The Questions People Ask: 3

QUESTION 3: What proof is there in the Bible to say that the spirit and soul of the Christian immediately goes to heaven to be with the Lord after death?  –Dr. M. Marshall

ANSWER: It is evident from the Scriptures that both the wicked and the righteous go to different places beyond the grave (see Luke 16: 19-31; Matt. 25: 46; Rev. 20: 11-15). There are only two specific places where the soul goes after death: heaven or hell (including the “lake of fire” which is the second death).

1. Where the non-Christian’s soul goes after death: It is clear from God’s Word that the spirit of the unbeliever goes to hell [Hebrew: Sheol; Greek: Hades] which is the intermediate state where the ‘soul’ awaits the day of judgment (see Heb. 9: 27; Luke 16: 19- 31; Isaiah 5: 14; Ezek. 32: 20-31). When that day of judgment comes, which is called “the great white throne” (Rev. 20: 11-12) such souls will be judged according to what is written in the ‘books,’ then they will be cast into the “lake of fire, which is the second death” (Rev. 20: 11-15; see also Matt. 10: 28; Mark 9: 44, 46, 48). The Lord Jesus warns such people, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell [Greek: Gehenna]” (Matt. 10: 28).

2. Where the Christian’s soul goes after death: It is evident from the Scriptures that the believer at the moment of death does not go “bodily [physically]” into the presence of Christ in heaven, nor does the spirit and soul remain with the body in the grave asleep, awaiting the day of the resurrection as Jehovah’s Witnesses falsely teach. No, for the apostle Paul plainly states, “to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.” However, the apostle adds, “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Phil. 1: 23-24). So that the presence of the Christian with Christ is not “in the flesh,” it is not bodily. For the body is in the grave, it sleeps awaiting the resurrection. Paul makes this distinctly clear in 2 Corinthians 5: 8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Yes, the apostle Paul was eagerly awaiting the time when he would be in the very presence of Christ apart from his body. Believers in Christ will also be judged for the works they have done in their bodies at the “Judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5: 10; Rom. 14: 10). King Solomon in the Old Testament says “and the body returns to dust in the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Eccl. 12: 7). For further evidence see 2 Corinthians 12: 2-4; Philippians 1: 21; 1 Thess. 4: 13-18.

I am certain much more could be written on this subject about where the soul of man will go after he dies. But if one desires to study this topic in greater depth; I heartily recommend the Bible first of all, and secondly there are many helpful books out there that will aid you in the study. To conclude, I will leave you with this verse, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7: 13-14). Friend, be one of the ‘few’ who find eternal life in Christ. For Christ is the only “door” at the gate that leads to the narrow way which leads to life (see John 10: 9).

The soul that sins,

It shall surely die;

God has said it,

He cannot lie!

But the soul that trusts,

In the finished work of Christ;

Will find peace from sin,

In the One who paid the price!

The soul that rests,

In the Person of Christ;

Will find eternal life,

In the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice!

The soul that is redeemed,

I must happily confess;

Is a soul

That is truly blessed!