Life after Death: Mark Copeland

Mark has consented to my posting his studies from executableoutlines.com.  I hope you enjoy them!!  Please feel free to make any constructive comments you desire.

Gary

Mark A. Copeland

Life After Death
 

What Is The Value Of Such A Study?
INTRODUCTION
1. Mankind has long been fascinated with the subject of life after death
2. Such fascination has given rise to such things as:
a. Interest in the occult
b. Speculation concerning the timing and events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ
3. It has also created much confusion among those who are Christians, who have every reason to look
forward to the future with certainty and great expectation
4. Though the Bible has much to say about what will occur after death and in the future, many have not
studied the Bible carefully on this subject
a. Their knowledge may be limited to what they have heard or seen on religious TV and radio
programs
b. Or their understanding may be based upon a point of view that is taught by their religion's creed,
rather than the Bible itself
5. It is my prayer that this series of lessons on "Life After Death" may help increase our
understanding on what the Bible itself actually teaches on the subject
[In this lesson, I wish to answer the question, "What is the value of such a study?" But first, it may
help to define a couple of terms...]
I. DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. ESCHATOLOGY...
1. The systematic study of that which the Bible has revealed regarding the future is called
"eschatology"
2. The term comes from two words...
a. eschatos - meaning "last things"
b. logos - meaning "word" or "discourse"
3. Therefore, eschatology is a discourse or study about the last things
B. INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY vs. GENERAL ESCHATOLOGY...
1. The field of "eschatology" can be divided into two general areas
2. Individual eschatology...
a. Pertains to what happens to the individual between death and the final return of Christ
b. Otherwise known as the "intermediate state"
3. General eschatology...
a. Pertains to what will happen when and after Christ's final coming
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Mark A. Copeland
b. This relates to what we might call our "eternal destiny"
4. In this series of lessons, we will consider both fields of eschatology...
a. Beginning with "individual" eschatology
b. Because for much of mankind, their death precedes the coming of Christ
[But what is the value of such a study, besides answering our curiosity? Is such a study really practical?
Consider, then...]
II. THE VALUE OF SUCH A STUDY
A. IT ENCOURAGES US TO SO LIVE THAT THE BLESSINGS WILL BE OURS...
1. The Lord has promised wonderful blessing to those who endure - Ja 1:12
2. It is entirely proper for the believer to seek whatever blessings God has prepared for the
righteous - 1 Pe 3:8-12
B. IT FURNISHES A STIMULUS AND A THEME FOR EVANGELISM...
1. Knowing what lay ahead for sinful mankind motivated Paul to preach - 2 Co 5:10-11
2. It should also motivate sinners to obey - Ac 17:30; Mt 16:24-27
C. IT HELPS ONE TO ANSWER INQUIRERS, AND TO QUIET DECEIVERS...
1. Many are sincerely interested, and we should be able to give them the correct teaching
- 1 Pe 3:15
2. But there are many bent on teaching their false doctrine, and we should be able to refute
them - Ti 1:9-11
D. IT HELPS TO STIMULATE PRAYER...
1. The importance of prayer to the Christian can never be overemphasized - cf. Lk 18:1-8
2. Meditating upon the "end times" can stimulate serious and watchful prayer - 1 Pe 4:7
E. IT CAN STRENGTHEN LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER...
1. Read carefully 1 Pe 4:7-10
2. Increasing our understanding for what awaits the faithful can spur greater devotion and
service to one another (cf. Mt 25:31-46)
3. That service in turn strengthens our love for one another!
F. IT CAN CAUSE MORE GLORY TO BE GIVEN TO GOD...
1. Note carefully Ro 2:4, where we learn the goodness of God leads men to repent
2. The more we learn of God's goodness which He has prepared for those who love and obey
Him, the more we (and others) will repent...resulting in the glory of God - cf. 1 Pe 4:11
G. IT CAN INCREASE INCENTIVE TO BE STEADFAST IN THE FAITH...
1. Consider 1 Pe 5:8-9
2. The more we strengthen the inner conviction...
a. That hell is real
b. That it is Satan's sinister purpose to devour as many people as possible
...the more incentive we will have to remain steadfast in the faith!
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Mark A. Copeland
CONCLUSION
1. Far from being an impractical subject of study, the truths concerning the "last things" can be of
inestimable value to our present life
2. As John wrote, our hope in the One Who is coming, and what that means for us, can help to
"purify" ourselves - cf. 1 Jn 3:2-3
In our next study, we shall begin looking at individual eschatology by examining different attitudes
held towards death itself...
Life After Death

What a difference a day makes

Two days ago, everything was "normal", then along came yesterday.  An unexpected cold sore woke me up early and by the time the day was through I was taking Night Quill to get over my sudden "cold".  After 12 hours of sleep, I woke up feeling a bit better, but still wishing that obnoxious cold sore would fade away into nothingness.  Hey, you never know what is going to happen...  Which reminds me of the following New Testament passage...

WEB: I Thessalonians Chapter 5
[1] But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. [2] For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. [3] For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. [4] But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. [5] You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness, [6] so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. [8] But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. [9] For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. [11] Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

 I know, I did too much underlining.  But These verses stood out to me.  Things change, who knows what tomorrow may bring?  I may have a good day or a bad day; it may be filled with sunshine like the picture or covered in snow (probably not much snow in Florida, though).  BUT, what the day is like, WHATEVER happens, I need to be ready for judgment.  Today, God might just say to HIMSELF, that "I have had ENOUGH".  So, Today, I will reread this passage several times and be mentally ready for ANYTHING!!!  Then, whatever happens, it will be SNOW PROBLEM.

When a word processor is a typewriter...

Just because something is old does NOT mean its bad.  Brains (young or OLD), pencils, slide rules and yes, even a typewriter can be useful.  When you remember a phone number instead of just using speed dial, guess what, you remembered something; your brain actually works.  If you use a piece of paper and a pencil to do math; again, brain in gear.  If the power goes out and you use your handy, dandy slide rule to determine the square root of some number, you have just one more option in life.  When I saw this picture, I thought of yesterday, yes, I mean yesterday!!  October 27th was the very first day I used the Ubuntu 11.10 operating system exclusively.  I still had to do some configuration and getting used to its very simple way of doing things (did I mention that everything is free ???) but I had a GREAT TIME.  Why couldn't Windows have been this simple??????  One of the programs I installed was a simple word processor called "Focus Writer".  Its claim to fame is simplicity in use and focus on just WRITING!!! One thing I especially liked though, was the option to turn on typewriter sounds.  Using it was a trip down memory lane, but better.  Imagine, a typewriter with cut and paste and delete!!!!  Wow!  I fell in love and for a brief period felt 40 years younger!!!!!  Sometimes old things can be the BEST THINGS!!!  Now, consider the follow verse from the book of Jeremiah...

WEB: Jeremiah Chapter 6
[16] Thus says Yahweh, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ [17] I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen!’ [18] Therefore hear, you nations, and know, congregation, what is among them. [19] Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. [20] To what purpose comes there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.”

Want to know if something is valuable?  Ask the question: Has it endured the test of time?  If the answer is "YES" then its probably worth something; it HAS ENDURED!!!  Which is why diamonds are worth more than marshmallows!!!  Think old people aren't worth anything?  Then just ask them a question about history or maybe even what a SLIDE-RULE IS? Take this principle just a bit farther... Why is a house a better investment than a bicycle?  The house will be worth more than the bicycle in 20, 30 or 40 years.  Going a bit farther even, consider how we view our lives.  If we just live for the moment and take no thought as to how we handle our money or maintain our house or treat our spouse, what do you think is going to happen in a few decades?  Probably something that is less than wonderful!!!  How about the spiritual side of your life?  What is going to happen to you in 50 or 60 years from now.  Don't know?  Find out, read your Bible and know.  You may not like the answer, but you will know and if you know, you CAN CHANGE YOUR DESTINY!!!  How, by believing that what is there is true and doing what it says to do with your life.  At this point, turn to Acts chapter two and read and reread it.  The language is plain and direct, so you need to ask yourself... Have I done what it tells me to do?  Don't be like the people in Jeremiah's time, who heard what to do and didn't do it.  Follow the "old paths" and obey the instructions of Acts chapter two and avoid evil.  Remember, Old CAN BE GOOD, but even better...OLD CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE?  What's next?  That's up to you.  Want more information... quick let me type it out for you on my word processor that is a typewriter.  Boy, am I a geek or what?

When black becomes white

How has society come to this?  We care more for animals than we do for human beings!!!  Think about the past few years; more than once I bet you can remember someone committing murder and getting away with it.  Remember OJ???  Yet, if someone hurts or abuses an animal there is no mercy whatsoever.  Now, don't get me wrong... I do NOT approve of mistreating animals; I love them, especially the baby ones.  But, people are FAR MORE VALUABLE THAN THEM!!!!  Take a few minutes and read these selections from the Bible and suddenly the above sign will begin to take on a new meaning....

WEB: Genesis Chapter 1 

[24] God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind;” and it was so. [25] God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good. [26] God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” [27] God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. [28] God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” [29] God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. [30] To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;” and it was so. [31] God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. WEB: Matthew Chapter 6 [24] “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. [25] Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

WEB: Isaiah Chapter 29

[16] You turn things upside down! Should

the potter be thought to be like clay; that the thing made should say

about him who made it, “He didn’t make me;” or the thing formed say of

him who formed it, “He has no understanding?” WEB: Isaiah Chapter 5 [20] Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  

WEB: Matthew Chapter 6 [24] “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. [25] Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

Human beings are the pinnacle of God's creation.  Animals were made for man, NOT the other way around!!!  God has made everything and decided how things should be, so why, oh why do we want to change things???  When God says "yes", Satan says "No" and its up to us to decide who we want to listen to.  Remember, don't be a fence sitter, you might fall on the side where Satan is and HE will really gobble you up.  Believe it, because its true!!!

Back to the future, forever!!!

No, Michael J. Fox is not just around the corner and its not 1985, but this is a Delorean. I haven't seen a Delorean in awhile!  But this one is DIFFERENT; its all electric.  Whatever its power source, its styling is distinctive and oh, so beautiful.  My first thought when I saw this vehicle was "Back to the future".  I loved the movie and the idea of traveling in time is intriguing.  Even though I know we can't do this now, there is always hope.  For us, time just keeps going forward, but, maybe, just maybe... someday.  How long before we can do this (if we ever can) I have no idea, but maybe my great-grandchildren might, who knows?  Which of course brings us to eternality and to Jesus.  The book of Hebrews says...

Hebrews 7:1-17 (WEB)
1) For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2) to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace;
3) without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God), remains a priest continually.
4) Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best spoils.
5) They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,
6) but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
7) But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
8) Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.
9) We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
10) for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11) Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12) For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.
13) For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14) For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15) This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,
16) who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life:
17) for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Paul (yes, I do believe he was the writer of Hebrews) compares the temporary priesthood of the old covenant with that of Melchizedek and equates Jesus with the latter.  "a priest forever" is a long, long time.  Permanence equals perfection and perfection is what we all need, forever.  Nice to know that some things will never change, no matter what time it is.  Still, if there is anyone out there with an extra few hundred thousand dollars, I wouldn't mind accepting a Delorean as a gift...

Traditions, truth, and you

One of the things I like best about Florida is something my youngest daughter does; namely, make every birthday special.  She goes out of her way to have a small party, and although there is not a lot of money to be had, still every one is always memorable.  I was wondering a bit about birthday traditions, so I did a little google search and here are the results:

"In classical Roman culture, 'cakes' of flat rounds made with flour containing nuts, leavened with yeast, and sweetened with honey were occasionally served at special birthdays, but more often at weddings as in Ancient Greece.

In early Europe, the words for cake and bread were virtually interchangeable; the only difference being that cakes were sweet while bread was not. In the 15th century, bakeries in Germany conceived the idea of marketing one-layer cakes for customers' birthdays as well as for only their weddings, and thus the modern birthday cake was born. During the 17th century, the birthday cake took on more or less its contemporary form. However, these elaborate cakes, which possessed many aspects of contemporary cakes (such as multiple layers, icing, and decorations), were only available to the very wealthy. Birthday cakes became more and more proletarianized as a result of the industrial revolution, as materials and tools became more advanced and more accessible.

Tradition of Putting Candles on Birthday Cake

Tradition of placing candles on birthday cake is attributed to early Greeks, who used place lit candles on cakes to make them glow like the moon. Greeks used to take the cake to the temple of Artemis, goddess of Moon. Some scholars say that candles were placed on the cake because people believe that the smoke of the candle carried their wishes and prayers to Gods who lived in the skies. Others believe that the custom originated in Germany where people used to place a large candle in the centre of the cake to symbolize ‘the light of life’.

In present times too, people place candles on birthday cakes and a silent wish is made before blowing out the candle. It is believed that blowing out all candles in one breath means the wish will come true and the person with enjoy good luck in the coming year. Some also smear out the name of the person before slicing of the cake to bring good luck.

Contemporary rituals and traditions

Fancy Contemporary Birthday Cake

The cake, or sometimes a pastry or dessert, is served to a person on his or her birthday. In contemporary Western cultures, two rituals are prominent: the singing of the traditional birthday song and the blowing out of candles decorating the cake by the birthday person.

The service of a birthday cake is often preceded by the singing of "Happy Birthday to You" in English speaking countries, or an equivalent birthday song in the appropriate language of that country. In fact, the phrase "Happy Birthday" did not appear on birthday cakes until the song "Happy Birthday to You" was popularized in the early 1900s. Variations on birthday song rituals exist. For example, in New Zealand, "Happy Birthday to You" is sung and is followed by clapping, once for each year of the person's life and once more for good luck. In Uruguay, party guests touch the birthday person's shoulder or head following the singing of "Happy Birthday to You". In Ecuador, sometimes the birthday person will take a large bite off the birthday cake before it is served.

The birthday cake is often decorated with small taper candles, secured with special holders or simply pressed down into the cake. In North America, Australasia and the U.K., the number of candles is equal to the age of the individual whose birthday it is, sometimes with one extra for luck. Traditionally, the birthday person makes a private wish, which will be realized if all the candles are extinguished in a single breath.

In North America, birthday cake is sometimes served with ice cream.

A birthday cake is shared amongst all the people attending a birthday party. This represents sharing of joy and togetherness. As a courtesy, it reflects one's hospitality and respect for guests.

Candles

Novelty candles may be used.

These common thin, stick-shaped candles are standing in peanut butter cups pressed into the frosting.

Though the exact origin and significance of the candle blowing ritual is unknown, the history of placing candles on top of the cake is well documented. This tradition can be traced to Kinderfest (Kinder is the German word for 'children'), an 18th century German birthday celebration for children. A letter written in 1799 by Goethe recounts: "...when it was time for dessert, the prince's entire livery...carried a generous-size torte with colorful flaming candles - amounting to some fifty candles - that began to melt and threatened to burn down, instead of there being enough room for candles indicating upcoming years, as is the case with children's festivities of this kind..." As the excerpt indicates, the tradition at the time was to place candles for each year of the individual's life with some added candles 'indicating upcoming years'.

Birthday pastry cultural variations

Variations on the birthday pastry exist outside of Western culture. The Chinese birthday pastry is the sou bao (壽包), lotus-paste-filled buns made of wheat flour which are shaped and colored to resemble peaches. A single large pastry is not often served, rather each guest is served their own. In Korea, the traditional birthday dish is a seaweed soup. In Western Russia, birthday children are served fruit pies with a birthday greetings carved into the crusts. The Swedish birthday cake is made like a pound cake and is often topped with marzipan and decorated with the national flag. A Dutch birthday pastry are fruit tarts topped with whipped cream. The Mexican birthday tradition involves a piñata, a colored brittle container filled with candy. In India it's common to rub a piece of cake icing on the face of the birthday person, after the cake has been cut."

So, traditions vary over time and geographical location, but whatever the custom, celebrating a birthday is a joyous event.  We should be happy for the life given to the celebrant and wish them well (no matter how old they are).  Birthday customs may change, but The Truth of the Gospel of Christ does not.  Paul was given a revelation of this by none other than Christ himself and warns those who wanted something more to their own liking about the danger associated with leaving God's truth for something "different".  He says...

Galatians 1:6-14 (WEB)
6) I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”;
7) and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.
8) But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
9) As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.
10) For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.
11) But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.
12) For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
13) For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.
14) I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
 

 Traditions can be fine things or bad news.  You be the judge.  God has given us something very special to celebrate, that is, a way to heaven not based solely on what we do in this world, but what Christ has done for us.  The next time your birthday comes around, celebrate as much as you want, in any way you want (even if it means having a fried egg with a lighted flame on it).  Just be sure that when it comes to The Gospel of Christ, you don't change a thing.  If you do, the yoke will be on you in the long run.

Teach me to be innocent, please!!!

Cute cat!!!  Actually looks like its praying, doesn't it?  Even more than that, notice how innocent it looks.  Wouldn't it be nice if everyone was "innocent" like the cat?  Until then, there will be problems... here is an example...

Romans 16:17-20 (WEB)

17) Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

18) For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

19) For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

20) And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Good and evil; always at war with one another.  But, its all about choices, isn't it?  We can decide how we will live, what we think and where we go.  Make good choices, innocent ones, not evil.  Life can be good and that goodness begins with each one of us!!