 WHAT
HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO GO TO HEAVEN?
 At
death, the body returns to the dust and soul/spirit goes immediately to
heaven and the presence of God (2 Cor. 5:6-8). We do not get wings and
become angels. Angels and humans are separate and distinct creations of God.
These souls/spirits will be reunited with their new glorified body when
Christ comes to Rapture His church (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
As souls/spirits in heaven, are they able to watch and hear us back on
earth? Hebrews 12:1-2 is a passage that offers some help. The witnesses
referred to in verse one are those from the previous chapter – a list of
people who lived by faith, many in difficult circumstances -- even death.
They are heroes of the walk of faith. The passage does not strongly suggest
that
these who are now in heaven are watching us as we run the faith race, like
people
seated in some stadium or arena. The word “witnesses” does not mean
“spectators.” They are probably not watching what we are doing; but are
bearing witness to us
that God can see us through this life of faith no matter how difficult. God
bore
witness to them (Heb. 11:2, 4-5, 39) and they are bearing witness now to us.
They
are telling us that the life of faith is the life that wins. They ran
through lions’ dens, swords, wars, persecutions and crisis after crisis.
They are living witnesses to the
fact that we can run the race with endurance and know God will honor us in
the end. This mass of people in heaven or “cloud of witnesses” say to us,
“Run the life of faith!”
It is hard to imagine with all the wonders and activities of heaven why
those there would even be interested in looking at me back on earth. Their
gaze is no doubt fixed on the glories of heaven. The writer of Hebrews is
encouraging us to run the race and the “cloud of witnesses” testify it will
be worth it when we get to heaven.
CREMATION
Scripture
says nothing about the required modes of burial – neither cremation nor any
other. We must realize that all our bodies will eventually decompose (no
matter how buried). So, a cremated body is not really any worse off than a
buried body. The Bible records several occasions where people were burned
alive. It is called “passing through fire,” and it was part of an idolatrous
pagan act (see 2 Kings 16:2-3; 21:1-2,6). The Bible says that God Himself
burned some people for disobedience. God brought down fire upon some people
as a judgment (Num. 11:1; Gen. 19:24). It is interesting to note that the
association of fire with the body seemed to be connected with disobedience
(Josh. 7:15-26). According to church history, many of the early Christians
were cremated – they were burned at the stake! Though there seems to be
nothing biblically wrong with cremation, it seems from biblical examples
that burial, rather than cremation was the normal mode of caring for the
dead (Gen. 23; 25:7-11; 35:19-20, 29; 49:28—33; 50:24-26; Deut. 34:5-6;
Josh. 24:29-30, 32-33; 1 Kings 2:10; John 11). God Himself used burial to
take care of Moses’ body. Two cases of burial are found in the NT, Lazarus
and Jesus. Even though Scripture appears to prefer burial over cremation,
there seems to be no reason why the body cannot be respectfully cremated!
However, don’t forget, God is going to give all believers new, glorified
bodies, no matter what happens to our bodies on this earth (Rom. 8:23; 1
Cor. 15:35-50).
DEATH
OF YOUNG CHILDREN
Do
little ones who die go to heaven? This is a very important question
especially to those who have lost an infant at birth or a little child.
There is no direct word in Scripture o this issue. We do know the Bible
teaches we are born in sin; thus we can’t claim that little ones are born in
a state of innocence (Ps. 51:5; 58:3; Isa. 48:8). We can be sure that
whatever does happen to them will be consistent with God’s holy, just, and
loving character. It is my understanding that young children who die before
reaching an age of accountability (when they are able to reason and
understand the basic issues of sin, lostness, faith and salvation in the
Lord Jesus) go immediately into the Lord’s presence. God’s Word is clear in
depicting God’s great love for children (Matt. 19:14). No passage of
Scripture is any clearer on this subject than 2 Samuel 12:23. This verse
indicates that David’s infant son by Bathsheba went immediately into the
presence of God at death. Another helpful passage is in Deut. 1:35-39… God
specifically exempted infants and young children from this sentence and even
explained why He did so (v. 39). God specifically exempted from judgment
those who “have no knowledge of good or evil” because of this age. These
“little ones” would inherit the Promised Land. Somehow in God’s grace and
mercy, the finished work of Christ removes the stain of original sin from
those who die before reaching an age of understanding. In His grace and
mercy, God has somehow reserved a place in heaven for those whose lives end
prematurely on this earth—and probably also for those (even adult in age)
who are mentally retarded or handicapped and thus lack the mental capacity
to exercise faith in Him.
PRAYERS
AND BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD
Praying
for the dead was instituted by the Roman Catholic church in A.D. 300. This
is practiced with the hope of making the deceased’s destiny brighter even to
the point of praying him/her out of purgatory and into heaven. There is not
one verse in all the Bible to support this belief. There is also not one
example in all of Scripture where someone prayed for the dead. This practice
has its origin in a non-canonical book called 2 Maccabees. It is one of
several books that make up what is known as the apocryphal wrings, books
written during the four hundred years between the two testaments of the
Bible. Second Maccabees (12:44-45) tells the story of some Jewish soldiers
who died in battle and how their friends prayed for them in order to help
them find a better afterlife. That’s where purgatory—the idea of a place
where a soul could be purified after death and then pass into bliss—got its
beginning. Protestants don’t practice prayers for the dead because they do
not believe the apocryphal books are inspired by God; they believe that
these books contain contradictory and heretical teachings. Luke 16:26
clearly teaches that there is a “fixed chasm” that takes place after death.
These words suggest a perpetual condition.
Now baptism for the dead is discussed in 1 Corinthians 15:29, the Bible’s
greatest chapter on the resurrection of the body. This difficult verse must
be closely examined in its context. Rene Pache provides excellent insight
into what Paul is saying here: “Admission to the early Church was normally
marked by the baptism of those who had believed… They knew that at His
return the Lord would raise again and would take unto Himself all those who
had been part of His Church. Now some Christians, because of illness or
persecution, had not had time to be baptized. Therefore, brethren had
themselves baptized in their place, so that the reception of these into the
Church might be according to the rules and so that they would not risk being
left behind at the resurrection.”
Paul is simply stating what the Corinthians were practicing, but he is not
commending their actions. Essentially, Paul says, “If there is no
resurrection from the dead, then why bother baptizing yourselves on behalf
of those who have already died? 1 Cor. 15:29 is not a verse so much on
baptizing the dead or for the dead, but that one focuses on the resurrection
of Christians. Baptism doesn’t even save a living person, let alone a dead
one. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after
this the judgment”… not the baptism.”
PURGATORY
Most
major false religions teach that after death there is some kind of
intermediate state in a temporary place in which a person can be purged of
sin and evil and eventually made fit for heaven. This intermediate state is
commonly called “purgatory.” The doctrine of purgatory had its rise in an
ancient Orphic religion, which was one of the mystery cults that thrived in
Greece about the same time Christianity was born. They developed a doctrine
of sin and regeneration, of heaven, purgatory and hell. They believed that
by ascetic living, rigid self-denial, man could begin to purge himself of
his sinfulness and prepare himself for life with the gods. Evil men went to
torment in Tartarus, good men went directly to heaven and certain others
were allowed into heaven only after a period of suffering in purgatory.
During the early centuries of Christian history, the doctrine of purgatory
as an intermediate stop on the way to heaven was embraced by the Roman
Church.
The Roman Catholic Catechism, No. 2, says that purgatory “is a state in
which those suffer for a time who die guilty of venial sins, or without
having satisfied for the punishment due to their sins.” Venial sin is
believed by Roman Catholics to be that sin which is relatively light and is
committed without full consent of the will, yet is not serious enough to be
classified as “mortal” sin, which makes one deserving of eternal punishment.
The doctrine of purgatory was first introduced into Catholicism by Gregory I
in A.D. 593 and later proclaimed as official dogma by the Roman Church
Council of Florence in A.D. 1439. Those who go to this place are those who
die “partially sanctified,” encumbered with some degree of sin. While there,
they suffer until all their sin is purged away and afterwards are translated
to heaven. Supposedly sins are purged and righteousness is earned as earthly
sinners light candles, pray prayers and Masses are said for the dead.
What does the Word of God say? The Bible never mentions purgatory. This
concept is both unscriptural and untenable, because it never appears in
inspired Scripture, only in the apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees 12:39-45 (The
Apocryphal books were added to the Bible by the Roman Church at the Council
of Trent in 1546.) The Bible says, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). All who receive Christ “shall not
come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life” (John 5:24). Since
the death and resurrection of Christ, after death, the soul of a believer
goes immediately to be with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 1:22-23). The soul
of the unbeliever goes immediately to Hades and experiences conscious
torment until the resurrection of all the unsaved of the ages appear at the
Great White Throne of Judgment at the end of the Millennium. Believers do
not suffer for their sins before they can enter heaven, for Christ has paid
the full penalty for sin for all who enjoy Him as Savior (Heb. 1:3;
10:26-27)
SOUL-SLEEP
Soul-sleep
is the belief that there is an intermediate state of unconscious existence
for the soul from the time of death until the resurrection of the body from
the dead. This concept was made popular by the Seventh-?Day Adventists and
Jehovah’s Witnesses. Those who believe this teaching base it on such a
statement as “the dead know not anything (Eccl. 9:5). These words must be
seen in this context of a secular man’s viewpoint not from God’s. This same
writer also says, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (1:2). Ecclesiastes
reveals the hopelessness of life unless it is dedicated to God. Eccl. 9:5
shows that as far as secular natural man is concerned, the grave is the end.
But God’s Word and viewpoint reveal that this natural view is incorrect
because judgment occurs after death (Heb. 9:27).
Often in Scripture, especially in Paul’s writings, does the Bible use the
metaphor of “sleep” to describe the appearance and posture of the physical
body after death. This figure of sleep could never be pressed into
establishing a doctrine of soul-sleep. Whenever Scripture refers to the
death of a believer as sleep, it always refers to the physical body at death
and never to the state of the soul. Such passages as Luke 16:22-30; 2 Cor.
5:1-8; Phil. 1:21-24; 1 Thess. 4:14; 5:10 clearly indicate there is a
consciousness of the soul after death for both believers and unbelievers.
Soul-sleep is totally inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture. At death,
the believer’s soul goes immediately into the presence of the Lord and
experiences conscious bliss, whereas the unbeliever’s soul goes directly to
Hades and experiences conscious torment. When Christ returns to “rapture”
the Church, He will bring with Him all church-age believers who have died so
that they may receive their new bodies from the grave. There is never a time
for a believer when he or she will ever be out of the conscious presence of
Jesus Christ in life or in death!
SUICIDE
(of Christians)
Every
17 minutes there is a suicide in America! That comes to about 3½ per hour,
85 per day, or 30,833 per year! That is up 40% since last research!
God’s Word teaches that nobody is saved by what he or she does (Eph. 2:8-9;
Titus 3:5). No one deserves salvation, not the suicide or anybody else.
Salvation is a free gift. You can’t do anything to earn it and you can’t do
anything to lose it – including suicide, if you are a Christian. Though
suicide is wrong and is sin (murder of self), it doesn’t determine my
destiny – only does one’s relationship to Jesus Christ.
God’s Word records several cases of people who committed suicide – for
example, Saul fell on own sword (1Sam. 31:4), Ahithophel hung himself (2
Sam. 17:23), and Judas Iscariot hung himself (Matt. 27:3-5). Analyzing
these, we can make three observations. First, both Christian and
non-Christians commit suicide. Second, usually extremely difficult
circumstances surround the person who commits suicide. Third, in some cases
(like Saul and Judas), there was likely some satanic or demonic influence.
Satan is a liar and a murderer and does all he can to deceive people into
destroying themselves (John 8:44). Nevertheless, suicide is not the
unpardonable sin – rejecting Jesus Christ is!
Charles Ryrie says it well, “We do know that believers do not lose their
salvation because of certain kinds of sins. Admittedly suicide is a sin (for
it is murder of self), but adultery and murder of someone else are also
equally gross sins. Yet, we know that King David, who committed both of
those sins, did not lose his salvation because of it (Rom. 4:7-8). The blood
of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, including suicide.”
Scripture teaches we are to value our lives. (1) Life is a gift from God to
be cherished (Gen. 2:7; Jn. 1:3); (2) The One who gives life is the only
one with the authority to take it (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 31:15a).
HOW
CAN I KNOW JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY?
This
is a troubling issue that causes anxiety, doubt, and emotional turmoil for many
people. Many world religions claimed to have ways to get to a supreme being –
although they all define God differently. However, unlike these religions, Jesus
did not claim to offer another alternative to get to God. Rather, He claimed
emphatically He was the only way to God, and that He was God. He said, “I and
the Father are one (Jn. 10:30).” “If you know Me, you would know my Father also
(Jn. 8:19).” Jesus unequivocally claimed He was God (Jn. 10:33); and, He boldly
touted He was equal to God (Jn. 5:18). He further stated, “Truly, truly, I say
to you, before Abraham was born, I am (Jn. 8:58).” Thus, He clearly claimed to
be Yahweh – God.
Jesus’ claims were exclusive and they reflected His deity. Like Jesus’ claims,
Christianity is also narrow and true. Christ’s unique claims lead to only three
alternatives: 1) He is a liar – He was a deceiver who could not tell the truth;
2) He is a lunatic – nothing He said could be supported by any facts or
documented evidence; 3) He is Lord – He is who He said He is…God’s Son. The
biblical, historical, and archaeological evidence provide proof of Jesus’
resurrection and gives sufficient objective data to warrant a positive response
to Christ’s truthfulness. Without Christ there is no solution to man’s sin
problem and separation from God (Rom. 3:23). With Christ – God’s free gift to
man – there is eternal life (Rom. 6:23). Christianity is intolerant of other
beliefs because it emphasizes objective and absolute truth. By definition, truth
is narrow, especially absolute truth (Mat. 7:10).
One cannot believe the Savior’s claims without faith. Without faith it is
impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). God gave Scripture to us so we may be
complete and equipped. God’s Word (the Bible) is totally reliable, without
error, and the authoritative Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). If an individual does
not believe this, he cannot fully answer this all encompassing question. “God
was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself” and “He hath made Him to be sin
for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him
(1 Cor. 5:19, 21).” God has done it all. We can do nothing to add to the work of
Jesus; it has been done for us.
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the
Father, but through Me (Jn. 14:6).” Either Jesus is the only way to God the
Father or He is not. The biblical theme is consistent throughout Scripture. “God
demonstrates His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us
(Rom. 5:8).” “There is salvation is no one else for there is no other name under
heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).”
Jesus died for our sins; He was buried; and He was raised on the third day (1
Cor. 15:3). Jesus is alive, and He is the only one who can resolve our sin
problem. Christ clearly claimed to be the only way to God and the apostles
confirmed this in their biblical writings. The apostles recognized Christ was
God, and the only way to God.
The apostle John described Jesus as “the Word” (Jn. 1:1, 14). The apostle Paul
spoke of Jesus as the one who holds creation together with His divine power
(Col. 1:16-17). He also described Jesus as “our great God and Savior, Christ
Jesus” – the one redeeming us from our lawless deeds (Tit. 2:13-14). Later, when
Paul wrote to Timothy he stated, “There is one God, and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5).” The biblical testimony is clear.
Jesus Christ is the only way to God. Jesus Christ is God. He is the Alpha and
the Omega; the only way by which a person can have a personal relationship with
the one true and living God. We must go to the One who created us to find the
answers to life’s questions.
HOW
CAN A LOVING GOD SEND ANYBODY TO HELL?
The
idea of hell is a very uncomfortable one. I believe there is a hell because
Jesus Christ clearly taught there was – HE is trustworthy. In fact, He spoke
more about hell than any other writer in the whole Bible.
God is holy, just, and morally perfect – and can’t ignore man’s sin problem. All
stand guilty before Him (Rom 3:23; 6:23). Because God is holy He must punish
sin; yet, because He is love He has no pleasure in punishing sinners (See Ezk.
33:11; 2 Pet. 3:9). He has provided the way to escape condemnation that all
deserve. Jesus Christ died in our place and paid the penalty for our sin.
However, there is a condition—this escape must be taken (Jn. 3:36). To die
without Christ is to pay for your own sins. Beyond the love of God is the wrath
of God—and eternal punishment in hell.
But God doesn’t send us to hell—sin does. We each choose our destiny, not God.
Hell has only one requirement—unbelief! Lest we label God as uncaring and
calloused, 2 Pet. 3:9 states: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as
some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance.”
Never forget this verse! God doesn’t joyfully dance in heaven as the last person
is dumped against their will into hell. In mercy, love, and grace He offers the
free gift of heaven to all who will accept it. Those who refuse the gift He
offers must suffer the consequences, having made their own decision about
eternity.
WHAT
ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD?
No
one is saved apart from a relationship with Christ (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12). This
doesn’t automatically damn those who have never heard.
No one is excused (Rom 1:19-20). All are running (Rom 3:11, 23) whether someone
has heard or not, the whole planet is in sin. People are not lost because they
have heard; they are lost because they are sinners! We die because of the
disease not because we have not heard of the proper care.
God desires all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). God will judge fairly and
justly (Acts 17:31; Job 34:12; Gen. 18:25). No one is condemned for not ever
hearing, but for violating their own moral standard (which is lower than God’s)
Rom. 2:1-2, 12-16. People have enough information from creation to know that God
exists (Rom. 1:19-20; Psa. 19) — Nature shows diety. No one who has heard should
use this as an excuse for rejecting Christ.
Responsibility is proportionate to revelation. God’s judgment is based upon the
light one has received — degrees of punishment in God’s plan (Lk. 12:47-48; John
3:19). If a person responds to the light he has and seeks God, God will give him
a chance to hear the truth about Christ (Cornelius in Acts 10:34-35; Rahab in
Joshua 2; Naaman in
2 Kings 5; Jer. 29:13).
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