Published by the Bible Advocate Press

(http://home.cog7.org/publications)

Have you ever asked yourself, “Where am I going to spend eternity?” Interestingly, many people make elaborate plans for their short life on earth, but sometimes fail to plan beyond the here and now. Yet planning for eternity is what accepting God’s plan of salvation is about.

Salvation represents the work of God to rescue humanity from eternal ruin and death caused by sin. It means dealing with the causes of our being “lost” or being separated from and out of contact with God because of sin.

Salvation leads to eternal life. It is the work of God to find lost humanity, and is free .when we take the few steps described in the Bible to receive this glorious gift of grace, we must never consider it our work instead of God’s. Therefore, when we accept God’s offer of salvation, we are accepting His gift of eternal life.

What, then, must we do to be saved?

Salvation Begins with faith?

The New Testament tells the good news of Jesus Christ that salvation depends on believing in Christ and accepting Him as our saviour.

Salvation is made possible only through Jesus, the S on of God. These quotations from the New Testament illustrate this basic and important truth:

To all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish have eternal life (John 3:16)

We must express our belief in Jesus as God’s Son and as the one who redeems us from our sins. Sin leads to death, but God sent Jesus into the world to deliver us from our sins and their penalty, the wrath of God:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will see life, for God’s wrath remains on him (John 3:36)

The Gospel of John was written as a record of the many wonderful things that Jesus said and did, to give a basis for believing in Him:

These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the S on of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:31).

Faith is confidence and trust in the existence of God and the work of salvation He has completed on our behalf through Jesus Christ. Therefore we are called to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that by His death, burial and resurrection from the dead, we are forgiven of our sins.

Can you believe this great truth? If so, you can be saved. The apostle Paul wrote:

If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9)

Faith leads to Repentance and Baptism

In Acts 2, Peter, a disciple of Christ called upon the people to believe in Jesus. Acts 2:37 informs us that Peter’s words conviction to the people’s heart.

They cried out, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

In verse 38, Peter told them they must do two things: “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, In the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins”.

In this one verse Peter lists two important responses necessary to receive eternal life. When we realise that God has worked out our salvation through his dear son, we feel sorrow for our sins. The sorrow leads us to confess our sins to God .We can be sure he will forgive and purify us.

if we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (! John1:9).

The process of feeling sorry for our sins and confessing them is called repentance. Genuine repentance always brings about change. Paul writes, “Godly sorrow bring repentance that leads salvation and leaves no regrets” (2 Corinthians 7:10a).In other words, God uses the sorrow we feels in recognising our sinfulness to lead us to a change of heart. Before we repent we accept him as a normal way of life. But when we see how serious sin is, that it brings death, we repent. An awareness of God’s will for our live goes beyond recompense. It spells out the way to live in contrast to the former sinful life. This concept is supported by Paul, who preached to repentant sinners “that they should repent turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds”. (Acts 26:20)

Paul says repentance should bring about a change in us: obedience to do the word of God. Our deeds demonstrate that we have turned from our sinful ways to obey and serve God.

The next step after repentance is baptism in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2 :38).we must express faith in Jesus Christ as the son of God our saviour, we may be sorry for our sin and confess that we are sinners, we may determine to obey God’s words. But until we baptise in water in the name of Jesus, our response to God’s offer of eternal life is incomplete.

Jesus taught that believers should be baptized. Just before his ascension to heaven, he told the apostles:

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son and of the holy spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you ( Matthew28:19,20).

In the New Testament, Christian baptism is described as a burial. Paul wrote, [you have] been buried with him [Christ] in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is an English word translated directly from a word used in the New Testament that means “immerse” or “put under”. The Bible’s symbolic picture of baptism as a burial is not mere coincidence. It describes the act of baptism as a complete immersion in water, symbolizing the believer’s participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father,

We too may live a new, life (Romans 6:3, 4).

Paul uses this symbolism to teach us the true significance of baptism. In Romans 6:5-7, he explains that through baptism, the believer illustrates the death of his sinful nature by burying it, then rising to live a new life in harmony with God’s word. Paul wrote:

If we have been united with him [Christ] like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Accept God’s Gift

If you have taken time to prepare for a long, happy life on earth, why not take the time and necessary steps to receive God’s gift of eternal life? Through faith in Christ, repentance, and baptism, you can respond to God’s offer of salvation.

We invite you to repeat the following prayer sincerely:

Lord Jesus, come into my heart right now, I confess that I am a sinner. As a believer, I ask my life to you and ask you to lead me and direct ma in all my ways.

Thank you for accepting me and for forgiving my sin.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are taken from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

The word Sabbath means day of rest from the Hebrew word
shabath – (cease to do).
The Sabbath is the Jewish day of Worship which takes place from sunset
Friday evening until the sunset on Saturday, following the scripture’s clear instruction in Genesis 2:2&3 “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, sanctified it: (made holy) because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. God rested from his work was an example setting the stage for mankind to follow as Jesus said that the ‘Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath’ (Mark 2:27).
‘On Sabbath Jews attend worship services in their local synagogue and have special meals and family gatherings at home. Orthodox Jews do not work, travel, or carry money on the Sabbath’.
(World books Encyclopaedia) Within the Church of God seventh day we follow some of the orthodox rituals that are carried out on the Sabbath i.e. not working, and attending church services.
The Sabbath is also very special because in Exodus 20:8 in the Ten Commandments we are told to ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,’
this sacred day is set aside to worship the Lord God our creator free from everyday burdens of work, college, school, and university to focus on God and give him thanks for taking us this far in our life. In Deuteronomy 5:15 the children of Israel were reminded that on the Sabbath they should give God thanks for their freedom from slavery in comparison we should reflect our thanks to God for not allowing our eyes to be blinded by the lies which were introduced by Constantine. “Pope Constantine the Great made a law for the whole empire (A.D. 321) that Sunday should be kept as a day of rest in all cities and towns; but he allowed the country people to follow their work.”
(The Bible Home Instructor)
By A.D. 336 the Catholic Church ahd also changed from Sabbath to Sunday as the council of Laodicea changed it. The blessing that Sabbath has can never be given to Sunday, as it is not the ordained sacred day of worship God set apart.

Conclusion
The Sabbath in my opinion is relevant today because God has set it apart and said that we should be in his sanctuary giving him praise, God’s word’s never change ‘So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return to me void.’(Isaiah 55:11a) If the people in the world who worship on other days than the Sabbath want to find out if they are doing the right thing they can research the subject as I have done and will undoubtedly come to the same conclusion I have. There is so much biblical evidence and historical facts, which match up, and after thorough research there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Sabbath is still relevant to us today.
‘Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass away’.
(Matthew 24:35)

Biology

The Bible Instructor by A.N. Dugger seventh Edition
King James Study Bible Pub: The Mac Millian Bible Atlas Thomas Nelson 1998
The World books Encyclopedia Pub: World Book INC 1987

Thus the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made, and he [God] rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because that in it he had rested from all his work which he had created and made. (Gen. 2:1-3, Ex. 20) God reminded his people to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. God told us we can work six days, but not on the seventh day, because it is the Sabbath of the Lord our God (not of the Jews as some people teach), but it belongs, to the Creator – God. He created the Sabbath, He hallowed it. The Sabbath is a part of the Ten Commandments; it is placed between the part that shows our love to God and our love to our fellow human beings (Ex 20:8-11). God rested on the Sabbath and was refreshed and this commandment was written with the finger of God himself. This is the only document we find in Scripture written with the finger of God. Amen.

We also read in Hebrews 4:1-4 ‘there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. A sinner cannot be called ‘the people of God’. It must be those that are saved by grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and then we can cease from our own works, labouring, working with our hands for our daily bread over the six days, and rest on the seventh day as God did from his. We may ask ourselves did God work again? Yes, Jesus says he did in John 5:17.

Many people who do not want to keep God’s Sabbath say that the rest in Hebrews 4:10 refers to ceasing from our works of sin. If this was so, what sin did God commit that would cause a need for Him to cease from it, leaving an example for the people of God?

But now let’s look at what the Lord Jesus my Saviour had to say about the Sabbath after the Pharisees found fault with the disciples plucking ears of corn to eat whilst they were on their way to church on the Sabbath (for they were hungry). Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2: 23-28). What Jesus was saying is that man was created on the sixth day and the Sabbath on the seventh (Gen. 2:1-3, 1:26-31). So the Sabbath was made for man to rest with God and His son and the host of heaven. This is proven in Ex. 16:22-31 when God fed the children of Israel in the wilderness. They were told to gather twice as much on the sixth day because there would be none on the seventh day because it was the holy Sabbath unto the Lord. Some of the people who were stubborn and disobedient went out as usual and found no manna. The reason was that the manna was angel’s food and the angels rested with God in heaven so they would not open the door of heaven and rain down their food, manna (Psalm 78:25, 78:22-29). God said that in the new heaven and the new earth Sabbath would be there and that all flesh would come to worship him (Isaiah 66: 22-23; Rev21:1-8; Rev 22:11-16). Jesus, who knew that the Sabbath is perpetual, told his disciples to pray that their flight be not on the Sabbath day (Ex. 31:16; Matt 24:19, 28?) and this is when He foretold the destruction of the temple, and this happened in AD70, and AD135.

Jesus, the Son of God kept the holy Sabbath (which He is Lord of, according to Mark 2:28). While He was here on earth redeeming mankind back to the heavenly Father, His custom was to go into the synagogue on the Sabbath day (Luke 4:16). Paul’s manner was the same (Acts 17:2), because he was following Jesus’ example, and in his instruction to the Corinthians, Paul said they should be followers of him, as he was of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Paul the apostle to the Gentiles knew that the Sabbath of creation is perpetual (Ex. 31:16). That is why in Acts 13:14-19 when the rulers of the synagogue asked him to preach to them, he preached about David, how God raised up a seed from him unto Israel, a Saviour, Christ Jesus (Acts 13:22,23). Then we see in verse 42 that when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles asked that the same words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Please notice it was the Gentiles that asked Paul to come back next Sabbath, the following week. Did Paul say to them that the Sabbath was no more and that Jesus had nailed it to the cross? No, my friends, we see that the next Sabbath day almost the whole city came to hear the word of God. To God be the glory!

Jesus said it is good to do good on the Sabbath day (Matt. 12:9-14, Mark 3:4). He also said in Matthew 5:17-19 that He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfil them. If we break any and teach men to break the least of His commandments you will be called the least in the kingdom, but if you do, and teach the commandments, you will be called great in the kingdom of heaven, so there remaineth a rest to the people of God (Heb. 4:9).

Amen and Amen.

Note: Pastor L A Pinnock

Note: Pastor L A Pinnock

The Holy Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God. No other writing is of such origin. The Old and New Testaments together are the infallible, authoritative Scriptures for the faith and practice of God’s people. No other writing or authority is required for understanding the plan of salvation and the will of God for mankind. Originating from the Father, God’s Word is fulfilled in Jesus Christ His Son and is applied to our lives by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 5:39; Luke 24:44; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-21; John 17:17; 1 Peter 1:24, 25; Revelation 22:18,19

2. God, the Father

The supreme Deity of the universe is God Almighty. It is He who created all things by His Word and sustains them by His power. He made the covenant with Abraham, gave the Law at Sinai, and spoke through the prophets. God is most perfectly revealed as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the heavenly Father of all who believe in Jesus. At the end of this age, God will judge the world through Christ and will reign eternally over the redeemed.

Genesis 1:1; Acts 17:24, 25, 30, 31; Genesis 17:1, 2; Exodus 20:1-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 19:6

3. Jesus Christ, the Son

Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He is of the same substance as the Father. Before time began, He existed with the Father, shared the Father’s glory, and participated in creation. Voluntarily relinquishing the rights of His deity, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary and was born in Bethlehem. In full humanity, Jesus perfectly obeyed the Father’s will, died by crucifixion, was buried, and rose again after three days and three nights in the tomb. He then ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God as Saviour and Redeemer of all who trust in Him. Jesus is Lord!

John 1:18; 1:1-3; 3:16; 17:5; Matthew 1:21; 12:40; Luke 1:26-35; 24:51; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 2:36

4. The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the promised Comforter sent from God after the ascension of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells in those Christians who ask of God and obey Him. All believers have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. The Scriptures command believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit, God reveals biblical truth, convicts persons of sin and draws them to Jesus, regenerates those who believe, gives power to live and witness for Christ, produces the fruits of holiness, and bestows gifts for service.

John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-14; 3:5; Acts 1:5, 8; Acts 5:32; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 12:3-11, 13; Luke 11:13

5. The Fall of Humanity

God created Adam and Eve in His own image and pronounced them good. When our first parents disobeyed God, the curse of sin, sorrow, and death came upon the world. As a result, all mankind participate in original sin by nature and by choice, and all creation experiences its miserable effects. While the penalty of sin has been paid through Jesus Christ, and the power of sin has been broken by the Holy Spirit, still the presence of sin and suffering in the human family, in the universe, and in believers will not be fully eradicated in the present age.

Genesis 1:26, 27, 31; 3:1-19; Romans 3:23; 5:12-19; 8:19-23

6. The Plan of Salvation

God provided the way of salvation for humanity to escape the penalty of eternal death pronounced upon sinners after the Fall. Jesus Christ gained this redemption by His sinless life, His atoning death, and His resurrection. In these He became our legal representative in heaven. Through His merits, forgiveness of sin and the assurance of eternal life belong to those who believe in and accept God’s plan of salvation through Christ. This is the heart of the gospel: Christ died for our sins, thereby purchasing eternal salvation for all who continue in the faith.

John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2:21-24; Romans 3:23-25; 5:1, 6-11; Hebrews 4:15; Colossians 1:20-23; Acts 4:12

7. Our Response to God

Upon learning of God’s plan, a person either accepts Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord or continues in condemnation. Accepting Jesus Christ means believing the truth of the gospel, confessing and repenting of sin, trusting the Saviour, and becoming a disciple of the Lord. One who so believes has been justified before God, converted in mind, and reborn in spirit. He then walks the way of obedience, which includes public confession of Jesus Christ, water baptism, restitution, and following the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16-18; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 16:31; 2:38; 1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9, 10; Matthew 5:23, 24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 2:6; Galatians 5:6

8. Prayer

God’s people are to pray to the heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, the Mediator and High Priest at God’s throne. Prayer is to be offered at all times, for all people, for God’s will to be done, and with thanksgiving and confession. The sick are to call for the elders of the church to anoint them with oil and pray for their healing. Those who call upon the Father, individually or collectively, will have their prayers answered in accordance with His will.

Hebrews 4:14-16; John 14:13, 14; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6; James 5:14-16; 1 John 5:14; Matthew 6:9-13

9. The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments constitute the basic law of God for His people. The concepts of the Decalogue were understood and obeyed by the godly before the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai, where God spoke them and wrote them on stone tablets. This law of God was perfectly fulfiled in the life and teachings of Jesus, was obeyed by the apostles of the Lord, and is written in the hearts of believers under the new covenant. No part of it has been revoked or changed; to transgress any of it is to commit sin. Observing the Ten Commandments expresses our love to God and mankind.

Exodus 20:1-17; 31:18; Genesis 26:5; John 15:10; Matthew 19:16-19; Hebrews 8:10; 1 John 3:4; 5:2, 3; James 2:10-12

10. The Sabbath

The fourth commandment teaches us to observe the seventh day (Saturday) of each week as the Sabbath. God set the Sabbath apart in the beginning as a memorial of creation, and it was observed by Jesus and the apostles. It is kept from Friday sunset until Saturday sunset by ceasing from secular work, engaging in corporate worship, cultivating the godly life, and doing good for others. Sabbath rest mirrors both Creation and redemption, and will be celebrated until God’s people rest forever with Him.

Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14, 42, 44; 16:13; 18:4, 11; Leviticus 23:32; Mark 2:27, 28; Matthew 12:12; Hebrews 4:4-10; Isaiah 56:1-8; 58:13, 14

11. The Church

The church is the spiritual body of believers who have faith in Jesus Christ and obey the will of God. It has Christ as its Head and exists universally and locally to worship God, study the Scriptures, preach the gospel, nurture believers, and serve humanity. The Bible most often refers to this body as “church of God”; therefore, we use that name. Church organization is scriptural and expedient. We recognize the church wherever the Word is faithfully preached, people respond in obedience, and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are administered.

Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:25-33; 1 Corinthians 1:2;
Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5; Acts 20:28; Revelation 12:17

12. Baptism

Baptism by immersion in water is a commanded response to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ on our behalf. It pictures the believer’s covenant union with the Lord: death to sin, burial of the old nature, and rising to new life. Baptism itself does not save, but is an act of obedience to the gospel that should not be postponed following faith, repentance, and regeneration. It is designed not for infants, but for those who know God’s saving plan and who decide to trust and obey the Lord.

Romans 6:1-6; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 16:30-34; 1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 3:13-17; 28:18-20

13. Lord’s Supper

At the Lord’s Supper, unleavened bread and fruit of the vine are received as symbols of our Lord’s body and blood, which He offered as a sacrifice for sin. In this memorial of the Lord’s death, we illustrate our union with the Saviour, commune with others as the body of Christ, and proclaim our hope in His return. Unfermented grape juice is the symbol we choose for His blood. Because the first Lord’s Supper was at Passover, we have chosen to observe it on Nisan fourteen of the Hebrew calendar. We extend charity toward those who may observe communion at other times. At the supper, we follow Jesus’ example and command by washing one another’s feet in service and humility.

Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29; Mark 14:22-25; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17; 11:23-26; Luke 22:19, 20; John 13:1-17

14. Financial Stewardship

God’s work is supported by the financial stewardship of God’s people. The biblical examples and commands for proportionate giving often refer to a tithe, or tenth. While tithing laws in the Levitical priesthood are no longer in force, tithes and offerings remain as a principle and standard of Scripture. The New Testament stresses the giver’s attitude above any legal demands. Motivated by the love of the gospel, every Christian is called to give tithes and offerings freely and cheerfully.

Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6, 7; Hebrews 7:1-6; Proverbs 3:9

15. Participation in Warfare

Jesus Christ our Lord taught us to love and forgive our enemies, and to work for the peace and salvation of all peoples. Wars among nations and violence between persons are not God’s perfect will, but result from greed, lust for power, selfishness, and other sinful motives. Christians should renounce such carnality and the weapons of human strife, and should not participate in military combat through the armed forces.

Matthew 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-38; James 4:1; Romans 12:17-21; John 18:36;
Matthew 26:51, 52; 2 Corinthians 10:3, 4

16. Pagan Holidays

The celebrations of Sunday, Christmas, Lent, Easter, or Halloween as sacred times have no scriptural support.
Sunday became the common day of worship after the apostolic era. It was decreed the venerable day of the sun, and work was forbidden on it by the Roman emperor Constantine in A.D. 321. No command or example exists in Scripture for observance of the first day of the week as the Christian Sabbath.
Christmas is a carryover of the ancient festival of pagan Rome called Saturnalia, the rebirth of the sun. The day of Jesus’ birth is unknown, and no biblical precedent exists for celebrating it after the fashion of Christmas.
Easter is a second-century substitute for a spring festival honouring the heathen goddess Astarte. The Bible does not endorse celebrating the Resurrection after the manner of Easter Sunday. The best evidence points to Christ’s resurrection late on the Sabbath. His crucifixion and burial on Wednesday yields a literal fulfilment of the prophecy that He would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Halloween originates in unholy and superstitious practices relating to evil spirits and the realm of the dead. It should not be celebrated by Christians.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Jeremiah 10:2-10; Matthew 12:38-40; 28:1-6 (KJV);
Mark 8:31; 9:31; 1 Corinthians 10:18-22

17. Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

Marriage was instituted by God and is intended to last as long as both partners live. A permanent union between one man and one woman offers potential for the best of human experience, and is a picture of the eternal bond between Christ and the church. Jesus taught that only fornication (sexual unfaithfulness) is sufficient cause for divorce. Those who remarry after divorce, except the divorce was “for cause of fornication,” commit adultery. Similarly, those who marry persons who have been divorced “except for the cause of fornication” commit adultery.

Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 5:31, 32; 19:4-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:1-3; Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, 39

18. Holy Living

God’s people are called out of sin and corruption into a sanctified position – “us in Christ” – and a sanctified practice – “Christ in us.” Indwelt by the Holy Spirit, Christians are to be an example of the believers and a corrective to an evil and unbelieving generation. Pride, greed, sloth, lust, and covetousness must be opposed in the Spirit; all harmful and immoral practices, including homosexuality, must be refused in the body.

Romans 12:1, 2; Titus 2:11-13; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; Galatians 5:16-26; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Colossians 3:1-14; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 1:13-16

19. Clean and Unclean Foods

The distinction between clean and unclean meats, with respect to foods, is to be observed today as God’s will because it was God-given for the benefit of mankind.

Genesis 7:1-3; Leviticus 11:2-23, 46, 47; Deuteronomy 14:3-20; Acts 10:9-15, 27-29

20. Satan

Satan, a spirit-being called the Devil, is the adversary of God and His people. He is a deceiver capable of transforming himself into an angel of light. He was a murderer from the beginning, and a liar. He must be resisted by God’s people, and he will finally be destroyed in the lake of fire.

1 Peter 5:8, 9; Ephesians 6:11, 12; James 4:7; 2 Corinthians 11:14; John 8:44; Revelation 20:10

21. Our Bodies and Our Earth

When God created all things, He pronounced them very good. Humans share a physical nature with the created order, and we share the unique, spiritual imprint of the Creator. He has given us the privilege and responsibility of dominion over His creation. This good order of humanity and cosmos was not created in vain. Believers will be raised with immortal bodies, and will dwell forever in an earth restored to perfection.
Since human bodies and the earth share the divine purpose in creation and are destined for God’s glory through the gospel, both are to be cared for and not abused.

Genesis 1:26-31; 2:7, 15; Romans 8:18-23; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 15:35-54; 2 Peter 3:13; Isaiah 45:18; Revelation 5:10; 11:18; 21:1-4

22. State of the Dead

There is no consciousness in death. When a person dies, the body returns to the ground, the spirit (breath) returns to God, and thoughts perish. The dead remain in this state, which the Bible often calls sleep, until the day of resurrection. The sleep of the dead shall seem to them as nothing in the time of their awakening. The blessed hope of the gospel is that every believer shall be resurrected from the dead, as was Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6; 12:7; Psalm 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Acts 2:29-35; Hebrews 11:13, 39, 40; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

23. Prophecy, Signs of the Times

Bible prophecy was given for our instruction and warning, and that we might know history is moving toward its ultimate climax. Today’s events and human conditions confirm the Word of God and the certainty of Jesus Christ’s soon return. These fulfilments emphasize the call for sinners to flee from the wrath to come, and the call for believers to come out of religious confusion.

2 Peter 1:19-21; Luke 21:5-36; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Revelation 14:9-12; 18:4

24. The Re-gathering of Israel

The Scriptures contain many promises that the descendants of the children of
Israel shall return to inhabit the lands of the Bible (formerly called Palestine) for a climactic period of history. This prophecy is being fulfiled, and the events of the Middle East continually signal that the return of Christ is imminent.

Isaiah 11:11, 12; Jeremiah 31:7-12; 32:37-44; Ezekiel 37:21-28; 38:8-16; Amos 9:11-15; Luke 21:20-24, 31; Psalm 102:16

25. The Second Coming of Christ

Jesus Christ will return to Earth in fulfilment of an often repeated Bible prophecy. He will come audibly, visibly, bodily, and suddenly – in the clouds of heaven, as He departed. No one knows, nor can they know, the day or hour of His coming; but there is more reason than ever to believe it is near. Human history has this appointment, and believers live in this expectation: Christ is coming back to Earth to consummate the plan of redemption.

John 14:1-3; Acts 1:7-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 25:31, 32; Luke 17:22-37; Mark 8:38; 13:32; Job 19:25-27

26. Resurrections, Rewards, and Punishments

God is preserving the faithful until the day of resurrection to be rewarded, and is reserving the wicked until the Day of Judgment to be punished. At the second advent of Jesus Christ, the righteous dead will be raised to immortality and to the rewards of their service on the new earth. After the millennium, the unrighteous dead will be resurrected to receive the wages of their sin, which is annihilation and destruction in the lake of fire. This will be the everlasting fate of those who are unrepentant and unbelieving until the end.

John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Revelation 22:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 51-53; 1 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 2:9; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 5:10; 20:5, 11-15; Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Malachi 4:1-3; Job 19:25-27

27. The Kingdom: Present, Millennial, and Eternal

The kingdom of God (kingdom of heaven) is realized in three phases:

1. The spiritual kingdom of grace exists now as God rules in the lives of obedient believers. Although God’s kingdom has always been, it was publicly announced and most clearly revealed in the ministry of Jesus Christ. We become its citizens when we turn from our sins to faith in Jesus Christ.
2. The millennial kingdom begins with the Second Advent. Jesus Christ our Lord will reign on the throne of His glory and put all enemies under His feet. This is the time of restoration of the earth, when the redeemed shall rule with Jesus Christ on earth for one thousand years. At the close of the millennium, the New Jerusalem will come from heaven.
3. The eternal kingdom of God will come to pass when Jesus Christ turns the kingdom to the Father. God will dwell with His people in the new heavens and earth, where there will be righteousness and peace forever with no disappointment, defilement, or death.

Psalm 145:13; Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 12:28; Luke 17:20, 21; Colossians 1:13;
1 Corinthians 15:21-28; Psalm 2:8, 9; Revelation 11:15; 21:1-27; Revelation 20:4-6

Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

What does the Bible, the written word of God, have to say about sodomy, known today as homosexuality?

Homosexuals: are listed as people that God “gave over to a reprobate mind” (Romans 1: 28)

This type of lifestyle, based on unnatural sexual acts between same sex couples is now accepted by society, and those of us that believe in God’s word and stand against such activities are perceived as the unnatural ones. Laws have been put in place to prevent the people of God speaking out and preaching against this way of life that the Holy God of the universe hates.

We read in Genesis 19: 1-29 that God sent two angels to take Lot and his family away before God rained down fire and brimstone from heaven on the lands of Sodom and Gomorrah:

“before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them.” (Verses 4 and 5).

The lasciviousness and depravity of the Sodomite men, the reason that God sought to destroy the land, was exemplified by the fact that when Lot went out to plead with them not to do such a wicked act and offered his virgin daughters their response was:

“And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.” (Verse 9)

These men did not want Lot’s virgin daughters, they wanted to know the men, but God’s protection was with them. The angels pulled Lot into the house, shut the door and smote the men with blindness (Genesis 19: 11).

In 2 Peter 2: 8-9 the word of God says that Lot,

“the righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their un-lawful deeds;
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished.”

So we see that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and their inhabitants but delivered the righteous, as he promised Abraham in Genesis 18: 16-33. Likewise, God will deliver those of us who believe the written word of the great I AM, and whose souls are vexed from day to day and those committing acts of sodomy will be destroyed as those in Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible tells us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God does not change. Malachi 3: 6, Hebrews 13: 8, Leviticus 20: 13, 15, Romans 1: 21-32, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10, Jude 14-25.

Let’s start at the beginning and read what God’s word says about his reasons for creating Man in Genesis, which means ‘the beginning of all things’. Genesis 1 tells us that after the Great God created the firmament in the midst of waters, he divided the waters from the waters, he called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the water he called Sea, God saw that it was good. God then said, let the earth bring forth grass, and herb yielding seed and the fruit tree yielding fruit whose seed was in itself, after his kind.

In verse 20-21 we read,
“… God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
..God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind”

God did the same with the cattle, creeping things, beasts of the earth after his kind (verses 24-25). We notice the words ‘after his kind’ are used repeatedly, and the male carries the seed.

“And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.” (Verse 22)

Can two males or two females be fruitful and multiply?

The question was asked ‘What came first’ the chicken or the egg?’ Now let us go on to mankind. In Genesis 1:26-27, The Holy Bible, the written word of the Holy, High and Mighty one of Israel, the Alpha and Omega, The beginning and the ending: the first and the last, the Omnipotent, The Amen and Amen (Revelation 1:8 , 17, 18,) tells us that

“God said Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Note: when the Lord says US he is referring to himself and his son, Elohim (John 1: 1-4, 18, 1 Corinthians 8: 6, John 17: 5, Ephesians 3: 9, Colossians 1: 16, Hebrews 1: 2)

Genesis 2: 21-23 goes further to explain that male and female came out of the Man as we see that God takes the female out of the man. This is akin to what we witness in plant life; seeds are in the male plants.

Verse 28 of Genesis 1 tells us that God told man to ‘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.’

I’ll ask the question again, can two males or two females multiply? Can they be fruitful or replenish the earth through their sexual behaviour?

*According to the Bible, God will destroy them as he did Sodom and Gomorrah 2 Peter 2: 6

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;”

Going back to the beginning, in Genesis 2: 8; 15-17 we read that God planted a garden and gave the man whom he had formed, the command to dress and keep the garden and to eat freely of every tree of the garden. But the tree of the knowledge of good and evil God said he should not eat of it, saying that “in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

In verse 18 we go on to read that God said it was not good that the man was alone. The Holy God said ‘I will make a help meet for him’. In verses 19-20 we see that after God brought every living creature that he had formed unto Adam, and Adam named all cattle and all fowl of the air and every beast of the field, a help meet for Adam was not found.

What did God do?

Verses 21-24 show us that, God put Adam into a deep sleep and took one of his ribs, closed up his flesh, and from Adam’s rib he made a woman. We see that the rib that God took from the man is synonymous with the seeds that every tree and living creature has within them, Genesis 1: 11, 21, 24. God made a woman, not another man but a woman, he brought her to Adam and Adam proclaimed that she was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh and called her Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Adam also said, therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

The Holy God of heaven ordained marriage between a man and a woman only, Genesis 2: 18-25, Matthew 19: 3-6, Mark 10: 6-8, Hebrew 13: 4, and after this ordinance God blessed them that they should multiply and have children. In Psalms 127: 3 we see that “children are the heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Males cannot bear children; neither can women bring forth seed. The word of God continues to say “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full” of children, verse 5.

Psalms 128: 1, 3-4 – “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways…..Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD”.

Ecclesiastes 12: 13 reads “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”. God’s words tell us that Sodomy is a sin, an abomination; Leveticus 20: 13 reads “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” Likewise lying with a beast (verse 15), and incest (verses 16-17). The word of God tells us that those committing these acts are doing “a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people” (verses 17 and 18). Are we to expect that these too will become lawful acts? Since homosexuality and civil partnerships are now legal, it would appear that the authorities believe that they are greater than the Holy High God of heaven. But we see in Acts 4 when those in authority commanded Peter and John not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John’s response was “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4: 18-20). We as believers must take Peter and John as our example, and not listen to men more than God. Acts 5: 29 gives us further instruction… “We ought to obey God rather than men”.

As discussed above, God ordained marriage and from this union children are to be produced and are to be raised to honour their father and mother (Exodus 20: 12). This excerpt is from the Ten Commandments which were written by the finger of God, the great I Am (Exodus 31: 18, 32: 16-16, 34:1, 28, Deuteronomy 10:1-5.

There are some homosexuals that want to adopt children because they are unable to multiply. If however, they were following the words of God they would not need to adopt, they would be marrying someone of the opposite sex and would be able to produce their own children. Having been made in the image of the Holy God (Genesis 1: 26-27) and Jesus the Son of God (John 1: 18, 49, Luke 1: 26-38, Romans 1: 3-4, Matthew 3: 16-17, Proverbs 30: 4) how can people say that they were born with homosexual tendencies? God cannot sin!

In Acts 17: 24-31 the word of God tells us that God “made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth……. he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things …made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation….. For in him we live, and move, and have our being… For we are also his offspring”

Psalms 139 continues in the same vein, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well”. (Verse 14)
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them (verse 16).

God made us all the same, perfect, so we say the claim that homosexuality is a case of nature and not nurture is untrue. What would we see about those committing acts of paedophilia or bestiality? Are we also to believe that these are natural acts? If so, the laws would have to be changed to make all such abominable offences accepted behaviour in society.

The word of God tells us in Romans 1: 16, that Paul was “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” This salvation that Paul refers to is deliverance from sin and as we have already discovered homosexuality is a sin, an abomination (Leveticus 20). Verses 17 and 18 go on to tell us that “therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Anyone that claims to be a Christian and is living a life of sin falls into this category of holding the truth in unrighteousness; this includes homosexual Christians’ a paradoxical term in itself.

Paul continues to sum up the situation… “when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie” (verses 21-25a). The truth of God is that homosexuality is a sin, it is not acceptable behaviour in the sight of God and therefore God will not accept the praise and worship of one that professes to be of Christ ‘A Christian’ and tries to change his truth to suit their lifestyle.

In verses 26 and 27, Paul goes further to exemplify that this behaviour is not acceptable to God, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.” This needs little explanation, men turning from heterosexuality to homosexuality is unseemly. It could be argued that the recompense of their error is AIDS.

It is not necessary to query God’s stance if we continue to read verses 28 to 32. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Those guilty of unrighteousness are worthy of death.

All sin is unrighteousness. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 reads, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” All unrighteous people will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21: 8). Jude verses 6 and 7 tells us that “the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Governments can make laws to suit popular opinion, but the great God, the Creator of all, that counts “All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity”. (Isaiah 40:17) he is coming back to this earth to take vengeance on them that know not God and that do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1: 7-10).

Jesus himself explained that his coming will take man unawares as they will be busy going about their own affairs and not God’s. “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” Matthew 24: 37-39 (see also Luke 17: 26-30)

The scriptures foretold the situation that we would be in today:

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17: 26-30)

The authorities of this world will continue to make their own laws which go against God’s moral principles that he gave to mankind to live by. But we must remember that he is coming back to clean up his world with fire. The element shall melt with fervent heat, but God’s people, the righteous; look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. No unrighteous person will be there.

The book of Revelation 22 verse 11, says “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still”.

Verses 12-14 go on to tell us that he will come quickly to give every man his reward, according to his works. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Only those that keep his commandments will enter into the city.

Homosexuality is against God’s holy commandment, it is a sin. God did not make man to have sex with those of the same sex.

The destruction of Sodom stands out as a warning to the present world that God will do the same thing to this world as it follows in their example. See Jude 7, 14, 15; 2 Peter 2: 6-9.

The Thomson reference Bible tells us that archaeologists have tried to find ruins of Sodom, but have found nothing. They have however, found Jebel Usdum (Mount Sodom), a mountain of crystalline salt, 5 miles long and 300 feet high, along the south western shore of the Dead Sea, so named from the belief that Sodom stood near it. See Genesis 19: 1-26.

Recently there has been a search for these cities in a diving expedition, but so far they have had no success as they can not be certain that any ruins found are from the cities that “the Lord rained brimstone and fire from out of heaven” Genesis 19: 24. Of the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah, Dr. George Adam Smith says “Here was laid the scene of the most terrible judgement on human sin. The glare of Sodom and Gomorrah is flung down the whole length of scriptural history. It is the popular and standard judgement of sin. The story is told in Genesis, it is applied in Deuteronomy, by Amos, by Isaiah, by Jeremiah, by Ezekiel, by Zephaniah and in Lamentations. Our Lord employs it more than once as the figure of the judgement. He threatens upon cities where the word is preached in vain, and we feel flames scorch our own cheeks
(Matthew 10: 15; 11: 24; Luke 10: 12; 17:29). Paul, Peter and Jude make mention of it. In Revelation the city of sin is scripturally called Sodom. Though the glare of this catastrophe burns, still the ruins it left have disappeared.”

As I close this study on homosexuality, I hope that those who read this lesson will understand why this lifestyle is sinful and hated by God and will be led to turn away from this sin.

Amen

Note: Written by Pastor L A Pinnock

Note: Written by Pastor L A Pinnock

10. The bible, in both Old and New Testaments, consistently calls the seventh day of the week (Saturday) the Sabbath. The first day of the week (Sunday) is never so designated.

9. God himself instituted the Sabbath at Creation by doing three things:
a. He “rested” (literally, ceased) from His creative work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2).
b. He “blessed” (conferred favor or approval) on the seventh day (v.3).
c. He “Sanctified” (set apart for special care or use) the seventh day (v.3).

8. The Sabbath is the fourth of the Ten Commandments, recorded in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. In Exodus 20 the Sabbath serves as a symbol of Creation – a day to remember God as Creator: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work……….. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11).

In Deuteronomy 5 the Sabbath also serves as a symbol of redemption – a day to remember God as Redeemer: “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy….. and remember that you were a slave n the land of Egypt, and that the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day” (Deuteronomy 5: 12-15).

7. Jesus affirmed that the Sabbath was a Creation ordinance that God intended for the benefit of humanity: “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Jesus’ use of the words made and man link the Sabbath to Creation just as His use of the same words identify marriage as a Creation ordinance: “But at the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate” (Mark 10:6-9). The divine intent of the Sabbath is as universally applicable as is the institution of marriage.

6. Jesus also affirmed the redemptive aspect of the Sabbath through His own ministry. As God gave the Hebrews rest from Egyptian bondage, so Jesus has given those who trust in Him rest from the bondage of sin: “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11: 28). To illustrate His redemptive work, Jesus performed many of His healing miracles on the Sabbath, thus setting the captives free from their infirmities and declaring that “it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:12). He did this on the basis of His divine authority as the “Lord of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28).

As the Sabbath reminded the Hebrews of their deliverance from Egypt, so it reminds many Christians of their deliverance from sin. Both events were solely the work of God, rather than human effort. Therefore, the Sabbath as a symbol of redemption teaches us to rest in Christ as if all our work were done in Him.

5. The weekly Sabbath is also a symbol of the coming kingdom of God, when believers will enjoy unending Sabbath-rest (see Hebrews 4: 1-10, especially verse 9, which speaks of the eternal rest that still awaits the people of God). Each weekly observance is an earthly foretaste of the heavenly rest, peace, and fellowship to come.

4. As a regular practice, Jesus observed the Sabbath throughout His ministry (Luke 4:16). Apostle Paul and the early church, including Gentile believers, also used the Sabbath as a day for worship, preaching, prayer, and evangelism (Acts 13:42-44; 16:13; 13:2-4; 18:1, 4, 11).

3. The Sabbath offers a practical benefit for human wellness – time off for physical, mental, and spiritual rest. The weekly cycle of the seventh day liberates us from the tyrannies of modern life: tension from the clock, overtime, rushing to and fro, business and busyness, buying and selling, producing and consuming, work and worry. It’s a day to let go, to be free from the necessity of doing and to enjoy just being, a day of divine rest for human restlessness, a gift to renew and refresh body and soul.

2. By freeing us from the demands of the work week, the Sabbath offers another important benefit: time to cultivate and restore human relationships. Life is most worthwhile and fulfilling through contact and interaction with others. However, due to hectic schedules, we often neglect the very relationships essential to our human existence. The Sabbath allows us to slow down and touch the lives of others in meaningful ways. It affords quality time to bond with family and friends and to fellowship with the community of faith. As a symbol of rest and release from bondage, the Sabbath also invites us to reach out to the community-at-large, to help neighbors who are hurting by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. After all, cultivating and restoring human relationships is what Jesus had in mind when He said, “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:12).

1. Finally, the Sabbath provides an opportunity to cultivate the most important relationship in our lives – our relationship with God. While we may attempt to worship God throughout the week, our human tendency is to rush along, offering Him a fleeting nod here and there. That’s why the Sabbath (which literally means “to cease”) calls on us to make a purposeful decision to cease from our worldly activities and care and to focus our attention on God, to commune with Him through worship, prayer, and Bible reading. By spending uninterrupted time with Him, we become more sensitive to His presence and are reminded of His claim on our lives. We see that the whole of our existence is wrapped up in Him – our past, present, and future – because He is our Creator, Redeemer, and coming King. Therefore, when we observe the Sabbath, we are actually pausing to remember that we belong to God. It is not the Sabbath that we worship but the God behind the Sabbath. The Sabbath is merely a time memorial, a needful tool to help us focus our attention on the Source of all things. And when we look to the Source for our existence, and then all the other things in our lives are put into perspective.

2001 – 3- 20 – 8.2005

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from The new King James Version, copyright © 1982, 1983, by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission.

First edition, January 2001
Second printing, November 2002
Third printing, August 2005.

© Bible Advocate Press, Post Office Box 3367, Denver, Colorado 80233-0677.

Waiting for the moment of truth at such appointments can create deal of anxiety! Regardless of your hectic schedule or your age, god has scheduled you for two specific appointments with Him. What you are now, what you do now, and what you believe now will directly affect the outcome of these divine appointments.

Your predestined appointments with God are summarised in one succinct verse of scripture: ‘It is an appointed unto men to die once, but after this the judgement (Hebrews 9:27). Death and judgement – these are the two inescapable appointments with God, and you cannot avoid them!

Are you ready for these two appointments? If you die today, are you ready to meet your Maker? Are you prepared to be judged for eternity?

Awesome Judgement:

The certainty of a final day of judgement for every human being is one of the central teachings of the Bible. Consider these verses:

- “He (God) has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31).

- “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from his goats” (Mathew 25:32)

- I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened…. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things that were written in the books (Revelation 20:12)

- We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he ahs done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).

- So each of us will give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12)

The certainty of coming before a Holy God to be judged should sober us all. Because we all have sinned and deserved to be condemned! (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We may successfully hide many of our sins from others in this life, but we cannot hide them from God; and the ultimate wages for sin is death. Scripture call this the second death, destruction in the lake of fire (revelation 20: 14&15).

Whether we think about it or not, we all face the certainty pf physical death at the end of this life, followed by the judgment of God which will determine our eternal destiny. No one escapes the first death, but God provides a way for all Human beings to stand guiltless in the judgement and to escape the second death. But someone must pay the wages of sin.

One way out:

The only way to face the certain death and final and judgement to come is by having out sins forgiven through Jesus Christ! The good news stems from God’s Great love for all human beings, created in His image:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)

We were all sinners destined to eternal death, but Jesus Christ came to make a way for us to live forever. How do we obtain this gift of eternal life that God wants us to give? The Bible’s answer is clear: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and ye shall be saved (Acts 16:31). Or, as the apostle Peter put it to the crowd of Jews gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

Repent, and let everyone of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

To repent means we turn away form our sins, even as we turn Jesus for the hope He has promised. It means that we find a new way of life- a way of obedience to the will of God as revealed in His word. It means that we invite Jesus t be the Lord of our lives.

It’s your choice:

At this very moment, you must have one the greatest human privileges – the privilege of choice. You can either choose the way of faith in Christ, of repentance from sins and of eternity with God, or …

You can choose to continue living you own way apart from God, trying to enjoy your sins and moral irresponsibly, moving ever onward toward certain physical death and judgement- the eternal death to follow. The choice is fully up to you, but we can tell you what God wants: he is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3: 9). Jesus loves you so much He paid the penalty for sins by dying on the Cross. Though He was completely sinless, He offered Himself as your substitute. he dies so you will not have to (Hebrews 2:9).Only through accepting His death in your place can you receive forgiveness of your sins (Ephesians 1:7). There is no other way to escape eternal death because there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4: 12). Today you have the opportunity of erasing your sinful past, in the eyes of God, and beginning all over again over again as though you had never sinned (Colossians 1:21,22).
Sure things Sure Faith

You have probably heard someone say there are only two sure things –death and taxes. That is only half right. The whole truth is that there are two things for certain: Death and Judgement before God to follow.

These two appointments will surely take place, and you will be there when they do. The only escape from the second death is to repent form all your sins and accept Jesus as the Saviour and lord of your life. “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the son of God does not have life (1John 5:12).

Where do you stand?

Never deceive yourself into thinking that you have no need of repentance from your sins or that you have no need of Jesus in your life. To deny your sin and the reality of your need for forgiveness is to assume that you know more about life and death that the God who has created you.

Why not approach the Judge and get things straightened out today? His bench is easily approached, and he listened sympathetically to those who throw themselves on the mercy of His Court. His loving invitation is clear:

Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Mathew 11: 28-30).

Keeping in mind you two unavoidable appointments with god – death and judgement, what more important business could you possibly have than to accept this offer Jesus make to you now.

Carefully consider your decision. This prayer can help you get started toward your two appointments; “Dear God I need you. I know that I am a sinner in need of Your forgiveness. I ask you to forgive me of my sins. I ask for Jesus to come into my life right now and cleanse me. I trust Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. In Jesus name Amen.”

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Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are taken from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson , Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

R2006-1-20-6.2006

Revised first edition, March 200
Second printing, March 2001
Third printing, October 2002
Fourth printing, March 2004
Second Edition, June 2006

For the saints, Jesus’ return will be a time of great joy, but for sinners a time of great sorrow and judgment. How do you feel about Jesus’ return? Are you uncomfortable thinking about it? Do you have sense of peace about it, or does it stir your emotions to anxiety or even panic?
Some people are not eager for Jesus to come. A couple may be planning their wedding; they want to experience married life before He comes.
An expectant mother and her husband may wish to hold their first child.
Students may want to graduate and begin their careers before this age ends.
Then there are those who are apprehensive about the unknown factors of His coming.
References are frequently made to battle of Armageddon; the Antichrist; the mark of the beast; final judgment; and need to avoid the number 666 in your zip code, telephone number, or car tags. Taken by themselves, these cast the Second Advent in a foreboding light. But they do not tell the whole story!
Jesus does not want believers worry over the thought of His coming. He said: “do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me…. I will come back and take you to be with me….” (John 14:1, 3b). If we trust God, we realize we can also trust Jesus. We are not to fret over the details. We can do nothing to hasten or delay the event. Our assignment is, “Be ready!” our beloved Savior and Redeemer will come in person to receive all the saints into His glorious, never-ending kingdom. What a comforting thought!
Chaotic world
Generally, when we hear something about the second coming of Jesus, it is shrouded in terms of war, death, destruction, persecution, and chaos in the natural, political, social and religious worlds. Prophetic texts refer to these things, and many of them seem to be tied to Jesus’ coming. For the most part, the events represent Satan’s ongoing assault on God and His people or God’s judgment upon a godless, wicked world.
However, as closely related to the second coming of Jesus as they may seem to be, they are events beyond the control of the saints of God. They are strictly in God’s hands and represent a “cause and effect” that will result in the judgment God brings upon the world prior to Jesus’ return. This is the reason Jesus gives the injunction “Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Christians need not become alarmed by Jesus’ description of an ongoing series of natural and man-made disasters that signal His return:

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:6-8).

We who have placed our faith in God and await Jesus’ return need not worry or fear the chaotic conditions around us. They are leading us ever closer to the Second Advent, but they are not, in themselves, signs of the nearness of Jesus’ coming. We can be sure that God is in control and will keep watch over us. Jesus spoke of the attention God gives to his saints:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your father. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29, 31)

We can also be reassured by the words of the psalmist:

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and the deadly pestilence …. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you (Psalm 91:3-7).

We have to realize that the multiple disasters overtaking the world and its people are necessary. God uses them to move this world onward and closer to Jesus’ return. They need not be a threat to our Second Advent hope.

Three Descriptions of Christ’s Return

The New Testament uses three words to describe the return of Christ. Each paints a glorious word picture, capturing the manner, purpose, beauty, and awe of His coming.
The word most commonly used is Parousia. It has been adopted into the English language, unchanged from the Greek. It means “presence,” inferring arrival, advent, or coming. Parousia, in common use, indicates the visit of a prince to one of his provinces. In the context of the Second Advent, it encompasses the coming of Jesus as the Lord of lords and Kings of kings (Revelation 17:14); the gathering of his subjects to Himself (Matthew 24:31); coming unexpectedly (vv. 36, 37); raising the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16); marking righteous judgments (2 Corinthians 5:10); putting all His enemies under His authority (1 Corinthians 15:25); and subduing the kingdoms of the earth and setting up eternal kingdom of God (Revelation 11:15).

The use of Parousia in reference to the Second Coming is appropriate because it includes all that is accomplished by His coming. Believers can look forward joyfully to Jesus’ arrival to welcome us into His kingdom.
Our focus should be a prince who will receive His subject: “well done, good and faithful servant!… Come and share your master’s happiness!”(Matthew 25:21).
The Greek word epiphaneia literally means “appearing”. In the context of the Second Advent it describes the appearing of Jesus as a king assuming His throne. In the first advent of Christ, when he appeared to bring salvation for humanity. It anticipates his return from heaven to appear both to those who believe and are looking for him and to unprepared sinners. His appearance will be like that of a king who will come to reward and to judge. The reward expected by Paul and by all his fellow believers is a crown of righteousness:

There is in store foe me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
William Barclay, The Daily study Bible series, Westminster Press, “The Letters of James and Peter,” p.122.
Ibid.
Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).

Judgment is inseparable from the Second Advent: “…the lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing and his kingdom” (v.1, KJV). This is evident in Paul’s reminder to the Thessalonians, who were zealous for, but misinformed about, the Lord’s return. He informed them that “the man of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7,8), who was already beginning to manifest himself (v.7), is to be given opportunity to assert himself against God and the saints before Jesus returns (vv. 3-12):

And then the lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor [brightness, KJV] of his coming [epiphaneia] (v.8).

All the world’s system will be judge and brought under the control of kings Jesus: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15b).
The saints of God have nothing to fear by the appearance of Jesus and the judgment he metes out at his coming. They will behold him as their king who establishes his throne to rule over a world where their personhood is respected and their righteous values prevail.

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty . . . . You have taken your great power and have begun to reign . . . The time has come for judging the dead and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name . . . . (vv.17, 18b).
3. The third word used in the New Testament to describe Jesus’ second coming is apokalupsis. It means a “revelation” an “unveiling”, a “laying bare”. The Greek name for the book of Revelation is Apokalupsis. When used to refer to the Second Advent, it describes the glory with which Christ is revealed in the clouds of heaven: “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed (apokalupsei) from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angles” (2 Thessalonians 1: 7b). Jesus’ birth was announced with a heavenly host in a display of glory: “An angel of the Lord appeared to them [shepherds], and the glory of the lord shone around them ….” (Luke 2:9).
His second advent will be marked by an even greater display of glory: “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30b), accompanied by “. . . . a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God . . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and with a brightness yet unseen by mankind:
God will bring about [the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ] in his own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the king of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see . . . . (1 Timothy 6:15, 16a).

New Testament writers paint three vivid
3. Ibid.
pictures of second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is arriving King; He appears to and rewards His people and assumes His throne in the full, unveiled blaze of God’s glory.
What a picture! How wonderful it will be to behold a victorious Christ coming in glory and reigning on His throne. It is something to look forward to! It will be the greatest and most glorious spectacle humanity ever beheld.

The Resurrection of the Saints
When we discuss the resurrection, we refer to God restoring a dead person to life again. This differs from creation or birth.
Resurrection is not to be mistaken with the unbiblical idea of reincarnation, which suggests that upon death, animate beings are reborn in new bodies or in a different form of life.
Job perfectly described what the resurrection means:

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skins has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27).
New Testament writers present a reassuring account of the resurrection of the saints. The resurrection is inseparable from the Second Coming, taking place simultaneously with his descent from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
The Thessalonians anticipated the return of Jesus but worried about the future of believers who had passed away. Paul assured them their loved ones would not be forgotten: “He [Jesus] died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him” (5:10).
Earlier in this letter, Paul described the resurrection of the dead as occurring at the Second Advent:
According to the lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (4:15-17).
From this text we can ascertain these facts:

Some saints will be alive and well at the return of Jesus.
The living will not be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus before the resurrection of the dead. Both will meet Jesus together.
Both the living and the dead will behold the return of Jesus. The dead saints will not be deprived of observing His glorious return.
Both the living and the resurrected will dwell with Jesus from that time throughout eternity.
Paul gave additional details of the resurrection in his letter to the Corinthians:
Listen, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).

Adding these details to those already revealed to us, we observe:
The great and wonderful gift of eternal life will be bestowed upon the living and dead saints at the return of Jesus, at the moment of the resurrection. These events are simultaneous.
The translation of saints from mortality to immortality will be instantaneous.
Paul considered the translation of the saints as their ultimate victory in Christ: “Death has been swallowed up in victory”.
The resurrection of the dead and their change or translation along with those still living are hope of every Christian. Paul wrote about this to Titus:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13).
Peter wrote:
Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us . . . . an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:3-5,9).

Paul wrote the Ephesians that the gift of the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our translation to immortality:

Having believed, you were marked in him with seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13b, 14).

The resurrection of the dead represents the means by which the dead are given life and consciousness. There is no consciousness in death: “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing . . . .” (John 5:28, 29a).
The Bible teaches that the dead wait in the grave for the resurrection. Job understood this truth: “ if a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hand service [appointed time, KJV] I will wait for my renewal to come” (Job 14:14). One reason the second coming of Jesus is so precious to every believer is that Jesus himself is the resurrection and the life: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25). He will give all the saints eternal life at his appearance.

Judgment of the saints

Many different ideas circulate in religious circles about the judgment of the world when Jesus comes. Some suggest that everything a person has done, every word he has spoken, and every thought that has crossed his mind will become known to the universe. Judgment is thorough, no one escapes! Therefore, many are unable to anticipate the return of Jesus with joy. Who wants their thoughts, words, and actions to be announced to the world?
We anticipate better things than that. Under Old Testament accounting for sins, God’s complete forgiveness reflected better things than bringing such shame upon His people: “All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath less would those made righteous through the blood of Christ be held up to shame!
God’s judgment will be universal: “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:10b); “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10b).
The writer of Hebrews observed, “. . . . . man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment . . . .”(Hebrews 9:27). Though no one will escape the judgment of God, all people will not be judged in the same manner.
Regarding the saints, the psalmist wrote, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions form us” (Psalm 103:12), indicating that God does not confront believers with sins.
New Testament writers make a difference in how the saints and sinners are judged at the advent of Jesus. Paul spoke of the righteous dead being called from their graves and joining the living to meet Jesus in the air as he descends from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
He described how the dead and living saints will be clothed in immortality instantaneously, at the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:52, 53). All this will happen “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye” (v.52).
There doesn’t appear to be a pause in Jesus’ coming to permit Him to convene a lengthy judgment of individual saints.
Why? Do the saints of God escape judgment? Jesus revealed the thorough nature of the judgment of the dead:
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5:28,29) .a
Belief in and commitment to serve God through faith in Christ make us guiltless in the eyes of God. Romans 8:1 spells it out: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” There is more: “He was delivered over the death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification [acquittal]” (4:25). Because we are justified – acquitted – of all our sins through faith in Jesus Christ, we stand guiltless before God.
Our relationship with Christ makes us righteous: “God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Because of our faith and trust in Jesus, God credits (imputes) the righteousness of Christ to us. As God looks at us through the blood of Christ, He sees the righteousness of Christ in us. Further, consider Colossians 1:21, 22: “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation”. In Christ we are holy, without blemish or accusation in the sight of God!
Because of the imputed righteousness of God, we will already have been judged righteous when Jesus comes. If we are presented holy and without accusation before God, we do not need to stand before him in judgment as sinners do. We can be secure in the knowledge that God knows us:
The lord knows those who are his . . . . . (2 Timothy 2:19b).
The righteous have passed from death to life . . . . Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24).
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Revelation 22:12).
The good news for the saints of God is there is no accusatorial judgment awaiting them when Jesus comes in the magnificent display of His glory. Let us rejoice and anticipate the return of our savior!

Judgment of Sinners

Any fear of the Second Advent should only be sinners facing judgment. Unbelievers have good reason to be fearful. Their judgment will be a sorrowful experience. Jesus described it:
There will be weeping there, and gnashing teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out (Luke 13:28)
God wanted it known who would be the judge: “He has commanded us….to testify that he [Jesus] is one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).
Paul expressed the dual purpose of God’s judgment in Romans 2:5-9a: But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God ‘will give to each person according to what he has done’. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil. Paul warned the sinner, “For the wages of sin is death” (6:23a).God’s righteous and vindicate them: God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled. . . . This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10a).
There are three outstanding considerations here: 1) God will avenge his people from those who oppress them. 2) The unbelieving will be annihilated. 3) The vindication of the righteous is share in the glory of their coming Lord – to be embraced by his presence. Revelation 20; 11- 14 pictures the Great White Throne judgment. This judgment results in the “second death”- the eternal destruction of sinners: “The lake of fire is the second death” (v.14b). Earlier in the chapter the righteous are pictured as having already been given everlasting life; they are not subject to the “second death” (v.6). “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into lake of fire” (v.15). How dreadful it will be to perish for eternity! That’s why it is so important to prepare now, while you still have life! To escape this terrible fate, all you have to do is confess faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God; acknowledge His death, burial and resurrection as atonement for your sins (Romans 10:9); repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38); and live a self – controlled, upright, and godly life (Titus 2:12) under the influence of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

Time of Jesus’ Return

No one knows the year or day of the return of Christ. Jesus’ own words about the time of his return appear in three texts: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father. . . . The son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:36, 44) and “it is not for you to know the times or dates the father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). Despite his clear, definite statements, some people are foolish enough to think they can discern what only God knows but is not known even by angels or the Son of God!
Isn’t it blasphemous to claim to know something God has reserved for himself? Those who predict the date of the Lord’s return discredit the Word of God, discourage those who are eagerly looking for Second Advent, and disgrace themselves.
The generic signs Jesus gave the disciples Matthew 24 cannot be used to determine when he is coming: “You will hear or wars and rumors of wars . . . Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famine and earthquakes in various places” (vv.6a, 7). He advised, “See to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (v. 6b) and, “All these are the beginning of birth pangs” (v.8). These signs are not intended to signal the nearness of Christ’s coming. Rather, they serve to keep believers watchful for his return. Every generation of saints may observe upheavals in the political, social, economic, and religious worlds. Those events merely indicate that history is moving ever closer to Christ’s return. They help to keep our Second Advent hope alive, but they do not tell us when it will occur.
Other more specific prophecies are thought by many believers to signal Christ’s second coming: the anticipated Great Tribulation, the possible revival of the beast powers of Revelation 13, and the enforcement of the mark of the beast – 666 (vv.16-18). Surely the last war, Armageddon, will herald Jesus’ coming! Sorry to disappoint you, but it is unlikely that all of these events will occur just prior to Christ’s return. In fact, a strong possibility exists that at least some of them are already history. But suppose that some of them are yet to come. The question is, How long or short a time will they occur before the Second Advent? Consider that in 1948, when Israel became an independent state, many advocates predicted that Jesus must come within a generation of that event. “This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Matthew 24:34). Many predicted that Jesus had to return by 1988. That would be 40 years or approximately one generation. Well, we are now in a new millennium, and Jesus has not returned yet!
Jesus was adamant about the time of his return: “No one knows about that day or hour”. Prophecy is important, but care must be taken not to use it to predict tomorrow morning’s headlines, or to scare people into acknowledging Christ as Lord our fear. Prophetic events considered to have to occur before Christ’s return are not accurate barometers of when the Second Coming will occur. Jesus laid down a principle for interpreting Bible prophecy in his discourse to the disciples about his betrayal: “I am telling you now before it happens, so that I am he” (John 13:19). This text suggests that we are to match the prophecy with an event just past, rather than try to predict when that event will actually happen.
It is a mistake to risk your hope of eternal life, waiting to prepare for God’s kingdom until you see prophecies associated with Christ’s return being fulfilled.
Many prophecies may come to pass differently than we suppose they will, thus rendering them unrecognizable. Any idea that biblical prophecy reveals the year, month, week, day, or hour of his coming is not biblical!
Accept Jesus’ plain statement that no one knows about the day or hour. Notice how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ inquiry about when the kingdom of God would come: “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation” (Luke 17:20b). This is precisely the reason that Jesus instructed his saints “Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1). It is out of our hands. We do well to look to God in faith of the Second Coming without expecting that we can know when will occur.
If the day and the hour of Christ’s coming is known only to the father, then every believer’s life must be devoted to constant preparedness. Jesus instructed believers to live every moment as if it were the last before his coming:
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. . . . So you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Matthew 24:42, 44).
Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. . . . What I say to you, I say to everyone: “watch!” (Mark 13:33, 37).
To emphasize the necessity of watchfulness, Jesus related five parables to encourage believers to watch and engage in activity of eternal worth. In Matthew 24:45-51 he told the parable of the wise and faithful servant. The parable of the ten virgins follow in 25:1-13; the parable of the talents is in verses 14-30, and the parable of the sheep and the goats close the chapter in verse 31-46. The parable of a man taking a journey is related in Mark 13:34-36.
Three of these parables instruct believers to be on guard every moment because they never know when their time will come. It could come in death or when Jesus appears in the clouds of heaven to establish his kingdom. In either case, everyone needs to be prepared to meet the Lord.
The parable of the talents instructs believers to occupy themselves until Jesus returns. They are not to abandon life’s pursuits just because they anticipate Jesus’ return. “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13, KJV).
The parable of the sheep and the goats instructs us in the kind of activity we should be engaged in while we await his return.
These latter parables direct us to engage in endeavors that fulfill Jesus’ instructions: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .” (Matthew 6:20).
Many instructions throughout the writings of the apostles tell how Christians are to live in anticipation of Christ’s return:
James: Be patient, stand firm (in the faith), don’t grumble (James 5:7-9).
Peter: Be clear minded, self-controlled; love each other deeply, and offer hospitality to one another. Use your gift to serve others (1 Peter 4:7-10).
John: Continue in him [Jesus] (1 John 2:28); live a pure life (3:3).
Jude: Build yourself up in your most holy faith; pray; keep yourselves in God’s love (vv.20, 21).
Paul: Let God strengthen your hearts so you will be blameless and holy (1 Thessalonians 3:13); be alert and self- controlled; seek to be blameless (5:6, 23); put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-14). Say no to ungodliness, and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (Titus 2:12). Let your gentleness be known to all men (Philippians 4:5).
Hebrews: Hold fast to the hope you profess. Consider how you can inspire love in one another, and remain in fellowship with your fellow saints (10:23-25)
Contrary to what many believe, Jesus taught that it was more important to live in a state of continual readiness than to seek to know when Christ will return. The fact is, it really doesn’t matter when he comes if we are ready to meet him when he arrives!

Scoffers

The apostle admonished believers more than once to be patient as they anticipate the return of Christ, but waiting is not always easy. Trying circumstances arise that cause saints to long for that day. However, many perceive a delay in the Lord’s coming as an excuse to scoff at the idea that it will ever happen:

You must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is there ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since the fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:3, 4).
A lesson is to be learned from this text. By misinterpreting prophecies of the coming of the Lord, some become discouraged and lose faith in his return. Others may become cynical and begin doubting because they have been disappointed in a failed prediction of the Second Coming. Then some do not want their lives interrupted by Christ’s return because of their unbelief or their pursuit of earthly goals. Jesus warned, “
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighted down with dissipation [intemperate living], drunkenness and the anxieties of life. . .” (Luke 21:34). The apostles also encouraged their readers to be faithful and patient.
Not accepting the Son of God as your personal Savior is equally disastrous as standing in the place of the scoffer. Knowing that he is coming and not preparing for his arrival is defiant rejection of God’s love and saving grace. Scoffers and defiant persons forget two things: 1) that God destroyed the ancient world by water because of its wickedness and rebellion and 2) that God will likewise judge and destroy the ungodly of this world when Jesus comes (2 Peter 3:5-7).
Perhaps scoffers fail to recognize that his delay in coming shows God’s longsuffering, patience, and love Peter explains:
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The lord is slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (vv.8, 9).
There is a message in this for everyone. Paul wrote:
As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1, 2).
It is essential that everyone prepare for the Lord’s return. If you think you can wait until you observe that he is coming, you have waited too long. Read the words of Jesus about this matter:
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away, that is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:37-39).
Jesus revealed this in the context of instructing every believer to live in constant preparedness for his return. It necessitates the surrender of your life to God through believing in Christ before his return. Today is the day of salvation. Believe it! Act on it!

Characteristics of the kingdom

As evidence that nothing can be known of God’s kingdom, 1 Corinthians 2:9 is frequently quoted: “As it is written: ‘No eye has seen no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” Taken by itself, the saints apparently are left in the dark about the kingdom and could easily conclude that we are not informed about it.
But if we read on, we realize that God has revealed several aspects about his kingdom to the saints “by his spirit” (v.10). Admittedly, we do not know everything about the kingdom, but without speculating we can report what the scriptures tell us about eternity:
• The living and dead saints will receive eternal life at the Second Coming (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
• The saints will be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus as he comes to the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
• Jesus and the saints will return to the earth (1 Thessalonians 3:13).
• The saints will inherit the earth (Psalms 115:16).
• God himself will dwell with the saints throughout eternity(21:3).
• There will be no tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain because they have all passed away (v.4).
• There will be no need for temple because God the father and Christ are the temple (v.22).
• The glory of God gives light (v.23).
• There is no night there (v.25).
• The saints dwell securely because its gates will never be closed (v.25).
• Nothing that is impure, shameful, or deceitful will ever enter it (v.27).
Peter gave an apt summary of the kingdom:
“We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).
The hymn, “Amazing Grace,” says it well: when we’ve been there a thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.
Truly, God’s kingdom is more than we can fully comprehend. However, he has revealed enough to make us long to be in it. Consider the wonders of God’s love and favor. His glorious kingdom belongs to those who have placed their faith and confidence in him by accepting the redemption made possible by Jesus Christ, his Son. All of this will come to pass when Jesus appears in his glory. It will be worth every effort to be among those he gathers into his kingdom. Paul summed it up well in Romans 8:18:
I consider that our present sufferings are wroth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20). May our response be “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”.

2003-3-10m-2003

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are taken from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

Note: Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

Note: Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

Published by the Bible Advocate Press

(http://home.cog7.org/publications)

Introduction

The Church of God seventh day endeavours to carry out the Great commission by discipling people for the Lord Jesus Christ through evangelism and instruction from the Word of God. Below are the twelve statements of belief to introduce the church’s teaching and practice.
While the church has always maintained an open creed, these statements preserve its theological heritage, and present its latest and best understanding of Scripture.

1. The Holy Bible

The bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament, is God’s inspired Word. Inerrant in its original writing, the Bible is the only authoritative and infallible rule of faith and conduct for humanity.

2. The Deity

The sovereign deity of the universe is God Almighty, who is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth. He is eternal, infinite, holy, self existent Spirit who created, sustains, rules redeems and judges His creation. He is one in nature, essence and being. God is revealed in Scripture as Father and Son.

GOD THE FATHER
God the father of whom are all things, whom no one has seen nor can see, reign in the heavens and transcends our complete knowing. He is revealed as our loving heavenly Father by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ultimately, God the Father will restore perfect peace to all creation through Christ and reign eternally over the redeemed.

JESUS THE SON
Jesus Christ is God’s one and only begotten Son. As begotten, not created, he shares the nature, name and attributes of God with the Father. As Son, not Father, Jesus is subordinate to His Father in rank. From eternity, the Son was with the Father, shared the Fathers glory as the pre-incarnate Word, and with Him created and sustains all things. Jesus the Christ (messiah) was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, thus uniting two natures – human and divine. Jesus lived without sin, died as an atoning sacrifice for sin, was entombed for three days and three nights, was resurrected bodily, and ascended to His Father to serve as a mediator and high priest. He reigns as Lord in heaven and will return to earth as judge and king. Now it pleases the Father that the Son is pre-eminent in all things and receives our worship.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the promised divine helper who proceeds from the Father and Son. The Spirit of God’s presence and power in the world and indwells believers. By the Holy Spirit, God inspired and illuminates the scriptures: convicts and regenerates sinners; sanctifies, teaches, comforts guide and preserves believer; and empowers them for service. Evidences of Holy Spirit in the believer’s life are faith in Christ, obedience to God, and the spiritual fruit of love.

3. Man, Satan, sin and Death

Humanity was created in the image of God: sinless, though not naturally immortal. Through Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience, all human beings became sinners by nature and by choice. The penalty for our sin is alienation from God, physical death (without consciousness), and, ultimately, eternal death for those who do not receive the salvation offered by Christ. It was Satan, the adversary of God, who tempted our first parents in the garden. The Devil is still capable of transforming himself into an angel of light but will finally be destroyed in the lake of fire.

4. Man, Salvation, and Life

Sinful humanity may be saved from the penalty of eternal death and receive eternal life instead, solely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from human merit, works or ceremonies. Atonement from sins, with its attendant promise of eternal life, comes through Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf and is received in human experience by faith and repentance.

5. The church

The church of God scripture is a spiritual body of believers who hold the faith of Jesus and keep the commandments of God. Under the lordship of Christ and the authority if His Word, the church exists universally and locally for purposes of worshipping God, preaching the gospel, nurturing believers and serving humanity. Christian should participate in the church’s mission by service to others and fellowship with believers.

6. Christian Ordinances

Christ prescribed two ordinances that confirm faith in Him: 1) baptism, preceded by a confession of faith in Christ and repentance, symbolising the believer’s initial union with Christ by death to sins, burial (immersion) in water, and rising to new life; and 2) Lord’s Supper an annual memorial of Christ’s death in which believers eat the bread and drink from the cup – symbols of His body and blood. We extend charity towards those who may observe communion at other times. This communion service demonstrates fellowship with our Saviour until He comes again. It is accompanied by foot washing.

7. The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments were known and obeyed by faithful people before the law was given at Sinai. Later incorporated into the new covenant by the example and teaching of Christ, they constitute the basic moral code for humanity and are obeyed to demonstrate the believer’s love for God and his fellowman.

8. The Sabbath

The seventh – day Sabbath is God’s gift to humanity from creation, was written into the Ten Commandments by God’s finger, kept and taught by Jesus, and observed by the apostolic church. A memorial of both creation and redemption, the Sabbath should be faithfully celebrated by believers now as a day of rest, worship, and well-doing.
9. Marriage

Marriage is an institution of God and is an exclusive lifetime union between one woman and one woman for the purpose of perpetuating humanity and enriching human experience. Reflecting the bond between Christ and His church, marriage may be broken only by sexual immorality .Like the Sabbath, marriage dates to Creation week, is intrinsic to the moral law, is reformed in Christ’s teachings, and finds its ultimate meaning at His return.

10. Christian Living

Christian are called to holiness in thought, word and deed and to express faith in Christ through devotion to God and godly interaction with others. as a result –not a cause-of redemption, believers should 1) develop relationship with God through Bible reading and study, prayer, fasting, worship, and obedience;2)relieve the physical and spiritual needs of humanity by compassionate social action and gospel witness; 3)oppose pride, envy, indolence, lust covetousness, and other evils in the spirit ; 4) refuse immoral amusement and practices such as pornography, sexual immorality, and homosexual in the flesh ;and 5) observe these bible principles: give tithes and freewill offerings for the support of the church and its gospel ministry; eat for food only those meats the Bible describes as “clean”; regard participation in physical warfare as contrary to a Christian’s humanitarian calling; avoid intermixing Christianity with extra- biblical practices, as in the common observances of Sunday, Christmas, Easter, Lent, and Halloween.

11. Prophecy

Bible prophecy preserves and strengthens a believer’s hope for the Second Advent. It identifies religious, social, and political trends and events, including the rebirth of the nation of Israel, which point to the imminent return of Christ and the eventual establishment of God’s eternal Kingdom on earth.

12. The Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God (Kingdom of heaven) is realized in three phases:

THE PRESENT KINGDOM
The spiritual kingdom of grace exists now as God rules in the lives of obedient believers. This kingdom was announced and revealed through the prophets and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. We enter this kingdom when we turn from sin to serve God through faith in Jesus Christ.

THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM OF CHRIST
Jesus will return to earth in power and glory to resurrect the righteous dead, bestow immortality and eternal life upon the resurrected and the living, righteous, avenge the saints, and be glorified in them. His earthly reign of one thousand years will be universal kingdom I which all principalities, powers and enemies are overcome. At its conclusion, the unrighteous will be resurrected to suffer annihilation at the great white throne judgement.

THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD
God’s eternal kingdom will begin when Jesus Christ, having put all enemies under His feet, turns kingdom over to the Father. God will dwell with the redeemed in a new heaven and a new earth where no disappointment, defilement, or death can enter and where righteousness and peace will prevail forever.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are taken from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

Note: Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

Note: Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

(http://home.cog7.org/publications)

Take the kids to school or day care
Do the grocery shopping
Run errands
Fight the rush hour
Sit in meetings
Work overtime…

We don’t have to go far nowadays to encounter stress, do we? Everyday wear and tear leaves us physically drained.
But daily routine is rarely the only source of stress. Divorce or the death of a spouse brings a life of loneliness; a job layoff tightens the budget; a natural disaster cuts a path of destruction; a pat of abuse haunts the present; wrong choices reap a bitter harvest of consequences; chronic illness or an accident steals the quality of life and perhaps threatens death.
These circumstances prompt questions about the future:
“Will the pain of loss ever go away?”
“Can I trust anyone again?”
“What will I do without a place to live?”
“Can I face tomorrow without promise of income or good health?”
“How can I face death when it comes?”

Searching of relief

It’s not surprising that many of us search for relief –something that will bring peace of mind. It’s also not surprising that we can supposedly find relief from a number of sources. Some religions suggest meditation and yoga. Health gurus tout natural herbs that calm the body. And of course there are tranquilizers, sleeping pills, alcohol, and psycho-therapy –anything to shut out life or help us cope with it.
There’s just one problem with these solutions: After we’ve tried anyone of them, reality still awaits us. Stress and worry remain; all we’ve accomplished is momentary escape.
God never intends us to be overwhelmed by stress. He knows we can’t cope with the enormity of life by ourselves. Because He wants to bear our burdens God tells us, “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned”(Isaiah 43:2).

Divine and human

How is the divine god able to understand the sufferings and stress o f human beings?
Through his Son, Jesus Christ.
When Jesus lived on earth almost 2000 years ago, he had a human body just like ours. He suffered physical pain and was worn out from a busy schedule. He slept; He ate. He had times when He just wanted to get away.
Jesus also had human emotions like ours. He felt compassion for a widow who son had died. He cried when He visited the grave of His friend, Lazarus. Sounds a lot like us, doesn’t it? Jesus knew firsthand that life on earth was no picnic. That’s why He gave us this assurance: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Notice that Jesus said “My peace”-not what the world offers through herbs and meditation and such. The peace of Jesus has more to do with the heart than the head.

Lifting the weight

We can carry an enormous weight of sin inside us. Sin isn’t confined to such thing as indecent actions, lies, murder, and stealing. It is deep down rebellion against God. We want to do our own thing our own way. This rebellion causes disharmony with God and robs us of inner peace. We can’t ignore sin or cover it up. No matter how many ways we divert our minds, the burden of discord inevitably crushes us. As one biblical writer put it, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:3).
But through His son‘s death on the cross, God make s people right with Himself .it is God’s gift to us- a free gift of salvation. We must accept this gift to enjoy harmony with God. It isn’t enough to acknowledge Jesus as a great teacher or prophet. We must believe in Christ, placing our full confidence in Him. We must place our sin on Him, knowing that he is the only Saviour who can lift the weight and set us free.

God’s grace

The grace of God makes this salvation possible. Grace is God’s way of looking past our sin to our need for deliverance. He accepts us as his very own children without approving of our sinful behaviour. God’s grace is favour that we didn’t deserve – like a pardon granted to a death row inmate just before his execution. We can contribute time and money to charity; we can’t help the less fortunate; we can’t even attend church and follow a set of rules. The only way to enjoy God’s grace is to receive it as a gift through believing in Jesus Christ.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith –and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God workmanship” (Ephesians 2:8-10a).
What does all this have to do with finding peace of mind? Everything. The Bible says that when we believe in Christ, we are made right with God (Romans 3:24).being brought into this right relationship is the first step to finding peace of mind. As the Bible puts it, “we have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:1).

Is that all there is?

Once we place our faith in Christ and have peace with God, we can trust God with our everyday problems and catastrophes. He urges us not be anxious about anything that happens, but to bring all our troubles to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6).the Bible goes on to say. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v.7). In this passage we can see an importance characteristic of God’s peace that comes in response to praying: internal protection. The word guard is a military term meaning “to garrison.” The peace of God stations itself to defend against any attack on our hearts and minds. It holds us secure on the inside regardless of what upsets us secure on the outside. No wonder Philippians 4:7 says that this peace is beyond our human comprehension!

However, telling God our concerns through prayer is not enough. We must set our minds on Him alone, regardless of what troubles we face. In other words, we won’t try other options that promise peace. Isaiah 26:3 says that God “will keep in perfect him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you (the Lord).” Here, then, is another characteristic of God’s peace: it is perfect, or complete; nothing needs to be added to it. It comes in response to our trusting solely in God, confident that He isn’t trying to harm us but will help us. No matter what happens, He is working for our good (Romans 8:28).

Conclusion

Unfortunately, problems are part of the fabric of this world. The good news is that Jesus Christ is the way to finding true peace of mind by offering peace of heart first. That’s the kind of peace we should be looking for – the kind that dwells in the core of our being. It helps us deal with life outwardly because God has dealt with us inwardly first.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are taken from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, by Thomas Nelson , Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

Note: Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba

Note: Note: Published by Bible Advocate Press http://cog7.org/ba