Friday: Further Study: Heaven on Earth
Further Study: Ellen G. White, “The School of the Hereafter,” pp. 301–309, in Education; “The Controversy Ended,” pp. 673–678, in The Great Controversy.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
“A fear of making the future inheritance seem too material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead us to look upon it as our home. Christ assured His disciples that He went to prepare mansions for them in the Father’s house. Those who accept the teachings of God’s word will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly abode. And yet, ‘eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.’ 1 Corinthians 2:9. Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 674, 675.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think it is important for us to understand that God’s heavenly sanctuary is a real place? At the same time, too, why must we be careful not to make too detailed a comparison between the earthly and the heavenly temple?
- In class, dwell more on the idea of the church as a “sanctuary.” How do you understand this truth? Also, how can we as a church better fulfill this crucial teaching?
- “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Cor. 3:16-17). What do these texts teach us, and how can we apply their teachings to the way that we live?
- Dwell more on this idea that we are “priests” now and that we will function as priests after the Second Coming. What are those functions for us now, and what will they be after Jesus returns? Why does even the use of the word priests show us just how central the concept of the sanctuary is to the plan of salvation?
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The earthly Sanctuary built in the wilderness by the children of Israel represented Jesus and various parts of the great Plan of Redemption. I am glad for those symbols and objects to teach me about Him! Still, I look forward to that day that is far beyond my current understanding and imagination! I am glad I do not have to figure out everything about my future Home! I can trust Jesus to make it and me so that I will feel right at Home with Him forever!
jackie Locke, you got it right!!! There is too much detail for the finite mind to comprehend. God wants us to stretch our imagination and to exercise patience and faith. At last, we shall declare that our sufferings and tribulations cannot be compared with our amazing reward.