Life After Death
What Is The Value Of Such A Study?
INTRODUCTION
1.Mankind has long been fascinated with the subject of life after death2.Such fascination has given rise to such things as:a.Interest in the occultb.Speculation concerning the timing and events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ3.It has also created much confusion among those who are Christians, who have every reason to look forward to the future with certainty and great expectation4.Though the Bible has much to say about what will occur after death and in the future, many have notstudied the Bible carefully on this subjecta.Their knowledge may be limited to what they have heard or seen on religious TV and radioprogramsb.Or their understanding may be based upon a point of view that is taught by their religion's creed,rather than the Bible itself 5.It is my prayer that this series of lessons on
"Life After Death"
may help increase ourunderstanding on what the Bible itself actually teaches on the subject[In this lesson, I wish to answer the question,
"What is the value of such a study?"
But first, it mayhelp to define a couple of terms...]
I.DEFINITION OF TERMSA.ESCHATOLOGY...
1.The systematic study of that which the Bible has revealed regarding the future is called"eschatology"2.The term comes from two words...a.
eschatos
- meaning "last things"b.
logos
- meaning "word" or "discourse"3.Therefore, eschatology is a discourse or study about the last things
B.INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY vs. GENERAL ESCHATOLOGY...
1.The field of "eschatology" can be divided into two general areas2.
Individual
eschatology...a.Pertains to what happens to the individual between death and the final return of Christb.Otherwise known as the "intermediate state"3.
General
eschatology...a.Pertains to what will happen when and after Christ's final coming
Mark A. CopelandLife After Death 3
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