"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:
    1. Interest in the occult
    2. 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
    1. Their knowledge may be limited to what they have heard or seen on religious TV and radio programs
    2. 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...]

  1. DEFINITION OF TERMS
    1. 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...
        1. ESCHATOS - meaning "last things"
        2. LOGOS - meaning "word" or "discourse"
      3. Therefore, eschatology is a discourse or study about the last things
    2. INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY vs. GENERAL ESCHATOLOGY...
      1. The field of "eschatology" can be divided into two general areas
      2. INDIVIDUAL eschatology...
        1. Pertains to what happens to the individual between death and the final return of Christ
        2. Otherwise known as the "intermediate state"
      3. GENERAL eschatology...
        1. Pertains to what will happen when and after Christ's final coming
        2. This relates to what we might call our "eternal destiny"
      4. In this series of lessons, we will consider both fields of eschatology...
        1. Beginning with "individual" eschatology
        2. 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...]

  2. THE VALUE OF SUCH A STUDY
    1. 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
    2. 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
    3. 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
    4. 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
    5. 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!
    6. 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
    7. IT CAN INCREASE INCENTIVE TO BE STEADFAST IN THE FAITH...
      1. Consider 1Pe 5:8-9
      2. The more we strengthen the inner conviction...
        1. That hell is real
        2. 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...