The central theme of Jesus's parable of the sheep and goats (Matt. 25:31-46) is that Christ separates believers from unbelievers at his return. Jesus also makes it clear that all angelic and human rebels are banished from his presence. This passage deals with human works, not as a condition of salvation, but as evidence of one's regard for the Son of Man.

In Scripture, there is one angel above all others. He is not created. His name appears more than 40 times in the Old Testament, but never in the New Testament. He is called "the Angel of the LORD," "the Angel of His Presence," "the Captain of the Lord's Hosts," and "I AM WHO I AM" -- a name reserved for the one living and true God. So, who is this mysterious figure?

Jim Schurke serves as president of the Missouri Baptist Apologetics Network. A retired layman living in Springfield, he serves in various ministries through his local church. He's always held an interest in various belief systems and is trained and certified by the North American Mission Board in Jehovah's Witnesses. He's also well-versed in Mormonism and cult identification.

There's ample evidence in Scripture that a supernatural creature we know as Satan really exists. He is a created being, not merely a symbol of evil, a figure of speech, or a dark force. He is an angelic being of superior intelligence and power; a roaming lion with an appetite for evil; and a master of disguise who's able to appear as an angel of light.

In this month's guest column, Ed Croteau writes, "Have you ever wondered why Jerusalem is the most hotly contested city of any nation on earth, and why so many other nations want to occupy it? If you start in Genesis, and study all the way through Revelation, you discover that God claims Jerusalem for himself. Watch Jerusalem to see that God is moving."

Who are demons? From where do they come? What are they like? And what do they do? Scripture affirms the reality of demons. In the New Testament alone, all the writers except for the writer of Hebrews mention demons -- for a total of more than 100 references. Jesus often casts out demons and empowers his followers to do the same. Never does the Lord correct anyone for his or her belief in these evil spirits.

According to Article XVIII of The Baptist Faith & Message, "God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption." Further, "Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime."

When Southern Baptists gathered in Memphis in 1925 for their annual meeting, they made two historic decisions. First, they established the Cooperative Program, the SBC's funding mechanism for missions at home and abroad. And, they affirmed a new statement of faith called The Baptist Faith & Message. Both CP and the BF&M celebrate their 100th anniversaries this year. Missouri Baptists, through High Street Press, have created a guide for personal or group study for the BF&M.

What Every Christian Should Know about Satan explores more than a dozen biblical names and titles that reveal the evil one's character, tactics, and ultimate destiny in hell. Written for pastors and laypersons alike, this resource is designed for personal or group study.