When will glorification take place?
(Malachi 4:1; Mark 9:42-48; Acts 2:34; Jude 7) Blog: Nov. 27-Dec. 03, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The death that Adan chose for the human race included both temporal and eternal death. Jesus came to take Adam’s place as the Representative of humanity and by dying and rising again he opened the door to eternal life for all who believe in him. This hope, prefigured in animal substitutes, has encouraged God’s people throughout history, for immortality is not natural, but rather purchased by Jesus.
Hell
1. In Mark 9 when Jesus refers to a millstone, and cutting off one’s hand rather than going to hell, what type of language is he using? In Mark 9 Jesus is using figurative language to make a point (Mark 9:42-48).
2. What is the point Jesus is making when referring to cutting off a body part? Jesus is not recommending self-mutilation as a means of obtaining eternal life, but rather is illustrating the seriousness of ending in hell (Deut. 32:22; Mark 9:43-47).
3. How does Jesus describe hell in Mark 9? In Mark 9 Jesus uses the figurative language of Isaiah 66:24 to describe hell as having unquenchable fire & never dying worms (Mark 9:44-48).
4. To what do “unquenchable fire” and “never dying worms” refer? Unquenchable means that the fire cannot be extinguished & “never dying” means that the destructive forces of nature cannot be stopped. In other words, the worms & fire will accomplish their purpose of total destruction (Mal. 4:1; Mark 9:45-48).
5. Who is described in the Bible as being devoured by worms in hell? Lucifer, when cast into hell, is described as being covered with worms (Isa. 14:11).
6. To what might Jesus be referring when speaking of “everlasting fire” in Matthew 18? There is a sense in which God dwells in everlasting fire, & the everlasting Holy Spirit is represented by fire, & Revelation says that the wicked will be tormented with fire in the presence of the Lamb, so “everlasting fire” could refer to the torment of conscience that the wicked will experience in the presence of Deity (Isa. 4:4; Eze. 1:13; 28:14; Matt. 3:11; 18:8; Rev. 14:10).
7. To what does Jude refer by the term “eternal fire”? Jude says Sodom & Gomorrah suffered the vengeance of “eternal fire,” showing that it was from God who takes vengeance & that when the destruction was complete the fire did not continue burning there by the Dead Sea (Gen. 19:24, 29; Rom. 12:19; Jude 7).
8. To what does the fire of hell refer in the Bible? The fire of hell primarily refers to the torment of conscience that the wicked will experience when they realize what they have lost & also to the physical flames that cause pain & entirely destroy, body, mind, & spirit (Deut. 29:23; 32:20-25; Mal. 4:1; Matt. 10:28; 13:41-42; Rev. 20:14).
Purgatory
9. What is the doctrine of purgatory as taught by the Roman Catholic Church? Purgatory is described as a place where after death a person is purified, “so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church p. 291).
10. Where does the Bible speak of purification of the dead? The Bible nowhere speaks of purification of the dead, rather it continually shows that preparation for heaven must be made in this life, before one dies (Eccl. 9:10; Acts 3:19-21; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 9:27).
11. On what basis can God take imperfect people like, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah to heaven? The only basis upon which anyone can go to heaven is perfect obedience. The perfect obedience of Jesus is credited to all who believe in him. Thus, anyone who God takes to heaven is there by the mercy & grace of God (Rom. 2:13; 3:10, 20, 24; 5:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8-9).
12. When will God complete the work of sanctification in which Christians have been cooperating? The goal towards which Christians have been striving is the prize they will receive at glorification (Phil. 1:6; 3:12-14).
13. When will glorification take place? Glorification takes place for the living righteous at the voice of God during the seventh plague just prior to Jesus’ second coming & for the sleeping righteous when they are resurrected (Rom. 8:17-23; 1 Cor. 15:42-43, 50-53; Heb. 11:39-40; Rev. 16:17).
The Intermediate State
14. What word does Jesus use to describe those temporally dead? Jesus says that the dead today are sleeping (Mark 5:39; John 11:11).
15. What word does Jesus use to describe those who die eternally? Jesus says that those who die eternally, “perish” (Luke 13:3-5; John 3:16).
16. When will those who die in the Lord be blessed and holy again? Those who die in the Lord wait for their reward & holiness until the first resurrection (Luke 14:14; Rev. 20:6; 22:12).
17. What was Paul’s future hope? Paul was not hoping for his death but rather for the glorious liberty & crown of righteousness that would be given him at the Christ’s appearing (Rom. 8:21; Phil. 3:11; 2 Tim. 4:8)
18. When does Peter say that God’s people will receive their incorruptible inheritance? Peter says that the incorruptible inheritance of God’s people will be received in the last time when salvation is brought to them (1 Pet. 1:3-7).
19. When will the wicked receive their eternal reward? When Jesus comes again, both the righteous & the wicked will receive their reward (Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12).
20. If temporal death is like sleep and both the righteous and the wicked await Christ’s second coming to receive their reward, then what is the condition of people between death and resurrection? Between death & resurrection the wicked do not suffer nor do the righteous enjoy heaven, but both rest unconscious in the grave (2 Chron. 34:28; Eccl. 9:5-6, 10; Isa. 38:18; Acts 2:29, 34).