The Doctrine of Eschatology eschatos - things ology - the of. Eschatology- what will happen to us as humans

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1 Christian Doctrine Dr. Lemons The Doctrine of the Last Things The Doctrine of Eschatology eschatos - things ology - the of Two Aspects: Eschatology- what will happen to us as humans Eschatology- what will happen to all of the created order Individual Eschatology ( What happens to me when I die? ) Three Kinds of Death: (All involve a of some kind) 1. Death- what s the separation? The part of our humanity is separated from the part, a consequence of sin. 2. Death- what s the separation? Isaiah 59:2. But your iniquities have separated you from your God. The spiritual separation of lost humanity from God, a consequence of sin The separation of lost humanity from God, a consequence of sin 3. Death (the death of Rev. 20:14) What s the separation here? The complete separation of from God forever! Occurs at the final. What Happens After Death? 1

2 Fact: We know that at the immaterial aspect of our nature is separated from the material. Fact: We know that at some point in the we will receive our glorified, resurrection body (material) suited for heaven. Question: So what s happening to us in the? Key Passage: Key terms relating to death: (NT) or (OT)- the abode of the dead (all the dead); where everyone goes after death (Greek- garden )- the upper compartment of Sheol, the abode of the righteous dead; a place of great joy, peace, happiness, the presence of Jesus; Luke 23:43- the thief on the cross 2 Cor. 12:2-4- The third heaven (v. 2), paradise (v.4) The lower compartment of Sheol- a place of great torment and separation (Luke 16:23) Final - after the final resurrection, the final abode for believers, Rev. 21:1-3 Final - after the final resurrection, the final abode for nonbelievers, Rev. 20:11-15 Various Theories of What Happens After Death: 1. Universalism- everyone gets there eventually Universalism Universalism 2. OT and the early Medieval Church After death, existence is in a dreary, state; you are neither happy nor 2

3 miserable; you are simply awaiting the final resurrection of the body. RCC repudiated this at Council of Florence in 1439, Greek Orthodox Church still teaches this position. 3. Roman Catholicism = cleansing, a time of preparation for heaven Only those perfectly holy and righteous can go immediately into heaven (paradise); the perfectly holy are those by the pope as a saint. Medieval theologians in Western Europe described the immediate afterlife (Hades) consisting of four distinct parts: Hell of the (Gehenna) An intermediary state after physical death in which those destined for heaven "undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 12, III, 1030). Limbus Patrum Limbus Infantum Is there Scriptural support for the doctrine of Purgatory? 4. Sleep After death the soul is in a state of (sleep) until the final resurrection Seventh Day Adventists/Jehovah s Witnesses What about Scriptures that refer to death as sleep? These terms are simply for death in the Scriptures. 3

4 5. Instantaneous At death, believers get their resurrected body and enter heaven. Sounds appealing, but what about all the biblical teachings about a resurrection day one day? The Second Coming, Resurrection, and Final Judgment The Second Coming: Key Words: Parousia- Apokalypsis- Epiphaneia- Four Key Aspects: 1. Jesus is again! How is He Coming? Personally Visibly Triumphantly/Gloriously 2. He is coming! It is always (Rev. 22:20) 3. We need to be! 4

5 4. We need to get the ready! Theories of Christ s Return: (See Handouts) Major Evangelical Theories of the Millennium: Caution #1-These are all held by evangelical Christians, be careful about judging others, one s particular theory of the millennium is probably not an essential/non-negotiable doctrine of the faith. Caution #2- The millennium is only mentioned in 6 verses in the Bible (Rev. 20:1-6), we must be careful about developing elaborate, full proof theories on one small section of Scripture. See PowerPoint presentation on the theories Areas of General Agreement between the Various Theories 1. Jesus will to earth one day 2. There will be a resurrection of all people who ever lived 3. There will be a final and a final abode for everyone The Resurrection: How will it happen? It will be a resurrection- (What is the nature of this bodily resurrection?) It is not a or a re-creation but a transformation; a glorified body- 1 Cor. 15; (metamorphosis analogy/petrified wood) It will be for both the righteous and the The Final Judgment: For - The Judgment (Bema) Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10) 5

6 For - The Great White Throne of Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) The Final Judgment is! Final States: (After the Final Resurrection) Final State for Believers: (Heaven is used in three ways in the Bible) 1. The universe. 2. A for God. 3. The of God. The Nature of Heaven: (The of God) 1. Complete 2. Removal of all 3. Place of great - the New Jerusalem, the New Heaven and New Earth Life in Heaven: 1. (Completion of the ) Issues Regarding Heaven: 1. Is it a or a of being? 2. What about pleasure? 3. What about perfection in Heaven? 4. Will we know each other in Heaven? 6

7 (The principle of ) 5. What about in Heaven? Final State for Non-Believers: Hell (The of God) What will Final Hell Be Like? 1. Intense of punishment 4. No Chances Versus 7