God’s Third Ministry

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Thus says the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited. (Isaiah 45:18)

God created a perfect universe with stars, planets, forests, lakes, animals, birds, but no people, yet. Without intelligent beings, God could remake or destroy the universe as many times as He wanted and no one would know or care. However, He made it to be inhabited by people so He made the best universe for people.

Whatever God does it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)

Forever + not too much + not too little = eternal perfection = good. That is the definition of good. Whatever works forever is good, anything less is evil. Everything God does is good, which is eternal, which can be trusted and respected by all people, who are spiritual beings created in the image of God. So He is guaranteeing perfect people in a perfect universe for ever.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalms 133:1)

It’s easy for God to guarantee a perfect physical universe, because He is in total control of its existence. However, love between people and love between people and God is a matter of personal choice. Yet, God promises an eternity of unity, based entirely on faith, hope, and love. Why? Because those are the primary positive motives of the human soul. They are the basis of every human choice. Positive choices result in the greatest good.

The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22)

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

My daughter had no choice in her birth. Every being to ever exist did not have choice in the matter. They are forced to be born, then given the power of choice to reject their parents, their God, their life. However, God fine tuned the universe to make it the most appealing to His children so they would feel life is worth living. He give them the perfect match of interests, talents, and position. Therefore, God is now responsible and accountable to His own children. This is how faith, hope, and love works. This is what loving relationships are all about.

This promise of a good life worth living is the first promise from God to the universe. Anything that comes later is of lower priority to this promise.

You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until iniquity was found in you.... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness. (Ezekiel 28:15-17)

You have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:13-14)

Lucifer was smart and beautiful. God made him that way. The problem started when the angel thought these qualities were his apart from God. He thought he deserved to be smart and beautiful. He felt these qualities entitled him to greater position and power.

God gives us a sense of self, not that we should be proud and self-sufficient, but so we can have a sense of privacy, individuality, personhood. Lucifer began to look at self as a mini, self-sustaining god worthy of much more.

The devil... was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. (Zechariah 3:1)

[Satan is the] accuser of our brethren. (Revelation 12:10)

The first thing a sinner does is justify his decision. He will blame circumstances, people, God Himself—anyone and anything to defend himself because the Holy Spirit is no longer approving his conscience. He suddenly feels exposed because the inner light and peace is replaced by a fearful, empty darkness.

Lucifer’s choice, and his determination to stand by it, was like a shock wave on a mirror smooth ocean. It was new. It was mysterious. It was scary. The angel’s accusations raised questions about God and government and morality. They needed to be addressed, but there was something even more concerning. Hitting deeper into every heart, down at the level below words, were feelings they had never felt before. Sadness. Insecurity. Foreboding. God’s promise appeared broken. Could He fix it? Was the heavenly family falling apart?

Who shall not fear you O Lord, and glorify your name? for you only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before you for your judgments are made plain. (Revelation 15:4)

I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments. (Revelation 19:1-2)

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. (Philippians 2:10)

God’s justice was ready to blink Lucifer from existence, but God’s mercy held Himself back. Perhaps the angel could be persuaded to repent? Whether or not, the peoples of the universe needed to understand the real issues involved as well as the ultimate solution of death.

And what about God’s promise of cosmic perfection? Wasn’t He at least partially to blame here? Would the universal fabric of faith, hope, and love rip from end to end? Was God going to be proven a liar and a failure? The loyal universe still trusted God, but it was now from a new condition of groaning and travailing in pain. God must get them to understand everything so thoroughly that they would demand termination.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit of it and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6)

Notice that Eve’s temptation focused on the same smartness and beauty that Lucifer indulged. Sin prioritizes the lower physical nature over the higher spiritual nature.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at. (Acts 17:30)

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. (Genesis 3:15)

[Christ is] the true Light... that lights every man that comes into the world. (John 1:9)

Lucifer did not rebel against God out of ignorance, but Adam and Eve were partly deceived about what they were doing. This loophole, as it were, was something God could justifiably use to help humanity.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has given us life together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;) And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)

And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke you O Satan; even the LORD that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you; is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? (Zechariah 3:1-2)

Adam and Eve were told ahead of time not to eat the forbidden fruit. Their disobedience was enough to have them wiped from existence. However, the Father loved His children. With the Son, He found a way to save them and help solve problem #2. Human sinners could become proof against sin. It never needed to start and it could be overcome. Through the grace of God, humans would condemn Satan and become eternal trophies helping to prevent evil from repeating.

The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:22-23)

The enmity implanted in the human heart is desire, not power. It is an unfulfilled desire that needs God’s power. Divine enmity inspires the sinner to hate sin, but it is not the ability to overcome sin.

Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made.... Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:19-24)

God knew that implanted enmity was not enough. It would merely make the sinner conscious of guilt, then leave him in that sad situation. Therefore, a system of physical objects and actions was instituted to encourage the carnal mind to have hope.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)

Why didn’t God just come down and die for us? Why live a life of growth and effort and suffering? God cared enough to prove that He cared enough to help us.

Seeing that the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For truly he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it was needful for him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18)

Jesus lived in a physical body. He had a higher and lower nature just like us. He experienced the tension between the two just like us. Unlike us, He never gave into His lower nature. He blazed a straight path all the way from the edge of failure to permanent success. We now have footsteps to follow.

Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)

Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

Enmity makes us want to find a way of escape. Footsteps to victory shows us the way of possibility. The body and blood of the Lamb finally gives us the power to walk the way. He takes the heavy burden of our guilty past off of our backs, and He gives us the energy to move our feet forward one step at a time.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:31-32)

For this purpose the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

Father, glorify your name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto me. (John 12:28-32)

He that has seen Me has seen the Father. (John 14:9)

At the cross, the last lingering questions of a wondering universe were answered. God and Satan stood in stark opposition. God made a track of unbroken faith, hope, and love, while Satan attacked Him with falsehood, fear, and force. There was no more gray, only light versus dark.

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time. (Revelation 12:7-12)

Heaven was now sure of God and Satan. They were fully ready to have the fallen angels executed. However, there were still questions, known and unknown, about humanity. To fully secure eternity, humanity and devils were given more time.

Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. (Isaiah 26:10)

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23)

Bring a sinner to heaven and all you get is a spoiled brat or a pseudo-saint who sees the gold but does not appreciate the true glory of God. It does not matter whether it is a cruel dictator, perverted psychopath, or a well behaved nice person, all sinners are motivated by self-gain. Any of them will ignite the fires of evil all over again, because the flames in their heart never went out. It is impossible to teach self to do good.

The soul that sins, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:20)

This is the only solution. The only options offered to every sinner is to die in Christ or die out of Christ. Either way, the sinner must die.

Sin does not arise on its own. It is chosen into existence. Therefore, the chooser must die. However, if the sinner dies, then the heavenly Father is sad.

However, if the sinner could somehow miraculously die in Christ, then he could have heart, mind, and soul transplanted. The sinner dies and the sinner lives, but not the sinner, a new saint with a new inner nature from Christ and in Christ.

What would persuade a selfish sinner to give up his life before he has gained heaven? Only the cross.

Giving heaven to the sinner, like popular preaching assures, only increases the selfishness. Yet, the Lamb of God, bruised and bloodied by sins, offers a trade. Sorrow unto repentance breaks the heart and kills the sinner. Now the Resurrected One can remove the blackened soul and replace it with His own.

Where there was darkness now there is light. Where there was desire for evil, now there is only good. Where there was death, now there is life, because the crucified sinner rises again as a saint in the newness of Christ’s life. The mortal body is mortified. Look anywhere inside and all you will find is Christ.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The outer man is no longer in control of the inner man. The carnal nature no longer rules the spiritual nature. The saint walks in the Spirit, not in the flesh. The sinner is truly dead. Heaven is safe.

For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:15-17)

On an individual level, problem #3 is solved. The sinner is converted into a saint. The Father has His child back.

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

Hear O mountains, the LORD’s controversy, and you strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD has a controversy with his people.... O my people, what have I done unto you and in what have I wearied you? testify against me. (Micah 6:2-3)

A third of the angels invented their own problems, then blamed God and smeared His reputation. God would show them to be utterly false. The controversy with the selfish angels would be ended by the demonstration of God’s love through His church. The failure of angelic perfection in heaven would be shown to be without excuse by the success of the church in a fallen world.

By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. (John 13:35)

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (Ephesians 3:9-12)

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:26-27)

Until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13)

A child is known by his doings. A prophet is known by his fruits. A gardener is known by his harvest. The Savior is known through His church. Let the gospel go, not only into all the world, but also into all the church, then the end will come. The enmity planted in the heart of the woman at the beginning results in a church of saints perfectly united in loving teamwork at the end. Members that are one with God are one with each other, for God is one.

Then the two harvests of both good and evil will be fully ripe. There will be no questions, no doubts, no guesswork. The church will stand apart from the world with no overlap. The church will condemn the world’s excuses and lies. The time and need for judgment will no longer be delayed, for the contrast will be crystal clear.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. (Romans 8:1-13)

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by revealing of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus‘ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:1-7)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are plain, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-25)

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beg you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-13)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.... But now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:5-15)

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, to what we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (Philippians 3:8-16)

If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desires, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things‘ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: In the which you also walked some time, when you lived in them. But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. (Colossians 3:1-10)

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (1 Timothy 3:9)

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:5-8)

Will You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?... That be far from You to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from You. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:23-25)

And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him. Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves him not. (Malachi 3:17-18)

As the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself; and has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:26-29)

Before there is execution of judgment there must be investigation to discern between the righteous and the wicked, between those in the resurrection of life and those in the resurrection of damnation. Christ and the angels need to look at one thing, and one thing only. Does the person walk in the flesh or in the Spirit? Is Christ enthroned in the mind or merely professed with the lips? Is the person teachable in all things by the Father, or not? No one in heaven will be permitted to serve two masters.

Blessed are the meek, for only they inherit the earth.

Unto Adam he said, Because you have listened unto the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you saying, You shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life. (Genesis 3:17)

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope. (Romans 8:20)

Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (Revelation 7:3)

Human nature was deranged by eating the forbidden fruit. They could not trust God anymore, so they must learn about evil by actual experience. Now that it was in their systems, they must get sick, deal with the causes and effects, then pass it all the way through and flush it out forever. The only good purpose evil has is to teach its own evilness. Converted Christians are sealed and being sealed to one day become permanently sealed against sin.

It shall bruise your head. (Genesis 3:15)

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 1:14-15)

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

The saints on earth and in heaven are fully convinced of the goodness of God and the sinfulness of sin. Through Christ, their heels have been bruised. Now it is time to crush the serpent’s head.

Death has no place in life. Hell has no place in heaven. Destruction has no place in creation. Therefore, death must die, hell must be burned up, destruction must be destroyed.

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47-48)

Every person is judged according to their works. Every person is finite, including the devil himself. Therefore, the time of the judgment will be finite. It will have an end. All will see that the Judge of all the universe does right, exactly right. Not too much. Not too litte.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

What do you imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. (Nahum 1:9)

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

The faith, hope, and love of the entire universe has grown tremendously during the course of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. The war between good and evil has turned everyone into battle hardened veterans. Unlike before, they can now appreciate Universe 2.0.

His glory covered the heavens and His praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from His hand, where His power was hidden. (Habakkuk 3:3-4)

And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

There is only one thing greater than love—tested love. All heaven has seen God pass a test they never knew was needed. They have seen the Creator destroyed, the Lifegiver die, the Light go dark. Never again do they want that to happen. Never do they want to forget. So the marks of tested love are imprinted in the hands of the Savior of humans, angels, and all heavenly beings. Not merely a future promise, but the revealed and tested power of love keeps a new universe in which it is impossible for evil to rise again.