Many people believe that heaven is a place that people go to (either physically or spiritually) after death; and that death and the grave are necessary factors in spiritual growth. But have you ever wondered why the Old Testament books never speak of an "after-life," and why the New Testament books are silent as to any details of what an "after-life" is like?
What happens at death? Is there scripture that says what happens to us at physical death? Well, actually there is: Ecclesiastes 12:7, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." This passage talks of our physical body (dust) returning to the earth, it does not say our physical body will go to heaven or will be physically alive again after death. Our physical bodies cannot be resurrected in heaven because scripture says that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 15:50).
As for our spirit, Ecclesiastes 12:7 says our spirit will return to "God," but notice it does not say it will go to "heaven." God is not only in heaven, but in heaven and earth (Joshua 2:11, 1 Kings 8:23). God is everywhere. Did Jesus actually teach that nobody goes up to heaven? John 3:13, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." Before Jesus died, why did He tell the Jews they could not follow Him to heaven? John 7:33-34, "Then said Jesus unto them [Jews, Pharisees, Chief Priests, Officers], Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him [God] that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am [Heaven], thither ye cannot come."
What does the bible mean when it teaches that we have eternal life? In scripture, eternal life is defined as knowing Christ Jesus while in this physical body! Look at this definition of "life eternal": John 17:3, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." The scripture says eternal life does not mean we become immortal (to live for ever and ever), it means to know God, and to know His Truth! In fact, the word "immortal" only appears once in the entire scripture! Incredible, considering we hear the "immortal soul" preached all the time. The term "immortal soul" does not appear anywhere in scripture. This word "immortal" is not in reference to any "soul," it is in reference to God, because only God is immortal, not us (1 Timothy 1:17). 1 John 5:11-12, "And this is the record, that God hath [present tense] given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath [present tense] life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have [present tense] eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. "
Let's listen to the words of Jesus: John 5:24-25, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath [present tense] everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is [present tense], when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." Now, You might ask, "But, doesn't the bible say the body must die in order to receive eternal life?" Well, yes, the body must die first. But, not our physical body! I look forward to us all having a great discussion on this topic.
What happens at death? Is there scripture that says what happens to us at physical death? Well, actually there is: Ecclesiastes 12:7, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." This passage talks of our physical body (dust) returning to the earth, it does not say our physical body will go to heaven or will be physically alive again after death. Our physical bodies cannot be resurrected in heaven because scripture says that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 15:50).
As for our spirit, Ecclesiastes 12:7 says our spirit will return to "God," but notice it does not say it will go to "heaven." God is not only in heaven, but in heaven and earth (Joshua 2:11, 1 Kings 8:23). God is everywhere. Did Jesus actually teach that nobody goes up to heaven? John 3:13, "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." Before Jesus died, why did He tell the Jews they could not follow Him to heaven? John 7:33-34, "Then said Jesus unto them [Jews, Pharisees, Chief Priests, Officers], Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him [God] that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am [Heaven], thither ye cannot come."
What does the bible mean when it teaches that we have eternal life? In scripture, eternal life is defined as knowing Christ Jesus while in this physical body! Look at this definition of "life eternal": John 17:3, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." The scripture says eternal life does not mean we become immortal (to live for ever and ever), it means to know God, and to know His Truth! In fact, the word "immortal" only appears once in the entire scripture! Incredible, considering we hear the "immortal soul" preached all the time. The term "immortal soul" does not appear anywhere in scripture. This word "immortal" is not in reference to any "soul," it is in reference to God, because only God is immortal, not us (1 Timothy 1:17). 1 John 5:11-12, "And this is the record, that God hath [present tense] given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath [present tense] life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have [present tense] eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. "
Let's listen to the words of Jesus: John 5:24-25, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath [present tense] everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is [present tense], when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." Now, You might ask, "But, doesn't the bible say the body must die in order to receive eternal life?" Well, yes, the body must die first. But, not our physical body! I look forward to us all having a great discussion on this topic.