Eschatology A Study of Last Things Prepared by Chris Reeves for the Memorial Blvd. church of Christ Fall Quarter 2004

Eschatology

A Study of Last Things

Prepared by Chris Reeves for the Memorial Blvd. church of Christ

Fall Quarter 2004

Hadesthe realm of the dead

Mt. 11:23 – the citizens of Capernaum would be brought to the grave in death (Hades)

Mt. 16:18 – death (Hades) would not keep the church from being established

Lk. 10:15 – the citizens of Capernaum would be brought to the grave in death (Hades)

Lk. 16:23 – the rich man was in the realm of the dead (Hades)


Acts 2:27,31 – Jesus’ body was not left in the grave, and his soul was not left in the realm of the dead (Hades) [see Lk. 23:43]

Rev. 1:18 – Jesus’ resurrection gave him power over the grave (Hades)

Rev. 6:8 – the pale horse rider had authority to put to death (Hades)

Rev. 20:13-14 – the realm of the dead (Hades) will give up its dead to stand in judgment

* The mss used by the KJV has the Gr. word hades in 1 Cor. 15:55


A disembodied state - the soul departs from the body at death

A conscious state – the soul will have knowledge of the past and present after death

A fixed state – the soul of the dead will not be able to change its destiny

An intermediate state – the soul of the dead will leave this realm, stand before God in judgment, then be assigned to Heaven or Hell

Alleged Proofs of Reincarnation

Does the Bible Teach Reincarnation? “Proverbs 8:22-30 is a reference to reincarnation”• No, this passage is a reference to the wisdom of

God personified (Prov. 8:1,12; see 1:20-33; 9:1-6) “John the Baptist was Elijah reincarnated”

• Answer: John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah; his office and function was just like that of Elijah (Mal. 4:5; Mt. 11:13-14; 17:1-3,9-13; Lk. 1:17; Jn. 1:21; comp 2 K. 2:9,15)

• Answer: Death is necessary in the theory of reincarnation, but Elijah did not die (2 K. 2:11-12)


Does the Bible Teach Reincarnation? “Jesus said, ‘You must be born again’”• Answer: Jesus was talking about a spiritual rebirth

that takes place in this life in order to be come a Christian in this life (Jn. 3:3,5; 1 Pet. 1:3,23)

“According to Matthew 16:13-14, some Israelites accepted reincarnation, having been influenced by Eastern religion”• Answer: No, they believed in a resurrection, not

reincarnation (Mk. 6:14-15)


Does the Bible Teach Reincarnation? “The Bible teaches in the law of karma in Exodus 20:5; John 9:1-3 and Galatians 6:7”• Answer: Exodus 20:5 teaches that the

consequences of a person’s sins can be passed on to a future generation. John 9:1-3 teaches that pain and suffering are not always directly related to a person’s sin. Galatians 6:7 teaches that actions have temporal and eternal consequences. One reaps what he sows in this life, and is judged one time for what he does in this life.


Does the Bible Teach Reincarnation? “Jesus taught that one can reach the perfect state of nirvana”• Answer: “Perfect” in Matthew 5:48 refers to the

complete and mature love of God – love for friends and enemies

“Jesus went to India for 18 years (between age 12 and 30) and became yogi guru of Eastern religion”• Answer: There is absolutely no historical evidence

of this (see Mt.13:54-58)


Does the Bible Teach Reincarnation? “The Bible once contained references to reincarnation, but they were deleted by the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, and the Council of Constantinople in A.D. 553”• Answer: This is simply asserted without any

historical evidence to support it. The Council of Nicea focused on the issue of the deity and humanity of Christ, not on reincarnation. The Council of 553 addressed to the teachings of Origin, not the Bible.

The Second Coming of ChristWhat Does the Bible Say?

A literal, visible, and personal return of Jesus (Ac.1:9-11)• Classical liberalism denies Jesus’ literal, visible,

and personal return (see 2 Pet. 3:3-4).• Others believe Jesus is coming and attempt to set

dates (see 2 Thess. 2:2)• Others hold erroneous beliefs about Jesus’

coming (see 1 Thess. 4:13-15)• Others who hold the truth have lost sight of his

coming and do not anticipate it (see 1 Thess. 5:3) A “second” coming (Heb.9:28)


Jesus’ promise to return was believed by:• Himself (Jn. 14:3)• The angels (Ac.1:9-11)• New Testament Christians (1 Cor.11:26)• The Apostles (Heb.9:28)

Who is coming?• Jesus (1 Thess.4:16).• Righteous saints (1 Thess. 4:14)• Holy angels (Mt. 25:31; Lk. 9:26; 2 Thess. 1:7;

Jude 14)


When is he coming?• At the end of the world – age (1 Cor. 15:23-24)• At a time unannounced (Mt. 25:13; 1 Thess. 5:1-3;

2 Thess. 2:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:10) Where is he coming from, where is he

coming to?• Coming from heaven (1 Thess. 4:16)• Coming to meet the righteous in the air

(1 Thess. 4:17; Ac. 1:9-11)


What will happen before he comes? Antichrists (1 Jn.2:18,22; 4:3; 2 Jn.7) Deception (2 Thess.2:9) Satan Loosed (Rev.20:3) Great Wickedness (1 Tim.4:1ff)


What will happen when he comes? Personally (1 Thess.4:16) Audibly (Jn.5:28; 1 Cor.15:52; 1 Thess.4:16) Visibly (Ac.1:9-11; 1 Thess.4:17) Unexpectedly (Mt.24:42-44; 25:13;

1 Thess.5:1-4; 2 Pet.3:10) Gloriously (Mt.25:31; Ac.1:9-11; Phil.3:21;

Col.3:4; 2 Thess.1:7-10)


What will happen after he comes? One Resurrection – Both the Wicked and

Righteous (Jn.5:28-29; Ac.24:15; Rev. 20:11-15) One Change in the Body (1 Cor.15:50-54;

Phil.3:21; Col.3:4; 1 Jn.3:2-3) One Reunion of the Righteous

(1 Thess.4:16-17) One Deliverance of the Kingdom

(1 Cor.15:24)


What will happen after he comes? One Destruction of the Earth (Heb. 1:11; 2 Pet.3:10-

12; Rev.20:11; 21:1) One Judgment Day for All Mankind (Mt.25:31-46;

Jn.5:29; 12:48; Ac.17:31; Rom. 2:16; 1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Thess. 2:8-10; Heb.9:28; Rev.20:12-13). A Day Of…• Separation (Mt.25:32-33)• Examination (2 Cor.5:10; Rev.22:12)• Vindication (2 Pet.3:3ff; cf. Rev.6:9-11)• Allocation (Mt.25:34,41,46; Jn.5:29; Rom.2:4-11)


What will happen after he comes? One New Order (2 Pet.3:13; Rev.21-22)


Are you just passing the time, or are you waiting for Jesus (Heb.9:28)?

Jesus’ second coming … what difference does it make?• We have comfort and hope (1 Thess.4:17-18;

5:10-11; Tit.2:13; 1 Jn.3:3)• We have an incentive to godly living

(2 Thess.1:10-12; 2 Tim.4:7-8; Tit.2:11-14; 2 Pet.3:11-13; 1 Jn.3:2-3)

The ResurrectionWhat Does the Bible Say?

The Old Testament introduces the concept of a “resurrection”…• God implied it (Exodus 3:6; Mt. 22:23-33)• Abraham believed it (Heb. 11:19)• Job believed it (Job 14:14; 19:25-27)• David believed it (Psa. 16:8-11; Acts 2:30-31)


“Resurrection” (Gr. anastastis = a raising up) in the NT refers primarily to the rising up of the dead (except Lk. 2:34). There are five uses…1. Resurrection of Jesus (Mt. 27:53; Ac. 1:22; 2:31;

4:33; 26:23; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:20-21; 1 Pet. 1:3)2. Resurrection of all mankind (Ac. 4:2; 17:18,32; 1

Cor. 6:14; Phil. 3:10-11)3. Resurrection (likeness) from the death of sin

(Rom. 6:5; 1 Pet. 3:21; Eph. 2:5-6; 5:14; Col. 2:12; 3:1)

4. Resurrection miracle (Mt. 11:5; 27:52; Heb. 11:35)5. Resurrection (triumph) over evil (Rev. 20:5-6)


Errors regarding the resurrection from the dead…• There is no resurrection (Mt. 22:23-31; Mk. 12:18-

23; Lk. 20:27-36; Ac. 17:18,32; 23:6-8)• Jesus was not resurrected (1 Cor. 15:12-13)• The resurrection is past already (2 Tim. 2:18)• Modern errors on the resurrection are many

No resurrection at all (atheism, liberal theology) Resurrection of the soul only (ancient Greeks) Resurrection (recreating) of the body and the soul

(J.W.s) Three or more resurrections (premillenialism)


There will be a “recompense” (reward) at the resurrection of the just (Lk. 14:14)

The righteous are “sons of God,” “sons of the resurrection” (Lk. 20:36)

There is one resurrection of both the good and the evil with two rewards, life and judgment (Jn. 5:29; Ac. 24:15,21)*

Jesus makes the resurrection possible for all mankind (Jn. 11:24-25; 1 Pet. 1:3)

* W.E. Vine refers to the “first part” and “second part” of these verses in order to have two resurrections separated by 1000 years (page 531)


The resurrection will be “in the last day” … at “the end” … at “the last trumpet” (Jn. 6:39-54; 11:24; 1 Cor. 15:23-24,52)

A resurrection body will be given to all the righteous (1 Cor. 15:35-54)…• Incorruptible (v.42)• Glorious (v.43)• Powerful (v.43)• Spiritual (vv.44-46)• Heavenly (vv.47-49; see 2 Cor. 5:1-4; Phil. 3:21)• Changed (vv.50-52)• Immortal (vv.53-54)


The righteous dead will be raised to join the righteous living in the air with Jesus (1 Thess. 4:14-16)

The resurrection of the dead is a doctrine of first principles (Heb. 6:1-2)

The Destructionof the Heavens and Earth

Some say the earth will not be destroyed• The material universe is eternal (evolutionist)• The earth will become a restored paradise for the

righteous (J.W., Mormon, S.D.A, Assembly of God, etc.)

• Jesus will reign on the earth in Jerusalem for 1000 years before destroying it (Baptist, Methodist, some Churches of Christ, etc.)

However, the earth will be destroyed (Psa. 102:25-26; Heb. 1:10-12; 2 Pet. 3:10-12)


What Did Peter Say? “The heavens” – sky and space (v.12; Gen. 1:8,17,20) “Shall pass away” (Mt. 24:35) “With a great noise” – the noise of burning “And the elements” – basic components of the material

universe (v. 12; Gal. 4:3,9; Col. 2:8,20; Heb. 5:12) “Shall be dissolved” (“melt” in the KJV) – means to

loosen, undo, break up (v.11,12) “With fervent heat” – the heat of fire (v.7) “And the earth” – the same earth God created

(2 Pet. 3:5-7)


What Did Peter Say? “And the works that are therein” (1 Jn. 2:17) “Shall be burned up” – complete consumption (Gr.

katakaio) (Mt. 3:12; 13:30,40; Lk. 3:17; Ac. 19:19; 1 Cor. 3:15; Heb. 13:11; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 8:7; 17:16; 18:8) (Note: other versions have “discovered,” “laid bare,” etc., based on the Gr. heurethesetai found in some ancient manuscripts)

“New heavens and a new earth” – new in quality; a new order of life (Gr. kainos)

The New Heavens and New Earth The New Heavens and New Earth

• It Is Not… A renovated, revamped or restored earth

• It Is… A promise of a new order for saints in Christ

(Isa. 51:4-6; 65:17; 66:22) There is a “newness” for all men in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:4; 7:6; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:15; 4:24; Col. 3:10) The old order was the Jews separated from the Gentiles; it was done away at Christ’s first coming

A promise of a new order for saints only in heaven (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 20:11; 21:1) There will be a “new” life for saints in heaven (Rev. 2:17; 3:12; 5:9; 14:3; 21:5) The old order is the life of all saints and sinners together on the earth; it will be done away at Christ’s second coming

Attacks on the Bible Doctrine of Hell

Hell Watered Down• Materialism – man is made of material atoms only; no spirit; thus, no heaven or hell after death (c. 5th Century B.C.)

• Universalism – all men find themselves ultimately in an eternal state of bliss (c. 2nd Century A.D.)

• Annihilationism – the wicked pass into nonexistence either at death or the resurrection ( c. 4th Century A.D.)

• Conditionalism – the belief that only the souls of the righteous will be given an immortal body (c. 12th Century A.D.)

• Humanism – the belief that hell is a useless fable (c. 17th Century)

Hell: Eternal Punishment for the Lost

Why study hell?• It is a Bible topic• It is a misunderstood topic• It is an unpopular topic• It is a neglected topic• It is a rejected topic• It is a topic of jokes

Jesus had more to say on hell (Gr. gehenna), than anyone in the New Testament!

Hell: Eternal Punishment for the Lost Why will there be a hell?

• Some say, “An all-loving God would not send people to hell”

• True, but God’s love does not exclude punishment and wrath (Jn. 3:16,36)

Remember…• God is a God of holiness (Hab. 1:13)• God is a God of justice (Gen. 18:25;

2 Thess. 1:5-9)• God is a God of wrath (Rom. 2:5-9; Rev. 14:10)• God is a God of vengeance (2 Thess. 1:8)• God is a God of indignation (Rom. 2:7;

Heb. 10:27; Rev. 14:10)

“When some men fail to reconcile theSavior’s love with his doctrine of Hell,

they drop one of them – Hell”

(Herbert Lockyer, Everything Jesus Taught,page 493)

Hell: Eternal Punishment for the Lost What is hell like?

• The KJV uses “hell” for the Hebrew word sheol, and the Greek words hades, gehenna and tartaros.

• “Hell” (the place of final punishment) is from the Gr. gehenna, referring to the valley of Hinnom, SE of Jerusalem (Josh 15:8; 18:16; Neh. 11:30; 2 K. 23:10; 2 Chron. 28:3; 33:6; Jer. 7:32; 19:6,11; 31:40)

• Gehenna is found 12 times in the NT: Mt. 5:22,29,30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15,33; Mk. 9:43,45,47; Lk. 12:5; Jas. 3:6


• Lake that burns with fire and brimstone (Mt. 5:22; 13:42,50; 18:9; Jas. 3:6; Rev. 14:10; 19:20; 20:10,14; 21:8)

• Both soul and body punished (Mt. 5:29-30; 10:28; Mk. 9:43-47; Lk. 12:4-5)

• Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt. 8:12; 13:42,50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk. 13:28)

• Judgment (Mt. 23:33; Jn. 5:29; Heb. 10:27)• Outer darkness (Mt. 8:12; 22:13; 25:30;

2 Pet. 2:17; Jude 13)


• Punishment (Mt. 25:46; 1 Tim. 6:9; Heb. 10:28-29; Jude 7)

• Suffering and torment (Rom. 2:5-9,12; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 14:10-11; 21:8)

• Second death (Rev. 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8; “death” is separation; note the teaching of separation in these verses: Mt. 5:29; 7:23; 8:12; 13:42; 25:46; Lk. 13:28; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 22:15)


Who will go to hell?• Workers of iniquity (Mt. 7:13-14; 21-23; 13:41;

Lk. 13:27)• The wicked (Mt. 13:49)• The devil and his angels (Mt. 25:41; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude

6; Rev. 20:10)• Those who stumble or cause stumbling (Mt. 5:29;

13:41; Mk. 9:42-48)• (Unfaithful) sons of the kingdom (Mt. 8:12; Lk. 13:28)

Hell: Eternal Punishment for the Lost Who will go to hell?

• Unprepared, unproductive (unprofitable) and uncharitable (Mt. 22:13-14; 24:36 – 25:46)

• Hypocrites (Mt. 24:51; 23:15,33)• Rich misers (Lk. 16:19-31)• Those who obey not the gospel (2 Thess. 1:8)• Brethren who sin willfully (Heb. 10:26-31)• Sins of the tongue (Jas. 3:6)• Apostate believers, backsliders (2 Peter 2:13,17)

Hell: Eternal Punishment for the Lost Who will go to hell?

• All who follow the devil (1 Jn. 3:8,10; Rev. 19:20; 20:10)

• All people not in the book of life (Rev. 20:15)• Fearful and unbelievers (Rev. 21:8)• Immoral (Rev. 21:8,27; 22:15)


How long will hell last?• “Eternal fire” (Mt. 18:8; 25:47)• “Eternal punishment” (Mt. 25:46)• “Unquenchable fire” (Mk. 9:43,48; Mt. 3:12; Lk. 3:17)• “The worm dies not” (Mk. 9:48; see Isa. 66:24)• “Eternal destruction” (2 Thess. 1:9)• “Eternal judgment” (Heb. 6:2)• “Eternal fire” (Jude 7)


How long will hell last?• “The smoke of their torment goes up for ever and

ever” (Rev. 14:11; 20:10)• “No rest day and night” (Rev. 14:11)

Hell will last as long as Heaven will last***

Matthew 25:41,46***

Revelation 4:8; 7:15; 14:11; 20:10; 22:5

Hell: Eternal Punishment for the Lost Not all believe that hell is eternal

• Denominations: J.W.s, S.D.A., Christian Science, Church of England, Unitarian Church, W.W.C.G., etc.

• Some brethren…• Jesse B. Ferguson (Spirit Communion, 1854)• Edward Fudge (The Fire That Consumes, 1982; Two

Views of Hell, 2000)• Curtis Dickson (What the Bible Teaches About

Immortality and Future Punishment, 1984)• Samuel G. Dawson (Jesus’ Teaching on Hell, 1996)• Dyrel Collins (Immortality: Only in Christ, 2002)• F. LaGard Smith (Afterlife, 2003)• Homer Hailey (God’s Judgments and Punishments,

2003)


Answering Arguments “‘Destroy’ (Mt. 10:28), ‘destruction’ (2 Thess. 1:9) and ‘punishment’ (Gr. kolasis) mean extinction or annihilation”• “Destroy” (Gr. appolumi) and “destruction” (Gr.

olethros) mean ruin, or loss of well-being, but not annihilation (Lk. 9:24; 15:4,24; 1 Cor. 5:5); “punishment” is torture and is on-going (2 Pet. 2:9)

“Eternal” refers to the effectual, final consequence or result of judgment, not the duration of judgment”• “Eternal” (Gr. aion) can refer to an indefinite period

of time (time without end) when modified by words like “for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:10; 22:5)


Answering Arguments “Man does not inherently have an immortal soul. Both the soul and body cease to exist at death. Only the righteous are given an immortal soul and body in the resurrection.”• All men have an immortal soul now (Mt. 17:1-9;

22:23-33; Lk. 16:19-31; 23:43; 2 Cor. 4:16 – 5:10)


What Can We Do? Fear hell (Mt. 10:28; Heb. 10:31) Sacrifice whatever to avoid hell (Mt. 5:29-30) Warn against hell as Jesus did (Lk. 12:5) Try to save others from the fires of hell

(Jude 22-23) Don’t try to escape hell unprepared

(Mt. 23:33)

The Bible vs. PremillennialismBibleTruth

PremillennialTheory

JesusFailed

JesusFailed

NotPsa. 2:6Jn. 17:4

EarthlyKingdom

PostponedChurch

Substituted

SpiritualKingdom

EstablishedChurchPlanned

Mt. 16:18-19Eph. 3:10-11

7 YearTribulationof Mt. 24

SaintsSecretly

“Raptured”

Mt. 24:34Fulfilled

in A.D. 70No Rapture

of SaintsOnly

1 Thess. 4:17

WickedRemain

1st R

esur

rect

ion

& C

omin

g

Armageddon2nd Resurrection& ComingSaints JudgedKingdom Established

1000 Yr. Reign of Christon Earth in Jerusalem

with Living Saints

Saints inHeaven

Wickedin Hell

ArmageddonPast (Rev. 16:16)Kingdom AlreadyEst. (Col. 1:13)

Christ Reigns in Heaven Nowwith Dead Saints

Ac. 2:36; Rev. 3:7,21; 20:4,6

3rd R

esur

rect

ion

& C

omin

g(W

icke

d)

1 Resurrection, 1 Judgment Day, 2nd ComingJn. 5:28-29; Acts 24;15; Heb. 9:27-28

CrossNot

Planned

CrossPlannedAc. 2:23

Documents

Eschatology A Study of Last Things Prepared by Chris Reeves for the Memorial Blvd. church of Christ Fall Quarter 2004