Join Tim and John as they talk about life and study on 1 Samuel 28

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time

Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/

Introduction: Eternity Matters

The question of what happens after we die is one of the most profound and personal questions a person can ask. It's a question that transcends culture, age, and religion. Whether whispered at a hospital bedside or shouted in frustration at a funeral, the human heart longs for an answer: Is there more than this life? What comes next?

The Bible doesn’t leave us in the dark. Jesus Himself addresses this question directly—not with abstract philosophy or comforting generalities, but with truth that is both challenging and clarifying. In Luke 16:19–31, He tells a vivid story about two men—one rich, one poor—who die and awaken to two very different eternal realities. This account pulls back the curtain on life after death and shows us that eternity is not just real—it’s final.

This story isn’t just a parable; it carries the weight of warning and the urgency of truth. Jesus speaks of judgment, separation, and the permanence of our spiritual state after death. He shows that there is no purgatory, no reincarnation, no coming back to “try again.” Eternity is fixed—and our choices now echo forever.

And the rest of Scripture agrees:

• Every person will stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).
  
• There is an appointed time to die, followed by judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
  
• Christ will return and separate the sheep from the goats—those who are His from those who are not (Matthew 25:31–32).
  
• For those who reject Him, the result is eternal separation (Luke 16, Revelation 21:8).
  
• But for those who trust in Him, there is eternal life, joy, and rest in the presence of God (Revelation 21:1–4).
  

This study aims to unpack the sobering realities of the afterlife—not to scare, but to awaken. It reminds us that this life is not all there is—and that our eternal destiny is not determined by accident, chance, or good intentions, but by how we respond to God’s truth and grace.

Yet this is not a message of despair. For those in Christ, the reality of eternity brings peace, hope, and purpose. Because of Jesus' resurrection, death has lost its sting, and the grave has lost its victory. The gospel doesn’t just prepare us for death—it transforms how we live now.

So, as we begin, ask yourself:

• Do I believe eternity is real?
  
• Am I living in light of what comes after?
  
• Am I trusting in the One who conquered death?
  

Eternity matters. And how you respond to God's Word today will shape your forever.

1. A Glimpse into Eternity – Luke 16:19–31

In this profound and sobering passage, Jesus lifts the veil between this life and the next, telling the story of two very different men: one rich and secure in earthly pleasures, the other poor, afflicted, and forgotten.

9 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.[a] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

The Rich Man

• He lived “in purple and fine linen” (v. 19)—a symbol of immense wealth and comfort.
  
• He feasted “sumptuously every day,” oblivious to the suffering just outside his gate.
  
• After death, he found himself in Hades, in torment, separated from hope and help.
  

Lazarus

• A poor beggar, covered in sores, laid at the rich man’s gate, longing for crumbs.
  
• He received no compassion from man but was welcomed by angels at death.
  
• He was carried to “Abraham’s side,” a place of rest and honor in paradise.
  

Key Truths Revealed by Jesus: Consciousness after Death

Both men are fully awake and aware after death. There is no soul-sleep, no dissolution into nothingness. The rich man speaks, feels pain, remembers his family. Lazarus is comforted.

“Being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.” (v. 23, ESV)

This passage teaches that our souls live on immediately and consciously in either comfort or torment.

No Second Chances

The chasm between the two realms is fixed and uncrossable.

“...between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able...” (v. 26, ESV)

Once a person dies, their eternal fate is sealed. This directly contradicts ideas of purgatory, reincarnation, or post-mortem redemption.

✦ Scripture Is Sufficient for Salvation

The rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers. But Abraham responds:

“They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” (v. 29, ESV)

God’s Word—what we call the Bible—is enough. If a person won’t listen to Scripture, they won’t be convinced even by miracles. Jesus anticipates His own resurrection being ignored by many for the same reason.

Application:

• Eternal life is not based on earthly success. Rich or poor, what matters is your response to God.
  
• Our decisions in this life echo into eternity. There is no time after death to change your mind.
  
• Scripture is God’s clear and sufficient revelation. We are accountable to it.
  

Reflection:

Are you living as though eternity is real?
Have you responded to God’s Word with repentance and faith?

2. Eternal Separation or Eternal Presence – Revelation 21:1–8

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. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place[a] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.[c] 4 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.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

In this stunning climax to Scripture, John gives a Spirit-revealed vision of eternity—one of glory for the redeemed, and judgment for the unrepentant. It is a stark, final reminder: every person will dwell either with God forever or be eternally separated from Him.

The Eternal Hope for Believers

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God...” (vv. 1–2)

John describes the ultimate promise of the gospel: not just rescue from sin, but complete restoration of creation—a renewed world, purged of death, pain, and sorrow.

“He will wipe away every tear... death shall be no more... neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.” (v. 4)

Heaven is not merely paradise—it is the eternal, intimate presence of God.

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.” (v. 3)

This is the true reward of salvation: not just golden streets, but being with God, forever known, forever loved, forever whole.

The Eternal Judgment for the Unrepentant

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable... their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (v. 8)

This verse lists not just "wicked" acts, but attitudes of unbelief—those who refused God's grace, lived in rebellion, or chose sin over repentance. These are not random sinners—they are those who persistently rejected God’s mercy and hardened their hearts.

The “second death” refers to eternal separation from God, in a place of conscious torment—the lake of fire.

Key Truths:

• Heaven is more than escape—it is perfect union with God.
  
• Hell is more than metaphor—it is real, just, and irreversible.
  
• God will dwell personally and visibly with His redeemed.
  
• Those who reject Him now will be separated from Him forever.
  

Application:

• Do you live with eternity in view?
  The glory of heaven should shape how we suffer, obey, and serve today.
  
• Have you warned others?
  The reality of hell is not meant to scare us into silence, but into urgency.
  
• Do you trust in the finished work of Christ?
  Verse 6 says: “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”
  Salvation is free—but not automatic. It must be received.

3. Each Will Be Judged – 2 Corinthians 5:10

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)

A Universal Appointment

Paul makes it clear: no one is exempt from this moment. Every person—believer and unbeliever alike—will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

This is not metaphor. It is a real, divine appointment, where Christ, the righteous Judge, will evaluate how we lived our lives.

What Is Judged?

The text says we will be judged for what we did “in the body”—that is, how we lived in this earthly life:

• Our choices
  
• Our motives
  
• Our actions and inactions
  
• Our response to grace
  

This is not judgment to determine salvation—for believers, that was secured at the cross. But this is judgment to determine reward, accountability, and to display the fruit of a transformed life.

As Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “By their fruits you shall know them.”

The evidence of faith is a life changed by grace—this judgment will make that clear.

Judgment for Believers

• For believers, this is often called the Bema Seat Judgment—not for condemnation, but commendation.
  
• It's the moment Christ will assess and reward faithful service (see 1 Corinthians 3:12–15).
  
• There is grace, but also accountability—God takes our obedience seriously.
  

Judgment for Unbelievers

While 2 Corinthians 5:10 speaks generally, other Scriptures (like Revelation 20:11–15) speak of the Great White Throne Judgment, where those who rejected God will be judged by their deeds—and found guilty.

Key Truths:

• No one escapes judgment.
  
• What we do in this life matters forever.
  
• Grace is the foundation—but works are the evidence.
  
• Christ Himself will be the Judge—and He judges in perfect justice and mercy.
  

Application:

• Are you living with eternal perspective?
  Every word, every decision, every act of kindness or rebellion will be weighed by the One who died for us.
  
• Do you serve out of gratitude or for attention?
  The judgment seat reveals motives—not just results.
  
• Are you investing in what truly lasts?
  Build with gold, silver, and precious stones—not with wood, hay, and stubble (1 Corinthians 3:12–13).

4. The Final Judgment – Matthew 25:31–32

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” – Matthew 25:31–32 (ESV)

The Scene of Final Judgment

This moment is future, universal, and inescapable.

• Jesus is no longer the suffering servant—He returns in glory.
  
• All the nations—every tribe, tongue, and generation—will stand before Him.
  
• There will be a great division—the “sheep” and the “goats.”
  

This is not symbolic—it is the final, visible judgment that determines eternal destiny.

The Basis of Separation

Jesus doesn’t separate people by wealth, popularity, religion, or culture, but by:

• Their heart posture toward Him
  
• Their obedience to His will
  
• Their compassion and care for others
  

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” – Matthew 25:40

Those who loved Christ were revealed by loving others—feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked.

Those who neglected Christ did so by ignoring those in need.

What Happens Next?

• The sheep are welcomed: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom.”
  
• The goats are condemned: “Depart from me… into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
  

This is not about salvation by works—but about works that reveal a true heart.

The judgment reveals what has been hidden. It declares who we really were before the throne of God.

Key Truths:

• Jesus will return not just as Savior, but as Judge.
  
• Everyone will be held accountable.
  
• True faith produces real love and action.
  
• Our treatment of others reveals our view of Christ.
  

Application:

• Do I treat others—especially the least, the lost, and the left-out—as if they were Christ?
  
• Does my life reflect a heart that loves God, or one that merely knows about Him?
  
• Am I preparing for the return of the Judge, or ignoring the call to live with purpose now?

5. No Reincarnation, No Escape – Hebrews 9:27

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…”
— Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)

One Life, One Death, One Judgment

This single verse speaks with final clarity on a question that spans cultures and religions:
What happens after we die?

Scripture leaves no room for reincarnation, spiritual recycling, or post-death do-overs.

• “It is appointed…” – Death is not random. It is scheduled.
  
• “For man to die once…” – There is one earthly life, not many.
  
• “After that comes judgment…” – No pause, no purgatory, no reset—just standing before the holy God.
  

The End of the Illusion

Our world often promotes the idea of second chances after death—
→ “They’ll work it off in the next life.”
→ “They’ll be reborn and try again.”

But God’s Word says otherwise.

• There is no reincarnation.
  
• There is no ghostly limbo.
  
• There is no escape from the consequences of this life.
  

Key Truths:

• Death is not the end, but it is the cutoff.
  
• There are no spiritual “redos” after death.
  
• The decisions we make in this life matter eternally.
  
• Every soul will face God.
  

Context of Grace (Optional Teaching Note):

This sobering truth is immediately followed in verse 28 by hope:

“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time… to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

We die once—but Christ also died once.
And in Him, we are given the only preparation we’ll ever need to face that judgment.

Application:

• Live prepared, not presumptive. Eternity isn’t waiting for you to “get around to it.”
  
• Don’t delay repentance. You don’t know how much time you have.
  
• Use your one life well. Every moment is a sacred opportunity.

Conclusion: Eternity Is Real—and Urgent

Scripture speaks plainly:
Every one of us will die. Every one of us will face judgment. And every soul will spend eternity either with God—or apart from Him forever.

There is no middle ground.
No reincarnation.
No second chance beyond the grave.
Only this life—and then eternity.

But God, rich in mercy, has not left us to wander in the dark:

• He gave us His Word, a sufficient and clear guide to truth, life, and salvation.
  
• He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, who bore the weight of our sin and judgment on the cross.
  
• And He gives us this moment, now, to respond—through faith, repentance, and surrender—before it’s too late.
  

Luke 16:31 reminds us:
Even if someone were to rise from the dead, some would still not believe.
But the gospel, received with humility, can save, transform, and prepare us for eternity.

Final Challenge

Don’t wait.
Eternity is not just real. It’s near.
And the only safe place is found in the mercy of Christ.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you live with eternity in mind? Why or why not?
  
• What are you trusting in for your security—wealth, comfort, status, or Christ?
  
• Have you responded to God’s Word and surrendered your life to Jesus?
  
• Who in your life needs to hear the urgency of eternal life—and how will you tell them?
  

“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)