WAITING FOR THE RESURRECTION
We have seen that the Bible offers only two eternal destinies for
mankind to choose from. One is terenal life, the other, death. We
have also seen that the gateway to our eternal destiny is the
resurrection from the dead (unless we happen to be alive at the
Second Coming of Christ). For the righteous, that resurrection
occurs at the Second Coming. It is called the "first
resurrection"
Revelation 20:5 and those who have
a part in it are called "blessed and holy" Revelation 20:6. The apostle Paul
summarized this experience in his letter to the church in
Corinth:
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." 1 Corinthians 15:22,23.
We saw that those who are not raised with the righteous at the
Second Coming will be raised 1,000 years later: "But the rest
of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished."
Revelation 20:5.
The question we want to consider now is this. What happens to a
person when they die? What do they experience while they are
waiting for the first or second resurrection? For many this may be
a troubling question. The Bible often cuts across our preconceived
notions. Upon close inspection, it often fails to teach the very
things that we have always believed it did. This is true for the
subject of death, the uncomfortable subject. Did you know that in
a study of high school youth, it was discovered that these young
people spent more time thinking about sex and death than any other
subjects? But that is a fact. If people do not talk about death,
it is not because they do not think about it. More likely, they
have chosen one notion or another and do not want anyone to "upset
the applecart". The unfortunate thing is that many people suffer
under fear and anxiety throughout their lifetime because of
misconceptions about the subject of death. It is interesting to
watch people at a funeral. Even those who claim to be the most
optimistic about the experience often come completely "unglued" in
the face of the reality. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the
truth, and the truth shall make you free." John
8:32. Is it possible that this could also be true for the
experience of death? Jesus accused the Jewish Pharisees of
"making the word of God of none effect through your
traditions." Throughout the centuries of the Christian
Church, tradition has also obscured the light of truth. There are
few subjects for which this has been as true as for the subject of
death.
What does the Bible say? For those who are willing lay aside their
prejudices and study the scriptures for themselves, there is an
answer which is reasonable, satisfying, and comforting. Let's
investigate the evidence.
Helps and hints: Among the Greek philosophers,
some of the most influential considered death to be a friend. They
visualized people as pure, immortal spirits trapped in corrupted,
mortal bodies. At death, the spirit was said to be freed from the
burden of this degrading and cumbersome body. The Bible does not
support such a concept. Death is seen for exactly what it is, the
great enemy of mankind, the separator of friends and loved ones.
Helps and hints: It comes as a surprise to many
that the term "second death" appears in the Bible at all.
In fact, it appears four times in the book of Revelation.
Helps and hints: The experience of the
"second death" will be studied in another lesson. For
now we need only notice that those who experience it will be those
who are resurrectedin the second resurrection, one thousand years
after the second coming of Christ. Simply stated, no one is
experiencing the second death at this time.
5. |
To what does the Psalmist David compare death? Psalm 13:3
|
Helps and hints: The phrase "slept with his
fathers" is used over 35 times in the Old Testament. It is
especially interesting to notice that in the Book of Acts, Peter
specifically states that David has not ascended into the heavens,
although Jesus has. Where is David? He is awaiting the
resurrection.
7. |
What did Jesus mean when He said His friend Lazarus was asleep?
John
11:11-14
|
8. |
Why did the people laugh at Jesus when He said the ruler's
daughter was asleep?
Luke 8:49-53
|
12. |
What happened to Stephen when he was stoned by the angry mob?
Acts
7:60
|
Helps and hints: I was once confronted by a young
man who had overheard a conversation I was having with another
individual on the subject of death. Excitedly shaking his finger
in my face he said, "I know who you are. You're one of those
people who believe in soul sleep". He strongly expressed his
feelings that I was some sort of a heretic. But if Jesus and at
least three other Bible witnesses clearly compare death to sleep,
am I not justified in doing the same? But a description must also
be provided of what that sleep is like. Here again the Bible
provides us adequate information to avoid confusion.
13. |
According to the prophet Daniel, where do the dead sleep? Daniel
12:2
|
Helps and hints: Daniel recognizes the two
categories of people awaiting the resurrection. But regardless of
which resurrection they will appear at, they all partake of the
same experience until that time comes. They all sleep in the dust
of the earth. This would obviously be the "first death."
While the majority of translations say "many" shall awake, at least
one modern translation (the New International Version) has phrased
it, "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will
awake."
15. |
How else is the condition of death described? Psalm
115:17
|
Helps and hints: Much is stated in those few
words, "the dead know not anything." It should be noted
that the phrase "the memory of them is forgotten" does
not mean that the dead are no longer remembered by the living. The
world is filled with tombstones, photographs, history books, and
other reminders of the dead. This phrase means simply that the
dead themselves do not remember anything. How could they? As
Solomon said, "The dead know not anything."
It is true that some are uncomfortable with the idea that the dead
actually rest in a state of unconsciousness. But this Bible
teaching has been a source of great comfort for many who have been
brought up to believe that the dead are burning in the fires of
hell or purgatory. Others who imagine their departed loved ones
looking down from heaven, are troubled by the thought that even
after death, they must share in the misery that som many are
experiencing here on earth. It is comforting to know that whatever
our problems or failures are here, our departed loved ones are not
in a position to share our grief or shame. True, the grave seems
to us a cold and forbidding place. But remember, "the dead
know not anything." They experience no pain, no anxiety, and
no fear. They do not even experience the sensation of passing
time. It is like they are in a deep, deep sleep. When they awake
at the resurrection, it will be to them as only a moment's time, no
matter how long they rested. Many will never sleep again.
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1
Corinthians 15:26.
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