You can view an in-depth discussion of The Ultimate Rest in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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For long centuries now, Christians have been awaiting Christ’s return. It is, truly, the culmination of all our hopes — and not just ours, but the hopes of all God’s faithful throughout all history.

Read Hebrews 11:13-16. What great promise is there, not just for the people of old but for ourselves, as well?

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In many ways, these verses make no sense if the common and popular version of death were true. What is the passage talking about, these people “not having received the promises”? They’re dead, supposedly now up in heaven with Jesus enjoying their great reward. When, for example, Billy Graham died, over and over we heard how he was now in heaven with Jesus.

There’s an irony, too, in this view, because often when someone dies, we hear, “May he [she] rest in peace.” But what is going on here? Are such people resting in peace, or are they up in heaven doing whatever they are supposed to be doing (such as watching all the “fun” down here)?

How does Jesus describe death? Read John 11:11.

In fact, the idea of their resting “in peace” is, of course, the truth about what happens at death, isn’t it? The dead, truly, are at rest. “To the believer, death is but a small matter. Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment. ‘If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death,’ ‘he shall never taste of death.’ To the Christian, death is but a sleep, a moment of silence and darkness. The life is hid with Christ in God, and ‘when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.’  John 8.51-52; Colossians 3:4.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 787.

Jesus compares a person’s condition between death and resurrection morning to an unconscious sleep (John 11:11, John 11:14), but He also emphasizes that both the saved and the lost will receive their reward after the resurrection ( John 5.28-29). He highlighted the necessity of being prepared for death, whenever it comes.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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The prophetic big picture of history doesn’t just allow us to sit back and do nothing as events unfold, events that we really can’t control. So often the attitude can be, “Well, final events are going to happen as predicted, so what can we do about it other than just simply go along with them? After all, what can I alone do?”

But that’s not how Christians are to relate to the world around them and, especially, to final events. Revelation 14 tells us that our purpose at this time in history is to tell others about God’s judgment and help them prepare for the second coming of Jesus.

Read Revelation 14:6-12. What is being taught here, and what are we to proclaim to the world? Why is this message of such urgency?

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As Adventists, we believe that “present truth” (2 Peter 1:12) is found, specifically, in these verses that we refer to as “The Three Angels’ Messages.” Here we find the essence of what our calling is at this time in earth’s history.

Notice, it starts out with the “everlasting gospel,” the wonderful news of Christ’s death and resurrection, upon which our only hope of salvation rests. There is also the message that “the hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7),a powerful waymark that points to the end of time. Then, too, there is the call to worship the one “who made heaven and earth,” in contrast to the fearful warning about those who, staying in Babylon, worship “the beast and his image.” Finally there is the depiction of God’s end-time people: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (NKJV).

Read Revelation 14:11. What does it say about the lack of rest for those who worship the beast and his image?

No rest, day or night, for those who worship the beast and his image? Though various ideas exist regarding what this exactly means, all would agree that these people do not experience the kind of rest that God offers those who are faithful to Him.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Rest. The word used most frequently in our Sabbath School Lesson pamphlet this quarter. “Thou shalt rest, Thou shalt rest!” These are words repeated in each verse of
Hymn 387 – Come, O Sabbath Day, our theme hymn for this quarter.

We could add to the theme 
Hymn 529 – Under His Wings. Each week of study this quarter, gives more and more of showing God’s deepest care for us, His children. As God’s children we find out about the Biblical family growing pains, and this still happens today. Yet, we are still “under His wings”.

Sabbath afternoon’s introduction points us to the fact that the battle in the great controversy is between God and Satan. “I shall not fear the battle if thou art by my side” is in 
Hymn 331 – O Jesus I Have Promised, “we can rest in Jesus in the face of global unrest….” the notation in the lesson study then states.

On Sunday, it is prudent to ask 
Be Thou My Vision – Hymn 547. John on his prison island would gladly sing 
Jesus Is Coming Again – Hymn 213, remembering that 
We Know Not the Hour – Hymn 604.

Monday we find that Jesus wants us “to rest confidently in His love” as is sung in 
Under His Wings – Hymn 529. Matthew 24:36 says 
We Know Not the Hour – Hymn 604 when Jesus will come. Meantime, we are to 
Go, Preach My Gospel – Hymn 378 says Matthew 24:14.

Tuesday reminds us again to tell it to every kindred and nation, as does 
Hymn 202 – Hail Him the King of Glory. The three angels message truly is resounded in verse 1 of 
Jesus Is Coming Again – Hymn 213. Until Jesus comes, we are to teach the Truth to everyone – 
Hymn 17 – Lord of All Being, Throned Afar (verses 4 and 5), 
Hymn 60 – Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word and 
Hymn 203 – This Is the Threefold Truth. In the present we are able to enjoy 
Peace, Perfect Peace – Hymn 463 in comparison to those who “do not experience the kind of rest that God offers”.

Wednesday commences at the peak of 
Hymn 214 – We Have This Hope. It will be a triumphant day when all the dead in Christ shall rise, just as Jesus did in 
Hymn 166 – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, 
Hymn 171 – Thine Is the Glory, 
Hymn 175 – Now the Green Blade Rises, 
Hymn 196 – Tell Me the Old, Old Story and 
Hymn 526 – Because He Lives.

For Thursday’s title you may have the Copyright abilities to sing “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice”. In the SDA Hymnal you may wish to choose to sing 
Hymn 221 Rejoice, the Lord Is King and 
Hymn 599 – Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers.

Blessings for a wonderful week ahead.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Key Thought: No matter our present situation, what trials we are facing; if we dwell upon God: His goodness, love, and sacrifice; we can rejoice in Him and have peace for our weary souls.
September 25, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 24:4-8, 23-31..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What will Jesus coming be like? How can we avoid being deceived?
3. Personal Application: Can we discern between what the Bible says and what we see before us as to what is true? How can we help others understand the difference? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What does it mean to endure to the end? I thought once we received Christ, He would see us through the hard times. What do I have to do to endure?” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Revelation 14:6-14.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is being taught here? Why is it so important and urgent?
3. Personal Application: What elements of the everlasting gospel, or present truth, have most Christians missed that would help them see Christ’s rest more clearly? Are these elements important for salvation? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why does it say that those who receive the mark of the beast, worship the beast, and receive his number have no rest day nor night? Does this mean they can’t sleep? They have no peace in their hearts? If we believe in Jesus, He promises us peace.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 11:13-16.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What great promise ius found in this passage?
3. Personal Application: What Scriptures would you use to show someone that death is a sleep, and that the dead are resting in the grace until Jesus comes the second time? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “My dad is resting in Jesus now. He is in heaven and enjoying the company of angels and those who have gone before him. He came to me in the night to let me know he was happy and fine in heaven.“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Philippians 4:4-6.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What is Paul saying about how to have true rest and peace in this painful world?
3. Personal Application: What is our role and goal in bringing peace and harmony to people living in this world of sin and strife? Can we compromise our message to bring peace?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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