1038. Is There Existence After Death?

Is There Existence After Death?

"Who can tell a man what shall be after him, under the sun?" (Ecc_6:12)

This is an important question but it is one that is readily answered when we look into the more sure Word of prophecy.

1. Let Job answer our question. Job_19:25-26 : "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."

There seems to have been no doubt at all in the mind of Job concerning his living after death. He even goes so far as to say that he shall stand upon the earth, and that he shall see God in his flesh and see Him for himself and not another.

2. Let David answer the question. Psa_73:24 : "Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to Glory."

David had no doubt about the future. His sweetest anticipation was that he should be satisfied when he awoke in the likeness of his Lord; and so he felt that after death he would be received into Glory.

3. Let John answer the question. 1Jn_2:17 : "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

John really had no misgivings about the believer after death. He knew that Heaven and earth might pass away; but he also knew that he who "doeth the will of God" would abide forever.

4. Let the transfiguration answer the question, Mat_17:3 : "And behold, there appeared unto them, Moses and Elijah talking with them."

There must have been life beyond the grave; because Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ and talked of His decease. The transfiguration scene is not a make-up story. It is as reliable as any part; of the Word of God and it stands or falls upon the integrity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Let the story of the rich man and Lazarus answer the question. Luk_16:22-23 : "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried: and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom."

Neither the rich man nor Lazarus passed out into eternal nothingness. Christ positively taught in this incident that both the wicked and the righteous would be living beyond the grave.

6. Let the words of Christ answer the question. Luk_20:36 : "Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."

Jesus Christ was speaking of men and women who died and went into another world or age; and He said that they would be as the angels of God, and, therefore, they can never die any more.

7. Let Paul answer the question. 2Co_4:18 : "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

2Co_5:8 : "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

The Apostle here is urging us to look not at the things which are seen, for they are temporal; but he says the things which are not seen, that is, the things which lie beyond, are eternal. Then he speaks of the disembodied spirit as absent from the body, but present with the Lord. These words teach positively that there is life after death.

8. Let us ask Abraham to answer the question. Gen_25:8 : "Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people."

The Word of God teaches that Abraham gave up the ghost and was gathered to his people. The Word does not refer to his being buried with his people, for he was not. The patriarchs did not have a common burying ground, but in the next world, they were gathered to their people, or, to their fathers.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR