MAJOR CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES

The following is a list of many of the major doctrines of the Christian faith. These doctrines are accepted by all denominations that are considered Christian.

THE ONLY GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) OF JESUS CHRIST

1 Corinthians 15:1-8,11 [1] Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. [2] By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. [3] For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. [6] After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, [8] and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. [11] Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

Galatians 1:6-9 [6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

There is only one God.

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

Isaiah 44:6-8 [6] "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. [7] Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-- yes, let him foretell what will come. [8] Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

Mark 12:28-30, 32 [28] One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" [29] "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [32] "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him."

This God is a triune God -- one God consisting of three distinct persons:

1. The Father 2. Jesus 3. The Holy Spirit

This is the concept of the Trinity. It is not expressly stated in the Bible but is implied by the fact that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are spoken of in combination with the Father. The three persons of the Trinity are also referred to collectively as the Godhead. Don't bother trying to understand how three "persons" can be one. The term "persons" is used because human language does not have a more accurate term.

Matthew 28:19-20 [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

John 1:1-2 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was [face-to-face] with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning.

Hebrews 3:7-9 [7] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did."

Acts 5:3-4 [3] Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? [4] Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

Each person of the Godhead is fully God, yet there is only one God.

Matthew 28:19-20 [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

This doctrine is implied by the overall way in which the Bible portrays the activities and interrelationship of the three persons of the Godhead. It is never expressly stated.

God is sovereign. He is ruler over everything.

Ezekiel 12:28 Therefore say to them, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.

All men have sinned against God, thereby pushing themselves away from God.

Romans 3:22b-23 [22b] ... There is no difference, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 3:10-12 [10] As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; [11] there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. [12] All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Sin separates us from God.

Isaiah 59:2 Your sins have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you.

God HATES sin.

Genesis 6:5-7 [5] The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. [6] The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. [7] So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth -- men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air -- for I am grieved that I have made them."

Psalms 5:4-6 [4] You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. [5] The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. [6] You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.

Hebrews 12:28-29 [28] Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, [29] for our "God is a consuming fire."

Jesus is literally the Son of God.

Romans 1:1-4 [1] Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God -- [2] the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures [3] regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, [4] and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus became a human -- fully human, with a flesh-and-blood body.

John 1:1-3, 14 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was [face-to-face] with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ... [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 2:14-18 [14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. [16] For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. [17] For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. [18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Note: Sin is passed through the father's blood-line as the "seed" of Adam. Jesus' father was the Holy Spirit by supernatural conception, so He did not inherit Adam's sin.

After Jesus became a man He had two natures. He was fully God and fully man.

See the preceding point for quotes establishing Christ's fully human nature after the Incarnation.

John 14:7, 9b,10 [7] If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." [9b] ... Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. ... [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

John 14:11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.

John 10:31-33 [31] Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, [32] but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" [33] "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Christ lived as a man without committing sin.

1 Peter 2:21-22 [21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."

John 8:46a Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?

"How can you say Jesus didn't sin? What about when He went into the Temple with the whip and threw people out?"

The Bible makes it clear that righteous anger is not sinful. Jesus destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus caused the Flood. (Compare Judges 13:18 and Isaiah 9:8: Who was The Angel of the Lord?)

Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the heavens.

John 5:22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.

God sent Jesus to save us from our sins by his death and resurrection.

Romans 5:8 God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

Romans 4:25 He died for our sins and rose again to make us right with God.

Jesus voluntarily sacrificed Himself.

John 10:14-15, 17-18 [14] "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. [17] The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

(Note that in verse 18 "this command" does not mean that Jesus was ordered to lay down His life. It means "I am the Commander and I received my authority from the Father.")

Romans 3:23-26 [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented him [Jesus] as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- [26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.

Jesus Christ literally arose from the dead after three days, in a renewed, physical resurrected body.

This is one of the most fundamental and most important doctrines of Christianity.

Romans 1:1-4 [1] Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- [2] the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures [3] regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, [4] and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:12-24 [12] But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. [15] More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. [19] If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. [20] But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. [24] Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

Jesus saved us because of His mercy, not because we deserved it.

Titus 3:5a he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

There is one mediator between God and man - Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.

As a result of Jesus' sacrifice, salvation is available to all mankind.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all men -- the testimony given in its proper time.

A lot of people are under the mistaken impression that we are saved because of Jesus' sacrifice. It is important to realize that a person must do certain things to obtain salvation. Just because it is available doesn't mean we automatically get it. Salvation is like a newspaper:

* Someone had to do something in order for it to exist.

* It's available before you ask for it.

* You can't do it for yourself.

* It doesn't come automatically.

* You can't earn it.

* You don't deserve to get it.

* You have to ask for it.

* You have to follow the rules if you want to keep it.

* Once you receive it, it's up to you to do something with it!

Jesus finished the work of salvation on Calvary. Nothing remains to be done to obtain salvation.

Hebrews 10:11-18 [11] Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. [13] Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, [14] because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. [15] The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: [16] "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." [17] Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." [18] And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

Many people think "Before I accept Jesus I need to get some things straightened out in my life." If that is what you believe, you are trying to do additional work to get saved. In effect, you are saying "Jesus can get me 95% of the way to salvation. But I have to do the first 5% myself." This is the exact opposite of what Christianity teaches.

Salvation is a free gift from God, not something we can earn.

Romans 3:21-26 [21] But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- [26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

There is nothing man can do on his own to obtain salvation -- no amount of good works, kindness, charity, etc., is sufficient.

When you get past all the surface appearances, every false religion teaches salvation by works -- if a person does enough of the right kinds of activities he will earn his way to salvation.

For example: Catholic Catechism, par. 2027 No one can merit the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods.

Ephesians 2:8-9 [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 3:27-28 [27] Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. [28] For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Romans 4:2-5 [2] If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. [3] What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." [4] Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. [5] However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

To obtain salvation, a person must do all of the following:

1. Admit he is a sinner

2. Accept Jesus as his personal savior and Lord

3. Sincerely repent of his sins

4. Sincerely intend to try to lead a new life without sin

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Acts 3:19-20 [19] Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, [20] and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.

To obtain salvation a person must be born again, i.e., born spiritually.

John 3:3-8 [3] In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." [4] "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" [5] Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

If a person accepts Jesus as his savior, God will forgive the person's sins and when the person dies God will give him great rewards, including eternal life.

Acts 3:19-20 [19] Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, [20] and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.

John 11:25-26a [25] Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; [26] and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

Acts 13:38-39 [38] "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. [39] Through him everyone who believes is justified [saved from the eternal penalties for sin] from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

John 3:16-18 [16] "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

If a person refuses to accept Jesus, the person will be punished forever after he dies.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him [Christ] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Belief in some god or gods is not enough; God will only save those who accept Him.

See John 3:16-18 above.

Isaiah 44:6-8 [6] "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. [7] Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-- yes, let him foretell what will come. [8] Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

See all of Isaiah Chapters 44-46 for more detail on God's view of worshiping other "gods."

Exodus 20:4-6 [4] "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. [5] You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Exodus 34:14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Joshua 24:20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.

Deuteronomy 32:15-21 [15] Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he became heavy and sleek. He abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior. [16] They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols. [17] They sacrificed to demons, which are not God-- gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear. [18] You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth. [19] The LORD saw this and rejected them because he was angered by his sons and daughters. [20] "I will hide my face from them," he said, "and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are unfaithful. [21] They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding."

God doesn't reward commitment to just anything, He rewards commitment to Him.

How would you feel if your employer paid your salary to some other employee? And when you asked "What are you doing?", your employer replied "I'm paying earned salary to an employee. I don't think it matters which employee I pay as long as I pay some employee."

It is not enough to believe in the Father. To be saved a person also must believe in Jesus.

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Acts 4:11-12 [11] He is "the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone [cornerstone of a building]." [12] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

John 5:22-23 [22] Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, [23] that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

John 10:7-10 [7] Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 3:16-18 [16] "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

"Believing in Jesus" means believing that Jesus is God, not merely a messenger from God such as a prophet or an apostle.

See John 3:18 and John 14:6 above.

Compare: Koran Sura (Chapter) 5 verse 78 "Christ, the Son of Mary, was no more than an apostle."

Compare: Koran Sura 5 verse 75 "They do blaspheme who say God is Christ, the Son of Mary."

As these verses indicate, the Koran, the scripture of Islam teaches and Moslems believe that Jesus Christ is not God. Sadly, this means that, like all others who don't believe in the deity of Christ, all Moslems who believe the teachings of their religion are condemned to eternal punishment. Many people, both Christian and non-Christian, find this teaching offensive and call Christians bigots, prejudiced, and/or narrow-minded. The Christian belief is based on the teachings of the Bible, not on personal likes or dislikes. The vast majority of Moslems are nice, decent, kind, hard-working people. No true Christian takes pleasure or joy in the thought of BILLIONS of people being punished for ETERNITY, but that is exactly what the New Testament says will happen.

"Believing in Jesus" means trying to live the way Jesus says to live, not merely an intellectual belief.

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Luke 6:46 Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say?

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

There is a literal devil and demons. They are angels who rebelled against God.

Revelation 12:7-9 [7] And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. [8] But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. [9] The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

These fallen angels have chosen to do evil, and they seek to ruin the lives of humans.

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

John 10:7-10 [7] Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. [10] The thief [i.e., the Devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Note: There is only one Devil -- Satan. However, there are many demons.

We are in the midst of a spiritual war.

Ephesians 6:11-12 [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Revelation 12:7-9 [7] And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. [8] But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. [9] The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and his fallen angels so men may eternally have the best life possible.

John 10:10 The thief [i.e., the Devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 3:16-17 [16] "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

It is important not to misinterpret passages such as 1 John 3:8a. It does not mean that a person who sins from time to time will be condemned. It means that those who make a regular practice of sinning, those for whom sinning is a way of life, will be condemned.

The outcome of the spiritual war is already determined. Jesus conquered death and sin for all eternity by His sacrifice on the Cross. He proved it by coming back from the dead.

Revelation 1:17-18 [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

BEING CHRISTIAN IS A KNOW-WIN SITUATION . . . WE KNOW WE WIN!

All men will be resurrected, both the righteous and the wicked.

Acts 24:15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

At the Second Coming of Christ, all Christians who have ever lived -- both living and dead -- will be resurrected.

This occurs at The Rapture. The Rapture will be followed by the Tribulation. Some Christian theologians believe the Tribulation will precede the Rapture. At the end of the Tribulation, will be the first post-Rapture resurrection, followed by the Millennial Kingdom, then the resurrection of unbelievers, then the Great White Throne Judgment.

Revelation 20:4-6 [4] I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. [These are the Tribulation martyrs.] They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. [This is the second resurrection -- the resurrection of the wicked.]) This [resurrection of the Tribulation martyrs] is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Actually, this is saying that there are two types of resurrection:

1. resurrection of the righteous unto glory

2. resurrection of the wicked unto everlasting punishment

(About 15% of Christian theologians do not believe in the Rapture. They believe: (1) mankind has been in the Tribulation since apostolic times, (2) mankind will gradually become better through the work of the Church, and (3) then Jesus will return. This is called "amillennialism.")

Those who reject Christ will not be resurrected until the Great White Throne Judgment of the damned.

See Revelation 20:5 above and Revelation 20:11-15 below.

Jesus is going to come back and judge everyone who has ever lived. He will reward the righteous and punish the wicked.

Jude 14-15 [14] Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones [15] to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

Revelation 20:11-15 [11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. [13] The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. [14] Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. [15] If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Daniel 7:21-22 [21] As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, [22] until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

John 5:22-23 [22] Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, [23] that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

There is a real, literal Hell. It is a specific place, with eternal fire. Those who are not saved will be imprisoned and punished there forever.

Revelation 20:14-15 [14] Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. [15] If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Note: Don't get confused by terminology. There are (1) temporary "holding cells" called Hades or Hell and (2) a permanent place called Hell or The Lake of Fire.

Note: The events of Revelation 20:14-15 above occur after the following passages.

Revelation 19:20 But the beast [Antichrist] was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

In Revelation 20:1 Satan is bound for 1000 years. In 20:7-9 he is released, gathers an army and attacks the people of God but is defeated for the final time.

Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The beast and the false prophet are still alive, after being in the lake of fire for 1000 years!

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him [Christ] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Biblical scholars have pointed out that Jesus talked about Hell twice as much as He talked about Heaven!

YOU have a choice to make: (a) Accept Jesus or (b) be punished forever.