Last things

Death

Physical death is universal

Job 30:23 ESV

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 ESV

No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness 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 ESV

Even 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 ESV

After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant 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 ESV

For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

See also 1 Co 15:51–52

Death is the penalty for unforgiven sin

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free 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 ESV

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of 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 ESV

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the 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 ESV

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.

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 ESV

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame 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 ESV

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

See also Da 12:2; Ac 24:15

Believers in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal life

John 6:40 ESV

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

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

Unbelievers will be condemned

John 5:29 ESV

and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

See also Mt 25:46

Believers will be given resurrection bodies

1 Corinthians 15:42–44 ESV

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

See also 1 Co 15:50–53

The last judgment

All face judgment after death

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

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

Judgment is entrusted to Jesus Christ

John 5:22 ESV

For the Father judges no one, but has given 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 ESV

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on 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 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to 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 ESV

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.

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 ESV

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

See also Is 6:1–3

God’s will is perfectly served in heaven

Matthew 6:10 ESV

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 ESV

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

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

1 Thessalonians 4:17 ESV

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will 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 ESV

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each 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 ESV

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

See also Mt 25:46

Hell is a place of fire, darkness and weeping

Revelation 20:15 ESV

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown 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 ESV

But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

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