What does the future hold for you? the SS Quarterly asks. Seventh-day Adventists, rightly or wrongly, done well or poorly, often use the double-edged sword: the shortness of time and the uncertainty of life, to motivate people.

The shortness of time is urged as an incentive for us to seek righteousness, and to make Christ our friend. This is not the great motive. It savors of selfishness. Is it necessary that the terrors of the day of God be held before us to compel us through fear to right action? This ought not to be. Jesus is attractive. Review and Herald, August 2, 1881 (See also Testimonies, Vol. 2, 121 for a similar quote)

In a very real sense, it does not matter whether time is short or life is uncertain. What matters is whether we have seen and embraced the sheer loveliness of Christ’s character.

Most human beings have plenty of time in which to embrace Christ, but even if time is short or life is uncertain it is still the loveliness of Christ’s character that matters!

Nor should fear or the hope of reward motivate us to seek Christ.

It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Savior’s matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary’s cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him. The Desire of Ages, 480:3

Think of various Bible stories that support what Ellen White wrote:

Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

Satan accused God to His face of buying Job’s trust! This was merely one of Satan’s many accusations against God. But why then should we ever think that God is buying people’s trust by offering them heaven?

2Samuel 19:31-39 Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. He had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will provide for you in Jerusalem at my side.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 Today I am eighty years old; can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he drinks? Can I still listen to the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king recompense me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own town, near the graves of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do for him whatever seems good to you.” 38 The king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you; and all that you desire of me I will do for you.” 39 Then all the people crossed over the Jordan, and the king crossed over; the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own home.

Facing an uncertain future, when death seemed more likely than not, Barzillai refused to be rewarded by David! Barzillai was not faithful to David to gain a reward.

The woman of Shunem went to great lengths to show hospitality to Elisha. Yet she also made it clear that she did not do these things so she could receive something in return.

2Kings 4:28 Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? And didn’t I say, ‘Don’t deceive me and get my hopes up’?”

And there is a powerful reason why the Bible does not tell us whether Naaman or his wife released the little Israelite slave girl who graciously shared her faith so Naaman could be healed (see 2 Kings 5). Adding such a detail, even if true, might/would have tainted her with a selfish spirit! Reward seeking is not a good thing!

Luke 22:1-6 Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; 4 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. 5 They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.

Judas acted treacherously because he desired a reward. Gaining that reward cost him everything! Rewards are tricky business!

Oftentimes Christians act as if heaven is a reward for choosing to follow God. In doing this they may besmirch God’s reputation. God does not need to buy loyalty! His character of unfailing love is more than good enough to draw and keep followers!

By this I do not at all imply that there will be no heaven! I just want to keep heaven in its proper place ideologically. It was never offered as a payout, the reason for following God. Heaven is instead a natural extension of the goodness of God!

Challenging Thoughts Regarding Heaven

When I was younger, I struggled mightily with the words of Jesus regarding human relationships in heaven. Here is what he said:

Matthew 22:29-30 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. 30 For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.

Like many young people I hoped then that Jesus would not come the second time until after I had the privilege of being married. Truthfully, I still wonder about what Jesus said! Given all that God can do, why would marriage in heaven be off the table?

When I read Ellen White’s Conflict of the Ages series, cross-referencing stuff, I noticed an envelope-like structure to its first and fifth book. Here is the first book:

God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided “an help meet for him”—a helper corresponding to him—one who was fitted to be his companion, and who could be one with him in love and sympathy. Patriarchs and Prophets, 46:2

And here in the fifth book:

There the redeemed shall know, even as also they are known. The loves and sympathies which God Himself planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages who have washed their robes and made them white I the blood of the Lamb, the sacred ties that bind together “the whole family in heaven and earth” (Ephesians 3:15)—these help constitute the happiness of the redeemed. The Great Controversy 677:1

Now in this latter quotation there does seem to be a spelling out of who will comprise those with whom we shall exercise truest and sweetest loves and sympathies, the very same qualities that God instilled in Adam and Eve as a married couple. Only in heaven marriage relationships are not mentioned in the above GC quote. Yet the quotation still seems suggestive to me, but if not, it still shows that God has plans regarding our social lives!

Plus, I’ve wondered what to do with Ellen’s other ideas, like:

As the little infants come forth immortal from their dusty beds [graves], they immediately wing their way to their mother’s arms. They meet again nevermore to part. Child Guidance, 260:1 [explanation mine]

Angels “gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the others.’ Little children are borne by holy angels to their mother’s arms. The Great Controversy, 645:1

Questions

For what purpose are these little ones reunited with their mother [families]? Will these little ones be raised, if possible, by their mothers and fathers?

If it was originally best for children to be raised by a mother and a father on earth, why would that be different in heaven?

Would these little ones be raised in heaven only by their mothers? What if their mother isn’t there, but their father is? Was Ellen White simply misguided on this matter?
When I’ve asked others for their insights, I’ve never been given solid reasoning/material, not even from scholars! So far, not even from Ellen White scholars! I want more! I want better!

Given our natural interest in human relationships, it does not seem heretical for us to have an interest in learning more regarding relationships in heaven! That doesn’t mean we should believe what we cannot support, but neither does it mean that we are wrong to wonder what we should believe! Afterall, there are these odd hints!

Down a different but related track, in the above quote GC 645:1, Ellen White references that saved humans will enjoy “pure communion with holy beings.” It is not just pure communion with holy angels, but pure communion with holy beings.

Scripture addresses the existence of holy beings:

Isaiah 40:15, 26 Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as dust on the scales; see, he takes up the isles like fine dust. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.

In the context of nations that are like a drop from a bucket and like dust on the scales, Isaiah went on to write about the heavenly hosts, which vastly outnumber the nations here on earth. These heavenly host seem to be other created worlds with vast populations of beings/people.

Psalm 103:19-22 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. 21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. 22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 103 addresses the whole of heaven, including the angels, but also all of God’s hosts who do God’s bidding. Here again the thought of other worlds, other beings/people surfaces. Other texts speak to the same idea:

Nehemiah 9:6 And Ezra said: “You are the LORD, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. To all of them you give life, and the host of heaven worships you.

Daniel 7:3-10 and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then, as I watched, its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a human being; and a human mind was given to it. 5 Another beast appeared, a second one, that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, had three ribs in its mouth among its teeth and was told, “Arise, devour many bodies!” 6 After this, as I watched, another appeared, like a leopard. The beast had four wings of a bird on its back and four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the visions by night a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth and was devouring, breaking in pieces, and stamping what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that preceded it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, when another horn appeared, a little one coming up among them; to make room for it, three of the earlier horns were plucked up by the roots. There were eyes like human eyes in this horn, and a mouth speaking arrogantly. 9 As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

Note here in Daniel 7 that thrones, plural, were set in place, and massive numbers of beings stand attending God. Throughout all time, the Holy Three have shared their thrones with others! See Revelation 3:21; 11:16; Isaiah 14:13; DA 49:1. This is because at their very core each member of the Trinity is unselfish!

More texts suggestive of other worlds/other beings:

Ephesians 3:14-15 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

Colossians 1:20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Questions

How shall we rightly think about seeking Christ, motive-wise?

Why are fear and/or the hope of reward inadequate regarding seeking Christ?

What questions do you have regarding relationships in heaven? Is it okay to ask such questions?

When you meet them, what might you like to ask sinless beings/people who live on other planets?

Imagine what they might be able to teach you. What comes to mind?

The existence of other worlds, other beings/people is important to our Adventist understanding of the cosmic conflict between good and evil. What is the relationship between these other worlds’/beings’ existence and the great controversy between Christ and Satan?