LESSON 28

The Death of Believers

1. Must all men die?

Yes, except those believers who are still living at the coming of Christ. Psalm 89:48; I Thessalonians 4:17; Hebrews 9:27

2. What happens at the death of the wicked?

They are separated from all the things of this life and go into everlasting hell. Luke 16:22, 23

3. But why must believers also die?

The last tie that connects them with things sinful and corruptible must be severed.

4. Could not they go immediately into glory with both body and soul?

No, this must wait until Christ comes again to raise their bodies and make a new heaven and a new earth.

5. From what do believers separate when they die?

Their new man in Christ is separated from the earthly house of this tabernacle and from their old man of sin. II Corinthians 5:1

6. Where do they go when they die?

They go immediately into a conscious state of glory with Christ in heaven.

7. What scriptural proof is there for this?

Jesus said to the repentant thief on the cross, “Verily I say unto thee, Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

8. Is there more proof?

Yes, Asaph expected to go to glory after death, Psalm 73:24, 26;and Paul knew he would be with Christ, Philippians 1:23.

1. What is the theory of soul sleep? How does the Heidelberg Catechism in Lord’s Day 22 condemn this theory?

2. Show how Revelation 6:9, 10 proves that the believer is in heaven after he dies.

3. The Roman Catholic Church believes in the doctrine of purgatory.What do they teach concerning purgatory?

4. How does I Corinthians 15:51 teach that the believers who are alive at Christ’s coming will not die?