THEOLOGY IV Death & the Intermediate State Glorification Union with Christ -Instructor Christopher Ullman

Death: A Condition of Belief Aconstant threat, always on the mind of every person in Bible days –Psalm –Psalm 49 – Man, despite his riches, does not endure –Jonah –Jonah 2 – The earth barred me in forever –Psalm –Psalm 116 – Find the three mentions of the word “death” –Hebrews –Hebrews 2:15 – Held in slavery all their lives The The thought “Today I may die” was a daily reminder of the need for God Only Only two have escaped: 2 Kings 2:11, Hebrews 11:5

Why Do Christians Die? Punishment? Punishment? –Ezekiel –Ezekiel Ezekiel 18 –John –John John 8:24 –But, –But, see Romans 8:1 Aresult of living in a fallen world? –Hebrews –Hebrews Hebrews 9:27 –Ecclesiastes –Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 8:8 –Romans –Romans Romans 8:20 –The –The last enemy (1 (1 1 Corinthians 15:2615:26) 15:26

Why Do Christians Die? To To complete what was started: our sanctification, making us like Christ –Hebrews –Hebrews Hebrews 5:85:8, 5:8, 5:8 2:10 –Hebrews –Hebrews Hebrews 12:1-2 –Revelation –Revelation Revelation 2:10 –Philippians –Philippians Philippians 3:10 The The prospect of death readies us –Romans –Romans Romans 8:17 –Acts –Acts Acts 5:29-335:29-33, 5:29-33, 5: :13 –Revelation –Revelation Revelation 12:11

What Should be our Attitude? About About our own death: Pure joy –2 –2 2 Corinthians 5:8 –Philippians –Philippians Philippians 1:21-23 –Revelation –Revelation Revelation 14:13 –Psalm –Psalm Psalm 23:4 –1 –1 1 Peter 4:13 About About the death of other Christians: joy mixed with sorrow –Acts –Acts Acts 8:2 –Philippians –Philippians Philippians 2:27 –1 –1 1 Thessalonians 4:13

What Should be our Attitude? About About the death of an unbeliever: great sorrow –Romans –Romans Romans 9:1-3 Our Our uncertainty can temper our grief –1 –1 1 Kings 8:39 – God alone knows the hearts of all men Respect Respect Gratitude Gratitude for good qualities –2 –2 2 Samuel 1:231:23, 1:23, 1:23 27

Death the Last Enemy 1 1 Corinthians 15 – count the words death, die, dying –Why –Why was there so much emphasis in Paul’s mind on the resurrection of the dead?

We Groan Longing to be Clothed 2 2 Corinthians 5555 –What –What “burdens” us? –We –We are at home in the body –“We –“We live by faith, not by sight” regard no one from a worldly point of view” –“The –“The old has gone, the new has come”

Where does the soul go? 2 2 Corinthians 5:8 Philippians Philippians Philippians 1:23 Luke Luke Luke 23:43 Hebrews Hebrews Hebrews 12:23

Death Errors 1. Purgatory 2. Soul 2. Soul Sleep 3. Praying 3. Praying for the Dead 4. Annihilationism 5. Things 5. Things not to say at funerals

Death Errors Purgatory Purgatory –Misinterpretations –Misinterpretations of 2 Timothy 1:181:18, 1:18, 1:18 Matthew 5:265:26, 5:26, 5:26 1 Corinthians 3:153:15, 3:15, 3:15 Matthew 12:32 –The –The destiny of a soul is dependent only upon decisions and deeds made by that individual 2 2 Corinthians 5:10 John John John 3:183:18, 3:18, 3:18 36 –The –The Apocryphal passage from 2 Maccabees 12:43-46

Death Errors Soul Soul Sleep? –Sleep –Sleep is a Scriptural metaphor for death, sleeping sleeping for being in a state of death Acts Acts Acts 7:60 John John John 11: Samuel 7:12 –Death –Death is followed by conscious existence Luke Luke Luke 23:43 Philippians Philippians Philippians 1:23 Hebrews Hebrews Hebrews 12:22-24

Death Errors Praying Praying for the dead? –No –No precedent for it in Scripture –The –The destiny of a soul is dependent only upon decisions and deeds made by that individual 2 2 Corinthians 5:10 John John John 3:183:18, 3:18, 3:18 36 Catholic Catholic practice is based on an Apocryphal passage from 2 Maccabees 12:42-45

Death Errors Annihilationism? Annihilationism? –No –No precedent for it in Scripture –The –The destiny of a soul is dependent only upon decisions and deeds made by that individual Matthew Matthew Matthew 25:41 & 46 Revelation Revelation Revelation 20:15 & 10

Death Errors Things Things not to say at funerals –“You –“You can always have another child.” –“You’re –“You’re young; you can get married again.” –“Don’t –“Don’t worry. You’ll see him again.” –“How –“How are you doing?” –“You –“You look terrible.” –“He –“He looks wonderful.” –“Life –“Life goes on.” –_–_–_–_

What to do at a funeral Be there for the bereaved Be there for the bereaved –Job 2:11-13 (but see 16:2-3) Express sympathy and support Express sympathy and support –I am so sorry –He will be missed –I admired him –I will pray for you –You can call on me

Glorification The final step in the application of redemption: Romans 8:30 The final step in the application of redemption: Romans 8:30 –Being chosen –Being called –Being justified –Being glorified! A painting by Maulbertsch

Glorification Believed by Old Testament believers Believed by Old Testament believers –Hebrews 11:10, 13-16, 19 –Job 19:25-26 –Isaiah 26:19 –Daniel 12:2 Not a dominant theme Not a dominant theme Not as much detail as in NT Not as much detail as in NT

Glorification Primary passages Primary passages –1 Corinthians 15:12-58 –1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 –1 John 3:2 –Romans 8:11 –2 Corinthians 5:1-10 –Philippians 3:20

Glorification What will our resurrection bodies be like? What will our resurrection bodies be like? –1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49 1 Corinthians 15: Corinthians 15: “Imperishable” (see 1 Peter 1:23) “Imperishable” (see 1 Peter 1:23)1 Peter 1:231 Peter 1:23 “In glory” (see Matthew 13:43 & 17:2, Exodus 34:35) “In glory” (see Matthew 13:43 & 17:2, Exodus 34:35)Matthew 13:43 17:2Exodus 34:35Matthew 13:43 17:2Exodus 34:35 “In power” (see Philippians 3:21) “In power” (see Philippians 3:21)Philippians 3:21Philippians 3:21 “A spiritual body” (consistent with the character and activity of the Holy Spirit) “A spiritual body” (consistent with the character and activity of the Holy Spirit) –1 John 3:2-3 - “We shall be like him” 1 John 3:2-3 1 John 3:2-3 –They will be physical: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 2 Corinthians 5:1-52 Corinthians 5:1-5

Glorification Questions 1. How recognizable will we be? 2. What of our personalities will persist? 3. What of us will probably not persist? 4. Besides the physical beings of saints, what else will be glorified?

Union With Christ This phrase describes several different relationships between believers and Christ: We are in Christ. We are in Christ. Christ is in us. Christ is in us. We are like Christ. We are like Christ. We are with Christ. We are with Christ. It is one of the key Biblical foundations for the concept of the Church.

Us, from a God’s-eye point of view

You (s.) are mysteriously identified with Christ, in God’s eyes You (s.) are mysteriously identified with Christ, in God’s eyes You (pl.) are mysteriously identified with Christ, in God’s eyes You (pl.) are mysteriously identified with Christ, in God’s eyes God chooses to see the Church through “Christ-colored” glasses God chooses to see the Church through “Christ-colored” glasses God is real. All that God sees as real is real, and is the standard for reality. God is real. All that God sees as real is real, and is the standard for reality. The Church really is in union with Christ. The Church really is in union with Christ.

What does it mean to say … 1. We are in Christ? 2. Christ is in us? 3. We are like Christ? 4. We are with Christ?