Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 1/27/2006

Question
i was wondering when you die where do you go to heaven or hell immediatly or are you waiting for the arrival of judgement?

Answer
Hi Nadine,

Thanks for that question.  I believe that after death one immediatly goes to either heaven or hell.  Notice the story in Luke 16:

Luke 16:19-23

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

Paul had that confidence

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.

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.

We know that Jesus is in Heaven right now.... so Paul expected to be with Jesus in Heaven immedialty following death.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don