Many people nowadays, when asked the question, “Is there life after death?” and say, “When you die, that’s it, there’s nothing beyond death.”
Jesus taught that there is life after death, in his ministry he deliberately proved that there is life after death.
Jesus had been informed that his friend Lazarus was ill, but we read Jesus wasn’t distraught on hearing the news, he said that his illness is not unto death.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to wake him out of sleep.” They replied, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
John explained that Jesus has spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep, Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus, is dead.”
The words Jesus used his disciples took literally; Lazarus would be healed through sleep. But the sleep that Jesus referred to, was his actual death.
When they arrived at Bethany Jesus was told that Lazarus had already been in the tomb 4 days. Martha went to meet Jesus and on their way to the house Jesus Martha said to, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you. Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said, “ I know he’ll rise again in the resurrection on the last day. Jesus said to her I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he dies yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” She said, “Yes I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” John 11: 1-44
Receiving the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus.
The Bible contains the words that tells us the results of sin is eternal death. God sent Jesus born of a woman to save us from our sins.
Jesus died on the cross and he was buried in a tomb, and God raised him from the dead into eternal life and so through faith in Jesus, and turning to God in repentance, God forgives our sin and raises us into eternal life, a new beginning that lasts for ever.
The man crucified alongside of Jesus, asked to be remembered when he came into his kingdom. Jesus replied, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23: 43.
This is the Christian hope that there is life after death.
On arrival at the tomb Jesus called on Martha to have the stone removed from the tomb. As this was taking place Jesus prayed, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that you always hear me, but I’ve said this on account of those standing by, that they may know that you have sent me.” Jesus then said, “Lazarus come out.” And he came out with his bandages still on and a cloth covering his face.
After 4 days it’s impossible for the body to be resuscitated, only God could do this miracle. Jesus fulfilled his own words, “I go to wake him out of sleep.”
Those who believe and have died, are alive in Christ in the place where Jesus is in his kingdom.
Jesus told his disciples that he was going away, Peter asked him, “Where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you shall afterwards.”
“I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also.”
They would see the resurrected Jesus before his ascension.
“And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 13: 36, 14: 2,3,18.
Jesus knew his disciples were troubled, he informed them that he was going to his Father’s house to prepare a place for them.
“Father, I desire that they also, who you have given me, may be with me where I am to behold my glory which you have given me in your love for me before the foundation of the world.” John 17: 24.
Jesus in his prayer included those who believe in him through receiving their word in faith about him. The Gentiles were brought into the kingdom through faith in hearing about Jesus. John 17: 20. Romans 10: 8-10.
When Jesus called Lazarus out, he woke him from sleep.
The question arises: Are we awake in the Spirit after death or are we asleep in the Spirit?
Jesus taught in his parable ‘The Rich Man and Lazarus’ that we are alive and awake in the Spirit. After Lazarus’ death he went to be with Abraham and the rich man went to a place called ‘Hades’ where he was in torment. Luke 16: 22.
Ecclesiastes 12: 7. The body returns to dust and the spirit returns to God.
2 Corinthians 5: 1, 6-8. To be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
1 John 3: 14. “We know that we have passed out of death into life.”
When Christians die, we go to be with the Lord and are awake.
Jesus said, “Father, into thy hands, I commit my Spirit.” Luke 23:46.
Stephen said, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit”. Acts 7: 58, 59.
Rev 6: 10. The Christians from the Tribulation asked God to appease them.
In heaven we might get answers to questions, “A Christian woman had to do a lot of travelling for her business. Flying made her nervous, so she always took her Bible along with her to read and it helped her relax. On time, she was sitting next to a man and when he saw her pull out her Bible, he gave a little chuckle and went back to what he was doing. After a while, he turned to her and asked, “You really believe all that, do you?” The woman replied, “Of course I do, It’s the Bible.” He said, “Well, what about that guy who was swallowed up by the whale?” She replied, “Oh, Jonah. Yes, I believe that, it is in the Bible.” He asked, “Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?” The woman said, “Well, I don’t really know. I guess when I get to heaven, I will ask him.” “What if he isn’t in heaven?” the man asked sarcastically. “Then you can ask him,” replied the woman.” “A Barrel of Fun” J John & Mark Stibbe
Those who believe that’s there’s nothing at all after death, no existence in a spiritual realm, remains to be verified.
People without any religious background have report near-death experiences.
Jesus taught that there is at death a place of waiting for the final judgement. Luke 16: 22, 23.
John’s vision – Death and Hades and the people in them will perish after the judgement in the lake of fire. Revelation 20: 14.
Paul’s words in his letter to the Thessalonians our hope in Christ.
NIV Theological Dictionary of New Testament Words Editor Verlyn D Verbrugge
“Koimao in the fig sense. Paul generally uses participial forms to describe deceased believers as ‘those who have fallen asleep.’”
13 But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 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.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 13, 14.
Paul used the words ‘fallen asleep’ to describe those who are have passed out of death into life. He comforted the bereaved, giving assurance that their deceased loved ones are with Christ and will return with him when Jesus calls out the church.
Jesus calling out the church before his return.
15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 17 then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so, we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The dead in Christ – God will gather the dust of their bodies and by a great miracle restore their bodies and transform the living, giving to them both immortality, so that together the living and the dead in Christ meet the Lord in the air on his return.
Jesus’ words to his disciples the things that would take place when he calls out his believers, from the world. “Then two men in a field; one is taken the other is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken the other is left.” Matthew 24: 40, 41.
The Film ‘Left Behind 2014 Nicolas Cage plays the leading role as Rayford Steele.
The film: Jesus’ words, “Then two men in a field; one is taken the other is left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken the other is left.” The film relate to our present-day activities through the lives of a family: the father, Nicolas Cage an airline pilot, his wife and son are Christians who disappear, and their daughter Chloe who had resisted mum’s witness about Jesus. At the calling out of the church, Chloe has taken her younger brother to the shopping Mall where he disappears. The father, is on the plane where the Christian passengers disappear and their clothes are left on their seats. The effect on the rest of crew and passengers they don’t know what’s going on.
The question arises what happens next to those who are left behind?
John’s Vision the Book of Revelation reveals the events that take place after Jesus calls out his church. Rev 19: 6, 7..