THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND PART III

MISCONCEPTIONS CONCERNING HEAVEN, WHAT WE TAKE WITH US THERE, AND OUR RESPONSIBILITIES WHILE ON THIS EARTH

Many ask:
Why is it important to study "Diet," "Sleep Habits," and "Thought Patterns" when we are going to get a NEW "GLORIFIED" BODY AT CHRIST'S 2ND COMING?"

Paul is speaking of receiving something "DIFFERENT"--NOT--SOMETHING "NEW!" Let's look at what he says again:
V. 51 "Behold I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED.
V. 52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. . . . we SHALL BE CHANGED.
V. 53 NOW WATCH! HERE COMES THE "CHANGE." . . . "For this corruptible (decaying body) must put on incorruption (a body that will not decay), and this mortal (this body that is subject to the grave [death]) must put on immortality (it will no longer be subject to dying).
V. 54 WATCH AGAIN! NOW PAUL IS GOING TO TELL US WHAT, EXACTLY, HE IS TALKING ABOUT! "SO WHEN this corruptible SHALL HAVE PUT ON incorruption, and this mortal SHALL HAVE PUT ON immortality, THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.
V. 55 "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory."

AND THAT IS ALL PAUL IS SAYING! "NOT NEW--JUST DIFFERENT!"

And ALL of Scripture supports that same thought, as we shall see. And God REQUIRES men, women, and children, to take responsibility for the bodies that He has given them.

"Whether therefore ye EAT, or DRINK, or WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD."

And God demands this for some very GOOD reasons! Listen to these words:
Daniel 12:1 "And at that time (time of 11:45) shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: AND THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE, SUCH AS NEVER WAS SINCE THERE WAS A NATION EVEN TO THAT SAME TIME: AND AT THAT TIME THY PEOPLE SHALL BE DELIVERED, every one that shall be found written in the book (Lamb's Book of Life)."
To go through this "TIME OF TROUBLE,"
To go through the "SEVEN LAST PLAGUES,"
To be "DELIVERED" from either--will require the possession of two (2) very important items by each one of "THY PEOPLE (WHO) SHALL BE DELIVERED . . . (and) FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK."

1. Luke 18:8 "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find FAITH ON THE EARTH?"

2. 3 John 2 "Beloved, I wish ABOVE ALL THINGS that thou mayest prosper and be IN HEALTH (NOT COMING TO HEALTH, NOR LEAVING HEALTH!) EVEN AS thy soul prospereth."

BOTH WILL BE SEVERELY TESTED: (cf. 1 Peter 5:10, 8)

So, not only will our habits of lifestyle affect us here on earth--Scripture also shows us they will affect us throughout eternity--contrary to the popular myths that (1) we get everything NEW when Christ comes, and myth (2) that we ONLY TAKE OUR CHARACTERS TO HEAVEN WITH US!

Rev. 22:11 Clearly tells us that:
"He that is unjust (here on earth), let him be unjust STILL (let him be the SAME throughout eternity): and he which is filthy (here on earth), let him be filthy STILL (let him be the SAME throughout eternity): and he that is righteous (here on earth), let him be righteous STILL (let him be the SAME throughout eternity): and he that is holy (here on earth), let him be holy STILL (let him also be the SAME throughout eternity)."

In other words--HEAVEN IS JUST A CONTINUATION OF MY WALK ON EARTH! Gen. 5:24 "And Enoch WALKED WITH GOD (ON EARTH): and he was not; for God took him." (Enoch's walk on earth continued right on into eternity! AND SO DOES OURS--WHETHER WE WALK WITH GOD, OR WITHOUT GOD, ETERNITY DOES NOT CHANGE THE PERSON--ONLY THE LOCATION OF THE WALK!)

"IF WE REACH HEAVEN AT LAST, OUR HEAVEN MUST BEGIN HERE" (TDWG, 122).

Luke 12:16-21 The story of the "Rich Fool" shows us what happens if we choose to WALK WITHOUT GOD IN CONTROL OF OUR LIVES:

V. 16 A certain rich man has a "Bumper Crop" one year,
V. 17 And he is perplexed as to what to do with it!
V. 18 But he gets a great idea!

V. 19 Then--after using so much energy in planning, tearing down, and rebuilding, and moving fruits and things . . . He says to his "Soul"--meaning his "Vitality"--his STRENGTH:

V. 20 But there is a heavenly interruption: God gets his attention by

V. 21 Is HIS sin--and many of OURS TODAY!

Listen to the words of this Religious Writer:
"Will those who profess to believe that the end of all things is at hand be BLIND TO THEIR OWN SPIRITUAL INTERESTS and live for THIS WORLD and THIS ALONE? (then adding this very important question:)
"DO THEY EXPECT THAT THEIR ETERNAL INTERESTS WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF? (And concluding with this sobering challenge:)
"THEY NEGLECT THE PREPARATION FOR ETERNITY, which should be the FIRST AND ONLY WORK OF LIFE" (2T, 575).

Hosea address the problem as it REALLY IS:
"MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE . . . " (Hosea 4:6).

What Knowledge?

And to believe that man was created with three dimensions in the beginning, but now is "something different"--a "single dimensioned" person--and God is only taking his "character" to heaven--appears to be a "type" of "Evolution!"

But the truth of the matter is:
2. GOD IS TAKING MAN BACK HOME JUST AS HE CREATED HIM HERE--MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPIRITUAL.

What God CANNOT take back to heaven is what we have not improved upon! Or, as the saying goes--"use it--or lose it!"

And the Bible example of that saying is found in Matt. 25:14--30 "The Parable of the Talents"
V. 14 This is likened to "the kingdom of heaven,"
V. 15 The servants receive their master's "goods"--

This is what the Scriptures are saying:

Vs. 16, 17 The ones who received 5 and 2 Talents--increased them 100%,
V. 18 But he that received 1--hid it in the earth (in earthly interests).
V. 19 The Lord returns! and calls into account His investment with His servants.
Vs. 20-23 The servants who had received the 5 and 2 Talents brought him double his investments, and he blessed them,
Vs. 24-26 The one that received 1 Talent gives his excuse for only having 1 Talent yet--and the Lord calls him a "Wicked and slothful servant."
V. 27 And his Lord tells him--AS HE IS TELLING US--"THOU OUGHTEST THEREFORE TO HAVE PUT MY MONEY TO THE EXCHANGERS, AND THEN AT MY COMING I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED MINE OWN WITH (INTEREST) USURY."
(With God At Dawn, 278 "It DOES NOT REST WITH US to pass judgment on our talents, OR TO CHOOSE OUR WORK. We are to take of the burdens that GOD APPOINTS, bearing them for His sake, and ever going to Him for rest.)

THUS--NOTE WHAT HAPPENS TO THIS SERVANT--THE ONE WHO MADE NO INVESTMENTS FOR ETERNITY WITH THOSE GIFTS (TALENTS) THAT GOD HAS GIVEN!

V. 28 "Take . . . the talent FROM HIM, and give it unto him which hath ten talents (which invests that which I give him).

AND HERE ARE THE PRINCIPLES THAT GOD STILL WORKS FROM:
V. 29 PRINCIPLE NO. 1 "For unto every one that hath (invested My talents) shall be given (more), and he shall have abundance:
But from him that hath not (invested My talents) shall be taken away even that which he hath (been) given)."
V. 30 "AND CAST YE THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT INTO OUTER DARKNESS: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Or: PRINCIPLE NO. 2 Luke 16:12 "And if ye have not been faithful IN THAT WHICH IS ANOTHER MAN'S, WHO SHALL GIVE YOU THAT WHICH IS YOUR OWN?"

WHAT ARE THE TALENTS ENTRUSTED WITH US TODAY? A RELIGIOUS WRITER LIST THEM AS THUS:
"To EVERY ONE is committed some special endowment, for which he will be held responsible by the Lord. TIME, REASON, MEANS, STRENGTH, MENTAL POWERS, TENDERNESS OF HEART--all are gifts from God, entrusted to be used in the great work of blessing humanity" (Letter 180. 1907, EGW).

AND WHEN THE LORD COMES HE IS GOING TO CALL ALL HIS GIFTS INTO ACCOUNT!

BUT IF THEY HAVE NO ETERNAL VALUE--THEN WHY DOES HE WORRY WITH THEM?

THEY DO HAVE ETERNAL VALUE TO GOD . . . AND THE OUGHT TO HAVE VALUE TO US!

"IN THIS WORLD men and women ARE TO FIT THEMSELVES TO TAKE THEIR PLACE AMONG THE NOBILITY OF HEAVEN. IN THIS WORLD THEY ARE TO PREPARE FOR TRANSLATION INTO THE COURTS ABOVE" (TDWG, 137).

"We believe without a doubt that Christ is soon coming . . . WHEN HE COMES HE IS NOT TO CLEANSE US OF OUR SINS, TO REMOVE FROM US THE DEFECTS IN OUR CHARACTERS, OR TO CURE US OF THE INFIRMITIES OF [OUR LIFESTYLE CHOICES] . . . this work will all be accomplished BEFORE THAT TIME. When the Lord comes . . .THOSE WHO HAVE PRESERVED THEIR BODIES AND SPIRITS IN HOLINESS, IN SANCTIFICATIONS AND HONOR, WILL THEN RECEIVE THE FINISHING TOUCH OF IMMORTALITY" (FILB, 218).

1. PHYSICAL:

2. MENTAL:

3. SPIRITUAL:

ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, AND THE "TESTIMONY OF JESUS, WHICH IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY" (Rev. 12:17, 19:10)--SAD TO SAY, SOME SAINTS ARE GOING TO ENTER HEAVEN WITH A DEFICIT. They will advance in heaven, Mentally, Spiritually, and Physically, IN THE SAME PROPORTION as they advanced on earth. Please note the weight of evidence on this subject, remembering that God CREATED US three dimensional beings, and as such COMING FROM THE HAND OF THE CREATOR--SO WE SHALL RETURN TO HIM:

"WE OURSELVES WILL BECOME COMPLETE IN CHRIST IN THIS LIFE AND WILL TAKE WITH US TO THE COURTS ABOVE OUR INCREASED CAPIBILITIES . . . " (TDWG, 253).
(2 Cor. 9:6 "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.") So . . . "IF WE REACH HEAVEN AT LAST, OUR HEAVEN MUST BEGIN HERE BELOW. THE MORE OF HEAVEN THAT WE BRING INTO LIFE HERE, THE GREATER WILL BE OUR HAPPINESS IN THE HOME ABOVE" (TDWG, 122).

1. (SPIRITUAL) "Men are forming CHARACTERS FOR ETERNITY" (6T, 368).
Conflict and Courage, 351 "Every act casts it weight into the scale that determines life's victory of defeat. AND THE REWARD GIVEN TO THOSE WHO WIN WILL BE IN PROPORTION TO THE ENERGY AND EARNESTNESS WITH WHICH THEY HAVE STRIVEN."

(AND TO THE DEGREE WE BEHOLD HIM--TO THAT SAME DEGREE WILL CHANGE TAKE PLACE!)
"Advancements MADE HERE WILL BE OURS IN THE FUTURE LIFE" (SD, 327).

THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR, 08/01/1897, "True Education"
"Men who are not burdened to learn Greek and Latin may yet possess a most earnest zeal to prepare in this life to receive life eternal, and enter the higher school, TAKING WITH THEM THE RESULTS OF THEIR STUDIES IN THIS WORLD. WHEN THEY REACH THE HEAVENLY SCHOOL, THEIR EDUCATION WILL HAVE ADVANCED JUST IN PROPORTION AS IN THIS WORLD THEY STROVE TO OBTAIN A KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND THE WORLD'S REDEEMER. AND JUST IN PROPORTION TO THE ADVANCEMENT THEY HAVE MADE IN SEEKING GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL THEY BE REWARDED IN THE FUTURE IMMORTAL LIFE."
"EVEN IF WE DO NOT LOSE OUR SOULS, WE SHALL REALIZE IN ETERNITY THE RESULT OF OUR UNUSED TALENTS. . . .
"FOR ALL THE KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY THAT WE MIGHT HAVE GAINED AND DID NOT, THERE WILL BE AN ETERNAL LOSS." (MENTAL)

2. (PHYSICAL)
"Every time one of the glorious faculties with which God has enriched man is abused or misused, that faculty LOSES FOREVER a portion of its vigor AND WILL NEVER BE as it was before the abuse it suffered. Every abuse inflicted upon our moral nature IN THIS LIFE is felt NOT ONLY FOR TIME--BUT FOR ETERNITY.

"Though God MAY FORGIVE THE SINNER, yet ETERNITY WILL NOT MAKE UP that voluntary loss sustained IN THIS LIFE.

"TO GO FORTH INTO THE NEXT, THE FUTURE LIFE, DEPRIVED OF HALF THE POWER THAT MIGHT BE CARRIED THERE is a terible thought.

"The days of probation lost HERE is acquiring a fitness for heaven, is a loss which will NEVER BE RECOVERED.

"The capacity of enjoyment WILL BE LESS IN THE FUTURE LIFE FOR THE MISDEMEANORS AND ABUSE OF MORAL POWERS IN THIS LIFE.

"However we MIGHT ATTAIN IN THE FUTURE LIFE, we MIGHT SOAR HIGHER AND STILL HIGHER, IF we had made the most of our God-given privileges and golden opportunities to improve our faculties HERE IN THIS PROBATIONARY EXISTENCE . . . " (TDWG, 350).

Evangelism, 262 "Many have done the body much injury by a disregard of the laws of life, AND THEY MAY NEVER RECOVER FROM THE EFFECTS OF THEIR NEGLECT; BUT even now they MAY REPENT AND BE CONVERTED."

3. (MENTAL) "God may and will forgive the repenting sinner, BUT THOUGH FORGIVEN, THE SOUL IS MARRED; THE POWER OF THE ELEVATED THOUGHT POSSIBLE TO THE UNIMPAIRED MIND IS DESTROYED. THROUGH ALL TIME THE SOUL BEARS THE SCARS."

YSRP, 53 "LET NONE FEEL THAT THEIR WAY NEEDS NO CHANGING. Those who decide thus are not fitted to engage in the work of God, for they will not feel the necessity of pressing constantly toward a higher standard, making continual improvement. None can walk safely unless they are distrustful of self . . . with willing hearts to see their own errors, and to learn the will of Christ, and PRAYING THAT IT MAY BE DONE IN AND BY AND THROUGH THEM."

B. OHC, 323 "Our heavenly Father measures and weighs every trial before He permits it to come upon the believer. He considers the circumstances and the strength of the one who is to stand under the proving and test of God, and He never permits the temptations to be greater than the capacity of resistance. IF THE SOUL IS OVERBORNE, THE PERSON OVERPOWERED, THIS CAN NEVER BE CHARGED TO GOD, . . . but the one tempted was not vigilant and prayerful and did not APPROPRIATE BY FAITH THE PROVISIONS GOD HAD ABUNDANTLY IN STORE FOR HIM. Christ NEVER failed a believer in his hour of combat. The believer MUST CLAIM THE PROMISE AND MEET THE FOE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. . . .
Whatever may be the trials and sufferings, . . . let there be no faintheartedness, no peevish repining, no complaining."

TUL, 343 "Let not my brother . . . question God's wise arrangements, for God hath said He will make His strength perfect in your weakness. Ever bear a humble, contrite heart, and you will afford God an opportunity of manifesting His love and grace to the frail instrument. Let not one moment be wasted in lamenting THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU NEVER HAD. . . .
"In God's beautiful arrangement, the ONE TALENT may be INCREASED BY USE, EVEN BECOMING TEN. And ever remember that God will accept according to what a man HATH, and NOT ACCORDING TO WHAT HE HATH NOT (see 2 Cor. 8:12).
"God has given you your talents. He has chosen you to bear responsibilities, not because you had a thorough education, not because you were an orator, or a man of brilliant intellect; He chose you because through His grace you walked humbly with God, and manifested faithfulness in that which is least.
"And in God's kingdom above, that learning, that growing, that spiritual increase will be improved upon--AND put to work: Making "us KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD . . . " (Rev. 1:6). LET'S NOT LET HIM DOWN NOW!

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