Friday: Further Thought ~ The Good News of the Judgment

Further Thought:

Look at the powerful insights the Spirit of Prophecy gives us in regard to the state of God’s people in the last days, in the time of judgment and the end of the world.

“Their only hope is in the mercy of God; their only defense will be prayer. As Joshua was pleading before the Angel, so the remnant church, with brokenness of heart and earnest faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus their Advocate.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

They are fully conscious of the sinfulness of their lives, they see their weakness and unworthiness, and as they look upon themselves they are ready to despair. The tempter stands by to accuse them, as he stood by to resist Joshua. He points to their filthy garments, their defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer. … The people of God have been in many respects very faulty. Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit, and he presents these in the most exaggerated light, declaring: ‘Will God banish me and my angels from His presence, and yet reward those who have been guilty of the same sins? Thou canst not do this, O Lord, in justice. Thy throne will not stand in righteousness and judgment. Justice demands that sentence be pronounced against them.’ But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves to the control of evil. They have put away their sins, and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin, and also their repentance, declares: ‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands.’ ” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, Pages 473, 474.

Discussion Questions:

How does the knowledge that “the hour of His judgment has come” impact our daily lives? If most of us are honest, we’d probably say that it doesn’t, right? How can we change?
Why is the judgment good news and not bad news? In class, talk about the role of Jesus for us in the judgment. How can this motivate us to be faithful to Him, knowing that only because of what He had done for us can we have the hope of salvation?
Dwell more on the idea of the judgment, revealing to the universe the character of God. How does this idea fit in very well with the whole great controversy scenario?

<–Thursday

Amen!