WHAT HAPPENS TO ME WHEN I DIE

WHAT HAPPENS TO ME WHEN I DIE?

The word "sleep" is used at times in the Bible to speak of death without any reference to the condition of the spirit or where one goes after death. For instance, consider John 11: 11-14, where Jesus used "sleeps" synonymously with "dead". When the body is dead it appears to be asleep, hence, the figurative use of "sleep." Likewise, when Stephen "fell asleep," this is an expressive way of saying "he died" (Acts 7:60, note 8:1).

Death means separation. Man dies when the spirit leaves the body (James 2:26).

Luke 16: 19-31 is one of the best places to go in the Bible to teach us about what happens to us when we die. Please notice there is nothing stated in the text that says this is a parable. Jesus describes this incident as a matter of fact, an event that actually took place. The realm of the dead or the place of departed spirits (sometimes called Hades or the Hadean realm) is here described as consisting of two parts, one a place of comfort and rest (Abraham's bosom), the other a place of agony and torment. There is no passing between these two states (v. 26). There is consciousness as noted throughout this narrative. One's conduct in life determines where he goes upon death (v. 25, 27-31). The living cannot effect or change the condition of those who have died. Neither can the dead change the condition of the living. Our choices in this life determine where we go after we die.

Recall that Jesus said He would be in Paradise after His death (Luke 23:43). Acts 2:27 says Jesus did go to Hades when He died. Because He was without sin, we conclude Jesus was in that part of Hades referred to in Luke 16:22 as "Abraham's bosom" - Paradise. This is where every faithful Christian can expect to go awaiting the resurrection of the dead. The unrighteous can expect to enter a place of flaming torment (Luke 16:24).

At His return, Christ will speak and all the dead shall rise, some to a judgment of everlasting life and other to a judgment of everlasting death (John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Are you ready for death? (Hebrews 9:27)

--By Joe R. Price, via The Exhorter, Oakland Church of Christ

Please read the following story from Luke 16:19-31 before reading the following article:

19 "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in
purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
20 "But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
21 "desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
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.'
25 "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.

26 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great
gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you
cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'
27 "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you
would send him to my father's house,
28 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them,
lest they also come to this place of torment.'
29 "Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the
prophets; let them hear them.'
30 "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes from
the dead, they will repent.'
31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the
prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise
from the dead.' "

ABOUT US:

ARCHIVES:

Enter your email address to be notified of updates.