“JUST AFTER DEATH, WHAT THEN?”

Many people speculate concerning what happens after physical death. The reality is that all such speculations are void of evidence. This is not to deny that there have been testimonials of “after-death” experiences, however, aside from the individual who personally had the experience, no evidence exists apart from their testimonials. Even then, those testimonials varied as to what was experienced. The medical profession can only pronounce someone as clinically dead, then alive at a later time. 

Interestingly though, in spite of the variations in claims of what was seen or heard, there are repeated references of things mentioned in the Bible. That being so, let us consider what the Bible does reveal about the state of humanity following physical death.

There is only one case of someone who died, arose, then reappeared on earth for a prolonged period of time. There were many who witnessed this reappearance, only to witness an ascension in the clouds of the same individual. Of course this is referring to Jesus. The record of His last day upon earth states, "...he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said 'Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into  heaven'."  (Acts 1:9b-11).

Our concern in this article is what the Bible reveals of Jesus between the time of His death and His resurrection from the grave. This will prove most helpful in understanding what happens to all humanity at physical death. The Bible declares that for three days, his body lay in a tomb, then was resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 20). Afterward, He appeared upon the earth for some forty days (Acts 1:3). During one of these appearances Jesus stated to Mary “I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17). After this, Jesus did ascend to heaven (Acts 1:9). 

It is important to understand that the resurrection and the ascension are not the same thing. It is equally important to understand which of these two events occur first. Jesus said to Mary that, He had not yet ascended. Wherever His spirit was, it had not went to where the Father was. So where did Jesus' spirit go after it left His body? Let us focus upon these three days that His body was in a tomb. Whatever the status was of Jesus' spirit, would this not also be true of all humanity? If not, why not? What is the status of their spirits? 

At physical death, do their spirits go where Jesus NOW is following His ascension (with the Father)? Or do their spirits go where Jesus’ spirit went prior to His resurrection? Again, the resurrection and the ascension are not the same thing. Jesus, in discussing the resurrection with the Sadducees, indicated that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, although physically dead, were alive (Mark 12:26-27). We are told that they are no longer in the flesh, yet they haven't been raised. Are we to believe that they are already in heaven prior to being raised? What of those whom Jesus raised during His earthly ministry (Matthew 11:5)? Did Jesus have them re-descend from heaven; re-live on earth; re-die physically; and re-ascend to heaven? Why do this with only a very few, rather than have it be the norm for humanity? Do you see the absurdity? What does the inspired record reveal?

In answer to this, let us read what was said of those saints who were resurrected at the same time Jesus was resurrected. Of them we read,“…and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:53). They did not descend from heaven when they entered the holy city, but came forth "out of the tombs". What is meant by "the tombs"? The answer is found in the three words that are translated 'hell' in the Bible.

The term ‘hell’—David stated in Psalm 16:10, “…thou wilt not leave my soul in hell...”.  The word translated ‘hell’ here in the Hebrew is ‘sheol’.  This is referring to the abode of the dead.  It is elsewhere translated as the grave (31x) and the pit (3x). When Jacob thought his son Joseph was dead, he stated in Genesis 37:25, “…I will go down into the grave unto my son...”  Jacob was referring to the abode of the dead. The death of Korah and his company was described as going down, “alive into the pit” (Numbers 16:33).  The terms ‘PIT’, ‘GRAVE’, and ‘HELL’ (sheol) all refer to the abode of the dead. The ‘abode of the dead’ is also seen from 1 Samuel 28. King Saul had a medium bring up Samuel (who had earlier died—v. 1) ‘from the earth’ (vv. 13, 15). In v. 19, Samuel told Saul that his death was to occur the following day, stating, “tomorrow you and your sons will be with me”. Samuel had come from the abode of the dead. Samuel was alive, but not physically. This passage in Psalm 16:10 is quoted in the N. T., by the apostle Peter. He said that this passage in Psalm 16:10 was referring to Jesus. Jesus’ soul was not LEFT in hell (Acts 2:27, 31). But following physical death, Jesus’ soul went there for three days. The souls of Samuel, King Saul and his sons, the rich man, Lazarus, Abraham, one of the thieves, those whom Jesus raised during His earthly ministry, and many saints also went here. This word ‘hades’ in Acts 2:31 is the equivalent of the O. T. Hebrew word ‘sheol’.

In Luke 16:23 we find more information about this 'abode of the dead' called ‘sheol’ (O.T.) or ‘hades’ (N. T.). After the rich man died, it says, “And in hell (hades) he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom”. Both the rich man and Lazarus were in this ‘abode of the dead’.  A righteous person and an evil person. However, it is clear that they were separated from one another in this realm by a “great gulf”. Lazarus was said to be in “Abraham’s bosom” while the rich man was in “torments”. Remember the Lord stated to one thief, “…today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  Were Jesus and this thief with the rich man (in torments), or with Lazarus, Abraham, and many saints? This term ‘paradise’ corresponds to 'Abraham’s bosom' where Lazarus was said to be comforted. All of them were in ‘hades’; i.e., the abode of the dead. Only Jesus did not remain there, for He was resurrected on the third day. 

Jesus has SINCE ascended to Heaven where He is now reigning (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-25). Has anyone else ascended to this realm? All will undergo a resurrection at Judgment (John 5:28-29), but that day has not yet come, for Jesus has not yet returned "in the clouds".  In His resurrection, He became the firstborn of many brethren (Romans 8:29). This is the hope for all who will conform their life to Jesus’ teachings. They will be with Him forever after the Judgment, but not prior. Currently their spirits are where Jesus’ spirit went at death.

Why does this matter?  Because to teach that one goes directly to heaven at physical death distorts what the Bible reveals about the Day of Judgment.  Consider…would it not stand to reason that if a saved person goes immediately to heaven at physical death; then a lost person would go immediately to hell at physical death?  If that is the case, what need is there for a Judgment?

The Judgment—Solomon declared that God would "bring every deed into judgement, with every secret thing, whether good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The apostle Paul spoke of a day, "when according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of man through Christ Jesus" (Romans 2:16). Jesus declared, "on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak" (Matthew 12:36). It was this day that Jesus spoke of as "an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29). Both good and evil people are "in the tombs" prior to the Judgment Day. They will be resurrected on the same day. This supports what Luke 16 teaches. It is this time of which the apostle Paul described as follows: "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). "Being with the Lord...always" does not occur until AFTER the resurrection on Judgment Day according to the scriptures!

GEHENNA—Jesus spoke of a 'hell of fire' that is different from 'hades'. In Matthew 5:22, 29 this hell is 'gehenna'. It is the eternal abode for the wicked after the sentencing of condemnation on Judgment Day. Notice:

~ "every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire." (Matthew 5:22)

~ "And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell." (Matthew 5:29)

The events on the Judgment day were graphically depicted by the words of Jesus as follows: "But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left" (Matthew 25:31-33). To those on 'the left', these words will be spoken, "Depart from me, ye cursed into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels...and these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:41, 46).

This 'hell' (gehenna) is eternal punishment. It is as everlasting as is the eternal life for the righteous. But neither of these are entered PRIOR to the Judgment day!

Disobedient Angels—There is one passage in which the word 'hell' is found that is neither 'hades' nor 'gehanna'. "For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (2 Peter 2:4). The word here for hell is 'tartarus'. Again we read of disobedient angels these words: "And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." (Jude 1:6). Notice that both passages speak of being 'reserved' or 'kept' until the "Judgment of the great day".

There were those in the first century who overthrew the faith of some by teaching that the resurrection had already occurred (cf. 2 Timothy 2:18). Paul stated that these who taught this, had "erred concerning the truth". There are many who still preach error concerning the resurrection. Don't be deceived. 

Those who have undergone physical death are awaiting the return of Jesus and will be judged at the same time as those who are alive at his coming (please re-read 2 Thessalonians 4:14-18). Let us place our faith and hope upon the word of God concerning what happens between physical death and the resurrection. Let us likewise prepare NOW for this great day in which we will face: "For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10).