What Happens After Death?

1. Why study such a topic? (James 1:12; II Cor 5:10-11; Titus 1: 9-11)

1. It encourages us to live that the blessings will be ours… James 1:12
2. It furnishes a stimulus and a theme for evangelism…II Cor 5:10-12
3. It helps one to answer inquirers, and to quiet deceivers…Titus 1:9-11
4. It helps to stimulate prayer…Luke 18:1-8
5. It can cause more glory to be given to God…Romans 2:4

2. What attitude should the Christian have about death? (Psalm 116:15; Isa. 57:1-2; Luke 16:22; II Cor 5:6-8)

1. Precious in the sight of God…Psalms 116:15
2. Removed from evil and at peace…Isaiah 57:1-2
3. Being carried away by angels to bliss…Luke 16:22
4. To be with Christ, at home with the Lord…II Cor. 5:6-8
5. A departure, an exodus…..II Timothy 4:6

3. What is the "two-fold nature" of man? (Matt. 10:28; II Cor. 4:16-18; I Peter 4:6)

1. Man is both body and soul, the soul can survive murder by a fellow man…Matt 10:28
2. There is "the inner man" renewed even while the outer man decays…II Cor. 4:16-18
3. Those who are "dead" but live in the spirit…I Peter 4:6
4. Rich man and Lazarus ….Luke 16:22-23
5. Promise to the thief on the cross…Luke 23:42-43

4. Where do the spirits of believers go at death? (Define Hades, Paradise, Tartarus, The Gulf)

Hades: the realm of the "unseen"
Paradise: the place of rest for the righteous
Tartarus: the place of torment for the wicked
The Gulf: separation between Paradise and Tartarus

(Chart)

5. Are the souls of the redeemed conscious or sleeping? (Matt. 27:52; John 11:11-14; I Thess. 4: 13-15)

1. The Scriptures often represent death as a "sleep"…Matt. 27:52
2. Jesus says of dead Lazarus, "our friend sleeps"…John 11:11-14
3. As Stephen is stoned to death, it is said "he fell asleep"… Acts 7:60
4. Brethren who were dead "sleep in Jesus"….I Thess 4:13-15

Death is called sleep, however:
Nowhere do the scriptures say the soul sleeps. It is the body which appears asleep.
Figurative: Sleep implies rest. Dead rest from their labors….Rev. 14:13
Sleep implies ceasing to participate. No longer active in the world they are leaving

Passages which indicate consciousness:
Luke 16:22-26 Abraham, the rich man, and Lazarus recognized each other.
Luke 23:43 Today, you shall be with me in Paradise. Unconsciousness?
Rev 6:9-11 Souls cried out. How can they is they are unconscious?
Rev 20: 4-6 Souls reigning with Christ without knowing what is going on?

6. Shall we know each other there? (Isa. 14:3-4; Ezekiel 32:17-32; Luke 16:19-31)

a. The king of Babylon is recognized by those in Hades upon his death…Isaiah 14:3-4
b. Pharaoh who is recognized by others in Hades, who in turn recognize those of Assyria,
Elam, Edom, etc. Ezekiel 32:17-32.
c. Rich man recognized both Lazarus and Abraham.

7. What is the condition of the wicked? (Luke 16:19-31; Luke 16:23-25: II Peter 2:9)

From the rich man and Lazarus we learn
The wicked do not cease to exist…he lifted up his eyes and saw.
Were aware of where they are and what is going on around them
Recognized others (Abraham, send Lazarus)
Remembered those who have yet to follow them in death (I have 5 brothers
Luke 16:23-25 In torments (four references)
The Lord reserves the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment…II Peter 2:9

8. What do we know about the Lord's second coming? (Acts 1:9-11; Acts 3:19-21; Acts 1:11; I Thess 5:2)

1. Proclaimed by angels at his ascension…Acts 1:9-11
2. Proclaimed by the apostles….Acts 3:19-21
3. He will come in person…. Acts 1:11
4. He will come without warning… I Thess 5:2
5. He will come "with the clouds"….I Thess 4:17

Purpose of his coming?
1. To raise the dead…John 5:28-29
2. Deliver up the kingdom to God….Acts 2:30-36
3. To judge the world and punish evil…II Peter 3:7
4. To usher in the "new heavens and the new earth"….II Peter 3:10-14

9. What do we know about the resurrection? (John 5:28-29; Acts 4:1-2; Matt. 22:19; Acts 24:15)

1. Jesus taught that there will be a resurrection….John 5:28-29
2. Apostles (Peter and John) preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead...Acts 4:1-2
3. It shows the power of God….Matthew 22:29
4. Paul taught all would be raised….Acts 24:15

10. What do we know concerning the judgment? (John 5:22; 26-27; I Cor. 6:2-3; II Cor 5:10)

1. Christ will be the judge…John 5:22
2. As claimed by Jesus himself…John 5:26-27
3. The "angels" will be judged…I Cor 6:2-3; II Peter 2:4
4. We will be judged by our deeds….II Cor 5:10

11. What is the eternal destiny of the redeemed? (Matt 25:31-34; Col. 1:5; I Peter 1:3-4)

1. Wonderful promises are given by Christ and his apostles….Matt 25:31-34
2. The "eternal abode" of the redeemed. Col 1:5
3. Home reserved in heaven for you I Peter 1:3-4

12. What is the eternal destiny of the wicked? (Matt. 7:21-23; Rev. 19:20; II Thess. 1:9)

1. Separation from God….Matt 7:21-23
2. Lake of Fire… Rev 19:20
3. Everlasting Punishment….II Thess 1:9