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NASB | 2 Corinthians 5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 5:8 we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. |
Bible Question:
I am questioning my view of death. For most of my life I have been taught that upon my death I would be in heaven. However I recently heard a speaker say that we stay in a state of waiting to be raised when Christ returns. I can read where sleep is refered to as death. When it says in the N.T. concerning those who have fallen asleep. I feel rather ignorant, because I have studied this, and felt I had the answer. Now, I am not so sure. I would like some feed back, as this is sorta bugging me. Thanks for your input. Peace, farout |
Bible Answer: Dear Farout: It is interesting that the scripture does not say we will go to heaven when we die. This of course gets a reaction from those who have always believed it as such. On the other hand we know that we will be present with the Lord who sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3) What awaits the Christian at death? As you have pointed out from 2 Cor. 5:8 that "we are absent from the body and present with the Lord". I believe the word "present" indicates that we are aware of his personal presence. In John 14 the Lord Jesus makes it clear that he must go to Calvary to prepare a place for us "that where I am , there ye may be also."(John 14:3) You are correct that when a Christain dies that he or she is referred to as asleep in Christ. 1Thess. 4:13-18 is one reference. However, I do not this believe this means "soul sleep" as taught by some. In Rev.6:9-10 we are read about "he souls of them which were slain for the word of God" and how they cry "How long O Lord..." Where is heaven the abode of God? Where is paradise? Are they the same place? Before the death of Christ we are made to understand that all souls went to hades the place of departed spirits. Hades was divided with a great gulf between those who were tormented and those who were comforted in Abrahams bosum. Luke 16: 19-31. We also know that upon Calvary's cross the Lord Jesus declared to the dying thief "today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43) We know that the thief and the Saviour shared paradise that day. God had declared in the Psalms "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (hades); neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." I believe that the Lord Jesus was at comfort in Paradise after he finished his work at Calvary. Not only that on the third day God raised him from amoung the dead bodily and that he ascended to the right hand of God. Is paradise the same today? I think not. Concerning the resurrection and ascention of Christ we read: "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)" Eph. 4: 8-10 It would appear that the Lord Jesus emptied "Abrahams bosum" and led the souls of "just men made perfect" into the very presence of God on high. Paul provides some insight as to Paradise and heaven. In Acts 14 Paul was stoned and left for dead at Lystra. We are given some insight to what appears to be an "out of body" experience for Paul. He recounts the event in the third person be careful not to glorify himself. In 1 Cor. 12:2 he tells "such an one was caught up into the third heaven" In verse 4 he mentions "being caught up into paradise" This would appear to place the third heaven and paradise as the same place which from the language of 1 Cor. 12: 4 is the abode of God. Brother, I have read your transcript and think that you should be teaching me. However, it is wonderful to discuss the things of God knowing that "it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Cor. 2:9) "What will it be to dwell above And with the King of Glory reign Since the blest knowledge of his love so brightens all this dreary plain No heart can think, no tongue can tell What joy 'twill be with Christ to dwell Rejoicing in his love Robert |