THEOLOGY IV

Death & the Intermediate StateGlorificationUnion with Christ-Instructor Christopher Ullman

Death: A Condition of Belief

A constant threat, always on the mind of every person in Bible days– Psalm 49 – Man, despite his riches, does not

endure– Jonah 2 – The earth barred me in forever– Psalm 116 – Find the three mentions of the

word “death” – Hebrews 2:15 – Held in slavery all their lives

The thought “Today I may die” was a daily reminder of the need for God

Only two have escaped: 2 Kings 2:11, Hebrews 11:5

Why Do Christians Die?

Punishment?– Ezekiel 18– John 8:24– But, see Romans 8:1

A result of living in a fallen world?– Hebrews 9:27– Ecclesiastes 8:8– Romans 8:20– The last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26

)

Why Do Christians Die? To complete what was started: our

sanctification, making us like Christ– Hebrews 5:8, 2:10– Hebrews 12:1-2– Revelation 2:10– Philippians 3:10

The prospect of death readies us– Romans 8:17– Acts 5:29-33, 21:13– Revelation 12:11

What Should be our Attitude?

About our own death: Pure joy– 2 Corinthians 5:8– Philippians 1:21-23– Revelation 14:13– Psalm 23:4– 1 Peter 4:13

About the death of other Christians: joy mixed with sorrow– Acts 8:2– Philippians 2:27– 1 Thessalonians 4:13

What Should be our Attitude?

About the death of an unbeliever: great sorrow– Romans 9:1-3

Our uncertainty can temper our grief– 1 Kings 8:39 – God alone knows the

hearts of all men Respect Gratitude for good qualities

– 2 Samuel 1:23, 27

Death the Last Enemy

1 Corinthians 15 – count the words death, die, dying– Why was there so much emphasis in

Paul’s mind on the resurrection of the dead?

We Groan Longing to be Clothed

2 Corinthians 5– What “burdens” us?– We are at home in the body– “We live by faith, not by sight”– “We regard no one from a worldly

point of view”– “The old has gone, the new has

come”

Where does the soul go? 2 Corinthians 5:8 Philippians 1:23 Luke 23:43 Hebrews 12:23

Death Errors

1. Purgatory2. Soul Sleep3. Praying for the Dead4. Annihilationism5. Things not to say at funerals

Death Errors

Purgatory– Misinterpretations of 2 Timothy 1:18,

Matthew 5:26, 1 Corinthians 3:15, Matthew 12:32

– The destiny of a soul is dependent only upon decisions and deeds made by that individual

2 Corinthians 5:10 John 3:18, 36

– The Apocryphal passage from 2 Maccabees 12:43-46

Death Errors

Soul Sleep?– Sleep is a Scriptural metaphor for death, sleeping for being in a state of death

Acts 7:60 John 11:11 2 Samuel 7:12

– Death is followed by conscious existence Luke 23:43 Philippians 1:23 Hebrews 12:22-24

Death Errors

Praying for the dead?– No precedent for it in Scripture– The destiny of a soul is dependent

only upon decisions and deeds made by that individual

2 Corinthians 5:10 John 3:18, 36 Catholic practice is based on an

Apocryphal passage from 2 Maccabees 12:42-45

Death Errors

Annihilationism?– No precedent for it in Scripture– The destiny of a soul is dependent

only upon decisions and deeds made by that individual

Matthew 25:41 & 46 Revelation 20:15 & 10

Death Errors

Things not to say at funerals– “You can always have another child.”– “You’re young; you can get married

again.”– “Don’t worry. You’ll see him again.”– “How are you doing?”– “You look terrible.”– “He looks wonderful.”– “Life goes on.”– _

What to do at a funeral

Be there for the bereaved – Job 2:11-13 (but see 16:2-3)

Express sympathy and support– I am so sorry– He will be missed– I admired him– I will pray for you– You can call on me

Glorification

The final step in the application of redemption: Romans 8:30– Being chosen– Being called– Being justified– Being glorified!

A painting by Maulbertsch

Glorification

Believed by Old Testament believers– Hebrews 11:10, 13-16, 19– Job 19:25-26– Isaiah 26:19– Daniel 12:2

Not a dominant theme Not as much detail as in NT

Glorification

Primary passages– 1 Corinthians 15:12-58– 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18– 1 John 3:2– Romans 8:11– 2 Corinthians 5:1-10– Philippians 3:20

Glorification

What will our resurrection bodies be like?– 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49

“Imperishable” (see 1 Peter 1:23) “In glory” (see Matthew 13:43 & 17:2,

Exodus 34:35) “In power” (see Philippians 3:21) “A spiritual body” (consistent with the

character and activity of the Holy Spirit)– 1 John 3:2-3 - “We shall be like him”– They will be physical: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Glorification Questions

1. How recognizable will we be?2. What of our personalities will

persist?3. What of us will probably not

persist?4. Besides the physical beings of

saints, what else will be glorified?

Union With Christ

This phrase describes several different relationships between believers and Christ:

We are in Christ. Christ is in us. We are like Christ. We are with Christ.It is one of the key Biblical foundations

for the concept of the Church.

Us, from a God’s-eye point of view

Us, from a God’s-eye point of view You (s.) are mysteriously identified

with Christ, in God’s eyes You (pl.) are mysteriously identified

with Christ, in God’s eyes God chooses to see the Church

through “Christ-colored” glasses God is real. All that God sees as real is

real, and is the standard for reality. The Church really is in union with

Christ.

What does it mean to say …

1. We are in Christ?2. Christ is in us?3. We are like Christ?4. We are with Christ?