2 Jesus, serving as God’s ‘Christ Savior’ (Messiah), died sacrificially on a Roman cross, and was resurrected (raised from the dead). Thus, He paid the redemption or purchase price for God’s offering to mankind -- salvation from sin. Those who accept His sacrifice and redemption price paid, and are discipled into His 'holy ways' (separated from the ways of the un-redeemed world) are called, The Church.
3 The nation of Israel, and The Church.
4 Apart from The Lord God Jehovah, Creator and Sustainer of all things, The Bible affirms there is only one other god of this world, satan, who was formerly Lucifer, a glorified angel. The closing chapters of The Book of Revelation affirm, in eternity, only two groups of people will enjoy His eternal Paradise on a brand new Earth: (1) a remnant of born-again, redeemed Jews, who will forever serve Him as priests; and (2) a remnant of born-again, redeemed Gentiles, who will serve Him as kings and subjects in nations on this new, eternal Earth. I understand these groups will include all babies who died or were aborted in birth, and all children who died before The Lord's 'age of accountability', i.e., knowing right-from-wrong.
5 ‘When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’ (2 Chronicles 7:13-14) This Old Testament verse posits a strong link between the behavior of God’s people and the quality of life on their land(s). This link is echoed in Jesus’ admonitions that His believers ‘are the salt and light of/in the earth’, responsible for diminishing the darkness of evil and retarding its deteriorating effects. Some prefer to blame unsaved sinners for the deteriorating quality of life on earth.
6 ‘Be holy, as I am holy.’ (Old Testament Leviticus 11:44-45 ,19:2, 20:7, 20:26. See also New Testament 1 Peter 1:5) It is often said, and some statistics demonstrate, that The Church, in lifestyles and behaviors, is increasingly indistinguishable from the unsaved world.
7 Micah 6:8
8 See: How the Bible Belt Lost God and Found Trump