|
LAST THINGS
XVII. The Kingdom of God
A/126. The kingdom of God is a prominent Bible theme providing
Christians with both their tasks and hope. Jesus announced its presence.
The kingdom is realized now as God's reign is established in the
hearts and lives of believers.
The church, by its prayers, example, and proclamation of the gospel,
is the appointed and appropriate instrument of God in building His
kingdom.
But the kingdom is also future and is related to the return of Christ
when judgment will fall upon the present order. The enemies of Christ
will be subdued; the reign of God will be established; a total cosmic
renewal which is both material and moral shall occur; and the hope
of the redeemed will be fully realized.
XVIII. The Return of Christ
A/127. The return of Christ is certain and may occur at any moment,
although it is not given us to know the hour. At His return He will
fulfill all prophecies concerning His final triumph over all evil.
The believer's response is joyous expectation, watchfulness, readiness,
and diligence.
XIX. Resurrection
A/128. There will be a bodily resurrection from the dead of both
the just and the unjust, they that have done good unto the resurrection
of life; they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.
The resurrected body will be a spiritual body, but the person will
be whole and identifiable. The Resurrection of Christ is the guarantee
of resurrection unto life to those who are in Him.
XX. Judgment
A/129. God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world
in righteousness in accordance with the gospel and our deeds in
this life.
XXI. Final Destiny
A/130. Our eternal destiny is determined by God's grace and our
response, not by arbitrary decrees of God. For those who trust Him
and obediently follow Jesus as Savior and Lord, there is a heaven
of eternal glory and the blessedness of Christ's presence. But for
the finally impenitent there is a hell of eternal suffering and
of separation from God.
A/131. The doctrines of the Free Methodist Church are based upon
the Holy Scriptures and are derived from their total biblical context.
The references below are appropriate passages related to the given
articles. They are listed in their biblical sequence and are not
intended to be exhaustive.
|
