DOCTRINAL BELIEFS of the JOPLIN CHURCH OF GOD (Seventh Day)
1. God, the Father
2. Jesus,
the Son of God
3. The Holy Spirit
4.
The Fall of Man
5. The Plan of Salvation
6.
Accepting Christ
7. The Bible
8.
Baptism
9. Prayer
10.
Prayer for the Sick
11. The Lord’s
Supper
12. Washing of Feet
13.
The Ten Commandments
14. The Sabbath
15.
Worldliness
16. Defiling Habits
17.
Clean and Unclean
18. Financial
Stewardship
19. Carnal Warfare
20.
Pagan Days
21. Marriage and Divorce
22.
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ23.
Pre-existence of Christ
24. Second Coming of
Christ
25. Millennial Reign of Christ
26.
Satan
27. Punishment of the Wicked
28.
The State of the Dead
29. The Resurrection of
the Dead
30. The Church
31.
Church Organization
32. Prophecy and Signs of
its Fulfillment33. The Kingdom
34.
The Third Angel’s Message
35. The
Regathering of Israel
36. The New Earth
The supreme Deity of the universe is God. He is the Almighty, the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens, the earth, and all things therein.
Genesis 1:1: God created heaven and earth.
Acts 14:15; 17:24, 25; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 124:8; Revelation 14:7: God made heaven, earth, sea, and all things therein.
Isaiah 40:26, 28: God created the heavenly bodies and calls them by name.
Isaiah 44:24: God made all things.
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin, Mary. He is the Christ, or Messiah, sent from God to be our Savior and Redeemer.
1 John 4:9, John 1:18: Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. He is the very first to be created by God.
John 8:42: Jesus was sent by God, His Father. Matthew 14:33: Jesus’ disciples recognized He was the Son of God.
Matthew 16:16: Peter declared that He was the Christ.
Luke 1:26-35: The virgin, Mary, was told she would bear a Son, conceived of the Holy Ghost.
John 1:41: “We have found the Messias.” Acts 4:12: Salvation in none other. Ephesians 1:7: We have redemption through Jesus.
Titus 2:14: Jesus gave Himself to redeem us. Matthew 3:17: God acknowledged by a voice from heaven that Jesus is His Son.
Rev. 3:14: Jesus is the “beginning of the creation of God.”
The Holy Spirit, also called the Holy Ghost, is the Comforter whom Christ promised to send to take His place. It is not a person but is the extension of the living power of God. The Heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask and obey Him.
By His Holy Spirit, God reveals Bible truth unto men and gives power to witness for Christ. Evidence of His Presence is manifested in lives by words spoken, by “fruits of the Spirit,” and by keeping the commandments of God.
Luke 11:9-13: The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.
Acts 2:4: – “Ghost” and “Spirit” used interchangeably.
Acts 9:17: “Be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Ephesians 5:18: “Be filled with the Spirit.”
John 16:7: Jesus sent the Comforter to take His place.
John 14:16, 17, 26: Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth and the Comforter.
Acts 1:8: Holy Ghost gives power to witness. Galatians 5:22, 23: The fruit of the Spirit is described.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11: The Spirit administers gifts.
1 John 3:24; Acts 5:32: Dwells in those who keep God’s commandments.
Man was created in the image and likeness of the Creator, but he disobeyed God, bringing the curse of sorrow, hardship and death upon all mankind.
Genesis 1:26, 27: Man was created in the image of God.
Genesis 3:16-19: Adam and Eve were cursed because of disobedience.
1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12: Death by sin came upon all men as a result of Adam’s disobedience.
The plan of salvation was provided by God as the means by which man may escape the penalty of eternal death pronounced upon him. God’s Son was sent to Earth to redeem man from the curse of sin. This was accomplished after Jesus lived sinlessly, gave His life sacrificially by shedding His blood on the cross of Calvary, and resurrected triumphant over death. Jesus took our place in death and offered His perfect life as a substitute for our sinful one. This gift of God which offers eternal life, is available to all who will accept it on God’s terms.
2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not willing that any should perish.
John 3:16: God gave His Son-whoever believes in Him will not perish.
John 10:1, 7, 9; Acts 4:10-1: Christ is the only Door to salvation.
Romans 5:10,11: We are saved by Jesus’ life, by Whom we receive the atonement.
Hebrews 4:15: Jesus was without sin.
1 Peter 2:24: Christ bore our sins.
2 Corinthians 5:21: He was made sin for us so that we could be made righteous in Him.
1 John 2:2 ; Romans 3:24, 25: He is the propitiation for our sins through faith in His blood.
Acts 20:28: Christ purchased the Church of God with His blood.
Hebrews 13:12: We are sanctified through His blood.
1 Corinthians 15:13-23: Christ’s resurrection gives assurance that the plan of salvation will be completed.
1 Peter 1:18,19: We are redeemed with the blood of Christ.
Conversion, also called the new birth, is the process by which one is changed from his old, sinful life into a new creature in Christ. An individual accepts Christ by exercising faith in God and His Son; confessing and repenting of his sins; making restitution, where possible; and in obedience to God, patterning his life after the example set by Christ.
John 3:3-8: One must be born again to enter the kingdom of, God.
2 Corinthians 5:17: If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature.
Hebrews 11:6: Whoever comes to God must have faith.
Ephesians 2:8: We are saved by grace through faith.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins they will be forgiven.
Matthew 5:23, 24: Before bringing a gift to the altar, be reconciled to your brother.
Luke 24:47: Repentance is to be preached.
Acts 2:38: Repentance and baptism prepare us to receive the Holy Ghost.
Philippians 2:5-8: We must have the mind of Jesus who was obedient unto death.
1 John 2:6: He that abides in Christ should walk as He walked.
1 Peter 2:21: Christ left us an example. Romans 10:9: Confess the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Holy Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God. No other writing is of such divine origin. The Bible is infallible in teaching, and it contains the complete revelation of the plan of salvation and the Will of God for man. God’s Word is eternal.
2 Peter 1:20, 21; Romans 15:4: Men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
John 17:17: God’s Word is truth.
Proverbs 30:6: Add not unto His Words. Deuteronomy 12:32: Neither add to nor diminish from His commands.
John 5:39: The Scriptures testify of Jesus and reveal the means by which we receive eternal life.
2 Timothy 3:15-17: Scriptures are given by inspiration of God and are able to make us wise unto salvation.
Matthew 24:35: God’s Word will never pass away.
Baptism is by immersion in water. It symbolizes the burial of our sinful nature and the rising of a new creature to walk in service and obedience to God. It represents the answer of a good conscience toward God.
Matthew 3:16: Following His baptism Jesus walked up out of the water.
Acts 8:38, 39: Philip and the eunuch both went into the water.
1 Peter 3:21: Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God.
Romans 6:4, 5: Baptism is a burial and rising to walk in newness of life.
Mark 16:16: He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.
God’s people are to pray to their heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, their Mediator and High Priest, Who is at the right hand of God. Those who earnestly call upon Him will have their prayers answered in accordance with God’s will.
1 Timothy 2:8: Men should pray everywhere. Luke 18:1: Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” Philippians 4:6: Prayer may be used to express needs and appreciation.
John 14:13,14;1 John 5:14: We are to ask in Jesus’ name.
Hebrews 4:14-16: Jesus is a qualified High Priest.
1 Timothy 2:5: Christ is Mediator between God and man.
Romans 8:34: Christ intercedes at the right hand of God.
James 1:6: Faith must accompany prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13: Christ gave a model prayer.
God answers individual and collective prayers of faith offered in behalf of the sick. It is scriptural for the sick to call for the elders of the Church to anoint them with oil and pray for their healing.
James 5:14,15: Sick may call the elders who will anoint with oil.
Psalm 103:3: God heals all diseases.
2 Kings 20:1-6: Hezekiah’s request for healing was granted.
Acts 28:8: Father of Publius was healed through prayer.
In the Lord’s Supper we eat unleavened bread and drink the fruit of the vine as symbols of our Lord’s Body and Blood, which He offered as a substitutionary sacrifice for sin. In partaking of these emblems we commemorate the Lord’s death, proclaim our hope in His return, commune with one another as the Body of Christ and symbolize our continued union with the Savior.
Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19, 20: Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper to symbolize the new covenant which He ratified by His death.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26: The Lord’s Supper looks back in commemoration of the Lord’s death, but also looks forward in anticipation to the coming Messianic kingdom.
1 Corinthians 10:16,17: The Lord’s Supper is a communion or common sharing which unites the participants in fellowship with Christ, and so with one another.
NOTE: We observe the Lord’s Supper on the night beginning the fourteenth of Nisan as determined by the current Hebrew calendar. We use unleavened bread and unfermented grape juice as emblems of the broken body and shed blood of Christ.
The ordinance of the washing of the feet was given by Jesus as an example of humility, and it is to be practiced in connection with the observance of the Lord’s Supper.
John 13:1-5: Jesus institutes washing of feet. John 13:6-12: Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.
John 13:13-17: Jesus instructed that this act should be continued.
Luke 14:13: Christ taught humility.
James 4:10: The Lord lifts us up after we humble ourselves.
The Ten Commandments constitute the basic law of God for the conduct of His people. To transgress God’s law is to commit sin. By observing them, one expresses his love to God and man. They are unique in that they were written by the finger of God. No part of this decalogue has been revoked or changed, and it is still to be observed in its entirety.
Exodus 20:2-17: The Ten Commandments are listed.
Exodus 31:18; 32:16: They were written by the finger of God.
Deuteronomy 5:22: He added no more.
Deuteronomy 7:9: God keeps covenant with those who love Him and keep His commandments to 1,000 generations.
John 14:15: If we love Him we keep His commandments.
1 John 5:2, 3: We love the children of God and God when we keep His commandments.
Matthew 22:37-40: On the two commandments to love God and our neighbor hang all the law and the prophets.
James 2:10: Whoever offends in one point is guilty of all.
James 2:12: We should live as though we will be judged by the law of liberty.
1 John 2:3: We know Him if we keep His commandments.
1 John 3:4: Sin is transgression of the law. Romans 3:20: By the law is the knowledge of sin.
Matthew 5:18: To stand as long as heaven and Earth.
The fourth commandment of the decalogue enjoins the people of God to observe the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, commonly called Saturday. It is to be regarded as holy from sunset Friday until sunset Saturday. It was given as a memorial of creation, and it is to be used for worship and rest. Consistent with this, secular work is to be excluded on the Sabbath.
Genesis 2:3: God blessed and sanctified the seventh day.
Exodus 20:8-11: The fourth commandment is stated.
Luke 4:16: It was Jesus’ custom to observe the Sabbath.
Matthew 28:1: Sabbath is the day preceding the first day of the week.
Leviticus 23:32: Sabbaths are observed from even to even.
Mark 2:27, 28: Sabbath was made for man; Christ is Lord of it.
Acts 13:14, 42, 44: Paul worshiped on the Sabbath.
Acts 16:13: Women had prayer meeting on the Sabbath.
Acts 18:4, 11: Paul observed the Sabbath for 18 months at Corinth.
Isaiah 56:2; 58:13, 14: Holy nature of the Sabbath.
Matthew 24:20: Sabbath still regarded following Christ’s ascension.
The Scriptures condemn worldliness, which includes “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (I John 2:16). Therefore a Christian should not conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of his mind so that he may know what is the Will of God for him. His life should be an example to both believer and nonbeliever.
Romans 12:2: Should not be conformed to the world.
Ephesians 4:23, 24: We should be renewed in the spirit of our mind.
Romans 8:12-14: We should not live after the flesh.
1 Timothy 4:12: Be an example of the believers.
Matthew 5:16: Let your light shine.
1 Peter 2:11,12: Abstain from lust; show good works.
Galatians 5:16-21: Works of the flesh will keep us from the kingdom of God.
1 John 2:15-17: We are not to lust after the things of this world; the fashion of it will pass away.
Colossians 3:1-10: Seek those things which are above; mortify the members on the earth.
The bodies of God’s children are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Christians must guard against sensual lusts and filthiness. They must refrain from all practices and habits which are harmful and defile the body.
1 Corinthians 3:16,17; 6:19: 2 Corinthians 6:16: Our bodies are the temple of God.
1 Corinthians 6:18,19: Flee fornication; our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 7:1: We must cleanse ourselves from filthiness of the flesh.
1 John 2:16: Lust is of the world, not of the Father.
James 1:14, 15: Submitting to lust leads to death.
Galatians 5:19-21: Works of the flesh prevent inheritance of the kingdom.
Colossians 3:5-8: We are to mortify the deeds of the flesh.
Ephesians 5:18: Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess.
Titus 2:12: We must deny worldly lusts.
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 man’s benefit.
Genesis 7:1-3: Noah knew which animals were clean and which were unclean.
Leviticus 11:2-47; Deuteronomy 14:3-20: Clean and unclean animals were designated.
Acts 10:9-14: Peter recognized difference between clean and unclean animals. Isaiah 66:15-17.
The New Testament, by principle and example, teaches that the work of the church is to be supported by the financial stewardship of its members. While the tithe laws under the Levitical priesthood are no longer in force, tithing as a biblical principle serves as an appropriate standard of giving. Motivated by love, each member is called upon to give tithe and offering freely and cheerfully.
Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-6: Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek.
Genesis 28:20-22: Jacob agreed to return the tithe to acknowledge God’s care for him. Luke 11:42: Tithe to be given in a spirit of love.
1 Timothy 5:17, 18: 1 Corinthians 9:7-13: Paul speaks of the need to support the ministry.
1 Corinthians 9:14: Paul identifies the means by which the ministry should be supported.
2 Corinthians 9:6, 7: God loves and blesses those who give generously and cheerfully.
A Christian is to love and work for the salvation of all mankind. Since this includes his enemies, a child of God will not participate in carnal warfare.
Romans 12:17: We do not return evil for evil.
Romans 12:19-21: We should not avenge ourselves, but rather do good to our enemies. We overcome evil with good.
Matthew 5:43,44: We must love our enemies.
John 18:36: Jesus did not allow His servants to fight because His kingdom is not of this world.
Matthew 26:51,52: Those who take the sword perish by it.
2 Corinthians 10:4: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
Sunday, Christmas, Easter, Lent, Halloween are of pagan origin. To observe them is to cause intermixing our worship to God with unacceptable religions, a practice denounced b y the Bible.
2 Chronicles 21:11: Establishment of “high places” caused Jerusalem to commit fornication.
2 Chronicles 28:4, 25: God is angered when other gods are recognized.
Jeremiah 10:2: We should not learn the way of the heathen.
Marriage was instituted by God and was meant to last as long as both partners live. Those who remarry after divorce, except if the divorce was “for cause of fornication” (Matthew 19:9), commit adultery. Similarly, those who marry persons who have been divorced, “except for the cause of fornication,” commit adultery.
Romans 7:1-3: 1 Corinthians 7:39: A woman is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives.
Matthew 5:32; 19:9: Whoever puts away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery. Whoever marries her commits adultery.
Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18: Whoever puts away his wife (husband) and remarries commits adultery.
Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday and was placed into the tomb just before sundown on that day. Just before sundown the following weekly Sabbath-three days and three nights later He arose from the grave, thus fulfilling accurately the prophecy He uttered concerning this event as recorded in Matthew 12:39, 40.
Matthew 12:39, 40: Christ was to be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4: Was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Mark 8:31; 9:31: Jesus said He would rise again three days after being killed.
Matthew 28:1: Visit was made “in the end of the Sabbath.” The women saw only an empty tomb.
Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1-9: All visits to an empty tomb. No one saw Jesus leave.
John 19:31: The “preparation” day on which Jesus was slain was preceding a high Sabbath- not to be confused with the weekly Sabbath.
John 19:14: It was the preparation for the Passover.
Jesus was present with God and was preeminent in the Creation. He shared His Father’s glory before taking on the form of man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born to the virgin, Mary, and when He left the earth, He returned to His former abode.
Colossians 1:15,17: Jesus was the firstborn of every creature.
Revelation 3:14: He was the beginning of the creation of God.
John 1:1: He was “in the beginning.”
Genesis 1:26: “Let us make man in our own image.”
John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16: By Him were all things made.
John 17:5, 24: Jesus had glory before the world was.
John 3:31: Jesus came from above.
John 6:62: Jesus returned to where He was before.
John 8:58: He was before Abraham.
Luke 1:34, 35: The virgin, Mary, was told of Jesus’ birth.
Philippians 2:6-8: Jesus, being in the form of God, took on the form of a servant.
John 3:13; John 16:27, 28: Jesus came from heaven and He has returned.
Christ will return in visible bodily form to establish His kingdom on the earth. He will come in the clouds of heaven, the same way He departed.
Acts 1:9-11: Jesus was taken in a cloud; two men in white apparel predicted a similar return.
John 14:1-3: Jesus promised to return.
Acts 3:20: Peter spoke of Jesus’ return.
Job 19:25-27: Job looked forward to seeing his Redeemer stand on the earth in the latter day.
1 Thessalonians 4:16: The Lord will descend with the trump of God.
Revelation 1:7: He will come with clouds, and every eye will see Him.
Matthew 25:31, 32: He will come to sit upon His throne. Before Him will be gathered all nations.
Christ will establish His Kingdom on the earth at His second advent, where the redeemed will reign with Him for 1,000 years. This is the time of “restitution” (Acts 3:21), also called “regeneration” (Matthew 19:28).
During this millennial age Christ will put all enemies, including death, under His feet after which He will turn the Kingdom over to God, the Father.
Zechariah 14:4-9: Jesus stands on the Mount of Olives.
Revelation 11:15: The kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord. Revelation 20:4, 6: The righteous will reign with Him for 1,000 years.
Revelation 5:10: They will reign on tie earth.
Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-4: The mountain (kingdom) of the Lord will be established on top of the mountains (kingdoms). It will be a peaceful time when the ways of God are taught.
Isaiah 65:17-24: Descriptive of the Millennium.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28: Christ reigns until all enemies are destroyed; then turns the kingdom over to God.
Satan, who is also called the Devil, is the adversary of God and His people. 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. He will ultimately be destroyed in the “lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:2: Satan is called “the dragon, that old serpent,” and the “Devil.”
1 Peter 5:8: He is man’s adversary.
Revelation 12:9: He deceiveth the whole world.
2 Corinthians 11:14: Satan is transformed into an angel of light.
Matthew 13:38, 39: He sows bad seed which grows into tares.
John 8:44: He was a murderer from the beginning and a liar, and the father of it.
James 4:7: We must resist the Devil.
Ephesians 6:11: The whole armor of God is needed to stand against him.
Revelation 20:10: Devil is cast into the lake of fire.
Death, not eternal life in torment, is faced by sinners. The wicked will be punished by being cast into the “lake of fire” which will completely consume them.
Matthew 10:28: We must fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
Romans 6:23: The wages of sin is death.
Ezekiel 18:4, 20: The soul that sins will die.
Isaiah 1:28: Psalm 104:35: 2 Peter 2:6: Sinners are consumed.
Psalm 37:20: The wicked will be consumed as the fat of lambs.
Malachi 4:1, 3: The wicked will burn as stubble and be ashes.
Revelation 20:15: Whoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the “lake of fire.”
There is no consciousness in death. When a man dies, “his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish” (Psalm 146:4). He remains in that state until the day of his resurrection.
Ecclesiastes 9:5,6: The dead know and experience nothing.
Job 14:13,14; 17:13: Job will wait in his grave until his change comes.
Psalm 146:4: When man’s breath goes, his thoughts perish.
John 11:11-14: Jesus called Lazarus’ death a sleep.
Hebrews 11:39, 40: Righteous men of old have not received their reward.
At the second advent of Christ the righteous dead will be resurrected to receive immortality. After the 1,000-year reign of Christ, the wicked will be resurrected to be punished.
Acts 24:15: There will be a resurrection of the just and the unjust.
John 5:28, 29: Those who are in their graves will come forth; some to life, some to damnation.
2 Timothy 4:1: Judgment takes place at Christ’s coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:16: The righteous dead are resurrected when Jesus comes.
1 Corinthians 15:51, 52: The righteous living receive immortality at Christ’s coming. Revelation 20:5: The rest of the dead live not until after the 1,000 years.
Revelation 20:13-15: Those sentenced to second death are punished.
The Church consists of baptized believers who have the testimony of Jesus and follow the
will of God in their lives. The Church is of divine origin under the Lordship of Christ and exists universally and locally for the preaching of the gospel, for the nurture and fellowship of believers, and for service to the human race. The most frequent reference used for the Church in the New Testament is “Church of God.” Therefore we believe we should be called Church of God.
Colossians 1:18: Christ is the head of the body, the Church.
Acts 20:28: The Church has been purchased with the blood of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2: The Church of God consists of those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with those everywhere who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:17: The Devil makes war against the Church, those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:18: Jesus speaks of the Universal Church.
Matthew 18:17: Jesus speaks of the local church.
Church organization, patterned after biblical example, is scriptural and expedient. It provides the means by which cooperative efforts may be coordinated to (1) proclaim the gospel of salvation more effectively, (2) establish biblical standards and doctrines, and (3) promote fellowship as members of the family of God.
1 Corinthians 12:12-30: Church is compared to the human body.
Ephesians 4:11-16: Various offices listed and the reason for this organization.
Ephesians 2:19-22: Church is compared to a building carefully fitted together.
Hebrews 13:7: Establishes authority in the church.
Titus 1:5-9: Instructions are given to ordain elders in every city; qualifications are given.
1 Timothy 3:1-13: Qualifications for the office of elder and deacon.
Acts 6:1-8: Apostles appointed seven men for special administrative duties.
Acts 1:23-26: Matthias, a successor to Judas, was elected.
Bible prophecy was written by holy men of God who were moved by the Holy Spirit, and it was given for us to determine where we are in time in relation to the second coming of Christ. Much of what is taking place in the political, religious, physical, and social world today is fulfillment of prophecy and reveals that the return of Christ is near.
2 Peter 1:19-21: Prophecy is sure. It is not of private interpretation. It was inspired by the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 24:1-41; Luke 21:6-33: Jesus uttered prophecies concerning the siege of Jerusalem and His return.
1 Timothy 4:1-3: 2 Timothy 3:1-7: Prophecies of developments in the social and religious worlds.
Matthew 24:32: As the budding of a fig tree speaks of approaching summer, fulfillment of prophecy signals the time in which we live.
The Kingdom is divided into three phases: (1) The Spiritual Kingdom of Grace, (2) the Millennial Reign of Christ, and (3) the Eternal Kingdom of God.
(1) The kingdom of grace exists now as Christ reigns in the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit.
(2) In the millennium Christ will reign on the throne of His glory, and the redeemed will reign with Him.
(3) Following the millennium will be the eternal kingdom of God where He will be all in all.
Matthew 3:2; 4:17: John the Baptist and Jesus preached that the kingdom was at hand. Colossians 1:13: We have been translated into the kingdom.
I Peter 2:5: We are part of a spiritual house.
Hebrews 4:16: Our invitation to approach the throne of grace.
Evil powers referred to in Scripture as “the beast and his image,” exist prior to and at the return of Christ. The Third Angel’s Message, which warns against these evil powers, is part of the gospel and should be regarded as such.
Revelation 13:1-10: The beast and his activities are described.
Revelation 14:9-11: The Third Angel’s Message.
Regathering of the descendants of the sons of Israel to the land formerly known as Palestine is spoken of in Bible prophecy. This is in the process of being fulfilled, and it is a sign that the return of Christ is near.
Luke 21:24: Jerusalem would be trodden down, its inhabitants taken captive.
Jeremiah 31:8-14: God will gather Israel and satisfy the people.
Ezekiel 37:21-28: God will take them from among the heathen.
Amos 9:14, 15: God would bring His people together and rebuild.
Psalm 102:16: The building up of Zion is a sign of Jesus’ return.
The restoration of the earth will be completed at the close of the millennial reign of Christ, and the New Jerusalem will come from heaven. In this new earth there will be neither adversity nor marking of time. God will dwell with His people.
1 Corinthians 15:24: The kingdom is delivered to God.
2 Peter 3:13: We look for a new heaven and earth.
Revelation 21:2,10: This new earth receives the new Jerusalem.
Verse 3: God is with His people.
Verse 4: God wipes away tears; there will be no death, sorrow, crying, pain.
Revelation 21:23; 22:5: There will be no night there.