NO MORE TEARS: Life can be very hard, unfair, and cruel. People dear to us, are snatched away by the cold, bitter touch of death. How will heaven be any different?
Sin, Evil, Death, Dying, and What Happens After We Die
This series has addressed 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 have addressed 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.
Go back and review this series on the Future Hope, and other helpful life-giving series @ SabbathSchoolDaily.com
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
Father, it is true, life does sometimes seem so unfair. But you are fair, holy, just, and good. Help us put our trust fully in you and know that whatever comes our way is for our good. May any difficulties we face draw us into an even closer relationship with you. In Jesus the Name Amen
As we have seen previously, in this series on Future Hope, the idea that the soul is immortal is contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
Similarly, the premise that the immortal soul suffers forever in an ever-burning fire in hell also goes against Bible truth. These teaching originate from pagan philosophies and have found their way into the Christian church.
You can review more about this by watching our entire series on Future Hope at SabbathSchoolDaily.com
We are told in Revelation 21:4 that in the new heaven and new earth there will be “ ‘no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying’ ” (Rev. 21:4, NKJV).
However, if the idea is that Hell is a place where the soul burns forever then the “second death” would not eliminate sin and sinners from the universe.
It would instead be an everlasting place of sorrow and weeping. It would be the same as a prison for evil people who burned eternally. They would be in continual torture and pain. Their pain would never end. They would never stop crying.
This would be a sorrowful sight for the redeemed. For they would have to continually look upon their loved ones in pain and agony with no relief. How then could there be no more tears, no more sorrow, or no more pain?
Moreover, this universe would never be fully restored to its original state of perfection. But the Good News is contrary to popular belief, the Bible does not teach that sinners live immortally in an eternally burning lake of fire.
Again, to get more understanding on the second death and what happens to the wicked review the remaining lessons on this topic @ SabbathSchoolDaily.com.
Review especially, Lesson 9 False Teachings, and Lesson 10 The Fires of Hell.
The following Scriptures offer comfort and hope as we go through the troubles and sorrows of sickness, pain, suffering, death, and dying in this present world.
Isaiah 25:8
8 He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 25:8)
Revelation 7:17
17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)
Revelation 21:4
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Yes, Life here can be hard, and things here are not always fair. People we love may have been killed or taken away by sickness. Other people can cause us to fall in love with them. Then they walk away from us as if they never knew us. It is a terrible experience to be betrayed by someone you loved and trusted. As a matter of fact, under such circumstances, there are moments when our hearts are so broken that we may feel as if life is not worth living.
But, regardless of our sorrow. We do have someone whom we can trust. He will never walk away from us. He is always there to wipe away our tears. But honestly speaking, we are still in an imperfect world in which sin will exist. Until it is eliminated, trouble will come. Some of our heaviest tears are just ahead of us. Tears and sorrows will continue until as expressed in Revelation 21:1-5 that day when death, sorrow, and crying will cease to exist.
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:1-5)
Regardless of the pain, we must not lose hope. Through heartaches and pains, we are made wiser, stronger, and much better.
Put your trust in God and his final work as Judge. He will be fair. He will judge every single person with fairness, equity, and love.
What is comforting to know is that all our loved ones who died in Jesus will wake up from the dead to live together with God throughout eternity.
Consequently, the lost ones who chose not to accept the gift of everlasting life will cease to exist. God will not force them to live in heaven or in an ever-burning hell.
As a matter of fact, the unrighteous would hate living in heaven anyway. It is not their preferred way of living. Nor will God torture them in an eternally burning hell. They will, however, burn until they cease to exist. As trash burns until it turns into ashes and then burns out. Once completely burn up, it cease to exist.
What is even more comforting is different from any earthly judge, God is fair to everyone, and thus we will all agree that his final decision is fair and just. When God destroys death forever, we will shout with joy the words of I Corinthians 15:54-55:
4 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (I Corinthians 15:54-55)
The Lord promises in Isaiah 65:17
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)
Is this saying that we will forget the past? No, God is saying that the past won’t get in the way of us experiencing eternal joy in heaven.
I want the assurance of being saved and living eternally on the new earth and new heaven. How about you? How can we obtain this assurance? Find out on Day 6:
Also, Watch Past and Present Lessons @ SabbathSchoolDaily.com
