the Bible View of DEATH Having the proper view of death is absolutely essential for the Christian A misguided view of death will lead us to a weakened faith It will lead us to fail under persecution and trial Many views of death are rooted in a carnal mindset; the very mindset the Christian must abandon That physical death is the end of life That physical death is fought and avoided at all costs As Christians we must realize that our physical death is but another step in our journey toward our final goal A proper focus on that goal allows for a healthy view of death

WHAT IS DEATH? THE SEPARATION OF SPIRIT 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26 (NASB95) A healthy attitude begins with correct information Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the flesh - James 2:26 Ps 164: 1-4; Eccl 12:7 - This is the way in which physical death has been described throughout scripture Luke 23:46 - Jesus spoke of His own death in this way

WHAT IS DEATH? THE SEPARATION OF SPIRIT 1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; In that very day his thoughts perish. Psalm 146:1–4 (NASB95) A healthy attitude begins with correct information Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the flesh - James 2:26 Ps 164: 1-4; Eccl 12:7 - This is the way in which physical death has been described throughout scripture Luke 23:46 - Jesus spoke of His own death in this way

Ecclesiastes 12:6–7 (NASB95) WHAT IS DEATH? THE SEPARATION OF SPIRIT 6 Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; 7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:6–7 (NASB95) A healthy attitude begins with correct information Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the flesh - James 2:26 Ps 164: 1-4; Eccl 12:7 - This is the way in which physical death has been described throughout scripture Luke 23:46 - Jesus spoke of His own death in this way

WHAT IS DEATH? THE SEPARATION OF SPIRIT 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46 (NASB95) A healthy attitude begins with correct information Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the flesh - James 2:26 Ps 164: 1-4; Eccl 12:7 - This is the way in which physical death has been described throughout scripture Luke 23:46 - Jesus spoke of His own death in this way

WHAT IS DEATH? THE SEPARATION OF SPIRIT NOT ANNIHILATION 28 “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. John 5:28–29 (NASB95) NOT ANNIHILATION Physical death is not annihilation There are many doctrines which teach that there is no true after life that the dead merely cease to exist Atheist No Hell advocates Scripture teaches that both the righteous and the wicked will be resurrected and receive their respective destinies John 5:28-29 - all who are in the tombs will hear His voice; and will come forth the good to the resurrection of life the evil to a resurrection of judgment contrasted with the spiritual resurrection in which some would not hear and therefore not be resurrected

WHAT IS DEATH? THE SEPARATION OF SPIRIT NOT ANNIHILATION 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:8–9 (NASB95) THE SEPARATION OF SPIRIT NOT ANNIHILATION To define death as annihilation denies the atoning aspects of the cross To deny the continued existence of the ungodly is to deny the continued existence of the righteous To deny the continued existence of the righteous denies that God died on the cross Heb 2:9 - However if God did not die on the cross there is no atonement Death is a transition from one condition to another Life is full of such transitions, we go from the condition of a child to an adult, from immaturity to maturity, from sin to salvation, from this life to the next.

SHOULD WE FEAR DEATH? ANY TRANSITION MAY HAVE ASPECTS E DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO Any major transition in life may have aspects that we do not look forward to. Becoming more mature in this life often brings with it physical changes that are unpleasant Often times reaching out for new opportunities requires us to leave behind familiar and comfortable things Hesitancy at leaving these things behind is certainly understandable and acceptable, as long as I do not refuse to move forward (ex. 30 year old children)

SHOULD WE FEAR DEATH? ANY TRANSITION MAY HAVE ASPECTS E DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. Philippians 1:21–22 (NASB95) PAUL VIEWED DEATH AS THE END OF SUFFERING Paul viewed death as a welcome blessing marking the end of his earthly suffering Phil 1:21-24 Paul seems to be almost ambivalent concerning his death, ready to accept the release from this life but prepared to continue on with the struggle For his own personal perspective the release that death provides was a welcome alternative However, He recognized that the Lord had more work for him and so was content to push on It is this very selfless view that we must develop (in all things) in order to have the proper attitude toward both this life and our entrance into the next Phil 1:15-20,29 - Throughout the book of Philippians Paul’s attitude toward both his life and his death indicate a practical trust in Christ This would be the most practical demonstration of our faith in Christ Phil 4:10-13 - it was this attitude of faith and trust that allowed Paul to be able to live with such contentment in this life, he truly viewed this life as just a stop along the way, he put his faith fully in Christ and simply sought to serve Him whatever the case may be

SHOULD WE FEAR DEATH? ANY TRANSITION MAY HAVE ASPECTS E DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7–8 (NASB95) PAUL VIEWED DEATH AS THE END OF SUFFERING This is not to advocate some death obsession, the child of God is not one seeking death 2Tim 4:6-8 - We realize the need to finish the race and we ought to seek out a long life of service before going to our reward 2Cor 5:1-4 - However, we can long for the blessing of death and the reward that it brings with it Rom 8:23 - We recognize that while our souls are redeemed at the point of justification our final redemption requires the blessing of death It is in this that we learn to embrace death. We come to understand that it is the provision of a loving God to allow us to truly be redeemed not only from our own sins but from the sufferings of an existence corrupted by sin. THE CHILD OF GOD IS NOT SEEKING DEATH

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE? I LEAVE THIS REALM AND ENTER ANOTHER 1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1–3 (NASB95) This is not to advocate some death obsession, the child of God is not one seeking death 2Tim 4:6-8 - We realize the need to finish the race and we ought to seek out a long life of service before going to our reward 2Cor 5:1-4 - However, we can long for the blessing of death and the reward that it brings with it Rom 8:23 - We recognize that while our souls are redeemed at the point of justification our final redemption requires the blessing of death It is in this that we learn to embrace death. We come to understand that it is the provision of a loving God to allow us to truly be redeemed not only from our own sins but from the sufferings of an existence corrupted by sin. I enter into the realm of the dead - Hades This term is used as a figure for death itself Matt 11:23, 16:18, In its literal usage is indicates the place of departed souls; both righteous and unrighteous Luke 16:23 - both the Rich Man and Lazarus were in “hades” the Rich Man in torment and Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom Acts 2:27, 31 - At the point of death the soul of Jesus went to Hades even as the body of Jesus went to the grave, thus God “raised Him up” If righteous I enter into Paradise Luke 23:40-43, 2Cor 12:4; Rev 2:7 Luke 23:23-25 - Paradise is described as a place of comfort and bliss 2Cor 12:4 - this is the “third heaven” which Paul was allowed to view Rev 2:7 - it is the place in which those who overcome will “eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God”

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE? I LEAVE THIS REALM AND ENTER ANOTHER 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,...52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:22–23,52 (NASB95) I ENTER A NEW CONDITION Perhaps more important that the place is the condition Those in paradise are faithful Christians awaiting the final redemption of their bodies 1Cor 15:23,52

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE? I LEAVE THIS REALM AND ENTER ANOTHER 28 “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. John 5:28–29 (NASB95) I ENTER A NEW CONDITION Most importantly when I die I lose the ability to effect my eternal destiny John 5:28-29 - those who did evil deeds are not given a choice they are called forth for the resurrection of judgment Luke 16:23-26 - There was no relief for the rich man The time to repent is now I LOSE THE ABILITY TO EFFECT MY ETERNAL DESTINY