THE STATE OF THE DEAD.

THEME:        THE FINAL THINGS

TOPIC:          THE STATE OF THE DEAD

INTRODUCTION:

“Death” is from the Greek word “Thanatos,” which means a separation.  It is a separation of the spirit from the body.  Solomon said, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7). James says that “the body without the spirit is dead” (Jas. 2:26).  The body, which is mortal (Rom.8:10) must certainly return to the dust (Gen. 3:19).

Death, which is the way of every mortal, is not an issue for debate.  This reality confronts us with a responsibility to prepare for its appointed time (Heb. 9:27). However, one issue that keeps bothering many people is the present state of those who have died, which is the basis of this study.

PHYSICAL DEATH

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. So, God pronounced a curse saying, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19).  It was through Adam that physical death entered into the world. So, “in Adam all die” (1 Cor. 15:22).  Therefore, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).

After Death

1.        There is consciousness after death. There are some biblical examples which show that we will be in a state of consciousness in the existence beyond death. On the mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus and were “talking with Him” (Matt. 17:3). Again the Rich Man in torments, “cried and said, Father Abraham…” (Luke 16: 23, 24). Those souls who were slain for the word of God “cried with a loud voice…” (Rev. 6: 9, 10).

2.        Those who are dead in Christ are with the Lord (Phil. 1:23; 2Cor. 5:8)

3.        At death, our spirit returns to God who gave it (Eccl. 12:7). This means that when we die our spirit returns to Hades (the unseen realm) where we remain until the final coming of Christ.

HADES

The Greek word “Hades” refers to the “unseen realm of the spirit.” It is the term used to apply to the state or place of the spirits of the dead.  For us to understand the state of the dead let us consider Jesus’ parable in Luke 16:19-31.  Jesus made it clear that both Lazarus and the Rich Man died. In the case of the rich man, Jesus said he was buried (verse 22). “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (verse 23). It is clear from above passages that it was not the physical bodies of Lazarus and the rich man that were in Hades. It was their souls. However, they were in different circumstances in Hades, though in a conscious state of existence.  It must be noted that the circumstances of both men in Hades were prior to the resurrection of the dead and judgment, with life going on earth (verses 27, 28).

The Partition of Hades

Hades is partitioned into two – a place of comfort (Abraham’s bosom) and a place of torment (Luke 16: 22-26). While Abraham’s bosom (Paradise) is a place of comfort for the righteous souls, the place of torment is for the wicked souls.  In Acts 2: 27 we see that while Jesus’ body was in the tomb, His spirit was in Hades.  Prior to His death, He stated on the cross to one of the thieves that both of them would go to Paradise (Luke 23:43).  So, in Hades the spirit of Jesus could only be in Paradise (Abraham’s bosom), a place of comfort and happiness.

When will Hades Cease to Exist?

It is now clear that Hades, the place where the spirits of the dead are, does exist.  The question now is: Will Hades ever stop to exist? If it will, when will that be?

The scriptures affirm that Hades will continue to exist until the judgment.  Revelation 20: 13, 14 teach that at judgment Hades will give up its dead, and that death and Hades will be cast into the lake of fire.

THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

There are certain questions regarding the relationship between the living and the dead which must be seriously considered.  For instance, is there any relationship existing between the living and the spirit of the dead?  Is it possible for the spirit of the dead to visit the living to either protect or torment them?  Can the dead communicate with the living? Can the dead interfere with the activities of the living?

The answer to the above questions is No! See what the scripture has to say.  Solomon says “For the living know that they will die. But the dead know nothing. And they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished.  Nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun” (Eccl. 9: 5, 6). This means that the dead are cut off from what happens in this life. Job said “as the cloud disappears and vanishes away, so he who goes down to the grave does not come up.  He shall never return to his house nor shall his place know him anymore“(Job 7: 9, 10). David said of his dead son”… I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Sam. 12:23).

CONCLUSION

The present state of the righteous dead is that of comfort in paradise (Abraham’s bosom), while that of the wicked dead is that of torment and anguish. Those alive have the opportunity to amend their ways and live to glorify God so that when we die there will be comfort for us in paradise.

TEACHER: OKPAN CLEOPAS (MINISTER)