2015 EDITION
Twenty-Eight Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day
Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental
beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth
here, constitute the church’s understanding and expression of the teaching of
Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference
Session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of
Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God’s
Holy Word.
1 - The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.)
2 - The Trinity
There
is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons.
God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is
infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation.
God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the
whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor.
1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)
3 - The Father
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all
creation. He is just and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited
in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Deut.
4:35; Ps. 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev.
4:11.)
4 - The Son
God the eternal Son became
incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of
God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is
judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly human, Jesus the Christ. He was
conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and
experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the
righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God’s power and was
attested as God’s promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the
cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to
heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again
in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all
things. (Isa. 53:4-6; Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30;
14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17-19; Phil. 2:5-11;
Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:918; 8:1, 2.)
5 - The Holy Spirit
God the eternal Spirit was
active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He
is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of
Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human
beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God.
Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends
spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in
harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2;
Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts
1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)
Creation Z6 God has revealed in Scripture the
authentic and historical account of His creative activity. He created the
universe, and in a recent six-day creation the Lord made “the heavens and the
earth, the sea, and all that is in them” and rested on the seventh day. Thus He
established the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of the work He performed and
completed during six literal days that together with the Sabbath constituted the
same unit of time that we call a week today. The first man and woman were made
in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the
world, and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world was
finished it was “very good,” declaring the glory of God. (Gen. 1-2; 5; 11; Exod.
20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Isa. 45:12, 18; Acts 17:24; Col. 1:16; Heb.
1:2; 11:3; Rev. 10:6; 14:7.)
The Nature of Humanity Z7 Man and woman were made in
the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do.
Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and
spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first
parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their
high position. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to
death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are
born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the
world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of
their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one
another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7, 15; 3; Ps.
8:4-8; 51:5, 10; 58:3; Jer. 17:9; Acts 17:24-28;
Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Eph. 2:3; 1 Thess.
5:23; 1 John 3:4; 4:7, 8, 11, 20.)
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The Great Controversy Z8 All humanity is now involved
in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God,
His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in
heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation
became Satan, God’s adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels.
He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve
into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in
humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at
the time of the global flood, as presented in the historical account of Genesis
1-11. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the
universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated.
To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the
loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Gen.
3; 6-8; Job 1:6-12; Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-18; Rom. 1:19-32; 3:4; 5:12-21;
8:19-22; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 3:6; Rev. 12:4-9.)
The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ Z9 In
Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His suffering, death, and
resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that
those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole
creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This
perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness
of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness.
The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and
transforming. The bodily resurrection of Christ proclaims God’s triumph over the
forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final
victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before
whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 22:1; Isa. 53;
John 3:16; 14:30; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor.
5:14, 15, 19-21; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 2:15; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.)
The Experience of Salvation Z10 In infinite love and
mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we
might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our
need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise
faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, Substitute and Example. This saving faith
comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God’s grace.
Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and daughters, and
delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and
sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts,
and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become
partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in
the judgment. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; 53; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 33:11; 36:25-27;
Hab. 2:4; Mark 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 14-17;
5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 1:4; 3:13, 14, 26; 4:4-7; Eph. 2:4-10;
Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4;
Rev. 13:8.)
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Growing in Christ Z11 By His death on the cross Jesus
triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during
His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate
doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to
control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now
the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus
as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No
longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and
meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are
called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in
prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His
praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the
Church. We are also called to follow Christ’s example by compassionately
ministering to the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of
humanity. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in
witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit
transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience. (1 Chron.
29:11; Ps. 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Matt. 20:25-28; 25:31-46; Luke 10:17-20;
John 20:21; Rom. 8:38, 39; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 5:19, 20;
6:12-18; Phil. 3:7-14; Col. 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; 1 Thess. 5:16-18, 23; Heb.
10:25; James 1:27; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18; 1 John 4:4.)
The Church Z12 The church is the community of
believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the
people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we
join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the
celebration of the Lord’s Supper, for service to humanity, and for the worldwide
proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ, who is
the incarnate Word revealed in the Scriptures. The church is God’s family;
adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant.
The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself
is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify
and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a
glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not
having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:1-3; Exod.
19:3-7; Matt. 16:13-20; 18:18; 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38-42; 7:38; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph.
1:22, 23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18; 1 Peter 2:9.)
The Remnant and Its Mission Z13 The universal church
is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of
widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of
God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment
hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second
advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it
coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of
repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part
in this worldwide witness. (Dan. 7:9-14; Isa. 1:9; 11:11; Jer. 23:3; Mic. 2:12;
2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 4:17; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Jude 3, 14; Rev. 12:17;
14:6-12; 18:1-4.)
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Unity in the Body of Christ Z14 The church is one body
with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In
Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and
nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and
female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one
Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are
to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation
of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach
out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the
triune God, who has adopted us as His children. (Ps. 133:1; Matt. 28:19, 20;
John 17:20-23; Acts 17:26, 27; Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17;
Gal. 3:27-29; Eph. 2:13-16; 4:3-6, 11-16; Col. 3:10-15.)
Baptism Z15 By baptism we confess our faith in the
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of
our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and
Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism
is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our
reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on
an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows
instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Matt.
28:19, 20; Acts 2:38; 16:30-33; 22:16;
Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12, 13.)
The Lord’s Supper Z16 The Lord’s Supper is a
participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of
faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion Christ is
present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim
the Lord’s death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes
self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of
foot-washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one
another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The communion
service is open to all believing
Christians. (Matt. 26:17-30; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17; 1
Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Rev. 3:20.)
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Spiritual Gifts and Ministries Z17 God bestows upon
all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts that each member is to
employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity.
Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He
wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to
fulfill its divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these
gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation,
teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing
service and charity for the help and encouragement of people. Some members are
called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church
in pastoral, evangelistic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip
the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to
foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these
spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God’s varied grace, the church is
protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth
that is from God, and is built up in faith and love. (Acts 6:1-7; Rom. 12:4-8; 1
Cor. 12:7-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)
The Gift of Prophecy Z18 The Scriptures testify that
one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying
mark of the remnant church and we believe it was manifested in the ministry of
Ellen G. White. Her writings speak with prophetic authority and provide comfort,
guidance, instruction, and correction to the church. They also make clear that
the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.
(Num. 12:6; 2 Chron. 20:20; Amos 3:7; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; 2 Tim. 3:16,
17; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10; 22:8, 9.)
The Law of God Z19 The great principles of God’s law
are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They
express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and
relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are
the basis of God’s covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judgment.
Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of
need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, and its fruit is
obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and
results in a sense of well-being. It is evidence of our love for the Lord and
our concern for our fellow human beings. The obedience of faith demonstrates the
power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness.
(Exod. 20:1-17; Deut. 28:114; Ps. 19:7-14; 40:7, 8; Matt. 5:17-20; 22:36-40;
John 14:15; 15:7-10; Rom. 8:3, 4; Eph. 2:8-10; Heb. 8:8-10; 1 John 2:3; 5:3;
Rev. 12:17; 14:12.)
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The Sabbath Z20 The gracious Creator, after the six
days of Creation, rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all
people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of God’s unchangeable
law requires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest,
worship, and ministry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the
Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and
one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our
sanctification, a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future
in God’s kingdom. The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal covenant
between Him and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time from evening to
evening, sunset to sunset, is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive
acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Lev. 23:32; Deut. 5:12-15; Isa.
56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Matt. 12:1-12; Mark 1:32; Luke 4:16; Heb.
4:1-11.)
Stewardship Z21 We are God’s stewards, entrusted by
Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of
the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for their proper use. We
acknowledge God’s ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow human
beings, and by returning tithe and giving offerings for the proclamation of His
gospel and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege
given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and
covetousness. Stewards rejoice in the blessings that come to others as a result
of their faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal.
3:8-12; Matt. 23:23; Rom. 15:26, 27; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; 9:7.)
Christian Behavior Z22 We are called to be a godly
people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles in all
aspects of personal and social life. For the Spirit to recreate in us the
character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things that will
produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our
amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste
and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple,
modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward
adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also
means that because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care
for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt
the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified
in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use
of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as
well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into
the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness.
(Gen. 7:2; Exod. 20:15; Lev. 11:1-47; Ps. 106:3; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20;
10:31; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 10:5; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 2:4; 4:8; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; Titus
2:11, 12; 1
Peter 3:1-4; 1 John 2:6; 3 John 2.)
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Marriage and the Family Z23 Marriage was divinely
established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man
and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment is
to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between a man
and a woman who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and
responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the
love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and
His church. Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that the person who divorces a
spouse, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. Although
some family relationships may fall short of the ideal, a man and a woman who
fully commit themselves to each other in Christ through marriage may achieve
loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church.
God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each other
toward complete maturity. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of
the final gospel message. Parents are to bring up their children to love and
obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them that
Christ is a loving, tender, and caring guide who wants them to become members of
His body, the family of God which embraces both single and married persons.
(Gen. 2:18-25; Exod. 20:12; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6; Matt. 5:31,
32; 19:3-9, 12; Mark 10:11, 12; John 2:1-11; 1 Cor. 7:7, 10, 11; 2 Cor. 6:14;
Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4.)
Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary Z24 There
is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not
humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the
benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His
ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and, began His
intercessory ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the
holy place of the earthly sanctuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period
of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry,
which was typified by the work of the high priest in the most holy place of the
earthly sanctuary. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the
ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew
sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was
cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are
purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative
judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in
Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first
resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ,
keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore,
are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates
the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those
who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this
ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second
Advent. (Lev. 16; Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Heb.
1:3; 2:16, 17; 4:14-16; 8:1-5; 9:11-28; 10:1922; Rev. 8:3-5; 11:19; 14:6, 7;
20:12; 14:12; 22:11, 12.)
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The Second Coming of Christ Z25 The second coming of
Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The
Saviour’s coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He
returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous
living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The
almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present
condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is near. The time of that
event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all
times. (Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1
Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-6; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 2:13; Heb.
9:28; Rev. 1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21.)
Death and Resurrection Z26 The wages of sin is death.
But God, who alone is immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until
that day death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, who is our
life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the living righteous will be
glorified and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the
resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Job
19:25-27; Ps. 146:3, 4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10; Dan. 12:2, 13; Isa. 25:8; John 5:28,
29; 11:11-14; Rom. 6:23; 16; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Tim.
6:15; Rev. 20:1-10.)
The Millennium and the End of Sin Z27 The millennium
is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first
and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the
earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied
by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City
will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be
resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from
God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of
sin and sinners forever. (Jer. 4:23-26; Ezek. 28:18, 19; Mal. 4:1; 1 Cor. 6:2,
3; Rev. 20; 21:1-5.)
The New Earth Z28 On the new earth, in which
righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a
perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His
presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and
death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will
be no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love;
and He shall reign forever. Amen. (Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; 2 Peter 3:13;
Rev.
11:15; 21:1-7; 22:1-5.)
Copyright © 2015, General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists
www.adventist.org