whenwedie

     Living Word Lutheran Church
     PO Box 242, New London, MN 56273
   Phone: 320-796-0742
     E-mail: pastor@livingwordlutheran.net
   Website: www.livingwordlutheran.net

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What happens when we die?

This question actually came on a couple of separate occasions in Bible studies last month.

As with all questions, we look to God to see what He has told us in His Word (the Bible), otherwise we end up merely speculating based on our very limited knowledge. There are lots of things about heaven and eternity that God hasn’t given us specific details on. That makes sense when you think about it. It would be like you or I trying to describe one of God’s gorgeous sunsets to a person who was born blind.

God hasn’t given us all the details, but He has given us basic answers to our “heaven” questions. You may remember that while Jesus was dying on the cross, one of the criminals next to him came to realize that Jesus was truly who He said: The Son of God. This criminal turned to Jesus and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” To which Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

That simple conversation tells us that the moment we die, the spirits of those who place their trust in Him (even at the very last minute) go to be with Jesus in place He calls paradise. We usually refer to it as “heaven.” While the spirits of those who believe in Jesus immediately go to be with Jesus, our mortal bodies go to their burial place.

On the day Jesus returns (His Second-Coming or “Judgment Day”) the Bible tells us that the bodies of all who have died will rise from their graves and be re-united with their spirits in a new, “imperishable” form. (1 Corinthians 15:42-58) These “imperishable” bodies will be like the body Jesus had after he had risen from the grave: a physical body that is not limited by time and space. (Remember Jesus just “appeared” to his disciples in the room they were locked in.)

Sometimes people get the wrong idea about where believers will spend eternity after Jesus returns. They think we will be floating on clouds strumming harps or something. (To me that sounds like it would only be exciting to meteorologists and classical musicians). Thankfully, that’s just a myth. In Revelation 21 God tells us that He will create new heavens and a new earth for believers to inhabit. “New” as in “perfectly restored to its original condition,” not “new” as in “totally unrecognizable.” It is this new earth that we will live on for eternity. In Revelation God paints a picture of a new earth that will be like the one He originally created for Adam and Eve and the animals. A place where we will live in the physical, visible presence of God. A place where there will be no death or pain; no evil or sin - NOTHING to fear. A perfect earth.

God also tells us there is a horrible place where those who rejected His Son spend eternity. He calls it the “lake of fire” - also known as “hell.” (Revelation 20:7-15) But God promises His “family inheritance” - the new earth - to all who “overcome” the trials and temptations of life and hang onto their faith to the end (Revelation 21:7) That’s something to look forward to!

Thanks for asking,
Pastor David

Pastor David Dauk

Send your questions to pastor@livingwordlutheran.net

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