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We affirm that the HOLY
SCRIPTURES clearly teach
these truths:
God is a God of
order, and is dealing with the human race according to His timetable
and eternal purpose. 1 Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 3:11.
Everyone who comes
to God "must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek Him". The only acceptable approach to God
is through Jesus Christ, "the way, the truth and the life".
Hebrews 11:6; John 14:16.
The basis of hope
for believers being called and chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ, and
for the whole world of people, living and dead, lies in the fact that
Jesus Christ by the grace of God tasted "death for every man",
gave Himself "a ransom for all", and is "the true light
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" "in due
time". Hebrews 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5,6; John 1:9.
The hope of believers
who are called and chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by God through
Him, is that they may be changed to be like their Lord; "see Him
as He is", "be partakers of the divine nature" and share
His glory as joint-heirs with Him. 1 John 3:2; John 17:24; 2 Peter 1:4;
Romans 8:17.
The present work
of Christian believers lies in their preparation in this life for the
future work of service in the age to come in helping to fulfil the Lord
God's promise to bless "all nations". This present work involves
the development in each believer of the Christian virtues, the giving
of witness to the world, and growth in grace to obtain the promise of
being made kings and priests in the coming Kingdom of God. Ephesians
4:12; Matthew 24:14; Galatians 3:8; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:6; 20:6.
The hope for the
world lies in the blessings of knowledge and opportunity for salvation
to be made available to all in Christ's Millennial Kingdom, when all
that was lost in Eden will be restored, when all the blessings promised
in God's Holy Word will be accomplished by the Lord Jesus and His chosen
believers and when Satan and all the wicked will be destroyed. Acts
3:19-23; Isaiah 35:1-10; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 20:7-9; 21:1-4.
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