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

1. What is the religious background of the Christadelphians?
2. What do Christadelphians believe?
3. How can I get the most out of my own Bible study?

1. Who are the Christadelphians?

The name ‘Christadelphian’ was chosen because it describes the relationship between Jesus and his disciples.

The New Testament was written in Greek. ‘Christadelphian’ is made up of two Greek words, adelphos and Christos, and means ‘Brother in Christ’. This phrase is found in the Bible, in Colossians 1:2.

John Thomas, a 19th century preacher decided on the name ‘Christadelphian’. He travelled widely in both the USA and Britain, preaching the gospel. His clear understanding and explanation of the Bible message led to others being convinced that he preached the truth. They were baptized into Christ and became members of the Christadelphian community, meeting together in worship. At first, they were to be found mainly in the USA and Britain, but there are now Christadelphian communities on every continent. It has truly become a worldwide fellowship.

The really distinctive feature of the Christadelphians is that they trust in the Bible as their only source of beliefs and authority. All the words in both the Old and the New Testaments, are inspired by God and are given to men and women for their salvation. As a result of this emphasis, Christadelphian beliefs are identical to those taught by Jesus and the apostles in the first century.

Christadelphians read the Bible every day. Using a plan, they read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice, every year. One of the many benefits of this is that every day they can personally check their beliefs against the authority of Scripture. This plan is available, free, on request.

2. What do Christadelphians believe?

Christadelphians ask you to compare their beliefs with Bible teaching. You will benefit most if you take the time to look up and read the Bible passages given. Because Jesus was “The Truth”, his own words are quoted below, as often as space permits.

• God is the eternal Creator of the universe. He created life on earth, and made man in His own image (Genesis 1:1,27; Acts 17:24-28).
• The Bible is the wholly inspired Word of God (2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).
• Angels are immortal beings who carry out God’s will (Hebrews 1:13,14).
• God’s plan is to fill the whole earth with His glory (Numbers 14:21; Habakkuk 2:14).
• Man (Adam) was given a choice by God. He could obey God, and live, or disobey Him and die. Adam sinned by disobeying God. He was sentenced to death (Genesis 3:17-19).
• We are all descended from Adam. Because he sinned, and died, all men and women have been born mortal. However, we “all have sinned”, and we deserve to die on our own account (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23).
• Like Adam, we are all responsible for our own actions. If we were not, a fair-minded God could not call our wrong actions ‘sin’. We cannot blame a supernatural devil. “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14-16). Jesus said, “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, fornications …” (Matthew 15:19).
• God was, and still is, the Father of Jesus Christ. God used His Holy Spirit so that Mary “conceived in her womb”, Jesus was, therefore, both Son of God, and Son of man (Luke 1:30-35).
• Jesus is not equal with God. He said, “My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28). and “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God” (John 20:17).
• The Holy Spirit is God’s power, to use as He chooses (Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 61:1). It is not a separate person.
• Jesus could have sinned, but he did not. He “put away sin by the sacrifice of himself … so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for him, he will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:26-28).
• Because of his perfect obedience to the will of God, Jesus was raised from the dead. He was given everlasting life. He said, “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:26).
• Jesus, after his resurrection, still had a body. He said to Thomas, one of the 12 apostles, “Reach your hand here, and put it into my side” (John 20:27).
• If we are found faithful, and granted immortality, Jesus will “transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).
• After his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:11). He now acts as our Lord and mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).
• Jesus was victorious over sin and death. By God’s grace, all who believe and faithfully follow him will receive the blessing of everlasting life (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Peter 5:4).
• The blessing of everlasting life will be given at the judgement. This will take place after Jesus returns and raises the responsible dead. Jesus said, “All who are in the graves will hear his voice, and come forth–those who have done good, to the resurrection of life” (John 5:28,29).
• Jesus tells us many times that he will return to the earth. “The Son of man will come in the glory of his Father, with his angels, and then he will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:27). Note the order of events: (a) Jesus returns; (b) he raises the dead; (c) the judgement takes place; and (d) he gives everlasting life to his faithful followers.
• When Jesus comes, he will be “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). Kings will bow before him (Psalm 72). The Bible calls this time ‘The Kingdom of God’. The faithful believers, made immortal saints, will help Jesus. He promised that his twelve apostles would “sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).
• Men and women must acknowledge that they are sinners. They must believe the Gospel, repent and be baptized. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).
• Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We must follow his example of obedience to God and practical service, and remember him by breaking bread and drinking wine regularly, “till he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
• Finally, we must remember that God chose to reveal His character to the Jewish nation. He made promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David and to the nation of Israel. Many of these promises will be fulfilled when Jesus returns to the earth. Watch Israel! (Genesis 12:2,3; 13:14-17; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Jeremiah 23:5-8; Ezekiel 36:22-24; 37:21,22).

3. What advice can you give me, to help me get the most out of my own Bible study?

There are some simple but very important rules for Bible study: (a) pray before you read; (b) look carefully at the exact words you are studying; (c) examine the context–what is being said before and after your passage? (d) look at similar words, phrases and situations in other parts of the Bible; compare and contrast them; (e) think about them all–often!

Important Bible teachings are always mentioned many times. The return of Jesus, resurrection, judgement, everlasting life for Christ’s faithful followers, and the Kingdom of God on earth must be true: they are all taught in so many different places.

Use this article, with your Bible, to test all your beliefs. If they cannot stand careful examination, give them up. Faithfully following God’s word leads to eternal life. It is God’s greatest gift to mankind. “Give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments” (Psalm 119:73).

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

1. What part does man play in causing suffering?
2. Why does God allow natural disasters?
3. Why do so many people suffer so much?
4. Does suffering have any value?
5. Will suffering ever end?

At the outset, we need to realise that God loves the world with an everlasting love: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Salvation has come to mankind through the suffering of Jesus Christ. In him, God is redeeming the world to Himself.

1. WHAT PART DOES MAN PLAY IN CAUSING SUFFERING?

God has given everyone the opportunity to choose between right and wrong, good and evil. He has promised everlasting life to those who choose to follow His way. Sadly, man often makes the wrong choice. God’s principle of love is ignored.

Down the centuries, millions have died in countless wars. Wars start because of man’s pride and lust for power (James 4:1-3). God is not to blame.

Hunger, too, has brought suffering to millions. Yet men selfishly store food in one country, while people starve in another. Men are responsible for these actions, not God.

Illegal “hard” drugs are sweeping the world, with terrible consequences for millions. Money rules. The Bible says “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Greedy men are at fault.

As in the days of Noah, we live in a violent age. Old ladies are attacked, young children are abused, prisoners are tortured. We must acknowledge that man plays a big part in causing suffering.

2. WHY DOES GOD ALLOW DISASTERS?

The power in nature is awesome. We cannot experience an earthquake, a volcanic  eruption, a raging sea or a hurricane without feeling helpless.

Yet many accidents, called “acts of God”, could be avoided. For example, why do wealthy people choose to live in earthquake zones?

The “unsinkable” ship, the Titanic, struck an iceberg. Hundreds of passengers drowned. It was tragic, but surely we cannot expect God to move icebergs out of the way?

We live in a world of cause and effect. We know that we can drown in water or get burned in a fire. The universe is governed by natural laws. When these laws are challenged, we shall not always escape. If God kept changing His natural laws to protect us from ourselves, how would that encourage responsible behaviour?

However there are disasters which man cannot foresee, like lack of rainfall. God is the Master of the Universe, not man (Job 38:1-4). We shall not, in this present age, fully understand God’s mind. But, we are all part of a common humanity. Just as God “sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), so also natural disasters afflict the innocent and guilty alike. If God’s servants were always specially protected, people would come to Him for the wrong reasons. God’s power is great and we are weak. He does not give us a guarantee of security in this life. That should encourage us to listen to His message of salvation, given in the Bible.

3. WHY DO SO MANY SUFFER SO MUCH?

Why is there so much pain in the world? Why are children born blind or deformed? Jesus made clear it was not always as a result of personal sin (John 9:1-3).

It is easy to assume that suffering is always evil. However, a universal principle is at work. The Bible teaches that suffering, in itself, is not evil. It is the outworking of a much deeper problem: suffering is the result of sin (the breaking of God’s law). “Through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

The perfect harmony between God and man had been broken. Mankind has been paying a heavy price ever since. Sin and death are the real problems of man. They help, in part, to explain the problem of suffering.

When Adam sinned, death became universal. There are no exceptions to it. There has only been one man who never sinned: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God raised him from the dead.

But why did God allow Jesus to suffer and die? Jesus, the best of men, did not deserve to die. The answer to this question is at the very heart of the problem of suffering.

God allowed Jesus to die, to save you and me. Because man had fallen from God, he had to be re-united with God through the life of a sinless man. The victory of Jesus over sin made everlasting life possible for all who seek forgiveness for their sins, and who keep God’s commandments. The suffering of Jesus in obedience to God was the price of our redemption. Jesus, himself, “learned obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

God also suffered as He watched Jesus die on the cross. If God and Jesus both suffered, and yet were innocent, we should learn two things:

1. mankind should not expect to escape suffering
2. suffering is not just something bad: it also has to do with victory over sin, and God’s gift of everlasting life.

When innocent people died after a tower collapse, Jesus said, “do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4,5). Dying without God is worse than suffering,

The important thing is not living a long life, free from suffering. It is about following God’s way, even if it means suffering, so that we do not perish eternally.

4. DOES SUFFERING HAVE ANY VALUE?

Yes, it certainly does. The suffering of Jesus had value, “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that … we should live together with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9,10). We are more likely to grow spiritually when life is hard than when it is easy.

Our faith in God and acceptance of suffering can lead us to everlasting life and eternal fellowship with Him. That is the ultimate reality in life. So, God chastens us “for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grevious; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:10,11). Like Job, we must forsake pride, and understand that God is our only refuge (Job 42:1-6).

Rather than blame God for the suffering in a world which is not yet perfect, we should thank God that He has given us a way of escape.

5. WILL SUFFERING EVER END?

Yes, suffering will end. God is the architect of the universe. He has a masterplan for mankind. God plans to cleanse the earth of sickness and sorrow, sin and suffering, disease and death. He will send Jesus back to the earth to “make all things new” (Revelation 21″3-5). God plans to fill the earth with His glory.

The Apostle Paul said that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”(Romans 8:18). An understanding of suffering can help you towards God’s kingdom, if you give your life now to God.

Truly, “if we endure, we shall also reign with him{ (2 Timothy 2:12). Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

 

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

• Why is it so important to have an understanding of what demons and spirits are?
• Why did Jesus speak to demons and spirits?
• How will our understanding about demons influence our behaviour as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ?

This leaflet deals with the subject of ‘demons’ (or ‘devils’ as they are called in some Bible Versions). It does not teach about The Devil or Satan, this topic is dealt with in the article ‘Basic Bible Truths – The Devil, Who or What is it?’

Old Testament teaching about demons and spirits.

We first read about demons in Leviticus 17 in the Old Testament. We find that the Children of Israel were told by God that they must not worship the gods of the surrounding nations.

These peoples were superstitious and they worshipped different gods whom they thought influenced their lives in many ways. They worshipped them because they thought their gods could make their women fertile, they worshipped them for good harvests and for other reasons. But these gods were idols made from wood and carved into the shapes of animals and, in particular, the shape of a goat. The Hebrew word for demon or devil simply means a hairy animal and is translated many times as ‘kid’ or ‘goat’. Worship of these was abhorrent to the Lord God and so He condemned it.

“So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.” (Leviticus 17:7).

Their worship of strange gods or demons and their immoral behaviour provoked the only true God to anger against them.

“They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked him to anger. They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded.” (Deuteronomy 32:16-17)

Jeremiah the prophet wrote about these idols and mocked them. He showed that these things could not influence the lives of people in any way, only the Lord God of Israel, the one true God could do this.

“… the customs of the people are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good. There is none like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might.? (Jeremiah 10:3-6)

We see from the Old Testament that demons did not exist. They were merely carved idols, false gods made and worshipped by foolish men.

Demons in the New Testament.

Jesus came from a part of Israel called Galilee and the people who lived there were very superstitious. In New Testament times they recognised that there was only one true God and did not worship idols as gods but they still believed that demons existed. They thought that they were evil spirits living within people and that they affected their lives and made them behave in strange ways. They thought that these demons ruled over their lives just as people had thought that their carved, wooden idols had ruled over them many years before.

Here are some examples of people who were thought to be possessed by a demon.

At the beginning of the New Testament we read about a man called John the Baptist. He was chosen by God to tell the people about the coming of Jesus and he was very different to other people. He wore strange clothes and ate unusual food and some said that he had a demon because he was different.

In Matthew chapter nine a dumb man is described as possessed by a demon and who was healed by Jesus.

“As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marvelled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” (Matthew 9:32-33)

In Matthew chapter seventeen a child is described as having epileptic fits during which he was unable to control his actions. People did not understand epilepsy and thought a demon was causing his strange behaviour. We are told that Jesus healed him showing that it was a medical condition. Today we understand about epilepsy and what causes it but in Jesus’ time they did not know about it. They simply saw a boy who suddenly behaved in a very strange and unusual way and perhaps they were scared by him. They thought something had taken over his life.

“And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.” (Matthew 17:14-18)

Look at the following summary of the work of Jesus.

“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people … and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and he healed them.” (Matthew 4:23-24)

Some diseases were understood, others, particularly those which changed behaviour were not understood and so the sufferers were said to have a demon or evil spirit that made them act in that way. But we see from Matthew’s words that Jesus healed them all. Demon spirits did not really exist.

Demons were a sign of a greater problem.

If demons did not exist, why did Jesus act and talk as if they did? He used the language and wrong beliefs of the people to teach a great truth. Some diseases made people behave in strange ways and their neighbours said that they were possessed by a demon which was untrue, they were simply ill people with diseases that changed their behaviour and Jesus healed their physical problems. It was a sign that he had the power to bring a much greater healing work to everybody.

All of us have a disease that eventually will kill us for ‘the wages of sin is death’ and we all sin, we all disobey God. Just as Jesus had the power to heal people, he also has the power to forgive sins. Look at these words.

“That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:16-17)

Isaiah’s words are found in chapter 53. It is the chapter that tells in detail about the crucifixion of Jesus and what it achieved. In the following verses, the prophet said that God laid on Jesus the sins of us all. These were the illnesses and diseases that Matthew meant.

This is a healing that we all need and which is available to everyone who believes in Jesus as his saviour and is baptised to become part of God’s family.

Our Discipleship

If we understand Bible teaching about demons then it helps to understand how God looks upon sin. He sees it as something that makes our lives strange to him just as demonic behaviour was strange to other people. But he has healed us through the sacrifice of Jesus! This should make us rejoice and be full of gratitude – just as sick people were when Jesus healed them from their illnesses. Many of those healed became his disciples, understanding that he was the Son of God. This is the challenge for all of us. Our response to God’s salvation.

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

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.

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).