Life After Death - What Is The Value Of Such A Study?

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                           "LIFE AFTER DEATH"

                   What Is The Value Of Such A Study?

INTRODUCTION

1. Mankind has long been fascinated with the subject of life after death

2. Such fascination has given rise to such things as:
   a. Interest in the occult
   b. Speculation concerning the timing and events surrounding the
      return of Jesus Christ

3. It has also created much confusion among those who are Christians,
   who have every reason to look forward to the future with certainty
   and great expectation

4. Though the Bible has much to say about what will occur after death
   and in the future, many have not studied the Bible CAREFULLY on this
   subject
   a. Their knowledge may be limited to what they have heard or seen on
      religious TV and radio programs
   b. Or their understanding may be based upon a point of view that is
      taught by their religion's creed, rather than the Bible itself

5. It is my prayer that this series of lessons on "Life After Death"
   may help increase our understanding on what the Bible itself actually
   teaches on the subject

[In this lesson, I wish to answer the question, "What is the value of
such a study?"  But first, it may help to define a couple of terms...]

I. DEFINITION OF TERMS

   A. ESCHATOLOGY...
      1. The systematic study of that which the Bible has revealed
         regarding the future is called "eschatology"
      2. The term comes from two words...
         a. ESCHATOS - meaning "last things"
         b. LOGOS - meaning "word" or "discourse"
      3. Therefore, eschatology is a discourse or study about the last
         things

   B. INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY vs. GENERAL ESCHATOLOGY...
      1. The field of "eschatology" can be divided into two general
         areas
      2. INDIVIDUAL eschatology...
         a. Pertains to what happens to the individual between death and
            the final return of Christ
         b. Otherwise known as the "intermediate state"
      3. GENERAL eschatology...
         a. Pertains to what will happen when and after Christ's final
            coming
         b. This relates to what we might call our "eternal destiny"
      4. In this series of lessons, we will consider both fields of
         eschatology...
         a. Beginning with "individual" eschatology
         b. Because for much of mankind, their death precedes the coming
            of Christ

[But what is the value of such a study, besides answering our curiosity?
Is such a study really practical?

Consider, then...]

II. THE VALUE OF SUCH A STUDY

   A. IT ENCOURAGES US TO SO LIVE THAT THE BLESSINGS WILL BE OURS...
      1. The Lord has promised wonderful blessing to those who endure
         - Jm 1:12
      2. It is entirely proper for the believer to seek whatever
         blessings God has prepared for the righteous - 1Pe 3:8-12

   B. IT FURNISHES A STIMULUS AND A THEME FOR EVANGELISM...
      1. Knowing what lay ahead for sinful mankind motivated Paul to
         preach - 2Co 5:10-11
      2. It should also motivate sinners to obey - Ac 17:30; Mt 16:24-
         27

   C. IT HELPS ONE TO ANSWER INQUIRERS, AND TO QUIET DECEIVERS...
      1. Many are sincerely interested, and we should be able to give
         them the correct teaching - 1Pe 3:15
      2. But there are many bent on teaching their false doctrine, and
         we should be able to refute them - Tit 1:9-11

   D. IT HELPS TO STIMULATE PRAYER...
      1. The importance of prayer to the Christian can never be over-
         emphasized - cf. Lk 18:1-8
      2. Meditating upon the "end times" can stimulate serious and
         watchful prayer - 1Pe 4:7

   E. IT CAN STRENGTHEN LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER...
      1. Read carefully 1Pe 4:7-10
      2. Increasing our understanding for what awaits the faithful can
         spur greater devotion and service to one another (cf. Mt 25:
         31-46)
      3. That service in turn strengthens our love for one another!

   F. IT CAN CAUSE MORE GLORY TO BE GIVEN TO GOD...
      1. Note carefully Ro 2:4, where we learn the goodness of God
         leads men to repent
      2. The more we learn of God's goodness which He has prepared for
         those who love and obey Him, the more we (and others) will
         repent...resulting in the glory of God - cf. 1Pe 4:11

   G. IT CAN INCREASE INCENTIVE TO BE STEADFAST IN THE FAITH...
      1. Consider 1Pe 5:8-9
      2. The more we strengthen the inner conviction...
         a. That hell is real
         b. That it is Satan's sinister purpose to devour as many
            people as possible
            ...the more incentive we will have to remain steadfast in
            the faith!

CONCLUSION

1. Far from being an impractical subject of study, the truths concerning
   the "last things" can be of inestimable value to our present life

2. As John wrote, our hope in the One Who is coming, and what that means
   for us, can help to "purify" ourselves - cf. 1Jn 3:2-3

In our next study, we shall begin looking at "individual" eschatology by
examining different attitudes held towards death itself...
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