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Death: The End of the Beginning
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Last Great Day heralds a time of profound transformation, where God will enact His perfect justice and fairness. In this fulfillment, a significant aspect is the ultimate destruction of death and evil. God will wipe away all evil and evildoers from the earth for eternity through what is often termed the second death or the Lake of Fire. This cleansing will allow God Himself to dwell with humanity in a world free from sin, a reality unimaginable to those accustomed to the presence of wrong in the world. To reach this utopian state, vast numbers must pass through death. Billions have already died, and billions more will die before they rise in the second resurrection for their chance at salvation. Death, though a somber reality, is integrated into God's plan as a necessary transition. From His perspective, death holds a positive purpose, serving as a step toward a far better existence. Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul exemplify a calm acceptance of death, viewing it not with fear but as a natural part of God's will. Christ approached His own death with purpose, seeing it as essential to the divine plan, and showed no dread over the death of others, such as Lazarus, but rather indignation at unbelief. Similarly, Paul regarded death as gain, desiring to depart and be with Christ, while maintaining composure in the face of others' deaths, as seen with Eutychus. Both demonstrate that death is merely a doorway to a greater life, with rewards outweighing its pains. Death, often seen as a permanent cessation of bodily functions, is not final in God's design. He holds the power to grant life after death, as reflected in the musings of Solomon and Job, who ponder the spirit's fate and express hope in a future awakening by God's call. In the fulfillment of the Last Great Day, as depicted in Revelation, God will raise all the dead—small and great—in a general resurrection. This event offers the best chance for salvation under ideal conditions, free from satan's influence, where God's mercy and grace will be evident. Ultimately, God, the Eternal One, is the Master of deliverance from death. He uses death as part of His salvific process, allowing rest in the grave before awakening to a refreshed, vigorous life in the resurrection. Death holds no lasting power, for God will destroy it with His might, swallowing it up in victory. As proclaimed, death will lose its sting, and through God's strength, humanity will stand triumphant over it.
Christ's Death and the Immortality of the Soul
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe dangerous false belief of inherent immortal life has led to an acceleration of sin and the danger of eternal oblivion. Only God can give eternal life.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Four): Ecclesiastes 9:2-12
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough some try to make their lives easier by compromising, Solomon warns that all evil leads to death, and that doing evil in any circumstance is insane.
The End
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughNoah's flood was an end, the temple's destruction was an end, Christ's second coming will be an end, and the Last Great Day will be an end and a beginning.
An Abundant Spiritual Offering
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe number eight signifies a new start with abundance abundance following a period of time (a week, seven years, or a millennium) of preparatory activity.
He Lives, We Live
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRedemption is useless to mortal beings without God's gift of eternal life (I Corinthians 15:19), which God made possible through Christ's resurrection.
Hebrews (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus blazed a trail, giving a pattern for qualifying (through suffering and resisting sin) for our responsibility as priests, reconnecting man and God.
Then Comes the End
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeChrist's return marks the beginning of the end of mankind's problems. However, His return will not be the final end, which comes when God is all in all.
Satan (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTo resist the Devil is to resist unlawful desires, not allowing him to manipulate our emotions. Satan works on fear of being denied something pleasurable.