ESCHATOLOGY

  1. DEATH.

1. DEATH IS A CONSEQUENCE OF HUMAN SIN (GEN. 2:17, 3:17-19; ROM. 5:12-21).

2. DEATH IS SEPARATION FROM EARTHLY EXISTENCE (1 TIM. 6:7; PS. 49:16).

3. DEATH IS UNIVERSAL FOR ALL HUMANKIND (HEB. 9:27; ECCLES 9:3).

4. THE DURATION OF LIFE.

  1. IS IN GOD’S HANDS (1 SAM. 2:6; ISA 38:4-5).
  2. IS UNKNOWN (GEN. 27:2; JAM. 4:13-14).
  3. IS SHORT (JAM. 4:14; PS. 144:4; 90:10; 39:5).
  1. THE INTERMEDIATE STATE (Lk. 16:19-31).

HERE IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN

ONE SECOND AFTER DEATH:

  1. CHRISTIANS WILL GO TO ABRAHAM’S SIDE OR BOSOM (LK. 16:22).

a. ANGELS WILL ESCORT THE SPIRITS OF THE RIGHTEOUS TO ABRAHAM’S SIDE OR PARADISE (LK. 16:22). THIS PLACE IS IN HADES (ACTS 2:25-28; 1 COR. 15:55).

b. ABRAHAM’S SIDE OR PARADISE IS A PLACE WHERE THE RIGHTOUS WILL BE / HAVE:

(1)Comforted (Lk. 16:25).

(2)Own identity (Lk. 16).

(3)A conscious existence (Lk. 16).

(4)See Jesus.

a. OT indicates that after the righteous dies, his or her spirit goes to be with God (Ecc. 12:7).

b. Jesus promised that the thief on the cross would be with Him in paradise (Lk. 23:24).

c. Before Stephen in (Acts 7:59) died, he prayed “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

d. The Apostle Paul felt that once he died, he would go to be with Christ (Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:6-8).

  1. NON-CHRISTIANS, THOSE WHO DID NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, WILL GO TO A PLACE CALLED HADES (LK. 16:23).

The Greek root word for "Hades"hades {hah’-dace}(appears 10 times in the Greek New Testament Mt. 11:23; 16:18; Lk. 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13; 20:14)means “Hades, the underworld (BAG), a place or abode of the dead (Semantic Domains), the realm of the dead. It is the temporary residence of the persons awaiting final judgment. Hades is named after a Greek god whose name means ‘The Unseen.’ He was lord of the underworld, the abode of the dead. The OT word (Sheol) has the same concept as Hades in the NT.

  1. HADES IS A PLACE OF:

(1)Fire (Lk. 16:24) – The Greek root word for“fire”  {flox}(appears 7 times in the Greek New Testament Lk. 16:24; Acts 7:30; 2 Thess. 1:8; Heb. 1:7; Rev. 1:14; 2:18; 19:12) means “flames (BAG), the burning vapor surrounding an object on fire - ‘flame” (Semantic Domains). In the Bible, Fire appears mostly as a means used by God to execute punishment (Gen. 19:24; Mt. 25:41). Fire signifies pain, suffering, and punishment.

(2)Darkness (Mt. 8:10-12; 22:13; 25:29) – The Greek root word for“darkness” skotos {skot’-os}(appears 31 times in the Greek New Testament) means “darkness, or gloom (BAG), In the Bible, darkness signifies the ‘realm of sin, and evil" (Semantic Domains).

(3)Torment (Lk. 16:23) – The Greek root word for“torment”  {bas’-an-os} (appears 3 times in the Greek New Testament Mt. 4:24; Lk. 16:23, 28) means “torture, torment, severe pain” (BAG).

(4)Agony (Lk. 16:24) - The Greek root word for“agony”  {od-oo-nah’-o}(appears 4 times in the Greek New Testament Lk. 2:48; 16:24, 25; Acts 20:38) means “feel pain (BAG), signifies to suffer pain, be in anguish, be greatly distressed” (Vines).

(5)Conscious existence (Lk. 16).

(6)No second chances for salvation after death (Lk. 16).

(7)Dead cannot communicate with the living (Lk. 16:26).

(8)Stay is limited (Rev. 20:13).

  1. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS.

1. GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS WHEN THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS WILL TAKE PLACE (MT. 24:36-39).

2. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS IS NEAR (JAM. 5:8; REV. 22:7, 20).

3. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS WILL COME SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY (1 THESS. 5:1-4; MT. 24:42-44).

EVENTS AND BEINGS THAT ACCOMPANY JESUS’ SECOND COMING:

  1. ANGELS (MT. 25:31; MK. 8:38; 2 THESS. 1:7).
  2. ARMIES OF HEAVEN (REV. 19:11-14).
  3. BLAZING FIRE (2 THESS. 1:7).
  4. CLOUDS OF HEAVEN (MT. 24:30; 26:64; REV, 1:7).
  5. COSMIC PHENOMENA (ACTS 2:19; 2 PET, 3:10; MK, 13:24-25).
  6. THE GATHERING OF THE SAINTS (1 THESS, 4:16-17; MT, 24:31).
  7. A LOUD COMMAND (1 THESS, 4:16).
  8. A MULTITUDE OF FOLLOWERS (1 THESS, 3:13).
  9. THE TRUMPET CALL (1 COR. 15:52; 1 THESS. 4:16).
  10. THE VOICE OF ARCHANGEL (1 THESS. 4:16).
  1. HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT BELIEVERS SHOULD BE DOING WHILE WAITING FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS.

1. BELIEVERS SHOULD BE PREPARING THEMSELVES SPIRITUALLY (2 PET. 3:11-14).

2. BELIEVERS SHOULD BE UTILIZING THEIR TALENTS AND ABILITIES (MT. 25:14-46).

  1. THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

1. DURING THE SECOND COMING, WHEN JESUS COMES DOWN FROM HEAVEN (1 THESS. 4:16-17), THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FROM THEIR GRAVES TO MEET JESUS IN THE CLOUDS. THEN, EVERYONE IN CHRIST WHO IS ALIVE ON THE EARTH WILL ALSO RISE TO MEET JESUS IN THE CLOUDS. BOTH CHRISTIANS AND NON CHRISTIANS WILL BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD AT THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS TO FACE THE JUDGEMENT (JN. 5:28-29; DAN. 12:2; 2 COR. 5:10).

RESURRECTION IN THE OT

There is little about the resurrection in the OT. That is not to say that it is not there. It is. But it is not prominent. The men of the OT were very practical men, concentrating on the task of living out the present life in the service of God, and they had little time to spare for speculation about the next. Moreover, it must not be forgotten that they lived on the other side of Christ’s resurrection, and it is this which gives the doctrine its basis. Sometimes they used the idea of resurrection to express the national hope of the re-birth of the nation (Ezk. 37). The plainest statement on the resurrection of the individual is undoubtedly that in (Dn. 12:2). This clearly envisages a resurrection both of the righteous and of the wicked, and it sees also eternal consequences of men’s actions. There are other passages which look for resurrection, chiefly some in the Psalms (Pss. 16:10f; 49:14f.). Sometimes the prophets also give utterance to this thought (Is. 26:19). But on the whole, the OT says little about it.

RESURRECTION IN THE NT

Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, but one day all people will rise as well. The Sadducess refuted the resurrection, however, Jesus refuted their skepticism with an interesting argument from Scripture (Mt. 22:31-32). The general NT position of the resurrection is that since Jesus was raised from the dead, mankind will be raised as well (Jn. 11:25). Several times Jesus spoke of raising believers up at the last day (Jn. 6:39-40, 44, 54). The NT writers spoke freely about the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:21f; 1 Thess. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:3).

This does not mean, however, that all who rise will rise to receive blessings. Jesus speaks of ‘the resurrection of life’ but also of ‘the resurrection of judgment’ (Jn. 5:29 NASV). The plain NT teaching is that all will rise, but that those who have rejected Christ will find the resurrection a serious matter indeed. For believers, the resurrection will be a joy. For unbelievers, the resurrection will be a nightmare.

WHAT WILL OUR RESURRECTED BODIES BE LIKE?

  1. OUR RESURRECTED BODIES WILL BE SPIRITUAL (1 COR. 15:44) AND LIKE THAT OF JESUS’ RESURRECTED BODY (PHIL. 3:20-21; 1 JN. 3:2).

What was Jesus’ resurrected body like?

(1)Jesus’ resurrected body contained His own identity (Lk. 24:36-39).

(2)Jesus’ resurrected body consisted of flesh and bones (Lk. 24:39).

How can the resurrected body consist of flesh and bones when Paul says that flesh and blood cannot enter into the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:50)?

Paul in (1 Cor. 15:50f) is not speaking of flesh as such, but of corruptible or perishable flesh. So Paul is not saying that the resurrection body will not have flesh, but that it will not have perishable flesh. The new body that we have will not decay…

(3)Jesus’ resurrected body was able to eat food (Lk. 24:41-42).

I believe that that Christians will eat and drink in heaven (Rev. 2:7; Mt. 26:29).

(4)Jesus’ resurrected body enabled Him to pass through doors and appear and disappear (Jn. 20:19, 26).

2. AT THE RESURRECTION, PEOPLE WILL NEITHER MARRY NOR BE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE (MT. 22:30).

3. IF JESUS WAS NOT RAISED FROM THE DEAD, THEN OUR FAITH IS USELESS (1 COR. 15:14).

  1. JUDGMENT DAY.
  1. THE JUDGMENT DAY IS A CERTAINTY (2 COR. 5:10; HEB. 9:27; ACTS 17:31).
  1. JESUS WILL BE THE JUDGE ON THAT DAY.

(1)Jesus (Jn. 5:22; Acts 17:31; 10:36).

(2)Twelve Apostles (Lk. 22:29-30).

WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE JUDG. DAY?

  1. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT WILL BEGIN WITH THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS (1 THESS. 4:16-18; 2 THESS. 1:7-9).
  1. JESUS WILL SIT ON HIS THRONE IN HEAVENLY GLORY (MT. 25:31).
  1. BEFORE JUDGMENT BEGINS, THE EARTH AND SKY ARE DESTROYED BY FIRE (REV. 20:11-12; 2 PET. 3:10).
  1. AFTER THAT DESTRUCTION, THE PEOPLE WILL BE JUDGED (REV. 20:12-13).

(1)Books are opened.

WHAT WILL WE BE JUDGED ON?

(a)We will be judged on how well we followed and obeyed the Words of Jesus (Bible Jn. 12:48).

(b)We will be judged on how well we served others (deeds or works Rom. 2:6-7; Mt. 25:31f; Rev. 20:12-13).

(c)We will be judged on the things we done while in the body (2 Cor. 5:10).

  1. AFTER THE JUDGMENT PERIOD, WE WILL THEN WITNESS THE GREATEST SEPARATION THAT THE WORLD WILL EVERY SEE (MT. 25:31-46).
  1. THE RESULTS IN JUDGMENT:

(1)The Righteous will enter into eternal life or heaven (Mt. 25:46).

(2)The Wicked will enter into eternal punishment or hell (Mt. 25:4; Mt. 5:22; Mk. 9:43).

(a)Satan’s defeat (Rev. 20:10).

  1. HAVE THE MESSIANIC BANQUET (MT. 26:27-29).
  2. JESUS HANDS OVER THE KINGDOM BACK TO HIS FATHER (1 COR. 15:24).
  1. HEAVEN.

The Greek root word for "Heaven"ouranos {oo-ran-os’}(appears 273 times in the Greek New Testament)means “the space above the earth, the sky (Mt. 24:31 NASV; Heb. 11:12); the supernatural dwelling place of God and other heavenly beings (Mt. 18:10; Lk. 11:13; Ps. 14:2) not built with human hands (2 Cor. 5:1); and is eternal” (2 Cor. 5:1; 4:17; Jn. 10:28; Rom. 6:22-23) (Semantic Domains).

How many heavens are there? Jesus said to have passed through the heavens (Heb. 4:14). Paul referred to the third heaven in (2 Cor. 12:2). The third heaven is referred to as paradise (2 Cor. 12:2-4). Heaven is one domain with many parts; parts that we do not fully understand.

The Greek Root word for“Paradise” is  {par-ad’-i-sos}(appears 3 times in the Greek New Testament Lk. 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). The word paradise in (Lk. 23:43) is used by Jesus for a place where souls go immediately after death. The same idea is also present in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31).In (2 Cor. 12:2-4), Paul wrote in the third person of his experience of being caught up into paradise where he heard unspeakable words. In this case paradise is the ‘third *heaven‘ with its glory, perhaps the same as in (Lk. 23). The only place where paradise is used in an eschatological sense is in (Rev. 2:7). The promise is made by Christ that he will give paradise as a gift to the one who overcomes. The present paradise will come in its full glory with the final consummation. The idea of a garden of God in the world to come is strongly emphasized in the last chapters of Revelation. The symbols of the tree of life, of life-giving water, and of the twelve kinds of fruit are all witnesses to the glory of the coming paradise (Rev. 22). The word paradise is derived from an Old Persian word meaning “enclosure, and thus was applied to a garden or park.” For that reason, a number of commentators have believed that in (Rev. 2.7), it is appropriate to translate ‘the garden of God,’ especially since in the context the reference is to the fruit of the tree of life (The New Bible Dictionary).

1. THE BENEFITS OF HEAVEN.

  1. CHRISTIANS WILL BE WITH GOD AND CHRIST (REV. 21:3; JN. 14:3; ISA. 60:19-20).
  1. CHRISTIANS WILL BE SEPARATED FROM THE WICKED (REV. 22:14-15).
  1. THERE WILL BE NO MORE SORROW (REV. 21:4).
  1. THERE WILL BE NO MORE HUNGER OR THIRST (REV. 7:16-17).
  1. THERE WILL BE NO MORE PAIN OR DEATH (REV. 21:4).

2. ACTIVITIES IN HEAVEN.

  1. CHRISTIANS WILL BE WORSHIPPING GOD AND CHRIST (REV. 4:9-11; 7:11-12).
  1. CHRISTIANS WILL BE PRAISING GOD AND CHRIST (REV. 7:9-10; 19:1-3, 6-8).
  1. CHRISTIANS WILL BE SERVING GOD AND CHRIST (REV. 7:14-15; 22:3-5).

3. CHRISTIANS ARE TO LAY UP THEIR TREASURES IN HEAVEN (MT. 6:20; LK. 12:33).

4. THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE DEATH OF CHRISTIANS:

  1. THEY ARE BLESSED (REV. 14:13).

I. THEY HAVE GAINED A LOT MORE (PHIL. 1:21).

  1. THEY HAVE PEACE (ISA. 57:2).

II. GOD IS WITH THEM (PS. 23:4).

  1. THEY ARE PRECIOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT (PS. 116:15).

III. THEY ARE REMOVED FROM THE COMING EVIL(ISA. 57:1; 2 KINGS 22:20).

  1. HELL.
  1. WORD’S USED FOR HELL.

The Hebrew word "Sheol" is probably derived from a root “to make hollow,” and was seen as the common place of the dead, generally thought to be under or below the earth” (Ps. 16:10; Job 11:8; Dt. 32:22 NASV) (Vines).

The Greek word for"Hades"hades {hah’-dace}(appears 10 times in the Greek New Testament Mt. 11:23; 16:18; Lk. 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13; 20:14)means “Hades, the underworld (BAG), a place or abode of the dead (Semantic Domains), the realm of the dead. It is the temporary residence of the persons awaiting final judgment. Hades is named after a Greek god whose name means ‘The Unseen.’ He was lord of the underworld, the abode of the dead. The OT word (Sheol) has the same concept as Hades in the NT.

The Greek root word for "Hell" {gheh’-en-nah} (appears 12 times in the Greek New Testament Mt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15; 23:33; Mk. 9:43, 45, 47; Lk. 12:5; Jam. 3:6)is the final and eternal state of the wicked after the last judgment. The Greek termis derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning ‘Valley of Hinnom. The Valley of Hinnom was a place where children were sacrificed by fire to the pagan gods (2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chron. 28:3). In the first century, the Valley of Hinnom, a ravine running along the south side of Jerusalem, became a place where the rubbish from the city was constantly being burned. According to late Jewish popular belief, the last judgment was to take place in this valley, and hence the figurative extension of meaning from ‘Valley of Hinnom’ to ‘hell.’ In most languages gehenna is rendered as ‘place of punishment’ or ‘place where the dead suffer’ or ‘place where the dead suffer because of their sins (Semantic Domains). Being in Gehenna or Hell, is like being burned alive – eternal punishment!

The Greek root word for"tartarus" {tar-tar-o’-us}(appears 1 time in the Greek New Testament 2 Pet. 2:4)means “hell, a place of torture or torment” (Semantic Domains). Tartaros is the classical word for the place of eternal punishment but is here applied to theintermediate sphere of punishment for fallen angels.

  1. DESCRIPTIONS OF HELL.
  1. PLACE OF FIRE (MT. 25:41; 3:12; 18:8; 13:41-42; ISA. 66:24).

The Greek root word for“fire”  {poor}(appears 72 times in the Greek New Testament). Fire appears mostly as a means used by God to execute punishment -- in the case of Sodom (Gen. 19:24); and in the case of hell (Mt. 25:41)” (BAG). Fire signifies pain, suffering, and punishment.

  1. PLACE OF TORMENT (REV. 20:10).

The Greek root word for“torment”  {bas-an-id’-zo} (appears 12 times in the Greek New Testament Mt. 8:6, 29; 14:24; Mk. 5:7; 6:48; Lk. 8:28; 2 Pet. 2:8; Rev. 9:5; 11:10; 12:2) means “torture, torment (BAG), anguish of body or mind, the infliction of intense pain” (Websters).

  1. DARKNESS AND WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH (MT. 8:10-12; 25:28-30).

The Greek root word for“darkness” skotos {skot’-os}(appears 31 times in the Greek New Testament) means “darkness, or gloom (BAG). In the Bible, darkness signifies the ‘realm of sin, and evil" (Semantic Domains).

  1. SEPARATION FROM RIGHTEOUS (MT. 13:47-50) AND GOD (2 THESS. 1:8-9).
  1. PLACE OF EVIL DOERS (MT. 7:19-23; 1 COR. 6:9-10; GAL. 5:19-21; EPH. 5:5).
  1. ETERNAL (MT. 25:46).

The Greek root word for“eternal”  {ahee-o’-nee-os} (appears 71 times in the Greek New Testament) means “eternal, without end (BAG), an unlimited duration of time (Semantic Domains).

  1. SNATCH OTHERS FROM HELL (JUDE 23).
  1. JESUS VISITED HADES (ACTS 2:31; 1 PET. 3:19).