Last things

Death

Physical death is universal

Job 30:23 KJV 1900

For I know that thou wilt 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 KJV 1900

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that 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 KJV 1900

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy 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 KJV 1900

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of 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 KJV 1900

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

See also 1 Co 15:51–52

Death is the penalty for unforgiven sin

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ 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 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in 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 KJV 1900

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not 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 KJV 1900

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man 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 KJV 1900

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, 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 KJV 1900

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

See also Da 12:2; Ac 24:15

Believers in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal life

John 6:40 KJV 1900

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on 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 KJV 1900

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

See also Mt 25:46

Believers will be given resurrection bodies

1 Corinthians 15:42–44 KJV 1900

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; 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 KJV 1900

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, 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 KJV 1900

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto 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 KJV 1900

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall 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 KJV 1900

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto 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 KJV 1900

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be 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 KJV 1900

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever 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 KJV 1900

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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 KJV 1900

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

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

1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV 1900

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever 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 KJV 1900

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and 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 KJV 1900

Who 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 KJV 1900

And whosoever was 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 KJV 1900

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

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