What happens to the Christian at death? Non-Christian?
When a Christian dies, his body returns to the dust, but his soul immediately goes to be with the Lord (Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8). When a non-Christian dies, his body also returns to the dust, and his soul enters a state of judgment and misery, awaiting the final judgment (Luke 16:22–23; Heb. 9:27).
Who will be raised on the Last Day?
Every human being will be raised on the last day—both the just and the unjust (John 5:28–29; Acts 24:15). Believers will be raised to everlasting life and glory. Unbelievers will be raised to judgment.
When does the millennium begin?
I hold the amillennial view, so I believe the millennium began with Christ’s first coming, especially through His death, resurrection, ascension, and heavenly reign (Rev. 20:1–6; Matt. 12:28–29). The thousand years is best understood as a symbolic description of the present church age.
What is the proper response to predictions of Jesus’ return?
The proper response is not date-setting, panic, or speculation, but watchfulness, faithfulness, and humility (Matt. 24:36, 42–44; Acts 1:7). Jesus clearly says no one knows the day or hour.
What is Preterism? Evaluate from Scripture.
Preterism says that many biblical prophecies, especially in Matthew 24 and Revelation, were fulfilled in the first century, particularly in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Partial preterism can be helpful. Full preterism is unbiblical because it says the resurrection, final judgment, and second coming have already happened. Scripture teaches these are still future, visible, bodily, and universal (Acts 1:11; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Tim. 2:17–18).
Where will God finally dwell with his people? Where is the eternal state and what is it like?
God will finally dwell with His people in the new heavens and new earth (Rev. 21:1–4; 2 Pet. 3:13). The eternal state is a renewed creation where righteousness dwells and where God lives with His redeemed people in fullness. There will be no more death, sorrow, pain, curse, or sin.
Who will be judged on the Last Day? Explain from Scripture.
Every person will stand before God in judgment on the last day (Matt. 25:31–46; Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11–15). For unbelievers, this judgment ends in condemnation. For believers, it is not a judgment unto condemnation, because Christ has already borne that (Rom. 8:1), but it will openly reveal God’s righteous verdict and vindicate His people.
What practical use is the doctrine of the final judgment?
The doctrine of final judgment sobers us, humbles us, comforts us, and calls us to holiness. It reminds us that history is going somewhere, evil will not win, and God will set all things right (Eccl. 12:14; Rom. 14:10–12).
What is annihilationism? Evaluate from Scripture.
Annihilationism is the view that the wicked are not punished forever, but are eventually destroyed in the sense of ceasing to exist. I reject it because Scripture teaches conscious, ongoing punishment for the unrepentant, not extinction (Matt. 25:46; Mark 9:43–48; Rev. 14:10–11; 20:10).
What is your view of the millennium? Defend.
I hold an amillennial view. I believe the thousand years of Revelation 20 describes the present age between Christ’s first and second coming. During this time Christ reigns from heaven, believers who die are with Him, and Satan is bound so that he cannot deceive the nations in the way he once did (Rev. 20:1–6). I do not expect a future earthly thousand-year reign after Christ returns. Rather, I expect one return of Christ, one general resurrection, one final judgment, and then the eternal state (John 5:28–29; Matt. 25:31–46).
