Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “ ‘A Great Gulf Fixed,’ ”

pp. 260–271, in Christ’s Object Lessons; “Calvary,” pp. 749–752, in

The Desire of Ages; and “Teachers as Examples of Christian Integrity,”

p. 504, in Fundamentals of Christian Education.

“In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Christ shows that in

this life men decide their eternal destiny. During probationary time the

grace of God is offered to every soul. But if men waste their oppor-

tunities in self-pleasing, they cut themselves off from everlasting life.

No afterprobation will be granted them. By their own choice they have

fixed an impassable gulf between them and their God.”—Ellen G.

White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 260.

“When those early Christians were exiled to mountains and deserts,

when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and torture, when

martyr­dom seemed the only way out of their distress, they rejoiced that

they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ, who was crucified for

them. Their worthy example will be a comfort and encouragement to

the people of God who will be brought into the time of trouble such as

never was.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 213.

Discussion Questions:

Ê How can the overall biblical view of human nature help us bet-

ter understand some of the passages we studied during this week?

Ë Reflect on the contrast between the unnegotiable religion of

the Christian martyrs and the flexible religion of our post­modern

generation. In other words, what are things worth dying for?

However, if one has a view that all truths are merely relative, or

cultural, then why die for any of them? At the same time, what

can we learn from those who were willing to die for causes that we

believe are false?

Ì Dwell more on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When

Jesus had been raised from the dead, many believed on Him. Yet,

many, having the same evidence, didn’t believe. What does this

teach us about how hardened human hearts can be to truth? What

can we do to protect ourselves from a similar kind of hardness?

Í Jesus talked about the time when the dead will live: “ ‘those

who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who

have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation’ ” (John 5:29,

NKJV). These two events are a thousand years apart, even though

they sound as if they are happening at the same time. How might

this help us understand what Paul is saying in Philippians 1:23?