THE PRESENT STATE OF THE DEAD

At death the souls of the believers pass immediately into the presence of Christ, and these remain in constant bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body. (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21,23-24; Rom. 8:22,23; 1 Cor. 15:42-44; 2 Cor. 5:1,4b)

The souls of the unbelievers remain after death conscious of condemnation until the final bodily resurrection and judgment of the unjust. (Luke 16:22-31; John 3:36; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 20:11-15)

THE RAPTURE

The rapture, the blessed hope of the church, is the imminent coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself His own, both the living who shall be transformed, and the dead in Christ who shall be resurrected. This event takes place before the wrath of God is poured out during the tribulation. Believers then will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service. (1 Cor. 15:51-57; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rom. 14:10-12; 1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-10)

THE TRIBULATION

The tribulation will be a time of judgment on the whole earth. During this period the Antichrist will emerge to offer false hope to the nations. (Matt. 24:15,21-22; 1 Thess. 5:1-3; 2 Thess. 2:3-12; Rev. 13:11-18)

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

The return of Christ to earth in power and great glory will conclude the great tribulation with the victory at Armageddon, the defeat of Antichrist and the binding of Satan. He will introduce the millennial age, restore Israel to her own land, lift the curse which now rests upon the whole creation, and bring the whole world to the knowledge of God. (Matt. 24:27,30; Luke 17:24,26-30; Rev. 16:12-16; 17:8,12-14; 19:11-20; Psa. 2:6-12; Dan. 2:44-45; Luke 22:29-30; Rev. 3:21; 20:6; Isa. 1:24-27; 2:1-4; Zech. 14:3,4,9; Rom. 8:19-23; Rev. 22:3)

THE FINAL JUDGEMENT

There will be a final judgment in which the unbelieving dead will be raised and judged at the great white throne, according to their works. ( Dan. 7:9-10; John 12:48; Rom. 2:2,6,11,16; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15) The beast and false prophet, the devil and his angels, and whoever is not found in the Book of Life, shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to annihilation but to everlasting punishment, which is the second death. (Matt. 25:41b; Jude 6; Rev. 20:10,15; 21:8)

THE ETERNAL STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

The righteous will share the glory of God in the new heaven and the new earth for eternity. (Matt. 13:43; John 17:24; 2 Pet. 3:13; Heb. 11:10; Rev. 21:1-2,10,22-23)