"Life After Death"

  It is simply amazing how we seem to approach life after death. I grew up with teachings that once we die, we go to this place of Paradise and await judgment. The teaching arose out of Luke 16 in dealing with the rich man and Lazarus. However, what seems to escape notice is Jesus is speaking of something before His death. Another thing is the term Paradise is never mentioned in the context but we have charts and books written about it using the idea of Paradise when Jesus never uses the term in this context.

  What happens once we die? If it were easy to put with a verse that simply states it, that would end it but it's not that simple. But yet it is that simple. How do we, people under the new covenant of God, come up with the idea that we will be judged? Where do we go (I am speaking only of those faithful in Christ) once we die?

  First, let's look at where we go. Paul states in Phil. 1:23 that he desires to depart and be with Christ. John wrote what he saw in the book of Revelation and in Rev. 6:9, the souls of those who had died because of the word of God, are seen as under the altar in heaven. Paul writes to the Thessalonians that at the coming of the Lord, He will bring with Him those who have died (I Thes. 4:14). I realize there are other elements involving the resurrection day, but we are simply looking at what happens to the saint when they die. In II Cor. 5:6-8, Paul speaks that while we are in our body, we are absent from the Lord and he preferred to be absent from the body and be with the Lord. In these few verses, we have a teaching that depicts when a saint dies, they go and be with the Lord. We need to believe that.

  Secondly, will we be judged? As one surveys the New Testament, it becomes evident that the unrighteous are the one who gain the wrath of God. Paul reminds the brethren in Rom. 2:1-5 that those who are stubborn and unrepentant are storing up God's wrath for themselves. The Hebrew writer points out that those who sin intentionally after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for their sins but a terrifying expectation of judgment (Heb. 10:26-27). Paul reminds the Thessalonians that God has not destined us (the saint) for wrath but for obtaining salvation through Jesus Christ (I Thes. 5:9). The church at Rome was taught that Jesus would be our Savior from the wrath of God (Rom. 5:8-9). We are under a covenant with God. This covenant from heaven speaks: "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Heb. 8:12) No sin. Nothing to be tried for if Jesus has forgiven us. Why do we teach we will have to give an account? Many pull from verses like II Cor. 5:10: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." Many are quick to point out it says we will give an account for the deeds of the body but there is one word I want you to see: "Whether"! That word is a coordinating conjunction meaning "either, or". It's not both!!! Either the good or either the bad! We are under a covenant with the Lord. He made His promise to not remember our sins against us. What does that leave us with?

  Do some studying on your own. Think as you study. As Paul reminded the Thessalonians about those who were afflicting them and causing them suffering that the Lord will be revealed from heaven and He will deal out His punishment on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel. They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord. What about the saint? He will be glorified in them!!! (II Thes. 1:6-10) This is such good news. Stop fearing eternity and embrace the covenant that you came under in Christ Jesus the Lord. Fear is for the impenitent and unbelieving!