God’s pronouncement in the garden of Eden on the first man, Adam, helps us to understand the fate of all other humans who are his descendants.
Romans 5:12 states: “Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned.”
Adam as a living soul died and returned to the dust, just as God said he would.
Genesis 2:16-17 states: “The LORD God commanded the man saying: ‘You may freely eat of the tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall (surely) die.'” (See also Genesis 2:7)
God’s sentencing of Adam is recorded at Genesis 3:19: “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
Adam died within the day that God had established (1,000 years), living to an age of 930 years.
Genesis 5:5 tells us: “Thus all of the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.”
A day to God is as a thousand years.
2 Peter 3:8 states: “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
No man has ever lived beyond the 1,000 year day that God set forth in sentencing Adam. Methuselah is the oldest man recorded in scripture, who died at the age of 965 years. (See Genesis 5:27)
The State of the Dead / The Old Testament
In the Old Testament, there are many passages of scripture that describe the state of the dead. These scriptural passages tell us that those who have died return to the dust, their spirit departs from their body, and their thoughts, plans, and purposes cease. Those who are deceased, sleep or rest in their graves, until an appointed time of remembrance or future resurrection takes place.
Job 14:11-15 states: “11 As waters fail (evaporate) from a lake, and a river wastes away and dries up, 12 so man lies down and rises not again; till the heavens are no more he will not awake, or be roused out of his sleep. 13 Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol (Hell or the grave), that thou wouldest conceal me until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time and remember me! 14 If a man dies shall he live again? 15 All the days of my service I would wait, till my release (change) should come. 15 Thou wouldest call and I would answer thee . . .”
Job 34:14-15: “13 If He should take back his spirit to himself, and gather to Himself his breath, 14 all flesh will perish together, and man would return to dust.”
Psalms 115:17 states: “The dead do not praise the LORD (Yahweh), nor do any that go down into silence.”
Psalms 146:3-4 states: “3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help (no hope). 4 When his breath (spirit) departs he returns to the earth; on that very day his (previous) plans (purposes or thoughts) perish.”
Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 states: “19 For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath (spirit), and man has no advantage (preeminence) over the beasts; for all is vanity (emptiness, futility); 20 All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down to the earth?”
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 states: “5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward; but the memory of them is lost. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and they have no more forever any share in all that is done under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 12:7 states: “The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
The Bible speaks of a future resurrection, at the end of the age or days, when the dead shall awaken and rise from their graves. Those who are resurrected will then face judgment. Some will rise to everlasting life and some to everlasting contempt.
Isaiah 26:19 states: “Thy dead shall live, their bodies shall rise. Oh dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for joy! . . .”
Daniel 12:2 states: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”*
God spoke to Daniel concerning this future resurrection; that he would rest in the grave and rise to receive his reward at the end of the days.
Daniel 12:13: “But go your way till the end; and you shall rest, and shall stand in your allotted place (rise for your reward) at the end of the days (end of the age).” *
The State of the Dead / According to the Gospels
Jesus spoke of this same future resurrection at John 5:21 & 28-29: “21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all of those who are in the (memorial) tombs will hear His voice 29 and come forth, those who have done good things to a resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to a resurrection of judgment (condemnation).”
In the many scriptural passages considered thus far, the dead are resting or sleeping. They will awaken and rise in a future resurrection to face judgment; some to everlasting life and some to condemnation. The resurrection of the dead is a major event! There is nothing in these passages that describes the dead as immediately having gone to heaven or having any conscious awareness after death.*
Jesus confirmed that no one prior to His coming to earth, had ascended to heaven.
Note Jesus’ words at John 3:3: “No one has ascended into heaven but He that descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” Another translation renders this passage: “No one has ever gone up to heaven, except the Son of Man, who came down from heaven.”
Jesus also described the state of the dead in the Gospel of John. Jesus spoke of His friend, Lazarus, as being asleep in the grave and awaiting a future resurrection.
John 11:11-14 states: “11 Thus he (Jesus) spoke and he said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him out of his sleep.’ 12 The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover (get well).’ 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead.'”
John 11:21-24 goes on to tell us: “21 Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ 23 Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ 24 Martha said to him, ‘I know he will rise again at (in) the resurrection at (on) the last day.'”
Note, that in the above verses, Jesus refers to Lazarus’ death as being like a sleep. Jesus then goes on to state that He would go and awaken Lazarus out of his sleep, by resurrecting him. Jesus also spoke of the resurrection of Lazarus in a future tense, not that he had already risen, but that he would rise again. Martha also expressed her belief, that her brother would rise again in the resurrection on the last day.
Neither Jesus, nor Martha, gave any indication that they believed Lazarus had already been resurrected or that he was in a state of heavenly bliss or fiery torment. Instead, both Jesus and Martha believed Lazarus was dead, asleep in the tomb, and that he would rise again in the resurrection on the last day. Martha was unaware that Jesus was going to resurrect her brother at that time. The resurrection of Lazarus was a demonstration of Jesus’ power and His ability to raise the dead. It was also a preview of the future resurrection of the dead, on the last day.
This account of Lazarus’ death and resurrection aligns with all of the previous passages of scripture that have been referenced. Those who have died return to the ground or dust. Their spirit leaves their body when they expire and they are asleep, resting in their graves. All of their conscious thoughts, awareness, plans, and passions cease. The dead await a future resurrection, at their allotted time, on the last day.
Jesus’ promised His disciples, all who believe, that He would raise them on the last day! Jesus made this promise to his followers, four separate times, during one dispensation.
At John 6:39-40, 44 &54, Jesus said: “39 And this is the will of Him (My Father) who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life; and I will raise him up at (on) the last day.” 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at (on) the last day. 54 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life; and I will raise him (up) at (on) the last day.”
Jesus’ own words confirm that believers are raised to life, on the last day. It is then that they receive judgment and are awarded eternal life.
There are other passages in the gospels, where Jesus refers to death as a state of sleep. The resurrection of the daughter of Jairus (a ruler of the synagogue) is an example of this.
Luke 8:52-55 states: “52 And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he (Jesus) said, ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’ 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called saying, ‘Child arise.’ And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something be given her to eat.”
There is nothing in the above scriptural passage, that suggests that the spirit of the deceased child had been in heaven, or that her spirit had an after life experience. Once again, the scriptures make it plain that the dead are in a state of unconscious sleep or rest. Note also that the child’s spirit returned and came back into her, and she got up and was given something to eat.
The State of the Dead / According to the New Testament
The New Testament refers to those saints, who had fallen asleep in death.
When martyred, Stephen commended his spirit to Jesus and then fell asleep in death.
Acts 7:59-60 states: “59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60 And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep (he slept the sleep of death, he went to his rest).”
In his letter to the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul refers to some of the saints, who had already fallen asleep in death or had gone to their rest.
At 1 Corinthians 15:6, the Apostle Paul states: “Then he (Christ) appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep (some have fallen asleep in death, some have gone to their rest).”
The Book of Revelation also speaks of those saints, who had fallen asleep in death and were at rest in their graves.
Revelation 6:11 states: “And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”
Revelation 14:13 states: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.'”
Paul goes on to state that just as Christ was raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep in death, so also will those who belong to Christ be raised. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ.
The Apostle Paul stated at Acts 26:22-23: “22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass; 23 that Christ must suffer; and that, by being the first to rise from the dead (first by the resurrection of the dead), He would proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.”
The Apostle Paul also wrote at Colossians 1:18: “He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning the first born from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent (first in all things, so that He is first in everything).”
At Romans 8:29 Paul states: “For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He (Christ) might be the first-born among many brethren.”
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 states: “20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 But, each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”
In his letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul once again refers to the deceased saints, the dead in Christ, as being asleep in death and awaiting a future resurrection at the coming of the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 states: “13 But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep (who sleep in death, who have passed to their rest). 15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, that are left (are still living, that remain, who survive) until the coming (appearing, presence) of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep (those who have passed to rest, who have fallen asleep in Christ, in death). 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call (voice), and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in this passage that the dead in Christ (the deceased saints) are sleeping or at rest. They are not raised, until the coming of the Lord. At the second coming, the sleeping saints shall rise first! Afterward, the saints who are still alive (who are left, who remain, who survive) will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus they shall always be with the Lord. This transformation of the saints, who are still alive at Christ’s coming, is commonly referred to as the “rapture.”*
The Apostle Paul outlines this same sequence of events in his letter to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 states: “51 Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep (not all of us are to die), but shall all be changed (we shall all be given new bodies), 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed (transformed, we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies too).”
Note, that the Apostle Paul states that we shall not all sleep. Those saints, who are still alive and remain, shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. At the sound of the trumpet, the dead in Christ (the sleeping saints) shall be raised imperishable. Afterward, the surviving saints (those who do not sleep) shall be changed or transformed and given new bodies.
The First Resurrection
John, who received the Revelation, refers to the resurrection of the saints or holy ones as the “first resurrection.”
Revelation 20:5-6 states: “5. . .This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection!”
Jesus said, “In my Father’s house there are many mansions.” He went on to state that He would go and prepare a place for His disciples and that He would come again, a second time, and take His disciples home to Himself; that where He was, they would also be.
Jesus said at John 14:2-3: “2 In My Fathers house are many dwelling places (homes, mansions); if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again (I shall return, I am coming back, I will come back again, a second time), and receive you (take you home) to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
In his second letter to the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul expounded on Jesus’ words, stated above at John 14:2-3.
2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6 & 8-10 states: “1 For we know that if the earthly tent (house, home) we live in is destroyed, we have a building (house) from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Here indeed we groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling (our home which is from heaven, a heavenly mansion, a heavenly habitation). 6 So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 8 We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 For whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body (flesh).”
Many misinterpret the above passage as to say that when someone dies, they are immediately at home with the Lord in heaven. If we view these verses in the proper light of what Jesus said at John 14:2-3, the saints are not at home with the Lord and heavenly bound until Christ comes again. This will be when Christ comes a second time, and takes them home to Himself. It is only then that the resurrected saints are truly at home with the Lord and absent from the body. They will then receive their mansions in heaven. This corresponds with all of the other verses previously referenced. The saints are asleep in their graves, and are not raised to glory and at home with the Lord, until He returns! It is then, and only then, that they stand before the judgment seat of Christ and receive their inheritance.
The Judgment of the Saints
The Apostle Paul wrote that the saints, upon being resurrected, must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to account for what they did in the body. The judgment of the church is another scriptural doctrine that is often overlooked and not taught. Note, how the following verses verify that upon being raised, the saints stand and receive judgment at the end of the world or age, at the second coming of Christ.
Hebrews 9:27-28 states: “27 and just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes the (certain) judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time (at the end of the world, at the end of the ages, at the end of this old order), not to deal with sin (not to bear sin, not as a sin bearer) but to save those who are eagerly (ardently, constantly, patiently) awaiting Him (looking for, expecting Him).”
1 Corinthians 4:5 states: “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.”
2 Corinthians 5:8-10 states: “8 We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 For whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body (flesh).” (Previously cited)
Romans 14:10-12 states: “10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God, for it is written, ‘Just as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ 12 So each of us shall give an account of himself to God.”
1 Peter 4:17-18 states: “17 For the time has come for the judgment to begin with the household of God (the church); and if it begins with us (we as Christians), what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel (good news) of God? 18 And if the righteous man is scarcely saved (the good man is saved only with difficulty, if it is hard for the upright man to be saved), where will the impious and sinner appear (what will become of the godless man and the sinner, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear)?”
The Apostle Paul wrote at 2 Timothy 4:1: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who is (destined) to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing (coming) and His kingdom. . .”
The Master Settles Accounts w/ Servants (or Slaves)
The saints are finally at home or present with the Lord, when Christ (the Master) returns after a long time, a second time. Faithful servants will then receive their reward, when the Master (Christ) settles accounts with them for the good or evil works done while He was away. They will then receive a home or mansion, not made with human hands, eternal in heaven.
Matthew 25:19 &21 states: “19 Now after a long time the Master of those servants came (returned) and settled accounts with them. 21 His Master said to him (the servant); “Well done, good and faithful servant (slave); you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your Master.” (Rd. Mathew 25:14-30, “Parable of the Talents”)
The faithful saints, who have laid a foundation in Jesus Christ, will be rewarded for their works on the Day of Christ’s return, not before!
The Apostle Paul at 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 states: “13 Each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.”
Note, it is only after receiving judgment on the Day of the coming of the Lord, that the saints receive their reward and are truly at home with the Lord.
The Apostle Paul confirms this at 2 Timothy 4:8: “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but all who love his appearing (coming).”
Revelation 11:16-18 states: “16 . . . The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. . . 17 We give thanks to thee, Lord God Almighty, who art and who was, that thou hast taken thy great power and begun to reign. 18 The nations raged but thy wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, for rewarding thy servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear thy name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 states: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely (wholly); and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete (be sound), without blame (blameless) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 5:5 states: “. . . you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
The Glorification of the Saints
It is at the second coming of the Lord, that both the resurrected and remaining saints receive their reward and are glorified! In a similar manner, the Lord Jesus Christ is also glorified in His saints.
The Apostle Paul at Philippians 3:20-21 states: “20 But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to Himself.”
The Apostle Paul at 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 states: “7 . . . when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, 10 and when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, and to be marveled at in all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.”
The following passages confirm that the saints are rewarded and glorified at the coming of the Lord.
1 Peter 5:4 states: “And when the chief Shepherd (Christ Jesus) is manifested (revealed) you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.”
Colossians 3:4 states: “When Christ who is our life appears (is revealed), then you will also appear (be revealed) with Him in glory.”
Philippians 3:20-21 states: “20 But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will change our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power which enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.”
The sleeping saints, who are raised at the coming of the Lord, will each receive a glorified spirit body. The Apostle Paul describes this transformation or glorification of the saints in his letter to the Corinthian church.
1 Corinthians 15:35-36 & 42-50 states: “35 But someone may ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’ 36 You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable (sown in corruption or decomposition, a perishable body), what is raised is imperishable (raised in incorruption, an imperishable body, a body free from decay). 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being (soul),’ the last Adam (Jesus Christ) became a life giving Spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual which is first but the physical, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of dust; and is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 50 I tell you this brethren; flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable (what is decaying, the corrupt) inherit the imperishable (the immortal, the incorrupt).”
The above passage confirms that the sleeping saints will be raised to glory and inherit a glorified heavenly body, a spirit body, along with immortality. The Apostle Paul tells us that flesh and blood, a physical body, cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither can that which is corrupt and mortal inherit that which is incorrupt and immortal. The body that the resurrected saints inherit, will be in the same likeness as the glorified body of our Lord Jesus Christ (the last Adam), who became a life giving Spirit. In this way, the resurrected saints will also bear the image of the man out of heaven, Christ Jesus, who is Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 states: “17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. 18 For we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed in His likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”*
2 Corinthians 5:16 states: “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we know Him in this way no longer.”
Acts 10:40-41 states: ‘But God raised Him (Christ) on third day and allowed (permitted) Him to appear (to be seen, granted that He should become visible), 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses. . .”
In a similar manner, the saints who are still alive at the coming of the Lord will be transformed (changed) in a twinkling of an eye, and take on glorified, immortal bodies.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 states: “51 Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep (not all of us are to die), but shall all be changed (we shall all be given new bodies), 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed (transformed, we who are still alive shall suddenly have new bodies too). 53 For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality.” (Previously cited)
The Second Resurrection
The rest of the dead are not resurrected, until after the thousand year reign of Christ has ended. All of the rest of humanity, those who do not comprise the church, will be resurrected and face Christ in what Revelation refers to as, “the Great White Throne Judgment.” This is the second resurrection!
Revelation 20:5 states: “The rest of the dead did not come to life until after the thousand years have ended. . .”
Revelation 20:11-12 states: “11 And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it. . . 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done.”
These verses, along with the many other passages of scripture already considered, consolidate that the rest of the dead are asleep in their graves and await a future resurrection and judgment, at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ. (See John 14:11-15, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2 & 13, John 5:21, 28-29, previously cited)
Clinical Death & Biological Death
When a person dies, their spirit leaves their body and goes back to God. The body goes back to dust. Only God can reunite the departed spirit with the deceased person in what the Bible calls a resurrection. A person is not really dead (biologically speaking) until the spirit leaves the body. This usually takes a maximum period of four days. That is why Jesus waited, until Lazarus had been dead for four days, before He resurrected him. In letting a four day period expire, no one could accuse Jesus of staging Lazarus’ resurrection.
There are rare documented instances, where people have been been clinically pronounced dead with no vital signs, only to regain consciousness; minutes, hours, and even days later, just prior to burial. In these cases, the deceased person’s spirit never entirely left their body. Solomon refers to the spirit leaving the body as the silver cord that is snapped or severed. Once that silver cord is completely severed, a person is both biologically and clinically dead. The deceased person then rests in the grave and awaits a future resurrection and judgment. Note what the following verses have to say in this regard.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 & 6-7 states: “1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. . .6 before the silver cord is snapped . . . 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (See also Ecclesiastes 3:20-21 previously cited)
Psalms 104:29-30 states: “29 You hide your face, they are dismayed; You take away their spirit, they expire (die) and return to dust. 30 You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.”
Psalms 146:3-4 states: “3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help (no hope). 4 When his breath (spirit) departs he returns to the earth; on that very day his (previous) plans (purposes or thoughts) perish.” (Previously cited)
Jesus waited four days, before resurrecting Lazarus.
At John 11:39, Martha said to Jesus concerning her brother, Lazarus: “. . . Lord, by this time there will have been an odor, for he has been dead four days.”
There is nothing in Holy Scripture that indicates that those who have died are immediately rewarded with either a heavenly bliss or a fiery hell.* Instead, the scriptures teach that the dead are asleep in their graves and await a future resurrection and judgment. The scriptures state that all of those who have died and are resurrected, will face Christ in the judgment and account for their deeds done in the flesh.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body (flesh).” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (See also Romans 14:12, previously cited)
The scriptures also make it clear that there are two resurrections. The first resurrection consists of the sleeping saints, those who have fallen asleep in Christ, who are raised at the coming of the Lord. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) The second resurrection consists of all of the rest of humanity, those who are resurrected at the end of the thousand year reign of Christ.* (See Revelation 20:4-10, previously cited)
When a person dies, the spirit of that person leaves the body and goes back to the true God. The body goes back to the dust. Only God can restore or give a person’s spirit back to them, by resurrecting them.
Psalms 104:29-30 states: “29 Thou dost hide (conceal) thy face, they are dismayed; thou dost take away their spirit (breath), they expire (die), and return to their dust. 30 Thou dost send forth thy Spirit (and give them breath), they are created; and thou dost renew (replenish) the face of the ground.” (Previously cited)
Job 34:14-15 states: “14. . . If God should set His heart upon him (man) and withdraw His (life-giving) spirit and His breath (from man) to Himself, 15 All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.”
Ecclesiastes 12:7 states: “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
The many accounts of near death experiences or outer body experiences are just that; near death experiences that can temporarily suspend someone’s spirit outside or beyond the body! A person’s spirit is capable of being suspended beyond the body and seeing or experiencing things related to oneself, or beyond oneself, that would be considered paranormal. This is commonly referred to as “astral projection.” When this occurs, the spirit is still connected to the body! A person experiencing this is still alive. In these cases a person may be pronounced clinically dead (having no vital signs), but they are not biologically dead, where the spirit has completely left the body.
God can sponsor such an experience. The Apostle John was caught up, “in the spirit,” to God’s throne room and given a vision. (See Revelation 4:2) The Apostle Paul was also caught up, “whether in the body or out of the body,” he did not know, and given a vision of “Paradise” or the “third heaven.” (See 2 Corinthians 12:1-5)
In the occult, witches and warlocks utilize astral projection as a way of carrying out their dark missions. Demonic forces assist the practitioner in projecting or extending their spirit outside of the body. In theses instances, the silver cord is still attached to the body and unbroken. This practice was originally characterized by a witch riding on her broomstick.
Near death experiences vary greatly in descriptions of the afterlife, which include both images of heaven and hell. Both believers and non believers have had such experiences. Some of these experiences are credible in the light of Holy Scripture, while others are not! The question to ask one’s self is, “Does an experience of this nature align with Holy Scripture and the theology thus far presented?” The Bible is very clear in stating that once a person’s spirit has completely left their body, all conscious thought and plans cease! The deceased one is asleep in the grave and awaits a future resurrection and judgment. Any paranormal experience that contradicts or goes beyond what Holy Scripture states, does not originate with God. (See Bible Topics: The Spirit, Soul & Body & The Resurrection)
*Red print is for variations of scriptural passages and/or for clarification.
**Some theologians & scholars have speculated that the verses found at Daniel 12:2 & 13, might indicate the possibility of a third resurrection, comprised of the faithful men of the Old Testament. If this were so, such a resurrection would most likely occur during the 1,000 year reign of Christ. Faithful men such as King David and John the Baptist would then receive their reward on earth, during the millennium; prior to the resurrection of the rest of the dead and the Great White Throne Judgment, which occur at the end of thousand years.
*It is commonly taught as theological fact, that Elijah the prophet was awarded with heavenly glory and immortality when he was taken up in a fiery chariot. A careful examination of the scriptures reveals otherwise.
Elijah was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot, but to which heaven? There are three different heavens in scripture.
1. The first heaven, referring to the earth’s atmosphere or expanse.
2. The second heaven, referring to outer space (the universe), outside of the earth’s atmosphere.
3. The third heaven, referring to God’s throne room, where He resides.
The fact that Elijah did not receive heavenly immortality and glory is affirmed by Jesus Christ Himself.
Jesus said at John 3:13: “No one has ever gone (ascended) into heaven except the One (the Son of Man) who came down (descended) from heaven.”
The fact that Elijah did not receive heavenly glory and immortality was also corroborated by his contemporaries. Fifty strong men, who were servants of Elisha, were sent to search for Elijah for three days after his ascension. They returned without results. They expected to find that Elijah had descended on a mountain or in a valley. (See 2 Kings 2:15-18) Elijah did not die at this time, nor did he go into the heavenly realm (the third heaven), but he was transferred to another prophetic assignment. This was evident in that Elisha, who inherited Elijah’s garment and prophetic assignment, did not observe any mourning for his master. (See 2 Kings 2:9-14) A number of years later, after his ascension into the wind storm, Elijah is found still alive and active as a prophet, this time to the king of Judah. Because of the wicked course taken by King Jehoram, Elijah wrote him a letter expressing God’s condemnation. God’s judgment was fulfilled, shortly thereafter. “And a letter came to him (King Jehoram) from Elijah the prophet saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David. . .'” (Read 2 Chronicles 21:12-15) It must also be stated that Elijah could not have inherited heavenly glory and immortality, as the Christ or Messiah had not yet appeared or shed His blood on the cross for humanity. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (forgiveness, atonement) of sins. Hebrews 9:22
It is also commonly taught that Enoch, the great grandfather of Noah, who prophesied against the fallen angels, the watchers, was translated (or transferred) into heavenly glory. The Bible never states this. Genesis 5:24 states: “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.” Hebrews 11:5 states: “By faith Enoch was taken (transferred) so that he did not experience death; ‘and he was not found, because God had taken (translated) him.'” Once again, it would have been impossible for Enoch to have inherited heavenly glory and immortality, as there was no appearance of the Messiah, or the shedding of blood for the remission of sins.
Jesus stated at John 3:13: ” No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.”
Hebrews 9:22 states: “. . . without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.”
The Book of Jubilee, a parallel account of Genesis, which was an accepted book by the Jews of Jesus’ day, establishes the truth regarding Enoch’s being taken or transferred (translated).
The Book of Jubilee 4:23-24 states: “23 And he (Enoch) testified to the watchers, who had sinned with the daughters of men. And he was taken from amongst the children of men, and we conducted him into the garden of Eden, in majesty and honour and behold there he writes down the condemnation and judgment of the world, and all the wickedness of the children of men. 24 And on account of it, (God) brought the waters of the flood upon all the land of Eden.”
The fallen angels and their hybrid offspring of giants, may have wanted to kill Enoch. By transferring Enoch into the garden, he was spared and preserved alive to write his book.
*Definition for “rapture” (Latin): to be caught up or snatched up.
*The Apostle Peter testified that Christ was made alive in the Spirit.
1 Peter 3:18 states: “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit; . .”
This text at 1 Peter 3:18 is accurately rendered: “Christ was “made alive in the Spirit,” not “made alive by the Spirit.” This is in accordance with the most ancient and original Greek manuscripts.
The Apostle Paul stated that the Lord (Jesus Christ) is Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 states: “17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. 18 For we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed in His likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 6:17 states: “But he that is united with the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.”
1 Corinthians 15:45 states: “. . . The last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit.”
Philippians 1:19 states: “. . . For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.”
*The Encyclopedia Britannica states: “Christian concepts of a body-soul dichotomy originated with the ancient Greeks and were introduced into Christian theology at an early date by St. Gregory of Nyssa and by St. Augustine. The early Christian philosophers adopted the Greek concept of the soul’s immortality and thought of the soul as being created by God and infused into the body at conception.”