What really happens when we die

[deedee310]

The thought about the after life always come across my mind. I have looked up scriptures regarding what happens to believers once they pass away, and I also read books about what happens to us as well. I'm confused because the Apostle Paul said in Thessalonians that we are "asleep" once we die and that once the rapture comes the dead in Christ will rise first. But then again, Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with him that same day in paradise. I also read in a book by David Jeremiah (what in the world is going on), that we will be in a "peaceful state of sleep" once we die until Jesus returns to rapture the church.My pastor believes that when we die, our spirits immediatly go to heaven or hell according to what we choose to believe while we are alive.
I guess this opinion is divided among many pastors and biblical scholar's because I keep reading both opinions from a number of people. There are also accounts of people that supposedly have died and came back and told what happen to them. Some say they actually went to heaven, and some reported that they have went to hell ( 90 min in heaven by Don Piper). So I been reading everything that I could find out about it to get a clear understanding about it.
I know that it really does not matter what happens when we die because we have no control over it and we all have to face it. But it's kind of important to me right now, I was under the impression that our loved ones go immediately to be with Christ until the new earth is set up. I always though that sleeping refers to the physical body that was dead, I didn't think that our spirits was asleep, I thought the spirit lives on forever. It really saddens me to think that our loved ones are in a state of sleep, not knowing what's going on or where they are truly at.

[LT]

Dee,

Here are two websites with some information regarding your question:

http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/what-happens-after-death-faq.htm
http://www.gotquestions.org/soul-sleep.html

I personally believe the Bible teaches that we go to be with the Lord awake and alert. One great account is found in Luke 16. The rich man, Lazarus and Abraham are clearly awake and aware of their situations.Philippians 1:21-25 also give us a strong understanding of instant translation from here to the presence of the Lord based on Paul's words.

Hope this helps some.

Lord Bless,
LT

[Mercy777]

Hello LT,
I also found this scripture in reading.
Genesis 25:8
Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.

I have had alot of people tell me we sleep, but my heart was having a hard time with this, especially knowing the scripture of Abraham and Lazarus.
Also I forgot about the thief on the cross as Deedee had spoke about. My heart jumped at this conversation.
I just read Philippians...four pieces of scripture so far the Holy Spirit is speaking.

Thanks everyone, this really helped me also.
God Bless You,
Mercy

[LT]

Hey Mercy,

Agreed. Amen.

Lord Bless,
LT

[deedee310]

Hi Lt,

Can you clarify the scripture in Thessalonians where Paul is talking to the people about "sleeping". I guess that is what really have me confused. I know that I should not be worried about it, but it bothers me a lot.

[LT]

Think of us as being a three part being, body, soul and spirit. The body sleeps in the grave (dead) without the spirit or soul. The body silently awaits the call to be changed and united with the spirit. The saved unto righteousness and the lost unto judgment.

That is the short version.

Hope that helps.

Lord Bless,
LT

[Greg, TheNET Coordinator]

LaBrock,

Just curious, but what scriptural support can you provide that says the "Lord's day (1,000 years) is for discipline." I don't see a place in the Bible where this is taught and it looks like speculation to me. Seems equivialent to the Roman Catholic churches unscriptural postion on purgatory which we reject as unbiblical.

Again, read these two articles:
http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/what-happens-after-death-faq.htm
http://www.gotquestions.org/soul-sleep.html

Greg

[Charles Burwell]

Greg

Thanks for asking that question ,I'm very curious myself . I n the 30+ years I've know the Lord I had heard many , many different teachings, but never that one.

[deedee310]

Sorry, but this is confusing..............

[Lariosa, MM]

very deep to understand

[roy ruser]

there is a explanation to what happens when we die, if we check the bible we find we are three parts 1 body, 2 soul, 3 spirit, when we die part 1, dies because of sin, part 2 the soul ( that is the mind ,will, and emotions. ) and part 3 the spirit, go back to God, thoes without Christ in there lives, are held in hades, ( hell in english ) but this is only the holding place until the final judgement which is Gehenna, the holding place for thoes who die in Christ, the holding place is called Abrahams bossom, where parts 2&3 of us wait until every thing is complete, there is a lot more to this subject, people who died are not completley dead as God created life not death, sin brought death, i hope this helps you see it more clear, sorry i can't add more at this time have to go to work,

[DaughterOfGod]

Deedee,
thanx much for asking this question! I too have wondered, as my walk with the Lord is new. and thanx to LT for those two articles...they were very informative!!
nancy

[Mary Munsey]

I can tell you of my own experience. On June 23rd of this year (2009) I had a heart attack and died. I went straight to heaven and visited with my sister who died in 1987 of a heart attack and my brother-in-law who died of cancer in February of this year. I later visited with my brother that died of a heart attack a few years ago. We had a wonderful time. They knew I was only visiting and would be returning. The atmosphere is electric with joy! We laughed so hard and had a great time. I heard my husband calling for me to come back. I asked Jesus if I could go back to him because he needs me. He agreed and I floated back toward my husbands voice. When I joined my body, my husband was bending over me saying, "Come back to me Darling, I can't live without you. You have to come back to me." I said, I'm back! So I believe we go to heaven or hell when we breathe our last. We need to have Jesus as our Lord. Mary