THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
A Study By
Gary Ray Branscome
Lesson 21
Because the disobedience of Adam placed the entire
universe under Satan’s dominion it often seems like there is no justice,
or like iniquity is on the throne (Romans
While those who have been deceived by Satan often
see death as an escape, the Bible makes it clear that death is not the end. On
the contrary, each one of us has an immortal soul that separates from our body
at death (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Genesis 25:8, 2Corinthians 5:8). The soul of a
believer goes to be with Christ (in paradise, Luke
However, some people have a problem reconciling that
truth of Scripture with what the Bible says about the Day of Judgment. They
simply cannot understand how there can be a Day of Judgment if we are already
in heaven or hell at the time of our death. Nevertheless, their difficulty
comes from assuming that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. While that
may be a good policy for earthly governments to follow, God does not have to
prove anyone guilty. Instead, He simply throws them into prison at death, and
then, at the final judgment, brings them out to pronounce sentence. Another
thing to consider is that because those who die are no longer bound by time, it
is possible for them to be present at the final judgment the moment they die.
The important thing to
remember is that those who trust in Christ will never come into condemnation,
and having been raised from spiritual death to new life in Christ, the second
death has no power over them. [John 5:24, Ephesians 2:5-6, Colossians 2:12-13
and 3:1, Romans 6:3-4, Revelation 20:6.]
The resurrection will take place on the last day
(John
Because the Father “has committed all judgment
unto the Son, Christ will “judge the living and the dead” on the
“last day” (John
[Note: Just as God knows the number of hairs on your
head, when His Word says “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have eternal life,” He knows the name of every man, woman, and child
included in the term “whosoever,” just as sure as if every name was
written out (John
On the last day, “The heavens shall pass away
with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2Peter
[Note: Some people have a problem reconciling what
the Bible says about a new earth, with what it says about the saved dwelling in
heaven. What they fail to understand is that when God creates the new heavens
and the new earth, heaven will be on earth, and God and man will dwell together
in bliss (1Corinthians 2:9, Revelation 21:1-3).]
Because the entire world is “guilty before
God,” on the day of judgment only those who are
forgiven will enter heaven (Acts
Those who do enter heaven will experience joy far
beyond what anyone on earth could ever imagine, and all tears will be gone
(1Corinthians 2:9, 2Corinthians 12:4, Revelation 21:4). In contrast, those who
enter hell “shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever”
(Revelation
Since God's offer of mercy and forgiveness does not
extend beyond the grave, there is no hope of salvation after death. As it is
written, “Now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of
salvation.” Therefore, if you have never confessed your sin unto God, or
looked to Christ for forgiveness, You need to do it
now. [Hebrews 9:27, Luke
In coming to Christ it is important to understand
that because God’s standard of righteousness is so much higher than
yours, all of your righteous deeds are as “filthy rags” in His
sight (Isaiah 64:6). Without forgiveness, He sees “no good”
in you, or in any man (Romans
1- What will be the
spiritual significance of Christ’s return?
2- What happens to the soul at death?
3- When will the soul be reunited with the body?
4- Who will judge the living and the dead?
5- Who shall not come into condemnation?
6- What shall pass away with a great noise on the last day?
7- When God creates the new earth, where will heaven be?
8- Why are there only two possible destinations, heaven or hell?
9- What will those who enter hell experience?
10- Is there any hope of salvation after death?