The Kingdom of God, Student Workbook, SW02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

a. It appears that at death, the souls of the righteous are received into paradise, Luke 23.43.

b. To be absent from the body is to be found immediately in the presence of the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.1-10.

c. It seems clear that believers go immediately to a place of blessedness into God’s presence, while those who do not believe go to a place of misery, awaiting the final judgment.

d. Again, while the evidence for the various views is scarce, it seems clear that Paul’s desire to depart and to be with Christ is a hope that every Christian can readily share.

Conclusion

» Eschatology, the doctrine of last things, is critically important to understand, not only to be personally watchful in one’s own discipleship, but to provide comfort to those who have lost loved ones in death. » Death is inevitable and certain for all people, but Jesus of Nazareth, through his work on the cross, has overcome the power of death for those who believe. » The intermediate state for those who cling to the Kingdom’s hope is to know that, at the moment of death, the believer will be transported instantly into the presence of the Lord, awaiting the resurrection of the dead.

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