Beth-El Baptist Church

09/13/2009

Greg Tomlinson


What happens after someone dies?


It is a given fact that everyone will die. Within Christianity it is understood that at some point after death, everyone will either enter into heaven or into hell. What people would like to know is the timing of this entrance into heaven or hell.


  1. What is death?

Genesis 2:17; 3:7-11, 22-24 Matthew 25:31-33

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7


Physical death is the separation of the spirit of a person from their body. There is also a spiritual death which is the separation of an individual from God. This is most easily seen in the Genesis account of death in which God tells Adam that in the day that he eats of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, he will surely die. This is followed by his being removed from the presence of God on the day that he ate of the fruit.


  1. What do we know about unbelievers and death?

Hebrews 9:27 Luke 16:20-25

Revelation 20:4-7, 11-15 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

2 Peter 2:1-5 John 5:29

2 Timothy 2:18-19 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17


Upon death the unbelievers will stand before God for judgment. Not being found as a believer in Jesus Christ, they will be transferred to a place of torment. Their judgment is based upon that which is written in God's books.


  1. What do we know about believers and death?

2 Corinthians 5:8-9 John 5:24-26

Ephesians 2:13-17 Colossians 2:13-15

Romans 5:14-19


Believers have already been judged at the cross of Jesus Christ that resulted in the accusations having been nailed to his cross. As a result of the believers already being in a right standing before God, they will immediately depart from this life and enter into the presence of God and Christ for all eternity.


  1. Is there any understandings about death that are different with respect the the timing of the cross?

Psalm 115:15-18 Matthew 27:50-53


It is possible that those who die prior to the cross do not go directly to judgment but they stayed in a position of waiting for the cross. Thus when Christ died and was resurrected, the believers before the cross were resurrected.