Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

God's Teaching Agents in the Home School

Parents should in a special sense regard themselves as agents of God to instruct their children, as did Abraham, to keep the way of the Lord. They need to search the Scriptures diligently, to know what is the way of the Lord, that they may teach it to their household. Micah says, "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" [Micah 6:8.] In order to be teachers, parents must be learners, gathering light constantly from the oracles of God and by precept and example bringing this precious light into the education of their children. {AH 184.2}

It calls for decided action on the part of the believers to separate themselves from all worldlings and worldliness; to anchor themselves on the Solid Rock by obedience to all the truth known to this denomination, if we must escape the great ruin. "The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it." Micah 6:9. {SR1: 5.2}

Memory Text

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. {John 5:39}

This week's SS Lesson will establish the truth about the immortality of the soul where contention among Christians was evident but through verifying those important passages which seem to be contradicting other truths in the scriptures these will be corrected. It also includes strategies and methods on how to answer those intriguing passages in the light of the inspired writings.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31: Parable or reality?

Lk. 16:19-31; Rev. 21:4

Monday: Today ... With Me in Paradise Luke 23:43: A problematic comma

Lk. 23:39-43; John 20:17; John 14:1-3

Tuesday: Depart and Be with Christ Philippians 1:21-24: Dying and being with Jesus

Phil. 1:21-24; 1Thess 4:13-18; 2Cor. 3:17, 38, 39; Rom. 14:8; 1Cor. 15:16-18; 2Tim. 4:6-8

Wednesday: Teaching to the Spirits in Prison 1 Peter 3:13-20: The spirits in prison?

Gen. 4:10; Heb. 9:27-28; Eph. 6:12; 1 Pet, 3:19, 20; 5:8; Jude 6; 1Cor. 16:18; Gal 6:18; Rom 6:1-23; 7:7-25; Heb. 11"7; 2Pet. 2:5

Thursday: The Souls Under the altar Revelation 6:9-11: Souls crying for justice

Rev. 8:1-6; Lev. 4:18, 30, 34; Rev. 12:17; 14:12

Friday: Further study and Meditation

Sunday: The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 : Parable or reality?

Lk. 16:19-31; Rev. 21:4

“In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (Luke 16:23)

A Parable: Men Decide their Eternal Destiny

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Christ shows that in this life men decide their eternal destiny. During probationary time the grace of God is offered to every soul. But if men waste their opportunities in self-pleasing, they cut themselves off from everlasting life. No afterprobation will be granted them. By their own choice they have fixed an impassable gulf between them and their God. {COL 260.1}

This parable draws a contrast between the rich who have not made God their dependence, and the poor who have made God their dependence. Christ shows that the time is coming when the position of the two classes will be reversed. Those who are poor in this world's goods, yet who trust in God and are patient in suffering, will one day be exalted above those who now hold the highest positions the world can give but who have not surrendered their life to God. {COL 260.2}

"There was a certain rich man," Christ said, "which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table." {COL 260.3}

Consider the Following

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a parable meant to teach something, not to explain reality. If it were something real:

— Heaven and hell would be so close that people in them can talk to each other but are separated by a great chasm (v. 26).

— After death, souls would be conscious and would have eyes, fingers, and tongue, and could be thirsty (v. 23-24).

— The saints would be watching how the wicked are suffering (even their own children) but cannot do anything to help them (v. 25).

Jesus wanted to teach that our future reward doesn’t depend on our current wealth, that our final destiny is determined in this life, and that the Bible is our textbook to learn about the plan of salvation.

In Greek, the place where the rich man is suffering is called “Hades.” It is equal to the Hebrew word “Seol.” This is evident in Peter’s translation of Psalm 16:10 in Acts 2:27.

If we were to accept this parable as proof of what happens to death people, we would’ve to accept something inconceivable: that Jesus was also tormented in that place (because Peter used Psalm 16:10 to refer to Jesus being dead before His resurrection).

A literal interpretation of the parable would cancel God’s promise that He “will wipe away every tear” and “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.” (Revelation 21:4)

Monday: Today ... With Me in Paradise Luke 23:43 : A problematic comma

Lk. 23:39-43; John 20:17; John 14:1-3

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” (Luke 23:43 )

A Promise Given as an Assurance of Eternal Life

The Holy Spirit illuminates his mind, and little by little the chain of evidence is joined together. In Jesus, bruised, mocked, and hanging upon the cross, he sees the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Hope is mingled with anguish in his voice as the helpless, dying soul casts himself upon a dying Saviour. “Lord, remember me,” he cries, “when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.”{CSA 38.5}

Quickly the answer came. Soft and melodious the tone, full of love, compassion, and power the words: Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in paradise. . . . {CSA 38.6}

With Me to Paradise is not that Day

I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. Christ did not promise that the thief should be with Him in Paradise that day. He Himself did not go that day to Paradise. He slept in the tomb, and on the morning of the resurrection He said, "I am not yet ascended to My Father." John 20:17. But on the day of the crucifixion, the day of apparent defeat and darkness, the promise was given. "Today" while dying upon the cross as a malefactor, Christ assures the poor sinner, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. {DA 751.3}

Humble Faith: Remember Me! In Your Kingdom

When he heard the sneering words of his companion in crime, he "rebuked him, saying, Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done nothing amiss." Then, as his heart went out to Christ, heavenly illumination flooded his mind. In Jesus, bruised, mocked, and hanging upon the cross, he saw his Redeemer, his only hope, and appealed to him in humble faith: "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom! And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee today, [BY PLACING THE COMMA AFTER THE WORD TODAY, INSTEAD OF AFTER THE WORD THEE, AS IN THE COMMON VERSIONS, THE TRUE MEANING OF THE TEXT IS MORE APPARENT.] shalt thou be with me in Paradise." {3SP 157.1}

Jesus did not promise the penitent thief that he should go with him, upon the day of their crucifixion, to Paradise; for he himself did not ascend to his Father until three days afterward. See John 20:17. But he declared unto him, "I say unto thee today--" meaning to impress the fact upon his mind, that at that time, while enduring ignominy and persecution, he had the power to save sinners. He was man's Advocate with the Father, having the same power as when he healed the sick and raised the dead to life; it was his divine right to promise that day to the repentant, believing malefactor, "Thou shalt be with me in Paradise." {3SP 157.2}

Consider the Following

In most of the translations of this verse, it seems that Jesus and the “good thief” would be in paradise that same day after dying.

However, no commas were used in the original Greek text. Therefore, there are two ways this sentence could be translated depending on the position of the comma:

— “[…] I say to you, today you will be with Me […]” In that case, Jesus would’ve ascended to Heaven that same day. However, He said “I have not yet ascended to the Father” two days later (John 20:17).

— “[…] I say to you today, you will be with Me […]” Correct! Jesus assured the thief that He would remember him when He’ll come back in His Kingdom, just as the thief had asked (Luke 23:42).

Tuesday: Depart and Be with Christ Philippians 1:21-24 : Dying and being with Jesus

Phil. 1:21-24; 1Thess 4:13-18; 2Cor. 3:17, 38, 39; Rom. 14:8; 1Cor. 15:16-18; 2Tim. 4:6-8

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain […] having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” (Philippians 1:21, 23)

To Die is Gain - Gain to Christ

The one who stands nearest to Christ will be he who on earth has drunk most deeply of the spirit of His self-sacrificing love,--love that "vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, . . . seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil" (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5),--love that moves the disciple, as it moved our Lord, to give all, to live and labor and sacrifice, even unto death, for the saving of humanity. This spirit was made manifest in the life of Paul. He said, "For to me to live is Christ;" for his life revealed Christ to men; "and to die is gain,"--gain to Christ; death itself would make manifest the power of His grace, and gather souls to Him. "Christ shall be magnified in my body," he said, "whether it be by life or by death." Philippians 1:21, 20. {DA 549.3}

When the ten heard of the request of James and John, they were much displeased. The highest place in the kingdom was just what every one of them was seeking for himself, and they were angry that the two disciples had gained a seeming advantage over them. {DA 549.4}

Consider the Following

Paul was hesitating. Would it be better to live and work in favor of the Church and the Gospel (Philippians 1:22, 24) or to die and to be with Jesus, resting from the arduous work (Philippians 1:23)?

Dying and being with Jesus? Paul taught that the saints are sleeping until the Second Coming of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15). He didn’t expect to receive his crown until a future moment (2 Timothy 4:8). Wasn’t he contradicting himself?

The dead are unconscious (Job 14:10-12; Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:10). Therefore, after Paul died, the next thing he will see will be Jesus’ face in His Second Coming after being resurrected, “to be with the Lord” (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Wednesday: Teaching to the Spirits in Prison 1 Peter 3:13-20 : The spirits in prison?

Gen. 4:10; Heb. 9:27-28; Eph. 6:12; 1 Pet, 3:19, 20; 5:8; Jude 6; 1Cor. 16:18; Gal 6:18; Rom 6:1-23; 7:7-25; Heb. 11"7; 2Pet. 2:5

“[…] but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,”
(1 Peter 3:18-19)

Atonement Has Been Made for All

Jesus is our atoning sacrifice. We can make no atonement for ourselves; but by faith we can accept the atonement that has been made. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18, 19). It was through infinite sacrifice and inexpressible suffering that our Redeemer placed redemption within our reach. He was in this world unhonored and unknown, that, through His wonderful condescension and humiliation, He might exalt man to receive eternal honors and immortal joys in the heavenly courts. During His thirty years of life on earth His heart was wrung with inconceivable anguish. The path from the manger to Calvary was shadowed by grief and sorrow. He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, enduring such heartache as no human language can portray. He could have said in truth, "Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow" (Lamentations 1:12)... {1SM 321.4}

Affording Reason to Love Our Saviour

The cross of Calvary appeals to us in power, affording a reason why we should love our Saviour, and why we should make Him first and last and best in everything. We should take our fitting place in humble penitence at the foot of the cross. Here, as we see our Saviour in agony, the Son of God dying, the just for the unjust, we may learn lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind. Behold Him who with one word could summon legions of angels to His assistance, a subject of jest and merriment, of reviling and hatred. He gives Himself a sacrifice for sin. When reviled, He threatens not; when falsely accused, He opens not His mouth. He prays on the cross for His murderers. He is dying for them; He is paying an infinite price for every one of them. He bears the penalty of man's sins without a murmur. And this uncomplaining victim is the Son of God. His throne is from everlasting, and His kingdom shall have no end. {LHU 233.2}

Spotless Robe of Christ's Imputed Righteousness

It is the righteousness of Christ that makes the penitent sinner acceptable to God and works his justification. However sinful has been his life, if he believes in Jesus as his personal Saviour, he stands before God in the spotless robes of Christ's imputed righteousness. {FW 106.1}

The sinner so recently dead in trespasses and sins is quickened by faith in Christ. He sees by faith that Jesus is his Saviour, and alive forevermore, able to save unto "the uttermost [all] that come unto God by Him." In the atonement made for him the believer sees such breadth and length and height and depth of efficiency--sees such completeness of salvation, purchased at such infinite cost, that his soul is filled with praise and thanksgiving. He sees as in a glass the glory of the Lord and is changed into the same image as by the Spirit of the Lord. He sees the robe of Christ's righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven, wrought by His obedience, and imputed to the repenting soul through faith in His name. {FW 106.2}

Consider the Following

Some people say they’re fallen angels based in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6. However, why would He preach to those who are not going to repent anymore?

Peter clearly states that they’re the rebellious antediluvians who heard Noah’s preaching (1 Peter 3:20). Noah spoke with the spirit of Christ like all other prophets, offering salvation to his contemporaries (1 Peter 1:10-11).

Peter used the expression “spirits in prison” to refer to people who are enslaved by sin (John 8:34).

Thursday: The Souls Under the altar Revelation 6:9-11 : Souls crying for justice

Rev. 8:1-6; Lev. 4:18, 30, 34; Rev. 12:17; 14:12

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” (Revelation 6:9)

The Meaning and Symbol of Altar

The closing of one seal and the opening of the other consumed a period of thirty years. Thus the fourth seal closed in 1530 A.D., up to which period the pale horse rider was to have power. Therefore, the reformation by Luther falls under the fifth seal; and after it was opened John was shown, "the souls of them that were slain for the word of God," under the fourth seal. "And it was said unto them [the slain], that they should rest yet a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." The words show that although despotism had lost its power, the persecution had not altogether ceased, for their fellow servants and their brethren were yet to be killed under the fifth seal. Says John: "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God." Therefore, it was the Christians who were slain. {SR2: 213.1}

The altar is a symbol as well, thus it also must be considered. Altar is used for worship; and as the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God were under it, we know that it was an altar of true worship -- the reformation by Luther. {SR2: 213.2}

The Judgment of the Dead Matters

The certainty that the souls cried from under the altar, the place from which God's truth is dispensed, makes obvious that they were slain for their firmness in the Word of God, and that for their faithfulness they were given white robes -- they were accounted worthy of eternity. That they were the martyrs of the preceding period, the period of the fourth seal, is clear from the fact that they were already dead when the fifth seal opened. {TN15: 52.1}

Moreover, an altar denotes renewal of faith, and reformation. That is what it meant to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the instances they built their altars (Gen. 8:20; 12:8; 26:25; 35:14). The souls' being under the altar, indicates that they sacrificed their lives for a cause similar to the cause of the martyrs during the Protestant Reformation. And the question, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge?" also the answer, "that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled," concretely prove that the persecution and martyrdom of the fourth seal were to overlap the fifth seal and that the Judgment of the dead (the martyrs) was not to begin until after the persecution had ceased, but that then it would certainly begin. {TN15: 53.1}

For a deeper study and more information please click or copy-paste on a browser to navigate to the study:

1. Meat In Due Season - An Exposition of Biblical-Prophetic Interpretation on Rev. 4-8 (google.com)

2. Meat In Due Season - 18. The Judgment and the Seven Seals (google.com)

As the book was unrolled, all who looked upon it were filled with awe. There were no blanks in the book. There was space for no more writing. [Revelation 5:8-14; 6:8, quoted.] {20MR 197.4}

"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, Holy and true, doest Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them [They were pronounced pure and holy]; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled" [Revelation 6:9-11]. There were scenes presented to John that were not in reality but that would be in a period of time in the future. [Revelation 8:1-4, quoted.] {20MR 197.5}

Consider the Following

Did John see the incorporeal souls of the martyrs talking to God in Heaven?

— The altar in this verse is the altar of burnt offering (Leviticus 4:25)

— It was located in the courtyard which symbolizes Earth (Revelation 11:2)

— The souls represent people (1 Kings 15:29) who were martyred on Earth

— The cry is a symbol, like Abel’s blood crying out in Genesis 4:10

— They will not receive any reward until the Second Coming when “the number of their fellow servants” will be complete (Revelation 7:3-4, 14-15)

John saw the historical time of the Inquisition martyrs in vision, not incorporeal souls.

Take for example the Revelator's statement: "...I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God,...and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood?" Rev. 6:9, 10. {TN3: 101.1}

The literalist on the one hand, would interpret this scripture to mean that the souls were conscious and actually crying out, though the Bible is very explicit that "the dead know not anything." Eccles. 9:5. And, too, were the souls under the altar literally crying out for vengeance on their murderers, then, to be consistent, the Lord's statement, "the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground" (Gen. 4:10), also the statement, "all the trees of the field shall clap their hands" (Isa. 55:12), likewise must be interpreted literally in spite of the fact that it is impossible physically for blood to cry out and for trees to clap hands. {TN3: 101.2}

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

When speaking of the dead, the Bible never calls them spirits. It does, however, so designate the living. It plainly says, moreover, that "the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." Eccles. 9:5, 6. {TN3: 118.1}

Still further, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the Lord make exceedingly plain that after death the sinner has no chance at all for salvation; no, not even for a drop of cold water on his tongue, as is memorably witnessed by the rich man's being denied his pleas in death: "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence." Luke 16:25, 26. {TN3: 118.2}

Questions to Ponder

1. Is the description in Luke 16:19-31 a literal event in the afterlife? If not, why not?

2. Does the contrast between the Rich man and Lazarus have spiritual significance in the afterlife? what message does it portray?

3. When was the thief who had hanged with Jesus going to heaven? Was it during that day or it is just a promise of the coming day of resurrection?

4. What's the difference between the phrase, "to live in Christ" and/or "to live with Christ?

5. Was Christ in reality "preached to the spirits in prison"? How and what does it mean?

6. What does Revelation 6:9-11 mean? Does it talk about the martyrs who are crying?

7. Based on the statement above {TN3: 118.1-2}, what lesson does it tell concerning the fate of the dead?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“A correct understanding of ‘what saith the Scriptures’ in regard to the state of the dead is essential for this time. God's Word declares that the dead know not anything, their hatred and love have alike perished. We must come to the sure word of prophecy for our authority […] Unless we are rooted and grounded in the truth, we shall be swept away by Satan's delusive snares. We must cling to our Bibles.” E. G. W. (Evangelism, cp. 8, p. 249)

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