Friday: Further Thought – Upon Whom the Ends Have Come
Daily Lesson for Friday 6th of June 2025
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Flood,” Pages 101, 102, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel is free from fault. In filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, and relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer. In faith he claims the promises of God. . . .
“Satan’s accusations against those who seek the Lord are not prompted by displeasure at their sins. He exults in their defective characters; for he knows that only through their transgression of God’s law can he obtain power over them. His accusations arise solely from his enmity to Christ. Through the plan of salvation, Jesus is breaking Satan’s hold upon the human family and rescuing souls from his power. . . .
“In his own strength, man cannot meet the charges of the enemy. In sin-stained garments, confessing his guilt, he stands before God. But Jesus, our Advocate, presents an effectual plea in behalf of all who by repentance and faith have committed the keeping of their souls to Him. He pleads their cause, and by the mighty arguments of Calvary, vanquishes their accuser. His perfect obedience to God’s law has given Him all power in heaven and in earth, and He claims from His Father mercy and reconciliation for guilty man.”—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, Pages 583–586.
Discussion Questions
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Cricket is one of those great sports (that few Americans understand). It is great to watch an Ashes game (the battle between the Poms (English) and the Aussies). Spectators and commentators discuss strategies at length, liberally sprinkling the conversation with terminology like "googlies", "yorkers" and on one occasion with "ground grubbers" (that one fuelled arguments for years and caused a lot of people to read the rule book). But, if you want to really understand and enjoy cricket, you have to play it. Nearly every Australian can talk about cricket and give an opinion and discuss the rules(they are called cricket tragics). Far fewer don the gloves and grab the willow and hit the leather. But when it comes to the crunch, there would be no game without the players.
Christianity is not a spectator game. Knowing the terminology and rules and being able to discuss them at length may make you appear knowledgeable, but it says little about your ability to play the game. God does not want us to sit in the stands and watch, or even in the commentary box, showing others how much we know. He wants us out in the field playing the game.
Noah could have preached for 120 years, but he built the ark at the same time. Does that help us to understand our role now?
The great chapter on faith in Hebrews does not talk about people who had a clear, theologically correct definition of faith. It talks about men and women of action.
We would never be able to stand before God and justify ourselves. Are we ready to do that? Because justifying ourselves is a repetitive practice we do every time we sin (that means, all the time) - or do we even think we do not sin? Let us practice the humbleness of accepting Jesus's sacrifice for us every minute, and rejoice in the fact that we have a bond dealer. To Him we owe everything we are and (think) we have.
The question is asked: "Prior to devouring the wicked with fire from heaven (as He did with Sodom), God raises them from the dead and allows Satan to work with them for a short while (Revelation 20:7-9). What reasons can you think of that this would be a necessary last step before God sets everything right?"
This final step serves several purposes:
1. Vindicates God's Justice – The wicked, even after seeing Christ and the New Jerusalem, still choose to follow Satan, proving God's judgment was fair.
2. Reveals Satan’s True Character – His immediate return to deception confirms he has not changed and deserves final destruction.
3. Clarifies the Great Controversy – The contrast between good and evil is fully revealed, leaving no doubt that God’s ways are just.
4. Secures Eternal Peace – The universe witnesses the final results of sin, ensuring rebellion will never rise again (Nahum 1:9).
5. Leads All to Acknowledge God's Righteousness – Every being, including the wicked, confesses that God is just before destruction (Philippians 2:10–11).
This process shows God's fairness, patience, and love, settling the great controversy forever.
Discussion question #3 is an interesting question. What reasons can you think of that this would be a necessary last step before God sets everything right?
In teaching about the millenium I have had people question the purpose of the second resurrection. "Why raise the lost from the grave only to burn them up? That seems masochistic on God's part!" I have often thought and taught that during the millenium as the books are opened and the redeemed get to see why certain people aren't saved, some, or perhaps many will wonder, "God if you would only give them one last chance, I'm sure that they would repent!" However, the second resurrection and the ensuing quest of the resurrected lost to take the New Jerusalem, powerfully demonstrate that they truly are irredeemable. Instead of turning against Satan and attacking him, they once again listen to the voice of the deceiver and allie themselves on his side.
I see the second resurrection and the second death as God laying to rest any lingering questions or doubts about His character, once and for all eternity. This is why in the very end, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and His ways are righteous. Phil. 2: 10-11. This is also why affliction will not rise up again.
Am I an anomaly in this rationale? I wonder if anyone else sees it this way?
Agree with you,Tim! Ultimately judgment is about the character of God--sometimes referred to as "theodicy"--maybe for angels and unfallen beings in the cosmos as well as for us humans!