on Death & Heaven

So there are several points of data from the Bible we can draw from. This is how such questions should always be approached:

1. Gather biblical data
2. Attempt to synthesize it . . .
3. . . . with emphasis on the clearest passages first . . .
4. . . . always giving Jesus the first word.

Jesus told the thief that he would be with Jesus “in paradise” today (Luke 23:43). Now, this means there is no interlude. So purgatory is out. Sorry Catholics. In support of Jesus, Paul says that to die is to be with the Lord (Phil. 1:21-23; 2 Cor. 5:6-8). Then we must ask what does “paradise” mean? Here is where we must look around a bit.

In Revelation, there are some martyred saints that are “under” the throne but with the Lord, and they cry out for justice (Rev. 6:10). They are wanting something more than their current state, though they are with the Lord.

Then there is the word “paradise.” It is the literal Greek word “paradeiso.” This seems to map over to what the Greeks called “elysium,” and which the Hebrews called “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:19-31). Note in that parable that the poor man is taken to Abraham’s bosom, and the rich man goes to “Hades.” Now, it is fascinating to me that in the end even “death and Hades” are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).

So the martyred saints expect something more to come, and the Bible says that Hades is also temporary. I take from this that Hades is the same thing as what the Hebrews called “sheol.”

I conclude that when we die, if we die in Christ, we immediately go into His presence, never to leave it. However, a better “more” is to come. At the same time, those who die apart from Christ immediately are conveyed to Hades, and their final destination is the lake of fire, where the fire is never quenched and the worm never dies.

Are their lingering questions? Happy to discuss this, but whatever the conversation went (and I don’t know much), I hope this clarifies things.

Cordially,

Jed