X
info

Bible: YouVersion
Loading...
Sermon Outline

Everlasting Life: On Death, Dying, and the Future Hope

The Old Testament Hope

Lesson #4 for October 22, 2022

Scriptures:Job 19:25-27; 1 Timothy 6:16; Psalm 49; 71;Isaiah 26:14,19; Daniel 12;Hebrews 11:17,19.

  1. In this lesson we will see that the Old Testament clearly supports the idea that, at death, people sleep in the grave and, then, arise at the resurrection. The righteous arise at the second coming; the wicked arise at the third coming.

[From the Bible study guide=BSG:] The Old Testament hope is grounded, not on Greek ideas about the natural immortality of the soul, but on the biblical teaching of the final resurrection of the dead.

But how could a no-longer-existent human body, cremated into ashes or destroyed by other means, be brought to life again? How can someone who has been deceased, perhaps for centuries or even millennia, recover again his or her identity??Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sabbath Afternoon, October 15.†‡

  1. The best example I have been able to think of for understanding how God can re-create beings is the example of upgrading one’s computer or cell phone. The new model is better and faster, and the hardware is quite different. But, when the software and files are downloaded “from the cloud” or from memory to the new computer or cell phone, everything works perfectly, only faster and better.
  2. By comparison, God has obviously demonstrated His ability to create human beings. He has a complete and detailed account of everything that we have ever done. That “download” can be installed in a new body, creating a new person with all the same characteristics that s/he had in the former life—only much better in a new body.

[BSG:] Modern science teaches that all matter is composed of atoms, themselves made up of two smaller particles, quarks and leptons, which are believed to be the building blocks of all physical reality. If, then, at the core the physical world is quarks and leptons, couldn’t the God who not only created and sustains that world also just reconfigure the quarks and leptons when the time comes to resurrect us? Mocking the resurrection, atheist Bertrand Russell asked what happens to those whom cannibals ate, because their bodies are now part of the cannibals’, and so who gets what in the resurrection? But suppose the Lord simply grabs quarks and leptons, the ultimate building blocks of existence, from wherever, and, based on the information that He possesses about each one of us, reconstructs us from those quarks and leptons on up? He doesn’t need our original ones; any will do. Or, in fact, He could just speak new quarks and leptons into existence and go from there. However He does it, the God who created the universe can re-create us, which He promises to do at the resurrection of the dead.?Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Friday, October 21.†‡

  1. It is clear that God can create human beings as demonstrated in Genesis 1 andPsalm 33:6,9. In fact, God created the entire universe.
  2. Our focus in this lesson will be on statements made by Job, psalmists, Isaiah, and Daniel. Job was one of the very first inspired books ever written for Scripture. Job and Genesis were both written by Moses while he was herding sheep in Midian before the exodus.

[From the writings of Ellen G. White=EGW:] The long years spent amid desert solitudes were not lost. Not only was Moses gaining a preparation for the great work before him, but during this time, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the book of Genesis and also the book of Job, which would be read with the deepest interest by the people of God until the close of time.?Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times* February 19, 1880, par. 14.†‡ SDABC,* vol. 3, 1140.3.†‡ [Spent is not in the second source.]

  1. We have talked earlier about the earliest alphabetic writing. How was it invented? By whom? Where did Moses learn to write? When Joseph went to Egypt and realized that they had a written language, did he invent a way to write Hebrew? Some scholars think so. On what did Moses write while herding sheep? How were those books preserved? Did he carry them back to Egypt with him?

Job 19:25-27: 25 But I know there is someone in heaven

who will come at last to my defence.

26Even after my skin is eaten by disease,

while still in this body I will see God.

27I will see him with my own eyes,

and he will not be a stranger.CAmerican Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed.,Job 19:25-27). New York: American Bible Society [abbreviated as Good News Bible].†‡

  1. So, how do you think Moses learned about Job? Did he learn about Job from his father-in-law? Did Job live before the time of Moses? Or, the same time as Moses?
  2. Very little in our world of sin and death is fair. A perfect example of that is the story of Job. Job played a very important role in the great controversy.

[BSG:] Life is not fair. We see this especially when we see the “good” suffering and the “unrighteous” prospering (seePs. 73:12–17 andMal. 3:14–18). For example, Job was “blameless and upright” and “feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1, NKJV). Even so, God allowed Satan to afflict him in several disastrous ways. Physically, his body was ravaged by painful disease (Job 2:1–8). Materially, he lost large portions of his livestock and properties (Job 1:13–17). Within his household, he lost his servants and even his own children (Job 1:16, 18). And emotionally, he was surrounded by friends who accused him of being an impenitent sinner who deserved what he was facing (Job 4:1–5:27,Job 8:1–22,Job 11:1–20, etc.). Even his own wife stated, “ ‘Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!’ ” (Job 2:9, NKJV).?Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Sunday, October 16.†‡§

  1. When Job gets to heaven, what will God say to him? Will God apologize to Job? Will He thank Job? What will God say to Job’s first family who were killed at the beginning of the story? Do you think that they will be in heaven? Will they want to know why all of that happened to them?
  2. The psalmist (we think it was Asaph) also wrote about the unfairness of life.

Psalm 73:12-13: 12 That is what the wicked are like.

They have plenty and are always getting more.

13Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure

and have not committed sin??Good News Bible.*

  1. It is only in the context of a clear understanding of the great controversy that many of these problems can be understood. Do we clearly understand how the great controversy could affect us? Can we explain the great controversy to a friend so as to make it clear in their understanding? This cannot be done in a few sentences!
  2. That is illustrated very well by the following passages.

Job 1:1: There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz, who worshipped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil.?Good News Bible.* [Could God say that about you?]

ReadJob 1:13-18: [As described in these verses, Job lost almost everything: Wealth, family, and reputation.]

Job 2:1-8: 1 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the LORD again, Satan was there among them. 2The LORD asked him, “Where have you been?”

Satan answered, “I have been walking here and there, roaming round the earth.”

3 “Did you notice my servant Job?” the LORD asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever.”

4 Satan replied, “A person will give up everything in order to stay alive. 5 But now suppose you hurt his body—he will curse you to your face!”

6 So the LORD said to Satan, “All right, he is in your power, but you are not to kill him.”

7Then Satan left the LORD’s presence and made sores break out all over Job’s body. 8Job went and sat by the rubbish heap and took a piece of broken pottery to scrape his sores.?Good News Bible.* [What would a “Satan sore” look like?]

  1. Job’s problem was living a perfect life! That really annoyed Satan; so, we have the story of Job preserved for us. Try to imagine how excited God was to have someone like Job to whom He could point? Would you treat your best friend the way God treated Job? Why did God choose to allow Satan to do what he did?
  2. While Job frequently admitted that he did not know why all of those things were happening to him, he admitted his ignorance. His friends thought they knew the answer to everything! Notice these very incredible words from Eliphaz.

Job 4:7-19: 7 Think back now. Name a single case

where a righteous person met with disaster. [So, you must be a sinner!]

8I have seen people plough fields of evil

and sow wickedness like seed;

now they harvest wickedness and evil….

12Once a message came quietly,

so quietly I could hardly hear it.

13Like a nightmare it disturbed my sleep.

14I trembled and shuddered;

my whole body shook with fear.

15A light breeze touched my face,

and my hair bristled with fright.

16I could see something standing there;

I stared, but couldn’t tell what it was.

Then I heard a voice out of the silence:

17 “Can anyone be righteous in the sight of God

or be pure before his Creator? [What had God said about Job?]

18God does not trust his heavenly servants;

he finds fault even with his angels. [More lies from Satan!]

19Do you think he will trust a creature of clay,

a thing of dust that can be crushed like a moth?”?Good News Bible.*†‡

[Notice that those words (verses 17-19) came directly from “the enemy” and were a direct contradiction to what God had said about Job! (SeeJob 1:1.) Look carefully at all ofJob 4:12-19. Where did this message come from? Clearly, it was from Satan or one of his angels! And yet, many have quoted it as coming directly from God!]

Job 5:27: [Eliphaz said:] Job, we have learnt this by long study.

It is true, so now accept it.?Good News Bible.*†‡

Job 8:4: [Bildad said:] Your children must have sinned against God,

and so he punished them as they deserved.?Good News Bible.*†‡

Job 5:6-7: [Eliphaz said:] 6 Evil does not grow in the soil,

nor does trouble grow out of the ground.

7No indeed! People bring trouble on themselves,

as surely as sparks fly up from a fire.?Good News Bible.*†‡ [In other words, Eliphaz said: “Job, you are guilty of some terrible sin!”]

  1. And Zophar gave his conclusion:

Job 11:6: He would tell you there are many sides to wisdom;

there are things too deep for human knowledge.

God is punishing you less than you deserve.?Good News Bible.*

  1. Job’s wife had a similar conclusion.

Job 2:9: His wife said to him, “You are still as faithful as ever, aren’t you? Why don’t you curse God and die?”?Good News Bible.*

  1. We do not know if Job ever knew about what we read in Job 1&2. How differently do you think the discussions would have been between Job and his friends if they had all heard Job 1&2 before their discussion started?
  2. It is amazing that Job could say what he did, considering his circumstances. Job had lost everything: His family, his health, his wealth, the trust of his friends; and yet, he still trusted God. Job had no Bible (no Bible had been written yet), did not have a pastor or a prophet to guide him, and had no Sabbath school class or church group or discussion group with whom to meet and study. His only discussion group was the four friends we know about who were all wrong! How did Job develop the faith and trust in God that he had? Did God meet with him on several occasions as he did with Moses? How can we learn to trust God like that?
  3. We need to remember that Satan is alive and well on planet earth. He would destroy every faithful believer in God if he could. He would claim this earth as his domain; but, sin would eventually destroy itself.
  4. Now, we turn to the psalms.

[BSG:] Psalm 49 speaks about the false confidence of the foolish “who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches” (Ps. 49:6, NKJV), who “call their lands after their own names” (Ps. 49:11, NKJV), and who live only to bless themselves (Ps. 49:18). They act as if their houses and their own glory would last forever (Ps. 49:11, 17)….

As stated by Job centuries earlier, “ ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart’ ” (Job 1:21, NIV;1 Tim. 6:7). The psalmist points out that both the fool and the wise die, leaving “their wealth to others” (Ps. 49:10, NKJV).?Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Monday, October 17.†‡§

1 Timothy 6:7: What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing!?Good News Bible.*

[BSG:] But there is a radical contrast between them. On one side are the fools who perish, even though trying to find assurance in their own transient possessions and accomplishments. In contrast, the wise behold, beyond the human saga and the prison of the grave, the glorious reward that God has reserved for them (1 Pet. 1:4).?Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Monday, October 17.‡§

1 Peter 1:4: And so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away.?Good News Bible.*

  1. Nothing we can do or say in this life will preserve us for the life to come. It is only through the plan of salvation made secure by Jesus Christ. That is our only hope. Riches cannot save us; position cannot save us; fame cannot save us.
  2. All sorts of claims are made by the so-called important people on this earth. Some will claim fame; some will claim riches; others will claim exceptional health; but, none of that will take the place of eternal life offered by God.
  3. We need to remember that in God’s overall plan, we are supposed to live forever. The short time of this life is nothing compared to what God has planned for us. So, no matter what happens to us in this life, God has a glorious plan for us in the future if we will choose His side.

Psalm 71:20: Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.?King James Version.*

  1. David recognized that God had been his salvation, the One who cared for him at every step in his life from the time in his mother’s womb all the way to death.

[BSG:] The expression “from the depths of the earth” could be understood literally as an allusion to the future physical resurrection of the psalmist. But the context seems to favor a metaphorical description of David’s condition of deep depression, as if the earth were swallowing him (compare withPs. 88:6 andPs. 130:1).—Andrews Study Bible, p. 726, note onPsalm 71:20.—[as quoted in Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* for Tuesday, October 18].‡§

  1. We have all experienced very difficult times, even falling into depression or discouragement. We need to remember that God is still beside us and ready to hold our hand. We need to learn to trust Him.
  2. Consider how Jesus Christ Himself achieved His final victory.

[EGW:] [While dying on the cross] Amid the awful darkness, apparently forsaken of God, Christ had drained the last dregs in the cup of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied upon the evidence of His Father’s acceptance heretofore given Him. He was acquainted with the character of His Father; He understood His justice, His mercy, and His great love. By faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as in submission He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father’s favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor.?Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages* 756.3.†‡ [Jesus said, “I know My Father!”]

  1. So, what did Isaiah tell us about the future? What contrast did he suggest between those who will perish and those who receive eternal life?

Isaiah 26:14,19: 14 Now they are dead and will not live again;

their ghosts will not rise,

for you have punished them and destroyed them.

No one remembers them any more….

19 Those of our people who have died will live again!

Their bodies will come back to life.

All those sleeping in their graves

will wake up and sing for joy.

As the sparkling dew refreshes the earth,

so the LORD will revive those who have long been dead.?Good News Bible.*

  1. Malachi reflected these ideas from Isaiah.

Malachi 4:1: The LORD Almighty says, “The day is coming when all proud and evil people will burn like straw. On that day they will burn up, and there will be nothing left of them.”?Good News Bible.*

  1. We human beings living on this earth see things in a very egocentric way. All we know about is this life. But, God asks us to read His Word and to look up to see what He has planned for us.
  2. In actual fact, our lives on this earth are very brief.

Isaiah 40:6-8: 6 A voice cries out, “Proclaim a message!”

“What message shall I proclaim?” I ask.

“Proclaim that all human beings are like grass;

they last no longer than wild flowers.

7Grass withers and flowers fade,

when the LORD sends the wind blowing over them.

People are no more enduring than grass.

8Yes, grass withers and flowers fade,

but the word of our God endures for ever.” [sic]?Good News Bible.*

  1. As we have suggested already, it is clear from Scripture that the righteous will be raised to life and ascend to heaven at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Revelation 20 makes it clear that the wicked will arise at the third coming when God comes down with the New Jerusalem; but, they will survive only long enough to recognize the mistakes they made and why they are outside the city. Then, they will perish forever.

Revelation 21:8: “But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars—the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”?Good News Bible.*

  1. By contrast, for the righteous, we have these words:

Isaiah 25:8: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.?King James Version.*§

  1. While the wicked will perish—and all memory of them probably as well,—the truth about the plan of salvation will be a safeguard forever.

[EGW:] The death of Christ upon the cross made sure the destruction of him who has the power of death, who was the originator of sin. When Satan is destroyed, there will be none to tempt to evil; the atonement will never need to be repeated; and there will be no danger of another rebellion in the universe of God. That which alone can effectually restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in heaven. The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels.... The angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God. It is through the efficacy of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy. Without the cross they would be no more secure against evil than were the angels before the fall of Satan. Angelic perfection failed in heaven. Human perfection failed in Eden, the paradise of bliss. All who wish for security in earth or heaven must look to the Lamb of God. The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb…. There are many who will be lost, because they depend on legal religion, or mere repentance for sin. But repentance for sin alone cannot work the salvation of any soul. Man cannot be saved by his own works. Without Christ it is impossible for him to render perfect obedience to the law of God; and heaven can never be gained by an imperfect obedience; for this would place all heaven in jeopardy, and make possible a second rebellion.?Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times,* December 30, 1889, par. 4.†‡ Compare 5SDABC 1132.9; OHC 45.4; 7SDABC 746.3.

  1. The records of the progress and results of the great controversy will be preserved as an eternal safeguard against sin in the entire universe.
  2. While the Sadducees denied any resurrection from the dead, (Acts 23:8) clearly, Martha knew that her brother would rise to life on the last day. (John 11:24) Why do you think the Sadducees took that position? Was it that they did not want to think that they might have to face the judgment of God someday?

Daniel 12:1-4: 1 The angel wearing linen clothes said, “At that time the great angel Michael, who guards your people, will appear. Then there will be a time of troubles, the worst since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, all the people of your nation whose names are written in God’s book will be saved. 2Many of those who have already died will live again: some will enjoy eternal life, and some will suffer eternal disgrace. 3The wise leaders will shine with all the brightness of the sky. And those who have taught many people to do what is right will shine like the stars for ever.” [sic]

4 He said to me, “And now, Daniel, close the book and put a seal on it until the end of the world. Meanwhile, many people will waste their efforts trying to understand what is happening.”?Good News Bible.*†‡

  1. Like Isaiah, Daniel clearly wrote of a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous. It is possible that this refers to the general resurrections we know about which will occur at the second coming and at the third coming. It is also possible that this is talking about the special resurrection of certain people, some faithful and some wicked, who will rise just before Christ’s second coming.

[EGW:] Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth... awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. “They also which pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy* 637.1.†‡

  1. Why don’t we have the testimonies of the people whose graves broke open at the death of Christ (Matthew 27:52-53) and who arose and entered Jerusalem after Christ’s resurrection? Or, secular sources recording their presence? That would be so helpful in our understanding of the relationship of the Old Testament to the New.

[EGW:] 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).—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary,* vol. 4, 1143.5.†‡

[EGW:] There [in this earth made new] 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.?Ellen G. White, Education* 307.4 [1903].†‡ Prophets and Kings* 731.1.€†‡ Compare Great Controversy 677.2 [1888].

  1. Almost every day we see results from the Hubble telescope and the new Webb telescope, suggesting that there are literally billions, maybe trillions of galaxies and worlds, all created by God. Many of them probably have living creatures on them. There should not be any problem with our understanding that God can create human beings.
  2. The Old Testament writers clearly believed in a resurrection. They thought that this would happen at the Messiah’s first coming. As we have seen, the words of Job trying to respond to the terrible accusations of his so-called friends are one of the most powerful statements about the future resurrection and life with God. Job called God his Kinsman-Redeemer, Defender, Vindicator, Protector—the Hebrew word can be variously translated.

Job 19:25-27: 25But I know there is someone in heaven

who will come at last to my defence. [sic]

26Even after my skin is eaten by disease,

while still in this body I will see God.

27I will see him with my own eyes,

and he will not be a stranger.?Good News Bible.*†‡

[BSG:] Notice the personal words of Job’s solemn declaration: my, I, myself, my own. He firmly believes in his heart that in his flesh with his own eyes he will see God even though he will die, and his flesh will be destroyed. This personal assurance of a future resurrection day cannot be expressed in a better and more emphatic way.?Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 53.†‡§

  1. Some might still have a question about the word sheol. The Bible is very clear that that Hebrew word means the grave.

[BSG:] “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead [sheol, grave, death], nor will you let your faithful one see decay” (Psalm 16:9, 10, NIV). Here the Hebrew term sheol should be translated as “grave,” as it is in many other passages. This term is found 66 times in the Hebrew Bible and, in the majority of cases, its meaning is synonymous with the grave. Both the wicked and the righteous descend to sheol [sic] (Gen. 37:35; Gen. 42:38; Gen. 44:29, 31; Num. 16:30, 33; 1 Kings 2:6, 9; Job 21:13; Ps. 49:17; Ps. 89:48;Eccles. 9:10; Isa. 14:9, 11, 15; Isa. 38:10; Ezek. 31:15–17). In addition, the Lord redeems the faithful from sheol (Hos. 13:14); no one can hide from God in sheol (Ps. 139:8,Amos 9:2), and there is no work or other activity in sheol (Eccles. 9:10).

Nowhere in the Bible is sheol described as the shadowy underworld where the dead live or where human souls or spirits continue their existence. The word sheol is a designation for the grave, the place of the dead (see, for example, the consistency of the NIV [sic] translation, where, in the majority of cases, the word sheol is translated as grave [57 times], but also as death [five times], realm of death [once], deepest depths [once], gates of death [once], and depth [once]). David rejoices that after death he will rest in peace and will be not forgotten by the Lord but will be resurrected to a new life and will not experience lasting destruction (shakhat means destruction, corruption, decay, pit).?Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 53.†‡§ [Brackets and the content in brackets in these paragraphs are in the Bible study guide except “[sic].”]

Psalm 71:20: Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,

you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

you will again bring me up.?New International Version.*

[BSG:] This psalm [chapter 71] is a prayer for God’s help in old age. The Lord was with the psalmist from birth and has done great things for him; so, he asks for God’s protection from his enemies. God not only restores physical strength and health but also has the power to resurrect. The psalmist believes, and hopes, that God will bring him up (Hebrew: ‘alah, go up, ascent) from “the depths [in Hebrew tehom, meaning, literally, “abyss, deep”] of the earth,” which may be a figurative description of the grave. Thus, this poetic imagery hints at a physical resurrection. The rendering of the New Living Translation [sic] is infused with this hope: “You will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.”…

The prophet Isaiah, in the so-called “Little Apocalypse,” presents the hope of resurrection and announces it boldly: “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead” (Isa. 26:19, ESV). A glorious hope and bright future is thus pictured for those who stay with the Lord. This is a very explicit verse about physical resurrection from death. The prophet Daniel, as we shall see next, roots his statement regarding the resurrection in Isaiah’s proclamation.?Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide* 54-55.†‡§

Daniel 12:2,13: 2Many of those who have already died will live again: some will enjoy eternal life, and some will suffer eternal disgrace….

13 “And you, Daniel, be faithful to the end. Then you will die, but you will rise to receive your reward at the end of time.”?Good News Bible.*

  1. A correct understanding of the nature of man and what happens at death is a refreshing picture of God’s dealing with human beings. All alike—the righteous, the wicked, even animals—go down to the grave. But, each will be treated very fairly at the judgment, either at the second coming or the third coming.
  2. When it is all said and done, everyone will have essentially said: “God, You did the very best You could for everyone.” Even the Devil himself will bow down on his knees and admit that Jesus Christ was right.

Philippians 2:10-11: 10 And so, in honour of the name of Jesus

all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below [including the Devil]

will fall on their knees,

11and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.?Good News Bible.*

  1. You will be there to see that proclamation being made. Will you be inside the city? Or, will you be outside the city when that happens?

©2022, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version. Bold type is added. Brackets and content in brackets are added. §Italic type is in the source. This source has minor wording differences compared with the first source and may also have punctuation and/or capitalization differences.   Info@theox.org

Last Modified: September 8, 2022