Standard Broadcast

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

Which Religion Is Right?

Our world is home to several major religions with a multitude of factions within them. Christianity is the most diverse, with various forms of Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, and each of these three has a plethora of differing denominations.

The next largest belief system is Islam, with Shia and Sunni factions. Then we have Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Atheism, and more.

Many people openly confess they have their own personally-devised faith. “Spiritual, but not religious,” is a common refrain today. It’s impossible to accurately number the endless proliferation of belief systems in a world of over eight billion human beings.

For any thinking person, no matter what his faith, a question must arise: “How do I know that what I believe is true?” After all, doesn’t everyone think that what he or she believes is true? But how can this be when we all believe something different? Can we all be right?

This is not a question from which we should shrink.

If there is a God, does He accept any and all forms of belief systems? Can we dictate to Him that which He must accept? Think about it, my friends.

Be Brave Enough to Face the Truth

A warm welcome to all of you from all of us here at Tomorrow’s World, where today I am asking and answering the critical question: How can you know that what you believe about God is true?

Think about it, dear friends. Do you want to come to the end of your life only to find out that you were in error about the very purpose of your existence?

Yet, that must be the case for the overwhelming majority who have ever lived. What other conclusion can we come to when we look at the diverse and contradictory ideas of all the major, minor, and obscure religions extant in our world?

Some people contend that all roads lead to heaven, but have you ever applied that logic to Detroit, London, or Beijing? And consider—not all religions agree on what the final destination is, nor on what one must do to get there. Sheer logic tells us this is nonsense.

Be Honest with Yourself

So what makes you think that you have the right answer?

I’ve had to ask myself the same question, and frankly, I marvel at how easy it is to find out. However, there are two obstacles we must overcome up front.

1. Am I willing to sincerely face the question? And…
2. Where do I start to find the answer?

Let’s be honest with ourselves. None of us likes to admit that we’re wrong. Christians believe truth is found in Christianity. But within Christianity, Catholics and Protestants believe their faith is correct. Muslims believe Islam holds the truth. Hindus believe Hinduism is the way. And atheists reject the very idea of God.

Ask the Tough Questions

So whatever you believe, what makes you correct and others wrong? Have you taken a serious and objective look at the question and proved it for yourself? Because if you sincerely question your long-held beliefs, you might not like the answer. And if you don’t like the answer, what are the implications? What do you do about it? Will you admit error? Will you make difficult changes?

If you’re willing to question your long-held beliefs, where do you go to find the answers? In the remainder of this program, I’ll give three keys to finding the answer to this vitally important question.

Key #1: Prove for yourself whether God exists

Belief is one thing. Proving your belief is something entirely different.

If there is no all-powerful, all-knowing Creator, there is no need to go further. Each of us is left to decide for ourselves what is right and wrong and what temporal meaning there is to life.

However, if the preponderance of the evidence demands an intelligent Creator, then it behooves us to seek to know Him and discover what He expects of us.

Atheists assume they have the answer in evolution, but have they truly questioned that theory?

Proof of God in Our World

Frankly, the evidence of God is all around us.

• Why is the moon 1/400th the size of the sun, but at the exact distance to allow for a total solar eclipse? Quite a “coincidence!”
• Why is 70% of this planet bathed in water, which brings a multitude of benefits—some obvious, some not so obvious, and some of which we are still discovering?
• Why is water the only substance that commonly exists on earth as a liquid, solid, and gas?
• And why does freezing water defy the norm by expanding rather than contracting, allowing ice to float rather than sink?

When we look at the perfection that abounds in creatures great and small, we recognize design, functionality, and beauty.

• Did—as evolutionists assert—vegetarian, mammalian hippopotami and egg-laying, carnivorous crocodiles truly evolve from a common ancestor 55 million years ago?
• Why is it that these common ancestors, so vital to evolutionary theory, only exist in artists’ imaginations and not in the fossil record?

Then there is the whole subject of microbiology and proteins, the building blocks of life.

• How did DNA—the most sophisticated code known to man—evolve?

Steve Jobs needed intelligent humans to write code, but all code writers together cannot match the sophistication, precision, and conciseness of DNA.

• And how could evolution occur when DNA needs proteins, yet proteins do not exist apart from DNA?
• Which came first, and how did one survive while waiting for the other to evolve?

In living cells, proteins are assembled by little “machines,” which themselves are made of proteins.

• Again, which came first, the assembly line or the proteins that make up the assembly line?

Mathematically, it’s impossible, as even evolutionists admit, for life to spontaneously arise from non-living material. The chance of it happening staggers the mind. It’s estimated that the number of atoms in the known universe is 10 to the power of 78 to 82. That is a one followed by 78 to 82 zeros.

Yet, as evolutionist Bill Bryson explains, the odds of a typical protein self-assembling are one in ten to the power of 260. That’s a one followed by 260 zeroes.

Now friends, do you understand what that means? Every time you add a zero, it multiplies the number ten times. So, the odds of just one type of protein self-assembling are—and let this sink in—not just larger, but literally trillions upon trillions upon trillions of times greater than the number of atoms in the known universe. No wonder Bryson admits:

By all the laws of probability proteins shouldn’t exist (Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything, 2003, p. 288).

It’s clear that matter came into existence at a point in time, and there has not been enough time for even a single cell to have evolved.

• Key #1: Prove for yourself whether God exists.

The evidence of God’s existence is all around for anyone with an open mind and eyes to see.

In the previous segment, I didn’t even scratch the surface of all the proofs that God exists. Even apart from microbiology, proofs of God are everywhere. And this is why ancient King David rightly declared:

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

And the Apostle Paul wrote these stern words in Romans 1:18.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:18–20).

If you want to know whether your belief system is correct, you need to prove God’s existence.

That is the first key.

Key #2: Prove for yourself whether the Bible is truly the Word of God

Is it not logical to believe that, if God exists, He has a purpose for mankind and that He has not left us in the dark as to what that purpose is? How, if at all, has He revealed Himself to us?

Are we, who are so marvelously and wonderfully made, left to fend for ourselves with no revealed purpose for being? Or has our Creator given us a means by which His purpose is revealed?

Time does not allow me to explore every holy book, but I will take time to address the Bible.

Fulfilled Prophecy: Proof the Bible Is Inspired by God

One unique trait of this amazing book is fulfilled prophecy. No other book so accurately and clearly foretells events that have taken place, events that are currently taking place, and events to come.

We have covered many biblical prophecies in past Tomorrow’s World programs and in our literature, but let me focus on one of the most remarkable prophecies—found in the book of Isaiah. Here God mocks all pretenders, beginning in Isaiah 44:24.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, and drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolishness” (Isaiah 44:24–25).

He then projects into the future, after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple, to the time when Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt. God then names the Gentile king who will release the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, and He does so 200 years in advance.

[God,] Who confirms the word of His servant, and performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, “You shall be inhabited,” to the cities of Judah, “You shall be built,” And I will raise up her waste places…. Who says of Cyrus, “He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure,” saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” and to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid” (Isaiah 44:26–28).

The account continues into chapter 45, explaining that Cyrus would subdue nations, and become very rich through his conquests—something that history supports. Let’s pick it up in verse 3.

I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me (Isaiah 45:3–4).

Yes, through the prophet Isaiah, God called Cyrus by name and declared what he would do, well before Cyrus was born.

Bible Prophecies Happening Now

Viewers of Tomorrow’s World know there are many other very specific prophecies for the end-time that are being fulfilled, even as I speak.

• Jerusalem will be a troublesome stone for the world (Zechariah 12:2–3)
• All nations will be gathered together against the Jews (Zechariah 12:3; Zechariah 14:2)
• A Jewish state will wield great military power (Zechariah 12:6; Genesis 49:1; Genesis 49:8–9)
• There exists instantaneous worldwide communications at the end of the age (Revelation 11:9–10)
• Humanity is able to destroy all life from planet earth, so says our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:21–22)

Doesn’t everyone think his religious views are correct? Yet how can everyone be right when there are so many different ideas about God and religion in the world? Is there objective truth? And if so, how can you know that you have that objective truth?

Thus far, I’ve given you two of three keys necessary to answer this question.

1. Key #1: Prove for yourself whether God exists.
2. Key #2: Prove for yourself whether the Bible is truly the Word of God.

These two keys prepare the way for the third vital key, which can give you certainty that you have the truth, something that eludes so much of humanity.

Key #3: Prove from the Bible What Jesus Taught and How He Lived

Now on the surface, most people think they already know, but do they?

The late Dr. Roderick C. Meredith asked:

If Jesus of Nazareth were to return to the earth today, would He recognize the religion that is using His name? Would He be shocked to find that… His professed followers believe doctrines totally contrary to what He taught, observe different days of worship and different customs, and—most importantly—have a totally different concept of God and of His purpose than Jesus and the original Apostles did (Restoring Original Christianity, p. 1)?

False Christianity: Refusing to Obey Jesus Christ

When we compare modern professing Christianity, we find a religion in many aspects different from Jesus, His Apostles, and the early Church of God. No wonder Jesus gave false Christianity as His first sign of the end of the age.

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name [that is, claiming they represent Him], saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ [in other words, admitting Jesus is the Christ] and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4–5).

Jesus challenged the people, even in His day (Luke 6:46),

But why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and do not do the things which I say?

Yes, people call Jesus their Lord or Master, but do they really do what He taught? Or do they reason around clear statements, such as this one found in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:17–18?

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

What Did Jesus Teach?

Since time is limited, let me ask some serious questions for serious students of the Bible.

• Why don’t professing Christians observe the same seventh-day Sabbath that Jesus and His Apostles did?
• It is recorded three times that Jesus is “the Lord of the Sabbath,” so why do people call Sunday the Lord’s day, when the Bible never does?
• Why is the birth of Christ celebrated on the birthday of the sun god, Mithra?
• Why is the name of a pagan fertility goddess, Ishtar (or Easter), attached to a most sacred Christian holiday?
• Why is Easter celebrated with fertility symbols such as eggs and rabbits—something absolutely missing from the New Testament?
• And why are holidays originating in paganism substituted for the holy days Jesus and His Apostles kept?

Just because we have believed something from an early age does not make it true.

True Christianity Rejects Pagan Traditions

My guess is that if you are a viewer of Tomorrow’s World, you believe in one form of Christianity or another. Probably only a very small percentage of our audience identifies as non-Christian. That’s why I have focused on the God of the Bible. Nevertheless, that does not negate my first two keys to know whether what you believe is true. You must:

1. Key #1: Prove for yourself whether God exists.
2. Key #2: Prove for yourself whether the Bible is truly the word of God.

But when we come to key number three for a professing Christian audience, people become emotional and defensive. Pride gets in the way. Most people would rather believe their long-held beliefs are right than admit error and change.

Satan Deceives the Whole World

But do you realize that God tells us that Satan has deceived the whole world, and Christianity, the most diverse of all world religions, is the largest belief system in the world. According to one source, it is estimated that Christianity will have over 2.63 billion adherents by the end of 2024.

Which form of Christianity do you subscribe to? With so much diversity within this largest of all religions, how can they all be right? Would it surprise you to know that according to many scholars, very few people today follow the founder of Christianity?

Respected mainline Protestant scholar Jesse Lyman Hurlbut points out that it didn’t take long for Christianity to take a wrong turn

For fifty years after St. Paul’s life a curtain hangs over the church, through which we strive vainly to look; and when at last it rises, about 120 A.D. with the writings of the earliest church-fathers, we find a church in many aspects very different from that in the days of St. Peter and St. Paul (Hurlbut, The Story of the Christian Church, 1970, p. 33).

More pointedly, philosopher and theologian Søren Kirkegaard wrote:

The Christianity of the New Testament simply does not exist…. What has to be done is to throw light upon a criminal offense against Christianity, prolonged through centuries, perpetrated by millions (more or less guiltily), whereby they have cunningly, under the guise of perfecting Christianity, sought little by little to cheat God out of Christianity, and have succeeded in making Christianity exactly the opposite of what it is in the New Testament (Kierkegaard’s Attack Upon Christendom, translated by Walter Lowrie, 1946, pp. 32–33).

And as noted historian Will Durant explains:

Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it (Caesar and Christ, 1944, p. 595).

Those are strong words, and they are far from the only ones written by historians and biblical scholars.

3. Key #3 is prove from the Bible what Jesus taught and how He lived.

True Christians Must Follow Jesus

Every denomination in professing Christianity claims it has the truth, but the Apostle John wrote:

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:4–6).

Are you, dear friends, walking in the steps of Jesus? Are you sure?

I hope you profited from this video.

If you found it helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free booklet titled The Bible: Fact or Fiction? by clicking the link or going to TWTV.org/Bible.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you understand our world through the pages of the Bible. So be sure to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss another video.

Thanks for watching! See you next time.

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

How to Manage Stress, Anxiety, and Feeling Overwhelmed

Does your world seem out of control? We’re living in an age of high-tech and hyper-connectivity. And it seems sometimes we’re going faster and faster, but getting further and further behind.

Information comes at us from all directions at ever-increasing speeds. We’re continually amazed by ever-more powerful communication tools. And yet for many people, relationships are fracturing more than ever. We try desperately to keep up at work and at home, but seem to be drowning in an avalanche of challenges.

Everyone is going in different directions. Nerves are frayed, and there never seems to be enough time.

Does it feel like humanity needs a rest? Do you need a rest? I think most of us would say yes.

The good news is the Bible speaks of a time coming soon that is just that: a rest.

It’s prophesied in your Bible. And it’s going to benefit everyone when that beautiful time comes.

But you don’t have to wait for a better world. You can experience the peace and tranquility and yes, rest, of a life guided by God right now. And you can be a part of God’s plan to bring those blessings to the world.

The Millennium: A 1,000-Year Rest Coming Soon

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

This world needs a rest. Look at our hyper-competitive workplace—many of us running faster and faster in our jobs or our business just to keep pace.

In the media, we are continually bombarded with competing streams of ideas and opinions. The soundtrack of our lives and our homes is all too often noise, chaos, and clatter.

And that’s not even speaking of the ravages of war that leave whole communities shattered and hundreds or thousands maimed or dead. This world needs a break. And it needs it soon.

The Bible speaks of a time when that is exactly what will happen. And it’s just around the corner.

This coming time is sometimes called the Millennium, meaning “one thousand years.” The Bible introduces the idea of a millennium in Revelation 20:4.

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them…. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

The Millennium Begins at the Return of Jesus Christ

This is the time when Jesus Christ will have returned and will reign with the resurrected saints over the whole earth. This is the Kingdom of God on earth. Who will the Kingdom of God be reigning over? The people who survived the horrific Great Tribulation.

Early Christians believed in Christ’s millennial reign on earth. Notice what the historian Edward Gibbon wrote.

The ancient and popular doctrine of the Millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ. As the works of the creation had been finished in six days, their duration in their present state, according to a tradition which was attributed to the prophet Elijah, was fixed to six thousand years (Christianity and the Decline of Rome by Edward Gibbon, an abridgement for the modern reader of the first part of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, edited by Jacob Sloan, 1962, p. 105).

So first-century Christians were looking forward to Jesus Christ’s literal return to this earth. And they were anticipating a thousand years of His reign to bring happiness and joy in a new world. Going on in the quote from Edward Gibbon:

By the same analogy it was inferred that this long period of labour and contention, which was now almost elapsed, would be succeeded by a joyful Sabbath of a thousand years.

Entering the Promised Land Pictured the Millennium (Hebrews 4)

So this idea of a coming millennial rest is not new. It’s been around a long time.

The Apostle Paul speaks of this time to come in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. In chapter 3, he quotes David writing in the Psalms. We’ll pick it up in Hebrews 3:7.

Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years.… So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest” (Hebrews 3:7–11).

That generation of Israelites coming out of Egypt were disobedient and rebellious. And so they were not allowed to enter the Promised Land. But stop for a moment and consider. The Promised Land—that land where that next generation would later settle—was called a “rest.”

They were slaves in Egypt, living a difficult life. It was not a happy time. But the Promised Land was going to be different. It would be a blessing for them. They would own property and have peace within their borders. They would have rain in due season, and harvests would be abundant. They would get married and have families. It was a beautiful picture of a vibrant and growing society, if they would have obeyed God.

But they were not obedient, and did not enter that rest. That should be a lesson for us. And that’s exactly the point the Apostle Paul makes. Notice what he says in Hebrews 4:1.

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

The Weekly Sabbath Also Pictures the Millennium

So Paul uses this analogy of entering the Promised Land, compared to something ahead for us. What is the “rest” ahead for obedient and faithful Christians? To answer that, let’s read on. Let’s pick it up in Hebrews 4:3.

For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest” (Hebrews 4:3–5).

So he’s talking about Christians’ hope and desire to enter a future rest at the end of this life. But then, he connects that idea to God resting after the six-day re-creation found in Genesis 1 and 2.

God rested on the seventh day, and so He made that day holy. And He instructs mankind to rest on the seventh day of each week, as a reminder of how He rested.

There is a day for a year principle in the Bible, and sometimes it’s even extended to a day for 1,000 years. For example, notice what Peter said in 2 Peter 3:8.

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

So putting it all together, the millennial reign of Christ on earth is like a 1,000-year sabbath. Only, instead of the weekly Sabbath that comes after a six-day period of time, this millennial sabbath comes after a 6,000-year period of time.

We’re counseled by Paul to be vigilant and overcome in order to enter that rest—notice in Hebrews 4:11.

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

All Nations Will Keep the Sabbath in the Millennium

But why is the Millennium referred to as a rest and a sabbath? Let’s read one of the prophecies of the future in Isaiah 66:23.

“And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.

In other words, in the future millennial age, all flesh will be keeping the seventh-day Sabbath. Now why should we take note of this?

The Sabbath Is a Weekly Rest from Work

Think about it. So many people today are working harder than ever, trying to keep up. Many work seven days a week. They awaken extremely early each morning, fight traffic on long commutes, work long hours, and crash, exhausted at the end of the day. And that’s not even counting family responsibilities with caring for children and taking care of household chores. No wonder why so many struggle with insomnia, anxiety, and even depression.

What if I told you there’s a way to offer the entire world—everyone—15% more rest time each week? Does that sound like a good deal?

This prophecy says just that. There will be a time when every human being on the face of the earth will be keeping the seventh-day Sabbath. And that means one day out of seven—that’s 15% of the week—will be a well-deserved break.

You see, the weekly Sabbath is a weekly rest. The Hebrew word translated Sabbath comes from a word simply meaning “to cease, or to rest.”

The Fourth Commandment: Six Days You Shall Work…

The Sabbath command is contained in the fourth of the Ten Commandments. But there’s not just a command to stop working, there’s also a command to work—notice in Exodus 20:8.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work… (Exodus 20:8–9).

Did you ever notice that? We’re actually commanded to work. So, barring circumstances such as illness or injury, all of us should be engaged in some kind of work. It’s good for us. It’s good for our mental well-being, and it gives us the opportunity to grow and develop, and contribute for the good of others.

How to Rest: Remember the Sabbath Day

But keep reading, and we find out what God says about resting on the Sabbath in Exodus 20:10.

[B]ut the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.

The Sabbath is a day to worship God and draw near to Him, but it’s also a day to rest. How wonderful!

When you ask people, “Should Christians keep the Ten Commandments?” Virtually everyone will say, of course:

• You shall do no murder.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not covet.

All good. But then when you get to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” most will say, “Ah, but that’s a burden. We’re not required to do that.”

Not a Burden: God Created a Day to Rest

If you’ve heard that argument, have you ever really thought this through? Remember, what does the original word for “sabbath” mean? To cease, or to rest. So what is the Sabbath command? It’s a reminder to rest. How is a reminder to take a rest a burden?

I love to work outside, and when our children were small, we would often work outside together. Whether it was raking leaves, trimming trees, pulling weeds or hoeing in the garden, we worked outside together. And when you’re working, you sometimes get hot and tired, and need a break. You know that never once did our children complain when I told them, “Ok, that’s enough for now. Let’s go inside and get some water and take a break.” They never once told me, “Dad, what a burden that is. We want to keep working.”

And yet, that is what so many people in our world are telling God week after week. Maybe that includes you. That we want to keep working, seven days a week, non-stop, week in and week out. How has the Sabbath come to be seen as a burden? Isn’t working non-stop without a day of rest really the burden?

What we find is the whole population of the world will be keeping the Sabbath. Imagine the joy and freedom people will experience, when they are allowed to have a day off—guaranteed. That’s coming. That’s the Millennial rest that will soon be here.

There are other ways that the Millennium will be a rest for people as well. The prophet Micah speaks of it in Micah 4:4.

But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

The world of the Millennium will be one of peace and harmony among nations and among neighbors. But we can see that is not the case today. The “European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations” website says this:

As of May 2024, the number of forcibly displaced people in the world has reached a staggering 120 million, marking another historic increase and the twelfth consecutive annual rise in the global figures for forced displacement (“Forced Displacement,” European Commission, Accessed October 30, 2024).

That truly is staggering. Unbelievable. One hundred and twenty million people living as refugees around the globe. That’s almost the equivalent of the entire population of Japan, the twelfth largest country in the world.

Take a Day Off: You Need Time to Rest

Wouldn’t you say this tired old world needs a rest? When a person can enjoy earning a living, owning his own property, and enjoying the fruits of his own labor, without fear of violence or theft.

Isn’t that what most people want? Just a chance to put food on their own table and live with a certain level of security and safety?

Weekly Stress Relief: The Sabbath Rest

But what about you? Are you feeling overwhelmed now? Do you need a rest?

Our jobs are often stressful. Achieving life-work balance is difficult. Relationships can be a challenge. And as we age and even retire, financial and health problems can loom larger and larger. We’ve seen there is hope for the world—in the future—but is there help for you now?

Yes there is. Let’s look at something the apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come....

The phrase “perilous times” is also described as “times of stress.” Some concordances describe this word “perilous” as “hard, troublesome, difficult, or even annoying.” Wouldn’t you say we are living in an annoying age?

This is a time of increased stress. In a poll reported on in May of 2024 by the American Psychiatric Association, here are some of their findings:

U.S. adults are feeling increasingly anxious. In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022 (“American Adults Express Increasing Anxiousness in Annual Poll; Stress and Sleep are Key Factors Impacting Mental Health,” Psychiatry.org, May 1, 2024).

Think about that. Not only is the number of people who feel anxious going up, those numbers represent a sizable portion of the American population.

What are people stressed about?

Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%)—especially the economy (77%), the 2024 U.S. election (73%), and gun violence (69%). When asked about a list of lifestyle factors potentially impacting mental health, adults most commonly say stress (53%) and sleep (40%) have the biggest impact on their mental health. Younger adults (18-34 years old) are more likely than older adults (50+) to say social connection has the biggest impact on their mental health… “Living in a world of constant news of global and local turmoil, some anxiety is natural and expected,” said APA President Petros Levounis… “But what stands out here is that Americans are reporting more anxious feelings than in past years.”

And this isn’t just about Americans. The World Health Organization noted in September of 2023 that, as of 2019, over 300 million people around the world suffer from some type of anxiety disorder (“Anxiety disorders,” Who.int, September 27, 2023).

“I Will Give You Rest” (Matthew 11:28)

The point is many of us today need a break. But you don’t have to wait for the Millennium to experience God’s rest. Sure, society won’t change for you. But God can give you rest even when living in a world of sin and turmoil. Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

Jesus Christ promises to help shoulder our load with us. He promises to walk beside us and to help us. But we have to put our faith and trust in Him.

How to Be Anxious for Nothing

We have to look to Him, ask for His help, and do our part to turn our hearts toward His will—and not ours. If we do that, He will give us peace that is beyond normal human comprehension. Notice Philippians 4:6.

Be anxious for nothing….

That’s easier said than done, isn’t it? When the bills pile up, you’re stressed and tired, or you’ve got chronic health problems. How can we be anxious for nothing? Well, by looking beyond ourselves and focusing on what God is already doing in our lives. Notice Philippians 4:6 again:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

God wants us to look to Him as the source of strength in times of trouble. But when we are asking God for blessings, it’s important to stop ourselves and think, “What has God already done in my life? What is He doing right now as of this moment?” It’s amazing how it changes our perspective when we thank Him for what He’s already doing (going on in Philippians 4:7).

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If we are seeking His will and being thankful for what He’s doing now, He will give us strength. And even in difficult circumstances, we can have a sense of peace and tranquility through God’s Spirit.

But that’s not all.

The Millennium: Rest and Peace for the World

If we give our lives to God, we can prepare for a magnificent future. What do I mean? I’m talking about ruling with Christ in the millennial rest. That’s the destiny of the saints. Notice Luke 19:12–13.

A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business till I come.”

Jesus came the first time, gave His truth to His disciples and His life for our sins. He was resurrected and now sits at the right hand of the Father. And Jesus is preparing to come again. What should His servants be doing in the meantime? Using His Spirit to do His Work and prepare themselves spiritually for His return.

Notice what the reward is for those who successfully prepare. We pick it up in Luke 19:17.

And he said to him, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.”

Did you catch that? The destiny of forgiven, obedient, and converted Christians at Christ’s return is to reign with Him in glory on the earth.

You see, if we capture the vision and submit ourselves to a life of service to Christ, we can help bring hope and comfort to this troubled world. And along the way, we can experience the rest that Christ offers to those who submit their lives to Him. What a fantastic opportunity for those who have eyes to see.

But that rest is coming. It’s prophesied in the pages of your Bible. Notice a prophetic scripture of that coming Millennium, found in Isaiah 26:1–2.

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.

You Can Have the Peace of God Now

But notice further in Isaiah 26:3.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

It’s a description of what it will be like to live in that time, during Christ’s righteous reign on earth. But it also describes the blessings we can experience now of rest and peace, if we are covered by the shed blood of Christ and forgiven of our sins.

And if we walk with God, obey Him, like remembering His Sabbath day, keep our mind stayed on Him, and trust Him.

It’s our heartfelt prayer that you can reign with Christ in that glorious day, and experience the strength and power of His Spirit and His rest, in your life now.

Hey everyone, thanks for watching. We hope you found this video helpful.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

So if you found it helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?

Just click the link in the description or order online at TWTV.org/Ahead. It will be sent to you completely free of charge.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another video.

See you next time.

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

The Spirit World Is Real

Our world today is not the world God wants it to be.

One of the reasons, which will surprise many, is that our planet, its governments, and its peoples are all living under the weight of Satan’s rule. From the beginning of mankind’s existence to today, human history is the written record of what it means to live under the rule of the devil.

Yet that rule is coming to an end—and what a difference that will make.

Join us here on Tomorrow’s World as we dive into God’s word and see the coming end of Satan’s rule.

Satan the Devil Is the Ruler of This World

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

Have you ever heard the old Protestant hymn, “This Is My Father’s World”? Its poetic praise of the created, natural world around us is beautiful.

Yet, when we look more broadly, it seems very apparent that this world is not our Father’s world. It is filled with suffering, misery, conflict, and heartache—surely not His desire for this beautiful place He created or for the people He fashioned in His own image.

That’s because the world around us, in a very real way, is under the authority and control of Satan the Devil.

That might be hard to believe. Maybe you’ve never heard it before. But I assure you, based on God’s own word, it is true.

Again, it might seem odd to say that Satan rules the world—maybe even a little overdramatic. But we don’t want you to just take our word for it. Don’t just believe us—believe your Bible. In fact, in this case, you can take Jesus’ word for it.

Jesus Did Not Refute Satan’s Authority

In John 14:30, we read something Jesus said to His disciples as His crucifixion was drawing near.

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.”

That “ruler of this world” Jesus talked about was Satan the Devil, and He calls him this in two additional passages: John 12:31 and John 16:11.

Now, you might wonder about how that meshes with other statements in the Bible. For instance, in Matthew 28:18, we read Jesus’ comment, after His resurrection, that “all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

We see the answer to this question reflected in the temptation of Jesus Christ, early in his ministry.

Satan Tempts Jesus Christ

At that time, 3½ years before His crucifixion, Jesus had been fasting, 40 days and 40 nights, drawing near to His Father before launching His ministry.

At that time, Satan appeared to the Son of God and tempted Him—and among the devil’s temptations was an offer of power. We read about it in Luke 4, starting in verse 5.

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (Luke 4:5–8).

Of course, Jesus did not take the bait. If He had, He wouldn’t be our Savior.

But notice what Jesus didn’t say—He didn’t say Satan was lying about having that authority. He didn’t say that the kingdoms of the world had not been delivered to the devil.

In fact, the kingdoms of the world have been given to Satan. Again, as Jesus said, the devil is the “ruler of this world.” And why? Because rulership of the nations had been given to Satan, as he says to Jesus in the passage.

“All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me…” (Luke 4:6).

Satan Is “the God of This Age”

Yes, God reigns supreme in all things but, for this time, in this age, He has given Satan a certain amount of authority and freedom to act. That’s why even after Jesus’ resurrection, the Apostle Paul still refers to Satan as “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Now, you might think, why in the world would God do that?

But the short story is that Satan wasn’t always Satan.

Satan Deceives the Whole World (Revelation 12:9)

Responsibility for the world had been given to him when he was the archangel Lucifer, before his sin and descent into darkness.

However, mankind had an opportunity to replace him—to take the reins of the world and bring it back into line with the will and desire of God. But if you’ve read Genesis 1 through 3, then you know the story.

Given the choice between following Satan’s lead or God’s—between disobeying their Creator and deciding right and wrong for themselves, or obeying their Creator and choosing His guidance over their own desires—they chose to follow Satan’s lead.

And frankly, each of us at various times in our own lives have made the exact same choice as Adam and Eve. Romans 3:23 is plain.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

So Satan remains, as Christ called him, the “ruler of this world.”

Results of Satan’s Deception

And what have been the results of following the devil’s lead?

We’ve had thousands of years—generation after generation after generation—to figure out how to build the world while deciding right and wrong for ourselves instead of obeying our Creator.

What have we achieved in all this time? What does a world under the rule of the devil look like?

Consider these four facts.

1. First, our world is filled with confusion.

Humanity has thousands upon thousands of different religions, philosophies, worldviews, ideologies, and belief systems. Right and wrong differ from culture to culture—even family to family and person to person.

In fact, many today believe there is no right or wrong—that life is a matter of what you can get away with, so long as no one catches you.

In some of our most scientifically advanced societies, the most astonishing ignorance is on the rise, where even the most basic questions—such as what is a family? What is a man or a woman? What is a boy or a girl?—generate blank stares and stammering, babbling nonsense. We are becoming, simultaneously, the most educated and the most stupid generation in human history.

2. And under Satan’s rule our world is one of near-constant warfare.

John Arquilla, professor of defense analysis at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, wrote on this fact at the end of 2012 for Foreign Policy magazine.

Writing their Lessons of History in the tumultuous year 1968, Will and Ariel Durant observed that in “the last 3,421 years of recorded history, only 268 have seen no war.” The 44 years since they made this observation have added not a single year of peace to that meager total (“The Big Kill,” Foreign Policy, December 3, 2012).

That’s less than eight years of peace for every century of recorded history. Of course, he wrote that in 2012, a little more than a decade ago. How do you think we’ve fared since then?

As I record this program, right now, Israel is at war in Gaza; Russia and Ukraine are trading dead bodies at an astonishing rate; and nations around the world are arming as if they see World War III dawning on the horizon like an apocalyptic sunrise.

And our current arsenal of weaponry is like nothing history has ever seen, capable of fulfilling the end-time conditions Jesus described in Matthew 24:22—warfare in which “no flesh would be saved” apart from God’s own intervention.

Humanity cries out for peace, but the truth of our existence under Satan’s rule has consistently matched the declaration of God in Isaiah 59.

Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace (Isaiah 59:7-8).

3. Also under the devil’s rule, our world is one of FAMINE and want.

I’m blessed to live in the United States—a nation blessed with wealth and almost embarrassing access to food (at least for now). But my life is not the norm.

In its “State of Food Security and Nutrition” report for 2023, the United Nations noted that after years of decline, hunger and food insecurity is on the increase, with more than 700 million people globally facing hunger at some point in the year—roughly one out of every 11 human beings (“The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024”, FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, 2024).

Global poverty, as well, has been on the increase in recent years. And who hasn’t seen the growing waves of homelessness and illegal immigration, as millions seek an escape from the turmoil, danger, and want in their home nations?

4. Further, the devil’s reign as “ruler of this world” has given us a world of disease and pestilence.

COVID-19 frightened Western nations who are used to feeling that rampant disease was a part of other countries’ lives—not theirs. And, indeed, the constant threat of disease and infection is a way of life for people in so many nations around the world.

And in nations with enough wealth to push back against those diseases that ravage impoverished countries, the specter of “diseases of affluence” rears its head. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, obesity-related and respiratory diseases, sexually transmitted diseases. In Satan’s world, it seems as if humanity is determined not to be healthy.

As much as we cry to the heavens that we want to understand how life is supposed to work, that we want peace, plenty, and good health, mankind proves generation after generation that we cannot achieve those things—because we continue to seek our own ways, our own paths, our own ideas and values apart from the authority of a loving God.

We seek to continue imagining that we can rule ourselves, the way we want to live. And in doing so, we continue to support Satan on his throne, as the “ruler of this world,” just as Jesus Christ said he was.

In fact, Revelation chapter 6 says that each of these conditions—ideological and religious confusion, warfare, famine, and pestilence—will eventually come to a dramatic climax in the end-times, symbolized by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse holding life-or-death sway over a fourth of the entire world.

But, my friends, there really is good news ahead.

Because while six millennia of human history has proven mankind simply cannot solve the problem of Satan’s rule, Almighty God can solve that problem, and He will. The time is coming when God the Father will send His Son, Jesus Christ, to this world to end the reign of the devil on this planet.

God Gives Jesus Christ All Authority

Where Adam failed to remain faithful to God and failed to replace Satan on his throne, Jesus Christ succeeded. The sinless Son of God has earned the right to reign over this world to the glory of His Father and for the fulfillment of their plan of salvation.

Recall that earlier in our program, we mentioned that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, said after His resurrection that “all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ: Satan’s Kingdom Ends

But the time when He will act on that authority and take control of the kingdoms of the world lies just ahead. When it comes, it will be the greatest news mankind could ever hope to hear.

Let’s read about it, starting in Revelation 11:15.

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned” (Revelation 11:15–17).

That same trumpet blast, the last trumpet, will also herald the resurrection and glorification of His saints, who will begin their reign alongside Him.

Jesus Christ Will Destroy the Works of the Devil

And the first order of business will be the destruction of the assembled armies of the devil and the banishing of Satan for 1,000 years. We read of that in Revelation 20.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while (Revelation 20:1–3).

That “little while” would be the focus of a completely different program.

For today’s purposes, we can’t fail to miss that at the beginning of Jesus Christ’s reign on this earth, Satan the Devil and his influence will be utterly removed from this world for the entire 1,000-year period. His rule on this earth will end, [as] the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:8.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

And destroy the works of the devil He will!

God’s Way of Life Will Replace Satan’s Lies

Today’s world may be shaped by the character of the devil, but tomorrow’s world will be shaped by the character of Jesus Christ—and what a difference that will make.

For instance, instead of confusion, Christ will bring understanding and knowledge.

The world will know that there is a God. They will know—and believe—that Jesus Christ is His Son. And they will know the way of life that we were created to live.

No More Sorrow or Pain

In fact, look in Isaiah 11:9, which describes the world during the Millennium under Christ. There it says,

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

The Way of Peace

Notice that statement: “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain.” That’s because the Bible says that the rule of Jesus Christ will replace our world of warfare with one of true peace. Not a peace built on pretense—based on a delicate-but-fragile balance of nuclear stockpiles or treaties that are made in one generation but broken in the next. But a real peace, founded on the laws of God and a way of life that is built on loving your neighbor, instead of seeing him as means to get what you want.

The millennial reign of Christ will see peace between nations, yes, but also peace between families and between people. He will show us how to live in peace—and once they have experienced the joy of living in a world governed by His laws and way of life, Isaiah 9:6 tells us they will call Jesus Christ, the “Prince of Peace.”

The Abundant Life

And in that land of peace there will be plenty for all. Prophecy contains a beautiful picture of this in Amos 9. There, God speaks of a world overflowing with produce.

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “when the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it” (Amos 9:13).

And finally, in a world where the knowledge of God permeates all of life, peace and safety reign, and food is not only plentiful but is grown properly according to divine guidance and biblical principles, we will also experience a world of abundant health.

The Kingdom of God: God’s Laws, God’s Blessings

With Satan’s rule ended, the laws of God will be enforced, including the many laws He established for man’s good—laws of agriculture, of hygiene, and of distinguishing between the clean and the unclean.

Just as He did during His ministry 2,000 years ago, but on a much grander scale, Jesus Christ will intervene and heal the sick.

The prophet Isaiah writes of this coming time in chapter 35 of his book.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert (Isaiah 35:5–6).

Instead of the confusion, war, famine, and disease of today’s world, tomorrow’s world will be filled with understanding, peace, plenty, and abundant health.

For millennia, man has been struggling and failing to turn the world into a paradise his way, following the pattern of Satan the Devil, who refused to do things his Creator’s way.

But Jesus Christ is returning, and when He does, He will end Satan’s rule and begin His own.

And man will finally experience that paradise he’s always longed for—once he finally gives up for good the idea of doing it his way and submits, totally and completely, to be ruled by the Son of God.

Pray for God’s Kingdom to Come

Today, we’ve discussed the fact that the tragic history and present condition of our world is due to the fact that it reflects the character of its true ruler, Satan the Devil. And the fruit of his reign is exactly what you would imagine it to be—resulting in thousands of years of misery, heartbreak, and human suffering.

But the good news is that Satan’s rule is coming to an end.

In the days just ahead of us, and none too soon, Jesus Christ will appear in the clouds, ready to end the reign of the devil and inaugurate the Kingdom of God—replacing every sorrow of this world with a joy and happiness that can only come from the Son of God who loves us and who longs to make us a part of His family forever.

No wonder Jesus taught His disciples to pray “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10).

The True Christian Walk: Life More Abundantly Now

Yet, there is even better news. That news is that you do not have to wait until the return of Jesus Christ to begin ending the reign of Satan. That’s because God the Father is calling some now, in this age, to begin taking ground from the devil by submitting to the reign of Jesus Christ now—in their lives now and in their family’s lives now.

In John 10:10, Jesus says that He came that those who follow Him may have life, and have it more abundantly.

And Hebrews 6:5 speaks of those who have the opportunity now, today, before Christ’s return, to taste “the good word of God and the powers of the age to come” (Hebrews 6:5).

No, you can’t end the world’s confusion, but you can begin knowing the true God of Scripture better yourself.

And, no, you can’t end wars, no matter who you vote for. But you can find a peace that surpasses understanding in your own life and your own relationships with others.

And you can’t feed every starving child in this world, nor heal every suffering person. But you can learn the miraculous way of give instead of get, and get to know the One who does provide His children’s every need.

Reject Satan’s Way of Life

You can end the devil’s rule in your life and begin personally experiencing the blessings of the reign of Jesus Christ.

In fact, those who are willing to allow Christ to end Satan’s rule in their own lives in today’s world are the very ones He will use to bring an end to Satan’s rule over all mankind in tomorrow’s world.

Thanks so much for watching. All of us here at Tomorrow’s World work very hard to help you understand your world through the pages of the Bible.

And, we’d really appreciate it if you’d give us a like and subscribe to the channel.

Thank you so much for watching!

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

Why Is Baptism Important?

Is baptism required for salvation? Or is it just a legalistic ritual? Who should do the baptizing? And what’s the purpose of baptism in the first place?

These are just a few of the many questions surrounding baptism. Some see it as a required step to salvation, others as blatant legalism. Some say anyone can baptize; others understand that only ordained ministers should. Some baptize infants, while others say, no, candidates must be adults.

Is there a way to sort through the confusion? Can you understand the topic of baptism and the real meaning behind it?

The answer is yes. And today, on Tomorrow’s World, we’re going to dive into this subject and find out what the Bible says about this important topic. We need to know how to separate mere tradition from the truth.

The Purpose of Baptism

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

From time to time, we get questions from viewers on doctrinal issues. Few Bible topics cause as much difference of opinion as baptism. And yet, baptism is a fundamental doctrine for New Testament Christians, as the author of Hebrews noted, in Hebrews 6:1–2:

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

So, baptism is important. But what exactly do we mean when we speak of baptism? That leads us to the first question we’ll examine today:

1. What is the purpose of baptism?

To answer this question, we must first understand the real meaning of the word “baptize.”

The English word “baptize” is really only an anglicized form of the Greek word “baptizo.” And “baptizo” means “to dip, or to sink.” This is the Greek word referring to baptism in the New Testament.

So, in other words, at its very basic foundation, “baptize” means to submerge in and under water.

Now that might come as a surprise to you, if you grew up in a church that baptized by sprinkling or pouring.

We’ll see the significance of this as we go along.

First, let’s look at a literal example of how baptism was done in the New Testament. Notice the example of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, beginning in Acts 8:36:

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him (Acts 8:36–38).

Notice, both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water. That’s immersion. Going on in verse 39:

Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more… (Acts 8:39).

So they went down into the water, and then came up out of the water. It’s plain this is talking about full immersion. Now, why does this matter?

Baptism Requires Full Immersion in Water, Because Baptism Symbolizes Death

Well, there is great significance in baptism by immersion. What is that significance? At its very core, baptism is symbolic of death. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:3:

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

When we go down under the water, we are figuratively dying. We are to let the old man—or the old woman—die. We are to let go of our past sins, our habits, our ways of thinking, and our ways of doing things. We are then to be raised up out of the water ready to learn a new way. Going on in Romans 6:4,

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

So what does baptism teach us? It’s about dying to the self. That’s what we must do when we’re baptized—die to the self. Notice what Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20 (and I’ll read it in the King James Version):

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Baptism Is a Commitment to Change Your Life

If we’re seeking baptism, it means we want to be forgiven of our sins. And that’s true. But it’s much more as well. It means we want to change our life. We want to be different. And by the power of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by the receiving of the Holy Spirit, we can be different.

This is why Jesus instructed His apostles to baptize by immersion, because immersion can remind us we are to be crucified with Christ and dead to our past. Now baptism alone—just going through the act—doesn’t mean we are conquered and surrendered to God. But if we let the mode of baptism teach us about the purpose of baptism, it can change our life.

Baptism Is Required for Salvation (Mark 16:16)

That leads us to our next question:

2. Is the doctrine of baptism just a legalistic ritual?

Some see any action a Christian must do in obedience to God as legalistic. Any act you must do, that is required for salvation, is somehow “earning salvation.” So, is baptism a “legalistic” ritual?

As in the previous answer, there is much more to baptism than just a physical act. It has profound spiritual meaning for the Christian, if we’re truly repenting and surrendering to God.

Consider something else. There is a growing number of people today in mainstream Christianity who say anything we must do to be saved is “legalism.” But if that’s true, if a person doesn’t have to keep any commands of God, then he can live a life of lying, cheating, stealing, and even murdering—and still be saved. But that’s not what the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:15;

Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

It’s not legalism to obey the commandments. It’s simply doing what God says. And God will not give eternal life to anyone who doesn’t do what He says.

Belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is absolutely vital to becoming a true Christian. We must have faith in His sacrifice for our sins. And we must develop a deep and profound appreciation for what He did for us. We must have belief in Him and call on His name in faith if we want to receive salvation from sins. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:9 and 13:

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved… (Romans 10:9, 13).

So where does baptism fit in? Well, we must put all the Scriptures together. We don’t just build a fundamental doctrine around one or two Scriptures and leave the rest out. So, is baptism, along with faith and belief, necessary for salvation? That’s a good question.

Let’s let the greatest authority on that subject answer the question Himself. That is, of course, Jesus Christ our Savior. And notice what He is recorded saying in Mark 16:15–16:

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized [notice this] will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15–16).

What did Christ say? “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

Baptism Works With Faith and Belief

Now baptism by itself is not a magical, mystical method of obtaining eternal life by its very act. No—nothing could be further from the truth.

On the other hand, baptism is a requirement for salvation—according to our Savior. But in order for it to be effective in that sense, it must be accompanied by faith and trust and belief in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. And it must be accompanied by a deep appreciation for His role as our personal Savior, and a commitment to obey Him in everything.

So no, baptism is not some meaningless, legalistic ritual. It’s an outward expression of an inward conviction.

In other words, we believe in and call on the name of Christ. We confess our sins, and we repent of them. That means, we stop sinning and go the other way. We change. And then in faith, we are obedient to Jesus as our Lord and Master, conforming every part of our life to Him and His will.

So, we need belief and baptism. It’s not one or the other. It’s both.

Understanding That Our Sins Caused Our Savior’s Death Should Stir Us to Action

In addition, we need to deeply repent of our sins. And then we need the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit.

We find that explained in Acts 2. This chapter shows that Peter gave a sermon on the Day of Pentecost, telling the crowd they were guilty of the death of the Messiah. Notice their response in Acts 2:37:

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

That should be our response as well.

When we realize we are personally responsible for the death of our Savior, we should be cut to the heart, as it said. We should be deeply moved. And we should be ready to listen and learn about what God wants us to do.

They had that humble attitude. Notice what Peter’s response was in Acts 2:38.

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

You believe in your Savior, you confess with your mouth that He is your Lord and Master, and then you act in faith. You repent, you are baptized by immersion and, in faith, you receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. Baptism is a result of belief and faith. It’s an outward expression of inner conviction.

Who Should Baptize?

Another question that sometimes comes up is:

3. Who should baptize?

There is a lot of confusion about this question. Some think anyone who wants to can baptize. Some even believe they can baptize themselves!

But instead of just using our own imagination, let’s look at the Bible itself. Let’s look to it for guidance.

When Jesus commanded His disciples to preach the Gospel, He also sent them to heal the sick, cast out demons, and baptize. But not just anyone was authorized to do so.

We find this explained in the Book of Acts. Philip was a deacon, ordained in Acts chapter 6, and in Acts chapter 8, he went to Samaria and preached Christ. He baptized many people, including Simon the sorcerer, who at the time appeared to be sincere and repentant.

But notice, only the apostles had the authority to lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. We pick up the story in Acts 8:14–17.

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

It was only when the apostles laid hands on them, in prayer, that these people received the Holy Spirit. That’s how you receive it—not just by believing in your heart. You repent of your sins, in obedience to Jesus Christ. You ask for His forgiveness in faith, and then you must be baptized for the remission of sins. And then you have hands laid on you, for the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Simon the sorcerer recognized this very clearly. And so he offered them money to have this authority as well. Of course, the apostles refused.

So, who should baptize? Only those who have duly ordained into the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Of course, on the question of, “Can I baptize myself?”, the answer is clearly no. There is no record of anyone in Scripture baptizing themselves. And baptizing yourself would go against the principle that it takes someone who has already given over their life to God themselves—and been ordained into the ministry—to baptize. It would be a contradiction to say someone would be authorized to baptize themselves. It’s purely the fruit of human imagination, not following the instruction given us by Jesus Christ.

Why Be Baptized?

And that brings us to perhaps the most important question of all. That is:

4. Why should you be baptized in the first place?

We’ve discussed the purpose of baptism, that it’s not just a legalistic rite, and that it must only be done by those who are authorized to [baptize]. But why do we need to be baptized in the first place?

We all have sinned. We find that in Romans 3:23. Notice what Paul wrote:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

We all have earned the death penalty by our sins. That’s found in Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, what do we do? Are we left hopeless, awaiting the eternal death, never to live again?

Be Baptized Because Jesus Christ Died for Your Sins

Jesus Christ came to this earth to live a human life, and then die for the sins of all humanity. That means He died for you, and He died for me—and every other human being who has ever lived or will ever live.

So, we have the opportunity to have our sins forgiven.

But it’s not a cheap grace that we receive just by having a feeling in our heart, or by confessing the right words by our lips. No, we must have a deep, transformative change in our life. We must understand we have broken His eternal law and, because of that, we have brought on ourselves the death penalty. We must grasp that we are responsible for the death of the Savior, as those who heard Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost.

And then we must commit our lives to living according to God’s royal law, the law of liberty, as it says in James 2:8 and James 2:12. This is not doing away with God’s law, but rather learning how to obey God’s law, and being delivered from the penalty of breaking it in the first place.

And part of the process is the act, in faith, of true Christian baptism. Let’s read what Jesus told His disciples after His resurrection, before He ascended back to His Father. We find it in Matthew 28:18.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18–19).

Jesus said we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Some see a contradiction with other passages that say we must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. But there is no contradiction. Yes, we are to do all things, in our life, as a truly repented Christian, in the name of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote this in Colossians 3:17.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Our entire lives are to be subject to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master. And we are to be baptized in His name, by His authority, by those who are sent and ordained to do so.

Prepare to Be in the Family of God

But what does it mean to be baptized “in” or “into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit?”

No, this is not a trinity. The Holy Spirit is not a divine person, but is the power of God. But the Father and the Son do comprise the divine family. God is giving us the opportunity to be born into His divine family at the resurrection. Think about that. We won’t be “sort-of-like” angels. We won’t be disembodied spirits. We will be in God’s family.

That’s why we repent of our sins, express faith in Jesus Christ. That’s why we’re baptized as an outward expression of our belief and obedience—because we’re preparing to be in the family of God.

The Scriptures show that the Church is going to marry Christ at His return. Did you know that? We read of it in Revelation 19:7.

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints (Revelation 19:7–8).

We are preparing to marry Christ. In other words, at baptism, we enter a marriage covenant. We are committing to our Savior to be faithful, and true, and committed to Him always. And not just for a lifetime, but for all eternity.

Infant Baptism Is Not Biblical

Now some ask, should we baptize children or even infants? When you understand that a baptismal candidate is entering into a marriage covenant, this is not a decision for children. They are not yet at the point where they can fully comprehend issues such as sin, repentance, and faith, to make this kind of commitment. And they haven’t yet reached the age of accountability. Even in society, we don’t expect or allow children to make adult, lifelong decisions until they have reached a certain age and maturity. Or at least we shouldn’t.

So, why be baptized in the first place? It’s the moment we enter into a covenant with our Creator, to follow Him no matter what. Far beyond just a legalistic ritual or empty ceremony, it should not be entered into lightly. It’s covenanting with our Creator, to be His, for all eternity.

Baptism Is How to Respond to God’s Calling

Maybe you’re at a crossroads in your life. Maybe you’re listening to the words we’re saying on Tomorrow’s World, and you recognize it matches up with Scripture. It’s the truth. Maybe you’ve come to the point in your life when you’re tired of going your own way, and you want to commit to living God’s way.

Make no mistake, baptism isn’t just a quick decision. It’s not a matter of getting dunked and checking it off your list. It’s not just a quick way to “get right with God” and go merrily on our own way.

Our representatives will explain that baptism is the starting point of a whole new way of life. It’s about overcoming sin, yielding to God, and committing to obey Him in everything, in faith and belief. It’s about becoming part of the body of Christ, His Church.

It’s about being called by the Father and responding to that call, as Jesus explained in John 6:44:

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

We hope and pray God is opening your eyes to what baptism can mean for you in your life.

---

Hey everyone, thanks for watching. We hope you found this video helpful.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you make sense of your world through the pages of the Bible.

So if you found it helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide Christian Baptism: Its Real Meaning. Just click the link. It will be sent to you completely free of charge.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another video.

See you next time.

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

Tomorrow’s World: Church, Mission, and Beliefs

Many viewers wonder: Who is behind these Tomorrow’s World telecasts? The most obvious answer is found in what we say at the end of each program: We are sponsored by the Living Church of God. But that brings up another question: Who or what is the Living Church of God?

On this Tomorrow’s World telecast I’ll be answering this question. I’ll show you who we are, what our mission is, and what we believe.

True Christianity and the Living Church of God

A warm welcome to all of you from all of us here at Tomorrow’s World, where today I’ll be answering the question of who we are—which Church is it that is behind these telecasts, our magazine, and all of our free resources. I’ll also explain the mission of the Living Church of God and what we believe.

Simply put, we are a remnant of first-century Christianity, but what does this mean? Jesus said He would build His Church and the gates of the grave would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Yet, the record of the New Testament and history show that the professing Christian church veered off in a radically different direction than the church started by Jesus, His apostles, and first-century believers.

End-Time Bible Prophecy Warns of False Christianity

He warned us in the Olivet Prophecy that the first sign to watch for regarding His second coming and the end of the age is false Christianity. We must not take this warning lightly. Look this up in your own Bible and consider what it means for you—Matthew 24:3–5.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them [here it is]: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am [that is, Jesus is] the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:3–5).

Yes, there would be those who claim His authority, admit that He is the Christ, but would deceive not the few but the many. Does history bear this out? The answer is absolutely!

Highly respected historian, Jesse Lyman Hurlbut in The Story of the Christian Church, gives this title to Chapter 5: “The Age of Shadows.” There he shows how dramatically the church changed over a relatively short period of time.

We name the last generation of the first century, from 68 to 100 ad, “The Age of Shadows,” partly because the gloom of persecution was over the church, but more especially because of all periods in the history, it is the one about which we know the least. We have no longer the clear light of the book of Acts to guide us; and no author of that age has filled the blank in the history... For fifty years after St. Paul’s life a curtain hangs over the church, through which we strive vainly to look; and [take note of this] when at last it rises, about 120 ad with the writings of the earliest church fathers, we find a church in many aspects very different from that in the days of St. Peter and St. Paul (Hurlbut, The Story of the Christian Church, 1970. p. 33).

Paganism Chokes Out True Worship

Note that Hurlbut mentions these changes occurred following the death of the Apostle Paul. Is this not what Paul himself warned would happen? Acts 20, beginning in verse 29, records his warning to the elders at Ephesus.

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears (Acts 20:29–31).

Hurlbut chronicles some of the changes that crept into what became an increasingly very different church from that of Christ and the apostles.

The forms and ceremonies of paganism gradually crept into the worship. Some of the old heathen feasts became church festivals with change of name and of worship. About 405 ad images of saints and martyrs began to appear in the churches, at first as memorials, then in succession revered, adored and worshiped. The adoration of the Virgin Mary was substituted for the worship of Venus and Diana… (Hurlbut, The Story of the Christian Church, 1970 1962. p. 62 p. 79).

Many historians agree that the church of today has little resemblance to that of the original Church of God that Christ founded. Prolific writer and highly respected historian Will Durant makes this insightful comment for anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear:

Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it…. Christianity became the last and greatest of the mystery religions (Will Durant, The Story of Civilization, vol. 3, 1944. pp. 595, 600).

History records two paths for what is broadly called Christian.

The first is the popular and diverse forms of mainstream Christianity—Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. And there is great diversity among these. The second is miniscule in comparison. It is the small, persecuted Church that would not die.

True Believers Must Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24)

The Christianity of Christ and the apostles is different from what most people think. Mainstream Christianity is rife with nonbiblical Greek philosophy and pagan doctrines. The Church Jesus built is not, and it has been persecuted for rejecting nonbiblical doctrines and following not what people think He taught, but what Jesus truly taught. The mainstream catered to the masses and absorbed popular pagan forms of worship.

From sun worship came a rejection of the seventh-day Sabbath, which was established at creation. Sun-worshipping Roman Emperor Constantine in 321 ad commanded a different day for rest, as shown in Eerdman’s Handbook to the History of Christianity.

When in 321 Constantine made the first day of the week a holiday, he called it the “venerable day of the Sun” [Sunday] (Eerdman’s Handbook to the History of Christianity, 1987. p. 131).

Any who did not go along with this law and other non-biblical doctrines were stripped of privileges and persecuted. However, in Matthew 16:18, Jesus declared:

“I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

True Christians Obey and Follow Jesus Christ—Even Facing Death

No, the Church that Christ built never died. We read about it in the writings of those who hated it and tried to stamp it out. That Church—which refused to compromise and introduce pagan doctrines as substitutes for the doctrines of Christ—was considered heretical. Nevertheless, one must compare what Jesus and His apostles taught to discover who the real heretics are.

The Church of God Is a Little Flock Doing a Big Work

The modern roots of Tomorrow’s World and the Living Church of God are found in the Worldwide Church of God under the pastorship of the late Herbert W. Armstrong. His wife, Loma, came in contact with a member from the Church of God Seventh Day (by the way, not associated with the Seventh Day Adventists). That was in the mid-1920s. She became convinced that the biblical Sabbath was Saturday, not Sunday. Now, this did not please Mr. Armstrong, who viewed this as fanaticism. However, she would not budge unless he could show her from the Bible that she was in error. He began an in-depth search of the scriptures to prove her wrong, which at the time he thought would be simple enough. After all, all these churches could not be wrong. But the end result was that, as I personally heard him say,

It is a humbling thing to admit that your wife is right and you are wrong—especially when it is over the most important argument you ever had.

In 1933, Mr. Armstrong was offered a 6:00 a.m. time slot on the tiny 100-watt KORE radio station in Eugene, Oregon. His audience grew and he began publishing—if you could call it that—a mimeographed magazine called The Plain Truth. But, from that humble beginning, the work grew to where The Plain Truth was a modern full-color magazine, with a monthly circulation of 8.4 million copies—covering virtually every country on earth. And it was given away free of charge.

The Living Church of God continues to follow Christ’s instruction in Matthew 10:8, where He told His disciples:

Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).

In 1952, Mr. Armstrong ordained five men to the rank of evangelist, and among them was Roderick C. Meredith. Mr. Armstrong died in January 1986, and in less than five years, his appointed successor took the Worldwide Church of God in a radically different direction.

By December 1992, it became abundantly clear to Dr. Meredith that the Worldwide Church had irreversibly changed or rejected all the major doctrines that Herbert W. Armstrong restored under the leadership of Jesus Christ. And at age 62, Dr. Meredith had to make a choice: Either retire comfortably as that organization tried to get him to do—or set out and revive the Work and restore the Biblical doctrines of original Christianity. He chose the latter and started the Global Church of God—later changed to the Living Church of God. Dr. Meredith immediately followed Christ’s instructions found in Mark 16:15:

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

He began to preach the Gospel by going on weekly radio, writing booklets, and starting a bi-monthly magazine. He began with an informal meeting of only 19 members in his home in December 1992, but many Church of God members began to reject the apostasy and joined with him in doing the Work.

Today the Church has grown to encompass members all over the world, and a large percentage are brand-new to the truths of original Christianity—having heard the true gospel for the first time at Tomorrow’s World.

The Work of Jesus Christ is not over. From our “About Us” page at TomorrowsWorld.org website, we read the following:

Tomorrow’s World is sponsored by the Living Church of God, with active congregations in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia, with more than 239 ministers serving over 401 congregations around the globe.

Our flagship magazine, Tomorrow’s World, is translated from English into French and Spanish, and we print booklets for distribution in the German, Dutch, Afrikaans, Chinese, Hindi, Portuguese, Urdu, and a few other languages.

Dr. Meredith set up a Council of Elders, which is made up of seasoned ministers, to advise him. And prior to his death in May 2017, after consultation with the Council of Elders, he appointed me as his successor and as Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God.

While this may all sound as though we are a megachurch, that is hardly the case. Most of our congregations are small and close-knit. We’re a little flock as Jesus mentioned in Luke 12:32, where He said:

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

However, our dedicated members and coworkers are doing a Work far greater than our numbers would indicate. Many wonder how this is so, and the answer is that we have loyal members and coworkers who make it possible. Also, we do not build church buildings as a general practice. Instead, we rent halls to hold our services—choosing rather to spread the Gospel on television, over the Internet and social media, and in print.

Do you realize, dear friends, that you can worship Jesus in vain? That’s what He tells us in Matthew 15:7–9.

Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

And in Luke 6:46, He chided the people for calling Him Lord—meaning master—but disregarding what He said.

But why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and do not do the things which I say?

Christian Doctrine and the Way of Life

Original Christianity—that of Christ and the apostles—is what Tomorrow’s World and the Living Church of God are about.

The Living Church of God believes:

• Jesus of Nazareth came as God in the flesh.
• He gave His life in exchange for ours.
• He is our Lord (our Master) and Savior.
• We are saved by faith in His shed blood.

However, we do not turn God’s grace into license to disobey His law. Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, warns us against that error in verses 3 and 4:

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 3–4).

Keeping the Sabbath and Holy Days in the Bible

This is why the Living Church of God observes the seventh-day Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset—as did Jesus, His original apostles, the Apostle Paul, and first-century Christians. We also observe the seven biblically ordained annual festivals, rather than pagan observances with the name of Christ blasphemously attached to them.

Dear viewers, think about this. Why are the days that Jesus and His apostles kept rejected by mainstream Christianity? And why is the most sacred day of mainstream Christianity named after a fertility goddess and celebrated with fertility symbols, such as eggs and rabbits? Does that really make any sense?

The Church’s Mission: Preach the True Gospel of the Kingdom of God

Our mission was given to us by Jesus Christ, and it’s spelled out on our “About Us” page at TomorrowsWorld.org.

Tomorrow’s World proclaims to the world the good news of Jesus Christ’s coming Kingdom (Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:15), and blows a bold “warning trumpet” of God’s impending judgment, calling for repentance and spiritual change (Matthew 24:21; Isaiah 58:1; Ezekiel 33).

You may wonder what is different about proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ’s coming Kingdom. Don’t all churches do that? Sadly, the answer is, no.

The word “gospel” means good news, but do you realize that Paul warned the church of God at Corinth for putting up with teachers who taught a different gospel, and yes, even a false Jesus? Here it is in 2 Corinthians 11:4.

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

A few verses later he called these false teachers, ministers of Satan.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his [that is, Satan’s] ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).

The Living Church of God teaches the very same message Jesus proclaimed during His three-and-a-half-year ministry—a coming kingdom, or government, to rule on this troubled planet. Read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. You’ll be shocked at how many times Jesus referred to the Kingdom of God.

Now, Matthew uses the term “Kingdom of Heaven,” whereas the other writers use “Kingdom of God.” But Heaven is where God dwells, so it is heaven’s—that is, God’s—kingdom. It’s not a kingdom IN God or IN heaven. “Of” indicates ownership, not location.

Teaching How to Understand Bible Prophecy

The Living Church of God does not neglect Bible prophecy, including Jesus’ Olivet Prophecy, the book of Revelation, and other passages scattered throughout the New Testament. Jesus explained to His disciples that unless He returns to stop mankind’s madness, human extinction would occur—Matthew 24:21–22:

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

God declares He will hold us accountable if we neglect to warn our fellow man. Read it for yourself in Proverbs 24:11–12:

Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

Rejecting Pagan Traditions and False Christianity as Blasphemy

The Living Church of God rejects paganized Christianity and follows the example of our Savior when He walked the earth. The mission of the Living Church of God is to proclaim the true gospel of Jesus Christ and to warn the world of what will surely happen unless we change course.

The Church’s Mission Part 2: Feed the Flock

However, another part of our mission is to feed the flock, the little flock that God is calling. To do so we have more than 400 congregations around the world, ranging in size from less than 10 to over 300. Many are moderate in size between 50 and 125.

What to Expect at Sabbath Services and Christian Holy Days

In addition to meeting every Sabbath (that is, Saturday), we meet on the annual festivals as spelled out in both the Old and the New Testaments. We observe the Passover, as Jesus did with His disciples on the night in which He was betrayed. Notice in Luke 22:15:

Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”

Members bring their Bibles and many take notes during our Sabbath and festival meetings. Our services normally involve the singing of hymns, a shorter message followed by announcements, and then the main message.

Living Church of God Youth Programs, Summer Camps, and Activities

To serve our youth, the Living Church of God holds summer camps in North and South America, Australasia, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.

Even as I am recording this program, 37 teens, young adults, and chaperones are experiencing an adventure of a lifetime on a week-long hike in the spectacular Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon.

We also have a preteen camp in Missouri this week, a two-week teen camp in Texas in July, a teen camp in Belgium, and others taking place this summer in the Northern hemisphere.

More programs to “feed the flock” are weekend retreats for young adults, Spokesman Club meetings for our men, and a year-long onsite Living Education program for highly motivated young adults. A few young adults are chosen to work a summer in Thailand, teaching English to Thai children, getting to know our members there, and touring parts of the country.

Choosing to Live God’s Way

But whether it is a Sabbath service, summer camps, weekend retreats, Living Education, or international projects, the focus is on restoring the way of life taught by Jesus Christ and His first-century followers.

We find that many people ask about our services, but fail to follow through out of fear of the unknown. So let me say emphatically, I would not give up this way of life for anything. Our members are friendly. We are truly one great family. We are not isolated members who only know those in our local congregations. We often combine congregations on feast days, hold family weekends, and visit other Living Church of God congregations when traveling on business or vacation. Members travel to other countries to observe the eight-day Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day each year.

So if you would like to learn more about the Christianity of Christ and the apostles, be sure to order your free copy of Restoring Original Christianity, and if you would like to learn more about keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, the annual festivals of God, about baptism or attending with a Living Church of God congregation, just let us know.

Remember to join us again next week, when we’ll bring you more good news of the coming kingdom of God, end-time prophecies and their meaning, and original Christianity. See you next time!