Tags: Life after death, Heaven and Hell, Paradise, Abraham’s Bosom, Judgment Seat of Christ, Great White Throne Judgment, Lake of Fire, salvation, eternal destiny
One of the most important and sobering questions anyone could ask is: What happens when we die? The Bible does not leave this question unanswered. In fact, it gives us a clear and compelling picture of what lies beyond the grave. Whether you are saved or unsaved, your soul will go somewhere when it leaves your earthly body. There are only two destinations according to the Word of God: either to Hell (Hades) or to Paradise (Abraham’s bosom). Let us explore these eternal truths with the help of the Scriptures.
1. The Reality of Death and the Eternal Soul
The Bible teaches that man is not merely flesh and blood. He is a living soul. Ecclesiastes 12:7 (KJV) says, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” At the moment of death, the body decays, but the soul goes on. It either enters eternal rest and joy, or it begins torment and awaits final judgment.
2. The Case of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Perhaps the clearest biblical illustration of the two destinations is found in Luke 16:19-31. Jesus tells the story of a rich man who died and went to Hell, and a beggar named Lazarus who was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom—another term for Paradise.
The rich man, though wealthy and well-fed, had no true faith in God. Upon his death, he lifted up his eyes being in torments in Hell (Hades). Meanwhile, Lazarus, though poor and covered in sores, was comforted in Abraham’s bosom.
This powerful account teaches that immediately after death, the souls of men go to a place either of torment or of comfort—depending on their relationship with God. Note that the rich man was not in the Lake of Fire yet; rather, he was in Hell awaiting final judgment. This distinction is important.
3. Paradise: The Dwelling of the Righteous
When Jesus was crucified, He was flanked by two thieves. One mocked Him, but the other believed. Jesus said to the believing thief in Luke 23:43 (KJV), “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This tells us that Paradise was immediately accessible to the saved.
This place, also referred to as Abraham’s bosom, was where the righteous souls awaited the resurrection and final glorification. In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, the Apostle Paul recounts a vision where he was “caught up to the third heaven” and heard unspeakable words in Paradise. This further clarifies that Paradise is in the third heaven, the very presence of God.
4. The Great White Throne Judgment
Revelation 20:11-15 describes the Great White Throne Judgment. This is the final judgment for the unsaved dead. The passage says the sea, death, and hell gave up the dead that were in them, and they were judged according to their works.
Revelation 20:14-15 (KJV): “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Hell is therefore a temporary holding place of torment until the final judgment. Afterward, the souls of the wicked will be transferred to their final and eternal destination—the Lake of Fire, the ultimate hell, a place of unending punishment.
5. The Judgment Seat of Christ
The saved, however, will not appear at the Great White Throne Judgment. Instead, they will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10). This is not a judgment for condemnation but for rewards. The Lord will evaluate the works of every believer, and rewards will be given for faithful service.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV) offers a powerful reminder: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” What we do for Christ now will matter in eternity.
6. Paradise and the Book of Revelation
Paradise is mentioned again in Revelation 2:7, where Jesus promises to grant the overcomer the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. This links Paradise with the New Heaven and New Earth where God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21). Paradise is the temporary abode, the New Heaven and New Earth is the final abode.
For the righteous, this means ultimate restoration, peace, and joy in the presence of God. No more death, no more sorrow, and no more tears.
7. The Urgency of Salvation
Jesus said in John 3:3 (KJV), “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Salvation through Jesus Christ is the only way to avoid the torments of Hell and gain entrance into Paradise. It’s not based on religion, good works, or church membership. It’s based solely on faith in the finished work of Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection.
John 3:16 (KJV) declares, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Eternal life begins the moment a person places their trust in Christ.
8. Final Thoughts: Be Ye Steadfast
If you are saved, this truth should motivate you to live faithfully. The Judgment Seat of Christ awaits, and your labor is not in vain. If you are not saved, the urgency of turning to Christ cannot be overstated. Every soul will end up in either Hell or Paradise—and ultimately either in the Lake of Fire or in the eternal presence of God.
As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27), may we prepare for the life that is to come. This earthly life is but a vapor; eternity never ends.
Let us then echo the apostle Paul’s encouragement and remain steadfast, unmoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that the Lord is not unrighteous to forget our labor of love.
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