16. RESURRECTIONS
The hope of all mankind
and the promise to the Christian is the resurrection
from the dead. The Bible refers to (1) the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the
dead and the pioneer of our salvation; (2) the
resurrection of the saints—called the “first
resurrection”—at the return of Christ when the true
believers shall become spirit-composed members of
God’s family; (3) the resurrection back to physical
life of all who have ever died without having
understood God’s way, for their first opportunity
for salvation; (4) the resurrection of the
incorrigibly wicked—those who have refused to repent
and have rejected God’s way—to be consumed in the
lake of fire (called the “second death”).
John 5:28–29, Acts 2:32, Romans 8:11
1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17
Revelation 20:4–6, 13–14
17. JUDGMENT
The time of one’s judgment
is the time of his opportunity for salvation,
extending from one’s calling by God until his death
(or the resurrection at Christ’s return). Those who
shall qualify for God’s Kingdom—the overwhelming
majority—shall inherit eternal life, and those who
deliberately reject God’s way shall be consumed in
the lake of fire.
Matthew 13:49–50, 25:34, 1 Peter 4:17
Revelation 20:15, 21:8
18. FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is the state
of being whereby one’s sins are removed, blotted
out, or covered. “Blessed is he whose transgression
is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” It is obvious
from Scripture that sin is a condition that
separates us from God. It also divides us from each
other and breaks down relationships. Thus,
forgiveness comes to us in two spheres: (1)
forgiveness from God towards us, and (2) forgiveness
from us to each other. The example prayer given to
us by Jesus Christ summarizes the full scope of the
issue of forgiveness. The forgiveness we obtain from
God depends largely on the forgiveness we offer to
others. Those who refuse to forgive will not be
forgiven. However, forgiveness in no way removes or
negates all the consequences of sin, as can be seen
in the scriptural account of the life of David.
Psalm 32:1, 2 Samuel 11–12, Matthew 6:12, 14–15
19. LAW OF GOD
The law of God as revealed
in the Bible is a good, right, and perfect system of
eternal directives and principles that reflects
God’s character and serves as a means of expressing
His love toward man. God’s law teaches man how to
properly worship God, how to love his fellowman, how
to live life abundantly, and, at the same time, how
to prepare for an eternal spiritual life in the
family of God. The law of God is represented in both
the Old and the New Testaments, and is expressed by
both physical actions and spiritual motivations.
John 14:15, 21, Romans 7:12, 1 John 5:2–3
20. BIBLICAL COVENANTS
Both testaments record
that God made certain promises in the form of
specific contracts or agreements with man. These are
called “covenants,” and define the terms of God’s
relationship with individuals or groups in various
circumstances and eras. Of these covenants, the best
known are the covenants made with physical Israel
and the New Covenant established on “better
promises,” which will be fully confirmed with
spiritual Israel after the return of Jesus Christ.
The New Covenant, which also applies to the New Testament
church from the
time of the original apostles, makes God’s law even
more relevant by expanding it to include one’s
mental attitude and spiritual intent.
Matthew 5:21–22, 2 Timothy 3:15–16, Hebrews 8:6–13