Articles
The Afterlife
Since the introduction of sin into the world, death has been a reality for mankind (Genesis 3:19; Hebrews 9:27). Perhaps one of the things which makes death scary for some is the question of what happens after we die. Yet we do not have to remain ignorant of what occurs after death. 2 Timothy 1:10 tells how Jesus, “has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (NKJV). Jesus can speak with authority about the subject of the afterlife because He died, was buried, and arose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Jesus also has, “the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:18, NKJV). What does the Bible teach us about what happens after death?
The Bible plainly teaches one does not cease to exist at the point of death. The materialist might claim all that exists of man is organic matter and once the body dies the person simply goes out of existence. The Bible teaches man is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Being made in the image of God infers man consists of more than of physical body but also has an everlasting soul or spirit (John 4:24). James 2:26 tells about how, “the body without the spirit is dead” (NKJV). Genesis 35:18 describes Rachel’s death in the following manner: “as her soul was departing” (NKJV). Ecclesiastes 12:7 points out the physical body will return to the dust but the spirit returns to God who gave it. Therefore, death is not the end of man’s existence but one’s spirit survives the death of the body.
After death one’s eternal destiny is sealed. At the judgment we will, “receive the things done in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NKJV). We will not have the opportunity after we die to make corrections to our life. Luke 16 describes what happens to two men following their death and they go to two different places. Luke 16:26 says, “And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us” (NKJV). One cannot change one’s eternal destiny after one dies. Hence it is important for us now to make the necessary corrections we need to make in our lives and not put off making such changes until it is too late.
After death the wicked enter a place of torment. Luke 16:22-25 describes a rich man who died and ended up in a place of torments in Hades. It is common for people to think whenever anyone dies they are no longer suffering. However, for those who lived ungodly lives when they die they go to a place of torment far worse than anything they ever experienced in this life. The rich man longs for a drop of water to cool his tongue because he is tormented in the flame. A person who is unprepared for death ought to be terrified of the punishment which awaits him after he dies.
After death the righteous are said to be, “carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22, NKJV). Imagine the picture of dying and instead of being left all alone being escorted by angels to a place of comfort. Such should be a comforting thought when we think of what death is like for the righteous. The righteous do not enter a place of torment but rather a place of comfort (Luke 16:25). After death, the righteous are said to be with Christ in some sense in which they are not at the moment (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23). The righteous dead will be awaiting the final judgment, like the wicked dead are (John 5:28-29). The righteous who have died before the Lord’s return will not miss out on the reward of heaven but will experience the same reward those who are Christ’s at His coming will enjoy (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
After death we are cut off from interacting with people who are still alive. Luke 16:27-28 people were not going to be sent back from the realm of the dead to warn those alive of what awaits. The testimony of Scripture should be sufficient to warn those who will believe. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 speaks about the dead nevermore having a share in anything done under the sun. Since death cuts us off from life under the sun, we need to make the best use of the opportunities we have at the present (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10).
Death can be a scary thing if one is not prepared to die. Death for the righteous individual can be an opportunity to finish one’s earthly life and go on to receive the crown of righteousness. Let us remember the way Paul was able to face death (2 Timothy 4:6-8) and live our life in such a way we can face death with the same sort of confidence.
