As I was studying the Sabbath School lesson I came across these comments by Andrew Anderson.
He is speaking of the investigative judgment, but brings in a concept of the twenty four elders that I found very interesting.
Here's a bit of his article
"If God were a benevolent tyrant (an oxymoron), He would only need an instant in time to decide everyone's fate — past, present and future. (This is, in part, the kind of personage Satan has made God out to be.) The truth is far more interesting. When we read the first chapter of Job and realize that Adam is called a son of God (being that Adam had no biological father) we can begin to understand that we are not alone in the universe — contrary to popular Christian beliefs.
When Satan presented himself as the representative of this earth (in Adam's place), he was doing so among all the other representatives of other `solar systems' who were participating in God's chosen form of government. These `sons of God' were also present at the creation of the earth. (See Job 38:6,7) Understanding this gives much more significance to God's challenge to Satan regarding Job's righteousness.
Consider that God is answering Satan's charges against Him in how He deals with us. Consider also that there are beings who will someday call us neighbors who are concerned about who we really are. Daniel talks about judgement thrones (plural) and Revelation talks about twenty-four elders. Consider all the lives of the past millennia and God's individual interventions on behalf of His people to review for the benefit of the "jury," and you begin to understand the time-frame.
“Adam was crowned as king in Eden. To him was given over every living thing that God had created. The Lord blessed Adam and Eve with intelligence such as he had not given to the animal creation. He made Adam the rightful ruler.
Gen. 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
But Adam sold out to that old serpent the devil.
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
Sons of God were present before this earth was created:
Job 38:1-7
"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"
Two groups: The morning stars and the sons of God already existed at creation.
Christ takes Adam's place at the head of the Human race, and Satan is cast out never again to represent the earth before the universe.
EGW in Desire of Ages 833-835
Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music. There is the throne [4:2], and around it the rainbow of promise [4:3]. There are cherubim and seraphim [4:6-8]. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds [4:4], are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son, the representatives of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought to establish his dominion,--all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.
The Sons of God -- are the representatives from the unfallen worlds.
-- Edited by Dedication on Saturday 11th of June 2011 06:39:56 PM
