When a Christian Dies.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:27,28)

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)

There are two aspects to be considered when thinking about the destiny of the Christian after his death: (1) what he will experience when he dies; and (2) what he will experience in the Day of the revelation of Christ. These are two different states and circumstances except for the saints who are physically alive when the Lord returns. Those who are living in Christ and are physically alive when the Lord returns will "die" and be raised in one moment.

There is little said in the Old Testament concerning the destiny of the righteous individual after death, except that he is "gathered to his people."

Then Abraham gave up the Ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. (Genesis 25:8)

And Isaac gave up the Ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. (Genesis 35:29)

The destiny of the righteous (and of the wicked) in the Day of the Lord is discussed in several passages of the Hebrew Prophets.

It is true also of the New Testament that little is stated concerning what happens to the Christian after he dies, while a great deal is said about rewards and punishments in the Day of Christ.

As to the attitude of the Old Testament toward physical death:

The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence. (Psalms 115:17)

The above verse is typical of the manner in which death was regarded by writers of the Old Testament.

We can note from the raising of Samuel that the righteous dead were at rest:

And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?.... (I Samuel 28:15)

Compare the state of the wicked, as described by the Lord Jesus:

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:23)

The attitude of the Prophets toward Sheol (Hell; the grave) was that of dread—even for the righteous:

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. (Psalms 18:4,5)

The Prophets "saw" the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked and sang with joy concerning the Kingdom of God that is to come to the earth at the appearing of Christ.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2)

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)

As is true also of the New Testament, the Old Testament almost ignores what happens to us when we die and dwells on what will take place in the last days.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9)

The Prophets shouted with joy over the prospect of the coming of Christ in His Kingdom. Then shall the righteous rejoice. Then shall the nations learn righteousness and be delivered from oppression. Then shall the wicked be plucked up and cast out of the earth.

The Old Testament presents death as our going to be with the spirits of the deceased. The righteous go to be with Abraham while the wicked are gathered to their kind in an area of torment. Apparently, Sheol is a place of waiting for the Day of the Lord, especially for the judgment of the Lord. Dust returns to the dust from which it was taken. Life is over for the present.

Christian teaching has built up a body of traditions and fables about what the believer experiences when he dies. Much of the Christian thought concerning what happens when we die is derived from the translation of the Greek term for abodes, as "mansions" (see John 14:2).

While there may be stately mansions for the righteous in the spirit realm, one fact is certain: John 14:2 has nothing to do with grand houses in the spirit realm. John 14:2 is stating the same thing as John 14:23, that is, God is seeking a resting place in His saints.

Why is it that the Apostles of Christ had so little to say about what happens to us when we die? No doubt the reason is that the Apostles believed the Lord Jesus would return during their own lifetime. This hope is reflected in their epistles.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (II Thessalonians 1:7)

The Apostles pointed repeatedly toward the return of Christ. They never emphasized our going to Heaven and making our eternal home there. This concept is never found in the New Testament. Rather, the Apostles spoke of the soon coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth, the return of Jesus Christ with rewards for those who serve Him faithfully, the salvation to come in the Day of Christ.

If the reader finds the preceding paragraph difficult to accept he should read through the Epistles (and the four Gospels as well). He will discover what we have said is the truth.

In the few instances in which Paul spoke of going home to be with the Lord he was reacting to his persecutions and troubles in this world. He was not in these cases preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, the hope of salvation in the Day of Christ. This was true also of Peter.

The New Testament writings, commencing with the Gospel of Matthew and proceeding through to the Book of Revelation, are concerned with the Day of Christ. To be saved is to be kept from being removed from God’s Presence in the Day of the Lord. This is the meaning of the Christian salvation. In addition there are rewards for those who run the race victoriously.

What happens to us when we die is important to us. However, the Scriptures emphasize what will happen to us when Christ returns. It may be noted also while the lashes and other punishments to be administered to the wicked are mentioned from time to time, the stress is on the marvels that will be the inheritance of those who live victoriously by the grace of Christ.

The Divinely ordained Scriptures, the Old Testament and especially the New Testament, state that in the Day of Christ every individual will receive the results of his behavior. Current Christian teaching does not emphasize nearly enough this most fundamental of Kingdom concepts—the eternal Kingdom law of sowing and reaping.

Today’s Christian teaching and preaching is leaving the flock of God with the false impression that those who make a profession of faith in Christ will neither be rewarded nor punished according to their works. The whole concept of the Judgment Seat of Christ has been seriously undermined. This false teaching is largely responsible for the moral weakness of the churches, the result being the lust and violence practiced in the "Christian nations."

Ours is a sad day in terms of Christian doctrine. The weakness of the Christian churches is revealed in the cloud of demons that has settled over the cities and villages of the earth. The demonic activity—even among professing Christians—is so pronounced it appears soon the demons will reveal themselves openly. Because of the false doctrine preached among us there is not enough power in many Christian assemblies to deliver people from the deceptions and activities of Satan.

The Scriptures hold out wonderful rewards to those who live in obedience to God, who take up their cross and follow Christ, who, through God’s grace, conquer the world, Satan, and their lusts and self-will. These rewards include personal transformation, desirable relationships, nearness to the Lord, and opportunities for joyous service. They will be given to us when the Lord appears.

The punishments that will fall on the careless and sinning Christian are terrifying.

Let us consider what will happen to the Christian when he dies, and then what will happen to him in the Day of Christ. The latter topic includes the Christian who does not serve Christ and also the Christian who does serve Christ in this world.

What happens to the Christian when he or she dies?

What happens to the careless Christian in the Day of Christ?

What happens to the diligent Christian in the Day of Christ?

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