Given the death of my son Hezekiah, it has caused me to study a lot about Heaven and death. If I am being honest, it largely has been the way I have maintained my relationship with God. So, I will share with you some things I have noted when studying what the Word says about death and Heaven. I think it is important for us to see what God says about Heaven since He seems to talk about it a lot.
There are lots of stories, books, articles, blogs, and vlogs of people telling of their near-death experience. Many claiming to have seen or been in Heaven and some claiming to have seen or been in Hell. While I will shut this down later, I do think that this does show us that something happens in our final moments. A 2017 study, done by two researchers at the University of Virginia, administered a questionnaire to 122 people who had near-death experiences. The results suggest that the near-death experiences were recalled with greater vividness and detail than either real or imagined situations were. In short, the near-death experiences were remembered as being “realer than real.” Near-death experiences have been with us at all times, in all cultures, and in all people-both young and old; devout and skeptical. Interestingly, near-death experiences are no more likely to occur in devout believers than in secular or non-practicing subjects. You would think that they would wake up not wanting to die again. Many come out with no fear of death. While many of the stories are questionable to say the least it does show us that scientifically and Biblically, it is a fact that something happens and it is a very real experience to the person. Now, science ends at death. Science is the observation and experimentation of the natural and the physical. There is no way to observe and experiment with what a person is experiencing at death, so many scientists have to say that nothing happens.
Let us see what God shows us about Heaven! There are 3 main sections in the New Testament that have to do with Heaven. From these 3 sections and comparing Scripture with Scripture, we can get a pretty good idea of what the death of a Christian / little one would look like. But there is something major here that I would do a disservice to you if I didn't address. Do you know what Abraham's Bosom/Paradise is? Or what the bodily resurrection is? If not, that is okay. Through clarifying these things in the Bible, I will help you better understand Heaven!
SECTION 1: Lazarus
Let's look at this first passage in Luke 16:19–31, "19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ” (NKJV)1
Right off the bat I noticed 5 things that teach us about what it's like after we die. First is that the righteous beggar is carried up by angels. Showing us that we can expect the same thing to take place for God's Children. The second is that Lazarus recognizes Abraham without any introduction. We should also note that neither did Moses or Elijah need an introduction on the mount of transfiguration (Matt 17:2). We also see that Jesus both hid and revealed his resurrected appearance (Lk 24:16; John 21). Teaching us that there also seems to be no need for name tags or introductions in Heaven. The third thing this passage teaches us is what it is like after we die. Lazarus has full remembrance of how he lived his life. Showing us that we will not forget our life on earth. We will remember loved ones and our deeds. The fourth is that Lazarus demonstrated love and care towards his brothers. Now, if this happens in Hell, then no doubt it will in Heaven! He loved his brothers so much he was willing to never to see them again as long as they never had to go where he is. So yes, your loved ones who have gone before you still love you. Parents who have had stillborn babies, abortions, miscarriages, termination for medical reasons here, your son(s) or daughter(s) miss you and love you! The fifth thing this passage teaches us is that Lazarus did not know everything. Even in Heaven, we will continue to learn. Isaiah 2:3 and 1 Corinthians 13:12 teaches us that we will know just like we know on Earth, except more completely.
Abraham's Bosom is sometimes called Paradise, Hades, Sheol, or even the bodily resurrection. Maybe it is the first time you've heard of it or maybe you have always wondered about exactly what it is. It is all over the Bible and can be confusing. I bring it to attention because if I can clarify it, then you can better understand Heaven. Plus, maybe this will make some verses in the Bible make more sense. The only thing I ask is try to focus on the theology here because it will make the application of it so much better! Abraham’s Bosom is a place that is split in half with a good side and a bad side. The bad side is the first hell (yes, there is a first hell). It is for the unrighteous during the time of the Old testament, also called Hades or Sheol (Psalm 9:17, 31:17, 49:14; Isaiah 5:14; Matthew 11:23, 16:18; Luke 10:15, 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). Hades or Sheol is a part of Abraham’s Bosom where sinners await judgment that will take place in the last days seen in Revelation 20. After judgment, they will be sent to the second and final hell (Rev 21:11). The Lake of Fire or Gehenna is the place of eternal punishment for all unrepentant rebels, both angelic and human (Matthew 25:41, 10:28; Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 14-15). It is described as a place of burning sulfur, unspeakable and unrelenting agony (Luke 16:24; Mark 9:45-46). So those who have rejected God in the Old Testament and those who rejected Christ in the New Testament are in the temporary hell, Hades/Sheol. They are waiting for judgment in Revelation 20:7 called the "Great White Throne Judgment" and then they will be sent to the Lake of Fire as their final destination (Revelation 21:11).
The good side of Abraham’s Bosom is also called "Paradise" and "Sheol" (Genesis 37:35; Job 14:13; Psalm 6:5, 16:10, 88:3; Isaiah 38:10). Remember that Sheol / Abraham’s Bosom is split in two. So when Jesus died, He said that He and the thief on the cross would be with Him in Paradise (Luke 23:43), which was on the good side of Sheol/Abraham’s bosom. Basically, when Jesus died, He was with the righteous Old Testament saints. What did He do in Paradise? First, He preached the gospel (1 Peter 3:18–20; Ephesians 4:8–10). Second, He resurrected and in turn, the saints also resurrected (Matthew 27:51-53). Third, He ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:9) and the Saints likely also ascended into Heaven.
Now you know that there is this temporary Hades. It is holding sinners for judgment one day. We saw that Abraham's Bosom/Paradise/the good side is no longer holding anyone. So where are God's children when they die? Continue reading.
SECTION 2: Paul's Description
The second key passage in the Bible that has to do with Heaven is 1 Corinthians 15:35–58 "35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (NKJV)2
SECTION 3: Stephen's Death
The third key passage in the Bible that has to do with Heaven is Acts 7:51–60, “51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep " (NKJV).3
So here, Stephen is calling out the religious leaders for missing their Messiah Jesus and ultimately teaches us 2 things we can learn about Heaven. The first is that Stephen saw the glory of God. This also will happen to us! 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, "8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”5 So, that answers the question "is there a purgatory?" We can clearly see that at death, it is directly into the presence of God for the believer. What a contrast that takes place at death. From experiencing death to the glory of God. Death is the consequence of sin (Romans 6:23). It is the most evil aspect of life. It is a robber and a heretic! But when God's children die, death loses because the believer is with God, the Creator of life, the greatest Giver, and the Truth!
The second thing we can learn about Heaven from this section is that Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. We also will see this! Check out these 2 verses: Matthew 26:64, "64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (NKJV)6 Revelation 1:7, "7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” (NKJV)7 What will it be like to see Jesus on the right hand of God? In that moment, you are staring at love in fullness, you are staring at peace in fullness, you are staring at joy in fullness. The Bible gives 2 more details on what this moment is like! The first detail of Jesus standing at the right of God is that Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3). Revelation 21 talks about the New Heaven, New Earth, and the New Jerusalem and it says we will forever live in this light of God’s glory! The second detail of Jesus standing at the right hand of God is seen in Romans 8:34, "34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (NKJV)8 He is interceding for us! The Greek Word for “interceding” also means to give light! So, it teaches us that Jesus replaces the darkness of our sin with His light, which really makes 2 Corinthians 4:6 come to life: "6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.(NKJV)9 So we will see the light of Jesus radiating God’s glory and it will remove the darkness of our sin and we will be given it and live in it!
Lastly, there are two things Stephen said as he was dying. First he said, "receive my Spirit" (v.59), just like Jesus also did (Luke 23:46). He doesn't tell the grave to receive him, but instead he goes straight to Jesus.Also notice that he recognizes Jesus right away. One more thing: he doesn't say receive my body. This shows me that he knows he is going up to God and that he is instantly aware he is not connected to his own body. Second he said “Lord do not charge them with this sin” (v.60), just like Jesus did (Luke 23:34). What a true follower of Jesus! He preached the same message that also got him killed and as he died, he said the same things!
What Stephen says here shows us that Heaven is so great that you don't want anyone (not even your killers) to miss out on the glory of Heaven! Heaven is so good that no bad thing is worth missing it for.
Paul said that the words he heard in Heaven were inexpressible and like a sin to try to repeat ( 2 Corinthians 12:4). If Heaven is so great that he cannot even repeat the words spoken in Heaven, then it is hard for me to believe the stories people have had about Heaven. It is too great to describe. And God is greater than Heaven! 1 Kings 8:27 says that not even Heaven can contain Him. If Heaven is that great and Heaven cannot handle God, then I cannot wait to be in His presence! And what a great place for our babies to be!
For God's children, death is not a monster, but it is a minister. Death is not an evil robber, but a giver! Death is not the final destination; it is the chariot into the throne of God!
1 Corinthians 15:55 says, "55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?” (NKJV) 10 Christians are repeatedly told not to fear death (Revelation 1:17;; Matthew 10:28; Hebrews 2:14-15). Instead, Christians are told to fear the One who has power over death and who can destroy both the soul and body. If you are not right with God, you are headed to Hell. Not because God is evil, but because you are guilty and chose that you wanted a life apart from God. Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
With all this information, some Christians think because of this, we don’t need to experience pain in loss. They are wrong. Jesus, who knows all things, wept heavily for the loss of Lazarus. Even at his own death, He agonized with loud cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7). When Stephen was killed, it says devout men buried Stephen “and made great lamentation over him.” (Acts 8:2) Joe Baylor, who had 3 sons that died, said, “Death wounds us, but wounds are meant to heal.” From here, we learn to manage life with our wounds.
We grieve with hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).
I hope this has helped you understand what the Bible says about Death and Heaven. As a bonus, here are 5 ways the Bible describes death:
A departure (Philippians 1:23; Luke 9:31; John 13:36; 2 Timothy 4:6).
A restful sleep (Luke 8:52; John 11:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Psalm 17:15). Death is welcomed only when you don't fear the morning. The Bible says that those who follow Satan will have no rest day or night (Revelation 14:11). Believers will rest from labors and our good work will follow us (Revelation 14:13).
Better (1 Corinthians 9:15; Philippians 1:23; Hebrews 10:34; Hebrews 11:16).
A collapsing tent (2 Corinthians 5:1). We are pilgrims in this life. Our bodies will experience wear and tear. Be careful not to drive your stakes deep into the earth.
Going home (John 14:2-3; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Verse 8 says to be away from our body is to be at home with the Lord. Why be afraid of death when it is our route to our final home? We often fear death because it takes us from home, but in reality, it is what takes us home!
Thank you for reading this! If it blessed you, please like, and comment!
Sources
1 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
2 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
3 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
4 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
5 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
6 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
7 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
8 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
9 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
10 The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
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