7.  Of the End Times

A.    The Righteous and the Wicked:  We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.¹  The righteous are justified through faith in the name of the Lord Jesus and are sanctified by the Spirit of God.  The wicked are those who continue without repentance and faith and, as a result, are under the curse of God.²  This distinction holds among men both in life and after death, in the everlasting bliss of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.³

 REFERENCES:
1. Gen 18:23, Mal 3:18, 1 Jn5:19.
2. Prov 11:31 & 14:32, Mt 7:13-14, Acts 4:12, Rom 1:17, 6:16-18, & 6:23,Gal 3:10, 1 Pet 4:18-19.
3.  Mt 25:34 & 41, Lk 16:25, Jn 5:28-29, 1 Cor 15:22, Rev 20:14-15.

B.    The Resurrection of Christ:  We believe that Christ rose bodily “the third day according to the Scriptures”¹ and ascended “and sitteth on right hand of God.”² 

REFERENCES:
1. Mt 28:6-7, Mk 16:6, Lk 24:39, Jn 20:27, *1 Cor 15:4.
2. Mk 16:19, Lk 24:51, Acts 1:9-11, *Col 3:1, Rev 3:21. 

C.   The Rapture of the Church:  We believe that when the last trump shall sound, “the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then they which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”  The living saints shall all be changed “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” and shall put on an incorruptible, resurrected body.¹ 

REFERENCES: 
Jn 14:3, 1 Cor 15:42-44, & *51-53, Phil 3:20-21, *1 Thess 4:15-17.

D.   The Second Coming of Christ:  We believe that “This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” – bodily, personally and visibly bringing His saints with Him.¹

REFERENCES: 
Mt 24:27 & 42 & 25:13, *Acts 1:11, 1 Thess 4:14, Heb 9:28, Jas 5:8. 

E.    The 1000 Year Earthly Reign of Christ:  We believe that “the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David”; and Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until “he hath put all enemies under His feet.”¹ 

REFERENCES: 
Psa 72:8, Isa 9:6-7 & 11:4-5, *Lk 1:32-33, *1 Cor 15:25, Rev 20:1-3 & 6.

F.    The Future of Israel:  We believe that Israel is still God’s chosen people but is dispersed because of disobedience to God and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.  However, Israel will be re-gathered as a nation after the Rapture and many will be saved. 

REFERENCES: 
Gen 13:14-17, Ezek 20:33-44 & 37:1-28, Rom 11:1-32.

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Fundamental Baptist Statement