Middle of June Monday Message:

We’ve all heard of dying and going to heaven; but have you ever heard of dying and going to Earth? Some Christians say, “The Earth is not my home.” Would they be surprised to learn that the new earth is their destination? This week I promised to look at where we go when we die. The Bible speaks of eternal life and adoption into the holy family to those who repent and claim Jesus as savior. But what’s the specific plan, the destination? What is “the place of the dead?” What is “sheol?” Everyone wants an answer to this first-order question: What happens when I die? I should tell you that this question is shrouded in controversy. You can get different answers from different theologians and different denominations, each of whom can make a case for their position. I’ll do my best to spell this out in plain English, and then give you the scripture so you can check my work. Grab your Bibles - here we go.

The Bible tells us that believers and unbelievers, the sheep and the goats, are treated differently. After death, believers’ souls leave their bodies and, for a time, go to heaven; their sins were already forgiven when they received Jesus as Savior. (John 3:16, 18, 36) Heaven is a good place. Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) While the souls of believers go to be with Christ immediately after death, the physical body remains in the grave, “sleeping.” In God’s time, the physical body is resurrected, glorified, and reunited with the soul. Those needing one will be given a new glorified body. (2 Cor. 5:6-8) This reunited and glorified body-soul-spirit will be for all eternity in the new heavens and new earth.

For those who do not know Jesus, death means eternal punishment. (Matt. 25:46) Upon death, unbelievers go to a temporary holding place to await their final resurrection, judgment, and eternal destiny. This is not a good place. Jesus spoke of a rich man who, immediately after his death, said, “I am in agony in this fire.” (Luke 16:24) Then the unbelieving dead are resurrected, judged at the great white throne, and then cast into the lake of fire, their eternal destination. (Rev. 20:11-15)

Our Catholic brethren talk about going to a temporary place immediately after death, Purgatory, which they now call a “tradition” since the word Purgatory is not in the Bible. Where the Catholic position differs from Reformation Theology is the belief that an additional “something” could be done here to cleanse sins not yet forgiven, and to speed the person’s journey to the final destination. But that teaching implies that what Jesus did was not sufficient to cover our sin. This is never the right answer. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are already cleansed, already declared righteous, forgiven, redeemed, reconciled, and sanctified. Sola Christo. (John 1:12, Romans 10:9)

So after death, we all reside in a “temporary” heaven or hell. Then at the final resurrection, a person’s destination shifts, but their eternal destiny does not change. Believers will ultimately gain entrance into the new heavens and new earth. Unbelievers will find themselves in the lake of fire. “The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:14b-15) These final, eternal destinations are based entirely on whether or not the person had trusted Jesus Christ alone for salvation. "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:46)

Following the end-times events, heavens and earth will be replaced by the new heavens and new earth. (Rev. 21:1) God will give the heavens and the earth a fresh start, making it all new again, like Eden (unspoiled paradise). The New Jerusalem will be here, along with the pearly gates and streets of gold. (Rev. 21:21) We’ll live in a place free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. The Earth is our home, and the Father and the Son will live among us. (Rev. 21:22) No matter how badly we humans or our industries damage the earth now, our awesome God will restore everything. Not to worry; He’s a big God, He’s good all the time, He intends for this earth to become paradise restored, and He always wins!

Before we sign off, let’s end a few myths: 1. We don’t become angels. 2. We don’t live in the first heaven forever. 3. Heaven is not necessarily in the sky. 4. We don’t float on clouds. But we might play harps – to accompany the singing of praises to the LORD for all He has done for us. Lift your voices!

God’s blessings to you and your loved ones this week!

Norton Lawellin