The Following Insight was for a previous lesson.
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When all things become new
Memory Text: " 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away' " (Revelation 21:4, NKJV).
The lesson focuses on the events from the second advent forward. The lesson's primary objective seems to be to distance Adventists from the beliefs of other Christian denominations. As the lesson states on Friday, other denominations have a preterist (in the past; between the first and second advent of Christ) or futurist (in the future – before the second advent) understanding of the Millennium; ours is historist - that the Millennium happens after Christ's second Advent. The language used in our lesson is a little disturbing: The Millennium occurs in heaven as oppose to earth. However, in my experience, Adventists teach the Millennium based on what happens here on Earth and Heaven: both the Devil held captive on this planet, and the judgment which occurs in Heaven. So, truthfully, the Millennium happens both on heaven and earth.
Now, as Adventists, we believe that what happens to the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement represents what happens to the Devil. Ellen White says,
In the typical service the high priest, having made the atonement for Israel came forth and blessed the congregation. So Christ, at the close of His work as a mediator, will appear, "without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:28), to bless His waiting people with eternal life. As the priest, in removing the sins from the sanctuary, confessed them upon the head of the scapegoat, so Christ will place all these sins upon Satan, the originator and instigator of sin. The scapegoat, bearing the sins of Israel, was sent away "unto a land not inhabited" (Leviticus 16:22); so Satan, bearing the guilt of all the sins which he has caused God's people to commit, will be for a thousand years confined to the earth, which will then be desolate, without inhabitant, and he will at last suffer the full penalty of sin in the fires that shall destroy all the wicked. Thus, the great plan of redemption will reach its accomplishment in the final eradication of sin and the deliverance of all who have been willing to renounce evil. {GC 485 - 486}
This is pretty straight forward. Why is more judgment needed?
"During the millennium the saints participate in a deliberative judgment that reviews the cases of the lost of this earth and the fallen angels. This judgment is evidently necessary in view of the cosmic nature of the sin problem. The course of the rebellion of sin has been the object of concern and interest on the part of other worlds (Job 1; 2;Eph. 3:10). The whole interlude of sin must be handled in such a way that hearts and minds throughout God's universe are satisfied with its treatment and conclusion, with particular reference to God's character. It is especially important for the redeemed from earth to understand God's dealings with those who called for the rocks to fall on them and deliver them from the 'face of him who is seated on the throne' (Rev. 6:16). They must be totally satisfied that God was just in His decision regarding the lost."—Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald® Pub. Assn., 2000), p. 932.
Among the group that will be burning, are many who the redeemed held in high esteem. The opening up of the books to the redeemed and their study of these books help them grieve and heal from the eternal loss of those they loved and admired. This helps them see that what will happen after the Millennium – the burning of the wicked - is a strange act of Love.
In the book of Early Writings pages 292 and 293, there is a full narrative of the events that will happen after the Millennium and the final destruction of the wicked. It is too long for this space. But it is worth reading. Suffice it to say that what is revealed during this time is that the wicked's heart has not changed. Even when they admit that Christ is the Lamb worthy of praise, they still want to kill Christ and the redeemed. This is the final proof that their destruction is necessary. Their hearts have not changed.
The fire that destroys the wicked and the earth purifies the earth. Sin and its consequences are forever banished. As the John the Revelator says,
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
They are beautiful indeed.
Originally Posted by Ulee at 12/28/2012
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