Is there a 7,000 year plan for mankind’s salvation which corresponds to the creation week described in Genesis, or is there more? Would an exact understanding of all the historical events described in the Bible give one the key to salvation. What should Christians be doing to attain the salvation God is offering?
Christians are undergoing a profound change! It involves the renewing of how we think and behave, and it will lead to a transformation from mortal, fleshly existence into that of immortal, spirit life in the Family of God!
Throughout the time since the Church of the Eternal God first began (July 2, 2001), along with our affiliates, the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship (Canada), the Global Church of God (United Kingdom)—now including Die Kirche des Ewigen Gottes (Germany), we have endeavored to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world.
We have emphasized explaining the fulfillment of prophecy—especially those things Jesus revealed to His disciples which would indicate the close of this Satan-ruled age and God’s powerful intervention to save the world.
We have come to a point in human history in which biblical prophecies are being fulfilled before us, and it appears that the generation which will witness the end times spoken of by Jesus Christ has arrived! Importantly, Jesus gave us key signs to watch for, and He very specifically declared, “‘See, I have told you beforehand’” (Matthew 24:25).
What we now see is the emergence of the final resurrection of the Roman Empire—the European Union led by and already ruled over by Germany. We see that the Catholic Church has survived worldwide condemnation for abusive priests to once again become the dominant religious voice in the Western nations. These two conditions which we are watching are foundational to the next occurrences in biblical prophecy—the revealing of the persons who are identified as the “beast” and the “false prophet” (compare Revelation 13).
In fact, the Bible shows that we should be watching for a man who will exert tremendous political and military control—even noting that he will be uniquely identified by the number “666” (See the Q&A in this Update). Furthermore, we understand that one in a religious office will be able to show great and deceptive miracles.
We have also been told to watch for other events:
“‘But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near’” (Luke 21:20);
“‘Therefore when you see the “abomination of desolation,” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand), ‘then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 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’” (Matthew 24:15-21).
Most people in the world are ignoring the events of our time (compare Matthew 24:36-39); however, we must not allow ourselves to become blinded to the reality of prophecy being fulfilled! Rather, we are to be diligently watching and prepared with all readiness for not only these events, but for the promised return of Jesus Christ! Here is the sobering warning given to His disciples by Jesus:
“‘Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man’” (Luke 21:36).
Christians stand out as different! We are unlike anyone else in the world, and it is because we have the TRUTH of God. Yet, the significance of becoming a Christian also has astounding meaning in the ultimate plan of God—few understand that God has already begun His process of making “all things new.”
We have been given the promise of a glorious future as sons and daughters of God. A never-ending Kingdom will be established in new heavens and on a new earth. We must not neglect so great a salvation!
Christians are called to be teachers. Can you teach? Are you mastering the fundamentals of God’s government in order to explain to others? Does the Bible show you how and what you should teach?
Jerusalem will be restored and become the center of God’s government for the entire earth. Much is revealed about this future time in the Word of God, and we have been given enough details to envision this remarkable future.
We have come to the place where God has placed His name. In doing so, we join those who anticipated greater things, and we—like they—seek the Kingdom of God.
God has established Holy Days which lay out in great detail the plan of salvation which He is offering to mankind. There is tremendous, unquestionable PROOF of God’s role in human history, and the Holy Days give witness to this fact!
