LIFE AFTER DEATH – The Hadean Realm – Part II – Tartarus (Week 5)
Remember the word “Hades” is the Hadean realm where departed spirits have gone to await the Day of final Judgment. In our last lesson we learned that the righteous will go into a place that is prepared for them to exist prior to the Judgment. It is a place called “Paradise”. It is a place where we will be soothed from the previous torments of this physical life. It is place where we will be at peace. It is a place where we will retain our memories of this past life. It is a place where we will continue to have the ability to recognize not only who we are, but those who are around us.
We learned last time, that there is a fixed separation in the abode of the dead. Just as there is a waiting place for the righteous, there is also a place for the unrighteous. In the Bible account of Luke you will be reminded that the rich man lifted up his eyes in torments. As terrible a place as this is, it is not the final place of punishment, which we refer to as “Hell”. Hell is a final place of punishment that was originally made for the devil and his angels. It was never intended for man, but sadly, there will be many men and women who find themselves in that lake of fire and brimstone.
Tartarus is an unusual word and is not to be confused with “Gehenna” or “Hell”. Again, this is a temporary waiting place for those who have died in disobedience to the will of God and His Christ. Hell will be the final punishment, which will be a continuation of an eternal separation from all things associated with the goodness of God. When we die we will have left this world with its temporary period of probation. Death will bring us into one of these two locations associated with the dead. If we are right with the Father when we leave this life we will wait in Paradise. If we are not right with the Father at death, we will go to Tartarus. We will then face the Judgment with a memory of the deeds done in our previous life. At the Judgment we will then be given a sentencing for the life we have lived. Some will go into Heaven and some will go into Hell for eternity. Eternity is one of those Bible concepts with which we have a great difficulty understanding. We are so accustomed to our watches, our calendars, and this precious commodity called “time”.
How can something never have a beginning or an end? How is it that God has always existed? How is it that Christ has always been there with the Father, except for His brief life here? How is it that the Holy Spirit has always existed and been there working with the Father and carrying out His will? Some questions cause us to ponder and perhaps one day we can ask the Father some of those things that have given us such difficulty in this life. In the meantime, let us prepare to meet our Creator and as we prepare may we be ever vigilant in our desire to know His word and to do His will. Keep studying and you will be blessed. Know that the Father-in-Heaven cares for you His child and desires so deeply, that you would be with Him in eternity. If you have not yet named that precious name, Jesus Christ, please contact us today, so we can assist you in becoming a New Testament Christian, a member of the blood bought body of the Savior.
In Christ,
Larry R. Scott, minister
Thursday September 27th., 2007
LIFE AFTER DEATH – The Hadean Realm – Part II – Tartarus (Week 5)
(All Scripture references are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted)
1. Is God aware of our death? (Genesis 4:9-10)
2. Did God allow King Saul to speak with the prophet Samuel who was dead?
(I Samuel 28:7-20)
3. What did David say about the death of his child after he had sinned with Bathsheba?
(II Samuel 12:15-23)
4. Are the words of Solomon correct, “A good name is better than precious ointment;
and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.”? (Ecclesiastes 7:1) note the second
part of the verse.
5. What was Solomon’s conclusion about man and his existence?
What will God bring into the Judgment?
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
6. Was the attitude of Jonah correct as he grieved over the loss of the gourd?
Was it better for him to die than to live?
What should be our attitude toward those who are lost in sin?
7. God is a merciful God, why then would He not allow Lazarus to leave Paradise
or Abraham’s bosom to give the rich man some relief from his torment?
(Luke 16:25-26)
8. Should we be willing to help others who are less fortunate than us?
9. Will our being allowed into Heaven be based on how we have treated those who are
our fellowmen and women in this life? (Matthew 25:31-46)
10. Would the fact of someone returning from the dead make a person change his or her
life? (Luke 16:27-31 with John 11)
Student’s name ____________________________ Date ________________________
Grade ____________
Instructor: Larry R. Scott
Thursday September 27th., 2007