What Does the Bible Say About Death, Eternal Life and Heaven?
Thursday July 5, 2007
One reader, while working with children was presented with the question, "What happens when you die?" He didn't quite know how to answer the child, so he submitted the question to me, with further inquiry: "If we are professed believers, do we ascend to heaven upon our physical death, or do we 'sleep' until our Savior’s return?"
Image Credit: © Bill FairchildMost Christians have spent some time wondering what happens to us after we die. Recently, we looked at the account of Lazarus, who was raised from the dead by Jesus. He spent four days in the afterlife, yet the Bible tells us nothing about what he saw. Of course, Lazarus' family and friends must have learned something about his journey to heaven and back. And many of us today are familiar with the testimonies of people who have had near-death experiences. But each of these accounts are unique, and can only give us a glimpse into heaven.
Image Credit: © Bill FairchildThe Bible, in fact, reveals very few concrete details about heaven, the afterlife and what happens when we die. God must have a good reason for keeping us wondering about the mysteries of heaven. Perhaps our finite minds could never comprehend the realities of eternity. For now, we can only imagine.
Yet the Bible does reveal several truths about the afterlife. This study will take a comprehensive look at what the Bible says about death, eternal life and heaven:
These citations are not totally convincing by themselves because they are subject to contextual interpretation.
Also, 1Thes 4: 16-17 says alot here: The “dead in Christ” are merely that – dead. I can see no scripture cited that tells us our bodies will need to “catch up” with our souls (presumably in heaven)when Christ returns.
Now, 2Cor 5:6-8 merely states a natural DESIRE on our part as believers that we ditch this earthly life ["at home in the body"] and go to meet Him. This passage shows our desired choice to be dead to the World but alive to Christ, that’s all; it’s perfectly clear. See what follows, in verse 10:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
How can we be in heaven with the Lord if we haven’t even been judged yet?
In 2Thes Paul talks about what comes first here: “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire [fire has two meanings here, destruction for the enemies of God and purifying for those who believe]… He will punish those who do not know God [unbelievers] ….”
No one gets to heaven, it appears to me, until the Judgment is over.
Your take?
D