What Is The Value Of Such A Study?

Life after Death

What Is The Value Of Such A Study?

What Should Be Our Attitude Towards Death?

What Is The Nature Of Man?

Where Do The Spirits Of Believers Go After Death?

Are The Souls Of The Redeemed Conscious?

Shall We Know Each Other There?

What Is The Condition Of The Wicked?

What Do We Know About The Lord's Second Coming?

What Do We Know About The Resurrection?

What Do We Know About The Judgment?

The Eternal Destiny Of The Redeemed

The Eternal Destiny Of The Wicked

INTRODUCTION

1. Mankind has long been fascinated with the subject of life after death

2. Such fascination has given rise to such things as:

a. Interest in the occult

b. Speculation concerning the timing and events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ

3. It has also created much confusion among those who are Christians, who have every reason to look forward to the future with certainty and great expectation

4. Though the Bible has much to say about what will occur after death and in the future, many have not studied the Bible carefully on this subject

a. Their knowledge may be limited to what they have heard or seen on religious TV and radio programs

b. Or their understanding may be based upon a point of view that is taught by their religion's creed, rather than the Bible itself

5. It is my prayer that this series of lessons on "Life After Death" may help increase our understanding on what the Bible itself actually teaches on the subject

[In this lesson, I wish to answer the question, "What is the value of such a study?" But first, it may help to define a couple of terms...]

I. DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. ESCHATOLOGY...

1. The systematic study of that which the Bible has revealed regarding the future is called "eschatology"

2. The term comes from two words...

a. eschatos - meaning "last things"

b. logos - meaning "word" or "discourse"

3. Therefore, eschatology is a discourse or study about the last things

B. INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY vs. GENERAL ESCHATOLOGY...

1. The field of "eschatology" can be divided into two general areas

2. Individual eschatology...

a. Pertains to what happens to the individual between death and the final return of Christ

b. Otherwise known as the "intermediate state"

3. General eschatology...

a. Pertains to what will happen when and after Christ's final coming

b. This relates to what we might call our "eternal destiny"

4. In this series of lessons, we will consider both fields of eschatology...

a. Beginning with "individual" eschatology

b. Because for much of mankind, their death precedes the coming of Christ

[But what is the value of such a study, besides answering our curiosity? Is such a study really practical? Consider, then...]

II. THE VALUE OF SUCH A STUDY

A. IT ENCOURAGES US TO SOLIVE THAT THE BLESSINGS WILL BE OURS...

1. The Lord has promised wonderful blessing to those who endure - James 1:12

James 1:12 ESV

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

2. It is entirely proper for the believer to seek whatever blessings God has prepared for the righteous - 1 Pe 3:8-12

1 Peter 3:8–12 ESV

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

B. IT FURNISHES A STIMULUS AND A THEME FOR EVANGELISM...

1. Knowing what lay ahead for sinful mankind motivated Paul to preach - 2 Co 5:10-11

2 Corinthians 5:10–11 ESV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

2. It should also motivate sinners to obey - Ac 17:30; Mt 16:24-27

Acts 17:30 ESV

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Matthew 16:24–27 ESV

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

C. IT HELPS ONE TO ANSWER INQUIRERS, AND TO QUIET DECEIVERS...

1. Many are sincerely interested, and we should be able to give them the correct teaching - 1 Pe 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

2. But there are many bent on teaching their false doctrine, and we should be able to refute them - Ti 1:9-11

Titus 1:9–11 ESV

9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. 10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

D. IT HELPS TO STIMULATE PRAYER...

1. The importance of prayer to the Christian can never be overemphasized - cf. Lk 18:1-8

Luke 18:1–8 ESV

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

2. Meditating upon the "end times" can stimulate serious and watchful prayer - 1 Pe 4:7

1 Peter 4:7 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

E. IT CAN STRENGTHEN LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER...

1. Read carefully 1 Pe 4:7-10

1 Peter 4:7–10 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

2. Increasing our understanding for what awaits the faithful can spur greater devotion and service to one another (cf. Mt 25:31-46)

Matthew 25:31–46 ESV

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

3. That service in turn strengthens our love for one another!

F. IT CAN CAUSE MORE GLORY TO BE GIVEN TO GOD...

1. Note carefully Ro 2:4, where we learn the goodness of God leads men to repent

Romans 2:4 ESV

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

2. The more we learn of God's goodness which He has prepared for those who love and obey Him, the more we (and others) will repent...resulting in the glory of God - cf. 1 Pe 4:11

1 Peter 4:11 ESV

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

G. IT CAN INCREASE INCENTIVE TO BE STEADFAST IN THE FAITH...

1. Consider 1 Pe 5:8-9

1 Peter 5:8–9 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

2. The more we strengthen the inner conviction...

a. That hell is real

b. That it is Satan's sinister purpose to devour as many people as possible

...the more incentive we will have to remain steadfast in the faith!

CONCLUSION

1. Far from being an impractical subject of study, the truths concerning the "last things" can be of inestimable value to our present life

2. As John wrote, our hope in the One Who is coming, and what that means for us, can help to "purify" ourselves - cf. 1 Jn 3:2-3

1 John 3:2–3 ESV

2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

In our next study, we shall begin looking at individual eschatology by examining different attitudes held towards death itself...