The Afterlife – Part 1

Introduction

This teaching, presented as the first in a three-part series titled “The Afterlife: Myths, Fairy Tales, and Biblical Realities,” addresses the complex topic of what happens after death according to Scripture. It acknowledges that various teachers often present simplified views on the afterlife, but this study aims to delve deeper into what the scriptures actually say. The speaker, Matthew Vander Els, shares his personal experience of his father’s sudden death and how it led him to question commonly held beliefs about heaven and the afterlife. He emphasizes that this exploration might be emotionally challenging and controversial, as it questions traditional interpretations of the afterlife.

Personal Experience and Initial Beliefs

The speaker recounts the emotional impact of his father’s death, highlighting the struggle between logical understanding and emotional desire. Despite having studied the scriptures, he realized that he didn’t believe in the conventional idea of going to heaven after death. However, in the moment of grief, he found himself wanting his father to be in heaven. This emotional conflict prompted him to begin a more in-depth study of the afterlife in Scripture and ancient cultures.

Evolution of Afterlife Concepts in Scripture

According to the speaker, the concept of the afterlife in Scripture evolved over time. From Genesis to Revelation, the understanding of what happens after death shifts. This evolution was influenced by various cultures, including Persian and Roman, which impacted the beliefs of first-century Pharisees. The Sadducees, on the other hand, rejected the idea of resurrection, possibly because it undermined their authority. The Essenes, a strict Jewish community, believed that heaven could be experienced on Earth by those who believed in God.

The Importance of Resurrection

The teaching emphasizes that the resurrection is the most important topic in Scripture. If there is no resurrection, then Yeshua (Jesus) did not rise from the dead, negating the hope for believers. Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 15:32 suggest that if there is no resurrection, there is no hope for the future, making the sacrifices and struggles meaningless.

Romans 10 and the Confession of Faith

Romans 10:6-10 is highlighted as a crucial passage for understanding salvation. It speaks about confessing with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord (King) and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. The word “confess” (homologeo) implies making a vow or covenant. This confession, coupled with belief in the resurrection, is essential for salvation. Paul’s words are related to Deuteronomy 30, drawing a parallel between obeying the Torah and acknowledging Yeshua as the Messiah.

The Abyss and the Sea

The teaching explores the connection between the “abyss” and the “sea” in the context of death. In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the sea is often synonymous with the place of the dead. The place of death was viewed as a chaotic realm, not governed by God in the same way as the world of the living. Job 38:16-17 and Psalm 69:14 describe death as a descent into deep, chaotic waters. People in the Tanakh generally did not want to die and pleaded with God to be rescued from death.

Yeshua and the Waters

The account of Yeshua calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41 is presented as an illustration of Yeshua’s power over death. Yeshua sleeping in the boat symbolizes death, and His calming of the waters represents His victory over death. The image of Yeshua walking on water and calling Peter to do the same demonstrates His authority over the chaotic waters of the afterlife.

The Importance of Historical and Cultural Context

Understanding the Bible requires analyzing the surrounding kingdoms and cultures of Israel. Comparing the beliefs and practices of Babylonians, Mesopotamians, and Egyptians can unlock mysteries in Scripture. For example, the Yom Kippur service in ancient Israel can be better understood by examining similar practices in Babylonian and Hittite cultures. The teaching also touches on necromancy and how understanding pagan practices can shed light on why God forbade certain things.

Greek and Egyptian Perspectives on the Afterlife

The teaching explores Greek and Egyptian concepts of the afterlife. The myth of Er, as recounted by Plato, presents a view of judgment, reward, and reincarnation. Souls are judged, sent to either heaven or hell for a thousand years, and then given a chance to choose their next life before drinking from the river of forgetfulness and being reincarnated. This tale was meant to encourage people to live a good life. Socrates’s story illustrates the Greek emphasis on knowledge and the desire for reward after death. In ancient Egypt, as depicted in murals, the deceased (like Hunefer) would have their heart weighed against the feather of Maat (justice) in the courtroom of Osiris. If the heart was lighter or equal, the person could enter the heavenly place. These concepts influenced how people behaved in life and how governing leaders controlled the population.

Challenging the Modern Concept of Heaven

The teaching challenges the modern concept of heaven as a blissful place in the sky where people go after they die. It references the story of Alex Malarkey, who falsely claimed to have gone to heaven, as an example of how people can be misled. While Revelation 21 describes the New Jerusalem with pearly gates and streets of gold, this is not heaven but a city that comes down from heaven to the new earth. John 3:13 states that no one has ever gone into heaven except the Son of Man.

Focus on Earth and Resurrection

The emphasis is on the earth as the place of inheritance for believers. After the resurrection, believers will return to a renewed earth, free from the chaos of the sea. Yeshua’s words in John 14:6 are interpreted as referring to covenant with the Father, not necessarily to going to heaven. John 5:28-29 and Daniel 12:2 speak of resurrection from the graves, not from heaven. Yeshua referred to Jonah being in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights to describe his time in the heart of the earth.

The Heart of the Earth and Sheol

The teaching raises questions about the “heart of the earth” and Sheol, the place of the dead in the Old Testament. It references the story of Saul and the witch of Endor, who conjured up Samuel from the earth, not from heaven. Isaiah 26:19 speaks of the earth casting out its dead, referring to the abyss of the earth.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of the resurrection and the need to confess Yeshua as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead. He extends an invitation for those who have never made this vow to seek guidance and become part of the family of believers. The teaching sets the stage for further exploration of the afterlife in the following parts of the series, promising to delve deeper into the scriptures and examine cultural perspectives from beyond the Near East.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Focus on Earthly Kingdom: Instead of solely focusing on a future heavenly reward, concentrate on establishing God’s kingdom on Earth now.
• Examine Your Beliefs: Question traditional beliefs about the afterlife and compare them with what Scripture actually says.
• Embrace the Resurrection: Understand the central importance of the resurrection in the Christian faith and its implications for eternal life.
• Confess Your Faith: Make a conscious vow to follow Yeshua as your King and believe in His resurrection as a foundation of your salvation.
• Seek Deeper Understanding: Study Scripture in its historical and cultural context to gain a more comprehensive understanding of God’s word.
• Live Ethically: Understanding the value of living a moral life.