UNIT XI - The Last Things
Physical Death and the Afterlife
The Bible and the End Times
The Antichrist
The Second Coming of Christ
The Millenium
The Resurrection of the Body
The Judgement
The Biblical Doctrine of Hell
The Biblical Doctrine of Heaven
THE LAST THINGS (Eschatology)
"Also they teach that at the consummation of the world Christ will appear for judgement and will raise up all the dead; He will give to the godly and elect eternal life and everlasting joys, but ungodly men and the devils He will condemn to be tormented without end. They condemn the Anabaptists who think that there will be an end to the punishments of condemned men and devils. They condemn also others, who are now spreading certain Jewish opinions, that before the resurrection of the dead the godly shall take possession of the kingdom of the world, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed. (Augsburg Confession, XVII, 1530)
PHYSICAL DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE
Temporal death is the separation of the physical ("body", "flesh") and the non-physical ("soul", "spirit") elements of man. At the time of death, the body goes to the grave to return to the dust and await the resurrection of all flesh on the Last Day.
"The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7)
"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:19)
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes - I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)
"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say: 'I find no pleasure in them' - before the sun and the light, and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds but their songs all grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about in the streets. Remember Him, before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7)
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'" (Luke 12:20)
The Story of Poor Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 12:19-31)
"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26)
At the time of death, the souls of unbelievers are immediately in Hell, there to suffer torment and punishment until public pronouncement of their eternal fate is issued on Judgement Day, when they will be re-united with their bodies.
"The grave below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you - all those who were leaders in the world; it makes them rise from their thrones - all those who were kings over the nations. They will all respond, they will say to you, 'You have also become weak, as we are; you have become like us. All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you...But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit." (Isaiah 14:9-11,17)
"And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against Me; their worm will not die; nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind." (Isaiah 66:24)
"Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, other to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2)
"The rich man also died and was buried. In Hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire." (Luke 16:22-24; cf. also 25-31)
"He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through who also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built." (1 Peter 3:18-20)
"If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgement while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority." (2 Peter 2:9-10)
At the time of death, the souls of believers are immediately with Christ in heaven, there to enjoy the peace and blessedness of His presence, anticipating the Day of Judgement when they will be re-united with their glorified bodies for all eternity.
"Altogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, and old man and full of years, and he was gathered to his people." (Genesis 25:7-8; cf. also 35:29; 49:29-33; Numbers 20:24-26; Deuteronomy 32:50)
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." (Psalm 23:4)
"But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. You dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead." (Isaiah 26:19)
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell." (Matthew 10:28)
"But about the resurrection of the dead - have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living." (Matthew 22:31-32; cf. Exodus 3:6)
"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation." (Luke 2:29-30)
"The time came when the beggar died, and the angels carried him to Abraham's side." (Luke 16:22)
"Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.'" (Luke 23:43)
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' 'Yes, Lord,' she told Him. 'I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.'" (John 11:25-27)
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:1-4)
"While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60)
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, and eternal house in heaven, not built with human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed, but clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)
"I eagerly expect and hope that I in no way will be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." (Philippians 1:20-26)
"When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?' Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed." (Revelation 6:9-11)
"Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" (Revelation 14:13)
The following positions must therefore be rejected as unbiblical and destructive of Christian faith and hope
1. That physical death marks annihilation, the end of consciousness and existence.
2. That the soul dies with the body to remain in the grave until the last day while the spirit returns to God.
3. That the souls of the dead sleep until Judgement, unaware of either bliss or torment.
4. That the existence of the soul in the intermediate state (the time between death and Judgement Day) is perfect or complete without the body, thereby promoting a platonic dualism foreign to Scripture, and downgrading the importance of the resurrection of the body.
5. That there are places other than heaven and hell which receive the souls of the dead for whatever purpose (i.e. purgatory, limbo, paradise, sheol, hades, limbus patrum, etc.) or that the souls of the dead are free to roam the earth or communicate with the living through spiritists and mediums.
The Biblical View of Time
From a Biblical point of view the central event of human history was the sacrificial death of
Jesus Christ on the cross. Everything which preceded that event was anticipatory and everything
which follows it is anticlimactic. The New Testament uses the terms "last times", "fulfillment of
the ages", "last hour", and, "end of the ages" to describe the entire period between the first and
second comings of Jesus Christ. Thus the "end times" began 2,000 years ago and will continue
until the Lord returns in judgement (Acts 2:16-17; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter
1:20; 1 John 2:18)
The "Signs of the Times"
The Bible describes what it calls "the signs of the times" (Matthew 16:3), observable events,
present throughout the New Testament era. These signs of the times are designed to remind men:
1. of the decisive victory that has been won by God in Christ and of what God is doing today to fulfill His promises and accomplish His purposes; of the reality that God rules all history;
2. of the certainty of Christ's return; things will not always be as they are today;
3. of the continuing struggle in history between the kingdom of God and the powers of evil and call men to decision in that struggle;
4. of the necessity for constant watchfulness and readiness from the people of God for the return of the Lord is always impending.
The particular "signs" mentioned in the New Testament include:
1. Signs Evidencing the Grace of God
a. the proclamation of the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 24:14;
Mark 13:10; cf. Colossians 1:6,23)
b. the salvation of the fullness of Israel (Matthew 10:23; Romans
11:25-26)
2. Signs Evidencing Opposition to God
a. tribulation (Daniel 12:1; Ezekiel 38-39; Matthew 24:3-51;
Revelation 20:7-9)
b. false prophets and apostasy (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians
2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1)
c. the Antichrist (Daniel 7:13-26; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1
John 2:18-22; 4:3; 2 John 7)
3. Signs Evidencing God's Judgement
a. wars and rumors of war (Matthew 24:4-6; Revelation 6:1-2)
b. earthquakes (Matthew 24:4-6)
c. famine and pestilence (Matthew 24:4-6; Revelation 6:3-8)
d. signs in the heavens (Matthew 24:29-31; Romans 8:18-23)
The "signs of the times" in Scripture are not a series of abnormal, spectacular, or catastrophic events which will occur just before the Second Coming in order to make it possible to set dates and timetables for Christ's return. (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32) The "signs of the times" are evident in the normal patterns of nature and history to those who can view world events with the eyes of faith. The "signs" are constant, recurring reminders to the believer that this world is dying and assurances that Jesus is coming soon. God's people are urged to watch for the signs so that we may be alert and ready at all times.
"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour...Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the Antichrist- he who denies the Father and the Son...Dear friends do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." (1 John 2:15-18; 4:1-3)
"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the will of Satan, displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10)
Scripture indicates that God's people will be called upon to endure relentless persecution, opposition, and infiltration throughout the New Testament era. (Matthew 24:24; John 15:18; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-9) An endless variety of false prophets and teachers, false christs and antichrists will seek to lead Christians away from the Lord and His Gospel of salvation. Satan, the Father of the Lie, will hurl deception of every sort against the one truth of God, often using the sincerity of misguided Christians as his most effective means of wrecking havoc within the church. (cf. Matthew 16: 13-23)
Among all of the enemies of the truth one ominous figure stands out, shrouded in mystery and menace. The Bible calls him the "Antichrist" (I John 2:15-18; 4:1-3), the "Man of Lawlessness" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10) and warns that he will arise within the church itself as a bitter opponent of the Gospel throughout the New Testament era. He will claim for himself, honor, glory, and power which rightfully belong to God alone. The power of the Antichrist was already secretly at work in the church in the days of the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 John 4:3) and his nefarious activity will continue until the Lord comes again in judgement (2 Thessalonians 2:8). (cf. also Daniel 7:19-27; 11:36-45; Revelation 13)
The Lutheran Confessions identify the institution of the papacy as the Antichrist. It is important to note the distinction between the office of the pope and the individual occupants of that office who may be pious and godly men. The papacy's claims to be "the vicar (substitute representative) of Christ on earth" and to have "infallibility" in the pronouncement of doctrine and morals, along with its condemnation of the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone correspond to the Biblical marks of the Antichrist.
"If anyone says that men are justified either by the sole imputation of the justice of Christ or by the sole remission of sins, to the exclusion of the grace and the charity which is poured forth in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, and remains in them, or also that the grace by which we are justified is only the good will of God, let him be anathema. If anyone says that justifying faith is nothing else than confidence in the divine mercy, which remits sins for Christ's sake, or that it is this confidence alone that justifies us, let him be anathema." (Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, Session VI, XI,XII)
"This teaching shows forcefully that the pope is the very Antichrist, who has exalted himself above and opposed himself against Christ, because he will not permit Christians to be saved without his power, which, nevertheless, is nothing, and is neither ordained nor commanded by God. This is, properly speaking, 'to exalt himself above all that is called God', as St. Paul says, 2 Thessalonians 2,4. Even the Turks or the Tartars, great enemies of Christians as they are, do not do this, but they allow whoever wishes to believe in Christ and take bodily tribute and obedience from Christians." (Smalkald Articles, II, IV)
"As to the Antichrist we teach that the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures concerning the Antichrist, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; 1 John 2:18, have been fulfilled in the pope of Rome and his dominion. All the features of the Antichrist as drawn in these prophecies, including the most abominable and horrible ones, for example, that the Antichrist 'as God sitteth in the temple of God,' 2 Thessalonians 2:4; that he anathematizes the very heart of the Gospel of Christ, that is, the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins by grace alone, for Christ's sake alone, through faith alone, without any merit or worthiness in man (Romans 3:20-28; Galatians 2:16); that he recognizes only those as members of the Christian Church who bow to his authority; and that, like a deluge, he had inundated the whole Christian Church with his antichristian doctrines till God revealed him through the Reformation - these very features are the outstanding characteristics of the papacy. Hence we subscribe to the statement of our Confessions that the Pope is 'the very Antichrist'." (Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod, 1932)
"Someone may think here that I am satisfying my own desire with such scornful, wounding, stinging words to the pope. O Lord God, I am far, far, too insignificant to deride the pope. For more than six hundred years now he has undoubtedly derided the world and has laughed up his sleeve at its corruption in body and soul, goods and honor. He does not stop and he cannot stop...No man can believe what an abomination the papacy is. A Christian does not have to be of low intelligence either to recognize it. God Himself must deride him in the hellish fire, and our Lord Christ, St. Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 'will slay him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him by His glorious coming.' I only deride with my weak derision so that those who now live and those who come after us should know what I have thought of the pope, the damned Antichrist, and so that whoever wishes to be a Christian may be warned against such an abomination." (Against the Roman Papacy - An Institution of the Devil, Martin Luther, 1545)
Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you have seen Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11; cf. also Matthew 24:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28) The fact of Christ's Second Coming must be firmly maintained so that Christians are not lulled into a false sense of complacency or preoccupied with the things of this world. (cf. Luke 21:34-36; 1 Peter 3:2-4). Instead, we are called upon to live in constant expectation of the coming of the Lord. "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)
1. Christ will return visibly before the eyes of all mankind.
"As lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24:27; cf. also Luke 21;27; Acts 1:11; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 1:7)
2. Christ will return on a specific day known only to God.
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32; cf. also Matthew 24:44; 2 Peter 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
3. Christ's return will be a shocking surprise to the great majority of humanity.
"For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." ( 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; cf. also 2 Peter 3:1-10)
4. Christ will return in great glory with the angelic hosts.
"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory." (Matthew 25:31; cf. also 16:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-14; Zechariah 14:3)
5. Christ's return is a source of hope and joy for Christians.
"When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28; cf. also Hebrews 9:28; Titus 2:13; Revelation 22:20)
Millennialism (Latin - "mille" [1,000], "annus" [year]) is the unscriptural doctrine that either before ("pre-millennialist") or after ("post-millennialist") the return of Christ the church will experience a literal period of 1,000 years of peace and prosperity on earth. The dominant millennialist view today is dispensational pre-millennialism which divides human history into seven specific eras or "dispensations" in each of which God deals with people in a distinct way. According to this view, the final dispensation is the earthly millennium, which will be preceded by the secret rapture of the saints and a seven year tribulation period. Millennialism, based on a faulty understanding of Revelation chapter 20, contradicts clear Biblical teaching on the second coming of Christ and the nature of the Kingdom of God.
Brief Theses Against Millennialism
(Adopted by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1857)
1. Any doctrine that is not only completely foreign to the Scriptures but also contrary to them and contrary to the chief doctrines of Scripture in what follows from it must be rejected and condemned. That the teaching of a thousand year reign of Christ on earth which is still to come is one such doctrine will be demonstrated by the following.
2. We will not attempt to demonstrate in this connection that the millenialists are not united among themselves but are divided into different groups and almost endless variations. This can simply be taken for granted. Yet, as different as they are among themselves, nevertheless they agree on this: they all, or at least the most of them teach that before the end of the world a twofold visible appearance of Christ is to be expected, a twofold resurrection of the flesh, and a grand earthly kingdom of Christ and the rule of the believers over the unbelievers.
3. The Holy Scriptures, however, know nothing of such a teaching of a twofold visible return of Christ, a twofold resurrection of the flesh, a glorious thousand year reign of Christ on earth, and an earthly rule of the Christians over the unbelievers. This teaching is completely foreign to the Bible. Indeed it is an "agraphon", that is, a human dream without basis in Scripture...
4. We are told to read Revelation 20. Well, we have read it and we are entirely convinced that we have understood it quite well...We hold it to be in its entirety a certain, divine truth, but not one clear to us. If everything in it is still not clearly revealed to us we are not therefore less able to test each interpretation. And whatever interpretation does not agree with the analogy of faith (Romans 12:7), this we reject as false with absolute certainty...Where in Revelation 20 is there one word which with incontrovertible certainty teaches a twofold visible return of Christ, a twofold bodily resurrection, and a thousand year glorious rule of Christ on earth? We may work through this often abused chapter as often as we may study it, but we cannot find a single word that expresses these points of view clearly..."Sensus scripturae sacrae non est inferendus sed efferendus", that is, the sense of the Holy Scripture is not to be read into it but drawn out of it. This is an old but still applicable rule of interpretation. For that reason we ask again and again, where is it written?... As long as they cannot maintain this teaching of the thousand year reign of Christ on earth with clear and unmistakable passages, we must declare it to be an "agraphon".
5. But we want to maintain something else. The Millennialistic teaching which we have referred to is nothing else than the old Jewish fable which was present long before the writing of St. John and the New Testament by which the holy apostles themselves were held captive before they received enlightenment. This Jewish fable arose again also after the time of the apostles and finally was rejected in the 17th article of our Augsburg Confession.
6. The Jewish Talmud gives proof and many places in the New Testament confirm that since ancient times the Jews held the hope that the Messiah would set up an earthly kingdom in which they would rule over the kingdoms of the heathen; that He would resurrect the patriarchs, prophets, and other Jews who had died, lead them together with those who were still living into the land of Canaan, establish the temple in Jerusalem and the levitical sacrifices, thus reconstituting the kingdom of God visibly...
7. The arch-heretic Cerinthus introduced this Jewish dream again into the Christian church according to the manifold witness of the church fathers...
8. For more than 1,000 years there was almost complete silence about this dream. At last, at the time of the Reformation it was revived by the so-called enthusiasts and Schwaermer. In particular it was the Anabaptists whom the 17th article of the Augsburg Confession had in mind...
9. ...(Millennialism) clearly and effectively attacks some of the main articles of the Christian faith; namely the article that deals with the kingdom of Christ, the coming of Christ to judgement, and the resurrection of the dead.
10. To begin, the article of the kingdom of Christ is attacked. Certainly our Lord Christ rules over a kingdom of power, since all power is given to Him in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18; Psalm 8:7-10). However, so far as He is looked upon as Redeemer and Savior, the church is His kingdom, a kingdom of grace here on earth, while the kingdom of glory is in heaven. The supposed thousand year reign of Christ stands in opposition to both of these and cannot be accepted without damage to both...We therefore conclude that whatever kingdom is visible and built in an external, worldly, visible way (not through the means of grace and the work of the Holy Spirit) is not truly Christ's kingdom of grace on earth, to which He directed His own and by which He encouraged them...
11. The notion of a thousand year earthly reign is every bit as inconsistent with the rule of glory and triumph in heaven as it is with the kingdom of grace. For the blessed dead are received into the heavenly kingdom at the moment of their departure...If now the Lord wanted to remove the blessed spirits from their dwelling place in heavenly joy and glory to bring them back to earth, the place of imperfection, their blessedness which had already begun would be interrupted and would not be eternal...Oh, how ridiculous!
12. Thus now the article of the kingdom of Christ is the first which has been attacked by this erroneous teaching, foreign to the Holy Scriptures, of a thousand year rule which is yet to come. The second is the article of Christ's return to judgement. For it has been revealed to us that Christ will come again at another time to judge the living and the dead...There is nothing of a different visible return of Christ, but rather the day of eternal decision at the end of the Christian's battle, not an in-between kingdom but the rule of eternal fulfillment. Must we not, according to Scripture, wait for the last day every hour?...
13. We still must prove that the false teaching of a thousand year rule of Christ on earth also confuses the article of the resurrection of all flesh. The Scriptures know of no other resurrection of the dead than that on the last day (John 6:39,40,44)...The expectation of the Millenialists that either a general resurrection of the believers or at least of all martyrs will occur more than a thousand years before the last day, makes also this word of the Lord a lie...
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes - I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)
"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15: 51-57)
"According to the Lord's own word we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)
The Scriptures teach that on the Last day God will raise the bodies of every human being who ever lived from the dead.
"Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2)
"A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out." (John 5:28-29)
"There is a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." (Acts 24:15)
"Then I saw a great white throne and He who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done." (Revelation 20:11-13)
The Scriptures teach that in the resurrection of the dead the same bodies that have died and decayed in the grave will be restored by God and reunited with their souls.
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27)
"But someone may ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?' How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies...So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." (1 Corinthians 15:35-36,42-44)
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothes with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life." (2 Corinthians 5:1-4)
"Christ will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." (Philippians 3:21)
"Their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will become loathsome to all mankind." (Isaiah 66:24)
"We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
The eternal fate of every human being is decided at the instant of his death. (Proverbs 11:7; Revelation 2:10; Hebrews 9:27) On the last day all of humanity will be summoned before the judgement seat of God, at which time formal public pronouncement of sentence will take place. The basis of the judgement is one's relationship with Christ. Those who believe in Christ, who are clothed in the robes of His righteousness, will be saved. Unbelievers, who rely on their own righteousness will be damned. The good works which are the evidence of faith, or their absence, will be cited as proof of the justice of God's verdict. (cf. Matthew 25:31-46)
"A dungeon horrible, on all sides round
As one great furnace flamed, yet from those flames
No light, but rather darkness visible
Served only to discover sights of woe,
Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
That comes to all; but torture without end
Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed
With ever burning sulfur unconsumed:
Such place eternal justice has prepared
For those rebellious, here their prison ordained
In utter darkness, and their portion set
As far removed from God and light of heaven
As from the center thrice to the utmost pole.
O how unlike the place from which they fell!
Paradise Lost, John Milton
1. The Bible teaches that all who dies outside of a faith relationship with Jesus Christ are condemned to eternal damnation. (Cf. John 3:16-18; John 8:24; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Mark 16:16)
2. The Bible teaches that the torment of the damned will consist chiefly in eternal banishment from the sight of God and permanent exclusion from communion with God. (cf. Matthew 25:41; Matthew 8:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)
3. The Bible uses a variety of terms to describe the dwelling place of the damned.
A. "Sheol" - (64) a place of punishment for the unrighteous dead (Psalm 9:16,17;
Deuteronomy 32:21-22; Psalm 49:14-15);
B. "Hades" - (11) a place of retribution for the wicked (Luke 16:22-26; Revelation
20:13-15);
C. "Tartarus" - (1) the lowest point in hell (1 Peter 2:14);
D. "Gehenna" - (12) a place of eternal punishment in undying fire (Jeremiah 7:31;
Matthew 18:9; Matthew 23:33; Matthew 10:28)
4. The torment of hell is unending. It will continue forever. (Jude 12,13; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 20:10; Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:41-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Daniel 12:2)
5. While the Bible clearly teaches that hell is a place, it makes no attempt to locate or define the nature of that place. (Cf. Luke 16:28; 1 Peter 3:19)
"Purer and truly orthodox is the opinion that hell is by no means to be defined as some physical or bodily place or some other part of this universe, but is a certain spiritual or illocal place outside of this universe in which the tortures of perpetual divine wrath rave and rage now in the bodies, now in the souls of men...However, where this division hell is to be, yes, where it is already, we cannot definitely state, especially since Scripture itself says nothing certain on this matter." (Leonard Hutter, 1616)
6. In describing the state of damnation, Scripture uses a variety of terms, all of which express intense agony of body and soul. (Romans 2:9; Luke 16:23-24; Mark 9:43-44; Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:50; Isaiah 66:24; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 21:8; 2 Peter 2:17) One should, however, exercise caution in attempting to specifically define the nature of this torment.
"That, therefore, to which the Holy Ghost has ascribed the name, the properties, and the effects of true fire, is not metaphorical, but fire properly so called. But this will not be simply the element of fire as we know it today, but that which is altogether unique. Ordinarily, fire burns only bodies; the infernal fire will act also upon souls. The former ceases when fuel fails; the latter does not stand in need of nourishment. But to desire to explain the nature of infernal fire more explicitly is a matter of curiosity rather than of profit." (David Hollaz, 1713)
"It is wiser to be concerned about escaping this eternal fire than to engage in an unprofitable argument as to the nature of this fire" (John Gerhard, 1637)
7. Degrees of torment in hell, determined by the nature of the sins to be punished, are plainly taught in the Bible (Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 12:47-48; Matthew 10:14-15)
8. The purpose of the Biblical doctrine of hell and eternal damnation is to warn against unbelief and a false sense of security and thus to save from eternal damnation.
THE GATE OF HELL
I am the way into the city of woe.
I am the way to a forsaken people.
I am the way to eternal sorrow.
Sacred justice moved my architect.
I was raised here by divine omnipotence,
Primordial love, and ultimate intelligence.
Only those elements times cannot wear
Were made before me, and beyond time I stand.
Abandon all hope ye who enter here.
(The Inferno, Alighieri Dante)
The Biblical Doctrine of Heaven
1. The Bible asserts that heaven is the dwelling place of God. (Deuteronomy 26:15; 1 Kings 8:30; Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 57:15; 63:15; 66:1; John 14:2; Acts 7:48)
2. The Bible asserts that at the moment of physical death the soul of the believer is in heaven, that is, in the presence of God, and that at the last day all believers, both body and soul, will live with Him forever. (Matthew 25:34; Luke 16:22; 23:43; Acts 7:59; Philippians 1:23; Revelation 6:9-11; 20:4-6)
3. The Bible asserts that the joy of heaven for the believer will consist chiefly in the fact that he will be in the immediate presence of God (the beatific vision). (I John 3:2; Revelation 21:3; I Thessalonians 4:17; I Corinthians 13:11-12; Revelation 7:15; Psalm 16:11)
4. The Bible describes the blessedness of the saints in heaven as perfect freedom from sin and all of its consequences. (2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 7:16,17; 21:4)
5. The Bible uses a variety of earthly imagery to depict the joy and blessedness of heaven. (Matthew 25:10; Revelation 19:6-9 - the marriage feast; Matthew 8:10-11; Luke 14:16-24 -the banquet; Luke 22:30; Revelation 20:4 - the reign from the throne; Revelation 21:2-22:5; Hebrews 12:22 - the new Jerusalem; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 2:7; 22:1-3 - paradise, Eden restored; Hebrews 11:13-16 - the promised land)
6. The Bible asserts that the universe as it exists today will pass away on the Last Day to be replaced with a new heaven and a new earth. (Psalm 102:26; Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22-23; Romans 8:21; 1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 Peter 3:7-14; Revelation 21:1-4)
7. Every attempt to geographically locate heaven or specifically define its nature is folly. Heaven is a place beyond the ability of time and space bound humans to understand. (Matthew 18:10: 1 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
"Nowadays there are many, who like the scholastics of a bygone age, in a free and easy manner philosophize about where the place or seat of God's habitation and that of the saints is. Is it above the crystal heavens, in a spacious realm of definite boundaries and circumscription where in a physical location there are expanses, stations, meeting places, promenades, etc.? But such assertions are made without a basis in Scripture, which indeed teaches that there is a heaven above, the dwelling place of God and the saints; but where it is and what its nature is Scripture not only does not explain but it expressly states: 'Eye has not seen,ear has not heard, and into the heart of man has not entered what God has prepared for His saints.' (1 Corinthians 2:9) And Paul was carried in a rapture beyond the airy heaven and the starry heaven into the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2) but he says so little about the physical aspects of the place that he confesses that he does not even know whether he was carried there in the body or outside of the body. He says that the things that he saw and heard in the celestial light of heaven are 'unspeakable' things that cannot be explained in words." Martin Chemnitz, 1590
8. After the resurrection, the saints in heaven will live with "glorified bodies". The
characteristics of this life are described as:
A. Perfect enlightenment of the intellect (1 Corinthians 13:9-10)
B. Perfect righteousness of will and desire (Psalm 17:15;Ephesians 4:24; 5:27)
C. Perfect security in the permanence of this blessedness (John 16:22)
The "glorified bodies" of the saints will, in fact, be the same bodies in which they lived here on
earth (Job 19:26) cleansed of all of the consequences of sin, aging, disfigurement, disease, etc.
(Matthew 22:30: John 20:26-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-57; Philippians 3:20-21)
9. The joy of every saint in heaven will be perfect and complete. Thus there will be no degrees of bliss. However, Scripture does teach that there are degrees of glory in heaven corresponding to differences of work and fidelity here on earth. (2 Corinthians 9:6f.; Daniel 12:3)
"It is true, there will be differences in yonder life, according as they have labored and lived here. For example, St. Paul was an apostle, Samuel or Isaiah a prophet, etc. One will have greater brightness than the other because he worked or suffered more in his office...Thus everyone will have his distinction and glory according to his office, and still one God and one Lord will be in all, and one and the same joy and bliss. In his person none shall be more or have more than the other, St. Peter no more than you and I. Nonetheless there must be a difference according to the works. For God did not do through Paul what He did through Isaiah, and vice versa. For that reason, everyone will bring along his works through which he will shine and praise God so that the people will say; 'St. Peter has done more than I or another. This man or this woman has led such a fine life and done such great things. In short, all are to be alike before God in faith and grace and celestial bliss, but they are to differ in their works and their honor." (Martin Luther)
10. The saints in heaven will maintain their individual identities and personalities and will be able to recognize and identify one another whether or not they knew one another on earth. (Matthew 17:1-4; Luke 16:23; 1 Corinthians 13:9-10)
11. The purpose of the Biblical doctrine of eternal life in heaven is to be an incentive to men to believe in the Gospel and persevere in the faith that they may obtain that eternal life. (Matthew 5:11-12)
"The doctrine concerning the heaven of the blessed and eternal life is set forth in Holy Scripture, not that we may idly dispute as theorists, concerning the locality of heaven, the beatific vision, or the properties of glorified bodies; but that, as practical men, considering the promised joys of eternal life every day, yes every hour, yes every moment, we may keep closely to the way leading there, and carefully avoid all that can cause delay or recall us from the entrance into life eternal. One of the ancients, who was asked what books he used in his daily studies, answered that he studied every day a book with three pages; one red, one black, one white. On the red page he read of our Lord's passion. On the black he read of the torments of hell. On the white page he read of the joys of the glorified. From this study he derived more profit than if he were to ponder all the works of the philosophers." (John Gerhard)