How Humans Differ From Other Intelligent Beings by God

Human beings are distinct among God's intelligent creatures primarily because they were created in His image and have an experiential understanding of the conflict with sin and the science of redemptionCCh 74.4+3. While all intelligent beings are governed by the same divine laws and endowed with a free will, the human race occupies a unique position in the history of the universeSOWA August 15, 1905, page 522.5+2.

The Image of God and Personal Creation

Unlike other aspects of creation, human beings were formed by the agency of a personal God who breathed the breath of life directly into them, making man a living, breathing, intelligent beingCCh 74.4+2. This personal touch endowed humans with physical and mental perceptions that are placed under law and monitored by an ever-present GodCCh 325.1+1. While angels and other unfallen beings are also intelligent, human beings are specifically noted as being made in the image of their CreatorCCh 74.4+1.

Experience with Sin and Redemption

Human beings are unique among all created intelligences because they alone have known the actual conflict with sin through their own experienceEd 308.3.

• Fellowship of Suffering: The redeemed have entered into the fellowship of Christ's sufferings in a way that even angels could not doEd 308.3.

• A Testimony for the Universe: Because of this experience, the redeemed possess a testimony regarding the science of redemption that is of immense value to unfallen beings who have never sinnedEd 308.3.

• The Focus of the Great Controversy: The plan of redemption reveals heights and depths of God's love that will be the study of all intelligent beings for eternityAH 548.1+2.

Shared Characteristics with Other Intelligences

Despite their unique history, humans share fundamental principles of existence with all other intelligent creatures in the universe:

• The Law of Love: The two great commandments—loving God supremely and one's neighbor as oneself—exist in the very nature of every intelligent creature, whether human or unfallenCHPA 6.4+2.

• Moral Agency: Every intelligent creature is created free to recognize their obligation to God or to refuse it, deciding their own future by their choicesSOWA August 15, 1905, page 522.5+3.

• Dependency on the Creator: No intelligent creature is self-existent; the strongest man is as dependent on God for breath and life as a newborn infant is on its parentsSITI August 26, 1897, page 513.4+2.

• Universal Governance: All rational beings, whether they are the redeemed or those who never sinned, are governed by the same perfect law, which is a transcript of God's will Matthew 5:48SITI February 11, 1886, page 87.6+1.

Future Unity and Study

In the hereafter, the distinctions caused by the fall will be removed, and the children of earth will unite with unfallen beingsAH 548.1+2.

• Unfettered Fellowship: The redeemed will wing their flight to distant worlds that once sorrowed over human woe but now rejoice in their salvationAH 548.1+1.

• Continuous Revelation: Together, all of God's children will share in the treasures of wisdom and the glorious revelations of God's handiwork that the years of eternity will continue to bring Ephesians 3:20Ed 307.5+1.

Yes, the ability to bear children and perpetuate the species through the propagation of offspring is a specific function of human life that distinguishes us from other beings in the eternal stateHBS 455.2. While the power of reproduction is a deep mystery found in nature, the scriptures and divine instruction clarify that this process is limited to our current existence and does not extend to other orders of being like the angels1SM 172.3+1.

The Current Order of Generation

In this world, the perpetuation of the human race is accomplished through the natural process of generationHHMLD 76.2.

• The Power of Reproduction: This power was implanted by the Creator to allow humans to perpetuate their speciesHBS 455.2.

• The Impact of Parents: The habits and character of parents before the birth of their offspring give a "stamp of character" to future generations2SM 431.2+1.

• Transmitted Vitality: Physical and mental strength, or even debility, are transmitted from the mother to the child during the period of development before birthSA 115.2+1.

• A Sacred Responsibility: Motherhood brings sacred responsibilities of discipline and training that are vital to the future education of the child6MR 351.2+1.

Distinction from Unfallen Beings and the Future State

The ability to marry and give birth is a characteristic of our present life, but it is not shared by all of God's intelligent creatures or in the world to come.

• No Births in the New Earth: Those who are raised from the dead or translated will neither marry nor be given in marriage1SM 172.3.

• Like the Angels: In the future state, the redeemed will be as the angels of God, and the cycle of generation and corruption will cease1SM 172.3+1.

• Unfallen Worlds: While unfallen beings share the joy and wisdom of the universe, they are distinct from the human experience of birth and the trials associated with itAH 548.1+1.

• Free Will vs. Forced Reproduction: Even though humans possess the right of maternity, God made man free to follow His precepts or his own impulsesSPCCSR 27.1+1.

The Responsibility of Parenthood

Because humans have the unique privilege of bringing new lives into existence, they bear a weight of responsibility to ensure those lives are a benefit to society2SM 426.2+1.

• Parental Influence: If a mother is self-indulgent or impatient before the birth of her child, these traits may be reflected in the child's dispositionCCh 139.6+1.

• Vital Resources: Too frequent child-bearing and the multiplicity of home cares can weaken a mother's intellect and exhaust her vital resourcesSOAP 122.1+1.

• Duty of the Father: The father must shield the mother from wearing labor and mental anxiety so that the children may inherit a good constitutionRH July 18, 1899, par. 5+1.

• The Role of Midwives: In harmony with the Bible plan, women should be trained as midwives to attend to other women during childbirthMM 61.2+2.

The scriptures remind us that while humans are currently involved in the process of birth, our ultimate destiny is to be part of the royal family of heaven Matthew 22:30+1. We are encouraged to work out our salvation and prepare our families for a state where the voice of weeping and crying will no longer be heard Isaiah 65:19+1.