Eschatology

Eschatology

What we believe concerning last things

We believe that physical death (Heb. 9:27) involves no loss of consciousness (Rev. 6:9-11; Mt. 10:28), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:23; II Cor. 5:6-9), that there is a separation of soul and body (II Cor. 5:8), and that this separation will continue until the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4-6; John 5:25-29) when soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (I Thess. 4:16-17; Phil. 3:21; I Cor. 15:35-44, 50-54). Until the resurrection, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ (I1 Cor. 5:8).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men (Dan. 12:2; Rev. 20:11-15; John 5:28-29) - the saved to eternal life (Rom. 8:10-11, 19-23; II Cor. 4:14; John 5:29; I Thess. 4:13-18; Dan. 12:2; Rev. 20:61) and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Dan. 12:2; John 5:29; Rev. 20:6, 13-18).

We believe that the souls of the unsaved in death descend immediately into Hades (Luke 16:19-26) where they are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Rev. 20:5-6) when the soul and the resurrected body are reunited (John 5:28-29). Then they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14-15), cut off from the love of God forever (II Thess. 1:7-9).

We believe in the personal, bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 4:16; Titus 2:11-13) to translate His Church from this earth (John 14:1-3; I Cor. 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:15-5:11) and to reward them according to their works (Rom. 14:10-12; I Cor. 3:11-15; II Cor. 5:10). The judgment of the believers' works and the marriage supper of the Lamb occur in Heaven while the 70th week of Daniel's prophesy (the Tribulation) occurs on earth (Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:15-31, 25:31-46).

We believe that, immediately following the rapture of the church, the righteous judgment of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jer. 30:7; Dan 9:27, 12:1; II Thess. 2:7-12; Rev. 16:1-21). These judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ from glory to earth (Mt. 24:15-31) at which time the Old Testament and Tribulation Saints will be raised, and the living will be judged (Rev. 6:9-11; Dan. 12:2-3; Rev. 20:4-6).

We believe that after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David (Mt. 25:31, Luke 1:31-33) and establish His Messianic Kingdom for 1,000 years on earth (Rev. 20:1-7). During this time, the resurrection saints will reign with Him over all the nations of the earth (Ezek. 37:21-28; Dan. 2:44-45). This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the antichrist and the false prophet and by the removal of Satan from the world (Rev. 19:11-20:7).

We believe that the millennial reign will center in the restored (Deut. 30:1-10), believing (Jer. 31:31-34; Rom. 11:24-29) Israel. Christ's reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isa. 11:1-16, 65:17-29; Ezek. 36:33-38).

At the end of the millennial reign, Satan will be released (Rev. 20:7) to deceive and organize the nations for the battle of Gog and Magog (Rev. 20:9). Satan will be defeated and consigned to the Lake of Fire (Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10), and all unbelieving men will be resurrected and judged at the Great White Throne Judgment (John 5:22; Rev. 20:11-15) and sentenced to conscious, eternal punishment.

After the Great White Throne Judgment, the saved will enter the eternal state (Rev. 22:14). The elements of this earth will be destroyed (II Peter 3:10) and replaced with a new earth and a new heaven of righteousness (Rev. 21:21).