Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 6/13/2004

Question
what happens to a Christian after death? does s/he goes to heaven and be with God immediately? or in a state of sleep until the resurrection?

what about non-believers? do they go to hell straightway or in a state of sleep until the judgement day?

thanks.

Answer
Hi Jasmine,

The Bible clearly teaches that once one dies, he or she is immediatly in Heaven or Hell.  Notice the story that Jesus told...

Luke 16:18-30
18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And 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 thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

If there is such a thing as soul sleep...what is this...a bad dream???  Or,,, would you dare believe that Jesus was not telling the truth?

Jesus gave the dying thief assurance of immediate peace in paradise.

Luke 23:43
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.


THe Apostle Paul expected to be with Jesus immediatly after death.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2 Corinthians 5:8
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Philippians 1:21-23
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The ressurection will be either a glorified body, or to eternal judgement.

Revelation 20:15
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don