Question about after death

[Hethr]

I'm trying to work out what I believe regarding where we go after death and what state we are in. I believe the believers go right to Heaven after we die.. 2Cor 5:8 doesn't exactly say this and is often misquoted, but I think it is a good example. "we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord" I mean, if our souls do not go to Heaven I don't know where else they would go you know?

The second part to this is what state we are in, I know we will not have bodies until the coming of our Lord, but will we be conscience of our surroundings and will we know what is going on down on Earth? The only verse I can come up w/ is Rev 21:4 "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." I know this is my dense earthly brain here but I can't imagine knowing what's happening on earth without sadness.
Opinions, verses are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[shininglight]

The Bible isn't very explicit about the intermediate state. The Bible puts its emphasis on the resurrection, but there are strong hints that suggest that we are conscious and aware after death.

Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Php 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
Php 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

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Blue Letter Bible - Help, Tutorials, and FAQs

 

[Hethr]

Thanks Shininlight.. anyone else?

 

[JaumeJ]

Thanks Shininlight.. anyone else?

The Word says when our Lord returns on the clouds those who are asleep (dead) will rise up first then we who are alive will be taken up to meet Him in the clouds.

There are many references to the passing of individuals as going to sleep with their fathers.

I do not understand from any Scripture that all go directly to the Lord when they die, rather they sleep until His return, then to be with Him forever.

As you know when we go to bed at night, as soon as we close our eyes it seems we are awake again after a night's sleep. I hope I am not the only one who feels this way.

 

[Deadtosin]

there are many trains of thought regarding this. However I am comforted that from the moment I lose consciousness (If I do) to the time I am awakened in Christ (if I am) that there will appear to me not a second in passing. There is this though.

Luke 23
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

[Graybeard]

It appears we will still have our five senses, according to this verse:


Luk 16:24 "Then 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.'

 

[Deadtosin]

It appears we will still have our five senses, according to this verse:


Luk 16:24 "Then 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.'

there are those who will say this a parable. I am not one of those

God bless brother

 

[shininglight]

there are those who will say this a parable. I am not one of those

God bless brother

I think maybe its a parable with reflections of truth. I mean weren't all of Jesus's other parables based off of something that could actually happen? I dont know if we are to take every last detail of that parable as being literal though.

 

[Deadtosin]

I think maybe its a parable with reflections of truth. I mean weren't all of Jesus's other parables based off of something that could actually happen? I dont know if we are to take every last detail of that parable as being literal though.

nor am I here to decide that I take great comfort in leaving Gods mysteries to God. I won't cleave to it as one thing or write it off as another. It is Gods, in all things He is lovely and He has my full trust as He has all of yours I am blessed to be brother to all of you, and whether some think one thing or others think another, as long as we love and are patient with each other we are living for God. And with that I am content

God bless

 

[Blu_Bug]

I'm trying to work out what I believe regarding where we go after death and what state we are in. I believe the believers go right to Heaven after we die.. 2Cor 5:8 doesn't exactly say this and is often misquoted, but I think it is a good example. "we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord" I mean, if our souls do not go to Heaven I don't know where else they would go you know?

The second part to this is what state we are in, I know we will not have bodies until the coming of our Lord, but will we be conscience of our surroundings and will we know what is going on down on Earth? The only verse I can come up w/ is Rev 21:4 "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." I know this is my dense earthly brain here but I can't imagine knowing what's happening on earth without sadness.
Opinions, verses are appreciated. Thanks.

You will go to the same place Lazarus went, or even Jesus. Hell is the grave where Jesus went ACTS 2:31
Man stand from Hell to be Judged REV 20:13-14.
The Dead are concious of NOTHING at all Eccl 9:5-11.

You dont get to avoid the Judgment, so you also will sleep. Time will pass like the blink of an eye, time is unknown while a sleep...... Think about last night, do you remember time passing while sleeping?

This is a tough one, not a single place in the bible is Heaven promised YOU, only Paradise as promised the Thief next to Jesus at death.

Gods orginial plan of a earthly Paradise will be fulfilled in the end and ruled by a King, His orginail plan didnt fail, its just not complete yet. This is always a good verse to help others think or reason out the scriptures, al you need to do is fill in the blank...."Thy Kingdom COME thy will be DONE on _______as it is in Heaven......Smile, its the same place the Thief was promised and everyone else.

 

[chesser]

Im fairly certian that after death the beliver goes to heaven and the unbeliver does(loses counsiousness) to be judged in judgment day. or, possibly, all just lose consciousness to be raised and judged on judgment day. however, it cant be that all go where they go when they die because then there would be no judgment day and Ecclesiastes 9:5 says the dead know nothing, meaning they must have lost consciousness.

 

[Blu_Bug]

Im fairly certian that after death the beliver goes to heaven and the unbeliver does(loses counsiousness) to be judged in judgment day. or, possibly, all just lose consciousness to be raised and judged on judgment day. however, it cant be that all go where they go when they die because then there would be no judgment day and Ecclesiastes 9:5 says the dead know nothing, meaning they must have lost consciousness.

JUST ONE VERSE that sez anyone goes to HEAVEN as soon as thy die? Dont guess now!!!!!

Nothing happens until all of the Prophecys are fulfilled, you dont get a free pass from Judgment, I think I seenit say once the MEEK shall inherit the earth.....WHO would be the MEEK?

Im fairly certain to USE YOUR words, your mistaken, but hey we all have to learn huh?

Isnt this fun reasoning the scriptures?

 

[JaumeJ]

JUST ONE VERSE that sez anyone goes to HEAVEN as soon as thy die? Dont guess now!!!!!

Nothing happens until all of the Prophecys are fulfilled, you dont get a free pass from Judgment, I think I seenit say once the MEEK shall inherit the earth.....WHO would be the MEEK?

Im fairly certain to USE YOUR words, your mistaken, but hey we all have to learn huh?

Isnt this fun reasoning the scriptures?

You will not find that verse. If it were there, all those folks who presently cannot say would quote it, but it is not there.......If you read the Word, asking guidance in prayer, you will find all you need to know. YHWH, God, is that personal, because you are just as special to Him as is anyone else.

 

[feedm3]

There are two views from many that I see as both biblical conclusions, yet to decide which one is where i am currently at.

Hades.
Hades means the unknown. It is a realm created to hold the dead temporary until the judgment.
it is made up of two "compartments"
1. Paradise, also called "Abraham's bosom"(Luke 16 where Lazuras went) and the place Jesus said to the thief next to him, "thou shalt be with me in paradise".
2. Tartars - the place of suffering, the rich man was there, and the angels who sinned according to Jude and Peter

Luke 16:23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom

II Pet 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell(GR. Tatarus), and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment

Both lie in Hades. Jesus was said tohave been in Hades, "thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades" - Acts 2.
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption



Interesting he said after his Resurrection, "do not touch me I have not ascended ot the Father", could be implying he was in Hades, as said in Acts and Psalms.

After the Judgement, those in paradise will receive their eternal reward in heave, those in tartars, will be thrown into the lake of Fire along with the Devil and his angles - Rev "Death and Hades will be cast into the lake of fire."
REV 20:14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire

Some say what is the point of a judgment if everyone one goes in to immediate comfort or suffering upon death. The answer to his commonly given, is the Lord already knows those who are his, yet the judgement is the sentencing, or the trial to give one the reason of his punishment. Like putting one in Jail before trail then being sent to prison. Also "Sheol" would be the Hebrew equivalent to the the Greek word "Hades". THE KJV renders the word Hades as "hell" as it does with "Gehenna", making hiding the distinction between the two leading to confusion. If hell is the lake of fire, it would be impossible to cast hell into hell, yet the verse says "death and Hades" not hell.

The other view:
Hades was temporary for the all those who lived before the the blood of Christ was shed. Now those who die in the Lord, go to the Lord.
The typology in found with the tabernacle of the OT gives evidence to this. It had two rooms, the holy place and the most holy place. A veil that separated the rooms, only the priests could go into the first room, and only the HIGH Priest into the second behind the viel. This has a point I promise - lol.

The first represented the body of Christ - Heb tells us this is many places. The second was symbolizing heaven, in which only the High priest could enter. Christ is our High Priest, and though his death he removed the viel, and made it possible for all in Him, to enter in.

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing

The way into heaven not yet made aviable before Christ died. Now:
Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us

Also interesting is what happened at his death to further symboize this event:
Matt 27:51 And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent

When Christ was here on earth he said "no man hath entered into heaven" Yet after his death, would this be true?
HEb 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec

Paul also seemed to expect to immediaty be the Lord upon his death:
Phil 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better

I Cor 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad

Also Steven saw the Lord immediatly before his death, implying he was going with him:
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God
And there are passages which portay Christ retruning with his saints:
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him

SO these are the two I am looking into most, I know there are more.

 

[feedm3]

Both views can also be held by one individual, who believes Hades was the temporary place for the dead, and has been done away after the death of the Lord. I forgot to mention that.

 

[feedm3]

Im fairly certian that after death the beliver goes to heaven and the unbeliver does(loses counsiousness) to be judged in judgment day. or, possibly, all just lose consciousness to be raised and judged on judgment day. however, it cant be that all go where they go when they die because then there would be no judgment day and Ecclesiastes 9:5 says the dead know nothing, meaning they must have lost consciousness.

Chesser, Obviously me and you disagree on this issue. But I will just say this concerning ECC, hopefully we can be civil about it (that includes me as well).

The context of this portion of scripture is referring to the abilities of the dead in the realm of the living, i.e. those still on earth. Otherwise, none dead will ever have a reward, accoding to what is says below:

This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4 For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Who has the memory of the dead? The living. This is showing their existence among the living is no more. Eventually they will be forgotten, their deeds, their words, all things, forgotten, they know nothing among the living. This is the context. This is not to teach us about the condition or state of the dead, this message is about the dead fading away in all area's of the living.

IF this was to teach us of their condition, then the dead have no reward, this would exclude heaven from anyone. We cannot say this was ONLY concerning the wicked, because verse 4, this "event that happens to ALL" again ALL would include ALL who die.

6 As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun

"done under the sun" indicates our lives here on earth, and the dead will not have anything to do with it. Again not speaking of their state among the other dead, but pertain ONLY to the living and how they fade away from everything done under the sun. This is not where we go to learn about the state of the dead, it context is clear this is about the impact of the dead left among the living.

 

[RedTent]

Let me tell you about my very physical experience with being there with my father’s death.

My Dad loved order, and the night he died there was no order. It was a stormy night, people had lined the halls to say goodbye, Mom was extremely tired. They let people in one by one. I sat quietly in a chair. I heard the death gurgle from Dad, Mom ran for a nurse. I saw angels come for him. They were only shadows, but definitely had life. They didn’t want me to see them, but I did, and I could communicate with them. I asked, please let him stay until morning when there is order, I promised to be with him every minute until they came for him again. They left to ask permission to let him stay until morning. He stayed alive that night. I held his hand most of the night, repeating the Lord’s prayer and the 23rd psalm when he asked. He was so very alive, with love shining from his eyes.

Our minister came and got Mom to get some rest about the time I saw the angels.

In the morning the sun came out and he left. Everything was done with order.

I went to see his body just after he left, to be sure the angels had taken him and cared for him. His body had been so alive just before, but now it was just empty.

We are told God loves us and cares for us, I believe even in death. I feel sure I saw this.

 

[feedm3]

Let me tell you about my very physical experience with being there with my father’s death.

My Dad loved order, and the night he died there was no order. It was a stormy night, people had lined the halls to say goodbye, Mom was extremely tired. They let people in one by one. I sat quietly in a chair. I heard the death gurgle from Dad, Mom ran for a nurse. I saw angels come for him. They were only shadows, but definitely had life. They didn’t want me to see them, but I did, and I could communicate with them. I asked, please let him stay until morning when there is order, I promised to be with him every minute until they came for him again. They left to ask permission to let him stay until morning. He stayed alive that night. I held his hand most of the night, repeating the Lord’s prayer and the 23rd psalm when he asked. He was so very alive, with love shining from his eyes.

Our minister came and got Mom to get some rest about the time I saw the angels.

In the morning the sun came out and he left. Everything was done with order.

I went to see his body just after he left, to be sure the angels had taken him and cared for him. His body had been so alive just before, but now it was just empty.

We are told God loves us and cares for us, I believe even in death. I feel sure I saw this.

It sounds like you are a really good daughter, willing to stay by your father's side and read to him the only thing that mattered, the word of God.

I hope I get a chance to the same for my Dad when his time comes.
Good night to all im outta here.

 

[1Christianwarrior316]

Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

ALBERT BARNES' NOTES ON THE BIBLE

The souls of them that were slain - That had been put to death by persecution. This is one of the incidental proofs in the Bible that the soul does not cease to exist at death, and also that it does not cease to be conscious, or does not sleep until the resurrection. These souls of the martyrs are represented as still in existence; as remembering what had occurred on the earth; as interested in what was now taking place; as engaged in prayer; and as manifesting earnest desires for the divine interposition to avenge the wrongs which they had suffered.

In Christ, 1Christianwarrior316

 

[GreenNnice]

Chesser, Obviously me and you disagree on this issue. But I will just say this concerning ECC, hopefully we can be civil about it (that includes me as well).

The context of this portion of scripture is referring to the abilities of the dead in the realm of the living, i.e. those still on earth. Otherwise, none dead will ever have a reward, accoding to what is says below:

This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4 For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Who has the memory of the dead? The living. This is showing their existence among the living is no more. Eventually they will be forgotten, their deeds, their words, all things, forgotten, they know nothing among the living. This is the context. This is not to teach us about the condition or state of the dead, this message is about the dead fading away in all area's of the living.

IF this was to teach us of their condition, then the dead have no reward, this would exclude heaven from anyone. We cannot say this was ONLY concerning the wicked, because verse 4, this "event that happens to ALL" again ALL would include ALL who die.

6 As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun

"done under the sun" indicates our lives here on earth, and the dead will not have anything to do with it. Again not speaking of their state among the other dead, but pertain ONLY to the living and how they fade away from everything done under the sun. This is not where we go to learn about the state of the dead, it context is clear this is about the impact of the dead left among the living.

Excellent positing, feed, and, yes, just because the dead know nothing this,does by no means,explain in any way the state,of their eternity, it just speaks to the dead being, as feed deftly said, being remembered no more in God's coming world for the saved.

Heathr, too, people try to make anargument that our dust goes into The earth when we die and our 'spirit returns to God.'


O k,, this said, many then translate spirit = breath . So , merely, our 'breath' returns to God.

Now, I don't believe this, our spirit is more than just 'breath,, much MORE,, ETERNALLY more our breath is,wih power for one thing. Afterall, scriptures are God-breathed,, or, 'inspired' through the pens,of Paul, Moses, etc. , talking of all books in the Bible. 'Inspired,' = 'breathed,' so....

But, I want to present concrete evidences from God's inspired Word , that when we die, WE, who WE are of mind, goes to God, and, YES!, we will be judged too, just like The unsaved but our judging will be with salvation secured, as, I believe, our rewards, like 'our mansions' will be awarded by God each, according to that individual's works. Please, don't accuse me of not understanding Christ's finished work on cross saved us, because I fully understand that sacrifice that saved us all whom believe.

Anyway, two more verses, one is saying, we are to 'worship in spirit and in Truth.

Another, and notice this verse's small 's' for spirit, too.

18”For Christ also suffered once for since the just for the end just that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” Peter said this and.....

19 ” by whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison.”

Notice the contrast of 'spirit' and 'Spirit.'

'$pirit' of us, who we are, is more than meets the eye. There's a mysterious witness in Peter's above words , breathed to him by Christ

And, where were these 'spirits' preached to?

In prison.

So did Christ speak to 'breaths' in prison? Or, spirits who could listen to.Christ's preaching.

Huh, what green, wow! those spirits sure did do a lot for being just breath, and, if I were to say one more thing, those spirits Jesus preached to seem to have souls....

___
I'm ediring what I said but read but christianlion said..... Amen !