ETERNAL LIFE AND HOW TO OBTAIN

What precious has God made to His children? 

          "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." 1 John 2:25.

How may we obtain eternal life?

         "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. 

Who has everlasting life? 

         "He that beliveth on the Son hath everlasting life."  Verse 36.

Where is this everlasting or eternal life? 

        "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this is his son." 1 John 5:11.

What therefore follows?

         "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Verse12.

What does Christ give His followers? 

         "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish." John 10:28. 

THE TREE OF LIFE, PAST AND FUTURE 

Why, after the Fall, was man shut away from the tree of life? 

          "Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." Genesis 3:22. 

What has Christ the overcomer? 

          "To his that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7. 

WHEN SAINTS BECOME IMMORTAL

When will immortality be conferred upon the saints? 

         "When shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."  1 Corinthians 15: 51-53. 

THE TREE OF LIFE, PAST AND FUTURE 

Why, after the Fall, was man shut away from the tree of life? 

          "Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." Genesis 3:22. 

What has Christ the overcomer? 

          "To his that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7. 

THE TREE OF LIFE, PAST AND FUTURE 

Why, after the Fall, was man shut away from the tree of life? 

          "Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." Genesis 3:22. 

What has Christ the overcomer? 

          "To his that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7. 

WHEN SAINTS BECOME IMMORTAL

When will immortality be conferred upon the saints? 

         "When shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."  1 Corinthians 15: 51-53. 

         Note.---In accepting Christ the believer receives "that eternal life, which was with the Father," and this eternal life he retains as long as Christ dwells in the heart by faith.  This wondrous gift may be lost by failure to maintain the faith which holds Christ fast.  At the  resurrection, immortality is conferred upon those who have fallen asleep in Christ, and thus the possessions of eternal life becomes a permanent experience. 

GOD'S PURPOSE IN CREATION 

For what purpose was the earth created? 

         "For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited." Isaiah 45:18. 

To whom has God  given the earth? 

          "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men." Psalm 115:16. 

For what purpose was man made?

         "Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet."  Psalm 8:6. 

SATAN, AND MAN'S LOST DOMINION 

How did man lose his dominion? 

         Through sin, Romans 5:12; 6:23. 

When man lost his dominion, to whom did he yield it?

         "For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." 2 Peter 2:19. 

         Note.---Man was overcome by Satan in the Garden of Eden, and there yielded himself and his possessions into the hands of his captor. 

In tempting Christ, what ownership did Satan claim? 

          "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said unto him,  All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them; for that is delivered unto me; and to whosoever I will I give it." Luke 4:5, 6. . 

WHAT RESTORED DOMINION 

What promise of restoration did the Lord make through Micah? 

          "And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem."  Micah 4:8. 

Why did Christ say the meek are blessed? 

        "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5. 

          Note.---This inheritance cannot be realized in this life, for here the truly meek generally have little of earth's good things. 

Who does the psalmist say have most now? 

           "For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish." Psalm 73: 3-7. 

What promise was made to Abraham concerning the land?

         "And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thin eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for shall the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever." Genesis 13: 14, 15. 

How much did this promise comprehend? 

        "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."  Romans 4:13. 

How much of the land of Canaan did Abraham own in his lifetime? 

          "And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on; yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child."  Acts 7:5. (See Hebrews 11:13.)

How much the promised possession did Abraham expect during his lifetime? 

          "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after received for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  By faith he sojourned in the land pf primes, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he looked for a city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God." Hebrews 11:8-10. 

In a special sense, who is the seed to whom this promise was made? 

          "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  He saith not, And to seeds as of many; but as one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Galatians 3:16. 

Who are heirs of the promise? 

        "And if ye be Christ's, the are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to promise." Verse 29. 

Why did not these ancient worthies receive the promise?

          "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  God having provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Hebrews 11: 39, 40. 

WHEN THIS EARTH IS MADE NEW

What is to become of our earth in the day of the Lord? 

          "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10. 

What will follow this conflagration? 

          "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." Verse 13. 

          Note.---As shown in the reading on "The Millennium," page 1005, at coming of Christ living wicked will die, and the saints will be taken to heaven to dwell with Christ a thousand years, or until the wicked of all ages are judged and the time comes for their destruction and the purification of the earth by the fires of the last day.  Following this the earth will be formed anew, and man, redeemed from sin, will be restored to his original dominion. 

To what Old Testament promise did Peter evidently refer? 

          "For, behold, I create a new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."  Isaiah 65:17.

What was shown the Apostle John in vision? 

          "And I saw a new haven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."  Revelation 21:1. 

How did Isaiah describe conditions on the "new earth"? 

         "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat; for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.  They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.."  Isaiah 65:21-23. 

How readily will their wants be supplied? 

          "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."  Verse 24. 

What peaceful condition will reign throughout the earth them? 

          "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpents' meat  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." Verse 25.  

What seasons of worship will be observed in the new earth? 

           "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.  And it shall come to pass, that  from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord." Isaiah 66:22, 23.

What will the ransomed of the Lord then do? 

          "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isaiah 35:10.  

The New Jerusalem 

What was one Christ's parting promises to His disciples? 

         "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you."  John 14:2.

What does Paul say God has prepared for His people? 

        "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for then a city."  Hebrew 11:16. 

Where is this city, and what is it called? 

        "But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."  Galatians 4:26. 

For what did Abraham look?

        "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Hebrew 11:10.

What assurance has God given to believers? 

         "God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared fro them a city." Hebrew 11:16. 

SAINTS JOHN DESCRIBES THE CITY

What did John see concerning this city? 

         "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."  Revelation 21:2. 

How many foundations has this city? 

         "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and is them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."  Verse 14. 

What is the measurement of the city? 

         "And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadeth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs." Verse 16. 

What is the height of the wall? 

         "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits." Verse 17. 

          Note.---One hundred and forty-four cubits are estimated at 216 feet in our measure. 

Of what material is the wall constructed? 

         "And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass."  Verse 18. 

With what are the twelve foundations adorned? 

        "And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones.  The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; and third, a chalcedony; the fourth, and  emerald, the fifth,  sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eight, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a  jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst." Verse 19, 90 (See Exodus 28: 15-21; Isaiah 54: 11, 12.

Of what re the twelve gates composed? 

         "And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl."  Revelation 21: 21. 

What is written on these gates?

        "the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel." Verse12.

Of what does John say the streets of the city are composed? 

        "And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent  glass." Verse 21.

Why will this city have no need of the sun of the sun or moon? 

        "And the city had no need to the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it."  Verse 23, 24.  (See Revelation 22:5; Isaiah 60: 19, 20.)

Why are it  gates not to be closed? 

         "And the gates of it shall not be shut at  all by day: for there shall be no night there." Revelation 21:25. 

WHO MAY, AND WHO MAY NOT, ENTER 

What will be excluded from this city?

         "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiledth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie. Verse 27.

Who will be permitted to enter it?

        "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and many enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14.

          Note.---The late English and American revisions render this, "Blessed are they that wash their robes," etc.  The result is the same, for those who wash their robes cease to sin, and hence do God's commandments.

When this city becomes the metropolis of the new earth, what will be the condition of God's people?

         "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."  Revelation 21:4. 

EVERLASTING LIFE AND GLORIOUS PRIVILEGE 

What will flow through the city? 

         "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb."  Revelation 22:1.

What stands on either side of the river?

         "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the laves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."  Verse 2. 

          Note.---The tree life, which Adam lost through transgression, is to be restored by Christ.  Access to this is one of the promises to the overcomer.  (Revelation 2:7)  Its bearing twelve kinds of fruits, a new kind each month, suggests a reason why in the new earth "from one new moon to another," as well as "from one sabbath to another,"  all flesh is to come before God to worship, as stated in Isaiah 66:22, 23. 

The Conflict Ended

FOUR STEPS OF A COMPLETED WORK 

In the narration of the work of creation, what statement is made concerning its completion? 

         "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.  And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made.  Genesis 2:1, 2.

         Note.---God's work here referred to was "very good."  Genesis 1:31.  Had it not been for sin,  this first plan of God would not have been followed by the three steeps we shall now study. 

When expiring on the cross, what did Christ say to indicate that conflict was ended? 

         "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave the ghost."  John 19:30. 

         Note.---Christ came into the world to save sinners.  Costly through the price was, He paid it.  Bitter as was the cup,  he drank its last dregs.  In that final moment He said,  "It is finished. 

As the pouring out of the seventh plague, what announcement will be made? 

          "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying.  It is done."  Revelation 16:17. 

          Note.---This outpouring of God's wrath is upon the rejecters of Heaven's mercy.  Human probation has closed, and when the great voice cries,  "It is done,"  Christ stars on His way to earth the second time.

And when the new heavens and the new earth have appeared, and the Holy City, New Jerusalem, has descended from God and become the metropolis of the new creation, what announcement will them be made? 

         "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.  And he said unto me,  It is done.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end."  Revelation 21:5, 6. 

PLEASURES FOREVER

What did God promise will be no more in the new earth?

          "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."  Verse 4.  "And there shall be no more curse."  Revelation 22:3. 

PLEASURES FOREVER

What did God promise will be no more in the new earth?

          "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."  Verse 4.  "And there shall be no more curse."  Revelation 22:3. 

How does Isaiah describe the condition of all the earth? 

        "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord , as the waters cover the sea."  Isaiah 11:6-9. 

SEEING HIM AS HE IS

What will finally be the privilege of God's children? 

           "And they shall see his face."  Revelation 22:4.

How perfect will be their knowledge of God?

         "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12. 

Whom will they like?

         "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not ye appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall  appear,  we shall be like him; for we shall see him ass he is."  1 John 3:2.

From what ill will the saints be forever delivered? 

           "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 21:4. 

Who will dwell with the redeemed? 

        "He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with then, and be their God."  Verse 3. 

How long will they posses the future kingdom? 

         "But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever."  Daniel 7:18.

How long will they reign?

          "And they shall reign for ever and ever."  Revelation 22:5.