What Happens One Minute After We Die?
On his deathbed, history records that famed evangelist D.L. Moody (1837 - 1899) said,
“Soon you will read in the papers that Moody is dead.
Don’t believe it, for in that moment I will be more alive than I have ever been!”
“Soon you will read in the papers that Moody is dead.
Don’t believe it, for in that moment I will be more alive than I have ever been!”
Jesus often spoke in parables to help us understand spiritual truths. One day, Jesus told the following story:
There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.
The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment,
he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
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.’
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—
for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
(Luke 16:19-31, ESV)
There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.
The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment,
he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
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.’
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—
for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
(Luke 16:19-31, ESV)
Afterlife: What Happens One Minute After Your Body Dies?
BIG IDEA:
THE AFTERLIFE IS LESS ABOUT ‘WHERENESS’ AND MORE ABOUT AWARENESS.
As Americans, we don't often pause and reflect on our future "game over." And yet, one day we will step into eternity. The statistics stand at 100%!
Everybody has an opinion, but what is real and true?
WHAT HAPPENS ONE MINUTE AFTER YOU DIE?
1) YOU DON’T TURN INTO AN ANGEL OR A GHOST.
LUKE 16:22-23
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.
The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades.
THE AFTERLIFE IS LESS ABOUT ‘WHERENESS’ AND MORE ABOUT AWARENESS.
As Americans, we don't often pause and reflect on our future "game over." And yet, one day we will step into eternity. The statistics stand at 100%!
Everybody has an opinion, but what is real and true?
WHAT HAPPENS ONE MINUTE AFTER YOU DIE?
1) YOU DON’T TURN INTO AN ANGEL OR A GHOST.
LUKE 16:22-23
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.
The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades.
Pop culture is replete with examples of dead people becoming ghosts like Patrick Swayze in the hit movie, Ghost.
One of CBS' highest rated new comedies is literally called Ghosts.
And a current Top 10 Series on Netflix follows self-professed psychic-medium Tyler Henry as he channels supposed dead people in communication with the living.
One of CBS' highest rated new comedies is literally called Ghosts.
And a current Top 10 Series on Netflix follows self-professed psychic-medium Tyler Henry as he channels supposed dead people in communication with the living.
As Christ-followers, we must be wise and discerning so that Hollywood entertainment does not become our own Hollywood theology.
In the Hebrew Testament, there are many laws and regulations from God. Some laws only apply to a certain Hebrew people living at a certain time in world history under God's theocracy of ancient Israel. Other laws are universally-binding and apply to all people living in all places at all times. Here is one such universal law from the Lord:
When you enter the land that the LORD, your God, is giving you, don’t take on the abominable ways of life of the nations there.
Don’t practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery, casting spells, holding seances, or channeling with the dead.
People who do these things are an abomination to the LORD.
(Deuteronomy 18:11-12, MSG)
In the Hebrew Testament, there are many laws and regulations from God. Some laws only apply to a certain Hebrew people living at a certain time in world history under God's theocracy of ancient Israel. Other laws are universally-binding and apply to all people living in all places at all times. Here is one such universal law from the Lord:
When you enter the land that the LORD, your God, is giving you, don’t take on the abominable ways of life of the nations there.
Don’t practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery, casting spells, holding seances, or channeling with the dead.
People who do these things are an abomination to the LORD.
(Deuteronomy 18:11-12, MSG)
God loves us enough to protect us. Deuteronomy 18 tells us that playing with Ouija boards and communicating with "dead people" is completely off-limits. To play around with such dangerous activities is to invite real demonic forces into our daily lives.
Yes, it appears that Tyler Henry is channeling messages from long dead relatives itching to communicate with the living. However, it's not a loved one reaching out from beyond:
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
(2 Corinthians 11:14, ESV)
In the King James Version of the Bible, the idea of mediums is often translated into "familiar spirits." Indeed, these fallen angels seek to short-circuit our faith any way that they can. One way is to carefully observe the living and then communicate facts from a "long-lost relative" through a "psychic" to fool the living and eclipse their faith in the one true God!
Yes, it appears that Tyler Henry is channeling messages from long dead relatives itching to communicate with the living. However, it's not a loved one reaching out from beyond:
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
(2 Corinthians 11:14, ESV)
In the King James Version of the Bible, the idea of mediums is often translated into "familiar spirits." Indeed, these fallen angels seek to short-circuit our faith any way that they can. One way is to carefully observe the living and then communicate facts from a "long-lost relative" through a "psychic" to fool the living and eclipse their faith in the one true God!
WHAT HAPPENS ONE MINUTE AFTER YOU DIE?
2) YOUR CONSCIOUS PERSONALITY CONTINUES.
LUKE 16:23-24
...and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 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.’
Death is not the end of the road, it is simply a bend in the road. Our conscious personality (biblically known as our "soul") continues, uninterrupted as we step into eternity. We do not cease to be nor do we fall into some sort of soul-sleep. Without skipping a beat, we are fully aware and retain the immaterial aspects of our personhood.
Another example from Scripture:
MATTHEW 17:2-4
And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him.
And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Here's a question: how did Peter know that their names were Moses and Elijah? Were they wearing name-tags? No, who they are continued beyond physical death!
The Apostle Paul puts it this way:
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).
2) YOUR CONSCIOUS PERSONALITY CONTINUES.
LUKE 16:23-24
...and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 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.’
Death is not the end of the road, it is simply a bend in the road. Our conscious personality (biblically known as our "soul") continues, uninterrupted as we step into eternity. We do not cease to be nor do we fall into some sort of soul-sleep. Without skipping a beat, we are fully aware and retain the immaterial aspects of our personhood.
Another example from Scripture:
MATTHEW 17:2-4
And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him.
And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Here's a question: how did Peter know that their names were Moses and Elijah? Were they wearing name-tags? No, who they are continued beyond physical death!
The Apostle Paul puts it this way:
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).
WHAT HAPPENS ONE MINUTE AFTER YOU DIE?
3) YOU WILL ENTER AN INTERMEDIATE STATE: PARADISE OR HADES.
When you die, you will not go to the final heaven or hell. Neither yet exists! Only after the Second Coming of Jesus will Hades be thrown into the final Hell (Revelation 20) and the cosmos will be physically resurrected as the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21).
When you die, while your physical body rests in the ground, your consciousness will experience a temporary existence in either Paradise or Hades. Remember what Jesus taught:
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.
The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment.
(Luke 16:19)
The HEBREW TESTAMENT talks about SHEOL, meaning the region of departed spirits.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake,
these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
(Daniel 12:2)
The NEW TESTAMENT, written in Greek, talks about HADES, the region of departed spirits with two compartments known as Abraham's Bosom and Hades.
Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.
Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.
But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me.
(Psalm 49:13-15)
Here's where things can get a little tricky to understand, so please bear with me.
Sheol, mentioned 65 times in the Hebrew Testament, referred to two areas before the time of Christ's Resurrection: Abraham's Bosom and Hades.
After Christ's finished work on the Cross, something happened. Abraham's Bosom was relocated by Christ to Paradise. Thus, Jesus was able to say to the thief on the cross, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise."
When did this relocation of Abraham's Bosom into Paradise occur? The most we can infer from the Scriptures comes from a passage in 1 Peter 3:18-19:
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the Righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison.
Further, the Apostle Paul expands upon this Roman-era paradigm of making a spectacle of losers in Colossians 2:15:
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.
This hints at Christ declaring the Gospel before princes, powers and principalities, whose chief location would be centered in Hades.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed,
in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able,
and none may cross from there to us.’ (Luke 16:26)
Jesus taught that once we step into the afterlife, your eternal trajectory is fixed and unchangeable.
This bring us back to one final teaching from Jesus.
4) YOU WILL BE PHYSICALLY RESURRECTED AT A FUTURE TIME
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28-29)
...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:10-11)
Paradise and Hades are temporary until Jesus returns at the Second Coming to bring about the culmination of history. To be clear, the resurrection has not yet happened. This is why Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica of our future resurrection:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.
For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
At a future date and time known only to God the Father, Jesus will return to resurrect everyone:
...for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28-29)
4) YOU WILL BE PHYSICALLY RESURRECTED AT A FUTURE TIME
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28-29)
...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:10-11)
Paradise and Hades are temporary until Jesus returns at the Second Coming to bring about the culmination of history. To be clear, the resurrection has not yet happened. This is why Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica of our future resurrection:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.
For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
At a future date and time known only to God the Father, Jesus will return to resurrect everyone:
...for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28-29)
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