Information Related to "Questions and Answers -- Nov/Dec 2004"
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Question: I read the editorial in the July-August issue, and quite frankly I fail to understand the point you are trying to make. Revelation tells us the nature of the New Jerusalem—it will descend from heaven (Revelation 21:2).
Christ clearly tells us that He will set up His Kingdom as God has instructed Him. It appears to me that you are insinuating that the New Jerusalem will somehow be set up by man, and this is simply not supported in the Scriptures. Can you please clarify?
J.C., Internet
Answer: We regret if anyone got the impression that the New Jerusalem will be set up by man. The New Jerusalem itself is not mentioned in the editorial, which confines itself to conditions today in this current age of man plus those of Christ's 1,000-year reign. The New Jerusalem, however, is described in the same issue at the conclusion of the lead article titled "Jerusalem: Center of Conflict, Center of Peace."
The last major event mentioned in the Bible is the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. But more than a thousand years before this indescribable event, Christ will have returned to earth and begun His majestic, millennial reign in His capital city of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-9; Isaiah 2:1-5; 11:1-9).
This is not the same as the New Jerusalem, which doesn't descend from heaven until God's plan for physical human beings is complete (see Revelation 21-22).
It might be helpful in understanding the chronology of Jerusalem to consider this city in three distinct stages in time order:
1. The Jerusalem of today during this present age.
2. The world capital Jerusalem during the coming millennial reign of Jesus Christ, following His return to earth.
3. Finally, the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven where the Father and Christ reign with the saints forever.
To better understand the chronology of these prophetic events, please request or download the free booklets God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind, The Gospel of the Kingdom and What Happens After Death?
Question: Do you believe that Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary?
From the Internet
Answer: The United Church of God certainly believes and teaches that Jesus was born to Mary, a virgin at the time of His conception and birth. Isaiah 7:14 foretold this momentous event in history. The angel who spoke to Joseph declared: "Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20).
Earlier the narrative tells us that "before they [Mary and Joseph] came together [prior to any intimate marital relations], she was found with child of the Holy Spirit" (verse 18). God was Jesus' Father through the agency of the Holy Spirit. Jesus "was the only begotten of the Father" (John 1:14).
Prior to these events, when an angelic messenger revealed to Mary that she would conceive and have a Son named Jesus, her immediate question was: "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34, New Revised Standard Version).
Then the angel explained to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest [God the Father] will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God" (verse 35).
Clearly Mary was a virgin (verse 27) and did not have normal marital relations until after the time that Jesus was born. Joseph "did not know her [intimately] till she had brought forth her firstborn Son" (Matthew 1:25).
Some believe, however, that Mary remained a virgin for the rest of her life. This idea is disproved by the Bible.
The word "firstborn" in Matthew 1:25 clearly implies that Mary bore other children later. We find four brothers named and other "sisters" (plural) mentioned in Mark 6:3. Thus Joseph and Mary had at least six other children born to them who were Jesus' half brothers and half sisters.
The apostle John reveals yet another part of the story. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . ." (John 1:1,14). Jesus was God in the flesh as well as a human being. He existed for past eternity with the Father and was the one through whom God created all things including mankind (verse 3). To understand more about Jesus Christ, please request our free booklet .
Question: I no longer wish to receive your magazine. I assumed that it was about the good news of the world. I thought it would be filled with motivational and touching stories. I found most of the articles to be disturbing, depressing or political. This is not what I was expecting, nor what I need if I am to become more Christlike.
B.S., Cumming, Georgia
Answer: Perhaps some readers may find the title The Good News somewhat misleading in this sense. Our magazine is not designed to cover the good news of today's world.
An important part of the magazine's mission is to alert our readers to the many disturbing trends plaguing our modern age and to challenge established misconceptions, including many of the unbiblical teachings of mainstream Christianity. God tells us to "cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1).
But we do point our readership toward the good news of the world tomorrow—explaining the plan of God for humanity from the creation of Adam and Eve through to Christ's death, His subsequent resurrection and the establishment of His Church.
This whole plan also includes the coming millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth that will at last bring world peace and the majestic events beyond described in Revelation 21 and 22. God the Father will come to live with glorified humanity on a new earth. That truly is good news!
For those who want to become more Christlike, the United Church of God, publisher of The Good News, offers a range of booklets, brochures and Bible study tools as well as a spiritual infrastructure of pastoral care and church congregations where God makes spiritual growth possible.
To understand more about the nature of the Church's mission to humanity, interested readers may request our free booklet This Is the United Church of God.
Question: I recently requested your Good News magazine. However, I would like to confirm something: Is this published by a Christian church? I am a nondenominational Christian and am trying to find good literature to start reading on a regular basis. I saw your Web page and it looks good. I just want to make doubly sure that we are on the same page with our beliefs.
From the Internet
Answer: The United Church of God, which publishes The Good News, is indeed a Christian church. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. He came with a message announcing the Kingdom of God and by his life and teachings revealed the Father.
We also believe that God the Father sent Him to earth to die for our sins (Galatians 4:4-5). Resurrected after three days and nights in the grave, Jesus returned to heaven as our High Priest. When the time is right, God will send Him back to earth to rule the nations (Revelation 20:4-6).
The United Church of God bases its beliefs on the Bible and the practices of the early New Testament Church rather than longtime traditions not found in or supported by the Bible. To learn more, please request or download our free booklets Fundamental Beliefs of the United Church of God.
Question: I want to know if your Church has a stance on older women marrying younger men. I'm talking about a young man in his late twenties and a woman over more than 20 years his senior. We can't find anything in the Bible that states specifically that it's wrong, but we need more clarification. Could you give me some guidance?
J.A.J., Texas
Answer: As you mentioned, the Bible doesn't specify age ranges in marriage. But there are biblical principles that do impact your question. Clearly age differences are one of several important compatibility factors associated with successful marriages. For instance, the Bible teaches the basic principle that we should count the cost before entering into any important relationship (Luke 14:28). Will we be able to sustain it through thick and thin?
The high divorce rate today is but one symptom of the inability of couples to realistically assess long-run matters. Human nature tends to focus on the honeymoon rather than sustaining a happy marriage in the long term. A young man who is considering marrying a substantially older woman may eventually want children. This may be a serious difficulty in terms of the limited biological clock.
Guidance from the ministry, family members, relatives and good friends should usually be sought before entering marriage. "Without counsel plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established" (Proverbs 14:22). If possible it may also be wise to seek advice and counsel from married couples with similar age differences.
For further information, please request our free set of article reprints titled .
Question: Although I have known Christ all my life, there have been more times away from His presence than in it. Recently I have come back into the fold. The struggle, however, is immense and I would really be happy if there is anything you can send me or tell me about. Because of my errant ways I don't have a lot of money, but I will gladly pay for anything that can help me.
N.R., Pretoria, South Africa
Answer: Our answering services and our literature, whether in print or through our online Internet e-mail and Web sites, are always free to anyone who wants help. God does not put a monetary price on His spiritual blessings. He has already paid the greatest price possible by allowing His Son to die for the sins of mankind.
We are truly sorry for the rough experiences you've had, but your willingness to take responsibility for your actions and to reach out to God for help are heartening. You have every reason to expect that He will grant you all the help you need.
We don't have to tell you that it will not be easy to leave the past behind. That is the common experience of humankind. However, we can promise you that it is possible with God's help.
Mankind suffers immensely because of what the Bible calls sin. In the words of Scripture men "drink iniquity like water." We transgress God's spiritual laws and we suffer the penalties for doing so. But the good news is that we do not have to pay the ultimate spiritual penalty for our sins (John 3:16). Christ did that for us. And once we actively embark on the path of following His laws, however hesitantly in the beginning, He promises that He came to earth to give us His way of life and that more abundantly (John 10:10).
Claiming and realizing His priceless benefits begins with the sober awareness of serious mistakes and the need for God's forgiveness and help in turning away from sin. The Bible calls this process repentance. It seems that is what you are embarking on now. The next step is to learn more about the plan of God for mankind, which includes an even greater knowledge of right and wrong based on His biblical standards summarized by the Ten Commandments.
It is good that you are aware of past mistakes that you can put behind you. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Also: "He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy" (Proverbs 28:13, Amplified Bible).
Spiritual healing doesn't stop there. Once you are truly educated in God's way of life and you have asked His forgiveness for the wrongs you have done, you need to commit to choosing and then exercising the will to do right in your everyday life. You must prepare to struggle constantly against the human tendencies to say and do things you shouldn't. This battle is common to all true Christians committed to God's way.
Satan the devil is the behind-the-scenes author of "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4). He has deceptively spread his influence over the entire world (Revelation 12:9). It has been ingrained into the negative tendencies inherent in our human nature. However, God has much greater power than the devil. He encourages us with what He inspired the apostle James to write: "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
James next advises us to look to God for His help! "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (verse 8, emphasis added). The apostle Paul adds these encouraging words: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13, New International Version).
We should always live up to God's standards, but our human weaknesses seem to inevitably cause us to fail at times. When that happens, the book of Hebrews tells us to go to the throne of grace that we may receive forgiveness and the help and courage to continue living God's way (Hebrews 4:15).
To receive God's assistance, you should continue your education in spiritual truth by reading and studying the Bible on a daily basis. You will also need to pray daily, talking with God about your concerns and needs, asking for His blessing on your life and efforts to obey Him.
True Christianity isn't merely a "rehabilitation program" for people who have committed serious wrongs. It is an abundant way of living and a marvelous life. We can live it in a prison or a palace and anywhere in between. Regardless of your circumstances or surroundings, you can build a strong spiritual relationship with God your Father, one that is comforting, inspiring and motivating.
We would be happy to send you several booklets that will be of help. Some of the specific titles are: You Can Have Living Faith, Making Life Work and Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion. You will also find our free helpful in understanding many basic Bible truths.
Question: What form of government do you have in your Church?
Reader on Internet
Answer: First and foremost, Jesus Christ is the Head of God's Church (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). The United Church of God strives to yield to Him and the Father to guide the decision-making process.
On a human level, the Council of Elders (comprising 12 ordained ministers chosen by the Church's elders around the world) oversees the care of the Church in general, the preaching of the gospel and the administration of financial resources.
The ministerial services team and the home office staff in Cincinnati, Ohio, serve under the authority and guidance of a president chosen by the Council of Elders—functioning in cooperation with this body of ministers and its chairman.
Similar arrangements prevail in other countries. All make up the United Church of God, an International Association, working in cooperation with the home office in the United States. For a more detailed understanding, please request our free booklet Preaching the Gospel, Preparing a People: This Is the United Church of God.
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Keywords: Jerusalem, future Christ, virgin birth of church government
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