Many people in this world simply don't worry about what happen to them after this life.  At one time I worked as a family service counselor for a chain of funeral homes in the Fort Lauderdale area.  Nearly everyday I met with families who had just lost or were about to lose a loved one.  It was truly amazing how many of these people had no idea about what happens after death.  What does the Bible say about this eternally important subject?
  
1)  WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?  
     a.  Much has been written on this subject.  All we know is what the Bible says.
     b.  The physical, earthly body will return to the dust.  The spirit of the individual lives on.
          1.  Sheol -  in the KJV, the "grave", 31 times.  "hell", 31 times, "pit", 3 times
               a.  Ezekiel 32: 18, 21, 24 - unseen, nether world of nations
               b.  Psa 9: 17 - the wicked, Psa 16:10 - David, of Jesus
               c.  This word does not indicate punishment, simply the grave.
     c.  What happens to this spirit? 
          1.  Hades - Greek for "unseen, place of spirits."  Psa 16:10; Acts 2:27
          2.  How did Jesus use this term - Matt 11:23; 16:18;  Luke 16 -  discuss
               a.  One area is torment, tartarus - rich man in Luke 16
               b.  Another is paradise - Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12: 2,4
               c.  Jesus told the thief "this day you shall be with Me in paradise"
               d.  Place of the spirits before judgment - Rev 1:17-18; 6:8; 20:11-15
               e.  Saints before the judgment, after death - in the Lord, 2 Cor. 5: 6, 8, Phil 1:23, 1 Thess 4:14,
                    Rev 7: 9-17 
          3.  Gehenna - Greek, "valley of Hinnom," place for burning refuse.  Occurs 12 times in the New
               Testament, 12 times by Jesus, 1 time James Jas 3:6
               a.  translated "hell" in ASV, always beyond the judgment; of eternal judgement
               b.  Eternal fire Matt 18: 8-9
               c.  Furnace of fire - Matt 13:42
               d.  Lake of fire - Rev 19:20; 20: 10,15
               e.  Outer darkness -
               f.   Sorer[punishment] than death without mercy Heb 10:29
               g.  Eternal destruction from the face of the Lord - 2 Thess 2:9
               h.  Who will be there?
                    1.  Matt 13: 41-42 - cause to stumble
                    2.  Matt 22: 1-14 - don't make preparation
                    3.  Careless(not ready) Matt 25: 14-30
                    4.  Neglect opportunity - Matt 25: 31-46
                    5.  Devil and his angels - Mt 25: 41
                    6.  Those who don't obey the gospel - Rom 2:8, Immoral  - Rev 21:8
          4.   Heaven - we recently discussed heaven in  a sermon, but highlight what we studied
               a.  No tears, death, mourning, crying, all of these passed away, eternal, in the presence of 
                    of the Lord, luminated by God's glory,  REV 21:1 - 22:5

2)  ETERNAL
        1.  Righteous serve day and night - Rev 7: 14-15
        2.  Wicked tormented day and night Rev 20: 10
        3.  No night in heaven, only day - Rev 21: 23
        4.  No day in hell - Mt 22: 13
        5.  God is light in heaven

3)  THOSE ALIVE AT THE SECOND COMING
        1.  How will they meet the Lord? - 1 Thess 4: 15 - 17
        2.  Lord will come as a thief in the night - 1 Thess 5:2

The state of man has been an interesting study from birth to death.  We need to remember to obey the Lord, remain faithful, and heaven will be our home.

POWERPOINT