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:

<–Thursday

Amen!(1)

The post Friday: Further Thought ~ The Good News of the Judgment appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/friday-further-thought-good-news-of-judgment/

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Mark Finley, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqagSTjXCig&w=560&h=315]

Amen!(0)

The post 5: The Good News of the Judgment – It is Written – Discussions with the Author appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/5-the-good-news-of-the-judgment-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/

You can view an in-depth discussion of The Good News of the Judgement in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY7lO_VLe04&w=560&h=315]

With thanks to

Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Amen!(0)

The post 5: The Good News of the Judgment – HopeSS Video Discussion appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/5-the-good-news-of-the-judgment-hopess-video-discussion/

In Revelation 5:1-5, once again we see a throne. A scroll is introduced written on both sides. It is sealed with the divine seal, and no one in heaven or earth can open the scroll. Heavenly beings tremble. The issue is serious. No angelic being can represent humanity in earth’s final judgment. John weeps because no one can open the scroll. Then one of the elders, one of those redeemed from the earth, speaks words of encouragement to John’s heart. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is worthy to open the scroll.

Image © Steve Creitz Goodsalt.com

John beholds the ultimate answer to the sin problem in Revelation 5:5-6. Here the aged prophet beholds the only way anyone can pass the final judgment at the throne of God.

“But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll.’ … And I looked, and behold, … a Lamb as though it had been slain” (, Revelation 5:6, NKJV).

Read Revelation 5:8-12. How does all of heaven respond to the announcement that Jesus is worthy to open the scroll of judgment and redeem us?

Jesus, the Lamb of God who has sacrificed His life for the salvation of all humanity, takes the scroll of judgment and opens it. All of heaven bursts forth in rapturous praise. His victory over Satan’s temptations, His death on Calvary’s cross, His resurrection, His high priestly ministry, provides salvation for all who choose by faith to respond to His grace. The judgment is incredibly good news for the people of God. It speaks of the end of the reign of sin and the deliverance of God’s people.

Can anything be more encouraging? Jesus stands for us in the judgment. His perfect righteous life covers us. His righteousness works within us to make us new. His grace pardons us, transforms us, and empowers us to live godly lives.

We need not fear. Jesus stands for us in the judgment, and the powers of evil are defeated. Judgment is passed in “favor” of the people of God (Daniel 7:22). The purpose of the judgment is not to find out how bad we are but to reveal how good God is.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(1)

The post Thursday: Jesus Is Worthy appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-jesus-is-worthy/

In Revelation chapter 4, John beholds an open door in heaven and receives the invitation to “come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this“ (Revelation 4:1, NKJV). Jesus invited the apostle to look through the open door in heaven’s sanctuary to view eternal scenes in the great controversy between good and evil. We, too, can look through that open door with John and receive a glimpse of the eternal plan of salvation. We are witnesses of issues that are being decided in heaven’s celestial court. Fundamental issues in the great controversy between good and evil develop before our eyes.

Read Revelation 4:2-4. What similarities can you see here with the judgment scene in Daniel 7?

Image © Steve Creitz at Goodsalt.com

This is obviously a throne room scene. God the Father sits upon the throne surrounded by heavenly beings. There is thunder and lightning symbolizing God’s judgments. We also notice in Revelation 4:4 that 24 elders are present around God’s throne.

Who are these 24 elders? In ancient Israel there were 24 divisions in the Levitical priesthood. These priests represented the people before God. In 1 Peter 2:9, the apostle declares that New Testament believers are a “chosen generation,” “a royal priesthood.” These 24 elders could, perhaps, represent all the redeemed that one day will rejoice around the throne of God; or, perhaps, they represent the people resurrected at Christ’s resurrection and who ascended to heaven with Him (Matthew 27:52, Ephesians 4:7-8).

Either way, this is good news. There are some of the redeemed from the earth around the throne of God. They faced temptations just as we face them. Through the grace of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, they overcame. They are clothed in “white robes,” signifying the righteousness of Christ that covers and cleanses their sins. They have a golden crown upon their heads, signifying they are victorious in the battle with evil and are part of heaven’s royal line of faith-filled believers.

We see a throne set in heaven with God sitting upon it. There are heavenly beings around the throne, and soon all of heaven begins to sing, and the crescendo of praise builds higher and still higher: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created“ (Revelation 4:11, NKJV).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(1)

The post Wednesday: A Glimpse of Heaven appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/wednesday-glimpse-of-heaven/