DEATH AND THE LIFE AFTER (2)

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

—Philippians 1:21

The Christian’s death is absence from his body, but then immediately there is presence with the Lord. The Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 42, reads as follows, “Since, then, Christ died for us, why must we also die? Our death is not a satisfaction for our sin, but only a dying to sin and an entering into eternal life.” That’s why we read in Revelation 14:13, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” And again in Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Where do loved ones go who die trusting in Christ? They go to be with Jesus, which is far better than this present existence.

This refutes the false teaching of soul-sleep, annihilation of the soul, or purgatory. The Apostle Paul knew when he died he wouldn’t go to sleep, but would immediately be in the presence of Christ. It’s true that Scripture describes the death of a Christian as being similar to sleep (1 Thess. 4:13). But that speaks of our body, which must remain in the grave until the great day of the resurrection when our souls will once again be united with our bodies. But at death the believer’s soul is immediately transported to Heaven to be with Christ. This is the teaching of Scripture. The thief on the cross cried out, “Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him in Luke 23:43, “This day you shall be with me in paradise.”

—Pastor S. Henry