1 What will Heaven be like? Will we recognize others? Will others recognize us? Searcher’s Class

2 What is death? James 2:26James 2:26 – The body apart from the spirit is dead Death is not: –Non-existence –Extinction Life is the union of body and spirit

3 What is death? Death = Separation –Genesis 25:8 –Genesis 25:8 – “gave up the ghost” –Genesis 35:18 –Genesis 35:18 – “soul was departing” –1 Kings 17:22 –1 Kings 17:22 – “soul came in again” –Psalm 90:12 –Psalm 90:12 – “we fly away” –Acts 7:59 –Acts 7:59 – “receive my spirit”

4 Does the spirit survive apart from the body? 2 Corinthians 5:6-82 Corinthians 5: So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

5 Does the spirit survive apart from the body? Philippians 1: Philippians 1: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

6 Logic demands recognition – Without it we will: Spend eternity with strangersSpend eternity with strangers Have no memory of our lifeHave no memory of our life Not understand your rewardNot understand your reward Not appreciate where you areNot appreciate where you are Find heaven less attractiveFind heaven less attractive

7 Scriptural Evidence Paul’s joy in heavenPaul’s joy in heaven –Philippians 4:1 –Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. –2 Corinthians 1:14 –2 Corinthians 1:14 - (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

8 Scriptural Evidence Paul’s joy in heavenPaul’s joy in heaven –1 Thessalonians 2:19 - –1 Thessalonians 2:19 - For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? –2 Corinthians 4:14 –2 Corinthians 4:14 - knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

9 Scriptural Evidence Comfort of ScripturesComfort of Scriptures –1 Thessalonians 4: –1 Thessalonians 4: But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. –Verse 18 –Verse 18 - Therefore comfort one another with these words.

10 Scriptural Evidence Comfort of ScripturesComfort of Scriptures –Two classes of dead –Dead in Christ –Dead out of Christ –Differences are in the type of sorrow and strength of hope

11 Scriptural Evidence Reward and PunishmentReward and Punishment –In our system of justice, a person not capable of understanding the nature of the crime will not be punished for that crime –We will remember in judgment – Matthew 7:22 –Beheaded saints remembered – Revelation 6:9-10

12 Scriptural Evidence Reward and PunishmentReward and Punishment –Beheaded saints remembered – Revelation 6:9-10 –NOTE: These souls: Were personalities in the spirit realmWere personalities in the spirit realm Were aware of their surroundingsWere aware of their surroundings Knew why there were thereKnew why there were there Sought justice for their murderSought justice for their murder

13 Scriptural Evidence A Case Study – Luke 16A Case Study – Luke 16 Parable or not?Parable or not? –Doesn’t matter –Parables never use error to teach truth –Falsehood to teach truth is an Allegory –Provides a glimpse after death

14 Scriptural Evidence A Case Study – Luke 16A Case Study – Luke 16 Key words – “Son remember”Key words – “Son remember” –Knew Abraham –Knew Lazarus –Knew he had 5 brothers –Knew their lifestyle –Knew he was in pain

15 Scriptural Evidence Resurrection = VictoryResurrection = Victory 1 Corinthians 15: Corinthians 15: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

16 Scriptural Evidence “Gathered to his people”“Gathered to his people” Abraham – Genesis 25:8Abraham – Genesis 25:8 Isaac – Genesis 32:29Isaac – Genesis 32:29 Jacob – Genesis 49:29, 33Jacob – Genesis 49:29, 33 Moses and Aaron – Deuteronomy 32:50Moses and Aaron – Deuteronomy 32:50

17 Scriptural Evidence “Gathered to his people”“Gathered to his people” This statement is NOT about where the body is buriedThis statement is NOT about where the body is buried Moses was not buried with his people – God buried himMoses was not buried with his people – God buried him Jacob was still in Egypt – It would be 400 years before his body was buriedJacob was still in Egypt – It would be 400 years before his body was buried

18 Scriptural Evidence Infant son of DavidInfant son of David 2 Samuel 12:23 -2 Samuel 12:23 - But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

19 Scriptural Evidence Men of NinevehMen of Nineveh Matthew 12:41 -Matthew 12:41 - The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

20 Scriptural Evidence Matthew 22:23-33 – Whose wife will she be?Matthew 22:23-33 – Whose wife will she be? In the resurrection: –You do not marry –You are like the angels God is not the God of the deadGod is not the God of the dead –Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are alive –Jehovah is still their God

21 Objections Answered We will lose our physical characteristicsWe will lose our physical characteristics –Death is separation of body and spirit –Resurrection is the reunion of body and spirit –We will have a BODY! –Job 19:26 –Job 19:26 - And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,

22 Objections Answered We will lose our physical characteristicsWe will lose our physical characteristics –1 John 3:2 –1 John 3:2 - Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

23 Objections Answered We will lose our physical characteristicsWe will lose our physical characteristics –1 Corinthians 15: –1 Corinthians 15: But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain— perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

24 Objections Answered We will not be marriedWe will not be married –Do angels know each other? –We will be like the angels –We will be there as children of God –We will not maintain earthly, human relationships

25 Objections Answered What if my loved one is not there?What if my loved one is not there? Ask: What if they ARE present and you don’t know them? The objection assumes:The objection assumes: –God can’t make me happy –My love for family is greater than God’s love for them –The question assumes that we will argue with God’s judgment. –It assumes that we will ignore their choice to live in sin.

26 Conclusions Recognition is demanded in:Recognition is demanded in: –Resurrection –Paul’s joy in heaven –The comfort of Scripture –Understanding the reward –David’s infant son –The men of Nineveh –Abraham being alive