Conclusion to the Spiritual Universe What is the Spiritual Realm? The spiritual realm is an invisible universe inhabited by spiritual beings, some good and some evil, with intelligence and emotions. The invisible world and physical world are in constant interaction with each other. What is God’s place in the Spiritual Realm? God is the creator and ruler of the spiritual universe in all of the same ways that He is in the physical. God is just as powerful and present in one realm as He is in the other. Who are the angels? Angels are created beings with unique characteristics and personalities. There are some who serve God and some who are in rebellion against God. Who is Lucifer? As the most beautiful and highest ranking angel, Lucifer was created to lead worship to God. That is until his own pride and arrogance made him believe that he should sit on God’s throne and be worshipped by all of creation. What is Lucifer Like? Lucifer is the enemy of God because he hates God, and he is jealous of Him. His oldest tactic is to target people because the way to get to the Father is through His children. Some of The Enemy’s Tactics: •Satan lies and twists the truth so that we doubt God and ourselves. •Satan uses weapons like pride, anger, fear, and discouragement. •Satan tempts us to sin, and then accuses us if/when we give in to sin. Some of The Enemy’s Tactics: •Satan wants people to believe that he can’t be defeated or isn’t real. •Most important- Satan wants to prevent the spreading of the Gospel. –he will use conflict, division, and unforgiveness to distract the church. Equip Yourself with God’s Armor ✓Salvation ✓Righteousness ✓The Gospel ✓Faith ✓Truth ✓The Word of God and prayer How do we fight the real enemy? •The enemy can’t read our thoughts so we must speak verbally with authority. •We can only claim victory over the enemy “in Jesus name”. How do we fight the real enemy? •Don’t get hung up on the words of phrases you use. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in claiming victory. Life and Death Genesis 2:7- Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Life and Death What happens when we die? Ecclesiastes 12:7- “…and the dust [body] returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” What happens when we die? 2 Corinthians 5:6-8: …while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. (For we walk by faith, not by sight.) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Does everyone go to Heaven? 2 Corinthians 5:10- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. What happens when we die? •We “fall asleep”, •Our body and soul separate, •The soul is the part of us which lives on for eternity. •And in the “twinkle of an eye” we awaken standing in God’s presence. Stand before God the righteous judge. Revelation 20:12- “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. What is the “book of life”? Book of Life, also referred to as the “Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 13:8) contains the names of those who made the decision to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The book of life promise from Jesus. •Rev. 3:5- Jesus said, “I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.” What happens to those not in the book? •Rev. 20:15- Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. After we die, we stand before God. •The book of life is opened to determine where we spend eternity. •The names in the book enter Heaven •The names not in the book are removed from God’s presence. Eternity- Heaven or Hell? •Is there a limbo or purgatory? •Where is Heaven and what is it like? •Where is Hell and what is it like? •Can people go to Heaven/ Hell and then return to their earthly body? Limbo or Purgatory Jesus to the thief on the cross- “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 Conclusion: There is no mention of any “limbo” in the Bible. Heaven and Hell are the only two places mentioned in the Spiritual Realm. Where is Heaven? •Up •2 Cor. 12: 2-4- Paul writes: “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. Where is Heaven? And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.” What is the 3rd Heaven? Where is Heaven? •Up •It is so far beyond the outer reaches of space and farther than the farthest galaxy yet when God calls us there, we travel in the “twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52). What is Heaven like? •Heaven is God’s kingdom. •Jesus often taught that “the kingdom of heaven is like…” What is Heaven like? •A place of eternal life (Rev. 22:5) •A place of eternal light [no darkness] (Rev. 22:5) •A place without death, sorrow, or pain (Rev. 21:4) What is Heaven like? •It is a city of gold with walls made of jasper and decorated with every precious stone, and gates made of pearl. (Rev. 21:18-21) •It will have vineyards, orchards and animals… a true paradise. What is Heaven like? •God’s house has many rooms; Jesus prepares a place for us (Jn 14) •We will have treasures waiting (Matt. 19:21, Mark 10:21, Lk 12:33) •We will be made new and perfect (Rev. 21:5) What is Heaven like? •We will be given new, perfect bodies. (1 Cor. 15:40-49) •We will know who people are we will have new, perfect minds. •It will be paradise in every way! Why was Hell created? •The lake of fire was originally created for Lucifer and the fallen angels. (Matt. 25:41) Where is Hell? •Like Heaven, Hell is not a place you can travel to in your physical body. •The Bible says “descend” to hell (Ephesians 4:9-10). •It is a place separated from God; His burning judgement and fiery wrath are the only parts of God present. What is Hell like? The Bible describes Hell as a place of: •weeping and gnashing of teeth, Matt. 13:42 •outer darkness, Matt. 8:12 •eternal fire, Jude 1:7 •everlasting punishment, 2 Thes. 1:9 What is Hell like? •eternal torment with no rest day or night, Rev. 14:11 •a bottomless pit, Rev. 20:3 •a lake that burns with fire and brimstone, Rev. 20:10 •a place where worms feed and do not die, Isaiah 66:24 What is Hell like? •fire that is not quenched, Isa. 66:24 •black darkness, Jude 1:13 •a place where people cry for mercy, Luke 16:24 •a place of destruction 2 Thes. 1:9 Can people go to Heaven/ Hell and then return to their earthly body? There and back again? •A medium communicated with Samuel after he died. •Moses and Elijah were with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. •Lazarus was dead three days before returning to life. •The man caught up to the 3rd heaven. There and back again? •Simple answer… ➢Only God has the power over life and death. ➢Be skeptical of people who say that they have traveled between realms. Conclusion •The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ- the truth and the life. •Until people take their final breath here on earth, it is not too late… there are no “lost causes” to God. Conclusion For the believer, their best day on earth will pale in comparison to eternity in Heaven. For the one who rejects God, their worst day on earth would be a dream in comparison to eternity in Hell. .