MEMORY VERSE: ‘For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works; in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double.’ Revelation 18:5-6.
LESSON AIM: People have long asked why evil appears to prosper. This lesson will show that Christ has noted all that happens and will judge and reward justly.
‘Many who are weak in faith are ready to cast away their confidence in God because He suffers base men to prosper, while the best and purest are tormented by their cruel power. How can One who is just and merciful and infinite in power, tolerate such injustice? God has given us sufficient evidence of His love. We are not to doubt His goodness because we cannot understand His providence … The righteous are placed in the furnace of affliction that they themselves may be purified, that their example may convince others of the reality of faith and godliness, and that their consistent course may condemn the ungodly and unbelieving. God permits the wicked to prosper and to reveal their enmity against Him that all may see His justice and mercy in their utter destruction. Every act of cruelty toward God’s faithful ones will be punished as though done to Christ Himself.’ From Here to Forever, page 31,
1. Whom does God declare to be evil doers and what will be their judgement? Revelation 22:15; Revelation 21:27, Proverbs 28:9; Romans 1:21; 24-25; 29-32; Matthew 13:41-42.
NOTE: ‘Christ Himself will decide who are worthy to dwell with the family of heaven. He will judge every man according to his words and his works. Profession is as nothing in the scale. It is character that decides destiny. … “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Then “the Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”’ Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 74-75.
2. What does God say about sins that have been covered up? Proverbs 28:13.
NOTE: ‘The intercession of Christ on man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death on the cross. By His death He began that work which He ascended to complete in heaven. We must by faith enter within the veil, “whither the forerunner is for us entered.”…“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy… Let none regard their defects as incurable. God will give faith and grace to overcome. We are now living in the great day of atonement. While the high priest was making atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now afflict their souls before God by true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart.’ From Here to Forever, page 301.