WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?

This teaching is extracted from a response I gave to a brother who was asking about the meaning of Abraham’s bosom. However, the teaching goes beyond Abraham’s bosom and teaches concerning the state of the dead before and after the death and resurrection of Christ.

CHRISTIANS AND ABRAHAM’S BOSOM 

I am going to start this teaching by making some shocking statements and then we will prove them from the scriptures. 

Abraham’s bosom is not for Christians, but for Jews who are born and die under the law. Christians who die, do not go to Abraham’s bosom. They go to be with Christ. Abraham’s bosom was not in heaven but it was actually in Sheol, which in Greek is Hades and the KJV calls it Hell. Christ released all the saints who were trapped in Abraham’s bosom and took them to heaven after the resurrection.

WHAT IS ABRAHAM’S BOSOM?

When Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man, both men die. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom, and the rich man descends into hell where he suffers torment. Let’s quote the scripture.

Luke 16:19-24 (ESV)

19: “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20: And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21: who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22: The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23: and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24: And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’

In order to understand this story and what is happening, we need to go through the bible and see what it teaches about what happens to people when they die.

 What happens when people die?

When people die, before they are born again, they go to a place called Sheol, which in Greek is called Hades.

Sheol is the home for the dead, both good people and bad people.

 Proverbs 9:18 (ESV) 18: But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.  

 1 Samuel 2:6 (ESV) 6: The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 

Jacob would go to Sheol when he dies.

 Genesis 44:31 (ESV) 31: as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. 

  Sheol is located under the earth  

 Isaiah 14:9 (WEB) 9: Sheol from beneath has moved for you to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the departed spirits for you, even all the rulers of the earth. It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 

  Sheol has different levels  

All people who died before they are born again, go to Sheol which is under the earth. This Sheol is separated into different levels. Just as we have three heavens, one above the other, there are also different levels of Sheol, some lower than the other.

God explains to Israel:

 Deuteronomy 32:22 (WEB)  

 22: For a fire is kindled in my anger, that burns to the lowest Sheol  

 SHEOL IS THE SAME AS HADES AND HELL 

In Greek, the word Sheol is translated as Hades. Compare these two verses relating to Christ.

 Psalms 16:10 (ISV) 10: For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, you will not allow your holy one to experience corruption. 

 Acts 2:27 (ESV) 27: For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 

 Acts 2:27 (KJV) 27: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

So, SHEOL is HADES, is HELL.

 HELL HAS A PLACE OF REST AND A PLACE OF TORMENT 

All people who died before Christ, before being born again go to Hell. When Adam sinned, he lost his connection with God, and all man were born sinners. Abraham, Jacob, David, Moses, Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar all went to Sheol when they died. According to KJV language, they went to Hell. 

However, this Hell, this Sheol is divided into different levels. There is the higher hell and the lower hell and the lowest hell.

Job 17:16 (NKJV) 16: Will they go down to the gates of Sheol? Shall we have rest together in the dust?”

This is why in the story of Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man talks to Abraham and they are all having conversations, in HELL.

 Luke 16:23 (KJV)  

 23: And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 

Do you note that? When the rich man arrived in Hell, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham.

Both Lazarus, Abraham and the rich man were in hell which in Hebrew is Sheol. But there was a difference in their experience of Hell. The rich man was in a hot, dry part of hell, also known as the lowest hell. But Abraham and Lazarus were in a cool, watered part of hell. These two parts were separated by an invisible barrier, that makes it such that though the souls can see and talk to each other, they can’t meet.

 Luke 16:25-26 (NIV) 25: “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26: And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 

The rich man was in a lower hell, whilst Abraham was in a higher hell. This is why the rich man had to lift up his eyes to see Abraham. Abraham was in a place of rest, whilst the rich man was in a place of torment.

 IN SHEOL/ HELL, PEOPLE ARE GROUPED ACCORDING TO THEIR ANCESTRY 

When people go to Sheol or Hell, they are grouped according to their ancestry. You go and live with your ancestors.

 Genesis 35:29 (ESV) 29: And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. 

When it says, he was gathered to his people, it’s not talking about his physical body but his soul is the one that is gathered to his people. For example, Aaron and Moses died in the wilderness, but we are told they were gathered to their people.

Deuteronomy 32:48-50 (ESV) 

 48: That very day the LORD spoke to Moses, 

 49: “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. 

 50: And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people,  

In Jesus’ story, both Lazarus and the rich man were sons of Abraham, that is why they were both gathered to a place where they could interact with Abraham. Abraham is their ancestor. 

If you are an African, who is not born again, when you die, your soul is gathered to your own ancestors.

Abraham being a friend of God, was placed in a good part of Sheol. And all his children who are good, when they died, they would be taken by God’s angels to be with their father Abraham. This is Abraham’s bosom.

 WHEN JESUS DIED HE WENT TO HELL 

The scriptures we read in Psalms and Acts were actually talking about Jesus.

A man has a BODY, A SOUL and a SPIRIT. The revelation of what happens to these three things when you die, is given ONLY when Jesus died.

WHEN JESUS DIED

—His Spirit returned to God.

 Luke 23:46 (ESV) 46: Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last 

This agrees with what is taught in the Old Testament.

 Ecclesiastes 12:7 (ESV) 7: and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 

— Jesus body, was buried into the ground

In agreement with the scriptures, the dust must return to the dust.

 John 19:40-42 (ESV)  

 40: So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 

 41: Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.  

 42: So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. 

So, the Spirit went back to God and the body went to the ground.

-His soul then went to Sheol, Hades, Hell.

 Acts 2:31 (KJV) 31: He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

 Acts 2:31 (NKJV) 31: he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Jesus died the death of Adam. The death of all children of Adam. This is what happened to Adam, Abraham, David, Solomon, Daniel and all people before Christ was revealed.

Their spirits went to God, their bodies were buried and their souls went to hell. And depending on whether they were good or bad, they could go to a higher hell, where they can rest or to a lower hell. Where there is no rest for them.

This is why, when Samuel who was righteous, was speaking to Saul who was wicked, he says you will be with me here tomorrow.

 1 Samuel 28:16-19 (ESV)  

 16: And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? 17: The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 

 19: Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me.  The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” 

They would be with him in Sheol, Hades, Hell. But Samuel being a righteous man, was in a place of rest. That is why he protests when he is brought back.

 1 Samuel 28:15 (NIV) 15: Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” 

 JESUS SET THE CAPTIVES FREE 

All the sons of Adam were being held captive in hell. Those who were righteous, who died before Christ, were released from hell when Jesus resurrected. Jesus went to hell, but when he came back, he did not come alone. He came with all the righteous sons of Adam who were in there. This means that he also emptied Abraham’s bosom.

The Apostle Paul explains.

 Ephesians 4:8-9 (ESV)  

 8: Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 

 9: (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 

So, Jesus took many of these captives and ascended with them. The apostle Mathew explains.

 Matthew 27:52-53 (ESV) 

 52: The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53: and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 

 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE DIE TODAY 

 Those Outside of Christ

Those people who die today, outside of Christ, follow the pattern of what happened to souls of the dead before Christ. They are gathered to their ancestors. They go to Sheol, or Hell. Those who are very wicked go to the lowest hell where there is no peace and no rest. Those who followed their consciences will go to a place where they rest and wait for judgment day. On judgment day, they shall then stand before Christ and he shall judge them and choose whom to have mercy on.

This is called the judgment of the dead.

 Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV) 

 11: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 

 12: And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 

 13: And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14: Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15: And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. 

The dead, refers to people who do not have Christ, who do not have eternal life, who are not born again. This includes Moslems, Buddhists, Atheists, and Christians who follow Christ but are not born again. When they die, they will wait for the great white throne judgment.

 THOSE IN CHRIST 

People who are born again and have eternal life do not die. They sleep.

 John 11:25-26 (NKJV)  

 25: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26: And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 

When Christians fall asleep, they go to be with Christ.

 Philippians 1:21-23 (ESV) 

 21: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22: If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23: I am hard pressed between the two.  My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 

When John went to heaven, he saw the souls of the saints of Christ sleeping and resting in heaven. They wake up briefly when the fifth seal is opened to utter words to God, and then they are placed back to sleep.

Revelation 6:9-11 (ESV) 

9: When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10: They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11: Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

So those who die in Christ, go to rest and sleep in heaven. They will not be awake and running around. They are in a state of rest.  Though the Lord may talk to them where need be and use them in whichever way where need be. Their general state is that of rest and sleeping.

When Christ comes, he shall bring these saints with him, and they shall resurrect in new bodies.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 (ESV) 14: For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

So, those who are born again, will not go through the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT. That is the judgment of the dead. The born again saints, will be resurrected, and be presented before the judgment seat of Christ to receive their rewards.