Between Death And Eternity

Where Are The Dead?

Text: Ecclesiastes 12:6,7

Thesis: To learn what the Bible teaches about the intermediate state between death and eternity.

Introduction:

  1. When planning a trip that requires time spent in an airplane, I like to find out what I can

        about that flight.  It is not my ultimate destination, but it can occupy several hours.  I want

        to know all I can about it, mainly out of curiosity.

  2. Heb. 9:27 - Though same may think we go immediately from this life to our eternal destiny,                 that's not what the Bible teaches.  There is an intermediate state ("after this") between                         death and eternity (except for those who are still living when Christ comes a second time).                  This is where loved ones are now residing, and it's natural for us to wonder what it's like.

  3. The Bible won't answer all of our questions about this intermediate state, but it will shed

        some light.  Let's see what we can learn from the information God has given.

Discussion:

I.       Souls Continue To Exist

A.    This is a truth that has to be accepted by faith.  To our eyes, the departed one has ceased to exist.  There is no more evidence of life, and so it seems they have passed entirely from existence.  If the body is exhumed years later, there may be little or no trace of that body remaining.  A materialist believes his eyes, and considers that death is the end of the road for people.

B.     Jewish glimpses of life after death:

1.      Job 14:14 - The idea was not clear, but there was a definite hope that death was not the end of people.

2.      Eccl. 12:7 - This is a well-known statement.  Solomon was affirming that death separates the body from the spirit.  What happens to the body does not necessarily happen to the spirit, this passage implies.

C.     Jesus lifted the veil (somewhat) of death:

1.      2 Tim. 1:10 - It was Jesus who brought life and immortality to light.

2.      Mat. 10:28 - Jesus stated that men can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.  This clearly shows that there is more to man than the physical.

3.      Mat. 22:31,32 - In answering the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, Jesus argued that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living - while pointing to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who were physically dead!

4.      Lk. 16:22,23 - Jesus, in His account of the rich man and Lazarus, noted they both died.  But they didn't cease to exist!  Even if this is a parable (which Jesus doesn't say it is), parables were always based on realities.  If this is a parable, it still shows what is real, on the other side of death.

D.    Though Jesus didn't give many details, He did make it clear that there would be life after death.  Of that the Christian may be certain.

II.    Souls Remain Conscious

A.    Acts 7:60 - The Bible sometimes uses "sleep" as a metaphor for death.  In sleep, we are not conscious.  Is this what the Bible intends to teach us by using this metaphor?

B.     Indications of consciousness after death:

1.      Mat. 17:3 - In the transfiguration, Jesus was joined by Elijah and Moses, men who had long been dead.  They were talking with Jesus.  Is this typical of the departed, or was this an exception?

2.      Lk. 16:24-28 - The rich man displayed consciousness in these ways:

a.       He recognized Abraham and Lazarus.

b.      He experienced anguish and torment.

c.       He communicated with Abraham.

d.      He was called upon by Abraham to remember events of his life on earth.

e.       He demonstrated concern for family members yet living on earth.

3.      Is there communication between the dead and those still living?

a.       George Harris: "In a recent 11-year period, the proportion of adults who say they have been in touch with the dead has risen from 27 percent to 42 percent." (In Psychology Today, 1/89)

b.      Lk. 16:29-31 - Abraham would not permit Lazarus (or anyone) to return to earth to warn the rich man's brothers.  The Bible is all a person needs; if they won't hear that, then one risen from the dead will not convince them.

c.       There is nothing anywhere in the Bible to indicate that anyone can cross that great gulf between Hades and those still living.

4.      Rev. 6:9-11 - John was shown a vision of those who had died for their faith.  Though the end had not yet come, they were impatient, asking God how much longer until their blood would be avenged.  This shows again that the dead remain conscious.

C.     Again, there's not much information given on this question.  This intermediate state is a time of waiting, and we don't like to wait.  What will we do during this time?  Will we be able to communicate with others who have died?  The Bible just doesn't say.

III. Souls Have Not Yet Reached Eternity

A.    It is very common to hear people speak of loved ones who have died as now being in heaven.  But that's again not what the Bible teaches.

B.     Hades, the abode of the dead:

1.      Where did Jesus go after death?

a.       Lk. 23:43 - Jesus told the thief that he would join Him that day in Paradise.

b.      Acts 2:27 - Peter, quoting David, said that Jesus had been in Hades.  Which is it?

c.       Hades refers to the entirety of the realm of the dead.  Paradise is where those who are righteous dwell during this time.  (The KJV confused things by translating the 10 references to Hades as "Hell".

2.      Lk. 16:23 - Jesus said that the rich man, who was in torments, was also in Hades.

3.      Mat. 25:46 - Jesus taught that eternal destinies begin after the judgment. 

4.      Rev. 20:13,14 - The judgment of all mankind will not take place until after the resurrection.  Following the resurrection, Death and Hades will be destroyed - there will be no further need of this "waiting room".

C.     From Jesus' depiction in Luke 16, the righteous will be comforted and the unrighteous will be tormented - much like they will be in eternity.  But to be precise, these are not yet the final eternal conditions.  Saints will not inhabit heaven until after the judgment.

Conclusion:

  1. Jn. 14:3 - Jesus' words of comfort to His apostles are still true for us.  We may not know

        many details about what awaits us beyond death, but if Jesus has prepared it, we know it

        will be wonderful!

  2. Victor Hugo: "When I go down to the grave I can say, like so many others:  I have finished                      my work, but I cannot say I have finished my life. My day's work will begin the next morning.          My tomb is not a blind alley.  It is a thoroughfare.  It closes in the twilight to open in the                       dawn."

  3. The future belongs to God!  Let us use what we are given in the present to serve and to

        glorify the Lord.