9 What happens when we die?

What Happens When You Die? A Biblical Perspective

For full transparency, the post you are about to read was created using the help of AI. I ran the transcript of my video/podcast through AI and asked it to summarize my key points. I strongly recommend you take the time to watch the video or listen to the podcast for the full content.

Welcome back to our *Prophecies of Hope* series! If you’re joining us for the first time, this is episode nine, and I encourage you to check out the earlier videos in our YouTube playlist or podcast episodes to catch up. Today, we’re diving into a topic that might seem unrelated to prophecy at first but is deeply connected: *What happens when you die?* Let’s explore what the Bible says about the state of the dead, grounding ourselves in Scripture as our primary source.

The Question of Death

What is death? To answer this, let’s start at the beginning—in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3, we find Adam and Eve in a perfect world with no death, no suffering, and access to the Tree of Life. God warns them that eating from the forbidden tree will lead to death (Genesis 3:3). But the serpent counters, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). This introduces a critical question: What does death mean in a world where it doesn’t yet exist?

Imagine explaining death to Adam and Eve, who have never seen it. Would you say it’s like ceasing to exist, as it was before they were created? Or would you describe it as their soul living on elsewhere? If death means continuing to live as a conscious soul, what’s so bad about it? They’re already in paradise, walking with God. Why would God create a physical world if a spiritual one is better? These questions challenge us to rethink our assumptions about death.

Death as Sleep: Jesus’ Words

To understand death biblically, let’s turn to John 11—the story of Lazarus. Lazarus is sick, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, send for Jesus. Surprisingly, Jesus delays, saying, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God” (John 11:4). When He finally speaks of Lazarus, He says, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (John 11:11). The disciples misunderstand, thinking Lazarus is resting. Jesus clarifies plainly: “Lazarus is dead” (John 11:14).

Here, Jesus equates death with sleep—a temporary, unconscious state. This isn’t just poetic language; it’s a consistent biblical theme. When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead for four days, confirming he’s truly gone—no coma, no mistake. Martha expresses grief and faith, saying, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Yet she trusts God can still act (John 11:22).

Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). Martha affirms her belief in a future resurrection “at the last day” (John 11:24), and Jesus doesn’t correct her. Instead, He raises Lazarus, calling him from the tomb: “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43). Lazarus emerges, alive, bound in grave clothes.

Notice what Jesus *doesn’t* say. He doesn’t tell Martha that Lazarus is in heaven, enjoying paradise, or suffering in torment. If Lazarus were conscious elsewhere, would being called back to earth be a blessing or a curse? The biblical picture is clear: Lazarus was “asleep” in death until Jesus woke him.

Jesus Weeps: Death Hurts

One of the most powerful moments in this story is John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” Why? He knew He would raise Lazarus, yet He grieved. I believe Jesus wept because death brings pain—not just to us but to Him. He saw Mary and Martha’s sorrow and felt their loss. This tells us that weeping for loved ones is not a lack of faith; it’s human. Even Jesus, who is the resurrection, mourned the hurt death causes. When we grieve, we don’t grieve alone—God’s heart breaks with ours.

The Hope of Resurrection

The Bible consistently describes death as sleep, pointing to a future resurrection. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul writes, “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” He explains that when Jesus returns with a shout and the trumpet of God, “the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Those alive will join them, meeting the Lord together. Paul’s comfort isn’t that the dead are already in heaven but that they’ll rise when Jesus comes.

Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Paul says, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” The dead are “raised incorruptible,” and the living are transformed. Immortality isn’t something we possess now; it’s a gift God gives at the resurrection. Paul emphasizes, “This mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53).

John 5:28-29 reinforces this: “The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” The dead wait in their graves, not in heaven or hell, until Jesus calls them.

Are We Immortal?

Some believe humans have an immortal soul that lives on after death. But 1 Timothy 6:16 says God “alone has immortality.” Romans 6:23 contrasts the “wages of sin”—death—with the “gift of God”—eternal life through Jesus. John 3:16 promises that believers “should not perish but have everlasting life.” If we were inherently immortal, why would Jesus need to die to give us life? Why would death be the consequence of sin if we never truly die?

Genesis 3:22-24 sheds more light. After the fall, God removes Adam and Eve from the Garden to prevent them from eating from the Tree of Life and living forever in a sinful state. Our eternal life depends on God’s provision, not an innate quality. Revelation 22:1-2 describes the New Jerusalem, where the Tree of Life returns, granting eternal life to the redeemed. We’re mortal, but God offers immortality as a gift.

Why This Matters for Prophecy

You might wonder how this connects to prophecy. The Bible’s teaching on death shapes our understanding of end-time events—like the resurrection, the second coming, and the final judgment. If the dead are asleep, awaiting Jesus’ return, it refocuses our hope on His coming, not on an immediate afterlife. It also challenges the serpent’s lie, “You will not surely die,” which echoes in beliefs that death is just life elsewhere.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think? How would you explain death to Adam and Eve? Do you see death as sleep, awaiting resurrection, or something else? Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out on social media. If you have questions about topics like the Lake of Fire or the Millennium, stay tuned—more videos are coming!

For now, let’s hold fast to the Bible’s hope: Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Death is not the end; it’s a sleep from which He will wake us. Subscribe to our channel or podcast for more studies, and may God bless you as we journey through His Word together!

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*Note: All Bible verses are from the New King James Version, as referenced in the transcription.*