The Sabbath-School

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 24, 1884

The Sabbath-School.

LESSON FOR THE PACIFIC COAST—FEB. 2.

REVIEW OF 2 CORINTHIANS 4–13.

The Apostle’s Hope.

For what did Saul, a “young man” whose prospect in this life was apparently very flattering, forsake it all and become a humble lifelong follower of the lowly Nazarene? Not a far-off, fair-weather, personal-convenience follower; but one who unflinchingly heeded duty’s call, even though he knew that “bonds and afflictions” awaited him “in every city.” Acts 20:23. He tells us in 2 Cor. 4:14 that he suffered all these things “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.” The preceding verses give some idea of his constantly straitened and dangerous position.

Paul labored hard to establish the doctrine of the resurrection; that was the grand hope of the gospel which he preached, and for it he suffered many rebuffs and persecutions. Acts 17:32; 26:6–8. It was a prominent theme in his letters to the churches. Rom. 6:5; 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15 throughout; Phil. 3:20, 21; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

Then what shall we say to those who claim to preach Christ in these last days—so near to the consummation of the hope of the gospel,—and utterly ignore or practically deny the resurrection? When they tell us that the soul is immortal, that it goes to Heaven at death, that the resurrection will not be literal, and all such vain philosophy and modern theology,—shall we believe it? If so, what shall we say of Paul’s risking so much for a doctrine, which, if true, could only (in such light) be of minor importance? Surely he unnecessarily risked his life and suffered many hardships; and Festus was not far wrong when he said, “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” Acts 26:24.

But Paul knew whereof he spoke. His was not a second-hand or time-corrupted doctrine. Hear his assurance to the Galatians: “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Gal. 1:11, 12. And so strong was his faith in the doctrine he received in that manner, and so boldly preached, that he pronounced, and emphatically repeated, a curse upon “any man” or “an angel from Heaven” who should preach any other. Verses 8, 9. Surely they run a fearful risk who do so, as also those who follow them.