UNDERSTANDING DEATH AND THE LIFE AFTER

PURPOSE

In this study, we will research the many aspects of death and dying.

OPENER

How do you feel about death? Are you afraid of dying?

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LESSON

1. FIRST, WHAT DOES (JAMES 4:14) TELL US ABOUT LIFE?

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• Life is short no matter how many years we live. We cannot even count on tomorrow. Don’t be deceived into thinking that we have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, to enjoy our loved ones, or to do what we know you should. Live for God today!

Since life is short and unpredictable, and since Jesus' Second Coming could be right around the corner, according to the verses below, how are we to be living and preparing ourselves for the afterlife?

(Colossians 3:1-4)

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• We should spend our days focusing on spiritual and heavenly things. Setting our hearts on things above means striving to put heaven’s priorities into daily practice. Setting our minds on things above means concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal. We must not become too attached to what is only temporary.

(2 Peter 3:11-14)

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• We should be preparing ourselves spiritually. We are to be living holy and godly lives.

2. SECOND, EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE.

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Where do our physical bodies go after we die (Psalm 16:10; Job 11:8 NASV)?

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• Our physical bodies go to the grave or sheol. The Hebrew word "sheol" is probably derived from a root “to make hollow, and was seen as the common place of the dead, generally thought to be under or below the earth."

Where do our spirits go after we die (Luke 16:19-31) and how does the Bible describe these places?

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• Angels will escort Christians to Abraham's side or bosom. Abraham's side or bosom is a place where the righteous will be comforted (Luke 16:25), have own identity and conscious existence (Luke 16).

• Non-Christians will go to a place called Hades (Luke 16:23). The Greek root word for "Hades" {hah’-dace} (appears 10 times in the Greek New Testament Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; Revelation 1:18; 6:8; 20:13; 20:14) means “Hades, the underworld, a place or abode of the dead, the realm of the dead." It is the temporary residence of the persons awaiting final judgment. Hades is named after a Greek god whose name means ‘The Unseen.’ He was lord of the underworld, the abode of the dead. Hades is a place where the unrighteous will be in torment (Luke 16:23), in agony (Luke 16:24), cannot communicate with the living (Luke 16:26), and have no second chances for salvation after death (Luke 16).

After spending time at Abraham's side, or in Hades, what will happen next (John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)?

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• The Second Coming of Jesus... When He comes back, all people will be raised--some to live and some to be condemned.

After Jesus' Second Coming, we must all appear before what (2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27; Acts 17:31)?

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• We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. On that day, Jesus will sit on His throne in heavenly glory (Matthew 25:31). We will be judged on how well we followed and obeyed the Bible (John 12:48), and on how well we served others (Romans 2:6-7; Matthew 25:31f; Revelation 20:12-13).

After the judgement, where will people go to spend eternity (Matthew 25:46)?

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• The righteous will enter into eternal life or heaven, and the wicked or the unrighteous will enter into punishment or hell.

3. THIRD, WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE?

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Read the following verses. From these verses, what are some of the benefits of heaven?

(Revelation 21:3)

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• We will finally be united with God. We will live with God and He will take care of us.

(Revelation 21:4)

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• There will be no more sorrow.

(Revelation 7:16-17)

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• There will be no more hunger or thirst.

(Revelation 21:4)

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• There will be no more pain or death.

What do you think we will do in heaven?

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• We will be worshipping (Revelation 4:9-11; 7:11-12), praising (Revelation 7:9-12; 19:1-3, 6-8), and serving (Revelation 7:14-15; 22:3-5) God and Christ.

Why do you want to go to heaven?

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4. FOURTH, WHAT WILL HELL BE LIKE?

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Read the following verses. How do these passages describe hell?

(Matthew 25:41)

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• Hell is a place of fire. The Greek root word for “fire” is {poor} (appears 72 times in the Greek New Testament). Fire appears mostly as a means used by God to execute punishment -- in the case of Sodom (Genesis. 19:24); and in the case of hell (Matthew 25:41). Fire signifies pain, suffering, and punishment.

(Revelation 20:10)

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• People in hell will be tormented. The Greek root word for “torment” {bas-an-id’-zo} (appears 12 times in the Greek New Testament Matthew 8:6, 29; 14:24; Mark 5:7; 6:48; Luke 8:28; 2 Peter 2:8; Revelation 9:5; 11:10; 12:2) means “torture, torment, anguish of body or mind, the infliction of intense pain."

(Matthew 8:10-12; 25:28-30)

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• Hell will be a place of darkness. The Greek root word for “darkness” {skot’-os} (appears 31 times in the Greek New Testament) means “darkness, or gloom." In the Bible, darkness signifies the realm of sin, and evil.

(Matthew 25:46)

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• Hell will be eternal. The Greek root word for “eternal” {ahee-o’-nee-os} (appears 71 times in the Greek New Testament) means “eternal, without end, an unlimited duration of time."
  
  

5. FIFTH, HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE DEATH OF CHRISTIANS.

Read the following verses. What benefits do you see in the death of Christians?

(Psalm 116:15)

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• The dead in Christ are precious to God for He carefully chooses the time when they will be called into His presence. Let this truth provide comfort when you’ve lost a loved one.

(Philippians 1:21)

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• The dead in Christ will gain a lot more.

(Isaiah 57:2)

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• The dead in Christ have peace and are suffering no more.

(Isaiah 57:1; 2 Kings 22:20)

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• The dead in Christ are removed from evil. When good people die, it could be because God didn't want them to experience the evil that was to come.

6. LASTLY, HERE ARE SOME CLOSING QUESTIONS.

If Jesus came back today, or if you died today, would you be spiritually ready to meet God?

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If you feel that you are prepared, then praise the Lord (1 John 5:13). However, if you feel that you are not yet prepared, please read the following verses and explain what God wants you to do in order to get prepared.

(John 20:30-31; Romans 1:16-17)

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• In order to receive salvation, we must first believe in God and in Jesus.

(Acts 17:30; 3:19; Luke 13:3)

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• In order to receive salvation, we must repent of our sins. What does repentance mean? The Greek root word for "repentance" {met-an-o-eh’-o} (appears 34 times in the Greek NT) means "to change one's mind or purpose." It is a change of mind that results in a change of life. It is forsaking evil and following righteousness.

(Matthew 10:32-33)

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• In order to receive salvation, we must be willing to confess faith in Jesus. In other words, we must Jesus with others.

(Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 3:21)

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• In order to receive salvation, we must be immersed or baptized into Christ. Why are we baptized? We are baptized to receiving forgiveness of our sins (Acts 22:16). When we are baptized, we come into contact with the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from our sins (Romans 6:3-4).

(Revelation 2:10; Matthew 10:22)

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• In order to receive salvation, we must remain faithful to the end. The Greek word for “faithful” {pis-tos’} (appears 67 times in the Greek NT) means "faithful, reliable, trustworthy, dependable." Christians exhibit faithfulness by worshipping God (John 4:23-24), obeying the Scriptures (John 14:23), serving (1 Corinthians 15:58), sharing Jesus with others (Matthew 10:32; 28:19-20), staying away from sin (1 John 3:6), and loving one another (1 John 4:7; 3:11; John 15:12). If we want to go to heaven, then we must remain faithful to the very end.

Since God has graciously provided (Ephesians 2:8-10) you with the opportunity of salvation, do you want to receive it at this time?

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CONCLUSION:

1. Although the Bible teaches that we will all die physically, we can however all live spiritually.

2. If we are prepared spiritually, then we will live in heaven for all of eternity. On the other hand, if we are not prepared, then we will live in hell for eternity.

3. May we all choose the wonderful path that leads to heaven.  

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