Shorter Catechism Q.37; Larger Catechism Q.86
Westminster Confession, Chapter 32
Of the State Of Men after Death, and Of the Resurrection Of the Dead
I. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption [a]: but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them [b]: the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies [c]. And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day [d]. Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none.
[a] Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption.
but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them [b]:
[b] Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies [c].
[c] Hebrews 12:23 [22: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,] To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Ver.6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. Ver.8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.
With Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day [d]. Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none.
[d] Luke 16:23 And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Ver.24 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.
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Ver.7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
1 Peter 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.
Recall the suggestion by Douglas Wilson, which we read yesterday:
The Confession says that besides heaven and hell, the Scripture does not acknowledge any other place, which I think is overstated. In the interests of combating Roman Catholic merit-mongering, the Westminster fathers fell short of what Scripture actually teaches. Hades or Sheol is not the same as Gehenna, and it is a place for departed spirits. Prior to the resurrection of Christ, Hades also contained Paradise, or the bosom of Abraham. This does not lend any credence to the Romanist views of purgation, but the existence of more than two places should still be acknowledged. The Church should at some time revise the Confession to say that there are no more than two final or ultimate destinations.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness [q], and do immediately pass into glory [r]; and their bodies, being still united to Christ [s], do rest in their graves [t] till the resurrection [v].
The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness [q],
[q] Hebrews 12:23 [22: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,] To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.
and do immediately pass into glory [r];
[r] 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know, that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Ver.6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: Ver.8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Philippians 1:23 For I am in strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
and their bodies, being still united to Christ [s],
[s] 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
do rest in their graves [t]
[t] Isaiah 57:2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
till the resurrection [v].
[v] Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Ver.27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.86. What is the communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death?
A. The communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death is, in that their souls are then made perfect in holiness [l], and received into the highest heavens [m], where they behold the face of God in light and glory [n], waiting for the full redemption of their bodies [o], which even in death continue united to Christ [p], and rest in their graves as in their beds [q], till at the last day they be again united to their souls [r]. Whereas the souls of the wicked are at their death cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, and their bodies kept in their graves, as in their prisons, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day [s].
The communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death is, in that their souls are then made perfect in holiness [l],
[l] Hebrews 12:23 [22: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,] To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.
and received into the highest heavens [m],
[m] 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Ver.6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: Ver.8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Philippians 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 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
And with Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
where they behold the face of God in light and glory [n],
[n] 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 Corinthians 13:12 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.
waiting for the full redemption of their bodies [o],
[o] Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
which even in death continue united to Christ [p],
[p] 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
and rest in their graves as in their beds [q],
[q] Isaiah 57:2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
till at the last day they be again united to their souls [r].
[r] Job 19:26-27 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Ver.27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Whereas the souls of the wicked are at their death cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, and their bodies kept in their graves, as in their prisons, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day [s].
[s] Luke 16:23-24 And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Ver.24 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.
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Jude 6-7 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Ver.7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
CHAPTER XXXII. - Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead - Commentary by Gordon H. Clark
Chapter XXXII. Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead - Exposition by Robert Shaw
Chapter 32: Of the Sate of Men After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead - Commentary by A.A. Hodge
Westminster XXXII: Of the State of Men After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead - Douglas Wilson
Posts
WCF ch 32, sec I....the souls of the righteous, being them made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, WAITING FOR THE FULL REDEMPTION OF THEIR BODIES....
ReplyDeleteWLC Q89....TILL AT THE LAST DAY they be again united to their souls.
How can we be WAITING for anything TILL THE LAST DAY in ETERNITY?
Aren't these descriptions of things that logically take place ONLY IN THE TIME DIMENSION?
I might not understand your question, but in the Westminster framework, the waiting by the individual takes place in the time dimension, but it's after the death of the individual, while time/history continues for the living, before the resurrection/end of time.
ReplyDeleteThe subject of eschatology includes the "last things" of each individual's life, as well as the last things of all of human history. The Westminster Standards place far more emphasis on individual eschatology, while modern (premil) writers emphasize global events as "signs of the end times."
I might not understand your answer (which might be involved in turn in your not understanding my question). I think I must be questioning the "Westminster framework" itself. I think I am remembering past discussions, remembering Russell, etc., etc. But more immediately, the only proof text for either of my quotes listed in the above comment that could possibly have anything to do with bodily resurrection as far as I can see is Job 19:26,27. Am I missing something? And about the timing of all this? Future??
ReplyDeleteAnother question: why did you include the 22nd vs in the Hebrews 12:23 proof text quote? Is it not in effect this very same issue of the verses referring to past and present time frames? "You HAVE COME to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God..."
OK, Ive just reread the proof texts for all of this and I realize that I Thessalonians 4:14 could be construed in the "Westminster framework" to refer to bodily resurrection, but didn't Russell in the The Parousia say that this could have referred to a unique event involving the saints of the OT that took place at the end of the Old Age as Christ came again to fully bring in His Kingdom?
Many scholars believe that Job 19:26 is better translated "out of my flesh shall I see God. Perhaps along the lines of 2 Corinthians 5:8 [note m].
ReplyDeleteOn Hebrews 12:22, correct: I don't think that passage is talking about the future, but rather something we have in Christ presently.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 isn't explicit about bodily resurrection. What the Westminster Framework says is that the resurrection and last judgment occur simultaneously, not separated by 7 or 1000 or 1007 years. What Matthew 16 says it that the Day of Judgment would occur in the first century, before "that generation" died out. That must have been when the resurrection occurred. Unless there's another passage which speaks about another resurrection thousands of years in the future.