Some Greek Church Fathers from Alexandria argued that, when Moses died, two Moseses were seen: one alive in the spirit, another dead in the body; one Moses ascending to heaven with angels, the other buried in the earth. (See Origen, Homilies on Joshua 2.1; Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 6.15.) This distinction between the assumption of the soul and the … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Jude 9, Luke 9:28-36, 1 Kings 17:8-24, Luke 7:11-17, Mark 5:35-43, John 11:1-44. Memory Text: “Jesus said to her, ’I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die forever. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26, , … Continue reading –>
Sharing Living Water By David Maldonado Antonio Maldonado didn’t know much English, so he motioned to an interpreter at the reception at the U.S. White House in Washington. Antonio, a member of a mining delegation visiting from Peru, saw that the guests were being served fine whiskey, but he simply wanted a glass of pure … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Visions of Future Glory,” Pages 722-733, in Prophets and Kings. Modern science teaches that all matter is composed of atoms, themselves made up of two smaller particles, quarks and leptons, which are believed to be the building blocks of all physical reality. If, then, at the core the physical world is quarks … Continue reading –>
As we will see, the New Testament talks a great deal about the resurrection of the dead; and, as we have already seen, the idea of the resurrection of the dead appears in the Old Testament, as well. These people, in Old Testament times, had the hope of the final resurrection that we do. Martha, … Continue reading –>
Read Isaiah 26:14 and Isaiah 26:19. What is the contrast between those who will perish forever (Isaiah 26:14; see also Malachi 4:1) and those who will receive eternal life (Isaiah 26:19)? The book of Isaiah presents a major contrast between the majesty of God and our human fragility (see Isaiah chapter 40). Though we are like the grass that withers and the … Continue reading –>
Read Psalm 71:1-24. What did David imply when he asked God to bring him up “again from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:20, NKJV)? In Psalm 49:1-20 we found a touching expression of hope in the resurrection, in contrast to the false assurance of the fool who trusted in his wealth. In Psalm 71:1-24, David seeks … Continue reading –>
Read Psalm 49:1-20. What led the psalmist to be so sure of his final resurrection (Psalm 49:15) in contrast to those who perished without that assurance (Psalm 49:6-14)? Psalm 49:1-20 speaks about the false confidence of the foolish “who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches” (Psalm 49:6, NKJV), who “call their lands after their … Continue reading –>
Read Job 19:25-27 and compare it with John 1:18 and 1 Timothy 6:16. When and under what circumstances was he expecting to “see God”? Life is not fair. We see this especially when we see the “good” suffering and the “unrighteous” prospering (see Psalm 73:12-17, Malachi 3:14-18). For example, Job was “blameless and upright” and “feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1, NKJV). Even … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Job 19:25-27; 1 Timothy 6:16; Psalm 49:1-20; Psalm 71:1-24; Isaiah 26:14, Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:1-13 . Memory Text: “By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son. … He considered the fact that God is able even … Continue reading –>
