BURNING LIKE TRASH. We are nearing the end-time climax of this earth’s history. This earth will be completely destroyed, and its climax will bring to an end Satan, his evil angels, and all his wicked followers. Their end will be permanent. How will they be destroyed?
Sin, Evil, Death, Dying, and What Happens After We Die
This series addresses the concerns we all have: the concern for sin, evil, death, dying, and what happens after we die. Is there hope after death? When God created us, humans, he intended for us to live forever in a loving, peaceful relationship with him. But this relationship has been broken by sin.
Here, we address the origin of sin and look more closely at death and dying.
But, instead of looking at death negatively, we look at it in the context of hope, the promised hope based on what Jesus did for us when he died and came back to life again.
From the Sabbath School Adult Bible Study Guide 2022 Quarter 4: Sabbath.School (See also Hope Sabbath School and 3ABN Sabbath School)
Let Us Pray
Holy Father, it is evident that this world is headed toward terrible destruction. We see it in nature and in the selfish, mean, and inhumane acts of today. Lord, we commit ourselves to you. Save us for we cannot save ourselves. In Jesus the Name Amen (Split)
God is directing earth and human history to its end. At its final end, the people of God will be taken to heaven to reign with Him for 1000 years. At this time the earth will be desolate. To find out more about what happens during the 1000 years, review the previous lessons on the Judging Process @ Sabbath SchoolDaily.com
At the end of the 1,000 years, the wicked dead will wake up from their graves. This will not be the apocalypse as seen on TV or in the movies. During this apocalypse, we are told in Revelation 20:5, and 11–15 that the wicked dead will get their final punishment.
Revelation 20:5 describes what happens to the wicked dead in the first resurrection. We want to be in this resurrection.
5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:5)
Revelation 20:11-15 describes the second resurrection
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
When God’s final work as Judge is completed, nothing else can be added to His decision.
When the whole judging process is completed. When there is nothing that can be added to it, the wicked, those who refused to surrender to God, and turn from their evil ways will admit that God’s decisions are fair and just.
In the book, The Great Controversy, an excellent book for understanding what will happen in the end times, it says “With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: ‘Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.’ ” And Satan himself “bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 670, 671.
The final punishment for Satan, his evil angels, and the wicked is utter destruction, and complete annihilation by fire. They will be burned up like trash. This is called the second death.
The following verses offer some details about the lake of fire and what happens in the second death:
Malachi 4:1
1 “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch. (Malachi 4:1)
Revelation 20:14-15
14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)
Revelation 21:8
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
Satan, his evil angels, and all the wicked people who have ever lived on this earth and have caused everyone so much pain will finally be destroyed. Heaven and earth will be cleansed from sin and evil forever!
But is this not a cruel and harsh punishment?
No, God’s punishment of evil shows His love for His people and even for the wicked. The evil ones prefer death rather than being in the presence of God. For according to Hebrew 12:29
29 For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29).
Again, in the Great Controversy, it says: “They [the lost] would long to flee from that holy place. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 543.
The final annihilation of sin and sinners shows us that God’s punishment is fair. Contrary to what some may believe about the punishment of the wicked, they will not burn forever in an eternally burning hell.
Just as sin had a beginning, sin will also have an end. Once sin is put away, never to exist again, then God will make a new heaven and a new earth.
Heaven and earth will be free forever from sin and evil. Then the whole universe will return to its original state of perfection. It will be like it was before sin, evil, and disobedience mysteriously and without any justification came into existence. For there is no excuse for sin and evil. Its origin will forever be a mystery.
But praise God, it will never again come into existence. The controversy between good and evil will be over, and sin will be destroyed forever!
God is fair when he destroys Satan, his evil angels, and all his wicked followers. 2 Timothy 4:8 reminds us that not like some of our judges today, God is the Righteous Judge.
2 Timothy 4:8
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)
God will make the fair decision to give everlasting life to His children and death to the wicked. While we are living, we still have time to decide which side of the Controversy between good and evil we want to be on.
Once we are dead, we cannot change our minds. . God’s decision will be final, and there will be no place for appeal. The time for appeal is now before Christ Returns.
Why not chose Jesus today while you still have time?
Also, Watch Past and Present Lessons @ SabbathSchoolDaily.com
