Read Isaiah 35:4-10, Isa. 65:21-25. How different will life then be from what we experience now? Several times in the book of Isaiah we read of something new: “new things” (Isa. 42:9, Isa. 48:6), “a new song” (Isa. 42:10), “a new thing” (Isa. 43:19), “a new name” (Isa. 62:2). What is new in chapter 65 is a new order of things. … Continue reading –>
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isa. 65:17, NKJV). Both Isaiah and John (Rev. 21:1) saw in vision the promised new earth. Consider John’s description of the fabulous city of the redeemed, the New Jerusalem, in Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9-27. What do these verses imply about … Continue reading –>
From the earliest days of the church the promise of Christ’s return has, perhaps more than anything else, sustained the hearts of God’s faithful people, especially during trials. Whatever their frightful struggles, whatever their inconsolable sorrows and pain, they had the hope of Christ’s return and all the wonderful promises the Second Advent contains. Read 1 … Continue reading –>
Intro: The certainty of Christ’s return. Reading the first three verses of John 14, what feelings overwhelm you? How does God feel about our moans for understanding? Have you ever doubted that Jesus is coming again? What keeps a sense of certainty alive in your heart? 1. The promise of restoration. What do some aspects of … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: In the earth made new, all of creation will experience the peace and unity that God designed for His creation. December 29, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Revelation 21:1-5. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. What things will disappear forever as … Continue reading –>
After more than 170 years of preaching the Second Coming, one important question comes to mind for Seventh-day Adventists. Is the Second Coming still on? Are we still planning on it? Is it still a part of who we are? Growing up as a Seventh-day Adventist I heard people talk about how Jesus was surely coming in … Continue reading –>
Read Isaiah 11:1-10. What promise is given to Israel, and what does it say about the eternal dwelling place of the redeemed? The Bible begins with the story of the Creation of the earth (Genesis chapters 1, 2). It is a description of a beautiful and harmonious world entrusted to our first parents, Adam and Eve. A … Continue reading –>
We are at the end of another year and much closer to our Lord, Jesus returning. Our memory text sings to us Hymn 633, “When We All Get to Heaven”. The introduction following this, give us four amazing hymns: Hymn 213, “Jesus Is Coming Again”, Hymn 214, “We Have This Hope”, Hymn 211, “Lo! He … Continue reading –>
John 14:1-3 is the best-known promise of Jesus’ second coming. What does this promise tell you about the kind of life the redeemed will live on the new earth? Early Christians considered Christ’s return the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13, NKJV). They expected all the prophecies and promises of Scripture to be fulfilled at the Second Advent, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: John 14:1-3, Isa. 11:1-10, Rev. 21:1-5, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, Rev. 22:1-5, Isa. 35:4-10. Memory Text: “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13, NKJV). One of the greatest promises of the Bible is Jesus’ promise to come again. Without it, we have nothing, because our … Continue reading –>
By Daniel Gatan My wife has stopped attending the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but I have not given up hope. Here’s why. During repressive Communist times, a woman in my home country, Romania, learned about the Adventist Church and began to attend Sabbath services regularly. This infuriated her husband. “Where are you going at the same … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “Individual Responsibility and Christian Unity”, pages 485-505, in Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers; “Unity in Diversity”, pages 483-485, and “Church Discipline”, pages 498-503, in Gospel Workers. Read the articles “Church”, pages 707-710, and “Church Organization”, pages 712-714, in The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia. “Principles of good leadership apply in all forms of society, including the church. … Continue reading –>
