What We Believe (Our 16 Doctrines of the Assemblies of God)

Introduction: Today we are going to uncover our last four fundamental truths. The reason we are doing all four today is because they all go together! For the believer, you should leave this morning encouraged for what is coming as our reward! For the sinner, the future is going to be incredibly awful. I pray this morning that if you have not chosen Jesus as your savior then today you make that decision.

Fundamental Truth #13: The Blessed Hope
-The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1Corinthians 15:51-52).

-The rapture will deliver us from the Great Tribulation that will take place on the earth.
-The rapture is Christ coming to gather his own people!
-At the rapture believers will be no longer subject to the devil’s attacks.
-At the rapture the dead in Christ shall rise first.
-At the rapture the Living Saints will be instantly changed.
-At the rapture we will be caught up into the air to meet Jesus face to face!
-At the rapture we will be victorious over death!
-At the rapture we will be free from sickness, pain and sorrow.
-At the rapture we will receive our reward!

Fundamental Truth #14: The Millennial Reign of Christ
-The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years (Ezekiel 37:21-22; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Romans 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalm 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4).

-In the millennial reign Christ will return to the earth with his saints and his angels to cast judgment over his enemies.
-In the millennial reign the Jews will be gathered back to Jerusalem and the tabernacle of David will be rebuilt.
-In the millennial reign the curse of man will be lifted and creation will no longer be subject to it.-In the millennial reign the world will enjoy a 1000 years of peace under the rule of Christ.
-In the millenial reign Satan will be bound and imprisoned for the entire 1000 years and man’s years will be extended.
-In the millennial reign the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh and the Gentile nations will come to the brightness of Christ’s reign.
-In the millenial reign every person on earth will come to know him as King!

Fundamental Truth #15: The Final Judgment
-There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whoever is not found in the written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).

-The final judgment is for every person who has not received Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of their life.
-The final judgment will result in every person to recieve the punishment of eternity in hell.
-The final judgment will be the last stage for the sinner before eternity without Jesus begins.

Fundamental Truth #16: The New Heavens and the New Earth
-We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:22)

-The New Heavens and the New Earth will replace the old order of things.
-The New Heavens and the New Earth will be the final place for the believer.
-The New Heavens and the New Earth will be where the believer spends eternity with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Conclusion: The question is not whether eternity is real, but where we will spend our eternity?