Last Things (WCF 32-33, WLC 84-85, 87-90, WSC 37-38)

Question 1

What happens to believers at death? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 1

WSC 37: The soul of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness (Heb. 12:23); and do immediately pass into glory (Luke 23:43, 2 Cor. 5:6-8, Phil. 1:23); and their bodies, being still united to Christ (1 Thess. 4:14), do rest in their graves till the resurrection (Dan. 12:2, John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15).

Question 2

What happens to unbelievers at death? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 2

1. ) Souls immediately cast into hell (Luke 16:23)
2. ) Bodies remain in the grave until the resurrection, and the judgment of the great day (John 5:28-29, Luke 16:23-24, Acts 1:25, Jude 6-7, 1 Peter 3:19)

Question 3

Who will be raised to life at the last day?

Answer 3

Everybody, all the dead (John 5:25-29, Acts 24:15, Job 19:26-27; Dan. 12:2, 1 Cor. 15:42-44); yet, only the elect will avoid 2nd death

Question 4

Who will be judged at the last day? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 4

1. ) Apostate angels – Jude 1:6

2. ) All persons that have lived upon earth (2 Cor. 5:10, Eccles. 12:14, Rom. 2:16, Rom. 14:10-12; Matt. 12:36-37)

Question 5

By whom will they be judged? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 5

God will judge the world, by Jesus Christ (Acts 17:31, John 5:22, 27)

Question 6

Will any receive a second chance? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 6

No,

Hebrews 9:27, Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15; Luke 7:50

Question 7

What practical use is the doctrine of the final judgment? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 7

WCF 30.3

1. ) Deters men from sin
2. ) Consoles the godly facing adversity (2 Peter 3:11, 14; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; 2 Thess. 1:5-7; Luke 21:27-28; Rom. 8:23-25)
3. ) Removes carnal security
4. ) Creates a watchfulness (Matthew 24:36, 42-44)

Question 8

When will Christ return? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 8

No one knows (only the Father)

– Matthew 24:36

Question 9

What will heaven be like?

Answer 9

1. ) A real place (2 Cor. 12:1-9, John 14:3)
2. ) destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God’s promise of the Redeemer (Eph. 4:8)
3. ) Possesses the glory and presence of God (Rev. 21:11, Rev. 22:5, 1 John 3:2)
4. ) Place of no mores (Rev. 21:4, 20:6)

Question 10

Is there a hell? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 10

Yes,

1. ) The experience of being in hell is compared to burning (Mark 9:43; 9:48; Matthew 18:9; Luke 16:24).
2. ) Hell is compared to darkness (Matthew 22:13)
3. ) Associated with intense grief (Matthew 8:12) and horror (Mark 9:44).

In short, the Bible tells us only what being in hell is “like”; it does not explicitly say what hell is or how exactly it functions. What the Bible does make clear is that hell is real, eternal, and to be avoided at all costs (Matthew 5:29–30).

– Matthew 13:40-42; Matthew 18:8-9

Question 11

What is “annihilationism?” Evaluate it biblically.

Answer 11

The teaching that the reprobate are destroyed completely (annihilated) after the judgment, rather than facing eternal punishment.

• • Hell-fire: speaks of the pain of the wicked, not of their consumption
• • The Bible clearly teaches everlasting damnation for the wicked and everlasting life for the righteous.
• • Luke 16:23-24, Acts 1:25, Jude 6-7, 1 Peter 3:19; Mark 9:48)

Question 12

What is your view of the millennium? Defend your answer with Scripture.

Answer 12

Amillennialism

Time of Millenium = Christ’s Kingdom came with his first coming; growing and reigning until he comes back; the strong man is bound at the Cross/Resurrection

Millenium begins during age of chruch with Satan being bound (The millenium is Christ’s reign)

Biggest issue = Amillennialism doesn’t disconnect the 2nd coming of Christ from the Consummation.

Evidence from revelation:

1. ) Recapitulation in Revelation – each section describes the inneradvent period. Not progressive or historist. (these are the “last days” - quality, not quantity of days
2. ) Jesus claimed to have bound the devil (Matt. 12:28-29); and that the kingdom was inaugurated because he cast out demons.
3. ) Satan is bound for specific purpose: “that he might not deceive the nations anymore” The gospel is free to go throughout the nations. Satan is active, not bound.
4. ) Second coming of Christ is always with the Consummation (Rev. 20-22)