We believe in the personal and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ for his church and that this “blessed hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer.

– Beatty Community Church
Statement of Faith

Jesus’ Second Coming

What do we mean by “personal” return?

Jesus’ return will be physical and visible (Job 19:25-26, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7), in the same way He ascended to heaven ( Acts 1:9-11). It will not be an invisible “spiritual” return as some cults teach, as Jesus has never left us spiritually.

What do we mean by “imminent” return?

Jesus’ second coming can happen at any time. He will come unexpectedly – like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:37-39, 1 Thessalonians 5:2,3, 2 Peter 3:10-12) He will come instantly (Matthew 24:27).

When will this happen?

No one knows when it will happen except God the Father (Matthew 24:36).

Why is Jesus coming back?

He is coming back for us (John 14:2-3). Jesus will come back to set up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 7:14) and to judge the nations (Matthew 25:31-32).

Why is this our hope?

Jesus will bring our reward with Him when He comes (Matthew 16:27, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 22:12).

When He appears, we will be like Him (Philippians 3:21, Colossians 3:4, 1 John 3:2).

The Resurrection

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.

– Beatty Community Church
Statement of Faith

What is the resurrection?

The restoral of life to our dead bodies.

Jesus is called the “first fruits” of the resurrection ( 1 Corinthians 15:10, 23) because He was the first to be truly resurrected, never to die again. (Those who were resurrected before (i.e. Matthew 27:52-53) died again.) His resurrection was bodily (Matthew 28:9, John 20:25-28, Luke 24:41-43). It was also unique in that He raise Himself ( John 10:17-18).

There are actually two resurrections mentioned in Revelation 20:4-6.

Who will be resurrected?

All will be resurrected, both the saved and unsaved (Daniel 12:2, John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:13).

What is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection?

His resurrection is the basis of hope for our resurrection ( John 11:25, 14:19, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 1 Peter 1:3).

What is the rapture?

Not everyone will die. Some will immediately be given glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Philippians 3:21)

The Judgments

What happens after the resurrection?

Jesus will judge the nations, separating “the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32, Acts 17:31). He will judge all people, both saved (living) and unsaved (dead) (Romans 14:10, 2 Timothy 4:1). Unbelievers will be judged according to their works (Revelation 20:13), which will not be sufficient to gain their salvation. Those who are not written in the book of life will be cast into hell (Revelation 20:11-15) where they will be in eternal conscious torment (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 14:10-11).

Believers will also be judged (2 Corinthians 5:10), but for rewards based on what we have done for Christ ( 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). This is the bema seat judgment Some of the rewards are crowns (1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4). All believers will live eternally with God in heaven.

How should this affect our lives?

Knowing that we will be judged, we need to take thought to how we live (Mark 13:32-33). Believers cannot not lose salvation, but rewards can be lost.