The Roman Catholic Church

• Introduction
• The Foundation Of The Church - Established By The Apostles?
• The Worship Of Mary
• Canonization Of Saints
• Worship Of Relics, Shrines, Miracles
• Defection From The Faith Predicted
• Roman Catholic Church Organizations
• Church Authority Develops
• The Pope In Daniel's Prophecy
• Catholic Versus Protestant
• The Supremacy Of The Scripture
• Personal Faith
• The Vatican - Its Modern International Role
• God's Abhorrence Of Rome
• False Doctrines Which Unite The Churches With Rome
• What The Bible Teaches

INTRODUCTION

The most pre-eminent church throughout christian history proudly boasts in its achievements, claiming divinity for its popes and saints. It holds millions in its grasp, yet, devoid of true Bible teaching, it is unable to provide men and women with the means of salvation. It destroys the gospel teaching of God's kingdom on earth and of Christ's second coming. We ask the reader to carefully examine the facts presented in this booklet, and to consider the importance of remaining separate from the apostate Catholic church system. Unfortunately, so many are deceived by its "strong delusions, believing a lie." The day is coming when Jesus Christ will destroy "the veil of covering" that is today spread over the nations by its schemes and its associates. Let the reader examine the facts, and seek the way of life that is presented by an unbiased examination of the Scriptures of Truth!

The Catholic Church is a large and powerful organization, comprising over one billion people - nearly a quarter of the world's population. As the largest body of professing christians, it has more adherents than any other christian groups combined.

During its long history it has dominated the minds and lives of men and women and set the bounds foe their conscience and behavior. Very few have escaped its influence. Even the activities of kings and emperors were curtailed by the voice of the church, notorious for liaison with political powers and intrigue. It claims to be christian in belief and practice, yet its untold wealth (down to modern times) and vast hierarchy provides it with such a powerful influence as would have astounded early believers.

Now reduced in geographical size to a mere 100 acres or so, the tiny state known as Vatican City, exerts more control and influence than countries many times its size. The whole system of the Vatican operates like a vast international company - with bureaucracy, business management, newspapers, radio and all means of media to keep its voice prominent before the public. Much of the prestige of the church is centered on one man, the Pope, who is elected to ensure the continuance of the aims and ambitions of the church. He rests on his self-professed credentials as Vicar of Christ, God on earth, which titles he has usurped to ensure his recognition as authoritative and infallible.

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THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH - ESTABLISHED BY THE APOSTLES?

The Church claims its beginnings to be with the apostles and Peter in particular. But an examination of its teachings and practice shows that this has no biblical basis. The apostles were ordinary men, usually married, who devoted their lives to teaching the Word of God and nurturing the infant congregations, refusing to be involved with the politics or the acquisition of wealth. Each member had an input into the decisions of the congregation, which, though linked by common doctrinal belief, was autonomous in function. No apostolic succession was instituted either in the Bible, or by the early church fathers. Instead, leaders were appointed by individual congregations for their competence in the Word of God and personal example (Acts 6:3, 1 Timothy 3) on a voluntary basis.

In contrast, the Catholic Church established "Seven Sacraments" as holy ceremonies for its functioning. Let us examine each in the light of the Word of God.

Jesus Christ and his apostles commanded only two ceremonies: baptism and the breaking of bread. Catholic sacraments have resulted from the traditions instituted by men, often running directly counter to the Word of God. When christianity was "launched" at Pentecost, there were no trappings of priesthood of liturgy. Believers were baptized and "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42), usually gathering together in homes.

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THE WORSHIP OF MARY

This doctrine is peculiar to Catholicism. It has its foundation in the pagan Greek/Roman concept of an immortal soul that maintains that Mary is still alive in heaven. The church has blasphemously invested Mary with priestly powers of mediatorship and, adopting the Trinity (in the 4th century AD), proclaimed Mary the "Mother of God" at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD

In 1850 AD, Pope Pius IX declared that Mary had been "immaculately conceived", and 96 years later, the church declared that Mary was taken to heaven, "body and soul" after her death.

Mariolatry is on the increase, particularly as the present Pope has made Mary his personal "saint". Current developments institute Mary as Co-redemptrix - that every grace granted through Christ is also granted through Mary's intercession.

Nothing of this is mentioned in the Bible. The Scriptures present Mary as a humble but spiritually perceptive Jewish maid, obedient to the cause of God. She prophesies of her illustrious son, the Lord Jesus, as one who will further God's purpose with Israel (Luke 1:54-55). Later, under family pressure, she falters in her understanding of her son's mission, but is seen at the foot of the cross on Golgotha, and, in the days following, takes part in the work amongst the believers (Acts 1:14).

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CANONIZATION OF SAINTS

The church believes it has the power to decree special honours to a deceased Roman Catholic. In the view of the church this makes such an one "a saint" with powers to intercede for others before God. But it is a blasphemous claim. Nowhere in the biblical record is there any evidence or even a suggestion of such teaching. It is another example of the infiltration of Greek mythology into church doctrine (see The Decline of Christendom). The word "saints" is a Bible term which means "those separated," and is applied to all believers who have been separated to God by belief and baptism. In fact, the letters of the apostle Paul address whole congregations of believers in this manner (see Ephesians 1:1, Romans 1:7).

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WORSHIP OF RELICS, SHRINES, MIRACLES

The church is renowned for its record of so-called "miracles". From Mary's "house that flew", to statues that seep blood, to Lourdes and pseudo-miracles, down to bits of bones and wood that are revered - all are idolatrous objects originating in paganism, and take away from the honour alone due to the living Creator of heaven and earth. All such veneration is part of the "lying wonders" prophesied by the apostle Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:9) and the "deceptions" condemned by the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 13:14 - all perpetrated upon a superstitious and ignorant people.

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DEFECTION FROM THE FAITH PREDICTED

How could so many people be so wrong? It is customary to think that numbers cannot go wrong. But this is not always so. At the crucifixion of Christ, there were only a few supporters - John and a small group of women. The rest had fled. Despite the initial dramatic spread of the gospel, the apostles Peter and Paul later predicted a falling away, as men of ambition jostled for position, affecting the early community of believers. The apostle Paul warned the believers at Ephesus: "after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30). Peter adds, "there shall be false teachers among you who shall secretly introduce destructive heresies" (2 Peter 2:1, NIV).

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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS

Before the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church, Europe had been dominated by the pagan Roman Empire whose firm control, government administration and widespread influence had become legendary and provided a kind of union. Rome had more or less successively gathered together the tribes of Europe and instituted a system of communication from one part of the empire to another. It was this structure and organization which the Roman Church emulated: "In many ways, the church was comparable to the Roman Empire of old, whose territorial and administrative organization it had taken over and whose official language, Latin, is still maintained in its services, records and literature. Both were international in character. Everyone recognized the Pope, as everyone had worshipped the Emperor. The Church had its legal system and courts...Its missionaries and crusaders on the frontiers of Christendom were like the ancient legionaries on the Roman borders. Its monasteries were scattered over the face of the land as thickly as had been the administrative bureaucracy of the empire, and at the head and centre of it all, watching over the whole world, interfering in everything, exercising temporal as well as spiritual power, receiving reports and questions and appeals from all quarters, and reserving to himself the settlement of all questions in the last resort, sat Innocent III, with an authority quite comparable with that of a Trajan or a Diocletian." (Thorndyke, Medieval Europe, p. 414).

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CHURCH AUTHORITY DEVELOPS

History depicts the long struggle of the Popes for supremacy over other leaders, and the manipulation for power once Constantine removed his presence to Constantinople in the east. A document called "The Donation of Constantine" was produced about the mid-eighth century claiming to be the "will" of Constantine, bequeathed the Roman Empire to the Popes. Not until the fifteenth century was it found to be fraudulent, by which time the fraud had accomplished its objective and imparted a legal authority to the church's supremacy. Today, there is no open challenge to her fraudulent claims, though her beginnings rest upon lies and deception, as was prophesied in the Bible (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

By the 7th century, the Pope was feeling the pressure from migrating tribes in Europe. The invasion of the Moslem Arabs into Spain, and the advance of various tribes from the east, pressed the barbarian Lombards southwards into Italy, threatening the Pope.

The emperor in Constantinople was preoccupied with the Arabian threat, so the Pope had to look for a protector in the west. Charles Martel had successfully repelled the Moslem advance into France, and his son Pepin became the rallying leaders of the Franks. It was to Pepin that the Pope made his advances. Some persuasion was needed, so he managed to produce a golden plate supposedly inscribed by 'Saint Peter' himself, promising Pepin a place in heaven if he defended 'His Holiness'. Pepin rallied to the cause, defeated the Lombards, and presented the Pope with his first landed dominions. However, the pressure continued, and it was not until Pepin's con Charlemagne came upon the scene, that the Pope's position was assured.

Charlemagne was crowned in Rome by the Pope on 'Christmas Day' 800 AD, becoming the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as a "continuation of the classical Roman Empire" (Encyclopedia Britannica). It was a shrewd move, because it promoted the Pope to 'kingmaker', borrowing the authority of imperial Rome" (ibid). Later Tertullian (a catholic historian) wrote 'The Lord our God no longer reigns. He has resigned all power to the Pope.

With the blessing of the Pope, Charlemagne went forth to conquer throughout Europe. Every conquered people became vassals also of the church. To the ignorant uneducated masses, the learned priests seemed wise and knowing and readily replaced the local pagan religious cults, by incorporating some pagan customs into Catholic ritual.

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THE POPE IN DANIEL'S PROPHECY

The Book of Daniel presents, in allegorical form, the rise of Papal power from the Roman Empire (chapter 7 describes a "fourth beast" power, which is identified with the Catholic power).

The acquisition of the three Papal States occurred at the same time that the "little horn" was invested with power by Charlemagne (Daniel 7:8). With his newly acquired eyes and mouth, he blasphemed God (Revelation 13:6) and "speaks words against the most High and wears out the saints of the most High and thinks to change times and laws" (Daniel 7:25). Made "stout" (or prosperous, strengthened, see verse 20) by ravaging upon his flock, he "made war with the saints and prevailed against them until..."(Daniel 7:21).

The last message of Jesus Christ to his followers repeated this prophecy from Daniel and warned of a terrible time of persecution for them (Revelation 13:4-8). There has been no other religious power with such a horrifying record of oppression and murder, as testified in history.

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CATHOLIC VERSUS PROTESTANT

However, throughout the 'dark ages' a few folk who did have access to books and could read, found that the church was far removed from the Bible they claimed to uphold. Little groups were formed in an endeavor to worship God according to Bible practice, and true biblical teachings, but they were relentlessly and regularly hounded to the death. When the printing press was invented, the publication of the books and particularly of the Bible, began a flood that no public burnings could quench.

The first reformers were Catholic priests. Initially they became sickened with the excesses of the church which had adopted a "moneymaking role" to build "St. Peter's " Cathedral in Rome.

Then Erasmus, a Catholic priest, produced a new translation of the Bible (1516 AD), the first for 1000 years. As a result, he came to see how far the church had shifted from Bible teaching. His writings became the basis for the reformers.

The public challenge against Rome began with the hammer wielded by Martin Luther, himself a priest, who nailed his objections to the door of his local church. When he was called upon to defend his charges, he appealed "To the Bible alone." His firm resolve to accept the Scriptures above all else, challenged papal and church authority, and set in motion religious (and political) freedom. He declared against the Pope: "Since your serene majesty and your lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner, neither horned nor toothed. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason, I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything. May God help me, Amen."

The Catholic position since Luther's day, has not changed. Peter Hebblethwaite, a Jesuit turned writer, recorded in 1978: "Whereas Protestant fundamentalism tends to focus on the literal and eternal truth of the Bible, Catholic fundamentalism attaches itself to the letter of the Councils and will not be budged"

Thus the Catholic teaching in claiming supremacy over the Scriptures, finds itself in opposition to the Word of God.

The struggle between Catholics and Protesters was often to the death. It is estimated conservatively, that some 56 million perished in their attempt to maintain a personal faith. Even the revered Augustine was a confessed persecutor. Described by his admiring biographer, Dr. van der Meer, as "Father of the Inquisition", Augustine himself said: "I persecute openly because I am a son of the church."

In contrast to this, the teaching of Christ is that "his kingdom is NOT of this world" (The Greek word translated "world" is kosmos and relates to the system, or present order of society) and hence he adds that his "servants do not fight" (John 18:36). In fact, when threatened with violence, his friend Peter endeavoured to defend him, but Christ commanded his disciple to "put away thy sword" (John 18:11). The apostles never took up any public issue (eg. slavery). Instead, they all believers to suffer and endure whatever their circumstances, looking for the coming of Christ to bring political change (1 Peter 4:14-19).

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THE SUPREMACY OF THE SCRIPTURE

The Scripture clearly teaches that it expresses the will and purpose of God, and that the traditions of men must be subject to His commandments. Catholics may be very devout, but unless they worship as God has commanded, they are worshipping an image of their own making. So the Scripture declares: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus taught "In vain do you worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, for you lay aside the commandment of God" (Mark 7:7-8). "Ye are my friends, IF you do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14).

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PERSONAL FAITH

The Scripture clearly instructs us that "faith comes by hearing the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Unless we hear the Word of God, we cannot develop faith. Hearing a priest or sermons, is simply not good enough. There was a need, even in apostolic times, to test doctrine and teaching from the Word of God, for John wrote: "Beloved, believe not every spirit (teaching), but try the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). The apostle Paul states that we are not to seek the intervention of an earthly priest for "There is ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 3:5).

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THE VATICAN - ITS MODERN INTERNATIONAL ROLE

The rise of humanism and the French Revolution had a tremendous effect on the power of the church. The whole of the 19th century was marked by successive attempts for ordinary people to have a voice in their own destiny.

C. Dawson in The Gods of Revolution (a sequel to The Dividing of Christendom) stated: "It was not until the late 18th century that revolution burst forth so furiously in France against monarchy and church, that it had the affect of overturning the entire structure of organized church institutions, robbing them of absolute power over the lives of men and women. The Reformation was primarily a religious movement linked with great political and social changes. The French Revolution was primarily a political movement, founded on an ideology involving fundamental religious and moral principals".

The supporters of the church in other European countries rose up in indignation against France, and assembled their armies, but a new star rose, Napoleon, who defended the cause of the Revolution, and swept through Europe to put down any opposition. In fact, the French Revolution was the beginning of the end of feudal Europe. The defeat of Austria in 1866 and the unification of Italy, dispossessed the Pope of his papal states and Word War I saw the fall of the remaining influential royal houses of Europe.

The Papacy, however is too ambitious and adaptable to retire from the world stage. Within a few years, a new Pope produced a document Rerum Novarum, championing the working classes. With this document, the church was able to enter the international scene of the 20th century. When Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaty with the Vatican in 1929, the church gained compensation in property, stock and shares for her papal states lost in 1870, and their value launched her into the international financial scene. She was no longer merely wealthy, but now among the few achieving megawealth. The original agreement creating the EEC was called The Treaty of Rome and was signed in 1956 in the city of Rome. Signatories then attended a mass with the Pope.

The modern adaptation is a remarkable fulfilment of Bible prophecy. No longer a cruel persecuting power (Revelation 13:6-7), Rome has become a powerful influence, or in Bible terms, an "intoxicating influence" as is indicated in the words of Revelation 17:2, that "the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication" [i.e. her illicit political liaisons]. One of the most deplorable of her "liaisons" this century, was the concordat with Hitler of 1933, which enabled Hitler to rise so rapidly to power. More recent, was the self-confessed "conspiracy" with President Reagan to help bring about the collapse of Communist Russia. This collapse has successfully opened the door to the church once more.

From the time he became Pope, John Paul II made it clear he would not stand on the sideline. His early visit to Poland awakened in the people their dormant sense of national identity, overcoming their fear of the Soviets, and produced near revolution in the following months. TASS openly blamed the Pope for the rise of Solidarity, Vatican sources know that the subsequent attempt on the Pope's life was Soviet-backed.

Vatican writers reveal how Pope John Paul uses the modern mass media to promote his cause - that the maintaining the pre-eminence of the church. Never has a Pope traveled so much, entertained so many visitors, or been presented so often in the news. Each feature of a trip is carefully orchestrated to achieve maximum news interest. He is magnanimous to all - even non christians, that all might be won over to him.

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GOD'S ABHORRENCE OF ROME

Only four hundred years ago, the Protestant reformers were vocal in identifying the Roman Catholic Church with the prophecies of Revelation, "the whore" of Revelation 17 and the mystical "Babylon" of Revelation 18.

Ancient Babylon is the spiritual mother of Rome with many parallels between their religion, the cities and the festivities they encouraged, Alexander Hislop, in his volume, The Two Babylons, makes clear comparisons between both mighty cities. Therefore, there is no doubt as to the identity of Rome.

Rome was the only "great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth" (Revelation 17:18) at the time of the writing of Revelation (AD 96). Rome is also the great trader in goods and the "souls of men" (Revelation 18:13) and "in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all that were slain upon the earth" (Revelation 18:24). These words of the Lord Jesus are recorded by the apostle John (Revelation 1:1), warning his followers to remain true and faithful to him, and not be entangled with the church and the politics of the world.

Why does the language in Revelation depict the Roman Catholic Church in such abhorrent light? In these days of religious tolerance, such expressions are often regarded as too extreme. The answer is that the ignorant are more likely to appreciate God's teaching, than those who pervert and destroy His Truth. To simply not know is one thing. But for those who are seeking God and His ways, to be misled, duped, and lied to, is a most serious matter, and God who is the Creator and Judge of all the earth, will condemn those who claim to speak so libelously on His behalf.

Jesus Christ refers to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah in appealing to all who would hear clearly and without bias: "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." (Revelation 18:4-5) "Come out from among them...and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

God has a purpose for mankind. He appeals to men and women to hear His voice by reading His Word, the Bible, and discovering its wonderful message. Take your Bible, open its pages and discover its invitation for your personal salvation. -B.C.E.

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FALSE DOCTRINES WHICH UNITE THE CHURCHES WITH ROME

The following doctrines generally accepted alike by Papists and Protestants as vital, are found to be unscriptural by an unbiased appeal to the Bible.

1. THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRIST. The teaching that Jesus existed corporeally before he was born and his equality with the Father - illogical and unscriptural - is upheld by Rome and embraced by Protestantism. It is opposed to Bible teaching which presents Christ as "the Son of God" made "of a women" (Galatians 4:4), "approved of God" and obedient to Him in all things, for which cause he has been exalted to his Father's right hand in the heavens (Hebrews 5:7-9)

2. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. Belief in a triune God - a God that is both one and three - is opposed to reason and the clear declaration of Scripture (Mark 12:29; 1 Corinthians 8:6). It was included in church teaching about 300 years after the death of Christ, and from Rome has found its way into the beliefs of nearly all communities of Christendom.

3. THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. This is a fundamental doctrine of both Roman and Protestant religion, and is accepted as established in truth. It is, nevertheless, a fiction of paganism, superimposed upon Bible teaching, and the root of the chief errors prevailing in Christendom. It has altered the whole plan of salvation, introduced false concepts in regard to the condition of man in death, has destroyed the power of the doctrine of the resurrection. The Bible teaches the mortality of the soul (Ezekiel 18:4) and lays emphasis upon the hope of a bodily resurrection, without which a man shall perish (1 Corinthians 15:13-18).

4. HEAVEN AS THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS. One will search the Bible in vain for this teaching, yet it is taught by the churches. It is contrary to the express declaration of the Lord that "the meek shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5).

5. ETERNAL TORMENTS IN HELL. A teaching subversive to every principle of justice and reason, and derogatory to the righteous character of the God of heaven. This sadistic nightmare, invented by paganism and Christendom alike, today seems to be losing its impact upon the minds of men, though still proclaimed by many churches. Merciful oblivion is the destiny in store for the wicked, and that takes place at death (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6). The grave is the hell of the Bible: a place of silence and utter destruction (cp. Acts 2:31 with 1 Corinthians 15:55, which has the same word in the original).

6. A SUPERNATURAL PERSONAL DEVIL. The Bible doctrine concerning the devil and satan has nothing in common with the popular view of the subject, which is obviously a pagan fiction adopted originally by Rome, and passed on to Christendom. The devil is that which has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14), which is elsewhere defined as "sin" (Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:56). Sin, in its various manifestations, is the devil of the Bible.

7. THE SPRINKLING OF INFANTS. In many churches this takes the place of adult baptism commanded by Christ for believers (Mark 16:16). It is an invention of the Rominish Church, and contrary to the Word of God (see Acts 8:36-37), which knows nothing of any such practice.

THESE (AND OTHER) ERRONEOUS TEACHINGS CONSTITUTE THE FOUNDATION OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY, BUT ARE ACTUALLY IDEAS ORIGINALLY BORROWED FROM PAGAN MYTHOLOGY, AND SUPERIMPOSED UPON THE BIBLE.

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WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES

There is ONE GOD, the Father and Creator of all things, dwelling corporeally in the heavens, He is immortal, invisible and all wise, filling all space by His spirit. He has revealed His divine will and purpose with mankind and with the earth in the Bible: Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Psalm 139:7-10, Jeremiah 23:24, 1 Kings 8:27, Hebrews 1:1, 2 Peter 1:21.

Jesus of Nazareth is SON OF GOD and SON OF MAN. He was divinely begotten by God by the power of the Holy Spirit resting upon his human mother, Mary, a virgin and a descendant of the royal house of David. He had no corporeal existence prior to his birth, being made in all points like his brethren, of human nature. He was put to death on the cross as a sacrifice for sin, but because of his perfect obedience, he was raised from the dead for the pardon of all believing in him: Luke 1:30-35, Isaiah 53:1-11, Hebrews 4:15, Acts 2:24, Romans 4:25, 8:3.

The HOLY SPIRIT is the power of God, a divine energy by which He fills all space and creates and sustains all things: Luke 1:35, Psalm 51:12, 104:30, 139:7-12, Acts 17:27-28. The Holy Spirit is NOT A PERSON, but the "one spirit" of God used for special purposes: miracles, signs and wonders: Acts 2:1-4.

The miraculous gifts of the Spirit, as manifested by believers of the first century, were withdrawn in accordance with 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.

MAN is a mortal creature whose consciousness utterly ceases at death, and, therefore, renewed life can come only through a bodily resurrection. Genesis 3:19, Ezekiel 18:4, Psalm 6:5, Ecclesiastes 3:18-19, 9:5-6, Isaiah 38:18-19, 1 Corinthians 15:13-21, John 5:28-29, Daniel 12:2.

The EARTH abides forever, and will ultimately be filled with a race of righteous and immortal men and women who will reveal the glory of God in their divine nature and character. Numbers 14:21, Psalm 72:19, Acts 15:14, Rev 22:12, 20:6, 21:3, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Ecclesiastes 1:4, Isaiah 45:18.

The GOSPEL was preached to Abraham when God promised him the land of Canaan (modern Israel) for an everlasting possession; to David when God promised him a Son to sit on his throne forever; to the Jews when they were informed of God's promises to Abraham and David, and confirmed when Christ proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom of God; and to all mankind when the apostles and their associates carried the same preaching "and the name of Jesus Christ" into all the world: Galatians 3:8, 2 Samuel 7:12-29, Luke 1:31-33, Romans 15:8, Mark 1:14-15, Acts 8:12, Mark 16:15-16, Matt 28:19-20, Acts 2:30-35.

The REDEEMED, who will inherit the promised blessings are those drawn out of all nations by the power of the gospel, who have rendered obedience to its precepts by baptism and a walk in faith. The blessings will be bestowed when Christ returns from the right hand of God to raise dead believers, and together with living believers, gathers them to his judgement seat to reward the righteous with eternal life, and punish the wicked with everlasting destruction: finally establishing his glorious kingdom on the earth: Acts 15:16, Romans 6:3-5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:5-9, Luke 14:15, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, 2 Timothy 4:1,8.

The KINGDOM OF GOD was the ancient kingdom of Israel under David. It will be re-established on earth with its king, the Lord Jesus Christ reigning from Jerusalem. To that end, Christ, at his coming, will complete the restoration of the Jews to the land, and establish his rule over all the earth. He will reign with the assistance of his glorious believers. This rule will continue for 1,000 years, at the conclusion of which, another judgement will take place, of those who have lived during the millenium. The righteous will be given eternal life, the unrighteous will be delivered unto eternal death; and a perfected earth, in which sin and death itself shall have been eliminated, will ultimately be delivered unto God that He might be "all in all": 1 Corinthians 15:23-28, Jeremiah 3:17, 23:5-8, Isaiah 2:2-4, 11:10-12, 14:1, Zechariah 6:13; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.

Herald of The Coming Age Volume 43 Number 2

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