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DeathDeathAs understood in the Old Testament

Sheol -

“hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), includ. its accessories and inmates - grave, hell, pit (KJV).”

The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words

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DeathDeathAs understood in the Old Testament

Sheol - • Grave; the burial place of those who

have died (cf. Job 17:13-16);- a gloomy place; a dark pit (Job 17:13-16; Jonah 2:1-2)

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DeathDeathAs understood in the Old Testament

Sheol - • Grave; the burial place of those who

have died (cf. Job 17:13-16);• Metaphorically - death (2 Sam. 22:6; Psa. 89:48).

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DeathDeathAs understood in the Old Testament

Sheol - • A place of departed spirits (cf. Job 26:5-6; Prov. 9:17-18).

• Not a place looked forward to Psa. 88:1-5, 10-12; Isa. 38:10-13,17-18).

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DeathDeathAs understood in the Old Testament

Other evidence:• David’s understanding (2 Sam. 12:22-23).

• Jacob’s understanding (Gen. 37:35).

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DeathDeathAs understood in the New Testament

2nd Temple Judaism at the time of Jesus:• Sadducees - denied any kind of future life. • Philo & his followers - a future disembodied state.• Pharisees - a future embodied state in a new heavens and new earth.

- This was Jesus’ understanding (cf. Jn. 11:21-27).

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DeathDeathAs understood in the New Testament

2nd Temple Judaism at the time of Jesus:

• Jesus’ teaching concerning Lazarus & the rich man (Lk. 16:19-31).

- The dead went into the realm of hades (sheol).

✓ Righteous - Abraham’s bosom or Paradise.

✓ Wicked - Torment.

Because of Jesus’

death & resurrection, Things Changed

Dramatically!

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DeathDeathTransition from Old to New Covenant

Under the Old Covenant:

• A relationship of remoteness.• As the OT faithful were kept at a distance from

God in life, so they were kept at a distance in death.

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DeathDeathTransition from Old to New Covenant

Under the New Covenant:• Because of Jesus, direct access to God is now

possible.• Through Jesus, all God’s faithful people now enter into God’s presence

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DeathDeathTransition from Old to New Covenant

Under the New Covenant:• After Acts 2, we never read of deceased saints going to hades or believing that’s where they would go.

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DeathDeathTransition from Old to New Covenant

Under the New Covenant:• Their expectation was to be with Jesus.

- Stephen (Acts 7:54-60).- Paul (2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil. 1:21-24).

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DeathDeathTransition from Old to New Covenant

Under the New Covenant:• Paradise was understood as the dwelling place of God (cf. 2 Cor. 12:2-4; Rev. 2:7)

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DeathDeathWhy a resurrection?

• The disembodied state of being with God in heaven is not our final state.

• There is life after life after death.