April 14, 2013
Evening Service

I have searched for more Scriptures to build our faith concerning what happens to a person after death, and what I presented this morning is pretty conclusive.

 

God has used the Apostle Paul to teach us concerning this matter.  None of the writers speak concerning this matter.  They do use this type of example;

2Co 5:1-8  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  (2)  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:  (3)  If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.  (4)  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  (5)  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.  (6)  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (7)  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  (8)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

Php 1:21-24  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  (24)  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

 

It is these type of Scriptures that people use to say they go to their immediate reward upon death, but this is not the case.

 

As I mentioned this morning Jesus used different illustrations concerning death, punishment, and rewards.  Both, punishments, and rewards to encourage people to do what is right.  However, this does not change the teaching that when one dies, his body returns dust, and his spirit, or breath returns to God.  But we must understand that the same thing happens to all animals.

·         Ecc 3:18-22  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.  (19)  For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.  (20)  All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.  (21)  Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?  (22)  Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Now this last statement; who shall bring him to see what shall be after him; 

·         2Ti 1:10  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

The gospel reveals to us all the Father’s will, and plans for His people.  Sure we don’t know everything that is going to happen.  Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for them that love Him.