Have you ever wondered what happens when we die? Many Christians take comfort in the idea that loved ones go to be with the Lord in Heaven. But what does the Bible really say?
Let’s Take a Closer Look
Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 sheds light on death: “We’re all made of dust, and to dust we’ll return.” And “The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, NIV). The Hebrew word here for ‘spirit’ is: ru’ach which means ‘breath‘ – God’s breath. The word ‘gave‘ is the Hebrew word ‘nathan‘ which can also mean ‘lend, borrow, entrust’. The Bible teaches that when we die, we don’t go to Heaven; instead, our bodies return to the earth. In fact, Solomon goes further, stating that humans and animals share the same fate (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20). We all have one breath, and our lives are fleeting.
So, What Happens to Us After Death?
Ecclesiastes 9:5 tells us the dead have no conscious thought. Daniel confirms that everyone will die and await resurrection (Daniel 12:2). The Bible compares death to sleep. This concept is reiterated throughout Scripture:
- Matthew 27:52: “The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.“
- John 11:13: “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.‘”
- Acts 7:60: “Falling on his knees, he cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.“
- 1 Corinthians 11:30: “For this reason many are weak and sick, and quite a few are asleep.“
- 1 Corinthians 15:6, 18, 20: “After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time… Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished… But now Christ has been raised from the dead.“
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.“
- Psalm 146:3-4: “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.“
The Intermediate State
Between death and resurrection, the Bible describes the dead as being unconscious, awaiting resurrection. This intermediate state is a period of silence, where the dead are unaware of the passing of time.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.“
- Psalm 6:5: “For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?“
- Isaiah 38:18-19: “For Sheol cannot thank You, death cannot praise You; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. The living, the living, he thanks You.“
- Daniel 12:2: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.“
Where Did the “Going to Heaven” Idea Come From?
This concept predates Jesus’ ministry, originating from ancient Babylonian and Egyptian beliefs. Surprisingly, Greek philosophy – not Scripture – influenced the idea of an immortal soul in Christianity. Plato’s Phaedo teaches that the soul exists independently and is immortal.
What Does the Bible Say About Resurrection?
At the resurrection, God reunites the body and His life – giving spirit – and the person lives again. If souls existed as separate entities that lived on after we died, that would mean we have immortality. However, the Bible says human beings do not have immortality. Only God is immortal (1 Timothy 6:15-16). We seek glory, honor, and immortality (Romans 2:7, 1 Corinthians 15:20). If we already had immortal souls, why would we seek something we already possess?
Jesus himself said, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven” (John 3:13).
What’s Next for Believers?
Believers will be resurrected to life, reigning with Jesus on earth (Revelation 5:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). We’ll be part of God’s family in His Kingdom. The New Jerusalem, described in Revelation 21:1-4, will descend from Heaven to earth:
- Revelation 21:3-4: “God will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.“
- Revelation 21:10, 27: “The holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God… Only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall enter it.“
The Heavenly Throne: Who’s There?
God and Jesus reign, surrounded by angels – not humans (Revelation 4:8-11, 5:11-12). John heard the voices of angels and elders, not human voices.
But what about John 14:2, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Philippians 3:20, and Hebrews 11:16? Don’t these verses suggest that we have ‘heavenly citizenship‘ and will ultimately go to Heaven? To understand this, let’s look at Hebrews 13:12-14 (AMP): “Jesus suffered and died outside the city gate to sanctify and set apart God’s people through His blood. Let us go out to Him, bearing His contempt. For we have no lasting city here, but we seek the city to come.“
God is preparing a holy city for believers, and it must remain uncontaminated by earthly sin until the new heaven and new earth are created. The heavenly Jerusalem will then descend from Heaven to the new, holy earth, and God will dwell with us in the renewed city.
In other words, our heavenly citizenship is not about ascending to Heaven, but about awaiting the holy city’s descent to earth, where we’ll live with God in the renewed creation. This perspective harmonizes with biblical teachings on resurrection, the intermediate state, and God’s ultimate plan for humanity.
