Atonement & Univeresal Harmony

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope
December 27, 2008

Larry R Evans

Introductory and Concluding Reflections

This has been an amazing quarter of biblical lessons. The richness of the atonement has been obvious and while we have explored it, we have not plumbed its depths. It will no doubt be the primary study for all eternity. We have seen the gravity of man’s sin noting how he put himself in the center and God on the outside leaving him with the consequences of his rebellion towards God. We have seen how God saw our helplessness and came in person to rescue us even at tremendous risk and cost for Himself. Furthermore, we have seen, how despite the tragedies which sin has brought, God’s intervention brought a solution bigger than any sin problem. Lest there be any question about his plan and its conclusion He has set up 1,000 years of absolute full transparency when every action and motive impacting that conclusion can be seen in living color. No doubts about the final judgment will remain. In the end God’s love will triumph. With this in mind I bring my remarks to a close with one of my most cherished quotations which describes so well the conclusion of the universal struggle with sin and its effects:

“The great controversy is ended. 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.” [Ellen White in The Great Controversy, p.678]

Reflective Discovery Questions

1. Bringing the Yin and Yang into balance is another way of speaking of the harmony God will bring about through the Day of Atonement. True or False? [Heb 9:11-14]

2. We should put our order in now for those things we want to take from this earth to heaven. True or False [1 Cor 15:51-54]

3. The millennium is another word for expressing God’s transparency. True or False? [1 Cor 4:5; 6:3; Rev 20:11,12; also The Great Controversy pp. 666-671]

4. Because of the sin problem there will never be a time when the whole universe will be in agreement in regards to the lordship of Christ. True or False? [Philip. 2:9-11; The Great Controversy, pp 670-671]

5. When love ultimately triumphs over evil we wil understand why we have had to endure specific trials, hardships and disappointments. True or False? [1 Cor 13:9-13]

6. Sinless perfection is the security the universe needs to ward off future rebellions in heaven. True or False? [See note in SS quarterly for Friday.]

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