Post Number 1

I believe in God.  I believe He created the universe out of nothing.  I believe He knows the ultimate plan of the world from beginning to end.  I also believe that though God is sovereign, He allows men and nations to exercise free will.  That means we can choose to accept Him or reject Him.  He does not force obedience, though He could.


Everything was prophesied about Jesus's FIRST coming to Earth has all been fulfilled.  Therefore, you can believe in faith that everything that has been prophesied about Jesus's SECOND coming to Earth will also be fulfilled.  Many of the signs have already fallen into place.


God gave us the Bible as a guidebook for our time here on Earth.  When you read it, remember that God is dealing with two groups of people through it - the Jews (also called Israel) and the non-Jews (also called Gentiles).  Remember the Old Testament and the first part of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts) were written TO THE JEWS.  If you are a Gentile, you can learn from these passages, but it is very difficult to put into your life today because that was written to and given to the nation of Israel, the Jews.


As a Gentile, reading Romans through Hebrews, you can read that as if God has written it to you with your name and address on it.  Now this doesn't mean you don't pay attention to Jesus' life as portrayed through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).  You can use it for your learning, but not for your doctrine.  Gentiles should rely on Pauline doctrine (books written by Paul, the only apostle who never met Jesus).  And then the last few books of the Bible are prophetic and for everyone to pay close attention to.  God gives us many glimpses of the end of the Earth throughout the Bible and especially in the last book called Revelation.