Our bodies are important. They were not made for sin (that toxic, unhealthy stuff.) I love that we will not only be in the New Heaven and New Earth, with Jesus, but in our glorified *bodies.*
Thank you for tackling a difficult subject that seems to produce so many simplistic black/white responses. I've thought about death quite a lot lately (age, health) and all I have is that it is in God's hands, and I am clothed with the righteousness of Christ so I am saved and 'safe'. When I will see that in all its fullness, I don't know. I only know that I will see it. "Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." 🙏
Thanks so much for your valuable ministry. I learn so much from you and am greatly encouraged by your teachings. And it’s only possible because you were kind enough to do your videos with caption options. As a deaf person I really appreciate this. Without captions I wouldn’t be able to “hear” your messages. Thank you so very much! 🤟
Thank you for all you teach.. I just went through your video of the transfiguration..wow that was soo good. God bless you! I can't wait to be in heaven with King Jesus🙌
Thank you so much for this brother Chad. You have reaffirmed the hope I have in Christ. I am so looking forward to this beautiful future that is promised to us. The great reunion will be beyond what we can image. And thanks for your explanation on the word cemetery. From now on whenever I go to visit my beloved husband's grave I will think of it as his sleeping resting place.
If you are a child of God, which I am. The word of God says, to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord. So yes, I go to be with my heavenly Father when I die. Heaven is my home, not earth.
Thanks for the sane teaching about Christ's words from the cross... "... today you will be with me in paradise" indeed contrasts with the thief's open-ended "when you come into your kingdom". To maintain otherwise requires too much mental and linguistic gymnastics (as you point out). I also agree, on the basis of Scripture, with what you say about the wheres and whens... 🙏
Quick question, 3 days, after their death on the cross, Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Where was the thief on "that day"?
2 Corinthians 5:8 does not say, “to be absent from the body (is) to be present with the Lord” that is misleading. Paul is talking about our two bodies or “Tents” our earthly body and our future immortal body. When Christ returns we who are dead will then be resurrected with our immortal body and then we will be present with the Lord, not before. Paul says we are asleep or dead in the grave until the Second Coming. That’s my understanding.
No. The dead are not asleep. The body is. What about the souls that asked God did he avenge their deaths yet? They were clearly not sleep. The rich man went to hell after he died. Remember? The dead know nothing about the world but the soul is not sleep when you die. I can go on. The Dead are not asleep sir. Respectfully.
@@A_World_Full_of_Lies the body is the soul a living soul we do not have a soul separate from the body that lives on when the body dies. We are given, by God, eternal life at the second coming of Jesus where the dead in Christ are resurrected first then those who are alive are given our eternal bodies. The dead are in the grave until The Second Coming of Jesus, that’s what Paul says, that’s what the word Org God says, thats what I believe. Remember we don’t have a soul we are a soul as well as the animals are a soul.
You're 💯% correct. Paul teaches soul sleep. He said that it's not that we want to take off the old tent (tabernacle) but we want to put the new one over it.
Chad, thanks so much for this video. On a related note, while it is doubtless true that believers go to be with Christ when they die and unbelievers go to hell when they die, the question still remains regarding what happens to unbelievers when they get to hell. I've become increasingly open to the possibility that when Christ says that God can "destroy" both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28), he meant it in the strong sense of the word, and that when He says that those who don't believe in Him will perish (John 3:16), He meant it in a non-figurative sense. With this in mind, I wanted to ask if you have any thoughts on conditional immortality?
Throughout the bible there is a correlation between death and sleep. There is enough scriptural evidence to support that after death, we all sleep until the resurrection. It would then feel instantaneous from death to resurrection.
@@deanwall9291 Right! I just woke up from an 8 hour sleep and to me all i know is that i slept and woke up, like it just took a second. This is our everyday experience in natural sleep. In sleep there's no sense of time. Similarly it is in death, in a twinkle of an eye Jesus will call and when we hear his voice the dead will awake, be it they'd died for 100 or 2000 years they won't know that much time passed when they were dead.
@@deanwall9291 Let's talk real stuff here. The true "Word Of God" correlates that sleep and death are alike. You're refusing to trust what you see in the Bible! For example look at this verse, "They have eyes but do not see -Psalms 115:5-8!" The Bible warned us that our senses can deceive us! Pray to God that he gives you the Holy Spirit that you may understand his word as it is! Goes to show that for some "seeing doesn't necessarily mean it invokes the correct belief". The Jews saw Jesus Christ but didn't believe he was God in flesh, only a few believed he was God. Even Jesus told them, "I and the Father are one", still the Jews didn't believe Jesus. Seeing is not believing and likewise, hearing is not believing. In other words, you can trust what your eyes see but don't trust your heart. The heart will deceive you. You need to get rid of your preconceived belief and just believe what you read in the Bible as it is, plainly, stop interpreting the word of God with your preconceived knowledge that do not align with what you're reading! Okay I have verses pulled up. If you disagree with it then you may be having a corrupted belief system based on this subject in addition you may be refusing to believe what you see. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 "16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Corinthians 15:52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." Let me explain this verse, it means that In a twinkle of an eye Jesus will call us and when we hear his voice the dead will awake, be it they'd died for 100 or 2000 years it won't matter. Along with them that were dead that awake the living who are saints will be caught up in the air with them. And then off we'll go to heaven to live with Christ for 1000 years. The unbelievers and the unbelievers and evil doers will be left here on earth for that period of 1000 years, and it's going to be horrible life for them because something else will be released on earth, you can read all that in Revelation 20. However, this will give another opportunity for those left behind to come to Jesus Christ as believers, but it's going to be a difficult time for them because the evil one will be persecuting a bunch of people. You should Believe that verse with all your eyes and heart! Don't argue! Let me explain what this verse tell us! There's no immediate ascending to heaven before Jesus calls us (be it dead or alive), when he comes again then we may ascend to heaven! This only applies to Saints "The dead in Christ". The unbelievers will not taste the first resurrection, they'll still be dead (asleep) in their graves until 1000 years pass. Meanwhile, you will be with Jesus in heaven for 1000 years, this is found in Revelation 20:4 in the Millennial Reign. But read the whole chapter Revelation 20. Then after 1000 years, the second resurrection will occur, this is the raising of all unbelievers; the second resurrection is connected to the second death. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29)
@@deanwall9291Only bodies sleep and get put in graves, never the soul or spirit. Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many BODIES of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
I don't think your considering in what form will the breath of life/spirit be at death when it returns to God to be kept until the resurrection. A body and a spirit/breathe of life together becomes a living soul. One without the other is non productive, dormant, asleep. You seem to be imagining a "spirit you" actively functioning. The Bible in no way teaches that. Did Adam exist as a spirit "person" person with a normal life in heaven before becoming a human on earth?
Chad, I greatly appreciate this video. However, it would be great if you included your proof texts/passages. That would turn this video from a proposition into an exposition, and great help believers check for themselves.
See the video description, where I note: "In this video, I examine passages from Paul (Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8) and Luke 23:43 (the thief on the cross) to find answers to our questions."
@@chadbird1517 Thank you. Do you think per Eph 4 and 1 Peter 3, that Jesus descended into the grave and 1) condemned the evil, 2) took captive with him the good, meaning all the Old Testament saints and those who died faithfully before his death?
In that case Whats the Meaning Behind Revelation 15:8 “And the sanctuary became filled with smoke because of the glory of God and because of his power, and no one was able to enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished”
how could the thief be with christ that day when christ was three days in the tomb? because jesus was god and we cannot understand his nature in terms of time and space? really? that’s your answer? maranatha
"to be absent rather from the body, AND to be present with the Lord" not "IS to be present" I look forward to waking up tomorrow and going to lunch. However that doesn't mean that I think I'll be having lunch immediately after waking up.. Also the thief says "remember me when" so it's perfectly reasonable that Jesus may be clarifying that he is redeeming the thief "today" instead of "when". But it's also perfectly reasonable that if the thief's experience is to wake in the garden in revelation that to him is would be "today". Paradise or the Greek word for garden is really only used to describe eden or the garden restored in the new earth.. unless you interpret this verse and Pauls "I knew a man.." language. This video is a very surface level refutation of alternate view points.
Hi Chad. I have always wondered about the passage where Jesus said to the mourners of the twelve years old girl to stop, because she's not dead, but asleep? Is there a difference? Thanks so much.
Hebrews 9:27 says “man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” There seems every biblical indication that unbelievers go to hell when they die, as believers go to heaven. See also Luke 16:22-23.
Chad. I am confused. You stated that at the time Christ returns, the believers and unbelievers will be resurrected and the sheep will be separated from the goats. Am I understanding that an unbelievers will go straight to hell , then resurrect and then be sent back to hell? I know we do not have all the answers and I trust God to be the judge but would like to understand alittle more God bless you
Hebrews 9:27 says “man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” There seems every biblical indication that unbelievers go to hell when they die, as believers go to heaven. See also Luke 16:22-23.
@@chadbird1517 Chad Bird I agree that hell is the final destination AFTER the resurrection & Great White throne Judgment...and I do believe that "hell" (the grave) is likely connected to a disembodied existence, for our soul was designed to be housed, and we currently long to be "further clothed" (glorified). But, as the believer goes to the *intermediate state* of heaven, is there any indication that the unbeliever remains connected to their body in the grave -- or, perhaps, as disembodied spirits -- being found "naked" before the Lord? Death = Separation. "...the body without the spirit is dead..." (James 2:26) "...the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23a)
Nowhere in the bible does it say people will go to heaven or hell immediately after death. You are correct that judgment is in the future. The bible only speaks of one judgment. Throughout the bible it speaks of after death we sleep.
The Bible tells us what happens when we die. Psalm 146:4: “His spirit (or breath) goes out, he returns to THE GROUND; On that very day his thoughts perish.” Ecclesiastes 3:20: “All are going to the same place. They all come from the dust, and they are all returning TO THE DUST.” Ecclesiastes 9:10: “For there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom IN THE GRAVE, where you are going.” Everyone does not go to heaven. The Bible again clearly tells us at Psalm 37:29: “The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live FOREVER on it.” Yes, billions of people will have the hope of living forever on earth as God promised!
Thank you for this Chad. So does that mean that the person that dies without Christ, goes to hell immediately, and with the second coming, gets resurrected too, then sent back to hell?
Thank you so much for this. It’s so crazy, myself, and my husband were talking about this very subject only a few days ago, and we kinda were confused. I do have a question though. When a Christian passes away from this earth, and then they awaken in the presence of God in heaven, will they face any judgment at that time? Or is judgment something that happens later? So for instance, a person that passes away from this earth, but didn’t know Jesus, will they still appear before God, but then be sentenced to hell at that time? Thanks for any clarification!
On this topic Chad and I disagree. The bible only mentions one judgment (the great white throne judgment). So it doesn't make sense that people go to heaven or hell immediately after death. What does make sense is that deceased people sleep till Jesus returns.
The white throne judgment is for unbelievers and satan and demons. But the judgment of Christ is for believers of what they did for Christ . It will determine our tewards not punishment.
Will the saints be judged at the resurrection? Will they have to give an account of their works (2 Corinthians 5:10), or will they not pass into judgment (John 5:24) because their sins and lawless deeds are remembered no more (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17)?
Typically Bird has a very thoughtful and detailed explanation. I find the second part of this spot on. However the first part need some help. Jesus did not go to be with his father the day he died. Ref: John 20:17. So the. Where did he go? See Luke 16:19-31. Lazarus was not in heaven but he was in paradise. Jesus had not yet died and ascended. Once Jesus ascended back to heaven that half of sheol was emptied. See Ephesians 4:8. He lead them back to the presence of God. Which was impossible before the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. So now that Jesus has ascended yes Bird is spot on with the rest of his talk here.
Man does not have a soul, which does not know under what form it supposedly flies somewhere after death, but at the very beginning of the word of God it is written: Therefore the Lord God created man from the dust of the ground, and inspired into his face the breath of life. AND MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL (A LIVING BEING). 1 Book of Moses/Genesis 2:7 That is to say, as we can see, man DOES NOT HAVE AN IMMORTAL SOUL but IS A LIVING SOUL (Nephesh from the Hebrew), and this is a big difference. Every human being was created from the dust of the earth with animating breath (Ruach) and has breath as long as he lives. You have spirit i.e. you have Ruach (from Hebrew) or Pneuma (from Greek). Ruach NEVER ceases to live, because it is GOD's vivifying breath keeping alive not only people but everything that lives. When he dies, GOD's breath leaves him, GOD takes away his spirit (Ruach) and then the spirit is said to return to GOD. So it is obvious that NO ONE can live outside the body without Ruach. Job 34:14-15, Job 36:14, Job 7:9-10, Solomon 3:18-20, Solomon 9:2-6, Solomon 9:10, Daniel 12:2-3, Ezekiel 18:4, Ezekiel 18:20, Joshua 11:11, Psalm 146, Isaiah 26:19, Ev. Matthew 10:28, John 5:28-29, John 6:39-40, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, Hebrews 9:27-28, Hebrews 11:8-40 Revelation 20:5-9 - (I used translator, so I hope that translate ok)
Well done! A humble but comprehensive view on the biblical view of the soul and intermediate state. Tradition however, is blinding and the majority view is immortal soul + eternal conscious torment. I blame Mystery Babylon (Roman Catholic church) for those views. Bless you
2 Cor 5:8 “…absent the body AND present with the Lord…” important conjunction there “and” NOT “is” as you imply Every day I wish to be absent my job and home with my dog…but everyday it takes about 45 minutes depending on traffic for that to actually happen as being merely absent my job IS NOT present with my dog…
Looking to the first epistle we find what Earthly tabernacle is being spoken of that we are now dwelling in. Paul tells us that there are two bodies that every man will have. The first body is corruptible flesh(1 Cor 15:42,50,52-53; Phillipians 3:21) it is a Natural body(1 Cor 15:44-46) it is an Earthly body of the Earth(1 Cor 15:47-49; Genesis 2:7) bearing the Image of the Earthly(1 Cor 15:49). The second body is Incorruptible(1 Cor 15:42, 51-54; Phillipians 3:21) it is a spiritual Body(1 Cor 44-46) it is a body from Heaven(1 Cor 15:47-49) bearing the Image of the Heavenly(1 Cor 15:49). In the light of this understanding it is clearly seen that the earthly house/tabernacle being spoken of in(2 Cor 5:1-2,4) is our current body of the earth(2 Peter 1:13-15) and the Heavenly house we have yet to receive is our New Heavenly body(1 John 3:2). In 2 Cor 5:2,4 Paul tells that we at this time do groan within our current tabernacle(body of Flesh/earth) to be clothed upon with our house/tabernacle which is from heaven(Heaven/Spirit) he tells us the same thing in Romans 8:23 saying that we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of our body. The redemption of our body occurs at Christ’s return(1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 John 3:2; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Thess 4:16; 1 Peter 1:5,7) this is when it shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,that death is swallowed up in victory(1 Cor 15:54) that mortality is swallowed up of life(2 Cor 5:4) for it is the Last enemy to be conquered by the Lord(1 Cor 15:26; Revelation 20:14). For this cause also we were given the earnest of the Spirit(2 Cor 5:5; Romans 8:15-16, 23, 26-27; Eph 1:12-13; Eph 4:30). We know then and are confident that while we are at home in the body(Earthly body/Body of Flesh) we are absent from the Lord(1 Cor 15:50; 2 Cor 5:6) until the time that we are changed from corruptible flesh to our incorruptible form at Christ’s coming(1 Cor 15:51-54; 1 Thess 4:16-17; Phillipians 3:21) that we may then be present with the Lord forever(1 Thess 4:17). This redemption of the Body(Romans 8:23) is a hope that cannot be seen(Romans 8:24-25). The cause for our walking in faith and not by sight(2 Cor 5:7), but instead with patience waiting for the hope that is seen not(Romans 8:25), is salvation and redemption into an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance reserved in heaven for us to be revealed and received at Christ’s return(1 Peter 1:3-5,7-9; 1 Thess 4:16-17; 1 Cor 15:52). This faith and hope that we have is such that we are confident in saying that at this present time we are willing to be absent from this body(earthly body of Flesh) and to be present with the Lord in heaven at his return(2 Cor 5:8; 1 Thess 4:17), this hope is also why we do not have sorrow over those who have fallen asleep(1 Thess 4:13) but instead comfort each other(1 Thess 4:18) with the understanding and hope of the Resurrection to come(1 Thess 4:14-18; Phillipians 3:11). That is why we labour to do the Lord’s work in this Body(2 Cor 5:9; 1 Cor 15:58; Colossians 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 6:10-12) that whether absent from him while in this body or present with him at his coming we may be accepted of him, because we all must appear before the Lord to give account of our deeds done in this body(of Earth/flesh) whether they be good or bad(2 Cor 5:10; Matt 12:36-37; matt 25:31-32; Romans 14:10,12; Revelation 20:12-13).
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord…” is no where in scripture, but “I’d rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” is. This is an assumption on the part of the reader to conclude that first rendering is the same as the second. The first means this, then that, or if not this, then that. However, Paul doesn’t leave the reader without an example of our next moment after death when he gives the illustration of the Resurrection. If the person is glorified after death, then the bodily resurrection isn’t necessary. However,…. 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is…” rules out any sight of him immediately after death, but upon an event: an event that will be unlike any other. The Resurrection of the dead in Christ.
if unbeliever's soul goes directly to hell after his death then why is there judgement after resurrection of the body?I mean what is judgement for after the resurrection of the body as people are already in hell.thank you
When I read the gospels, I read where Jesus said "let the dead bury the dead..." but of Jairus' daughter and of Lazarus, He refers to their death as sleeping. I wondered if He differentiates death based on those who will be resurrected unto life vs those who will not. Much discussion has been had regarding an age of accountability. So if Jairus' daughter would be considered like a child who dies and would not be sent to hell because of innocence, their passing could be called sleeping. Whereas like the unrepentant thief on the cross, his death would indeed be called death. No more opportunity for life. Am I making too much out of these 2 words?
The way I approach the Lukan pericope of the Good Thief is a bit more nuanced. Here, I see Jesus is looking at the grave from His cross and calling it a “paradise.” What a perplexing and challenging thing to say. I highly doubt the thief had any idea what He was talking about. But, Jesus knows that sin, death, and the devil are about to be overcome in His death on the cross and inevitable resurrection. Death is literally about to be “swallowed up in victory” [Isa. 25:8] in this moment of redemption history. Humanity is being returned to its Edenic access to the tree of life, as Revelation 2:7 describes. It is obviously better to approach the grave with this in mind than with the wrath of God. Keep in mind, the thief does not ask for forgiveness or salvation and shows no sign that he even believes in salvation, which is typically what “saving faith” is understood to encompass. He has a broken heart for his sin and is contrite in spirit in fearing the wrath of God. And very beautifully encapsulated in this passage, “The Lord is near,” as in LITERALLY RIGHT BESIDE HIM, “to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit” [Ps. 34:18 (NKJV)]. Therefore, whatever “paradise” may mean in Luke’s Gospel, we can rest assured that it is with the Lord Christ Jesus in some sense.
If people go to heaven or hell when they die then it would seem very strange for the Bible to refer to the dead as sleeping in the grave until the resurrection. Never does it say the bodies that sleep in the grave, it says "those" who sleep in the grave. So how can you be asleep in the grave and in heaven at the same time? And besides, where does Genesis teach that Adam, when created, was given an immortal soul?
@@Steve_the_Lion In your comment you said "Never does it say the bodies that sleep". That's why I used Mathew 27:52 because it does mention bodies that sleep in the grave . Did you mean something else?
Thank you. There's still something I don't understand. If our souls are sent to heaven or hell when our physical bodies die, why would there be another judgement after our bodies are raised? We must have been judged to be sent to heaven or hell already. Why does the second judgement take place?
We are never told explicitly, but I assume it is a kind of final, corporate judgment. "Corporate" understood in two ways. One, corporate in the sense that we are dealing with two corporate groups, sheep/believers and goats/unbelievers. The initial judgment upon death is individual by individual. And, two, the last judgment is corporate (or corporal) because it is done in the body.
Jesus told His disciples that He was going away to His Father's house where there are many mansions, and that He would go there to prepare a place for them. Then He said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also." John 14 verses 2 and 3. If the righteous go immediately to be with Jesus upon death, then why would Jesus need to return to this earth to receive them unto Himself? He didn't say He would return to ressurrect their bodies. He said, "I will come again and receive YOU unto myself." So the righteous do not go to be with Jesus as soon as they die; or else verses 2 and 3 of John 14 are meaningless.
Thank you so much for the video. But could you try to explain why the two ppl resurrected in the new testament Dorcas and Eutychus were raised from the dead as they were both believers and would have been guaranteed a spot in heaven because of their faith in christ. Was it not selfish for them to be brought back. The question is a little silly because I can see the good reasons for it, as it strenghtens the faith of all who hear it that and reminds us that God is sovereign. I'd just like to get your take
Nowhere in Scripture do we find the dead in Christ or the wicked being judged yet, neither can one place be found where the dead are raised already. Many try to distort the word of God to prove that judgment has already come to some, or that those who have died already have been raised incorruptible into heaven. They use verses such as Luke 23:42-43 saying the thief was promised entrance into heaven with Christ on the day of his death and received it. Look closely at what Christ says to the Thief on the Cross in verse 43 Luke 23:43 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. He tells the thief that TODAY shalt thou be with me in paradise. Now where does scripture tell us Christ went the day of his death? Does it say he went to the Third part of heaven/paradise or some other place? Let us consult the word of God. Ephesians 4:9-10 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Paul Tells us in Epesians that the Lord did not first ascend into heaven but first descended into the Lower parts of the Earth. Why would Paul say Christ went first into the Lower parts of the earth when the Lord promised the Thief he would be with him in Paradise that day(the day of Christ and the Thief's death). Let us ask Peter where the Lord went when he died. 1 Peter 3:18-19 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Peter tells us that once Christ was put to death in the flesh he was quickened by the spirit, by which he went and preached to the spirits in Prison. So between Peter and Paul we find a pattern of Christ not first ascending into heaven but first going down to the spirits in the lower parts of the earth(Hades/Sheol/Hell/the grave). If the words of both Paul and Peter are not enough proof to show that the Lord did not ascend or go to Heaven on the day of his death, let us just look at what the Lord himself said about the time of his ascension. John 20:16-17 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. We know from this that he didn’t ascend until mid or late morning Sunday because he appeared to Mary after she left his grave early in the Morning and still had yet to ascend. Even telling her that he was going to go and ascend unto his Father, and to inform his disciples of this. After speaking with her he ascended and then reappeared to the disciples and told them to touch him.(John 20:19-28). Now why then does the Lord tell the thief that he would be with him in Paradise today if he did not go to Heaven but instead into the lower parts of the earth? The answer lies in the definition of the word Paradise. Paradise- Paradeisos 3857 Thayer’s greek lexicon 3. that part of Hades which was thought by the later Jews to be the abode of the souls of the pious until the resurrection: Luke 23:43 Christ was telling the thief that he would be with him in the abode for the souls of the Pious(Paradise) that day/today. He was indeed in paradise that day, but that paradise was not Hevean.
If you said that the man on the cross went to heaven right away why would you say we have to wait for his return? Didn't Jesus' blood pay the entrance fee? Why do people not want to believe his coming back to his body from paradise was his second coming. If Eden is paradise and Adam and Eve were thrown out and flaming swords block the way back and that Eden was on an earth isn't that the earth we want to return to.
So you contend that upon our death we are given a new temporary body that we will give up when Christ returns to be given a new body this time immortal?
no, he didn't say anything about having a body immediately after we die. our soul goes to be with the Lord. we get our resurrection body when Jesus returns.
@mist1 But this would be contrary to the word then. 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. So if this earthly house (body) is dissolved, we have another House not made by hands eternal in the Heavens.
2 Cor 5 is in the context and continuation of 2 Cor chapter 3 & 4, which talks about the Holy Spirit transforming a believing Christian into a "living epistle written in his heart" when God the Holy Spirit illuminates his heart, like looking himself into a mirror, allow those imperfections as compared in Jesus' image, to be meted out. When we put into this new house is WHEN we will be ready for it. We WILL be "housed" or clothe in this new body BUT we must asked "How much of Light is inside of us when we go back to our Creator?"
@@let-there-be-light Paul in speaking of us a being there living epistle, was qualifying us as their letter of competence. Paul in verse 6 of three states that "He has qualified us as ministers of the new covenant". Paul then moves on to describe the glory of that new covenant. Look at 3:7 7 Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! 10 Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures! 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away. Paul continues to give in chapter 4 his defense of this epistle written on their hearts. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” (*) made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. So Paul was saying they do not proclaim themselves but Christ. He then gives the reason why in the next verse, 7 Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. Paul continues. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. So the life that Paul talks about that at work in us is because they care always consigned to death for the sake of Jesus. Paul then goes on to say that it is all so that "the One who raised the Lord Jesus (*) will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence". This is where Paul goes onto discuss the resurrection. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. So our outer selves are wasting away, but what is being renewed is our inner man. We are to put our faith in what is unseen, not seen. Paul continues in chapter 5. 1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. So how is it that we have an House not built by human hands awaiting us ETERNAL when this earthly tabernacle is dismantled? It even tells us when this takes place. "When this earthly tabernacle is dismantled". And this tabernacle is ETERNAL. Paul goes on. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life. So while we are in this tent, we seek to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. So much for the idea of souls without a body. No, when this earthly tabernacle is destroyed, we receive a new tabernacle not made by hands. 6 Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. So when we are alive and in this earthly tabernacle, we are absent from the Lord. But verse 7. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. We don't look upon the things that are seen, instead we look upon the things not seen. We don't with fleshly eyes the things that will be, but instead we have hope, faith. What we have when we put off this earthly body is an eternal body in the heavens. It even tells it that it awaits us WHEN WE PUT OFF THIS EARTHLY TENT. And this tabernacle is eternal.
The reason, Christ said paradise, was because He had not yet presented His blood to the Father in Heaven. Believers who died prior to the resurrection, went to paradise. Remember, their sins were covered, not forgiven. It’s not until the Father accepts the blood, the atoning sacrifice, that believers sins were/forgiven. Once the atonement was accepted, then those in paradise could be moved to heaven. Look at the rich man/poor man story. There was a void between paradise and the place of torment.
Muddy. Are you saying the soul (or spirit, as you tacked on as if they’re the same thing) is separated from the body and then reunited with it at the resurrection? So we’re just free-floating, disembodied beings for the interim? Also, you say at the judgement seat the sheep goes into eternal life and the goats to “Hell” (your word, not the Bible’s which is Lake of Fire). Do you not know that Hell is cast into the Lake of Fire in Rev. 20? They can’t be one and the same. Sorry to be harsh but when you put out a video to detail What happens to us when we die, every word must be precise. I’ve been frustrated by this kind of imprecision for my entire life.
When God breathed into Adam the breath of life he became a living soul. When God said to Adam "on the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" Moses must have left out the part when He said something like but don't worry on that day you will be with Me in paradise. Or maybe when He said "from dust you were made and to dust you shall return" That darn Moses left out the part where God said but your "immortal soul" (pagan concept) will be in heaven. Peter said David was still in his grave not in heaven. What was the point of God taking Enoch, Moses ,and Elijah if they were going to end up there when they die anyway? If what you say is true then Jesus ripped Lazarus and the others He raised from the dead out of paradise back into this sinful world. Why would He do such a cruel thing? Don't base a belief on one or two verses that can be and are misinterpreted. Let the Bible interpret itself. God never changes. He is the same today as He is thru eternity.
The scriptures do not specifically say that Enoch & Elijah were taken to paradise/the fathers kingdom, all that is speculation. And arent you technically saying that Jesus lied when he said in John 3:13 says, "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man".
God can put any body back together again. Think of someone burned in a fire or explosion. I think I have heard Chad say that it's preferable not to cremate (out of respect for God's good creation). But it's not forbidden.
When we die. We are dead like the unsaved waiting on the pre trib rapture in the grave. You must understand time recognition is very different on the other side. King David is dead in the grave. On his rapture he will feel as if he just died. If you immediately went to heaven why have judgements
“Today” can also be rendered “this day” (the day in view that the thief asked about: the day that Jesus comes into His kingdom). As we know, Jesus went to “Sheol” not “paradise” the day that He died and remained there for three days until He was resurrected. Plus, Jesus has not yet entered the kingdom, so the “today” or “this day” has not yet arrived. Therefore, the thief is still awaiting that day that he asked about as he rests in the “sleep of death” as the Psalms describe. “Paradise” is where the tree of life is, according to Revelation, which is where the thief will find himself when he is awoken from death. What a glorious moment that will be for him and anyone else who also died in Christ. Revelation 14:13 (HCSB) Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: The dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them!”
In death , the separation of the soul from the body, the human body decays, and the soul goes to meet God to be judged. Each person receives their eternal retribution in their immortal soul at the very moment of death in a particular judgement that refers their their life to Christ - either entrance into heaven, through a purification - or immediately, or immediate and everlasting damnation. When Christ comes again to judge the living and the dead all the dead will rise. Those who have done good will be re-united with their souls in heaven with new glorified bodies. Those who have done evil will be re-united with their souls in hell.
"That day" when Jesus was in the tomb was a Sabbath day - Jesus didn't go anywhere. He rested according to the 4th commandment, He was (like) asleep until the Sunday morning wake up/ressurection.
What!!! Babylon ( mass Confusion) at it’s finest!! Heaven is not forever? Did Lazarus go to Heaven when he did? Is Heaven and Abraham bosom the same thing? Who is sleeping according to Daniel 12:1? Why was not Lazarus upset at. Christ from bringing him back from the sinless home of heaven? This teaching is what the reformers were killed for!! This is Catholic teaching at its best!! Question: Is Heaven a curse or a reward? Is Satan a manager in hell? Is hell forever? When a person goes to hell does he feel pain?
Would you delay Heaven to stick around and raise your kids? To tell them you have seen Heaven first hand? To win more souls for Christ? To be with your wife and be her only husband at her death?
6:25 you are wrong. Only the righteous dead are resurrected first, till the 1000 year reign with christ is over. Then satan will be released and then thrown into the lake of fire. Then the unrighteous dead will be resurrected for the great white throne judgment.
makes no sense though. So you're alive in heaven, then he raises your body on the last day, to then kill you again immediately if not judged positively.
I'm disappointed in your exegesis considering how much importance you place on it. It is clear in the Hebrew that we do not have a separate soul. Nephesh, the transliteration for the Hebrew word "soul" does not mean that we have a separate thing called a soul, but our whole self of spirit and body are a soul. It is the word for person, for a living being. God breathed into Adam and he became a living being, as modern translations attest. We see this clearly as the Bible uses the word Nephesh for both humanity, persons, and animals, the beasts of the field. Both are as spoken of as living beings, hence the Psalms strong emphasis that both men and beast go to Sheol, the grave, from which there is no more communication with God or other persons. It therefore misleading to say that the body alone is sleeping and the consciousness is not. Numerous theologians have argued for this wholeness of the person throughout Scripture, Old Testament and New. I would offer G.C. Berkouer as one of the more prominent. This is the sense in which the book of Acts speaks of David being in the grave, resting in Sheol. Contrast is drawn distinctly in interpreting who the Christ, the promised Messiah, is the anointed one of whom David was only a type. Christ is the one who ascended to heaven after his resurrection from the dead, not David, who's flesh did see corruption and has NOT ascended. Acts 2.34 As I said above when the flesh sees corruption The whole person is resting in the grave because there is no separate soul that ascends to God. Only the breath of God that gives life returns back to him who gave it. "Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. - Acts 2:29-31 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ - Acts 2:34-35 This is especially reflected in the book of Psalms. Throughout the book of Psalms you can repeatedly read that there is no knowledge, no plans, no praise of God in Sheol, the grave. David please forgot to preserve his life so that he can continually praise him. Why would that be the case if he would assend to heaven to praise God when he died? The dead do not praise the LORD, Nor do any who go down into silence; - Psalm 115:17 The dead do not go up into glory to praise God, but descend into silence. “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? - Psalm 30:9 For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks? - Psalm 6:5 Thanks and praise is offered to God after the resurrection, when the whole person has risen and been restored, that is the righteous at the first resurrection. For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten. - Ecclesiastes 9:5 The dead are not simply forgotten by those by friends and family on earth, but they "know nothing". Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. - Ecclesiastes 9:10 There is no activity, no planning, no knowledge for those who have gone to the grave. And all in fact do go to the grave, both righteous and wicked. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? - Psalm 88:10-12 Here the question is asked directly, do the departed rise up to praise you? No, They are resting in sleep to be awakened either in the first Resurrection of the righteous, or the second resurrection of the wicked which is described in Revelation 20. Do we really imagine that individuals are in heaven now praising God, enjoying His presence and then they will be brought back down to reconstituted bodies at the resurrection? Where is the evidence for this? I will also have to disagree with you regarding your analysis of the thief on the cross. You do take up the change of punctuation, which is more than many do. But we also see Jesus clearly told Mary that he had not ascended to his father, and that that ascension did not take place till 40 days after the resurrection. You're doing some other than exegesis when you read into the text how you want it to speak rather than draw out from what it is. Moving the comma makes it very clear whether or not that is a pleasant part of our theology, that Jesus was speaking to him today that he would later be with him in paradise. Why might Jesus have said that. One because it was true, and secondly for the benefit of others beside the thief. Just as Jesus said they would not see him again until they saw the Son of Man coming in his glory. A closely related falsehood with your doctrine is the Greek idea of the immortal soul, which the early church adopted, corrupting the meaning of man's nature. Paul makes it clear in 1st Corinthians 15 that mortality must "put on" immortality and that that does not take place until the resurrection. It is this false doctrine of the immortality of the soul in this present life that leads to demonic expressions of loved ones visiting us in the night, the idolatry of saints supposedly able to offer us blessings that Christ alone can give, and Mariology. How often have we heard of supposedly dead loved ones coming back to disavow the very words and meaning of Scripture, lying and deceiving spirits to turn us away from the living God. All of this is simply the working out of God's affirmation after the fall: from dust you were taken into dust you will return. It is out of the dust that conscious human beings are raised from the dead, not brought out of heaven to be reunited with their bodies. The emphasis of scripture is on the "waiting". We wait for the hope of the resurrection because that's when we will see the Lord. We wait in sleep and the hope of something better. As someone who has done many funerals I will also add this. It has been sickening to me to hear individuals preached into heaven at their death, when it has been the most common knowledge among the living that they were wicked, abusive, dangerous, vile human beings in all of their known existence. I've often wondered what abused children think when they hear such things about daddy or Uncle Bob being in heaven watching over them, when they're adult confessions tell us what horror they suffered at the hands of these individuals, those who are thought to be saints in the church and ascended to God after death. So, if we teach that saints ascend to heaven at their death, where do the wicked go? Not to a presently burning hell because that does not come until the great white throne judgment. If the soul is immortal as you're teaching implies, what of the immortal wicked? The words of the Psalmist apply to them as well, they are not immortal, because they know nothing in the grave. That the wicked are resting in the grave is also a great comfort to those who have suffered at their hands, to the survivors. They no longer have to fear the conscious presence of the perpetrators. They no longer have to wonder if they will be accosted again, for the wicked are bound in the grave, never more to afflict the righteous. They will receive the reward of their evil works at the judgment seat of God. Should you wonder, I am a Seventh-day Adventist, and if you would like to know our exegetical position on soul-sleep I can supply some of those to you. Disclaimer: I am neither a Hebrew or Greek scholar. But I do have access to those who are. I'm a retired pastor.
Eccl 12:7 NIV and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Sin is condemned in the flesh (our body), which is physical realm. The Spirit returns to God, which is spirit realm. What about our soul? Which part of you is your soul? Which is the true you with the new heart & new spirit compared to your old man? Which part of you who will be cloth with a new body?
@@let-there-be-light Sin does not simply impact our bodies but our "spirits". The Spirit in scripture is the same as the heart, the non-physical part of a human being consisting of the mind and the emotions. Regarding human beings it is a false dichotomy, a false division, to suggest the "physical realm" exist in some separate way from the spiritual. There is a physical and a spiritual but in human beings they exist as one whole person. Nor is the abiding place of evil the physical body even though the body feels the effects of sin which is death, sickness, and suffering. Jesus made that clear when he said the heart was the treasure house of evil. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” - Matthew 15:19-20 If you reread my comment I said there that we do not have a separate soul but that the whole person is a soul, according to the meaning of both the Hebrew and the Greek words that refer to the old translations of soul. The spirit returning to God is simply the breath, the unconscious life. There is no conscious "spirit" that returns to God who gave it. This is the basic meaning of the Greek word for spirit, pneuma. Which can be translated as air, breath, or spirit. We often read into these things elements of Greek philosophy that have been handed down to the church regarding spirit and soul. It is also a common heresy from the early centuries that the body is somehow evil even though God created it to be good. This was the teaching of the early church heretic, Marcion. That physical creation was the embodiment of evil.
1. Does ammilennialism compute with soul sleep (Their view of the first fruits is slipping my mind at the moment). 2. How would the passage of the Rich Man and Lazarus fit in with soul sleep and conditional immorality? 3. Does Jesus then stop existing for 3 days, and would the passage of freeing captives be a present act future event type of deal (victory of live attained, life given at resurrection). 4. I’ll add on, what would the punishment for unbelievers be, how are there varying degrees, and why are they resurrected bodily to be vanquished again. Ty
Wow! Great job. It's hard to imagine that anyone would try to dispute this. But they try. I have seen the truth of your post for more than 40 years and I'm not SDA. I prefer death sleep over soul sleep. Soul sleep implies there's a separation possible of the soul and body. Loved your post.
Jesus promise to the evildoer that "Truly I tell you today you will be with me in paradise" Is a classic example of how the meaning can be changed by the simple insertion of a 'comma'! ( There were NO commas or fullstops in the orginal greek! They were ADDED by theMasorettes ( scholars) in the 10th century, a thousand years AFTER the originals were written!) Read ing Jesus words one way suggests that "Truly I tell you, you wil..... But just put the comma AFTER the word 'today', it has a different meaning! Which way should we take it? Did Jesus "Go to paradise", that very day? difinitely NOT his own & his disciples testimony is that he was "buried and dead for three days". After his resurrection he ascended 40 days AFTER that! (Acts 1:3) Also th NT teaches the resurrection occurs at the "Great trump" when Christ returns ( 1 Cor 15:52). Sadly thee bible has been tampered with, altered and even added to by those wishing to substantuate their doctrines and teachings! Rev 22:18,19 is clear, it is very serious to interfere with the Word of God! Amen
The Greek word "kai " is translated "and" which is a conjunction. You translate the word "kai" to the future tense "is to be". How many times in the New Testament is the word "kai" translated into the future tense "is to be" versus translated into the conjunction "and? " Where the bible might say, James and ( kai ) John, does the bible ever say James (kai) is to be John? You seem to be distorting the conjunction kai. One can't be both in the body and with the Lord. Paul "prefers to be" absent from the body and present with the Lord but he was still in the body. One has to discard chapter 15 of II Corinthians plus a whole list of other scriptures to believe absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
...for the day you eat of it, the tree, you will surely die This is what Yahshua (The Word) told Adam, the thief, in the garden before his death ...just as Yahshua, in the flesh, said in the garden of His death to the thief on the tree
...and just as Adam was expelled from paradise to die that "day" The repentant descendant of Adam was allowed into paradise that "day" ....although he was not told as to whether he would stay there
There is no teaching in the NT that Christians go straight to heaven at death! According to Paul it will be "At the last Trump" when Christ returns ( see 1 Cor 15:52 ). This will NOT be a 'body' being reunited with one's soul thats there already' either!. This is 'orthodox' chuch teaching based, not on thr bible but Greek philosophy & mythology mixed with pagan concepts that surfaced from the 2nd century onwards!. ( Revelation 20:4, says "Also I saw the SOULS of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus....they CAME TO LIFE..." This is at Christ's return! Also When Paul wrote to the Corinthians around 55AD he said that some who had witnessed Jesus ascension had "fallen asleep (in death). Nothing about 'their souls' were already in heaven or any such wishful thinking!. Therefore all the apostles & faithful Christians till this very day are still AWAITING their resurrection! No wonder John pleaded "Come quickly Lord Jesus!" ( Rev 22:20) Amen!
Jesus was in the tomb during his death; he didn't go anywhere. If we are asleep and awaiting the resurrection, then how is it that we are already with Christ? Or put the other way. If we go to be with Christ immediately at death, what is the purpose of the resurrection? The real issue here is the matter of immortality. Man does not have an immortal soul. The Bible teaches that God alone has immortality. (1Timothy 6:16 KJV Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.) The reason we sacrifice to live the Christian life is to gain the prize of immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53 KJV For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.)
You lost me , From the scripture the rapture is when our bodies will be resurrected from mortal to immortal, its seems you mention Christ return. 6:15 mins.. When Christ comes in the clouds those bodies will be made imperishable and that one generation will be caught up. As I believe you know in 1 Corinthians 15..thats the 1st resurrection. The dead will not be raised until the second resurrection as mention in REV20:4-6. So correct me if I'm wrong, but the Rapture are for those bodies that died in Christ before the tribulation ..I'm assuming those believers who die in the tribulation is mentioned as receiving their new spiritual bodies in REV20:4-6
Our bodies are important. They were not made for sin (that toxic, unhealthy stuff.) I love that we will not only be in the New Heaven and New Earth, with Jesus, but in our glorified *bodies.*
Thank you for tackling a difficult subject that seems to produce so many simplistic black/white responses. I've thought about death quite a lot lately (age, health) and all I have is that it is in God's hands, and I am clothed with the righteousness of Christ so I am saved and 'safe'. When I will see that in all its fullness, I don't know. I only know that I will see it.
"Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." 🙏
Amén. Waiting on the Lord👑🛐
Thanks so much for your valuable ministry. I learn so much from you and am greatly encouraged by your teachings. And it’s only possible because you were kind enough to do your videos with caption options. As a deaf person I really appreciate this. Without captions I wouldn’t be able to “hear” your messages. Thank you so very much! 🤟
Thanks Chad. The thief on the cross is always the thing i picture too. The rest of your explanation is just beautiful and comforting.
Thank you for your work, Brother Chad. May the Lord continue to use you to bring Himself glory.
Thank you for all you teach.. I just went through your video of the transfiguration..wow that was soo good. God bless you! I can't wait to be in heaven with King Jesus🙌
Great!!! Hallelujah and Amen❤🙏🏽. Stay blessed, Chad.
Thank you so much for this brother Chad. You have reaffirmed the hope I have in Christ. I am so looking forward to this beautiful future that is promised to us. The great reunion will be beyond what we can image. And thanks for your explanation on the word cemetery. From now on whenever I go to visit my beloved husband's grave I will think of it as his sleeping resting place.
He's either in heaven or hell. Not in the ground.
Great teaching. Thank you.
Thank you Sir for this video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I have a clearer understanding now ☺️ thank you 🌻
I've been raised in the church and I'm believing
If you are a child of God, which I am. The word of God says, to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord. So yes, I go to be with my heavenly Father when I die. Heaven is my home, not earth.
Thanks for the sane teaching about Christ's words from the cross... "... today you will be with me in paradise" indeed contrasts with the thief's open-ended "when you come into your kingdom". To maintain otherwise requires too much mental and linguistic gymnastics (as you point out). I also agree, on the basis of Scripture, with what you say about the wheres and whens... 🙏
Quick question, 3 days, after their death on the cross, Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
Where was the thief on "that day"?
It's going to be glorious!
Thankyou for clearing that i found comfort my god bless you ❤🙏
Thank you for laying this out so clearly.
I share the same view. Excellent exposition
Thank you for clearing my question,
That words immortality, and the soul are NEVER used together God only is imortal
2 Corinthians 5:8 does not say, “to be absent from the body (is) to be present with the Lord” that is misleading. Paul is talking about our two bodies or “Tents” our earthly body and our future immortal body. When Christ returns we who are dead will then be resurrected with our immortal body and then we will be present with the Lord, not before. Paul says we are asleep or dead in the grave until the Second Coming. That’s my understanding.
What about Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus. Lazarus goes with Abraham and the the rich man to hades.
No. The dead are not asleep. The body is. What about the souls that asked God did he avenge their deaths yet? They were clearly not sleep. The rich man went to hell after he died. Remember? The dead know nothing about the world but the soul is not sleep when you die. I can go on. The Dead are not asleep sir. Respectfully.
@@A_World_Full_of_Lies the body is the soul a living soul we do not have a soul separate from the body that lives on when the body dies. We are given, by God, eternal life at the second coming of Jesus where the dead in Christ are resurrected first then those who are alive are given our eternal bodies. The dead are in the grave until The Second Coming of Jesus, that’s what Paul says, that’s what the word Org God says, thats what I believe. Remember we don’t have a soul we are a soul as well as the animals are a soul.
You're 💯% correct. Paul teaches soul sleep. He said that it's not that we want to take off the old tent (tabernacle) but we want to put the new one over it.
I Corinthians 15 Paul also talks about soul sleep
Glory to the King, glory to the son of David!
Chad, thanks so much for this video. On a related note, while it is doubtless true that believers go to be with Christ when they die and unbelievers go to hell when they die, the question still remains regarding what happens to unbelievers when they get to hell.
I've become increasingly open to the possibility that when Christ says that God can "destroy" both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28), he meant it in the strong sense of the word, and that when He says that those who don't believe in Him will perish (John 3:16), He meant it in a non-figurative sense.
With this in mind, I wanted to ask if you have any thoughts on conditional immortality?
Thanks for the explanation
Absent from the body, present with the Lord.
Amen.
Throughout the bible there is a correlation between death and sleep. There is enough scriptural evidence to support that after death, we all sleep until the resurrection. It would then feel instantaneous from death to resurrection.
@@deanwall9291 Right! I just woke up from an 8 hour sleep and to me all i know is that i slept and woke up, like it just took a second. This is our everyday experience in natural sleep. In sleep there's no sense of time. Similarly it is in death, in a twinkle of an eye Jesus will call and when we hear his voice the dead will awake, be it they'd died for 100 or 2000 years they won't know that much time passed when they were dead.
@@guopa1 And while you were sleeping. Did your soul or your spirit go somewhere else?
@@deanwall9291 Let's talk real stuff here. The true "Word Of God" correlates that sleep and death are alike. You're refusing to trust what you see in the Bible! For example look at this verse, "They have eyes but do not see -Psalms 115:5-8!"
The Bible warned us that our senses can deceive us! Pray to God that he gives you the Holy Spirit that you may understand his word as it is!
Goes to show that for some "seeing doesn't necessarily mean it invokes the correct belief". The Jews saw Jesus Christ but didn't believe he was God in flesh, only a few believed he was God. Even Jesus told them, "I and the Father are one", still the Jews didn't believe Jesus. Seeing is not believing and likewise, hearing is not believing. In other words, you can trust what your eyes see but don't trust your heart. The heart will deceive you. You need to get rid of your preconceived belief and just believe what you read in the Bible as it is, plainly, stop interpreting the word of God with your preconceived knowledge that do not align with what you're reading!
Okay I have verses pulled up. If you disagree with it then you may be having a corrupted belief system based on this subject in addition you may be refusing to believe what you see.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 "16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Corinthians 15:52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."
Let me explain this verse, it means that In a twinkle of an eye Jesus will call us and when we hear his voice the dead will awake, be it they'd died for 100 or 2000 years it won't matter. Along with them that were dead that awake the living who are saints will be caught up in the air with them. And then off we'll go to heaven to live with Christ for 1000 years. The unbelievers and the unbelievers and evil doers will be left here on earth for that period of 1000 years, and it's going to be horrible life for them because something else will be released on earth, you can read all that in Revelation 20. However, this will give another opportunity for those left behind to come to Jesus Christ as believers, but it's going to be a difficult time for them because the evil one will be persecuting a bunch of people.
You should Believe that verse with all your eyes and heart! Don't argue! Let me explain what this verse tell us! There's no immediate ascending to heaven before Jesus calls us (be it dead or alive), when he comes again then we may ascend to heaven! This only applies to Saints "The dead in Christ". The unbelievers will not taste the first resurrection, they'll still be dead (asleep) in their graves until 1000 years pass. Meanwhile, you will be with Jesus in heaven for 1000 years, this is found in Revelation 20:4 in the Millennial Reign. But read the whole chapter Revelation 20. Then after 1000 years, the second resurrection will occur, this is the raising of all unbelievers; the second resurrection is connected to the second death. It corresponds with Jesus’ teaching of the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29)
@@deanwall9291Only bodies sleep and get put in graves, never the soul or spirit. Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many BODIES of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
I don't think your considering in what form will the breath of life/spirit be at death when it returns to God to be kept until the resurrection. A body and a spirit/breathe of life together becomes a living soul. One without the other is non productive, dormant, asleep. You seem to be imagining a "spirit you" actively functioning. The Bible in no way teaches that. Did Adam exist as a spirit "person" person with a normal life in heaven before becoming a human on earth?
I hope if we pray to God, we can ask him to provide what we have here on earth.
Chad, I greatly appreciate this video.
However, it would be great if you included your proof texts/passages.
That would turn this video from a proposition into an exposition, and great help believers check for themselves.
See the video description, where I note: "In this video, I examine passages from Paul (Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8) and Luke 23:43 (the thief on the cross) to find answers to our questions."
@@chadbird1517 Thank you. Do you think per Eph 4 and 1 Peter 3, that Jesus descended into the grave and 1) condemned the evil, 2) took captive with him the good, meaning all the Old Testament saints and those who died faithfully before his death?
In that case Whats the Meaning Behind Revelation 15:8 “And the sanctuary became filled with smoke because of the glory of God and because of his power, and no one was able to enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished”
how could the thief be with christ that day when christ was three days in the tomb? because jesus was god and we cannot understand his nature in terms of time and space? really? that’s your answer? maranatha
"to be absent rather from the body, AND to be present with the Lord" not "IS to be present" I look forward to waking up tomorrow and going to lunch. However that doesn't mean that I think I'll be having lunch immediately after waking up.. Also the thief says "remember me when" so it's perfectly reasonable that Jesus may be clarifying that he is redeeming the thief "today" instead of "when". But it's also perfectly reasonable that if the thief's experience is to wake in the garden in revelation that to him is would be "today". Paradise or the Greek word for garden is really only used to describe eden or the garden restored in the new earth.. unless you interpret this verse and Pauls "I knew a man.." language. This video is a very surface level refutation of alternate view points.
Hi Chad. I have always wondered about the passage where Jesus said to the mourners of the twelve years old girl to stop, because she's not dead, but asleep? Is there a difference? Thanks so much.
So when an unbeliever dies do they not go to hell until Judgement Day?
Hebrews 9:27 says “man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” There seems every biblical indication that unbelievers go to hell when they die, as believers go to heaven. See also Luke 16:22-23.
@@chadbird1517
Thank you so much for a response.
Thank you for a clear explanation of this topic that is often muddled!
"until Judgment Day"...What is your concept of 'time and space' in afterlife?
Chad. I am confused. You stated that at the time Christ returns, the believers and unbelievers will be resurrected and the sheep will be separated from the goats. Am I understanding that an unbelievers will go straight to hell , then resurrect and then be sent back to hell? I know we do not have all the answers and I trust God to be the judge but would like to understand alittle more
God bless you
Great job, Chad!
QUICK QUESTION:
What do you teach about where unbelievers go when they die?
Hebrews 9:27 says “man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” There seems every biblical indication that unbelievers go to hell when they die, as believers go to heaven. See also Luke 16:22-23.
@@chadbird1517But judgement is when we are all gathered together, and it’s a future event when people are thrown into the lake, no..?
@@chadbird1517
Chad Bird
I agree that hell is the final destination AFTER the resurrection & Great White throne Judgment...and I do believe that "hell" (the grave) is likely connected to a disembodied existence, for our soul was designed to be housed, and we currently long to be "further clothed" (glorified).
But, as the believer goes to the *intermediate state* of heaven, is there any indication that the unbeliever remains connected to their body in the grave -- or, perhaps, as disembodied spirits -- being found "naked" before the Lord?
Death = Separation.
"...the body without the spirit is dead..." (James 2:26)
"...the wages of sin is death..."
(Romans 6:23a)
Nowhere in the bible does it say people will go to heaven or hell immediately after death. You are correct that judgment is in the future. The bible only speaks of one judgment. Throughout the bible it speaks of after death we sleep.
The Bible tells us what happens when we die. Psalm 146:4: “His spirit (or breath) goes out, he returns to THE GROUND; On that very day his thoughts perish.”
Ecclesiastes 3:20: “All are going to the same place. They all come from the dust, and they are all returning TO THE DUST.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10: “For there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom IN THE GRAVE, where you are going.”
Everyone does not go to heaven. The Bible again clearly tells us at Psalm 37:29: “The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live FOREVER on it.” Yes, billions of people will have the hope of living forever on earth as God promised!
Jesus didn’t go be with the Father until He ascended into Heaven and disappeared in the clouds. You have to base everything off of that.
So when we die we go to Hell, return to earth, and after 43 says from death we then go to Heaven?
@@TruckstopHick no….where did you base that off of?
Thank you for this Chad. So does that mean that the person that dies without Christ, goes to hell immediately, and with the second coming, gets resurrected too, then sent back to hell?
Yes, that seems to be the biblical outline of events.
Thank you so much for this. It’s so crazy, myself, and my husband were talking about this very subject only a few days ago, and we kinda were confused. I do have a question though.
When a Christian passes away from this earth, and then they awaken in the presence of God in heaven, will they face any judgment at that time? Or is judgment something that happens later? So for instance, a person that passes away from this earth, but didn’t know Jesus, will they still appear before God, but then be sentenced to hell at that time? Thanks for any clarification!
On this topic Chad and I disagree. The bible only mentions one judgment (the great white throne judgment). So it doesn't make sense that people go to heaven or hell immediately after death. What does make sense is that deceased people sleep till Jesus returns.
The white throne judgment is for unbelievers and satan and demons. But the judgment of Christ is for believers of what they did for Christ . It will determine our tewards not punishment.
Amen, brother!
I see nowhere in scripture the teaching of an immortal soul. Scriptures can be open to different interpretations.
Paul said it, so it must be true
@@1AbidingInTheLight Where did he say that?
@@Vegan_Lion21 apparently you didn’t watch the vmideo
@@1AbidingInTheLight Because I've already read the writings of Paul.
@@Vegan_Lion21 you’ve got blinders on man.
Will the saints be judged at the resurrection? Will they have to give an account of their works (2 Corinthians 5:10), or will they not pass into judgment (John 5:24) because their sins and lawless deeds are remembered no more (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17)?
I’ve always wondered about the resurrection of the body. What about those cremated or just decayed. Is the body resurrection more metaphoric ?
Typically Bird has a very thoughtful and detailed explanation. I find the second part of this spot on. However the first part need some help.
Jesus did not go to be with his father the day he died. Ref: John 20:17. So the. Where did he go? See Luke 16:19-31. Lazarus was not in heaven but he was in paradise. Jesus had not yet died and ascended. Once Jesus ascended back to heaven that half of sheol was emptied. See Ephesians 4:8. He lead them back to the presence of God. Which was impossible before the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. So now that Jesus has ascended yes Bird is spot on with the rest of his talk here.
Man does not have a soul, which does not know under what form it supposedly flies somewhere after death, but at the very beginning of the word of God it is written:
Therefore the Lord God created man from the dust of the ground, and inspired into his face the breath of life.
AND MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL (A LIVING BEING). 1 Book of Moses/Genesis 2:7
That is to say, as we can see, man DOES NOT HAVE AN IMMORTAL SOUL but IS A LIVING SOUL (Nephesh from the Hebrew), and this is a big difference.
Every human being was created from the dust of the earth with animating breath (Ruach) and has breath as long as he lives. You have spirit i.e. you have Ruach (from Hebrew) or Pneuma (from Greek). Ruach NEVER ceases to live, because it is GOD's vivifying breath keeping alive not only people but everything that lives. When he dies, GOD's breath leaves him, GOD takes away his spirit (Ruach) and then the spirit is said to return to GOD. So it is obvious that NO ONE can live outside the body without Ruach. Job 34:14-15, Job 36:14, Job 7:9-10, Solomon 3:18-20, Solomon 9:2-6, Solomon 9:10, Daniel 12:2-3, Ezekiel 18:4, Ezekiel 18:20, Joshua 11:11, Psalm 146, Isaiah 26:19, Ev. Matthew 10:28, John 5:28-29, John 6:39-40, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, Hebrews 9:27-28, Hebrews 11:8-40 Revelation 20:5-9 - (I used translator, so I hope that translate ok)
Well done! A humble but comprehensive view on the biblical view of the soul and intermediate state. Tradition however, is blinding and the majority view is immortal soul + eternal conscious torment. I blame Mystery Babylon (Roman Catholic church) for those views. Bless you
If it is true that to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord, then why were we not with the lord before we were born
2 Cor 5:8 “…absent the body AND present with the Lord…” important conjunction there “and” NOT “is” as you imply
Every day I wish to be absent my job and home with my dog…but everyday it takes about 45 minutes depending on traffic for that to actually happen as being merely absent my job IS NOT present with my dog…
paradise was the upper or good part of Sheol.Lazarus said nothing about being taken from the presence of the Lord
This is not biblical. Paradise is in heaven. Empty, waiting to come down with new Jerusalem.
You're analyzing what Jesus said on the cross to the thief, but how do we know what was said if both died on the cross?
Would you please comment on cremation? Some people believe if a cremation occurs, there is no flesh to resurrect. Thoughts? Thank you!
I have addressed that here: help.1517.org/knowledge/what-about-cremation
Looking to the first epistle we find what Earthly tabernacle is being spoken of that we are now dwelling in. Paul tells us that there are two bodies that every man will have. The first body is corruptible flesh(1 Cor 15:42,50,52-53; Phillipians 3:21) it is a Natural body(1 Cor 15:44-46) it is an Earthly body of the Earth(1 Cor 15:47-49; Genesis 2:7) bearing the Image of the Earthly(1 Cor 15:49). The second body is Incorruptible(1 Cor 15:42, 51-54; Phillipians 3:21) it is a spiritual Body(1 Cor 44-46) it is a body from Heaven(1 Cor 15:47-49) bearing the Image of the Heavenly(1 Cor 15:49). In the light of this understanding it is clearly seen that the earthly house/tabernacle being spoken of in(2 Cor 5:1-2,4) is our current body of the earth(2 Peter 1:13-15) and the Heavenly house we have yet to receive is our New Heavenly body(1 John 3:2). In 2 Cor 5:2,4 Paul tells that we at this time do groan within our current tabernacle(body of Flesh/earth) to be clothed upon with our house/tabernacle which is from heaven(Heaven/Spirit) he tells us the same thing in Romans 8:23 saying that we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of our body. The redemption of our body occurs at Christ’s return(1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 John 3:2; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Thess 4:16; 1 Peter 1:5,7) this is when it shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,that death is swallowed up in victory(1 Cor 15:54) that mortality is swallowed up of life(2 Cor 5:4) for it is the Last enemy to be conquered by the Lord(1 Cor 15:26; Revelation 20:14). For this cause also we were given the earnest of the Spirit(2 Cor 5:5; Romans 8:15-16, 23, 26-27; Eph 1:12-13; Eph 4:30). We know then and are confident that while we are at home in the body(Earthly body/Body of Flesh) we are absent from the Lord(1 Cor 15:50; 2 Cor 5:6) until the time that we are changed from corruptible flesh to our incorruptible form at Christ’s coming(1 Cor 15:51-54; 1 Thess 4:16-17; Phillipians 3:21) that we may then be present with the Lord forever(1 Thess 4:17). This redemption of the Body(Romans 8:23) is a hope that cannot be seen(Romans 8:24-25). The cause for our walking in faith and not by sight(2 Cor 5:7), but instead with patience waiting for the hope that is seen not(Romans 8:25), is salvation and redemption into an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance reserved in heaven for us to be revealed and received at Christ’s return(1 Peter 1:3-5,7-9; 1 Thess 4:16-17; 1 Cor 15:52). This faith and hope that we have is such that we are confident in saying that at this present time we are willing to be absent from this body(earthly body of Flesh) and to be present with the Lord in heaven at his return(2 Cor 5:8; 1 Thess 4:17), this hope is also why we do not have sorrow over those who have fallen asleep(1 Thess 4:13) but instead comfort each other(1 Thess 4:18) with the understanding and hope of the Resurrection to come(1 Thess 4:14-18; Phillipians 3:11). That is why we labour to do the Lord’s work in this Body(2 Cor 5:9; 1 Cor 15:58; Colossians 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 6:10-12) that whether absent from him while in this body or present with him at his coming we may be accepted of him, because we all must appear before the Lord to give account of our deeds done in this body(of Earth/flesh) whether they be good or bad(2 Cor 5:10; Matt 12:36-37; matt 25:31-32; Romans 14:10,12; Revelation 20:12-13).
Three questions on the subject:
1. What about purgatory? And praying for the dead?
2. Do beloveds in heaven pray for us.
So how do we answer 1thessolonians 4:16? Who is the dead in Christ that rises first if when we will already be there?
God Bless!
Genesis 2 explains that a body with the breath of life is a soul. So that is why some Christians believe that they will sleep until the resurrection.
Does the soul sleep after death till Jesus comes? Is there scripture that addresses this?
Ecclesiastes 12:7
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord…” is no where in scripture, but “I’d rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” is. This is an assumption on the part of the reader to conclude that first rendering is the same as the second. The first means this, then that, or if not this, then that. However, Paul doesn’t leave the reader without an example of our next moment after death when he gives the illustration of the Resurrection. If the person is glorified after death, then the bodily resurrection isn’t necessary. However,…. 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is…” rules out any sight of him immediately after death, but upon an event: an event that will be unlike any other. The Resurrection of the dead in Christ.
if unbeliever's soul goes directly to hell after his death then why is there judgement after resurrection of the body?I mean what is judgement for after the resurrection of the body as people are already in hell.thank you
What did the early church fathers say about it?
No where in scripture does it say that to be absent from the body IS to be present with the Lord
Where was Lazarus when Jesus called him out of the grave? Surely he must have been disappointed if he came from heaven.
Possibly, but when JESUS calls we respond regardless. He also had to die again. But in JESUS, we put our trust and faith.
When I read the gospels, I read where Jesus said "let the dead bury the dead..." but of Jairus' daughter and of Lazarus, He refers to their death as sleeping. I wondered if He differentiates death based on those who will be resurrected unto life vs those who will not. Much discussion has been had regarding an age of accountability. So if Jairus' daughter would be considered like a child who dies and would not be sent to hell because of innocence, their passing could be called sleeping. Whereas like the unrepentant thief on the cross, his death would indeed be called death. No more opportunity for life.
Am I making too much out of these 2 words?
The way I approach the Lukan pericope of the Good Thief is a bit more nuanced. Here, I see Jesus is looking at the grave from His cross and calling it a “paradise.” What a perplexing and challenging thing to say. I highly doubt the thief had any idea what He was talking about. But, Jesus knows that sin, death, and the devil are about to be overcome in His death on the cross and inevitable resurrection. Death is literally about to be “swallowed up in victory” [Isa. 25:8] in this moment of redemption history. Humanity is being returned to its Edenic access to the tree of life, as Revelation 2:7 describes. It is obviously better to approach the grave with this in mind than with the wrath of God.
Keep in mind, the thief does not ask for forgiveness or salvation and shows no sign that he even believes in salvation, which is typically what “saving faith” is understood to encompass. He has a broken heart for his sin and is contrite in spirit in fearing the wrath of God. And very beautifully encapsulated in this passage, “The Lord is near,” as in LITERALLY RIGHT BESIDE HIM, “to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit” [Ps. 34:18 (NKJV)].
Therefore, whatever “paradise” may mean in Luke’s Gospel, we can rest assured that it is with the Lord Christ Jesus in some sense.
If we will live forever in our glorified bodies in the new heaven will there be other beings in other heavens also throughout the universe ?
If people go to heaven or hell when they die then it would seem very strange for the Bible to refer to the dead as sleeping in the grave until the resurrection. Never does it say the bodies that sleep in the grave, it says "those" who sleep in the grave. So how can you be asleep in the grave and in heaven at the same time? And besides, where does Genesis teach that Adam, when created, was given an immortal soul?
Actually it does, Mathew 27:52- The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many who had fallen asleep were raised.
@@tyronehelm4778 Nope, I'm referring to the resurrection of the dead when Jesus returns.
@@Steve_the_Lion In your comment you said "Never does it say the bodies that sleep". That's why I used Mathew 27:52 because it does mention bodies that sleep in the grave . Did you mean something else?
@@tyronehelm4778 I meant to say it never refers to bodies at the resurrection. What is the point you're trying to prove?
@@Steve_the_Lion That the belief in soul sleep is umbilical.
Thank you. There's still something I don't understand. If our souls are sent to heaven or hell when our physical bodies die, why would there be another judgement after our bodies are raised? We must have been judged to be sent to heaven or hell already. Why does the second judgement take place?
We are never told explicitly, but I assume it is a kind of final, corporate judgment. "Corporate" understood in two ways. One, corporate in the sense that we are dealing with two corporate groups, sheep/believers and goats/unbelievers. The initial judgment upon death is individual by individual. And, two, the last judgment is corporate (or corporal) because it is done in the body.
Will we be in the same age when at death, when we have our glorified body's?
Amen.
Jesus told His disciples that He was going away to His Father's house where there are many mansions, and that He would go there to prepare a place for them. Then He said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also." John 14 verses 2 and 3. If the righteous go immediately to be with Jesus upon death, then why would Jesus need to return to this earth to receive them unto Himself? He didn't say He would return to ressurrect their bodies. He said, "I will come again and receive YOU unto myself." So the righteous do not go to be with Jesus as soon as they die; or else verses 2 and 3 of John 14 are meaningless.
Soul sleep seems funny. I was thinking you are very alive when you sleep. You dream, you remember, you are aware.
Chad. Is it ok for us to be cremated? Will Christ still raise our body in that case?
Here is a short response I have written on that question: help.1517.org/knowledge/what-about-cremation
Thank you so much for the video. But could you try to explain why the two ppl resurrected in the new testament Dorcas and Eutychus were raised from the dead as they were both believers and would have been guaranteed a spot in heaven because of their faith in christ. Was it not selfish for them to be brought back.
The question is a little silly because I can see the good reasons for it, as it strenghtens the faith of all who hear it that and reminds us that God is sovereign. I'd just like to get your take
Nowhere in Scripture do we find the dead in Christ or the wicked being judged yet, neither can one place be found where the dead are raised already. Many try to distort the word of God to prove that judgment has already come to some, or that those who have died already have been raised incorruptible into heaven. They use verses such as Luke 23:42-43 saying the thief was promised entrance into heaven with Christ on the day of his death and received it.
Look closely at what Christ says to the Thief on the Cross in verse 43
Luke 23:43
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
He tells the thief that TODAY shalt thou be with me in paradise. Now where does scripture tell us Christ went the day of his death? Does it say he went to the Third part of heaven/paradise or some other place? Let us consult the word of God.
Ephesians 4:9-10
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Paul Tells us in Epesians that the Lord did not first ascend into heaven but first descended into the Lower parts of the Earth. Why would Paul say Christ went first into the Lower parts of the earth when the Lord promised the Thief he would be with him in Paradise that day(the day of Christ and the Thief's death). Let us ask Peter where the Lord went when he died.
1 Peter 3:18-19
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Peter tells us that once Christ was put to death in the flesh he was quickened by the spirit, by which he went and preached to the spirits in Prison. So between Peter and Paul we find a pattern of Christ not first ascending into heaven but first going down to the spirits in the lower parts of the earth(Hades/Sheol/Hell/the grave). If the words of both Paul and Peter are not enough proof to show that the Lord did not ascend or go to Heaven on the day of his death, let us just look at what the Lord himself said about the time of his ascension.
John 20:16-17
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
We know from this that he didn’t ascend until mid or late morning Sunday because he appeared to Mary after she left his grave early in the Morning and still had yet to ascend. Even telling her that he was going to go and ascend unto his Father, and to inform his disciples of this. After speaking with her he ascended and then reappeared to the disciples and told them to touch him.(John 20:19-28).
Now why then does the Lord tell the thief that he would be with him in Paradise today if he did not go to Heaven but instead into the lower parts of the earth? The answer lies in the definition of the word Paradise.
Paradise- Paradeisos 3857
Thayer’s greek lexicon
3. that part of Hades which was thought by the later Jews to be the abode of the souls of the pious until the resurrection: Luke 23:43
Christ was telling the thief that he would be with him in the abode for the souls of the Pious(Paradise) that day/today. He was indeed in paradise that day, but that paradise was not Hevean.
What about when Jesus told mary not to cling to him for he had not yet ascended to the Father?
On the cross He hadn't died, so obviously of course He hadn't, and upon death He went to Hell and came back to earth before He would finally ascend.
If you said that the man on the cross went to heaven right away why would you say we have to wait for his return? Didn't Jesus' blood pay the entrance fee? Why do people not want to believe his coming back to his body from paradise was his second coming. If Eden is paradise and Adam and Eve were thrown out and flaming swords block the way back and that Eden was on an earth isn't that the earth we want to return to.
Truth
I believe❤
So you contend that upon our death we are given a new temporary body that we will give up when Christ returns to be given a new body this time immortal?
no, he didn't say anything about having a body immediately after we die. our soul goes to be with the Lord. we get our resurrection body when Jesus returns.
@mist1 But this would be contrary to the word then.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
So if this earthly house (body) is dissolved, we have another House not made by hands eternal in the Heavens.
2 Cor 5 is in the context and continuation of 2 Cor chapter 3 & 4, which talks about the Holy Spirit transforming a believing Christian into a "living epistle written in his heart" when God the Holy Spirit illuminates his heart, like looking himself into a mirror, allow those imperfections as compared in Jesus' image, to be meted out.
When we put into this new house is WHEN we will be ready for it. We WILL be "housed" or clothe in this new body BUT we must asked "How much of Light is inside of us when we go back to our Creator?"
@@let-there-be-light Paul in speaking of us a being there living epistle, was qualifying us as their letter of competence. Paul in verse 6 of three states that "He has qualified us as ministers of the new covenant". Paul then moves on to describe the glory of that new covenant. Look at 3:7
7 Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory,
8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!
10 Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.
11 For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures!
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.
Paul continues to give in chapter 4 his defense of this epistle written on their hearts.
5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” (*) made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
So Paul was saying they do not proclaim themselves but Christ. He then gives the reason why in the next verse,
7 Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
Paul continues.
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
11 For we who are alive are always consigned to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body.
12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
So the life that Paul talks about that at work in us is because they care always consigned to death for the sake of Jesus. Paul then goes on to say that it is all so that "the One who raised the Lord Jesus (*) will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence". This is where Paul goes onto discuss the resurrection.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
So our outer selves are wasting away, but what is being renewed is our inner man. We are to put our faith in what is unseen, not seen. Paul continues in chapter 5.
1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
So how is it that we have an House not built by human hands awaiting us ETERNAL when this earthly tabernacle is dismantled? It even tells us when this takes place. "When this earthly tabernacle is dismantled". And this tabernacle is ETERNAL.
Paul goes on.
2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
4 So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.
So while we are in this tent, we seek to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. So much for the idea of souls without a body. No, when this earthly tabernacle is destroyed, we receive a new tabernacle not made by hands.
6 Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord.
So when we are alive and in this earthly tabernacle, we are absent from the Lord. But verse 7.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
We don't look upon the things that are seen, instead we look upon the things not seen. We don't with fleshly eyes the things that will be, but instead we have hope, faith. What we have when we put off this earthly body is an eternal body in the heavens. It even tells it that it awaits us WHEN WE PUT OFF THIS EARTHLY TENT. And this tabernacle is eternal.
Interesting
What if I translate your video into Spanish?
You are welcome to do so!
The reason, Christ said paradise, was because He had not yet presented His blood to the Father in Heaven.
Believers who died prior to the resurrection, went to paradise. Remember, their sins were covered, not forgiven. It’s not until the Father accepts the blood, the atoning sacrifice, that believers sins were/forgiven.
Once the atonement was accepted, then those in paradise could be moved to heaven.
Look at the rich man/poor man story. There was a void between paradise and the place of torment.
Muddy. Are you saying the soul (or spirit, as you tacked on as if they’re the same thing) is separated from the body and then reunited with it at the resurrection? So we’re just free-floating, disembodied beings for the interim?
Also, you say at the judgement seat the sheep goes into eternal life and the goats to “Hell” (your word, not the Bible’s which is Lake of Fire). Do you not know that Hell is cast into the Lake of Fire in Rev. 20? They can’t be one and the same.
Sorry to be harsh but when you put out a video to detail What happens to us when we die, every word must be precise. I’ve been frustrated by this kind of imprecision for my entire life.
When God breathed into Adam the breath of life he became a living soul. When God said to Adam "on the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" Moses must have left out the part when He said something like but don't worry on that day you will be with Me in paradise. Or maybe when He said "from dust you were made and to dust you shall return" That darn Moses left out the part where God said but your "immortal soul" (pagan concept) will be in heaven. Peter said David was still in his grave not in heaven. What was the point of God taking Enoch, Moses ,and Elijah if they were going to end up there when they die anyway? If what you say is true then Jesus ripped Lazarus and the others He raised from the dead out of paradise back into this sinful world. Why would He do such a cruel thing? Don't base a belief on one or two verses that can be and are misinterpreted. Let the Bible interpret itself. God never changes. He is the same today as He is thru eternity.
The scriptures do not specifically say that Enoch & Elijah were taken to paradise/the fathers kingdom, all that is speculation. And arent you technically saying that Jesus lied when he said in John 3:13 says, "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man".
Moses died thats why satan spoke to Michael concerning Moses' body.
If, as I think you said, our bodies are resurrected at the second coming of Christ...
Is it wrong for Christians to be cremated?
God can put any body back together again. Think of someone burned in a fire or explosion. I think I have heard Chad say that it's preferable not to cremate (out of respect for God's good creation). But it's not forbidden.
Here is my answer: help.1517.org/knowledge/what-about-cremation
Thank you for more information 😊
What about people who were cremated!?
I have addressed that topic here: help.1517.org/knowledge/what-about-cremation
When we die. We are dead like the unsaved waiting on the pre trib rapture in the grave. You must understand time recognition is very different on the other side. King David is dead in the grave. On his rapture he will feel as if he just died. If you immediately went to heaven why have judgements
“Today” can also be rendered “this day” (the day in view that the thief asked about: the day that Jesus comes into His kingdom). As we know, Jesus went to “Sheol” not “paradise” the day that He died and remained there for three days until He was resurrected. Plus, Jesus has not yet entered the kingdom, so the “today” or “this day” has not yet arrived. Therefore, the thief is still awaiting that day that he asked about as he rests in the “sleep of death” as the Psalms describe. “Paradise” is where the tree of life is, according to Revelation, which is where the thief will find himself when he is awoken from death. What a glorious moment that will be for him and anyone else who also died in Christ.
Revelation 14:13 (HCSB)
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: The dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them!”
Agree with you totally. I like your phrase "sleep of death" it is more accurate than soul sleep.
In death , the separation of the soul from the body, the human body decays, and the soul goes to meet God to be judged. Each person receives their eternal retribution in their immortal soul at the very moment of death in a particular judgement that refers their their life to Christ - either entrance into heaven, through a purification - or immediately, or immediate and everlasting damnation.
When Christ comes again to judge the living and the dead all the dead will rise. Those who have done good will be re-united with their souls in heaven with new glorified bodies. Those who have done evil will be re-united with their souls in hell.
"That day" when Jesus was in the tomb was a Sabbath day - Jesus didn't go anywhere. He rested according to the 4th commandment, He was (like) asleep until the Sunday morning wake up/ressurection.
So He didn't go to Hell and take the keys to death Hell and the grave?
What translation do you use ?
What!!! Babylon ( mass Confusion) at it’s finest!! Heaven is not forever? Did Lazarus go to Heaven when he did? Is Heaven and Abraham bosom the same thing? Who is sleeping according to Daniel 12:1? Why was not Lazarus upset at. Christ from bringing him back from the sinless home of heaven? This teaching is what the reformers were killed for!! This is Catholic teaching at its best!! Question: Is Heaven a curse or a reward? Is Satan a manager in hell? Is hell forever? When a person goes to hell does he feel pain?
Would you delay Heaven to stick around and raise your kids? To tell them you have seen Heaven first hand? To win more souls for Christ? To be with your wife and be her only husband at her death?
Does the soul rest in the grave
Bodily not spiritually
6:25 you are wrong. Only the righteous dead are resurrected first, till the 1000 year reign with christ is over. Then satan will be released and then thrown into the lake of fire. Then the unrighteous dead will be resurrected for the great white throne judgment.
makes no sense though. So you're alive in heaven, then he raises your body on the last day, to then kill you again immediately if not judged positively.
here
❤❤
I'm disappointed in your exegesis considering how much importance you place on it.
It is clear in the Hebrew that we do not have a separate soul. Nephesh, the transliteration for the Hebrew word "soul" does not mean that we have a separate thing called a soul, but our whole self of spirit and body are a soul. It is the word for person, for a living being. God breathed into Adam and he became a living being, as modern translations attest.
We see this clearly as the Bible uses the word Nephesh for both humanity, persons, and animals, the beasts of the field. Both are as spoken of as living beings, hence the Psalms strong emphasis that both men and beast go to Sheol, the grave, from which there is no more communication with God or other persons.
It therefore misleading to say that the body alone is sleeping and the consciousness is not.
Numerous theologians have argued for this wholeness of the person throughout Scripture, Old Testament and New. I would offer G.C. Berkouer as one of the more prominent.
This is the sense in which the book of Acts speaks of David being in the grave, resting in Sheol. Contrast is drawn distinctly in interpreting who the Christ, the promised Messiah, is the anointed one of whom David was only a type. Christ is the one who ascended to heaven after his resurrection from the dead, not David, who's flesh did see corruption and has NOT ascended. Acts 2.34
As I said above when the flesh sees corruption The whole person is resting in the grave because there is no separate soul that ascends to God. Only the breath of God that gives life returns back to him who gave it.
"Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.
- Acts 2:29-31
For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’
- Acts 2:34-35
This is especially reflected in the book of Psalms.
Throughout the book of Psalms you can repeatedly read that there is no knowledge, no plans, no praise of God in Sheol, the grave. David please forgot to preserve his life so that he can continually praise him. Why would that be the case if he would assend to heaven to praise God when he died?
The dead do not praise the LORD,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
- Psalm 115:17
The dead do not go up into glory to praise God, but descend into silence.
“What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
- Psalm 30:9
For there is no mention of You in death;
In Sheol who will give You thanks?
- Psalm 6:5
Thanks and praise is offered to God after the resurrection, when the whole person has risen and been restored, that is the righteous at the first resurrection.
For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten.
- Ecclesiastes 9:5
The dead are not simply forgotten by those by friends and family on earth, but they "know nothing".
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
There is no activity, no planning, no knowledge for those who have gone to the grave. And all in fact do go to the grave, both righteous and wicked.
Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
Are your wonders known in the darkness,
or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
- Psalm 88:10-12
Here the question is asked directly, do the departed rise up to praise you? No, They are resting in sleep to be awakened either in the first Resurrection of the righteous, or the second resurrection of the wicked which is described in Revelation 20.
Do we really imagine that individuals are in heaven now praising God, enjoying His presence and then they will be brought back down to reconstituted bodies at the resurrection?
Where is the evidence for this?
I will also have to disagree with you regarding your analysis of the thief on the cross. You do take up the change of punctuation, which is more than many do.
But we also see Jesus clearly told Mary that he had not ascended to his father, and that that ascension did not take place till 40 days after the resurrection.
You're doing some other than exegesis when you read into the text how you want it to speak rather than draw out from what it is. Moving the comma makes it very clear whether or not that is a pleasant part of our theology, that Jesus was speaking to him today that he would later be with him in paradise.
Why might Jesus have said that. One because it was true, and secondly for the benefit of others beside the thief. Just as Jesus said they would not see him again until they saw the Son of Man coming in his glory.
A closely related falsehood with your doctrine is the Greek idea of the immortal soul, which the early church adopted, corrupting the meaning of man's nature.
Paul makes it clear in 1st Corinthians 15 that mortality must "put on" immortality and that that does not take place until the resurrection.
It is this false doctrine of the immortality of the soul in this present life that leads to demonic expressions of loved ones visiting us in the night, the idolatry of saints supposedly able to offer us blessings that Christ alone can give, and Mariology.
How often have we heard of supposedly dead loved ones coming back to disavow the very words and meaning of Scripture, lying and deceiving spirits to turn us away from the living God.
All of this is simply the working out of God's affirmation after the fall: from dust you were taken into dust you will return. It is out of the dust that conscious human beings are raised from the dead, not brought out of heaven to be reunited with their bodies.
The emphasis of scripture is on the "waiting". We wait for the hope of the resurrection because that's when we will see the Lord. We wait in sleep and the hope of something better.
As someone who has done many funerals I will also add this. It has been sickening to me to hear individuals preached into heaven at their death, when it has been the most common knowledge among the living that they were wicked, abusive, dangerous, vile human beings in all of their known existence.
I've often wondered what abused children think when they hear such things about daddy or Uncle Bob being in heaven watching over them, when they're adult confessions tell us what horror they suffered at the hands of these individuals, those who are thought to be saints in the church and ascended to God after death.
So, if we teach that saints ascend to heaven at their death, where do the wicked go? Not to a presently burning hell because that does not come until the great white throne judgment. If the soul is immortal as you're teaching implies, what of the immortal wicked? The words of the Psalmist apply to them as well, they are not immortal, because they know nothing in the grave.
That the wicked are resting in the grave is also a great comfort to those who have suffered at their hands, to the survivors. They no longer have to fear the conscious presence of the perpetrators. They no longer have to wonder if they will be accosted again, for the wicked are bound in the grave, never more to afflict the righteous. They will receive the reward of their evil works at the judgment seat of God.
Should you wonder, I am a Seventh-day Adventist, and if you would like to know our exegetical position on soul-sleep I can supply some of those to you.
Disclaimer: I am neither a Hebrew or Greek scholar. But I do have access to those who are. I'm a retired pastor.
Eccl 12:7 NIV
and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Sin is condemned in the flesh (our body), which is physical realm. The Spirit returns to God, which is spirit realm. What about our soul? Which part of you is your soul? Which is the true you with the new heart & new spirit compared to your old man? Which part of you who will be cloth with a new body?
@@let-there-be-light Sin does not simply impact our bodies but our "spirits". The Spirit in scripture is the same as the heart, the non-physical part of a human being consisting of the mind and the emotions.
Regarding human beings it is a false dichotomy, a false division, to suggest the "physical realm" exist in some separate way from the spiritual. There is a physical and a spiritual but in human beings they exist as one whole person.
Nor is the abiding place of evil the physical body even though the body feels the effects of sin which is death, sickness, and suffering.
Jesus made that clear when he said the heart was the treasure house of evil.
"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”
- Matthew 15:19-20
If you reread my comment I said there that we do not have a separate soul but that the whole person is a soul, according to the meaning of both the Hebrew and the Greek words that refer to the old translations of soul.
The spirit returning to God is simply the breath, the unconscious life. There is no conscious "spirit" that returns to God who gave it. This is the basic meaning of the Greek word for spirit, pneuma. Which can be translated as air, breath, or spirit.
We often read into these things elements of Greek philosophy that have been handed down to the church regarding spirit and soul.
It is also a common heresy from the early centuries that the body is somehow evil even though God created it to be good. This was the teaching of the early church heretic, Marcion. That physical creation was the embodiment of evil.
1. Does ammilennialism compute with soul sleep (Their view of the first fruits is slipping my mind at the moment).
2. How would the passage of the Rich Man and Lazarus fit in with soul sleep and conditional immorality?
3. Does Jesus then stop existing for 3 days, and would the passage of freeing captives be a present act future event type of deal (victory of live attained, life given at resurrection).
4. I’ll add on, what would the punishment for unbelievers be, how are there varying degrees, and why are they resurrected bodily to be vanquished again.
Ty
Wow! Great job. It's hard to imagine that anyone would try to dispute this. But they try. I have seen the truth of your post for more than 40 years and I'm not SDA.
I prefer death sleep over soul sleep. Soul sleep implies there's a separation possible of the soul and body.
Loved your post.
There are beautiful stories that people went to heaven and came back to tell people. So I disagree with you. Our spirit goes to heaven.
Jesus promise to the evildoer that "Truly I tell you today you will be with me in paradise" Is a classic example of how the meaning can be changed by the simple insertion of a 'comma'! ( There were NO commas or fullstops in the orginal greek! They were ADDED by theMasorettes ( scholars) in the 10th century, a thousand years AFTER the originals were written!) Read ing Jesus words one way suggests that "Truly I tell you, you wil..... But just put the comma AFTER the word 'today', it has a different meaning! Which way should we take it? Did Jesus "Go to paradise", that very day? difinitely NOT his own & his disciples testimony is that he was "buried and dead for three days". After his resurrection he ascended 40 days AFTER that! (Acts 1:3) Also th NT teaches the resurrection occurs at the "Great trump" when Christ returns ( 1 Cor 15:52). Sadly thee bible has been tampered with, altered and even added to by those wishing to substantuate their doctrines and teachings! Rev 22:18,19 is clear, it is very serious to interfere with the Word of God! Amen
The Greek word "kai " is translated "and" which is a conjunction. You translate the word "kai" to the future tense "is to be". How many times in the New Testament is the word "kai" translated into the future tense "is to be" versus translated into the conjunction "and? " Where the bible might say, James and ( kai ) John, does the bible ever say James (kai) is to be John? You seem to be distorting the conjunction kai. One can't be both in the body and with the Lord. Paul "prefers to be" absent from the body and present with the Lord but he was still in the body. One has to discard chapter 15 of II Corinthians plus a whole list of other scriptures to believe absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
But what sense would it make to say this if you still have to wait after death to see the Lord? Why hurry up and wait?
...for the day you eat of it, the tree, you will surely die
This is what Yahshua (The Word) told Adam, the thief, in the garden before his death
...just as Yahshua, in the flesh, said in the garden of His death to the thief on the tree
...and just as Adam was expelled from paradise to die that "day"
The repentant descendant of Adam was allowed into paradise that "day"
....although he was not told as to whether he would stay there
There is no teaching in the NT that Christians go straight to heaven at death! According to Paul it will be "At the last Trump" when Christ returns ( see 1 Cor 15:52 ). This will NOT be a 'body' being reunited with one's soul thats there already' either!. This is 'orthodox' chuch teaching based, not on thr bible but Greek philosophy & mythology mixed with pagan concepts that surfaced from the 2nd century onwards!. ( Revelation 20:4, says "Also I saw the SOULS of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus....they CAME TO LIFE..." This is at Christ's return! Also When Paul wrote to the Corinthians around 55AD he said that some who had witnessed Jesus ascension had "fallen asleep (in death). Nothing about 'their souls' were already in heaven or any such wishful thinking!. Therefore all the apostles & faithful Christians till this very day are still AWAITING their resurrection! No wonder John pleaded "Come quickly Lord Jesus!" ( Rev 22:20) Amen!
Jesus was in the tomb during his death; he didn't go anywhere. If we are asleep and awaiting the resurrection, then how is it that we are already with Christ? Or put the other way. If we go to be with Christ immediately at death, what is the purpose of the resurrection?
The real issue here is the matter of immortality. Man does not have an immortal soul. The Bible teaches that God alone has immortality. (1Timothy 6:16 KJV Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.) The reason we sacrifice to live the Christian life is to gain the prize of immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53 KJV For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.)
You lost me , From the scripture the rapture is when our bodies will be resurrected from mortal to immortal, its seems you mention Christ return. 6:15 mins.. When Christ comes in the clouds those bodies will be made imperishable and that one generation will be caught up. As I believe you know in 1 Corinthians 15..thats the 1st resurrection. The dead will not be raised until the second resurrection as mention in REV20:4-6. So correct me if I'm wrong, but the Rapture are for those bodies that died in Christ before the tribulation ..I'm assuming those believers who die in the tribulation is mentioned as receiving their new spiritual bodies in REV20:4-6