what the bible says about⦠what happens when i die? - Thornydale ...
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT… WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE?
Death is a “separation” The Bible pictures death as a separation between the material part of man (the body) and the immaterial part (the soul/spirit). Note: The Bible sometimes distinguishes between the soul (the mind, will and emotions) and the spirit (the “inward man” that communes with God) when it is important to do so (See Hebrews 4:12). However, the term “soul” is more frequently used to describe the entire immaterial part of man and that is how the term is used in the remainder of this document. Upon death: The body immediately begins to decay. The Bible often refers to what happens to the body as “sleep” (1 Corinthians 15:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15) The soul goes to a “holding place”. The Old Testament generally refers to this place as “Sheol” and the New Testament refers to it as “Hades” Sheol/Hades This “holding place” has two sections: o The souls of the “wicked” go to the “lowest part” (Deuteronomy 32:22), which is also known as Tartarus (2 Peter 2:4) o The souls of the “righteous” go to the “upper part”, which is also known as “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 23:43) or “Paradise” (Luke 23:43) where they are immediately in the presence of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:8)
At the return of Jesus • The bodies of the “righteous” who have previously died will be resurrected and meet Jesus in the air, followed by those who are still alive (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is also known as the “First Resurrection” (Revelation 20:5) • The bodies of the “righteous” will be transformed into a new resurrection body and reunited with their souls. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53) • The “righteous” will face the bema seat judgment for the purpose of receiving rewards • The “righteous” will reign with Jesus on earth for 1,000 years. This is known as the millennial reign of Jesus. (Revelation 20:4) At the end of the millennial reign of Jesus • The bodies of the “wicked” will be resurrected (Revelation 20:5) and be reunited with their souls. • The “wicked” will face the “Great White Throne Judgment” (Revelation 20:11). Because they failed to commit their lives to Jesus in this life, they will be judged for their sins and thrown into the “lake of fire”. o Although one cannot be dogmatic about it, the lake of fire seems to be the equivalent of Gehenna (See Matthew 5:22, 18:9; Mark 9:43) o This is also known the “Second Death” because it is a permanent separation from God in a place of eternal torment. (Revelation 20:14). The Bible does not teach concepts such as “purgatory”, reincarnation, or otherwise provide for a “second chance” to place one’s faith in Jesus upon our physical death: And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment… (Hebrews 9:27 ESV)
Note: God judges the righteousness of each person based solely on whether he or she has placed his or her faith in Jesus during his or her life here on earth. (See Romans 3 and Galatians 5:1-15)
© 2013 Thornydale Family Church www.thornydalechurch.org
Death is a “separation” The Bible pictures death as a separation between the material part of man (the body) and the immaterial part (the soul/spirit). Note: The Bible sometimes distinguishes between the soul (the mind, will and emotions) and the spirit (the “inward man” that communes with God) when it is important to do so (See Hebrews 4:12). However, the term “soul” is more frequently used to describe the entire immaterial part of man and that is how the term is used in the remainder of this document. Upon death: The body immediately begins to decay. The Bible often refers to what happens to the body as “sleep” (1 Corinthians 15:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15) The soul goes to a “holding place”. The Old Testament generally refers to this place as “Sheol” and the New Testament refers to it as “Hades” Sheol/Hades This “holding place” has two sections: o The souls of the “wicked” go to the “lowest part” (Deuteronomy 32:22), which is also known as Tartarus (2 Peter 2:4) o The souls of the “righteous” go to the “upper part”, which is also known as “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 23:43) or “Paradise” (Luke 23:43) where they are immediately in the presence of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:8)
At the return of Jesus • The bodies of the “righteous” who have previously died will be resurrected and meet Jesus in the air, followed by those who are still alive (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is also known as the “First Resurrection” (Revelation 20:5) • The bodies of the “righteous” will be transformed into a new resurrection body and reunited with their souls. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53) • The “righteous” will face the bema seat judgment for the purpose of receiving rewards • The “righteous” will reign with Jesus on earth for 1,000 years. This is known as the millennial reign of Jesus. (Revelation 20:4) At the end of the millennial reign of Jesus • The bodies of the “wicked” will be resurrected (Revelation 20:5) and be reunited with their souls. • The “wicked” will face the “Great White Throne Judgment” (Revelation 20:11). Because they failed to commit their lives to Jesus in this life, they will be judged for their sins and thrown into the “lake of fire”. o Although one cannot be dogmatic about it, the lake of fire seems to be the equivalent of Gehenna (See Matthew 5:22, 18:9; Mark 9:43) o This is also known the “Second Death” because it is a permanent separation from God in a place of eternal torment. (Revelation 20:14). The Bible does not teach concepts such as “purgatory”, reincarnation, or otherwise provide for a “second chance” to place one’s faith in Jesus upon our physical death: And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment… (Hebrews 9:27 ESV)
Note: God judges the righteousness of each person based solely on whether he or she has placed his or her faith in Jesus during his or her life here on earth. (See Romans 3 and Galatians 5:1-15)
© 2013 Thornydale Family Church www.thornydalechurch.org
