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He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. Jesus did this after His death. His Blood allowing access to the Father and His Resurrection destroying death and the grave. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. The unbelievers are still filling Hades today, joining all of the OT unbelievers, until Hades shall give up her unrighteous dead Rev Hi Jack, I have heard and read convincing arguments on both sides of this issue.
I am not disagreeing with you but there are some practical difficulties with what you say. If we go immediately to heaven, one by one as we die, we are separated from our loved ones if we die first. Would this make our joy less than perfect. I think the problem here is trying to comprehend the difference between time and eternity.
After fifteen years of loyal companionship, a beloved pet gets sick. Is this only speaking of death as the absence from the body, or could this also relate to being absent from the temtations of the flesh, and being in right standing with God? The more you think about the time related practicalities, the more you can get confused. We have eternal souls and we are not really dead but removed from the body for a time but we do not cease to exist. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Whilst we live on earth, we are in a capsule of time in which change takes place and we progress through our lives. But then we enter a state of eternity where there is no time. God himself is outside of time. He has no beginning and no end. That is why He knows everything from the beginning to the end of time. I know He is Alpha and Omega but that is as far as our human existence is concerned. The more you think about the time related practicalities, the more you can get confused. I always think of the disciples and Thomas in particular wanting to know the practicalities of getting to the place Jesus was going to prepare for them.
I am the Way. Not worry about what might or might not happen when we die but have absolute trust in our Saviour. Jack, please do not reply to my remarks as I know you are busy with school and these are just my speculations. I agree John, with what you wrote and I have often thought the same…. My previous thinking was , as you said, very difficult to even try to comprehend…. We are always a time word in this pool at the bottom of the waterfall of time. The water, right before it hits our face being the future, as it hits us, the present, and as it leaves, the past.
We know how God invaded our world in the form of the Incarnation which we will celebrate next month. We know that God likewise poured out His Spirit at Pentecost to inhabit believers. The Father is Spirit. He is a personage of the Trinity and is in a place Christ refers to as Heaven.
The angels exist there also. They worship before His throne. The demons fallen angels wage war in our heavens sky? Even though these angels have taken on human form throughout the OT and NT we cannot see them at most times because they are invisible Col 1: My thought speculation is that God the Father is not in a timeless void but in a sphere that is in a different dimension or universe from our own. His immortal angelic creation I believe has access between these dimensions and come into and out of our time.
This is just speculation. Do they sleep there? As I said previously, it would be hard for them to be suffering torment until judgment day if they are asleep. Maybe God in the form of Jesus wanted his disciples and wants us to trust him without knowing the details. Surely that is where real faith comes in. Please forgive me, I had two 11 hour days the last two days. Where was Lazarus and the others while they were dead? God is the God of the living and not the dead.
We have eternal souls and we are not really dead but removed from the body for a time but we do not cease to exist. I am sorry if I am not understanding your question. That is what all these verses in this article testify to my friend. I am sorry, maybe I have a thick head and am dense at times as I work, pastor a church, write for this site, am in seminary, and have a family too so please forgive me. I am sure your other duties are more than enough to keep you very busy. Of course we can and do believe scripture but the point I was really trying to make was that dwelling too much on the detail of exactly what might or might not happen when we die is not particularly helpful and could be confusing.
Yes, whatever the means we shall be with the Lord forever. That is our faith. Thank you again for all your hard work Jack. I do agree that we should not be wasting a lot of time dwelling too much on what might or might not happen after death but we have had so very, very many ask about their dearly departed ones who died in the faith and we thought it was appropriate to answer this to those who wondered where their loved ones are now…the same reason that Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about their loved ones who died.
What would also be the place of the white throne Judgement then? Thank you my friend. So where do you think babies go if they die? In other words, only Jesus Christ has both descended and ascended up to heaven. The fact is that heaven comes down in the form of the New Jerusalem as you can read in Revelation 21, This verse is somewhat difficult to interpret and is often misunderstood. It is also frequently used by those who want to find contradictions in the Bible.
We must keep the verse in context.
In verses , especially, we see that Jesus is talking about His authority and the validity of His teaching. Jesus tells Nicodemus that He has been teaching what He knew firsthand: Then, in verse 13 Jesus explains why He is uniquely qualified to teach of the kingdom of God—namely, because He alone came down from heaven and possesses the knowledge to teach people about heaven. The bottom line of John 3: However, I have been there. In fact, it is My home. I have come to you from heaven, and I have brought with Me experiential knowledge of that place. My testimony carries weight; I can tell you the truth about salvation.
But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. Jesus was not teaching that no one had ever gone to heaven before. Obviously, the Old Testament saints had gone to heaven or paradise when they died Mark Rather, He was teaching that, of all rabbis, He had the best credentials. Jesus has direct contact with heaven; He is an expert on the subject. I pray this helps you understand better my friend. Jack I have 2 questions. In relation to John 3: Now, the NLT that you reference states…….
This seems to be saying something different. This would lead me to believe that no one else is there now. There seems to be a discrepancy here between the Translations. Is this only speaking of death as the absence from the body, or could this also relate to being absent from the temtations of the flesh, and being in right standing with God? Sorry Jack, For the second question, I meant to say: To be absent of conformity to the temtations of the flesh, and to be in right standing with God.
Could that 2 Cor 5: Let me say this; that the original Greek for 2 Cor 5: Jesus did say that the thief on the cross would be with Him Jesus in Paradise so the point is that heaven or Paradise is anywhere that Jesus is, right? Yes, sir, it is speaking of death but after death, like the thief on the cross, we will be with Jesus in Paradise or heaven. I believe that heaven is not so much a place as it is a Person, and that is Jesus Christ.
Thanks Jack that makes sense. Any ideas or clarity that you can provide on the first question?? Thanks a lot your awesome and God greatly bless you. We have an article on the rapture here and hope this answers your question my friend and here is the link for the article on the rapture at: You must believe in Christ alone Acts 4: Does this help you my friend? See why we must be saved today 2 Cor 6: What do you think? People might say that in Korea but what does the Bible say? Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5: So these Korean people are saying everything is made up including heaven.
Only the bible and God. I know you can believe God. Do you know Jesus? Do you have a Bible? Read the gospel of John to know Who Jesus is. If you repent turn away from false religions and your sins and trust or believe in Jesus, you WILL go to heaven, no doubt about it. Yes I believe in God and Jesus. Please help me, what can I do to not believe or ignore these false sayings that Korean people are saying? Hello Jenna and thank you for the question.
The Bible says that its appointed once for us to die and after this, the judgment Heb 9: I have to believe the Bible and not what people say. If they died according to a doctor and corenor, then I might believe it but yes, you are right, we know there is a heaven Rev 21,22 so believe God and His Word, and not what people say. Yes, even IF it were true, she was sparred by God for God knows the very day of our death and God is merciful, not willing that any perish, including her for I should be going to hell but Jesus died for me while I was still His enemy Rom 5: But there is heaven right?
Thank you JV for your comment my friend. The New Testament mentions sleep like it does death but it is death of the physical body. I suggest you read John chapter 11 to see why I can say this. The Bible is clear that it is appointed once for us to die Heb 9: Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord 2 Cor 5: Thank you for clarifying my questions!
We enjoy family, friends and material possessions. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. Well, Jesus was not saying to hate your parents, but He was saying to hate them in comparison to your love for Him. Do you see that difference? The love of the world and the love of the Father cannot coexist. And every heart loves something.
The very essence of our nature is desire. At the center of our heart is a spring of longing. A longing is a craving, a desire, a want, a need. A spring of needs is a contradiction in terms. Springs bubble up; needs suck in. A longing is more like a drain—or a vacuum. At the center of our heart is a sucking drain—like at the bottom of a swimming pool. We are endlessly thirsty.
If you try to satisfy your longing by sucking in the air of the world, you will not be able to drink the water of heaven. And eventually your motor will burn up because you were made to pump the water of God not the air of the world. I have a question that is now causing me great concern.
As you say and I too believe, to be present with our Lord and absent from our bodies, it worries me that I always pray to The Lord to heal me, keep me healthy and allow me to live a long life here on earth. I certainly hope this does not mean that I would rather be in my body here on earth rather than absent from my body and present with the Lord? I certainly like and enjoy life on earth but am eager to be present with the Lord.
This sounds like I should be wanting to end my presence in my body as soon as possible to be with the Lord. Help me understand this. I know what you mean Mr. You have no concern to pray for healing for that is what James commands us to pray for healing James 5: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Does this help Mr. Amen my friend to your precious comment and our question too. Hi Jenna…no, dreams are too random but the only real truth is found in the Bible. God does not determine the day of our death by our dreams…. He had made an appointment based upon His purposes Heb 9: Hi Jack First time on this site I to was confused about do we go to heaven when we die.
I believed totally we did as Christ said to the thief on the cross today you will be with me in paradise. I believe that lazarus and the guys daughter died so Christ could show that he is the only true God and that he has the power of life and death. I think if we were able to interpret the bibles mysteries what need would we have for the saviour. Instead we are weak he is strong thank God for his saving power and grace. Your Friend in the lord Ken. I have feet of clay but our God is a mighty fortress.
You article makes good points, but only covers the scripture that helps your case. I can find articles written that support both theories, but none that address counter points. I do not wish to argue, but I am not following your interpretation. The rich man died and was carried to Hades or the grave, or Sheol , which is separated by a huge chasm, creating two compartments.
When a non-believer dies, he is taken by angels to the non-believing compartment. Jesus did not go to Heaven after death. He even stated he would not.. Jesus later returned to the Earth. So, for our time, when we die today, tomorrow, etc , our soul will be carried to Hades where we will wait to hear His voice calling us for his Rapture. I believe the Bible needs to be carefully understood.
The Bible does not say he will receive the crown at death but at the day He comes back. Verse 1 says the living and the dead will be judged at His coming. There is not one text that says the soul goes to heaven at death. Why would someone have to wait years like Adam for his body? If the soul goes to heaven at death then that person is not complete He is not perfect in heaven. The body does not have a soul, it is a soul. Thanks for the privilege to respond. If we are absent from the body and present with the Lord; what is in heaven…….
What will happen when the resurrection take place? When they meet in heaven they know their relationship as family? Thank you more wisdom and knowledge! I believe we will. To know more sir. Will an atheist , or Buddhist or people from other religion who are doing great works of charity , more than the christians and who live a sin less life and who love their neighbor die will they go to heaven or hell. No one is sinless, even Christians and no works can save anybody but only having faith in Jesus Christ saves us Acts 4: Please read this about who goes to heaven: Thank you so much for writing this, I lost both my father and my grandmother a few weeks ago.
They were both believers, praise the Lord. Many people I know are using 1 Thessalonians 4: I would even add the passage about the Mount of Transfiguration where Moses and Elijah are talking with Jesus to further support this claim. But what do you do with the 1 Thess 4 passage? Only those who God has brought to repentance turning away from sin and placed their trust in Christ will be saved. If you are repeating a sin, then, you are like a lot of us…. Does it involve sexual immorality or pornography?
Talk to your pastor. Many churches have support groups for those who are addicted to pornography, drugs, alcohol…and such things. You need godly counsel, one on one. In this context, paradise obviously refers to heaven. We know that after death, there is separation of believers and unbelievers after death Luke When Jesus returns, heaven will actually come down as the New Jerusalem Rev 21, 22 and besides, Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and any place that Jesus is, is heaven! Thanks Jack, I have some few questions: Do the believer go to paradise or heaven?
What is the difference between paradise and heaven? How does I Thess. This is the same time when the Death and Hades give up the dead in them and the final judgment occur. So, yes, there is an immediate non-bodily event upon death, but the ultimate event happens when Christ takes his throne on earth and separates the sheep from the goats. I would like to Print this off and send it to one of my friends he belives when a Christian dies he goes in to a deep sleep and does not go to heaven right then. Elizabeth and I have lost my brother just 15 days back.
He was a missionary at a place called Suriname in south America and he was just My question is where will he be now.? Because I have an experience and after the burial I was taken to a place in my spirit and found that as a very big hall where so many are moving enjoying HIS presence and seen my brother standing at the entrance of a door leading to another bright hall. Heard a voice saying you taking him inside.
I went near him and he recognized me, i took him in, it was too too large and everyone uniformly worshiping. I a saw a seat vacant and i took him there and made him to stand. Just a second i was out of that hall and was in my body. Such a beautiful experience and really want to know what is that plac. Bless it be 4Evermore Jack.
Have a question that has been asked to me, as a Ambassador of God. People still ask me, if they die will they go straight to Heaven, then they ask why did Jesus said in the book of John 3: Jesus said in John 3: The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them.
And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table.
Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,. And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. The rich man also died and was buried,. And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. But now he is dead.
Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. I tell you a mystery.