BGEA: Do you think we go to heaven the instant we die, or do we sleep (or something like that) until Christ comes again?

Do you think we go to heaven the instant we die, or do we sleep (or something like that) until Christ comes again and we are awakened? We had a discussion about this in our Bible study, and I was surprised to find out how many different opinions there were. — G.A.

Yes, Christians can sometimes sincerely disagree on minor matters—although you should never forget that all Christians agree on those things that are really important, such as the divinity of Christ, His death on the cross for our salvation, His resurrection from the dead, and our hope of heaven.

From my own study of the Bible, I'm convinced that when we die, we immediately enter the presence of the Lord. At some future time, we will be given new bodies, similar to the body Jesus had after His resurrection. But in the meantime, our souls are with the Lord, and we are fully conscious of being in His presence.

This certainly seemed to be the Apostle Paul's hope. He faced many dangers, and he knew that at any moment his life on earth could end. But he faced death with hope: "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). Elsewhere he declared, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (Philippians 1:23).

Never forget that we have hope of life after death for one reason: Jesus Christ removed the barrier between us and God—the barrier caused by sin. Is your hope in Him? If not, put your trust in Christ without delay.

7 Comments

cris says 5.11.2013, 06:43 a.m.

The lord is our shepard and he is with all of us always, yes I do believe that he called Lazarus back.

Erin says 4.10.2013, 11:54 p.m.

Monica, you have a good point in the verse above. Are we asleep in Christ and then when he returns as said in Revelations... is that when the dead rise and those who are alive are caught up in heaven with Jesus and his angels?

Cyndi says 3.30.2013, 10:20 a.m.

Monica, that verse is referring to the Rapture. The Christian soul goes immediately to heaven at death, but at the Rapture we receive our new, eternal body - which rises first, before the living are ascended.

Keri says 3.29.2013, 2:42 p.m.

Monica - when you die your body remains in the grave. Your soul goes to be with Jesus (if you are a believer). When Christ returns the dead in Christ (meaning your body) shall rise. This is what I think 1 Thessalonians means

Monica says 3.27.2013, 10:05 a.m.

If we immediately go to Heaven to be with Lord when we die, then what does 1 Thessalonians 4:16mean by "the dead in Christ shall rise first"? If someone is already dead and gone to Heaven, then why do they need to rise?

Gary says 3.24.2013, 3:00 p.m.

Thank you very much . May the LORD BLESS YOU

Do we sleep in the grave says 3.8.2011, 10:09 a.m.

Do we sleep in the grave until we are resurrected? If we go to heaven immediately upon death, please tell me, did Lazarus go to heaven and then Jesus brought him out of heaven and back to earth?