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Commentary on "Heaven"
Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, May 23, 2009
Overview
The lesson material for this week covers the meaning of heaven and "going to heaven". The memory verse, John 14:2,3, is Jesus' declaration that; "In my Father’s house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you". The sub-title for this week could be: Our Future Eternal Home.
Problems
We will to begin this study by making sure that we each know what the Bible means by the use of the word 'heaven', since the student version of this lesson passes over this point. Scripture refers to more than one 'heaven' and indicates that there are three. (Gen. 2:1; II Cor. 12:1-4):
- Atmosphere (Gen. 7:11,12,23; Jer. 15:3; Dan. 7:2)
- Stars or Universe (Isa. 13:10; Josh. 10:13; Jer. 8:2; Deut. 17:3)
The earth's atmosphere and all the universe around us are a part of creation. The existing earth and universe have a beginning and they will have an end. Our future home, on the other hand, is associated with God and his throne. - God's dwelling place (Matt. 6:9; Mark 11:26; Luke 11:2)
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. (Psa. 11:4 KJV)
The limited knowledge that we have of who God is leads us to the understanding that his throne (the "heaven of heavens") is outside of time, physical location or dimension. In each of the verses cited, we arrive at our understanding of the word 'heaven' by the context within which it is used.
The memory verse, John 14:2,3, makes it clear that our future home is prepared for us in heaven, the abode of God. What the following passage indicates is that this eternal home will also be located, or perhaps relocated, in a new earth when all of creation is made new and perfect without sin, pain or death:
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (II Peter 3:11-13 KJV)
We have both a physical and a spiritual body associated with our soul. We are spiritually alive because of our Savior Jesus Christ and the seal of the Holy Spirit and are eternally united with God. Along with the hope of new physical bodies, we have the new earth and the entire infinite universe in front of us, which is totally beyond our ability to understanding or describe in detail. We do know that we will be free of sin, pain and death.
Now, let's turn to the Teachers Comments, where the question is asked, concerning Luke 17:21; What did Jesus mean by saying the kingdom of God is within us? We should examine the following passage and find out what the Bible teaches:
Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (Romans 14:16-21 KJV)
From this we see that the "kingdom of God" is about how we live our lives because of the Holy Spirit within us. It is not just about future events when we "go to heaven". We see that the "kingdom of God" is not about what we eat or drink or anything we do. In other words, the Adventist health message is false and has nothing to do with the righteousness of God or any part of the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace and joy given to us by Jesus Christ…now and forever more.
Summary
- The emphasis in this lesson is on heaven, the abode of God, and our relationship where we are eternally with him. It culminates where he brings his throne to the new earth in the New Jerusalem. As a foretaste of what is to come, we have the Kingdom of God within us now and is a guarantee that we will never be separated from God. Because of our spiritual birth we have continuity from the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, through physical death where we are never separated from him, and on to our physical resurrection unto a new life that extends into eternity.
Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised May 11, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 9
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 9
Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 9
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