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There are some who argue Christians go directly to heaven when they die. They say Hades was broken up at the resurrection of Christ; Paradise was transported to heaven, and now only the wicked go to Hades to await the resurrection. - But the Bible does not teach this.
In reference to the rich man and Lazarus. The Lord said the wicked go to torments, the righteous to Abraham's bosom, and they are separated by a great, impassable gulf (Lk. 16:19-31). But, again, some say Hades was torn apart at the resurrection of Christ. The Bible says Hades will give up the dead at the judgment (Rev. 20:11-14). Moreover, Jesus said, When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just (Lk. 14:12-14). Repayment, reward, is given at the resurrection.
-When will the resurrection take place? -When a person dies or when the Lord returns?
Further evidence of this comes from Paul. He said, For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Tim. 4:6-8). The crown of righteousness, the crown of life, the incorruptible crown for which we strive, will be given "on that Day," at "His appearing," not before (1 Cor. 9:24-27). "I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;" (2 Timothy 4:1) If the judgment is to be at his appearing, then no one will be allowed into heaven until that day, right? Paul said, "Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels" (2 Thes. 1:6-7). "Rest" will be given to the faithful child of God "when the Lord Jesus is revealed." That is the second coming, "when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed" (2 Thes. 1:10).
Peter also teaches that eternal salvation is not enjoyed until the judgment. He said there is "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet. 1:4-5). "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:13).
Finally, hear Peter on Pentecost: "For David did not ascend into the heavens..." (Acts 2:34).
I want to examine two passages used to advocate the idea that Christians are now in heaven. First, Paul said, "For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better" (Phil. 1:23). It is argued that Paul said he would be with Christ when he died. Well, the Hebrew writer said, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).
Does this mean we face the judgment individually at the time we die??
This passage simply gives a summary about what will happen, death then judgment (they are sure to come). Likewise, Paul mentions he will be with Christ after death. Second, Paul said, "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus" (1 Thes. 4:14). It is pointed out that this means "those who sleep in Jesus" are in heaven with Jesus and will come back with Him on the last day.
-Why, then, will they come back if they are already in heaven?
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
.....When we shall have our glorified bodies.
Rather difficult to rise from the dead to meet Christ, if one is already in heaven.
-Do Christians go directly to heaven when they die?
-Or to Hades, to "Abraham's bosom" and await the resurrection of the dead??
(Lk. 16:19-31; Jn. 5:28-29).
(Purgatory does not exist-this i know)
In reference to the rich man and Lazarus. The Lord said the wicked go to torments, the righteous to Abraham's bosom, and they are separated by a great, impassable gulf (Lk. 16:19-31). But, again, some say Hades was torn apart at the resurrection of Christ. The Bible says Hades will give up the dead at the judgment (Rev. 20:11-14). Moreover, Jesus said, When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just (Lk. 14:12-14). Repayment, reward, is given at the resurrection.
-When will the resurrection take place? -When a person dies or when the Lord returns?
Further evidence of this comes from Paul. He said, For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Tim. 4:6-8). The crown of righteousness, the crown of life, the incorruptible crown for which we strive, will be given "on that Day," at "His appearing," not before (1 Cor. 9:24-27). "I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;" (2 Timothy 4:1) If the judgment is to be at his appearing, then no one will be allowed into heaven until that day, right? Paul said, "Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels" (2 Thes. 1:6-7). "Rest" will be given to the faithful child of God "when the Lord Jesus is revealed." That is the second coming, "when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed" (2 Thes. 1:10).
Peter also teaches that eternal salvation is not enjoyed until the judgment. He said there is "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet. 1:4-5). "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:13).
Finally, hear Peter on Pentecost: "For David did not ascend into the heavens..." (Acts 2:34).
I want to examine two passages used to advocate the idea that Christians are now in heaven. First, Paul said, "For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better" (Phil. 1:23). It is argued that Paul said he would be with Christ when he died. Well, the Hebrew writer said, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).
Does this mean we face the judgment individually at the time we die??
This passage simply gives a summary about what will happen, death then judgment (they are sure to come). Likewise, Paul mentions he will be with Christ after death. Second, Paul said, "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus" (1 Thes. 4:14). It is pointed out that this means "those who sleep in Jesus" are in heaven with Jesus and will come back with Him on the last day.
-Why, then, will they come back if they are already in heaven?
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
.....When we shall have our glorified bodies.
Rather difficult to rise from the dead to meet Christ, if one is already in heaven.
-Do Christians go directly to heaven when they die?
-Or to Hades, to "Abraham's bosom" and await the resurrection of the dead??
(Lk. 16:19-31; Jn. 5:28-29).
(Purgatory does not exist-this i know)
