Gary Wainwright Follower of Jesus Christ, Husband, Father, Civil Engineer

After death, the New Testament tells us that believers are present with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6, 8-9 NLT “So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So, whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please Him.” 

The Greek word translated into the English language as ‘to be absent’ / ‘be away from’ is “ekdémeó” which means “to emigrate, to depart, to live abroad”. The biblical teaching is that the believer emigrates / departs the body so that he is present with the Lord (see https://biblehub.com/greek/1553.htm for a comprehensive understanding of the Greek Word "ekdémeó").

1 Corinthians 15:42-55 says the natural perishable body (outer man) will be raised as a spiritual imperishable body (outer man). The soul / spirit of the believer never dies nor does his soul / spirit sleep at death because his soul / spirit (inner man) was born again when he was saved (2 Corinthians 4:16). The inner man does not require a resurrection - only the body requires one. 

Lastly, at the resurrection, believers who died in Christ will return with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14) to be united with their new imperishable bodies.

June 13 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Aurel Gheorghe

The Bible teaches that humans sleep in death until they are resurrected at the end of time (Job 14:12). The resurrection of Lazarus is an example of this Biblical truth. 

In John 11 we read how Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the dead – Jesus didn’t call Lazarus from heaven or from hell – He woke him up from the sleep of death. If Lazarus was in heaven with God and Jesus called him down to Earth, that would have been a very disappointing and cruel act. 

Although John 11 records Martha’s conversation with Jesus prior to Lazarus’ resurrection, there is no record of any verbal interaction with Lazarus about his afterlife experience. The fact is that there was nothing to report about what happened after he died because he had experienced the sleep of death which is a state of absolute silence and oblivion (Ps 6:5; 115:17; 146:4; Eccl 9:5, 6).

Both the OT and NT are clear on resurrection - the dead will be resurrected on the last day: 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Psalm 17:15, and Daniel 12:13 all talks about two separate resurrections - for the righteous and for the wicked (John 5:28, 29; 1 Thess 4:16; Rev 20:5, 6). 

If upon death, the saved immediately ascend to heaven to be with God, (as many believe) then the resurrections of the saints is pointless; they are already with God enjoying eternity, no need for a resurrection.

June 12 2020 • 6 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Great question, 
Lehlohonolo! 

1 Cor. 15:55 Where, O death, is your victory Paul quotes Hos 13:14 to taunt death on account of Christ’s victory.

HEB 11:16 "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."

I like how the old hymn puts it, based on
[1Co 15:55] "No Dying There"

A land by faith I see,
Where saints shall ever be
Free from mortality,
No dying there.

Refrain

No dying there,
No dying there,
In that fair, heav’nly land,
No dying there.

Hebrews 11:16 compare
(Philippians 3:20 (ESV)
20 "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,")

Hebrews 11:10
10 "for he [Abraham] looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God." We go to the city called "the new Jerusalem" (Rev. 21).

As the Apostle Paul put it, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). 

We’re going home, no more to roam,
No more to sin and sorrow;
No more to wear the brow of care,
We’re going home tomorrow.

As Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (Jn 14:2).

For those who sleep, and those who weep,
Above the portals narrow,
The mansions rise beyond the skies—
We’re going home tomorrow.

June 12 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report