LIFE AFTER DEATH – Lesson 4 – The Hadean Realm – Part 1 – Paradise
Greek mythology said that Cerberus, a three-headed dog, guarded the entrance to Hades. What exactly is Hades? Where is it located? It is said to be the place of the dead
or the abiding place of those who have left this physical life while they wait for the coming Judgment Day. Is it purgatory as some would teach? Is it a place where we can
make amends for past sins if we are in God’s grace and be made acceptable for Heaven?
The Bible pictures Hades as being the unseen realm or the unseen world of the dead. For our study we will consider in greater detail the text of Luke 16:19-31.
Jesus relates an incident of something that allows you and me to immediately identify
with something we have never experienced. The text stresses the necessity of our using
our present life to make ourselves acceptable to God. From the account we can see that there will be recognition of others in the life to come. We see clearly, that there will be a
separation of those who have lived in harmony with God’s will and those who have not.
The Bible emphasizes the fact that we cannot return to this physical life once we have departed from its existence. The Bible gives us a glimpse of what to expect after death and before that final call to Judgment. This place of waiting will be a welcome sight for those who enter into Paradise, but it will be a dreadful beginning of a never ending
punishment for the disobedient and wicked.
Prior to the death of our Savior, he spoke to the thief on the cross and told him, “Today, you will be with me in paradise”. (Luke 23:43) Jesus did not remain in Sheol or the grave. He did not enter into Hell, the final place of punishment after the Judgment for the disobedient and the wicked. Rather, he went into paradise or Abraham’s bosom. In understanding the role reversals of the rich man and Lazarus, we see Lazarus who had suffered greatly being comforted. Likewise, we see the rich man who lived extravagantly
being in torments. The Bible shows us clearly in Jesus words that once we leave this physical life we cannot undo the past no matter how greatly we might desire to do so. Will death find us obedient or disobedient? As we have lived, so when we die, this present life follows us into the next.
In tracing the origin of the word “paradise” some would refer to it as a garden. Some would translate it as “an orchard”, “a forest”, or a “park”. We think of the Garden of Eden and how beautiful it must have been before sin entered into the world. Some of our songs speak of the “paradise of God”. Truly, paradise will be but a prelude to Heaven itself. It will be on such a grand scale, that we can hardly imagine the joys that await those who love the Lord! Let us look more closely now and ask some questions to make us reflect more deeply on things that are surely to come.
Anticipating His Return,
Larry R. Scott, minister
Tuesday September 18th., 2007
LIFE AFTER DEATH – Lesson 4 – The Hadean Realm – Part I – Paradise
(All Scripture references taken from King James Version unless otherwise noted)
1. What are some of the descriptions noted about Hades from our study?
2. What is paradise?
3. How did Lazarus arrive in Abraham’s bosom?
4. Was it possible for Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool the rich man’s tormented
tongue?
5. Were the roles of Lazarus and the rich man reversed in death?
6. Does the Hadean world have two separate places for the dead?
What are those places called?
Is there a fixed separation between the two?
What is it called? What exactly does that mean?
7. Is it possible for someone in paradise to leave paradise and go into torments?
8. Is this a true statement? “As we have lived in life, so when we die, our deeds follow
us into eternity.” Give some Scripture references for your answer.
9. Is there any possibility of being saved after death, if we die in a lost state, outside of
the blood-bought body of Jesus Christ?
10. Why was the rich man so insistent on Lazarus returning from the dead and going to
his 5 living brothers?
11. Should we be equally concerned about the souls of others?
Should we be equally concerned about the condition of our own souls?
12. What exactly did Abraham mean by his statement, “They have Moses and the
prophets; let them hear them.”
13. Which statement is true of repentance? “I’m sorry I got caught in sin.” or
“I’m sorry I have hurt God and I want to make things right with Him.”
14. What exactly is repentance?
Give a few passages of Scripture that show what repentance really is.
Student’s name_____________________ Date________________
Instructor: Larry R. Scott Wednesday September 19th., 2007