02 February, 2009

Where Are The Dead?


Dear Bro. Waddey:
Can you explain what happens to us when we die?
-Ezra

Dear Ezra: 
Only the Bible can answer this question. The following points should first be understood:
  1. What is man? He is a dual being with body and soul. "Our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day" (II Cor. 5:16).
  2. What is death? It is a separation."The body apart from the spirit is dead" (Jas. 2:26).
  3. What happens at death?"The dust returneth to the earth as it was and the spirit returneth unto God" (Eccl. 12:7)
  4. Does the soul live after death? Yes. Moses and Elijah, long dead, appeared, talking to Jesus (Matt.17:3).
  5. Where does the living soul go at death? Jesus told a dying man, "today thou shalt be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). This was not the final reward for Jesus said later, "I am not yet ascended unto the Father" (John 20:17). Where did the soul of Christ go at death? David wrote of Him, "Thou wilt not leave my soul to Hades" (Acts 2:27 RSV). At death the soul goes to Hades "the unseen abode of the dead". The word Hades does not indicate whether one will suffer or be happy! Hades is described in Luke 16:19-31. Two types of men are seen. Righteous Lazarus was poor and sick. The Wicked man lived sumptuously. Both died and went to the place of the dead, Hades. Lazarus was in paradise in Abraham's bosom, the Wicked Man in torment. Both were conscious and even communicated. After death, it was impossible to alter their destiny. A great gulf separated them.
Hades is not the final abode, for there is yet to be a resurrection and judgement. "The hour cometh when all that are in the tombs shall hear His voice and come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29). The resurrected body will be reunited with the soul (I Cor. 15:50-54). Before the judgment seat of Christ we will hear our eternal destiny. "These (wicked) shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life" (Matt. 25:46). 

Sincerely,



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