“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1 (NIV). All creation testifies that a great and powerful god must have designed the universe. Then the question becomes, “what is that Creator like?” The enormity, complexity, and precision of nature reflects an all-knowing and all-powerful god. The Creator’s justice is shown by the fact that when He created life, He provided a life-sustaining planet (earth) to support that life. Additionally, God made life-support pleasurable. Food is delicious, of great variety, and beautiful. Clean air is sweet and fragrant. Cool water satisfies the thirsty soul. Thus is shown God’s love.We all long to know and worship this loving, justice, omniscient, omnipotent God of creation. Different religions developed to honor this creator.
The next question is, “Which religion worships the true God of creation?” A religion which teaches the majority of mankind are sent to hell would not be a true religion. Because a God who creates and then sends billions of people to eternal torment is certainly not a God of justice nor love. It would not reflect an intelligent creator either, because that plan fails at least 75% of mankind. (Even worldly enterprises do not adopt failing business plans!) Where can we find a religion which worships the true Creator? The answer can only be found in God’s word, the Bible.
When rightly understood, the Bible teaches God has designed a wise, loving plan for every man, woman, and child. God wanted to have a human family who would willingly love and worship Him (John 4:23). So, He gave Adam a free-will. God knew that Adam would disobey His commands and even before the world was formed, Jesus agreed to die to save mankind from death. 1 Peter 1:19,20 (NIV), “…the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world…”
Mankind’s present experience with sin and death is teaching everyone the consequences of disobeying God’s laws of love and justice. In the resurrection, secured for all by Jesus’ sacrifice (1 Timothy 2:6), mankind will be taught God’s true religion. Jeremiah 31:33,34, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” After this teaching period of 1,000 years (Revelation 20:7), each person will decide if he will obey God or follow his own sinful will. Those who wisely choose to worship the true God will live forever in earthly paradise (Revelation 21:4). The willfully disobedient will die and cease to exist.
God is also using this experience with sin to develop the saints. These dear ones, who suffer and are developed into Christ-likeness now, will receive a heavenly resurrection. They will live and reign with Christ from heaven. This plan truly reflects the awesome God of creation.
