The doctrine of the last things (“eschatology”) includes the subjects of death, the second coming of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the last judgment, heaven and hell.
Death
Physical death is universal
Job 30:23 See also 2 Samuel 14:14; Romans 5:12
Yes, I know that You will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.
The timing of natural death is beyond human control
Ecclesiastes 8:8 See also Psalm 90:10; Matthew 6:27; James 4:14
As no man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has authority over his day of death. As no one can be discharged in wartime, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.
Death is not to be feared by the believer
Psalm 23:4 See also Psalm 116:15; Proverbs 14:32; Romans 14:8; Philippians 1:21; Revelation 14:13
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
For believers, death is likened to falling asleep
John 11:11–13 See also Mark 5:39; Acts 13:36; 1 Corinthians 15:6
After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.” They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus.
At the second coming, believers still living on earth will not experience death
1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 See also 1 Corinthians 15:51–52
By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
Death is the penalty for unforgiven sin
Romans 6:23 See also 1 Chronicles 10:13; Proverbs 11:19; Romans 5:12
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The second coming of Jesus Christ
The second coming is foretold
Matthew 26:64 parallel Mark 14:62 See also Luke 21:27; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28
“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
The timing of the second coming is known only to God the Father
Matthew 24:36 parallel Mark 13:32 See also Malachi 3:1; Matthew 24:44 parallel Luke 12:40; Revelation 16:15
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
God's purpose at the second coming is to gather his people together, to reward the faithful and judge the wicked
Matthew 16:27 See also Daniel 7:13–14; Matthew 25:31–32; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 John 3:2; Jude 1:14–15
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
The right attitude towards the second coming
1 John 2:28 See also Mark 13:35; Acts 3:19–20; 1 Timothy 6:13–14; 2 Peter 3:11
And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.
The resurrection of the dead
All will be raised
John 5:28–29 See also Daniel 12:2; Acts 24:15
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out — those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Believers in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal life
John 6:40 See also John 11:25; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:16
For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Unbelievers will be condemned
John 5:29 See also Matthew 25:46
and come out — those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Believers will be given resurrection bodies
1 Corinthians 15:42–44 See also 1 Corinthians 15:50–53
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
The last judgment
All face judgment after death
Hebrews 9:27 See also Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4:5; Revelation 20:11–12
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,
Judgment is entrusted to Jesus Christ
John 5:22 See also Acts 10:42, Acts 17:31; Revelation 1:18
Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,
Those who have not responded to Christ will be condemned
John 12:48 See also 2 Thessalonians 1:7–8; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 1:15; Revelation 20:15
There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Believers will not be judged for sin
John 5:24 See also John 3:18; Romans 8:1–2, Romans 8:33–34
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
Believers will be judged on how they have lived their Christian lives
2 Corinthians 5:10 See also 1 Corinthians 4:5; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 4:17
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
Heaven
God's throne is in heaven where he is continuously worshipped
Revelation 4:9–10 See also Isaiah 6:1–3
And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
God's will is perfectly served in heaven
Matthew 6:10 parallel Luke 11:2 See also 1 Kings 22:19
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
At Jesus Christ's second coming, a new heaven and earth will replace the old
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
The redeemed will enjoy life in the presence of God in the new heaven
1 Thessalonians 4:17 See also Matthew 5:8; Philippians 3:20; Jude 1:24; Revelation 21:1–4
After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
All life in heaven is sustained by God
Revelation 22:1–2 See also John 6:58; Revelation 2:7, Revelation 21:23
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Hell
Hell is the destiny of human beings who reject God
Matthew 25:41 Hell was originally meant for the punishment of the devil and his angels. See also Matthew 13:41–42; Romans 2:8; Hebrews 10:26–27; Jude 1:6; Revelation 17:8
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Those in hell are finally separated from God
2 Thessalonians 1:9 See also Matthew 25:46
They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,
Hell is a place of fire, darkness and weeping
Revelation 20:15 See also Matthew 8:12; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 1:7
And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Jesus Christ himself frequently warned about the dangers of hell
Luke 12:5 See also Matthew 5:29–30 Jesus Christ is using Eastern hyperbole, not intended literally, to stress importance; Matthew 13:40
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.