Sermon Tone Analysis

*Heaven … or Hell?*

 

Every person who dies will go to either heaven or hell.

Listen to a story in the Bible that demonstrates this truth:

 

Luke 16:19-31:

 

19     "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every

day.

20            At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  21  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table.

Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22  "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side.

The rich man also died and was buried.

23  In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

24  So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

25  "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

26  And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'  27  "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,  28  for I have five brothers.

Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

29       "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

30          "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

31  "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

(NIV)

 

This story demonstrates great hope and a secure future for those who are in Christ.

This story also shows that there is no hope for those outside of Christ.

In this message, I would like to present the hope of eternal like that those who are "in Christ" have at the time of their death; and the horror of eternal damnation -- eternal separation from God -- for those outside of Christ.

It is said that the Bible is the most optimistic book there is, and the most pessimistic.

For those who are Christians, it is optimistic.

Revelation 14:13:  "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in

the Lord from now on."

"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will

follow them."

(NIV)

 

¨     Along with Acts 22:17, only place in Scripture that the H.S. speaks directly.

¨     Their blessedness consists in "rest" from the onslaught of the dragon and his beasts during the Great Tribulation, and the assurance that their toils for Christ's name will not be in vain but will be remembered by the Lord Himself after their death (Heb.

6:10; cf. 1 Tim.

5:24-25).

¨     Therefore, it is speaking strictly in regards to tribulation saints, and emphasizes the martyr's future, but can also be applied to all believers.

¨     For this sermon, we will apply this verse in the broad context for all believers.

"*I heard a voice from heaven*"

 

 Information given is of utmost importance: solemnly communicated by a voice from heaven; and the apostle is commanded to write what is said.

"*Blessed are the dead*," or, "happy are the dead."

They are happy in two respects:

             

1.

They do not see the evil that shall come upon the world, and are exempted from any further sufferings.

2.

They actually and conscientiously enjoy happiness in a state of blessedness.

"*Who die in the Lord*"

 

These are the only glorious dead.

They die, not in the field of battle of man,

 

But they die in the cause of God, as part of God's family.

They die under God's approval.

They died, saved by the blood of Jesus.

And they die to live and reign with God forever and ever.

"*From Now On*"

 

/Aparti/: From this time; now; immediately.

As soon as the souls of the just depart from this life, they ascended immediately to heaven.

"*Yes, says the Spirit*"

 

The Holy Spirit confirms the declaration from heaven, and assigns the reasons of it.

* *

"*They will rest from their labors*"

 

"Rest" does not mean that life will be charac­terized by idleness and inac­tivity.

(1)            "Rest" in Biblical language carries the idea of satisfaction in labor or joy in 

accomplishment.

They no longer toil with that which is irksome or tiresome (under the curse).

(2)       Rest implies freedom from all that is evil.

There will be no temptation or hindrance by Satan.

There will be freedom from the outward cares and sorrows of life and from the vexation and

perplexi­ties of earthly matters.

There will be no more tribulation and distress.

"*For their deeds will follow them.*"

* *

Their good works, sufferings, etc., are represented as so many companions escorting them on their way to the kingdom of God.

They have laid up treasure in heaven.

When a believer dies, he or she will immediately be in heaven with the Lord.

*Intermediate State: Before all our taken from this earth.*

What is the intermediate state like?

Scripture indicates that there will be fellowship with other believers.

(Luke 16:22)

 

Revelation speaks of multitudes praising God together (7:9; 19:6).

There is no hunger, thirst, and no tears.

There is no hot, beating sun.

The Lamb is their shepherd.

They are led to the springs of the water of life.

Believers at death are perfected in holiness (Hebrews 12:23).

The soul of the believer enters a much higher plane of existence.

What about the unsaved?

What will it be like when they die?

When God's plans for this earth are done, there will be *The Great White Throne Judgment*

 

Revelation 20:11-15: "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it.

Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.

Another book was opened, which is the book of life.

The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

13  The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.

14  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.

The lake of fire is the second death.

15  If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."

(NIV)

 

This judgment will include every unsaved person who has ever lived except the beast & the false

prophet.

(Rev.

20:10)

 

Only the regenerate -- those who are God's -- will not be part of this experience.

Every human being will be brought before the Creator, his or her life is reviewed -- based on works

(Rev.

12, 13; Rom.

2:5-8), and his or her eternal destiny is decreed.

God has a perfect record of every thought, word, and deed of every human being.

Nothing is forgotten.