SDA Sabbath School Lesson 14--4th Quarter 2022--All Things New

[Richard Myers]

 Lesson 14 December 24-30

All Things New

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:3, 22; 1 John 3:2, 3; 1 Pet. 1:22; Isa. 25:8; Rev. 22:3-5.

Memory Text: “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21:5

Scripture gives us this hope: “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13, NASB).

For some, however, the promise of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1) seems like a fantasy, stories told by those in power who used the hope of an afterlife to help keep the masses in line. The idea being: Though you have it hard at present, one day you will have your reward in heaven, or the like.

And though some people have used the future hope presented in the Bible that way, their abuse doesn’t change the truth of the promises that we have regarding the new heavens and the new earth.

In the last days, scoffers will ridicule our blessed hope (2 Pet. 3:3-7). But their scoffing, just as predicted, could be seen as more evidence that what the Bible says is true, for they are scoffing as the Bible predicted they would.

During this week we will reflect on the glorious promise of a new heaven and a new earth, including the heavenly temple, the presence of God, the end of death and tears — and, finally, the ultimate triumph of God’s love.

The promises of a new world is not enough to transform sinners into saints. What is it that causes one to be transformed from selfishness to unselfishness? What are we saved by? Grace. It surrounds us as thick as the air we breathe. It does no good if we do not see it and allow it into the heart. It is by His stripes that we are healed. How does that change a sinner?

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 31.

[Richard Myers]

Sunday         December 25
A New Heavens and a New Earth

For some followers of Greek philosophy, the idea that something is physical means that it is bad. That’s why for them it is unconceivable to think of a real heaven with real people in the future. In this thinking, for it to be heaven and to be good, it must be a purely spiritual state, free from the blemishes found in the physical world here. If something is material, they assert, it cannot be spiritual; and if something is spiritual, it cannot be material. By contrast, the Bible speaks of heaven in concrete terms but without the limitations imposed by the presence of sin.

Read Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 66:22, 23; 2 Peter 3:13; and Revelation 21:1-5. What is the ultimate message of these passages?

The book of Isaiah provides interesting glimpses on how the earth would have been if Israel as a nation had remained faithful to their covenant with God (Isa. 65:17-25; Isa. 66:22, 23; compare with Deuteronomy 28). The whole environment with its various expressions of life would have grown more and more toward God’s original plan, that is, before the entrance of sin.

However, that plan did not materialize as expected. Then a new plan was established, but now with the church, composed of Jews and Gentiles from all nations (Matt. 28:18-20, 1 Pet. 2:9). The prophecies of Isaiah, therefore, have to be reread from the perspective of the church (2 Pet. 3:13, Rev. 21:1-5).

“In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called ‘a country.’ Hebrews 11:14-16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 675.

What a beautiful picture!! Why let sin stand in the way?

Many secular writers, without the hope of eternity as presented in Scripture, have lamented the meaninglessness of human existence. Though they are wrong about the future, why is it hard to argue with their point about the meaninglessness of life without a future hope? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath.

There are some who will be in heaven who have never heard the name Jesus, or seen a Bible, or an evangelist. They yielded to the Holy Spirit and saw in nature the character of the Creator. They were no changed by a promise of heaven. No, they had love, joy, and peace in this world and that was enough  for them. So, it is for all who love God. We serve Him because we love Him and those who He created. It brings joy to us to help others. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Life is not meaningless without eternal life. Love is the foundation of the universe. Those who find it in this world will find peace.

[Richard Myers]

Monday          December 26
In the Temple of God

Some people speak of heaven itself as being God’s sanctuary. But the book of Revelation refers to a specific sanctuary/temple within the New Jerusalem, where God’s throne and the sea of glass are located (Rev. 4:2-6, Rev. 7:9-15, Rev. 15:5-8). There the great multitude of saints from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues will worship God forever (Rev. 7:9-17).

Compare Revelation 7:9-15 with Revelation 21:3, 22. How can we harmonize the description of the great multitude of the redeemed serving God “day and night in His temple” (Rev. 7:15, NKJV) with the statement that John “saw no temple” in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22, NKJV)?

The heavenly sanctuary/temple has always been the place where the heavenly hosts worship God. But with the appearance of sin, that sanctuary became also the place from where salvation is offered to humanity. “When the sin problem is over, the heavenly sanctuary will once again revert to its original function. In Revelation 21:22, John the revelator reports that he no longer saw a temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. But does that mean there is no longer a house of the Lord where His creatures can come and have special fellowship with Him? By no means!” — Richard M. Davidson, “The Sanctuary: ‘To Behold the Beauty of the Lord,’” in Artur Stele, ed., The Word: Searching, Living, Teaching, vol. 1 (Silver Spring, MD: Biblical Research Institute, 2015), p. 31.

The book of Revelation gives special attention to the One who is being worshiped and to those who are worshiping Him. This heavenly worship is centered on God and the Lamb (Rev. 5:13, Rev. 7:10). As always, and as it should be, Christ is the focus of the worship.

Would it not be good if the focus of much of our conversation was on God, especially on the Sabbath? Do you know anyone who is always talking about Jesus?

The worshipers are those “who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14, NIV). They are living witnesses of God’s redeeming and transforming power. They sing praises to God for who He is and for what He did for them.

Does God have living witnesses on this Earth who reveal the power of God's grace to transform sinners into saints? It is more important to be a faithful witness than a preacher. Why is this so important?

Revelation 21:3 reads: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God” (NKJV). These verses reflect numerous other passages (Jer. 32:38, Ezek. 37:27, Zech. 8:8, Heb. 8:10). What does it mean for us now, still here on earth, that God will be our God, and we will be His people? How do we live out this amazing truth now?

There is only one way, to be truly converted. The Laodicean cannot rightly represent God. Jesus loves the Laodicean who thinks he is converted, but does not know he is "miserable, wretched, and poor, and blind, and naked." Jesus does not stop with the strong rebuke to His church, but then tells us what we must do in order to be His people. What does it mean to buy gold tried in the fire (Rev. 3:18).

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday          December 27
In the Presence of God

The Bible says that God “dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Tim. 6:16, NRSV), and that “no one has ever seen God” (John 1:18, 1 John 4:12, NRSV). Does it mean that the saints in heaven will never see God the Father? Not at all. It is quite evident that not seeing God refers to the human beings after the Fall, because there are several indications in Scripture that the saints will actually see Him in heaven.

Read Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:2, 3; and Revelation 22:3, 4. What do these passages tell us about the supreme privilege of seeing God?

The same apostle John who stated that “no one has ever seen God” (John 1:18, 1 John 4:12, NRSV) also declares that “we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2, 3, NKJV) and “see His face” (Rev. 22:3, 4, NKJV). It can be debatable whether these passages refer to God the Father or to Christ. But all doubts are gone in light of Christ’s own statement, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8, NKJV). What a privilege it will be for the redeemed to worship God in His temple! But the supreme privilege of all will be to see His face.

Who are the "pure in heart"?  How can we be pure in heart so we can see God? Is the heart purified when Jesus comes? No, it is not. We are told God wants to give us a new heart (Eze 36:26). It really is a new Spiritual heart cleansed from all unrighteousness. When we come up out of the water when baptized, it is only symbolism of what has already happened, a cleansing from sin. The flesh is not holy, we do not believe in holy flesh until Jesus comes. But, the heart and mind are cleansed from sin.  "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin....If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:7,9.

“The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son. ‘Now we see through a glass, darkly.’ 1 Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in His presence and behold the glory of His countenance.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 676, 677.

Notice in some of the verses for today the link between purity and seeing God. The “pure in heart” will see God; he who will see God “purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3). What these verses reveal is that God must do a work in us now to help prepare us for heaven.

Amen! The cleansing must take place today if we wish to be in heaven. And, God does not wave a magic wand at the end of time as some teach. It is through a whole heart surrender that the new heart is received. There is no stain on the new heart. It is wholly given to Christ and the Holy Spirit takes possession of it and brings with Him all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one missing. "When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." Desire of Ages, 676.

Though, in the end, our title to heaven has been made certain through the death of Jesus, we will go through a purifying process here and now that will help prepare us for our eternal home. And central to the purification process is obedience to His Word.

When we make a full surrender to God, then the heart is cleansed. We cannot obey God until we are born again and filled with the Spirit. Then the life will keep the commandments because the third person of the godhead lives in the heart and makes us a partaker of His divine nature. We then obey from the heart and are able to escape from the lust within the flesh and in the world (2 Peter 1:4).

Read 1 Peter 1:22.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: 

How does this text reveal to us the link between obedience and purification?

It is true that after conversion and born of the Spirit we obey what we know to be true because His Seed is in us. When obeying the truth we are being sanctified which means being holy. But, we (the heart) is already pure and holy. Then what means this verse? Sanctification does not stop at conversion. It is through our habits that the character is made stronger. We are able to be tempted at a higher level. We are more sanctified through obedience. Look at Romans 5:3-5. Explain how one who is already patience can be patient. "Though he were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8. He was already obedient, but He became more obedient just as the one in Romans 5 becomes more patient enduring tribulation. Habits form character. Being obedient forms good character. Disobedience forms bad character.

The important lesson here is that we can do not good thing until born again of the Spirit. In other words, we cannot obey from the heart until converted when the heart is cleansed from all sin. Then we obey, but not until then. And, then if we take our eyes off of Jesus, we end up in the water just as did Peter when he took his eyes off of Jesus.

What is it about obedience that purifies us? How, specifically, does Peter say our obedience will be made manifest?

The power that indwells the repentant sinner is the Third Person of the godhead. We are saved (transformed) by grace, the unmerited love of God for us while we were yet sinners. It then is the Holy Spirit, indwelling the heart that empowers the repentant sinner to obey the law of God. Then that obedience sanctifies and further purifies the soul. This takes place after probation closes when all who are converted go through a further purification to a higher level when the fire is made hotter than ever before.

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday          December 28
No More Death and Tears

The theory of an immortal soul, suffering forever in an ever-burning hell, contradicts the biblical teaching that in the new heaven and the new earth there will be “no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (Rev. 21:4, NKJV). If the theory of an eternal burning hell were true, then the “second death” would not eradicate sin and sinners from the universe but only confine them in an everlasting hell of sorrow and crying. And more: in this case the universe would never be fully restored to its original perfection. But praise the Lord that the Bible paints a completely different picture!

Read Isaiah 25:8, Revelation 7:17, and Revelation 21:4. What comfort and hope can these passages bring us amid the trials and suffering of this present world?

Life can be very hard, unfair, cruel. Some people, so dear to us, are brutally taken away by the cold embrace of death. Or some people come subtly into our lives, steal our feelings, and then walk away as if nothing ever happened. How terrible it is to be betrayed by someone whom we loved and trusted.

There are moments when, with a broken heart, we may even wonder if life is worth living. Regardless of our sorrows, however, God is always eager to wipe away from our cheeks as many tears as possible. But some of our heaviest tears will continue streaming down until that glorious day when death, sorrow, and crying will cease to exist (Rev. 21:1-5).

We can trust that in the final judgment God will treat every single human being with fairness and love. All our loved ones who died in Christ will be raised from the dead to be with us throughout eternity. Those unworthy of eternal life will finally cease to exist, without having to live in an “unpleasant” heaven or in an ever-burning hell. Our greatest comfort derives from the fair way God treats everyone. When death definitively ceases to exist, the redeemed will shout joyfully, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:54, 55, NRSV).

The Lord promised that in the new heaven and the new earth He would create, “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isa. 65:17, NIV). This does not mean that heaven will be a place of amnesia, but rather that the past will not undermine the enduring joy of heaven.

Who hasn’t felt the unfair ravages of human existence here? Especially in those bad times, how can we learn to trust, and to the degree possible, rejoice in God’s goodness and love?

Why is there no statement on the punishment God said He would render according to what the wicked did in the flesh? Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. One can live a live like Hitler and the punishment is being laid to rest? The author calls that love. It is mercy, but it is not the punishment that Jesus had to suffer to pay the price for all of our sins. Jesus going to sleep for three days was not nearly the suffering He had to endure to save us.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday          December 29
His Name on Their Foreheads

Read Revelation 22:3-5. How can we be assured that we will be among those who will have the name of God written on our foreheads? Or, can we be assured?

By faith in Christ we can be assured. There is a false assurance that is preached. But, the wise will understand because they love the Lord our God with all of the heart. Want to know what to do in order to be assured of a place in heaven? Not my words, but from above through a prophet. "It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ." How is that? Read 2 Cor. 3:18. It is a Biblical promise. You can count on it.

After the rebellion of Lucifer and the fall of Adam and Eve, God could have destroyed the two sinners. Yet, as an expression of unconditional love for His creatures, God established a merciful plan to save all those who accept what He offers. This is what is known as the “plan of salvation,” which, though existing even before the Creation of the earth (Eph. 1:3, 4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2; Rev. 13:8 ), was first presented to humanity in Eden, right after the Fall. It was then further revealed in the types and shadows of the Hebrew sanctuary service (Exodus 25). And then it was given its fullest expression in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (see Romans 5).

At the center of the plan of salvation is the promise of eternal life, based on the merits of Jesus, to all who accept, by faith, the great provision provided at the cross. Before the cross, after the cross — salvation has always been by faith, and never by works, however much works are an expression of our salvation.

Amen! But, that does not mean we have nothing to do to be saved, else all would be saved. "Just believe"? No, the devils believe and tremble. What must we do to be saved is the all important question. What is the first and greatest of the commandments? To love the Lord our God with all of the heart. We are not born with this love of God, but with love of self. How does this change? Then you have the answer. You cannot love someone you do not know. You cannot trust all you have and all you are unless you know someone intimately. How is it that you can love God with all you are and all you have? How can you know someone real well without spending time with them? You can't. Then why not spend a thoughtful hour a day with Jesus?

Paul wrote about Abraham, who existed long before the coming of Christ, as an example of salvation by faith: “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness’” (Rom. 4:2, 3, NKJV). How do these verses help us understand what salvation by faith is all about?

Thus, we can have the assurance of salvation if we have accepted Jesus, have surrendered to Him, and have claimed His promises, including those of a new life now in Him, and if we lean totally on His merits and nothing else. Abraham believed, it was accounted to him as righteousness; it works the same with us.

This, then, is what it means to have His name written on our foreheads. If we have it written there now and don’t turn away from Him, then it will be written there in the new heavens and the new earth, as well.

How many times have heard "just believe."  There is no holding back. God wants the whole heart, not 99% of it. You will not give all up for Him unless you know and trust Him. You can claim all the promises you want, but it will not help you if you are unwilling to give all to God.

[Richard Myers]

Friday          December 30

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Controversy Ended,” pp. 674-678, in The Great Controversy; “The Earth Made New,” pp. 133-145; “Heaven Is a School,” pp. 146-158; “It Will Not Be Long,” pp. 159-166; “Heaven Can Begin Now,” pp. 167-176; “The Music of Heaven,” pp. 177-184; “A Call for Us to Be There,” pp. 185-192, in Heaven.

“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. 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.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 651.

Amen! Such love!!

“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.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 678.

Most amazing that the universe will remain clean for eternity with God's creatures retaining free will!


Discussion Questions:

    Many secularized Christians live their lives as if this world will last forever (Luke 12:16-21). How can we balance our earthly ideals with our heavenly priorities? How can we guard against what Jesus has warned us about in Luke 12?

Maintain our full heart surrender to Christ. It would  be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Jesus. By beholding His glory we will be on guard.

    If heaven begins here, what should we do to transform our homes and our personal lives into little expressions of heavenly principles?

Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Thus, it would be well to spend time with Him. Jesus tells us we must eat His flesh and drink His blood. Explain what He meant to your Sabbath School class.

    Dwell on the question asked at the end of Sunday’s study. What is the logic behind the pessimism of those who don’t believe in eternal life? At the same time, too, some of these people nevertheless seem to live fairly “happy” lives, even without expressing any future hope. How do you think they do that? That is, how might they rationalize living, even contentedly, without the promise of something beyond this life?

They measure their success by what they see in the world. There are few who find happiness outside of Christ. It is a hard wicked world we live in. If they stepped on others to attain to where they are, then what does their conscience say. Then they were not happy, were they?