We believe the “blessed hope” of the church to be the rapture of the church (I Thessalonians 4:16-18; Titus 2:13). We believe there will be a seven-year tribulation period of divine judgments on the earth (Daniel 9:25-27; Revelation 6 through 16; II Thessalonians 2:7-12; Matthew 24:15-31) prior to Christ’s personal, bodily, physical return to earth (Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 24:29-31) to set up His kingdom (Matthew 24:29-31; 25:31-46; Revelation 19:11 through 20:6). We believe this kingdom on earth will include fulfilling God’s promises to Israel in regenerating a believing remnant (Jeremiah 31:31-37; Ezekiel 37:11-14) as well as restoring their land and their nation (Ezekiel 36:16-28; 37:21-28). We believe there will be a bodily resurrection of all people: the saved unto eternal life (John 6:39; Romans 8:19-23; Revelation 20:1-5) and the unsaved to judgment and eternal conscious punishment in separation from God in hell (Daniel 12:2; John 5:39; Revelation 20:11-15; II Thessalonians 1:8-10; Matthew 25:41). At death the believer immediately passes into the presence of the Lord (Philippians 1:23). The body of the believer will be raised at the rapture when Christ returns for His church (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Essential Doctrines for Membership
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return physically and visibly to the earth (Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 24;29-31) to establish His kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 19:11-19; 20:4-6). We believe there will be a bodily resurrection of all people: the saved unto eternal life (John 6:39; Romans 8:19-23; Revelation 20:1-5) and the unsaved to judgment and eternal separation from God in hell (Daniel 12:2; John 5:39; Revelation 20:11-15; II Thessalonians 1:8-10; Matthew 25:41). At death the believer immediately passes into the presence of the Lord (Philippians 1:23).