Is Heaven the Reward of the Saved?

A common idea among professing Christians who believe in an afterlife is that when a believer dies, he “goes to heaven,” that is, his “immortal soul” goes to heaven.

Where did that idea come from? And does it stand up to what the Bible actually teaches? Does the Bible teach that when a faithful person dies, he doesn’t really die, but instead “goes to heaven”?

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

Who is a Messenger of God?

In the Bible we read of patriarchs, prophets, prophetesses, priests, even kings like David, apostles, evangelists, and others, people who were righteous, who obeyed God, who’s deeds and exploits are recorded in Scripture, and who were in many cases used to write down and preserve messages given them directly by God or through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. These were used of God to deliver his word to us, and were hence messengers of God.

At the same time we read in Bible times of idolatrous priests, of false prophets who spoke in the name of God, of false ministers and false apostles, who were deceivers and only pretended to be God’s messengers.

Others have followed over the centuries, claiming offices such as priests, apostles, evangelists, ministers, pastors, claiming to speak in the name of God or Christ, and hence acting as his messengers. How can we tell the difference between genuine messengers of God and those who are false?

In “Who is a Messenger of God?” Rod Reynolds addresses the question on the basis of what the Scriptures reveal in answer to it. This is vital knowledge that every Christian, and everyone who would be a Christian, needs to have and understand, and be reminded of often.

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

The United States and Britain in Prophecy

Although perhaps most professing Christians are aware that the people of Israel are featured in the “Old Testament” of the Bible, many are not familiar enough with the Scriptures to understand that the terms “Israel” or “Israelite” are not necessarily synonymous with the “Jews.” The patriarch Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28), had twelve sons. The progeny of each of his twelve sons eventually became one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28; Exodus 24:4).

Continue reading

Worship of the Dead

Heathen cultures and religions in many parts of the world involve some form of worship directed toward dead heroes or ancestors.

Religious observances such as Hallowmas, which begins on the evening of October 31, or Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve), preserve to one extent or another, depending on the region, widespread ancient customs and superstitions directly associated with the worship of the dead. As does the “secular” observance of Halloween itself.

Does God’s Word have anything to say about customs involving worship of the dead? Should Christians participate in the Halloween custom, or similar customs? It’s important to consider the Bible’s answers to these questions.

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA

Smoke Ascends Forever?

Will the wicked really be tormented forever in hell? In this sermon, pastor Rod Reynolds examines in detail passages in the book of Revelation that have traditionally been used to establish the common belief in a never-ending hellfire reserved for punishment of the wicked. To understand what the Bible says about hell, we must carefully study the context of the scriptures in question.

Copyright © 2024 by Messenger Church of God

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

cogmessenger.org

Messenger Church of God
PO Box 619
Wentzville, MO 63385
USA