What Do You Think Happens Right After Death?

[righteousdude2]

This should be more of a "think tank"" post than a debate. Pure speculation...but I'd love to know what you believe we will do when we first get to heaven (Scripture would be nice, if available)? Sort of like that kids tune - When I get to heaven gonna walk like Jesus! On the other hand, the hymn - When We All Get to Heaven: What a day of rejoicing that will be!!!

I heard one person say they think the first few hours, or days will be more, or less like army boot camp. Running around, completing paperwork, getting new clothes, and tons of activities getting acquainted with the new life and heaven. Silly? Yes, but it is a thought based on what that person knew from this life of a brand-new experience!

Another said it may be like being born as a baby. Something we may not remember much of, and have to grow into. Like starting all over again, except in an eternal, everlasting body! Again, maybe it's sort of out there, but, nothing ventured, nothing gained?

As for me: I have no idea of what heaven will be like upon leaving this world and waking up there. And I do not even want to venture a guess. However, I know there must be those on this forum who have an opinion, and this would be the place to put it out there, so to speak!

I do believe dying will be like going under anesthetic. Most never even know, or realize they were under, when awakened. Every time, I've been put under; I've woken up wondering if the surgical event was over, or if I had merely closed my eyes for a brief moment or two, sort of like taking a nap and waking with hours gone, and not realizing it!

So, what do you believe those first impressions, days, weeks years, activities or events in heaven will include and be like? BTW - this is also a great discussion starter for teen groups and Bible studies. Think of the direction the leader can go with this topic, and the message of the need to be saved and born-again???

 

[Oldtimer]

As for me: I have no idea of what heaven will be like upon leaving this world and waking up there. And I do not even want to venture a guess.

Like you, I have no idea. Can't imagine what it will be like when all God's mysteries will be revealed.

It's sorta like seeing a birthday present sitting on the coffee table covered with wrapping paper. The size and weight can allow us to speculate about what's inside. Shaking the box may reveal a clue or two. Only when we are allowed to open the box will we know what's inside.

 

[Zenas]

There have been a few discussions on this topic before and I’m always amazed at how differently people conceive of Heaven. Some believe we will have God like powers and be able to move freely through time and space. Others see Heaven as a place where we will have immortal bodies and live forever in communion with God but will not have any special powers. I tend to go with the former, because angels can do these things and Jesus says we will be like the angels in Heaven.

The most amazing thing to me would be the absence of time. This means that if you undertook a job than would require 1,000 years to complete, you could finish it in a day. That would be nice.

 

[agedman]

Absent from the body - present with the Lord.

It doesn't appear what we might exactly be, but when He appears we shall be like Him.

Heaven is in many sermons and songs - but many miss an important item.

There are 2 heavens and the believer occupies a different station in both.

The current heaven is one that has been polluted by the presence of the enemy - the accuser of the believers.

It is where the alter appears, and more than can be counted are told to wait just a bit longer for the repayment of the evil done to them. It is there that the believers rest. That alter might be considered a symbol of the protection and care in which Christ provides. The believers look out at all of that heavenly wonder, and they also are aware of the earthly turmoil.

There is a new heaven. One that the enemy has never nor will ever see. It is so glorious that the Apostle could hardly describe it.

It is in that new heavenly place that the tears are wiped away. The river and trees, the temple, the streets... and the new song. A song never before heard.

It is a glorious place made specifically for the bride of Christ.

 

[HAMel]

Interesting you mentioned the absence of time, Zenas.

When my father was in the ER I had experience to witness timelessness. Everything will happen in chronological order but the "burden" of time will be non-existent.

We all have spent a lifetime having to deal with "time" in that we always had to be at work at a specific time; get off at a specific time; pick up the kids on time; catch the bus on time; be to church on time, etc. Our lives are governed by doing all things "on time".

Time is like a gravity that pulls on us constantly. A heavy burden! A constant drag! Our entire lives are controlled by doing all things at specific times.

In the presence of our Lord the curse of time will be as non-existent as the curse of sin.

 

[DaChaser1]

Interesting you mentioned the absence of time, Zenas.

When my father was in the ER I had experience to witness timelessness. Everything will happen in chronological order but the "burden" of time will be non-existent.

We all have spent a lifetime having to deal with "time" in that we always had to be at work at a specific time; get off at a specific time; pick up the kids on time; catch the bus on time; be to church on time, etc. Our lives are governed by doing all things "on time".

Time is like a gravity that pulls on us constantly. A heavy burden! A constant drag! Our entire lives are controlled by doing all things at specific times.

In the presence of our Lord the curse of time will be as non-existent as the curse of sin.

question to me in all of this would be...

is there a "holding place" in Heaven for our spirits/souls after death, as we are still not "fully completed" even while in heaven, until we are reunited with physical glorofied bodies at rapture/Second Coming?

 

[HAMel]

DaChaser1, I've always considered that absence from the body is presence with the Lord. No holding cells.

 

[saturneptune]

All I know is if I wake up, and some curtains open to reveal Buddha sitting there giving me the evil eye, I am going to say "oops." Seriously, I wish I knew, but do know the experience will be full of peace, joy and love of the Lord like I have neve felt before. I have no idea what it feels like to be in eternity without time and space as we know it. I suppose once there, we will know what to do. I try to leave out the preconceived notions such as a small cabin on the edge of gloryland, dead relatives to greet me, or being fascinatied by streets of gold. All I know for sure is that we will be in the presence of the Lord.

 

[DaChaser1]

DaChaser1, I've always considered that absence from the body is presence with the Lord. No holding cells.

Agree that we will be in the presense of the Lord, its just that there would still be 'something" lacking in our fullness of being there until time of getting glorifed bodies !

 

[Jon-Marc]

Immediately after death I will be with the Lord, "absent from the body and present with the Lord."

 

[Arbo]

I don't know what happens immediately after death, but I do know where my destination is. I also don't think it'll take long to get there, because Jesus told the thief that he would be with Him in Paradise that same day.

 

[righteousdude2]

Great Point...

I don't know what happens immediately after death, but I do know where my destination is. I also don't think it'll take long to get there, because Jesus told the thief that he would be with Him in Paradise that same day.

....thanks!:type:

 

[Gina B]

I've been present for a number of deaths. Some peaceful, some aware, others not so much. It's been said that hearing is the last to go, so I make it a habit to continue talking to them after that last breath.

I've been put under a few times, but the first time was quite the experience! It felt so natural that I didn't realize it wasn't until well after the fact, but I remember watching the nurses, knowing which one was a believer, looking at myself and it was this experience that led me to understand the Trinity and never question how it is possible for three parts to exist in one yet be able to operate as separate entities. Pretty cool!

What will heaven be like? I don't know, but what I can say from the brief "out of body" experience is that I think the first thing we'll realize is a pretty full understanding. Things that we don't understand now will make sense. "Now we see through a glass, darkly." Our view is obscured and limited because of sin and separation from God.

I think the other instantaneous thing that will happen will be that we'll be out of the confines of time. You know how when something happens that threatens your life or you drift off for only a few seconds, yet in that brief time, you manage to have a ton of thoughts and images that normally would take you a long time to go through if you were in a normal state of mind? I think that's a glimpse of what it is like to not be stuck in the constraints of time.

Since there are martyrs and such waiting for the end as is spoken of in Revelation, I don't think we'll be automatically in the time, place, or state many think we'll be in. We will be waiting for the final battle and partake in it. I don't see anything in the Bible that says we're going to dwell in heaven eternally. What it appears to say is that the heavens and earth will be made new. In a sense, returned to their original purpose but with sin eternally removed and we will dwell on this perfect earth and as was in the beginning with Adam and Eve, we will once again have God with us, but this time for eternity.

I do not believe in a "holding place." That would have been Paradise, where the only thing they were waiting for was the death and resurrection of the Christ, because sin could only be temporarily forgiven until the true and final sacrifice was made. No unclean person can enter heaven, so until Christ's death, believers waited in Paradise. There's no need for that now since we are made perfectly clean. (special note on PERSON since Lucifer obviously has been given access to approach the throne to make requests and accusations)

I'm especially looking forward to our relationship with animals on the new earth. It SOUNDS like there will be a kinship and lack of fear that we just don't have now. I like the thought of vegetarian animals that don't eat each other or try to eat me. And I like the thought of us not having to shed blood to eat. Talk about a healthy, organic lifestyle! :love2: