Bethel Missionary Baptist Church

12021 South US Hwy 19E Spruce Pine NC 28777

Pastor: Darrin Waldroup 766-8908

WHAT BAPTISTS BELIEVE

20. THINGS TO COME

We believe that we are now living in a time of unrevealed duration except for the signs (Matt 24:36; Matt 25:12; Mk 13:32; Acts 1:7; 4 IThes 5:12) that this time will be concluded by the Coming of the Lord in the air, at which time those who have died in the Lord will receive resurrected bodies dies and those who are saved and living shall be changed and both caught up to meet the Lord in the air. (I Thes 4:13-18, I Cor 15:51-53; Heb 9:28; Rev 3:10; Rev 22:20) that the saints will be judged for rewards according to their works (II Cor 5:10; I Cor 3:11-15) that after the rapture, God's relations to Israel as His earthly people will resume, at which time the "seventh week" of Daniel's prophecy will run its course, the anti-christ will rise to power on earth and after peaceful means have failed, plunge it into warfare that will usher in the Great Tribulation and lead to universal catastrophe and the Battle of Armageddon (Matt 24:15; Mk 13:14; II Then 2:8-10; Rev 16:16; Dan 9:27; Luke 12:35­40; Phil 4:5; TI Thes 2:13; Jms 5:7; II Pet 3:9; Rev 22:7) that Christ will descend to the earth with His saints personally and bodily (Jude 14; Zech 14:14; Acts 1:11) at which time the anti-christ is disposed, Satan is bound, nations are judged, and the Thousand Year Reign is begun on earth (II Thes 2:8; Rev 19:11; Rev 20:1-6; Rev S:10) that at the close of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a little season to wage his last rebellion which will be avenged with Fire from Heaven and at which time the Great White Throne Judgment, will take place. The wicked dead, along with Satan and his followers shall be forever cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:5,7-15), while the Righteous shall enter into eternal joy with the Lord (Rev 7:15-17, Rev 22:1-7) that these judgments will fix forever the final state of men in Heaven or Hell on the principles of Righteousness. (Rom 3:5,6; II Thes 1:6-12; Heb 6:1-2, Rom 2:2-16).

1) We Live in a Present Time of Unrevealed Duration

A-Church Age waiting on His return. (Matt 24:36 But of that day & hour, knoweth no man)

B-We know not when, but we know that He will come (Matt 25:13, Jn 14:3, II Pet 3:9, 1 Thes. 5:1,2)

2) The Rapture

A-The believers will be "caught up" with Him in the air (I Thes 4:13-18) greek word "harpazo"

B-Changed in the twinkling of an eye (I Cor 15:51-53)

3) The Judgment Seat of Christ

A-The saved will have their works judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ (II Cor 5:10)

B-The secrets of men judged (Rom 2:16) Works judged (I Cor 3:11-15) See also Rom 14:10-13. 4) The Tribulation

A-Rev 6:1, 2 After the rapture, the anti-christ appears in the name of peace, but declares war (7yr)

B-Dan 9:27, Matt 24:15 3 1/2 yr & anti-christ commits abomination of desolation, ends w/ Armageddon (Rev 16:14-16, 19:' 5) The Second Coming of Christ

A-After 7 yr tribulation, Christ bodily returns to earth with His saints (Rev 19:11-21) see also (Jude 14) B-He wins the Battle of Armageddon and sends anti-christ and false prophet to the lake of fire.

6) The Millennial Reign of Christ

A-Christ will bind Satan for 1000 yrs and set up His kingdom on earth (Rev 20:1-6) B-A time of peace and lamb shall lay down with the lion.

7) Great White Throne Judgment

A-After 1000 years Satan will be loosed and will rebels for the last time (Rev 20:7-10)

B-The wicked dead are raised and judged. (Rev 20:11-15) The lost cast into a lake of fire.

8) Heaven's Splendor

A-For the saved. There will be a New Heaven and a New Earth along with a New Jerusalem B-Rev 21:1-5 and Rev 21:10, 22:6)

9) Man final state, forever settled by man's free will & judged by Gods righteousness (Rom 3:5, 6 II Thes 1:6-12)