How do we enter God’s ultimate rest?
(Matt. 24:4-31; Heb. 4:1-11; 1 Pet. 1:3-6) Blog 19-25 Sep. 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: This quarter we learned that God gave work and God gave rest. He gave daily, weekly, semi-annual, annual, sabbatical year and Jubilee rest. But God also gave spiritual rest that may be ours continually. This cost the life and death of Jesus. There are also unexpected rests that come to us like Jonah experienced in the whale, or like that of sickness or death. Today we want to consider the ultimate rest.
In the beginning God gave humanity time — time to rest and time to work. He gave us daily, weekly, and annual periods of rest. This does not mean that we should cease from living godly lives, doing good to others, nor of daily communion with him. But he is especially desirous that we remember our weekly covenant renewal with him by ceasing from our weekly employment on his holy Sabbath day. Since sin entered this world our need of rest has not only increased but many seek it in the wrong place or time.
What will it be?
1. What will the ultimate rest be? The ultimate rest will be eternal life with God in a most gloriously beautiful environment (John 3:15-16; 6:54; 14:1-3; 17:3, 24).
2. How does the Apostle Paul describe the ultimate rest of those who love God? Paul says that the ultimate rest is indescribable: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9).
3. Where does the Apostle Peter say that the ultimate rest is now kept? Peter says that the ultimate rest is reserved, secure in heaven for those who believe the Gospel (1 Pet. 1:3-5).
4. What does the Apostle John say will NOT be part of the ultimate rest? John says that “God shall wipe away all tears… and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4).
5. Where will God’s people spend their eternal rest? For the first 1000 years of their eternal rest, God’s people will be with him in heaven & then the Holy City, with them in it, will descend to earth which, when recreated, will be their home throughout eternity (Isa. 65:21; Matt. 5:11; Rev. 20:4-6; 21:1-3).
6. What will God’s people NOT cease to do throughout eternity? Throughout eternity God’s people will not cease to praise him nor cease to tell other worlds the story of God’s saving grace (Psa. 22:26-31; 79:13; Luke 19:17; Eph. 3:10; 1 Pet. 4:11).
When and how will it come?
7. What do the books of Daniel and Revelation place prior to the entrance of ultimate rest? Daniel & Revelation outline seven world empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, the Papacy, atheistic Communism, & the United States) that precede the coming of God’s everlasting kingdom (Dan. 11:1-45; Rev. 17:7-18).
8. What great accomplishment did Jesus say would immediately precede his coming? Jesus said that the Gospel would be preached in all the world & then the end would come (Matt. 24:14).
9. What did the Apostle John say would precede Christ’s second coming? John placed the time of God’s judgment just prior to Christ’s second coming (Rev. 14:6-7).
10. How does the Apostle Peter relate the preaching of the Gospel and God’s final judgment? Peter says that the Gospel must be preached to people before they are judged for only through faith in it can they pass God’s final investigation (1 Pet. 4:4-6).
11. How did Jesus and the angels describe Christ’s second coming? Jesus said that his second coming would be visible to all like lightning that shines from east to west & the angels said it would be in clouds like he ascended (Matt. 24:27; Acts 1:11).
12. How does the Apostle Paul describe the coming of Christ? Paul says that Jesus will come with a lot of noise: the Father will “shout,” the Son will make his voice heard, & the Spirit will give a trumpet blast waking the dead in Christ with whom the living saints will unite in the air together with Jesus (1 Thes. 4:16-17).
How can we be part of it?
13. According to Paul in Hebrews 4 how do we enter God’s continual rest that leads to ultimate rest? We enter God’s continual rest by trusting in Christ’s work for our salvation & not in anything we do. This rest in him leads to the ultimate rest (Heb. 4:1-3, 9-10).
14. In Matthew 24, who did Jesus say would be saved? Jesus said that those who persevere in faith to the end will be saved (Matt. 24:13).
15. How do Paul and James express the same idea as Jesus did in Matthew 24:13? Paul says that believers will remain in God’s family if they patiently continue to hold fast their faith & rejoicing in the blessed hope firm unto the end & James says those who endure temptation will receive the crown of life (Rom. 2:7; Heb. 3:6; James 1:12).
16. What enduring event stands out as a symbol of present and eternal rest? The weekly Sabbath stands out as an enduring symbol of present rest in Jesus’ work for us & in the ultmate rest that we will experience with him throughout eternity (Heb. 4:1-11).
17. What results from knowing that our inheritance is reserved in heaven for us? Knowing that Jesus has purchased our inheritance & that it is reserved in heaven for us gives us present peace, rejoicing, & a lively hope (Rom. 5:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:3-6).
18. Who besides the living saints are waiting for the ultimate rest? Abraham Isaac Jacob & all the dead saints in the grave await the ultimate rest while we await it still alive (Heb. 11:13-16, 39-40).