Another area of knowledge is:

Knowledge of the future of mankind with respect to God, that is, the resurrection of each person from the dead that he or she may receive the consequences of his or her behavior, and the forceful installation of the Kingdom of God on the earth.

Throughout the history of the Christian Church great emphasis has been placed on a correct understanding of the facts of the above areas of knowledge. Theologians have argued. Wars have been fought. Dissenters have been tortured and martyred.

The attitude of the Christian leaders and organizations has been that people must agree with the positions and beliefs of the leaders and organizations. The individual who does not conform to the accepted statements concerning the areas of knowledge is cast from the group, organization, or movement, penalized in some manner, and sometimes tortured and slain.

The various Christian denominations exist because of the different understandings of the areas of knowledge associated with God and His Kingdom.

As we are approaching the coming of the Lord and His Kingdom to the earth we are growing aware that belief in what is true in the Kingdom of God is not of itself salvation.

The knowledge of the facts of the Kingdom of God serves as a basis and guide for the Divine salvation. Because the knowledge serves as a basis and guide it is important that it be accurate. But accurate knowledge, and a profession of belief in accurate knowledge, are not salvation. Salvation is not composed of what we know or believe.

The error of current Christian thinking is that if one professes belief in correct doctrine he is saved. Added to this confusion is the unscriptural position that being saved means he will attain permanent residence in Heaven when he dies.

God's purpose behind all of His covenants is that people practice righteousness, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. By viewing God's salvation as a profession of belief in the true facts of redemption, with the goal of spending eternity in the spirit realm, we have effectively undermined God's desire to have righteous people who perform His will in the earth and who are able to bring deliverance and eternal life to others.

Belief in the Facts of the Kingdom as Distinguished From Salvation

The following passage is often used to emphasize that salvation is knowledge and belief, and that to make a profession of belief that conforms to this statement is to insure one's entrance into Heaven. It is important for the reader to understand that the concept of residence in Heaven as the purpose of salvation is not mentioned in the tenth chapter of the Book of Romans, which is the context of the following passage, nor is entrance into Heaven mentioned one time in the entire Book of Romans.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9,10)

To be continued.