3. Understanding Human Nature (Genesis 1:26-27)

Sabbath Afternoon

Prayer Thought

The angels prostrated themselves at the feet of their Commander and offered to become a sacrifice for lost humans. But an angel’s life could not pay the debt; only He who created them had power to redeem them. Yet the angels were to have a part to act in the plan of redemption. Christ was to be made “a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.” As He should take human nature upon Him, His strength would not be equal to theirs, and they were to minister to Him, to strengthen and soothe Him under His sufferings. They were also to be ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who should be heirs of salvation. They would guard the subjects of grace from the power of evil angels and from the darkness constantly thrown around them by Satan. . . . {CTr 31.5}

Christ assured the angels that by His death He would ransom many, and would destroy him who had the power of death.—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 64, 65. {CTr 31.6}

Memory Text

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: {Gen. 3:4}

This week's SS Lesson will define and discuss the meaning of the living soul and the contrast between human origin and human nature before and after the fall. It also includes the understanding of death as a temporary resting moment for the saints on earth who live faithfully and exercise their free will to live a righteous life.

Outline of the Study

The Life Process

Sunday: A Living Being (A Living Soul)

Gen. 1:24-27; 2:7, 19

The Death Process

Monday: The Soul Who Sins Shall Die (Death and Soul)

Ezek. 18:4, 20; Mat. 10:28; Isa. 40:1-8; Eccl. 3:19, 20; Rom 3:9-18, 23; John 6:40

Tuesday: The Spirit Returns to God (Death and Spirit)

Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 3:19; 12:1-7; Ezek. 18:4; Ps. 104:29; 1Cor. 15:26

Beyond Death

Wednesday: The Dead Know Nothing (What do the dead do?)

Job 3:11-13; Ps. 115:17; 146:4; Eccl. 9:5, 10

Thursday: Resting With the Forefathers (Resting with the Ancestors)

Gen. 25:8; 2Sam. 7:12; 1Kings 2:10; 22:40; Deut. 32:50; 2Kings 24:6; 2Chron. 32:33

Friday: The Further Study and Meditation

The Life Process

Sunday: A Living Being (A Living Soul)

Gen. 1:24-27; 2:7, 19

And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)

A Personal God Created a Living Soul

In the creation of man was manifest the agency of a personal God. When God had made man in His image, the human form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it was without life. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, breathing, intelligent being. All parts of the human organism were put in action. The heart, the arteries, the veins, the tongue, the hands, the feet, the senses, the perceptions of the mind—all began their work, and all were placed under law. Man became a living soul. Through Jesus Christ a personal God created man and endowed him with intelligence and power. {CCh 74.4}

Our substance was not hid from Him when we were made in secret. His eyes saw our substance, yet being imperfect; and in His book all our members were written, when as yet there were none of them. {CCh 75.1}

Above all lower orders of being, God designed that man, the crowning work of His creation, should express His thought and reveal His glory. But man is not to exalt himself as God. {CCh 75.2}

Representatives of God's Righteousness

God has a test and a trial for every living soul upon the face of the earth. There are always witnesses standing faithful to God, as representatives of God’s righteousness, and those who are opposed to God, representatives of the government of Satan. It is the privilege of all who witness these two parties to choose which party they will be in. . . . {CTr 39.3}

A Living Channel of God's Grace

It is the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ. There is nothing that Christ desires so much as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and character. There is nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of the Saviour's love. All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human hearts.-- Christ's Object Lessons, p. 419. {ChS 19.1}

Consider the Following

God created the first human-like He created the rest of land animals: from the ground. (Genesis 2:7, 19). However, there were significant differences:

God created the body of Adam first, then gave him life (Genesis 2:7)

Eve was not created at the same time as Adam (Genesis 2:22)

They were the image of God together (Genesis 1:27)

There are three elements in the creation of humans: body, spirit, and soul (Genesis 2:7). Human nature is made of two of them: body and spirit. We DON’T HAVE a soul; we ARE a soul.

An Obedient Servant of Christ

Every true Christian will have control of his appetites and passions. Unless he is free from the bondage of appetite, he cannot be a true, obedient servant of Christ. The indulgence of appetite and passion blunts the effect of truth upon the heart. It is impossible for the spirit and power of the truth to sanctify a man, soul, body, and spirit, when he is controlled by sensual desires. {CTBH 80.2}

The Death Process

Monday: The Soul Who Sins Shall Die (Death and Soul)

Ezek. 18:4, 20; Mat. 10:28; Isa. 40:1-8; Eccl. 3:19, 20; Rom 3:9-18, 23; John 6:40

“The soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20)

Death points to the Cross of Calvary

When men are led to realize that their human calculations come far short, and are convinced that their wisdom is but foolishness, then it is that they turn to the Lord to seek him with all the heart, that they may find him. {CE 95.2}

It has been shown me that every church among us needs the deep movings of the Spirit of God. O, we would point men to the cross of Calvary. We would bid them look upon Him whom their sins have pierced. We would bid them to behold the Redeemer of the world suffering the penalty of their transgression of the law of God. The verdict is that "the soul that sinneth it shall die." [Ezekiel 18:4.] But on the cross the sinner sees the only begotten of the Father, dying in his stead, and giving the transgressor life. All the intelligences in earth and heaven are called upon to behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

One day I listened to a conversation between my mother and a sister, in reference to a discourse which they had recently heard, to the effect that the soul had not natural immortality. Some of the minister's proof texts were repeated. Among them I remember these impressed me very forcibly: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezekiel 18:4. "The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything." Ecclesiastes 9:5. "Which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality." 1 Timothy 6:15, 16. "To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life." Romans 2:7. {CET 39.4}

God Did not Change the Law to Save Men

Every transgression of God's law will be visited with its penalty upon the transgressor. The wages of sin is death. God is jealous for the honor of his law; it is the foundation of his government in heaven and earth, and it will stand throughout eternal ages. The prophet declares, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Sin is the transgression of the law. But, again, it is written for the comfort and salvation of the penitent: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." {RH, November 18, 1890 par. 5}

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." God cannot change his law in order to save men; he cannot alter it to save the world; but he has not refused to give his own Son, that men might have another probation, and become heirs of heaven. Jesus took humanity upon him, and in so doing what honor he placed upon the race! He suffered as a man, he was tempted as men are tempted, yet without sin. He was made sin for us, though he knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. He "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." {RH, November 18, 1890 par. 6}

Consider the Following

When we lose the breath of life, we become a lifeless body. We are no longer living beings, living souls (Ezekiel 18:20; Psalm 146:4).

Therefore, every soul will die (the just and the wicked). However, the just will become immortal souls (people) at the Second Coming when they’ll be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:51-55). The wicked will become “death souls (people)” when they’ll die the second (eternal) death in the lake of fire (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:14-15).

God's Authority and power Gives Hope for those who Repent

The power and authority of God are supreme, and he is true. He gives, to all who accept Christ, power to live the truth under the most trying circumstances. Those who have broken his law are sinners; but he says to them, I gave my only begotten Son to die for sinners. He bore the penalty of the sins of the world. He is sufficient for your redemption. If you will plant your feet upon the platform of obedience; if you will repent and accept the merits of the Son of God, you may have hope of eternal life. The soul who will take God at his word, and obey his law, may live. To such the assurance is given, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." {RH, September 30, 1909 par. 9}

Tuesday: The Spirit Returns to God (Death and Spirit)

Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 3:19; 12:1-7; Ezek. 18:4; Ps. 104:29; 1Cor. 15:26

“Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

Because man goeth to his long home, And the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed. Or the golden bowl be broken. Or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the cistern; And the dust return to the earth As it was, And the spirit return unto God Who gave it." {RH, February 8, 1906 par. 13}

Men Die and Return to Dust

If we are true to the promptings of the Spirit of God, we shall go from grace to grace, and from glory to glory, until we have received the finishing touch of immortality. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” [1 John 3:2, 3.] Can any earthly promotion confer honor equal to this,—to be sons of God, children of the heavenly King, members of the royal family? Man may be ambitious of the honor that his finite fellow man may bestow; but what will it avail? The nobility of earth are but men; they die, and return to dust; and there is no lasting satisfaction in their praise and honor. But the honor that comes from God is lasting. To be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, is to be entitled to unsearchable riches,—treasures of such value that in comparison with them the gold and silver, the gems and precious stones of earth, sink into insignificance. Through Christ we are offered joy unspeakable, an eternal weight of glory. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.” [1 Corinthians 2:9, 10.] {GW92 421.1}

Disobedient and Unholy will be Consumed by Fire

God will not take them to heaven, neither will he cause them to suffer eternally. He will destroy them utterly, and cause them to be as though they had not been, and then his justice will be satisfied. He formed man out of the dust of the earth, and the disobedient and unholy will be consumed by fire, and return to dust again. I saw that the benevolence and compassion of God in this, should lead all to admire his character, and to adore him; and after the wicked shall be destroyed from off the earth, all the heavenly host will say, Amen! {1SG 118.1}

Mortals Made of Dust and Return to Native Earth

How many there are who seek for honor and applause from the great men of the earth! How much they will do, and what sacrifices they will make, that they may associate with such persons, and perhaps win a word of approbation! Who are these persons whose favor is regarded so highly? They are mortals, made of the dust of the earth, and must soon return to their native earth again. But the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is the Ruler over all rulers; his dominion is the universe. "The nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance; behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing." He it is that grants you life and all its blessings; he that promises to adopt you into his family, to receive you as sons and daughters. What a relationship is this! What an exalted privilege! {ST, November 3, 1887 par. 11}

Consider the Following

According to Ecclesiastes 12:7, it seems that there’s something that keeps existing after death: the spirit. We must thoroughly investigate this idea before jumping to conclusions. Let’s study Genesis 7:22.

The spirit is “the breath of the spirit of life” that was “in his nostrils.” It’s a clear reference to the creation of Adam: LIVING BEING (Soul) - BREATH (Spirit) = DIRT (Body)

The spirit is not a conscious entity of human beings that keeps living after death. It’s God’s breath of life. He gives it and He takes it away (Psalm 104:29).

Beyond Death

Wednesday: The Dead Know Nothing (What do the dead do?)

Job 3:11-13; Ps. 115:17; 146:4; Eccl. 9:5, 10

“For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

The Scriptures declare that "the dead know not anything." Ecclesiastes 9:5. Their thoughts, their love, their hatred, have perished. The dead do not hold communion with the living. But true to his early cunning, Satan employs this device in order to gain control of minds. {AA 289.2}

Theory of Immortality of the Soul

The theory of the immortality of the soul was one of those false doctrines that Rome, borrowing from paganism, incorporated into the religion of Christendom. Martin Luther classed it with the "monstrous fables that form part of the Roman dunghill of decretals."—E. Petavel, The Problem of Immortality, page 255. Commenting on the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, that the dead know not anything, the Reformer says: "Another place proving that the dead have no . . . feeling. There is, saith he, no duty, no science, no knowledge, no wisdom there. Solomon judgeth that the dead are asleep, and feel nothing at all. For the dead lie there, accounting neither days nor years, but when they are awaked, they shall seem to have slept scarce one minute."— Martin Luther, Exposition of Solomon's Booke Called Ecclesiastes, page 152. {DD 17.1}

Spiritualism at War with the Plainest Statements of Scripture

But none need be deceived by the lying claims of spiritualism. God has given the world sufficient light to enable them to discover the snare. As already shown, the theory which forms the very foundation of spiritualism is at war with the plainest statements of Scripture. The Bible declares that the dead know not anything, that their thoughts have perished; they have no part in anything that is done under the sun; they know nothing of the joys or sorrows of those who were dearest to them on earth. {DD 20.2}

Furthermore, God has expressly forbidden all pretended communication with departed spirits. In the days of the Hebrews there was a class of people who claimed, as do the spiritualists of today, to hold communication with the dead. But the "familiar spirits," as these visitants from other worlds were called, are declared by the Bible to be "the spirits of devils." (Compare Numbers 25:1-3; Psalm 106:28; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 16:14.) The work of dealing with familiar spirits was pronounced an abomination to the Lord, and was solemnly forbidden under penalty of death. Leviticus 19:31; 20:27. The very name of witchcraft is now held in contempt. The claim that men can hold intercourse with evil spirits is regarded as a fable of the Dark Ages. But spiritualism, which numbers its converts by hundreds of thousands, yea, by millions, which has made its way into scientific circles, which has invaded churches, and has found favor in legislative bodies, and even in the courts of kings—this mammoth deception is but a revival, in a new disguise, of the witchcraft condemned and prohibited of old. {DD 20.3}

Consider the Following

What does the Bible teach about the acts of the dead?

(1) Job 3:13. They rest and they are asleep.

(2) Psalm 115:17. They don’t praise God, they are silent.

(3) Psalm 146:4. They don’t think.

(4) Ecclesiastes 9:5. They know nothing.

(5) Ecclesiastes 9:10. They don’t work, study, or do anything at all.

It’s so boring to be dead! There’s no conscious existence. Everything ends when we die. Death is just silence and darkness. It’s like being asleep, and we’re not even aware that we’re dead!

The Bible teaches that being dead is like sleeping. Only Jesus’ voice will awake us from this slumber (John 11:11-14; 5:28-29).

The pen of Inspiration has given light upon this subject: "The dead know not anything . . . . Their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished." {Eccl. 9:5, 6} Lazarus had a wonderful testimony to bear, however, in regard to the work of Christ. He had been raised from the dead for this purpose. He was a living testimony to divine power. With assurance and power he declared that Jesus was the Son of God. {YI, July 12, 1900 par. 2}

Thursday: Resting With the Forefathers (Resting with the Ancestors)

Gen. 25:8; 2Sam. 7:12; 1Kings 2:10; 22:40; Deut. 32:50; 2Kings 24:6; 2Chron. 32:33

“So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David.” (1 Kings 2:10)

Death is Likened into a Rest and Baptism as Burial

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12. {FLB 303.1}

Christ rested in the tomb on the Sabbath day, and when holy beings of both heaven and earth were astir on the morning of the first day of the week, He rose from the grave to renew His work of teaching His disciples. But this fact does not consecrate the first day of the week, and make it a Sabbath. Jesus, prior to His death, established a memorial of the breaking of His body and the spilling of His blood for the sins of the world, in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, saying, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." 1 Corinthians 11:26. And the repentant believer, who takes the steps required in conversion, commemorates in his baptism the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He goes down into the water in the likeness of Christ's death and burial, and he is raised out of the water in the likeness of His resurrection. . .to live a new life in Christ Jesus. {FLB 303.2}

Deity Did Not Die

Was the human nature of the Son of Mary changed into the divine nature of the Son of God? No; the two natures were mysteriously blended in one person--the man Christ Jesus. In Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. When Christ was crucified, it was His human nature that died. Deity did not sink and die; that would have been impossible. Christ, the sinless One, will save every son and daughter of Adam who accepts the salvation proffered to them, consenting to become the children of God. The Saviour has purchased the fallen race with His own blood. {5BC 1113.2}

This is a great mystery, a mystery that will not be fully, completely understood in all its greatness until the translation of the redeemed shall take place. Then the power and greatness and efficacy of the gift of God to man will be understood. But the enemy is determined that this gift shall be so mystified that it will become as nothingness (Letter 280, 1904). {5BC 1113.3}

Consider the Following

There are different expressions to allude to death in the Bible: “was gathered to his people” (Genesis 25:8), “rested with his fathers” (1 Kings 2:10). Do these expressions mean that there’s a social and conscious life after death?

David “rested with his fathers” but he didn’t ascend to Heaven. He remains in his tomb “to this day” (Acts 2:29-31).

The same expression was used for other kings, both just and wicked (1 Kings 14:20; 16:6; 2 Chronicles 32:33).

These expressions mean that we are all going to the same place: to our grave. We’ll follow the steps of our ancestors; that is, we’ll be dead until the Second Coming, the day of resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

"For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. . . . So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:52-54. As they are called forth from their deep slumber they begin to think just where they ceased. The last sensation was the pang of death; the last thought, that they were falling beneath the power of the grave. When they arise from the tomb, their first glad thought will be echoed in the triumphal shout: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" Verse 55. {DD 17.2}

The pangs of death were the last things they felt. . . . When they awake the pain is all gone. . . . The gates of the city of God swing back upon their hinges, . . . and the ransomed of God walk in through the cherubims and seraphims. Christ bids them welcome and puts upon them His benediction. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:21. {FLB 181.4}

Questions to Ponder

1. How does the Old Testament describe the origin of men, the condition before the fall, and after the fall?

2. In what way could we rejoice God's gift to humanity, when we are experiencing death?

3. Based on Monday's lesson, "The Soul who sins shall die", what hope has Christ placed on the man who may die but has an assurance of life when He comes?

4. What's wrong with the statement, "Death is a part of life"? Is it true that death is part of living? What kind of death it is?

5. What advantages would those who died compared to those who will be alive when Christ appears in the clouds of heaven?

6. What comfort does the promise of resurrection give to the living?

7. Based on the statement above, {DD 17.2} a) What realization will they think when they will be awakened from deep slumber? {FLB 181.4} b) In what way would their joy be overflowing when they hear Christ's voice?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“The Bible clearly teaches that the dead do not go immediately to heaven. They are represented as sleeping until the resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Job 14:10-12. In the very day when the silver cord is loosed and the golden bowl broken (Ecclesiastes 12:6), man's thoughts perish. They that go down to the grave are in silence. They know no more of anything that is done under the sun. Job 14:21. Blessed rest for the weary righteous! Time, be it long or short, is but a moment to them. They sleep; they are awakened by the trump of God to a glorious immortality.” E. G. W. (The Great Controversy, cp. 33, p. 549)

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