In these morally challenged times - when billions are embezzled through corporate fraud; when trusted, spiritual leaders prove false; when lying in politics seems to be the norm; when those you depend on the most often hurt you the deepest - is there anything left you can trust? Yes! You can fully trust the Bible! Why? Just take a look at the evidence...
1. What does the Bible claim about itself?
The Bible says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Timothy 3:16. "Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. "The scripture cannot be broken." John 10:35.
Answer: It claims to be inspired. It was written by men who were guided by the Holy Ghost. It cannot be broken or proved untrue.
2. How did Jesus demonstrate His confidence and belief in Scripture?
Jesus said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone." "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." "It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:4, 7, 10. "Thy word is truth." John 17:17.
Answer: Jesus quoted Scripture when meeting the temptations of Satan. He also stated that the Bible is truth (John 17:17). Jesus often quoted Scripture as authority for the truth He was teaching.
3. Do Bible prophecies confirm inspiration?
The Bible says, "I am the Lord . . . new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isaiah 42:8, 9. "I am God . . . Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done." Isaiah 46:9, 10.
Answer: Bible predictions of things to happen in the future confirm the inspiration of Scripture as they come to pass. Notice the following examples of fulfilled Bible prophecies:
A. Four world empires to arise: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8).
B. Cyrus to be the warrior to capture Babylon (Isaiah 45:1-3).
C. After Babylon's destruction, it would never be inhabited again (Isaiah 13:19, 20; Jeremiah 51:37).
D. Egypt would never again have a commanding position among the nations (Ezekiel 29:14, 15; 30:12, 13).
E. Earth-shaking calamities and fear toward the end of time (Luke 21:25, 26).
F. Moral degeneracy and decline of spirituality in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
4. Can we expect scientific statements made in the Bible to be accurate?
The Bible says, "Thy word is true from the beginning." Psalms 119:160. "The Spirit . . . will guide you into all truth." John 16:13.
Answer: Yes, the Bible is true. The Holy Spirit, who guided the Bible writers, always speaks the truth. Here are a few Bible statements that have been confirmed by science:
A. "He . . . hangeth the earth upon nothing." Job 26:7. This scientific fact is from Job, the Bible's oldest book.
B. "He . . . sitteth upon the circle of the earth." Isaiah 40:22. The Bible said the earth is round centuries before man found out.
C. "To make the weight for the winds." Job 28:25. Long before scientists knew, God said air has weight.
D. "By Him [Jesus] all things consist." Colossians 1:17. The word "consist" here literally means "hold together" or "cohere." Many Bible translations put it "hold together." This is the answer to the nuclear physicists' worrisome question about the atom. The real mystery of the atom does not involve its benumbing mega-power, but rather, "Why doesn't the atom fly apart?" Scientific knowledge says it should, but it doesn't. Some scientists are wondering what puzzling power, completely unknown to them, is holding it together. The Bible says that mysterious power is the Creator, God Himself.
5. Are biblical health principles tuned to the twenty-first century mind?
Answer:
A. Cover body waste with dirt (Deuteronomy 23:12, 13).
The Bible provision of Moses' day that body waste should be buried was 3,500 years ahead of its time and saved countless thousands of Jewish lives. Major problems still arise when sanitation is not properly handled.
B. "Neither let us commit fornication." 1 Corinthians 10:8.
The word "fornication" denotes all kinds of immoral sexual conduct. There would be no AIDS epidemic if this up-to-date Bible counsel were obeyed, nor would abortion be the international scandal that it now is.
C. Leave alcoholic beverages alone (Proverbs 23:29-32).
If this extremely effective Bible solution were implemented, just think what it would mean:
Refusing to abstain from alcohol has brought untold woe to many.
1. Millions of alcoholics becoming sober, respectable citizens.
2. Millions of families reunited.
3. Millions of broken homes mended.
4. Multiplied thousands of lives saved by sober driving.
5. Thousands of government, business, and professional leaders making clear-minded decisions.
6. Billions of dollars available for humanitarian use.
Note: God not only tells us how to succeed with joy amid today's harrowing problems, but He also gives us the miraculous power to do it (1 Corinthians 15:57; Philippians 4:13; Romans 1:16). Bible health principles are relevant and desperately needed, but few are listening. (For more on health, see Study Guide 13.)
6. Are the historical statements of the Bible accurate?
The Bible says, "I the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right." Isaiah 45:19, RSV.
Answer: Yes, Bible historical statements are accurate. What God says in His book is true. Sometimes, temporarily, evidence may not be found to substantiate certain historical facts from the Bible, but in time the evidence surfaces. Note the following:
A. For years skeptics said the Bible was unreliable because it mentions the Hittite nation (Deuteronomy 7:1) and cities like Nineveh (Jonah 1:1, 2) and Sodom (Genesis 19:1), which they denied ever existed. But now modern archaeology has confirmed that all three did, indeed, exist.
B. Critics also said that Bible-mentioned kings Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1) and Sargon (Isaiah 20:1) never existed. Once again, it has now been confirmed they did exist.
C. Skeptics also said the Bible record of Moses was not reliable because it mentions writing (Exodus 24:4) and wheeled vehicles (Exodus 14:25), neither of which they said existed at the time. They, of course, know better today.
D. At one time the 39 kings of ancient Israel and Judah who reigned during the divided kingdom were authenticated only from the Bible record, so critics charged fabrication. But then archaeologists found cuneiform records that mentioned many of these kings and, once again, the Bible record was proved accurate. Critics have repeatedly been proved wrong as new discoveries confirm biblical people, places, and events. It will always be so.
7. One of the greatest miracles of the Bible is its unity. Please ponder the following amazing facts:
Answer:
A. The 66 books of the Bible were written:
1. On three continents.
2. In three languages.
3. By about 40 different people (kings, shepherds, scientists, attorneys, an army general, fishermen, priests, and a physician).
4. Over a period of about 1,500 years.
5. On the most controversial subjects.
6. By people who, in most cases, had never met.
7. By authors whose education and background varied greatly.
B. Yet, though it seems totally inconceivable,
1. The 66 books maintain harmony with each other.
2. Often new concepts on a subject are expressed, but these concepts do not undermine what other Bible writers say on the same subject.
C. Talk about astounding!Ask people who have viewed an identical event to each give a report of what happened. They will differ widely and will virtually always contradict each other in some way. Yet the Bible, penned by 40 writers over a 1,500-year period, reads as if written by one great mind. And, indeed, it was: "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. The Holy Ghost "moved" them all. He is the real Bible Author. The four Gospels do sometimes differ in the way they report the same event, but they complement each other.
8. What evidence of Bible inspiration is found in the lives of people?
The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Answer: The changed lives of those who follow Jesus and obey Scripture constitute the most heartwarming proof of Bible inspiration. The drunkard becomes sober; the immoral, pure; the addicted, free; the profane, reverent; the fearful, courageous; and the rude, kind.
Christians have an inner joy and peace that others do not possess. An American skeptic was visiting an island whose natives were originally cannibals. When he spotted an old man reading the Bible, he ridiculed him for reading a book "full of myths which had already been exposed." The native smiled at him and said, "My friend, be grateful we do believe this book. Otherwise, we would be serving you for dinner." The Bible really does change people, and this amazing fact confirms its inspiration.
9. What evidence for Bible inspiration emerges when we compare Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah with New Testament happenings in the life of Jesus?
The Bible says, "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. "For he [Apollos] vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ." Acts 18:28, NKJV.
Answer: The Old Testament predictions of the Messiah to come were so specific and so clearly fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth that both Jesus and Apollos used these prophecies to prove to the Jews that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah. There are more than 125 of these prophecies. Let's review just 12 of them:
Old Testament Scripture
New Testament Fulfillment
1. Born in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:1
2. Born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:18-23
3. Of David's lineage
Jeremiah 23:5
Revelation 22:16
4. Attempted murder by Herod
Jeremiah 31:15
Matthew 2:16-18
5. Betrayal by a friend
Psalms 41:9
John 13:18, 19, 26
6. Sold for 30 silver coins
Zechariah 11:12
Matthew 26:14-16
7. Crucified
Zechariah 12:10
John 19:16-18, 37
8. Lots cast for His clothes
Psalms 22:18
Matthew 27:35
9. No bones broken
Psalms 34:20; Exodus 12:46
John 19:31-36
10. Buried in rich man's tomb
Isaiah 53:9
Matthew 27:57-60
11. Year, day, hour of His death
Daniel 9:26, 27; Exodus 12:6
Matthew 27:45-50
12. Raised the third day
Hosea 6:2
Acts 10:38-40
Jesus fullfilled more than 125 Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Dr. Peter Stoner, former chairman of the departments of mathematics, astronomy, and engineering at Pasadena College (California), worked with 600 students for several years applying the "principle of probability" to the prophecies of the Messiah's coming. They chose just eight from the many available and finally decided the chances of all eight being fulfilled in one man in a lifetime is one in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. What would the odds be on the more than 125 prophecies of the Messiah? It couldn't just happen!
10. What great advantage does a person have who accepts the Bible as God's inspired word?
The Bible says, "I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts." Psalms 119:100. "Thou . . . hast made me wiser than mine enemies." Psalms 119:98. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are . . . my thoughts [higher] than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9.
Answer: A person who accepts the Word of God will soon know the answers to many complex challenges that secular scholars will never figure out. For example, the Bible teaches:
A. God created the earth and all living organisms in six literal, 24-hour days (Exodus 20:11; Psalms 33:6, 9).
B. A worldwide flood destroyed every living thing except the sea life and what was inside Noah's ark (Genesis chapters 6, 7, 8).
C. The different languages of the world began at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9).
The Bible account of the Flood provides the answers secular scholars are searching for. God, who has always existed and knows everything, shares the above three truths with us, recognizing that we could never figure them out on our own. We know only "in part" now (1 Corinthians 13:9). And God's knowledge is "past finding out." Romans 11:33. Evolutionists will never know the age of the earth because it was created with apparent age, as were Adam and Eve. The couple were only one day old on their second day of life, but they appeared to be mature. Man's measuring instruments cannot allow for apparent age. In such cases, they are not trustworthy. Believe the Bible, and you will always be ahead of the speculation of secular scholars and the worldly-wise.
11. What crucial world happenings have brought the power and appeal of the Bible into sharp focus?
Answer: The failure and collapse of communism and the weakening and inconsistency of the theory of evolution have spotlighted the Bible. Note: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics tried communism, atheism, and also evolution, which is Marxism's number one tenet. They all failed. The resultant new democracies realize that only one thing will work, and they are almost with one voice crying out to Christendom: "Bring us the Bible and Christian preaching and teaching. We must now build on the unshakable foundation of prayer and the Christian faith. Nothing else compares. Nor will anything else answer life's great questions and bring peace to the hearts of our people. Please don't keep us waiting! We desperately want and need the Bible, God, and Christianity now." Once again, God's Word triumphs. Evolution, like communism, is losing its grip and credibility. We must remember that it is nothing more than an unproved, shaky theory. We will mention three items only:
True science is always in harmony with the Bible because God is the author of both.
1. Robert Gentry's book Creation's Tiny Mystery has unsettled many evolutionists with its apparent, clear evidence of instant creation. (Mystery in the Rocks, an easy-to-understand book based on his research, may be purchased from Amazing Facts.)
2. Molecular biology's recent demonstration that the single cell is vastly complex makes the accidental origin of life in a single cell a mathematical absurdity.
3. The widely different ages now being assigned to the Grand Canyon layers by current scientific measurements, as opposed to those assigned previously, make evolutionists and their prior measurements seem reckless and irresponsible. The atheistic theory of evolution that humans and apes came from common ancestors scorns the concept that people were created in the image of God. It denies the existence of God, totally disavows Jesus as Saviour, negates the Bible, and ridicules the truth of an eternal home in heaven. Satan loves the evolution theory because it destroys the credibility of salvation. Communists are learning. Will we?
12. Why does the Bible have such universal appeal?
The Bible says, "Thy word is a . . . light unto my path." Psalms 119:105. "These things have I spoken unto you . . . that your joy might be full." John 15:11. "In the image of God . . . created he them." Genesis 1:27. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16. "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3.
Answer: Because it answers life's most puzzling questions:
A. Where did I come from? God created us in His image. We did not accidentally emerge as nondescript globs from some primeval slime. We are sons and daughters of God, the Mighty King (Galatians 3:26). We are so precious to God that when Adam and Eve sinned, He gave His Son to die and pay the penalty for our sins so we could be free. He wants to restore us to His image and then, shortly, take us back to Eden, the home Adam and Eve lost.
B. Why am I here? Our aims for life today should be to discover the Bible's wonderful answers to life's puzzling problems and to accept Jesus' offer to restore us to His image (Romans 8:29).
C. What does the future hold for me? There is no guesswork about the future. Jesus will come very soon to take His people to the fabulous home He has prepared for them in heaven. There, with supreme joy and happiness, people will live forever (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:3, 4).
13. I am thankful to God for giving me positive answers to life's most puzzling questions.
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. I'm offended that the Bible gives such repugnant, graphic descriptions of sin in recording the lives of some Bible characters. Is this really necessary? (Romans 15:4 )
Yes. It is one of the great facts that give credibility to the Bible. Most biographies skip or soften the bad and often overstate the good. Telling it like it is gives people confidence the Bible can be trusted; it doesn't cover up. Further, Satan's strategy is to convince people they are such great sinners God cannot or will not save them. What joy sweeps over such people when they are shown Bible cases of people like them (and worse) whom God delivered from sin and justified (Romans 15:4)!
2. Is all of the Bible inspired? Many believe only parts of it are. (2 Timothy 3:16 )
The Bible has the answer: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16. The Bible does not simply contain the word of God. Rather, it is the Word of God. The Bible is the information and operations manual for a human life. Ignore any of it and you will have unnecessary difficulties and problems.
3. The Bible is an ancient book with old-fashioned wording and concepts. Don't you feel it is unsafe to rely on something so far removed from our enlightened day? (1 Peter 1:25 )
No. Its age is in its favor. That is, in fact, one of the proofs of its inspiration. The Bible says, "The word of the Lord endureth for ever." 1 Peter 1:25. The Bible stands as a rock. It is God's book--His Word. It cannot be destroyed. Men and even entire nations have burned, banned, and tried to discredit and destroy the Bible, but instead, they discredited themselves. They are gone, and their attacks on the Bible are forgotten. Yet the Bible remains a best-seller, in constant demand. Millions would die for it, if necessary. Its message is God-given and 100 percent up-to-date. Before you study it, pray and ask God to open your heart as you read.
4. Some of the most brilliant people in the world, who have carefully studied the Bible, believe no one can understand it. If the Bible is truly God's book, shouldn't everyone be able to understand it? (1 Corinthians 2:13 )
Bright people who can understand and explain virtually anything are often quickly stopped in their tracks when they read the Bible. The reason is that spiritual things "are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:13, 14. The deep things of the Word will never be understood by a secular mind, no matter how brilliant. Unless one honestly seeks an experience with God, he cannot understand the things of God. The Holy Spirit, who explains the Bible (John 16:13; 14:26), is not understood by the carnal, secular mind. On the other hand, the humble, even uneducated Christian who studies the Bible receives amazing understanding from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 11:25; 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10).
5. The Bible is full of errors. How can you believe it is inspired? (Isaiah 28:9 )
The overwhelming majority of so-called errors in the Bible have been demonstrated to be simply errors of judgment or lack of understanding on the part of those who make the complaint. They are not errors at all, but simply truth misunderstood. The inspired Bible:
1. Will always tell you the truth.
2. Will never mislead you.
3. Can be fully trusted.
4. Is reliable and authoritative, not only in spiritual matters but also in other matters it addresses, including history and science.
Satan is always digging up some supposed flaw in Scripture, which is not surprising. He found fault even with God and heaven. Copyists may have miscopied in some cases, but no such supposed happening or any other alleged error affects the truth of God's Word. Doctrine is built not upon one Bible passage, but upon the total of God's comments on any subject. We are unaware of any alleged error of any kind that would affect the truthfulness of the content of Scripture. Some things in Scripture are yet difficult to reconcile. There will always be room for doubt to those who prefer to doubt. We believe that even alleged errors, not yet fully explained, will (as in the past) soon be exposed as false alarms. The harder people work to undermine the Bible, the brighter its light shines.
Quiz Questions
1. Which fulfilled prophecies confirm the Bible's inspiration? (4)
___ Cyrus would capture Babylon.
___ Ronald Reagan would become president of the United States.
___ Egypt would never again be a strong, leading nation.
___ Morals would degenerate in the last days.
___ Germany would have a 20-year drought.
___ Babylon, once destroyed, would never be inhabited again.
2. Jesus showed His belief in Bible inspiration by: (1)
___ Talking loudly on the subject.
___ Quoting from it as He taught.
___ Calling fire down on those who doubted.
___ Announcing it from the temple steps.
3. Which scientific facts from the list below does the Bible mention? (3)
___ The earth is round.
___ Air has weight.
___ God keeps the atom from flying apart.
___ The formula for water is 'H2O'.
___ Seawater is salty.
4. Which of the following health rules appear in the Bible? (2)
___ Drink four gallons of water daily.
___ Leave alcoholic beverages alone.
___ Run every morning and night.
___ Abstain from immoral sexual conduct.
5. The following statements about the Bible are true: (3)
___ About 40 people helped write the Bible.
___ The Bible was written over a period of 10,000 years.
___ Only parts of the Bible are inspired.
___ The real Bible author is the Holy Spirit.
___ The Bible is a best-seller.
6. Which of the following did the Bible predict about the Messiah's life? (3)
___ Would be born in Nazareth.
___ Would fly to heaven often.
___ Would be sold for 30 pieces of silver.
___ Herod would try to kill Him.
___ Would be crucified.
___ Would be raised to life after seven years.
7. What Bible rule, if followed, would best prevent AIDS? (1)
___ Do not be sexually immoral.
___ Do not worship graven images.
___ Eat meals regularly.
8. Which statements below are true about evolution? (3)
___ It is an unproved theory.
___ It undermines Christianity.
___ It is a proved fact.
___ It proves that human beings and apes have common ancestors.
___ It is a strong tenet of communism.
9. Which statements below help prove Bible inspiration? (5)
___ Its biographies include bad as well as good.
___ It changes the lives of its followers.
___ Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah were fulfilled by Jesus.
___ It predicted the rise of the four world kingdoms.
___ Its unity.
___ It tells the day and hour of the second coming of Jesus.
10. God created the earth in six literal, 24-hour days. (1)
___ True
___ False
11. In Noah's day, a worldwide flood destroyed every living thing except the sea life and what was inside the ark. (1)
___ True
___ False
12. The different languages of the world originated at the Tower of Babel. (1)
___ True
___ False
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Did God Create The Devil? (Sin/Satan)
Most people in the world are being deceived by an evil genius bent on destroying their lives - a brilliant mastermind called the devil, or Satan. But this dark prince is much more than what you might think... many say he's just a devious mythical figure, but the Bible says he's very real, and he's deceiving families, churches, and even nations to increase sorrow and pain. Here are the Bible's amazing facts about this prince of darkness and how you can overcome him!
1. With whom did sin originate?
"The devil sinneth from the beginning." 1 John 3:8. "That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan." Revelation 12:9.
Answer: Satan, also called the devil, is the originator of sin. Without the Scriptures, the origin of evil would remain unexplained.
2. What was Satan's name before he sinned? Where was he living at that time?
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Isaiah 14:12. Jesus said, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18. "Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God." Ezekiel 28:14.
Answer: His name was Lucifer, and he was living in heaven. Lucifer is symbolized by the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14 and as the king of Tyrus in Ezekiel 28.
3. What was the origin of Lucifer? What responsible position did he hold? How does the Bible describe him?
"Thou wast created." Ezekiel 28:13, 15. "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth." Ezekiel 28:14. "Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty ... every precious stone was thy covering ... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. ... Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:12-15.
Answer: Lucifer was created by God, as were all other angels (Ephesians 3:9). Lucifer was a "covering" cherub, or angel. One great angel stands on the left side of God's throne and another on the right (Psalms 99:1). Lucifer was one of those highly exalted angel leaders. Lucifer's beauty was flawless and breathtaking. His wisdom was perfect. His brightness was awe-inspiring. Ezekiel 28:13 seems to indicate that his throat was specially prepared to make him an outstanding musician. Some think he led the angelic choir.
4. What happened in Lucifer's life that led him to sin? What blasphemous sin did he then commit?
"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." Ezekiel 28:17. "For thou hast said in thine heart, ... I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: ... I will be like the most High." Isaiah 14:13, 14.
Answer: Pride, jealousy, discontent, and self-exaltation arose in his life. Lucifer decided to attempt to unseat God and then demand that all worship him. It was treason of the worst kind.Note: Why is worship such a big thing? Worship is the key factor in the ongoing warfare between God and Satan. People were created to be happy and fulfilled only when they worship God solely. Not even unfallen angels of heaven are to be worshiped (Revelation 22:8, 9). Satan sought worship in the beginning. Centuries later, when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, worship was still the central issue (Matthew 4:8-11). In these last days, God is calling upon all people to worship Him (Revelation 14:6,7). This so infuriates Satan that he will try to force people to worship him or else be killed (Revelation 13:15).
Anything or anyone (other than God) that receives first place in my life becomes an idol which I worship. Everybody worships somebody or something: power, prestige, food, pleasure, possessions, one's own opinion, etc. God says, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3. And unless we worship Him only, He counts us against Him (Matthew 12:30). This news is shocking, but true. If anything or anyone other than God receives first place in my life, I am--innocently perhaps--worshiping and supporting Satan. Does God have first place in my life, or am I unconsciously elevating Satan? It is a sobering question, isn't it?
5. What happened in heaven as a consequence of Lucifer's rebellion?
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Revelation 12:7-9.
Answer: Lucifer won the support of one-third of the angels (Revelation 12:3, 4) and caused an insurrection in heaven. God had no choice but to oust Lucifer and his angels. This was the greatest battle, by far, ever fought. Lucifer's aim was to usurp God's throne, even if it might eventually lead to murder (John 8:44). After his expulsion from heaven, Lucifer was called Satan (adversary) and devil (slanderer), and his angels were called demons.
6. Where is Satan's present headquarters? How does he feel about people?
"The Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." Job 2:2. "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Revelation 12:12. "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
Answer: Contrary to popular opinion, Satan's headquarters is the earth, not hell. God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). When they sinned, they lost it to Satan (Romans 6:16), who then became ruler, or prince, of the earth (John 12:31). Satan bitterly hates humans, who were created in God's image. He can't touch God. So, instead, his venom is directed against people who are God's children. He's a hateful, vicious murderer whose aim is to destroy you and thus hurt God.
7. When God created Adam and Eve, what one thing did He forbid them to do? What was to be the penalty for disobedience?
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:17.
Answer: They were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The penalty for eating of the tree was to be death.
8. What medium did Satan use to deceive Eve? What lies did Satan tell her?
"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:1, 4, 5, emphasis added.
Answer: Satan used a serpent--the wisest, most appealing animal God made--to deceive Eve. Some think the serpent originally had wings and flew (Isaiah 14:29; 30:6). Remember, it did not crawl until God cursed it (Genesis 3:14). Satan's lies were: (1) you won't die, and (2) eating the fruit will make you wise. Satan, who invented lying (John 8:44), mixed truth with the lies he told Eve. Lies that include some truth are the most effective of all. It was true they would "know evil" after sinning. In love, God had withheld from them the knowledge of heartache, grief, suffering, pain, and death. Satan, as he does today, made the knowledge of evil appear attractive. Satan told lies to misrepresent God's character because he knew that no one would ever turn away from such a loving God unless he misunderstood His character.
9. Was eating a piece of fruit such a bad thing? Why were Adam and Eve removed from the garden?
"To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17. "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. "He that committeth sin is of the devil." 1 John 3:8. "And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." "So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Genesis 3:22, 24.
Answer: Yes, eating of the fruit was a sin because it was a direct rejection of one of God's few requirements. It was open rebellion against God's law and authority. By rejecting one of God's commands, Adam and Eve allied themselves with Satan, God's enemy, and thus brought separation between themselves and God (Isaiah 59:2). Satan hoped the couple would sin and then eat of the tree of life, and thus become immortal sinners. But God removed them from the garden to prevent such a tragedy.
10. What amazing facts does the Bible reveal regarding Satan's methods to hurt, deceive, discourage, and destroy people?
Answer: Satan uses every conceivable approach to deceive and destroy people. His demons can appear and pose as righteous people, even clergymen. And Satan will appear as a glorious angel of light with power to call fire down from heaven. He will impersonate Jesus. But you have been warned, so don't fall for it. When Jesus comes, every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7). He will remain in the clouds and not even touch the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
The Bible Says Satan:
Deceives/persecutes Revelation 12:9, 13
Quotes/misquotes Bible Matthew 4:5, 6
Falsely accuses/murders Revelation 12:10; John 8:44
Traps/ensnares 2 Timothy 2:26; 1 Peter 5:8
Makes war against God's people Revelation 12:17
Binds/prompts betrayal Luke 13:16; John 13:2, 21
Imprisons Revelation 2:10
Possesses/hinders Luke 22:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Works miracles/lies Revelation 16:13, 14; John 8:44
Appears as angel of light 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Brings disease/afflicts Job 2:7
His demons impersonate pastors 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Slanders "Devil" means "slanderer"
Calls fire from heaven Revelation 13:13
11. How powerful and effective are Satan's temptations and strategies?
He convinced: one-third of the angels (Revelation 12:3-9); Adam and Eve (Genesis 3); all but eight people in Noah's day (1 Peter 3:20). He will make the lost feel saved (Matthew 7:21-23). Almost the entire world will follow him (Revelation 13:3). Few will be saved (Matthew 7:14; 22:14).
Answer: Satan's success rate is so astoundingly high that it seems almost unbelievable. He deceived a third of the angels. In Noah's day, all but eight people were deceived. Before Jesus comes the second time, Satan will appear as an angelic being, posing as Christ. His deceptive power will be so great that our only safety will lie in refusing to go to see him (Matthew 24:23-26). If you absolutely refuse to look and listen, Jesus will protect you from deception (John 10:29).
12. When and where will the devil receive his punishment? What will that punishment be?
"So shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire." Matthew 13:40-42. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone." Revelation 20:10. "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41. "Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee ... and never shalt thou be any more." Ezekiel 28:18,19.
Answer: The devil will be cast into the lake of fire on this earth at the end of the world. The fire will devour Satan, turn him into ashes, and end his existence for eternity. This fire also will destroy all sinners. In this final showdown, not one being on God's side will die and not one being on Satan's side will survive. Note: It is not possible to adequately describe the sadness and anguish the Father and Son will feel at Satan's destruction. He was closer to them than any other being--a warm, personal friend. To destroy him and the millions who have followed him will pain the Father and the Son more than the burning will hurt anyone in the fire.
13. What is it that forever settles the horrible problem of sin? Will sin ever rise up again?
"As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11. (See also Philippians 2:10,11; Isaiah 45:23.) "Affliction shall not rise up the second time." Nahum 1:9.
Answer: Two crucial happenings will settle the sin problem:First, all beings in heaven and earth, including the devil and his angels, will of their own free choice kneel and publicly confess that God is truthful, fair, and righteous. No questions will remain unanswered. All sinners will openly admit that they are lost because of their determined refusal to accept God's love and salvation. They will admit that justice demands they must die. All will confess that they deserve eternal death.Second, sin will be purged from the universe by the total and final destruction of sin, sinners, the devil, and his angels. God is positive on this point: Sin will never again arise to mar God's universe.
14. Who makes the final, complete eradication of sin from the universe a certainty?
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Hebrews 2:14.
Answer: Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made the eradication of sin a certainty.
15. How does God the Father feel about people?
"The Father himself loveth you." John 16:27. (See also John 3:16; 17:22, 23.)
Answer: The Father loves people as much as the Son does. Jesus' key aim in life was to demonstrate His Father's character in His own life so people would know how loving, warm, and caring the Father really is (John 5:19).
Satan Misrepresents the Father
Satan misrepresents the Father as unfeeling, aloof, exacting, stern, and unapproachable (the devil's own traits). He even labels his own ugly, calamitous acts as "acts of God." Jesus came to wipe this slander off His Father's name and demonstrate that our heavenly Father loves us more than a mother loves her child (Isaiah 49:15). Jesus' favorite theme was God's patience, tenderness, and abundant mercy.
The Father Can Hardly Wait
In order to make people supremely happy, our heavenly Father has prepared a fabulous eternal home for them. Our dreams here are no match for what He has waiting! He can hardly wait to welcome His people on the glad homecoming day just ahead. Let's get the word out! And let's be ready. The countdown has already begun.
16. I am pleased to know that God the Father loves me as much as Jesus does.
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. Was the fruit that Adam and Eve ate an apple? (Genesis 3:6 )
We do not know. The Bible does not say.
2. Where did the concept originate that portrays the devil as a red, half-man and half-beast with horns and tail? (Ezekiel 28:14 )
It came from pagan mythology and pleases the devil. He knows thinking people reject monsters as fable and so will be led to deny his existence. Those who do not believe in a devil are the first to be captured by his wiles.
3. God said to Adam and Eve, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:17. Why didn't they die that day? (Genesis 2:17 )
The Bible speaks of two deaths:(1) The "first" death we all die (Hebrews 9:27).(2) The "second" death the wicked die in hellfire at the end of time (Revelation 21:8).The difference is that there is no resurrection from the second death. It is eternal.
Jesus Died the Second Death for Every Person
When Adam and Eve sinned, they immediately would have died the second death except for the fact that Jesus stepped forward and offered to die the second death on Calvary for every person. His supreme sacrifice spared them (Hebrews 2:9).
When Adam Sinned, His "Undying" Nature Became a "Dying" Nature
Regarding the first death, the literal rendition of the word "die" in Genesis 2:17 is "dying thou shalt die," which is noted in the margin of most Bibles. It means that Adam and Eve would enter into the process of dying. Before sinning, the couple possessed an undying, sinless nature. This nature was perpetuated by eating of the tree of life. At the moment of sin, their natures changed to dying, sinful natures. This is what God had predicted. Because they were barred from the tree of life, decay and deterioration--leading ultimately to death--began immediately. The grave became a certainty. The Lord stressed this later when He said to them, "For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Genesis 3:19.
4. But since God created Lucifer, isn't He really responsible for his sin? (Joshua 24:15 )
Not at all. God created Lucifer a perfect, sinless angel. Lucifer made a devil of himself. Freedom to choose is a cornerstone principle of God's government. God knew Lucifer would sin when He created him. If at that point God had refused to create him, He would have been repudiating that prime principle of free choice. "Freedom to Choose" is God's Way
So, knowing full well what Lucifer would do, God still created him. The same facts apply to the creation of Adam and Eve. And, closer to home, these facts apply to you and me. God knows before we are born how we will live, but even so, He permits us to live and choose whether to endorse His government or Satan's. God is willing to be misunderstood and falsely accused and blamed for ages, while taking the time to allow every person to freely choose whom he will follow.
Only a Loving God Would Risk Granting Full Freedom for All
This glorious, crucial gift of freedom could come only from a just, open, loving God. It is an honor and joy to serve such a Lord and friend.
Choose to Serve God
The sin problem will soon end. In the beginning, everything was "very good." Genesis 1:31. Now "the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1 John 5:19. People everywhere are choosing to serve God or Satan. Use your fantastic, God-given freedom to choose to serve the Lord.
5. Why didn't God destroy the devil when he sinned, and thus end the sin problem? (1 Corinthians 4:9 )
Because sin was something completely new in God's universe, and its inhabitants did not understand it. Probably even Lucifer himself did not fully comprehend it at first. Lucifer was a brilliant, highly respected angelic leader. His approach was doubtless one of great concern for heaven and the angels. It possibly ran something like this: "Heaven is good, but it would be improved with more angel input. Too much unchallenged authority (as the Father and Son have) tends to blind leaders to real life. Angels should not be required to take orders. We should give orders. God knows my suggestions are correct, and He is feeling threatened. We must not permit our noble leaders who are out of touch to jeopardize the very existence of heaven. They will listen if we move in unison. We must not be weak; we must act. Otherwise, we will all be ruined by a government that doesn't appreciate us."
One-Third of the Angels Joined Lucifer
Lucifer's arguments convinced many angels, and one-third joined him. If God had destroyed Lucifer immediately, some angelic beings who did not fully understand God's character may have begun to worship God through fear, saying, "Lucifer may have been correct. Be careful. If you differ with God, He may kill you." So nothing would have been settled. Instead, the problem would have been heightened.
God Accepts Only Loving, Voluntary Service
The only service acceptable to God is cheerful, voluntary service prompted by love. Obedience for any other reason is unacceptable.
God Is Giving Satan Time to Demonstrate His Principles
Satan claimed he had a better plan for the government of the universe. God is giving him time to demonstrate its principles. The Lord will abolish sin only after every soul in the universe is convinced that Satan's government is unfair, hateful, ruthless, lying, and destructive.
The Universe Is Watching This World
The Bible says, "We are made a spectacle [margin says "theatre"] unto the world, and to angels, and to men." 1 Corinthians 4:9. The entire universe is watching as we each play a part in the controversy between Christ and Satan. As the controversy ends, every soul will fully understand the principles of both kingdoms and will have chosen to follow either Christ or Satan. Those who have chosen to ally with sin and Satan will be destroyed with him, and God's people will be taken to the eternal safety of their heavenly home.
Quiz Questions
1. With whom did sin originate? (1)
___ Michael.
___ Lucifer.
___ Gabriel.
2. Where was Lucifer living when he first sinned? (1)
___ On the earth.
___ In heaven.
___ On the North Star.
3. Check the items that once described Lucifer: (6)
___ Created angel.
___ Full of wisdom.
___ Rode a heavenly white horse.
___ Perfect in his ways.
___ Keeper of heaven's gate.
___ Outstanding musician.
___ Perfect in beauty.
___ Covering cherub.
4. Mark the items that tell the truth about Lucifer's rebellion: (5)
___ He was cast out of heaven.
___ He repented and stayed in heaven.
___ He hid inside a palace.
___ His name became Satan.
___ He was the first sinner.
___ Jesus saw him being cast out.
___ One-third of the angels fell with him.
5. What did Lucifer want? (2)
___ To be worshiped.
___ To unseat God and take His place.
___ To fly across the entire universe.
6. Check the items that are true about the devil, Satan: (4)
___ He is red with horns and hooves.
___ His home is in hell.
___ He loves people.
___ He can appear as a heavenly angel.
___ He cannot work miracles.
___ He's a liar and a murderer.
___ He can call down fire from heaven.
___ Most people will follow him and be lost.
7. Which of the items below are true about the fall of Adam and Eve? (3)
___ Satan was disguised as an angel.
___ Satan called God a liar.
___ We know Satan gave them apples.
___ Satan came to Adam first.
___ Satan hoped they would become immortal sinners.
___ In tempting them, Satan mixed lies and truth.
8. What is true about Satan's final punishment? (4)
___ He will be turned to ashes in the fire.
___ His angels will escape.
___ The fire will be in heaven.
___ Satan and his angels will admit they were wrong.
___ The fire will also destroy sin and sinners.
___ Satan will confess God's justice.
9. Why didn't God kill Lucifer when he sinned? (4)
___ Angels might misunderstand.
___ Some might be afraid of God.
___ Lucifer was too strong for God.
___ The good angels would not let Him.
___ Time was needed to demonstrate Lucifer's plan.
___ Time was needed to vindicate God's plan.
10. What one thing will finally vindicate God's government? (1)
___ God will work some miracles.
___ Every soul in the universe will kneel, confessing God's love and justice.
___ The angels of heaven will ask everyone to serve God.
11. What facts below are true about sin? (5)
___ Jesus has made sin's destruction certain.
___ Sin is breaking God's law.
___ Sin separates us from God.
___ Sin is easy to overcome.
___ Satan invented the sin of lying.
___ Once destroyed, sin will not rise up again.
12. Which items below are true? (5)
___ Satan attributes his traits to God.
___ God loves us more than our parents do.
___ So-called "acts of God" are acts of Satan.
___ Jesus' life revealed God's character.
___ God the Father is stern.
___ Most people misunderstand God.
1. With whom did sin originate?
"The devil sinneth from the beginning." 1 John 3:8. "That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan." Revelation 12:9.
Answer: Satan, also called the devil, is the originator of sin. Without the Scriptures, the origin of evil would remain unexplained.
2. What was Satan's name before he sinned? Where was he living at that time?
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Isaiah 14:12. Jesus said, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18. "Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God." Ezekiel 28:14.
Answer: His name was Lucifer, and he was living in heaven. Lucifer is symbolized by the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14 and as the king of Tyrus in Ezekiel 28.
3. What was the origin of Lucifer? What responsible position did he hold? How does the Bible describe him?
"Thou wast created." Ezekiel 28:13, 15. "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth." Ezekiel 28:14. "Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty ... every precious stone was thy covering ... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. ... Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:12-15.
Answer: Lucifer was created by God, as were all other angels (Ephesians 3:9). Lucifer was a "covering" cherub, or angel. One great angel stands on the left side of God's throne and another on the right (Psalms 99:1). Lucifer was one of those highly exalted angel leaders. Lucifer's beauty was flawless and breathtaking. His wisdom was perfect. His brightness was awe-inspiring. Ezekiel 28:13 seems to indicate that his throat was specially prepared to make him an outstanding musician. Some think he led the angelic choir.
4. What happened in Lucifer's life that led him to sin? What blasphemous sin did he then commit?
"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." Ezekiel 28:17. "For thou hast said in thine heart, ... I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: ... I will be like the most High." Isaiah 14:13, 14.
Answer: Pride, jealousy, discontent, and self-exaltation arose in his life. Lucifer decided to attempt to unseat God and then demand that all worship him. It was treason of the worst kind.Note: Why is worship such a big thing? Worship is the key factor in the ongoing warfare between God and Satan. People were created to be happy and fulfilled only when they worship God solely. Not even unfallen angels of heaven are to be worshiped (Revelation 22:8, 9). Satan sought worship in the beginning. Centuries later, when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, worship was still the central issue (Matthew 4:8-11). In these last days, God is calling upon all people to worship Him (Revelation 14:6,7). This so infuriates Satan that he will try to force people to worship him or else be killed (Revelation 13:15).
Anything or anyone (other than God) that receives first place in my life becomes an idol which I worship. Everybody worships somebody or something: power, prestige, food, pleasure, possessions, one's own opinion, etc. God says, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3. And unless we worship Him only, He counts us against Him (Matthew 12:30). This news is shocking, but true. If anything or anyone other than God receives first place in my life, I am--innocently perhaps--worshiping and supporting Satan. Does God have first place in my life, or am I unconsciously elevating Satan? It is a sobering question, isn't it?
5. What happened in heaven as a consequence of Lucifer's rebellion?
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Revelation 12:7-9.
Answer: Lucifer won the support of one-third of the angels (Revelation 12:3, 4) and caused an insurrection in heaven. God had no choice but to oust Lucifer and his angels. This was the greatest battle, by far, ever fought. Lucifer's aim was to usurp God's throne, even if it might eventually lead to murder (John 8:44). After his expulsion from heaven, Lucifer was called Satan (adversary) and devil (slanderer), and his angels were called demons.
6. Where is Satan's present headquarters? How does he feel about people?
"The Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." Job 2:2. "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Revelation 12:12. "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
Answer: Contrary to popular opinion, Satan's headquarters is the earth, not hell. God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). When they sinned, they lost it to Satan (Romans 6:16), who then became ruler, or prince, of the earth (John 12:31). Satan bitterly hates humans, who were created in God's image. He can't touch God. So, instead, his venom is directed against people who are God's children. He's a hateful, vicious murderer whose aim is to destroy you and thus hurt God.
7. When God created Adam and Eve, what one thing did He forbid them to do? What was to be the penalty for disobedience?
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:17.
Answer: They were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The penalty for eating of the tree was to be death.
8. What medium did Satan use to deceive Eve? What lies did Satan tell her?
"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:1, 4, 5, emphasis added.
Answer: Satan used a serpent--the wisest, most appealing animal God made--to deceive Eve. Some think the serpent originally had wings and flew (Isaiah 14:29; 30:6). Remember, it did not crawl until God cursed it (Genesis 3:14). Satan's lies were: (1) you won't die, and (2) eating the fruit will make you wise. Satan, who invented lying (John 8:44), mixed truth with the lies he told Eve. Lies that include some truth are the most effective of all. It was true they would "know evil" after sinning. In love, God had withheld from them the knowledge of heartache, grief, suffering, pain, and death. Satan, as he does today, made the knowledge of evil appear attractive. Satan told lies to misrepresent God's character because he knew that no one would ever turn away from such a loving God unless he misunderstood His character.
9. Was eating a piece of fruit such a bad thing? Why were Adam and Eve removed from the garden?
"To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17. "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. "He that committeth sin is of the devil." 1 John 3:8. "And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." "So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Genesis 3:22, 24.
Answer: Yes, eating of the fruit was a sin because it was a direct rejection of one of God's few requirements. It was open rebellion against God's law and authority. By rejecting one of God's commands, Adam and Eve allied themselves with Satan, God's enemy, and thus brought separation between themselves and God (Isaiah 59:2). Satan hoped the couple would sin and then eat of the tree of life, and thus become immortal sinners. But God removed them from the garden to prevent such a tragedy.
10. What amazing facts does the Bible reveal regarding Satan's methods to hurt, deceive, discourage, and destroy people?
Answer: Satan uses every conceivable approach to deceive and destroy people. His demons can appear and pose as righteous people, even clergymen. And Satan will appear as a glorious angel of light with power to call fire down from heaven. He will impersonate Jesus. But you have been warned, so don't fall for it. When Jesus comes, every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7). He will remain in the clouds and not even touch the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
The Bible Says Satan:
Deceives/persecutes Revelation 12:9, 13
Quotes/misquotes Bible Matthew 4:5, 6
Falsely accuses/murders Revelation 12:10; John 8:44
Traps/ensnares 2 Timothy 2:26; 1 Peter 5:8
Makes war against God's people Revelation 12:17
Binds/prompts betrayal Luke 13:16; John 13:2, 21
Imprisons Revelation 2:10
Possesses/hinders Luke 22:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Works miracles/lies Revelation 16:13, 14; John 8:44
Appears as angel of light 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Brings disease/afflicts Job 2:7
His demons impersonate pastors 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Slanders "Devil" means "slanderer"
Calls fire from heaven Revelation 13:13
11. How powerful and effective are Satan's temptations and strategies?
He convinced: one-third of the angels (Revelation 12:3-9); Adam and Eve (Genesis 3); all but eight people in Noah's day (1 Peter 3:20). He will make the lost feel saved (Matthew 7:21-23). Almost the entire world will follow him (Revelation 13:3). Few will be saved (Matthew 7:14; 22:14).
Answer: Satan's success rate is so astoundingly high that it seems almost unbelievable. He deceived a third of the angels. In Noah's day, all but eight people were deceived. Before Jesus comes the second time, Satan will appear as an angelic being, posing as Christ. His deceptive power will be so great that our only safety will lie in refusing to go to see him (Matthew 24:23-26). If you absolutely refuse to look and listen, Jesus will protect you from deception (John 10:29).
12. When and where will the devil receive his punishment? What will that punishment be?
"So shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire." Matthew 13:40-42. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone." Revelation 20:10. "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41. "Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee ... and never shalt thou be any more." Ezekiel 28:18,19.
Answer: The devil will be cast into the lake of fire on this earth at the end of the world. The fire will devour Satan, turn him into ashes, and end his existence for eternity. This fire also will destroy all sinners. In this final showdown, not one being on God's side will die and not one being on Satan's side will survive. Note: It is not possible to adequately describe the sadness and anguish the Father and Son will feel at Satan's destruction. He was closer to them than any other being--a warm, personal friend. To destroy him and the millions who have followed him will pain the Father and the Son more than the burning will hurt anyone in the fire.
13. What is it that forever settles the horrible problem of sin? Will sin ever rise up again?
"As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11. (See also Philippians 2:10,11; Isaiah 45:23.) "Affliction shall not rise up the second time." Nahum 1:9.
Answer: Two crucial happenings will settle the sin problem:First, all beings in heaven and earth, including the devil and his angels, will of their own free choice kneel and publicly confess that God is truthful, fair, and righteous. No questions will remain unanswered. All sinners will openly admit that they are lost because of their determined refusal to accept God's love and salvation. They will admit that justice demands they must die. All will confess that they deserve eternal death.Second, sin will be purged from the universe by the total and final destruction of sin, sinners, the devil, and his angels. God is positive on this point: Sin will never again arise to mar God's universe.
14. Who makes the final, complete eradication of sin from the universe a certainty?
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Hebrews 2:14.
Answer: Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made the eradication of sin a certainty.
15. How does God the Father feel about people?
"The Father himself loveth you." John 16:27. (See also John 3:16; 17:22, 23.)
Answer: The Father loves people as much as the Son does. Jesus' key aim in life was to demonstrate His Father's character in His own life so people would know how loving, warm, and caring the Father really is (John 5:19).
Satan Misrepresents the Father
Satan misrepresents the Father as unfeeling, aloof, exacting, stern, and unapproachable (the devil's own traits). He even labels his own ugly, calamitous acts as "acts of God." Jesus came to wipe this slander off His Father's name and demonstrate that our heavenly Father loves us more than a mother loves her child (Isaiah 49:15). Jesus' favorite theme was God's patience, tenderness, and abundant mercy.
The Father Can Hardly Wait
In order to make people supremely happy, our heavenly Father has prepared a fabulous eternal home for them. Our dreams here are no match for what He has waiting! He can hardly wait to welcome His people on the glad homecoming day just ahead. Let's get the word out! And let's be ready. The countdown has already begun.
16. I am pleased to know that God the Father loves me as much as Jesus does.
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. Was the fruit that Adam and Eve ate an apple? (Genesis 3:6 )
We do not know. The Bible does not say.
2. Where did the concept originate that portrays the devil as a red, half-man and half-beast with horns and tail? (Ezekiel 28:14 )
It came from pagan mythology and pleases the devil. He knows thinking people reject monsters as fable and so will be led to deny his existence. Those who do not believe in a devil are the first to be captured by his wiles.
3. God said to Adam and Eve, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:17. Why didn't they die that day? (Genesis 2:17 )
The Bible speaks of two deaths:(1) The "first" death we all die (Hebrews 9:27).(2) The "second" death the wicked die in hellfire at the end of time (Revelation 21:8).The difference is that there is no resurrection from the second death. It is eternal.
Jesus Died the Second Death for Every Person
When Adam and Eve sinned, they immediately would have died the second death except for the fact that Jesus stepped forward and offered to die the second death on Calvary for every person. His supreme sacrifice spared them (Hebrews 2:9).
When Adam Sinned, His "Undying" Nature Became a "Dying" Nature
Regarding the first death, the literal rendition of the word "die" in Genesis 2:17 is "dying thou shalt die," which is noted in the margin of most Bibles. It means that Adam and Eve would enter into the process of dying. Before sinning, the couple possessed an undying, sinless nature. This nature was perpetuated by eating of the tree of life. At the moment of sin, their natures changed to dying, sinful natures. This is what God had predicted. Because they were barred from the tree of life, decay and deterioration--leading ultimately to death--began immediately. The grave became a certainty. The Lord stressed this later when He said to them, "For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Genesis 3:19.
4. But since God created Lucifer, isn't He really responsible for his sin? (Joshua 24:15 )
Not at all. God created Lucifer a perfect, sinless angel. Lucifer made a devil of himself. Freedom to choose is a cornerstone principle of God's government. God knew Lucifer would sin when He created him. If at that point God had refused to create him, He would have been repudiating that prime principle of free choice. "Freedom to Choose" is God's Way
So, knowing full well what Lucifer would do, God still created him. The same facts apply to the creation of Adam and Eve. And, closer to home, these facts apply to you and me. God knows before we are born how we will live, but even so, He permits us to live and choose whether to endorse His government or Satan's. God is willing to be misunderstood and falsely accused and blamed for ages, while taking the time to allow every person to freely choose whom he will follow.
Only a Loving God Would Risk Granting Full Freedom for All
This glorious, crucial gift of freedom could come only from a just, open, loving God. It is an honor and joy to serve such a Lord and friend.
Choose to Serve God
The sin problem will soon end. In the beginning, everything was "very good." Genesis 1:31. Now "the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1 John 5:19. People everywhere are choosing to serve God or Satan. Use your fantastic, God-given freedom to choose to serve the Lord.
5. Why didn't God destroy the devil when he sinned, and thus end the sin problem? (1 Corinthians 4:9 )
Because sin was something completely new in God's universe, and its inhabitants did not understand it. Probably even Lucifer himself did not fully comprehend it at first. Lucifer was a brilliant, highly respected angelic leader. His approach was doubtless one of great concern for heaven and the angels. It possibly ran something like this: "Heaven is good, but it would be improved with more angel input. Too much unchallenged authority (as the Father and Son have) tends to blind leaders to real life. Angels should not be required to take orders. We should give orders. God knows my suggestions are correct, and He is feeling threatened. We must not permit our noble leaders who are out of touch to jeopardize the very existence of heaven. They will listen if we move in unison. We must not be weak; we must act. Otherwise, we will all be ruined by a government that doesn't appreciate us."
One-Third of the Angels Joined Lucifer
Lucifer's arguments convinced many angels, and one-third joined him. If God had destroyed Lucifer immediately, some angelic beings who did not fully understand God's character may have begun to worship God through fear, saying, "Lucifer may have been correct. Be careful. If you differ with God, He may kill you." So nothing would have been settled. Instead, the problem would have been heightened.
God Accepts Only Loving, Voluntary Service
The only service acceptable to God is cheerful, voluntary service prompted by love. Obedience for any other reason is unacceptable.
God Is Giving Satan Time to Demonstrate His Principles
Satan claimed he had a better plan for the government of the universe. God is giving him time to demonstrate its principles. The Lord will abolish sin only after every soul in the universe is convinced that Satan's government is unfair, hateful, ruthless, lying, and destructive.
The Universe Is Watching This World
The Bible says, "We are made a spectacle [margin says "theatre"] unto the world, and to angels, and to men." 1 Corinthians 4:9. The entire universe is watching as we each play a part in the controversy between Christ and Satan. As the controversy ends, every soul will fully understand the principles of both kingdoms and will have chosen to follow either Christ or Satan. Those who have chosen to ally with sin and Satan will be destroyed with him, and God's people will be taken to the eternal safety of their heavenly home.
Quiz Questions
1. With whom did sin originate? (1)
___ Michael.
___ Lucifer.
___ Gabriel.
2. Where was Lucifer living when he first sinned? (1)
___ On the earth.
___ In heaven.
___ On the North Star.
3. Check the items that once described Lucifer: (6)
___ Created angel.
___ Full of wisdom.
___ Rode a heavenly white horse.
___ Perfect in his ways.
___ Keeper of heaven's gate.
___ Outstanding musician.
___ Perfect in beauty.
___ Covering cherub.
4. Mark the items that tell the truth about Lucifer's rebellion: (5)
___ He was cast out of heaven.
___ He repented and stayed in heaven.
___ He hid inside a palace.
___ His name became Satan.
___ He was the first sinner.
___ Jesus saw him being cast out.
___ One-third of the angels fell with him.
5. What did Lucifer want? (2)
___ To be worshiped.
___ To unseat God and take His place.
___ To fly across the entire universe.
6. Check the items that are true about the devil, Satan: (4)
___ He is red with horns and hooves.
___ His home is in hell.
___ He loves people.
___ He can appear as a heavenly angel.
___ He cannot work miracles.
___ He's a liar and a murderer.
___ He can call down fire from heaven.
___ Most people will follow him and be lost.
7. Which of the items below are true about the fall of Adam and Eve? (3)
___ Satan was disguised as an angel.
___ Satan called God a liar.
___ We know Satan gave them apples.
___ Satan came to Adam first.
___ Satan hoped they would become immortal sinners.
___ In tempting them, Satan mixed lies and truth.
8. What is true about Satan's final punishment? (4)
___ He will be turned to ashes in the fire.
___ His angels will escape.
___ The fire will be in heaven.
___ Satan and his angels will admit they were wrong.
___ The fire will also destroy sin and sinners.
___ Satan will confess God's justice.
9. Why didn't God kill Lucifer when he sinned? (4)
___ Angels might misunderstand.
___ Some might be afraid of God.
___ Lucifer was too strong for God.
___ The good angels would not let Him.
___ Time was needed to demonstrate Lucifer's plan.
___ Time was needed to vindicate God's plan.
10. What one thing will finally vindicate God's government? (1)
___ God will work some miracles.
___ Every soul in the universe will kneel, confessing God's love and justice.
___ The angels of heaven will ask everyone to serve God.
11. What facts below are true about sin? (5)
___ Jesus has made sin's destruction certain.
___ Sin is breaking God's law.
___ Sin separates us from God.
___ Sin is easy to overcome.
___ Satan invented the sin of lying.
___ Once destroyed, sin will not rise up again.
12. Which items below are true? (5)
___ Satan attributes his traits to God.
___ God loves us more than our parents do.
___ So-called "acts of God" are acts of Satan.
___ Jesus' life revealed God's character.
___ God the Father is stern.
___ Most people misunderstand God.
Rescue From Above (Salvation)
Picture the horror of being stranded in an ocean with hungry, deadly sharks closing in! Then imagine how grateful and relieved you'd feel to be plucked to safety. The truth is, every person on the planet is lost in an ocean fraught with danger. We urgently need rescue, not from a boat or helicopter, but from our Heavenly Father. God loves you, so much that He sent His Son to save you. You've undoubtedly heard all this before, but are you sure you really understand what it's all about? What does it really mean to you, and can it really change your life? Read on and find out!
1. Does God really care about me?
This is what He says: "Thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee." Isaiah 43:4. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3.
Answer: God's never-ending love for you and me is far beyond our understanding. He loves you as though you were the only lost soul in the universe. He would have given His life for you or me even if there had been no other sinner to redeem. Try never to forget this fact. You are precious in His sight. He loves you.
2. How has God demonstrated His love for us?
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:9, 10.
Answer: Because He loved us so deeply, He was willing to see His only Son suffer and die rather than be separated from you and me for eternity. We will not be able to understand it, but He did it--just for you, just for me!
3. How could He love someone like me?
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.
Answer: Certainly not because I earned it or deserved it. Not one of us has earned anything except the wages of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23). But God's love is unconditional. He loves the thieves, adulterers, and murderers. He also loves the selfish, the hypocritical, and the profane blasphemer. But, greatest of all, He loves me! And because He knows that my sins can lead only to misery and death, He wants to save me from my sins. That's why He died.
4. What does His death do for me?
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12.
Answer: Christ died to satisfy the death penalty against me. He was born as a man so He could suffer the kind of death I deserve. Then He offered to give me the credit for what He did. In other words, His sinless life is credited to my account so I can be counted as righteous. His death is accepted by God as full payment for all my past wrongs, and by accepting what He did, as a gift, I am taken into God's own family as His child. It staggers the mind! Ponder these simple facts for a moment:
Because of my sins, I am sentenced to death.
I cannot pay that penalty without losing eternal life, because if I died for my sins, I could not resurrect myself. I would be dead forever.
I owe something I cannot pay! But a friend comes along, in the person of Jesus, and says, "I will pay. I will die in your place and give you credit for it. You will not have to die for your sins."
I must accept the offer! Simple, isn't it? I openly acknowledge and accept His death for my sins.
The moment I do this, I have become a son or daughter of God!
5. How do I receive Him and pass from death to life?
Just admit three things:
1. I am a sinner. "All have sinned." Romans 3:23.2.
2. I am doomed to die. "The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23.3.
3. I cannot save myself. "Without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5.
Then, believe three things:
1. He died for me. "That he ... should taste death for every man." Hebrews 2:9.
2. He forgives me. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." 1 John 1:9.
3. He saves me. "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47.
Answer: By asking for, believing in, and accepting the great gift of God, our Lord Jesus Christ.
6. What must I do in order to obtain this gift of salvation?
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24. "A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Romans 3:28.
Answer: The only thing I can do is to accept it as a pure gift. My works of obedience will not help me one bit in the justification experience. All who ask for salvation in faith will receive it. The worst reprobate sinner will be accepted on the same basis as the most moral do-gooder. The past does not count. Remember, God loves everyone alike, and forgiveness is for the asking. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8, 9.
7. When I join His family through faith, what change does Jesus make in my life?
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Answer: As Christ is received into my heart, He destroys the old sinful self and actually changes me into a new spiritual creation. The old life of sin now becomes repulsive and undesirable. Joyfully I begin to experience, for the first time, glorious freedom from guilt and condemnation. I begin to see how empty my life has been without Christ. Rather than feeding on husks under the table, I now feast at the banquet of the King. One minute with God provides more happiness than does a lifetime of serving the devil. What an exchange! Why did I wait so long to accept it?
8. Will this changed life really be happier than the pleasures of the old life?
Jesus said: "These things have I spoken unto you ... that your joy might be full." John 15:11. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36. "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10.
Answer:
No joy on earth can compare to the happiness and joy of a Christian home. Many feel that the Christian life will not be a happy one because of restrictions and self-denial. The exact opposite is true. When you accept the love of Jesus, a fantastic exuberance springs up from within. Unbelievable peace and joy permeate your life. Talk about excitement! There is no comparison to the old life of selfishness and failure. Like a bad dream, the painful past fades away, and you experience life "more abundantly," the way God intended it should be.
9. But can I make myself do all the things a Christian should do?
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Galatians 2:20. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.
Answer: Here is where the greatest miracle of the Christian life is revealed. There is no forcing yourself to be good! What you do as a Christian is the spontaneous outflowing of another Person's life within you. Obedience is the natural response of love in your life. Being born of God, as a new creature, you want to obey Him because His life has become a part of your life. To please someone you love is not a burden, but a delight. "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." Psalms 40:8.
10. Do you mean that even the Ten Commandments would not be hard to obey?
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3. "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." 1 John 2:5.
Answer: The Bible always ties obedience to a love relationship. Born-again Christians find it no wearying struggle to keep the Ten Commandments. With all past sins covered by His atoning death, my present and future obedience is rooted in His victorious life within me. In fact, because I love Him so deeply for changing my life, I go beyond the requirements of the Ten Commandments. Daily I search the Bible for indications of His will, trying to find more little ways of expressing my love to Him. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." 1 John 3:22, emphasis added.
11. How can I be certain that the commandment-keeping mentioned of God's people in the Bible is not legalism?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12. "And they [the saints] overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11.
Answer: Do not mistake obedience for legalism. Legalism is trying to earn salvation by good works. The saints are identified in the Bible as having four characteristics: (1) keeping the commandments, (2) trusting the blood of the Lamb, (3) sharing their faith with others, and (4) choosing to die rather than to sin. These are the true marks of the person who is in love with Christ and who has made a life commitment to follow Him.
12. What significant act seals the love relationship with Christ, and what does it symbolize?
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." "That the body of sin might be destroyed." Romans 6:4, 6. "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:2.
Answer: Baptism symbolizes three significant events in the life of the true believer: (1) death to sin, (2) birth to a new life in Christ, and (3) marriage to Christ for eternity. This spiritual union will grow stronger and sweeter with time, as long as love continues to grow. As in any marriage, the loss of love can turn a paradise into hell. When love disappears, the home is held together only by the mechanical, forced duty of the marriage law. Likewise, when the Christian ceases to love Christ supremely, his religion exists only as restrictive compliance to a set of rules.
13. How can I be certain that the faith and love of my marriage to Christ will continue to increase?
"Search the scriptures." John 5:39. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." Colossians 2:6. "I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31.
Answer: No love affair can prosper without communication. Prayer and Bible study are absolutely essential to keep this relationship growing. His Word constitutes a love letter that I must read daily to nourish the spiritual life. Conversing with Him in prayer deepens the devotion and opens my mind to a more thrilling and intimate knowledge of His concern for me. Daily I am amazed to discover details of His incredible provision for my happiness.God Seals Our Spiritual MarriageTo seal our spiritual marriage for eternity, He has promised never to forsake me (Psalms 55:22; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5), to take care of me in sickness or in health (Psalms 41:3; Isaiah 41:10), and to provide for every need that could possibly develop in my life (Matthew 6:25-34). Just as I received Him by faith and found His promises all-sufficient, I keep on trusting Him for every future need, and He never lets me down.
14. It is my desire to invite Jesus into my life and experience the new birth.
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. How could one Man's death pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind? I have lived a terrible life of sin. I am afraid God would have to do something very special to atone for someone so evil. (Hebrews 7:25 )
Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned." Because "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) and since "all have sinned," therefore "something special" is required for every person who has been born. Only One whose life is equal to all mankind could die for the sins of the race. Because Jesus is the Creator and Author of all life, the life He laid down was equivalent to the lives of all people who would ever live. Not only did atonement have to be made by One whose life could stand for all other created beings, but the One who died the atoning death had to be able to rise from that death. Why? In order to administer the benefits of the atonement to all who would apply for it in faith. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.
2. If I accept Christ and His forgiveness and then fall again, will He forgive me again? (1 John 1:9 )
We can trust God to forgive us again if we are sorry for our sin and confess it. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
3. How can I approach God in my sinful condition? Wouldn't it be better for me to have a priest or minister pray for me? (Hebrews 4:16 )
Since Jesus Christ lived in the flesh and was "tempted like as we are" (Hebrews 4:15), we have a God who can understand and who desires to be merciful to us. Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy." We may approach God directly through Jesus Christ, without an intermediary; and trusting in His mercy, we may "boldly" come to Him in Jesus' name (John 14:14). 1 Timothy 2:5 reads: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
4. Is there anything I can do to help God save me? (Romans 4:5 )
No. His plan is wholly of grace (Romans 3:24; 4:5); it is "the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8. It is true that as God grants us grace through faith, He also gives us the desire and strength to obey Him. This results in compliance with His laws. So, even this obedience results from God's free grace. Obedience--the service and allegiance of love--is the true test of discipleship and a natural fruit of faith in Jesus Christ.
5. If God forgives my sin and restores me to His family, will that eliminate any future punishment for my sins, or will I still be required to do some kind of penance? (Micah 7:18 )
The Scriptures say, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1. Christ paid the full penalty for our transgressions, and those who accept Him in faith owe no works of penance for cleansing, but are already considered "washed" in the blood of the Lamb! Isaiah 43:25 contains a beautiful promise of forgiveness: "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Micah 7:18, 19 shows the beautiful attitude of the Redeemer-God toward His people: "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
Quiz Questions
1. God poured out all heaven in what great gift to man? (1)
___ The Bible.
___ His church.
___ Jesus Christ.
___ The law.
2. The greatest demonstration of love the world has ever seen was (1)
___ The loaves and fishes.
___ Jesus' death on the cross.
___ Pentecost.
___ Peter's confession.
3. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was for (1)
___ Everyone.
___ Only the righteous.
___ Only the evil.
___ Those predestined for salvation.
4. What kind of person does God love the most? (1)
___ Church members.
___ Prostitutes and thieves.
___ Everybody alike.
___ Born-again Christians.
5. Christ was born into the human family in order to (1)
___ Pay the penalty for sin.
___ Know how weak we are.
___ Become a good carpenter.
6. In order to obtain salvation, a person must (1)
___ Take a Bible course.
___ Belong to the church.
___ Speak in tongues.
___ Accept it as a gift.
7. We are saved by (1)
___ Good works.
___ Grace.
___ Desire.
8. Forgiveness and acceptance lead us to feel (2)
___ That we can begin to sin again.
___ Regret for pleasures denied.
___ Joy and peace.
___ Assurance of eternal life.
9. Obedience should be based upon (1)
___ Fear of hell.
___ Desire for approval of friends.
___ Love for Jesus.
10. Christian conduct, or keeping the commandments, is (1)
___ Legalism.
___ One of the fruits of true conversion.
___ Unimportant.
11. Marriage to Christ is symbolized by (1)
___ Joining a convent or monastery.
___ Baptism.
___ A wedding ring worn on the right hand.
___ Making a vow of celibacy.
12. The two greatest ways to stay in love with Christ are (2)
___ Daily Bible study.
___ Giving a liberal offering.
___ Abstaining from pork.
___ Constant attitude of prayer.
1. Does God really care about me?
This is what He says: "Thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee." Isaiah 43:4. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3.
Answer: God's never-ending love for you and me is far beyond our understanding. He loves you as though you were the only lost soul in the universe. He would have given His life for you or me even if there had been no other sinner to redeem. Try never to forget this fact. You are precious in His sight. He loves you.
2. How has God demonstrated His love for us?
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:9, 10.
Answer: Because He loved us so deeply, He was willing to see His only Son suffer and die rather than be separated from you and me for eternity. We will not be able to understand it, but He did it--just for you, just for me!
3. How could He love someone like me?
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.
Answer: Certainly not because I earned it or deserved it. Not one of us has earned anything except the wages of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23). But God's love is unconditional. He loves the thieves, adulterers, and murderers. He also loves the selfish, the hypocritical, and the profane blasphemer. But, greatest of all, He loves me! And because He knows that my sins can lead only to misery and death, He wants to save me from my sins. That's why He died.
4. What does His death do for me?
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12.
Answer: Christ died to satisfy the death penalty against me. He was born as a man so He could suffer the kind of death I deserve. Then He offered to give me the credit for what He did. In other words, His sinless life is credited to my account so I can be counted as righteous. His death is accepted by God as full payment for all my past wrongs, and by accepting what He did, as a gift, I am taken into God's own family as His child. It staggers the mind! Ponder these simple facts for a moment:
Because of my sins, I am sentenced to death.
I cannot pay that penalty without losing eternal life, because if I died for my sins, I could not resurrect myself. I would be dead forever.
I owe something I cannot pay! But a friend comes along, in the person of Jesus, and says, "I will pay. I will die in your place and give you credit for it. You will not have to die for your sins."
I must accept the offer! Simple, isn't it? I openly acknowledge and accept His death for my sins.
The moment I do this, I have become a son or daughter of God!
5. How do I receive Him and pass from death to life?
Just admit three things:
1. I am a sinner. "All have sinned." Romans 3:23.2.
2. I am doomed to die. "The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23.3.
3. I cannot save myself. "Without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5.
Then, believe three things:
1. He died for me. "That he ... should taste death for every man." Hebrews 2:9.
2. He forgives me. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." 1 John 1:9.
3. He saves me. "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47.
Answer: By asking for, believing in, and accepting the great gift of God, our Lord Jesus Christ.
6. What must I do in order to obtain this gift of salvation?
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24. "A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Romans 3:28.
Answer: The only thing I can do is to accept it as a pure gift. My works of obedience will not help me one bit in the justification experience. All who ask for salvation in faith will receive it. The worst reprobate sinner will be accepted on the same basis as the most moral do-gooder. The past does not count. Remember, God loves everyone alike, and forgiveness is for the asking. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8, 9.
7. When I join His family through faith, what change does Jesus make in my life?
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Answer: As Christ is received into my heart, He destroys the old sinful self and actually changes me into a new spiritual creation. The old life of sin now becomes repulsive and undesirable. Joyfully I begin to experience, for the first time, glorious freedom from guilt and condemnation. I begin to see how empty my life has been without Christ. Rather than feeding on husks under the table, I now feast at the banquet of the King. One minute with God provides more happiness than does a lifetime of serving the devil. What an exchange! Why did I wait so long to accept it?
8. Will this changed life really be happier than the pleasures of the old life?
Jesus said: "These things have I spoken unto you ... that your joy might be full." John 15:11. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36. "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10.
Answer:
No joy on earth can compare to the happiness and joy of a Christian home. Many feel that the Christian life will not be a happy one because of restrictions and self-denial. The exact opposite is true. When you accept the love of Jesus, a fantastic exuberance springs up from within. Unbelievable peace and joy permeate your life. Talk about excitement! There is no comparison to the old life of selfishness and failure. Like a bad dream, the painful past fades away, and you experience life "more abundantly," the way God intended it should be.
9. But can I make myself do all the things a Christian should do?
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Galatians 2:20. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.
Answer: Here is where the greatest miracle of the Christian life is revealed. There is no forcing yourself to be good! What you do as a Christian is the spontaneous outflowing of another Person's life within you. Obedience is the natural response of love in your life. Being born of God, as a new creature, you want to obey Him because His life has become a part of your life. To please someone you love is not a burden, but a delight. "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." Psalms 40:8.
10. Do you mean that even the Ten Commandments would not be hard to obey?
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3. "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected." 1 John 2:5.
Answer: The Bible always ties obedience to a love relationship. Born-again Christians find it no wearying struggle to keep the Ten Commandments. With all past sins covered by His atoning death, my present and future obedience is rooted in His victorious life within me. In fact, because I love Him so deeply for changing my life, I go beyond the requirements of the Ten Commandments. Daily I search the Bible for indications of His will, trying to find more little ways of expressing my love to Him. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." 1 John 3:22, emphasis added.
11. How can I be certain that the commandment-keeping mentioned of God's people in the Bible is not legalism?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12. "And they [the saints] overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11.
Answer: Do not mistake obedience for legalism. Legalism is trying to earn salvation by good works. The saints are identified in the Bible as having four characteristics: (1) keeping the commandments, (2) trusting the blood of the Lamb, (3) sharing their faith with others, and (4) choosing to die rather than to sin. These are the true marks of the person who is in love with Christ and who has made a life commitment to follow Him.
12. What significant act seals the love relationship with Christ, and what does it symbolize?
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." "That the body of sin might be destroyed." Romans 6:4, 6. "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:2.
Answer: Baptism symbolizes three significant events in the life of the true believer: (1) death to sin, (2) birth to a new life in Christ, and (3) marriage to Christ for eternity. This spiritual union will grow stronger and sweeter with time, as long as love continues to grow. As in any marriage, the loss of love can turn a paradise into hell. When love disappears, the home is held together only by the mechanical, forced duty of the marriage law. Likewise, when the Christian ceases to love Christ supremely, his religion exists only as restrictive compliance to a set of rules.
13. How can I be certain that the faith and love of my marriage to Christ will continue to increase?
"Search the scriptures." John 5:39. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." Colossians 2:6. "I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31.
Answer: No love affair can prosper without communication. Prayer and Bible study are absolutely essential to keep this relationship growing. His Word constitutes a love letter that I must read daily to nourish the spiritual life. Conversing with Him in prayer deepens the devotion and opens my mind to a more thrilling and intimate knowledge of His concern for me. Daily I am amazed to discover details of His incredible provision for my happiness.God Seals Our Spiritual MarriageTo seal our spiritual marriage for eternity, He has promised never to forsake me (Psalms 55:22; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5), to take care of me in sickness or in health (Psalms 41:3; Isaiah 41:10), and to provide for every need that could possibly develop in my life (Matthew 6:25-34). Just as I received Him by faith and found His promises all-sufficient, I keep on trusting Him for every future need, and He never lets me down.
14. It is my desire to invite Jesus into my life and experience the new birth.
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. How could one Man's death pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind? I have lived a terrible life of sin. I am afraid God would have to do something very special to atone for someone so evil. (Hebrews 7:25 )
Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned." Because "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) and since "all have sinned," therefore "something special" is required for every person who has been born. Only One whose life is equal to all mankind could die for the sins of the race. Because Jesus is the Creator and Author of all life, the life He laid down was equivalent to the lives of all people who would ever live. Not only did atonement have to be made by One whose life could stand for all other created beings, but the One who died the atoning death had to be able to rise from that death. Why? In order to administer the benefits of the atonement to all who would apply for it in faith. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.
2. If I accept Christ and His forgiveness and then fall again, will He forgive me again? (1 John 1:9 )
We can trust God to forgive us again if we are sorry for our sin and confess it. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
3. How can I approach God in my sinful condition? Wouldn't it be better for me to have a priest or minister pray for me? (Hebrews 4:16 )
Since Jesus Christ lived in the flesh and was "tempted like as we are" (Hebrews 4:15), we have a God who can understand and who desires to be merciful to us. Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy." We may approach God directly through Jesus Christ, without an intermediary; and trusting in His mercy, we may "boldly" come to Him in Jesus' name (John 14:14). 1 Timothy 2:5 reads: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
4. Is there anything I can do to help God save me? (Romans 4:5 )
No. His plan is wholly of grace (Romans 3:24; 4:5); it is "the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8. It is true that as God grants us grace through faith, He also gives us the desire and strength to obey Him. This results in compliance with His laws. So, even this obedience results from God's free grace. Obedience--the service and allegiance of love--is the true test of discipleship and a natural fruit of faith in Jesus Christ.
5. If God forgives my sin and restores me to His family, will that eliminate any future punishment for my sins, or will I still be required to do some kind of penance? (Micah 7:18 )
The Scriptures say, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1. Christ paid the full penalty for our transgressions, and those who accept Him in faith owe no works of penance for cleansing, but are already considered "washed" in the blood of the Lamb! Isaiah 43:25 contains a beautiful promise of forgiveness: "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Micah 7:18, 19 shows the beautiful attitude of the Redeemer-God toward His people: "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
Quiz Questions
1. God poured out all heaven in what great gift to man? (1)
___ The Bible.
___ His church.
___ Jesus Christ.
___ The law.
2. The greatest demonstration of love the world has ever seen was (1)
___ The loaves and fishes.
___ Jesus' death on the cross.
___ Pentecost.
___ Peter's confession.
3. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was for (1)
___ Everyone.
___ Only the righteous.
___ Only the evil.
___ Those predestined for salvation.
4. What kind of person does God love the most? (1)
___ Church members.
___ Prostitutes and thieves.
___ Everybody alike.
___ Born-again Christians.
5. Christ was born into the human family in order to (1)
___ Pay the penalty for sin.
___ Know how weak we are.
___ Become a good carpenter.
6. In order to obtain salvation, a person must (1)
___ Take a Bible course.
___ Belong to the church.
___ Speak in tongues.
___ Accept it as a gift.
7. We are saved by (1)
___ Good works.
___ Grace.
___ Desire.
8. Forgiveness and acceptance lead us to feel (2)
___ That we can begin to sin again.
___ Regret for pleasures denied.
___ Joy and peace.
___ Assurance of eternal life.
9. Obedience should be based upon (1)
___ Fear of hell.
___ Desire for approval of friends.
___ Love for Jesus.
10. Christian conduct, or keeping the commandments, is (1)
___ Legalism.
___ One of the fruits of true conversion.
___ Unimportant.
11. Marriage to Christ is symbolized by (1)
___ Joining a convent or monastery.
___ Baptism.
___ A wedding ring worn on the right hand.
___ Making a vow of celibacy.
12. The two greatest ways to stay in love with Christ are (2)
___ Daily Bible study.
___ Giving a liberal offering.
___ Abstaining from pork.
___ Constant attitude of prayer.
A Colossal City In Space (Heaven)
Talk about a great city! New York, Tokyo, and London are nothing in comparison! Just wait until you grasp the amazing facts about this gigantic city that can travel through space. It's all fact, not science fiction! The information in this Study Guide will thrill your soul and give you hope for the future.
1. Who is the architect and builder of this space city?
"Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." Hebrews 11:16.
Answer: The Bible declares that God is building a great city for His people. And this city is as real and literal as any you have ever known.
2. Where is this amazing city that God is preparing?
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven." Revelation 21:2. "O Lord my God ... hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place." 1 Kings 8:28-30.
Answer: This great city that is being constructed is, at this moment, in far outer space in God's dwelling place, which is called heaven.
3. How do the Scriptures describe this amazing space city?
Answer:
(A) SIZE
"The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs." Revelation 21:16. The city is perfectly square. Its perimeter is 12,000 furlongs, or 1,500 miles (a furlong is 1/8 mile). It is 375 miles long on each side.
(B) NAME
The city is called "new Jerusalem" in Revelation 21:2.
(C) WALLS
The city's jasper walls are nearly 20 stories tall.
"And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits. ... And the building of the wall of it was of jasper." Revelation 21:17, 18. A wall 144 cubits, or 216 feet high (a cubit is 18 inches), surrounds the city. The wall is made of solid jasper, with radiance and beauty beyond description. Think of it! Nearly 20 stories high and solid jasper!
(D) GATES
Each city gate is made of one solid pearl.
"And had twelve gates ... On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates." And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl." Revelation 21:12, 13, 21. The city has 12 gates—three on each side—each one made of a single pearl.
(E) FOUNDATIONS
"The wall of the city had twelve foundations ... garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst." Revelation 21:14-20. The city has 12 full, complete foundations—each one made of precious stone. Every color of the rainbow will be represented, so at a distance the city will no doubt appear to be resting upon a rainbow.
(F) STREETS
The city streets will be pure gold--reflecting heaven's glories as a mirror.
"The street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." Revelation 21:21.
(G) APPEARANCE
"The holy city, ... prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." "Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." "The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal [proportionate]." Revelation 21:2, 11, 16. The city, with all of its precious stones, gold, and shimmering beauty, will be lighted with the glory of God. In its breathtaking majesty and purity it is compared to "a bride adorned for her husband."
4. What phenomenal feature of this majestic city assures every citizen eternal vigor and youth?
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Revelation 22:2. "Take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." Genesis 3:22.
Answer: The tree of life, which bears 12 kinds of fruit (and is in the middle of the city--Revelation 2:7), brings unending life and youth to all who partake of it. Even its leaves will contain marvelous sustaining qualities. This tree will yield a new crop of fruit each month.
5. Is it true that this amazing city will descend to this earth?
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5. "The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth." Proverbs 11:31.
Answer: Yes, the majestic holy city will come down to this earth to become the capital of the earth made new. All the righteous will have a home in this city.
6. What will happen to sin and sinners?
"All the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up." Malachi 4:1. "Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Revelation 20:9. "The elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10. "Ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet." Malachi 4:3. "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13.
Answer: God will destroy all sin and sinners with fire. This fire will melt the earth and turn everything into ashes. Then God will make a perfect new earth, and the holy city will be its capital. Here the righteous will live in joy, peace, and holiness throughout eternity. God promises that sin will not rise up again. See Nahum 1:9.
7. What refreshing, thrilling promises does God make to the people who enter His new kingdom?
Answer:
A. The Lord, in person, will live with them (Revelation 21:3).
B. They will never become bored. There will be pleasures forevermore (Psalms 16:11).
C. There will be no more death, pain, tears, sorrow, sickness, hospitals, operations, tragedy, disappointment, trouble, hunger, or thirst (Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 22:3; Isaiah 65:23; Revelation 7:16).
D. They will not get tired (Isaiah 40:31).
E. Every saved person will be physically whole in every way. The deaf will hear, the blind will see, the dumb will sing, and the lame will be able to run (Isaiah 35:5, 6; Philippians 3:21).
There will be no use for crutches and wheelchairs in heaven.
F. Jealousy, fear, hatred, falsehood, envy, impurity, cynicism, filth, worry, and all evil will be forever shut out of God's kingdom (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15). People will no longer be burdened with the worries and the cares that drive them to distraction. There will be no more nervous breakdowns. Time will become eternity, and the pressures and deadlines of earth will be gone forever.
8. How will the new earth differ from our earth today?
Answer:
A. Vast seas as we know them today will be gone (Revelation 21:1). The oceans and seas cover three-fourths of the earth's surface today. This will not be the case in God's new kingdom. The whole world will be one huge garden of unsurpassed beauty, interspersed with lakes, rivers, and mountains (Revelation 22:1; Acts 3:20, 21).
B. The deserts will become gardens (Isaiah 35:1, 2).
C. The animals will all be tame. None will prey upon others, and a little child will lead them (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25). Children will safely play with lions in the earth made new.
D. There will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3).
E. There will be no more violence of any kind (Isaiah 60:18). This precludes crime, storms, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, injury, etc. There will be no more natural disasters in the new earth.
F. Nothing defiling will be found in the new earth (Revelation 21:27). There will be no cigarette butts, tobacco juice, drunkards, taverns, alcoholic beverages, brothels, lewd pictures, or any other wickedness or impurity of any kind.
9. Will there be children in God's kingdom? If so, will they grow up?
"And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof." Zechariah 8:5. "And ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Malachi 4:2.
Answer: Yes, there will be many boys and girls in the holy city (Isaiah 11:6-9), and these youngsters will grow up (Malachi 4:2). We have degenerated much in stature, intellect, and vitality since Adam, but all of this will be restored (Acts 3:20, 21).
10. When reunited with loved ones in heaven, will the saved know each other?
"Then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12.
Answer: The Bible clearly teaches that righteous loved ones who have died will be raised to join the righteous living in God's kingdom (Isaiah 26:19; Jeremiah 31:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). And the Scriptures also teach that people in God's new kingdom will know each other, just as people recognize each other on the earth today.
11. Will people in heaven be real, with flesh and bones?
"Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." "And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and ... while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Luke 24:36-39, 41-43, 50, 51. "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11. "The Lord Jesus Christ ... shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." Philippians 3:20, 21.
Answer: After His resurrection, Jesus proved to His desciples that He was flesh and bones by having them feel Him and by eating food. This same Jesus of flesh and bones ascended to His Father and will come again to the earth. The righteous will be given bodies just like the body of Christ and will be real people with flesh and bones throughout eternity. The difference will be that the heavenly body will not be subject to death, decay, or deterioration. The teaching that the saved in heaven will be ghosts who float on mist clouds and do nothing but play harps has no foundation in the Scriptures. Jesus did not die on the cross to provide any such trivial and foolish future for those who accept His love and nobly follow His way of life. Most people have no interest in such an ethereal existence and, therefore, have little or no desire to enter God's heavenly kingdom--often preferring it only because they fear hell. If only all people everywhere could learn the truth about God's holy city and new earth, millions would begin to understand His love and would turn to Him with all their hearts. A person who misses out on God's kingdom has made the supreme blunder of a lifetime.
12. How will the righteous spend their time in the heavenly kingdom?
"They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: ... mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Isaiah 65:21, 22.
Answer: The righteous will build their own homes in the new earth. (Each will also have a city mansion built by Christ--John 14:1-3.) They will plant vineyards and eat the fruit from them. The Bible is plain. Real people do real things in heaven, and they will thoroughly enjoy it all.
13. In what other thrilling activites will the redeemed participate in?
Answer:
A. Sing and play heavenly music (Isaiah 35:10; 51:11; Psalms 87:7; Revelation 14:2, 3).
B. Worship before God's throne every Sabbath (Isaiah 66:22, 23).
C. Enjoy never-fading flowers and trees (Ezekiel 47:12; Isaiah 35:1, 2).
D. Visit with loved ones, patriarchs, prophets, etc. (Matthew 8:11; Revelation 7:9-17).
Heaven will bring us the privilege of becoming friends with Bible patriarchs and prophets.
E. Study the animals of heaven (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25).
F. Travel and explore without ever becoming weary (Isaiah 40:31).
G. Listen to God sing (Zephaniah 3:17).
H. Realize fondest ambitions (Psalms 37:3, 4; Isaiah 65:24).
I. Greatest joy of all--the privilege of being like Jesus, traveling with Him, and seeing Him face to face (Revelation 14:4; 22:4; 21:3; 1 John 3:2).
14. Can feeble human language really describe the glories of the heavenly home?
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Answer: Not even in its wildest dreams can the heart of man begin to comprehend the marvels of God's eternal kingdom. All that Adam lost will be restored (Acts 3:20, 21).
15. Is this kingdom being prepared for me personally?
"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17. "To an inheritance incorruptible ... reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:4. "I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2.
Answer: It is prepared for you personally. The invitation from the Lord is to you personally. If rejected, friend, you will have no one to blame but yourself.
16. How can I be assured of a place in that great and glorious kingdom?
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in." Revelation 3:20. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." John 1:12. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.
Answer: The Bible makes it plain. It is simple. Give your life to Christ for cleansing from sin. When you do this, He also gives you power to do His will and keep His commandments. This means, of course, that you will begin to live as Christ lived and will overcome all sin. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things." Revelation 21:7. In short, a person is prepared for heaven when he has heaven in his heart.
17. I have decided to accept Jesus' offer to live with Him forever in His heavenly kingdom.
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. How can heaven be a happy place when the saved think of loved ones who are lost? (Revelation 21:4 )
The Bible says that God will "wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 21:4. Surrounded by the beauty and joys of the new earth, God's redeemed people will forget the tragedies and heartaches of the past; "the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isaiah 65:17.
2. The Bible says, "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 15:50. How, then, can the redeemed be flesh and bones? (1 Corinthians 15:50 )
Here the Bible uses the term "flesh" to describe the unconverted person. A similar thought is expressed in Romans 8:8, 9: "They that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." John 3:6 says, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." The term "flesh" here again refers to the unconverted person, while the term "spirit" refers to the converted or "born again" person. So the Bible is simply saying in 1 Corinthians 15:50 that no one can enter God's kingdom unless conversion first takes place and flesh becomes spirit. Christ, in His resurrected body, declared that He was truly "flesh and bones." Luke 24:39. We shall have a body like His, according to Philippians 3:21.
3. Is the apostle Peter in charge of the gate of the holy city? (Matthew 16:19 )
No! The Bible says in Revelation 21:12 that the new Jerusalem--the holy city of God--has 12 gates, and at the gates are 12 angels. No reference is made in the Bible to any of the apostles as guardians of the gates.
4. Is the holy city really big enough to hold all the saved people of all ages? (Matthew 7:14 )
If the city were to be crowded and each saved person given only 100 square feet of ground space, there would be room for 39 billion people in the city, which is many times the present population of the world. Many statisticians believe that if all the people who have ever lived were saved, there would be plenty of room for them in the city. The Scriptures make it clear, however, that only a few will be saved (Matthew 7:14). So there will be more than enough room in the great city.
5. Sometimes I wonder if the reward is worth the sacrifice. It seems that Satan is about to overwhelm me at times. Does the Bible offer me any encouragement? (Romans 8:18 )
Yes. In fact, the apostle Paul must have been thinking of someone like you when he wrote, "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18. Just one glimpse of that eternal kingdom will cause the worst trials and persecutions of earth to pale into insignificance, and the redeemed will cry out: "Hallelujah, heaven is cheap enough!"
6. Will little babies who die be saved in God's kingdom? (Matthew 2:16-18 )
We do not have a specific Bible answer to this question, but many choose to believe that infants will be saved on the basis of Matthew 2:16-18. There the Bible tells of wicked king Herod slaying all the male babies in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger. The Old Testament foretold this tragic, cruel incident, and God told the mothers to stop crying because their children would one day be restored to them. "Refrain thy voice from weeping, ... they [the slain children] shall come again from the land of the enemy. ... Thy children shall come again to their own border." Jeremiah 31:16, 17. This is an obvious reference to the resurrection.
7. Do I understand correctly that heaven, the home of the saved, will be right here on this earth? (Revelation 21:2,3;22:1,3 )
That is correct. Although the holy city is now in God's dwelling place, He is going to move it to this earth. Sin and sinners will be destroyed with fire, and the earth will be made new and given to the righteous in all of its Edenic glory and beauty. The holy city will be the capital of the new earth, and God will move His throne here (Revelation 21:2, 3; 22:1, 3) and live with the righteous right here on this earth throughout eternity. And where the Lord abides, that is heaven. God's plan is to restore to man what Adam lost: the glories of a perfect life on a perfect planet. Satan and sin interrupted God's plan, but the plan will be carried out. We can all share in this new kingdom--and we must! It's too much to miss.
8. Why do so many teach and believe that the home of the saved is a misty place with ghostlike inhabitants who float on clouds and do nothing but play harps? (John 8:44 )
This teaching originated with the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44). He is anxious to distort God's loving plan and present heaven as an unreal, "spooky" place so people will lose interest or become skeptical of God's Word altogether. Satan well knows that when men and women fully understand the Bible truth regarding the home of the saved, his power over them is broken, because they will begin making plans to enter that kingdom. This is why he works so hard to becloud the issue and spread falsehood regarding that heavenly home.
Quiz Questions
1. The holy city in space (1)
___ Is not literal, but simply an allegory.
___ Is a literal city being prepared now by God in His dwelling place.
___ Does not exist except in the minds of some people.
2. This holy city (1)
___ Will be destroyed by a nuclear explosion.
___ Will be captured by Satan and his host.
___ Will descend to this earth and become the capital for the earth made new.
3. In the following list, check the true Bible facts regarding the holy city: (7)
___ It is called the new Jerusalem.
___ It is about the size of London.
___ Its walls are of topaz.
___ The city is as long as it is wide.
___ The streets are of pure gold.
___ The city has 14 foundations.
___ The apostle Peter stands at its gate.
___ Each of its 12 gates is made of one pearl.
___ Its perimeter is 1,500 miles.
4. The tree of life (1)
___ Is a real tree that will impart eternal vigor and youth to God's people.
___ Is a figure of speech and means only that God will give His people strength.
___ Existed in the beginning but will not be included in the new-earth kingdom.
5. In the following list, check all items that are true Bible promises to people in God's new kingdom: (5)
___ The Lord will perform marriages daily.
___ The tree of life bears 20 kinds of fruit.
___ The Lord Himself will live with His people.
___ After a million years, the saints will become bored.
___ There will be no more death or sorrow.
___ People will never get tired.
___ The lame will be carried around by angels.
___ Angels will be the doctors and perform all operations.
___ The blind will receive sight.
6. Check the statements below that tell the truth about the new earth: (6)
___ The seas of today will be no more.
___ The deserts will be larger.
___ Animals will be kept in lovely heavenly cages.
___ Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods will not be known.
___ Cigarette butts will be carefully removed from the streets daily by the angels.
___ Flowers and trees will not wilt or fade.
___ Heaven will be right here on earth.
___ Sin will not arise a second time.
___ The glories of it all cannot be described.
7. The righteous in the heavenly kingdom (1)
___ Will be ghosts who play harps and float on clouds.
___ Will not know other loved ones and friends who may be there.
___ Will have real bodies of flesh and bones and will know each other.
8. We know that people in heaven will be real and will do real things because (1)
___ Science has proved this conclusively.
___ The Bible says we will be like Christ, who was real (had flesh and bones) after His resurrection and did real things.
___ Many preachers say this is so.
9. I can be sure of a place in that heavenly kingdom if I (1)
___ Say daily that I love the Lord.
___ Am fearful enough of hell.
___ Accept and follow Christ and keep His commandments.
10. What will the saved do in the heavenly kingdom? Check the true Bible facts listed below: (5)
___ Build houses and live in them.
___ Plant vineyards.
___ Kill animals and eat them.
___ Play heavenly instruments and sing praises to God.
___ Worship before God's throne.
___ Fly past hell and taunt the lost.
___ Eat of the tree of life.
1. Who is the architect and builder of this space city?
"Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." Hebrews 11:16.
Answer: The Bible declares that God is building a great city for His people. And this city is as real and literal as any you have ever known.
2. Where is this amazing city that God is preparing?
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven." Revelation 21:2. "O Lord my God ... hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place." 1 Kings 8:28-30.
Answer: This great city that is being constructed is, at this moment, in far outer space in God's dwelling place, which is called heaven.
3. How do the Scriptures describe this amazing space city?
Answer:
(A) SIZE
"The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs." Revelation 21:16. The city is perfectly square. Its perimeter is 12,000 furlongs, or 1,500 miles (a furlong is 1/8 mile). It is 375 miles long on each side.
(B) NAME
The city is called "new Jerusalem" in Revelation 21:2.
(C) WALLS
The city's jasper walls are nearly 20 stories tall.
"And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits. ... And the building of the wall of it was of jasper." Revelation 21:17, 18. A wall 144 cubits, or 216 feet high (a cubit is 18 inches), surrounds the city. The wall is made of solid jasper, with radiance and beauty beyond description. Think of it! Nearly 20 stories high and solid jasper!
(D) GATES
Each city gate is made of one solid pearl.
"And had twelve gates ... On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates." And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl." Revelation 21:12, 13, 21. The city has 12 gates—three on each side—each one made of a single pearl.
(E) FOUNDATIONS
"The wall of the city had twelve foundations ... garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst." Revelation 21:14-20. The city has 12 full, complete foundations—each one made of precious stone. Every color of the rainbow will be represented, so at a distance the city will no doubt appear to be resting upon a rainbow.
(F) STREETS
The city streets will be pure gold--reflecting heaven's glories as a mirror.
"The street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." Revelation 21:21.
(G) APPEARANCE
"The holy city, ... prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." "Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." "The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal [proportionate]." Revelation 21:2, 11, 16. The city, with all of its precious stones, gold, and shimmering beauty, will be lighted with the glory of God. In its breathtaking majesty and purity it is compared to "a bride adorned for her husband."
4. What phenomenal feature of this majestic city assures every citizen eternal vigor and youth?
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Revelation 22:2. "Take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever." Genesis 3:22.
Answer: The tree of life, which bears 12 kinds of fruit (and is in the middle of the city--Revelation 2:7), brings unending life and youth to all who partake of it. Even its leaves will contain marvelous sustaining qualities. This tree will yield a new crop of fruit each month.
5. Is it true that this amazing city will descend to this earth?
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5. "The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth." Proverbs 11:31.
Answer: Yes, the majestic holy city will come down to this earth to become the capital of the earth made new. All the righteous will have a home in this city.
6. What will happen to sin and sinners?
"All the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up." Malachi 4:1. "Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Revelation 20:9. "The elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10. "Ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet." Malachi 4:3. "Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13.
Answer: God will destroy all sin and sinners with fire. This fire will melt the earth and turn everything into ashes. Then God will make a perfect new earth, and the holy city will be its capital. Here the righteous will live in joy, peace, and holiness throughout eternity. God promises that sin will not rise up again. See Nahum 1:9.
7. What refreshing, thrilling promises does God make to the people who enter His new kingdom?
Answer:
A. The Lord, in person, will live with them (Revelation 21:3).
B. They will never become bored. There will be pleasures forevermore (Psalms 16:11).
C. There will be no more death, pain, tears, sorrow, sickness, hospitals, operations, tragedy, disappointment, trouble, hunger, or thirst (Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 22:3; Isaiah 65:23; Revelation 7:16).
D. They will not get tired (Isaiah 40:31).
E. Every saved person will be physically whole in every way. The deaf will hear, the blind will see, the dumb will sing, and the lame will be able to run (Isaiah 35:5, 6; Philippians 3:21).
There will be no use for crutches and wheelchairs in heaven.
F. Jealousy, fear, hatred, falsehood, envy, impurity, cynicism, filth, worry, and all evil will be forever shut out of God's kingdom (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15). People will no longer be burdened with the worries and the cares that drive them to distraction. There will be no more nervous breakdowns. Time will become eternity, and the pressures and deadlines of earth will be gone forever.
8. How will the new earth differ from our earth today?
Answer:
A. Vast seas as we know them today will be gone (Revelation 21:1). The oceans and seas cover three-fourths of the earth's surface today. This will not be the case in God's new kingdom. The whole world will be one huge garden of unsurpassed beauty, interspersed with lakes, rivers, and mountains (Revelation 22:1; Acts 3:20, 21).
B. The deserts will become gardens (Isaiah 35:1, 2).
C. The animals will all be tame. None will prey upon others, and a little child will lead them (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25). Children will safely play with lions in the earth made new.
D. There will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3).
E. There will be no more violence of any kind (Isaiah 60:18). This precludes crime, storms, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, injury, etc. There will be no more natural disasters in the new earth.
F. Nothing defiling will be found in the new earth (Revelation 21:27). There will be no cigarette butts, tobacco juice, drunkards, taverns, alcoholic beverages, brothels, lewd pictures, or any other wickedness or impurity of any kind.
9. Will there be children in God's kingdom? If so, will they grow up?
"And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof." Zechariah 8:5. "And ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Malachi 4:2.
Answer: Yes, there will be many boys and girls in the holy city (Isaiah 11:6-9), and these youngsters will grow up (Malachi 4:2). We have degenerated much in stature, intellect, and vitality since Adam, but all of this will be restored (Acts 3:20, 21).
10. When reunited with loved ones in heaven, will the saved know each other?
"Then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12.
Answer: The Bible clearly teaches that righteous loved ones who have died will be raised to join the righteous living in God's kingdom (Isaiah 26:19; Jeremiah 31:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). And the Scriptures also teach that people in God's new kingdom will know each other, just as people recognize each other on the earth today.
11. Will people in heaven be real, with flesh and bones?
"Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." "And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and ... while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Luke 24:36-39, 41-43, 50, 51. "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11. "The Lord Jesus Christ ... shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." Philippians 3:20, 21.
Answer: After His resurrection, Jesus proved to His desciples that He was flesh and bones by having them feel Him and by eating food. This same Jesus of flesh and bones ascended to His Father and will come again to the earth. The righteous will be given bodies just like the body of Christ and will be real people with flesh and bones throughout eternity. The difference will be that the heavenly body will not be subject to death, decay, or deterioration. The teaching that the saved in heaven will be ghosts who float on mist clouds and do nothing but play harps has no foundation in the Scriptures. Jesus did not die on the cross to provide any such trivial and foolish future for those who accept His love and nobly follow His way of life. Most people have no interest in such an ethereal existence and, therefore, have little or no desire to enter God's heavenly kingdom--often preferring it only because they fear hell. If only all people everywhere could learn the truth about God's holy city and new earth, millions would begin to understand His love and would turn to Him with all their hearts. A person who misses out on God's kingdom has made the supreme blunder of a lifetime.
12. How will the righteous spend their time in the heavenly kingdom?
"They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: ... mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Isaiah 65:21, 22.
Answer: The righteous will build their own homes in the new earth. (Each will also have a city mansion built by Christ--John 14:1-3.) They will plant vineyards and eat the fruit from them. The Bible is plain. Real people do real things in heaven, and they will thoroughly enjoy it all.
13. In what other thrilling activites will the redeemed participate in?
Answer:
A. Sing and play heavenly music (Isaiah 35:10; 51:11; Psalms 87:7; Revelation 14:2, 3).
B. Worship before God's throne every Sabbath (Isaiah 66:22, 23).
C. Enjoy never-fading flowers and trees (Ezekiel 47:12; Isaiah 35:1, 2).
D. Visit with loved ones, patriarchs, prophets, etc. (Matthew 8:11; Revelation 7:9-17).
Heaven will bring us the privilege of becoming friends with Bible patriarchs and prophets.
E. Study the animals of heaven (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25).
F. Travel and explore without ever becoming weary (Isaiah 40:31).
G. Listen to God sing (Zephaniah 3:17).
H. Realize fondest ambitions (Psalms 37:3, 4; Isaiah 65:24).
I. Greatest joy of all--the privilege of being like Jesus, traveling with Him, and seeing Him face to face (Revelation 14:4; 22:4; 21:3; 1 John 3:2).
14. Can feeble human language really describe the glories of the heavenly home?
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Answer: Not even in its wildest dreams can the heart of man begin to comprehend the marvels of God's eternal kingdom. All that Adam lost will be restored (Acts 3:20, 21).
15. Is this kingdom being prepared for me personally?
"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17. "To an inheritance incorruptible ... reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:4. "I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2.
Answer: It is prepared for you personally. The invitation from the Lord is to you personally. If rejected, friend, you will have no one to blame but yourself.
16. How can I be assured of a place in that great and glorious kingdom?
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in." Revelation 3:20. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." John 1:12. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.
Answer: The Bible makes it plain. It is simple. Give your life to Christ for cleansing from sin. When you do this, He also gives you power to do His will and keep His commandments. This means, of course, that you will begin to live as Christ lived and will overcome all sin. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things." Revelation 21:7. In short, a person is prepared for heaven when he has heaven in his heart.
17. I have decided to accept Jesus' offer to live with Him forever in His heavenly kingdom.
Answer:
Thought Questions
1. How can heaven be a happy place when the saved think of loved ones who are lost? (Revelation 21:4 )
The Bible says that God will "wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 21:4. Surrounded by the beauty and joys of the new earth, God's redeemed people will forget the tragedies and heartaches of the past; "the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isaiah 65:17.
2. The Bible says, "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 15:50. How, then, can the redeemed be flesh and bones? (1 Corinthians 15:50 )
Here the Bible uses the term "flesh" to describe the unconverted person. A similar thought is expressed in Romans 8:8, 9: "They that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." John 3:6 says, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." The term "flesh" here again refers to the unconverted person, while the term "spirit" refers to the converted or "born again" person. So the Bible is simply saying in 1 Corinthians 15:50 that no one can enter God's kingdom unless conversion first takes place and flesh becomes spirit. Christ, in His resurrected body, declared that He was truly "flesh and bones." Luke 24:39. We shall have a body like His, according to Philippians 3:21.
3. Is the apostle Peter in charge of the gate of the holy city? (Matthew 16:19 )
No! The Bible says in Revelation 21:12 that the new Jerusalem--the holy city of God--has 12 gates, and at the gates are 12 angels. No reference is made in the Bible to any of the apostles as guardians of the gates.
4. Is the holy city really big enough to hold all the saved people of all ages? (Matthew 7:14 )
If the city were to be crowded and each saved person given only 100 square feet of ground space, there would be room for 39 billion people in the city, which is many times the present population of the world. Many statisticians believe that if all the people who have ever lived were saved, there would be plenty of room for them in the city. The Scriptures make it clear, however, that only a few will be saved (Matthew 7:14). So there will be more than enough room in the great city.
5. Sometimes I wonder if the reward is worth the sacrifice. It seems that Satan is about to overwhelm me at times. Does the Bible offer me any encouragement? (Romans 8:18 )
Yes. In fact, the apostle Paul must have been thinking of someone like you when he wrote, "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18. Just one glimpse of that eternal kingdom will cause the worst trials and persecutions of earth to pale into insignificance, and the redeemed will cry out: "Hallelujah, heaven is cheap enough!"
6. Will little babies who die be saved in God's kingdom? (Matthew 2:16-18 )
We do not have a specific Bible answer to this question, but many choose to believe that infants will be saved on the basis of Matthew 2:16-18. There the Bible tells of wicked king Herod slaying all the male babies in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger. The Old Testament foretold this tragic, cruel incident, and God told the mothers to stop crying because their children would one day be restored to them. "Refrain thy voice from weeping, ... they [the slain children] shall come again from the land of the enemy. ... Thy children shall come again to their own border." Jeremiah 31:16, 17. This is an obvious reference to the resurrection.
7. Do I understand correctly that heaven, the home of the saved, will be right here on this earth? (Revelation 21:2,3;22:1,3 )
That is correct. Although the holy city is now in God's dwelling place, He is going to move it to this earth. Sin and sinners will be destroyed with fire, and the earth will be made new and given to the righteous in all of its Edenic glory and beauty. The holy city will be the capital of the new earth, and God will move His throne here (Revelation 21:2, 3; 22:1, 3) and live with the righteous right here on this earth throughout eternity. And where the Lord abides, that is heaven. God's plan is to restore to man what Adam lost: the glories of a perfect life on a perfect planet. Satan and sin interrupted God's plan, but the plan will be carried out. We can all share in this new kingdom--and we must! It's too much to miss.
8. Why do so many teach and believe that the home of the saved is a misty place with ghostlike inhabitants who float on clouds and do nothing but play harps? (John 8:44 )
This teaching originated with the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44). He is anxious to distort God's loving plan and present heaven as an unreal, "spooky" place so people will lose interest or become skeptical of God's Word altogether. Satan well knows that when men and women fully understand the Bible truth regarding the home of the saved, his power over them is broken, because they will begin making plans to enter that kingdom. This is why he works so hard to becloud the issue and spread falsehood regarding that heavenly home.
Quiz Questions
1. The holy city in space (1)
___ Is not literal, but simply an allegory.
___ Is a literal city being prepared now by God in His dwelling place.
___ Does not exist except in the minds of some people.
2. This holy city (1)
___ Will be destroyed by a nuclear explosion.
___ Will be captured by Satan and his host.
___ Will descend to this earth and become the capital for the earth made new.
3. In the following list, check the true Bible facts regarding the holy city: (7)
___ It is called the new Jerusalem.
___ It is about the size of London.
___ Its walls are of topaz.
___ The city is as long as it is wide.
___ The streets are of pure gold.
___ The city has 14 foundations.
___ The apostle Peter stands at its gate.
___ Each of its 12 gates is made of one pearl.
___ Its perimeter is 1,500 miles.
4. The tree of life (1)
___ Is a real tree that will impart eternal vigor and youth to God's people.
___ Is a figure of speech and means only that God will give His people strength.
___ Existed in the beginning but will not be included in the new-earth kingdom.
5. In the following list, check all items that are true Bible promises to people in God's new kingdom: (5)
___ The Lord will perform marriages daily.
___ The tree of life bears 20 kinds of fruit.
___ The Lord Himself will live with His people.
___ After a million years, the saints will become bored.
___ There will be no more death or sorrow.
___ People will never get tired.
___ The lame will be carried around by angels.
___ Angels will be the doctors and perform all operations.
___ The blind will receive sight.
6. Check the statements below that tell the truth about the new earth: (6)
___ The seas of today will be no more.
___ The deserts will be larger.
___ Animals will be kept in lovely heavenly cages.
___ Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods will not be known.
___ Cigarette butts will be carefully removed from the streets daily by the angels.
___ Flowers and trees will not wilt or fade.
___ Heaven will be right here on earth.
___ Sin will not arise a second time.
___ The glories of it all cannot be described.
7. The righteous in the heavenly kingdom (1)
___ Will be ghosts who play harps and float on clouds.
___ Will not know other loved ones and friends who may be there.
___ Will have real bodies of flesh and bones and will know each other.
8. We know that people in heaven will be real and will do real things because (1)
___ Science has proved this conclusively.
___ The Bible says we will be like Christ, who was real (had flesh and bones) after His resurrection and did real things.
___ Many preachers say this is so.
9. I can be sure of a place in that heavenly kingdom if I (1)
___ Say daily that I love the Lord.
___ Am fearful enough of hell.
___ Accept and follow Christ and keep His commandments.
10. What will the saved do in the heavenly kingdom? Check the true Bible facts listed below: (5)
___ Build houses and live in them.
___ Plant vineyards.
___ Kill animals and eat them.
___ Play heavenly instruments and sing praises to God.
___ Worship before God's throne.
___ Fly past hell and taunt the lost.
___ Eat of the tree of life.
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