Exploring Life After Death: Hope and Eternity
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone! It's a joy to have you here, especially if you're new. My name is Tim, and I have the honor of leading this church. We've been in a series discussing the end times, focusing on the book of Revelation. Many of you have found this series helpful, and it's been encouraging to hear how it has alleviated some of the fear surrounding the book of Revelation. Today, as we wrap up this series, I want to address a topic that we all ponder from time to time: what happens after we die?
For those who might be skeptical about the existence of God or an afterlife, I understand your perspective. Even if you consider yourself a materialist, you likely still wonder about what happens after death. Science has been exploring this area, and researchers like Dr. Sam Perina from NYU have been studying death and consciousness from a purely scientific standpoint. They have found that brain activity continues for several minutes after the heart stops, which raises questions about our understanding of death.
As we delve into the book of Revelation, we see a culmination of events that lead to a final judgment. John describes a great white throne where the dead, both great and small, stand before God. Books are opened, including the Book of Life, and the dead are judged according to what they have done. This scene can be terrifying, but it also offers hope. If your name is in the Book of Life, you are spared from the lake of fire, which is often synonymous with hell.
There are two predominant views of hell: eternal torment and annihilation. Eternal torment suggests ongoing conscious suffering, while annihilation implies a complete end of existence. Both views are derived from various scriptural interpretations, and it's essential to understand these perspectives as we think about the afterlife.
Now, let's shift our focus to heaven. John sees a new heaven and a new earth, where the old has passed away. This new creation is described as a holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. This vision of heaven is not just a place of eternal worship but a return to an Edenic state where we live in harmony with God's creation.
Imagine the most beautiful places on earth—the rolling hills of Germany, the majestic mountains of Colorado, the beaches of Fiji. Now, think about the most delicious foods you've ever tasted. Heaven will be even better than these earthly experiences. We will have new, glorified bodies that do not break down, and we may even explore the cosmos. Heaven is not just a 24/7 worship service but a place where we can create, build, and experience life in its fullest.
As we close, I want to extend an invitation. If you feel a tug in your heart to receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus, I invite you to pray with me. Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us life. By accepting His sacrifice, we can live with the hope of a glorious eternity with Him. Let's pray together and thank God for this incredible gift.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Reality of Death and Consciousness: Scientific studies have shown that brain activity continues for several minutes after the heart stops, challenging our understanding of death. This scientific curiosity aligns with our natural inclination to ponder what happens after we die. Even if you're skeptical about the afterlife, it's worth considering the mysteries that science is beginning to uncover. [38:06]
2. The Final Judgment: Revelation describes a great white throne where the dead are judged according to their deeds. This scene can be intimidating, but it also offers hope. If your name is in the Book of Life, you are spared from eternal separation from God. This underscores the importance of living a life aligned with God's will and accepting His grace. [43:24]
3. Views on Hell: There are two primary views of hell: eternal torment and annihilation. Eternal torment suggests ongoing conscious suffering, while annihilation implies a complete end of existence. Understanding these perspectives helps us grasp the gravity of our choices in this life and the eternal consequences they carry. [50:22]
4. The New Heaven and New Earth: John’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth offers a glimpse into a future where God dwells among His people. This new creation is free from pain, death, and sorrow. It’s a place of unimaginable beauty and harmony, where we will live in glorified bodies and experience life in its fullest. [56:35]
5. The Invitation to Eternal Life: The invitation to receive eternal life through Jesus is open to all. By accepting His sacrifice, we can live with the hope of a glorious eternity with Him. This decision is not made out of fear but as a response to God's love and grace. Embracing this gift transforms our perspective on life and death, filling us with hope and anticipation for the future. [01:20:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:04] - Series on Revelation
[38:06] - Scientific Insights on Death
[41:30] - Heaven and Hell
[43:24] - The Final Judgment
[50:22] - Views on Hell
[56:35] - The New Heaven and New Earth
[01:09:28] - Reframing Heaven
[01:16:07] - Living with Hope
[01:20:02] - Invitation to Eternal Life
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 20:11-15 (The Final Judgment)
2. Revelation 21:1-4 (The New Heaven and New Earth)
3. John 14:2-3 (Jesus Prepares a Place)
#### Observation Questions
1. What does John see in Revelation 20:11-15 regarding the final judgment? What are the books mentioned, and what is their significance?
2. According to Revelation 21:1-4, what are some characteristics of the new heaven and new earth that John describes?
3. In John 14:2-3, what promise does Jesus make to His disciples about the future?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the description of the final judgment in Revelation 20:11-15 impact our understanding of accountability and justice in the afterlife? [43:24]
2. What does the vision of the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21:1-4 suggest about God's ultimate plan for humanity and creation? [56:35]
3. How does Jesus' promise in John 14:2-3 provide comfort and hope for believers regarding the afterlife?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the scientific insights about death and consciousness mentioned in the sermon, how does this information influence your thoughts about the afterlife? [38:06]
2. The sermon discussed two views of hell: eternal torment and annihilation. How do these perspectives affect your understanding of the consequences of our choices in this life? [50:22]
3. Considering the vision of the new heaven and new earth, how can you cultivate a sense of hope and anticipation for the future in your daily life? [56:35]
4. The sermon emphasized that heaven is not just a place of eternal worship but a return to an Edenic state. How does this broader view of heaven change your perspective on what it means to live a fulfilling life? [01:12:35]
5. The invitation to receive eternal life through Jesus was a key part of the sermon. Have you ever felt a "tug in your heart" to accept this invitation? If so, what steps can you take to respond to it? [01:20:02]
6. How can the promise of a new, glorified body and the possibility of exploring the cosmos in heaven inspire you to live with greater purpose and joy now? [01:13:48]
7. The sermon mentioned that we should not live in fear but trust Jesus with the future. What practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in Jesus and alleviate any fears you have about the afterlife? [35:53]
Devotional
Day 1: The Mystery of Death and Consciousness
Description: Scientific studies have shown that brain activity continues for several minutes after the heart stops, challenging our understanding of death. This scientific curiosity aligns with our natural inclination to ponder what happens after we die. Even if you're skeptical about the afterlife, it's worth considering the mysteries that science is beginning to uncover. These findings invite us to reflect on the nature of consciousness and the possibility of an existence beyond physical death. [38:06]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: How does the idea that brain activity continues after death affect your thoughts on the afterlife? Can you take a moment today to ponder the mysteries of life and death and what they might reveal about God's eternal nature?
Day 2: The Final Judgment
Description: Revelation describes a great white throne where the dead are judged according to their deeds. This scene can be intimidating, but it also offers hope. If your name is in the Book of Life, you are spared from eternal separation from God. This underscores the importance of living a life aligned with God's will and accepting His grace. The final judgment is not just about fear but about the assurance that God’s justice and mercy will prevail. [43:24]
Revelation 20:12 (ESV): "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily actions and decisions. Are they aligned with God's will? What steps can you take today to ensure that your life reflects the grace and love of God?
Day 3: Perspectives on Hell
Description: There are two primary views of hell: eternal torment and annihilation. Eternal torment suggests ongoing conscious suffering, while annihilation implies a complete end of existence. Understanding these perspectives helps us grasp the gravity of our choices in this life and the eternal consequences they carry. These views challenge us to think deeply about the nature of God's justice and mercy and how we respond to His call in our lives. [50:22]
Matthew 25:46 (ESV): "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Reflection: Consider your understanding of hell and its implications. How does this shape your view of God's justice and mercy? What changes can you make in your life today to align more closely with God's call to righteousness?
Day 4: The New Heaven and New Earth
Description: John’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth offers a glimpse into a future where God dwells among His people. This new creation is free from pain, death, and sorrow. It’s a place of unimaginable beauty and harmony, where we will live in glorified bodies and experience life in its fullest. This vision encourages us to look forward to a future filled with hope and joy, where God's presence is fully realized among us. [56:35]
Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV): "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
Reflection: Imagine the most beautiful place you have ever seen. How does this compare to the vision of the new heaven and new earth? What can you do today to live in anticipation of this glorious future?
Day 5: The Invitation to Eternal Life
Description: The invitation to receive eternal life through Jesus is open to all. By accepting His sacrifice, we can live with the hope of a glorious eternity with Him. This decision is not made out of fear but as a response to God's love and grace. Embracing this gift transforms our perspective on life and death, filling us with hope and anticipation for the future. This invitation is a call to experience the fullness of life that God offers through Jesus Christ. [01:20:02]
John 5:24 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life."
Reflection: Have you accepted the invitation to eternal life through Jesus? If not, what is holding you back? Take a moment today to pray and ask God to help you embrace His love and grace fully.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I don't care how much money you have. I don't care how much success you have. I don't care how nice your house is and sweet your ride is. This pales in comparison to what we're going to experience one day. As a follower of Jesus, we should live with an excitement inside of us. You know what that does? That helps when you have to deal with the crying and the pain and the mourning and the death in this life. And I know that when I walk through something really hard, and we will walk through stuff that's hard in this life, it is a broken world, cursed by sin. There is death. There's pain. There's disease. There's cancer. There's surgery. There's loss. There's grief. There's disappointment. All of that exists in this life. But the one thing that Paul said is, we do not go through this life, and we do not grieve the way the world grieves, but there's a hope inside of us, and that hope is not just that I don't end up in a bad place, but that hope is that I get to experience a surreal eternity with Jesus." [01:16:07]
2. "But as you get a little bit older. And you can ask anybody here. That's lived. Ask your parents. Ask your grandparents. They're going to tell you. Life goes really fast. And the older you get. The more finite your life feels. The more fragile it feels. The more you start to think about. What happens after death. Now there's. There's a common view. That is held. I want to say. At least here in the western world. Primarily I'll just mention America. But there's. There's a common view. About what happens to us. After we die. Okay. Whether people believe it or not. This is kind of what is purported. And that is. That we all end up. At one of two destinations. Right. This is kind of the common. Kind of underlying. You don't even. It's not even spoken. But everybody kind of. Makes jokes about it. Is that we either end up. In heaven. Or we end up where. Hell. There's just two options." [40:06]
3. "You know what we discover is we don't know a whole lot about death. We really don't. And so they've been studying brains and neurological activity and things with people when they die. And they're being shocked by the data. What they're discovering is that the moment people die. Now how do you classify death? Well, back in the 50s. It kind of became adopted. That when you go into cardiac arrest. That was considered dying. Like when your heart stops beating. That would be when they would say time of death. When they could not revive the heart. Okay. But that's not just the end in that moment. But as blood would stop flowing freely to the brain. What they anticipate should happen is that the activity of the brain should shut down. Guess what they're discovering? They're discovering this. As they get opportunities to monitor. They're discovering that actually. Activity in the brain is lighting up. That for several minutes. We're talking up to four plus minutes. After someone is legally considered dead. Heart not beating. That they're discovering all kinds of activity. And things that are firing in the brain. And so it's causing. Even in the world of science. People to question. Do we understand everything we need to know about death?" [38:06]
4. "Come on, isn't that beautiful? You know, we believe that church is not just a place to go attend, but it is a source of life. That God is always transforming people and I'm so excited to be part of this community. And I just want to welcome you if you are new. My name is Tim and I have the honor of getting to lead this church. And we've been kind of in a series for the last several weeks talking about the end. The end of the world. The end of the book of the Bible. The book of the Bible called Revelation. We've been talking about the end times. And so if you are stepping into this space today or just recently, I'm just going to tell you, you missed a whole lot. And so I want to encourage you, you can go watch all the messages or stream them if you would love to catch up on this. But can I just ask a question? Has this series been helpful for any of you at all? Has it been helpful?" [35:04]
5. "I want you to think about the most beautiful place on earth. Just imagine the most beautiful place on earth for a moment. I don't know what it is for you. It could be the rolling hills of the, of Germany's countryside. It could be. The vast and majestic mountains in Colorado where the trees, the evergreens or the different trees also begin to change colors in the fall if you've ever been there, going through Vail. I don't know what it is. It could be the beaches of Fiji with the soft sand and the crystal clear blue water. The tropic environment of Hawaii. I don't know what it could be. It could be the beautiful cliffs of New Zealand. I want you to think about the most beautiful place on earth. I want you to think about the most beautiful breathtaking scene that you've ever seen here on earth. And I want you to imagine for a moment that God used up all of his creativity on this temporary earth. That doesn't make sense to me. And imagine the, the most savory foods you've ever tasted. The richest and sweetest strawberries that you've ever tried. The most ripe grape. The creamiest ice cream you've ever had. That God's ever made on this earth. I want you to think about it. Think about the ingredients that God has given us to create some of the magical meals that we have had here on earth. And imagine again that God gave the best to the temporary experiment that we call humans living on earth." [01:10:19]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Then I saw a new heaven. And a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And there was no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, this new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, look, God's dwelling place is now among the people and he will dwell with them. They will be his people and God himself. We'll be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away." [56:35]
2. "I don't care how much good you do for the rest of your life, how much good I do. I do not want to take that chance. What I want to do is receive what Jesus did for me. So if you bow your heads with me, just close your eyes for just a moment. God, I pray for those here in this moment that maybe are feeling this. killing you, drawing them to make a decision right now. Listen, we don't do this out of fear, but we do it out as an invitation. I love that invitation in Revelation 22, 17. For those who are thirsty, the invitation, come, receive the free gift of the water of life. That is the source of Jesus's life inside of you, wants to bring life to your dead mortal body. Sin destroys, but the gift of God through Jesus brings life." [01:20:02]
3. "I think sometimes. Sometimes as followers of Jesus, we live so temporary minded that we think we're living our best life now. No, you're not. You're not living your best. But only it's going to be better. And it's going to taste better. And smell better. And you're going to feel something more deeply than you've ever felt before. I believe there's going to be a return to an Edenic state that God intended for us. That is going to be the most incredible thing you've ever experienced. Imagine harmony with all of God's creation. Imagine there's not fear with animals. And we get to. What do we get to do? We get to swing through the canopies with monkeys and chimps. Or we get to soar with eagles to mountain peaks. Or we get to run in the forest with jaguars. Or take a nap in a den of lions. Because there is no evil. There's no curse. It is just a beautiful Edenic state. And imagine we have new glorified bodies. And these bodies do not break down. And they don't ache when you get up." [01:12:35]
4. "Here's what I know. In this life, we are offered a free gift. It's free to us, but it was not free to God. The gift of eternity with him. With him his son, Jesus. We think about these two places and destinations, and I don't know if you've thought about it. Maybe you've been thinking about it recently. The truth is this. We can live with a confidence and an anticipation to say, come, when we know that we have surrendered our life to the Lordship of Jesus. When we don't just mentally believe in him, but we, with everything in us, we place our life in his hands and our future in his hands. When we believe in the work that he did for us on the cross, here's the most beautiful thing. You can live with that hope every day. I don't know about you, but I'm kind of excited about eternity when I think about it like that. Anybody else? I'm excited about that." [01:17:42]
5. "Is God there? Is God real? I've got doubts. I'm not sure. And I love what happens as John sees this new heaven and earth. There's a voice that comes from the throne that says, look, God's dwelling place is now among the people. That God is going to live with us. We're going to be with God. And can I just tell you, it is going to usher in us to the most amazing future you could ever imagine. No more guessing. You know what? You won't need faith anymore. You don't need faith anymore. You have God. You'll be right there. And what John describes happens when God lives with mankind is, can I tell you some of the best news that we have to think about when we think about this? When we think about the future. He says, there is no more crying. I will wipe away every tear. There's no more death. There's no more pain. There's no more mourning. Can you imagine a world without those things? We cannot even imagine, can we? Because all of us, all we have ever known is a world of pain, haven't we?" [01:05:18]
6. "I don't have time but I'll try to paint a picture as John does. This is what John sees. He says in chapter 21 verse 1, Then I saw a new heaven. And a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And there was no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, this new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, look, God's dwelling place is now among the people and he will dwell with them. They will be his people and God himself. We'll be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away." [56:35]
7. "I don't care how much good you do for the rest of your life, how much good I do. I do not want to take that chance. What I want to do is receive what Jesus did for me. So if you bow your heads with me, just close your eyes for just a moment. God, I pray for those here in this moment that maybe are feeling this. killing you, drawing them to make a decision right now. Listen, we don't do this out of fear, but we do it out as an invitation. I love that invitation in Revelation 22, 17. For those who are thirsty, the invitation, come, receive the free gift of the water of life. That is the source of Jesus's life inside of you, wants to bring life to your dead mortal body. Sin destroys, but the gift of God through Jesus brings life." [01:20:02]
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