rachellovejoy's Journal

THE BIBLE IS GOD'S INSPIRED WORD(2 Timothy 3:16,17)

--WHAT IT CONTAINS IS NOT MERE HISTORY OR HUMAN OPINION BUT THE WORD OF GOD, RECORDED TO BENEFIT US. (2 Peter 1:21;Romans 15:4;1 Corinthians 10:11)

JEHOVAH IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD (Ps. 83:18;Deut.4:39)

--Jehovah is the Creator of all things, and as such, he alone deserves to be worshiped. (Rev. 4:11;Luke 4:8)

--Jehovah is the Universal Sovreign, the one to whom we owe full obedience. (Acts 4:24; Dan. 4:17;Acts 5:29)

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, THE ONLY ONE CREATED DIRECTLY BY GOD HIMSELF(1 John 4:9;Col.1:13-16)

--Jesus was the first of God's creations; thus, before he was conceived and born as a human, Jesus lived in heaven. (Rev. 3:14;John 8:23,58)

--Jesus worships his Father as the only true God;Jesus never claimed equality with God. (John 17:3;20:17;14:28)

--Jesus gave his perfect, human life as a ransom for humankind.  His sacrifice makes possible everlassting life for all who truly exercise faith in it.  (Mark 10:45;John 3:16,36)

--Jesus was raised from the dead as an immortal spirit person. (1 Peter 3:18;Romans 6:9)

--Jesus has returned (having directed his attention as King toward the earth)and is now present as a glorious spirit. (Matthew 24:3,23-27;25:31-33;John 14:19)

SATAN IS THE INVISIBLE "RULER OF THIS WORLD". (John 12:31;1 John 5:19)

Originally he was a perfect son of God, but he allowed feelings of self-importance to develop in his heart, craved worhsip that belonged only to Jehovah, and enticed Adam and Eve to obey him rather than listen to God.  Thus he made himself Satan, which means "Adversary"(John 8:44;Gen. 3:1-5;compare Deuteronomy 32:4,5;James 1:14, 15;Luke 4:5-7)

--Satan "is misleading the entire inhabited earth"; he and his demons are responsible for increased distress on the earth in this time of the end. (Rev. 12:7-9,12)

--At God's appointed time, Satan and his demons will be destroyed forever. (Rev. 20:10;21:8)

GOD'S KINGDOM UNDER CHRIST WILL REPLACE ALL HUMAN GOVERNMENTS AND WILL BECOME THE ONE GOVERNMENT OVER ALL HUMANKIND (Dan. 7:13,14)

--The present wicked system of things will be completely destroyed (Dan. 2:44;Rev.16:14;Isa 9:6,7;11:1-5;32:17;Ps.85:10-12)

--Wicked ones will be cut off forever, and worshipers of Jehovah will enjoy lasting security. (Prov. 2:21,22;Ps.37:9-11;Matt. 25:41-46;2 Thess. 1:6-9;Mic.4:3-5)

WE ARE LIVING NOW, SINCE 1941, IN "THE TIME OF THE END" OF THIS WICKED WORLD. (Matt. 24:3-14;2Tim. 3:1-5;Dan.12:4)

--During this time period, a witness is being given to all nations;after that will come the end, not of the globe, but of the wicked system and of ungodly people. (Matt.24:3,14;2 Peter 3:7;Ecclesiastes 1:4)

THERE IS ONLY ONE ROAD TO LIFE;NOT ALL RELIGIONS OR RELIGIOUS PRACTICES ARE APPROVED BY GOD. (Matt.7:13,14;John 4:23,24;Eph.4:4,4)

--True worship emphasizes not ritual and outward show but genuine love for God, shown by obedience to his commandments and by love for one's fellowman. (Matt. 15:8,9;1 john 5:3;3:10-18, 4:21;John 13:34,35)

--People out of all nations , races, and language groups can serve Jehovah and have his approval (Acts 10:34,35;Rev.7:9-17)

--Prayers is said to be directed only to Jehovah through Jesus;images are not to be used either as objects of devotion or as aids in worship. (Matt.6:9;John 14:6,13,14;1 John 5:21;2 Corinthians 5:7;6:16;Isa. 42:8)

--Spiristic practices must be shunned. (Gal. 5:19-21;Deut. 18:10-12;Rev.21:8)

--there is no clergy-laity distinction among true Christians. (Matt.20:25-27;23:8-12)

--True Christianity does not include keeping a weekly sabbath or conforming to other requirements of the Mosaic Law in order to gain salvation;doing so would be a rejection of Christ, who fulfilled the Law. (Ga. 5:4;Rom.10:4;Col.2:13-17)

--Those who practice true worship do not engage in interfaith. (2  Cor. 6:14-17;Rev.18:4)

--All who are truly disciplies of Jesus get baptized by complete immersion. (Matt.28:19,20;Mark 1:9,10;Acts 8:36-38)

--All who follow Jesus's example and obey his commandments bear witness to others about the Kingdom of God. (Luke 4:43;8:1;Matt.10:7;24:14)

DEATH IS A RESULT OF INHERITANCE OF SIN FROM ADAM. (Rom.5:12;6:23)

--At death, it is the soul itself that dies. (Ezek. 18:4)

--The dead are conscious of nothing. (Ps.146:4;Eccl.9:5,10)

--Hell (Sheol,Hades) is mankind's common grave.  (Job 14:13;Rev.20:13,14)

--The Lake of fire to which the incorrigibly wicked are consigned signifies, as the Bible itself says, "second death", death forever. (Rev. 21:8)

--Ressurection is the hope for the dead and for those who have lost loved ones in death. (1 Cor.15:20-22;John 5:28,29;compare John 11:25.26,38-44;Mark 5:35-42)

--Death due to Adamic sin will be no more. (1 Cor. 15:26;Isa.25:8;Rev.21:4)

A "LITTLE FLOCK",ONLY 144,000, GO TO HEAVEN (Luke 12:32,Rev.14:1,3)

--These are the ones who are "born again" as spiritual son of God. (John 3:3,1 Peter 1:3,4)

--God selects these out of all peoples and nations to rule as Kings with Christ in the Kingdom. (Rev. 5;9,10;20:6)

OTHERS WHO HAVE GODS APPROVAL WILL LIVE FOREVER ON EARTH. (Ps.37:29;Matt.5:5;2 Peter 3:13)

--Earth will never be destroyed or depopulated. (Ps.104:5;Isa.45:18)

--In harmony with God's original purpose, all the earth will become a paraside. (gen.1:27,28;2:8,9;Luke 23:42,43)

--There will be suitable homes and an abundance of food for the enjoyment of everyone. (Isa. 65:21-23;Ps.72:16)

--sickness, all kinds of disability, and death itself will become things of the past. (Rev. 21:3,4;Isa.35:5,6)

SECULAR AUTHORITIES ARE TO BE TREATED WITH DUE RESPECT. (Rom.13:1-7;Titus 3:1,2)

--True Christians do not share in rebellion against governmental authority. (Prov.24:21,22;Rom.13:1)

--They obey all laws that do not conflict with the law of God, but obedience to God comes first. (Acts 5:29)

--They imitate Jesus in remaining neutral as to the world's politcal affairs. (Matt. 22:14-21;John 6:15)

CHRISTIANS MUST CONFORM TO BIBLE STANDARDS REGARDING BLOOD AS WELL AS SEXUAL MORALITY. (Acts 15:28,29)

--Taking blood into the body through mouth or veins violates God's law. (Gen.9:3-6;Acts 15:29,20)

--Christians are to be morally clean;fornication,adultery,and homosexuality must have no place in their lives, neither should drunkenness or drug abuse. (1 Cor.6:9-11;2 Cor.7:1)

PERSONAL HONESTY AND FAITHFULNESS IN CARING FOR MARITAL AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES ARE IMPORTANT FOR CHRISTIANS (1 Tim. 5:8;Col.3:18-21;Heb.13:4)

--Dishonesty in speech or in business, as well as playing the hypocrite, are not consistent with being a Christian (Prov.6:16-19;Eph.4:25;Matt.6:5;Ps.26:4)

ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP OF JEHOVAH REQUIRES THAT WE LOVE HIM ABOVE ALL ELSE. (Luke 10:27;Deut.5:9)

--doing Jehovah's will, thus bringing honor to his name, is the most important thing in the life of a true Christian (John 4:34;Col.3:23;1 Peter 2:12)

--While doing good to all persons as they are able,Christians recognize a special obligation toward fellow servants of God;so their help in times of illness and disaster is directed especially toward these. (Ga.6:10;1 John 3:16-18)

--Love of God requires of true Christians not only that they obey his commandment to love their neighbor but also that they not love the immoral and materialistic way of life of the world.  True Christians are no part of the world and so refrain from joining in activities that would identify them as sharing its spirit. (Rom. 13:8,9;1 John 2:15-17;John 15:19;James 4:4)