Eschatology

Death entered the world through sin—by one man sin entered, and death by sin. It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment. Death is the separation of soul from body, the dissolution of our earthly tent. Yet for the believer, death has lost its sting. Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. For the Christian, death is gain—to depart and be with Christ is far better. The last enemy to be destroyed is death itself, which will be swallowed up in victory at the resurrection.

Between death and the final resurrection, the souls of believers are made perfect in holiness and enter into the presence of Christ in heaven. This is the intermediate state—conscious blessedness awaiting the resurrection of the body. The souls under the altar cry out to God, showing conscious awareness. Paradise is where the departed righteous dwell with Christ. Abraham's bosom depicts the comfort of the righteous dead. While the body sleeps in the grave, the spirit returns to God who gave it. This state, though blessed, is incomplete—we await the redemption of our bodies and the consummation of all things.

The same Jesus who ascended will return in like manner—personally, visibly, bodily, and gloriously. This is the blessed hope of the church, the promise that sustains believers through tribulation. He who testified these things says, 'Surely I come quickly.' The early church lived in eager expectation: 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus.' His coming will be sudden, unexpected by the world—like a thief in the night, like lightning flashing across the sky. Every eye shall see Him, and all tribes of the earth will mourn. This is not metaphor but the actual, physical return of Christ to earth.

Christ's return will be in power and great glory, a stark contrast to His humble first advent. He will come on the clouds of heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire. The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. He will be revealed from heaven, taking vengeance on those who know not God. His coming will shake the heavens and earth. The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all nations will see Him coming. This glorious appearing will vindicate the faith of all who trusted Him.

Of that day and hour knows no man—not the angels of heaven, nor the Son in His humiliation, but the Father only. Christ's return will catch the world unaware, as in the days of Noah. Therefore we are commanded to watch, for we know not what hour our Lord comes. The wise virgins had oil in their lamps; the foolish were unprepared. We are to be found faithful when He comes, occupying till He returns. The uncertainty of timing is intentional—it keeps believers vigilant and holy, always ready for His appearing. Those who love His appearing will receive the crown of righteousness.

Christ's resurrection is the foundation of our hope. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain and we are still in our sins. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept. His resurrection guarantees ours—as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. The same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise us. His resurrection was bodily—He invited Thomas to touch His wounds, ate fish with His disciples, and declared He was not a spirit. The resurrection body is real, physical, yet glorified and transformed.

At Christ's coming, the dead in Christ shall rise first. This mortal must put on immortality; this corruptible must put on incorruption. The resurrection body will be like Christ's glorious body—sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body. We shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. Those alive at His coming will be caught up together with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air. So shall we ever be with the Lord.

All believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give account for deeds done in the body, whether good or bad. This is not a judgment of condemnation—there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus—but a judgment of works for rewards. Our works will be tested by fire; some will receive rewards, some will suffer loss though saved. This judgment will reveal the quality of each one's work. Faithful service will be rewarded; wood, hay, and stubble will be burned up. Every secret thing will come to light. We labor to be accepted of Him at that day.

John saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away. The dead, small and great, stood before God. Books were opened, and another book—the book of life. The dead were judged according to their works. Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. Whoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. This final judgment is terrifying in its finality—there is no appeal, no excuse, no escape. Every idle word will be accounted for. God will render to every man according to his deeds.

Scripture teaches the reality of eternal punishment for those who reject Christ. Hell is described as a lake burning with fire and brimstone, where the worm dies not and the fire is not quenched. The smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; they have no rest day or night. This is everlasting punishment, as eternal as the life of the righteous. It was prepared for the devil and his angels but awaits all whose names are not in the book of life. The severity of this doctrine underscores the urgency of the gospel and the infinite cost of rejecting Christ.

For the redeemed, eternity brings unimaginable blessing. God shall wipe away all tears; there shall be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The holy city, New Jerusalem, comes down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. God Himself will dwell with His people. We shall see His face; His name shall be on our foreheads. There shall be no night there; no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God and the Lamb are its light. The tree of life yields its fruit, and the nations are healed. Forever we shall reign with Christ, enjoying the beatific vision.

God has promised new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. The present heavens and earth will be dissolved by fire, making way for the new creation. The elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth and its works shall be burned up. But God will create new heavens and a new earth. The first things will pass away; He makes all things new. This is not mere renovation but new creation—the restoration of all things, the cosmic redemption anticipated since the fall. Creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.