Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  9000 Last things  »  9100 Aspects of the last things  »  9110 after-life

Although the OT generally portrays this as a vague and shadowy existence, often associated with judgment, there are hints of the idea of resurrection to a fuller life which are developed in the NT. The NT points to judgment beyond death and to the believers' hope in resurrection, to a more complete enjoyment of God's presence and his blessings and to the promise of a new heaven and earth.

The after-life in the OT

The grave as a place of silence

Psalm 115:17 See also Psalm 6:5; Psalm 30:9; Psalm 88:10-11; Isaiah 38:18

The grave as a place of darkness

Job 10:21-22 See also 1 Samuel 2:9; Psalm 88:12

The grave as a place of no return

Job 7:8-10 See also Job 16:22; Psalm 146:4; Proverbs 2:18-19; Ecclesiastes 12:7

The grave as a place of judgment

Psalm 88:5 See also Psalm 31:17; Proverbs 9:18; Isaiah 14:9-11; Isaiah 26:14; Ezekiel 31:14; Ezekiel 32:17-32

The grave offers peace to the righteous

Job 3:13; Ecclesiastes 4:2; Isaiah 57:1-2

The hope of resurrection

Daniel 12:2 See also Job 19:26; Psalm 16:10-11; Psalm 49:15; Psalm 73:24; Isaiah 25:7-8; Isaiah 26:19

The after-life and God's judgment

Judgment beyond death is certain

Hebrews 9:27 See also 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12-13

There will be salvation for believers

Matthew 25:19-23; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 11:18

There will be separation from God for unbelievers

Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:27 See also Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30; Luke 12:46; Revelation 22:15

The believing dead are already with Jesus Christ

Luke 23:43; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 Believers, with Jesus Christ in spirit, await their final resurrection which will take place when he returns. See also John 12:26; John 14:3; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 6:9-11

The after-life and believers' hope of resurrection

The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ

Luke 24:39-43 See also John 20:20,26-27; Acts 1:3; 1 John 1:1

Believers share in Christ's resurrection

Romans 8:11 See also 1 Corinthians 6:14; Corinthians 15:20-23; 2 Corinthians 4:14

The resurrection body of believers

Philippians 3:20-21 See also 1 Corinthians 15:23,42-55; 2 Corinthians 5:1-4

The future consummation of the believers' enjoyment of God

Future glory

Romans 8:18-19 See also 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 1 John 3:2

A new heaven and earth

2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1

God's presence with his people

Revelation 21:2-7 The final consummation will bring God's promises to and purposes for his people to fulfilment ; Revelation 22:14 See also Exodus 25:8; Revelation 22:1-5

The Holy Spirit as a guarantee

2 Corinthians 1:22; Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14

See also

2565  Christ, second coming
4055  heaven and earth
6645  eternal life
9020  death
9105  last things
9120  eternity
9135  immortality
9210  judgment, God's
9310  resurrection
9410  heaven
9510  hell