HOW TO HAVE A NICE AFTERLIFE WHAT DO WE MEAN BY AFTERLIFE?

HOW TO HAVE A NICE HOW TO HAVE A NICE AFTERLIFEAFTERLIFE

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY WHAT DO WE MEAN BY AFTERLIFE?AFTERLIFE?


In the biblical era there were numerous In the biblical era there were numerous views of the afterlife.views of the afterlife.

The Egyptian view was the most fully The Egyptian view was the most fully formed.formed.

The Greco-Roman view features The Greco-Roman view features immortality of the soul.immortality of the soul.

The OT view emphasizes SHEOL.The OT view emphasizes SHEOL.The Pharisaic view believes in The Pharisaic view believes in

resurrection.resurrection.


The OT says that when you die you go to The OT says that when you die you go to the land of the dead, unless you are the land of the dead, unless you are exceptional like an Enoch or Elijah.exceptional like an Enoch or Elijah.

See 1 Samuel 28.3-25 – the shade of See 1 Samuel 28.3-25 – the shade of Samuel is brought up;Samuel is brought up;

See Psalm 18 – death is like drowning and See Psalm 18 – death is like drowning and going down to the bottom of the sea.going down to the bottom of the sea.


There began to be a more positive view of the There began to be a more positive view of the afterlife in the later and more apocalyptic afterlife in the later and more apocalyptic prophets.prophets.

Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones and resurrection —Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones and resurrection —Ezekiel 37;Ezekiel 37;

Daniel’s reference to resurrection – Dan. 12.2-3.Daniel’s reference to resurrection – Dan. 12.2-3.This is not a reference to life in another world, or This is not a reference to life in another world, or in heaven.in heaven.

THE OT MENTIONS LITTLE OR NOTHING THE OT MENTIONS LITTLE OR NOTHING ABOUT DYING AND GOING TO HEAVEN.ABOUT DYING AND GOING TO HEAVEN.


In Dan. 12.2-3 there is a bad and a good In Dan. 12.2-3 there is a bad and a good resurrection or, better said, a resurrection of the resurrection or, better said, a resurrection of the righteous that leads to one destiny, and a righteous that leads to one destiny, and a resurrection of the wicked that leads to another.resurrection of the wicked that leads to another.

This idea will reappear in Revelation 20, and is This idea will reappear in Revelation 20, and is mentioned in the Gospels.mentioned in the Gospels.

MAJOR CONCLUSION – YOU MUST HAVE A MAJOR CONCLUSION – YOU MUST HAVE A CONCEPTION OF PROGRESSIVE CONCEPTION OF PROGRESSIVE REVELATION. THE OT DOESN’T HELP VERY REVELATION. THE OT DOESN’T HELP VERY MUCH WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUBJECT MUCH WHEN IT COMES TO THE SUBJECT OF HEAVEN AND THE AFTERLIFE.OF HEAVEN AND THE AFTERLIFE.


WHAT THE OT DOES SUGGEST IS THAT WHAT THE OT DOES SUGGEST IS THAT AFTERLIFE, NOT OTHER WORLD (i.e., AFTERLIFE, NOT OTHER WORLD (i.e., HEAVEN), SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF HEAVEN), SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF HOPE.HOPE.

It also suggests our behavior in this life affects It also suggests our behavior in this life affects the outcome. the outcome.

Israel only began to think of afterlife issues Israel only began to think of afterlife issues during the exile when justice was not being done during the exile when justice was not being done in this life, and the return was far off. in this life, and the return was far off.


What happens when we get to the NT period?What happens when we get to the NT period? Here the Sadducees perpetuate the Sheol Here the Sadducees perpetuate the Sheol

theology -- see Mt. 22.23-33.theology -- see Mt. 22.23-33. The Pharisees and also Jesus believed in The Pharisees and also Jesus believed in

resurrection – of the sort we saw in Dan. 12.1-2.resurrection – of the sort we saw in Dan. 12.1-2. See John 5.28-29 – Here is Jesus’ view. Again See John 5.28-29 – Here is Jesus’ view. Again

notice the stress on how behavior in this life notice the stress on how behavior in this life affects the outcome.affects the outcome.


But what happens at death, before the final But what happens at death, before the final resurrection? resurrection?

The OT says little about this, but in Jesus’ The OT says little about this, but in Jesus’ teaching we have some clues.teaching we have some clues.

See Luke 16.19-31– The rich man and Lazarus;See Luke 16.19-31– The rich man and Lazarus; This is a parable. Rather than understanding it This is a parable. Rather than understanding it

to literally describe in detail the afterlife, its point to literally describe in detail the afterlife, its point is to say there are eternal consequences to is to say there are eternal consequences to one’s behavior in this life.one’s behavior in this life.

See Matthew 11.23 – exalted to heaven or See Matthew 11.23 – exalted to heaven or brought down to the dead?brought down to the dead?


Jesus does discuss both positive and negative Jesus does discuss both positive and negative forms of the afterlife in passing.forms of the afterlife in passing.

Gehenna (from the Hinnom valley); Gehenna (from the Hinnom valley); See Matthew 5.30 and 7.13.See Matthew 5.30 and 7.13.

When Jesus talks about the better afterlife, he When Jesus talks about the better afterlife, he refers to what will happen in this world at the refers to what will happen in this world at the eschaton. eschaton. See Matthew 8.11-12, “after you give an account See Matthew 8.11-12, “after you give an account at judgment day...”at judgment day...”See also Matthew 12.36, 42. See also Matthew 12.36, 42.


Jesus warns both friend and foe about Jesus warns both friend and foe about missing the entering of the Kingdom and missing the entering of the Kingdom and going to Gehenna – Matthew 18.2-9.going to Gehenna – Matthew 18.2-9.

See the parable of the sheep and the See the parable of the sheep and the goats – Matthew 25.31-40. goats – Matthew 25.31-40.

Finally we hear the notion of eternal life Finally we hear the notion of eternal life and eternal punishment (see vs. 40).and eternal punishment (see vs. 40).


Do things change after the resurrection of Do things change after the resurrection of Jesus in terms of the thinking about the Jesus in terms of the thinking about the afterlife?afterlife?

Yes, they do! But still throughout the rest Yes, they do! But still throughout the rest of the NT the emphasis is not on dying of the NT the emphasis is not on dying and going to heaven, the emphasis is on and going to heaven, the emphasis is on being conformed to the image of Jesus at being conformed to the image of Jesus at the resurrection of the righteous.the resurrection of the righteous.


Consider 2 Corinthians 5.1-10;Consider 2 Corinthians 5.1-10;Here we have a theology of ‘absent from Here we have a theology of ‘absent from

the body but present with the Lord’.the body but present with the Lord’.Note that this passage says nothing about Note that this passage says nothing about

being present with the relatives!being present with the relatives!This condition has rightly been called the This condition has rightly been called the

intermediate state since it is not viewed as intermediate state since it is not viewed as the final destination of Christians. Heaven the final destination of Christians. Heaven is not seen as their final home.is not seen as their final home.


The main vision of the afterlife in the NT, both in The main vision of the afterlife in the NT, both in the teaching of Jesus and in his followers such the teaching of Jesus and in his followers such as Paul, is that at the return of Christ, the dead as Paul, is that at the return of Christ, the dead in Christ will be raised and be made like him. in Christ will be raised and be made like him.

The kingdom will then come on earth, as it is in The kingdom will then come on earth, as it is in heaven.heaven.

1 Cor. 15.12-58 is a detailed discussion of the 1 Cor. 15.12-58 is a detailed discussion of the future resurrection on Earth where we personally future resurrection on Earth where we personally have our own Easter. have our own Easter.


What are the implications for us?What are the implications for us?On what basis does one obtain a nice or On what basis does one obtain a nice or

positive afterlife? positive afterlife? The NT is clear -- believe on the Lord The NT is clear -- believe on the Lord

Jesus Christ and you will be saved by Jesus Christ and you will be saved by grace through faith (see Ephesians 1).grace through faith (see Ephesians 1).

Is that all there is to it? Actually no! Is that all there is to it? Actually no! Behavior after conversion affects the Behavior after conversion affects the outcome. outcome.


Notice the warning to Christians in Gal. Notice the warning to Christians in Gal. 5.19-21.5.19-21.

You are not eternally secure, until you are You are not eternally secure, until you are securely in eternity.securely in eternity.

The positive resurrection goes to ‘those The positive resurrection goes to ‘those who are in Christ’, not to everyone.who are in Christ’, not to everyone.

The danger of sin must not be minimized, The danger of sin must not be minimized, particularly the sin of apostasy.particularly the sin of apostasy.


Apostasy is seen as an unforgivable sin; Apostasy is seen as an unforgivable sin; see Hebrews 6.4-6; 1 John 5.16-17;see Hebrews 6.4-6; 1 John 5.16-17;

So where do our notions come from that So where do our notions come from that all persons are going to heaven, or will all persons are going to heaven, or will ultimately be saved?ultimately be saved?

Or the idea that if one is just a decent or Or the idea that if one is just a decent or good person one will have a nice afterlife?good person one will have a nice afterlife?


The key to salvation both now, and for The key to salvation both now, and for final salvation, is Jesus Christ and how final salvation, is Jesus Christ and how one relates to him.one relates to him.

Acts 4.12 is quite clear. There is no other Acts 4.12 is quite clear. There is no other name by which we can be saved, than the name by which we can be saved, than the name of Jesus Christ. name of Jesus Christ.

Is this unfair? Is it narrow minded to think Is this unfair? Is it narrow minded to think there is one Savior for all persons in all there is one Savior for all persons in all ages?ages?


The ultimate question is not who dies and goes The ultimate question is not who dies and goes to heaven. to heaven.

There is evidence that various OT saints will be There is evidence that various OT saints will be there in heaven (see Heb. 11.1-12.1-4).there in heaven (see Heb. 11.1-12.1-4).

The issue is who will be there when the saints The issue is who will be there when the saints go marching into the kingdom, in the new earth, go marching into the kingdom, in the new earth, when Jesus and heaven come down, and on when Jesus and heaven come down, and on what basis did they get there.what basis did they get there.

See Revelation 21, 22.See Revelation 21, 22.


In the eternal state in the new earth which has In the eternal state in the new earth which has merged with the new heaven, the OT and NT merged with the new heaven, the OT and NT saints will all be present.saints will all be present.

The focus will be on God and Christ -- Christ The focus will be on God and Christ -- Christ being the basis of entrance into the eternal city.being the basis of entrance into the eternal city.

What Paul suggests in Rom. 11.25 is that when What Paul suggests in Rom. 11.25 is that when Christ returns, many Jews and perhaps others Christ returns, many Jews and perhaps others will repent and turn to Christ and be saved.will repent and turn to Christ and be saved.

The point is that always and everywhere The point is that always and everywhere salvation is determined by how one relates to salvation is determined by how one relates to Jesus.Jesus.

Documents

HOW TO HAVE A NICE AFTERLIFE WHAT DO WE MEAN BY AFTERLIFE?