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Commentary on "Heaven"
Day 6: Thursday, May 28, 2009
Overview
This lesson centers on one simple question. What will it be like to meet the Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face?
Problems
Thanks to the doctrine of Soul Sleep and a misunderstanding of the eternal nature of our "born again" human spirits, many believe that none of us will meet our Savior until after the return of Christ and the resurrection of the Saints who are in the grave. This concept is simply not supported by Scripture. Once our spirit is born again, both our soul and our spirit will never be separated from God.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38,39 KJV)
Even in our physical death we can not and never will be separated from the love of God. Notice that Paul considers being dead and with Christ something far better than this present life. There is not the slightest suggestion of unconscious nothingness in this passage. Remember, to die is gain. Something far better than this life we now live.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (Phil. 1:21-24 KJV)
While we will certainly sing praises to God, the quote in the lesson from 'The Great Controversy'; "eternal life is singing eternal praises" is a statement not found in the Bible. Even if you shorten it to; "eternal praises", it is still a non-scriptural phrase. God has an infinite plan that includes far more than just our part in the heavenly choir.
While we will probably recognize those who we have known here in this present life, it is an assumption to say so by citing the example of the followers of Christ recognizing him after his resurrection. After all, none recognized him until he was ready to reveal himself.
The real answer to the question of how we will be able to recognize our Savior is given by the word of Jesus Christ:
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Rev. 1:7 KJV)
Summary
- We will know our Savior when he returns in the clouds at a time when every eye on earth will sees him. We will then meet him in the air with the resurrected Saints.
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.
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