Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9
Our foundational belief is that the sixty-six books of the Bible are GOD's Holy Word, and the Bible is the exclusive and final authority here on earth for all “doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness”. This means that the beliefs below are based on careful "Berean-like" study of all of the Scriptures, and they can only summarize what the Bible infallibly says. That being said, the Word of GOD is what we really believe, and the statements below express how the members of Victorious MESSIAH Fellowship understand certain foundational doctrines, after carefully harmonizing all that the Holy Scriptures teach on each topic - from the very first Hebrew word of Genesis to the very last Greek word of Revelation. (Luke 24:44-45, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Acts 17:10-11, 2 Peter 3:14-18)
We believe: that the Holy Scriptures are the perpetually authoritative, thoroughly sufficient, and divinely inspired Word of GOD; that the sixty-six books of the Bible are inerrant and infallible in the original handwritten texts; that those original handwritten texts have been remarkably preserved through the ages within the early manuscripts of the Final 27 Books represented within the Majority Text and the ancient translation of the First 39 Books known as the Septuagint (or the LXX); that the Bible is our only infallible rule for life, faith, and practice until the LORD’s return, and that all extra-biblical sources of information are fallible, therefore they must all be tested and weighed by the Word of GOD. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, 1 Peter 1:25, Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, Mark 13:31, 1 Corinthians 4:6)
We believe: that JESUS and His Apostles (including Paul) consistently referred to the entire Bible as “the Scriptures”, and they would never label an entire book of the Bible - or an entire collection of books - as “the Old Testament”; that Paul was not labeling an entire book of the Bible - or a collection of books - as “the Old Testament” in 2 Corinthians 3:14-15, only certain specific items found within the writings of Moses; that the Book of Hebrews describes those “Old Testament” - or “Old Covenant” - items as specifically being “concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation”; and that Scripture explains that those fleshly components of the Law and the Prophets were foreshadowing something much better in the New Covenant in the MESSIAH. (Matthew 21:42, Matthew 22:29, Matthew 26:54-56, Mark 12:10, Mark 12:24, Mark 14:49, Luke 4:21, Luke 24:27, Luke 24:32, Luke 24:45, John 7:38, John 7:42, John 13:18, John 17:12, John 19:24, John 19:28, John 19:36-37, John 20:9, Acts 17:2, Acts 17:11, Acts 18:28, Romans 1:2, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Timothy 3:15-16, Hebrews 9:1-15)
Therefore: we reject the label of “Old Testament” for the books that lie historically between Genesis and Malachi that were able to make Timothy “wise for salvation through faith which is in CHRIST JESUS”, while preferring the Biblical labels “the Scriptures” or “the Law and The Prophets”; but, if a more specific temporal label is necessary to describe the books that were written before the MESSIAH’s incarnation in Bethlehem, we call the books between Genesis to Malachi: “the First 39 Books” or “the Pre-Apostolic Scriptures”; and we call the Books that are Historically found between Matthew and Revelation: “The Final 27 Books” or “The Apostolic Scriptures”. (Matthew 5:17, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 11:13, Matthew 22:40, Luke 16:16, Luke 24:44, John 1:45, Acts 13:15, 24:14, Acts 28:23, Romans 3:21, 2 Timothy 3:15-16)
We believe: that true historical sciences confirm the Bible as the most remarkable and accurate Historical record of the earth and man ever to exist. For example, Archeology has confirmed: Ur, Haran (Genesis 11:31-32), The Mount Ebal Altar (Deuteronomy 27:1-8, Joshua 8:30-32), The City of David (1 Kings 2:10), Hezekiah's Tunnel, The Pool of Siloam (2 Kings 20:20, 2 Chronicles 32:30), Jeroboam's Temple in Dan (1 Kings 12:26-30), The Hittites (Joshua 1:4), Jericho (Joshua 6:2-20), Gibeah (1 Samuel 10:26), The Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2), the 4 Roman Anchors (Acts 27:29) and many, many more historical accounts in the Bible.
We believe: that “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of GOD spoke as they were moved by the HOLY SPIRIT”; that the HOLY SPIRIT has placed within Scripture certain unchanging principles that must govern how we read and interpret the Bible, to the end that even our system of Biblical interpretation must be based on the Bible’s unquestionable authority; and that JESUS demonstrated a straightforward, literal, submissive, harmonious, all-inclusive, precise, sequential method of Biblical interpretation, therefore His disciples and Apostles followed His straightforward, literal, submissive, harmonious, all-inclusive, precise, sequential approach to Biblical interpretation. (2 Peter 1:20-21, Acts 24:14-16, John 7:17, John 21:22-23, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Corinthians 4:6, Isaiah 28:10, Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16, Proverbs 30:5, Deuteronomy 12:32, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, Deuteronomy 8:3, 2 Timothy 3:15, James 1:21-22, Proverbs 30:6, 2 Peter 3:16)
We believe: that JESUS, His Apostles, and His disciples treated all of “the Law and the Prophets” as authoritative, and we must continue to treat every command found within “the Law and the Prophets” as perpetually authoritative unless a command is undeniably abrogated, repealed, or suspended later in one or more of the sixty-six books of the Bible; therefore: we reject all methods of Biblical interpretation that rely on discarding whole books of the Bible as irrelevant or not applicable to the follower of JESUS CHRIST; we reject all methods of Biblical interpretation that rely on replacing GOD’s commandments with the commandments and traditions of men; and we reject all methods of Biblical interpretation that add to or take away from the straightforward, literal, submissive, harmonious, all-inclusive, precise, sequential reading of the sixty-six books of the Holy Bible in any way. (Matthew 15:3-9, Mark 7:6-13, Matthew 21:42, Matthew 22:29, Mark 12:24, John 10:34-37, Romans 1:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:6, Matthew 4:4, Acts 10:9-11:18, Acts 15:1-29, Acts 21:18-25, Romans 3:29-30, 1 Corinthians 7:18-19, Galatians 2:3, Galatians 2:11-16, Galatians 5:2, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 6:15-16, Ephesians 2:11-22, Romans 14:14-23, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 9:8-11)
We believe: that a fully harmonized view of the Word of GOD reveals that there is, and always has been, one GOD, eternally existing in three persons: FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT; that the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT all possess the same divine nature; that GOD knows all things, can do all things, does all that He pleases, owns all things, sustains all life, answers to no one, is perfectly pure, works all things for the good of those that love Him, and is working all things after the council of His will; and because He is indescribably wonderful, unbelievably glorious, incalculably perfect, and unfathomably above all we can know or understand, there is much, much more! (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Timothy 3:16, John 1:18, John 15:26, Genesis 1:26, Job 37:16, Psalm 147:5, 1 John 3:19-20, Isaiah 46:9, Psalm 139:4, Proverbs 3:19, Matthew 19:26, Psalm 115:3, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Job 12:10, Daniel 4:35, 1 John 1:5, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11)
We believe: in the complete deity of the LORD JESUS CHIRST, the SON of GOD, who always was, and always will be GOD; that He did not cease to be GOD during His time on Earth. (John 1:1-3, John 1:14, Colossians 2:9, Colossians 1:15-17, John 14:9-10)
We believe: in the personhood and deity of the HOLY SPIRIT; that He is the infallible Inspirer and Interpreter of the Bible; that He convicts, regenerates, indwells, empowers, instructs, prepares, and guides the believer in living, service, and worship through His gifts; that in this age He baptizes all believers into one body; that His fullness and power are appropriated in the believer's life by faith, hope and love - in obedience to God; that - as the Prophets foretold - in the New Covenant the HOLY SPIRIT was and is poured out on all who repent and believe in JESUS CHRIST to be saved, and that - as we walk after the SPIRIT - the righteous requirement of GOD’s Law is fulfilled in us. (Isaiah 63:10-11, Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, Mark 13:11, Luke 12:10, John 14:26, Matthew 4:1, John 16:7-11, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:25, Acts 4:31, Acts 5:32, Acts 15:28, Acts 16:6, Acts 20:28, Acts 21:11, Romans 15:13-16, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30, 2 Timothy 1:14, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 2:4, Hebrews 3:7-11, 2 Peter 1:21, Romans 8:14, 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:17-21, Acts 2:33, Acts 2:38, Acts 11:15, Galatians 3:14, Romans 8:4)
We believe: that the SON of GOD, JESUS CHRIST, now sits at the right hand of GOD the FATHER; functioning as the High Priest for all believers, making intercession for them; and that JESUS is the only name by which anyone can be saved from the wrath of GOD that each of us deserves due to our own sin and rebellion against Him. We also believe JESUS is the promised MESSIAH foretold in the Law and the Prophets and by responding to the news of His death, burial and resurrection with ongoing repentance and obedient faith, we have the hope of eternal life. (Acts 2:33, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 4:14-15, Hebrews 5:5-10, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:26, Hebrews 8:1, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 9:24, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, John 3:18, 1 John 5:12, Romans 5:9, John 3:36, 1 Thessalonians 1:10)
We believe: that the MESSIAH, JESUS of Nazareth, was miraculously conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT; that He was born of a virgin descendant of David named Mary; that He was without sin, never breaking one of His FATHER’s commands; that He died on Passover as a perfect redemptive sacrifice for the sin of all men; that He was buried; that He arose from the dead on the third day, which was the Biblical day known as “Firstfruits” (or “one” in the count to Fifty, and the 50th day is best known as “Pentecost”) in the same, but glorified, body in which He lived and died; that He ascended to the right hand of GOD the FATHER, and by His death He provided atonement for all men, but it is conditionally applied only to those who repent and continue obediently believing in Him. (Luke 1:30-35, Matthew 1:20-25, Luke 2:8-40, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 1 John 4:10, Romans 3:25, Ephesians 1:7, 1 Corinthians 15:4, Mark 15:46, Luke 23:53, Luke 24:12, John 20:15-28, Luke 24:36-53, Mark 16:19-20, Acts 1:6-12, 1 Timothy 3:16, Acts 7:55-56, 1 John 2:2, John 4:42, 1 John 4:14, John 12:32, Romans 5:18, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 1 Timothy 4:10, Titus 2:11, John 3:15-18, John 3:36, Romans 10:11, 1 Peter 2:6, Mark 1:15, Luke 15:10, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 11:18, Acts 17:30, Acts 20:21, Acts 26:19-20, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 2 Peter 3:9)
We believe: that when we respond to the good news of JESUS CHIRST in repentance and faith, that we are saved from our prior bondage to sin, forgiven completely for our past, and united to the HOLY SPIRIT; that faith comes by hearing the Word of GOD, and that the Gospel must be responded to with repentance, at which time the Blood of the MESSIAH allows GOD to “pass over” a person’s previously committed sins; that those who are saved from their bondage to sin have been resistibly called to salvation by GOD and this was a work of grace by the HOLY SPIRIT to the glory of GOD. (Romans 3:24-25,Titus 3:7-8, Romans 4:4-5, Romans 5:15, Romans 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:17, Acts 11:21, Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3 & 5, Luke 24:27, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:15-17, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 20:21, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:13, Colossians 1:14 & 20, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 13:20-21, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 5:9, Romans 6:18 & 22, 1 John 3:8-10, Galatians 5:13, Hebrews 3:1, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 3:9, 1 Corinthians 1:9,Galatians 1:6, Ephesians 4:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Peter 1:15)
We believe: that at the point of repentance and belief, the sinner is completely cleansed and peace with GOD is restored, they are united with CHRIST and, united with the HOLY SPIRIT, that they are recipients of all the riches of divine grace and in possession of every spiritual blessing, and then their Christian walk of sanctification begins; that this walk of sanctification can be compared to the testing of the Israelites in the wilderness, whereas justification can be compared to the redemption of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. (1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Hebrews 3:6-19, Hebrews 4:1-11, Jude 1:5)
We believe: that once we are united with the HOLY SPIRIT, we must then daily choose to follow the SPIRIT and die to our old sinful passions of the flesh; that GOD's will for every believer is sanctification, and that GOD’s firm foundation states that everyone who names the name of the LORD, must depart from all iniquity; that the grace of GOD instructs us to deny all godlessness and worldly lusts, and live in a righteous, godly way; that the MESSIAH has set us free from past slavery to sin, and we are now called to be enslaved to GOD; that by serving GOD, we bear fruit unto sanctification and the end result of this process is eternal life. (Colossians 1:12-13, Romans 5:1, Colossians 1:20, Romans 6:5, Romans 6:11, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Ephesians 1:3-4, Acts 5:32, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,Ephesians 4:30, Philippians 3:3, Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 6:4-6, 1 Peter 4:14, Romans 6:19, Romans 6:22, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 & 7-8, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 2:19, Titus 2:11-14)
We believe: that GOD is totally, utterly, and completely faithful, and just as a perfectly faithful spouse would never leave or forsake us, GOD will never leave or forsake us; however, it is possible for us be unfaithful to GOD and leave and forsake Him, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”( 2 Timothy 2:11-14, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Corinthians 10:1-12)
We believe: that GOD will never cast out those who keep on obediently believing in the MESSIAH; that believers are secure as long as they “abide in CHIRST” by “keeping His commandments”; that there is no condemnation to those who are “abiding In CHRIST JESUS” by denying the flesh while walking after the HOLY SPIRIT; that nothing can separate us from the Love of GOD that is found “in CHRIST JESUS our LORD”, but anyone who does not continue to abide “in Him”, “is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 6:37, 1 John 3:24, John 15:5-10, 1 John 2:6, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:39)
We believe that anyone who "abides in JESUS CHRIST does not sin", but that if we do sin - "if we confess our sin - GOD is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 3:6-8, 1 John 1:9)
We believe: that the LORD’s sheep “hear His voice” (This is step number 1 – We demonstrate we are His sheep by hearing the Shepherd’s voice and choosing to follow Him), and He “knows them” (This is step number 2 – He demonstrates He knows us by filling us with the HOLY SPIRIT), and they “follow Him” (This is step number 3 – We actually follow Him by daily walking after the Spirit instead of the flesh), and “He gives them eternal life” (This is step number 4 – He demonstrates His faithfulness by resurrecting us to eternal life), and “they will never perish” (This is a direct result of step number 4 – We will be like our eternally resurrected LORD when we see Him as He is); and “no one will snatch them out of His hand” (This is also a result of step number 4 – Once we are completely like JESUS in every way after the resurrection, we will be eternally secure in His Kingdom). (John 10:27-29)
We believe that the infallible Scriptures instruct the believer to: Remain in JESUS (John 15:3-5, 6, 9-10), Remain in the Son (1 John 2:24-26, 3:4-6 & 3:24), Keep yourself in the Love of GOD (Jude 1:21), Continue in the Faith (Acts 14:22), Hold firmly until the end (Hebrews 3:14), Remain Steadfast in the Faith (Colossians 1:22-23), Pursue Sanctification (Hebrews 12:14), Imitate GOD (Ephesians 5:1-5), Be diligent to be found by Him spotless and blameless (2 Peter 3:14), Fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:11-12), Deny ungodliness and worldly desires (Titus 2:11-14), and Be Holy (1 Peter 1: 14-18)
We believe that the infallible Scriptures teach that it is possible to: fall from grace (Galatians 5:4), shipwreck faith (1 Timothy 1:19), drift away (Hebrews 2:1-3), fall away (Hebrews 6:4-8, 1 Timothy 4:1), forsake the right way (2 Peter 2:15-22), depart in a time of testing (Luke 8:13), depart from the living GOD (Hebrews 3:12-15), wander away from the faith (1 Timothy 6:10), live according to the flesh and die (Romans 8:12-14), deviate from the faith (1 Timothy 6:20-22), stray from the truth (James 5:19-20), fall from your own stability (2 Peter 3:14-16, 17-18), turn the grace of GOD into licentiousness (Jude 1:4), and insult the SPIRIT of grace (Hebrews 10:26-29 & 29-38)
We believe: that the Word of GOD plainly and repeatedly warns that there will be many false teachers, many forms of deception, and a great apostasy; that satan used deception to destroy mankind's relationship with GOD in the garden, and he still uses this tool extensively to lead us into paths of sin and error, so we must be very diligent to avoid deception, by exhaustively testing all things against the Word of GOD, and only holding fast to that which is true and good. (1 Corinthians 11:19, 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 Peter 2:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:33-34, Galatians 6:7-8, 1 John 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Romans 16:17-18, 2 John 1:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Acts 20:29-31, Matthew 7:15-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)
We believe: that the Church is the body of CHRIST, and – as Stephen indicated in Acts chapter 7 – the Church was with Moses in the wilderness; that it is composed of Jewish and Gentile believers in the MESSIAH, and built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets; that by being grafted into the MESSIAH through repentance and faith, Gentiles - as a wild olive branch - can share in the adoption, covenants and promises given to Israel; and that by rejecting their MESSIAH, unbelieving descendants of Jacob are cut off from the natural olive tree, until they repent and believe in the MESSIAH; that believing Jews and believing Gentiles are one in the MESSIAH and together they make up the Body of CHRIST, as one flock, with one Shepherd. (Acts 7:38, Romans 12:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 5:27, 1 Timothy 3:15, Ephesians 2:11, 12, 13-14, 16, &19, Romans 11:2, 5,11-12, 17-18, 19-24, Romans 4:11-12, Romans 11:25-27)
We believe: that all of the disciples of the MESSIAH are instructed to regularly assemble together, to be taught the Scriptures by congregationally ordained men appropriately gifted by the HOLY SPIRIT, who continuously meet the requirements taught in Scripture for the office of Elder/Bishops, during and after an official period of testing; that the Elders/Bishops are submissively assisted in their duties of leadership by spiritually gifted men called “Deacons” who manage the physical resources of the Church; and that Deacons can only be congregationally ordained after an official period of testing where they demonstrate that they continuously meet the requirements taught in Scripture for their office. (Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 4:11-16, Romans 12:4-13, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-11, 1 Timothy 5:17-19, Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 3:8-13, Acts 6:2-7, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:12-14, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Acts 20:27-28 & 29-31)
We believe: that the Church assembles to “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, teaching them to observe all things that [JESUS] commanded”, that we are to love, edify, support, and serve one another, in order to ultimately obey, serve, please and worship GOD; that this assembling is to be organized as a local church under the leadership of the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT, shepherded by godly Elders who teach the whole council of GOD; that the believer is called to holy living and following the commandments of GOD in love, by the power of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT; that we are to fight in spiritual warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil; that each believer is to use his or her unique spiritual gifts for the purpose of building up the local body of CHRIST, and bear fruit to GOD's glory, in obedience to the Scriptures (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:42, Matthew 18:20, 1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 & 14, John 13:34,John 15:12, Romans 12:10, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, Hebrews 10:24, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 3:11& 23, 1 John 4:7 & 11-12, 2 John 1:5, Galatians 1:10, Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, Hebrews 11:6, 1 Peter 2:15, 1 Peter 4:6,Hebrews 10:36, 1 Thessalonians 4:2-8, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 Timothy 6:11-12, Ephesians 6:12-13, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:22-27 &28-30, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
We believe: that baptism is limited to repentant believers only; that the Greek word “bap-tid'-zo” that has been transliterated into the English word “baptize” means “to immerse” or “to submerge”; that JESUS commanded His disciples to: “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you”; that JESUS said in Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned”; that Scripture teaches baptism represents each disciple of the MESSIAH’s repentant death to sin and burial with JESUS; that every mention of baptism in the epistles to the churches assumed every reader had been baptized as part of how they became disciples of JESUS; that Peter told those who heard the message of the Gospel and believed on the day of Pentecost “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”; that Acts 8:12-17 indicates that the Samaritans who were baptized did not receive the HOLY SPIRIT at their baptisms because they were “only baptized in the name of the LORD JESUS”, so Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the HOLY SPIRIT; and that baptism and the laying on of hands are frequently associated with people receiving the HOLY SPIRIT in Scripture. (Acts 8:34-39, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:12-13, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:4-6, Colossians 2:11-12, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41, Acts 8:12-17, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:31-34, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 22:16)
We believe: that the bread and the cup of what has been often called “the LORD’s supper” or “communion” - based on Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church – were first explained by the MESSIAH just after He said: “go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” and “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer”; that the bread and the cup are integral parts of the Passover meal; that the reason Paul said: “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” is because Passover is the annual anniversary of the LORD’s death on the cross; that “the LORD’s supper” is an annual event that takes place on the Biblical feast day of Passover; that it is limited to obedient believers in the MESSIAH; and that we must examine ourselves for any secret or unrepentant sins before we eat of the unleavened bread, or drink of the cup, lest we eat and drink judgment upon ourselves. (Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:8, Luke 22:15-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-34)
We believe: that it is the responsibility and privilege of both the Church and the individual believer to evangelize and disciple people from all nations by lovingly sharing the Gospel of JESUS as MESSIAH, Savior, Judge, and LORD, teaching all those that we disciple to observe everything He has commanded us, after baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT, as ambassadors of reconciliation and co-workers with CHRIST. (Romans 10:17 & 14-15, Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19-20)
We believe: that GOD has prescribed exactly how He is to be worshiped in His Word, and what holy days we are to celebrate; that Cain, Nadab, Abihu, Uzzah, Jeroboam and many other examples were given to us to demonstrate that GOD requires pure worship according to His own Word; that the mixing of pagan practices, or non-Biblical "holidays" into the worship of the One True GOD is forbidden by the Holy Bible; that the authoritative examples of JESUS and His Apostles and Disciples (recorded in the Holy Scriptures) demonstrate the continuous celebration of the feasts of the LORD and the Sabbath on the seventh day; that Biblical prophecy makes it very clear that every nation will celebrate GOD’s feast days and His seventh-day Sabbath in the future, just as JESUS and the Apostles did in the past, so they must still be the proper mode of worship at this time; and that intermingling the sacred with the secular incorrectly elevates the secular, while inadvertently diminishing the sacred. (Exodus 12, Leviticus 23, Genesis 4:3-7, 1 John 3:12, Leviticus 10:1-3, 2 Samuel 6:6-7, Deuteronomy 12:2-8, Luke 22:14-15, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, Matthew 12:12, Zechariah 14:16-19, Isaiah 66:23)
We believe: that JESUS and His Apostles and Disciples used and relied on the Greek Translation of the First 39 Books of the Bible called the Septuagint, because over three hundred and sixty quotations of the originally Hebrew Scriptures found in the Final 27 Books of the Bible demonstrate beyond all reasonable doubt that JESUS and His Apostles chose the Septuagint reading over the reading of the Hebrew Masoretic Text found in most modern Bibles; that it is important to be familiar with the ancient Septuagint translation so we can understand and define the words of the Bible in the same way JESUS and His Apostles would understand and define them, as well as harmonize quotations of the First 39 books of the Bible in the Final 27 books; and that the Hebrew names of GOD were never used by JESUS or His Apostles and Disciples in the Final 27 Books of the Bible, instead the Greek equivalents were used in a sacred way; therefore we must not consider the Hebrew names (or the Greek names) of the FATHER, SON, or HOLY SPIRIT more “sacred” or “powerful” than their English equivalents. (Mark 7:6-9 & Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 12:21 & Isaiah 42:4, Acts 7:14 & Genesis 46:27, Acts 15:16-17 & Amos 9:11-12, 1 Corinthians 15:55 & Hosea 13:14, Hebrews 1:6 & Deuteronomy 32:43, Hebrews 10:5 & Psalms 40:6, Hebrews 10:38 & Habakkuk 2:4, Matthew 3:3 & Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 4:7 & Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:10 & Deuteronomy 6:13, Matthew 22:37 & Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:44 & Psalms 110:1, Matthew 23:39 & Psalms 118:26, Mark 12:29 & Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:30 & Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 4:19 & Isaiah 61:2, Luke 13:35 & Psalms 118:26, Luke 20:41-44 & Psalms 110:1)
We believe: that the controversy of Acts chapter 6 was between the Hebrew speaking and reading disciples and the Hellenists, or Greek speaking and reading disciples, and that the Apostles were led by GOD to place Greek speaking men into the position of Deacons, as evidenced by the fact that their names were all clearly Greek in origin and meaning; that this decision made it clear that no one should ever be puffed up by any particular language, and “there is neither Greek nor Jew, or circumcised nor uncircumcised” in the Body of the MESSIAH, there are only SPIRIT-led disciples who hear and obey the Word of GOD. (Acts 6:1-6, 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 8:1, 1 Corinthians 7:18, 1 Corinthians 14:8-11, Romans 3:30, 4:10-11, Galatians 2:7, Colossians 3:11)
We believe: that the First Covenant (i.e. the Levitical Covenant) relied on certain: “foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” to sanctify and cleanse the people, but when JESUS inaugurated the New Covenant in His own blood, those items were abrogated (or officially set aside); that the veil being torn from top to bottom announced that great “reformation”, because the veil was symbolically closed in Leviticus 16, just after the laws concerning “foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances” were given; and that GOD clearly announced the abrogation of the fleshly ordinances of Leviticus 11 in Acts chapter 10, when He showed Peter a vision of sheet containing “all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.” and told him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” (Hebrews 9:1-10, Hebrews 9:11-15, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hebrews 9:3, Hebrews 9:8, Hebrews 10:19-20, Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45-46, 2 Corinthians 3:16, Leviticus 16:1-2, Leviticus 10:1-15:31, Acts 10:1-16, Acts 11:1-17)
We believe: that personal dietary convictions and preferences only apply to the person who holds them (as seen in Romans chapter 14), that personal dietary convictions and preferences are most certainly permissible, but advocating in any way for ongoing, universal dietary restrictions by twisting Peter’s vision of Acts chapter 10, the Apostolic conclusions of Acts chapter 15, or any of the rest of the Apostolic Scriptures is not to be tolerated; and that the Scriptures plainly declare: “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself…”, “food does not commend us to God”, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving”, “It is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.”, and “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.” (Romans 14:14, 1 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Timothy 4:4, Hebrews 13:9, Titus 1:15, 1 Corinthians 6:12-13)
We believe that Peter’s vision, and the subsequent filling of the Gentiles with the HOLY SPIRIT in Acts chapter 10, proved that we can only be justified or purified by grace through faith in JESUS in the New Covenant, and this realization led the Apostles and the Jerusalem Elders to openly rebuke and distance themselves from those who said of the believing Gentiles: “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”(Acts 10:1-48, Acts 15:1-29)
We believe: that everyone who turns to the fleshly works of the First (Levitical) Covenant, such as physical circumcision or the Levitical food restrictions, for either justification or sanctification, has “fallen from grace”; that pursuing righteousness or holiness through the outward works of the law concerned only with “foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” separates us from JESUS and the redemption of His blood; and that compelling Gentiles to observe “the foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” is the “Judaizing” that Paul openly rebuked Peter over, because it contradicted the true Gospel of JESUS CHIRST. (Galatians 5:2-4, Hebrews 9:1-15, Galatians 2:11-21, 1 Corinthians 7:18-19)
We believe: that the Scriptures teach and demonstrate how Church leaders must use the Bible to rebuke and correct anyone who would mislead the disciples entrusted to them to believe that Christians must (at any time) be circumcised or observe the Leviticus 11 dietary laws within the New Covenant; and that only three mandatory food laws now exist for Christians in the New Covenant, namely that we must avoid consuming blood, things strangled, and things sacrificed to idols (while we also avoid the defilement of sexual immorality). (Titus 1:10-11, 1 Timothy 4:1-6, Acts 15:1-29, John 1:17, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 3:21-22, Romans 3:27-30, Romans 9:30-33, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:2-3, Galatians 3:5-7, Galatians 3:10-14, Galatians 2:11-19)
We believe: that Genesis declares “in the beginning” GOD created the universe in six consecutive days complete with evenings and mornings; that this foundational timeline is repeated in the fourth commandment that relies on the six days of creation as being literal while commanding we keep the seventh-day Sabbath holy; that Luke’s genealogy of the MESSIAH back to a literal Adam, combined with the LORD’s teaching that Adam and Eve were created “in the beginning” reveals that GOD created the universe around 6,000-9,000 years ago; that Genesis records - due to sin and widespread corruption - GOD wiped all air breathing life off of the earth, except for Noah's family and the occupants of the ark, by a literal, global, worldwide flood; and that Peter confirmed “GOD did not spare the ancient world”, “the world that then existed perished”, and Noah was one of only eight people who were saved. (Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31, Genesis 2:3, Colossians 1:15-17, Exodus 20:11, Luke 3:23-38, Matthew 19:3-6, Mark 10:5-9, Genesis 6:17, Genesis 7:19-23, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5, 2 Peter 3:6-7, Matthew 24:38, Luke 17:27, Hebrews 11:7)
We believe: that mankind was created in the image of GOD, and that Adam and Eve originally enjoyed unfettered communion with the Creator, but humankind fell through Adam's sin when he lost his spiritual life (which is communion with GOD); that because of the fall, spiritual death spread to all men (which is separation from GOD); that - at some point, early in each of our lives - we all sin and break GOD’s law, doing the things that GOD has commanded us not to do, and if we continue in that sin without turning from our sin and trusting JESUS obediently for the forgiveness of sins, we will spend eternity in the second death of Hell, which is permanent, hopeless separation from GOD; that in spite of our fallen condition and propensity to sin caused by separation from GOD, we are not condemned because of Adam's sin, but our own. (Genesis 1:27, Romans 5:12-19, Romans 8:22, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Genesis 1:29-30, Genesis 3:16-19, Genesis 9:3-4, Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10-18, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ezekiel 18:20, 1-32)
We believe: that marriage, which was irrevocably instituted by GOD, is between one man and one woman for life, that gender is irrevocably and unchangeably assigned to each person by GOD, that there are only two genders: male and female, that GOD designed these two genders to function in a complementarian way; and that life begins at conception, therefore abortion is murder in every case. (Genesis 2:24, 1 Corinthians 7:2, Hebrews 13:4, Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:23, Deuteronomy 22:5, Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:4-5, Luke 1:15, Job 31:14-15)
We believe: that satan was created by GOD, as one of many sinless and perfect angels, but sin was found in him - revealed through pride, and he became satan “the adversary”; that he is an actual being; that he is the originator of deception and sin; that he operates today as the prince and "god" of this worldly system comprised of “the children of disobedience”; that he is the enemy of GOD, and the people of GOD, and the deceiver of humanity; that he led Adam and Eve into transgression that resulted in humanity's fall; that he was “triumphed over” at the cross; that he is permitted to test mankind to reveal who is worthy of GOD’s eternal kingdom; and that he, along with Death and Hades, will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity at the end of the millennial (1000 yr.) reign of JESUS CHRIST. (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:13-15, 1 Chronicles 21:1, Job 1:7-12, Job 2:1-7, Matthew 4:8-10, Luke 22:31, Acts 26:18, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:18, 1 Timothy 5:15, Revelation 2:13, Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:38, John 17:15, Ephesians 6:16, 2 Thessalonians 3:2-4, 1 John 3:12, 1 John 5:19, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Timothy 2:14, Colossians 2:15, Revelation 20:7, 10 & 14)
We believe: that approximately one third of the angels followed satan in his fall. (Revelation 12:4, Matthew 25:41, 2 Peter 2:4, James 2:19, Jude 1:6, Revelation 12:9)
We believe: that approximately two thirds of the angels stayed in their holy positions and serve as ministering spirits of GOD for the carrying out of His purpose, especially to those who will be saved. (Matthew 4:11, Luke 2:13-14, Daniel 6:22, Hebrews 1:14, Psalms 91:11, Matthew 13:41, Matthew 24:31, Revelation 22:8-9)
We believe: that the "sons of GOD" in Genesis 6:2-4 (see also Job 1:6, 2:1, and Job 38:4-7) are fallen angels who sinned, and 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6 describes their punishment for this particular sin.
We believe: that after JESUS was born, Mary "knew" Joseph and they had other children. (Matthew 1:24-25, Matthew 12:46, Mark 3:31, Luke 8:19, Matthew 13:55-56, John 7:1-10, Acts 1:14, Galatians 1:19, Luke 11:27-28)
We believe: that GOD intends to fulfill all His promises to the nation of Israel, descended from the literal 12 tribes, in a literal way, just as His warnings and judgments were fulfilled in a literal way; that within the nation of Israel's history of unbelief there has always been a faithful remnant who will inherit those promises, while the unfaithful portion will receive Hell along with all of the Gentiles who refuse to repent and faithfully follow JESUS CHRIST. (Ezekiel 47:13-15, Isaiah 60:18-21, Romans 11:5-15, Romans 11:25-26)
We believe: that at the time of physical death, those who are abiding in JESUS CHRIST will immediately go into the presence of GOD, in full conscious fellowship with the LORD in soul, mind and spirit, awaiting the resurrection of the body that will occur when JESUS returns; that any sinner who refused to submit to JESUS CHRIST and obediently follow Him, when they physically die, enters immediately into conscious separation from GOD and His good graces in Hades (or “Sheol”) - in soul, mind, and spirit - awaiting the resurrection of the body, when they will be judged and cast into eternal separation from GOD in Hell. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Philippians 1:23, Acts 7:59, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, Luke 14:13-14, Luke 20:36, John 11:24-25, Philippians 3:9-11, Revelation 20:6, John 5:29, Revelation 20:11-15)
We believe: in the singular, visible, physical, bodily, post-tribulational second coming of JESUS CHRIST; that 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 plainly teaches His return must be preceded by two very specific events: first - the apostasy or “falling away”, and second - the revelation of the man of sin or antichrist during the abomination of desolation, when he “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called god or that is worshiped, so that he sits as god in the temple of GOD, showing himself that he is god”; that the apostasy or falling away is already at work as an always-increasing tendency towards lawlessness in many churches that name the holy name of JESUS CHRIST; and that every passage of the Bible that warns us “not to be deceived” was given to help all true disciples of the MESSIAH resist the growing deception and lawlessness of the apostasy. (Matthew 24:3-31, Mark 13:3-27, Luke 21:25-28, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 13:41-43, Matthew 24:11-13, Matthew 5:17-19, 1 Corinthians 3:16-18, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:33-34, Galatians 6:7-8, Ephesians 5:5-7, 2 Timothy 2:19, James 1:13-16, 1 John 3:7-8, 1 John 2:3-4, Revelation 22:14-15)
We believe: a seven year long countdown to the singular return of JESUS CHRIST will begin when - as the book of Daniel describes - “he” (i.e. the antichrist)“shall confirm a covenant with many for one period of seven”; that the same “he” that “confirms a covenant with many” for one period of seven years will be the same “he” that interrupts that same period of seven years at the half way point by “bringing an end to sacrifice and offering” while “he” also sets up the “abomination of desolation” and “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called god or that is worshiped, so that he sits as god in the temple of GOD, showing himself that he is god”; therefore, the “he” of Daniel 9:27 is the individual known as: the man of sin, the son of perdition, the beast, and the antichrist. (Daniel 9:24-27, Daniel 11:31 Daniel 7:25, Matthew 24:15-21, Daniel 12:11-12, Daniel 8:23-25, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:1-9, 1 John 2:18)
We believe: that this final seven-year period of Daniel 9:27 ends when the MESSIAH returns “to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy”; and when JESUS returns He will “consume” the man of lawlessness “with the breath of His mouth and destroy” him “with the brightness of His coming”. (Daniel 9:24-27, Isaiah 13:9-13, Matthew 13:40-43, Revelation 19:11-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:8)
We believe: JESUS clearly and intentionally used the words “day” and “hour” when He said: “of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only”, so proclaiming that Scripture describes certain events that provide a general 7-year and a general 3.5-year prophetic countdown to the MESSIAH’s return is not the same as claiming to know the specific “day” or “hour” of His return. (Matthew 24:36, Matthew 25:13, Mark 13:32, Luke 12:45-46)
We believe: JESUS wanted His disciples to know the signs that would precede His return, so He gave a detailed list of those signs in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, the book of Revelation, the book of Daniel, and in many other places within the Holy Bible. (Matthew 24:3-51, Mark 13:3-37, Luke 21:7-36, Revelation 6:1-17, Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 9:20-27, Daniel 11:29-45, Daniel 12:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
We believe: that halfway through the final period of seven years described in Daniel 9:27, the antichrist will enter an actual, literal, physical third temple in Jerusalem, that Scripture specifically calls “the temple of GOD”; that he will set up an abominable image to glorify himself while he proclaims himself to be god; that JESUS warned all who are in Judea to immediately flee when this event occurs; and that this event begins a frequently mentioned Biblical countdown to the LORD’s return that JESUS warned will be a time of “great tribulation”. (Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11:31, Matthew 24:15-21, Mark 13:14-20, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
We believe: that the great tribulation – which the MESSIAH taught will begin at the abomination of desolation - will last for 3.5 years, 42 months, or somewhere between 1,290 to 1,335 days; that this period of 3.5 years is also referred to as lasting for “a time, times, and a half a time”, with “a time” being equal to one year; that during the great tribulation the antichrist will “make war with the saints and overcome them”, even while GOD pours out His wrath on those who persecute His saints and worship the antichrist; that this time will be the worst period of trouble the world has ever - or will ever again - experience; that the antichrist will institute a mark that involves his name or the number of his name on the right hand or forehead of the population of earth during the great tribulation; that those who accept this mark will be irrevocably condemned to the flames of Hell for eternity; that only those with the mark of the beast will be permitted to buy or sell during the great tribulation; and that the entire population of earth whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life will worship the antichrist and accept his mark because they will be deceived by him and his false prophet, along with the great signs and wonders they perform. (Daniel 12:11-12, Daniel 8:13-14, Revelation 11:1-3, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 12:14, Daniel 7:19-26, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 13:1-18, Revelation 14:9-11, Revelation 16:1-2)
We believe: that the great tribulation will end when the LORD JESUS CHRIST is revealed in the sky in all of His glory at the great sound of the last trumpet; that His revelation will be preceded by the often-mentioned Biblical signs of the Day of the LORD, which are: “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken”; that JESUS will resurrect and gather His saints from every corner of the earth to Himself before He imprisons satan, and destroys the antichrist, the false prophet, all who gathered to war against Him in the valley of Megiddo, and everyone on earth who practiced lawlessness; that the Day of the LORD will come “like a thief in the night” on all those who are living in the spiritual darkness of sin; and that the Day of the LORD, the Day of the LORD JESUS, the Day of GOD, and the Day of CHIRST are all synonymously referring to the same day “when the LORD JESUS is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know GOD, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST”. (Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 6:12-17, Isaiah 2:10-21, Isaiah 13:6-13, Joel 2:1-32, Joel 2:1-32, Joel 3:9-17, Zephaniah 1:2-18, Zephaniah 3:8, Zechariah 14:1-7, Malachi 3:2-3, 1 Corinthians 1:4-8, 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 2 Corinthians 1:13-14, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, Hebrews 10:24-25, 2 Peter 3:10-12, Philippians 1:9-10, Philippians 2:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8)
We believe: that when JESUS returns at the great sound of the last trumpet, He will send out His angels to gather together His elect from all time and from every location under heaven; that “the dead in CHRIST will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And thus we shall always be with the LORD.”; that this “catching up” or “rapture” mentioned by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is the same “gathering together” mentioned by JESUS in Matthew 24:31 and Mark 13:27, just as it was the same “gathering together” Paul wrote about in 2 Thessalonians 2:1; that when Paul wrote “the dead in CHRIST will rise” in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and “the dead will be raised incorruptible” in 1 Corinthians 15:52, he was referring to “the first resurrection” mentioned in Revelation 20:4-6; that this “first resurrection” will occur after the tribulation when JESUS returns to deliver His saints and usher in a glorious and peaceful period of 1000 years, commonly called the Millennium; and that all who partake in the first resurrection will be transformed into the glorious image of their SAVIOR, eternally perfected, and eternally saved from sin, death, and hell. (1 Corinthians 15:50-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Revelation 20:4-6, 1 John 3:2-3, 1 John 3:2-3)
We believe: that all those who take part in the first resurrection will rule and reign with JESUS for a 1000 year long golden MESSIANIC age commonly called the Millennium; that satan will be imprisoned for this 1000 year long period; that the immortal perfected saints will rule with the MESSIAH over all remaining mortals who were not destroyed for taking the mark of the beast, for lawlessness, or for coming up against Jerusalem to fight against JESUS at the battle of Armageddon; that the majority of those rare remaining mortals who were not destroyed, resurrected, or caught up and transformed at the LORD’s return will most likely be little children since Scripture describes an age where children do not yet know to choose good over evil, and JESUS said “let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”; and that during this period the most ancient and reliable readings of Isaiah 65:20 describe “a young man” as being “one hundred years old”, while many other passages describe carnivorous animals returning to plant based diets, along with worldwide peace, restoration, and righteousness. (Isaiah 13:11-13, Revelation 20:1-7, Isaiah 11:6-10, Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 7:16, Matthew 19:14, Isaiah 2:1-4)
We believe: that after the 1000 year long Millennium ends, satan will be released from his prison one last time to deceive – and therefore test – all of the remaining mortals who have enjoyed 1000 years of peace under the reign of JESUS; that sadly many of those mortals will choose to follow satan in one final revolt against the LORD; that many of them will follow satan into battle against JESUS, to the point that they will surround Jerusalem where JESUS and His perfected saints dwell; and that fire will come down from heaven and consume all of those mortals who followed satan in this final rebellion. (Revelation 20:7-10)
We believe: that, after the Millennium and the final rebellion, satan will be cast into the lake of fire for the rest of eternity; that JESUS will then judge every single person who was not perfected in the first resurrection; that death and hades will be cast into the lake of fire during this final judgment because they will no longer be necessary to punish sin or imprison sinners until the day of the final judgment; and that, once death is destroyed, JESUS will have vanquished every enemy, in preparation for the FATHER to descend in the New Jerusalem! (Revelation 20:11-21:3, 1 Corinthians 15:21-28)
We believe: that, after the final judgment, GOD will create the new heavens and the new earth spoken of by the holy prophets; that the FATHER will descend with the eternal, heavenly, New Jerusalem to tabernacle forevermore with the SON, the HOLY SPIRIT, and all the eternally perfected saints; that in this future perfect universe, sin, death, sorrow, crying, pain, and the curse will be banished forever, while joy, peace, love, and every other good thing will abound! (Revelation 21:1-22:21, Isaiah 65:17-19, 2 Peter 3:13-14, Isaiah 66:22-23)
