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Lesson No. 1A - DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN /
NON-CHRISTIAN

WHAT IS DEATH?

Death is the separation of man’s soul and spirit from his body, and the entrance into eternity.

2 Corinthians 4:16
‘... Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day’~

2 Corinthians 5:8
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with God”.

DEATH INVOLVES THREE IMPORTANT CHANGES

1. The separation of the physical body from he soul and spirit. This separation cancels our legal right to inhabit the earth. We must leave and go either to heaven or hell.

Ecclesiastes 12:1, 6-7
“Remember your creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps... and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it”.

2. The return of the body’s chemical elements to dust (decay or corruption).

Genesis 3:19
“For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”.

3. The beginning of a new state of existence for the soul and spirit, awaiting the resurrection of the body and the judgement of God.

Hebrews 9:27
“It is appointed unto men ONCE to die, but after this the judgement".

THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY AUTHORITY CONCERNING LIFE AFTER DEATH

Definite knowledge about life, death and what follows death, can be found only in the Bible.

Jesus Christ Himself is the only man to doe and experience all that transpires afterward, and still come back to tell us about it. This makes Him the final authority.

Revelation 1:18
I am He that live/h and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore".

DEATH IS NOT ANNIHILATION
Some teach that death means the total disintegration of all that pertains to the person. The
Bible emphasises eternal continuity of the person.

RESURRECTION IS NOT REINCARNATION

Others teach that death is simply a process of rebirth, that we will come back in some other form. The Bible stresses the importance of our God-given identity, and that it is appointed to man only ONCE to die and after that the judgement. Hebrews 9:27
IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN AND THE DEATH OF THE NON-CHRISTIAN?

Genesis 2:7
“The Lord formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of hfe, and nian became a living soul’~
God made man to consist of three parts, a spirit, a soul and a body. We call this tripartite.
When man is born again, his spirit is restored to its rightful place. It is made alive again by the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 2:1
“You has He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins’s
John 3:5-6 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of GoaL. That which is born offlesh is flesh, and that which is born of Spirit is spirit’~

We become a new person through the new birth, a complete person for the first time in our life. This makes the difference in what happens at the time of physical death.

A. The body of the believer and the unbeliever undergo the same changes in death. When the soul and spirit leave the body, the body cease to function. Decay begins. Since this part of death follows a natural law, it makes no difference what the spiritual condition of the soul was when the body died.
B. The difference is in what happens to the soul and spirit. The believer’s soul and spirit go to be with God.

C. The spirit and soul of the unbeliever continue in separation from God. The unbeliever actually experiences two deaths, two distinct kinds of separation. The first death is the physical death, common to men, (the separation of soul and spirit from the body). The second death is spiritual separation from God, an everlasting banishment from His presence.

D. The believer will put on a new body from God, which will be perfect and everlasting. This is called our Redeemed Body and it will be similar to Jesus’ post-resurrection body:
2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 15:42-55

Lesson No 1B-Resurrection

WHAT IS RESURRECTION FOR THE CHRISTIAN?

(a) Resurrection literally means the restoration of life to a dead person. After our spirit, soul
and body have been separated by death, God in the resurrection re-unites our spirit and soul
with our body, which is changed into a NEW BODY, fashioned after Christ’s own resurrected body, incorruptible and immortal.

The person’s own identity is restored, including memory, recognition the ability to communicate etc.

1 Corinthians 15:42
“So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption".

2 Corinthians 5:1-8
“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens".

John 5:25
“Truly, truly, I say unto you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live”.

Job 19:25-2 6
“I know that my redeemer liveth and He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh, shall I see God".

(b) Resurrection involves the infusion of life into a real corpse, resulting in the raising up to life of a literal body. This means that people that are dead can experience the reversal of the processes of corruption, and by God’s intervention be raised from the dead.

Luke 24:39
“Behold My hands and My feet, that is I Myself, handle Me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see Me have".

(c) Resurrection is the redemption of our bodies. God changes our bodies to correspond with the nature of our redeemed soul and spirit. While the body we receive in the resurrection will be unmistakably our own, it will not be the same frail frame that was buried. It will have been changed by the power of God, and fashioned like His own. The limitations which cramped our souls and spirits will be removed, our bodies will appropriately express the person we have become.
Philippians 3:21
“Who (Christ) shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto himself
THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL BE RAISED AT AN EARLIER TIME
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede,) them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first”.

Revelation 20:5-6
“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finisheari Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrectwn, an such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years

So resurrection is the raising to life after death, but for the Christian it is more than that. It is also the beginning of glorification, or the changing of the physical body to share in the glorious redemption provided for the whole man by Christ.

WHAT WILL OUR RESURRECTION BODIES BE LIKE?

Our resurrection bodies will be like Jesus’ resurrection body. Jesus resurrection body was both the same yet different from His mortal body. He could appear at will, and pass through walls; and yet He could be handled and eat physical food.

Jesus continued where He had left off in His teaching of His disciples. He also remembered His promises, to meet them in Galilee as He had promised before His death. So evidently His past memory was not impaired.

Paul pictures our mortal body as a very temporary tent-dwelling. A tent is very easily taken down, folded up and moved to another place. It is also very frail, which can be clearly seen in bad weather.

This is in direct contrast to our resurrection body which will be our permanent house. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Paul describes the body in terms of external clothing we take off and put on. When we die, we are separated from this outward covering, but God does not leave us naked, as He provides an immortal covering. 2 Corinthians 5:4

WILL OUR RESURRECTION BODIES BE AN IMPROVEMENT ON OUR PRESENT ONES?

YES

(a) Our new bodies will be incorruptible. I Corinthians 15:42 & 53
Sickness and aging weaken the mortal body until it collapses, but the resurrection body will be free from deterioration.

b Our new bodies will be powerful. 1 Corinthians 15:43

We spend our whole lifetime aware of our human limitations, our bodies are not equal to our
minds, or our spirits but in the resurrection they will be.

This does not mean our new bodies will be ghostly or non-physical. It means it will be a suitable body to express our spiritual qualities. The spirit will once more be in control of over the soul and body, as was the case before the fall of Adam. It will have a body that will not hinder its full expression.

(d) 1 Corinthians 1 5:49-5 0
“As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, neither does corruption inherit incorruption”.

HOW CAN WE BE SURE GOD WILL GIVE US A RESURRECTION BODY?

If we are “in Christ” we have received a guarantee. One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to be “our earnest or guarantee

Ephesians 1:13-1 4
“In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory”.

The spirit of Christ is the first instalment of the life to come.

WILL WE KNOW ONE ANOTHER AFTER DEATH AND RESURRECTION?

This is probably the deepest question within each of our hearts. We are not concerned about theory, we want to know what is going to happen to us. Will we still be the same persons we are now? Will we remember what happened to us in our lives, and continue through eternity? What we are really asking is, “Does resurrection mean that we will continue to have a personal identity? Will our personality survive the grave?”

THANK GOD. THE BIBLE GIVES US AN EMPHATIC “YES” in answer to all these questions. There is much evidence throughout Scripture proving the continuity of our
individual identity.
Yet the simplest explanation is that in the resurrection we will just be like Jesus who is “the
same yesterday, today and forever”. Hebrews 13:8

Lesson No.2- ETERNAL JUDGMENT

TWO DIFFERENT JUDGMENTS

There are two different judgments that the Bible tells us will occur in the end times.

(I) The “Bema” seat judgment and
(2) The Great White Throne judgment.

These will occur at different times and involve two distinctly different groups.

(1) THE “BEMA” SEAT JUDGMENT

The Bema Seat judgment is mentioned in three different places in the New Testament.
Romans 1 4.’ 7-13,19; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-1 5

WHAT DOES “BEMA” MEAN?

The Greek word “Bema” describes a rostrum or pulpit, and was used to describe the stand on which an athlete received his prize. It is in this reward sense that it is being used here.

The Bible does not give us a clear time when the Bema Seat judgment will occur, but it will probably be after the rapture of the Church and before the Second Coming, and the thousand years reign of Christ.

FIVE FACTS ABOUT THE BEMA SEAT JUDGMENT

(1) ONLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN:

(2) WE WILL ALL GIVE ACCOUNT TO GOD OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE:

Romans 14:12
“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God”.

2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the
things [done] in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”. (NKJ)

(3) OUR WORKS WILL BE REVEALED AND TRIED BY FIRE:

1 Corinthians 3:13 each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
(4) REWARDS WILL BE GIVEN OUT IF OUR WORKS SURVIVE THE FIRE
TEST:

1 Corinthians 3:14
“If anyone’s work which he has built on (it) endures, he will receive a reward”.

(5) IF OUR WORKS DON’T SURVIVE THE FIRE WE WILL RECEIVE NO REWARD BUT WE WILL STILL BE SAVED, (MAKE HEAVEN)

1 Corinthians 3.’15
“If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffrr loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire”.

REMEMBER:
Titus 3:5
“NOT BY WORKS of righteousness WHICH WE HAVE DONE, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit”.
(NKJ)

GOLD speaks of Divinity and refers to the Godly character we allow the Holy Spirit to build into our lives after we get Born Again.

SILVER speaks of redemption and refers to our sharing the Good News with those we come into contact with, seeking to get them Born Again.

PRECIOUS STONES speaks of the Body of Christ, the Church, and refers to how we deal with our fellow Christians.

(2) THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

AFTHR THE TRIBULATION, JESUS CHRIST AND THE SAINTS WHICH HAD BEEN
RAPTURED OUT BEFORE THE START OF THE TRIBULATION RETURN TO
EARTH. Revelation 19:19 - 21:8

SIX FACTS ABOUT THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

(1) OCCURS AFTHR THE THOUSAND YEAR REIGN OF CHRIST AND BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH.

(2) ONLY THOSE WHO DIED WITHOUT CHRIST WILL BE JIJDDED.
(3) THEY WILL BE JUDGED, EACH ONE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.

Revelation 20:12b, 13b
‘..And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in
the books... (13) And they were judged, each one according to their works”.

(4) THEY ARE JUDGED BY AND ACCORDING TO THE THINGS THAT ARE WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS.

evelation 20:12b
‘...And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books”.

(5) SOME WILL HAVE THEIR NAMES IN THE BOOK OF LIFE AND WJLL BE SAVED.

Revelation 20:15
“And anyone not found written in the Book of Llfe was cast into the lake of fire”.

THESE ARE THOSE ONES WHO NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL BUT STILL WORSHIPPED GOD, SEEING HIM CLEARLY REVEALED IN HIS CREATION.

Ronians 1:18-25
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (19) because what may be known of God is nian~fest in them, for God has shown fit] to theni. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible [attributes] are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify (Him] as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkenearL (22) Professing to be wise, they became fools, (23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four footed beasts and creeping things. (24) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleaness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, (25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and seri’ed the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever”.

(6) THOSE WHOSE NAME IS NOT FOUND IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WILL BE THROWN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE, WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH.

Revelation 20:14-15
“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15)
And anyone not found written in the Book of Ljfe was cast into the lake of fire”. (NKJ)

WHO IS THE JUDGE OF ALL?

God Himself is the Judge of all, but He has given the authority to carry out His judgement to His Son, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:23b... to God the Judge of all... (NKJ)

John 5:22

“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son”. (NKJ)

WHO DECIDES WHICH GROUP PEOPLE ARE PLACED IN?

Jesus Christ judges the two groups at the different Judgments, but the people themselves choose which group and consequent judgment they will be attending.

Each individual makes his own choice in this matter, while he is still alive on this earth. After death the choice has been made and you will attend the judgment appropriate to your choice.

The choice we each make is in regard to Jesus, whether or not we believe in Him, and put our trust in the sacrifice I-fe made for our sins. The Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever in the world of this in the hope that they will get saved.

John 16:8-9
“And when HE (HOLY SPIRIT] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) of sin, because they do not believe in Me [JESUS]”.

SIX FACTS ABOUT JESUS’ JUDGMENT

(1) IT IS RIGHTEOUS {RIGHT}:

Psalms 96:13 “For He is coming, for He is coining to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth”. (NKJ)

(2) IT IS IMPARTIAL (WITHOUT FAVOURITISM}:
Romans 2:11 “For there is no partiality with God”. (NKJ)

(3) IT IS TRUE ANT) ACCURATE:

Revelation 19:2a “For true and righteous [are] His judgments... “. (NK.J)

(4) IT IS JUST (IT IS DESERVED}:

Revelation 20:12b “...And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books “. (NKJ)

(5) IT IS THOROUGH:

Matthew 12:36 “But I say to you that every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day ofjudgment”. (NKJ)

(6) JUDGED ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL:

Romans 2:16 “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel”. (NKJ)

FIVE ASPECTS OF GOD RELATED TO THE GREAT WHITE THRONE
JUDGMENT

(I) SINCE GOD ALREADY KNOWS ALL THINGS, WHY IS JUDGMENT NECESSARY?

God wants all of us to know what He knows. He wants to demonstrate the righteousness of His judgment by open exposure.

The necessity of this kind of judgment is built into the very fibre of the earth. Actions always have consequences, good or bad.

Galatians 6:7
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever man sows, that also he will reap”.
(NKJ)

We see that sin has consequence.

Romans 6:23a
“For the wages of sin (is] death...” (NKJ)

(2) GOD IS REVEALED AND GLORIFIED IN JUDGMENT:

God is glorified and exalted in judgment because it reveals His true character, which is Holy and Righteous.

Isaiah 5:16
“But the Lord of Hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be
hallowed in righteousness”. (NKJ)

(3) GOD IS UNDERSTOOD THROUGH JUDGMENT:

During this life many people misunderstand God, Because He seems to allow so much evil to exist and (seemingly) go unpunished. In the judgment we will understand that nothing goes unnoticed, and all things will receive a just reward. The time factor is to allow time for repentance.

2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slack concerning (His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”. (NKJ)

(4) GOD WILL BE CLEARLY SEEN TO BE JUST IN JUDGMENT:

All accusations and objections regarding God’s justice will be publicly answered. God will bring all together and judge openly before all. He will show what deeds were done and what judgment He renders. As all observe God’s perfect justice, every complaint will be subdued, every mouth shut and only praise will be appropriate on that day.

(5) THE CERTAINTY OF COMING JUDGMENT SHOULD CAUSE THE FEAR OF GOD TO BE PRESENT ON THE EARTH:
8
The certainty of the coming judgment, when every secret will be exposed, should create in the hearts of all mankind a reverential fear of God and a respect for His moral demands. If it does, then it should lead to repentance, and a willingness to keep His commands.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (14,) For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether (it is] good or whether (it is] evil”.

DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN &NON-CHRISTIAN

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