What We Believe
The Tecumseh Seventh-day Adventist church family is in love with Jesus. We want to know Him more fully through Bible study (John 5:39), through praise (Psalm 22:3), and through spending time in nature (Psalm 19). We desire to act as His body (1 Corinthians 12:27), in sharing His love through practical acts of service (Acts 10:37,38) and through pointing people to Scripture (the Bible) where they can taste and see that God is good (Psalm 34:8).
The first chapter of Revelation (the last book in the Bible), written by John, the “beloved disciple” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7,20), provides an excellent overview of our beliefs.
A summary of key teachings
Scriptures
In the following verses John identifies the importance of the “word of God”. The Word of God is something that will bless those who read, hear and keep their lives in harmony with its teachings.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Rev 1:1–3 NKJV)
Salvation
The major message of the Scriptures is God’s plan of salvation. God sent His Son Jesus to show His love for us. He lived and died in order that we might be saved. Notice how John describes this wonderful plan.
“John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev 1:4–6 NKJV)
Second Coming
We believe that Christ was born into this world, and that He will again return to this world. Because we love Jesus, we look forward to His soon return, when “every eye shall see Him” come.
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev 1:7–8 NKJV)
Sabbath
We believe that while everyday of the week is the Lord’s (Psalm 118:24), that the seventh day is in a special sense the Lord’s day (Exodus 20:8-11) on which He calls us to rest in His grace.
“I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”” (Rev 1:9–11 NKJV)
Sanctuary
To reveal Himself to His people in Old Testament times, Christ revealed himself in the symbols of the sanctuary. John pictures him as walking among “the seven candlesticks” which would remind every reader of the sanctuary of the Old Testament. (show a picture of the OT)
“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” (Rev 1:12–16 NKJV)
State of the Dead
John well knew of Christ’s power concerning death. He had seen Him raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11), and He knew that Christ Himself risen from the dead. Understanding what the Bible says about the soul and the body is key, not only as it relates to eternal life, but also this life.
“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Rev 1:17–18 NKJV)
Spirit of Prophecy
What we know about God has often been revealed through His prophets. This is called “the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17) or “the Spirit of Prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). John recognized this truth by pointing to what he “had seen” (past) did see (present) and what would be seen (future prophecy).
“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” (Rev 1:19 NKJV)
The Saints
God’s people are His saints, and John see’s that they are organized into an identifiable and light giving body of believers.
“The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” (Rev 1:20 NKJV)