1. I believe in the forthcoming translation of the Church to meet Christ in the air and to be with Him forever. He will be announced by a trumpet call, and the dead who had believed in Christ will be resurrected first. Then those believers still alive on the earth will be caught up with them into the clouds. This is a one-time event that occurs before the wrath of God is poured out on the earth. (1 Thess. 4:16-17; 5:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Rom. 5:9; Rev. 3:10)

2. I believe a seven-year period of tribulation will come on the earth like none other ever experienced before Christ’s return to earth. The effects will be worldwide as God’s wrath is poured out in a series of plagues. This period is identified as Daniel’s 70th week and serves to finish transgression, put an end to sin, pay for wickedness, usher in everlasting righteousness, fulfill Old Testament vision and prophecy, and anoint the Most Holy Place. It also serves as a final opportunity for those on the earth to repent from their wickedness. (Dan 9:26-27; Rev. 16:18; 11:6; 8:7; 3:10; 15:1; Dan. 9:24; Rev. 9:20-21)

3. During this tribulational period, Satan will increase his power over the earth, and he will deceive the nations through his two beasts—the Antichrist and his false prophet. The Antichrist will rise to power half way through the Tribulation and will control religious activity and commerce for 42 months, taking over the temple in Jerusalem and requiring everyone on the earth to receive his mark. (2 Thess. 2:7; Rev. 13:4-5, 11-13, 16-17; Dan. 9:27)

4. I believe Jesus Christ will return bodily to the earth to set up His kingdom. He will first defeat the Antichrist and his false prophet, casting them into the lake of fire. Then Christ will reign on the earth with all of the Tribulation martyrs, who will have been resurrected, while Satan is bound with a great chain and sealed in the Abyss. (Rev. 19:11-16, 20; 20:1-4)

5. I believe that the souls of all men are eternal, regardless of their eternal destiny. The lake of fire, which is the second death, does not consume the souls of men but torments them forever and ever. (Matt. 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10, 12)

6. I believe there will be a resurrection of all of the wicked together with the Old Testament saints, and Christ will judge all of them according to their deeds from His great white throne. He will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, inviting the righteous to receive their inheritance of the kingdom of God, but condemning the unrighteous to the lake of fire. At this time Satan, death, and Hades will be cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:10-15; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:31-46)

7. I believe only the Church will appear before the judgment seat of Christ in order to receive rewards for the good things done during life on earth. (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:12-15)