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[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Are Angels And Demons Real?

Many scientists claim that the only world that exists is the one we can physically see around us—the world detectable by our physical senses or scientific instruments. Others claim that there is another world beyond that—the spirit realm—inhabited by beings called angels and demons.

Are such beings real? What are they like? If God created them, did He create the demons, too? Should we reach out to such beings for help and guidance?

We will address those questions on this episode of Tomorrow’s World. We will also offer you the opportunity to request an exciting DVD, “The Occult and the Spirit World,” completely free of charge.

Are angels and demons real? You need the TRUTH! Stay tuned!

A World Beyond Ours

Greetings, and welcome to Tomorrow’s World! I’m glad you’re here. Today’s topic--the reality of angels and demons--is a vital subject to understand. At the same time, the truth about the spirit realm and the activity in that realm is a far larger topic than we can cover on today’s program. That’s why today we’re offering all of our viewers a free DVD, “The Occult and the Spirit World,” that covers this subject far more thoroughly than we will on today’s program. Be sure to note the contact information you will need to get your copy, as it appears on screen during our program today.

Are angels and demons real? Do they exist? If they exist, what are they like? If God made the angels, did he make the demons, too? And if so, why?

These questions fascinate many, and there are answers!

On one side of these questions, there are those who say that there is nothing that exists beyond the physical world of the senses--what you can see, hear, touch, and taste. To such people, angels and demons are harmless fantasies, like unicorns or fairies. On the other side, there are those obsessed with the spirit realm, seeking out suppose spirit guides and striving to personally communicate with their supposed angelic guardians. They often decorate their homes with images meant to depict angels or other spiritual entities.

Between the two sides, there is the TRUTH, which is the Bible. God doesn’t leave us to wonder about such things in ignorance, but, instead, reveals the spirit realm to our understanding. Those who are consumed with the philosophy of “scientism”--who believe that the only reality that exists is that which they can physically touch or handle--are ignorant of what their Creator reveals about the world! Yet, too, those who are obsessed with the spirit realm and the beings who inhabit it also frequently violate God’s own commands about that realm!

Today, we will explore the reality of angels and demons in the world, and we will do so with the BIBLE--God’s own word. And I challenge those of you watching today: Be open minded to what GOD has to say about the subject. It may surprise you! Don’t take our word for what we say--look up what we say in your own Bible. Because God reveals that the spirit realm is VERY real! And its reality does impact us on a daily basis, though not in the ways that many assume. 

Do angels and demons exist? What are they like? Where do they come from?

If we are going to answer these questions about a realm we cannot normally see or hear or touch, we MUST rely on God’s word.

We are very much in the same position as Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings chapter 6. The ancient prophet Elisha was surrounded by an army sent by the king of Syria to arrest him, and his servant was terrified--yet Elisha was unfazed: calm, cool, and collected. He sought to comfort his servant, and starting in verse 16, we read that he says,

“‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 

Yes, the spirit realm is very real!

God says in His word that He created the angels as spirit beings to serve as His “ministers”--or His messengers and servants, serving those whom He is calling to inherit salvation in His Family. When were they created? God’s word tells us that He created them even before He created the Earth. We see a reflection of this when God questions the patriarch Job. Let’s read that passage in Job chapter 38, beginning in verse 4. He asks Job,

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

We see here that the “morning stars” or “sons of God”--the angels of heaven--were already in existence and shouted for joy as they saw the foundation of this physical world being laid! 

As we look deeper into God’s word, we will see how angels have interacted with humans in the past. We will also see the origin of wicked angels or demons, and we will come to understand the dangers of the spirit realm, and how God instructs us to conduct ourselves in light of the reality of that realm.

Before we continue in our exploration of these things, let me take a few moments to inform you of today’s free offer. 

This free DVD, “The Occult and the Spirit World” will open God’s own teachings and instructions concerning the spirit world in a way you have likely never seen before. The DVD contains three powerful Tomorrow’s World programs to help you understand the invisible realm, its dangers and influence, and how to defeat that influence. Topics covered include…

• the modern dangers of the occult,
• the hidden world of angels and demons,
• and how you can overcome Satan the devil.

This DVD, “The Occult and the Spirit World,” really is free, with no strings or obligations. Just call, write, or visit us online and request your free copy. We never give away your information to others, and we never will. Order your free copy right now, and I’ll be right back to talk about some of the fascinating appearances of angels revealed in the Bible. They don’t look like you might think! You won’t want to miss it.

Peeks Into The Spirit World

Welcome back! We noted in our previous segment that God created the angels as servants to those he is calling to salvation. And the Bible depicts them serving in many ways--for instance, comforting Christ after His 40 days of fasting, and delivering God’s servants from prison. We also see them communicating God’s wrath, such as visiting destruction on the ancient, wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah… But it also says that often their service usually goes unknown and unrecognized, as the Apostle Paul mentions in Hebrews 13:2. The righteous angels do not generally call attention to this work on our behalf, remaining hidden or working behind the scenes, fulfilling God’s will. This is a fact that will be important for us to consider later on.

In addition to their service, the Bible also discusses the appearance of some of these beings.

Of course, many of you are probably familiar with popular depictions of angels in statues or paintings. Are such depictions accurate? 

Allow God Himself to tell us how these beings appear in His own word. 

The descriptions vary from example to example, but all of them are fascinating--and generally not at all what people expect!

Consider Ezekiel chapter 1, the prophet is given a vision of a whirlwind and the very throne of God, being escorted by four amazing angelic beings! Elsewhere in the book, these beings are called “cherubim,” which is the plural of “cherub.” Now, often when you hear the word “cherub,” images of cute, chubby little infants with wings are called to mind, depicted on literally thousands of paintings, statues, and Christmas ornaments. Does this match Ezekiel’s description? Let’s read and see:

“And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings… As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle… Their wings stretched upward; two wings of each one touched one another, and two covered their bodies… [T]heir appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and out of the fire went lightning.”

Clearly these Cherubs are FAR from naked little children with wings! 

In addition to the cherubim, Scripture describes another angelic variety--the seraphim--as similarly exotic. The prophet Isaiah records those beings as having, not two or four, but six wings, with one pair covering their face, one pair covering their feet, and one pair used for movement.

We see another description of a different sort of angelic messenger in the book of Daniel… The Jewish prophet Daniel, living as a captive servant under the King of Persia, had been seeking God through fasting and prayer for a number of weeks when he was visited by an angelic being and given a vision. We can pick up the story in Daniel 10, beginning in verse 5…

“I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.” 

What a startling image!

In the message that the angel brings to Daniel, we have revealed a remarkable insight about the angelic realm. Daniel writes:

“Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.’”

We see here a small picture painted of a world BEHIND our own! On his journey to give Daniel God’s message, the angel was hindered by another angelic being, called here the “king of Persia,” until he was assisted by the powerful archangel Michael. The indication here is that the angelic realm is not unified--that there is powerful division, in which those who represent God are resisted in their efforts by others. To be sure, God’s will is always accomplished WHEN He wants it accomplished, but we must note here that not every angelic creation of God is working for His will. Some are in opposition to His will.

How did the angelic realm come to be so divided? Did God purposefully create both righteous angels and wicked ones? How did the angelic realm come to be in such a state? That fascinating tale will be the focus of our next segment!

But first, let me give you another brief opportunity to request our free DVD, “The Occult and the Spirit World.” The spirit realm IS real. Angels and demons ARE real. In movies and television sets, the world of these beings is treated in a lighthearted manner, and thousands of people dabble in occult practices and games as if there is no danger, but the danger is ALSO very real. This absolutely free DVD teaches you plainly about the spirit realm and gives you the godly tools you need to resist the power and influence of the devil in YOUR life. It really is free, with no obligation whatsoever. Just contact us during this break and request the DVD on the occult. And then come right back, as we explain what God reveals about the origin of wicked angels and demons.

The Origin Of Demons

Welcome back! We’ve just seen that the Bible tells us the angelic realm is divided. Some angels are devoted to fulfilling God’s will, obeying His commands and serving mankind. Others are evil and resist His plans, in opposition to mankind. Satan the devil is the ruler of this kingdom of these wicked angels.

How did the devil come to be as he is? Did God create him to be evil? 

No, He didn’t. The Bible tells us the story of how a powerful angel became Satan the devil, if we have eyes to see. Let’s look first at Isaiah, in chapter 14, where the prophet is used by God to speak of an angelic being named Lucifer who corrupts himself through pride and envy:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’”

The angel Lucifer actually decided to rebel against his Creator and take the very throne of God Himself! This angelic rebellion is mentioned, also, in Ezekiel chapter 28. After announcing a prophecy against the human prince of the kingdom of Tyre, the prophet is then used by God to speak directly against the spiritual being BEHIND the human ruler, called in the prophecy the “KING of Tyre”… God says to this fallen angel in verse 12:

“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you’” 

God then says He cast this angelic being, corrupted by pride and selfish ambition, out from the mountain of God as something profane. Here we see the powerful being who was Lucifer described in detail. A being of amazing wisdom, intelligence, talent and beauty, who, full of pride and consumed with his politicking among the angels, becomes filled with a mindset of violence and a spirit of rebellion, until he is stirred to move against the very throne of God Himself. In doing so, he was no longer Lucifer, which may be translated “Light Bringer,” but became the being we now know as Satan the Devil, or the Adversary. As we are told by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:6, becoming puffed up with pride became the devil’s condemnation.

The book of Revelation may indicate that he gathered a third of the angels with him in his rebellion against heaven, but they were cast back to the earth in restraint until the events prophesied to be just ahead of us. The Bible refers to these rebellious angels as “his angels,” or the devil’s angels, and calls them by the term “demons.”

Jesus Christ calls Satan the “ruler of this world” multiple times in Scripture, and he will retain the position of authority he was originally given by God here on earth until Jesus replaces him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As the devil tells Jesus Christ during the Lord’s temptation in the wilderness, the kingdoms of this world have been given to the devil during this age, and he gives them to whomever he wishes. Here on earth, Satan and his demons continue in their positions of spiritual authority among the kingdoms of the world, influencing the world, tempting mankind and resisting the Plan of God--however futile such an effort will eventually be.

How does the rebellion in the spirit realm impact those of us who live in this physical realm? One thing is sure: Many people make a dangerous mistake when it comes to the spirit realm--a mistake you must avoid! We’ll explain that mistake in the next part of our program.

But first let me pause just one more brief time to give you the brief opportunity to order your free DVD, “The Occult and the Spirit World.” This DVD will open God’s own teachings and instructions concerning the spirit world to you in a way you have likely never seen before. The DVD contains three powerful Tomorrow’s World programs to help you understand the invisible realm, its dangers and influence, and how to defeat that influence. Topics covered include…

• the modern dangers of the occult,
• the hidden world of angels and demons,
• and how you can overcome Satan the devil.

This DVD, “The Occult and the Spirit World,” really is free, with no strings or obligations. Just call or write, or visit us online at TomorrowsWorld.org and request your free copy. We never give away your information to others, and we never will. Order your free copy right now, and I’ll be right back to talk about the dangerous mistakes many make concerning the spirit world and how you can avoid them. You’ll want to know.

 A Dangerous Mistake

Welcome back! The fact that angels and demons are, indeed, very real has an impact on our lives. Many choose to surround themselves with statues and tokens depicting angels and even call on angels directly for their help and guidance.

However, only DEMONS seek such fawning and attention, not righteous angels! Consider that the Devil earnestly strove to convince Jesus to bow down and worship him, while twice in the book of Revelation when John is overwhelmed by the vision and falls at the angel’s feet, the righteous angel responds that he should not do that. In chapter 19 and verse 10, for instance, the angel tells John,

“See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!”

The angels of God are not interested in worship, or even attention. It is only the demonic world of FALLEN angels that craves our attention and our focus. God condemns in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS using the occult, spiritism, and New Age practices to attempt to experience the spirit realm. Should you seek to reach out and communicate with angels, ONLY DEMONS AND THE DEVIL’S ANGELS await you in such efforts!

The trend in popular “Christian” culture to glorify images of angels in statues and paintings, to decorate homes with such statuettes, and to adorn ourselves with such jewelry bearing angelic images is NOT God’s desire! Not only are these images a far cry from many of the descriptions we’ve read today, they violate the second of God’s Ten Commandments, which tells us we are not to create images of heavenly beings for worship. The New Testament, as well, clearly and unequivocally condemns the worship of angels. The only angels pleased by such activity are Satan and his demons

Only God the Father and Jesus Christ deserve such attention, devotion, and affection!

In fact, as we have explained many times here on Tomorrow’s World, the plan of God is that one day mankind will RULE the world of angels, as well as ALL OF CREATION! It is no wonder that Satan and the demons hate humanity: God intends that mankind--eventually glorified in the Kingdom of God as His very Children--will become their judge, sitting in rulership of the entire universe as inheritors of all things! Everything that Satan the devil wanted to seize for himself--though violence, deception, competition, and rebellion against his Creator--mankind has the opportunity to freely inherit--through love, submission, faith, and obedience to that same loving Creator.

There is so much more to this topic than we were able to cover on this program. I hope you will not forget to request your free DVD that discusses not only what we’ve covered today, but also the dangers of the occult and how you can overcome Satan and his demonic influence. 

And I hope that you will come back next week! Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, and I, along with our best presenter Rod McNair, will be here waiting to share with you the teachings of Jesus Christ, the good news of His coming Kingdom, and the exciting end-time prophecies and their meaning.

Until next week, take care.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Three Hidden Truths of John 3:16 - What Is a Real Christian?

Have you ever wondered why some people reject Christianity? Some professing Christians teach doctrines that to any thinking person seem totally strange and unreasonable. For example, some teach that even if you never hear the name of Jesus Christ during your lifetime, you will be tormented in hellfire for eternity! No wonder many reject Christianity based on a false and patently UN-fair teaching! Billions of people in the history of the world have never even heard of Jesus Christ. To condemn them to eternal torment with NO chance for salvation is totally unfair, illogical, and in fact un-biblical. Yet, this is NOT what your Bible teaches! You need to know what your Bible REALLY teaches about the Christianity of Jesus Christ, genuine biblical Christianity!

Thousands of books have been written about Jesus Christ and Christianity. But have they relied on the true source for accurate facts and information? The Bible reveals the true Christ and true Christianity.My friends, can you prove from the Bible where to find the true Church Jesus of Nazareth founded? The Apostle John testified, in your Bible, to the character of Jesus Christ, and the Church He founded. In fact, when you truly understand what is often called the “golden verse of the Bible,” you will be able to prove what constitutes Original Christianity. We’ll be offering you an inspiring free study guide that will answer some of the deeper mysteries of Christianity. It’s titled, JOHN 3:16, HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. Have you wondered why there are so many apparent contradictions in the practice of traditional Christianity? Which should you choose? Traditional Christianity or Biblical Christianity? Just what is Biblical Christianity? You need to know the truth from your own Bible!

Stay tuned!

What is the Meaning of John 3:16

Warm greetings to all our friends around the world!

There are many forms of religion around the world. Can they all know and practice the truth of God?

An April 2017 Pew Research Forum report found that there are about 2.3 billion professing Christians around the world. That’s 31 percent of planet Earth’s 7.3 billion people! 

Listen to this amazing fact: The World Christian Encyclopedia identifies at least 33,000 Christian denominations, with 9,000 of those classified as “Protestant” and 22,000 as “Independents.”

These thousands of denominations disagree among themselves in many of their doctrines, teachings and beliefs. They can’t all be right! Yet millions take for granted the traditions, doctrines, and concepts taught by their denomination, without ever proving it for themselves. That’s why we challenge you on Tomorrow’s World to check what we say in your own Bible! That’s the only way you can know the truth! Remember what Jesus said in John 8:31, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the TRUTH, and the truth shall make you free.’”

But where can you find true Christianity on planet earth? Where can you find a religion that is solidly based on the Bible? On today’s program, we’ll examine exciting biblical facts and answer those questions. In fact, the golden verse, also called the precious verse of the Bible, will reveal amazing truths that have been hidden from many professing Christians. And we’ll be offering you an eye-opening free booklet that you may find startling in its revelation. It’s titled, JOHN 3:16: HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. This informative free booklet will give you the surprising biblical facts that explain why there is so much confusion in HUNDREDS of major professing Christian denominations, and THOUSANDS of minor ones. And it will show you from the Bible, the characteristics of genuine Christianity. This exciting free booklet will help you find the answers you need! Be sure to write down the address and phone number to request your free copy of JOHN 3:16: HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. You can also order this booklet on our Web site at TomorrowsWorld.org.

On today’s program, we’ll examine three hidden truths of the Golden Verse. John 3:16, the golden verse, as it’s called, states the following. Perhaps many of you have actually memorized this verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

When you really understand the awesome eternal love that the Creator God has for human beings, you’ll understand that every human being will have a genuine opportunity for salvation. And this introduces the first hidden truth. Many wrongly believe that this is the only day of salvation, and if millions of people never heard the gospel or the name of Jesus Christ, that’s their tough luck. They wrongly believe that millions of people who did not have the opportunity to profess the name of Christ will be tormented in hellfire forever when they die. That is totally UN-fair. Chapter three of our inspiring free booklet on John 3:16 is titled, “Is God Fair?” Evangelist Gerald Weston writes, “The Apostle John taught plainly that, ‘God so loved the world’ (John 3:16). Here, ‘the world’ is not a reference to planet Earth, but rather to the people who dwell here. And, no matter how you count it, by any reckoning there have always been far more ‘unsaved’ than ‘saved.’ So, if God ‘loved the world,’ how can this be? Is He so weak that He cannot save the majority of His creation? This leads to the question, ‘Is God fair? Is He a respecter of persons? Has everyone—or will everyone—have a genuine and fair opportunity for salvation?’” (pp. 17–18).

Bible students know that salvation comes only through the name of the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. As it tells us in Acts 4:12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

My friends, God has a plan for those who never heard the name of Jesus Christ. HIDDEN TRUTH NUMBER ONE: Biblical Christianity teaches that GOD is FAIR. He will not condemn those who never heard the name of Christ as many in traditional Christianity believe. Ask your minister or priest this question: If a tribe of people in a remote jungle never heard the name of Jesus Christ, never accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, will they be condemned to hellfire when they die? You may be shocked by their answer. What is the truth? Your Bible reveals that God will give such people an opportunity for salvation in the Second Resurrection to judgment, described in Revelation 20:11–13. Turn in your Bible to Revelation 20:11. God reveals to us the Great White Throne Judgment. This judgment takes place after the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. These are the “rest of the dead” mentioned in verse 6. This is the second general resurrection from the dead. Revelation 20:11, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God….”

If the DEAD are standing before God, they have been resurrected from the dead. You find a description of this resurrection to physical life in Ezekiel 37, the valley of dry bones comes to life. Now, continuing in Revelation 20:12, “…and books were opened.” The original Greek word for books in BIBLIA, from which we derive the word Bible. Billions of people will face judgment based on the word of God, the Bible. They will now have their understanding open to the truth of God. Let’s continue in verse 12, “And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.” In the White Throne Judgment, billions who never heard the name of Christ will have their first genuine opportunity for salvation. That resurrection to judgment may include friends and relatives you may have thought were lost forever!

Yes, John 3:16 and Biblical Christianity reveal that God is fair. In fact, Chapter Three of the inspiring free booklet we’re offering today is titled, “Is God Fair?” There is much more good news than we have time for on this program. We’ll continue with more hidden truths from John 3:16 in the next portion of our program, but first I’d like to offer you our free booklet, JOHN 3:16, HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. This inspiring free booklet will give you a greater depth of understanding. Chapter One is titled, “God, Who Love the World.” Chapter Two is “The Greatest Love.” Chapter Three: “Is God Fair?” My friends, you need to read all eight chapters of this inspiring free booklet, JOHN 3:16, HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. So, pick up the telephone right now and request your free copy. Just ask for the booklet on JOHN 3:16. You can also order this free booklet on our Web site at TOMORROWSWORLD.ORG. Call now!

For God So Loved the World That He Gave His Son So We Would Not Perish But Have Eternal Life

In the first part of our program, we saw the inspiring hidden truth of John 3:16, that God is Fair. That, my friends, is a major truth taught by and understood by Biblical Christians. Many wrongly believe that God will punish in a fiery hell billions of people who never even heard the name of Jesus Christ. That UN-FAIR false God is not the God of the Bible. The good news is that even the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will have an opportunity to repent in the White Throne Judgment. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” (Matthew 10:15).

The first hidden truth of John 3:16 is: GOD is Fair. The second hidden truth we’ll discuss today is: THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF “PERISH.” Once again, listen to the inspiring scripture of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

What does it mean to “perish”? Many call themselves Christians, yet deny the truth of John 3:16. They wrongly believe that they will never perish, period! They wrongly believe the pagan doctrine of the immortal soul. They believe their so-called immortal soul will not perish and will either go to heaven or hell at death. Gerald Weston writes in his inspiring free booklet on John 3:16, “The Encarta Online Dictionary definition of perish is: ‘to die… to come to an end or cease to exist.’ We know what it means when food perishes. We speak of people perishing in a plane crash. So, when it comes to the biblical matters, why do people push other, incorrect meanings onto perish? The Bible consistently and unambiguously agrees with the standard dictionary definition of ‘perish’! It clearly teaches that life and death are opposites! Nowhere does Scripture ever describe human life as being inherently immortal. As we have already seen, even the soul—whatever one may think it is—can die (Ezekiel 18:4, 20). God’s word reveals that immortality is not something we already have, but rather that it is something we must seek (Romans 2:6–7) and ‘must put on’ (1 Corinthians 15:53–54)” (p. 50).

God’s purpose is to save us from eternal death, to save us from perishing. Notice 1 Timothy 2:3, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” God desires that humans NOT perish forever. One of the definitions of the word “perish” is “cease to exist.” And yet many in traditional Christianity believe that no one really perishes because we supposedly have an immortal soul which will never perish. The scriptures teach otherwise. Those who seal their character with evil WILL PERISH in the lake of fire. [#24] Read that in Revelation 21:7, “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the SECOND DEATH.”

The incorrigibly wicked will perish in the lake of fire. They will be punished with the second death from which there is no resurrection. That’s the punishment of eternal death. As it states in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We don’t already have immortality. Eternal life is a gift of God.

Thus we see the contrast between Traditional Christianity and Biblical Christianity. Traditional Christianity teaches we will always live and never perish or never cease to exist. Biblical Christianity teaches that unrepentant sinners will perish in a lake of fire, experience the second death, eternal death, and cease to exist. 

The good news is that those who truly believe on the Christ of the Bible, who repent and are baptized as it states in Acts 2:38, and remain faithful, will not perish; they will be given the gift of eternal life. The Second Hidden Truth of John 3:16 we’ve discussed today is: THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF “PERISH.” Those who genuinely live by John 3:16, shall “not perish, but have everlasting life” as Jesus said.

We’ll discuss an amazing third hidden truth in the next part of our program, but first I’d like to give you another opportunity to request our free inspiring booklet, JOHN 3:16, HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. My friends, God has an amazing plan of salvation far beyond the common ideas of traditional religion. You need to study your Bible and understand these hidden truths. My friends, you need to read all eight chapters of this inspiring free booklet, JOHN 3:16, HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. This inspiring free booklet will also help you in your study of the Bible and give you genuine hope for the future. So, pick up the telephone right now and request your free copy. Just ask for the booklet on JOHN 3:16. You can also order this free booklet on our Web site at TOMORROWSWORLD.ORG. Call now!

God is Creating a Divine Family, and He Wants You as His Son or Daughter

We’ve briefly discussed two hidden truths of John 3:16. Many people base their beliefs more on tradition than on the Bible. Your Bible is the source of genuine Christianity. Hidden truth number one we’ve discussed is GOD IS FAIR. Hidden truth number two is very important: THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF “PERISH.”

What is a third hidden truth of John 3:16? The very first word in that famous scripture is “God.” And yet there are myriads of concepts of God. The Apostle Paul addressed the Greeks in Athens who DEDICATED a monument to “The Unknown God.” He addressed his audience at the Areopagus, “The One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:23–25).

My friends, God is the Giver of life, the Creator of all things—He is the Life-giver. The Apostle Paul continues in verse 26 to show God’s desired relationship with all of us. “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring’” (Acts 17:26–28).

Now, notice this truth that is rarely taught in traditional Christianity. Paul emphasizes our relationship with God by quoting one of the Greeks’ own poets. Paul continues in Acts 17:29, “Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.”

The Apostle Paul confirms a loving family relationship, that “we are the offspring of God.” A third hidden truth of John 3:16 is: GOD IS CREATING A DIVINE FAMILY. When Christians who have genuinely repented accept the very sacrifice of Christ for their sins, and are baptized, they receive God’s Holy Spirit, as it tells us in Acts 2:38. James 1:17, KJV: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

When we receive God’s Holy Spirit, we become begotten children of God! Now notice, to whom should we pray? To our FATHER in Heaven, as Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:9! God is creating a divine family, and he wants you as His son or daughter. Notice that in 2 Corinthians 6:18, “‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Also, notice God’s love for us in 1 John 3:1, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!”

This is not just some allegory or symbolism. At the resurrection, when Christ returns, faithful Christians will be born into the Kingdom of God as His children. As it tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:53, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” That is the time when we enter God’s Kingdom, His family, as His born-again divine children. In Romans 8:29, Christ is called the FIRSTBORN of MANY brethren. He is our ELDER BROTHER, who has reconciled us to GOD THE FATHER.

My friends, you have an awesome opportunity to be in God’s divine family. But you need to begin the process. You need to repent and be baptized and to receive the Holy Spirit, as we previously mentioned in Acts 2:38. Then you can grow in the priceless spiritual nature God wants you to have. He calls it His divine nature in 2 Peter 1:4. He states that through God’s precious promises, “you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Hidden truth number three is: GOD IS CREATING A DIVINE FAMILY. You need to study these scriptures for yourself. They are in your own Bible. There is so much more to cover on this subject than we time for on this program. You need this inspiring free booklet, JOHN 3:16, HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. There are several more hidden truths that will inspire you, encourage you, and give you hope. Chapter One is titled, “God, Who Loved the World.” Chapter Two is “The Greatest Love.” Chapter Three is: “Is God Fair?” My friends, you need to read all eight chapters of this inspiring free booklet, JOHN 3:16, HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. This inspiring free booklet will also help you in your study of the Bible. So, pick up the telephone right now and request your free copy. Just ask for the booklet on JOHN 3:16. You can also order this free booklet on our Web site at TOMORROWSWORLD.ORG. Call now!

Biblical Christianity or an Imitation Christianity Which Will You Choose?

On today’s program, we’ve seen that there are thousands of professing Christian denominations. How many of them follow traditions that disagree with the Bible? Jesus challenged the religious leaders of His day in Matthew 15:3, “He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?’”

My friends, which will you choose? Biblical Christianity or an imitation Christianity? What did Jesus instruct us as to the true way of life? Remember the story of the rich man who wanted to know the way to eternal life. Matthew 19:16, “Now behold, one came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’”

How did Jesus answer him? Did He say “You don’t need to do anything, just believe on Me”? No! What did Jesus tell him? Verse 17, “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Jesus then mentioned several of the Ten Commandments. Jesus gave us another profound, yet simple command: Quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, Jesus stated: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). Luke 4:4 also emphasizes that fundamental Christian principle: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

As we’ve seen, the word of God in John 3:16 reveals that GOD IS CREATING A DIVINE FAMILY. That family will be a divine family and a royal family. God tells us in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

My friends, you will want to join that divine, royal family. The future is glorious for those who will genuinely follow biblical Christianity. But you need to study into it for yourself. Be sure to request our inspiring free booklet JOHN 3:16, HIDDEN TRUTHS OF THE GOLDEN VERSE. It will give you hope and encouragement that all of us need in this dangerous world.

We invite you to join us every week on Tomorrow’s World, or watch us on-line at any time. As our world continues to unravel and decline, you need the encouragement, faith, and truth that come from your Bible. Gerald Weston, Wallace Smith, and I, as well as our guest-presenter Rod McNair, will continue to share with you the inspiring teachings of Jesus Christ, the encouraging good news of the coming Kingdom of God, and the exciting end-time prophecies and their meaning. So, be sure to join us again next week, right here, at this same time!

 

SOURCE: http://www.pewforum.org/2017/04/05/the-changing-global-religious-landsca...