4. The Old Testament Hope (Job 19:19-27)

Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

After His resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples on the way to Emmaus, and, "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. The hearts of the disciples were stirred. Faith was kindled. They were "begotten again into a lively hope" even before Jesus revealed Himself to them. It was His purpose to enlighten their understanding and to fasten their faith upon the "sure word of prophecy." He wished the truth to take firm root in their minds, not merely because it was supported by His personal testimony, but because of the unquestionable evidence presented by the symbols and shadows of the typical law, and by the prophecies of the Old Testament. It was needful for the followers of Christ to have an intelligent faith, not only in their own behalf, but that they might carry the knowledge of Christ to the world. And as the very first step in imparting this knowledge, Jesus directed the disciples to "Moses and all the prophets."

Such was the testimony given by the risen Saviour to the value and importance of the Old Testament Scriptures. {GC 349.1}

Memory Text

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son]...

Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. {Heb. 11:17, 19}

This week's SS Lesson will gaze into the hope of God's people in the Old Testament, on how they relate themselves to the events which they are expecting to happen in the future. It includes the extended promises that God has for His people in these last days, as they will be the object, symbol, and antitype of what has been in the past (Eccl. 1:9).

Outline of the Study

Sunday: I Shall See God - Seeing the Redeemer - Job 19:25-27; John 1:18; 11:24; 1Tim. 6:16; Ps. 73:12-17; Mal. 3:14-15; Job 2:1-18; 3:1-26; 4:1-5:27; 8:1-12; 11:1-20; 19:25-27

Monday: From the Power of the Grave - Rescued from the Grave - Ps. 49; Job 1:21; 1Tim. 6:7; 1Pet. 1:4

Tuesday: From the Depths of the Earth - Supported in life, arisen from the death - Ps. 71; 88:6; 130:1

Wednesday: Your Dead Shall Live - Eternal Life and Second Death - Isaiah 26:14, 19

Thursday: Those Who Sleep in the Dust - The Resurrection of Righteous and Wicked - Dan. 12; 8:11, 25; 9:25; Job 19:25-27; Ps. 71:20; Isa 26:19; Rev. 1:7

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Sunday: I Shall See God - Seeing the Redeemer - Job 19:25-27; John 1:18; 11:24; 1Tim. 6:16; Ps. 73:12-17; Mal. 3:14-15; Job 2:1-18; 3:1-26; 4:1-5:27; 8:1-12; 11:1-20; 19:25-27

“And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God,” (Job 19:26)

Hope of His True Followers

The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of His true followers. {FLB 348.3} The patriarch Job in the night of his affliction exclaimed with unshaken trust: "I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: . . . in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another." Job 19:25-27. . . . {FLB 348.4}

Our Sufficiency Is Christ Alone

So will it be with all who behold Christ. The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's confession our own: "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing." "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Romans 7:18; Galatians 6:14. {AA 561.2}

Consider the Following

Job was living in deep pain because the unfair sufferings he was going through. He just wanted to die (Job 3:11-13), but he knew death was not his final destination.

He still had faith in God (Job 13:15). He knew His Redeemer and he was sure that He would overcome death (Job 19:25).

He knew that although his body would fade away after death, he would be resurrected physically (Job 19:26).

He was eager to finally meet his Redeemer face to face after his resurrection: “I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:27)

Redeemer and Life-giver Work Out for our Salvation

My brother, my sister, God's purpose for you is that you shall live a life that will make others better--a life which will show that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. It is His purpose that you shall be able to say with the apostle Paul, "I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20). In perfect content, resting in the love of Christ, trusting the Redeemer and Life-giver to work out for you the salvation of your soul, you will know, as you draw nearer and still nearer to Him, what it means to endure the seeing of Him who is invisible. . . . The contentment that Christ bestows is a gift worth infinitely more than gold and silver and precious stones. . . . {RC 107.5}

Monday: From the Power of the Grave - Rescued from the Grave - Ps. 49; Job 1:21; 1Tim. 6:7; 1Pet. 1:4

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.” (Psalm 49:15)

Elisha's Confidence: God will Redeem His Soul from the Grave

Elisha could say in all confidence, "God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me." And with rejoicing he could testify, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." {CC 229.3}

Christ claims all those as His who have believed in His name. The vitalizing power of the Spirit of Christ dwelling in the mortal body binds every believing soul to Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus are sacred to His heart; for their life is hid with Christ in God. . . . {CC 229.4}

What a glorious morning will the resurrection morning be! What a wonderful scene will open when Christ shall come to be admired of them that believe! All who were partakers with Christ in His humiliation and sufferings will be partakers with Him in His glory. By the resurrection of Christ from the dead every believing saint who falls asleep in Jesus will come forth from his prison house in triumph. The resurrected saint will proclaim, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55). {CC 229.5}

Consider the Following

The fool feel safe thanks to their possessions or fame (v. 6, 18). They think they will enjoy them forever (v. 11). However, the grave will take everything from them (v. 17).

They don’t trust God, so nobody will be able to redeem them and give them life after death (v. 7-9). They’re like beasts with no reasoning (v. 20).

The wise know that the grave is their destiny (v. 10). However, they also know that they have a Redeemer who will redeem them from the power of the grave (v. 15).

The assurance of a future life beyond death changes our perspective on this life. It enables us to live a fearless life, no matter the troubles around us (v. 5).

My Redeemer Liveth

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15. "The righteous hath hope in his death." Proverbs 14:32. With the psalmist, Elisha could say in all confidence, "God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me." Psalm 49:15. And with rejoicing, he could testify, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." Job 19:25. "As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness." Psalm 17:15. {PK 264.1}

Tuesday: From the Depths of the Earth - Supported in life, arisen from the death - Ps. 71; 88:6; 130:1

“You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” (Psalm 71:20)

Convincing Power: Great Truth of the Resurrection

With convincing power the apostle set forth the great truth of the resurrection. "If there be no resurrection of the dead," he argued, "then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept." {AA 320.1}

Wrapped in the Garment of Immortality

In Joseph’s tomb He wrapped Himself in the garment of immortality, and then waited in the world for a sufficient length of time to put beyond doubt the evidence that He was indeed risen from the dead. . . . He rose from the dead to become familiar with His disciples preparatory to His ascension, when He should be glorified before the heavenly universe. . . . {CTr 293.4}

God of the Living: From Grave to Immortal Life

Christ declared to His hearers that if there were no resurrection of the dead, the Scriptures which they professed to believe would be of no avail. He said, "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." God counts the things that are not as though they were. He sees the end from the beginning, and beholds the result of His work as though it were now accomplished. The precious dead, from Adam down to the last saint who dies, will hear the voice of the Son of God, and will come forth from the grave to immortal life. God will be their God, and they shall be His people. There will be a close and tender relationship between God and the risen saints. This condition, which is anticipated in His purpose, He beholds as if it were already existing. The dead live unto Him. {DA 606.1}

Consider the Following

How can we be fearless when troubles surround us?

— Remembering that God has supported us even before we were born (v. 6)

— He taught us from our youth (v. 17)

— God is our rock and our strength (v. 3)

— He will not cast us off in our old age (v. 9)

— In troubles and death, God will give us life again and will bring us up again from the abyss (v. 20)

No matter how old we are or the issues we have to face. Our hope is not found in this life, but in the life to come. Eternal life with Jesus is assured after He resurrects us.

Wednesday: Your Dead Shall Live - Eternal Life and Second Death - Isaiah 26:14, 19

“They are dead, they will not live; they are deceased, they will not rise […] Your dead shall live; together with my dead body they shall arise.” (Isaiah 26:14, 19)

Contrast: Eternal Life and Second Death

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans 6:23.] While life is the inheritance of the righteous, death is the portion of the wicked. Moses declared to Israel, “I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.” [Deuteronomy 30:15.] The death referred to in these scriptures is not that pronounced upon Adam, for all mankind suffer the penalty of his transgression. It is the “second death” that is placed in contrast with everlasting life. {GC88 544.1}

Few Saved to Eternal Life, Disobedient Appointed to the Second Death

A few, yes, only a few, of the vast number who people the earth will be saved unto life eternal, while the masses who have not perfected their souls in obeying the truth will be appointed to the second death. {FLB 213.5}

While the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth.

Resurrection for the Just and Unjust: Reward and Penalty

In consequence of Adam's sin, death passed upon the whole human race. All alike go down into the grave. And through the provisions of the plan of salvation, all are to be brought forth from their graves. “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust;” [Acts 24:15.] “for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” [1 Corinthians 15:22.] But a distinction is made between the two classes that are brought forth. “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” [John 5:28,29.] They who have been “accounted worthy” of the resurrection of life are “blessed and holy.” “On such the second death hath no power.” [Revelation 20:6.] But those who have not, through repentance and faith, secured pardon, must receive the penalty of transgression,— “the wages of sin.” They suffer punishment varying in duration and intensity, “according to their works,” but finally ending in the second death. Since it is impossible for God, consistently with his justice and mercy, to save the sinner in his sins, he deprives him of the existence which his transgressions have forfeited, and of which he has proved himself unworthy. Says an inspired writer, “Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.” And another declares, “They shall be as though they had not been.” [Psalm 37:10; Obadiah 16.] Covered with infamy, they sink into hopeless, eternal oblivion. {GC88 544.2}

Consider the Following

Everyone will be resurrected, but not everyone will live forever (John 5:29).

Some will be resurrected to live at the Second Coming. They will be made immortal and will live forever.

Some will be resurrected after the millennium to die. They will suffer the second death in the lake of fire, and they will no longer exist (“they are deceased, they will not rise”).

We all have the chance to live forever. Everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior will do so (John 3:16).

Thursday: Those Who Sleep in the Dust - The Resurrection of Righteous and Wicked - Dan. 12; 8:11, 25; 9:25; Job 19:25-27; Ps. 71:20; Isa 26:19; Rev. 1:7

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2)

Triumphant Shout of Resurrected Saints, O Grave, Where is Thy Victory?

Nowhere in the Sacred Scriptures is found the statement that the righteous go to their reward or the wicked to their punishment at death. The patriarchs and prophets have left no such assurance. Christ and His apostles have given no hint of it. 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. "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}

Records will be Compared with the Statute Book - the Bible

Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 1 Corinthians 6:3. {FLB 354.1}

During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection, the judgment of the wicked takes place. . . . At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says: "I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them." "They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Revelation 20:4, 6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, "the saints shall judge the world." 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is recorded against their names in the book of death. {FLB 354.2}

Satan also and evil angels are judged by Christ and His people. Says Paul, "Know ye not that we shall judge angels?" And Jude declares that "the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." Jude 6. {FLB 354.3}

At the close of the thousand years the second resurrection will take place. Then the wicked will be raised from the dead, and appear before God for the execution of "the judgment written." Thus the revelator, after describing the resurrection of the righteous, says, "The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." Revelation 20:5. And Isaiah declares, concerning the wicked, "They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited." Isaiah 24:22. {FLB 354.4}

Consider the Following

According to Daniel 12:2, many will be awakened… Why not everyone?

All the righteous will be resurrected to receive immortality at the Second Coming (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians. 4:14-16). However, the wicked who are still alive will die in that moment (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:21). The wicked are not resurrected until the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:5).

Therefore, “many” refers to all the righteous, and a small group of the wicked. Who will be part of that group?

According to Revelation 1:7, those “which pierced Him” (see Zec. 12:10; Mr. 14:62): “those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.” (GC 637)

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

No Christian of any faith can honestly deny the church's need of purification. And as the Lord never does anything without forewarning His church, He is now sending to her the message of purification, in order to give her a foretaste of future glory, so that as heaven's clarion call to reformation continues sounding forth among His people, they may have a keen relish for its truth, and may give themselves wholeheartedly to the work of reform, right now while He is clearly laying before them His plan for the setting up of His kingdom with consequent results to the sinners. Those who give implicit heed to the call, shall have an irresistible desire to come fully into line and to have the Lord separate them from sin and sinners. They alone shall receive the seal of God and as the first fruits of the kingdom, 144,000 strong, stand with the Lamb on "Mount Zion"! {TN8: 20.2}

Questions to Ponder

1. How will a decomposed human body in tiny particles be restored to its physical identity?

2. In what way does this hope portrayed by the Old Testament prophets and writers illustrate God's ultimate power of restoration?

3. Under what circumstances does Job mention that he will see God? How can we relate to our present condition in these last days?

4. What basis can humanity trust in a God who also allows them to experience harsh unfairness in life?

5. How can anyone keep his eyes fixed on Christ and not fall into the delusive darts of Satan?

6. In times of severe difficulties and challenges, diseases and death, what resurrection hope will be given to those prior to Christ's coming? {Note: compare your answer to Testimonies for the Church vol. 7. page 17 par. 4}

7. Based on the above statement, {TN8: 20.2}, what truth is to be considered significant among God's people in these last days?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“Christ claims all those as His who have believed in His name. The vitalizing power of the Spirit of Christ dwelling in the mortal body binds every believing soul to Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus are sacred to His heart; for their life is hid with Christ in God. The command will come from the Life-giver, ‘Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead’ (Isaiah 26:19).” E. G. W. (Selected Messages, book 2, cp. 27, p. 271)

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