I had asked this question on another place but it was the wrong one, so here I am again with the same question. I am confused about where we go when we die. I know there is a heaven and hell, I know that for sure. It's just do we automatically go there right after death, or do we just go to sleep until jesus comes again and then we will be judged and be sent where we are destined to be then on. Does it say that in the bible anywhere. That the dead will walk among the living and there is going to be a new heaven.
If we don't go straight there then why do preachers talk about it and at funerals they talk about how the dead are in heaven watching over us now. I hope that someone can help me to understand this better.
Tella
Respectful and honorable question of a lamb of GOD, for CHRIST in discipleship. i have also witnessed the same in funerals, where it is easy and smart and do and say what every Christian church practice. These are majoritively believed and practiced by OSAS believers, as also Catholics.
Most probably they may refer to the parable of CHRIST in the Gospel, about 'Lazarus and the rich man'.
But this contradicts with what Apostle Paul shares in the epistle to the Thessalonians that, 'the dead in Christ shall rise up first'.
LORD JESUS CHRIST used parables to teach, 'what the Kingdom of GOD is like' and GOD's righteous judgement, on two kind of individuals, while one lived poor and the other wealthy, while one suffered and the other enjoyed and ignored one's sufferings. HE taught in this method by the will of HIS FATHER, to the unlearned ordinary people, especially HIS disciples.
This and many other teachings of the MESSIAH for HIS true believers are to, upon receiving salvation, continue/keep/abide these and practice a manner of true repent-full way to GOD's place of rest in Heaven. This also comes in support to what Apostle Paul said to the churches and is written for our witnessing that'
"Workout your own salvation in fear and trembling."
Apostle Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians is a prophecy about the unexpected coming of the LORD and the meeting together in the clouds, of the persecuted saints for the Gospel sake, in order for all born again believers to know what to expect in faith in the future that will take place as promised signs.
We must only stand to what is written which is, 'for now what we see, is through a cloudy mirror, but later we will know all things'.
For me i would stand to what Apostle Paul says. There may be a waiting place where these saints are asleep, here on earth. And they shall rise up and taken up, upon the first return of their LORD, to meet at the clouds.
Meantime also for me, as been called, to 'seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness', i must consider first my daily 'aiding' life in the 'words' and 'love' of LORD JESUS CHRIST, written in the New Covenant and taught by the HOLY SPIRIT to 'abide', in order to bear fruits and also my fruit must 'abide' in them too.
In simple term of understanding, 'asleep' means someone is sleeping for the meantime, until the gospel is preached to all the nations and later they will be awaken in order to return home first.
The 'living', are those who 'abide' in the 'words' and 'love' of Spiritual sound doctrine knowledge of 'spirit' and 'life', written in the New Covenant, that was taught to them by the HOLY SPIRIT and they persevere tribulation and persecution and bear fruits.
The other word 'dead' is, about those born again Christians 'who remain and live in the thinking and according to the works of the flesh/carnality, who face death once again, accoring to the written Romans chapter 8. This also reflects to the 'workers of iniquity/ lawlessness' whom the LORD rejects.
And the other who are 'dead' are, those who have not welcomed the four Gospels (also including Christians, even Catholics)
Thank you and be blessed in the name of LORD JESUS CHRIST.
