Transcript What Happens When We Die?

Ecclesiastes 7:2
Ecclesiastes 7:2
“It is better to go to the house of
mourning, than to go to the house of
feasting: for that is the end of all
men; and the living will lay it to his
heart.”
2
Introductory Facts
What Death Is
The Realm of Hades
The Final Resurrection & Judgment
Heaven & Hell Awaiting
Summary & Conclusion
3

Death is an appointment all
will keep!
Job 30:23
“For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and
to the house appointed for all living.”
Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die…
Introductory Facts
4
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time
to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time
to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant,
and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A
time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break
down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep,
and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time
to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a
time to gather stones together; a time to
embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to
keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend,
and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a
time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to
hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
5

There is nothing man can do to
escape death!
Psalms 89:48
“What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he
deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?”
Ecclesiastes 9:2
“All things come alike to all: there is one event to the
righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean,
and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that
sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that
sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.”
Introductory Facts
6

Death can come suddenly like
the Lords coming!
Matt. 25:10-13
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came; and they that were ready went in with him
to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying,
Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and
said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor
the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
Introductory Facts
7

After death – the Judgment!
• One must prepare now!
Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment”
Amos 4:12
“…prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”
2 Corinthians 6:2
“…behold, now is the accepted time; behold,
now is the day of salvation”
Introductory Facts
8

A Judgment Implies:
•A Judge

Christ – Acts 17:30-31
Introductory Facts
9
Acts 17:30-31
“And the times of this ignorance God
winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent: 31
Because he hath appointed a day, in
the which he will judge the world in
righteousness by that man whom he
hath ordained; whereof he hath
given assurance unto all men, in that
he hath raised him from the dead.”
10

A Judgment Implies:
•A Standard
Christ’s Word - John 12:48
 The Apostle’s Words - John 17:8

Introductory Facts
11
The Standard – Christ’s Word!
“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” (John 12:48)
“For I have given unto them the words which
thou gavest me; and they have received them,
and have known surely that I came out from
thee, and they have believed that thou didst
send me” (John 17:8)
12
2 Peter 1:3
“According as his divine
power hath given unto
us all things that pertain
unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge
of him that hath called
us to glory and virtue.”
13
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A Judgment Implies:
•Accountability of EVERY:
Accountable Person – Rom. 14:12
 Work & Secret Thing – Eccl. 12:14
 Word – Matt. 12:35-37

Introductory Facts
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Every, Person, Work & Word
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself
to God” (Rom. 14:12)
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear
God, and keep his commandments: for this is the
whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work
into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be
good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13-14)
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men
shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day
of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified,
and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt.
12:36-37)
15

Death of the body is not the end!
•The beginning of eternal consequences!
“…enter thou into the joy of thy lord” – Matt. 25:23
“…Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire
prepared for the devil and his angels” – Matt. 25:41
Introductory Facts
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Introduction
What Death Is
17

Webster's Definition • A permanent cessation of all vital
functions : the end of life.
• An instance of dying.
• The state of being dead.
- Merriam-Webster
•Most have difficulty defining Death!
•But most can recognize it!
What Death Is
18

Strong’s Definition
• Death - Thanatos (properly, an adjective
used as a noun) death (literally or
figuratively)…
- Strong’s Dictionary
• God’s Word Gives A Concise Answer!
What Death Is
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
Man Is A Dual Being
• Composed of flesh & Spirit!

Created In God’s Image - Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7
• Body - the house of the spirit!

Returns to dust at death
• Spirit - the invisible part of man!

Returns to God at death
• Outward & Inward man – 2 Cor. 4:16-18
Genesis 2:7
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of
the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
20
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though
our outward man is perishing, yet the inward
man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our
light affliction, which is but for a moment, is
working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not
look at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen. For the things
which are seen are temporary, but the things
which are not seen are eternal.” (NKJ)
21
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Physical & Spiritual Death begin
with Adam - (cf. Gen. 2:17; 3:4)
“For since by man came death, by man came
also the resurrection of the dead. For as in
Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be
made alive” (1 Cor. 15:21-22)
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the
world, and death by sin; and so death passed
upon all men, for that all have sinned…For if by
one man's offence death reigned by one; much
more they which receive abundance of grace and
of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by
one, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:12 & 17)
What Death Is
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
Examples of Death
• Those of Genesis 5 died!
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“The book of the generations of Adam”
Lived long lives - all died, but Enoch! – vs. 24
“and he died” used 8 times
• All flesh died in the universal flood!
 Gen. 7:19-23
• Jesus Died!– Matt. 27:50

“Yielded up the ghost”
• Rich man & Lazarus died! – Luke 16:19-30
What Is Death?
23
Death Is A Departure
“For as the body without
the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead
also” (Jas. 2:26)
•Of Body & Spirit – Jas. 2:26; 2 Tim. 4:6-7
•From Earthly Affairs – Eccl. 9:5-6
“For I am now ready
to be offered, and the
time of my departure
is at hand. I have
fought a good fight, I
have finished my
course, I have kept
the faith”
From Earthly Affairs
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not
any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the
memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their
hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any
more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the
sun.”
25
Death Is A Departure
“For as the body without
the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead
also” (Jas. 2:26)
•Of Body & Spirit – Jas. 2:26; 2 Tim. 4:6-7
•From Earthly Affairs – Eccl. 9:5-6
•From God – Gen. 3:23-24; Isa. 59;1-2
“For I am now ready
to be offered, and
the time of my
departure is at hand.
I have fought a good
fight, I have finished
my course, I have
kept the faith”
From God
Genesis 3:23-24
Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden,
to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out
the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden
Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep
the way of the tree of life.
Isaiah 59:1-2
Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities
have separated between you and your God, and your sins have
hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
27
Death Is A Return!
“Then shall the dust return to
the earth as it was: and the
 Abraham - Gen.
25:8
spirit
shall return unto God
who
gave it” (Eccl. 12:7)
 Ishmael - Gen.
25:17
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Isaac - Gen. 35:29
Jesus – Lk. 23:46
Ananias - Acts 5:5
Herod - Acts 12:23
“gave up the ghost”
Acts 2:31 (NKJV)
"he, foreseeing this, spoke
concerning the resurrection
of the Christ, that His soul
was not left in Hades, nor
did His flesh see corruption”
Spirit returned to God!
Body returned to dust - saw corruption!
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Physical Death Divinely Defined!
“For as the body without the spirit is
dead, so faith without works is dead
also” (Jas. 2:26)
“Then shall the dust return to the earth
as it was: and the spirit shall return
unto God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7)
Cf. Matt:22:31-32
Where Does God Keep The Spirit?
Introductory Facts
What Death Is
The Realm of Hades
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
Hades – "the common receptacle of the
disembodied spirits" - (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon, pg. 11).
• “Hades” Rendered “Hell” in the KJV 11 times

Christ in Hades, but overcame death:
• Acts 2:25-32

“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ,
that his soul was not left in hell (Hades), neither his flesh did
see corruption” - vs. 31 (cf. Psa. 16:10)
• Lk. 23:43 - NKJV
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“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise”
• In Abraham’s bosom (Hades) - in comfort!
• Matt. 16:18
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“…the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”
• “Spirits in Prison” - 1 Peter 3:19-20 (cf. 2 Pet. 2:5)
Two Places In Hades
Hell (Hades)
31
Luke 16:19-24
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed
in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously
every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar
named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of
sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs
which fell from the rich man's table: moreover
the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it
came to pass, that the beggar died, and was
carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the
rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in
hell (hades) he lift up his eyes, being in
torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and
Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said,
Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send
Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in
water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented
in this flame.
32
Luke 16:25-30
25 Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy
lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise
Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and
thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between
us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they
which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither
can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou
wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I
have five brethren; that he may testify unto them,
lest they also come into this place of torment. 29
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the
prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay,
father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the
dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If
they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will
they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
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Rich Man
Lazarus
•Rich
•Beggar
•Clothed in Fine Linen
•Full of sores vs 20
•Fared Sumptuously Daily
•Desired Man’s Crumbs
AWas
Place
of v 22
•Died &
Buried
•Died v 22
•Aware & Conscious
A Place of
•Now Comforted
v 25
Conscious
Comfort
in v 23
•In Abraham’s
Bosom
Hades
•No sores, hunger, pain
•Remembered v 24
•Abraham Reminded v 25
•Begged for Relief v 24
•Abraham’s Reply – “NO”
•Warn his Brethren v 27
•Request Was Denied
•His Pleas Rejected v 26
•A Warning to All
Conscious
•Torment
in Hades v 23
Torment in
•Saw Abraham v 23
Hades
Beggar
vs. 26
Rich Man
Not a fictitious myth or ghost story!
Not a condition or state of mind!
It is real – the abode of departed spirits!
Hades
Preview
Luke 16:23, 28
Hell
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Introductory Facts
What Death Is
The Realm Of Hades
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
36

Oh! What a day it will be!
• All will come from the grave!

John 5:28-29
• Good raised to life!
• Evil raised to damnation!
• “Every eye will see him” – Rev. 1:7
• “Every knee shall bow” – Rom. 14:11
• “Every one shall give account” – Rom. 14:12

2 Cor. 5:10
• Earth and all things physical will be destroyed with
“fervent heat” – 2 Pet. 3:10
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
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A day of final separation &
sentencing!
• Matt. 25:31-46
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Sheep – righteous – “…come ye blessed…” vs- 34
• Final abode - “eternal life” – vs 46

Goats – unrighteous – “…depart…ye cursed…” vs-41
• Final abode - “everlasting punishment”
“And these shall go away into everlasting
punishment: but the righteous into life eternal”
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
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DURATION OF HEAVEN & HELL EQUAL
“And these will go away into everlasting punishment,
but the righteous into eternal life” - Matt. 25:46
“Everlasting
Punishment”
Gk: aionios
Hell
What is Done
With One
We Must Do
With
The Other
“Eternal
Life”
Gk: aionios
Heaven
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
The righteous will “meet the
Lord in the air!”
• 1 Thess. 4:13-18
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“The dead in Christ will rise first!”
Then, those who are alive and remain caught up!
Comforting words of assurance!
Eternal abode is NOT on earth!
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
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The Kingdom delivered up
to the Father!
• 1 Cor. 15:23-28

Will Subdue all!
• Last enemy-death defeated!

Death and Hades delivered up!
• Rev. 20:11-15

Christ will remain in Heaven – Not reign on earth!
• Reigning now!
• Death still remains!
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
41
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There will be a bodily
resurrection!
• 1 Cor. 15:35-44
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A body of the Lord’s choosing – vs 38
Christ the “firstfruits of them that slept” – vs 20
• Victorious over death!
• This assures the faithful!
 David’s confidence - Acts 2:26-27
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
42

“Will come as a thief in the
night”!
“Watch
• 2 Peter 3:10


Therefore, for ye know
neither the day nor the
hour wherein the Son
of man cometh” (Mt.
25:13)
Will find many sleeping!
Most are unprepared not watching!
• As in the day of the universal flood!


No excuses! No second chance!
The verdict will be FINAL and ETERNAL!
We Must Always Be Ready!
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
43
Introduction
What Death Is
The Realm of Hades
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
Heaven & Hell Awaiting
44
•Everlasting Torment & Punishment!
•Rev. 14:10-11
•Anguish, Agony & Despair!
•Matt. 8:12
•Separation from God!
•2 Thess. 1:7-9
•The Devil, His Angels & All Disobedient!
•Matt. 25:41; Rev. 21:8
•The Lake of Everlasting Fire & Brimstone!
•Rev. 20:10, 14, 15
•Never Ending Doom, Death & Destruction!
•Mk. 9:43-48
•Everlasting Bliss!
•Rev. 7:16-17; Rev. 21:4
•Fellowship in The Light of God’s Glory!
•Rev. 21:22-25
•The Faithful of All Ages!
•Matt. 8:11; Heb. 11
•The “city foursquare” – A Paradise!
•Rev. 21:16-21
•Ultimate Purity!
•Rev. 21:27
•Of Eternal Rest For the Souls of The Faithful!
•Rev. 14:13
46
Introduction
What Death Is
The Realm of Hades
The Final Judgment & Resurrection
Heaven & Hell Awaiting
Summary & Conclusion
47
Heb. 9:27
Eccl. 12:7
Gen. 3:19
Death
Jas. 2:26
Hades
“Abraham’s
Bosom”
Resurrection
of all dead
Heaven
Rev. 20:13-14
“Life eternal”
Matt. 25:46
“to meet the Lord in the
air; and so shall we ever
be with the Lord”
“Paradise”
1 Thess. 4:14-18
Lk. 16:22-23; 23:43
Act 2:22-36
Matt. 22:32
Saved in the
Kingdom
Acts 2:47; Col. 1:13
“Enter In”
“A Great Gulf Fixed”
Power of
Darkness &
Sin!
No passage or crossing!
Final Judgment!
Jn. 5:28-29; Matt. 25:31-46
Rev.1:7
Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10
“Depart”
Lk. 16:26
Col. 1:13
• Believe
“Place of
torment” - flame
and anguish!
(Gehenna)
•Repent
Lk. 16:23, 28
“Everlasting punishment”
Gospel
•Hear
Hell
•Confess
Matt. 25:46
•Baptized
“Second Death”
Rom. 1:16
Death
Hades
Hades
Final
Resurrection
Rev. 20:10-15
“where their worm dieth not,
and the fire is not quenched”
48
Mk. 9:43-48
HEAVEN
HELL
•A Real Place!
•A Real Place!
•Unimaginable Joy!
•A Place of Horror!
•Only The Faithful Few!
•Were Many Will Go!
•Place of Eternal Bliss!
•Unending Torment!
•Only Obedient Will Be!
•Devil, evil, disobedient!
•No Desire To Escape!
•No Way of Escape!
•Can Forfeit or Gain!
•A Place To Avoid!
49
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave,
where is thy victory? 56 The sting of
death is sin; and the strength of sin is
the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which
giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
50
Psalms 116:15
“Precious in the
sight of the LORD
is the death of His
saints”
51
“What Shall We Do?”
Acts 2:37

An alien sinner must…
• Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17
• Believe - Romans 10:10
• Repent – Acts 17:30
• Confess Christ - Acts 8:37
• Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38

An erring Child of God must…
• Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22
52
HEAVEN
HELL
•A Real Place!
•A Real Place!
•Unimaginable Joy!
•A Place of Horror!
•A Place of Eternal Bliss!
•Place Unending Torment!
•Obedient There!
•Devil, evil, disobedient!
•No Desire To Escape!
•No Way of Escape!
•Can Forfeit or Gain!
•A Place To Avoid!
Where Will You
•Only The Faithful Few!
•Many Will Go There!
Spend Eternity?
53