Friday: Further Thought – Into Eternity
Daily Lesson for Friday 26th of June 2026
Further Thought:
“If we do not receive the religion of Christ by feeding upon the Word of God, we shall not be entitled to an entrance into the city of God.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Having lived on earthly food, having educated our tastes to love worldly things, we would not be fitted for the heavenly courts; we could not appreciate the pure, heavenly current that circulates in heaven. The voices of the angels and the music of their harps would not satisfy us. The science of heaven would be as an enigma to our minds. We need to hunger and thirst for the righteousness of Christ; we need to be molded and fashioned by the transforming influence of His grace, that we may be fitted for the society of heavenly angels. . . .
“Then the nations will own no other law than the law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving. . . . Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, ‘There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death.’
“We want to get in the habit of talking of heaven, beautiful heaven. Talk of that life which will continue as long as God shall live, and then you will forget your little trials and difficulties. Let the mind be attracted to God.”—Ellen G. White, The Faith I Live By, p. 363.
Discussion Questions
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Summary: As we keep our eyes on the goal, may we be “confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV). God initiated the relationship He has with you, and He will complete it. May we grow in love and in faith as we wait for that day, while always resting only in the righteousness of Christ, which is credited to us by faith.
It is useful, at the end of this quarter’s study to reflect the title, “Growing in a Relationship with God”. Growth implies change and change means more than talking about it.
I have a project that I have been trying to get off the ground. I want to build a little device for measuring the rise and fall of the water in a local creek. I have read about how to do it. I have purchased a little Raspberry Pi computer, a heap of resistors and other components, an ultrasound emitter/receiver and a bunch of other stuff. It sat around for a long time and I read about it, and watched countless Youtube videos. But none of that was of any use until I put the components together, switched on the power, and hoped that nothing went up in smoke. It works. I am measuring distances with my device, and after I have tested its effectiveness in the bathtub, I am going to set it up on the creek and record the water level. Reading about it and talking to my mates about it has been useful, but the aim is to get a working device that does something useful.
All our talk about relationships with God are hypothetical until we put the relationship into practice. Paul knew about the importance of practical application.
Time to put the theory into practice! We have read the book, watched the video, and talked the theory. Now we have to work the garden.
Amen. Lord, help us.
You are so right,If we have true love for our fellow man,love does no wrong nor harm to his fellow harm,love does not murder,nor slander, nor set traps, nor plot nor dig ditches against his fellow man.Love will try to uplift his fellow man, instead of trying to tare down his,fellow man
Nearly 13 years ago, my country Kenya experienced what I believe was its darkest moment when breaking news across our screens captured terrorists shooting people indiscriminately in a shopping mall. It was pure evil at work for both young and old were targets, rich and poor, male and female. There was no formula for the shooting that Sabbath morning; there was only a determination to shoot and extinguish as many lives as possible. For many of us who watched the events unfold live, I remember exactly how desperate it was when close to 100 people lost their lives and the authorities could not do much to change the live narrative. It was a moment of desperation for families that for three days, the entire nation was held captive by the horrors and continuous updates we saw, heard, and read. Out of the ashes of despair, death, and destruction, as a nation we began to search for hope.
Some searched for hope in human efforts, like the army that moved in to calm the situation, and some still some searched for hope in other people, like the politicians sharing their take in TV pannels assembled in the aftermath to make sense of the heartless happenings. But that hope would not hold, for they too were desperate. Like my country that experienced what I believe was pure evil at work with determination to end and extinguish as many lives as possible, we are reminded through 1 Peter 1:1–5 that there is a living hope that rises above any dark moment- “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). The quarterly has put it clear that even in seasons of suffering and confusion, God calls His people to look beyond what is temporal and place their hope and confidence in what is eternal.
Some continue to search for hope in human efforts, and others are searching for hope in different places. I can only point us to the mighty hand of God that sustains us through the revealing movement of the Holy Spirit, who convicts us to find hope in Christ. What we are all looking for is more than mere answers to the many unanswered questions brought by evil. We must start searching for something far deeper and more eternal than we could ever imagine. The tragedies of life remind us that human strength, human systems, and human leaders are limited, but God remains faithful and unchanging. The psalmist declares, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him” (Psalm 62:5).
What I believe we are seeking and looking for is the hope that Christ brings to our hearts. This is not just a wishful and fleeting hope that is there one day and gone tomorrow, but a hope that never disappoints. A hope that cannot be taken away, and a hope that will never be extinguished, no matter what. This hope that never disappoints is not made or created by human efforts or human hands. This hope is beyond anything we could ever imagine or create. This hope is the anchor to our souls. This hope is more than a wish; it is a hope rooted and grounded in a confident expectation based on solid certainty. This hope is entirely found in and completely fulfilled through the power of Jesus Christ. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).
“It is no arbitrary decree on the part of God that excludes the wicked from heaven; they are shut out by their own unfitness for its companionship. The glory of God would be to them a consuming fire. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them.” (Steps to Christ, p17)
In other words, five minutes in heaven and those out of harmony with the principles of the heaven would be hanging off the ceiling. Everlasting life is sometimes presented as the “goal”. If you pause and consider that, you quickly realise the goal is not living forever. Doing so with an arbitrary, vengeful, exacting dictator, who needs to constantly monitor our behaviour would be more akin to hell than heaven.
The “goal” is knowing God – unbelievably this includes mutual trust. We trust Him, and He trusts us – simply because we know Him, and to know Him is to love Him. As Paul says it is the love of God that compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14). Growing “In Christ” stokes the fires of this love becoming the motivating engine behind life – most just don’t know it.
“The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.” (Steps to Christ, p71)
“They are not required to weary themselves with anxiety about success. They have only to go forward quietly, doing faithfully the work that God’s providence assigns, and their life will not be in vain.” (Steps to Christ, p83)
I love Steps to Christ and carry several with me wherever I go. A casual conversation with a stranger will be offered a tract and a more prolonged conversation will receive a gift of a glossy, with colored pictures of nature in it, Steps to Christ.
Like Ivor Myers said last night at the Northern New England Campmeeting, (I’M paraphrasing); “I’m baffled/stunned as to why we as a people aren’t excited about the marvelous truths we have been given for these last days! We need be energized and purposeful in our daily walk with Jesus in the salvation of souls!
Ivor Meyers gave his conversion story last night. He poured out his heart with tears and with compassion appealing to any here in Maine to not resist the call of Jesus through His Spirit. It was powerful.
Iver Myers is so inspirational!
On the 17th of April 2026, we saw this viral headline in the news: NASA Astronaut finds God after returning to Earth: Reid Wiseman breaks down after seeing a cross:
When Reid Wiseman, the Artemis II commander of a four-man crew that travelled more than 250,000 miles (402,000 kilometers) to the moon was asked whether he experienced a “universal connectedness” upon returning to Earth or “a shift in consciousness, having spent 10 days exploring the lunar” he described the emotional impact of the experience.
“I’m not really a religious person, but there was just no other avenue for me to explain anything or to experience anything. So I asked for the chaplain on the Navy ship to just come visit us for a minute. And when that man walked in, I’d never met him before in my life, but I saw the cross on his collar and I broke down in tears.”
“It’s very hard to fully grasp what we just went through,” he added, noting that the crew has been undergoing medical testing and hasn’t yet had time to decompress. “We have not had that reflection time. So I’m basing this on what we saw. And when the sun eclipsed behind the moon, I think all four of us … I turned to Victor [Glover], and I said, ‘I don’t think humanity has evolved to the point of being able to comprehend what we’re looking at right now because it was otherworldly.'”
Some of the incredible moments they witnessed included seeing Earth ‘set’ behind the moon, a rare solar eclipse and observing our home planet suspended in the darkness of space.
Mission specialist Jeremy Hansen said he has been ‘trying to find words’ to describe the things he saw during the mission
‘But what kept grabbing my attention – when the lighting was right and we were looking out the window – is that I kept seeing this depth to the galaxy,’ he said. ‘That was mind–blowing for me. The sense I had of fragility and feeling infinitesimally small.’
I will describe our good God is an Artist, Designer and Creator and I’m sure that He can’t wait to walk us through His universal-art gallery.
“For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory.” Isaiah 66:18 NKJV
Jesus counsels us to;
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:24 NKJV
He who is (from) above is above all!!!!!
“There was a group of people at a dinner party. At this gathering was a famous play actor who had been in Broadway plays and a few movies. People were asking him to quote famous lines from plays or movies. As he did people would clap and cheer.
There was also a pastor there that night and he asked the play actor,“Do you know the 23rd Psalm?“ He’d had a hard week and he wanted a little bit of encouragement.
The play actor said,“Yes I do know the 23rd Psalm and I will quote it under one condition. After I quote it, I would like you to quote it.”
The pastor agreed, so the play actor quoted the 23rd Psalm and everybody clapped and cheered.
It was a pastor’s turn, (thinking about his hard week and the Lord with him) he quoted the 23rd Psalm and when he got done there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
Someone asked the play actor,“why when you quoted 23rd Psalm people clapped,but when he quoted the 23rd Psalm people cried.”
The play actor said, “I know the Psalm, he knows the shepherd.”
Do we know the Shepherd, or do we just know the Psalm? How did Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 13:2 ? We can understand all mysteries, even of scripture, but how much does it profit us if we don’t have love for God and man? Are we in love with the pursuit of knowledge instead of the Source of all knowledge? In John 17:3 Jesus distills it down to what eternal life is all about. It’s about knowing God and Jesus Christ, not knowing about them. The demons know about them.
The first question of the famed Westminster Shorter Catechism asks; “What is the chief end of man?” In other words: What are we here for? What is my purpose and duty in life? And the answer given is simply this: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
How is this accomplished? It’s accomplished by getting to know the God of the Bible, not just the Bible itself. As we get to know God, through scripture, through time spent speaking to him as friend to friend, in prayer, then we grow to not only know him, we grow to love him. (1 John 4:7,8) When we know Him as it is our privilege to know Him, then we will love, glorify, and enjoy Him forever. We can’t love someone we do not know. May this be the ultimate purpose of why we are here on Sabbath School Net. To know God and enjoy Him forever.
Amen. I’ve always told myself to consider whether I would let a stranger into my house, and the answer is no. Therefore, if we do not have a relationship with God, then on Judgement Day, He will not allow us into His kingdom, as we do not know Him.
We need power from God to develop a vibrant relationship with Him. Developing and staying in a relationship with God are heavenly and spiritual and as such, we need to supplicate God for the power.
As a Seventh-day Adventist, Lesson 13: Into Eternity touched me deeply because it reminds me that our faith journey is not simply about surviving this world but about preparing for a world that God Himself is preparing for us. As we conclude this quarter’s study, my heart is filled with renewed hope, gratitude, and anticipation for Christ’s soon return.
1. Last week’s lesson challenged us to share Christ with others, but this week’s lesson reminds us why we share Him in the first place. Our mission is not merely to help people live better lives here on earth; it is to prepare them for eternity. The Christian journey does not end at baptism, service, witnessing, or even death. It culminates in that glorious moment when faith becomes sight and we finally see Jesus face to face. What a privilege it is to live with that blessed hope every day.
2. As I look around our world today, I see exactly what Jesus foretold. Wars, disasters, disease, suffering, moral confusion, and uncertainty seem to increase with every passing day. Yet rather than causing despair, these signs strengthen my confidence in God’s Word. They remind me that history is moving according to God’s timetable. The darker the world becomes, the brighter the promise of Christ’s kingdom appears.
3. One of the most sobering truths in this lesson is the reality that life is brief. James compares it to a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. This challenges me to evaluate my priorities. Am I investing my time, energy, and resources in things that will last forever, or am I consumed by things that will soon pass away? Eternity gives proper perspective to everything else.
4. The plan of salvation reveals something beautiful about God’s character. From Eden until now, God has been working tirelessly to restore the relationship that sin destroyed. Heaven is not simply a reward for good people; it is God’s way of bringing His children back home. The greatest tragedy of sin was separation from God, and the greatest victory of redemption is reunion with Him.
5. As Adventists, few doctrines stir our hearts more than the Second Coming of Jesus. I can almost imagine that small cloud appearing in the eastern sky, growing brighter and larger until every eye beholds the King of kings. In that moment, graves will open, the righteous dead will rise, and the living faithful will be transformed. Every prayer offered in faith, every sacrifice made for Christ, and every trial endured for His sake will suddenly be worth it all.
6. The description of the New Jerusalem as a bride prepared for her husband reveals the depth of God’s love for His people. This is not merely a picture of a beautiful city; it is a picture of a perfect relationship. Heaven will be the celebration of an eternal union between Christ and His redeemed people—a relationship that sin can never again interrupt.
7. As I read the descriptions of the New Earth, I am reminded that human language is limited. John used gold, precious stones, gates of pearl, and dazzling light to describe what he saw, yet even these symbols cannot fully capture the reality. God’s future for His people is greater than our imagination can comprehend. The best experiences of earth are only faint shadows of the glory to come.
8. While I look forward to a place where there will be no more sickness, pain, tears, funerals, or suffering, I realize that the greatest attraction of heaven is not what will be absent but Who will be present. The greatest joy of eternity will be seeing Jesus, worshiping Him, and spending endless ages learning more about His love and grace. Heaven without Christ would not truly be heaven.
9. This lesson also reminds me that preparation for eternity begins now. Revelation describes God’s people as those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Heaven is not simply a destination; it is the continuation of a relationship that starts here on earth. Every day spent walking with Christ, studying His Word, and surrendering to His will is preparing us for life in His eternal kingdom.
10. The Bible closes with one of the most beautiful exchanges in all Scripture. Jesus declares, “Surely I am coming quickly,” and His people respond, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” As I reflect on this lesson, I find myself making that same prayer my own. More than ever before, I long for the day when sin will be no more, suffering will end, and God’s people will finally be home.
My personal takeaway from this lesson is that eternity is not simply a future event to anticipate; it is a present reality that should shape how I live today. The God who created me, redeemed me, and sustains me has promised that one day He will complete His work. Until then, I choose to live with my eyes fixed on Jesus, my heart anchored in His promises, and my hope firmly planted in the certainty of His soon return.
“This is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.” (Isaiah 25:9)
“We can’t love someone we don’t know” Amen, Let our relationship with God continue growing.
To my mind God has quietly placed the message of the Resurrection of the Righteous in “the functional drama of Nature”. The appearance of daylight after the darkness of night; the appearance of Spring and Summer after the departure of Winter ; the burial and “death” of the seed before it springs forth and emerges from the ground as a new plant.
In John 1:25 NIV our Lord declared – ” I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” In Christ we experience a new life; our past sinful life has been forgiven, forgotten, forever; washed away by the blood of the Lamb.
This Newness we embrace which is Eternal Life; which involves not only length of life but quality of life; has begun here and now.( 1 John 5:13, John 11:11, Galatians 5:22-23)
Heaven for us, no longer seems like a Fairy Tale, for in a very real sense Heaven has begun for us on Planet Earth. In our actual lives empowered by the Spirit, our Heavenly citizenship is demonstrated by our actions, taste and desires. They testify that we are but Pilgrims, Foreigners and Sojourners passing through to our Heavenly Homeland.
Amen.
It becomes clearer that, throughout Scripture, God brings to life the formidable promise of John 3:16.
The apostle Paul’s exhortation applies today, as well: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: … to the glory of God the Father.”
Oh that we continuously savor God’s word, in preparing our characters – while adapting our tastes to God’s goodness – for Heaven’s welcome table!🙏🏼
A little summary of this quarter. We all want to be with Christ in heaven some day certainly if you have taken this quarter and every quarter to heart, we are closer to Christ, and dependency on Him rather than self.
Christ clothes us with His righteousness, His character. And He may send us to let the rich current of His love emanate from our veins to a loved one who has wondered from the fold. Yes, like the Lord telling us what He can do for the Israelites in Zachariah 10, we are included in that. We in our relationship, with others realize we can work with the Great Shepard by, surrendering to Him any feeling of sadness, judgement, or condemnation we may have toward them, in our private devotion, asking God to replace those feelings with a covering of His love which only He can do. The effective way to share Him with our loved ones who may have wondered from God.
Okay in reading the story of Gidion from Patriarchs and Prophets recently, and also from a more modern book entitled. Blessed Are the Unlikelies, by Philip Dunham. Chapter 7. By the way, I do believe that as we are embarking, and many have embarked on into eternity. We need to remember.
“The Lord can work most effectually through those who are most sensible of their own insufficiency, and who will rely upon Him as their leader and source of strength. He will make them strong by uniting their weakness to His might, and wise by connecting their ignorance with His wisdom. Patriarchs and Prophets chapter 53. Page 553.2
Dear Heavenly Father lead us on or me if you prefer.
We could use the wanta get away as a figure of speech, I wanta get away from sin. We have spent all quarter discussing about turning to God, having a reality check, leaving sin behind, connecting with Christ on a daily basis, having a relationship with God that we would count the past sins as rubbish, Philippians 3:8, as they are forgiven and put in the bottom of the ocean, Micah 7:19, forgetting the past sins and pressing on towards the goal of staying with Christ, Philippians 3:13, not in our own power, rather relying totally on Christ, John 14:6 , for our gift of faith, coupled with His righteousness that leads us into paths of righteousness for His name sake. Ephesians 3:8. Though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil, for God is my refuge Psalms 23:4, and under His wings I do abide. Psalm 57:1. There I find strength to refrain from being mousy(timid of my love for Christ). 2 Timothy 1:7-8