677, 678. Hvn 155.2
And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character.—The Great Controversy, 678. Hvn 155.3
Higher Education in the Future Life—Christ, the heavenly Teacher, will lead His people to the tree of life that grows on either side of the river of life, and He will explain to them the truths they could not in this life understand. In that future life His people will gain the higher education in its completeness. Those who enter the city of God will have the golden crowns placed upon their heads. That will be a joyful scene that none of us can afford to miss. We shall cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus, and again and again we will give Him the glory and praise His holy name. Angels will unite in the songs of triumph. Touching their golden harps, they will fill all heaven with rich music and songs to the Lamb.—Ms 31, 1909 quoted in The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:988. Hvn 156.1
Plan of Redemption Will Continually Unfold—In this life we can only begin to understand the wonderful theme of redemption. With our finite comprehension we may consider most earnestly the shame and the glory, the life and the death, the justice and the mercy, that meet in the cross; yet with the utmost stretch of our mental powers we fail to grasp its full significance. The length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of redeeming love are but dimly comprehended. The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are known; but through the eternal ages new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind. Though the griefs and pains and temptations of earth are ended and the cause removed, the people of God will ever have a distinct, intelligent knowledge of what their salvation has cost. Hvn 156.2
The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. In Christ glorified they will behold Christ crucified. Never will it be forgotten that He whose power created and upheld the unnumbered worlds through the vast realms of space, the Beloved of God, the Majesty of heaven, He whom cherub and shining seraph delighted to adore—humbled Himself to uplift fallen man; that He bore the guilt and shame of sin, and the hiding of His Father's face, till the woes of a lost world broke His heart and crushed out His life on Calvary's cross. Hvn 157.1
That the Maker of all worlds, the Arbiter of all destinies, should lay aside His glory and humiliate Himself from love to man will ever excite the wonder and adoration of the universe. As the nations of the saved look upon their Redeemer and behold the eternal glory of the Father shining in His countenance; as they behold His throne, which is from everlasting to everlasting, and know that His kingdom is to have no end, they break forth in rapturous song: “Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His own most precious blood!”—The Great Controversy, 651, 652. Hvn 157.2
Eternity Cannot Fully Reveal God's Love—All the paternal love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life; you may search the Scriptures diligently in order to understand it; you may summon every power and capability that God has given you, in the endeavor to comprehend the love and compassion of the heavenly Father; and yet there is an infinity beyond. Hvn 157.3
You may study that love for ages; yet you can never fully comprehend the length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of the love of God in giving His Son to die for the world. Eternity itself can never fully reveal it. Yet as we study the Bible and meditate upon the life of Christ and the plan of redemption, these great themes will open to our understanding more and more. And it will be ours to realize the blessing which Paul desired for the Ephesian church when he prayed “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:740. Hvn 158.1
Chapter 18—Heaven Can Begin Now
Heaven in Heart and Home—[Our Saviour] wants us to trust in Him, believing His words so fully that we shall bring heaven into our lives here below. We can make heaven in heart and home as we pass along if our lives are hid with Christ in God. Thus we can bring joy and comfort into the lives of others. Christ's joy will remain in us, and our joy will be full.—Ms 28, 1901 quoted in Sermons and Talks 2, 147. Hvn 167.1
Kingdom of Grace Being Established—The kingdom of God's grace is now being established, as day by day hearts that have been full of sin and rebellion yield to the sovereignty of His love. But the full establishment of the kingdom of His glory will not take place until the second coming of Christ to this world. “The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,” is to be given to “the people of the saints of the Most High.” Daniel 7:27. They shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them “from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. And Christ will take to Himself His great power and will reign.—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 108. Hvn 167.2
Heaven in Their Hearts—To His faithful followers Christ has been a daily companion and familiar friend. They have lived in close contact, in constant communion with God. Upon them the glory of the Lord has risen. In them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ has been reflected. Now they rejoice in the undimmed rays of the brightness and glory of the King in His majesty. They are prepared for the communion of heaven; for they have heaven in their hearts.—Christ's Object Lessons, 421. Hvn 168.1
The Sweetest Type of Heaven—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. Our happiness depends upon this cultivation of love, sympathy, and true courtesy to one another.—Testimonies for the Church 3:539. Hvn 168.2
The sweetest type of heaven is a home where the Spirit of the Lord presides. If the will of God is fulfilled, the husband and wife will respect each other and cultivate love and confidence.—The Signs of the Times, June 20, 1911 quoted in The Adventist Home, 15. Hvn 168.3
A Pleasant and Cheerful Home Can Be Heaven on Earth—Parents, make your home a little heaven on earth. You can do this, if you so choose. You can make home so pleasant and cheerful that it will be the most attractive place on earth to your children. Let them receive all the blessings of the household. You can so relate yourselves to God that His Spirit will abide in your home. Come close to the bleeding side of the Man of Calvary. Those who are partakers with Him in His sufferings will at last be partakers with Him in His glory.—Ms 77, 1902 quoted in Peter's Counsel to Parents, 31. Hvn 168.4
Our Institutions Can Be Heaven on Earth—As sons and daughters of God, and members of the royal family, we are to learn of Him daily, that we may do His will and represent His character. The love of God received into the heart is an active power for good. It quickens the faculties of the mind and the powers of the soul; it enlarges the capacity for feeling, for loving. He who loves God supremely will love all the children of God. He will ever approach them with a respectful demeanor. And whatever his position of trust, his own considerate courtesy will win for him confidence and respect. Hvn 169.1
If this spirit pervaded our institutions, leading everyone to manifest toward his fellow-workers a love that is without dissimulation, these institutions would be a representation of heaven on earth. They would be a perpetual testimony to the world of what sanctifying truth can do when practiced by the receiver. Every man desires that this love may be exercised toward himself; and God calls upon him to reveal the same spirit toward others.—Ms 18, 1896 quoted in The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1356, 1357. Hvn 169.2
Heaven Begins Here—As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the more intense will be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive here.—The Desire of Ages, 331, 332. Hvn 170.1
When the Lord's people are filled with meekness and tenderness, they will realize that His banner over them is love, and His fruit will be sweet to their taste. They will make a heaven below in which to prepare for heaven above.—Testimonies for the Church 7:131. Hvn 170.2
Heaven is to begin on this earth.... Hvn 170.3
He who receives Christ by living faith has a living connection with God.... He carries with him the atmosphere of heaven, which is the grace of God, a treasure that the world cannot buy. Hvn 170.4
If you would be a saint in heaven, you must first be a saint on earth.—Letter 18b, 1891 quoted in Sons and Daughters of God, 112. Hvn 170.5
“His servants shall serve Him.” Revelation 22:3. The life on earth is the beginning of the life in heaven; education on earth is an initiation into the principles of heaven; the lifework here is a training for the lifework there. What we now are, in character and holy service, is the sure foreshadowing of what we shall be. Hvn 170.6
“The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Matthew 20:28. Christ's work below is His work above, and our reward for working with Him in this world will be the greater power and wider privilege of working with Him in the world to come. Hvn 171.1
“Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.” Isaiah 43:12. This also we shall be in eternity.—Education, 307, 308. Hvn 171.2
The happiness of heaven will be found by conforming to the will of God, and if men become members of the royal family in heaven, it will be because heaven has begun with them on earth.... The righteous will take every grace, every precious, sanctified ability, into the courts above, and exchange earth for heaven. God knows who are the loyal and true subjects of His kingdom on earth, and those who do His will upon earth as it is done in heaven, will be made the members of the royal family above.—Sons and Daughters of God, 361. Hvn 171.3
Heaven Begins in the Soul—Heaven begins in the soul, and as heavenly-mindedness increases, Christ is more and more appreciated, and finally becomes the Chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely.... Hvn 171.4
If we would see heaven, we must have heaven below. We must have a heaven to go to heaven in. We must have heaven in our families, through Christ continually approaching unto God. Christ is the great center of attraction, and the child of God hid in Christ, meets with God, and is lost in the divine being. Prayer is the life of the soul; it is feeding on Christ; it is turning our faces fully toward the Sun of Righteousness. As we turn our faces toward Him, He turns His face toward us. He longs to give us divine grace; and as we draw nigh to God with full assurance of faith, our spiritual conceptions are quickened. We do not then walk in blindness, bemoaning our spiritual barrenness; for by diligent, prayerful searching of the Word of God, we apply His rich promises unto our souls. Angels draw close to our side, and the enemy with his manifold devices is driven back.—The Signs of the Times, July 31, 1893. Hvn 171.5
As our Redeemer leads us to the threshold of the Infinite, flushed with the glory of God, we may catch the themes of praise and thanksgiving from the heavenly choir round about the throne; and as the echo of the angels’ song is awakened in our earthly homes, hearts will be drawn closer to the heavenly singers. Heaven's communion begins on earth. We learn here the keynote of its praise.—Education, 168. Hvn 172.1
Life-Giving Fruit Ours Through Christ—The fruit of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden possessed supernatural virtue. To eat of it was to live forever. Its fruit was the antidote of death. Its leaves were for the sustaining of life and immortality. But through man's disobedience, death entered the world. Adam ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the fruit of which he had been forbidden to touch. His transgression opened the floodgates of woe upon our race. Hvn 172.2
After the entrance of sin, the heavenly Husbandman transplanted the tree of life to the Paradise above; but its branches hang over the wall to the lower world. Through the redemption purchased by the blood of Christ, we may still eat of its life-giving fruit. Hvn 172.3
Of Christ it is written, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” He is the fountain of life. Obedience to Him is the life-giving power that gladdens the soul. Hvn 173.1
Christ declares: “I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” [John 6:57, 63; Revelation 2:7, last part, quoted].—The Signs of the Times, March 31, 1909 quoted in The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:988, 989. Hvn 173.2
Bible Study Brings Heaven to Church—Christ and His Word are in perfect harmony. Received and obeyed, they open a sure path for the feet of all who are willing to walk in the light as Christ is in the light. If the people of God would appreciate His Word, we should have a heaven in the church here below. Christians would be eager, hungry, to search the Word. They would be anxious for time to compare scripture with scripture and to meditate upon the Word. They would be more eager for the light of the Word than for the morning paper, magazines, or novels. Their greatest desire would be to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God. And as a result their lives would be conformed to the principles and promises of the Word. Its instruction would be to them as the leaves of the tree of life. It would be in them a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. Refreshing showers of grace would refresh and revive the soul, causing them to forget all toil and weariness. They would be strengthened and encouraged by the words of inspiration. Hvn 173.3
Ministers would be inspired with divine faith. Their prayers would be characterized by earnestness, filled with the divine assurance of truth. Weariness would be forgotten in the sunlight of heaven. Truth would be interwoven with their lives, and its heavenly principles would be as a fresh, running stream, constantly satisfying the soul.—Testimonies for the Church 8:193. Hvn 173.4
By Faith We May Stand on the Threshold—What sustained the Son of God during His life of toil and sacrifice? He saw the results of the travail of His soul and was satisfied. Looking into eternity, He beheld the happiness of those who through His humiliation had received pardon and everlasting life. His ear caught the shout of the redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Hvn 174.1
We may have a vision of the future, the blessedness of heaven. In the Bible are revealed visions of the future glory, scenes pictured by the hand of God, and these are dear to His church. By faith we may stand on the threshold of the eternal city, and hear the gracious welcome given to those who in this life cooperate with Christ, regarding it as an honor to suffer for His sake.—The Acts of the Apostles, 601. Hvn 174.2
God is not pleased to have His people hanging dark and painful pictures in memory's hall. He would have every soul plucking the roses and the lilies and the pinks, hanging memory's hall with the precious promises of God blooming all over the garden of God. He would have us dwelling upon them, our senses sharp and clear, taking them in their full richness, talking of the joy that is set before us. He would have us living in the world, yet not of it, our affections taking hold of eternal things. He would have us talking of the things which He has prepared for those that love Him. This will attract our minds, awaken our hopes and expectations, and strengthen our souls to endure the conflicts and trials of this life. As we dwell on these scenes the Lord will encourage our faith and confidence. He will draw aside the veil and give us glimpses of the saints’ inheritance.—Ms 24, 1888 quoted in Selected Messages 3:163, 164. Hvn 174.3
Christ became one flesh with us, in order that we might become one spirit with Him. It is by virtue of this union that we are to come forth from the grave—not merely as a manifestation of the power of Christ, but because, through faith, His life has become ours. Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal.—The Desire of Ages, 388. Hvn 175.1
A Foretaste for the Humble—We need Jesus abiding in the heart, a constant living wellspring; then the streams flowing from the living fountain will be pure, sweet, and heavenly. Then the foretaste of heaven will be given to the humble in heart.—Letter 37, 1887 quoted in Counsels to Writers and Editors, 81. Hvn 175.2
Christ in The Soul Is Heaven—Rest yourself wholly in the hands of Jesus. Contemplate His great love, and while you meditate upon His self-denial, His infinite sacrifice made in our behalf in order that we should believe in Him, your heart will be filled with holy joy, calm peace, and indescribable love. As we talk of Jesus, as we call upon Him in prayer, our confidence that He is our personal, loving Saviour will strengthen, and His character will appear more and more lovely.... We may enjoy rich feasts of love, and as we fully believe that we are His by adoption, we may have a foretaste of heaven. Hvn 175.3
Wait upon the Lord in faith. The Lord draws out the soul in prayer, and gives us to feel His precious love. We have a nearness to Him, and can hold sweet communion with Him. We obtain distinct views of His tenderness and compassion, and our hearts are broken and melted with contemplation of the love that is given to us. We feel indeed an abiding Christ in the soul.... Our peace is like a river, wave after wave of glory rolls into the heart, and indeed we sup with Jesus and He with us. We have a realizing sense of the love of God, and we rest in His love. No language can describe it, it is beyond knowledge. We are one with Christ, our life is hid with Christ in God. We have the assurance that when He who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. With strong confidence, we can call God our Father. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. His Spirit makes us like Jesus Christ in temper, and disposition, and we represent Christ to others. Hvn 176.1
When Christ is abiding in the soul the fact cannot be hid; for He is like a well of water springing up into everlasting life. We can but represent the likeness of Christ in our character, and our words, our deportment, produces in others a deep, abiding, increasing love for Jesus, and we make manifest ... that we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.—Letter 52, 1894 quoted in Sons and Daughters of God, 311. Hvn 176.2
Chapter 20—A Call for Us to Be There
By Faith Behold Eternity—The prophet caught the sound of music there [in the City of God], and song, such music and song as, save in the visions of God, no mortal ear has heard or mind conceived. “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” “Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” “As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there.” “They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord.” Isaiah 35:10; 51:3; Psalm 87:7; Isaiah 24:14. Hvn 185.1
In the earth made new, the redeemed will engage in the occupations and pleasures that brought happiness to Adam and Eve in the beginning. The Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field. “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isaiah 65:21, 22. Hvn 185.2
There every power will be developed, every capability increased. The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will appear new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects of study to call forth the powers of body and mind and soul. Hvn 186.1
The prophets to whom these great scenes were revealed longed to understand their full import. They “inquired and searched diligently: ... searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify.... Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you.” 1 Peter 1:10-12. Hvn 186.2
To us who are standing on the very verge of their fulfillment, of what deep moment, what living interest, are these delineations of the things to come—events for which, since our first parents turned their steps from Eden, God's children have watched and waited, longed and prayed! Hvn 186.3
Fellow pilgrim, we are still amid the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities; but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring deliverance and rest. Let us by faith behold the blessed hereafter as pictured by the hand of God. He who died for the sins of the world is opening wide the gates of Paradise to all who believe on Him. Soon the battle will have been fought, the victory won. Soon we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence the trials and sufferings of this life will seem as nothingness. The former things “shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Hvn 186.4
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” “Israel shall be saved ... with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.” Isaiah 65:17; Hebrews 10:35-37; Isaiah 45:17. Hvn 187.1
Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:7, 8. Hvn 187.2
The nations of the saved will know no other law than the law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming. “There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death.” Hvn 187.3
“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.” “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” “The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” “In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of His people.” Hvn 188.1
“The Lord shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord.” “The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.” “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called My Delight, and thy land Beulah.... As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Isaiah 66:23; 40:5; Isaiah 61:11; 28:5; Isaiah 51:3; 35:2; Isaiah 62:4, 5, margin.—Prophets and Kings, 730-733. Hvn 188.2
On The Verge of Fulfillment—We are living in a most solemn period of this earth's history. There is never time to sin; it is always perilous to continue in transgression, but in a special sense is this true at the present time. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world and stand in a more solemn relation to time and to eternity than ever before. Now let every person search his own heart and plead for the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to expel all spiritual darkness and cleanse from defilement. Hvn 188.3
To us who are standing on the very verge of their fulfillment, of what deep moment, what living interest, are these delineations of the things to come—events for which, since our first parents turned their steps from Eden, God's children have watched and waited, longed and prayed! Hvn 189.1
Fellow pilgrim, we are still amid the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities, but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring deliverance and rest. Let us by faith behold the blessed hereafter, as pictured by the hand of God.—The Adventist Home, 549, 550. Hvn 189.2
An Appeal for Personal Preparation—I urge you to prepare for the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven. Day by day cast the love of the world out of your hearts. Understand by experience what it means to have fellowship with Christ. Prepare for the judgment, that when Christ shall come to be admired in all them that believe, you may be among those who will meet Him in peace.—Testimonies for the Church 9:285. Hvn 189.3
We Are Homeward Bound—We are still amidst the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities. Let us consider most earnestly the blessed hereafter. Let our faith pierce through every cloud of darkness and behold Him who died for the sins of the world. He has opened the gates of paradise to all who receive and believe on Him. To them He gives power to become the sons and daughters of God. Let the afflictions which pain us so grievously become instructive lessons, teaching us to press forward toward the mark of the prize of our high calling in Christ. Let us be encouraged by the thought that the Lord is soon to come. Let this hope gladden our hearts. “Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Hebrews 10:37. Blessed are those servants who, when their Lord comes, shall be found watching. Hvn 189.4
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. Hvn 190.1
It will not be long till we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence, all the trials and sufferings of this life will be as nothingness. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Verses 35-37. Look up, look up, and let your faith continually increase. Let this faith guide you along the narrow path that leads through the gates of the city of God into the great beyond, the wide, unbounded future of glory that is for the redeemed. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:7, 8.—Testimonies for the Church 9:286-288. Hvn 190.2
The Great Controversy Is Ended; Sin Is No More—And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise. Hvn 191.1
“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:13. Hvn 191.2
The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.—The Great Controversy, 678. Hvn 191.3
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Dawn of the Light on the Sanctuary
But we must now turn back to those who tenaciously clung to their confidence that prophecy had been fulfilled on October 22, 1844, and who with open minds and hearts stepped forward into the Sabbath and the sanctuary truths as the light of heaven illuminated their pathway. These people were not localized in any one place but were individuals or very small groups here and there throughout the north central and north-eastern part of the United States. EW xviii.1
Hiram Edson, one of this group, lived in central New York State at Port Gibson. He was the leader of the Adventists in that area. The believers met in his home on October 22, 1844, to await the coming of the Lord. Calmly and patiently they awaited the great event. But as the hour of midnight came and they realized the day of expectation had passed, it became clear that Jesus would not come as soon as they had thought. It was a time of bitter disappointment. In the early morning hours Hiram Edson and a few others went out to his barn to pray, and as they prayed, he felt assured that light would come. EW xviii.2
A little later, as Edson and a friend were crossing a cornfield to visit fellow Adventists, it seemed as if a hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to see—as if in a vision—the heavens opened, and Christ in the heavenly sanctuary entering into the most holy place, there to begin a work of ministry in behalf of His people, instead of coming forth from the most holy place to cleanse the world with fire, as they had taught. Careful Bible study by Hiram Edson; F. B. Hahn, a physician; and O. R. L. Crozier, a schoolteacher, soon revealed that the sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 years was not the earth but the tabernacle in heaven, with Christ ministering in our behalf in the most holy place. This mediatorial work of Christ answered to the “hour of God's judgment” Call sounded in the message of the first angel (Revelation 14:6, 7). Mr. Crozier, the schoolteacher, wrote out the findings of the study group. These were printed locally, and then in fuller form in an Adventist journal known as the Day-Star, published in Cincinnati, Ohio. A special number dated February 7, 1846, was devoted entirely to this Bible study on the question of the sanctuary.( And in this end history of Earth of COVID-19 , Probation will close for all 7th Day Sabbath Keepers on October 22nd, 2020, Just before the Sunday Law is enacted on February 7th, 2021, with a rejection of Al individual 7th day Adventists who rejected the 3rd Angel's Message Preparation requirements: This is the same Day the 1st Message of Heavenly Sanctuary was introduced to the first biggest group of Adventists who have dedicated themselves to the October 22nd, 1844 Advent movement and later on February 7th, 1846 accepted the truth about Bible study on the question of the sanctuary; Therefore, as the Sunday law will be being introduced during this week between February 7th, 2021 to February 16th, 2021, For All 7th Day Adventists individuals will have experienced the Close of Probation results, the same 2nd Biggest Group like the one on February 7th, 1846, of those who truly have repented and accepted the truth about Bible study on the question of the sanctuary that gave origin of birth of the movement of the 7th Day Sabbath Keepers the 7th Day Adventist Church members post October 31st, 2017 after a Reforming Catholic Confession document signed by the SDA General Conference delegation, those who cry for that October 31st, 2017 SDA GC Apostasy and accepted to be justified by Faith of Jesus Christ will have been poured on the Latter Rain and starting from February 7th, 2021 that Same truth from Bible study on the question of the sanctuary since February 7th, 1846 will be driven by that Small group to the Rest of Babylonian Church individuals to call them to leave the Babylon fulfilling the Revelation 18:1-5.
Then from February 7th, 2021 , add 1335 days[3 Years 8 Months 15 Days] from Daniel 12:11-13 Daniel will be in His place on October 22nd, 2024 , while we will take 7 days to arrive in Heaven, this means that Jesus Christ will have appeared on the Sky on 22nd -7 Days= 15th of October 2024 which makes it is easy to calculate the day and hour of the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ after the Sunday Law is enacted based on Jesus Christ's prophecy from Mathew 24:15,He will appear on the Sky on October 15th, 2024, at 01:59' a.m. Read more from Click Here ) EW xviii.3
Truths Confirmed by Vision
While this study was in progress, and before their work was made known, far to the east in the state of Maine, a vision was given to Ellen Harmon in which she was shown the transfer of the ministry of Christ from the holy place to the most holy place at the end of the 2300 days. The record of this vision is found in Early Writings, 54-56. EW xix.1
Of another vision shortly after this, as referred to by Mrs. White in a statement written in April, 1847, she records that “the Lord showed me in vision, more than one year ago, that Brother Crozier had the true light on the cleansing of the sanctuary, etc.; and that it was His will that Brother Crozier should write out the view which he gave us in The Day-Star Extra, February 7, 1846. I feel fully authorized by the Lord to recommend that extra to every saint.”—A Word to the Little Flock, 12. Thus the finding of Bible scholars was confirmed by the visions of God's messenger. EW xix.2
In subsequent years Ellen White wrote a great deal concerning the sanctuary truth and its significance to us, and there are many references to this in Early Writings. Note especially the chapter beginning on page 250 entitled “The Sanctuary.” The understanding of the ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary proved to be the key that unlocked the mystery of the great Disappointment. Our pioneers saw clearly that the prophecy announcing the hour of God's judgment at hand had its fulfillment in the events that took place in 1844, but that there was a work of ministry to be accomplished in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary before Jesus should come to this earth. EW xix.3
The message of the first angel and the message of the second angel had been sounded in the proclamation of the Advent message, and now the message of the third angel began to sound. Under this message the significance of the Seventh-day Sabbath began to dawn. EW xx.1
The Beginnings of Sabbath Observance
As we trace the story of the beginning of Sabbathkeeping among the early Adventists, we go to a little church in the township of Washington in the heart of New Hampshire, the state that adjoins Maine on the east and whose western boundary is within sixty miles of the New York state line. Here the members of an independent Christian church in 1843 heard and accepted the preaching of the Advent message. It was an earnest group. Into their midst came a Seventh Day Baptist, Rachel Oakes, who distributed tracts setting forth the binding claims of the fourth commandment. Some in 1844 saw and accepted this Bible truth. One of their number, William Farnsworth, in a Sunday morning service, stood to his feet and declared that he intended to keep God's Sabbath of the fourth commandment. A dozen others joined him, taking their stand firmly on all of God's commandments. They were the first Seventh-day Adventists. EW xx.2
The minister who cared for this church group, Frederick Wheeler, soon accepted the seventh-day Sabbath and was the first Adventist minister to do so. Another of the Advent preachers, T. M. Preble, who lived in the same state, accepted the Sabbath truth and in February, 1845, published an article in the Hope of Israel, one of the Adventist journals, setting forth the binding claims of the fourth commandment. Joseph Bates, a prominent Adventist minister residing in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, read the Preble article and accepted the Seventh-day Sabbath. Shortly thereafter, Elder Bates journeyed to Washington, New Hampshire, to study this new-found truth with the Sabbathkeeping Adventists residing there. When he returned to his home, he was fully convinced of the Sabbath truth. Bates in time determined to publish a tract setting forth the binding claims of the fourth commandment. His 48-page Sabbath pamphlet was published in August, 1846. A copy of it came to the hands of James and Ellen White at about the time of their marriage in late August. From the scriptural evidence therein presented, they accepted, and began to keep the seventh-day Sabbath. Of this Ellen White later wrote: “In the autumn of 1846 we began to observe the Bible Sabbath, and to teach and defend it.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:75. EW xx.3
Significance of the Sabbath Revealed
James and Ellen White took their stand purely from the scriptural evidence to which their minds had been directed in the Bates tract. Then on the first Sabbath in April, 1847, seven months after they began to keep and teach the Seventh-day Sabbath, the Lord gave a vision to Mrs. White at Topsham, Maine, in which the importance of the Sabbath was stressed. She saw the tables of the law in the ark in the heavenly sanctuary, and a halo of light about the fourth commandment. See pages 32-35 for the account of this vision. The position previously taken from the study of the word of God was confirmed. The vision also helped to broaden the believer's concept of Sabbath observance. In this revelation, Mrs. White was carried down to the close of time and saw the Sabbath as the great testing truth on which men decide whether to serve God or to serve an apostate power. Looking back in 1874 to this experience, she wrote: EW xxi.1
“I believed the truth upon the Sabbath question before I had seen anything in vision in reference to the Sabbath. It was months after I had commenced keeping the Sabbath before I was shown its importance and its place in the third angel's message.”—E. G. White Letter 2, 1874. EW xxii.1
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- Preface
- Preface to First Edition of “Experience and Views”
- Historical Prologue
- The Great Advent Awakening
- The Reckoning of the Prophetic Periods
- The Disappointment and Its Aftermath
- A Vision Is Given to Ellen Harmon
- Two Groups of Adventists
- Dawn of the Light on the Sanctuary
- Truths Confirmed by Vision
- The Beginnings of Sabbath Observance
- Significance of the Sabbath Revealed
- The Important Sabbath Conferences
- The Pioneers Begin to Publish
- Starting the Review and Herald
- The Publishing Work Grows
- Battle Creek Becomes the Publishing Center
- The “Shut Door” and the “Open Door”
- The Two Ways Out of the Perplexity
- The Call for Church Organization
- The Great Controversy Vision
.Carefully , every person is invited to listen to the audio book chapters of the book the Great controversy written by Ellen Gould White below:
You can Click Here to View our Alarm, set for You to Start Counting down for 2nd Coming of Our Lord Messiah Jesus Christ our King of 7th Day Holy Sabbath and of All Sealed 7th Day Holy Sabbath Keepers until Tuesday, 15 October 2024 (Chicago time).
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Home EGW Writings Books The Great Controversy
Preface
37.[Chapter 37—The Scriptures a Safeguard/The Great Controversy-Audio in English],(in Kinyarwanda),
38.[Chapter 38—The Final Warning/The Great Controversy-Audio in English],(in Kinyarwanda),
39.[Chapter 39—The Time of Trouble/The Great Controversy-Audio in English],(in Kinyarwanda),
40.[Chapter 40—God's People Delivered/The Great Controversy-Audio in English],(in Kinyarwanda)=JESUITS,
41.[Chapter 41—Desolation of the Earth/The Great Controversy-Audio in English],(in Kinyarwanda),
42.[Chapter 42—The Controversy Ended/The Great Controversy-Audio in English],(in Kinyarwanda).
Malachi Martin on Liberation Theology, The Jesuits' New Religion of The NEW WORLD ORDER of POPE FRANCIS (Holy Bible Anti-Christ) read Personal WARNINGS for 2019-2024 |
Appendix
Copy and paste to share to 7 people /Sangiza n' abandi bantu 7,Yesu yaje twatashye:2020-06-06:14h41'51''Inama y' Agakiza Yesu i Getsemani itangiranye n' itariki ya 1Nzeri2020 kugeza kw' Itegeko ry' Icyumweru 15Gashyantare 2021,Yesu azagaruka 15 Ukwakira 2024,Isaha yageze,Mwiyeze Imbabazi Z'Imana Kubeza Isabato ni 22Ukwakira 2020. Imvura y'itumba n'ihembura rizamara amezi 3 n' iminsi 15, bizahuza na Gashyantare 7th-17th, 2020.Twatashye Yesu Yaje,Mwige Ikigisho cya 42 Intambara Ikomeye, musome Yesaya 12:1-6, Musome 1 Abami 81:66, Mubihuze na Yohana 17:1-26"17:17"Ubereshe Ukuri, Ijambo Ryawe niryo Kuri:1)Inyandiko: http://www.africanunionsc.org/2020/06/2020060614h4151getsemani-itangiranye.html ,2) Amajwi: https://vocaroo.com/93jDG6UqbSC , 3) YouTube updates on Sunday Law movements: http://www.africanunionsc.org/2020/05/click-here-to-listen-to-updated-sunday.html |
kandi Mwami mana yanjye ,nkaba ngusaba kumvisha abasoma iby'iyi nyandiko kurararikirwa nayo gutakambira Uwiteka Imana yacu ngo tubashe guhabwa Imbabai z' Ibyaha , no gusukirwa Umwuka Wera Mu Mvura y'itumba.
Mbisabye byose mu Izina rya Yesu Kristo Umwami n'Umukza wacu.Amen."
1.Chap 1-KURIMBUKA KWA YERUSALEMU
2.Chap 2-AKARENGANE MU BINYEJANA BYA MBERE
3.Chap 3-INTANDARO YO KUGOMA
4.Chap 4- ABAVODUWA
5.Chap 5-YOHANI WYCLIFE
6.Chap 6-HUSE NA YORAMU
7.Chap 7-LUTHER YITANDUKANYA NA ROMA
8.Chap 8-LUTHER IMBERE Y'URUKIKO RW'I WORMS
9.Chap 9-ZWINGLE
10.Chap 10-AMAJYAMBERE Y'UBUGOROZI MU BUDAGE
11.Chap 11-UBUHAKANYI BW'IBIKOMANGOMA
12.Chap 12-UBUGOROZI MU BUFARANSA
13.Chap 13-IBIHUGU BYITWA PAYS-BAS
14.Chap 14-ABAGOROZI BAKURIKIYEHO MU BWONGEREZA
15.Chap 15-BIBILIYA N'IHINDURAMATWARA MU BUFARANSA
16.Chap 16-ABAPADIRI B'ABAGENZI
17.Chap 17-INTEGUZA ZO MU RUTURUTURU
18.Chap 18-UMUGOROZI W'UMUNYAMERIKA
19.Chap 19-KUVA MU MWIJIMA UJYA MU MUCYO
20.Chap 20-IVUGURURA RIKOMEYE MU ITORERO
21.Chap 21-UKUBURIRWA KUTITAWEHO
22.Chap 22-UBUHANUZI BUSOHORA
23.Chap 23-UBUTURO BWERA
24.Chap 24-AHERA CYANE
25.Chap 25-AMATEGEKO Y'IMANA NTAHINDUKA
26.Chap 26-UMURIMO W'UBUGOROZI
27.Chap 27-IVUGURURA RYO MURI IKI GIHE
28.Chap 28-ISUZUMARUBANZA
29.Chap 29-INKOMOKO Y'IKIBI
30.Chap 30-URWANGO HAGATI Y'UMUNTU NA SATANI
31.Chap 31- UMURIMO W'IMYUKA MIBI
32.Chap 32-IMITEGO YA SATANI:(Imyaka 6000)
33.Chap 33-IKINYOMA GIKOMEYE CYA MBERE NA MBERE
34.Chap 34-ABAPFUYE BASHOBORA KUVUGANA N'ABAZIMA
35.Chap 35-IMICO N'IMIGAMBI Y'UBUPAPA
36.Chap 36-INTAMBARA YEGEREJE N'INTANDARO YAYO
37.Chap 37-IBYANDITSWE BYERA NI UMURINZI WACU
38.Chap 38-IMIBURO IHERUKA
39.Chap 39-IGIHE CY'UMUBABARO
40.Chap 40-GUCUNGURWA K'UBWOKO BW'IMANA
41.Chap 41-ISI IHINDUKA UMUSAKA
42.Chap 42-IHEREZO RY'INTAMBARA:(ISI yagenewe kumara gusa Imyaka 6000, yararangiye muri 2000, Haza inyongezo y' imyaka 21 ingana n'iminsi 21 yo muri Daniyeli 10:13 izageza kuri tariki 7-16/ Gashyantare 2021 hakaza Umwami ufite ubutegetsi bwakomotse mu bwami bw' inyamanswa ya 3 y' ubutegetsi bw' ubugiriki ariwe papa Francis uzaza ategeka isi muri New World Order kumara amezi 42 yo mu Ibyahishuwe 13:5 , ariko nyuma ku munsi wa 24 ariho nyuma y' imyaka yinyongezo ingana nimyaka 24 yo muri Daniyeli 10:4 mukwezi kwa Mutarama 2024 Yesu Kristo azahaguruka kuntebe y'imbabazi mbere y'itangira ry' ibyago 7 bizageza ku itariki 15 Ukwakira 2024 Messiya(Mikayeli) azaba agarutse kwica Papa Francis n' abanyabyaha bose bo mu Ibyahishuwe 13:8 na Ibyahishuwe 17:13 bifatanirije nawe itegeko ryo kwica Isabato Yera yo ku Munsi wa Karindwi yo mu Kuva 20:8-11 bakiyemeza kumvira itegeko ry' icyimenyetso cy' inyamanswa ryo kuruhuka no kweza Icyumweru cyo ku munsi wa mbere cyahariwe ibigirwa mana by' abazenga Izuba cyera no muri New Word Order 2021-2024, Mikayeli kandi Azaza uwo munsi azanywe no Gutabara abeza ISABATO by'Ukuri bose icyimenyetso cy' Imana isezerano ridakuka ryo mu Kuva 31:12-18 na Ezekiyeli 20:12 na 20, icyo gihe Daniyeli nawe azazuka n' abandi bera basinziriye bose bazuke ubwo imperuka yeretswe izaba igeze ku musozo nyuma y'iyo myaka 24 yanditswe muri Daniyeli 10:14 irangirana n' iminsi 1335 yanditswe muri Daniyeli 12:12; Soma neza Daniyeli 12:1-13)
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"US Must Follow Norway & Amend Constitution,Open Door for Jesuits." Words of Popery,America vs Jesus |
WE ARE JUST MONTHS AWAY FROM THE ONE WORLD RELIGION TO BE ACTIVATED |
1.In Order to initiate "Universal SUNDAY LAW" here is a SATANIC Prayer below which was entitled {GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME:
One: The freedom of the Peace of the Lord be always with you
All: And also with you HYMN (To see some suggestions for appropriate hymns, click here.) PRAYER Let us pray.
We pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of glory, may give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to know and worship him this day.
May the eyes of our heart enlightened, Bring us to know what is the hope to which we have been called, the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of your power for us who believe.
God as you put this power to work in Christ when you raised him from the dead, and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, You have put all things under his feet and have made him the head over all things for the church, We are his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all and brings freedom to all, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the most important commandment.
The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” Lord, have mercy on us : and by your Holy Spirit empower us to love you, and all our neighbours by bringing freedom to all in bondage.
God of love and liberty, We pray this Freedom Sunday That you may instil your will and your ways, In your people, and in all people.
That justice may roll down like waters, And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Open our hearts to those in slavery, That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay And will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
In the name of Christ. Amen. a liturgical service of worship.},
Link: https://methodist.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/liturgical-service-of-worship.pdf
2.SATANIC "SUNDAY" a Liturgical Theology below was entitled "The Church as Worshiping Community and Laudato Si'237 of Jesuit Pope Francis Promotes SATAN's SUN Day for Ancient Roman Pagan Resting and Worshiping Day":
From September 1st 2020 to Lent 2021: Sunday for catholic families from February 2021 the International Sunday Law begging in an Order, not by choosing a Sunday of will, but Starting a weekly Sunday of Rest by Law in Worldwide, below are Pictures from the above article of Sunday SATANIC Lies Forged from Roman Catholic Church to worship against the Almighty God's blessed 7th Day Holy Sabbath:
Walter Veith"Ye Shall Be As Gods": Roman Catholic Church's Satanic Lie.Bible Flock Box"You NEED TO WATCH This BEFORE November 1, 2020 !!!" |
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Link:https://books.google.rw/books?id=seNuJ_q9YBkC&pg=PA127&lpg=PA127&dq=freedom+sunday+liturgy&source=bl&ots=_7NswWD_PX&sig=ACfU3U1Y7zfUr50EfhJWvNtRWycpLs7WXw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijhPju0rLqAhUC1RoKHXeBBlgQ6AEwCXoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=freedom%20sunday%20liturgy&f=false
3.On "Freedom Sunday", churches all around the world come together as a united, From September 1st 2020 to Lent 2021:
We start with prayer, lament, learning, dialogue, and worship to inform and catalyze our response to this global tragedy. Freedom Sunday is more than a day.
It’s more than a worship service. Freedom Sunday is a movement of hope.
Because of Covid-19, we are encouraging churches to participate any Sunday from September 2020 through Lent 2021.
We realize that some churches may need extra time to gather again and refocus. We will have materials available in July 2020 as usual.
For the first time this year, we will have resources in Spanish! We will also have more resources than ever before.
4. Look on these Dark SATANIC Lies entitled" Host Freedom Sunday to End Slavery" :
Everyone trapped in slavery today is a person with a name, a story and a dream.
Freedom is possible when we choose to fight. Every day, innocent people are beaten, raped and abused as they are trapped in modern slavery.
Become a church that breaks the chains of slavery,Dedicate one Sunday at your church to end slavery.Your church can help end slavery. Freedom Sunday is an invitation for your congregation to learn about slavery and partner with IJM to end it.
Dedicate a day to this fight for justice, and your church can help send rescue to children, women and men living in slavery.
Pledge a date for your Freedom Sunday or join the global Freedom Sunday movement on Sunday 20th September 2020!
1)When you host Freedom Sunday, you will:
a)See the problem of slavery With more than 40 million people trapped in slavery today, the scope of slavery is immense. ,
b)Understand God's heart to end it Your church will learn what it looks like to 'seek justice and defend the oppressed' in our world.
c)Join us in the fight Invite your congregation to join the fight to end slavery with IJM—until all are free!
Link 1:https://www.ijmuk.org/freedom-sunday
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2)Sunday Liturgy and Freedom Sunday: Posted 4th Sunday, On November 25th 2018 10:30am (933 W. Exchange St., Akron) The purpose of this space is to enter communally into the rhythms of worship that re-orient our hearts toward God and God’s Kingdom purposes. Kids' Church is available for 6 months up to 12 years old. As SATANIC Plans put the End in 2030, The Jesuit Pope Francis leading His Satanic Roman Catholic Church rejected the Truth of teaching his church members to Keep the 7th day Sabbath Holy calling it a Jewish Sabbath in his Laudato SI' and chose to Promote Sun Worshiping day"Sunday named Common Good" in the Roman Catholic Church Social teaching" Catechism ".
Breaking Pope Prophecy Alert: Pope's 2020 Vision Fulfilling End Time Prophecies!!! 2019 was and 2020 will be filled with intrigue and drama the likes of which we have never seen and the Pope has been and will be front and center in the news. Meanwhile The Pope is on the move to pull off some things that are forecast in the book of Revelation and that eventually will result in the infamous mark of the beast. What you are about to see in this video is how fearful end time prophecies are fast fulfilling in plain sight, but almost no one is paying attention. So brace yourself as I present to you THE POPE’S 2020 VISION that is right out of the book of Revelation. WE WERE WARNED! STAY TUNED. Pope Summons key influencers, world leaders to Vatican - May 2020 Pope 2020 Pope 2019 Year in Review Bible Prophecy Mark of the Beast Pope Francis Vatican Roman Catholic Climate Change Greta Thunberg United Nations Sabbath Sunday Law by Mark Fox - Speaker of Amazing Prophecies YouTube Channel.
b)The purpose of this space is to enter communally into the rhythms of worship that re-orient our hearts toward God and God’s Kingdom purposes.{This is language of Laudato SI' paragraph 237}Pope connects Sunday keeping with a better environment! Download Laudato Si PDF.
c)Sunday Liturgy and Freedom Sunday{To begin in 1/9/2020 with Creation Sunday to raise Sunday Law which is the Child of the Papacy aimed to have been introduced to all world leaders to Sign education compact to create a new humanism"Something PROPHETIC Is Happening May 14, 2020 !!! " This event was postponed to 11-18 October 2020 due to COVID-19"}: This is the language of Pope Francis , He said, it takes a Village to Educate the Child, and to educate about Sunday of Laudato SI p237 will take the Whole World's leaders on 11-18/10/2020 a rescheduled global Compact Meeting from may 14th 2020 due to COVID19 in Rome, and the Child pope Francis was talking to educate was this movement of Paris Agreement based Sunday Law to be enacted in all Countries on this World beginning on Different Points:
1)All National Churches with Season of Creation,
2)Politicians with Paris Agreement on Climate Change"Earth Green Sabbath", with this IT IS FINISHED Presents: Update that Pope Francis Reschedule Global Education Compact Event from May 14th 2020 To October 11th -18th, 2020.
3)LGBT with Black Lives Matters,
4) Roman Catholic Church with Sunday Liturgy, Freedom Sunday, and Sunday For Catholic Families,
5) All Worldwide Protestants Leaders with A Reforming Catholic Confession signed on 31/10/2017,
6)Apr 5, 2020 Prophetic: Pope Drops Official Title 666"Vicar of Christ i.e Vicar of Son of God from a Donation of Constantine" with aim to deny His Traditional Title that adds up to 666 in Revelation 13:18 which reveals that He is the Bible Anti-Christ and the 4th Beast Representative aiming to protect His Sunday Law of Laudato SI' paragraph 237.
d) This is a tangible evidence that Sunday Liturgy and Freedom Sunday as coupled to the Current COVID-19 are all the plans of Roman Catholic Church's Jesuits tools used to lie human beings on this earth Climate Change exists and that has gave birth to a need of a weekly Sunday Rest"Creation Sunday" from September 1st 2020 during a Season of Creation that will end on October 4th 2020 for praying Almighty God to end COVID-19 , and by attending the Global Compact on education on October 11 to 18th 2020 invited by Francis the Jesuit pope of Rome to End Climate Change by Introducing Laudato Si based New World Education, in order to go along with Sunday Liturgy and Freedom Sunday to End Slavery, to End Racism, to End Poverty and Banks Credits and dept worldwide , to End Human Created Disasters based on CO2 producing activities, to End hard copy money and Initiate Digital Currencies, while all of these Jesuits maneuvers has only one purpose to end protestants and return the Worldwide Supremacy and Leadership under the Power of Vatican which represents the Roman Empire's Continuation of prophesied 4th beast in Daniel 2:1-49 and Daniel 7:1-28, and it was a plan of Ignatius Loyola who created this Jesuits' Order just to permanently Kill and End Protestantism and Reformation by killing and cleaning all Protestants on this Earth and exactly from October 31st, 2017 after 500 years of Protestantism and Reformation which began on October 31st 1517, while on 31/10/2017 on the 500th years Anniversary celebration of Protestant was the day that marked the End of Protestantism on a Global Protestantism Leadership, where by the global protestants Churches and Institutions Leaders gathered on that day 31/10/2017 and they signed "a Reforming Catholic Confession Document".
Currently by proclaiming the true full God's 10 commandments based gospel of Almighty God in Exodus 20"1-17 including to keep the 7th day Sabbath Holy is the only possible Protest against the Roman Catholic Church and is reformulated in what was called by Jesus Christ in Revelation 14:6-13 as the 3 Angels' Messages where the most sensitive 3rd Angel's message forbids and strongly prohibits whosoever obeys Almighty God to never worship on Sunday otherwise to dare to obey the Roman Catholic Pope Francis' Sunday of Laudato SI' will make every person who will do it to face the wrath of God which is explained as Last 7 plagues from February 16th 2024 until the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ on the Sky on 15/10/2024 at 01:59' a.m.
Meanwhile, the initiation of Sunday Law aChild of the Roman Catholic papacy is going to become the final temptation for every living human being on this earth that had to start smoothly in 6 months from September 1st 2020 until February 15th 2021 which marks the End of Ordinary Time Winter on February 14th 2021 on Sunday for Catholic Families' Calendar and at the beginning of the 1st week of Lent of Sunday for Catholic Families' Calendar on February 21 2021 marks the initiation of the 1st Lent Week for Catholic Families which is the beginning of the International Sunday Law practically , which has to be evolved in 6 months(Kids' Church is available for 6 months up to 12 years old ) from September 1st 2020 up to February 14th 2021, since September 1st 2020 people worldwide are going to be enforced to put in practice the Paris Agreement on Climate Change; Which reserves Sunday Law as a One weekly day of Lock-down to reduce Carbon Dioxide foot print in Air and however using that Sunday as a day of Rest and Worship voluntarily, while finally this must become mandatory and by Governments Laws from February 7th 2021, in order to secure the earth from its Climate Change Destruction by 2030, the United Nations Urged that if there is nothing done before these 10 years counted from 2020 till 2030 , that the Earth will End in 2030, which made them urgently to decide to initiate the New World Order!!!!!Revelation 13:1-18.The new World Order has began with introduction of COVID-19 as a Global Pandemic between 11 to 18 January 2020 and has target to use ID 2020 also known as 666-Microchip that will be inoculated in Human beings via COVID-19 Vaccine solution in the Sub Cutaneous Tissues of the Human bodies across the World by Governments' Military and Police Forces otherwise the other groups of people who will reject this COVID-19 Vaccine will remain in Permanent Lock-down because no body will be allowed to leave the location to an other location without having the electronic sensitive Microchip that reveals to the Government's contact Tracing Agents that a vaccine to COVID19 was given to that Person, which also confirms the up coming persecution to Almighty God's People who proclaim the 3rd Angel's message of Revelation 14:9-11 to warn the World about the SATANIC New World Order Sunday sacredness aimed to worship SATAN through Pope Francis' Sunday of Laudato SI 237, the Beast of Revelation 13:1-18 whose Number is 666.
d) Ellen Gould White guided by the Holy Spirit of calls the Sunday a kid in the synonym of a Child of the Papacy
[
1)WARNING: Papacy SUNday Dragon Child. GREAT RESET Global CAPITALISM. Adventist Interfaith COMMON GOOD ,
2) Covid-19 FIRE DRILL Is Laudato Si Speaking As A Dragon To Enforce SUNday The Child Of The Papacy ,
3)Adventists Nurturing FREEDOM SUNday Papacy's Child. SDA Conference Roman Catholic OFFENSIVE SERMONS , ]
e) There for , Sunday Rest and Worship by Law in all Countries on this earth, which is the Mark of The Beast of Revelation 13:11-18 and Revelation 14:9-13; Its Preparation has been in its way to be completely achieved at the end of 12 years in 2030( Kids' Church is available for 6 months up to 12 years old ) from November 25th 10:30 a.m 2018 , when this Roman Catholic Church Member Posted this post(4th Sunday: Sunday Liturgy and Freedom Sunday November 25th 10:30am (933 W. Exchange St., Akron) The purpose of this space is to enter communally into the rhythms of worship that re-orient our hearts toward God and God’s Kingdom purposes. Kids' Church is available for 6 months up to 12 years old. ) on Facebook.
Link2: https://www.facebook.com/chmakron/photos/4th-sunday-sunday-liturgy-and-freedom-sundaynovember-25th1030am-933-w-exchange-s/1021484878052177/
Link2: https://books.google.rw/books/about/Celebrating_Sunday_for_Catholic_Families.html?id=0RfIDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
d) Kanda aha wige intandaro y' Itorero Imana yereje Kuzaburira abatuye isi kuva mu mwaka 22/10/1844 , usome Iki Gitabo byimbitse wige amateka ya Elina Wayiti: INTUMWA Y' IMANA
e) Kanda aha usome iki Gitabo wige Inzira yabugufi bita Inzira yo Gutsindishirizwa n' Ubuntu kubwo kwizera: "INTEGUZA Ya Kristo GUTSINDISHIRIZWA "Amagambo yakuwe muri Bibiliya n’ibitabo by’umwuka w’ubuhanuzi Copyright-2012 Troisième impression en Kinyarwanda. Re-Typed June 29th, 2020 for soft copy availability.
g)Kanda aha wumve Amajwi-Audio 4: 2020-06-28-06h45'45'' Ntamuntu Uzinjira mu Ijuru 15-22 Ukwakira 2024 Ataremeye ngo Anemeze Abandi kumvira Amategeko 10 y' Imana n'Itegeko rya 4 ry' Isabato nyumya Y' Itegeko ry' Icyumweru Mu RWANDA no Mubindi Bihugu ku Isi hose.
h) Kanda aha wumve Amajwi-Audio 5: Uko Ubusobanuro bw' Inyamanswa yo Muri Daniyeli no Mu Ibyahishuwe imenyekana umubare ushobora gukoresha 666 iyisobanura cyangwa ukoresheje igitabo cya Matayo 24:15, Daniyeli 7:1-23,Daniyeli 8,9,10,11,12, Ibyahishuwe13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20).
i) Kanda aha wumve Amajwi-Audio 5 _Igice cya mbere(1), Igice cya kabiri(2): Ubuhanuzi bwa Daniyeli bw' Iminsi 1260 n' Icyago cya ga Tanu muri 1 Werurwe kugeza muri 31 Nyakanga 31 2024; 1290 n' Icyago cya Gatandatu muri 1-31 Kanama 2024, 1335 n' Icyago cya Karindwi muri 1 Nzeri kugeza muri 15 Ukwakira 2024 na 22 Ukwakira 2024.
j)Kanda aha wumve Amajwi-Audio 6 _Paris Agreement mu,(in) Rwanda,Itegeko Ry'Icyumweru,Icyimenyetso Cy' Ubupapa aricyo Bibiliya mu Ibyahishuwe 14:9-11 yita Ikimenyetso cy' Inyamanswa ariyo Nyamanswa Ya 4 yo muri Daniyeli 7:1-23-28,Yesu Azaza saa saba 01:59' a.m mu gicuku cyo ku itariki 15-10-2024 Kurimbura abafatanyije n' inyaamanswa ya 4 mu bwami bwayo bwa New Wordl Order bose bwatangiranye na COVID-19 Pandemic 11-18 January 2020,arokore Abeza Isabato Biyemeje No Kuyipfira Mu Izina Rya Yesu,record20200707075655:
Soma iherezo ry' ubutegetsi bwa vaticani buyobora muri titire y' ubutegetsi bwa pontifexe Maximusi buyihuza n' Inyamanswa yahanuwe na Daniyeli ya 4 yatangiye yitwa ubutegetsi bwa Roma ya gipagani ubu ikaba yitwa ubutegetsi bwa Roma ya Gi papa yiyita Kiriziya Gaturika ya Roma ya Gikirisitu iri kumisozi i rindwi 7 ya Vatikani mu Ibyahishuwe 17:1-18 yatangije gutegekana n' amahembe 10 aribo bami 10 bategekanaga na Consitantino mukuru umwami wabami w'i Roma muri 300-321-340 iyo niyo nyamanswa ya 4 yahaaye ububasha bwayo ubutegetsi bw'idini ya Kiriziya Gaturika y' I Roma muri 538{Daniyeli 7:1-28; }
k)Soma neza ibyerekeye y' Amasezerano y' I Parisi inama y' abaminisitiri yemeje ko agomba gutangira gushyirwa mu bikorwa (.......) u Rwanda rwemeye kuzinjizamo abaturage barwo, mugihe Amerika(USA) yanze kuyasinya ngo izayinjize mo abaturage bayo!{
U RWANDA RWEMEJE BURUNDU AMASEZERANO Y’I PARIS YEREKEYE IMIHINDAGURIKIRE Y’IBIHE
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Click Here to read about This Article: George Floyd protests a SATANIC Lie Programmed TOOL To Bring SUNDAY REST by LAW: Balack Obama posted George Floyd Death on May 17th, 2020 before George Floyd's Death on May 25th, 2020, and Racism is linked to COVID-19 and Worldwide Vaccine by Force,666 Leading the Deceived Nations except United Republic of Tanzania of the Hero of Our African Independence Freedom Fighters H.E Dr.Pombe Magufuri.
Open this Sunday Law Updated Video on YouTube: WARNING: Pope Francis SUNday Law Is READY. Trump AVE MARIA, Hail Mary. Black Lives Matter Guillotine
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