SALVATION AND THE END TIME Lesson 4 for April 28, 2018

God, the author of salvation. The love of the Father. “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” (Revelation 14:6) That angel is a symbol of the people that will proclaim the last message to this world: the everlasting Gospel. What is that message about? It’s the message of salvation that was planned for us before the foundation of the Earth. God, the author of salvation. The love of the Father. The love of Christ. The love of the Holy Spirit. Assurance of salvation. Proclaiming the message of salvation.

THE LOVE OF THE FATHER “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Malachi 3:6) Some people say that the God of the Old Testament is a God of justice in comparison to the God of the New Testament, who is full of mercy and grace and forgiveness. However, Jesus made it clear: The Father and Him have the same feelings and act the same way. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Let’s know God the Father: He’s gracious, compassionate and slow to anger (Exodus 34:6) He delights in His followers (Psalm 147:11) He plans to prosper people (Jeremiah 29:11) His love is eternal (Jeremiah 31:3) He rejoices over His people with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)

THE LOVE OF CHRIST “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

THE LOVE OF CHRIST GOD MAN God is the only One who has life in Himself (John 5:26). Therefore, only He could give His life for our ransom and take it again (John 10:18). He became our Savior (Luke 2:11) Jesus didn’t just take a “human form”, but He became fully human the same way He is fully God. He did that because He loves us. GOD He upholds all things (Hebrews 1:3) His days didn’t have a beginning (Micah 5:2) He created all things (John 1:3) MAN He was born as a defenseless baby (Lucas 2:7) He grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52) He died hanging on a cross (Acts 5:30)

THE LOVE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.” (Romans 15:30) The individuality and personality of the Holy Spirit are explained in the Scriptures: He collaborated in Jesus’ incarnation (Matthew 1:20) He is independent from the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19) He teaches (Luke 12:12) He comforts and advises (John 14:16) He convicts people (John 16:8) He guides us to the truth (John 16:13) He glorifies Christ (John 16:14) He intercedes (Romans 8:26) He sanctifies (1 Peter 1:2) The Holy Spirit is God, as are the Father and the Son. Together, they are One God. They love us equally and are working in order to save us into God’s eternal kingdom.

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Tito 3:5 NIV) If salvation depended on our works, it would be impossible to get it! God asks us to live a holy life, but He is merciful, and He didn’t make that a requirement for salvation. Salvation is free for everyone who wants to accept Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross and His resurrection. “He shall call upon Me… And [I will] show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91:15-16) “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32) “I give them eternal life… neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28) “if you confess… the Lord Jesus and believe…, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) “I have written to you… that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13) “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

PROCLAIMING THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” (Revelation 14:6) The plan of salvation is the “everlasting Gospel.” God made this plan “before time began.” (2 Timothy 1:9) God wants us to live forever with Him (Revelation 22:3-5). He has made everything possible (John 3:16) If we accept His plan, our salvation is assured. Once we know the love of God and His plan of salvation, how could we keep that wonderful message to ourselves? Time is brief. The history of mankind is coming to an end. Let’s proclaim the everlasting gospel today.

E.G.W. (That I May Know Him, March 15) “In the courts above, Christ is pleading for His church—pleading for those for whom He has paid the redemption price of His blood. Centuries, ages, can never lessen the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. Neither life nor death, height nor depth, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus; not because we hold Him so firmly, but because He holds us so fast. If our salvation depended on our own efforts, we could not be saved; but it depends on the One who is behind all the promises.”