Believing
The document teaches that after the resurrection there will be two eternal destinies: glory for the righteous and condemnation for the damned. The righteous will enjoy glorified bodies and eternal communion with God, while the damned will suffer eternal separation in hell. Life everlasting is the final hope of the believer who remains faithful to God.
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The condition of the resurrected righteous
The righteous will rise with special glory.
Brightness: They will shine like the sun (Matthew 13:43).
Impassibility: They will not be able to suffer or be affected negatively (Revelation 21:4).
Agility: Supernatural ability similar to the resurrected body of Christ (1 John 3:2).
Spiritual body: Material body but completely subject to the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:44).
The condition of the damned
Their condition will be the opposite of that of the righteous.
Without brightness: Dark appearance, like burned flesh (Isaiah 13:8).
Passible: Capable of suffering eternally (Isaiah 66:24).
Bound: Imprisoned without spiritual freedom (Psalm 149:8).
Carnal: Dominated by pain, weeping, and anger (Matthew 25:30)
“And life everlasting”
Eternal life is united to the physical resurrection of the body.
Eternal life means being eternally gathered with God.
Although it is a mystery we do not completely understand, it will be a glorious and satisfying reality.
“God Himself is our reward” (Genesis 15:1).
Three essential elements of eternal life
Perfect vision of God: We will see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Fervent love: We will love God with eternal and perfect love (Isaiah 31:9).
Eternal recognition: We will give glory to God forever (Revelation 4:10–11).
Eternal satisfaction
All the needs of the soul will be fully satisfied in God.
Nothing temporary can fill the human heart, only God.
God will completely satisfy the believer in His presence (Psalm 103:5).
The destiny of the accursed: hell
Pain of loss: Expulsion from the presence of God (Matthew 25:30).
Suffering of remorse: Eternal guilt (Psalm 50:21).
Eternal punishment: Fire that does not go out and eternal judgment.
Total despair: There will be no way out or hope (Isaiah 66:24).
