Statement of faith

We teach that God the Father, the first person of the Trinity, orders and accomplishes all things according to his own purpose and grace. He is the Creator of all things. As the only absolute and almighty ruler of the universe, he is sovereign in creation, providence and redemption. His fatherhood involves both his place within the Trinity and his relationship with mankind. As Creator he is Father to all people, but he is a spiritual Father only to believers. He has ordained everything that happens for his own glory. He continually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and events. In his sovereignty he is neither the author nor the approver of sin, nor does he diminish the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures. In his grace he chose from eternity past those who would be his own; he saves from sin all who come to him and, through adoption, becomes Father to his own.

Bible references: Psalm 145:9–10 · 1 Corinthians 8:6 · Genesis 1:1–31 · Ephesians 3:9 · Psalm 103:19 · Romans 11:36 · Ephesians 4:6 · Romans 8:14 · 2 Corinthians 6:18 · Ephesians 1:11–12 · 1 Chronicles 29:11 · Habakkuk 1:13 · John 8:38–47 · James 1:13–15 · 1 Peter 1:17 · Romans 1:18–20 · Ephesians 1:4–6 · John 1:12 · Romans 8:15 · Galatians 4:5 · Hebrews 12:5–9

We teach that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, possesses all the divine attributes and is therefore eternally of one essence with the Father. We teach that God the Father, according to his own will, created “the heavens and the earth and all that is in them” through his Son Jesus Christ, who upholds and sustains all things.

Bible references: John 10:30 · John 14:9 · John 1:3 · Colossians 1:15–17 · Hebrews 1:2

We teach that in the incarnation (God becoming man) Christ gave up only the prerogatives of his deity, but nothing of his divine essence, either in degree or in kind. In the incarnation the eternally existing second person of the Trinity took on all the essential characteristics of humanity and so became the God-man.

Bible references: Philippians 2:5–8 · Colossians 2:9

We teach that Jesus Christ is man and God (human and divine nature) in indivisible oneness.

Bible references: Micah 5:2 · John 5:23 · John 14:9 · Colossians 2:9

We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and that he was God come in the flesh. The purpose of his incarnation was to reveal God, to redeem mankind and to rule over God's kingdom.

Bible references: Isaiah 7:14 · Matthew 1:23,25 · Luke 1:26–35 · John 1:1,14 · Psalm 2:7–9 · Isaiah 9:6 · John 1:29 · Philippians 2:9–11 · Hebrews 7:25–26 · 1 Peter 1:18–19

We teach that in the incarnation the second person of the Trinity laid aside his right to be equal with God, took on the position of a Son and the existence of a servant, without laying aside his divine attributes.

Bible references: Philippians 2:5–8

We teach that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through the shedding of his blood and his sacrificial death on the cross, and that his death was voluntary, vicarious, substitutionary, propitiatory and redemptive.

Bible references: Romans 3:25 · John 10:15 · Romans 3:24–25 · Romans 5:8 · 1 Peter 2:24

We teach that, on the basis of the efficacy of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sinner who has come to faith is freed from the penalty, the curse and the power of sin, and will one day be freed entirely from its presence. He is declared righteous, given eternal life and adopted into the family of God.

Bible references: Romans 3:25 · Romans 5:8–9 · 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 · 1 Peter 2:24 · 1 Peter 3:18

We teach that our justification is made sure by his literal, bodily resurrection from the dead and that he has ascended to the right hand of the Father, where he now intercedes for us as our Advocate and High Priest.

Bible references: Matthew 28:6 · Luke 24:38–39 · Acts 2:30–31 · Romans 4:25 · Romans 8:34 · Hebrews 7:25 · Hebrews 9:24 · 1 John 2:1

We teach that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave God confirmed the deity of his Son and showed that he had accepted Christ's work of atonement on the cross. Jesus' bodily resurrection is also the guarantee of a future resurrection life for all believers.

Bible references: 1 Timothy 3:16 · John 5:26–29 · John 14:1–9 · Romans 4:25 · Romans 6:5–11 · 1 Corinthians 15:20,23

We teach that Jesus Christ will return to take his church, which is his body, to himself at the rapture, and that, returning with his church in glory, he will establish his millennial kingdom on earth.

Bible references: Acts 1:9–11 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 · Revelation 20

We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one through whom God will judge all mankind: a) believers; b) all who are living on earth on the day of his glorious return; and c) the unbelieving dead before the great white throne.

Bible references: John 5:22–23 · 1 Corinthians 3:10–15 · 2 Corinthians 5:10 · Matthew 25:31–46 · Revelation 20:11–15

As the mediator between God and man, as the head of his body, the church, and as the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David, he is the final judge of all who fail to place their trust in him as Lord and Saviour.

Bible references: 1 Timothy 2:5 · Ephesians 1:22 · Ephesians 5:23 · Colossians 1:18 · Isaiah 9:6–7 · Ezekiel 37:24–28 · Luke 1:31–33 · Matthew 25:14–46 · Acts 17:30–31

We teach that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, eternal, without beginning, possessing all the attributes of personality and deity, including intellect, emotions, will, eternity, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence and truthfulness. In all his divine attributes he is equal with the Father and the Son and one in substance with them (compare also Isaiah 6:8–10 with Acts 28:25–26 and Jeremiah 31:31–34 with Hebrews 10:15–17).

Bible references: 1 Corinthians 2:10–13 · Ephesians 4:30 · 1 Corinthians 12:11 · Hebrews 9:14 · Psalm 139:7–10 · Isaiah 40:13–14 · Romans 15:13 · John 16:13 · Matthew 28:19 · Acts 5:3–4 · 1 Corinthians 12:4–6 · 2 Corinthians 13:14

We teach that it is the work of the Holy Spirit to carry out God's will with regard to all mankind. We recognise his sovereign activity in creation, the incarnation, written revelation and the work of salvation.

Bible references: Genesis 1:2 · Matthew 1:18 · 2 Peter 1:20–21 · John 3:5–7

We teach that the unique work of the Holy Spirit in this age began at Pentecost, when he came from the Father as Jesus Christ had promised, to begin and complete the building of the body of Christ. His work includes convicting the world of sin, righteousness and judgement, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ and transforming believers into the image of Christ.

Bible references: John 14:16–17 · John 15:26 · John 16:7–9 · Acts 1:5 · Acts 2:4 · Romans 8:29 · 2 Corinthians 3:18 · Ephesians 2:22

We teach that the Holy Spirit, as the supernatural and sovereign agent in regeneration, baptises all believers into the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit also indwells, sanctifies, instructs and empowers them for service and seals them until the day of redemption.

Bible references: 1 Corinthians 12:13 · Romans 8:9 · 2 Corinthians 3:6 · Ephesians 1:13

We teach that the Holy Spirit is the divine teacher who guided the apostles and prophets into all truth as they wrote down God's revelation, the Bible. Every believer has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all who are born of the Spirit to be filled with the Holy Spirit, that is, to be controlled by him.

Bible references: 2 Peter 1:19–21 · John 16:13 · Romans 8:9 · Ephesians 5:18 · 1 John 2:20,27

We teach that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither himself nor his gifts by outward display, but glorifies Christ by carrying out his work of saving the lost and building up believers in the faith.

Bible references: John 16:13–14 · Acts 1:8 · 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 · 2 Corinthians 3:18

In this respect we teach that God the Holy Spirit is sovereign in giving all his gifts for equipping the saints, and that speaking in tongues and working miracles in the early days of the church served to point to the apostles as those through whom divine truth was revealed and to confirm them. Speaking in tongues and working miracles were never meant to be marks of the believer's life.

Bible references: 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 · 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 · 2 Corinthians 12:12 · Ephesians 4:7–12 · Hebrews 2:1–4

We teach that election is a work of God by which, before the foundation of the world, he chose in Christ those whom he graciously regenerates, saves and sanctifies.

Bible references: Romans 8:28–30 · Ephesians 1:4–11 · 2 Thessalonians 2:13 · 2 Timothy 2:10 · 1 Peter 1:1–2

We teach that God's sovereign election neither contradicts nor removes man's responsibility to repent and trust Christ as Lord and Saviour. Nevertheless, sovereign election will always lead to the goal God has determined, because his sovereign grace includes both the means of receiving the gift of salvation and salvation itself. All whom the Father calls to himself will come in faith, and all who come in faith the Father will receive.

Bible references: Ezekiel 18:23,32 · Ezekiel 33:11 · John 3:18–19,36 · John 5:40 · Romans 9:22–23 · 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 · Revelation 22:17 · John 6:37–40,44 · Acts 13:48 · James 4:8

We teach that the unmerited favour God shows to totally depraved sinners has nothing to do with any initiative on their part, nor with God foreseeing what people would do of their own will; it is solely his sovereign grace and mercy.

Bible references: Ephesians 1:4–7 · Titus 3:4–7 · 1 Peter 1:2

We teach that election should not be seen as based on sovereignty alone. God is indeed sovereign, but he always exercises his sovereignty in harmony with his other attributes, especially his omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace and love. Through this sovereignty God's will is always displayed in a way that is wholly consistent with his character, as it was revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible references: Romans 9:11–16 · Matthew 11:25–28 · 2 Timothy 1:9

We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given to the one who is born again. It happens instantly, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the instrumentality of the Word of God, when the repentant sinner, enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to God's offer of salvation. Genuine regeneration becomes visible in fruit worthy of repentance, shown in righteous attitudes and conduct. Good works will be both the evidence and the fruit of regeneration. Such obedience causes the believer to be increasingly conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. This likeness will reach its fulfilment in the glorification of the believer at the return of Christ.

Bible references: John 3:3–7 · Titus 3:5 · John 5:24 · 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 · Ephesians 5:17–21 · Philippians 2:12 · Colossians 3:16 · 2 Peter 1:4–10 · 2 Corinthians 3:18 · Romans 8:17 · 2 Peter 1:4 · 1 John 3:2–3

We teach that justification before God is a work of God in which he declares righteous those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins and confess him as sovereign Lord. This righteousness is apart from any good qualities or works of man and means that our sins are laid on Jesus Christ and the righteousness of Christ is credited to us. In this way God can be “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”.

Bible references: Romans 8:33 · Luke 13:3 · Acts 2:38 · Acts 3:19 · Acts 11:18 · Romans 2:4 · 2 Corinthians 7:10 · Isaiah 55:6–7 · Romans 10:9–10 · 1 Corinthians 12:3 · 2 Corinthians 4:5 · Philippians 2:11 · Romans 3:20 · Romans 4:6 · Colossians 2:14 · 1 Peter 2:24 · 1 Corinthians 1:2,30 · 1 Corinthians 6:11 · 2 Corinthians 5:21 · Romans 3:26

We teach that every believer is set apart for God through justification and is therefore declared holy and called a saint. This sanctification is a position that takes effect immediately when a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ and should not be confused with the “process of sanctification”. It concerns the believer's standing, not his present walk or condition.

Bible references: Acts 20:32 · 1 Corinthians 1:2,30 · 1 Corinthians 6:11 · 2 Thessalonians 2:13 · Hebrews 2:11 · Hebrews 3:1 · Hebrews 10:10,14 · Hebrews 13:12 · 1 Peter 1:2

We teach that the Holy Spirit also works the process of sanctification, with the aim of bringing the believer's condition closer to the likeness of Christ through obedience to God's Word and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The believer is able to live an increasingly holy life in keeping with God's will, and so becomes more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible references: John 17:17,19 · Romans 6:1–22 · 2 Corinthians 3:18 · 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 · 1 Thessalonians 5:23

In this regard Scripture teaches that every saved person is engaged in a daily conflict, the new creation in Christ fighting against the flesh, but that he has been given what he needs for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Even so, the struggle will stay with the believer throughout his earthly life and never be completely over. All claims that sin can be eradicated in this life are unbiblical. Although the eradication of sin is not possible, the Holy Spirit does equip us for victory over sin.

Bible references: Galatians 5:16–25 · Ephesians 4:22–24 · Philippians 3:12 · Colossians 3:9–10 · 1 Peter 1:14–16 · 1 John 3:5–9

We teach that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are therefore secure in Christ for ever.

Bible references: John 5:24 · John 6:37–40 · John 10:27–30 · Romans 5:9–10 · Romans 8:1,31–39 · 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 · Ephesians 4:30 · Hebrews 7:25 · Hebrews 13:5 · 1 Peter 1:4–5 · Jude 1:24

We teach 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 using Christian liberty as an excuse for sinful living and the lusts of the flesh.

Bible references: Romans 6:15–22 · Romans 13:13–14 · Galatians 5:13,16–17,25–26 · Titus 2:11–14

We teach that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that apostasy and worldliness will increase in the last days.

Bible references: 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 · 2 Timothy 3:1–5

We teach that all the saved, out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God they have received and because our glorious God is worthy of total devotion, should live in such a way that their worshipping love for God is evident and that they bring no reproach on their Lord and Saviour. We also teach that God requires separation from any association with religious apostasy and from worldly and sinful practices.

Bible references: Romans 12:1–2 · 1 Corinthians 5:9–13 · 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 · 1 John 2:15–17 · 2 John 1:9–11

We teach that believers should be set apart for their Lord Jesus Christ, and that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness in the spirit of the Beatitudes and a continual pursuit of holiness.

Bible references: 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 · Hebrews 12:1–2 · Matthew 5:2–12 · Romans 12:1–2 · 2 Corinthians 7:1 · Hebrews 12:14 · Titus 2:11–14 · 1 John 3:1–10

We teach that all who place their trust in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into the one spiritual body, the church, the bride of Christ, of which Christ is the head.

Bible references: 1 Corinthians 12:12–13 · 2 Corinthians 11:2 · Ephesians 5:23–32 · Revelation 19:7–8 · Ephesians 1:22 · Ephesians 4:15 · Colossians 1:18

We teach that the formation of the church, the body of Christ, began at Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and will be completed when Jesus Christ comes for his own at the rapture.

Bible references: Acts 1:5 · Acts 2:1–21,38–47 · 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

We teach that the church is therefore a unique spiritual organism, created by Christ and made up of all born-again believers of the present age. The church is distinct from Israel. This is a mystery that has only been revealed in this age.

Bible references: Ephesians 2:11–3:6 · 1 Corinthians 10:32 · Ephesians 3:1–6 · Ephesians 5:32

We teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches are clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures, and that the members of the one spiritual body are directed to gather in local fellowships.

Bible references: Acts 14:23,27 · Acts 20:17,28 · Galatians 1:2 · Philippians 1:1 · 1 Thessalonians 1:1 · 2 Thessalonians 1:1 · 1 Corinthians 11:18–20 · Hebrews 10:25

We teach that Christ is the supreme authority over the church, and that by his sovereignty leadership, gifts, order, church discipline and worship have been established. The overseers set out in Scripture, appointed to serve over the church under the leadership of Christ, are elders (men who are also called bishops, pastors or pastor-teachers) and deacons, both of whom must meet the biblical qualifications.

Bible references: Ephesians 1:22 · Colossians 1:18 · Acts 20:28 · Ephesians 4:11 · 1 Timothy 3:1–13 · Titus 1:5–9 · 1 Peter 5:1–5

We teach that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ and have his authority to direct the church, and that the congregation is to submit to their leadership.

Bible references: 1 Timothy 5:17–22 · Hebrews 13:7,17

We teach the importance of discipleship, the mutual responsibility of all believers for one another, and the need to correct sinning members of the church in accordance with the standards of Scripture.

Bible references: Matthew 28:19–20 · 2 Timothy 2:2 · Matthew 18:5–14 · Matthew 18:15–22 · Acts 5:1–11 · 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 · 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15 · 1 Timothy 1:19–20 · Titus 1:10–16

We teach the autonomy of the local church: it is free from any external authority or control and has the right to govern itself and to be independent of hierarchical interference by individuals or organisations. We teach that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate in presenting and spreading the faith. Local churches, however, should decide for themselves, through their elders and on the basis of their interpretation and application of Scripture, the extent and manner of such cooperation.

Bible references: Titus 1:5 · Acts 15:19–31 · Acts 20:28 · 1 Corinthians 5:4–7,13 · 1 Peter 5:1–4

We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God by building itself up in the faith, teaching from the Word of God, maintaining fellowship, observing the ordinances (baptism and the Lord's Supper) and promoting and spreading the gospel throughout the world.

Bible references: Ephesians 3:21 · Ephesians 4:13–16 · 2 Timothy 2:2,15 · 2 Timothy 3:16–17 · Acts 2:47 · 1 John 1:3 · Luke 22:19 · Acts 2:38–42 · Matthew 28:19 · Acts 1:8 · Acts 2:42

We teach that all saints are called to the work of service.

Bible references: 1 Corinthians 15:58 · Ephesians 4:12 · Revelation 22:12

We teach that the church must take part as God carries out his purposes in the world. To this end he gives spiritual gifts to the church. On the one hand he gives men chosen to equip the saints for the work of service, and on the other he gives every member of the body of Christ unique and special spiritual abilities.

Bible references: Ephesians 4:7–12 · Romans 12:5–8 · 1 Corinthians 12:4–31 · 1 Peter 4:10–11

We teach that two kinds of gifts were given to the early church: miraculous gifts of divine revelation and healing, given temporarily during the apostolic age to confirm the credibility of the apostles' message; and ministering gifts, given to enable believers to build one another up. Now that the New Testament revelation is complete, Scripture has become the sole test of the credibility of anyone's message, and so gifts of a miraculous nature are no longer needed to confirm a person or his message. Miraculous gifts can even be counterfeited by Satan in order to deceive even believers. The only gifts at work today are the non-revelatory, equipping gifts given for edification.

Bible references: Hebrews 2:3–4 · 2 Corinthians 12:12 · 1 Corinthians 13:8–12 · Matthew 24:24 · Revelation 13:13–14 · Romans 12:6–8

We teach that no one today possesses a God-given gift of healing, but that God hears the prayer of faith and will answer it according to his perfect will for the sick, the suffering and the afflicted.

Bible references: Luke 18:1–8 · John 5:7–9 · 2 Corinthians 12:6–10 · James 5:13–16 · 1 John 5:14–15

We teach that two ordinances have been entrusted to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and wonderful testimony of a believer, outwardly showing his faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour and his union with him in death to sin and in resurrection to new life. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ.

Bible references: Acts 2:38–42 · Acts 8:36–39 · Romans 6:1–11 · Acts 2:41–42

We teach that the Lord's Supper is for remembering and proclaiming his death until he comes. Taking part in the Supper should always be preceded by careful self-examination. Although the elements of the Supper (bread and wine) only point to the body and blood of Christ, Christ is nevertheless present in a unique way at the Supper and has fellowship with his own.

Bible references: 1 Corinthians 11:28–32 · 1 Corinthians 10:16

We teach that angels are created beings and are therefore not to be worshipped. Although they rank higher than people in creation, they were created to serve God and to worship him.

Bible references: Luke 2:9–14 · Hebrews 1:6–7,14 · Hebrews 2:6–7 · Revelation 5:11–14 · Revelation 19:10 · Revelation 22:9

We teach that Satan is a created angel and the author of sin. He brought God's judgement on himself by rebelling against his Creator, drew many angels with him in his fall and, by tempting Eve, brought sin into the human race.

Bible references: Isaiah 14:12–17 · Ezekiel 28:11–19 · Matthew 25:41 · Revelation 12:1–14 · Genesis 3:1–15

We teach that Satan is the open and declared enemy of God and of mankind, the prince of this world, who was defeated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and who will be punished for ever in the lake of fire.

Bible references: Isaiah 14:13–14 · Matthew 4:1–11 · Revelation 12:9–10 · Romans 16:20 · Isaiah 14:12–17 · Ezekiel 28:11–19 · Matthew 25:41 · Revelation 20:10

We teach that physical death does not mean the loss of our immaterial consciousness, that soul and body are separated, that the soul of the redeemed goes immediately into the presence of Jesus, and that for the redeemed this separation will last until the rapture, which begins the first resurrection (compare Revelation 20:4–6), when our soul and our new body will be united to be glorified for ever with our Lord. Until that time the souls of the redeemed in Christ remain in joyful fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible references: Revelation 6:9–11 · James 2:26 · Luke 23:43 · 2 Corinthians 5:8 · Philippians 1:23 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 · 1 Corinthians 15:35–44,50–54 · Philippians 3:21

We teach the bodily resurrection of all people: of the saved to eternal life, and of the lost to judgement and eternal punishment.

Bible references: John 6:39 · Romans 8:10–11,19–23 · 2 Corinthians 4:14 · Daniel 12:2 · John 5:29 · Revelation 20:13–15

We teach that at death the souls of the lost are kept under punishment until the second resurrection, when soul and resurrection body will be united. They will then appear for judgement before the great white throne and will be cast into hell, the lake of fire, cut off from the life of God for ever.

Bible references: Luke 16:19–26 · Revelation 20:13–15 · John 5:28–29 · Revelation 20:11–15 · Matthew 25:41–46 · Daniel 12:2 · 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9

We teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven-year tribulation to take his church from the earth and, between that event and his glorious return with his saints, to reward believers according to their works.

Bible references: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 · Titus 2:13 · John 14:1–3 · 1 Corinthians 15:51–53 · 1 Thessalonians 4:15–5:11 · 1 Corinthians 3:11–15 · 2 Corinthians 5:10

We teach that immediately after the rapture, the removal of the church from the earth, God's righteous judgements will be poured out on an unbelieving world, and that these judgements will reach their climax at Christ's return to the earth in glory. At that time the Old Testament saints and the tribulation saints will be raised, and the living will be judged. This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy.

Bible references: John 14:1–3 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 · Jeremiah 30:7 · Daniel 9:27 · Daniel 12:1 · 2 Thessalonians 2:7–12 · Revelation 16 · Matthew 24:27–31 · Matthew 25:31–46 · Daniel 12:2–3 · Revelation 20:4–6 · Daniel 9:24–27 · Matthew 24:15–31

We teach that after the tribulation Christ will come to the earth to take the throne of David and to establish his messianic kingdom on earth for a thousand years. During this time the resurrected saints will reign with him over Israel and all the nations of the earth. This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the false prophet and the removal of Satan from the world.

Bible references: Matthew 25:31 · Luke 1:31–33 · Acts 1:10–11 · Acts 2:29–30 · Revelation 20:1–7 · Ezekiel 37:21–28 · Daniel 7:17–22 · Revelation 19:11–16 · Daniel 7:17–27

We teach that the kingdom will fulfil God's promise to Israel to bring them back into the land they forfeited through their disobedience. As a result of their disobedience Israel was set aside for a time, but through repentance it will be restored to enter the promised land of blessing.

Bible references: Isaiah 65:17–25 · Ezekiel 37:21–28 · Zechariah 8:1–17 · Deuteronomy 28:15–68 · Matthew 21:43 · Romans 11:1–26 · Jeremiah 31:31–34 · Ezekiel 36:22–32 · Romans 11:25–29

We teach that this time of our Lord's reign will be marked by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness and long life, and will end with Satan being released.

Bible references: Isaiah 11 · Isaiah 65:17–25 · Ezekiel 36:33–38 · Revelation 20:7

We teach that Satan, released after the thousand-year reign of Christ, will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to fight against the saints and the beloved city. At that time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven. Satan will then be thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, after which Christ, who is the judge of all people, will raise the small and the great and judge them before the great white throne.

Bible references: Revelation 20:7 · Revelation 20:9 · Matthew 25:41 · Revelation 20:10 · John 5:22

We teach that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgement will be a bodily resurrection, and that, having received their sentence, they will be committed to eternal, conscious punishment in the lake of fire.

Bible references: Matthew 25:41 · Revelation 20:11–15

We teach that after the end of the millennial kingdom, the brief release of Satan and the judgement of unbelievers, the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth will be dissolved and replaced by a new earth in which only righteousness dwells. Then the heavenly city will come down out of heaven and be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy fellowship with God and with one another for ever. Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled his mission of redemption, will then hand over the kingdom to God the Father, so that the triune God may reign in all things and for all eternity.

Bible references: 2 Thessalonians 1:9 · Revelation 20:7–15 · 2 Peter 3:10 · Ephesians 5:5 · Revelation 20:15 · Revelation 21–22 · Revelation 21:2 · John 17:3 · Revelation 21:22 · 1 Corinthians 15:24–28 · 1 Corinthians 15:28