Where do people go to after they die? Is it true as it is widely taught by preachers of this day that they enter heaven, the place of delight? This is a question that we all need to ponder and consider keenly, for it contains a truth that is very essential to our salvation. It is not surprising to hear the bereaved, consoled with sentiments such as “He (the departed friend) is dancing with angels”. “He or she is watching from heaven” and much more of that.
But what saith the scriptures concerning these things?
David declares that man is not conscious in death. “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Psalms 146:4. Solomon, also under divine inspiration, bears the same testimony. “For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything… their love, their hatred and their envy is now perished, neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” Ecc 9:5, 6.
Contrary to popular belief that the moment one dies, angels are present to take them to heaven, and that once in heaven, the dead are acquainted with what is going on in earth, that the spirit of the departed ones, hover over their beloved. Scripture tells us the dead know nothing. The doctrine of man’s consciousness in death is a pagan doctrine that has found its way into our churches and it has no support in the church whatsoever. Nowhere in the sacred scriptures is found the statement that the righteous go to their reward or the wicked to their punishment at death. The patriarchs and prophets have left no such assurance. Christ and His apostles have given no hint of it.
The Bible clearly teaches that the dead do not go immediately to heaven. They are represented as sleeping until the resurrection. 1 Thess 4:14-16; Job 14:10-12. They know no more of anything that is done under the sun. Job 14:21. On the day of Pentecost, Peter (who was also inspired) declared that David “is not ascended into heaven” but “is both dead and buried and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.” Acts 2:34, 29. The fact that David is not in heaven proves that the dead cannot enter heaven until the resurrection morn. They go down into silence, they sleep, and they have blessed rest.
There are no spirits of the dead in heaven praising God, “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks” Psalms 6:5 “For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee; they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.” Isaiah 38:18. It is “the living, the living, he shall praise thee.” Vs 19.
If it is true that the righteous are transported to be with the Lord and the wicked go to burn in hell immediately they die, is there need for Christ to return again? Is there need for resurrection to take place?
O! That I had words of sufficient force to pluck out this deadly error out of every believer’s mind. Not until the cases are decided and the lives of all investigated, will one be accounted worthy to obtain an entry into heaven. Else how would one who has enjoyed heaven, receive the commendation “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord,” when they have been dwelling in this presence for so long ages? Are the wicked summoned from the place of torment to receive sentence from the judge of all the earth? “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire?” Matthew 25:21, 41. It does not in the least sense appeal to reason. It is solemn mockery! Shameful impeachment of the wisdom and justice 0f God!
Bear in mind that judgment does not take place at death. Mark the words of Paul while preaching to the Athenians, “He hath appointed a day, in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” Acts 17:31. Here the apostle plainly stated that a specified time, then future had been fixed for the judgment of the world. Indeed “The time is come,” the judgment is going on, the work has begun with those who are sleeping, soon will the living here be judged.
John declares, “I saw the dead, small and great stand before God and the books were opened” “And they were judged every man according to their works.” Revelations 20:12, 13. There will be no second chance after death to change our destiny. For once the ‘investigation’ is done, Christ will come to ‘execute’ that final judgment decision. “Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds.” Jude 14:15.
In closing, as we have seen, the doctrine of consciousness in death is opposed to the teachings of the scriptures, contrary to the popular belief that the redeemed are in heaven, the Bible teaches that the death do not immediately go to heaven, rather they sleep. Blessed rest for the weary, time be it long or short, is but a moment to them. They sleep: awaiting the resurrection.
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass saying that it is written “ Death is swallowed in victory” Then the host of the redeemed will shout in a jubilant chorus “ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor 15:52,54,55.
The Cross of Calvary