If you missed this presentation on Sunday 27th July see below for links to watch one or more of these presentations online.

Also at:

Wakefield House Community Centre, 65 Acre Ave, Morphett Vale at 6:00 pm

Johnstone Park Combined Club Rooms, Johnstone Park, Adelaide Rd at 2:00 pm

Some of these venues have video recordings available use one or more of the links below:

Aberfoyle Park Link; https://www.youtube.com/@aberfoyleparkchristadelphi1518/featured

Warradale; Link; https://www.youtube.com/@brightonecclesia8406/streams

Colonel Light Gardens; Link https://www.youtube.com/@CumberlandEcclesia/streams

Clearview; Link https://biblediscoverychannel.com/live-viewer/

Oakden; Link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzrp_ne1D4VeJCW5bB_i-Hw

Henley Beach; Link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRTywBeNt_ZjWZ8jZnW61A

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. Do angels exist?
2. Who are the angels and what do they do?
3. What work will the angels perform in the future?
4. Can angels help me now?

1. DO ANGELS EXIST?

The Bible is God’s message to mankind. Only when we believe this will we treasure what it tells us about angels. True, we cannot now see the angels at work, but the Bible tells us, “the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

This is what the Bible tells us about angels:

• God created angels before He formed the world as we know it. He asked Job “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? … when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7).
• “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7)
• “Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word” (Psalm 103:20).
• Jesus Christ, the Son of God said, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions (72,000) of angels?” (Matthew26:53).

Yes angels do exist!

2. WHO ARE THE ANGELS AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

The word ‘angel’ means ‘messenger’. Nearly always it applies to God’s immortal angels, but sometimes it refers to human beings. However, supernatural deeds can only be performed by God’s immortal angels. They do not need wings to move between heaven and earth, being empowered by the spirit of God. Angels perform many duties on God’s behalf. They do so because God, the great Creator, does not personally interact with sinful human beings. He “dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16).

God’s angels:

• Bear His name and work on His behalf. They gave man a form like their own, when man was created: “Let us make man in our image after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). That is why “some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).
• Are powerful beings called ‘elohim’, the original Hebrew word translated “heavenly beings” in Psalm 8:5. It means “mighty ones” who represent God.
• Are immortal beings, and are therefore greater than mortal (dying) human beings (Psalm 8:4,5; Luke 20:35,36).
• Have appeared personally on God’s behalf in both Old and New Testament times. Three angels helped Abraham (Genesis 18), one blessed Jacob (Genesis 32) and another led Israel in the wilderness journey to the Promised Land (Exodus 23:20,21).
• They also comforted and supported Jesus in times of intense trials in the wilderness and in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43).
• Delivered God’s message to human beings.

The words angels have spoken down the years are vitally important for us today. The y have told us great truths about God’s future plans for the world. We shall be wise if we listen to their words and act upon them.

Consider the words spoken by the angel Gabriel to Mary. He told her that Jesus would be conceived by God’s Holy Spirit; also that Jesus “will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32,33).

An angel appeared to shepherds when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He said “unto you is born this day … a Savior, who is Christ the Lord … and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God” (Luke 2:9-13).

What wonderful messages! Jesus is the Saviour of Mankind, and he is coming to be king of the world.

3. WHAT WORK WILL ANGELS PERFORM IN THE FUTURE?

The angels will carry out many important duties when Jesus returns to the earth. Consider these verses:

• People “will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels … and they will gather his elect from the four winds” (Matthew 24:30,31).
• :When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne” (Matthew 25:31; see also 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
• “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven … with the voice of an archangel … And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This resurrection from the dead, in which angels will be involved, had already been foretold in the Old Testament: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). Jesus himself also said. “everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40)
• “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8). From their creation, the angels have been with God, doing His work and speaking His words. It is fitting that they will be present at the Judgement Seat of Christ, when he returns to “judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1). The angels will rejoice to see everlasting life being given to those who have listened to and believed their words.

Their work does not end there. The Bible tells us:

• “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom … all law-breakers … Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:41-43). The angels will be working on God’s behalf in His kingdom. The question is, will you be there to see them, and to help Jesus as one of his saints in the kingdom of God?

4. CAN ANGELS HELP ME NOW?

They have already helped you! Messages given through angels, of which you have just read, can lead you personally towards the kingdom of God and everlasting life. That is, provided you believe that angels exist and accept their teachings. If your heart is touched by spiritual truths, you will “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). If you do, this will lead to present blessings, and later, everlasting life.

We no longer need to see angels. The Bible tells us we need to know about salvation. When we believe, faith becomes our bedrock for living. It will guide us for the rest of our lives. Although we do not see angels, remember God’s promise, “the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them”. Angels are “all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).

As you now know, angels are powerful, immortal beings. They do God’s will and care for His people. Yet Jesus himself, after his resurrection, became “much superior to angels”. He now sits at God’s right hand in heaven (Hebrews 1:4,13). His faithful followers will also enjoy a greater position than the angels in the kingdom of God.

What more can you possibly want? God offers you blessings and contentment now, and everlasting life in the age to come. Grasp with both hands what God offers you. Then you will be able to say with all your heart, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

All Bible quotations taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise stated.

If you missed this presentation on Sunday 27th July see below for links to watch one or more of these presentations online.

Also at:

Wakefield House Community Centre, 65 Acre Ave, Morphett Vale at 6:00 pm

Johnstone Park Combined Club Rooms, Johnstone Park, Adelaide Rd at 2:00 pm

Some of these venues have video recordings available use one or more of the links below:

Aberfoyle Park Link; https://www.youtube.com/@aberfoyleparkchristadelphi1518/featured

Warradale; Link; https://www.youtube.com/@brightonecclesia8406/streams

Colonel Light Gardens; Link https://www.youtube.com/@CumberlandEcclesia/streams

Clearview; Link https://biblediscoverychannel.com/live-viewer/

Oakden; Link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzrp_ne1D4VeJCW5bB_i-Hw

Henley Beach; Link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRTywBeNt_ZjWZ8jZnW61A

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. What is wrong with our world?
2. Why is the world in such a mess?
3. Does God really have a plan for the world?
4. Does God have a plan for you?

 1. What is wrong with our world?

If you don’t agree that we have problems, you have been living on another planet! A police chief in the USA said: “There is no self-discipline. It’s total indulgence. There is lack of respect for law and values.”

That’s a fair summary.

• From lack of discipline has come corruption, immorality, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, hijacking, kidnapping, theft, child abuse, homosexuality, rape and murder.
• Moral decline has also led to discontent, escapism, selfishness and an increase in suicides.

Societies and economies are falling apart. While the world population is growing by over fifty million people a year, more than 10,000 children under the age of five are dying each day from starvation and disease. Mankind, left to itself, has a bleak future. It is a very sad story.

 2. Why is the world in such a mess?

Lack of faith in God and obedience to His laws have brought these great evils. From the beginning, man chose his own way, instead of God’s way. Adam sinned, he disobeyed God, and we, his ‘children’, have sinned ever since.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was sinless. Listen to what he says: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19, New International Version). That’s a terrible, but accurate, list. The apostle James adds: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1).

Let’s face it. Man, without God, is in a hopeless, desperate condition. Human nature needs changing. But don’t despair: when God sends Jesus Christ back to the earth, things are going to get better–much better.

3. Does God really have a plan for the world?

He certainly does! The Bible, His book, tells us all about it. Ask yourself: “What does the world need?” Compare your ideas with these: a world ruler–peace–no starvation–good health–no corrupt leaders–freedom from fear and oppression–a common language–no arms race–just laws–help for the poor and homeless–no pollution. And, most importantly, the world needs God’s laws to be known, understood and obeyed.

God has promised to achieve all of these ideals, through Jesus Christ and his faithful, immortal helpers. The Bible has a phrase for such a time of blessing:

“THE KINGDOM OF GOD”

This is God’s plan. At a time of great trouble, soon to come on the earth, people “will see the Son of man (Jesus) coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). He is coming to fulfill the promise made to Mary at his birth: “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:33).

Yes, Jesus is coming to be king of the Jews. But, not of the Jews only. He is to be King of the whole world. God never breaks His promises. He promised Jesus: “I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8). “All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him” (Psalm 72:11). No, there’s no getting away from it: Jesus will be “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).

It will be a time of great blessing for the people who survive God’s judgement of the world and live in the Kingdom age. They will enjoy good health, a peaceful life and will learn of God’s ways (Isaiah 35). “At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honour the name of the LORD” (Jeremiah 3:17).

There are two other wonderful facts about God’s choice of His Son, Jesus, as king.

• First, he is the perfect man for the job. Think of his character: he was sinless, uncorruptible, loving, gracious, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of the weak. He was also brave, mentally strong and just. He had the power and authority of God at his command. As king of the world, he will need all of those qualities to rule the nations.
• Second, because he lived a perfect life on earth, always doing his Father’s will, after his death, “God raised him from the dead” (Acts 2:24) and made him immortal. The world will never need another ruler! He will rule until all God’s enemies are destroyed. Finally, he will destroy the curse of death itself (1 Corinthians 15:25,26).

 4. Does God have a plan for you?

Yes, He does! No doubt you have a plan for this life. Perhaps it includes

1. getting married and having a family;
2. holding a good job;
3. enjoying sedurity and
4. early retirement.

For many people, these are desirable goals. However, they do not compare with the plan that God has for those who faithfully believe, trust and obey Him now. These are some of God’s promises:

1. When Jesus comes to raise the dead and judge the world, he will give everlasting life to those who have loved and obeyed God. As Paul says, Jesus “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).
2. Those who are blessed with everlasting life will reign with Jesus over God’s Kingdom and help him establish God’s laws throughout the earth.
3. The redeemed will help Jesus to rule the nations for the whole of the Kingdom period, for “they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).
4. God’s faithful ones (his redeemed) will never die. After the second resurrection at the end of the thousand years, all God’s chosen will live for ever in His Kingdom. God will be “all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).

GOD’S CONDITIONS

How does God’s plan for His servants compare with your own? Is it bigger and greater? Surely it is! And, it is everlasting. Even if your plan is successful, it won’t last long. You must face the unpleasant fact that you are mortal.

God has a plan for you. Do you want to live for ever, in God’s new world? You can do; but you need to do something about it. Are you willing to obey Him now? Jesus says, “Follow me“, and, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).

God has promised: “Whosoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Jesus says that when he comes in his Father’s glory, he will “reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27).

For God’s loved ones, the day is coming when “the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people … He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4,5).

God does not want you to miss that day!

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. Why do people die?
2. Why did Jesus die?
3. What must I do to be saved from death–and how does this depend on the death of Jesus Christ?

We must turn to our Creator if we want to understand the great truths about life and death. God answers our questions in His word, the Bible.

1. Why do People die?

Adam was created when “the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Eve, who became Adam’s wife, was created when “God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man” (Genesis 2:21,22).

From the beginning, God gave the man and woman ‘free will’. They could choose between obedience to God’s command or disobedience (sin). God could have made Adam and Eve obey him. But how would that have given God pleasure? Human parents are happy when their children love them and choose to obey them. God works in exactly  the same way with us, His children. He wants each of us to choose to obey Him because we love Him. That is why God gave Adam and Eve free will.

After placing Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God gave them very clear instructions: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:7). Sadly, Eve was tempted. She ate the fruit of that tree and persuaded Adam also to eat. They had broken God’s commandment. Soon they learned a vital lesson: God keeps His word. The terrible result of disobedience by Adam was, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food, until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return” (Genesis  3:19).

Adam was condemned to death. This is why people die. As the human race descended from one man, Adam, we have inherited his nature. We are all mortal–which is simply a word of Latin origin that means “deathful”. The plain truth is expressed in the Letter to the Romans: “As sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death came to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12); “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23); and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

So the Bible teaches us that not only have we inherited a mortal nature from Adam, but like him we have disobeyed God; we have sinned and so deserve this condemnation from God.

2. Why did Jesus die?

The Bible teaches us that God is a consistent God who is always true to His word. Death came upon all men because of Sin and every time we attend a funeral service we pay witness to this fact. There is nothing we can do by ourselves to overcome the sentence of death. But God is also a merciful God who does not want people to perish, but to share eternal life with Him in His kingdom. It was the life and death of Jesus Christ which made this possible. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son: he came to save people from sin and death.

Jesus was the Son of God but he had a human mother, Mary. From her he inherited a similar nature to ours. He was tempted to disobey God–to sin. But because he loved his Father so much and respected the words and commandments of God, he never gave in to temptation and died sinless, the only man ever to achieve this. What was broken by Adam was healed by Jesus’ victory over sin and death–Jesus died to save people from their sins. Such was the love of Jesus for his Father, and us, that he willingly made the ultimate sacrifice. He suffered an agonizing death upon a cross. He was willing to lay down his life for his friends. He was perfect.

Many Bible passages prove the truth of these statements:

1 Peter 1:18,19–“It was not with perishable things that you were redeemed … but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Hebrews 9:26–Jesus “appeared once for all … to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

1 Peter 3:18–” Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

1 Thessalonians 5:10–“He died for us so that … we may live together with him.”

No wonder God said, “This is my Son, whom I love: with him I am well pleased. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). It helps us to understand why Peter says, “Salvation is found in no-one else. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Because Jesus was sinless, he did not remain in the grave. God brought him back to life again after 3 days and gave him immortal life.

This victory of Jesus over sin and death and his resurrection from the dead are the most important events in world history. God has promised that all who believe in Jesus as their Saviour and follow his example in their lives can share his victory. They too will be changed from mortal people to immortal beings. They will be made like Christ. This will happen when he returns to the earth to establish God’s kingdom.

3. What must I do to be saved?

We must start by being completely honest with ourselves. We need to acknowledge to God in prayer that we can do nothing to save ourselves. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus taught his disciples, “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:2). Being “poor in spirit” means being humble, knowing our need of God and His forgiveness.

We then need to understand how God can save us from our sins through His Son. This can only come from a prayerful reading and thinking about the Bible, the word of God. The knowledge we gain must touch our hearts so that we really want to become people like Jesus. If this happens to us then we must be baptized in water as a sign that we truly accept his life and death as the way in which we can be saved. Jesus told us that this is an essential step for true disciples (Mark 16:16). Finally we need to live lives as faithful disciples of Jesus–following his pattern of behaviour in all we do.

If we do these things, when Jesus returns he will greet us with the wonderful words, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. Is Jesus part of the Godhead?
2. Did Jesus live in heaven before he was born?

1. IS JESUS PART OF THE GODHEAD?

The relationship between God and Jesus has puzzled many people down the centuries.

If it can be shown from the Bible that Jesus is not part of God, it will go a long way to answering the main question posed in this article; “When did Jesus first exist?” If Jesus is not ‘God’, then he could not have been in heaven before he was born, any more than we were in heaven before we were born.

1. Listen to the angel Gabriel, speaking to Mary. “Mary … you will conceive in your womb and bear a son … Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne  of his father David … the power of the Most High will overshadow you, therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God” (Luke 1:30-35).

Note these points:

• God was to be the child’s father, Mary his mother. In a very real sense, he was to be the Son of God. The Bible never refers to Jesus as ‘God the Son’.
• God is to give him the throne of David. Jesus cannot therefore, be co-equal with God, as he receives this blessing from him.
• Do you know of any son who is as old as his father? It is impossible. A father always exists before his son. Jesus cannot be co-eternal with God.

2. Listen to Jesus himself: “The Father is greater than I” (John 14:28). Not only sre God and Jesus separate beings, father and son, But God is Greater. Jesus said so! They cannot be equal.

3. Listen to the New Testament writers: The Apostle John said “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared Him” (John 1:17,18). Jesus is God’s only son, totally in tune with God’s spiritual ways. Because of this he is “in the bosom of the Father”. Nobody can be in their own bosom.

The Apostle Paul said, “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Could anything be more simply stated?

Some will claim that Jesus was only a man during his ‘time on earth’. They claim that Jesus reverted to being God after he went to heaven. But Paul told us that he is a mediator, and a man, now. Jesus also said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). God has given and Jesus is the man who has received. How can they be equal, and the same being? Peter said, after the resurrection of Jesus, “This Jesus, God raised up”. He now sits “exalted at the right hand of God” (Acts 2:32-36). Moreover, Jesus is to sit at God’s right hand until God sends him back to the earth to be king of the world (Acts 3:19-21). That is the future for Jesus.

Paul confirms that God “will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed” (Acts 17:30-32). God’s ultimate purpose is to abolish death. Even then, “the Son himself will also be subjected to him” 1 Corinthians 15:28).

Even in eternity, God is still the supreme father and Jesus the glorious son. The wonderful vision seen in Revelation 5:11-14 clearly states “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb (Jesus) be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

John said that those who abide in the teaching of Jesus have both the Father and the Son (2 John verse 9). The “Father” and the “Son” are distinct beings, with different roles to play in saving those who keep God’s word.

2. DID JESUS LIVE IN HEAVEN BEFORE HE WAS BORN?

We have already seen that Jesus is not God. Therefore he could not have existed before he was born.

As we look at a few scriptures which need careful thought to understand, we must keep in mind these two passages:

1. Acts 15:18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works” (NKJV)
2. Romans 4:17 “God … calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (NKJV)

Future events in God’s plan are so certain, that God can speak about them as though they have already happened. Because of this, some Bible passages can be read as though Jesus existed before he was born.

However God spoke about other people in exactly the same way. Jeremiah tells us that God said to him “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

We don’t believe Jeremiah was in heaven before he was born. He was in God’s plan. Therefore God spoke of knowing Jeremiah before he was born. He was in God’s mind, but did not exist in reality until his birth.

Paul tells us that both he and other Christians in his day existed in God’s mind before he created mankind. “he chose us in him before the foundation of the world … he predestinated us” (Ephesians 1:4-5). Exactly so. God knew from the beginning what he was going to do. But neither Paul, nor believers, actually existed before they were born.

The same is true of Jesus. He also was in the mind of God from the very beginning. However, Peter draws a distinction between Jesus being in the mind and purpose of God, and his existence later as a real person. Peter tells us that Jesus redeems us with his “precious blood”. He “was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake” (1 Peter 1:19-20). Peter tells us the simple truth. God knew all about the work he had in mind for Jesus before he even created Adam. Jesus was “foreknown”, but he did not exist in reality before he was born to Mary in Bethlehem.

Paul also tells us that, “God sent forth his Son” only when “the fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Hebrews states the teaching yet again: “God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Jesus, “sent” by God

Jesus tells us that he was sent by God: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me” (John 4:34).

Many people assume from statements like these, that Jesus must have been with God in heaven before he was born. We need to be aware that God spoke of Old Testament prophets being sent to deliver his message (2 Chronicles 36:15). In New Testament times, God sent John the Baptist. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John” (John 1:6).

Nobody claims that John the Baptist was in heaven before he was “sent”. Neither was Jesus. They both spoke God’s words to the people during their lifetimes.

Jesus said “I have come down from heaven” (John 6:38). How are we to understand this verse? In the same way we do when the Bible tells us that bread came down from heaven. Jesus said that God “gave them bread (manna) from heaven to eat” (John 6:31). The manna did not physically come down from a literal heaven. Rather, the manna was God-given, as was Jesus.

There are many things we must understand in a spiritual way. For example, John the Baptist said that Jesus was “before me”. He was in the sense of being more important in the purpose of God, great as John was.

Jesus said, “I am from above. You are of the world”. He meant that God was his father, and he reflected God’s mind better than anyone. He showed us God’s character.

Jesus often spoke figuratively when revealing spiritual truths. We must always look at passages carefully if we are to appreciate the profound words of Jesus.

To summarize:

1. The Bible does not say that Jesus was present at creation.
2. The angels, who were created before the foundations of the earth (Job 38:7) never mention Jesus. They would have done, had he existed then.
3. The Old Testament always speaks about the life of Jesus in the future, not in the past.
4. Even in his glorified, immortal state, a) Jesus is spoken of as a man, and b) he is still subject to God, his father.
5. Jesus has always been in the mind of God. He was to be the saviour of the world. He did not exist before his birth. We eagerly await his return to the earth, to establish God’s kingdom.

“I am coming soon. Amen. Come Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

All Bible quotations are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise stated

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. What is heaven?
2. What is hell?
3. How does knowing the truth about heaven and hell help us to understand God’s purpose with mankind?

1. WHAT IS HEAVEN?

The Bible tells us some important facts about heaven:

• “The heaven, even the heavens are the LORD’s; but the earth he has given to the children of men” (Psalm 115:16).
• “Do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne” (Matthew 5:34).
• Jesus Christ, God’s immortal Son, “was taken up into heaven“, but, he will return to the earth (Acts 1:11).
• “No one has ascended to heaven” 9John 3:13).
• “David did not ascend into the heavens … he is both dead and buried” (Acts 2:34,29).

What do we learn from these Bible facts?

1. Heaven is God’s dwelling place, not ours. He does not invite us to join Him in heaven, either before death or afterwards.
2. Heaven is God’s throne. It is true that His redeemed will be “kings and priests”, but, “we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10).

All we have just read fits perfectly with Psalm 115:10. “The earth he has given to the children of men.” What a great day it will be when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD” (Habakkuk 2:14).

3. Because God’s future plan for man relates to the earth, we can understand why Jesus sais, “No one has ascended to heaven”, and why Peter tells us, “David did not ascend into the heavens”.

Why should we go to heaven when we die, when all God’s future plans for His faithful servants will take place on the earth? Peter told the Jews, “times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus Christ … whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things” (Acts 3:19-21). Old Testament prophets spoke about God’s kingdom being restored on the earth. This will happen when Jesus returns to be “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16). Like Jesus, we can pray, “your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10).

2. WHERE IS HELL?

“Hell” is the most misunderstood word in the Bible. Basically, in the Old Testament, it means ‘the grave‘. In the New Testament, “hell” either means “the grave“, or reters to the Valley of Hinnom, a literal, physical valley outside Jerusalem.

The idea that hell is the place to which wicked people go when they die, and burn for ever in fire, cannot be true. Why not? Because the Bible tells us that:

• The best man who ever lived, Jesus Christ, went there when he died.
• Jesus came out of ‘hell‘, when he was raised from the dead.

There is no doubt about those two facts. In Acts 2:26;27, Paul quotes Psalm 16:10 which says, “Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell” (Authorised Version). He said David knew that God “would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne; he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ” (Acts 2:30,31). That must mean Jesus came out of “hell”, when he was raised from the dead.

Not only did Jesus come out of “hell” (the grave), but also he said, “I am he who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades (“hell”, AV), and of death” (Revelation 1:18). Why do we have keys? To unlock doors, Jesus paints a vivid picture of “unlocking the doors” of hell and of death, by raising the dead when he comes (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

We must now ask the question, “Where was the hell to which Jesus went?” We read, “Joseph took the body (of Jesus) … and he laid it in his new tomb” (Matthew 27″57-60). The ‘hell” of Psalm 16:10, to which Jesus went, was a tomb. A tomb is a dark, covered place, just like a grave. In fact, the same Old Testament Hebrew word sheol, translated as “hell” in Psalm 16:10, is translated as “grave” in Psalm 49:15.

The root meaning of both “sheol”, and the New Testament Greek word “hades” is ‘the unseen‘ or ‘the covered place‘. So “hell”, the tomb, the grave and the unseen place, have similar meanings. Truly Jesus rose from “hell”, when he rose from the dead in Joseph’s tomb.

Jesus triumphed over sin and death. Well can David say, “God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave” (Psalm 49:15). Literally, Jesus will raise those responsible to him from “hell”; that is, the grave.

Not once does the word “sheol” refer to everlasting torment for the wicked. Jonah uses “sheol” (“hell”, AV) to tell us he was in the belly of a great fish (Jonah 1:17–2:2). It is a perfect example of “hell” meaning ‘the covered place’. “Hell” has nothing to do with being burned by fire.

Two other Greek words, besides “hades” are also translated “hell” in the New Testament. One of them is used only in 2 Peter 2:4. That word means the deepest part of a covered place. The other word is used often and refers to the Valley of Hinnom, Jerusalem’s rubbish was emptied and burned there. Dead bodies of criminals were thrown into it, and burned by the fires that were never allowed to go out. However, they were dead bodies, not living ones. It was the fire that continued to burn, not individual dead bodies.

Everyone living in Jerusalem would know what Jesus meant when he spoke about a body being “cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29). He was talking about everlasting death for those who did not walk in God’s ways.

Therefore, in the New Testament, “hell” means either ‘the unseen place’, which we call the grave, or, the Valley of Hinnom. Hell is not a place of everlasting torment.

3. HOW DOES KNOWING THE TRUTH ABOUT HEAVEN AND HELL HELP US TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S  PURPOSE WITH MANKIND?

It helps us very much, the Bible talks about “heaven”, but God has not planned for us to go there. If we die before Jesus comes, we shall go to the grave (“hell”). We need not fear, if we belong to Jesus. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). When he returns to the earth, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades (‘grave’, AV), where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). His faithful will be blessed with everlasting life, at the judgement (see “Resurrection and Judgement” in this series).

God has promised to fill the earth with His glory. This will happen when Jesus returns to set up God’s kingdom. He will reign from Jerusalem, “the city of the great king” (Matthew 5:35). At that time, “All kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him” (Psalm 72:11); “He shall speak peace to the nations” (Zachariah 9:19).

What about you? Will you be among the faithful saints of Jesus? Will you, like them, be made immortal and help Jesus to teach the ways of God to the world’s mortal population? Because, “They will turn many to righteousness” (Daniel 12:3).

If you serve God acceptably now, you will share in that great preaching work in the age to come. Jesus said to his true followers: “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19).

God’s kingdom is coming. Truly, in that day, the blessings of heaven will be showered on the earth.

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. How do God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit relate to each other?
2. How has God used His Holy Spirit in the past?
3. Is God’s Holy Spirit at work today?
4. How will God use His Holy Spirit in the future?

1. HOW DO GOD, JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT RELATE TO EACH OTHER?

• God is the great creator of all things
• Jesus Christ is the Son of God
• The Holy Spirit is the power of God.

Can this be proven from the Bible? Yes, it can. God always called Jesus His Son. When Jesus was baptised God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”. (Matthew 3:17).

Jesus never claimed to be equal with God. He said “the Father is greater than I … I love the Father” (John 14:28-31). Jesus always called God his Father.

God knew from the beginning of creation that He would need to save the world through his son. However, Jesus did not exist until Mary gave birth. Peter said, ” He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake” (1 Peter 1:20). Jesus is always called the “Son of God” in the Bible, and never “God the Son”.

The Holy Spirit cannot be the third  part of a “Trinity”, if the first two parts do not exist. There is a strong relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is not, however, one of being “co-equal and co-eternal”.

It is true that sometimes in the Bible, the Holy Spirit is called “He”. But it is very common in the Bible for things to be given personalities. Here are two examples: Speaking of “Wisdom“, we read “She is more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 3:16). Jesus spoke of “Riches” being a “Master” (Matthew 6:24). We even call ships “Her“!

The Holy Spirit is God’s power, not a person.

2. HOW HAS GOD USED HIS HOLY SPIRIT IN THE PAST?

God used His Holy Spirit at creation. When “the earth was without form and void … the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).

God used His Holy Spirit to create man. “the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:7).

God used His Holy Spirit to direct His prophets to teach Israel and to tell the nation of things to come. Peter said: “no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21) That is why we can trust the Bible teachings. All the messages were God-given.

God used His Holy Spirit on the virgin Mary. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

God gave His Holy Spirit to Jesus without limit. Because of it, Jesus had a unique understanding of scripture. He knew that the Old Testament had prophecies about his birth, life, death and resurrection. They all came true. Jesus raised from the dead Jairus’ daughter, the widow of Nain’s son and Lazarus. Jesus could truly say to the people, (and to us), “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). We should say with Peter “You have the words of eternal life” (v68).

God gave His Holy Spirit to the apostles. They needed special help to establish Christianity. It would not be easy. The Romans, who ruled Israel, had their own God’s. The Jewish leaders hated Jesus so much that they crucified him. The fact that the apostles could perform miracles added weight to their words. God must have sent them to preach about Jesus. The results were impressive. Thousands believed and were baptised.

Within thirty years, Christians were living in well-organised groups in many towns and cities, including Rome. The special gift of the Holy Spirit had served its purpose. Only the apostles had been able to pass on the power of the Spirit to others by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14-24, 2Timothy 1:2). After they died, and those to whom they gave it died, this special gift ceased.

From the first century until today, nobody else has had personal control of God’s Holy Spirit. We now have written down for us to read for ourselves, the complete inspired Bible; these scriptures “are able to make you wise for salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). We need nothing more.

3. IS GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK TODAY?

God is still working through His Spirit by directing world affairs. Daniel told a king, “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Daniel 4:32). God is still doing that today. The end of it all will be “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44).

God is still working through His word the Bible. Paul said the gospel of Christ “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). We can be influenced by God’s word. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 NKJV). Faith will help us to keep God’s commandments.

Because the scriptures were written under the influence of God’s Holy Spirit, believers will have the “Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9). That is, the influence of God’s word will help us to develop spiritual lives. This is vital, but very different from us having special powers like the apostles.

God is still working by answering prayer. We are encouraged to “pray without ceasing”(1 Thessalonians 5:17). “if we ask anything according to His will He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Being able to talk to God in prayer is a great blessing. He will answer our prayers in a way which will best help our spiritual growth.

4. HOW WILL GOD USE HIS HOLY SPIRIT IN THE FUTURE?

God will use His Holy Spirit to bring about His kingdom on earth. “Truly, as I live … all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD” (Numbers 14:21). This will be achieved when Jesus returns to be king of the world.

God will use His Holy Spirit to raise the dead, and give his faithful ones everlasting life (John 5:28,29). They will then be able to use God’s spirit as Jesus did.

God will use His Holy Spirit, through His word the Bible. The mortal population, then, as now, will have the opportunity to respond to it.

The great news is, if you follow Jesus now, you will live forever with him. You will have a glorified immortal body (one that does not die), just like Jesus has now (Philippians 3:20,21). May we all be wise enough to heed the words of Jesus: “hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” (John 2:25).

All Bible quotations taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise stated