_Outlines of Doctrinal Theology by A. L. Graebner No Copyright, St. Louis, MO. Concordia Publishing House pp. 225-246_ -------------------- ESCHATOLOGY. DEFINITION Sec. 174. Eschatology is the doctrine of Holy Scripture concerning the end of temporal life, the second advent of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, final judgment, the con- summation of all things, the everlasting damnation of the wicked, and the eternal bliss of the just in the world to come. TEMPORAL DEATH. Sec. 175. Temporal death is the termination of man's temporal life by the separation[1] of his immortal soul[2] from his mortal body.[3] --------------------End of Page 225-------------------- 1. Luke 12, 20: But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy _soul shall be required of thee_. 2 Tim. 4, 6: I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my _departure_ is at hand. Phil. 1, 23: I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to _depart_ and to be with Christ, which is far better. 2 Cor. 5, 1. 4. 8: We know that if our earthly house of this taber- nacle were _dissolved_, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (4) For we that are in this taber- nacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be _unclothed_, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life (8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent _from the body_, and to be present with the Lord. 2. Matt. 10, 28: Fear not them which kill the body, but are _not able to kill the soul_. Matt. 22, 32: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of _the living_. 3. Rom. 8, 11: He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your _moral bodies_. 1 Cor. 15, 35: But some man will say, How are the _dead raised up_? 1 Cor. 15, 44: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. Matt. 10, 28: And fear not them which _kill the body_, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. DEATH OF THE WICKED. Sec. 176. The temporal death of the wicked is a conse- quence[1] and punishment[2] of sin, and the transition of the soul spiritually dead into eternal death.[3] 1. Rom. 5, 12: By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Rom. 5, 17: By one man's offense death reigned by one. Rom. 5, 21: Sin hath reigned unto death. 2. Rom. 6, 23: The _wages_ of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life. Ezek. 18, 20. 26: The soul that _sinneth_, it shall _die_. The son --------------------End of Page 226-------------------- shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. (26) _For his iniquity_ that he hath done _shall he die_. Ezek. 33, 18: When the righteous turneth from his righteous- ness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even _die thereby_. 3. 1 Pet. 3, 19. 20: By which also He went and preached unto the _spirits in prison_, which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah. Luke 16, 23: And _in hell_ he lifted up his eyes, being _in torments_, and seeth Abraham _afar off_, and Lazarus in his bosom. Prov. 11, 7: When a _wicked_ man _dieth_, his _expectation shall perish_; and the _hope of unjust men perisheth_. Eccl. 11, 3: If the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, _there it shall be_. DEATH OF BELIEVERS. Sec. 177. Though the temporal death of believers is also a consequence of sin,[1] it is no longer a punishment of sin,[2] but rather the cessation from sinning,[3] and a transition from a spiritual life of faith and hope[4] into an eternal life of perfect bliss with God.[5] 1. Rom. 5, 12. 15: Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and _death by sin_; and so death passed upon _all men_, for that all have sinned. (15) But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if _through the offense_ of one _many be dead_, much more the _grace of God_, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath _abounded unto many_. 2 Cor. 5, 4: For we that are in this tabernacle do _groan_, being _burdened; not_ for that we would be _unclothed, but clothed upon_, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Rom. 8, 10: And if Christ be in you, the _body is dead because of sin_; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 2. Is. 53, 5: But He was _wounded_ for _our transgressions_, He was _bruised for our iniquities_: the _chastisement_ of our peace was _upon Him_; and with His stripes we are healed. 1 Pet. 2, 24: Who _His own self bare our sins_ in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should _live unto righteousness_; by whose stripes ye were healed. Phil. 1, 21. 23: For to me to live is Christ, and _to die is gain_. (23) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a _desire to depart_, and to be with Christ, which is _far better. --------------------End of Page 227-------------------- 2 Cor. 5, 4: For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Luke 2, 29: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant _depart in peace_, according to Thy word. 3. Rom. 7, 23. 24: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall _deliver me from the body of this death_? 4. Rom. 8, 24. 25: For we are _saved by hope_. But hope that is seen is not hope; for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience _wait for it_. 2 Cor. 5, 7: For we walk by _faith, not by sight_. 5. Rev. 14, 13: And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, _Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth_. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may _rest_ from their labors; and their works do follow them. Luke 23, 43: And Jesus said unto him, Verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be _with me in paradise_. 2 Cor. 5, 2. 8: For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. (8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be _present with the Lord_. Phil. 1, 23: For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a _desire to depart_, and to _be with Christ_, which is far better. Acts 7, 59: And they stoned Stephen calling upon God, and saying, _Lord Jesus, receive my spirit_! Eccl. 12, 7: Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the _spirit shall return unto God_ who gave it. THE LAST GENERATION. Sec. 178. Temporal death is not the future lot of all man- kind, inasmuch as a generation of men will live[1] to witness the second coming of Christ.[2] 1. 1 Thess. 4, 15. 17: For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive _and remain unto the coming of the Lord_ shall not prevent them which are asleep. (17) Then we which are _alive and remain_ shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. --------------------End of Page 228-------------------- 1 Cor. 15, 51: Behold, I show you a mystery: _We shall not all sleep_, but we shall all be changed. Matt. 24, 30: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and _they shall see the Son of Man coming_ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 2. Hebr. 9, 28: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He _appear the second time_ without sin unto salvation. Acts 1, 11: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven _shall so come_ in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. SIGNS OF THE LAST TIMES. Sec. 179: The predicted[1] second visible[2] advent of Christ may be expected at any time,[3] since all the signs which are to remind us of His coming[4] have been fulfilled or are still in process of fulfillment,[5] Antichrist is come and has been revealed in the Roman pontiff,[6] and the last times are doubt- less upon the world.[7] 1. Matt. 26, 64: _Hereafter_ shall ye see the _Son of Man_ sitting on the right hand of power, and _coming_ in the clouds of heaven. Acts 1, 11: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? _This same Jesus_ which is taken up from you into heaven _shall so come_ in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. Matt. 25, 31: When the _Son of Man shall come_ in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory. Matt. 24, 30: Then _shall appear the sign of the Son of Man_ in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see _the Son of Man coming_ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mark 13, 26: And then shall they see _the Son of Man coming_ in the clouds with great power and glory. 1 Thess. 4, 16: For _the Lord_ Himself _shall descend_ from heaven with a shout, etc. 1 Cor. 1, 7: So that ye come behind in no gift, _waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ_. Tit. 2, 13: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious _ap- pearing of the great God_ and our Savior _Jesus Christ_. --------------------End of Page 229-------------------- 2. Rev. 1, 7: Behold, _He cometh_ with clouds; and every eye _shall see Him_, and they also which pierced Him. John 19, 37: And again another scripture saith, _They shall look on Him_ whom they pierced. Luke 21, 27: And then _shall they see_ the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Matt. 26, 64: Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless, I say unto you, Hereafter _shall ye see_ the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and _coming_ in the clouds of heaven. Acts 1, 11: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so _come in like manner as ye have seen Him_ go into heaven. 3. Mark 13, 32: But of that day and _that hour_ knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Matt. 24, 36. 42: But of that _day and hour_ knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (42) _Watch there_ fore_; for ye know not what _hour_ your Lord doth come. Luke 12, 40: _Be ye therefore ready also_; for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 21, 36: _Watch ye therefore_, and pray _always_, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. 1 Cor. 1, 7: So that ye come behind in no gift, _waiting_ for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tit. 2, 13: _Looking for_ that blessed hope, and the glorious ap- pearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 3, 12: _Looking for_ and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Phil. 3, 20: For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also _we look for_ the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 4. Matt. 24, 3. 33: Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the _sign of Thy coming_ and of the end of the world? (33) So likewise ye, when ye shall _see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors_. Mark 13, 29: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Luke 21, 25: And there shall be _signs in the sun_, and in the _moon_, and in the _stars_; and _upon the earth_ distress of nations, with perplexity, the _sea_ and the waves roaring. 5. Luke 21, 26: Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. --------------------End of Page 230-------------------- Mark 13, 22: For _false Christs_ and _false prophets_ shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. Matt. 24, 24: For there shall arise _false Christs_, and _false prophets_, and shall show great signs and wonders, inasmuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matt. 24, 37-39: But as _the days of Noe_ were, so shall also _the coming of the Son of Man be_. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in mar- riage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, _so_ shall also _the com- ing of the Son of Man be_. 1 Tim. 4, 1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall _depart from the faith_, giving heed to _seducing spirits_ and doctrines of devils. Luke 21, 24. 25: And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and _Jerusalem_ shall be _trodden down of the Gentiles_, until the times of the Gentiles be ful- filled. And there shall be _signs_ in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring. Matt. 24, 14. 34: And this _Gospel_ of the kingdom shall be _preached in all the world_ for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (34) Verily, I say unto you, _This generation shall not pass_, till all these things be fulfilled. 6. 1 John 2, 18: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that _Antichrist_ shall come, even now are there many anti- christs: _whereby we know that it is the last time_.--Cf. 4, 3. 2 Thess. 2, 3. 4. 8-11: _That day_ shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that _man of sin_ be revealed, the _son of perdition_, who _opposeth and exalteth himself_ above all that is called _God_, or that _is worshiped_, so that he _as God sitteth in the temple of God_, showing himself that he is God. (8-11) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy _with the brightness of His coming_: even him, whose coming is after the _working of Satan_ with all _power_ and _signs_ and _lying wonders_, and with all _deceivableness of unrighteous- ness_ in them that perish;, because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them _strong delusion_, that they should believe a lie. Cf. Dan. 11, 36-45. Rev. 17. 18. 7. 1 John 2, 18: Little children, it is _the last time_: and as ye have heard that _Antichrist_ shall come, even now are there many anti- christs: whereby we know that it is _the last time_. --------------------End of Page 231-------------------- Luke 18, 8: I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth? 1 Cor. 10, 11: Now all these things happened unto them for en- samples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom _the ends of the world are come_. 1 Pet. 4, 7: But _the end of all things is at hand_. Be ye there- fore sober, and watch unto prayer! PURPOSE OF THE SECOND ADVENT. Sec. 180. The purpose of the second coming of Christ is not the establishment of a millennial kingdom on earth,[1] but the resurrection of all the dead,[2] the final judgment,[3] and the consummation of all things.[4] 1. 1 Cor. 15, 50: Now this I say, brethren, that _flesh and blood_ can- not inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit in- corruption. Cf. Matt. 25, 34. John 16, 33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. _In the world ye shall have tribulation_: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 1 Thess. 4, 16. 17: For _the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven_ with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and _the dead in Christ shall rise_ first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds _to meet the Lord in the air_: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Hebr. 9, 28: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He _appear the second time_ without sin _unto salvation_. 2 Tim. 4, 8: _Henceforth_ there is laid up for me a crown of right- eousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me _at that day_, and not to me only, but unto _all them also that love His ap- pearing_. Phil. 3, 20: For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Cf. Sec. 181. 3. Cf. Sec. 182. 4. Cf. Sec. 183. --------------------End of Page 232-------------------- RESURRECTION OF ALL THE DEAD. Sec. 181. The first[1] act of Christ on His second advent[2] and of the Holy Trinity,[3] at the last day,[4] will be the quickening or resuscitation of all the dead,[5] whose souls will then be reunited with the same[6] bodies from which they were separated in temporal death,[7] but which will be adapted to a future state,[8] those of the wicked to a state of ever- lasting shame and torment,[9] those of the righteous to an everlasting state of celestial glory.[10] 1. 1 Thess. 4, 16: For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and _the dead in Christ shall rise first_. 1 Cor. 15, 52: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 2. 1 Thess. 4, 16: For _the Lord Himself_ shall _descend_ from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Matt. 25, 31. 32: When _the Son of Man shall come_ in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations. 3. John 5, 21: For as _the Father raiseth up the dead_ and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. John 6, 40. 54: And this is _the will of Him that sent me_, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have ever- lasting life: and _I will raise him up_ at the last day. (54) Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Rom. 8, 11: But if _the Spirit of Him_ that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, _He that raised up Christ_ from the dead _shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit_ that dwelleth in you. 4. John 6, 40. 54: And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and _I will raise him up at the last day_. (54) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and _I will raise him up at the last day_. 5. John 5, 21: For as the Father raiseth up the dead and _quickeneth_ them, even so the Son _quickeneth_ whom He will. --------------------End of Page 233-------------------- John 5, 28. 29: Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the _resurrection of life_; and they that have done evil, unto the _resurrection of damnation. Matt. 25, 32: And before Him shall be gathered _all nations_: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. 2 Cor. 5, 10: For we must _all_ appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that _every one_ may receive the things done in his body, ac- cording to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Acts 24, 15: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, _both of the just and unjust_. 6. Rom. 8, 11: But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also _quicken your mortal bodies_ by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Phil. 3, 21: Who shall change _our vile body_, that it may be fash- ioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. 2 Cor. 5, 10: For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done _in his body_, ac- cording to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Job 19, 26: Yet _in my flesh_ shall I see God. 1 Cor. 15, 44. 53: It is sown _a natural body_; it is _raised a spirit- ual body_. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (43) For _this corruptible_ must _put on incorruption_, and _this mortal_ must _put on immortality_. John 5, 28: Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming in the which all _that are in the graves_ shall hear His voice. Rev. 20, 12: And I saw _the dead_, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and _the dead_ were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 7. Cf. Sec. 175. 8. John 5, 29: And shall come forth: they that have done good, _unto the resurrection of life_; and they that have done evil, _unto the resurrection of damnation_. 1 Cor. 15, 50: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 9. Dan. 12, 2: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and _some to shame and everlasting contempt_. --------------------End of Page 234-------------------- Matt. 25, 41. 46: Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, _into everlasting fire_, prepared for the devil and his angels! (46) And these shall go away _into ever- lasting punishment_, but the righteous into life eternal. John 5, 29: And shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the _resurrection of damnation_. 10. Dan. 12, 1. 2: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to the same time: and at that time _thy people shall be delivered_, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some _to everlasting life_, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. John 5, 29: And shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the _resurrection of life_; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 1 Cor. 15, 52: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be _raised incorruptible_, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor. 15, 42-44. 49. 50. 53: So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is _raised in incorruption_. It is sown in dishonor; it is _raised in glory_: it is sown in weakness; it is _raised in power_: it is sown a natural body; it is _raised a spirit- ual body_. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (49. 50) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also _bear the image of the heavenly_. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (53) For this corruptible must _put on incorruption_, and this mortal must _put on immortality_. Phil. 3, 21: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fash- ioned _like unto His glorious body_, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. Matt. 13, 43: Then shall the righteous _shine forth as the sun_ in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear! Rev. 7, 16: They shall _hunger no more, neither thirst anymore_; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. FINAL JUDGMENT. Sec. 182. After the resurrection of all the dead,[1] and the change of those who shall have lived to see the second advent of Christ,[2] all nations shall be gathered before Him,[3] and He will separate the righteous from the wicked,[4] and will, in public judgment,[5] by the testimony of their works,[6] the good works[7] of the righteous in evidence of their faith,[8] and --------------------End of Page 235-------------------- the evil works of the wicked[9] in evidence of their unbelief, reveal to angels and men[10] the righteousness of His judg- ment[11] and of the final sentence pronounced by God through Jesus Christ,[12] which will be just damnation to everlasting punishment for the wicked[13] and gracious assignment to life everlasting for the righteous.[14] 1. Cf. Sec. 181. 2. 1 Cor. 15, 51. 52: Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but _we shall all be changed_ in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and _we shall be changed_. 1 Thess. 4, 15. 17: We which are alive and _remain unto the com- ing of the Lord_ shall not prevent them which are asleep. (17) Then we which are _alive and remain_ shall be caught up together with them in the clouds. 3. Matt. 25, 32: And before Him shall be gathered all nations. Rom. 14, 10: For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. John 5, 22: For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed _all judgment_ unto the Son. Acts 17, 31: Because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge _the world_ in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained. Rev. 1, 7: Behold, He cometh with clouds; and _every eye shall see Him_, and they also which pierced Him. 4. Matt. 25, 32: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall _separate them_ one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Mark 16, 16: He that _believeth_ and is baptized _shall be saved_; but he that _believeth not_ shall be _damned_. 5. 2 Cor. 5, 10: For we must all _appear_ before the judgment seat of Christ. 1 Cor. 4, 5: Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will _bring to light_ the hidden things of dark- ness, and will _make manifest_ the counsels of the hearts. Rom. 2, 5. 16: But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treas- urest up unto thyself wrath against the _day_ of wrath and _revelation of the righteous judgment of God_. (16) In the day when God shall _judge_ the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel. --------------------End of Page 236-------------------- 6. Rom. 2, 6: Who will render to every man _according to his deeds_. 2 Cor. 5, 10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, _according to that he hath done_, whether it be _good or bad_. Matt. 25, 35. 36. 42. 43: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (42. 43) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 7. Is. 43, 25: I, even I, am He that _blotteth out thy transgressions_ for mine own sake, and will _not remember thy sins_. Ezek. 18, 22: All _his transgressions_ that he hath committed, _they shall not be mentioned_ unto him. 1 John 2, 28: And now, little children, abide in Him, that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence and _not be ashamed_ before Him _at His coming_. Matt. 25, 35: See sub 6. 8. Matt. 25, 34. 35: Come, ye _blessed_ of my Father, _inherit_ the kingdom _prepared for you_ from the foundation of the world (35, above sub 6.) John 3, 16. 18: For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever _believeth_ in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (18) He that _believeth_ on Him _is not con- demned_. John 3, 36: He that _believeth_ on the Son _hath_ everlasting life. Rev. 14, 13: Blessed are the dead which die _in the Lord_ from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Gal. 5, 6: For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any- thing nor uncircumcision, but _faith which worketh by love_. John 13, 35: By this shall all men _know_ that ye are _my disciples_, if ye have _love_ one to another. 9. Matt. 25, 42: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat. Matt. 7, 17. 18: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a _corrupt tree_ bringeth forth _evil fruit_. A _good_ tree _can- not_ bring forth _evil fruit_, neither can a _corrupt_ tree bring forth _good fruit_. John 3, 18. 36: But he that _believeth not_ is _condemned_ already, _because he hath not believed_ in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. (36) And he that _believeth not_ the Son _shall not see life_, but the wrath of God abideth on him. --------------------End of Page 237-------------------- 10. Luke 9, 26: For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels. Matt. 25, 31. 32: When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and _all the holy angels_ with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory. And before Him shall be gathered _all nations_. 11. Rom. 2, 5: But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treas- urest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and _revelation_ of the _righteous judgment of God_. Act 17, 31: Because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world _in righteousness_ by that Man whom He hath ordained. 12. Acts 17, 31: He will judge the world in righteousness _by that Man whom He hath ordained_. Rom. 2, 16: In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men _by Jesus Christ_, according to my Gospel. 13. Matt. 25, 41. 46: Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, _Depart from me_, ye cursed, _into everlasting fire_, prepared for the devil and his angels! (46) And these shall go away into _ever- lasting punishment_, but the righteous into life eternal. 14. Matt. 25, 34. 46: Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, _Come_, ye blessed of my Father, _inherit the kingdom_ pre- pared for you from the foundation of the world! (46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into _life eternal_. END OF THE WORLD. Sec. 183. The day of the resurrection of all the dead[1] will also be the last day,[2] the day of the end of the world,[3] when earth and heaven shall come to ruin[4] and pass away,[5] consumed in fire,[6] and God will create a new heaven and a new earth.[7] 1. Cf. Sec. 181. 2. John 6, 40. 44: And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at _the last day_. (44) No --------------------End of Page 238-------------------- man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at _the last day_. John 11, 24: Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at _the last day_. 3. Matt. 24, 3. 14: Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the _end of the world_? (14) And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall _the end_ come. Matt. 13, 39: The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the har- vest is the _end of the world_. 1 Cor. 15, 24: Then cometh _the end_, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 4. Matt. 24, 29: Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the _sun be darkened_, and the _moon shall not give her light_, and the _stars shall fall from heaven_, and the _powers of the heavens shall be shaken_. Cf. Mark 13, 24-26. 5. 2 Pet. 3, 10: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which _the heavens shall pass away with a great noise_, and the _elements_ shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Luke 21, 33: Heaven and earth shall _pass away_; but my words shall not pass away. Cf. Matt. 24, 35. Matt. 5, 18: For, verily, I say unto you, Till _heaven and earth pass_, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. Ps. 102, 26. 27: They shall _perish_, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy year shall have no end. Hebr. 1, 11: _They shall perish_; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment. Rev. 20, 11: And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face and earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found _no place_ for them. Rev. 21, 1: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth _were passed away_; and there _was no more sea_. 6. 2 Pet. 3, 7. 10. 12: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved _unto fire_ against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the --------------------End of Page 239-------------------- heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the _elements shall melt with fervent heat_; the earth also and the works that are therein shall be _burned up_. (12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the _heavens, being on fire_, shall be _dis- solved_, and the _elements shall melt with fervent heat_. 7. Is. 65, 17: For, behold, _I create new heavens and a new earth_: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Is. 66, 22: For as the _new heavens_ and the _new earth_, which I _will make_, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. 2 Pet. 3, 13: Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for _new heavens_ and a _new earth_, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Rev. 21, 1: And I saw _a new heaven_ and _a new earth_; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. ETERNAL DAMNATION. Sec. 184. The punishment of the damned, after the con- summation, will be everlasting shame[1] and torment[2] of body and soul[3] with the devil and his angels[4] in the fire of hell;[5] but while the punishment of all will be endless[6] and severe,[7] the degrees of torment will differ with different degrees of guilt in different individuals.[8] 1. Dan. 12, 2: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake: some to everlasting life, and some to _shame and ever- lasting contempt_. 2. Luke 16, 23-25: And _in hell_ he lifted up his eyes, being _in tor- ments_, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for _I am tormented in this flame_. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and _thou art tormented_. Matt. 8, 12: But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into _outer darkness_: there shall be _weeping_ and _gnashing of teeth_. Rev. 20, 10: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of _fire and brimstone_, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be _tormented day and night for ever and ever_. Is. 66, 24: And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me; for _their worm shall not die, neither_ shall _their fire be quenched_; and they shall be _an ab- horring_ unto all flesh. --------------------End of Page 240-------------------- Rev. 14, 10. 11: The same shall drink of _the wine of the wrath of God_, which is poured out _without mixture_ into the cup of His indig- nation; and he shall be _tormented_ with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the _smoke of their torment_ ascendeth up _for ever and ever_: and they have _no rest_ day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 3. Matt. 10, 28: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him which is able to _destroy both soul and body in hell_. 4. Matt. 25, 41: Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for _the devil and his angels_! 5. Matt. 25, 41: See above sub 4. Luke 16, 23. 24: See above sub 2. 6. Matt. 25, 41. 46: Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye curse, into _everlasting fire_, prepared for the devil and his angels! (46) And these shall go away into _ever- lasting_ punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. 2 Thess. 1, 9: Who shall be punished with _everlasting_ destruc- tion from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. Dan. 12, 2: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake: some to everlasting life, and some to shame and _ever- lasting_ contempt. Mark 9, 43. 45. 48: And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, then having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that _never shall be quenched_. (45) And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that _never shall be quenched_. (48) Where their _worm dieth not_, and the _fire is not quenched_. Matt. 26, 24: It had been good for that man if he had not been born. 7. James 2, 13: For he shall have judgment _without mercy_ that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. Rev. 14, 10. 11: The same shall drink of the wine of the _wrath_ of God, which is poured out _without mixture_ into the cup of His in- dignation; and he shall be tormented with _fire and brimstone_ in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have _no rest_ day nor night. --------------------End of Page 241-------------------- 8. Matt. 10, 15: Verily, I say unto you, It shall be _more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha_ in the day of judgment _than for that city_. Matt. 11, 22. 23: But I say unto you, It shall be _more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon_ at the day of judgment _than for you_. And thou, _Capernaum_, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the might works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Luke 10, 12: But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. Matt. 23, 13: _Woe_ unto you, _scribes and Pharisees_, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Luke 12, 47. 48: And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with _many stripes_. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with _few stripes_. For unto whomsoever _much_ is given, of him shall be _much_ required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. ETERNAL LIFE. Sec. 185. The state of the elect, after the consummation, will be a state of eternal life[1] with God[2] and His angels[3] in glory[4] and bliss[5] of body and soul[6] unmarred by sin,[7] pain,[8] death,[9] or the possibility of apostasy;[10] and while the bliss of all the heirs of salvation[11] will be perfect[12] and their glory great,[13] there will be degrees of glory,[14] as God will graciously reward[15] in the kingdom of glory[16] the works performed by those who were faithful stewards[17] in the kingdom of grace. Then shall the glory of the righteous redound to the glory of Him to whose cross we shall owe our crowns and whom with immortal lips we shall forever praise, our Savior and our God.[18] 1. Matt. 25, 46: And these shall go away into everlasting punish- ment, but the righteous into _life eternal_. Tit. 3, 7: That, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of _eternal life_. Rom. 6, 23: But the gift of God is _eternal life_ through Jesus Christ, our Lord. John 3, 15. 16: That whosoever believeth in Him should not per- ish, but have _eternal life_. For God so loved the world that He gave --------------------End of Page 242-------------------- His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have _everlasting life_. 1 John 2, 25: And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even _eternal life_. 2. 1 John 3, 2: We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall _see Him as He is_. 1 Thess. 4, 17: And so shall we ever _be with the Lord_. Job 19, 26: Yet in my flesh shall I _see God_. Matt. 5, 8: Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall _see God_. John 17, 24: Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given me, _be with me_ where I am. Rev. 21, 3: And _God_ Himself _shall be with them_, and be their God. Phil. 1, 23: Having a desire to depart, and to _be with Christ_, which is far better. 3. Hebr. 12, 22: But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. Matt. 18, 10: Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always be- hold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 2 Thess. 1, 7: And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. 4. 2 Tim. 2, 10: For the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus _with eternal glory_. Rev. 3, 5: He that overcometh, the same shall be _clothed in white raiment_. 5. 1 Pet. 5, 10: But the God of all grace, who hath _called us unto His eternal glory_ by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you! 2 Cor. 4, 17: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and _eternal weight of glory_. Rom. 8, 17. 18: If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this pres- ent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8, 30: Whom He justified, them He also glorified. Ps. 16, 11: In Thy presence is _fullness of joy_; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Is. 35, 10: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and _everlasting joy upon their heads_: they shall obtain _joy and gladness_, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. --------------------End of Page 243-------------------- 6. John 5, 29: And shall _come forth_: they that have done good, unto the _resurrection of life_, and they that have done evil, unto the resur- rection of damnation. 1 Cor. 15, 42: So also is the resurrection of the _dead_. It is _sown_ in corruption; it is _raised in incorruption_. 7. 2 Tim. 4, 8: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of _righteousness_. 1 Pet. 1, 4: To an inheritance incorruptible, and _undefiled_, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Hebr. 12, 23: And to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of _just men made perfect_. 8. Is. 25, 8: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will _wipe away tears_ from off all faces. Is. 35, 10: They shall obtain joy and gladness, _and sorrow and sighing shall fee away_. Is. 60, 20: For the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy _mourning shall be ended_. Is. 49, 10: They shall _not hunger nor thirst_; neither shall the _heat_ nor sun smite them. Rev. 7, 16. 17: They shall _hunger no more, neither thirst_ any more; neither shall the sun light on them, _nor any heat_. And God shall _wipe away all tears_ from their eyes. Rev. 21, 4: And God shall _wipe away all tears_ from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, _neither sorrow_, nor _crying, neither_ shall there be _any more pain_; for the former things are passed away. 9. Rom. 7, 24: O wretched man that I am! Who shall _deliver me from the body of this death_? Is. 25, 8: He will _swallow up death_ in victory. 1 Cor. 15, 26. 54: The last enemy that shall be _destroyed is death_. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, _Death is swallowed up_ in victory. Rev. 21, 4: And there shall be _no more death_. Rev. 20, 14: And _death_ and hell were cast into the lake of fire. Luke 20, 36: _Neither CAN they die any more_; for they are equal unto the angels, and are the children of God, being _the children of_ the _resurrection_. 10. 1 Thess. 4, 17: And so shall we _ever be with the Lord_. Rev. 3, 5. 12: And I will _not blot out his name out_ of the book of life. (12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and _he shall go no more out_. --------------------End of Page 244-------------------- 11. Acts 20, 32: And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an _inheritance_ among all them which are sanctified. Hebr. 1, 14: Are they not ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be _heirs of salvation_? Hebr. 9, 15: That ... they which are called might receive the promise of _eternal inheritance_. Eph. 1, 14: Which is the earnest of _our inheritance_. 1 Pet. 5, 9: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Pet. 1, 4: To an _inheritance_ incorruptible. 12. 1 Cor. 13, 10. 12: But _when that which is PERFECT is come_, then that which is in part shall be done away. (12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: _Now_ I know _in part_; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 2 Tim. 4, 18: The Lord shall _deliver_ me from EVERY _evil work_. 13. 2 Cor. 12, 2. 4: I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (4) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard _unspeakable words_, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Matt. 13, 43: Then shall the righteous shine forth _as the sun_ in the kingdom of their Father. 14. 1 Cor. 15, 41. 42: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. 15. Matt. 25, 14-23. (Parable of the talents.) Rev. 14, 13: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and _their works do follow them_. Rev. 22, 12: And, behold, I come quickly; and _my reward is with me_, to give every man according as his work shall be. Matt. 10, 42: And whosoever shall give a drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, _verily_, I say unto you, _he shall in no wise lose his reward_. Matt. 19, 29: And every one that hath forsaken houses, or breth- ren, or sister, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, _shall receive an hundredfold_, and shall inherit ever- lasting life. --------------------End of Page 245-------------------- Mark 9, 41: For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily, I say unto you, _he shall not lose his reward_. 2 Cor. 9, 6: But this I say, He which _soweth sparingly_ shall _reap_ also _sparingly_; and he which _soweth bountifully_ shall _reap_ also _bountifully_. 16. See CHRISTOLOGY on the royal office of Christ, Secs. 126-129. 17. Matt. 25, 14-23. (Parable of the talents.) 2 Tim. 4, 7. 8: I have _fought a good fight_, I have _finished my course_, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the _righteous Judge_, shall _give me_ at that day, and not to me only, but _unto all them also that love His appearing_. 18. Ps. 126, 2. 3: Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Rev. 4, 10. 11: The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev. 5, 8-12: And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth. And I be- held, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. --------------------End of Chapter on Page 246-------------------- This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by William Alan Larson and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (260) 452-2123 Fax: (260) 452-2126