Beyond the Sunset

Summer Quarter 2011Kyle Rhynerson

Agenda

• Overview of the class• Facts about death• Definition of death

Class Format

• Class will run somewhere between 15 and 45 minutes

• Please keep comments/questions short• If you want copies of my notes, please let me

know, and I’ll make them available• The Bible is the sole authority for our

discussion

Class Overview

• May 4 What is death?• May 11 What is the soul?• May 18 Where are the dead?• May 25 Are the dead conscious?• June 1 What is the state of spirits after

death?• June 8 Is there a second chance?• June 15 What about the millennium?

Class Overview

• June 22 VBS (no regular classes scheduled)• June 29 What about Armageddon?• July 6 Will Jesus come again?• July 13 Will the body be raised?• July 20 What about the judgment?• July 27 Will we know each other in Heaven?

Facts about death

• Death is real– Romans 5:12

• Death is certain– Hebrews 9:27

But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

~ Benjamin Franklin

The Census Bureau estimates that 1.8 people die every second of every day.

Facts about death

• Time of death typically uncertain– Proverbs 27:1– James 4:13-15

• We should prepare for death– 2 Kings 20:1

DISCUSSION: What do you think it means to 'Set your house in order'?

Definition of death

• Physical separation of the body from the spirit– James 2:26

• Human, mortal body is temporary– 2 Corinthians 5:1

• Body returns to dust– Genesis 3:19

The death of the body, i.e., that separation of the soul (whether

natural or violent) from the body by which life on earth is ended.

~ Joseph Thayer

Definition of death

• Spirit returns to God– Ecclesiastes 12:7

• Spirit will “fly away”– Psalms 90:10

I’ll Fly AwaySome glad morning when this life is o'er,

I'll fly away; To a home on God's celestial shore,

I'll fly away (I'll fly away). ~ Albert E. Brumley

Death is departure…

• Paul described this pending death as a “departure”– 2 Timothy 4:6

…death is arrival

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. “ ~ Psalms 116:15

DISCUSSION: Why is the death of saints precious to God?

Conclusion

• Death is…– real, certain, unknown, requires preparation

• Physical death comes about when the body ceases to function and the spirit departs– body returns to dust, spirit returns to God

• We should live in view of eternity – Psalms 90:12