The news media pumps out sadness day after day. Our emotions are bombarded with images of war, forecasts of imminent economic crises and reports of humanitarian disasters. Our sensibilities are overshadowed by the politics that dominate major events, and our journeys by plane, car and train are hindered by increased security checks, staffing strikes and overzealous environmental campaigners. This is most keenly felt during the festive season. Indeed, as I write this article, our NHS is in…Source: https://adventist.uk/news/article/go/2022-12-21/1424/
Thursday: The Second Death
God is leading human history toward its end-time climax. At the end of the millennium all the wicked dead are raised from their graves to receive their final punitive sentences (Revelation 20:5, Revelation 20:11-15). Then, when the whole judging process is completed and nothing else can be added to it, the wicked will acknowledge God’s justice. “With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: ‘Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.’” And Satan himself “bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, Pages 670, 671.
Read Malachi 4:1; Revelation 20:14-15; and Revelation 21:8. How effective will be the “lake of fire” and the “second death”?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
The final destruction of Satan and his angels and all the wicked will cleanse the universe from sin and its consequences. And yet, even the final destruction of the wicked is an act of God’s love, not only for the saints but also for the wicked themselves. They would rather die than live in the presence of God who is a “consuming fire” for sin (Hebrews 12:29).
“They [the lost] would long to flee from that holy place. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 543.
Thus, the final annihilation of sin and sinners — in contrast to the unbiblical theory of their everlasting sufferings in hell — provides a just and proportional punishment for whatever evil people had committed. It also confirms that sin had a beginning and will have an end. Then the whole universe will return to its original perfection, before sin, evil, and disobedience arose mysteriously and without any justification.
Praise the Lord that He, as our “righteous Judge” (2 Timothy 4:8, NKJV), will make the fair decision of granting immortality to the righteous and eternal destruction to the wicked.
| What would be wrong with the idea that God saves everyone in the end? Why is that such a bad idea? |
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From the Desk of the SEC President
As we end a very challenging year, we pause to express our appreciation to the Lord for seeing us through. In retrospect, the Lord has been very good to us. We have come out of a pandemic and lockdown, witnessing Russia invade Ukraine and war breaking out. Many lives have been lost as a result.
This year, we have lost our beloved Queen Elizabeth II, who has ruled our nation for the past 70 years. Today, we have a king ruling over the UK and Ireland, King…Source: https://adventist.uk/news/article/go/2022-12-21/1423/
Marriage Enrichment Fellowship (MEF) End of Year Dinner
Forty couples from across the British Union Conference celebrated a couples’ dinner on Saturday night, 17 December, to commemorate enriching their marriages at the Leonardo Hotel near Heathrow Airport.
The couples who attended the event enjoyed a creative and entertaining but insightful presentation from Dr Des Boldeau and his wife, Catherine Anthony Boldeau. Presenting on the topic of ‘For better or…’ they shared their three values that can enhance a marriage relationship by focusing on the…Source: https://adventist.uk/news/article/go/2022-12-21/1422/
Faith Leaders Discuss Cost-of-Living Crisis Interventions in Parliament
Acknowledging the extent and impact of the cost-of-living crisis, Dean Russell, Watford MP, extended an invitation to faith leaders to attend a round-table discussion in Parliament. This key event was held in the Portcullis Parliamentary building at Westminster on Tuesday, 13 December. Various faith group representatives were invited to present their interventions to address the current crisis.
Amongst the invitees were Enoch Kanagaraj, CEO of One Vision charity, who chaired the event; Harjit…Source: https://adventist.uk/news/article/go/2022-12-21/1421/
