| by William P. Goff (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) |
|---|
| Now there are many churches out there in the world today, but only one true church. That church is defined as: “The Pillar and Ground of the Truth” (1Timothy 3:15.) If we want to find that church, we have to find the Truth, because Truth and Church go hand in hand. If we want to be a member of the True church, we have to Walk in Truth. Truth is also of utmost importance to us because Truth is how our Heavenly Father wants us to worship Him. (John 4:23 – 24.) Yes, our Heavenly Father wants us to worship him in “Spirit” and in “Truth.” Now in order to have truth, we have to collect it, because Truth is something that has to be “fetched.” If we want to have water in our house to bathe, and drink our tea, we have to go and fetch it at the river. If we want to have firewood to cook our food, we have to go and fetch kindling in the forest. And if we want to have Truth, we also have to go and fetch it. And there is only one place where “Truth” can be fetched or found: (John 17:17.) Yes, Truth is found in only one place, the Scriptures. And it is Truth that sanctifies us or sets us apart. So let us move forward in our quest for Truth. In today’s Bible study we are going to see what the Scriptures tell us about “death”. I’m sure all of us have been touched in one way or another by death. Some have lost their parent, or siblings, or maybe we had a friend who has died. But where are they now? Are they up in Heaven with God? Just what is death? Is there a resurrection? Do our loved ones know what we are doing? Will we see them again? Many preach and teach that when a person dies (especially a good person) that he is taken up to heaven and is living with our Creator. But is that true? Does God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures support that, or does God have a better plan? The Scriptures are very clear concerning what happens when a person dies. No one goes directly to heaven at death. Let us not be led astray by fables of men, let us hear what God’s Word says about death. Our Lord and Savior tells us that “No One” Yes, No One has gone to heaven after death, but He Himself. (John 3:13.) Well, if the dead are not up in heaven, where exactly are they? Our Bibles speaks much about a resurrection of the dead. Job was inspired to say. “O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” (Job 14:13-14). Job knew the resurrection of the dead was coming. And so does anyone who knows the promises of God. The Bible speaks much of a resurrection of the dead. Daniel was inspired to write: “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to ever-lasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan. 12:2). Later, Christ quoted these same words. Read John 5:21 through verse 29. Yes, all that are dead and buried, are still in the grave waiting the resurrection. They are asleep in the grave. But the time is coming (and soon) when all that are in the graves (all that have died and are asleep in the grave) will hear His voice and will be resurrected. Peter preached the resurrection. He said nothing about man’s fable of going to “hell” or “heaven” when one dies. Peter even told how David, a man after God’s own heart, was dead and buried (Acts 2:29) and showed the believers (one has to be a Believer to see these things.) that David had not gone to heaven (Acts 2:34), but was waiting in his grave, just as the Bible says, until a resurrection of the just. Soon, all of our deceased relatives and friends who have died will be resurrected. Some men teach (and many believe) that that resurrection will take place at a distant future time. But if we read the many simple and clear Scriptures concerning this, we might find that our deceased may be around a bit sooner than we might think. Scripture is for “Proof” and maybe more importantly, Scripture is for “Reproof” reproof is a very important step when it comes to knowing and walking in Truth. It eliminates walking in error. There are many churches out there, but there is only one true church. And remember, it is distinguished by having and walking, in Truth. Scripture tells us that all nations will be judged. What is most important to comprehend (or understand) is that those who live properly, and keep His commandments, will fair well at the judgment, and will enter into His Kingdom. But those who don’t live properly, if we fail to change our evil & bad ways, but continue to lie, steal, cheat etc. Will Not enter into His coming Kingdom. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10.) (Galatians 5:19-21.) (Matthew 25: 31-46.) Let us believe the Bible, it’s God’s Word. And let us be Sheep and not goats. |
Views: 1
Sign up to Receive [The "New" Church of God Messenger] weekly newsletter: