Treasure in Heaven “ ‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ ” (Matt. 6:19–21, NKJV). What crucial truths is Jesus speaking here? Who hasn’t read story after story of those who had amassed great wealth, only somehow to lose it? Our worl...
Jan 05, 2023•11 min•Ep. 1622
Responsibilities of God’s Family Members We all enjoy the spiritual and temporal blessings and gifts that God gives us. How comforting to know, too, that we are “part of the family.” Read Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37. What does this mean, and how do we do it? How would you love God with “ ‘ “all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” ’ ” (Matt. 22:37, NKJV)? Interestingly enough, the Bible gives us the answer, and it’s not what most people expect. Read Deuteronomy 10:12, 13...
Jan 04, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1621
Resources Available for God’s Family God’s greatest gift to His children is Jesus Christ, who brings us the peace of forgiveness, grace for daily living and spiritual growth, and the hope of eternal life. “ ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’ ” (John 3:16, NKJV). “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). Sal...
Jan 03, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1620
God Is the Owner of Everything Read Psalm 50:10–12; Psalm 24:1; 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14; and Haggai 2:8. What’s the message here, and what should this truth mean to us and how we relate to whatever we possess? The book of 1 Chronicles, starting with chapter 17, records King David’s desire to build a house for God. He shared this desire with the prophet Nathan, who responded, “ ‘Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you’ ” (1 Chron. 17:2, NKJV). But that night the word of God came to Natha...
Jan 02, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1619
We Are Part of God’s Family “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Eph. 3:14, 15, NKJV). What imagery is evoked in this verse, and what hope is found there? Early in Jesus’ ministry, He states, “ ‘In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name’ ” (Matt. 6:9, NKJV). Later He repeats the same prayer privately with His disciples (Luke 11:2). Jesus told us to call His Father, “Our...
Jan 01, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1618
Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 3:26, 29; Ps. 50:10–12; 1 Chron. 29:13, 14; Phil. 4:19; 1 John 5:3; Matt. 6:19–21. Memory Text: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV). As Christians, an amazing feature about our relationship with God is that He trusts us to manage His affairs on the earth. At the very outset of human history, God explicitly delegated to Adam and Eve the personal care of a flawless creation. (See G...
Jan 01, 2023•6 min•Ep. 1617
It is difficult for us to fully comprehend the relationship that our God, the Creator of the universe, wants to have with us as human beings. (The mere idea of it is astounding!) “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV). Or as Ellen G. White wrote: “Can any human dignity equal this? What higher position can we occupy than to be called the sons of the infinite God? . . . Can any worldly honor equal this?”—God’s Amazin...
Jan 01, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1616
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Controversy Ended,” pp. 674–678, in The Great Controversy; “The Earth Made New,” pp. 133–145; “Heaven Is a School,” pp. 146–158; “It Will Not Be Long,” pp. 159–166; “Heaven Can Begin Now,” pp. 167–176; “The Music of Heaven,” pp. 177–184; “A Call for Us to Be There,” pp. 185–192, in Heaven. “The cross of Christ will be the science and the song of the redeemed through all eternity. In Christ glorified they will behold Christ cruci- fied. Never will it be ...
Dec 30, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1615
His Name on Their Foreheads Read Revelation 22:3–5. How can we be assured that we will be among those who will have the name of God written on our foreheads? Or can we be assured? After the rebellion of Lucifer and the fall of Adam and Eve, God could have destroyed the two sinners. Yet, as an expression of uncondi- tional love for His creatures, God established a merciful plan to save all those who accept what He offers. This is what is known as the “plan of salvation,” which, though existing ev...
Dec 29, 2022•8 min•Ep. 1614
No More Death and Tears The theory of an immortal soul, suffering forever in an ever-burning hell, contradicts the biblical teaching that in the new heaven and the new earth there will be “ ‘no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying’ ” (Rev. 21:4, NKJV). If the theory of an eternal burning hell were true, then the “second death” would not eradicate sin and sinners from the universe but only con- fine them in an everlasting hell of sorrow and crying. And further: in this case the universe would never...
Dec 28, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1613
In the Presence of God The Bible says that God “dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Tim. 6:16, NRSV), and that “no one has ever seen God” (John 1:18, 1 John 4:12, NRSV). Does it mean that the saints in heaven will never see God the Father? Not at all. It is quite evident that not seeing God refers to the human beings after the Fall, because there are several indications in Scripture that the saints will actually see Him in heaven. Read Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:2, 3; and Revelation 22:3, 4. What do t...
Dec 27, 2022•8 min•Ep. 1612
In the Temple of God Some people speak of heaven itself as being God’s sanctuary. But the book of Revelation refers to a specific sanctuary/temple within the New Jerusalem, where God’s throne and the sea of glass are located (Rev. 4:2–6, Rev. 7:9–15, Rev. 15:5–8). There the great multitude of saints from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues will worship God forever (Rev. 7:9–17). Compare Revelation 7:9–15 with Revelation 21:3, 22. How can we harmonize the description of the great multitude ...
Dec 26, 2022•11 min•Ep. 1611
A New Heaven and a New Earth For some followers of Greek philosophy, the idea that something is physical means that it is bad. That’s why for them it is unconceivable to think of a real heaven with real people in the future. In this thinking, for it to be heaven and to be good, it must be a purely spiritual state, free from the blemishes found in the physical world here. If something is material, they assert, it cannot be spiritual; and if something is spiritual, it cannot be material. By contra...
Dec 25, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1610
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:3, 22; 1 John 3:2, 3; 1 Pet. 1:22; Isa. 25:8; Rev. 22:3–5. Memory Text: “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful’ ” (Revelation 21:5, NKJV). Scripture gives us this hope: “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13, NASB). For some, however, the promise of “a new heaven and a ne...
Dec 25, 2022•6 min•Ep. 1609
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Without a Wedding Gar- ment,” pp. 307–319, in Christ’s Object Lessons; “Desolation of the Earth,” pp. 653–661; “The Controversy Ended,” pp. 662–673, in The Great Controversy. “In the day of final judgment, every lost soul will understand the nature of his own rejection of truth. The cross will be presented, and its real bearing will be seen by every mind that has been blinded by transgression. Before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim, sinners...
Dec 23, 2022•8 min•Ep. 1608
The Second Death God is leading human history toward its end-time climax. At the end of the millennium all the wicked dead are raised from their graves to receive their final punitive sentences (Rev. 20:5, 11–15). Then, when the whole judging process is completed and nothing else can be added to it, the wicked will acknowledge God’s justice. “With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: ‘Just and true are Thy ways, T...
Dec 22, 2022•7 min•Ep. 1607
The Executive Judgment During the Middle Ages there was a strong tendency to portray God as a severe, punitive Judge. Today the tendency is to describe Him as a loving, permissive Father who never punishes His children. Yet, love without justice will turn into chaos and lawlessness, and justice without love will become oppression and subjugation. God’s judging process is a perfect blend of justice and mercy, both of which derive from His unconditional love. The executive judgment is God’s final ...
Dec 22, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1606
The Millennial Judgment The Bible tells us that at the Second Coming (1) both the living saints and the resurrected saints will “meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16, 17); (2) all the saints will be taken to heaven to abide in the heavenly “ ‘dwelling places’ ” that He Himself has prepared for them (John 14:1–3, NRSV); and (3) only at the end of the millennium will the New Jerusalem come down to this earth and become the everlasting home of the saints (Rev. 21:1–3, 9–11). So, during the mill...
Dec 20, 2022•8 min•Ep. 1605
The Pre-Advent Judgment The concept of judgment before the return of Christ, or what we call a “pre-Advent” judgment, is found in many places in Scripture. Read Daniel 7:9–14; Matthew 22:1–14; Revelation 11:1, 18, 19; and Revelation 14:6, 7. How do these passages shed light on the notion of a pre-Advent investigative judgment in the heavenly courtroom? What is the significance of such a judgment? The concept of a pre-Advent investigative judgment of God’s people is grounded in three basic biblic...
Dec 19, 2022•11 min•Ep. 1604
The Final Judgment For many, the idea of judgment means condemnation. And though that’s part of the process, we mustn’t forget that the idea of judgment has a positive side, in that judgment also involves the vindication of the righteous. Actually, the book of Daniel refers to an end-time judgment “ ‘in favor of the saints of the Most High’ ” (Dan. 7:22, NKJV). God’s judgment includes both—a principle found in this Old Testament text: “ ‘Then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, con...
Dec 18, 2022•11 min•Ep. 1603
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 25:31–46; Dan. 7:9–14; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; 2 Pet. 2:4–6; Mal. 4:1; Rev. 21:8. Memory Text: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV). If Scripture is clear about one thing, it is the reality of judgment. God will judge the world. The texts, both in the Old Testament and the New, are numerous and without ambiguity. The j...
Dec 18, 2022•6 min•Ep. 1602
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Mind Cure,” pp. 241–259, in The Ministry of Healing; “True and False Theories Contrasted,” pp. 7–16, in The Sanctified Life. “The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? The Lord is coming. We hear ...
Dec 16, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1601
Ready for His Appearing We live in a frenetic world with too many artificial needs and eye- catching distractions. If we are not careful, these can take all our time and pervert our priorities. This is not just another by-product of our glo- balized cyber world; Christians in every age, to one degree or another, have to be on guard against Satan’s attempts to distract them from what really matters in this life. Who, if not careful, is not in danger of looking away from the Lord and dwelling on w...
Dec 15, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1600
The Guidance of the Spirit The Holy Spirit is God’s powerful Agent who pours out the love of God into our hearts (Rom. 5:5), leads us into a true saving experience (John 16:7–11), guides us into all the truth (John 16:13), and empow- ers us to fulfill the gospel mission (Acts 1:8). Because it is the Holy Spirit who counteracts the degenerating work of Satan, it is no surprise that Satan tries by all means to distort our understanding of the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. While some deny His...
Dec 14, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1599
The Mind of Christ Some people believe that by changing the environment the individual will be transformed. Definitely, we should avoid places and circum- stances that can make us more vulnerable to temptation (Ps. 1:1, Prov. 5:1–8). But our problem with temptation and sin can be solved only by the transformation of our own hearts (or minds). Christ touched the core of the issue when He stated, “ ‘For it is from within, out of a per- son’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft,...
Dec 13, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1598
The Body as a Temple The dualistic theory of a mortal body with an immortal soul has gen- erated various theories about the human body. For example, for ancient Greek philosophers, the human body was the prison of the soul, which was liberated by death. In an echo of this pagan concept, many Christians today believe that the body is the temporal housing of the immortal soul, which will be reintegrated with the body at the resurrection. By contrast, pantheists make the human body divine; they bel...
Dec 12, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1597
The Model of Jesus Read Luke 2:52. What four dimensions of Jesus’ growth are men- tioned in this passage? Jesus was the perfect Human Being, and His growth comprised all basic dimensions of human existence. According to Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom [mentally] and stature [physically], and in favor with God [spiritually] and man [socially]” (NIV). “His mind was active and penetrating, with a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years. Yet, His character was beautiful in its symmetry. The powe...
Dec 11, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1596
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 2:52; Matt. 4:23; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Ps. 24:3, 4; Acts 8:4–24; 1 John 3:1–3. Memory Text: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV). The book of Revelation speaks of two major “globalizations” prior to the second coming of Christ. Revelation 13 describes the glo- balization of error, when “all the world” will marvel ...
Dec 10, 2022•8 min•Ep. 1595
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Dealing With False Science, Cults, Isms, and Secret Societies,” pp. 602–609, in Evangelism; and “Spiritism,” pp. 86–93, in Confrontation. There exists a foundation which claims that it is creating technology that will allow us to contact the deceased “via texts, phone calls, and video-conferencing.” Calling the dead PMPs (postmaterial persons), its website claims that when humans die they simply pass on “into another phase of forever” but “retain their cons...
Dec 09, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1594
Personations and Other Appearances Similar to necromancy are the demonic personations of the dead and other demonic appearances. The personations can be in the form of a deceased family member, friend, or anyone. Both the physical appearance and the voice are very similar to those of the deceased. All these satanic deceptions will be used to deceive those who are not firmly grounded in God’s Word. Ellen G. White warns, “The apostles, as personated by these lying spirits, are made to contradict w...
Dec 08, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1593
