What happens after we die? Part 2

What happens after we die? Part 2

This is the second study on what happens to us after death. In the first study, we looked at what happens to us immediately after death. In today's study we see what will happen to us in and after the day of judgment and where we will spend eternity. 

The Eternal State, after the Day of Judgment is what we will look at today:

 

1. The eternal state

There will come a day when our Lord Jesus Christ will return to this earth. On that day He will gather all the deceased believers with Him (1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 1:14). Their bodies will be resurrected and the believers who are still alive will be raptured and we will meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). I realize that people have different opinions about exactly when this 'rapture' will take place, but there is no doubt that it will take place. 

After these events, the final judgment will take place (Matthew 10:15; 11:22, 24; Acts 17:30-31; Revelation 20:11-15). This will be the judgment of the righteous (believers) and the unrighteous (unbelievers). Anyone who does not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be judged according to their works and words (Romans 2:3-8; Revelation 20:12-13). Their punishment will be death (eternal death, or to put it another way, eternal misery and separation from God's grace). 

However, we must realize that the final judgment will also come upon the believers. Paul refers to it in 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (see also Matthew 25:31-46 and Romans 14:10, 12). However, the believer does not have to fear eternal damnation, because we are in Christ. Our sins are forgiven for His sake and therefore Paul says in Romans 8:1 there will be no condemnation for us who are in Christ. In Jesus we already have eternal life, as He Himself says in John 5:24. We need in no way fear that this eternal rest will be taken away from us on that last day if we are in Christ, because Jesus bought us with His own blood, which will be confirmed on that day by our eternal rest will enter. 

While this will be a great occurrence for every human being, it will also have a great impact on the entire creation. The creation we see now groans and complains in pain in anticipation of that day when the children of God will be made known (Romans 8:19-21). On that day, at Jesus' second coming, when the children of God will be revealed, this entire creation will also be 'reborn' in a new creation. 

a.The eternal rest of the faithful (Heaven) 

The whole creation will be recreated, that's what the Scripture refers to the 'new heavens and new earth'. It will be a whole new physical reality that will be suitable for our new glorified bodies (Romans 8:19-21). These new bodies will be actual physical bodies, they will be able to eat and drink (Luke 22:18; Revelation 19:9; 22:1-2) and they will be able to move around the streets in the city (Revelation 21:10-11, 21 -26). I realize that many of the descriptions in Revelation are probably symbolic, but they undoubtedly point to the fact that we will have a physical existence in physical bodies. 

While these glorified bodies will indeed be physical, they will also be immortal, powerful and spiritual (i.e. guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit). For example, Paul says the following in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” 

Marriages will not exist in the future age (Matthew 22:30) and there will be no intercourse, because new children will not be born. Earthly families will be replaced with the worldwide family of God. However, from Jesus' story of Lazarus and the rich man, and the disciples' recognition of Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, it is clear that we will recognize each other. Eternity will also not be a place of less intimacy, but of more intimacy in our relationship with God and with all fellow believers through all ages and from every nation. There will also be no suspicion, fear or envy and we will talk openly with each other about who we are, what we think and what we can do. This intimacy will be greater and more glorious than we have ever experienced. 

The book of Revelation shows us that most of our time will be spent in worship to God. This worship will take two forms: firstly, there will be times in which we gather around the throne of God in praise of His glory, but secondly, there will also be, what I want to call, inner worship in which we will offer our bodies as holy and God acceptable sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). But we will also do other things. There will surely be many things to explore and learn, and see, and enjoy. Eternity will surely never get boring. 

However, our main focus will always be God. We will have an infinite awareness of his greatness and goodness that will dominate everything (Revelation 21:3-4; 22:3-4). A temple will not be there, because God himself and his Lamb are the temple (Revelation 21:22). In this way we will always have direct and intimate contact with God. 

b.The Eternal Punishment of the Unbelievers (Hell) 

For those who do not believe in Christ, great misery awaits. The Bible is certainly not silent about the misery that awaits unbelievers. The Scriptures are clear, everyone who does not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will be damned (John 3:18; 3:36). God's wrath rests on them. 

But what does it mean that God's wrath rests on them? To understand some of this we can look at what Exodus 15 tells about what happened to the Egyptians after God led his people through the Red Sea. In Exodus 15:6-7 we find a description of the Egyptian army's fate "Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.” These types of descriptions abound in the Old Testament but are mostly focused on the misery that will befall the enemies of God's people in this life, not in the life to come. 

However, the full punishment of the wicked will not be a temporary punishment in this life, but an eternal punishment in the life to come. For example, Hebrews 10:26-27 gives us a description of this “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.” An eternal judgment of God awaits everyone who is not in Jesus Christ. 

This judgment will then be according to the deeds that the wicked have done in this life (Hebrews 9:27). It would appear that there will be different levels of punishment for the wicked. Jesus says in Matthew 11:22 that it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon than for Chorazin and Bethsaida. In Luke 20:47 Jesus says that the scribes will receive a heavier judgment. It confirms the idea that their punishment will be in relation with their deeds. So someone who sinned in ignorance will have a lighter punishment than others, like a scribe, who knew what is right and still lived in sin. 

However, there is no doubt that the Scriptures show that the punishment of the unbelievers in hell will last forever. Just as the blessing of Christ's 'sheep' is eternal, so the punishment of the 'goats' who rejected Him will be eternal. (Matt. 25:41, 46; Mark. 9:43; Luke 16:22-24, 28; Rev. 14:11; 19:3; 20:10). 

There are some who believe that the torment of the unbelievers will stop at some point (Annihilationism), but the Scriptures are clear that it will never stop in eternity. It will not only be the fire of God's wrath that continues forever, but their torment in it will also be forever (Revelation 14:11; 20:10). The Bible does says that the wicked will be 'destroyed', but this does not mean annihilation. For example, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:5 that the congregation must expel a sinner from the congregation 'for the destruction of the flesh'. Does Paul mean by that that his flesh will perish? No, on the contrary, Paul means that this sinner may repent. So when the Scriptures speak of the destruction of the sinner in hell, it does not mean that they will cease to exist, but that they will suffer forever as a result of their sin. 

Hell is ultimately an eternal place of torment and while God will indeed be there in his wrath, God's grace and mercy will be withheld from them while they will suffer the deserved eternal punishment for their sin.

  

This is an attempt to think Scripturally about what happens after death, to the believer and to the unbeliever. It is certainly possible to understand certain texts differently than I understood them, as long as they are interpreted biblically. I myself do not understand everything and neither has God revealed everything to us. The human mind can also only understand what is possible for it to understand and thus this is not an attempt to speak fully and finally about the matter. Ultimately, what will make heaven heaven is the presence of God in his unlimited grace, and what will make hell hell is the presence of God's wrath without any grace or mercy. Our excitement about heaven must be primarily driven by an unquenchable longing to be with Him.

ds. Leon Harmse

The pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church

Wat gebeur na ons sterf? – Deel 2

Wat gebeur na ons sterf? – Deel 2 

Hierdie is die tweede studie oor wat met ons gebeur na die dood.  In die eerste studie het ons gekyk na wat onmiddelik na die dood met ons gebeur. In vandag se studie sien ons wat met ons sal gebeur in en na die dag van oordeel en waar ons die ewigheid sal deurbring.  

Die Ewige Toestand, na die Dag van Oordeel is waarna ons vandag sal kyk: 

 

1. Die ewige toestand 

Daar sal ‘n dag kom waarom onse Here Jesus Christus sal terugkeer na hierdie aarde.  Op daardie dag sal Hy al die afgestorwe gelowiges saam met Hom bring (1 Thessalonicense 3:13; Judas 1:14).  Hulle liggame sal opgewek word en die gelowiges wat nog lewe sal opgeruk word (die wegraping) en ons sal die Here in die lug ontmoet (1 Thessalonicense 4:16-17).  Ek besef dat mense verskillende opinies het oor presies wanneer hierdie ‘wegraping’ sal plaasvind, maar daar is geen twyfel dat dit wel gaan plaasvind nie.  

Na hierdie gebeure sal die finale oordeel plaasvind (Mattheus 10:15; 11:22, 24; Handelinge 17:30-31; Openbaring 20:11-15).  Dit sal die oordeel wees van die regverdiges (gelowiges) en onregverdiges (ongelowiges).  Elkeen wat nie in die Here Jesus Christus glo nie, sal geoordeel word in ooreenstemming met hulle werke en woorde (Romeine 2:3-8; Openbaring 20:12-13).  Hulle straf sal die dood wees (ewige dood, of anders gestel, ewige ellende en verwydering van God se genade). 

Ons moet egter besef dat die finale oordeel ook oor die gelowiges sal kom.  Paulus verwys daarna in 2 Korintiërs 5:10 “Want ons moet almal voor die regterstoel van Christus verskyn, sodat elkeen kan ontvang wat hy deur die liggaam verrig het, volgens wat hy gedoen het, of dit goed is of kwaad” (sien ook Mattheus 25:31-46 en Romeine 14:10, 12).  Die gelowige hoef egter nie die ewige verdoemenis te vrees nie, omdat ons in Christus is.  Ons sondes is vergewe terwille van Hom en daarom sê Paulus in Romeine 8:1 sal daar vir ons geen veroordeling wees wat in Christus is nie.  In Jesus het ons reeds die ewige lewe, soos Hy self in Johannes 5:24 sê.  Ons hoef in geen mate te vrees dat hierdie ewige rus van ons weggeneem sal word op daardie laaste dag as ons in Christus is nie, want Jesus het ons gekoop met Sy eie bloed, wat bevestig sal word op daardie dag deurdat ons in Hom die ewige rus sal ingaan. 

Terwyl hierdie ‘n groot geleentheid vir elke mens sal wees, sal dit ook ‘n groot impak hê op die hele skepping.  Die skepping wat ons nou sien kerm en kla in pyn in afwagting vir daardie dag waarop die kinders van God bekend gemaak sal word (Romeine 8:19-21).  Op daardie dag, by Jesus se wederkoms, wanneer die kinders van God bekendgemaak sal word, sal hierdie hele skepping ook ‘hergebore’ word in ‘n nuwe skepping. 

a. Die ewige rus van die gelowiges (Hemel) 

Die hele skepping sal herskep word, dis waarna die Skrif verwys na die ‘nuwe hemele en nuwe aarde’.  Dit sal ‘n hele nuwe fisies realiteit wees wat geskik sal wees vir ons nuwe verheerlikde liggame (Romeine 8:19-21).  Hierdie nuwe liggame sal fisies bestaan, dit sal kan eet en drink (Lukas 22:18; Openbaring 19:9; 22:1-2) en dit sal kan rondbeweeg deur die strate in die stad (Openbaring 21:10-11, 21-26).  Ek besef dat talle van die beskrywings in Openbaring waarskynlik simbolies is, wys hulle tog ongetywfeld op die feit dat ons ‘n fisiese bestaan sal hê in fisiese liggame. 

Terwyl hierdie verheerlikde liggame wel fisies sal wees, sal hulle terselfdetyd ook onsterflik, kragtig en geestelik (m.a.w. gelei en bekragtig deur die Heilige Gees) wees.  So sê Paulus byvoorbeeld die volgende in 1 Korintiërs 15:42-44 “So is ook die opstanding van die dode: daar word gesaai in verganklikheid, daar word opgewek in onverganklikheid; daar word gesaai in oneer, daar word opgewek in heerlikheid; daar word gesaai in swakheid, daar word opgewek in krag. ‘n Natuurlike liggaam word gesaai, ‘n geestelike liggaam word opgewek. Daar is ‘n natuurlike liggaam, en daar is ‘n geestelike liggaam.”. 

Huwelike sal nie bestaan in die toekomsige era nie (Mattheus 22:30) en daar sal geen geslagsgemeenskap wees nie, want nuwe kinders sal nie gebore word nie.  Aardse families sal vervang word met die wêreldwye familie van God.  Vanuit Jesus se verhaal van Lasarus en die rykman en die dissipels se erkenning van Moses en Elia op die berg van verheerliking, is dit egter duidelik dat ons mekaar sal herken.  Die ewigheid sal ook nie ‘n plek van minder intimiteit wees nie, maar van meer intimiteit in ons verhouding met God en met al die mede gelowiges deur alle eeue en uit elke nasie.  Daar sal ook geen agterdog, vrees of afgunstigheid bestaan nie en ons sal openlik met mekaar gesels oor wie ons is, wat ons dink en wat ons kan doen.  Hierdie intimiteit sal groter en heerliker wees as wat ons nog ooit beleef het. 

Die boek Openbaring toon ons dat die meeste van ons tyd in aanbidding tot God spandeer sal word.  Hierdie aanbidding sal twee vorme aanneem: eerstens sal daar tye wees waarin ons vergader rondom die troon van God in lofsang van Sy heerlikheid, maar tweedens sal daar ook, wat ek wil noem, innerlike aanbidding wees waarin ons ons liggame sal offer as heilige en God aanneemlike offers (Romeine 12:1-2).  Maar ons sal ook ander dinge doen.  Daar sal verseker baie dinge wees om te ondersoek en leer, en sien, en geniet. Die ewigheid sal verseker nooit vervelig raak nie.  

Ons hoof fokus sal egter deurtentyd God wees.  Ons sal ‘n oneindigende bewustheid hê van sy grootheid en goedheid wat alles sal oorheers (Openbaring 21:3-4; 22:3-4).  ‘n Tempel sal nie daar wees nie, want God self en sy Lam is die tempel (Openbaring 21:22).  Sodoende sal ons altyd direkte en intieme kontak met God hê. 

b.Die Ewige straf van die ongelowiges (Hel) 

Vir die wat nie in Christus glo nie wag daar ‘n geweldige ellende.  Die Bybel is verseker nie stil oor die ellende wat op ongelowiges wag nie.  Die Skrif is duidelik, elkeen wat nie in die Here Jesus Christus glo nie sal verdoem word (Johannes 3:18; 3:36). God se toorn rus op hulle.  

Maar wat beteken dit dat God se toorn op hulle rus?  Om iets hiervan te verstaan kan ons kyk na wat Eksodus 15 vertel van wat met die Egiptenare gebeur het nadat God sy volk deur die Rooisee gelei het.  In Eksodus 15:6-7 vind ons ‘n beskrywing van die Egiptiese weermag se lot “o HERE, u regterhand is verheerlik deur krag. U regterhand, o HERE, verpletter die vyand. En in u grote hoogheid werp U diegene neer wat teen U opstaan. U stuur u toorngloed uit: dit verteer hulle soos ‘n stoppel.” Hierdie tipe beskrywings is volop in die Ou Testament maar is meestal gefokus op die ellende wat die vyande van God se volk in hierdie lewe sal tref, nie in die lewe wat kom nie. 

Die volle straf op die godeloses sal egter nie ‘n tydelike straf in hierdie lewe wees nie, maar ‘n ewige straf in die lewe wat kom.  Hiervan gee Hebreërs 10:26-27 byvoorbeeld vir ons ‘n beskrywing “Want as ons opsetlik sondig, nadat ons die kennis van die waarheid ontvang het, bly daar geen offer vir die sondes meer oor nie, maar ‘n verskriklike verwagting van oordeel en ‘n vuurgloed wat die teëstanders sal verteer.” ‘n ewige oordeel van God wag op elkeen wat nie in Jesus Christus is nie. 

Hierdie oordeel sal dan wees volgens die dade wat die godeloses in hierdie lewe verrig het (Hebreërs 9:27).  Dit wil voorkom asof daar verskillende vlakke van straf vir die godeloses sal wees. Jesus sê in Mattheus 11:22 dat dit vir Tirus en Sidon meer draaglik sal wees as vir Gorasin en Betsaida.  In Lukas 20:47 sê Jesus dat die Skrifgeleerdes ‘n swaarder oordeel sal ontvang.  Dit stryk met die gedagte dat hulle straf sal wees in ooreenstemming met hulle dade.  So sal iemand wat in onkunde sondig se straf ligter wees as een, soos ‘n Skrifgeleerde, wat weet wat reg is en steeds in sonde leef. 

Daar is egter geen twyfel dat die Skrif toon dat die straf van die ongelowiges in die hel sal vir ewig duur nie.  Net soos die seën van Christus se ‘skape’ ewig is, so sal die straf van die ‘bokke’ wat Hom verwerp het, ewig wees.  (Matt. 25:41, 46; Mar. 9:43; Luk. 16:22-24, 28; Open. 14:11; 19:3; 20:10). 

Daar is sommige wat glo dat die pyniging van die ongelowiges op een of ander stadium gaan ophou (Annihilisme), maar die Skrif is duidelik dat dit sal in ewigheid nooit ophou nie. Dit sal nie net die vuur van God se toorn wees wat ewig aanhou nie, maar hulle pyniging in dit sal ook vir ewig wees (Openbaring 14:11; 20:10).  Dit is so dat die Bybel sê dat die bose ‘vernietig’ sal word, maar dit beteken nie annihilasie nie.  Paulus sê byvoorbeeld in 1 Korintiërs 5:5 dat die gemeente ‘n sondaar uit die gemeente moet sit ‘tot verderf van die vlees’.  Bedoel Paulus daardeur dat sy vlees tot niet sal gaan? Nee, in teendeel bedoel Paulus daar dat hierdie sondaar hom sal bekeer.  As die Skrif dus praat van die vernietiging van die sondaar in die hel, bedoel dit nie dat hulle sal ophou bestaan nie, maar juis dat hulle vir ewig sal ly asgevolg van hulle sonde. 

Die hel is uiteindelik ‘n ewig plek van pyniging en terwyl God inderdaad daar sal wees in sy toorn , sal God se genade en barmhartigheid van hulle weerhou word terwyl hulle die verdiende ewige straf vir hulle sonde sal ondervind. 

 

Hierdie is ‘n pooging om Skriftuurlik te dink oor wat na die dood gebeur, met die gelowige en met die ongelowige.  Dit is seker moontlik om sekere tekste anders te verstaan as wat ek dit verstaan het, solank dit Bybels geinterpreteer word.  Ek verstaan self nie alles nie en God het ook nie alles wat daar is aan ons geopenbaar nie.  Die menslike verstand kan ook net verstaan wat vir dit moontlik is om te begryp en sodoende is hierdie nie ‘n pooging om volledig en finaal oor die saak te praat nie. Uiteindelik is dit wat die hemel hemel gaan maak, die teenwoordigheid van God in sy onbeperkte genade, en wat hel hel gaan maak is die teenwoordigheid van God se toorn sonder enige genade of barmhartigheid.  Ons opgewondheid oor die hemel moet primêr gedryf word deur ‘n rykhalsende verlange om by Hom te wees.

ds. Leon Harmse

Die leraar van Sunwardpark Baptistekerk

 

What happens after we die? Part 1

 

What happens after we die? (Part 1) 

This study comes as a result of several people asking about what happens to people after death. 

The short answer to the question of what happens to us after we die is: We continue to live. The Bible is clear that both the righteous and the unrighteous continue to exist after death. This survival will happen in two phases, (1) The Intermediate State, before the Day of Judgment and (2) The Eternal State, after the Day of Judgment. We will look at the first this week and the second next week: 

1. The intermediate state 

It refers to that time between our death and the final judgment, that day of the resurrection of our bodies. In this time, the Scriptures teach us, the experience of believers will look markedly different from that of the unbelievers. 

a.The believers in the intermediate state 

The moment the believer dies he immediately goes to where Christ is. In Philippians 1:23 Paul says that he desires to die so that he can be where Christ is. In 2 Corinthians 5:8 he shows that we should rather desire to live out of the body, because then we will live in Christ. To the thief on the cross Jesus also says 'today' you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). Since Christ is at the right hand of the Father who is in heaven, we will go to heaven. While this is true, it is not important where we are going to be, but with whom we will be: With God, with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit. 

Sometimes the Bible uses the word 'heaven' to refer to the sky above our heads. But the primarily theological meaning of heaven is a reference to where God lives. It refers to a real place in space and time. While God is Spirit and is therefore not limited to any place (not even heaven - 1 Kings 8:27), heaven is the place where God chooses to manifest Himself intensively. For example, we can think of Mount Sinai, or the Tabernacle or Temple. These were places on earth where God manifested Himself intensely, and yet we see in Hebrews 8:1-2 that the Tabernacle (and Temple) are simply pictures of what is in heaven. Just like the sacrificial systems and laws that looked forward to the more Glorious, Jesus Christ, so the earthly tabernacle (and Temple) is simply a picture (a weaker version) of the heavenly presence of God. 

When Jesus went to heaven, 1 Peter 3:22 tells us He went to sit at the right hand of God. He sat down, because his atoning work as Priest was completed. He sits at God's right hand, the position of authority because He is Lord over everything and everyone. But John 14:2 also tells us that Jesus went to prepare a place for us, so that where He is, we will also be. 

But what about Old Testament believers? To understand this we can look at Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11 & Matthew 17:3). These are two who did not die, but immediately entered into the presence of God. This same Elijah appeared with Moses and Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration, which shows that both Elijah and Moses lived on in the presence of God in a life without end. Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man, in which Lazarus is in the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:22-23), while the rich man finds himself in a place of torment. 

There are some Old Testament texts that seem to create the idea that immediately after death man is in an unconscious state (souls sleep). But even the Old Testament points to a conscious presence with God the moment after death. For example, we read in Psalm 115:17 “The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence.”, but only the next verse says “But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!” It would appear from this that verse 17 refers to the body in the grave ‘who go down in silence’ and ‘do not praise the LORD’ while verse 18 clearly shows that from the moment of our death (from this time forth and forevermore) the Lord will praise. 

The Old Testament also refers to the place we go to after death as 'Sheol' (the realm of the dead). This is the place where they would go in anticipation of Christ's coming. Hebrews 11:39-40 possibly refers to the occasion where Jesus went to this place (Sheol) after his death to take the inhabitants of there with Him to the presence of God. This is what the Apostles' Creed refers to when it speaks of 'descended into (realm of the dead)' (this is not hell). 

The Roman Catholic view that while some believers go straight to heaven, most of them go to a temporary destination (Purgatory) is completely unbiblical and there is no biblical justification for this view. The Adventists' (and others') view of a soul's sleep is clearly also unbiblical because it arises from a misunderstanding that Jesus himself clarified in John 11:11-14 at the death of their friend Lazarus. First Jesus tells his Disciples that Lazarus is 'sleeping', but they misunderstand Him, after which Jesus clearly states 'Lazarus is dead'. 

Will we have bodies in this intermediate state? While there are texts that seem to imply that we will have 'temporary bodies', the general flow of Scripture shows that we will have a spiritual existence awaiting the resurrection of our bodies on the Last Day. At that moment our bodies (then glorified) will be united with our souls and we will be in God's presence forever, body and spirit. 

The Bible does not provide us with many details about this intermediate state of the believers, but there are a number of things we can know: 

-    It will be a cognitive conscious existence

-    We will be with Christ and with God

-    We will be perfectly happy and satisfied

-    We will look forward with longing (and tears) to the fulfilment of God's complete will (Revelation 6:10-10)

-    We will remain there until the Day of Resurrection when our bodies will be resurrected and united with our souls.

 b.The unbelievers in the intermediate state 

The Bible teaches us even less about the intermediate state of the unbelievers. But from the story of Lazarus and the rich man we learn a number of things. This story depicts Jesus' own understanding of the afterlife: While Lazarus is in Abraham's bosom (heaven) the rich man is in a place of miserable torment where he receives no mercy. There is also no possibility of transition from this place of torment to where Lazarus is or visa-versa. This clearly shows that there is no possibility of repentance after death. Also that while the final Day of Judgment lies in the future, our eternal destiny is determined on the day of our death and that it cannot change after that. 

 

This is an attempt to think Scripturally about what happens after death, to the believer and to the unbeliever. It is certainly possible to understand certain texts differently than I understood them, as long as they are interpreted biblically. I myself do not understand everything and neither has God revealed everything to us. The human mind can also only understand what is possible for it to understand and thus this is not an attempt to speak fully and finally about the matter. Our excitement about eternity must be primarily driven by an unquenchable longing to be with Him. 

ds. Leon Harmse

The pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church

Wat gebeur na ons sterf? – Deel 1

 

Wat gebeur na ons sterf? – Deel 1

Hierdie studie kom na aanleiding van vra deur verskeie persone oor wat gebeur met mense na die dood.  

Die kort antwoord op die vraag wat gebeur met ons nadat ons gesterf het is: Ons hou aan lewe.  Die Bybel is duidelik dat beide die regverdiges en onregverdiges bly voortbestaan na die dood.  Hierdie voortbestaan sal in twee fases gebeur, (1) Die intermediêre toestand, voor die Dag van Oordeel, en (2) Die Ewige Toestand, na die Dag van Oordeel.  Ons sal die week kyk na die eerste en volgende week na die tweede: 

1. Die intermediêre toestand 

Dit verwys na daardie tyd tussen ons dood en die finale oordeel, daardie dag van die opstanding van ons liggame.  In hierdie tyd, leer die Skrif ons, gaan die ondervinding van gelowiges merkbaar anders lyk as die ongelowiges sin. 

a. Die gelowiges in die intermediêre toestand 

Die oomblik wanneer die gelowige sterf gaan hy onmiddelik na waar Christus is. In Filippense 1:23 sê Paulus dat hy begeer om te sterf sodat hy kan wees waar Christus is.  In 2 Korintiërs 5:8 toon hy dat ons eerder moet begeer om uit die liggaam uit te woon, want dan sal ons by Christus inwoon. Aan die dief aan die kruis sê Jesus ook ‘vandag’ sal jy saam met my in die paradys wees (Lukas 23:43).  Aangesien Christus aan die regterhand van die Vader is wat in die hemel is, gaan ons dus hemel toe.  Terwyl dit so is, is dit nie belangrik waar ons gaan wees nie, maar by wie: By God, by Jesus, by die Heilige Gees.  

Soms gebruik die Bybel die woord ‘hemel’ om te verwys na die lugruim bokant ons koppe.  Maar die primêr teologiese betekenis van die hemel is ‘n verwysing na daar waar God woon.  Dit verwys na ‘n regte plek in ruimte en tyd.  Terwyl God gees is en daarom nie beperk is tot enige plek nie (selfs nie die hemel nie – 1 Konings 8:27), is die hemel die plek waar God kies om Homself intensief te manifesteer.  So kan ons byvoorbeeld dink aan die Berg Sinai, of die Tabernakel of Tempel.  Hierdie was plekke op aarde waar God Homself intens gemanifesteer het, en tog sien ons in Hebreërs 8:1-2 dat die Tabernakel (en Tempel) bloot afbeeldings is van wat in die hemel is.  Net soos die offerstelsels en wette wat heenwysings was na die meer Heerlike, Jesus Christus, so is die aardse tabernakel (en Tempel) bloot weerspielings (‘n swakker weergawe) van die hemelse teenwoordigheid van God. 

Toe Jesus hemel toe gegaan het, sê 1 Petrus 3:22 vir ons het Hy gegaan om aan die regterhand van God te sit.  Hy het gaan sit, want sy versoeningswerk as Priester is voltooi.  Hy sit aan God se regterhand, die posisie van gesag want Hy is Here oor alles en almal.  Maar Johannes 14:2 vertel ons ook dat Jesus gegaan het om vir ons plek voor te berei, sodat waar Hy is, ons ook sal wees. 

Maar wat van Ou Testamentiese gelowiges?  Om dit te begryp kan ons kyk na Henog (Genesis 5:24) en Elija (2 Konings 2:11 & Mattheus 17:3).  Hierdie is twee wat nie gesterf het nie, maar onmiddelik in die teenwoordigheid van God ingegaan het. Hierdie selfde Elia het saam met Moses en Christus op die Berg van Verheerliking verskyn, wat toon dat Beide Elia en Moses voortgeleef het in die teenwoordigheid van God in ‘n lewe sonder einde.  Jesus vertel die verhaal van Lasarus en die rykman, waarin Lasarus in die boesem van Abraham is (Lukas 16:22-23), terwyl die rykman homself in ‘n plek van pyniging bevind. 

Daar is sommige Ou Testamentiese tekste wat blyk om die idee te skep dat die mens onmiddelik na die dood in ‘n bewustelose toestand is (siele slaap).  Maar selfs die Ou Testament wys op ‘n bewuste teenwoordigheid by God die oomblik na die dood.  So lees ons Byvoorbeeld in Psalm 115:17 “Die dode en almal wat na die stilte neerdaal, sal die HERE nie loof nie”, maar net die volgende vers sê “maar ons sal die HERE prys, van nou af tot in ewigheid. Halleluja!” Dit wil voorkom uit hierdie teks dat vers 17 verwys na die liggaam in die graf ‘wat na die stilte neerdaal, (en) sal die HERE nie loof nie’ terwyl vers 18 duidelik toon dat ons van die oomblik van ons dood (van nou af tot in ewigheid) die Here sal prys. 

Die Ou Testament verwys ook na die plek waarheen ons gaan na die dood as ‘Sheol’ (die doderyk). Dit is die plek waarheen hulle sou gaan in afwagting van Christus se koms.  Hebreërs 11:39-40 verwys moontlik na die geleentheid waar Jesus na sy dood na hierdie plek (Sheol) gegaan het om die inwoners van daar saam met Hom te neem na die teenwoordigheid van God toe.  Dit is waarna die Apostoliese Geloofsbelydenis verwys as dit praat van ‘neergedaal het na die doderyk’ (Nie die hel nie). 

Die Rooms Katolieke siening dat terwyl sommige gelowiges reguit hemel toe gaan, die meeste van hulle na ‘n tydelike bestemming (die Vagevuur / Pergatory) gaan is geheel en al onBybels en daar is geen Bybelse regverdiging vir hierdie siening nie.  Die Adventiste (en ander) se siening van ‘n sieleslaap is duidelik ook onBybels want dit ontstaan uit ‘n misverstand wat Jesus self opgeklaar het in Johannes 11:11-14 by die dood van hulle vriend Lasarus.  Eers sê Jesus aan sy Dissipels dat Lasarus ‘slaap’, maar hulle verstaan Hom verkeerd, waarna Jesus duidelik stel ‘Lasarus is dood’.  

Sal ons liggame hê in hierdie intermediêre toestand? Terwyl daar tekste is wat blyk om te impliseer dat ons ‘tydelike liggame’ sal het, blyk die algemene verloop van die Skrif dat ons ‘n geestelike bestaan sal hê in afwagting van die opstanding van ons liggame op die Laaste Dag.  Op daardie oomblik sal ons liggame (dan verheerlik) met ons siele verenig word en sal ons as liggaam en gees vir ewig in God se teenwoordigheid wees.  

Die Bybel verskaf ons nie groot besonderhede oor hierdie intermediêre toestand van die gelowiges nie.  Maar daar is ‘n aantal dinge wat ons kan weet:

-    Dit sal ‘n kognetiewe bewuste bestaan wees

-    Ons sal by Christus en by God wees

-    Ons sal volkome gelukkig en tevrede wees

-    Ons sal met verlange (en trane) uitsien van die volbringing van God se volkome wil (Openbaring 6:10-10)

-    Ons sal daar bly tot op die Dag van die Wederkoms wanneer ons liggame opgewek sal word en verenig sal word met ons siele.

b.Die ongelowiges in die intermedieêre toestand

Die Bybel leer ons nog minder oor die intermediêre toestand van die ongelowiges.  Maar uit die verhaal van Lasarus en die rykman leer ons ‘n aantal dinge.  Hierdie verhaal verbeeld Jesus se eie verstaan van die hiernamaals: Terwyl Lasarus in die boesem van Abraham is (die hemel) is die rykman in ‘n plek van ellendige pyniging waar hy geen genade ontvang nie.  Daar is ook geen moontlikheid van oorgang van hierdie plek van pyniging na daar waar Lasarus is of anders om nie.  Dit toon duidelik dat daar geen moontlikheid bestaan vir bekering na die dood nie. Ook dat terwyl die finale dag van oordeel in die toekoms lê, ons ewige eindbesteming bepaal word by die dag van ons dood en dat dit daarna nie kan verander nie.

 

Hierdie is ‘n pooging om Skriftuurlik te dink oor wat na die dood gebeur, met die gelowige en met die ongelowige.  Dit is seker moontlik om sekere tekste anders te verstaan as wat ek dit verstaan het, solank dit Bybels geinterpreteer word.  Ek verstaan self nie alles nie en God het ook nie alles wat daar is aan ons geopenbaar nie.  Die menslike verstand kan ook net verstaan wat vir dit moontlik is om te begryp en sodoende is hierdie nie ‘n pooging om volledig en finaal oor die saak te praat nie.  Ons opgewondheid oor die ewigheid moet primêr gedryf word deur ‘n rykhalsende verlange om by Hom te wees.

ds. Leon Harmse

Die leraar van Sunwardpark Baptistekerk

How should I vote?

 

How should I vote?

Because Baptists believe in the priesthood of all believers, politics and who you should vote for are not usually matters we express ourselves about. Furthermore, Baptists also believe in the separation between church and state and therefore believe that the church should refrain from making political statements. However, this does not mean that believers who are Baptists should not vote, it is one of those areas in which each believer must decide for himself. At the same time, because Baptists are serious about the Word of God being our guide in all matters of life, we must examine what the Word of God says about the matter. So while this is not an attempt to dictate to any of you who to vote for, or whether to vote alone, I would like to point out what God expects of governments and thus guide each of you who wants to vote for God's sake e search in how you vote. 

From the Scriptures we find at least four expectations that God has of governments: 

1)They must protect people's lives

When God established human governments, He gave them the mandate to protect human life. Because humans, unlike any other creature, are created in the image of God (Genesis 9:6), their lives are more precious than any other. This value of human life does not begin at birth, but right from the moment of conception. That is why believers should vote for parties that protect even the life of unborn babies. Any party that approves abortion, for example, does not respect God's mandate to protect life (Proverbs 24:11-12). 

2)They must show integrity

From those who rule over us, God expects integrity. In ruling, they must be free from greed, bribery, perversion of justice and partiality for the benefit of certain persons. Two text verses help us to see what God's expectation is in matters. 2 Samuel 23:3 “When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God.”  Exodus 18:21 “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe.” Believers should desire to support parties known to be people of integrity who desire to seek the best interests of all citizens. 

3) They must maintain law and order

Augustine once said that government is a necessary evil, because humanity is evil. In doing so, he made it clear that one of the primary functions of government is to counteract evil and encourage justice by maintaining law and order (Romans 13:1-4). Any person who, through his actions, harms his neighbour must be prevented by legislation, so that, as Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:2, “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Policing, Justice systems and penal practices must be in place to promote the well-being of all people and thus curb evil in society. 

4)They must protect property

From Exodus 20:15, 17 it is clear that God recognizes man's right to own property and governments should protect this right. When governments find themselves guilty of land or property expropriation without compensation (which is theft) they are thereby acting contrary to God's will. Furthermore, if they place excessive taxes, fines or other charges on property in an attempt to enrich themselves, they thereby show contempt for the freedom and rights of their citizens. These are things that do not honour God.

 

These are at least four areas in which the Word of God is quite clearly expressed about God's expectation of governments. I want you to note that God does not expect governments to support a particular faith (hence the Baptist principle of 'separation of church and state'). While it is good for the state to support the poor, offer medical services and giving education, these are not things that God specifically expects of them.

 

While Baptists (me included) are not prescriptive or even specifically outspoken on political matters, we recognize that God has certain expectations of governments, and if we as believers decide to vote, we should vote in accordance with what God expects of governments thus honouring God in how and where we draw our cross.

However you choose to exercise your priesthood as a believer on voting day, I pray that you will put your love for God first and honour Him in how you do it.

 

ds. Leon Harmse, 

the pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church

 

Hoe moet ek stem?

 

Hoe moet ek stem?

Omdat Baptiste glo in die pristerskap van alle gelowiges is politiek en wie jy voor moet stem nie gewoonlik sake waaroor ons ons uitspreek nie.  Verder glo Baptiste ook in die skeiding tussen kerk en staat en glo daarom die kerk behoort hulleself te weerhou daarvan om politiese uitsprake te maak.  Dit beteken egter nie dat gelowiges wat Baptiste is, nie moet stem nie, dis een van daardie areas waarin elke gelowige vir homself moet besluit.  Terselfdetyd omdat Baptiste ernstig is daaroor dat die Woord van God ons riglyn is in alle sake van die lewe, moet ons ondersoek wat die Woord van God sê oor die saak.  So terwyl hierdie nie ‘n pooging is om enige van julle voor te skryf vir wie om te stem, of om enigstens te stem al dan nie, wil ek graag wys op wat God verwag van regerings en sodoende elkeen van julle wat wil stem te lei om God se wilt e soek in hoe julle stem.

Uit die Skrif vind ons minstens vier verwagtinge wat God van regerings het:

1. Hulle moet mense lewens beskerm

Toe God menslike regerings ingestel het, het Hy aan hulle die mandaat gee om menselike lewens te beskerm.  Omdat die mens, anders as enige ander skepsel, in die beeld van God geskape is (Genesis 9:6), is dit meer kosbaar as enige ander lewe. Hierdie waarde van menselike lewe begin nie by geboorte nie, maar reg van die oomblik van konsepsie af.  Daarom behoort gelowiges te stem vir partye wat selfs die lewe van ongebore babas beskerm.  Enige party wat byvoorbeeld aborsie goedkeur respekteer sodoende nie God se mandaat om lewe te beskerm nie (Spreuke 24:11-12).

2. Hulle moet intergriteit toon

Van die wat oor ons heers, verwag God intergriteit.  Sodoende moet hulle vry wees van geldgierigheid, omkopery, verdraaing van geregtigheid en partydigheid tot voordeel van sekere persone.  Twee teksverse help ons om te sien wat God se verwaging in die sake is.  2 Samuel 23:3 “‘n Heerser oor mense, ‘n regverdige, ‘n heerser in die vrees van God”.  Eksodus 18:21 “Maar kies jy uit die hele volk bekwame manne wat God vrees, betroubare manne wat onregverdige wins haat.” Gelowiges moet begeer om partye te ondersteun wat geken word as mense van integriteit wat begeer om die belang van alle burgers te soek.

3. Hulle moet wet en orde handhaaf

Augustinus het eenmaal gesê dat die regering is ‘n noodsaaklike boosheid, omdat die mensdom boos is.  Sodoende het hy duidelik gemaak dat een van die primêre funksies van die regering is om boosheid teen te werk en geregtigheid aan te moedig deur wet en orde te handhaaf (Romeine 13:1-4).  Enige persoon wat deur sy aksies sy naaste skade aandoen moet deur wetgewing verhoed word soda tons, soos Paulus in 1 Timoteus 2:2 sê “’n rustige en stil lewe kan lei in alle godsvrug en waardigheid.” Polisiering, Geregstelsels en strafpraktyke moet in plek wees om die welstand van alle mense te bevorder en sodoende boosheid in die samelewing te beprek. 

4. Hulle moet eiendom beskerm

Uit Eksodus 20:15, 17 is dit duidelik dat God die mens se reg erken om eiendom te mag besit en regerings behoor hierdie reg te beskerm.  Wanneer regerings die hulleself skuldig maak aan grond of eiendom onteiening sonder vergoeding (wat diefstal is) tree hulle daardeur in teenstryd met God se wil op.  Verder, indien hulle buitensporige belasting, boetes of ander heffings op eiendom plaas in ‘n pooging om hulleself te verryk toon hulle daardeur die minagting van die vryheid en reg van hulle burgers.  Hierdie is dinge wat God nie eer nie.

 

Hierdie is minstens vier areas waarin die Woord van God redelik duidelik uitgesproke is oor God se verwagting van regerings.  Ek wil hê dat julle daarop moet let dat God nie verwag van regerings om ‘n bepaalde geloof moet ondersteun nie (vandaar die Baptistiese beginsel van ‘skeiding tussen kerk en staat’.  Terwyl dit goed is van die staat om die armes te ondersteun, mediese dienste aan te bied en opvoedkunde te gee, is hierdie nie dinge wat God spesifiek van hulle verwag nie. 

Terwyl Baptiste (ek ook) nie voorskriftelik of selfs pertinent uitgesproke is oor politiese sake nie, erken ons dat God bepaalde verwagtinge van regerings het, en as ons as gelowiges besluit om te stem, behoort ons te stem in ooreenstemming met wat God van regerings verwag om sodoende God te eer in hoe en waar ons ons kruisie trek. 

Hoe jy ookal kies om jou priesterskap as gelowige uit te oefen op stemdag, bid ek dat jy sal jou liefde vir God eerste sal stel en Hom sal eer in hoe jy dit doen.

 

ds. Leon Harmse, die leraar van Sunward Park Baptiste Kerk

In Word and deed / In Woord en daad

On this page I try to think biblically about matters of our faith and also current issues that affect believers and about which they may think. I do not pretend to be the most knowledgeable person for the job, but as a pastor it is my heart's desire to help people understand things better from a faith point of view.

Leon Harmse

Op hierdie blad poog ek om Bybels te dink oor sake van ons geloof en ook aktuele kwessies wat gelowiges raak en waaroor hulle mag dink.  Ek gee nie voor om die kundigste persoon vir die werk te wees nie, maar as leraar is dit my hartsbegeerte om mense te help om dinge beter te verstaan vanuit 'n geloofsoogpunt.

Leon Harmse