Thoughts from a Crosseyed Jesus Freak

If you grew up in the church like I did, you are probably pretty familiar with the idea of loved ones being immediately with Jesus in heaven upon death, assuming they had accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  It’s pretty common.  I hear it all the time.  And it’s a great comfort to those of us who have lost loved ones.  There is a question, however, that has to be asked about this.  What does the Scripture say about what happens after death and before Jesus’ 2nd coming?  

Most people that don’t ask this question believe those that pass away are immediately in heaven because it is what they have always been taught.  I know that’s where I was at just a few years ago.  I never even thought about whether this was correct or not.  When my dad passed away when I was 15, that’s what I was told by many people.  It was the same as when my grandparents passed away.  It really wasn’t until I was doing my internship for my college degree that this was even questioned.  It was questioned then because the Sr. Minister (who is now my Father-in-Law) at the church I interned at strongly disagreed that believers were immediately in heaven when they passed away.  At the time, even with hearing this brought up, I didn’t give it much thought.  What does it matter if that is the truth or not?  It helps people in their grief, and to me that made it the right thing.

A couple of years ago, however, our Sr. Minister at Crossroads Christian Church preached a sermon that touched on this subject.  After hearing this sermon, it made me really start to think about this.  While thinking through things, I realized that if the Bible does deal with this topic, and those who pass away do not immediately go to heaven, then it does matter if this is being said or taught.  While this comforts those mourning the loss, it would be considered a lie, and therefore would not be something that we should participate in.  

That was about as far as I got with this thought until just about a month ago.  While attending a funeral, I listened to a preacher state numerous times that this person was now with Jesus.  I realized something at this moment; it irritated me now to hear this.  But I had never done the study myself to see what Scripture says.  So, what does the Bible say about what happens between death and Jesus’ 2nd coming?

Do those that are saved go immediately to heaven upon death?  That is the question that I started with.  

If the answer to the first question is no, then where do they go and are they with Jesus before the 2nd coming?

Let’s go to the Scriptures! (I will reference the passage and give a summary of it, but for the sake of space, will not quote the entire passage here)

First of all, Jesus, in his teachings and conversations, makes an apparent distinction between the terms heaven and paradise along with hades and eternal fire (hell).  The thief on the cross that confessed Jesus as the Christ was promised to be in paradise with Jesus that same day. (Luke 23:39-43)  Before this event, Jesus taught about a rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.  In this story, two men die; one righteous and one evil.  The rich man (evil) was in constant torment, while Lazarus (righteous) was being comforted.  They were separated by a great chasm to where they could not cross over to each other, but they could see each other and communicate.  Lazarus was with his faithful ancestors and being comforted as stated before. The argument can be made that Lazarus is in paradise, while the rich man is in hades.  So the thief on the cross is promised this paradise with Jesus, but Jesus leaves this paradise three days later in his resurrection.  Then Jesus ascends into heaven.  I Peter 3:18-22 tells us that during the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection, He preached to those that were in “prison”. This is believed to be paradise/hades, depending on your standing with Christ.

But is this “prison” or “holding cell” our final resting place?  Is this referring to heaven and hell?  Matthew 25:31-46 is the story of the sheep and the goats.  In it, Jesus is teaching about the final judgement day, where all will be judged and will either enter their reward (heaven) or be cast into eternal flame (hell).  Jesus indicates that this is a one time event.  It would appear that whether saved or unsaved, we do not enter heaven or hell immediately upon death.  Other evidence to this is found in John 14:1-14, in which Jesus tells his disciples that He is going to prepare a place for them, and if He goes to prepare a place for them, then He will surely return and take them to this place (reference to 2nd coming).  The entire chapter 15 of I Corinthians talks about the resurrection of Christ, resurrection of the dead, and the resurrection body.  In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul tells us that as Christians, our citizenship is in heaven and we are waiting for Christ’s return to go there.  Finally, I Thessalonians 4:13-18 shows that the dead in Christ (those that are saved but have passed away before the 2nd coming) will be raised to heaven followed by those of us that are saved but are still alive.

Evidence throughout the New Testament seems to point out that saved and unsaved alike go to a temporary “holding cell” after death until the 2nd coming of Christ.  Once dead, there are no more chances to have a relationship with Christ.  There is a chasm between the two sides (paradise and hades) that cannot be crossed.  Jesus is in heaven at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56), preparing a place for those of us who have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior (John 14 again).  Then, at the 2nd coming of Christ, and final judgement, we will either enter our reward in heaven, or be cast into eternal fire in hell.

Does saying that someone that has passed away is now in heaven with Jesus really matter?  It really isn’t a salvation issue.  It is, however, a matter of sticking with tradition versus actually studying what Scripture says about certain topics.  It is a matter of teaching truth verses saying things just as a comfort, whether they are true or not.  All-in-all, I think it comes down to our consciences.  I would never walk up to someone who has just lost a loved one, and tell them that their loved one is not in heaven with Jesus, just because they are saying their loved one is there as a way of comforting themselves.  They are more than likely saying this because it is what they have always been taught.  This would not, however, be a good time for correction.  I will also never tell someone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one that their loved one is in heaven with Jesus.  I cannot, in good conscience, after seeing what Scripture says, tell anyone this.  What I will do, is to always look to Scripture and try to apply the teachings of Scripture in my life on a daily basis.  

What are your thoughts? 

I wrote this post about a week ago while I was at work but just needed more time to process it before actually typing it up and publishing it.  That is why the dates mentioned in here may be a little off.

Today is always a hard day every year.  I didn’t think it was going to be bad today, but while sitting at work, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  June 4, 2013…it has been 14 years today that my dad died in a hospital room in Lancaster, PA while on family vacation.  14 years, that can’t be right.  Sometimes it feels just like yesterday.  Others it feels as if it was a lifetime ago.  My dad was a good man.  Yes, there were times that I couldn’t stand him.  There were things about him that I never liked and have fought very hard to keep from developing those same habits in my own life.  Mainly, this would be his temper.

Even with these few things, I have to say he was a good man and a great example.  Sometimes that example was what not to do, but for the most part, especially in the last 10 years of his life, he was an example of a godly man.  I learned to play baseball and to golf with him, but I also got to watch and learn how to live for God.  It’s a really amazing though to remember him serving as a deacon at the time of his death, and no I’m serving in that role 14 years later.

That is a humbling and honoring thought that we have both served the same congregation in somewhat of the same capacity.  I m just realizing the legacy that I am a part of.  While this is incredible, it is also somewhat intimidating.  I realize that I have plenty of my own faults just like dad, but I strive to be seen as a good man.  More than that, I strive to be a Man of God.  This is of utmost importance to me.  I have a long way to go but I will get there.  I have too many people surrounding me to fail.

Right here, right now, its time to refocus on my walk with Christ.  Life seems to always get in the way, but I will do everything I can to make sure my walk and my family’s walk with Christ is the best that it can be.  And that starts now with recommitting to spending daily time in conversation with God.  I have to stope letting life get in the way.  I have a a family legacy to uphold.  Let us all become Crosseyed.  Hebrews 12:1-3

Romans 1:16-17;

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed–a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:  “The righteous will live by faith.”

A couple of nights ago I wrote No Religion about how what we really have is a relationship, not religion.  Last night, as I sat in the hospital with my wife waiting to see if we can finally figure out what is going on with her, I started reading No More Christian Nice Guy; When Being Nice–Instead of Good–Hurts Men, Women, and Children by Paul Coughlin.  The premise behind the book is that in today’s society, men have forgotten what it means to be “men”.  And it’s the same in our churches.  What we pass off as nice or humble is often a misrepresentation of what we are actually called to be.  Coughlin states, “Somehow we have mistaken niceness for righteousness, when the Bible says that the righteous are as bold as lions.”

I think these two ideas are represented well by the words of Paul from Romans above.  You see, Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, or the idea of a personal relationship with Christ.  That is what Christianity is all about~a personal, growing relationship with Christ, the savior of he world!  How can we be weak with that idea?  Society has tried to take our hope and strength away from us.  How can we sit by and either never proclaim our relationship to others or do so in such a way that it seems weak and powerless.  Paul tells us that, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed–a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:  ‘The righteous will live by faith'”.

We should not be afraid to share our faith.  In fact OUR FAITH should empower us and we should not be able to keep it in.  Jesus never promises that this will be easy, but He does give us an even better promise.  The last part of Matthew 28:20, Jesus tells us, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  This is Jesus’ promise to us if we are willing to tell others about how great our relationship with Him is.  Be bold because the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes!

Romans 1:11-12; 

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong–that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Here we have Paul, arguably one of the strongest Christians and missionaries this world has ever seen, admitting that he needs help.  He not only is writing to the Romans of his desire to come and teach them, but also of his desire to come and be encouraged by them as well.  This passage provides much encouragement to me in my life.  I have always struggled with the idea that I have to do things on my own.  I know that I can’t do things without God and others, but I constantly seem to slip into the mindset of “I can do it myself”.  And that’s just not the case.  If Paul couldn’t do it on his own, what makes me think that I ever have a chance of doing it on my own.

There is a growing trend that I have seen in this world of people thinking they can have a real relationship with God, but never darken the doors of a church.  Again, how could this ever work?  And trust me, this is not just coming from this one passage.  I have personally lived that lifestyle.  At one point in my life, I tried to do my relationship with God strictly on my own.  I got discouraged with church because I lost sight of the real meaning of church…Community.  And it didn’t work.  I was very irregular in my attendance to church for about 2 years, maybe a little more.  And let me tell you, it has taken at least double that amount of time to get back to where I was before I started trying to do it on my own.  The community or fellowship found in the church is vital to our lives as Christians.  And Paul seems to agree.  We mutually encourage one another by our faith.  So stop trying to do it on your own, and I’ll continue to stop trying to do  it on my own, and let’s work to encourage one another on this journey.  If Paul needed other Christians, I think it’s pretty clear that so do we.

God Bless

Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This is a very familiar passage for most of us that claim to be Christians.  We hear it all the time.  But then why aren’t we living it out?  Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty that do live it out.  This passage is most often used to describe the need for people to become missionaries around the world.  And that is certainly part of the call here from Jesus.  But I firmly believe that not all of us are called to travel to far off mission fields.  There are places and people right where we live that need Jesus as well.  So this passage is truly for all of us.  But that leads back to my first question.  Why aren’t more of us living it out?

Maybe it’s because we don’t feel like we are qualified to talk to others about Jesus.  Maybe it’s because we just assume someone else will do it for us.  Maybe it’s because we’re scared of the other persons reaction.  Or maybe it’s just that we simply don’t care enough about that other person to tell them about the greatest gift that has ever been given.  If it’s this last statement, that we simply don’t care about the other person enough, what is the cause of that?  Could it be that our relationship with Jesus isn’t as strong as we believe it is?  Doug Fields, in his book Fresh Start: God’s Invitation to a Great Life, states, “When we know God intimately, this gives us a new power to care for the spiritual conditions of others.”  Part of our relationship with God should compel us to share our faith with others.  II Corinthians 5:14, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”

Ok, so we are called, or even compelled, to share with others about our faith with Christ.  But what does that look like?  Most people know something about religion.  And, let’s be honest, most people are turned off by religion.  And who could blame them.  Religion makes most people think of a long list of strict rules that are impossible to live up to.  Also, religion (any religion for that matter), throughout history, has not always held the best track record of love and peace.

What we should have with Christ in our lives is not religion.  It’s a relationship with the Creator of the universe.  And that should be exciting enough to want to share with anyone.  Fields, later in the same chapter, states, “They don’t need religion and rules; they need Jesus…And great joy awaits you if you care about their spiritual condition.”  So, let me ask again, why are we not living out the command found in Matthew 28?  Look closely at that passage again.  There is a promise from Jesus there at the end that should calm any fear that we have.   “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Now that’s a promise that should go with us while we try to live out our lives.

Matthew 9:35-38, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'”

Romans 3:22-24, “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus“.

I Timothy 1:9-11, “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”

I teach 7th and 8th grade Sunday School at my church.  Our fall semester started a couple of weeks ago, but today, because of some prior commitments, was my first Sunday this year (we teach on a rotation).  Something happened before we even started our lesson that caught me completely off guard.  And to be honest, I still feel a little blindsided.

We always start out the class with a time for prayer requests.  We have a great group of Jr. Highers and they all seem to take this time seriously and bring some pretty mature requests to the table.  One of the students in the class mentioned today that there is a guy from the High School that she will be attending next year that has just gone public with the knowledge that he is homosexual.  Her prayer request was for this young man because he is getting bullied and treated really poorly for this.  Then it happened.

One of the other students, someone I had never seen before, came out with the statement, “there is nothing wrong with being homosexual, it’s not in the 10 Commandments”.  So here’s my dilemma.  I have a student that doesn’t know me and I don’t know him, making a statement that I believe is Biblically wrong.  But again, I don’t know his background and I didn’t want to lose him completely.  I wouldn’t say that I panicked, but I kind of froze for a minute.  I did come out and say that homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible, but that all sin is equal in God’s sight.  What I am frustrated with is the fact that I hesitated the way I did.

Looking back, I think it might have been a good thing because I was able to form my thoughts and what I said into a clear and loving manner.  But in the moment, I was a little ashamed that I actually had to stop and consider exactly what I needed to say.   The Bible is pretty clear on homosexuality but it is also pretty clear on a lot of other sins.  It makes no judgement between the severity of sins, because there is none.  Homosexuality is the same in God’s sight as murder, lying, stealing, cheating on your wife or husband and anything else I could think of here.

This is where the statement, “Hate the sin, love the sinner” really comes into play.  You see, Paul tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  We have all failed.  I pray that I was able to get that across to my class today.  This young man who is being bullied needs the love of Christ more than ever.  Yes, I believe his choice in lifestyle is wrong, but I’ve got ongoing sins in my life as well that make my lifestyle just as wrong.  There is a lot of hate in this world, but we, as Christians, are called to love.  Not the sin, but the person behind the sin.

God Bless.