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Topic: What Is Your Destiny?
Introduction
Have you ever wondered why you are alive? Many people don’t
really take the time to ask the hard questions about life and death.
Perhaps while attending a funeral for a loved one you might have
noticed that people are more reflective.
1. Have you ever attended a funeral service?
2. What questions did you have about life and death?
3. Explain some of the theories people that you know have about
what happens when you die?
In Psalm 8:3,4 King David marveled: "When I consider Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have
ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of
man that You visit him?"
4. What do you think King David was thinking?
5. Does it seem that there is more going on than what man often
sees? How so?
Clue to our destiny
In a prophetic passage in the book of Daniel, God inspired a clue
to our destiny that is overlooked by many. Speaking of the resurrection
of the dead, read Daniel 12: 2,3.
1. What does it mean in this passage to be "asleep"?
2. What is the difference between "everlasting life" and
"everlasting contempt"?
3. Who are the wise?
4. What does this scripture imply about a reward after death?
Purpose of human life
Read Hebrews 2:10,11 (NIV) and answer the following questions.
1. Who are "sons to glory"?
2. What family is being discussed?
3. Is it possible that God wanted to add members to His family?
Read Romans 8:29 and comment.
4. What does "first" imply about more to come after?
5. Who are the "many brethren"? Are they angels?
NOTE: God has designed us to be members of His own family, His very
children, possessing His own divine nature (2 Corinthians 6:18,
2 Peter 1:4).
Sons to be revealed
Read Romans 8:18-23 NKJV and comment.
1. Who are the sons of God?
2. What evidence is there that this is an event that the whole creation
is awaiting?
3. Would you think this is important? Why?
Note: The entire creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the
sons of God.
Changed into Spirit
God will ultimately change our bodies from flesh to spirit (1 Corinthians
15:42-44) because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom go
God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption (verse 50).
1. How are our bodies corrupted?
2. Can a man live forever in the flesh? Why or why not?
3. Do you think science could keep people alive forever in the flesh?
4. Does God say that death will be destroyed? Read 1 Corinthians
15:53,54).
Is lifestyle important?
God wants us to be a part of His family and to live long and enjoy
good things.
1. Do you think God would give the gift of eternal life to anybody
no matter how they treated others? Why or why not?
2. Do the commandments make it easier to keep relationships healthy?
Explain and give an example.
Note: Take ANY commandment and show what impact it would have if
everyone in society followed it.
Satan’s Influence
Satan deceives the world according to Revelation 12:9.
1. What does Satan have to gain if people are deceived?
2. Are Satan’s goals to help or hurt?
(1 Peter 5:8,9).
3. What does it mean to devour?
4. What kind of being is Satan? Read Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:13-16.
5. What do these scriptures tell you about Satan the Devil?
Note: Satan is responsible for deceiving and leading the whole world
astray and for corrupting and polluting the minds and hearts of
people. Satan is called the "god of this age" (2 Corinthians
4:4).
Feast Days explain God’s plan
for man
God’s feast days, called feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23:2)
teach us the great master plan that God has for mankind.
1. List the Holy days (Leviticus 23).
2. In regard to God's plan, explain the meaning of each of the Holy
Days.
Passover
Note: Christ atones for man and becomes his Passover Lamb (John
1:29).
Feast of Unleavened Bread
Note: Sin is made analogous to leaven in bread. This festival encourages
us to put sin out of our life. Seven is a number representing completion.
Pentecost. Church receives the Holy Spirit, a celebration of the
Firstfruit harvest.
Trumpets. Announces the return of Jesus Christ to stop war and usher
in a way of peace.
Day of Atonement. Day of fasting. God deals with Satan
Feast of Tabernacles. Seven-day Feast, a special time for assembly
and rejoicing. It pictures the 1,000 year rule of Christ as King
of kings to continue the harvest of human lives to eternal life
(John 4:35-36).
The Last Great Day. Depicts the Great White Throne judgment, described
in Revelation 20:11-13.
Hope for mankind
The knowledge that God is working in the lives of man is most exciting
and helpful. Continue your study of God’s way of life to find
wisdom and understanding about YOUR future!
Reprinted with permission. Published by United Church
of God, an International Association, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati,
OH 45254-1027. © 2005 United Church of God. This article is
not to be sold. It is a free educational service in the public interest.
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