ANSWERING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS OF SCRIPTURE
What Happens After We Die?
Luke 16:22
OPENING ILLUSTRATIONS:
A young business owner was opening a new branch office, and a friend decided to send a floral arrangement for the grand opening. When the friend arrived at the opening, he was appalled to find that his wreath bore the inscription: “Rest in peace.”
Angry, he complained to the florist. After apologizing, the florist said, “Look at it this way—somewhere a man was buried under a wreath today that said, ‘Good luck in your new location.’“
Our neighbor’s cat was run over by a car, and the mother quickly disposed of the remains before her four-year-old son Billy found out about it. After a few days, though, Billy finally asked about the cat.
“Billy, the cat died,” his mother explained. “But it’s all right. He’s up in heaven with God.”
The boy asked, “What in the world would God want with a dead cat?”
INTRODUCTION:
One of the age old questions – What happens after we die? This has been the subject of much confusion. Much of the problem answering this question is a result of not wanting to deal realistically with the thought of death, or the thought of judgment. To the point, some have tried to dismiss an afterlife, or to skew the Scripture into declaring that certain aspects of what happens after death are merely misinterpretations, or scare tactics meant to capture and imprison the otherwise free mind of man.
What is important to realize, is that what happens after death is by divine institution, or sovereignty! As such, we do not have a say in what happens, only the opportunity to prepare for it. Our preparation now, is essential. There is not opportunity after we have died.
I DEFINING OUR TERMS (the Scripture uses four terms defining where we go after we die)
A Hell: The most common term used to describe the future punishment of the wicked. The Greek word is “Gehenna” and refers to a place in the Valley of Hinnom where human sacrifices had been offered and where rubbish is burned. It is a geographical term and has the final state of the unsaved in view
Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ’Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ’You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
B Sheol: The most frequently used word, it describes the place of all those who have died until the time of the resurrection. It is not a state of existence, but a place of conscious existence. Sheol makes no distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous.
Psalm 16:10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
Proverbs 9:18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.
C Hades: This is the New Testament counterpart to the word Sheol. In general it refers to the unseen world, but specifically to the place of the unsaved dead between death and the final judgment. This is a different word than Hell (Gehenna). This is a temporary place, while hell is a permanent place.
Luke 16:23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
Rev. 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
D The Lake of Fire: This refers to the eternal state of the unsaved. Forever separated from God, consigned to a special abode of suffering because they rejected Christ. Scripture also refers to this as the second death.
II WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BELIEVER AFTER DEATH?
A Where the believer goes when he dies.
1 Paradise
a Also called Abraham’s Bosom
b A heavenly place
c Not in the DIRECT presence of God
d It is an immediate transfer
Luke 16:22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
2 Cor. 12:4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
2 The Activity of Christ
a Important to see paradise in light of the cross
b Before the death of Christ – sin is still and issue. Sin keeps us from God
c At the death of Christ, the veil of the temple was ripped in two.
1) Symbolic of access to God
2) Sacrificial death of Christ REMOVED the barrier of sin and provided DIRECT access to God!
Ephes. 2:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephes. 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
3 The place for the believer now (same location, different quality)
a The believer NOW goes into the very presence of Christ at death
1) It is immediate
2) It is like going home!
Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Philip. 1:23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
WHERE IS JESUS?
(WE GO TO HEAVEN WHEN WE DIE)
2 Cor. 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
b Jesus is in heaven – Ephes. 1:20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
c Heaven is Paradise
2 Cor. 12:2-4 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. 3And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE PLACE WHERE THE BELIEVER RESIDES AFTER HE DIES IS THAT NOW AFTER THE CROSS PARADISE IS IN THE DIRECT PRESENCE OF GOD
4 The state of the believer yet to come
2 Cor. 5:1-10 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
a To receive a heavenly body – a body fit for heaven
b To stand before the judgment seat – “BEMA” seat
1) Not for the judgment of sins
2) For the judgment of deeds
1 Cor. 3:10-15 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
III WHAT HAPPENS TO THE UNBELIEVER AFTER DEATH
A The unbeliever moves to a place of torment
Luke 16:22-23 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
1 It is immediate
2 It is in hell
3 It is a place of torment – fire and agony
4 It is a place separate yet aware of Paradise (an awareness of what was lost)
5 It is a temporary place
UNDERSTAND MAN DOES NOT ARRIVE HERE BECAUSE OF A LACK OF EVIDENCE BUT A WILLFUL REFUSAL TO BELIEVE!
B The unbeliever awaits a resurrection
1 The unbeliever also receives a new body
Isaiah 45:23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
Romans 14:11 It is written: " ’As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ’every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ "
Philip. 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
a Literal knees
b Literal tongues
c Real body
2 It will come at the end of the age
Rev. 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
a Each will be judged according to his deeds
b Every act is recorded by God
c Every unbeliever will be condemned.
3 The Lake of fire
a Never intended for man
Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them, ’As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?’
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
b Intended for the devil and his followers
Matthew 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left, ’Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
c It is the Final place for anyone who has not trusted Christ as Savior
1) No second chances
2) No mistakes
3) No return
What is so shocking is that hell and the lake of fire are COMPLETELY avoidable, through the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price and Jesus paved the way to heaven and away from hell.
A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS SERMON -- PLEASE EMAIL FOR FILE
