55 Resurrection of the Just & Unjust, 2

Resurrection of the Just and Unjust, Part 2
Text: Rev. 20:4-15

Summary: The subject of what happens to a person after death (called individual or personal eschatology), though often subject to novel interpretations, is discernible from Scripture and is dramatically and powerfully presented in this passage, where it serves as both a comfort to Christians and a warning to unbelieving sinners.

I. A CONFUSING TOPIC. Common beliefs about the afterlife that are not taught in Scripture: 1. Dualism; 2. Compartmentalization; 3. Soul sleep; 4. Purgatory; 5. Annihilation. Though man is confused about it, Scripture is not.

II. A COMPREHENSIBLE TOPIC.
A. Confessional summary (1689 Baptist Confession, chapter 32). The Reformed Confessions (1689, Westminster, Savoy Heidelberg, Belgic, Helvitic), are in almost perfect agreement.

B. Timeline: Life After Death.

1. At death, all go to the grave, where they return to dust. In Scripture, the death of the body ― not the soul ― is often called “sleep.”
2. The souls of believers, which were raised to life at the new birth, go immediately to heaven, to live and reign with Christ until His Second Coming. This is called the “first resurrection.”
3. The souls of unbelievers go immediately to hell, where their eternal punishment begins. [They were born spiritually dead & never passed from death to life.]
4. At te Second Coming, there is a bodily resurrection of all humanity, in which all who “sleep” [i.e., their bodies] will awake & go to their rightful place.

C. Scriptural Teaching. The following passages must be considered: Dan. 12:1-3, John 5:24-29, Acts 24:12-16

D. Modern Departure.