Are We There Yet?

In my last post, “An Inquiring Mind Wants To Know”, I delved into the subject of life after death and the obvious question regarding the masses of humanity who lived prior to our Lord’s appearing and died without knowledge or belief in him as their savior. What is their fate? Is it the “hell” that we have been taught awaits all who have not accepted Christ in their physical lifetime?

First, let me challenge the common belief that man has an immortal soul which, at death, either ascends to heaven or descends to hell. The bible is very clear on this subject. I Tim 6:16 tells us that God, alone, possesses immortality. I Cor 15:53 reveals that man is mortal. Corruption must put on incorruption, mortal must put on immortality. Death is spoken of in many scriptures as “sleep” or “rest”. See Deut 31:16, II Sam 7:12, Job 7:21 and 14:12, Dan 12:2 and 13, Psa 13:3 and 16:9. These are a very small sampling of the biblical teaching on this subject. Continuing in this study we learn that all who are in their graves are awaiting a resurrection from the dead. While in this state, they have no knowledge of the affairs of the living. Read Gen 3:19 and Eccl 3:20, 9:5 and 10.

Rather than heaven or hell receiving those who die daily in this life, the dead are asleep in their graves awaiting a future resurrection from the dead, in which they shall be judged according to their works. I Cor 15 is often referred to as the “resurrection” chapter in the bible. It fully explains the sequence or order of events that awaits mankind at the end of days. It actually speaks of two resurrections. I Cor 15:20, 23-24 tells us that Christ was the “firstfruits” from the dead, the first human to be resurrected from mortal to immortal. Afterward those who are Christ’s at his (second) coming will rise. The remaining dead will come forth at the time in which Christ delivers up the kingdom to God, having put down all rule, authority and power.

In I Cor 15:51-52 Paul continues by telling his hearers that those who remain until the coming of Christ (those who are his at his coming) shall be changed in an instant, in the blink of an eye. I Thes 4:13:17 confirms this with Paul’s comforting words to the believers in Thessalonica that they not be troubled concerning belivers who had already “fallen asleep” or died. He assured them that, at the last trump when Christ descended from heaven, the dead in Christ would rise first and those who remained would be caught up to meet them in the air and forever be with the Lord.

The book of Revelation also makes this clear in Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15 where it tells us of both the first and second resurrections. Those who are Christ’s will rise first and reign with him for one thousand years. After the thousand years are finished, the rest of the dead are raised to face the Great White Throne Judgment.” Their fates will be decided at that time.

So the answer to the question, “Are We There Yet” is no. Whatever we may perceive to be the fate of mankind after death, either heaven or hell, we all will have to wait to find out. The real question is, which resurrection will be our destiny?