Johnny is 14 years old and by all accounts, he seems gifted. But Johnny is not gifted in the sense of talent such as sports, music, art or any other human passion. He studies the Bible, that is his consuming passion. His father, Art, is a long-time Seventh-day Adventist and he is doing a good job with Johnny following the Lord’s counsel.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Being active in his Bible studies, Johnny prefers to go one on one with the Spirit of Truth in learning the Scriptures and of course, as an Adventist, the Spirit of Prophecy. Johnny knows well what the Lord has told us about knowing Truth.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)
And being of such a young age, the Lord cannot be but thrilled to know Johnny is searching Bible Truth as a miner searches for gold. So this being the case, Johnny was guided to some literature concerning the Lord’s Elijah message. He has been studying it in private for a good year now, marking every word and confirming it to the Scriptures.
One of Johnny and his father’s custom is to have a couple Bible studies each week. So it was Tuesday evening and they went into the family’s study room and began their study.
After prayer Johnny tells Art he has some really interesting points and questions he’d like to review with his Dad.
Johnny: Dad, we as SDA teach that the Sunday law is coming and that once it comes, we’ll have to run to the hills because we can’t buy or sell, is that right?
Art: Yes son that is right. Our prophetess showed us that the Sunday law will be in place in the final days and that we’ll have to get out of the cities and rely totally on God. Even for water and bread. Here’s a good reference for that —
“I saw the saints leaving the cities and villages, and associating together in companies, and living in the most solitary places. Angels provided them food and water, while the wicked were suffering from hunger and thirst. Then I saw the leading men of the earth consulting together, and Satan and his angels busy around them.
I saw a writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless the saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week, the people were at liberty after a certain time to put them to death. But in this hour of trial the saints were calm and composed, trusting in God and leaning upon His promise that a way of escape would be made for them.” (Early Writings, p.282. 283)
Johnny: So that means our SDA church will be fragmented and really dispersed and just barely surviving soon?
Art: Pretty much son, it will a real tough time.
Johnny: But how do we explain this SOP quote?–
“Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. “Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners” (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.” (PK, p.725)
Art: That’s a good point. I guess the church still tries to do the Loud Cry during the time of trouble.
Johnny: Not only that but look at this one–
“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Micah 4:1-2)
Art: Um, that is interesting. We as SDA don’t discuss that one much.
Johnny: Why not? This shows that we as the Lord’s remnant people will be part of a great church, a church based in Jerusalem.
Art: No son, that is not correct. Our prophetess told us the following —
“I also saw that old Jerusalem never would be built up.” Early Writings, p.75
Johnny: But Dad there is more —
“In that day I will make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.” Zech. 12:6.
“The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the LORD.”(Jeremiah 30:3)
“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:”(Jer.32:37-38)
“I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. “(Ezek. 36:24-27)
Johnny: The only land and place that the Lord gave to His people was Israel.
Art: But son those were conditional promises made to the ancient Jews. They did not fulfill their word and therefore God could not fulfill His promise.
Johnny: No Dad, when we read all those four quotes there is words like “I will” “shall be” “they shall”. And nowhere in the context or even before those words in the chapters is any condition given. Let’s read what the Spirit of Prophecy says about this matter.
“That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today. He has “let out His vineyard unto other husbandmen,” even to His covenant-keeping people, who faithfully “render Him the fruits in their seasons.”Never has the Lord been without true representatives on this earth who have made His interests their own. These witnesses for God are numbered among the spiritual Israel, and to them will be fulfilled all the covenant promises made by Jehovah to His ancient people.” (PK, p.713-714)
Johnny: Do you know Dad that the promise to restore the land of Israel back to His remnant people is one of the main covenant promises made by God to His ancient people?
( At this point Art is both confused and a little uneasy. He knows that his son is speaking rightly , yet this is not what he has been taught.)
Art: Son , where did you get this stuff?
Johnny: I will tell you in a minute Dad, but first let me show you something else I learned. It’s here in Isaiah chapter 11. Let me read it.
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; And his resting-place shall be glorious.”(Isaiah 11:6-10)
Art: Ah, one of my favorites Scriptures. This shows a beautiful time when on the new earth there will be beauty and harmony abounding.
Johnny: No Dad that is incorrect.
Art: What? What are you talking about?
Johnny: Allow me to explain. As we know God does not use any useless words in the Scriptures. Therefore we must pay very close attention to each and every word because it has meaning.
First, did you notice that a little child leads the goat, calf and lion? And the infant will play near the cobra’s nest?
Art: Yes
Johnny: That cannot be in the new earth. Let me show you why. This is what our prophetess said.
“There are men today who express their belief that there will be marriages and births in the new earth, but those who believe the Scriptures cannot accept such doctrines. The doctrine that children will be born in the new earth is not a part of the “sure word of prophecy.” The words of Christ are too plain to be misunderstood. They should forever settle the question of marriages and births in the new earth. Neither those who shall be raised from the dead, nor those who shall be translated without seeing death, will marry or be given in marriage. They will be as the angels of God, members of the royal family.” (Maranatha, p.370)
Johnny: Dad, there will not be any little children or infants in the new earth. Because we know that the word says we will grow like calves in the stall (Mal. 4:2). Further, it is foolish to think that during the 1000 years in heaven we will still have babies and young children that won’t grow up there.
Art: Go on I’m listening.
Johnny: We see also that in this time there will be someone whom the Gentiles seek. Will there be any Gentiles in the new earth?
Art: Ok, ok you’ve made your point. Now, where did you get these ideas?
Johnny: I will tell you Dad but I still have more to show you first.
(To be continued…)
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