BACK TO THE BASICS - LAST THINGS
                                                
Introduction

I.   This our last lesson in this series "Back to the Basics."
     A.   We began this series by looking at Jesus.
          1.   We said Christianity upon the earth began with Jesus.
          2.   And Christianity upon the earth will end with Jesus.

II.  Today we will study about last things -  Eschatology.
     A.   Eschatology "the branch of theology, or doctrines, dealing with death, resurrection,
          judgment, immortality, etc."
     B.   The study of Last Things has always interested people.
          1.   Yet so many people are confused.

III. We want to see what will biblically happen when times comes to an end.

Body

I.   JESUS IS COMING.
     A.   The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again.
          1.   Jesus promised that He would come again (John 14:1-3; Mat 25:31).
          2.   The angels announced that Jesus would come again (Acts 1:11).
               a.   Interestingly, the angels announced Jesus 1st coming.
               b.   The angels announced His 2nd coming.
               c.   And the angels will also accompany His 2nd coming (Mark 8:38).
          3.   The apostles taught that Jesus would come again (1 Th 1:9-10; Heb 9:28; 2
               Pet 3:10),
     B.   The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again with no signs (Mark 13:32).
          1.   It will be when least expected (Mat 24:37-42).
     C.   The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming but not back to the earth (1 Thess 4:13-18).

II.  ALL THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED.
     A.   There will be a general resurrection of both the good and the evil (Jon. 5:28-29).
     B.   The resurrection will be a bodily resurrection (1 Cor 15:35-38).
          1.   Everyone will receive new bodies (2 Cor 5:1).
     C.   The resurrection will be patterned after Jesus' resurrection (1 Cor 15:20).

III. EVERYONE WILL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST.
     A.   There is a judgment day coming (Mat 25:31-32; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Act 17:30-31; Heb
          9:27; Rev 20:12-13).
     B.   Jesus will be the judge (John 5:22; 2 Tim 4:1).
     C.   Jesus will be just (John 12:48).
          1.   Secret things (Eccl.. 12:13-14).
          2.   Words (Mat 12:36-37).
          3.   Deeds done in the body (2 Cor 5:10).
          4.   Fruits of our deeds (Jer 17:10).
     D.   What will be the outcome?. . . There will be a separation!

II.  THE LOST WILL GO INTO HELL.
     A.   Hell is a real place.
          1.   It is a place of torment (Rev 20:10).
          2.   It is a place of eternal punishment (Mat 25:46).
          3.   It is a place described as a lake of fire.
          4.   It is a place of outer darkness (Mat 8:12).
     B.   Hell is an eternal place.
          1.   "Eternal punishment" and "Eternal life" are the same in duration.
               a.   But not the same in quality.
     C.   Hell is the place for the unsaved (Psa 9:17; Mat 25:41).

V.   THE SAVED WILL GO INTO HEAVEN.
     A.   Heaven is a real place.
          1.   It is where Jesus is now (Acts 7:55; Phil 3:20; Col 4:1).
          2.   It is where the saved will be after the judgment (John 14:1-3;  1 Pet 1:4).
     B.   Heaven will be God's children's eternal home.
          1.   It is a better country (Heb 11:13-16).
          2.   It is a prepared city.
          3.   It is where our treasures are (Mat 6:19-20).
          4.   It is called "a new heaven and new earth" (2 Pet 3:13).
          5.   It is where the tree of life will be ultimately found (Rev 22:14).
     C.   Heaven is a place now accepting reservations (Rev 20:15).
          1.   We must be prepared to enter heaven (Hear the gospel, Believe in Jesus,
               Confess of faith before others, and be  Baptized to be saved).
          2.   Heaven is going to be a wonderful place (Rev 21:4).
     D.   Heaven will not be upon this earth (2 Pet 3:10).

Conclusion

I.   Jesus is coming again.
     A.   There will be a great resurrection day.
     B.   Everyone will be judged.
     C.   Some will go into heaven.
     D.   Many will go into hell.
     E.   And this universe will be dissolved with fervent heat.

II.  Where will you be?
     A.   If you were to die right now, do you know that you will go to heaven?

III. This is a season of giving.
     A.   Receive the greatest gift that has ever been given salvation through Jesus.


**   If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.

Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street
Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/