DEATH

Where do we go when we die? The answer depends upon one simple factor: whether or not we are trusting in the God Who sent Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior (Jn. 6:29). In order for one to be a child of God, to be saved, to have eternal life, he must believe in both the Father and the Son. And yet, it is ironic that the words, "Have faith in God," only appear once in the entire Bible, but then it only takes once to be true (Mk. 11:22). On the other hand, the words, "trust in the Lord," appear nineteen times, two of which are in the New Testament, both in Philippians (2:19, 24). If our answer is yes, the instant we die, we are present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). Since Jesus is seated on the right hand of God, that means we will be in heaven with Him (Lk. 22:69; Acts 2:33; Heb. 10:22; 1 Pet. 3:22.

However, it has not always been so. At the time of His first advent, Jesus taught that when the saved and the lost die, they both go to a place called sheol in Hebrew, hades in Greek, and hell in English. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus told the story of a beggar named Lazarus and a rich man. Both died, and went to a place divided by a "great gulf," but they were close enough to see and speak to one another (v. 23, 26). The saved were on the side of the gulf called "Abraham's bosom" or "paradise" (v. 22; Lk. 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). The rich man was in torment (v.23). If you take the time to compare the four references to "paradise," you will note that it is no longer a part of sheol, but it is now the very presence of God. How and when did it change?

Jesus told the repentant thief on the cross next to Him that he would be with Him in "paradise" that very day (Lk. 23:43). In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he wrote that Jesus descended "into the lower parts of the earth" (v. 9). Jesus then ascended to heaven, bringing with Him those who were captive in "paradise" (v. 8). It is my understanding that the area known as "Abraham's bosom" or "paradise," exists no longer, and the only part of sheol which remained was hell, or the place of torment. Today, when the lost die, they go to hell. Most Christians believe that hell is the place of eternal punishment, but that is not true. "Hell" will one day be cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:14).

For the Christian, death should be welcomed. The genuine believer wants nothing more than to be like Christ. Even the word "Christian" means "Christ-like," that is, one wanting to be like Jesus. Christianity is a way of life. It is following the example of Jesus. I fall so far short of it, that I am miserable most of the time. I can not wait for the day when I will be exactly like Him (1 Jn. 3:2). I will no longer think, speak, or commit sins. I will be free from this "body of death" and possess a new body like His (Rom. 7:24; Phil. 3:21)!

"...Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting. O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:54-57). I will praise Him in life, and I will praise Him in death! Even so, come Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20)! Maranatha (1 Cor. 16:22)!