God is leading human history toward its end-time climax. At the end of the millennium all the wicked dead are raised from their graves to receive their final punitive sentences (Revelation 20:5, Revelation 20:11-15). Then, when the whole judging process is completed and nothing else can be added to it, the wicked will acknowledge God’s justice. “With … Continue reading –>
During the Middle Ages there was a strong tendency to portray God as a severe, punitive Judge. Today the tendency is to describe Him as a loving, permissive Father who never punishes His children. Yet, love without justice will turn into chaos and lawlessness, and justice without love will become oppression and subjugation. God’s judging … Continue reading –>
The Bible tells us that at the Second Coming 1. both the living saints and the resurrected saints will “meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17); 2. all the saints will be taken to heaven to abide in the heavenly “dwelling places” that He Himself has prepared for them (John 14:1-3, NRSV); and 3. only at the end of the millennium … Continue reading –>
The concept of judgment before the return of Christ, or what we call a “pre-Advent” judgment, is found in many places in Scripture. Read Daniel 7:9-14; Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 11:1, Revelation 11:18-19; and Revelation 14:6-7. How do these passages shed light on the notion of a pre-advent investigative judgment in the heavenly courtroom? What is the significance of such a … Continue reading –>
For many, the idea of judgment means condemnation. And though that’s part of the process, we mustn’t forget that the idea of judgment has a positive side, in that judgment also involves the vindication of the righteous. Actually, the book of Daniel refers to an end-time judgment “in favor of the saints of the Most … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Matthew 25:31-46; Daniel 7:9-14; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; 2 Peter 2:4-6; Malachi 4:1; Revelation 21:8. Memory Text: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV). If Scripture … Continue reading –>
Jesus Versus the Dragon By Andrew McChesney Something strange happened to Kue in northern Laos in late 2020. Her body, and especially her belly, started to swell up. Her worried husband, Cheng, took her to the local shaman, who informed them that a dragon at impregnated Kue and intended to take her away to an … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Mind Cure,” Pages 241-259, in The Ministry of Healing; “True and False Theories Contrasted,” Pages 7-16, in The Sanctified Life. “The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors … Continue reading –>
We live in a frenetic world with too many artificial needs and eye-catching distractions. If we are not careful, these can take all our time and pervert our priorities. This is not just another byproduct of our globalized cyber world; Christians in every age, to one degree or another, have to be on guard against … Continue reading –>
The Holy Spirit is God’s powerful Agent who pours out the love of God into our hearts (Romans 5:5), leads us into a true saving experience (John 16:7-11), guides us into all the truth (John 16:13), and empowers us to fulfill the gospel mission (Acts 1:8). Because it is the Holy Spirit who counteracts the degenerating work of Satan, … Continue reading –>
