When a christian dies what happens next

Since this topic really deals more with a specific theological question than what translation is used, I am moving this thread to the Baptist Theology forum.

Joseph Botwinick
Moderator

 

Well since no one has really answered you

There are 2 answers that are "credible" - there are others - since Im not familiar with them to cover them

1 - Die - heaven

There are various versions of this - as going to heaven immediately may mean a judgement or no judgement - may go straight to Wedding Feast - or may have to wait however long in heaven until then

2 - Die - soul sleep - heaven
This is the theory that we dont go to heaven until Christ returns in either the Rapture or His triumphant return I could explain more - but I have to move on to actually being a church secretary

 

The Souls of Christians go to Abrahams Bosom, which is the intermediate heaven until the Second comming of Christ. Souls have full conciousness there.

Jesus spoke about this in the Parable of Lazuras and the rich man Luke 16:19-31.

The Soul Sleep teachers dismiss this as only a parable. But consider this. If it is not to be taken as factual, then this is an occasion where Jesus Christ has then borne a False Testimony. Every Parable that Jesus spoke of, could in fact happen Every one. To say that this one could not is inconsistant with scripture.

As far as souls having a conciousness, We need to look at Rev 6:9-10 Hear we see souls with a conciousness crying to the Lord. True Revelation is a vision. But this event is taking place considerably before the Second comming.

 

Philippians 1:21-24
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Apparently Paul thought he would go on to be with the Lord immediately after death.

 

to me (opinion only) it's like salvation ,only you & God really know if ur saved. only God knows whats really going on ,through my personal bible study ; i'm comfortable w/ going to heaven after i die.PTL.........bill

 

soo then the question remains what is abraham's boosm like?

 

You may want to read the "Today you will be with me in paradise" thread, where there has been a fairly detailed discussion of the two major views.

 

Hebrews 9:27

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" .

the relation of verse 27 to its context is often dismissed in order to stess the certainty of mans future judgment. it is axiomatic that man dies once. however, exceptions do exist; Enoch and Elijah of the Old Testiment; the saints who are alive at Christs return, who will never die:Lazarus and others who were raised from the dead and later died a second time. but no exceptions concerning God's judgment can be cited. there is no reincarnation; every person gets one chance to prepare.
One more good Scripture for the Non-Believers is
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10