What happens once we die?
What happens if we are saved in Jesus Christ? What happens if we are not saved?
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Asked September 02 2013
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Frank Garcia
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Singapore Moses
After death is the judgment, not a second chance to live on earth and be saved. ✿ Death ends all probation for the one who dies. ✿ If he is righteous at death, his soul and spirit go to heaven awaiting the resurrection of the body (2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24 Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11). ✿ If he is wicked at death his soul and spirit go to hell to await the resurrection of his body (Lk. 16:19-31 Isa. 14:9; Rev. 20:11-15). ✿There is no such thing as purgatory or a second chance to be on probation in the Millennium or any other time. Neither is there a reincarnation or a transmigration from body to body.
Delvaughn Mccall
When we die we are asleep (see John 11:1-14), death is but a state of unconsciousness. You have no feeling thought care or life in you (see Ecclesiastes 9:5,6) The "spirit" which returns to the creator is the breath of life (see Genesis 2:7, Job 27:3, Job 33:4) as we see the spirit in which they speak is the breath of life. Which is why in Acts 7:54-60 when Steven is stoned and he says I return my spirit to heaven, he is speaking of his breath. The body returns to the dust from which it was taken and created, which is why Yahusha (whom you call Jesus) is returning, to gather all which who are his followers, both alive and from the grave (see 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). So in conclusion, death is a sleep and no person on this planet (except for Yahusha, Elijah, Enoch, Abraham) have even seen heaven let alone reside there currently.
Ezra King
I Thessalonians 4:13-17 NKJV But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Eileen Larson
Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise." Not asleep.
Al Mari
Life is conferred when "the breath of life" gets into the body. See Gen. 2:7 and Gen. 7:21-22. Functionally, we observe this among newborns; unless there is spontaneous or artificial breathing, they are dead. When this "breath of life", which is the "spirit" of life", leaves us and go to the Creator or origin of life, we are declared "dead" and our physical body becomes "dust". See Eccl 12:7 Paul considers us "asleep" to reckon the fact that this state of "physical death" is temporary. We shall be resurrected either as "flesh" or as "spirit-beings" with "immortal, spirit-composed bodies" that can metamorphose into "visible "flesh composed bodies" to be seen, at our discretion. See the narrative of Christ's resurrected body, and the angel-spirits visible to Abraham and Lot as in Gen 18 and 19.
JD Abshire
As Ezra very appropriately referenced 1 Thessalonians 4, the departed spirit of saints goes into the presence and care of God in heaven upon physical death. It is easy to understand if we consider the present location of the Lord Jesus and how this relates to those who have died in Christ. The Bible teaches The Lord is seated at the Father's right hand. "For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Mark 12:36) "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1:13) Now let's look at this passage. " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." (1 Thessalonians 4:14) If the Lord Jesus Christ is seated at the Father's right hand in heaven and he brings those that have fallen asleep "with him", those who have fallen asleep (died) must have been "with him" in heaven.
D W
Supporter
Those who KNOW Jesus go instantly to the Judgment Seat of Christ for rewards for witnessing to others about our Savior, then to eternal life in Heaven. Those who are not saved, who do not know Jesus as Savior, go to the Great White Throne Judgment, where they will hear Jesus say, "Depart from me --- I never knew you." That departure will be horrible beyond words to describe it. Their "eternal life" will be eternal despair, eternal torment, with no hope of it ever changing.
Frederick Thomas
After death where are we? I think the answer lies in the New Testament. 2Tim 1:10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. In the Old Testament not much clarity is given on this subject. Solomon spoke about the unseen world from an “under the sun” earthly position but Jesus came from that unseen world “from above” and spoke about it. If Solomon had it right then what Jesus taught was no revelation. Jesus brought life and immortality TO LIGHT through the gospel. This is the Gospel message on this subject. Luk 16:19 "Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. Luk 16:20 "And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Luk 16:21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Luk 16:22 "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. Luk 16:23 "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. One of the teachings of Jesus was about the unseen world. He spoke of a current unseen world “paradise” and a current time “today” Luk_23:43. 2Co_5:6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord-- 2Co_5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Php 1:23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better: The Old Testament must be interpreted to what the New Testament revealed about the Old Testament and the New Testament does it without contradiction. Therefore we say that Solomon Ecc 1:14 and others Job 14:7-12 had limited understanding about the unseen world and Jesus brought revelation about it. 2 Tim 1:10 The disciples believed what Jesus said about the afterlife “Today you shall be with Me in paradise” Luk_23:43 and that they taught. I think the paradox can find settlement if we interpret scripture according to the teachings of Jesus and bring all other writers' writings in line with His revelation. As revealed in the New Testament the body is not the soul. Let’s look at what the New Testament say about the body: 1Th 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (That is should the Lord come while you still alive). Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of SOUL and SPIRIT, of both joints and marrow (BODY), and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. They taught this because that’s what Jesus taught them Mat 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." We are complete in being BODY, SOUL and SPIRIT. At death the soul and the spirit leaves and that makes us incomplete and that creates a desire and longing for the redemption of the body. Rom 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (The sprit and soul is already redeemed verse 15). Rom 8:15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but YOU HAVE RECEIVED a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" You have received a spirit of adoption as sons, that adoption must be the SOUL and the SPIRIT. The body’s adoption is to follow. At the Rapture (1Thes 4; 13-18) (BBE..our adoption will be complete when we receive our glorified body
Anupama Rajesh
Body will return to dust (Gen : 3 : 19) and Spirit returns to the creator (Ecc 12 : 7). But those who accepted JESUS as Savior, will be resurrected at the time of rapture (1 Thess : 4 : 16)
Vivian McLemore
Greetings everyone in the name of Jesus. On July 25 I responded with an affirm on Delvaughn Mccall explanation "What happens once we die". It just occurred to me that when the thief on the cross said, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, TODAY you shall be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:42-43. Paradise or Heaven I believe are the same. Paradise and hell or hades as temporary holding places until the New Jerusalem is established and the dead are joined back with their physical bodies. For those who have died in the faith, we know that they are present with the Lord right now because if a person is absent or deceased from their body, they are in the presence of the Lord (2 Cor 5:8). Of this fact, Paul was confident and since God’s Word is without error, we know that anyone that has repented and trusted in Christ will be with the Lord after they breathe their last breath on this earth. There is no need to worry about what happens after death if you are born again because whoever believes in Jesus Christ will be saved (Acts 4:12) because He so loved the world that He died for those who would trust in Him (John 3:16-17). Is that you? I pray it is. Resource :What is the difference between heaven and paradise.
James Kraft
2nd Corinthians 5:8 says that all believers when they died will be absent from the body, present with the Lord. Jesus told the thief on the cross that He would be in paradise with Him that day. That is what the bible says. All those that have trusted Christ alone by faith, have eternal life and will be present with the Lord at death of our sinful body. Our soul/spirit is saved because Jesus joined His spirit with our spirit when we accepted Him as our savior, and sealed us unto the day of redemption. We were born again in to the family of God by faith alone. We are saved sinners by what Jesus did for us on the cross plus nothing from us.
Anonymous
When we die we are dead. There is no part of us that remains with an existence. In death there is no remembrance of God. A lot of us want to believe that a human being is made up of body and soul. The fact is a human being is a soul. The soul comprises of the breadth of God and the body (which God made from clay). That is why the body rots when it is seperated from the breadth of God. The 2 do not seperate existences. The idea that the spirit lives on after death was designed by satan to deny the death of Jesus on the cross. If we say that the spirit lives on after death what are we saying about Jesus dying on the cross? He realdid not die. So whats the farce all about? Furthermore many christians believe the born again go to heaven soon after death. That is also not quite biblical although in a sense its true. When someone dies time stops the next minute you regain consciousness you are on your way to heaven after resurrection. The way I read Paul's letter to the Corithians we die and wait for the trumpet call to be resurrected and go to heaven. In short dying is like switching off thr lamp. Who knows where the flame is gone? (Poetically). Believing that we dont really die opens us to the world of spititicism. Dont mess around with those things. Stay away and know the truth and it will set you free.
Chris Eleam
What, then, is the condition of dead souls? Simply stated, death is the opposite of life. All our senses are linked to our physical bodies. Our ability to see, hear, and think depends on the proper functioning of our eyes, ears, and brain. Without eyes we cannot see. Without ears we cannot hear. Without a brain we cannot do anything. When a person dies, all these physical organs cease to function. We cease to exist. In harmony with this, Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 says: “As for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all. . . There is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol [the grave], the place to which you are going.” Similarly, Psalm 146:3, 4 states: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit [life force] goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” So when people (souls) die, they simply cease to exist.
Tim Maas
I would invite anyone who is interested in this question to read the free e-book Journey Out of Time by Arthur C. Custance, which is fully available online at the following web address: http://www.custance.org/Library/Journey/. It is Bible-based, and has settled this question for me, as well as given me assurance, peace, comfort, and joyous anticipation concerning the end of my earthly life. Here is a paraphrasing of the abstract of the book from the above website: For the Christian, the journey through death ends in the 'hope of glory' -- of being received into the Lord's presence forever. But exactly when does this happen? The Lord promised the penitent thief it would be that 'very day' — immediately; but He told the disciples it would be at His Second Coming — after a delay. How can these two promises be reconciled? This study shows that both promises are true! It depends upon an understanding of the nature of time and how it differs from eternity, and also upon the nature of man and his constitution. With these concepts clearly in mind, the nature of the interval is discussed, and then a resolution is proposed that is truly exciting.
Aurel Gheorghe
I would like to address the question posted recently by Betty Williams: “Do we go straight to Heaven when we die?” The short, Biblical answer, is NO, we don’t go to heaven or hell upon death. We go into an unconscious dreamless sleep. Now allow me to elaborate. A phrase we frequently hear at Christian funerals is how the dearly departed is now in heaven praising the Lord. Although very comforting and reassuring for friends and family, this doctrine is not Biblical - the Bible actually teaches exactly the opposite (Ps 6:5; 115:17). One of the most deceptive doctrines preached today is the immortality of the soul. This teaching suggests that humans don't actually die, but instead our souls are merely transferred to a new dimension of living, whether in hell or an immediate afterlife. This cannot be true because the Bible clearly say that only God is immortal (1 Tim 6:16). Reasoning should tells us that if God is the only immortal, everyone else is mortal. The Bible teaches that when we die, our souls enter the sleep of death, and will not be resurrected until Christ returns (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16). Soul immortality is a dangerous doctrine – if we believe in soul immortality, it becomes easy to accept other false ideas such as spiritism, reincarnation, and necromancy. Soul immortality also offers a false hope because it allows for multiple chances to qualify for salvation - whether through purgatory, praying to dead saints, purchasing indulgences for those who have already died, or communicating with the departed via mediums. Bible teaches that we sleep in death until we are resurrected at the end of time. Lazarus’ resurrection Lazarus is the perfect illustration of this Biblical truth (John 11). Jesus referred to Lazarus death as a sleep (John 11:11-14). Reading the entire account, we clearly see that neither Martha (Lazarus sister) nor Jesus ever mentioned Lazarus being any other place than sleeping in the grave, awaiting the resurrection. Martha knew that her brother will rise again in the resurrection at the last day (John 11:23-24). She knew the truth about death. Also, we learn that Jesus wept (John 11:35). If Christ knew that Lazarus was in heaven with God, why would be saddened? Lazarus had indeed been somewhere in the afterlife during those four days, wouldn't he have said something? Personally, I would have been upset that my fellowship with God was interrupted and was carried back to this diseased planet full of pain and sufferings. Both the Old and New Testaments are clear on the issue of resurrection. Life will be restored in the resurrection on the last day (1 Cor 15:51-55, Job 14:10-15; 19:25-26; Ps 17:15; Daniel 12:13). Bible teaches that both human and beast "have all one breath" (Eccl 3:19). Both humans and animals were created from dust. When they die they return again to dust and rest – were we have no wisdom or knowledge of anything (Eccl 9:5; 9:10).
ROSEMARY LUTCAVAGE
Before the cross ALL dead went to Sheol or Hades in the Greek. Hades means “the place of the dead or place of departed souls or spirits. There were 2 sides: the place of blessing and the place of judgement and these 2 were separated by a great chasm. Remember Luke 16 and also the fact that Jesus told the thief on the cross that “TODAY you will be with me in paradise”, so obviously the thief’s soul/spirit did not sleep after his death. While Jesus’ body was in the tomb He went to paradise and preached, though the Bible does not say what he preached, I personally believe He spoke to those saved souls about their new freedom in Christ, and we know that He took those souls to heaven to be with the Father, Ephesians 4:8-10. The judgement side of Hades has remained unchanged where they will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment following the Millineum. Paul states in Corinthians that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. When Christ returns for His Bride at the Rapture (1st Corinthians 15:51-54 and 1st Thess 4:13-18) those bodies that are asleep will at that time reunite with their souls first, THEN we that are alive and remain shall be “caught up” (harpozo) and meet the Lord in the air and forever be with the Lord. This is also when we receive our incorruptible and immortal bodies. Our souls are already immortal it is our earthly bodies that are not. The bodies under the altar are the ones who have died in the Tribulation having been slaughtered for their faith in Christ. The Bride of Christ-The Church Age Saints are already with Jesus as He took us to be with Him, as He promised He would in the Rapture. Revelation is the only Book in the Bible that is written in chronological order. The Church is last seen in Rev 4:1, where John, being a typology of the Church has been removed from the earth- there is absolutely no mention of the Church after Revelation Chapter 3, why? Because she isn’t here she is in heaven. We are not appointed to Gods wrath because Jesus exhausted Gods wrath on the cross for ALL who would believe. 1st Corinthians 15 is an awesome Summary of the Gospel and answers many of these questions that are being asked. John is recording what is happening on earth while he is in the spirit in Heaven and everything from chapter 5 on is future events. The next time we read about the Church she is riding on white horses in white linen following Jesus back at His 2nd Coming to the earth to do away with the beast and the false prophet throwing them into the lake of fire forever. Satan will also be bound for a period of 1000 years and we will live in peace during the Millineal reign. The Millineum is here on this earth with Christ ruling from the Throne of David in the Temple from Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem and new earth will not happen until after satan has been loosed for a short time to tempt those who came out of the Great Tribulation, then satan is throne into the Lake of fire where he is tormented day and night forever and ever. After this is the Great White Throne Judgement where ALL the unbelievers are judged (including those that are now in Hades, awaiting judgement) and whoever was not found in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20 and 21. Finally in Rev 21 is the New Heaven and the New Earth and the New Jerusalem. In summary, Jesus went to Hades (not hell) where He shared the gospel with those in Abrahams Bosom because they could not go to be with the Father prior to the Atonement. Then He led their souls to Heaven and they will be reunited with their incorruptible and immortal bodies at the Rapture, in the air-1st Thess 4:13-18 and so then we shall be with the Lord forever. God bless and keep us all. Time is so very short, let us occupy until He comes and win as many souls as we can for the Kingdom of God. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION- please, dont put if off.
John Appelt
It is assumed that when a person dies, the immortal soul departs to its eternal destination. But technically, the Bible is silent about the soul, its origin, or of what it consists. The word often translated “soul,” (Hebrew “nephesh,” Greek “psuche”) is, in every place, better rendered, “person,” “being,” “life,” or “self.” There is no indication that a soul exists. If there is no soul, then there is no immediate entry of anyone’s soul into heaven or hell. The “today” of Luke 23:43, is when Jesus said it, as “today I say,” not when the thief was to enter paradise (compare Deuteronomy 30:18, Acts 20:26). The phrase “absent from the body, present with the Lord,” II Corinthians 5:6-8, Philippians 1:23, refers not to an immediate transition, but the expectation in being with Christ eventually. Paul was expressing a choice to be with the Lord, than stay in his body. The account of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-23, is not about going to a destination, but the contrast of their individual status in life to their status in death. A person has only a body and spirit, or breath of life, Genesis 2:7, Job 33:4. As long as a person (or an animal, Genesis 6:17, 7:15, 22) has the spirit, he is alive, Isaiah 2:22, Revelation 11:11. At death, the spirit departs and returns to God, while the body returns to dust, Ecclesiastes 12:7. At death the body rests or sleeps. A person rests with their ancestors and then is buried, I Kings 2:10, 11:43, etc. Sleep is the recognized figurative word for death, John 11:11-14, Acts 7:60, I Corinthians 15:6, 51, I Thessalonians 4:13. The body will rest until awakened for the next event, resurrection and judgment, Daniel 12:2, Hebrews 9:27, John 5:28-29. The time of rest will seem short – as morning comes so soon to one who soundly sleeps through the night. Each person will be in one of two resurrections, Acts 24:15. The saved will be in the first resurrection at the rapture and at the end of tribulation, I Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 20:4-6. The lost are raised at the second resurrection at the end of the Millennium, to appear at the Great White Throne judgment, II Thessalonians 1:7-8, Revelation 20:11-15. Before Jesus rose from the dead, no one was resurrected, I Corinthians 15:20. Those in Matthew 27:52-53 came out after His resurrection. When Elijah and Enoch were taken up, they did not go alive into heaven, John 3:13, as the physical cannot inherit the kingdom of God, I Corinthians 15:50. It is not definitely said they went to heaven, but were taken away, either in death as perhaps with Enoch or relocation as with Elijah. When we die, the spirit or breath of life goes to God. The body goes to the grave to sleep until the particular resurrection and judgment we choose beforehand, comes. Our acceptance or rejection of Christ is the deciding factor of which resurrection we will be in.
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