The Grave

The end of our physical life here on earth is most often called death. At the instant of death the human trinity is divided. The physical body (the earthly material part), is most often put in the grave, that is, buried in the ground.

In the Bible, where we end up after the event of death is spoken of in various ways. Some words used are Sheol, Hades, Hell, asleep, Paradise, Gehenna, grave, Tartarus and for the future Lake of Fire. Some of these words are Hebrew and some are Greek. The Hebrew refers to the Old Testament and the Greek words to the New Testament.

First lets start with the word “grave” (geber). This a place to put the corpse or body of one who has died. Normally the grave is about six feet deep. This term concerns the condition of the physical body when life as we know it ceases.

Words pertaining to the Unsaved

Sheol-is the Old Testament Hebrew word for the Greek word “hell”. Refers to a condition after death. This is a location for the spirit and soul of the body to be held after death. Sheol does not refer to one who is going to heaven. In Lk. 16 the rich man was in Sheol and Lazarus and Abraham was in Paradise.

Hades-the Greek word for Sheol.

Gehenna-a place called Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem where garbage was burnt. This place was constantly burning and had a bad odor. This place also had wild dogs feeding and fighting at night and worms that never died. Jesus described this as a disgusting place where no one would want to be.

Lake of Fire-John describes this as a place where all unsaved will end up. A place of horrible anguish and suffering. Having to do with flames, torment, gnashing of teeth, with total separation from God.

Tartarus the original Greek term used one time in 2 Peter 2:4. This is to denote a particular place where the fallen angels are held captive in chains and darkness till the Great White Throne. Most versions just lump this term in with “hell”.

Another reason that there are so many terms describing the state of beings after death is that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. Because of this we have two words for the same meaning. Such as, the Hebrew word “Sheol” is translated in the Old testament to the word “hell”, “Grave” and “Pit”. All of these refer to a place where the soul and spirit goes after physical death.

The final conclusion is that all unsaved will end up in the “Lake of Fire”. And no matter by what name it’s called, it is not a place one will want to spend forever. Commit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ while here on this side of death to chose heaven over hell. For “now” is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2.

Terms pertaining to the Saved.

Asleep is a term used only for the saved after death. Eleven times this Greek term (koimao) is used to denote the saved’s condition after physical death. This term is never associated with the unsaved.

Paradise is a term used to denote the location of the saved. In Luke 23:43 remember this is before the death of Christ, Jesus told the penitent thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”. In Luke 16:22and 23 it is referred to as Abraham’s bosom. Again this was before Christ’s resurrection. In Mt. 27:52-53 where the saints that slept arose right after Christ did. 2 Cor. 12:2-4, Paul tells where he was “caught up into the third heaven. . .caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words. . .” Going up tells us that Paradise has moved locations. And in Eph. 4:8-10 tells us that Christ descended to lead the captives up far above all heavens. Ps. 68:18 tell us of this prophecy, “thou hast ascended on high, thou has led captivity captive. . .”

2 Cor. 5:8, Paul says, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  Again in Phil. 1:23-24, Paul states, “having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Jesus’ Appearances after the Resurrection part one

This is the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus resurrection three days after His death, just as prophesied. To prove that He did raise from the grave He appeared ten times to Christians.

There is a time span of forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension. Jesus only appeared to His followers during this period of time and we have record of ten events. The first five were on the day of resurrection. If we combine the four narratives of the Gospel found in Mt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24 and John 20, we can get an overall or chronological perspective of Jesus’ post resurrection appearances.

Jesus’ appearances that first day.

1. Early in the morning of the day following the Sabbath (Which would be our Sunday) the women went to the sepulcher of Jesus to anoint His body. They went even though there was a 2 ton stone over the opening of the tomb. Mk. 16:2-3. And if that wasn’t enough there were armed guards there seeing that no one would disturb that stone.

Four of these were Mary Magdalene, Mary (apostle James the less’ mother), both these listed in Mt. 28:1. Salome was added to the list in Mark 16:1. Joanne was added in Luke 24:10. These last two women are not the same. These Scriptures also tell of other women that were there, but their names were not mentioned. Many of these same women had been at the crucifixion and watched from afar. These women were not all traveling in the same group.

The stone removed.

All these women found the stone removed already, Mt. 28:2. The angel told them to go and tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. They then went to tell the disciples. They would not be running to tell the disciples for they were heavy with many pounds of spices to anoint the body of Christ. Mt. 28:7.

Mary Magdalene found herself running to tell the disciples John 20:2. She finds Peter and John and tells them “they have taken away the Lord”. Meanwhile the other women have arrived at the sepulcher and find an empty tomb. The angel tells them that “Christ is Risen”, go tell the disciples. They leave to tell the disciples and on the way Jesus appears to them Mt. 28:9-10.

Now back to John 20 that tells us that at the tomb John arrives first, he is the youngest and can run faster. John stoops down and sees that the sepulcher is empty. Shortly Peter comes up and being the one who generally acted first and thought later, ran right on in without hesitation. Of course, not yet being “reminded” of Jesus’ words of His resurrection, being bewildered they left for home.

Now poor ol’ Mary Magdalene who had ran from the tomb to tell Peter and John tried to followed them back to the sepulcher. But after already running to the disciples now could not keep up at all with them going back to the tomb. By the time she arrives at the sepulcher Peter and John has already left. Mary is there by herself and remember that she has not by told by the angel that Jesus has been resurrected. She is distraught and starts sobbing. Looking into the tomb she then sees the two angels and ask her why is she crying? Mary replies, but does not wait for an answer, she just turns and leaves. I think this is when Jesus takes compassion and reveals Himself first to Mary, John 20:11-18. She then returns to the disciples to tell of the appearance.

Now the second appearance to all the other women that were carrying the spices back to tell then disciples, Jesus now appears to them, Matt. 28:8-10.

The first disciple Jesus appeared to was Peter. Luke 24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5. This would be the third appearance.

The fourth time would be on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to a couple of His followers in that evening. Mk. 16:12, Lk. 24:13-32.

The fifth time would be to the disciples when Thomas was not present. Mk. 16:14, Lk. 24:36-43, Jn. 20:19-25.

This five appearances of our Savior occurred on the first day. Between His first and second Jesus had to apply His blood at the Mercy Seat of the atonement of sin. This would begin His high priestly duty for the day of atonement. Remember that Christ is no longer restricted by the earthly laws. He is now in His glorified body, the resurrected body. Christ is no longer restricted by time, matter, gravity or any other physical laws. He now has put on the incorruptible and has been changed just Christians will in 1 Cor. 15:52. The only thing here is that when we do this it will be our first time. Remember that Christ was immortal before the first advent and now after His resurrection He will be again forevermore.

Just as the Bible prophesied that Jesus would be resurrected and it was so fulfilled. The same will be with Christians as stated in 1 Cor. 15:51-53, 1 Thess. 4:14-17.

If we will study God’s word one will find indications, hints, signs that God has given to us to know some things about the future. God has used prophets and Jesus (who was also a prophet), to let us know. Just as the prophets of old foretold the coming of Jesus as a baby, born in Bethlehem, born of a virgin, plus 300 more that tells of his entry into Jerusalem, crucifixion, etc. These same prophets of old told of Israel being dispersed and coming back together three times, the Palestinian Covenant, Dt. 30:3-10, this is the third time of the regathering.

What happens to Israel is one real insight to the future. Israel is God’s chosen people, God’s bride. The Church is not God’s bride. The Church is God’s sons, not his bride. The Church is Christ’s bride.

In the Abraham Covenant, Israel was given the land from “river of Egypt unto the great river Euphrates.” As of this time Israel has never possessed the whole land.

Today we are in what is called the Dispensation of Grace, the rule of the Gentiles. A time between the first and second advent of Christ. This dispensation began at the resurrection of Christ and is progressing as always on God’s timetable. Everything has been according to God’s will and all things will be according to God’s will.

BATTLES of GOG and MAGOG

J. Vernon McGee explains his version of the Battles of Gog and Magog. He said that these are two separate battles. Gog and Magog I, and Gog and Magog II. Battle I is when the Antichrist breaks the peace with Israel in the midst of the Great Tribulation. This battle is described in Ezekiel 38-39, (Vol III, page 512-519). The war in Revelation 20:8 relates to Gog and Magog II (Vol. V, Page 1058). Both group of armies are destroyed by God using natural forces.

McGee says that somewhere near the middle of the seven-year period the king of the north, and he believes it will be Russia, will move against Israel.

Gog being the prince or king, and Magog being this ruler’s land.

The Lord said that there will be “wars and rumors of wars,” in other words one will know of wars and will also hear about wars.

What is the battle of God and Magog?

During the latter half of the Tribulation, an alliance between Gog and his allies will invade Israel from the north. These nations will fail in great confusion in their attempt to destroy Israel. It will take seven months to bury the dead (Ezek. 38:1-10, 39:12). The geographic regions included in Ezekiel’s vision of the allies are occupied by the Russian and the former Soviet-bloc countries in Eastern Europe today. This battle may be fought with allies attacking from the east (Rev. 16:12-16). Today, mainland China is the only nations in the world with an army or militia the size of that identified by John.

When will the battle of Gog and Magog take place?

There are several reasons to believe this battle will take place during the Tribulation: (1) The invasion takes place at a time when Israel is dwelling in their own land (Ezek. 38:8). (2) The invasion takes place when Israel is dwelling in peace in the land (Ezek. 38:11). (3) Ezekiel used two expressions in chapter 38 that may give an indication as to the time of this invasion. In verse 8 the expression “latter years” and in verse 16 the expression “latter days” is related to the tie of Israel’s glorification, salvation, and blessing in the kingdom age (Isa. 2:2-4, Mic. 41-7). The terms “latter days” or “latter years” is related to the last days (the “Millennial Age”), which would be the Tribulation period.

The Conclusion, the, since Ezekiel uses these expressions, is that events described by that prophet must take place within the Seventieth Week. Daniel 11:40 seems to have reference to the same period, for the prophet placed these events “at the time of the end.” This expression seems to separate this event from the end itself.

ARMAGEDDON

The Tribulation period will close with the great “Battle of Armageddon.” The field of battle will be the “Valley of Megiddo,” west of Jordan in the plain of Jezreel between Samaria and Galilee, located in the heart of Palestine.

There will be two major battles during the Tribulation period. One is at the “Second” Coming of Christ. This is when Christ will come with His armies of Saints and armies of heaven, to claim His rightful reign and the Millennial Kingdom. Christ of course will be resisted by the Antichrist and his powers. The beast and False Prophet were cast into a lake of fire. Then the angel binds Satan and casts him into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. From this pit Satan can no longer affect mankind.

What is the battle of Armageddon?

The battle of Armageddon involves the nations of the world converging on the Middle East and surrounding the city of Jerusalem to destroy the Jews and the Jewish nation (Ezekiel 12:2; 14:2-3, 12; Rev. 10:11-21). The nations will be led by the Antichrist and will be gathered together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon (Rev. 16:16). This place is presently known as the valley or plain of Jezreel. In the middle of the battle, Christ will return and touch His feet on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:9-12). He then will destroy the Antichrist and the armies gathered at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11; Isa. 34:6; 63:1). The Beast and the false prophet will then be cast alive into the lake of fire forever (Rev. 19:20).

There will be two major battles during the Tribulation period. One is at the “Second” Coming of Christ. This is when Christ will come with His armies of Saints and armies of heaven, to claim His rightful reign and the Millennial Kingdom. Christ of course will be resisted by the Antichrist and his powers. The beast and False Prophet were cast into a lake of fire. Then the angel binds Satan and casts him into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. From this pit Satan can no longer affect mankind.

Much confusion here about the Judgment of the Gentile Nations.

This we know that there are three classes of people here.

1. Sheep-helped the brethren (Israel) and put on the right hand side.

2. Goats-did not help the brethren and put on the left hand side.

3. Brethren (Israel).

4. The basis of judgment is upon how the Brethren was treated by the gentiles.

5. VS. 41. “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels;” VS. 46. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.”

In this time frame we have the Second coming of Christ, Judgment of Nations, and Armageddon. Some are talking about another resurrection at this time. Others are talking of a Gog and Magog war here.