Death, Then What

Introduction

This morning I want to preach a message that in today’s society and even in many of the churches isn’t a popular topic. The topic I’m speaking of is the reality of heaven and hell. The reward of heaven and the punishment of hell.

I believe in the reality of both places and will show you through scripture their existence. I also believe that at the moment you take your final breath your destination has already been decide. This decision wasn’t made by God but by you yourself.

We will be focusing on two passages of Scripture. First passage is located in Luke chapter 16 and the second will be found in Revelation chapter 20.

Luke 16:19-31 “The Rich Man and Lazarus”

Some people say this is only a parable. A parable according to Webster’s dictionary is “usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or religious principle”. In parables, Jesus never mentioned the names of people. In this story He did! I believe that this is a real life story that Jesus witnessed Himself and is testifying to the facts as he saw them.

Jesus taught just as much if not more about hell than about heaven. Look at some of the Scriptures about hell: (1) Wicked shall be turned into hell—Psalm 9:17. (2) Everlasting punishment—Daniel 12:2. (3) The people who will be in hell—Revelation 21:8. There will be no rest in hell—Revelation 14:11; 20:10. There are many more.

Heaven—v. 22. “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; “

2. Hell—v. 23. “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

3. Help—v. 24. The rich man cries out for water to cool his tongue, because he was tormented in hell.

4. Helpless—v. 25. Too late to change now. He had opportunity while he was alive. After death it’s too late— Hebrews 9:27

Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

5. Horror—v. 26. Once a person enters hell, he never gets out! The rich man did not go to hell because of his riches, but by neglect.

Four Things Which Will Not Be in Hell

There will be no rest in Hell.

There will be no revelation in Hell.

There will be no redemption in Hell.

There will be no recess in Hell.

Revelation 20:11-15 “Judgement Before the Great White Throne”

As mentioned in Hebrews 9:27 we will face Judgement and now we will look at the Judgement. Now this Judgement isnt the one that those who are blood bought and born-again will face. The judgement for believers is called the “Judgement Seat of Christ” found in 2 Corinthians 5:10-11.

The Judgement I will be discussing today is known as “the Great White Throne Judgement”. This Judgement everyone will be in attendance both saved and lost with different outcomes.

A. The Great White Throne Judgment; Rev. 20:11.

1. It is a throne of eternal justice.

2. It is no human court; Rev. 20:12.

3. It is a court where records will be examined; Rev. 20:12; Dan. 7:10.

At this judgment the sinner receives the final sentence for the condemnation already passed upon him. John 3:18 tells why a sinner is condemned.

John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

The sinner is sentenced to the Lake of Fire; Rev. 20:15.

The Good News

The good news is that you are here today and have an opportunity to make a decision. Will you accept the free gift of salvation or will you continue to reject Christ?

You aren't guaranteed your very next breath, you could leave this place and have a horrible accident, the Lord could sound the trumpet and call His children home. As we have seen through scripture that at your death your eternal destination has been decided. You will either believe unto salvation or you will rebel, refuse, and reject unto Hell.

Besides a real hell, there is also a real heaven! Notice some of the verses from the Bible: (1) The words of Jesus—John 14:1–6. (2) 2 Corinthians 5:1 tells of a home not made with human hands. (3) Abraham looked for a city made of God—Hebrews 11:10. (4) Paul told of being with Christ after death—2 Corinthians 5:8. (5) The Bible tells of the new heaven—Revelation 22:1–7. There are only two places—heaven and hell. Which place will you be after you die?

Between you and Hell stands the cross of Christ.

What you do with Christ decides where you will be!

Come. Submit yourself to the crucified and risen Christ who is able to save you (1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 10:4). You should then be able to say that the Lord Jesus Christ has delivered you from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10). Until you are saved, you are lost and are ready to drop into Hell at any moment.