Last things

Death

Physical death is universal

Job 30:23 NKJV

For I know that You will bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living.

See also 2 Sa 14:14; Ro 5:12

The timing of natural death is beyond human control

Ecclesiastes 8:8 NKJV

No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, And no one has power in the day of death. There is no release from that war, And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.

See also Ps 90:10; Mt 6:27; Jas 4:14

Death is not to be feared by the believer

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

See also Ps 116:15; Pr 14:32; Ro 14:8; Php 1:21; Re 14:13

For believers, death is likened to falling asleep

John 11:11–13 NKJV

These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

See also Mk 5:39; Ac 13:36; 1 Co 15:6

At the second coming, believers still living on earth will not experience death

1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 NKJV

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

See also 1 Co 15:51–52

Death is the penalty for unforgiven sin

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

See also 1 Ch 10:13; Pr 11:19; Ro 5:12

The second coming of Jesus Christ

The second coming is foretold

Matthew 26:64 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

See also Lk 21:27; Ac 1:11; Heb 9:28

The timing of the second coming is known only to God the Father

Matthew 24:36 NKJV

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

See also Mal 3:1; Mt 24:44; Re 16:15

God’s purpose at the second coming is to gather his people together, to reward the faithful and judge the wicked

Matthew 16:27 NKJV

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

See also Da 7:13–14; Mt 25:31–32; Jn 14:3; 1 Co 4:5; 1 Th 4:16–17; 1 Pe 5:4; 1 Jn 3:2; Jud 14–15

The right attitude towards the second coming

1 John 2:28 NKJV

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

See also Mk 13:35; Ac 3:19–20; 1 Ti 6:13–14; 2 Pe 3:11

The resurrection of the dead

All will be raised

John 5:28–29 NKJV

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

See also Da 12:2; Ac 24:15

Believers in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal life

John 6:40 NKJV

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

See also Jn 11:25; 2 Co 4:14; 1 Th 4:16

Unbelievers will be condemned

John 5:29 NKJV

and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

See also Mt 25:46

Believers will be given resurrection bodies

1 Corinthians 15:42–44 NKJV

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

See also 1 Co 15:50–53

The last judgment

All face judgment after death

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

See also Ro 14:12; 1 Pe 4:5; Re 20:11–12

Judgment is entrusted to Jesus Christ

John 5:22 NKJV

For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,

See also Ac 10:42; Ac 17:31; Re 1:18

Those who have not responded to Christ will be condemned

John 12:48 NKJV

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

See also 2 Th 1:7–8; 2 Pe 3:7; Jud 15; Re 20:15

Believers will not be judged for sin

John 5:24 NKJV

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

See also Jn 3:18; Ro 8:1–2; Ro 8:33–34

Believers will be judged on how they have lived their Christian lives

2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

See also 1 Co 4:5; Heb 9:28; 1 Jn 4:17

Heaven

God’s throne is in heaven where he is continuously worshipped

Revelation 4:9–10 NKJV

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

See also Is 6:1–3

God’s will is perfectly served in heaven

Matthew 6:10 NKJV

Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

See also 1 Ki 22:19

At Jesus Christ’s second coming, a new heaven and earth will replace the old

Revelation 21:1 NKJV

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

The redeemed will enjoy life in the presence of God in the new heaven

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

See also Mt 5:8; Php 3:20; Jud 24; Re 21:1–4

All life in heaven is sustained by God

Revelation 22:1–2 NKJV

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

See also Jn 6:58; Re 2:7; Re 21:23

Hell

Hell is the destiny of human beings who reject God

Mt 25:41 Hell was originally meant for the punishment of the devil and his angels.

See also Mt 13:41–42; Ro 2:8; Heb 10:26–27; Jud 6; Re 17:8

Those in hell are finally separated from God

2 Thessalonians 1:9 NKJV

These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

See also Mt 25:46

Hell is a place of fire, darkness and weeping

Revelation 20:15 NKJV

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

See also Mt 8:12; 2 Pe 3:7; Jud 7

Jesus Christ himself frequently warned about the dangers of hell

Luke 12:5 NKJV

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

See also Mt 5:29–30 Jesus Christ is using Eastern hyperbole, not intended literally, to stress importance; Mt 13:40