VIII. God’s Plan — Sovereignty, Israel, and the End of All Things
32. Sovereignty of God and Human Free Will
We believe God is sovereign over all creation — all-knowing, all-powerful, and completely in control. In His wisdom, He works all things together for good for those who love Him. Yet, within His sovereignty, He grants humanity genuine freedom to respond to His grace. God desires that all people come to repentance and faith, and He holds each person accountable for their choices. His sovereignty assures us of His ultimate purpose; our freedom calls us to trust and obey Him fully.
Scripture References: Psalm 115:3; Romans 8:28; Joshua 24:15; 2 Peter 3:9**
Expanded Explanation:
The sovereignty of God is one of Scripture’s most comforting truths — that He reigns supreme over creation, history, and eternity. Nothing happens outside His knowledge or control (Isaiah 46:9–10). Yet, within that sovereignty, God has given humanity the ability to choose—to respond to His grace or to resist it. These two realities are not contradictions but complements: God’s rule and our responsibility exist in perfect harmony.
Divine sovereignty assures us that God’s purposes will stand, even when life feels uncertain. Human freedom reminds us that obedience matters, that our choices carry real consequence. Salvation is entirely of grace, yet each person must personally respond in faith (Romans 10:9–10).
This mystery humbles rather than divides us. God’s sovereignty produces worship, not fatalism. It invites rest in His wisdom, trust in His goodness, and hope in His plan — knowing that even what the enemy means for evil, God can turn for good (Genesis 50:20).
33. Israel and the Nations
We believe God’s plan of redemption has always included all nations and that through Jesus Christ, both Jews and Gentiles are united in one body by faith. We affirm God’s continuing covenant purposes for Israel and reject the idea that the Church has replaced them in His plan. At the same time, all of God’s promises find their fulfillment in Christ. We are called to stand with the Jewish people, pray for Israel, and proclaim the gospel to every nation until Christ returns.
Scripture References: Genesis 12:2-3; Romans 11:1-2, 25-27; Galatians 3:28-29; Revelation 7:9-10**
Expanded Explanation:
God’s covenant with Abraham established His plan to bless all the nations of the earth through Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:2–3). Israel was chosen not for privilege but for purpose — to reveal God’s holiness and to bring forth the Messiah. Through Christ, Gentiles have been grafted into this redemptive story (Romans 11:17–24). The Church, therefore, shares in the spiritual blessings of Israel but does not replace her.
God’s covenant promises to Israel remain valid and will find their ultimate fulfillment in the return of Christ, when all of Israel will recognize Him as Messiah (Romans 11:26–27). Until that day, believers are called to stand with the Jewish people, pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), and share the gospel with every tribe, tongue, and nation (Matthew 24:14).
While we may not endorse or agree with every political decision made by the nation of Israel, we nonetheless affirm our biblical call to support the Jewish people and the continued role of Israel in God’s unfolding plan. Our support is rooted not in politics but in Scripture — in recognition of God’s covenant faithfulness and His promise to bless those who bless His chosen people (Genesis 12:3).
This global mission fulfills God’s eternal purpose: that His name be glorified among the nations and that all peoples — Jew and Gentile alike — find redemption and peace through Jesus, the true seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).
34. The Rapture and the Tribulation
We believe Jesus Christ will return for His Church in what Scripture describes as the rapture — when believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This event will precede a seven-year tribulation, a time of great distress on the earth when many will come to faith amid persecution. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will return visibly with the armies of heaven, defeat the Antichrist, and reign in victory.
Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Matthew 24:21, 30; Revelation 19:11-16**
Expanded Explanation:
The promise of Christ’s return is a source of hope and urgency for every believer. Scripture teaches that a day is coming when the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, those who are alive and remain will be caught up — raptured — to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). This moment will usher believers into His presence and deliver them from the coming wrath.
Following the rapture, the earth will enter a period known as the Tribulation — a seven-year time of intense suffering, deception, and judgment (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 6–18). During this time, God’s purposes of justice and mercy will unfold as many come to salvation even amid persecution.
At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will return visibly with the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11–16), defeat the Antichrist, and establish His kingdom on earth. The rapture gives believers comfort in sorrow, courage in trial, and motivation for evangelism — for “the night is nearly over; the day is almost here” (Romans 13:12).
35. The Millennial Reign of Christ
We believe that after the Tribulation, Jesus Christ will establish His millennial kingdom — a literal thousand-year reign of peace and righteousness on the earth. During this time, Satan will be bound, and the saints will reign with Christ. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released briefly, defeated, and cast into the lake of fire forever. God will then create a new heaven and a new earth where His people will dwell with Him eternally.
Scripture References: Revelation 20:1-6; Isaiah 11:4-9; Zechariah 14:9; 2 Peter 3:13**
Expanded Explanation:
After the Tribulation, Christ will return to establish His millennial reign — a literal thousand-year kingdom of peace, justice, and restoration. During this time, creation will flourish as never before: nations will live in harmony, and “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). Satan will be bound, unable to deceive the nations, and believers will reign with Christ in glorified bodies (Revelation 20:4–6).
At the end of this millennium, Satan will be released for a final rebellion, only to be swiftly defeated and cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:7–10). Then, God will bring forth a new heaven and new earth — not merely repaired, but completely renewed (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
This eternal hope anchors our faith. The story of history does not end in chaos but in restoration. Christ will reign as King of kings, and His people will dwell with Him in unbroken fellowship forever. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).