1. Gathered To His People Genesis 25:1-10

2. Introduction  Death is a universal sentence Disease, accident, old age Disease, accident, old age One fate (Ecclesiastes 9:2-6) One fate (Ecclesiastes 9:2-6) Two appointments (Hebrews 9:27) Two appointments (Hebrews 9:27)  Fascination with death Poets write about it Poets write about it Fear of death (Hebrews 2:14, 15) Fear of death (Hebrews 2:14, 15)

3. Introduction  Objectives Establish the fact of life after death (Job 14:14) Establish the fact of life after death (Job 14:14) Answer the question: “Where are the dead?” Answer the question: “Where are the dead?” Deal with what one knows after death Deal with what one knows after death

4. Old Testament  Hebrew word “sheol” Translated grave, hell, “the pit” Translated grave, hell, “the pit” Place where one was “gathered to his people,” or “to one’s fathers” Place where one was “gathered to his people,” or “to one’s fathers” One was conscious and retained their identity (Isaiah 14:9) One was conscious and retained their identity (Isaiah 14:9)

5. Old Testament  Hebrew word “sheol” Samuel could be summoned from the dead (1 Samuel 28:8-19) Samuel could be summoned from the dead (1 Samuel 28:8-19) God was aware of what went on there (Job 26:6) God was aware of what went on there (Job 26:6) His presence was felt there (Psalm 139:8) His presence was felt there (Psalm 139:8)

6. Old Testament  Viewed Sheol as a temporary place Longed to be delivered (Job 14:7-15; 19:25-27) Longed to be delivered (Job 14:7-15; 19:25-27) Jesus’ soul not left there (Psalm 16:10, 11) Jesus’ soul not left there (Psalm 16:10, 11) Believed God’s wrath could be felt there (Deuteronomy 32:22) Believed God’s wrath could be felt there (Deuteronomy 32:22) A place of reunion (2 Samuel 12:23) A place of reunion (2 Samuel 12:23)

7. Old Testament  Some things settled Believed the dead were alive in spirit (Saul and Samuel) Believed the dead were alive in spirit (Saul and Samuel) Faithful and wicked in different places Faithful and wicked in different places One retains their identity One retains their identity Longing for an eternal abode is confirmed in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:13-16) Longing for an eternal abode is confirmed in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:13-16)

8. New Testament  Five different terms “Hades”- equivalent of Sheol, most often used (Psalm 16:8-11) “Hades”- equivalent of Sheol, most often used (Psalm 16:8-11) Paradise- Persian word for a royal park (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 2:7) Paradise- Persian word for a royal park (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 2:7)

9. New Testament  Five different terms Heaven- atmosphere around earth, the space beyond the earth, and the invisible realm where God dwells (Matthew 6:26; 24:29; John 3:13, 31; 2 Corinthians 12:2; Hebrews 8:1) Heaven- atmosphere around earth, the space beyond the earth, and the invisible realm where God dwells (Matthew 6:26; 24:29; John 3:13, 31; 2 Corinthians 12:2; Hebrews 8:1)

10. New Testament  Five different terms Tartarus- used once to describe the place where sinful angels are being held until judgment (2 Peter 2:4) Tartarus- used once to describe the place where sinful angels are being held until judgment (2 Peter 2:4) Gahenna- named after the Valley of Hinnom, describes the final place of torment (Matthew 10:28; 25:41; Mark 9:43-47) Gahenna- named after the Valley of Hinnom, describes the final place of torment (Matthew 10:28; 25:41; Mark 9:43-47)

11. New Testament  Both an intermediate place as well as a permanent place Victory assured because of Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) Victory assured because of Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) Hades is temporary while gahenna is permanent Hades is temporary while gahenna is permanent

12. New Testament  Some things are settled Some will be with the Devil and his angels throughout eternity Some will be with the Devil and his angels throughout eternity We are making our decision now We are making our decision now

13. A Picture of Life After Death  The rich man and Lazarus Story Jesus told (Luke 16:19-31) Story Jesus told (Luke 16:19-31) Some say it was only a parable Some say it was only a parable Bears none of the marks of a parable Bears none of the marks of a parable Would still be true Would still be true

14. A Picture of Life After Death  What can we learn? Hades separated into two parts (vv. 22, 23) Hades separated into two parts (vv. 22, 23) Conscious existence (vv. 24, 25) Conscious existence (vv. 24, 25) Retained identities (v. 25; 1 John 3:2) Retained identities (v. 25; 1 John 3:2) No change of status (v. 26) No change of status (v. 26) Dead can no longer affect the affairs of the living (vv. 27-31) Dead can no longer affect the affairs of the living (vv. 27-31)

15. Conclusion  Death and judgment are certain  Are you ready?  Prepare now