Here is the direct link to this week's study:

http://www.ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/06c/less01.html

The memory text says, "We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men" (1 Corinthians 4:9, NIV).

The Sabbath afternoon section goes on to say:

"One of the most amazing discoveries of the past century was, literally, astronomical: the realization that billions of galaxies exist, each one containing billions of stars. Though new galaxies are being discovered every day, the latest estimates are at about 125 billion . . . and counting. When one considers that each galaxy contains billions of stars and that these stars could have planets revolving around them, it's not hard to understand why some people believe that life must exist elsewhere in the universe.

Thus, using elaborate and sensitive radio telescopes, people are engaged in a search for extraterrestrial life. Given the size of the universe and the number of stars scattered through it, surely we're not alone.

As Christians, though, we don't need radio telescopes to learn about the existence of life beyond our earthly borders. Through the Bible (and the Spirit of Prophecy) we know not only that other beings exist but that they're interested in what's happening here, on earth. In fact, the entire universe is involved in the great controversy between Christ and Satan, a struggle with implications that go far beyond our little planet."

Getting back to the memory text, what does it mean that we have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men?

Sunday's study is also all about the fact that we are not alone.

The first couple of chapters in the book of Job testifies to the fact that there is life beyond our planet, not only in Heaven itself, but also on numerous other planets.

In the writings of EGW, she shared a vision where she was visiting one of these inhabited planets and saw Enoch visiting that planet.

One of the other things I am looking forward to is travelling throughout the sinless creation and visiting these other planets.

Of course, we are all well aware of the existence of God's holy unfallen angels.

Let us, therefore, look one of the texts given in Sunday's study regarding the sons of God:

Job 1:6 (King James Version)
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them."

What are "the sons of God" in the above verse referring to?

Let us also look at this verse:

Ephesians 3:10 (King James Version)
"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,"

What are "the principalities and powers in heavenly places" referring to?

Here is an EGW quote regarding life on other planets:

Quote:

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Privileges of the Redeemed.--Heaven is a good place. I long to be there and behold my lovely Jesus, who gave His life for me, and be changed into His glorious image. Oh, for language to express the glory of the bright world to come! I thirst for the living streams that make glad the city of our God. {AH 543.1}
The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city to a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes; they were noble, majestic, and lovely. They bore the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was, "We have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth." . . . I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said, "You must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000, shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God." {AH 543.2}

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God has a lot of wonderful things in store for the redeemed.

Wings to fly? Give me a jetpack instead.

Daryl,

Can you locate that quote for me about Enoch and Mrs. White having seen him visiting other planets/worlds. I am interested in readng that.

PJ

Hi Pastor John,

Here is the quote and reference where Enoch is mentioned as being seen by Ellen White on another inhabited world where Enoch was visiting:

Quote:

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The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city to a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes; they were noble, majestic, and lovely. They bore the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was, "We have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth." Then I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the city. The fruit of both looked beautiful, but of one they could not eat. They had power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one. Then my attending angel said to me, "None in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree; but if they should eat, they would fall." Then I was taken to a world which had seven moons. There I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf was written "Victory." Around his head was a dazzling white wreath, and leaves on the wreath, and in the middle of each leaf was written "Purity," and around the wreath were stones of various colors, that shone brighter than the stars, and cast a reflection upon the letters and magnified them. On the back part of his head was a bow that confined the wreath, and upon the bow was written "Holiness." Above the wreath was a lovely crown that shone brighter than the sun. I asked him if this was the place he was taken to from the earth. He said, "It is not; the city is my home, and I have come to visit this place." He moved about the place as if perfectly at home. I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said, "You must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000, shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God." {EW 39.3}

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This is the quote I was thinking of taken from Early Writings.

Monday's study is about the wrath of the devil, therefore, we not only have the wrath of God, we also have the wrath of the devil.

What's the difference?

Thanks Daryl,

I really appreciated the quote. It lloks like this is going to be a great Lesson Study Series. Hope all is well with you and the Church.

Pastor John