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Commentary on "Heaven"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 7: Friday, May 29, 2009

 

Overview

The lesson suggests that we turn to what Ellen G. White has written for our further study and recommends that we read her book; The Story of Redemption.

 

Problems

The quote; "The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth" by Ellen White from The Story of Redemption is an interesting statement.

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Rev. 20:10-14 KJV)

When reading this passage in Revelation you will notice that everything wicked is cast into "the lake of fire" but says nothing about this having anything to do with God creating a New Heaven and a New Earth. Furthermore, those cast into this fire are not consumed but will be "tormented day and night for ever and ever".

Now, let's back up a little and take a look at the millennium reign of the Saints.

In Rev. 20:4-6 we learn that we will ” reign with him (God) a thousand years". However, if we continue on down to verse nine, we have good reason to believe that it will be here on this earth and not simply in heaven. This thousand year era will end with the final battle with Satan which takes place here on earth, resulting him being defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire. While Fundamental Belief #27 states that this millennium reign of the saints with Christ will be in heaven, it seems more likely that it will be here on an earth. To begin with, none of the references cited in Fundamental Belief #27 say anything about the millennium being in heaven or the earth being desolate at this time. Just who are the saints reigning over anyway? God certainly doesn't need our help in directing the activities of his holy angels. Furthermore, when Satan is prepairs for the final battle, he will surround the Saints who are already in the City of God here on earth. In the final act of Satan's attempted attack, God brings fire from heaven to put an end to Satan and his plans. . All of this is prior to when God creates a new earth and new heavens and brings our heavenly home down to earth from heaven.

And they (speaking of Satan and his army) went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Rev. 20:9 KJV)

 

Summary

 

 

 

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

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings

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