Foreword
Before the human race ever existed, a wise and beneficent Godhead made a plan whereby we might gain the privilege of enjoying life eternal in His paradise of bliss. In the event that human beings–the crowning act of God’s creation–would succumb to the tempter and fall into sin, they could be redeemed and restored to purity and holiness. When the tragic fall of our first parents indeed occurred, “the Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave Themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption” (The Review and Herald, May 2, 1912).
Throughout the history of humanity, this plan has been the key to humans’ entrance into the heavenly courts. Though millions have passed into the sleep of death, their reward is nonetheless sure. The trumpet is soon to sound and those who have faithfully obeyed God’s plan will be resurrected, by His power, to life everlasting. Even for those who die, one thing is certain: Christ has fully provided the way. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
It is an amazing lesson that we study this quarter, as we see what the Lord has done That I Might Live. Unfortunately, we live today in an age when many people feel that somehow they are automatically entitled to enter heaven, regardless of their beliefs or lifestyle choices. The majority try to bypass God’s way and presume to develop their own theories as to how they expect to arrive in paradise. The Bible tells us, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jeremiah 6:16).
But for those who are genuinely seeking God’s will and His way, where are these old paths? What is the only plan of redemption truly endorsed by Heaven? Though many may claim that they possess the most prosperous, oldest, most established, or politically correct religion, a mere profession means nothing in the sight of a holy God. A living relationship with the Creator, here and now, is the only way to life. The inspired Word explains that “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).
By this means, from the dawn of humanity to the hour of final judgment upon a doomed planet, only a small minority of faithful men, women, and children around the world have been journeying up the narrow way of God’s complete plan of redemption. And, for the next three months, as we prayerfully study these Sabbath Bible Lessons, let us wholeheartedly join them in planning for paradise!
