There is a traditional view of Life after Death, that the choice is Heaven (if you are good)or Hell (if you don’t make the grade!). But is this what the Bible teaches?

You might be surprised that the evidence is not to be found in the Bible. One of main issues is the idea of an immortal soul. We can see that this is an idea brought into Christianity from pagan religions.

So what does the Bible teach?

So do we just die and that’s the end of everything? Well, for those who reject Jesus as their Saviour, that is sadly what happens.

^” so man lies down and doesn’t rise. Until the heavens are no more, they will not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep. “(Job 14:12)

“For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, (the grave) who shall give you thanks?” (Psalm 6:5)

If that was all anyone could hope for, the Bible describes it like this:

I”f we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. “(1 Corinthians 15:19)

But the Bible teaches that those who are the Followers of Jesus, even if they do fall asleep (die!) will be resurrected (brought back to a new life)

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Anyone who had ever had a general anaesthetic will know that you have no concept of time passing; one moment you are falling asleep, the next moment you are waking up! That is how the resurrection will be.

So do we go to Heaven then?

No! Jesus said:

No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.(John 3:13)

It could not really be clearer than that. Paul reinforces this in Acts:

For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand  until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ (Acts 2:34-35) It is worth reading the whole passage for the fuller picture.

Heaven is God’s home. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that He intends to share His home with Humans!

Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. (Psalm 11:4)

Listen to the supplication of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Yes, hear in heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive. (1 Kings 8:30)

So what is on offer to us humans is not heaven but a Paradise on Earth!

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.
Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more.
Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.
But the humble shall inherit the land,
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:8-11)

If you want to find out how you could live forever in this earthly paradise, we’d be happy to help!