Safety from Death
What happens to a Christian when he or she dies?
Some think nothing happens after death. This is not what Scripture teaches. There is more to life than this life. Scripture teaches the universe and all that is in it was created by an infinitely powerful and eternal God (Genesis 2:1; Exodus 20:11). It is this same God that gives “everlasting life” to His children (John 10:10).
God has revealed Himself to mankind in the Bible. It’s a special book as it is the work of God through man. One of the benefits of God communicating with His creation is that they need not be ignorant of what takes place after they die.
Scripture leads us to believe that when a Christian dies, they go immediately to be with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:22-23). The bodies of those who have gone to be with the Lord will be raised in a perfected form to meet them as they return with the Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
What will occur at eternity?
Every tear will be wiped away, and the most amazing experiences to the most enlivened senses will occur in the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21-22).
But those who have rejected Jesus have been judged as “dead” (John 5:24) and “fallen short” (Romans 3:23) and will be sentenced to a fire never intended for them (Matthew 25:41). That’s right: being, simply, an “unbeliever” is a way to the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8). There is no talk of a place besides permanent separation from God or eternal bliss with Christ in the Scripture.
- “But I have not rejected Jesus!”
Then, perhaps a better way of saying it is “those who have not trusted Jesus.” John 3:18 speaks of those who have not yet believed on the work of Christ on the cross (see all the way back to verse 14) as being condemned. You see, there is no requirement for an “outright rejection” of Jesus. All one must do to be “condemned” is “not believe.”
What about Jesus?
Jesus is God’s only begotten Son and lived before creation with the Father (John 1:1-3, 14). 2,000 years ago, the Son left Heaven and was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23, lived a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15, was obedient to the crucifixion death (Philippians 2:6-8), to pay for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He was placed before the world as their substitute to endure the wrath of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
He defeated death and the devil’s works when He rose from the grave (Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8) and is the defense attorney for all those who are His (1 John 2:1; 1 John 5:10-13).
Turn to God today and put your faith in the Gospel. Speak to Him and declare your faith in the Gospel and find rest and salvation forever (John 9:35-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Call and speak to us if you wish to have more clarity on this most important topic.