True Happiness only Comes from God

Happiness only comes with God in us. God through the Holy Spirit will "make a tent" [Bible term: tabernacle] within anyone who lives morally right. One starts to become righteous as he/she fears the Lord's judgment. The Bible says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." A righteous person shuns evil.

Jesus did not only come to die for our sins but also to live the life anyone should live that he/she be called a child of God. Indeed, he is the model that we should follow.

In contrast, God cannot be with someone who does wrong. Wrongdoings will always lead to trouble. And this is doubly alarming for without God's power no one can do right. For the devil's power is too powerful to be defeated by man's effort.

Defeating the devil requires that you join with Christ. How? Believe and do what he teaches. That's the essence of being called to follow God. This is made easy by God's power as he sends the Holy Spirit to live within anyone who believes his Son.

God's Help for Trouble

WE might have heard someone blame another for causing his/her troubles. This is wrong. Have you heard of the story of the first fall? Eve was the first to fall into sin, who being deceived by the devil chose to disobey God. So Eve blamed the devil. On the other, Adam blamed Eve and particularly God for giving Eve as his companion.

This blame game has been replayed so many, many times. It is counterproductive to say the least. It never solves any problem.

I'll give you one that can solve every problem of any man or woman. It's the prescription of the Bible. It's God's own medicine for anyone looking for a peaceful, worry-less and trouble-free life. All Christians know or at least are aware of it but they can't seem to apply or use it. Anyway, I know it's very effective for it solved and still solving mine.

I was as evil as any man on earth. It's only on degrees that we vary. Then God brought me down to my knees by taking away almost everything that I have. I almost lose my family. Out of the blue God gave me a promise through a dream that he will bring and gather myself and family into one place. That was my first dream ever. It was the end of 2004.

At the end of the year 2012 the family was reunited in one city - in one family home.

How does my story relate to anyone? In not so many words, God converts anyone who owns up to their fallen nature; that one cannot be fully righteous without being joined with Christ. Christ has said and still saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing [righteously]."

Troubles come with the wrong things we do which in turn result from wrong choices. Anyone not counseled by the instructions of God but taking cue only from himself will fall into making mistakes.

                The Word of God contains...warning signs. The book of Hebrews especially provides 

                cautions about perils to the soul. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil

                heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while 

                it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”

                (Hebrews 3:12-13).

In contrast, taking a stand always for the right things as defined by an outside source, i.e. the very righteous God, will bring you that trouble-free, happy and peaceful life that no man or woman can ever take away. You must know that the devil tempts through his followers - the evildoers. Anyone without God when tempted can do evil most easily.

Anyone's troubles or fears will not go away until he admits he is committing wrong things and must turn back to God, the only person who can change him/her.

Men may be able to help someone in distress in the normal or usual way people do but God gives the greater help. And it's permanent or eternal, too. For God provides through the Holy Spirit the will and the power to remain righteous to those he wants to help.

God's Love Comes Through Christ

God Reveals Himself through Christ

            (Jesus) “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30, ESV)

God reveals himself to us - - who he is, what his Being, His will, plans and purposes in heaven and on earth for his creation, both humans and the created world and everything in it. On the other hand he also reveals what he requires of man which has a bearing on their well-being and destiny.

This is the true meaning of what Bible scholars and theologians are telling us: the truth – the absolute truth. It is found in the word of God, i. e., the Scriptures. What is truth? Truth defines everything in this life – visible and invisible, natural or supernatural, physical and spiritual. It's God's world. He is sovereign for He owns it.

God wants us to know all truth that he reveals in his Word, i.e., Christ, the Word of God. For this knowledge, understanding and acceptance of the truth will immensely benefit us. For He loves us. To be sure, it’s for our own good ultimately, although it can only be good for us if we practice righteousness. For righteousness pleases God. On the other hand, it is not beneficial for us to think, plan and do evil things. God’s word says we are not created to do these things.

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are God’s will for us. They direct us toward righteous thought, motivation and behavior. Doing his will brings peace and safety to our being, creating no troubles or difficulties or miseries in our lives. He favors us in turn with the delights of our hearts.  He will work out every circumstance for good in your home, at work, at business place and even of mundane activities. He will provide the knowledge and wisdom you need to make the right choice or decision at any given time. 

In addition the material things – money and other resources – will be in your hands at the right amount and at the time they are needed.

On the other hand, he will supernaturally overrule your wrong decisions or those that lead not to the best benefit. 

Love is the Primary Motivation

            Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 John 4: 7-9, NIV)

His selfless love for his creation – especially man – is the treasure of immense and incomparable value that the Bible is telling us that a man will sell everything he has just to get it. In other words, in having God you have found the greatest and unmatched love that sustains and nourishes a meaningful and fulfilling life. God’s children can have this treasure now in their lifetime and in eternal life. Death becomes just a temporary and restful transition between their present and afterlife.

God the Father is the Easiest Person to Live With

The Father is So Near           

Anytime you want to talk to him he is just nearby to listen. You can ask him for advice; ask any question or for anything. For want of companionship or of a friend to commiserate with your sorrows or celebrate with your joys he is always ready. For want of a helper in anything you do, he will lend a helping hand. Teaching you His ways the Father so desires for He loves you. He will not want you to stray from the right path. For if you do harm is in your way.

The Father is helpful

He is not ready to disown you if you cross him or challenge his authority. Even after denigrating him, he will acknowledge you as his son and worthy of forgiveness and love. You can claim a promise he made, he will answer you if he thinks it would bring you benefit. Therefore be ready to answer his questions. Even these questions will bring to mind knowledge for a deeper understanding of things.

Wisdom and understanding comes from his mouth. Wisdom is one of the many tools that the father gives that you may do the right things for the right reasons. In fact it is the mother of tools in his bag or resources. It tells you how to use all other tools wisely, effectively and beneficially. Have you read about God giving King Solomon wisdom first before he gave other things like wealth and prestige?

You can have his Power and Authority too

God is generous with his power to his children. He knows they need it to fight off the devil and the world’s temptations and seductions. Bigger still is the authority given them to manage, husband and utilize essential things for life. As they use this authority to advance His work, God is more than willing to give more than sufficient power through His Spirit.

He Understands you Very Well

He knows you from head to toe. He knows your heart, the thoughts you have and what you desire. He is happy when you are happy; grieves when you are grieving; he suffers with your pain and heartaches. He is not to tell you, “I told you so” anytime soon or ever. He doesn’t number your sins and count them against you. God doesn’t quarrel with anyone especially with his children.

God only Works for your Good

He only has goodwill for His children. God manages to work out something good out of their misfortunes. This is the promise of the Scripture in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (ESV)   And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. The story of Joseph is a good example he was sold as a slave by his envious and evil-intentioned brothers. God was with Joseph during this time of trouble; he made Joseph do good work with his master. As a result the latter made him his top administrator in his household. Even then the wicked wife of the master coveted for herself Joseph; the wife, being spurned by Joseph, accused Joseph of wrongdoing. This got the latter into trouble with his master, who caused Joseph to be imprisoned. Again God was with Joseph during this dark time. (Read the full story of Joseph in Genesis 37, 39-45)

God has a Plan For You

God has a plan for you. He treats you as He treats Christ, His firstborn. You are co-heir with Christ in God’s riches and treasures. This plan was from eternity for you along with many others; you are created to inherit it.

A Reminder

All these things I have written are true if you are in thoughts, words and actions a child of God. How would one know if he or she is one of God’s children? Read the Holy Scripture. It is story of Christ--the Word--who is sent from God. Christ has all the answers for all questions you need to ask.

Doing Good is a Duty

Doing Good is a Duty ¹

Doing good to people a duty? Who commands it? God does. God’s Word says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sum up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, NIV) We know this to be the Golden Rule. Reasonable people believe it to be a good rule to live by. But we have difficulty following it every time. For most of the times our self-interest hinders us. As a result doing well to anyone becomes a difficult task, a burden in fact. I suggest that we heed the advice our Lord Jesus Christ, “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 11:29, 30, ESV) In short, we can get the help of our Lord in this task of doing good works and being righteous.² Indeed the Bible is saying that what God demands of us he provides the means. God wants us to do all things according His word; for “the heart [of man] is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV)

We would like others to be kind and pleasant to us, do we not? So to others we should talk to them with kind and pleasant words. We easily can do this with other people and even to our pets but not with immediate family. We role-play most of the time. If we are the husband, we show our authority with unkind words to the wife, more so with the children. But the opposite can be true if we take to heart what Jesus said above.

In the image of God we were made, we are told by the Scripture. It tells us also that this was corrupted when Adam and Eve fell into sin and we inherited their fallen nature. David affirms this in the Psalms: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalms 51:5, ESV) Paul is more explicit: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” (Romans 7:18, ESV) This explains why we easily do wrong to anyone. And when we do we blame others but ourselves. In contrast when we do well, we are fast to take credit, which betrays our selfish motives. This is how well the Bible describes us. If it diagnosed us to have a malevolent nature, it also prescribes a cure.

The cure is the newness of life God gives anyone who believes in His Son.³ In this new life we have received in our hearts and believed our Lord Jesus Christ. We have been anointed by the Holy Spirit just like Jesus when He walked the earth. It also means that we are now being molded or recreated back into the image of God. The idea is we are dead to our old self-and are born anew into a new spiritual life. We now have a new heart as well as a new spirit. And God in His mercy continually cleanses us of all our unrighteousness through His word. We are the clay and God is the potter who is molding us to become holy like He is; for He could not have a relationship, much more fellowship with unholy persons.

The Gospel

What I just told above is the promise of the gospel—which is the power of God for man’s salvation. It is the life, suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This corresponds to our own death to sin and resurrection to a new life, being born of the Spirit. In short we are joined with Christ in His death and resurrection through faith. Believing what our Lord Jesus Christ has done is the wherewithal of our complete redemption from our sinfulness. He unchained us from captivity of sin that we might be free to follow Him. In this way we are adopted into God’s family, prepared and ready to be righteous as our Heavenly Father is.

Jesus Christ—the God-man

Only Jesus Christ’s—one that is fully God and fully man—life and death can be accepted by God to atone for humankind’s sins. In Him God’s justice and mercy and love worked together for man’s restoration into God’s graces. In Christ the power of sin and death over man were broken. This is the basis by which man can regain his rightful place in the Kingdom of Heaven—where righteousness reigns. Doing good works for God and man is the hallmark of a righteous man.

Doing Good is our Righteousness

Doing good should be etched in our consciousness as a duty to God. It should be our discipline. Indeed we should get into this kind of mindset. Where before our words to our spouses, children or co-workers or to anybody are abrasive and unkind, now we are able to talk to them kindly and pleasantly. Sharing with our neighbors what we have in abundance should now be second nature to us. Heretofore in public we were only looking out for ourselves, now we look out for our fellowman’s good. Selflessness has trumped selfishness in our hearts.

Godly Training

Godly training must be the foremost activity in all our days. Good habits should be developed to rule personal, social, mental and spiritual lives. And the Bible becomes our training protocol. Consequently prayer comes naturally; gathering with brethrens in Christ to worship becomes as necessary as food. We strive mightily toward Christ as we behold His pure and beautiful character. This godly training becomes an essential regimen because we are looking forward to our duty as co-workers of God in the redemption of humanity. Notwithstanding, we are not oblivious of the fact that we might still fall into sin. But we know that God is gracious and merciful to forgive us as many times as we fall. However falling into sin will be far and between and no longer be deliberate.

Overcoming our Weaknesses

The Scripture promises that our faith will overcome our weaknesses. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.” (1 John 5:4, ESV) As we put our faith in God we gain His help and acquire His strength as well as the right motivation to do good works that He has prepared before hand. Consequently, our godly training and discipline can never be but beneficial and useful in our lives. More importantly, the purpose and meaning for our lives is fulfilled. Satisfaction, contentment, peace and a highly active godly life are our reward.

Doing God Honors God

Good works honor God; bring him praise and glory. Did you know that this was the primary purpose of God for Israel? He told them “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” (Genesis 26:4, 5, NIV) The praises of these other nations as they are blessed by God through Israel was what God after. As they learn to fear and worship God these nations would want to become God’s people and ruled by Him.

God has the same purpose to us today. As God’s blessed children we must do well always. Doing otherwise will dishonor Him and profane His great name and might strengthen further the Devil’s hand in this world.

Israel’s Loss is our Gain

As Israel rejected Christ, they failed God. But they failed themselves more for God does not need anything from man to increase Himself. God rejected Israel at the appointed time as manifested by the destruction of the Jerusalem temple by the Babylonians the first time and by the Romans the second time. God’s justice plays its hand every time.

The Scripture tells in Matthew 21:43: “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you (Israel) and given to a people (Gentiles) who will produce its fruit.”

This is a challenge to the Gentiles, who we are—to produce good fruit, i.e., good works.

Driven

We are driven to do well for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…” This way we are just fulfilling the reason why we were created, that is, that we give God pleasure and delight. And we are keeping God’s covenant of love with His children, who we are.

Union with Christ

In union with Christ we can overcome our selfish nature and do what God demands that we please Him with our good works. We are expected to. As we partake of the divine nature while united with Christ we can really live up to God’s expectations. Two Peter 1:3, 4 affirm it, thus: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

Dependence on God

We should acknowledge our complete dependence on God. Jesus did, so we should be as humble as He is. Not for a moment should we plan and act without Him guiding and leading us. Going out alone in this world full of sin will be unwise.  Solomon, the wisest man, says it best, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Yahweh Blesses the Righteous

“Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:40, NIV)

Right doing is keeping God’s decrees, laws, and commands. They define the path that God wants us to walk. Remaining in His straight ways will benefit you and your family tremendously. And these are written in the Scriptures, the Word of the Teacher.⁴ There’s no excuse for anyone not to know and to follow them. Think of the legacy that you will leave all your descendants. They will lead righteous and godly lives because you did so and modeled it. Great benefits await them for God blesses all His children.

Notes:

¹  “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? ¹⁰ So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17:7-10, NIV)

²Being yoked with Christ means being joined with Him; implicit is the power and strength God gives into all our daily activities. It can also mean Christ living in us through the Spirit of God, who teaches us all truth about God and us in the context of our salvation. The Holy Spirit works through the Word of God, i.e., the Holy Bible; then it is essential that we read, study and get to understand the good book.

³ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life .(Romans 6:4, ESV)

⁴ Christ is the Teacher. One text to consider: ²⁰”And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. ²¹ And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. ²² Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”(Isaiah 30:20-22, ESV) The Teacher tells us that idolatry is wrong. It can only lead us to ruin.

Law, Love and Blessings

[ Love and Obey the Lord ] Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.
Deuteronomy 11:1 (NIV)

The Ten Commandments

For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Deuteronomy 30:16 (NIV)

The Scripture equates LAW, LOVE and BLESSINGS. His laws are rules that embody love for Him and your neighbor. If you are to appreciate carefully the Decalogue it is indeed what it means - His laws means love. If you truly love God, you will not be worshiping idols or substitute images; you will be devoting precious time worshiping and praising Him through His Word. If you love God, you must love every man through good thoughts, words and actions. His laws, decrees and precepts define how this love be expressed.

God's laws also means blessings. For in obeying them you are in sync dynamically with positive things and connected to the ultimate power, the Almighty God. Through His Spirit you can live the life He wants you to have - a life full of grace and blessings. His grace is the power and the blessings are the fruits. If you sow well, you will reap well.

One example - the fifth commandment. In honoring your parents with respect and care, you can only do so as you express the right and positive emotions which comes from godly thoughts. The latter is the power, which is nourished by the Word.

Jesus had this relationship with the Father. He is in fellowship with the Most High God through the Holy Spirit. As a man, Jesus saw the folly of doing it alone in this world. He has to be totally connected with Him who has the power to make him victorious in his great mission, which is to redeem fallen humanity, which includes you.
            

         ...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38 (NIV)



Christ at War with the Devil

Christ has the power over the devil, who has been making you fall into sin causing God's much distress. It is Christ's Spirit that battles the dark and evil spirits that have most people captive. In bondage, man has not the freedom to be righteous and to do good.

Take Charge of your Life

Choose then to trust Christ for He is faithful and able to make you holy and righteous in the eyes of God, to whom we are accountable whether we acknowledge it or not.

Trust Him who said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36, NIV)

Covenant of Love

The Decalogue is the everlasting covenant between God and His children. Breaking this agreement can only lead men into alienation from God and condemnation at the end. Condemnation means suffering eternal death; to exist no more.

In contrast, keeping the commandments pleases God and brings the blessings that He promised to His children. In this condition, you are truly His children. Your ultimate reward will be to dwell in endless joy with God and the Son your Savior and Friend forever more.

And the Spirit? He will be in you always to authenticate and seal your experience of God for eternity. 

   

Can we Trust the Holy Bible?

Can we really believe the Bible? Or to some can we believe it as the Word of God?

There is one reason we can believe it. And that's prophecy. The Holy Bible commends itself as the Word of God. It is in fact the testimony of Christ, sent to us by God the Father.  It’s a revelation of God and his creation; his plan for humanity from the beginning. The Bible can be summarized in a word: Christ. So Christ came to live the Word literally. And this testimony of Christ has the spirit of prophecy- meaning it predicts the future of mankind among others. Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you things now that when they happen you will believe me." He also said (in the Old Testament) that he declares the end from the beginning and his plan and purposes for all creation will not be thwarted. 

The coming of Christ as a man was predicted 4000 years more or less in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. The (book of the) Prophets predicted the birth: (1) place (Bethlehem), the time (reign of Herod); the virgin birth (with Virgin Mary); (2) his life and ministry; (3) his death, (4) and his resurrection. In fact the Old Testament prophecies about Christ coming as Messiah or the Anointed One are all fulfilled in the New Testament. I have concluded that the Bible is the history of the universe - past, present and future - from creation to last day of all creation. The last day of the old creation will be the beginning of the new creation where: (1) sin and its consequences of pain and suffering, and (2) death will be no more.

In the book of Daniel of the Old Testament it predicted the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Rome later was divided into 10 but three were overthrown leaving 7 nations – Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. History will tell us that three of these ten nations were overthrown by Papal Rome because they opposed the latter’s teachings about Christianity. (How’s that for someone to force somebody to believe one’s faith.) Out of the remaining seven nations came a state (or nation) that is different from all others - the Vatican state (Papal Rome). It's different in the sense that it has both secular or temporal powers (although this power was enforced in the past through kings, queens or monarchs of states) as well as ecclesiastical. In the last book of the Bible, Revelation, Vatican or papal Rome is the little horn or sea beast that wages war against the true believers of God .i.e., true Christians. History has again proven true this prophecy and is recorded as the Dark Ages when the Protestant Reformers like Luther, Calvin, Knox, Jerome, Zwingli, Wycliffe, etc. were persecuted and many were burned at the stake because of their opposition to the Catholic Church. The book of Daniel foretold these nations including Vatican and all others will last until the last day when the Kingdom of God will overthrow them all. These the Bible predicted. Notice that from our viewpoint today the Bible narrative has a past, a present and a future.

There is another important prophecy from the Bible. The Vatican is portrayed as the antichrist. Take anti to mean covertly against or deceptively like counterfeit money. The latter deceives many for it looks the same as the original. This is true for the Roman Catholic Church system. They appear to be the true church (in fact they claim they are) but they are counterfeit in fact. She is in truth the front man of Satan, who gave her the throne, power and authority. However, in the last days preceding the overthrow of all nations the Vatican will be exposed as the antichrist – one truly opposing Christ and many people will get the surprise of their life. It will be too late however for billions of people to change their destiny.

Incidentally I was a Catholic for 55 years since birth. My parents and their parents and I am sure my great grandparents’ parents, were also Roman Catholics. It’s a good thing I got undeceived and got out of the Roman Catholic faith to save myself from Satan’s deception or grip. I would end up lost otherwise.

Actually the meaning of anti is in place of God (or substitute). The early popes claimed that they are substitutes of God (Vicarivs Filii Dei) on earth. (Count the Roman numerals which amount to 666. This is affirmed by the scriptures in the book of Revelation chapter 13). They place themselves in the place of God. The book of Daniel says Papal Rome will speak blasphemous words. Saying you are God on earth and you can forgive sin, Papal Rome proves true to what Daniel prophesied. This power state also thinks he can change the times and the laws of God. This she actually did when she removed the 2nd commandment (image worship), changed the fourth commandment with Sunday replacing Saturday or Sabbath; with the removal of the 2nd commandment they broke into two commandments the 10th to bring back the total to 10. This leaves the Roman Catholics breaking two of God’s laws involuntarily. They feel secure or safe when they are not if truth be told.



31st Anniversary of Medjugorje



The biggest and present lie that is being presented as truth is the elevation of the Virgin Mary and the Pope to the level of Christ. As a result Christ is eclipsed in importance. In this manner the Pope and the Virgin Mary act as substitutes of Christ on earth. Either one is presented  as a way to eternal life just like Jesus. This is Satan’s deception. However, Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Note that Jesus did not say I am a way, a truth, or a life. Rather He is the only way, the only truth and the only source of life (redemption).



Pope Delivers Blessings to Worshiping Crowd

Read the Bible then to know the truth about where the earth and each individual will go. There are only two kinds of people: the saved and the condemned. Those saved will have a second life or eternal life. The other group when they die will have a second death. Let me explain. Every man dies once for we are mortal (both body and soul die) then the dead will rest on the grave and be resurrected for judgment although at different times. The righteous dead will be rewarded with eternal life; the condemned will be destroyed by fire from heaven, which is the eternal death or second death. (Incidentally I cannot find a scripture text that affirms the existence of hell at present where Satan is supposed to rule over wicked people being tormented. The Roman Catholic Church uses the presence of hell from the very beginning to scare people into submission to the Catholic faith. Many blaspheme God because of this doctrine.)

Let me add that those living when the last day comes (Judgment Day or Day of the Lord, which is Christ’s return) will have a divided fate: the righteous living, i.e. true believers, will be taken to heaven alive together with the resurrected righteous dead who were all the time resting in their grave (this includes the virgin Mary, John, Peter and all apostles, et al.) In contrast the unrighteous living - those left living after a great tribulation that precedes Christ’s return for God’s people - will be killed and destroyed and left on earth with no one to bury them. Thus the earth will be desolate of any living thing and return to its formless and void nature as in the beginning before creation of men and other living creatures. Satan will be left alone on the desolate earth with no one to tempt. He is virtually imprisoned. The unrighteous dead will remain dead for a thousand years when they will be resurrected to suffer the second death. Satan and his demons will suffer the same fate as the unrighteous. The hell fire from heaven not only kills all humans – the resurrected unrighteous dead - but will destroy all creation including all things on earth and the heavens. This will purify the heavens and the earth of sin and its consequences. God will make new the heavens and (same) earth. On this earth made new God the Father and the Son and all the redeemed will come down to live. This is our future as Christ reveals through the Word of God.

I recommend that you read the Holy Scriptures. In it you will trace history of mankind, you included, and the history of the heavens and earth and all things in them. Your present and future life is at stake. Seize this opportunity to make your destiny secure. You have two choices: God- empowered life or go on your own effort and counsel but virtually powerless to resist the influences of Satan and the fallen world.

As for me I have chosen to completely depend on God’s counsel and instruction as written in the Holy Bible. For He said in his Word that living with your own effort and counsel is tantamount to living dangerously and without safety. I have found this to be true.