Lesson 42: The Controversy Ended
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. 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.
Revelation 21: 3-4
Introduction
The great controversy is nearly at an end. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.
What are the elements of this chapter?
Concept: THE MILLENNIUM
At the end of the Millennium, Jesus returns with his saints with the holy city Jerusalem.
The wicked are raised from the dead and stand numberless on the earth still bearing the traces of disease and death.
The wicked proclaim to Christ "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord"
The new Jerusalem comes down and Jesus the redeemed and the angels enter the city.
Jesus sits on the throne with glory beyond description that emanates from the Father filling the city and the earth.
Jesus orders the gates of New Jerusalem closed
People: SATAN
Satan prepares for his final assault against Christ.
Countenanced by the amount of wicked raised from the dead, he leads them to battle against Christ and His followers.
Satan has full control of wicked who are composed of kings, generals, and warriors which he consults along with his angels
They build weapons and commence attack on Christ and His followers.
Concept: THE REDEEMED
Those who were once zealous for Satan are now redeemed and stand closest to Jesus' throne. (Revelation 7:9-10, Revelation 15:3)
Standing next to them are those who were perfected in the midst of falsehood who honored God’s law and who were martyred for His cause.
Concept: THE JUDGMENT
The sentence of judgment is pronounced upon Satan and his followers. (Revelation 20:11-12)
The books are opened and the wicked are conscious of every sin they've committed.
The cross is revealed above the throne of Christ and all see in a panoramic view the history of redemption.
Satan’s Guilt Revealed
Satan sees Christ's glory and remembers from where he has fallen. Seeing only his failure now, he bows down before Him. (Ezekiel 28:6-7)
Satan sees another standing in his spot and recalls God’s persistence with him and his own efforts to oppose Christ.
Satan Resumes His Attack
He stirs up the wicked yet again but the rage of the wicked is turned on Satan. (Ezekiel 28: 6-8; 16-19)
Concept: THE EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT
Fire comes down out of heaven and burns the earth. (Isaiah 34:2, Psalm 11:6, Malachi 4:1, 2 Peter 3:10, Isaiah 34:8, Proverbs 11:31, Malachi 4:1, Isaiah 14:7; Revelation 20:6, Psalm 84:11, Revelation 21:1)
The earth is broken up and fire bursts through turning the earth into a molten mass - the lake of fire.
The righteous witness the execution of the wicked and the purification of the earth while they are safe within the holy city.
Concept: THE NEW EARTH
(Hebrews 11:14-16, Isaiah 32:18, Isaiah 60:18, Isaiah 65: 21-22, Isaiah 35:1, Isaiah 55:13, Isaiah 11:6-9, Revelation 21:4
The inheritance of the saved is a country where the tree of life is planted on a new landscape.
There is no more pain.
Concept: THE NEW JERUSALEM
(Isaiah 62:3, Revelation 21:11,24, Isaiah 65:19, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 22:5, Revelation 21:22, GC 677.3)
In the New Jerusalem is a place where there is no more night.
There is no Temple because everyone there are standing in God's presence and behold His glory.
The redeemed are free to learn and study the wonders of the universe and free to learn the depth of God only to discover that God is love.
What does this have to do with me today?
Why won't the wicked get an additional probation when Jesus comes again?
Who are among the guilty and how will they view their conviction? (Matthew 25:40)
What do the wicked see in the hands of Jesus and what will they do when they see it?