Here’s What Happens When You Die
From Jesus Lips to Your Ears—The Truth
The 11th chapter of John’s Gospel records the resurrection of Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha. Word had been sent to Jesus that Lazarus was very sick. Nevertheless, Jesus chose to wait two days before leaving for Bethany of Judea. When Jesus finally arrives Lazarus was dead and buried for four days. Mary and Martha must have agonized in their hearts when Jesus delayed coming to Lazarus aid and administering healing so often provided to others and strangers Jesus hardly knew.
Jesus is less than two miles outside of Bethany when Martha learns that Jesus is coming and rushes out to meet him.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:21-27)
In verse 25 Jesus unequivocally declares “I am the resurrection and the life.” All who belong to Jesus will enter into eternal life after death. Whoever “lives by believing in me will never die” even when their human body dies. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:50 “flesh and blood” cannot enter heaven, so while our soul and spirit that has been renewed through the new birth or the born-again experience will enter heaven, our fleshly body returns to the earth as dust. When Christ returns and the dead in Christ are raised and glorified, our glorified body is reunited with our soul and spirit for all eternity.
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thesolonians 4:13-18)
Theologian Dr. Wayne Grudem explains it this way:
Glorification is the final step in the application of redemption. It will happen when Christ returns and raises from the dead the bodies of all believers for all time who have died and changes the bodies of all believers who remain alive, thereby giving all believers at the same time perfect resurrection bodies like His own.
There are many religious beliefs and philosophical ideas as to what happens when we die, but they are all based on human opinion and not the Bible which means they are all wrong. Our understanding of life and death comes from “the resurrection and the life” Himself—Jesus the Son of God. There is no higher authority than the Creator and the occasion of Lazarus’s sickness and death serves as both an example and promise to all who are in Christ.
The path to everlasting life goes through Jesus. The Bible does not suggest some other way to heaven and eternal life. No one else can forgive our sins and give us the free gift of eternal life. No one else suffered in our place on the cross and took upon himself the punishment for our sinful lives. The word of God says in Acts 4:12:
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Make no mistake about it you are going to die, that is to say, your physical body will at some point die and return to the dust of the earth if Jesus doesn’t return during your lifetime. According to 2 Cor. 5:8, those who have repented and been born again will enter the Lord’s presence. However, the unrepented, the unbeliever, and all those who have ignored repentance and the gift of salvation will find themselves forever separated from the Lord and experience unimaginable consequences.
Isn’t it time to get right with God?
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be been born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
