Eschatology and Eschatology and EcclesiologyEcclesiology

The Biblical View ofThe Biblical View ofDeathDeath

&&The Intermediate StateThe Intermediate State

The Biblical View of DeathThe Biblical View of Death

Death is a consequence of Man’s fall in the Death is a consequence of Man’s fall in the garden (Gen 2:16-17; 3:19; Rom 5:12).garden (Gen 2:16-17; 3:19; Rom 5:12).

Basic meaning of death is “separation.”Basic meaning of death is “separation.” Three kinds of death taught in the Bible.Three kinds of death taught in the Bible.

Physical death – temporary separation of the Physical death – temporary separation of the soul from the body (James 2:26).soul from the body (James 2:26).

Spiritual death – spiritual separation from God as Spiritual death – spiritual separation from God as a result of sin (Eph 2:1).a result of sin (Eph 2:1).

Eternal death – eternal separation of an Eternal death – eternal separation of an individual from God after resurrection (Rev 20:5, individual from God after resurrection (Rev 20:5, 12-15).12-15).

Significance of DeathSignificance of Death For OT SaintsFor OT Saints

Death dreaded (Isa 38:10; Job 10:20-22).Death dreaded (Isa 38:10; Job 10:20-22). Dread somewhat relieved by initial revelation Dread somewhat relieved by initial revelation

about resurrection (Isa 26:19; Dan 12:1-2).about resurrection (Isa 26:19; Dan 12:1-2). For NT SaintsFor NT Saints

Death no longer feared (Rom 8:2; 1 Cor 15:53-Death no longer feared (Rom 8:2; 1 Cor 15:53-57; 2 Cor 5:8).57; 2 Cor 5:8).

More revelation given about resurrection, More revelation given about resurrection, including Christ’s own as the first fruits (1 Cor including Christ’s own as the first fruits (1 Cor 15:20; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Rev 20:6).15:20; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Rev 20:6).

Death will be not be part of the new Death will be not be part of the new creation for believers (Rev 20:14; 21:4)!creation for believers (Rev 20:14; 21:4)!

The Intermediate StateThe Intermediate State Definition and TerminologyDefinition and Terminology

The Intermediate State is the conscious existence The Intermediate State is the conscious existence of the personality of both the godly and the of the personality of both the godly and the ungodly between physical death and the ungodly between physical death and the resurrection.resurrection.

““Sheol” in the OT and “Hades” in the NT are the Sheol” in the OT and “Hades” in the NT are the terms used to describe the place where departed terms used to describe the place where departed spirits are confined at physical death, prior to the spirits are confined at physical death, prior to the resurrection of Christ (Psa 16:10).resurrection of Christ (Psa 16:10).

““Sheol” – occurs 65x in OT; translated variously as “hell,” Sheol” – occurs 65x in OT; translated variously as “hell,” “pit,” “grave,” and “hell.”“pit,” “grave,” and “hell.”

““Hades” – occurs 10x in NT, as a place of punishment 3x Hades” – occurs 10x in NT, as a place of punishment 3x and as the state of death for both righteous and and as the state of death for both righteous and unrighteous 7x.unrighteous 7x.

Other terms are used for the intermediate state in Other terms are used for the intermediate state in Luke 16:22-23 and 23:43.Luke 16:22-23 and 23:43.

The Intermediate State of the The Intermediate State of the BelieverBeliever

Three Key Scriptures:Three Key Scriptures: 2 Cor 5:6-8 Therefore, being always of good 2 Cor 5:6-8 Therefore, being always of good

courage, and knowing that while we are at home courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord – for we in the body we are absent from the Lord – for we walk by faith, not by sight – we are of good walk by faith, not by sight – we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Phil 1:21-23 For to me, to live is Christ, and to Phil 1:21-23 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;be with Christ, for that is very much better;

1 Thess 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died 1 Thess 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

Death is referred to as “sleep” here because for the Death is referred to as “sleep” here because for the believer, it is a temporary condition for the body (not believer, it is a temporary condition for the body (not the soul). the soul).

The Intermediate State of the The Intermediate State of the BelieverBeliever

Resurrection bodies are not received Resurrection bodies are not received until Christ’s return – either at the until Christ’s return – either at the rapture for church saints (1 Thess 4:16-rapture for church saints (1 Thess 4:16-17) or after the tribulation for OT and 17) or after the tribulation for OT and tribulation saints (Dan 12:1-2; Rev tribulation saints (Dan 12:1-2; Rev 20:4).20:4).

Upon death, the souls of believers go to Upon death, the souls of believers go to heaven, where Christ is, until their heaven, where Christ is, until their resurrection.resurrection. Note: heaven is not the eternal state!Note: heaven is not the eternal state!

The Intermediate State of the The Intermediate State of the UnbelieverUnbeliever

While not yet in the lake of fire (Rev While not yet in the lake of fire (Rev 20:12-15), dead unbelievers are in a 20:12-15), dead unbelievers are in a place of conscious torment until the place of conscious torment until the resurrection (e.g. Luke 16:23).resurrection (e.g. Luke 16:23).

Nothing in the scriptures indicates a Nothing in the scriptures indicates a second chance at salvation after second chance at salvation after physical death.physical death.

Next Week: The Next Week: The Resurrections Resurrections

& & The Divine JudgmentsThe Divine Judgments

Syllabus pp. 262-276Syllabus pp. 262-276

Benware pp. 321-329Benware pp. 321-329