Benjamin Franklin once said “nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes”. I’d respectfully like to add to his list of certainties the love of God and His promises that are sure! Now with a more full list of things that are certain in this life we unfortunately know all to well about taxes… but what happens when we die? Should we be afraid of death and what has happened or will happen to our loved ones who have passed away? Can we have peace and comfort in this area of uncertainty? And does it really matter what we know and believe in regards to this subject?
Today we will discover from the Bible yes it does matter if we know the truth. The Bible says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”1. A lack of knowledge in this subject will be the downfall for many of God’s people in the last days but knowing the truth about death will bring us comfort, give us peace and draw us closer to Jesus. Jesus said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”2
Let’s build our foundation on the rock today. Can we be free from fear even when facing death? Let’s discover what the Bible has to say.
But before we do let us ask for God’s guidance in prayer….
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you now, seeking your will and your truth. We ask that you guide our understanding, may we seek you with all our heart, may we find your mercy and love in this topic. And dear Lord we ask that you guide us into your truth, may we be faithful and enter your kingdom. Protect us from the snares of deception, that are even working their way even into some churches. We ask that you send your Holy Spirit to teach us now. We thank you for hearing our prayers and we ask all these things in the name of your Son Jesus, amen.
Question 1 – Ghosts and spirits are in television, movies and some have claimed to see them. Can we be haunted by the dead?
Let’s look up Ecclesiastes 9:5-6
For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no further reward,
and even the memory of them is forgotten.
Their love, their hate
and their jealousy have long since vanished;
never again will they have a part
in anything that happens under the sun.
Answer: No we cannot be haunted by those who have passed away, the Bible says never again will they have a part in anything done under the sun. This is good news, certainly no one would want to be haunted by anyone!
2 – Can we speak to the dead? Pray to the dead?
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Answer: The Bible says we have no wisdom or knowledge when we die. 5 verses earlier, in the previous verse that we looked up, Ecclesiastes 9:5 also told us that the dead know nothing. It is therefore impossible to speak to the dead, as they know nothing and there is no knowledge or wisdom when one dies. This is more good news. Why?
Logically if the dead could hear our prayers would they want to? Would we want to know about all the pain and suffering our relatives are going through? In God’s mercy He allows our thoughts to cease until a resurrection.
3 – What will heaven be like?
Revelation 21:4
He (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Answer: Jesus has promised that there will be no more sorrow or crying. And there will be no more pain in heaven! If as some believe the saved go to heaven and hear our prayers how could Revelation 21:4 be accomplished? Would it be heaven if you knew all your relatives sins, pain, struggles etc? It is yet another comforting thought to know that once we die we do not know about all the things that go on in earth.
4 – What happens when we die?
Job 14:10-12
But man dies and is laid low;
he breathes his last and is no more.
As water disappears from the sea
or a riverbed becomes parched and dry,
so man lies down and does not rise;
till the heavens are no more, men will not awake
or be roused from their sleep
Answer: The Bible says the dead know nothing, and here it says they will not awake until the heavens are no more. It also compares death to a sleep.
5 – When will the dead who are saved go to heaven?
Let’s look up 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory”
Answer: 1 Corinthians says in one single event at the last trumpet, all those who have died and have been faithful to Jesus will be raised incorruptible.
6 – When is the last trumpet and the resurrection of those who sleep? And what good news is there for those who die as faithful followers of Christ?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-4:18
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Notice it says “will bring with”, not has already brought. 1 Thessalonians was written after the resurrection of Jesus. So Jesus will bring with Him those who sleep, or have passed away in Jesus. This, based on the text has not yet happened to those who have already passed away. So when will this occur?
If we keep reading…
According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
Answer: Here we see that the Lord descends to earth with a loud shout, with that last trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ rise. As the dead in Christ rise those who are still alive and are left will be “caught up together” with those who are resurrected “to meet the Lord in the air”.
What a wonderful day that will be. To be reunited with those who have passed away and were faithful to Jesus! And to be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air! It is always painful to see a loved one who has died, but 1 Thessalonians says we have this hope, that one day when Jesus returns the dead in Christ will rise to receive everlasting life. There will be no more death, nor sorrow nor crying, there shall be no more pain. In fact there will be great joy! For many will be reunited who have been separated by death here on earth. And perhaps the greatest joy, as 1 Thessalonians 4 promises we will “be with the Lord forever”. There will no longer be any sin and separation between God and man, we will see Jesus our Savior face to face!
7 – Matthew 17 says Moses and Elijah are already in heaven. Does this contradict 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 which state that the dead in Christ are not resurrected until Jesus returns?
The Bible never contradicts itself. Sometimes situations like this can be confusing, but if we dig deeper into the Bible we will always find that the answers are there. The Bible mentions by name three faithful followers who are already in heaven. Enoch, Elijah and Moses. Enoch and Elijah never died, they were uniquely taken to heaven before death. (See 2 Kings 2:11 – Elijah, Genesis 5:24 – Enoch). Moses did die on a mountain. (See Deuteronomy 34:1-7) However he had a unique burial, it is written…
He (God) buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. ~ Deuteronomy 34:6
So no one knew where Moses’ grave was. The book of Jude gives us some extra insight it says…
But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” ~ Jude 1:9
The book of Jude tells us that something unique occurred with Moses after he died for there was a specific dispute between the archangel Michael and the devil about the body of Moses. We can make an assumption that Moses was uniquely resurrected based on this verse but we know that Moses was uniquely resurrected not only based on Jude but specifically because He appears at the mount of transfiguration with Jesus and Elijah (Matthew 17, Mark 9).
The New Testament is clear that Moses and Elijah were unique events. Elijah was taken to heaven by God in a fiery chariot and Moses was buried by God. Elijah and Moses represent the two saved classes of people when Jesus returns. One class represented by Elijah are those who are faithful to Jesus and are alive when Jesus returns. They are taken to heaven without dying. Moses is a representative of those who have passed away and died faithful to Jesus. They will be resurrected. Time and time again God has shown that He can raise the dead, and that we don’t need to be afraid of God not fulfilling His wonderful promises. Another wonderful promise of God is found in 1 Corinthians 15:16-23 let’s look it up….
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
Here again we see that God has promised that the saved who have passed away will be made alive at the last day, when Jesus returns.
8 – What about those who have claimed to die and seen heaven or hell? How can we reconcile died on the operating table experiences with the Bible?
A simple answer is found in the scripture referenced in questions #1, 2, 4, 5 & 6. The Bible says the dead know nothing. There is no wisdom in the grave. The Bible also says…
The dead do not praise the LORD,
Nor any who go down into silence ~ Psalm 115:17 (NKJV)
I’ve heard of a famous pastor who had a very realistic dream about heaven, everything seemed real except in the end of the dream Jesus returned in a bumper car. Because for that pastor, a bumper car was his ultimate symbol of fun! People have dreamed many things when the body begins to shut down but a dream is no substitute for the inspired word of God. We should be careful not to base our theology on a dream or near death experiences especially if it contradicts the Bible. There are a handful of people in the Bible who died and were brought back to life by God. Jesus speaks of one of these experiences in John 11:11-14….
After he (Jesus) had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead”
Jesus did not say Lazarus was in heaven or in hell but rather “our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep”. Also Jesus said “I am going there to wake him up”. Which means Lazarus could not have been awake in heaven, such a theory would make the words of Jesus incorrect.
Throughout the Bible various people are raised from the dead. Not one of them says one word about their experience in heaven or hell. Lazarus did not say “Lord why did you take me from heaven and bring me back to earth?”. There is good news found in John 11, as Jesus demonstrates that He can fulfill His promises, He raises Lazarus from the dead right there! Can you imagine a close relative dies and then Jesus returns after his death and brings him back to life! Such is not a mere possibility, it is a reality when Jesus comes again.
9 – If we die, is our soul immortal? What does the Bible say?
Immortality of the soul is found in a ton of movies let’s look up Ezekiel 18:4 to see what the Bible says…
For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
A few verses later it again says…
The soul who sins shall die. ~ Ezekiel 18:20 (NKJV)
Let’s also look up 1 Timothy 6:15-16
…God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
If a soul were immortal, there would be no need for a resurrection! There is no verse in the Bible that says that man or his soul is naturally immortal. The Bible says God alone is immortal. God grants everlasting life to the followers of Christ when He returns the second time at the last day.
10 – Many pastors preach to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Is this found in the Bible?
Let’s look up the verse, found in 2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Answer: Amazingly that verse doesn’t say when you die absent from the body present with the Lord, but rather that we would prefer to be away from the body and be in heaven. However for those who die as faithful followers of Jesus, their next thought will be seeing the return of Jesus! The writer of 2 Corinthians also wrote 1 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians, and from the previous verses we have covered the Bible is clear that the dead sleep until Jesus returns.
11 – Who was the first teacher of immortality of the soul and why is such a teaching dangerous?
Genesis 3:2-4
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”
“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.
Answer: Satan was the first to teach that the soul was immortal. He used such a teaching to deceive a follower of Christ, Eve, into sin and destruction… and it worked! Could it be that Satan is trying a similar tactic today?
12 – What about those who have see manifestations of dead relatives and who may have even talked with them?
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ~ 1 Timothy 4:1
For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. ~ Revelation 16:14 (NKJV)
Answer: Spiritual manifestations are on the rise and are often very real. The Bible says demons can perform miraculous signs and wonders. In fact it specifically mentions that in the last days demons will perform miracles and even some Christians will “abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits” and be lost. Don’t think that Satan will only attempt these deceptions much later in the future and only target non-Christians. I have some Christian friends who told me they had see many times their dead relatives. They looked, spoke and even smelled like their relatives when they were alive; a carbon-copy of what their relative looked like. And these spirits sometimes had messages for them. Do you think they believed the message that those spirits said? Of course! A spiritual manifestation is quite convincing. But the Bible says something quite different, as we covered in answer #1 and #2, the dead know nothing and never again will have a part in anything done under the sun. So who then were these messengers? The Bible says it could not have been their relatives who have passed away. Is there someone who knew what your relatives looked like? Maybe even had heard a secret that only you and that relative knew? Angels can take the forms of men (Genesis 19:1,5), and therefore fallen angels can do so as well to deceive.
Although many of these apparent visions are sleight of hand, the Bible says some of these manifestations are real. 1 Samuel 28 is just one instance where a demon attempts to impersonate the prophet Samuel who has already passed away. The pretended visitants from the world of spirits sometimes utter cautions and warnings which prove to be correct. Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines that directly undermine faith in the Scriptures. With an appearance of deep interest in the well-being of their friends on earth, they insinuate the most dangerous errors. The fact that they state some truths, and are able at times to foretell future events, gives to their statements an appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are accepted by the multitudes as readily, and believed as implicitly, as if they were the most sacred truths of the Bible. The law of God is set aside, the Spirit of grace despised, the blood of the covenant counted an unholy thing. The spirits deny the deity of Christ and place even the Creator on a level with themselves. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:14
God doesn’t lie and neither would his messengers. If we receive a vision from a “dead relative” we know it is not from God!
13 – What is our defense against lying signs, wonders and miracles?
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. ~ Isiah 8:19-20
The Bible is a light unto our path protecting us from deception. And a message from God will never contradict His word, the Bible. The good news is that the story of my Christian friends doesn’t end there. After we studied the Bible and read some of the verses that we have already covered, through prayer, faith in Christ and trusting in the truth of His word, such demonic deceptions no longer appear. You see, our greatest protection from demonic forces is in Jesus Christ and His promises. Because Jesus Christ is stronger than all the fallen angels combined. One of the greatest accounts in the Bible is found in Mark 5, which records the historical encounter between Jesus and a demon-possessed man. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. ~ Mark 5:3-5
But one day this man who was tormented by demons met Jesus.
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ~ Mark 5:9
A roman legion is between 4,200 to 5,200 soldiers, and so it stands to reason that Jesus was facing between 4,200 to 5,200 demons! But with Jesus on our side do we need to be afraid of demons? What happened between those thousands of demons and Jesus? It is written…
The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. ~ Mark 5:12-13
There is no question that Jesus is stronger than all the forces of evil combined for the demons begged Jesus that they might not be tortured3. If we are faithful to Jesus, He has promised to protect us “For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.4” God has promised to watch your back.
So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ~ Mark 5:14-15
The man possessed by a legion of demons was extremely messed up, he ran around naked, cut himself and lived in a tomb but the account in Mark shows that no matter how much the devil has messed you up, Jesus Christ can restore you. And no matter how much the devil has messed you up, Jesus Christ is willing to restore you. Satan is trying to bind us up in errors, through the teaching of the natural immortality of the soul, through lying wonders and by twisting scripture he is trying to hold us captive in deception. But Jesus said “If you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.“5
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39
You don’t need to be afraid of death or demons because you can have freedom from fear through Jesus Christ. Not even all the combined forces of evil can separate us from the love of God if we only put our trust fully in Jesus and His word! Why be afraid of death if we are faithful to Jesus? For if we die, our next thought will be the wonderful resurrection when Jesus returns and to see Jesus face to face! And why be afraid of the deceptions of Satan if we know and continue to seek for the truth in the Bible? For if we continue in the truth of God’s word and cling the Jesus “the way, the truth, and the life6” He has promised “I will never leave you nor forsake you7.”. What exceedingly great and precious promises we have from our loving Savior! I’m thankful for the truth about death and God’s precious promise of a soon resurrection! It’s my prayer that we always follow the word of God, that we follow Jesus even above what popular opinion may say. If that is your prayer as well then I invite you to close our study in prayer and may God bless you as you follow Him!
1Hosea 4:6 KJV (partial quotation of verse)
2Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV
3Mark 5:7
4Isaiah 52:12 NKJV
5John 8:31-32 NKJV
6John 14:6 NKJV
7Hebrews 13:5 NKJV
Additional verses not footnoted are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
Words in blue are from the Bible.
Thank you for putting this on the internet, it has clarified where I’m going after I have my last breath.
Wow! What a burden lifted today. My husband died last Friday and although I am a believer I still had so many questions and by the mercy and love of God you answered them all. In a few hours I will be attendt his funeral and I can truly say that I’m at peace because I know that he is resting after seeing him suffer with so much pain day in and day and he’s getting the best rest in the world and even though I’m still here we are both carry in our spirits that Wonderful day of Salvation. So again I say God bless you.
Very informative article. Especially about demons and spirits that imitate people who have died. I have a question about life after death. What about the rich man that was speaking to Lazarus and asking that he go and warn his brothers that hell is real? Would that not speak to going immediately to some type of hell or heaven after death?
Thank you in advance for your comments!
Hi Silver,
Good question. Regarding the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the purpose of that parable was not to explain how heaven and hell are, instead the purpose of the parable was “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)
In the parable, the rich man pleads that Lazarus may be raised from the dead to go warn his brothers of the danger of being lost. (Luke 16:27-28) The answer given is that they have the Bible, and that they should listen to it in order to be saved. The rich man pleads that Lazarus may be raised, but the response in Luke 16:31 is given that if people do not listen to the Bible then even if Lazarus would be raised, they would not listen as well. Later on in Jesus’ ministry, Jesus did raise a man from the dead named Lazarus. However just as Jesus taught in the parable some would not listen for it is written “But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also” (John 12:10). The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a parable, Jesus does not teach it to describe how heaven and hell are. We certainly wouldn’t want to be communicating with those in hell as they plead for mercy, thankfully that doesn’t happen in heaven for “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) I hope that helps a little, for more great Bible study information I highly recommend http://amazingfacts.org/ . May the Lord bless you as you follow Him!
I have a question that may seem very weird. But to me it is a question that I would like clarity on. My Mother has cancer and in July the doctor gave her 6 months to live. Every since that day I try to find happiness for her when she dies. My Mom is VERY faithful to the Lord and is saved.I know she will go to heaven when the time comes. I always found joy in thinking she will see her Mother and Father when she passes. I am understanding now from your article that is not the case. So my question is, If people who have fallen asleep in death have been in their graves for many many years and are going to be risen up by Jesus when he comes, wouldn’t their bodies be decomposed? And if so, how would we recognize them at that time? I hope this question doesn’t seem odd to you. But I just need more clarity on this subject. Thank you.
Hi my brother or sister,
This is not a strange question that you ask, in fact the Bible addresses your very question for it is written…
But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:35
The apostle Paul continues to write saying…
All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear[f] the image of the heavenly Man.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:39-55
So at the resurrection, your mother, and her parents will not come up from the grave as decomposed bodies, they will come up in immortal glorified bodies. The apostle under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit uses these words regarding the bodies of those who are raised “incorruptible”, “glorious”, “immortal”, “raised in power”. Not a single defect will be on these bodies. No trace of sickness, no trace of death, no trace of corruption. We will be raised with perfect bodies, new spiritual bodies. What a day! Perhaps you’ve heard the song “when we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing it will be”, let me tell you something beloved, when we all get to heaven, indeed what a day of rejoicing it will be. Those torn by death, reunited forevermore. We shall see Jesus face to face. And God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4)
”His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Psalm 146:4 KJV) Here the Bible tells us that the dead do not dream, their thoughts perish.
If our thoughts perish, then what happens to our consciousness? What happens to who we are if we lose most of what we are? I’ve been scared of death not because of the dying part but the what happens to me part, I know I’d wake up and see meet Jesus, but then what’d happen to me?
Hi Joseph,
Those are some good questions. Thankfully the Bible has good and comforting answers. When Jesus returns those who are faithful “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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) In heaven the saved shall live ” and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4) Our thoughts and consciousness will be restored to us. How do I know that? Well Jesus says that during the thousand years “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28, see also Revelation 20:4) So the saved sit with Christ and judge those who are lost. In order to make judgment our thoughts and consciousness must logically be restored. So we need not fear death at all.
Regarding the judgment you may then wonder, why are we judging the wicked, in what manner, and what happens after the thousand years? To answer the first part why we are judging with Christ, imagine you get to heaven but your pastor is not there. You would logically ask Jesus, why Lord? In the judgment we will see why individuals are not in heaven, how God strove with them trying to win them, and in the end we will declare that God is just. In this judgement with Christ we shall determine the measure of punishment, but shall not determine who is saved or who is lost, Jesus has already done that before He returns. Those who do great wickedness will face a longer punishment that those who have done little wickedness, and the amount of light they have received is also taken into account. This is found in Jesus words in Luke 12:47-48 “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” see also Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. After the thousands years the wicked are raised to face their punishment. Jesus has said that there are two resurrections…”Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28-29) Satan sees that his followers are revived and he deceives them to make one last attack against God’s kingdom, but eventually the wicked and lastly Satan are destroyed (Revelation 20:7-10, Malachi 4:1-3, John 3:16) Then the best part is that “God will wipe away every tear from their (the saved) eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) Then Jesus makes all things new again, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:5)
It will be a most glorious new creation “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Be not afraid of heaven my brother it will be wonderful! Let us draw nearer and nearer the lovely Jesus that we may be ready for His return. Hope that helps.
For more resources regarding the judgment, new earth, etc…
Revelation 19:11 all the way to Revelation 20:10 is all chronological if that helps. Also here are some video resources regarding the millenium – http://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/media-archives/t/Millenium/sq/2/o/931/th/t.aspx
and heaven – http://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/media-archives/t/Heaven/sq/2/o/12/th/t.aspx
Also these Bible study guides are great – http://www.amazingfacts.org/Bible-study/Bible-study-guides.aspx
Thank you for the great information based on Gods word and easily broken down for better understanding. My 5 yr olds childs father just passed away 12-13-2012 and it’s been real trying. I have a question for you if the spirits one may see as a loved one passed that’s demons or fallen angels trying to decieve you, correct? and then if the demons are displaying to you as a passed loved one is it really your loved one who then did not follow Jesus’s word? or is it really just the fallen using their evil and it’s just impostering that of your loved one? And if you see these spirits but they are not being that of evil or scarey but are just saying its ok and they are just watching over you but you know the word of Jesus you know this is evil how do you rid them? And what is a good way of comforting a 5 yr old? for she asks God see’s me so sad and my heart broken why dosen’t he just give my daddy back for a second chance? I don’t want her upset with God. And if you have not asked for forgiveness before you die, but you still believed in God does he still forgive you? Thank you for your time this is very helpful. May the good Lord have Mercy on us all. Praise the Lord
Hi Bonnie,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Comforter and it is my literal prayer this morning that the Holy Spirit give you and your 5 year old comfort during this difficult time. Regarding your questions ” if the spirits one may see as a loved one passed that’s demons or fallen angels trying to decieve you, correct? and then if the demons are displaying to you as a passed loved one is it really your loved one who then did not follow Jesus’s word? or is it really just the fallen using their evil and it’s just impostering that of your loved one?”
You can be 100% certain that these are what the Bible calls “deceiving spirits” attempting to win your confidence then lead you astray. They cannot be your loved one who has passed away for the Bible says “For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing” and “Nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6) I would expect these spirits to speak good comforting words to you at first. “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14) When it suits his deceptive purposes Satan comes as an angel of light or as a loved one who has passed away in order to attempt to deceive others. You are not the first individual I have met who has encountered this. I had neighbors down the street whose parents had passed away. They told me one day that they see their relatives who have passed away all the time. They said that they looked exactly like them, one of the ladies father’s was a smoker and she said this spirit even smelled just like the brand of cigarettes that he used to use. But after they discovered the truth about what happens when we die, and believed that it was true without doubt, and prayed asking the Lord to deliver them from these spirits, these evil spirits left and did not return. Because even Satan knows that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) When we ask our loving Heavenly Father to deliver us from evil, and when we believe that He will because He loves us, we have a power through Christ which even Satan himself cannot resist. It can be scary knowing that Satan or his demons are visibly displaying themselves to us, but know that Satan himself displayed himself to Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4). He came not as a hideous being with a pitch fork, but as an angel of light. But how did Jesus overcome Satan? It is written, it is written, it is written. The word of God, the love of our Heavenly Father, the promise of the Holy Spirit, these are our weapons against the evil one. The promise of deliverance is clear “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:7, 11) “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8)
Regarding your questions “And what is a good way of comforting a 5 yr old? for she asks God see’s me so sad and my heart broken why dosen’t he just give my daddy back for a second chance?” This is a difficult question. I have a daughter who is sitting right next to me at the moment who is turning five in just a few days and it is heartbreaking to understand your situation. What would I tell my daughter if I were in the same situation? What could I tell her, except that one day “God will wipe away every tear from her eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) Tell your child that Jesus knows every tear that they cry for it is written “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8) Tell them that Jesus loves them with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), that our Heavenly Father sent his Son to die for our sins, that Jesus is “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with (our) grief.” and that we can find peace knowing that Jesus is coming soon and is right by our side to comfort us even now.
Regarding your last question “if you have not asked for forgiveness before you die, but you still believed in God does he still forgive you?” Before I directly answer that question it is important to know that we cannot generally make judgments regarding who is saved or who is lost. Because if we would have known the thief on the cross, and had heard that he was crucified next to Jesus, but did not know that in the final hour he repented, we would have incorrectly assumed that he would be lost. So likewise often we do not know the final hours of many individuals lives, nor can we read the heart and so we cannot judge. Regarding the question “”if you have not asked for forgiveness before you die, but you still believed in God does he still forgive you?” the promise in the Bible is “He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) Even the demons acknowledge that there is one God (James 2:19) but in order to be saved we must make Jesus our personal Lord and Savior by confessing and forsaking our sins, else we will not have forgiveness. This may be a crushing truth if we have a loved one who has passed away without confessing their sins, but it is far too dangerous to believe otherwise, for to do so would place ourselves in great peril. But we must remember we do not truly know an individuals heart during their final hours, to know if they confessed or not. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5) May “the God of peace be with you all.” (Romans 15:33) And may He grant you and your family peace during this difficult time.
May God Bless you and yours. I must say I was surprised (happily) that you took the time to answer my questions in detail and so fast! And praying for us is a true blessing and I thank you. You gave me some hope back that I was losing. And I know I must look to the Lord. I do believe in God and I am still learning I’m confused on some issues and when more time is at hand if you don’t mind I have more questions maybe they may help others as well; they may be to shy to ask! (thinking they should know! and feel dumb for asking) but the truth is the only dumb question is the one not asked! I have a story that I would love for your opinion on. I will send it very soon. Hopefully I’ll have time this evening. Thank you my friend, God Bless Bonnie
Hey Will,
Great site, with great answers. Your answers seemed backed with relevant scripture and are detailed in their explanation. I would like your take on a section of scripture and would love your thoughts on it. That section would be 1 Samuel 28:1-25 regarding the medium at En Dor. Also Samuel telling saul that the next day his son’s and himself would be with Samuel v.19. Also the link to the explanation of the story of the Rich man and Lazarus wasn’t working. I would love clarification on that as well. I’m sorry if these come across as trapping questions, that is no where near my intent…just looking for some solid answers! Thanks Will, love what you’re doing for people!
Hi Nolan,
Thanks for the comment. These are not trap questions but good questions! I will try to write something regarding the rich man and Lazarus but first let’s cover Saul, Samuel and the medium at En Dor. In 1 Samuel 28 when I first read this like many people I thought Saul was talking to the prophet Samuel who had passed away but was raised to speak with Saul. But it seemed somewhat strange that in the same chapter it says “When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.” (1 Samuel 28:5-6) So here is Saul, the prophets of the Lord are not giving him a message, the Lord is not communicating to him by any means. Saul is desperate, so in verse 7 he decides to seek a medium, one who communicates with the dead. This is not a good way to get guidance from God. The Bible which Saul had at that time says “Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar spirits, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them.” (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 20:27) Here is a great warning, that the person who seeks a medium will be cut off from his people. Satan also knew this, and Satan knows that God does not break His promises. So the prediction in v. 19 could be from God, but it could also be from another spirit who simply knows that God will fulfill his promise. But which one is it?
If we continue in the story, the medium calls forth Samuel…. apparently. First I think it’s important to note that this medium is not on the Lord’s side. Deuteronomy 18:10-14 says “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. 14 For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you.” Two important points here, mediums who communicate with the dead are an abomination to the Lord, secondly verse 14 says “the Lord your God has not appointed such for you”. So the Lord does not use witches and mediums to do His will. But can a medium or witch raise the dead and speak with them? In 1 Samuel 28:15 this spirit who appears to be Samuel says ““Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” But a medium or witch cannot raise the dead for Jesus said “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18) Only God can raise the dead, if that were not so, Satan would be raising Adolf Hitler and all his followers.
So who was this spirit who appeared to be Samuel? Was it Samuel or an evil spirit masquerading as Samuel? We know that angels can take the forms of humans. The Bible even says “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14) Thankfully the Bible gives us the answer in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 when it says “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” (1 Chronicles 10:13-14 KJV)
So this verse says Saul asked counsel of one that had a familiar spirit. A familiar spirit is an evil spirit (http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=familiar%20spirit&version1=KJV&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no). So this Samuel who appeared was not Samuel, it was a familiar or evil spirit, taking the form of Samuel. So when Saul came to the medium or witch of En Dor, Satan and his demons knew this was disobedience, some of them were there when Samuel was alive and said that the kingdom would be given to another. They knew that Saul had been living in disobedience, and that the Lord was not speaking to Saul. They knew based on Leviticus that Saul would be cut off for doing this. So when Saul entered into Satan’s territory by consulting a medium, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 tells us that Satan or one of his demons masqueraded as the prophet Samuel and gave a hopeless message to Saul. Jesus is always trying to save us, even until the end. The thief on the cross received no hopeless message from Christ even though he had lived a life of disobedience like Saul. It is the work of Satan and his agents to remove hope from those separated from Christ, but there is always hope for the hopeless in Jesus Christ.
The tragic end of Saul is a warning to all followers of Christ in this age. The Bible says Satan will work with the same deceptions he used on Saul. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (1 Timothy 4:1, Revelation 16:14) Faith in the word of God and His truth that “the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing…nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6) is the only defense against Satan’s last day deceptions. With the truth on our side, and Jesus as our protection we need not fear Satan’s deceptions. Because “He (Christ) who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) May the Lord continue to bless you as you follow Him!
okay I have had this argument with my mom about how i believe the dead sleep until Jesus returns for us and we will know by the sound of the trumpet and she says that I am wrong and then she cant back it up she just wants to run to her friends or “her pastor” of her christian church and i have learned by reading my way through the bible myself cause i was tired of not knowing the answers and asking others and hoping they were right but now im stuck because she is making me feel like im stupid for believing the way I do yet I just stumbled upon your page and now I see Im not the only one who reads the bible and gets that we are not going to heaven till Jesus comes back for us which is amazing and i cant wait for the day it happens but how can I make i cut and dry for her to understand the bible does state we arent going straight to heaven like she thinks. she thinks our bodies are what the bible means Jesus is going to come back for but as soon as we die we go straight to heaven and I know she is wrong yet she wont give me a chance to prove I just might be the one who is right!!! when I married my husband he told me I needed to stop listening to everyone else and just open up the book and read for myself so I am and IT FEELS GREAT!!!! my mom still depends on wheat the pastor tells her or what others tell her instead of opening it up and reading front to back for herself its really sad she doesnt want to know for herself!!! so how can i show her without starting a war?!!!!!!
Finally! I have often wondered why so many Pastors during a funeral always preach that the deceased is in Heaven now. I’m certainly far from being a bible scholar, but I was adamant about what I had read. Yet they always came back with “absent with the body, present with the Lord” and Jesus saying to the thief on the cross “for today, you will be in paradise”.
I was beginning to think I was the only person who believed that death is like sleep until Jesus returns. It will seem like the blink of eye, because in sleep you would have no concept of time. You explain it well by saying the resurrection will be our next conscious thought.
I realize and agree that it’s comforting to think that those we love who have died are with each other in Heaven, but it’s not what I believe at all.
Do you know why so many Christian Pastors continually preach and teach that the saved go straight to Heaven when they die?
What about beloved pets who died? What is their fate?