Statement of Faith

  The Bible

We believe that the Bible is God's written revelation to man. All 66 books of the Bible, given to us by the Holy Spirit constituting the whole Word of God (1st Corinthians 2:7-14;2nd Peter 1:20-21)

We believe that the Word of God is verbally inspired in every part, word and absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God breathed. Furthermore, we believe that the Bible is also the only infallible rule of faith and practice. God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) (1st Corinthians 2:13; 1st Thess 2:13, 2nd Timothy 3:16)

We believe that God spoke His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, though their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man (2nd Peter 1:20,21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matthew 5:18; 2nd Timothy 3:16)

We believe that there may be several applications to any given passage of Scripture, but there is but one true interpretation. The meaning of the Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of intreptations under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1st Corinthians 2:7-15; 1st John 2:20) It is the responsibility of the believer to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture recognizing that proper application is binding on all generations. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it.

God

We believe that there is but one living and true God (Deut 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1st Corinthians 8:4), an infinite, all knowing Spirit (John 4:24), perfect in all His attributes, one in essence, eternally existing in three Person’s-Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2nd Corinthians 13:14)-each equally deserving worship and obedience.

God the Father

We believe that God the Father, the first person of the Trinity orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8, 1st Corinthians 8:6). He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9). As the only absolute and omnipotent ruler in the universe, He is so sovereign in creation, providence and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36). His fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men (Ephesians 4:6) but He is Spiritual Father only to believers (Romans 8:14; 2nd Corinthians 6:18). He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass (Ephesians 1:11). He continually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and events (1st Chronicles 29:11). In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin (Hab 1:13), nor does He abridge the accountability of moral intelligent creatures (1 Peter 1:17). He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own (Ephesians 1:4-6); He saves from sin all those who come to Him; and He becomes upon adoption, Father to His own (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9)

God the Son

We believe that Jesus Christ, is the second person of the Trinity, possessing all the divine excellencies and in these He is coequal, cosubstantial, and coeternal with the Father (John 10:30; 14:9) We believe that Our Lord Jesus Christ was virgin born (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23,25; Luke 1:26-35); that He was God incarnate (John 1:1,14), and that the purpose of the incarnation was to reveal God, redeem men, and rule over God’s kingdom (Psalm 2:7-9. Phil 2:9-11; Hebrews 7:25,26; 1 Peter 1:18,19)

We believe that in the incarnation the Lord Jesus Christ the second person of the Trinity laid aside His right to the full prerogatives of coexistence with God assumed the place of a Son, and took on an existence appropriate to a servant while never divesting Himself of His divine attributes (Phil 2:5-8)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of His blood and sacrificial death on the Cross and that His death was voluntary, vicarious, subsitutionary, propitiatory, and redemptive (John 10:15; Romans 3:25,25;5:8; 1 Peter 2:24).

We believe that on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the believing sinner is freed from the punishment, the penalty, the power, and one day the very presence of sin; and that he is declared righteous, given eternal life, and adopted into the family of God (Romans 3:25; 5:8,9; 2nd Corinthians 5:14,15; 1st Peter 2:24;3:18)

We believe that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead and that He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He now mediate as our Advocate and High-Priest (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:38, 39; Acts 2:30,31; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1).

We believe that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave, God confirmed the deity of His Son and gave proof that God has accepted the atoning work or Christ on the cross. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers (John 5:26-29; 14:19; Romans 4:25; 6:5-10; 1st Corinthians 15:20,23)

We believe that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church, which is His Body unto Himself at the Rapture, and returning with His church in glory through whom God will judge all mankind (John 5:22-23) a) Believers (1st Corinthians 3:10-15; 2nd Corinthians 5:10) b) Living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return (Matthew 25:31-45, and c) Unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) As the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the head of His Body the church (Eph 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18), and the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David (Isaiah 9:5,7; Ezek 37:24-28; Luke 1:31-33), He is the final judge of all who fail to place their trust in Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 25:14-46; Acts 17:30-31).

God the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, underived, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect (1st Corinthians 2:10-13), emotions (Ephesians 4:30), will (1st Corinthians 12:11), eternality (Hebrews 9:14), omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10), omniscience (Isaiah 10:13,-14), omnipotence (Romans 15:13), and truthfulness (John 16:13). In all the divine attributes He is coequal and consubstantial with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts :3,4; 28:25,26; 1st Corinthians 12:4-6; 2nd Corinthians 13:14; and Jeremiah 31:31-34 with Hebrews 10:15-17).

We believe that it is by the work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost when He came from the Father as promised by Christ (John 14:16-1; 15:26) to initiate and complete the building of the body of Christ. His activity includes convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ (John 16:7-9; Acts 1:5; 2:4; Romans 8:29; 2nd Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:2).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the supernatural and sovereign agent in regeneration, baptizing all believer into the Body of Christ (1st Cor 12:13). The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers them for service, and seals them unto the day of redemption (Romans 8:9-11; 2nd Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guided the apostle and prophets into all truth as they committed to writing God’s revelation the Bible (2nd Peter 1:19-21). Every believer possess the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 5:18; 1st John 2:20,27).

We believe that the Holy Sprit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by ostentatious displays but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most Holy Faith (John 16:13,14; Acts 1:8; 1st Corinthians 12:4-11; 2nd Corinthians 3:18). Further, we believe that the Holy Spirit is sovereign in the bestowing of all His gifts for the perfecting of the saints today and that speaking in tongues is in fact a gift for today (1st Corinthians 12:5-11) as well as prophecy (1st Corinthians 12:5-11, 1st Corinthians 12 and 14) We believe that God speaks to us individually through His Word as well as through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and corporately through the preached Word of God. We believe that the gift of healing is still alive and for today only through the calling of the elders to pray for the sick (James 5:13-15). Each of these gifts, tongues, prophecies must be exercised carefully with discernment so as to not cause division, for the purpose of spiritual gifts is to bring together, to edify the saints, not to divide them, and to bring glory to the name of Christ (1st Corinthians 12-14, John 3:30, Ephesians 4:1-13).

Man

We believe that man was directly and immediately created by God in His image and likeness. Man was created free of sin with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, self-determination, and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:7, 15-25; James 3:9)

We believe that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world (Isaiah 43:7; Col 1:16; Rev 4:11)

We believe that in Adam’s sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death became subject to the wrath of God as well as becoming inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly to God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16,17; 3:1-9; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1st Cor 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1st Timothy 2:13-14; 1st John 1:8).

We believe that because all men were in Adam, a nature corrupted by Adam’s sin has been transmitted to all humanity of all ages. Jesus Christ being the only exception to this. All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:9-18,23;5:1-12)

Salvation

We believe that salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of redemption of Jesus Christ, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:4-7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

Election

We believe that election is an act of God by which, before the foundations of the world. He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves and sanctifies (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2nd Thessalonians 2:13; 2nd timothy 2:10; 1st Peter 1:1-2). We believe that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezek 18:23,32;33:11; John 3:18-19,36;5:40;2nd Thess 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17). Nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith the Father will receive (John 6:37-40,44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8).

We believe that the unmerited favor that God grants totally to depraved sinners is not related to any imitative of their own part nor to God’s anticipation of what they might do by their own will, but is solely of His sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; 1st Peter 1:2)

We believe that election should not be looked upon as basely merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes; especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love Romans 9:11-1). This sovereignty will always exactly the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2nd Timothy 1:9)

Regeneration

We believe that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5). It is instanteous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. Genuine regeneration is manifested by fruits worthy of repentance as demonstrated in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be its proper evidence and fruit (1st Cor 6:19,20; Ephesians 5:17-21; Phil 2:12b; Colossians 3:12-17; 2 Peter 1:4-11). This obedience causes the believer to be increasingly confirmed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (2nd Cor 3:18). Such conformity is climaxed in the believer’s glorification at Christ’s coming (Romans 8:16-17; 2nd Peter 1:4; 1st John 3:2-3).

Justification

We believe that justification before god is an act of God (Romans 8:30,33) by which He declares righteous those who, through faith in Christ, repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19;11:18;Romans 2:4; 2nd Cor 7:10; Isaiah 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Romans 10:9,10; 1st Cor 12:3; 2nd Cor 4:5; Phil 2:11). This righteousness is apart from any virtue or work of man (Romans 3:20; 4:6) and involves the placing of our sins on Christ (Colossians 2:14; 1 Peer 2:24) and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (1 Cor 1:2,30; 6:11; 2nd Corinthians 5:21). By this means god is enabled to “be just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

Sanctification

We believe that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. This sanctification is positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer’s standing, not his present walk or condition (Acts 20:32; 1st Cor 1:2,30; 6:11; 2nd Thess 2:13; Hebrews 2:11; 3:1; 10:10,14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:2)

We believe that there is also by the work of the Holy Spirit a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the likeness of Christ through obedience to the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God because of the grace of God and thus become more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 2nd Corinthians 3:18; 1st Thessalonians 4:3-4;5:23)

In this respect we believe that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict with the flesh.  This conflict involves the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh. Adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and is never completely ended. All claims to the eradication of sin in this life are unscriptural. Eradication of sin is not possible while we remain in these earthen vessels for only when we are glorified will the sin nature be removed.. While we our earthen vessels the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Phil 3:12; Colossians 3:9,10; 1st peter 1:14-16; 1st John 3:5-9)

Security

We believe that all the redeemed once saved are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. This does not mean that the believer can live anyway they like but rather through God’s enabling grace; they are sustained to walk in the grace of God as they turn from sin, and daily reflect the life of Christ in them. Our security in Christ stems from our position in Christ not from what we can do or achieve. This does not give the believer license to live a worldly life but rather a life of increasing holiness.  Our security is not based on what we can do but only on what Jesus Christ has done. (John 5:24; 6:37-30; Romans 5:9-10; 6, 8:1, 31-39; 1st Corinthians 1:4-9; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 3:5; 1st Peter 1:4-5; Jude 24). We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word which however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an exercise for sinful living and carnality (Romans 6:15-22, 13:13-14; Gal 5:13,16-17,25-26; Titus 2:11-14)

Separation

We believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2nd Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2nd Timothy 3:1-5). We believe that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. We also teach that separation from any association with religious apostasy, and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2; 1st Corinthians 5:9-13; 2nd Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1st John 2:15-17; 2nd John 9-11) We believe that believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness demonstrated by a beatitude attitude (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2nd Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1st John 3:10)

Church

We believe that all that place their trust in Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the Church, the bride of Christ, of which Christ is the head. (2nd Cor 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-8; Ephesians 1:22, 4:15; Col1:18; Acts 2:1-21, 38-47; 1st Cor 15:51,52; Ephesians 2:11-3:6; 1st Cor 10:32; Ephesians 3:1-6; 5:32)

We believe that the established continuity of the local church is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:23,27; 10:17,28; Galatians 1:2; Phil 1:1; 1st Thess 1:1; 2nd Thess 1:1) and that the members of the one scriptural body are directed to associate themselves in local assemblies even if that means the Internet (1st Cor 11:18-20; Hebrews 10:25). We believe that the Head of the Church is Christ, that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline and worship are all appointed through His Word, that the biblical designated offices serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (males, who are also called bishops, pastors, and pastor-teachers) and deacons both of whom must meet biblical qualifications (1st Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:4-9; 1st Peter 5:1-5).

We believe that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ (1st Timothy 5:17-22 and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership (Hebrews 13:7,17). We believe the importance of discipleship (Matthew 28:19,20; 2nd Timothy 2:2), mutual accountability of all believers to each other (Matthew 18:15-17), as well as the need for discipline for sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture (Matthew 18:14-22; Acts 5:11-11; 1st Corinthians 5:1-13 2nd Thess 3:6-15; 1st Timothy 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16)

We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). We teach that is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Local churches, however, through their pastors and their interpretation and application of Scripture should be the sole judges of the measure and method of their cooperation with the stands of Scripture (Acts 15:19-31; 20:28; 1st Cor 5:4-7,13; 1st Peter 5:1-5)

We believe that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21) by building itself up in the faith (Ephesians 4:13-165) by instruction of the Word (2nd timothy 2:2,15; 3:16-17) by fellowship (Acts 2:47; 1st John 1:3, by keeping the ordinances (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42), and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8). We believe that all the saints are called to the work of service (1st Cor 15:58; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 22:12). We believe the need of the church to cooperate with God as He accomplishes His purpose in the world. To that end, He gives the church spiritual gifts. First, He gives men chosen for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:7:12) and He also gives unique and special spiritual abilities to each member of the body of Christ (Romans 12:5-8; 1st Cor 12:4-331; 1st Peter 4:10-11)

We believe in the Lord’s supper and in baptism both of which are symbolic to the Death and Resurrection and there importance in identifying a believer with the Body of Christ as a whole. The purpose of baptism is for a believer to public identify with the whole of the Body only by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:1-11;Acts 2:38-42) We believe that the Lord’s supper furthermore is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should always preceded by solemn self-examination, although this examination should be a daily thing (1st Corinthians 11:23-32, Lamentations 3:40). We also believe that whereas the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and the blood of Christ, the Lord’s Supper is nevertheless an actual Communion with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people. (1st Cor 10:16).

Holy Angels

We believe that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshipped. Although they are a higher order of creation than man, they are created to serve God and to worship Him (Luke 2:9-14; Hebrews 1:6-7,14;2:6-7; Revelation 5:11-14).

Fallen Angels

We believe that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He incurred the judgment of God by rebelling against his Creator (Isaiah 14:12,17; Ezek 28:11-9), by taking numerous angels with him in his fall (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:1-14), and by introducing sin into the human race by his temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-15). We believe that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and man (Isaiah 14:13-14; Matthew 4:1-11; Revelation 12:9-10, the prince of this world who has been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:20), and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17;Ezek 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10)

Last things (Eschatology)

Death

We believe that physical death involves no loss of our immaterial consciousness (Revelation 6:9-11), that there is a separation of soul and body (James 2:25), that the soul of the redeemed passes immediately into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; 2nd Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23), and that, for the redeemed such separation will continue until the Rapture (1st Thess 4:13-17) which initiates the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6), when our soul and body will be reunited to be glorified forever with our Lord (1st Cor 15:35-44, 50-54; Phil 3:21). Until that time, the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain joyful with our Lord Jesus Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:8). We believe that the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life (John 6:39; Romans 8:10-11; 19-23; 2nd Cor 4:14), and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:13-15).

We believe that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:13-15), when the soul and the resurrection will be united (John 5:28, 29). They shall then appear at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) and shall be cast into hell, the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41-46), cut off from the life of God forever( Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; 2nd Thess 1:7-9)

Rapture of The Church

We believe that the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven year tribulation (1st Thess 4:16: Titus 2:13) which will result in Him translating His Church from this earth (John 14:1-3; 1st Cor 15:51-53; 1st Thess 4:15-5:11) and, between this event and His glorious return with His Saints , to reward believers according to their work (1st Cor 3:11-15; 2nd Cor 5:10).

The Tribulation Period

We believe that immediately following the removal of the Church from the earth (John 14:1-3; 1st Thess 4:13-18)the righteous judgments of God will be poured upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; 2nd Thess 2:7-12; Revelation 16) and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew 24:27-31; 25:31-46;2nd Thess 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged (Daniel 12:2-3; Revelation 20:4-6). This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46)

The Second Coming And The Millennial Reign

We believe that after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:10-11; 2:29-30) and establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years on earth (Revelation 20:1-7). During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth( Ezek 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16). This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world (Daniel 7:17-27; Revelation 20:1-6) We believe that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel (Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezek 37:21-28; Zech 8:1-17) to restore them to the land which they forfeited through their disobedience (Deut 28:15-68). The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26) but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing (Jeremiah 31:31-35; Ezek 36:22-32; Romans 11:25-29)

Judgment of the Lost

We believe that following the release of Satan after the thousand year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city at which time Satan and hi army will be devoured by the fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9). Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne judgment. We believe that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection whereupon receiving their judgment (John 5:28-29) they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15)

Eternity

We believe that after the closing of the Millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2nd Thess 1:9; Revelation 20:7-15), the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2nd Peter 3:10 and replaced with a new earth wherein only righteousness dwells (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 20:15.21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Revelation 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another (John 17:3; Revelation 21:,22). Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will them deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1st Corinthians 15:23-28) that in all sphere the triune God may reign forever and ever (1st Corinthians 15:28).