What to look forward to after death

Mankind has always wondered what will happen after death. Do we have any assurances of what lies ahead of us after death? Some of the different beliefs are no existence after death, punishment for a period of time for cleansing then eternal life, eternal punishment, eternal life and reincarnation to live again trying to gain nirvana/perfection. Some believe in eternal life with GOD, some eternal life just as a spirit. Eternal punishment can be either existing in physical pain or just separated from GOD. The period of time for cleansing after death results in eternal life with GOD. What does the Bible say, is there any hope after death?

  • The easiest one to dismiss is reincarnation, the Bible states,
    • Heb C9 V27 – 28, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Man dies once then is judged. NO reincarnation! JESUS died once for ALL of mankind’s sins for salvation then rose sinless.
  • No existence after death/judgement,
    • Ezech C18 V4, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” What about the body & spirit?
    • Rom C6 V23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
    • 1 Thes C5 V23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” we are body, soul & spirit
    • 2 Thes C1 V9, “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
    • Rev C20 V14 – 15, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
    • Rev C21 V8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

In the above, 5 out of the 6 verses are used by some Christians to show that sinners will be totally destroyed, body, soul & spirit, never to exist after death/judgement. Other groups/beliefs state that there is no existence after death, body, soul or spirit.

  • Punishment for a period of time for cleansing then eternal life. Could not find any   bible verses to support this view, this view would be contrary to many bible verses that state JESUS’ suffering, shedding of HIS blood, death, burial & resurrection on the 3rd day happened once & only once for all of mankind’s sins. If JESUS did not die for all of mankind’s sins once, HE died in vain. If we have to do any work for salvation, then salvation cannot be a free gift of GOD. We have nothing to do except believe in JESUS’ finished work, nothing/no works of ourselves.
    • John C1 V29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” does not say partially takes away the sin of the world
    • Heb C2 V9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
    • Heb C9 V26, “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
    • 1 Tim C2 V6, “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
    • 1 John C2 V2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
    • Rev C1 V5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”
  • Eternal separation from GOD (for nonbelievers in JESUS’ finished work)
    • Isa C59 V2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
    • 2 Thes C1 V9, “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
    • Rev C21 V27, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Suggests that anything sinful will not enter the new Jerusalem therefore separated from GOD.
  • Eternal punishment (for nonbelievers in JESUS’ finished work)
    • Dan C12 V2, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
    • Mark C9 V43 – 48, lengthy -read, “cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched” and “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”. Only partial quotes from verses.
    • 2 Thes C1 V9, “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
    • Rev C14 V11, “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
    • Rev C20 V10, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
  • Eternal life with GOD (for believers in JESUS’ finished work)
    • 1 Cor C15 V1- 4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
    • John C3 V15 – 16, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
    • John C3 V36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
    • John C10 V28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” JESUS states
    • Rom C5 V21, “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
    • Rom C6 V23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Eternal life a gift of GOD, who works for gifts?
    • Col C1 V12 – 14, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
    • 1 Tim C1 V16, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”
    • 1 Tim C6 V12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
    • 1 John C5 V11, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
    • 1 John C5 V13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Mankind has an inherent fear of death and the unknown as seen in Heb C2 V15, “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”. What can we conclude from the Bible verses used above?

  • First there is no reincarnation, mankind dies once then judgement by GOD (Heb C9 V27).
  • Second, if after death there is no existence what is the purpose of life? Mankind would not be motivated to do good, believe or any other positive action, just do as you want with no repercussions. If this is the case, we should abandon all laws or to treat others as we want to be treated.
  • Third, purgatory or some prayers for the dead, if these actions must be taken even for one person then JESUS – GOD eternal past suffered/died in vain. These fall into man’s works and therefore salvation would not be a gift of GOD (Rom C6 V23), you do not work for gifts.
  • Fourth, just separation from GOD, other than regret what motivation would man have to do good, believe or any other positive action, do as you want with just separation from GOD, no repercussions. Being separated from GOD would be a separation from GOD’S love.
  • Fifth, JESUS states in Matt C25 V31 – 46 that there is “everlasting punishment”. One must be alive for everlasting punishment. You can not be totally destroyed, body, soul & spirit to be in everlasting punishment. The other verses in this section are just a few but support everlasting punishment due to not accepting the free gift of GOD in section six.
  • Sixth, the blessed hope (Titus C2 V13) we have is faith in the finished work of JESUS so that where HE is so shall we be forever (1 Thes C4 V17).

From this quick study we see that everlasting punishment or everlasting life with GOD are the two cases most supported by the scriptures. Faith in JESUS’ finished work, shedding of HIS blood, death, burial and resurrection gives us the free gift from GOD of eternal life with GOD and HIS love.

We get some glimpse into eternity with the description of CHRIST’S millennial kingdom reign which will be on this present earth/universe.

  • Isa C2 V2 – 4, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
  • Isa C11 V4-12, lengthy – read
  • Hab C2 V14, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
  • Rom C8 V16 – 17, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
  • Rev C20 V1 – 3, satan bound in bottomless pit during CHRIST’S millennial reign

After CHRIST’s millennial kingdom satan is loosed for a short period of time for the last revolt against GOD. Satan will then be cast into the lake of fire & those who rebelled with satan with be consumed by fire out of heaven from GOD (Rev C20 V1 – 9). Next GOD will create a new heaven & a new earth, GOD the FATHER with the new Jerusalem will descend out of heaven to the new earth, JESUS continues to rule & reign on the new earth and we enter eternity with the LORD (1 Thes C4 V17).

  • Isa C65 V17, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
  • 2 Pet C3 V10 – 13, “look for new heavens and a new earth” partial quote – read
  • Rev C21 V1 – 4, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”  Eternity with GOD, GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON & GOD the HOLY SPIRIT on the new earth/with LORD JESUS CHRIST (1 Thes C4 V17).

Other bible verses that follow is related to this topic after death.

  • Psalms C139 V16, “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” GOD knows us plus ALL of our days before we are even born
  • Rom C8 V18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Eternity is far far greater than anything we can experience in this life
  • 1 Thes C4 V13, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” verse used to teach soul sleep but is about the dead in CHRIST, separated from their bodies
  • 2 Cor C5 V8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Paul states to be dead in CHRIST, separated from our bodies, our soul & spirit are present with the LORD
  • 1 Thes C4 V17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” At the rapture.
  • Philip C1 V21 – 24, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” Paul would rather be dead & be with CHRIST but is on earth to spread the gospel

After Death PDF