What Happens When We Die?

"Lazarus, our friend, has found REPOSE, but I am going that I should be awakening him out of SLEEP." The disciples, then, said to Him, "Lord, if he has repose, he shall be saved." Now Jesus had made a declaration concerning his DEATH, yet they suppose that He is saying it concerning the REPOSE OF SLEEP." Jesus, then, said to them with boldness then, "Lazarus DIED." (John 11:11-14)

When Lazarus died, he is said by Jesus to have gone to sleep - not to heaven.

"Now Jesus, again crying with a loud voice, lets out the spirit." And lo! the curtain of the temple is rent in two from above to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks are rent, and the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the REPOSING SAINTS were ROUSED, and, coming out of the tombs AFTER HIS ROUSING, they entered into the holy city and are disclosed to many." (Matthew 27:50-53)

Jesus died and was put to repose in the tomb - asleep as was Lazarus. After His body was awakened, MANY BODIES of those who had died and were reposing (sleeping) came out of the tombs.

"And, answering, Jesus said to them, "The sons of this eon are marrying and are taking out in marriage." Yet those deemed worthy to happen upon that eon and the resurrection from among the dead are neither marrying nor taking out in marriage. For neither can they still be dying, for they are equal to messengers, and are the sons of God, being sons of the resurrection." Now that the DEAD ARE ROUSING, even Moses divulges at the thorn bush, as he is terming the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." Now God is He, not of the dead, but of the living, for ALL, TO HIM, ARE LIVING." (Luke 20:34-38)

Although everyone who has died are asleep, resting in peace, to God they are living while sleeping because He intends to rouse them from their sleep sometime in the future.

Trust and Faith

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." 

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

"Have faith in God" ... "Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed..." (Mark 11:22...Hebrews 1:1)

We are to TRUST in the Lord and have FAITH in what He SAYS.

It is sad to see our world filled with those who are trusting in politicians and having faith in what they say - whether liberal or conservatives. NONE OF THEM have the power to do what they say. So, I simply TRUST in the one being who can be trusted, and I have FAITH that He will do what He says.

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1:20-22)

Scriptures About Hell - Not What You Think

The Hebrew word Sheol, and the Greek words Hades, Gehenna and Tartarus (each translated “hell” or “hades” in most English versions of the Bible) do not refer to a place of eternal conscious torment called hell.

What about Luke 16:19-31 - the rich man and Lazarus? 

That is a parable spoken by Jesus in a series of parables beginning in Luke 14:7. Jesus was addressing the Sopherim (Scribes), Pharisees and Sadducees - religious leaders of the Jewish people similar to modern day Christian pastors, evangelists, and teachers. Jesus told His disciples that He spoke to them in parables because these religious leaders had not been “granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven”. 

The “Kingdom” He was referring to is the Kingdom of Israel that God has promised to reestablished by the Messiah on the earth. These religious leaders rejected Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. So, Jesus spoke to them in parables about what would happen to Israel because of their rejection. 

The rich man represents the apostate religious leaders of Israel, as did the prodigal son in Chapter 15. Because of their apostasy the nation of Israel would be scattered among the nations and suffer much torment.  Historical examples include the Christian and Muslim Crusades, the Pogroms of Russia and the Holocaust of Germany.  And the worst suffering is still future, the suffering under the final world leader - referred to as a wild beast (the Antichrist) in Revelation. Jesus told the apostate leaders that they would not understand even if one came back from the dead to tell them, which Jesus did, and was again rejected as shown in the book of Acts. 

Attributing this parable to a literal hell where unsaved people are tormented forever and ever is blasphemy against the holy spirit of truth and it will not be pardoned in this age or in the Kingdom age. 

What about Revelation 14:11 - the fate of those who worship the wild beast? 

Revelation is wholly concerned with the final seven years of this age. During the last 3 ½ years the world will embrace a world leader who will be a false Messiah - the wild beast (Antichrist). During that time the world will undergo the most severe tribulation ever to come upon the earth, so much so that Jesus said “except those days were discounted, no flesh at all would be saved.” (Matthew 24:22)

All those who follow the false Messiah will be tormented during this period and be killed either during their torment, or at the return of Jesus. The “smoke” (remembrance) of this torment will not be forgotten in the ages to follow. 

Again, to say this is describing a literal hell where individuals are supernaturally kept alive by God to be tormented forever and ever is blasphemy against the holy spirit of truth and will not be forgiven in this age or in the ages to come.

What about Matthew 25:46 - the fate of the goat nations after Jesus returns? 

When Jesus returns to establish the kingdom of Israel on the earth He will divide the nations of that era into two groups, one group are those nations who helped the faithful people of Israel during the Tribulation and the other group are those nations who did not. The nations who helped would continue as a nation during the kingdom Age, but those nations who did not would experience “chastening” during that age. The relevant Greek phrase properly translated into English is “chastening eonian”, not “eternal punishment”. 

Again, attributing the chastening of those goat nations to a teaching of a literal hell where individuals are tormented forever and ever is blasphemy against the holy spirit, and will not be pardoned in the age or in the ages to come. 

What about 2 Peter 3:7-9 - the day of destruction of irreverent men? 

Peter is reminding his Jewish readers that this earth and the heavens above are to be destroyed by fire, which will finally put an end to all “irreverent men”. Almost six-thousand years of these irreverent men have passed without that fiery destruction. Yet God is not procrastinating, for "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years". 

He tells them that God is "patient" with “irreverent men”, and He is “not intending any to perish, but all to make room for repentance”. 

To “perish” means to die and stay dead. Even “irreverent humans” will be made alive after the earth and heavens are destroyed at the end of the one thousand-year age (the Millennium) which follows the present age. God will raise the dead (there will not perish/stay dead), judge them and create a new place for them to live - “a new heaven and a new earth" where all will be righteous, none will be "irreverent".  

Again, attributing a literal hell where individuals are tormented forever and ever to the word “perish” is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and will not be pardoned in the age or in the ages to come. 

Building upon the sure "foundation" of Christ Jesus with the false teaching is blasphemy against the holy spirit inspired truth. Such blasphemy will not be forgiven me or anyone else - it will be burnt up. Yet in the grace of God, even those who blaspheme will still be saved, only the teaching of these irreverent humans will NOT be forgiven in this age or the next - its will be reduced to ash in the fire.

"For other foundation can no one lay beside that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone is building on this foundation gold and silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, each one's work will become apparent, for the day will make it evident, for it is being revealed by fire. And the fire, it will be testing each one's work -- what kind it is. If anyone's work will be remaining which he builds on it, he will get wages. If anyone's work shall be burned up, he will forfeit it, yet he shall be saved, yet thus, as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

"Every sin and blasphemy shall be pardoned men, yet the blasphemy of the holy spirit shall not be pardoned. And whosoever may be saying a word against the Son of Humanity, it will be pardoned him, yet whoever may be saying aught against the holy spirit, it shall NOT be pardoned him, neither in this age nor in that which is impending." (Matthew 12:32) 

Inescapable Truths About Blasphemy and Adding to Scripture

Two Inescapable Truths about Blasphemy and Adding to Scripture 

Truth #1. Blasphemy of the holy spirit will not be pardoned in this age or the next. 

Truth #2. If you add to what God has said in the book of Revelation, God will add to you the plagues found in therein. 

"Every sin and blasphemy shall be pardoned men, yet the blasphemy of the holy spirit shall not be pardoned. And whosoever may be saying a word against the Son of Humanity, it will be pardoned him, yet whoever may be saying aught against the holy spirit, it shall NOT be pardoned him, neither in this age nor in that which is impending." (Matthew 12:32) 

"I am testifying to everyone who is hearing the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If ever anyone may be appending to them, God shall be appending to him the calamities written in this scroll." And if ever anyone should be eliminating from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God shall be eliminating his part from the log of life, and out of the holy city, that is written in this scroll." He Who is testifying these things is saying, 'Yea, I am coming swiftly.'"Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints! Amen!" (Revelation 22:18-21) 

As bad as that sounds, this blasphemy and adding or subtracting from Scripture does NOT result in eternal conscious torment in hell as many would have you believe. 

As for Truth #1: It is the Holy Spirit within us that enlightens us as to the truth found in scripture. When that truth is denied, it is blasphemy and shall not be pardoned in this present evil age, or in the thousand year age that follows this one. Here are three of those truths that is denied by many:

"...there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." (1 Corinthians 8:6)

"...there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and humans, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

"This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance. To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10-11)

As for Truth #2: Revelation is a prophecy about the events in this world that will leading up to the physical return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth. If a person is alive during that time, adding to what is written will result in the calamities therein coming up them, and eliminating from the words found therein will result in that person not having access to the log of life and the holy city talked about in the book of Revelation. They will remain in the second death until death is abolished.

"And I perceived a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth pass away, and the sea is no more. I perceived the holy city, new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I hear a loud voice out of the throne saying, "Lo! the tabernacle of God is with mankind, and He will be tabernacling with them, and they will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them." And He will be brushing away every tear from their eyes. And death will be no more, nor mourning, nor clamor, nor misery; they will be no more, for the former things passed away." And He Who is sitting on the throne said, "Lo! New am I making all!And He is saying, "Write, for these sayings are faithful and true." And He said to me, "I have become the Alpha and the Omega, the Origin and the Consummation. To him who is thirsting I shall be giving of the spring of the water of life gratuitously." He who is conquering shall be enjoying this allotment, and I shall be a God to him and he shall be a son to Me." Yet the timid, and unbelievers, and the abominable, and murderers, and paramours, and enchanters, and idolaters, and all the false-their part is in the lake burning with fire and sulphur, which is the second death...And he shows me a river of water of life, resplendent as crystal, issuing out of the throne of God and the Lambkin." In the center of its square, and on either side of the river, is the log of life, producing twelve fruits, rendering its fruit in accord with each month. And the leaves of the log are for the cure of the nations." And there shall be no more any doom, and the throne of God and of the Lambkin shall be in it. And His slaves shall be offering divine service to Him." And they shall be seeing His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads."And night shall be no more, and they have no need of lamplight and sunlight, for the Lord God shall be illuminating them. And they shall be reigning for the eons of the eons." (Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-5)

No Human is Truly Lost!

“The Earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it” (Psalm 24:1).

This verse declares that all the people who have ever lived on this planet are the LORDS!

We should not fall into the trap of thinking that Christians are the only ones who are HIS.

Consider the term “lost" - it is a declaration of ownership. When “Christians” refer to the lost, they should realize that they are acknowledging God’s ownership!

Humans may be made to feel lost - but none of us are ever truly lost. For now we are sinners, all of us, and fall short of the glory of God - but the free gift of God is eternal life.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD...And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those He has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day." (Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 6:39)

Open Your Mind

 "Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:45-47)

The only way to "understand the Scriptures" is for Jesus to open your mind.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

When Jesus opens your mind you will see the plan of God for humanity was for the Messiah to "suffer and rise from the the dead".

And you will see the Devine result of His suffering, death, and His resurrection - to provide the way for humanity to "inherit the kingdom of God":

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." (Colossians 1:15)

"Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. " (1 Corinthians 15:49-57)

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

The word "forgiveness" means complete forgiveness, a release from the consequences of sin - humanity will be released from death, the penalty for sin, and transformed from death into the immortal image of Christ. The word "repentance" means change and reformation - your mind will be changed to understand that the reformation of humanity into the immortal and sinless image of Christ is what is to be "preached in His name to all nations".