What do you believe really happens when you die? Do you get to see your loved ones again some day? And pets?

Question

We just had a very well-loved employee pass away this week. Since I handle all the employee benefits, this is going to cause me a lot of work dealing with all her beneficiaries and insurance policies, etc. It's part of my job, but it makes it so much harder since we were pretty close. They think she had a massive heart attack in her sleep.

But, it is making me think about times when people say "they are in a better place right now". How do they know that???? I saw her 3 daughters (all were in their 20's at their mother's wake....they wanted her here back with them on earth!!!!) It was heartbreaking.

Answer 1

I believe that I will be with the people that I love in Heaven and my pets will be there too. They don't have any sin and will be in Heaven!

Answer 2

It really all depends...some are in a better place, others not.

In terms of the place that's NOT a better place than here, the Bible tells us it's a place "where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth". Also, darkness (matt 8:12), the fiery furnace (Matt 13:42, 50); a place of hypocrits (Matt 24:51); and lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15). We know that God doesn't WANT people to go there, though He gives everybody the choice (Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9).

As for the place that's known as "a better place", we know of it mostly as the place where God is. We do have some reference to seeing people we know in Heaven (Matthew 22:31-32; Revelation 7:9-10). We also know it's the opposite of the place that's not a better place (Revelation 21:3-4).

Pets: It doesn't actually say that we'll see our pets, but I believe we do. I say this b/c, first of all, animals were placed in the Garden of Eden with the humans. Second, all throughout the Bible we read of prophesies and dreams describing animal-like creatures; and Third, the 7 seals in revelation called out riders on horses.

I think some people often just use that term in passing though...as a generic way of explaining the death, or helping with their mourning for them. Because technically, we don't always know if their in a better place or not...all really depends on who their god was while here.

And finally, the children left behind. It's never easy to understand, or even accept a death when people are left behind like that. All's we can do is trust that the Lord knows what He's doing, pray for them, and help them out the best we can ourselves by lending out our hearts.

Answer 3

There are so many truths in the Bible, and life on Earth is so very diverse. Oh yeah, cells morphed into butterflies, then built a cacoon, disolved into goo, then re-emerged as a Butterfly... yeah right. There has to be a God, and I believe it is Man/Woman/Boy/Girl. The Boy made the lizards and aardvarks, the Girl made horses and butterflies, etc...........
So I have to believe that there is some sort of place of perfection where our souls reside when not in human form. We are all one with God and God is therefore....Us. And it all comes back together in the end. Yes, we recognize the different life forces of our loved ones, that's why we had such a good connection here in this life. It just feels right, like I already know it. No way can this world be an accident of chemical fusion, besides, where'd the chemicals come from if that is true?

Answer 4

I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. I can't imagine how hard it must be to maintain a business mentality when all you want to do is mourn her. But in the long run, you are doing so much good for her survivors that I think it will help you come to terms with your loss. I hope so.

As to your question:

I sort of doubt that we necessarily see family or pets in heaven. I think heaven is a joining or reuniting with the Divine, or perhaps a full understanding of the Divine. And I think that heaven is pure joy, perfect happiness, utter fulfillment.

J.R.R. Tolkien said something about the joy and mystery of distant things not being diminished when we are finally near to them... I'm not sure I'm making sense here... I think it means that there is no pure joy on Earth, there is always a faint twinge of disappointment when we have what we think we want. Heaven will not contain any twinge of disappointment. It will be what we really want/need, not just what we think we want/need.

Now, about seeing loved ones again... If people need to believe they will see their families and pets in heaven, I wouldn't discourage that belief. Heaven is pure joy. If someone needs to see their mother again, or their child, or their poodle, in order to be perfectly happy -- then they will. It just happens to be my personal opinion that after death, that kind of thing will not be as important as it seems now.

You ask "how do they know" their mother is in a better place - they don't. They don't know it at all. They can believe it, though. We believe many things without knowing them. That's what faith is.

Those three loving daughters will eventually take solace in the fact that their mother was well-loved. I hope they hear that a lot from their mother's co-workers. It won't seem to mean too much to them now -- as you say, they just want her back! - but they need to hear it, and it will sink in, and it will give them, eventually, some consolation. Everyone must die. You don't have to be special to die. It's the way you live that makes you special.

Answer 5

Hello friend,
Dealing with death is difficult at any level. Absence and separation of a loved one or friend causes grief and stress,
but God sees every broken heart and cares more than we can imagine.

I'm thankful that in the situation you've described, that you are seeking answers yourself, though not personally at loss.

Friend, God's Word has the absolute answers you seek. If I may be bold, I'll not sugarcoat this most important subject, but rather tell you the truth according to God's Book.

At a time of loss, folks naturally try not to say things that would add to the sorrow of another. And you end up with "they are in a better place right now". That is well meaning, and may or may not be true. In truth, only God knows where the person is for Eternity.

But to be fair, if the person believed and took Jesus at His Word,
and had accepted Him as Savior, they indeed ARE in a better place.

However, if the person who died, did NOT love and put their trust Christ as Savior, they are not in a better place.

Please read John 5:24 to see those in or destined for Heaven. Then read John 3:18 to see why others have Hell as a destination.

I do not mean to be cruel, but regarding the death of the person you spoke of, ... they are where they are, and it is final. And it is very possible they are Home now with the Lord.

But for you and possibly the daughters you mentioned, there is definitely time and hope for a more sure answer to your destination.
Where will YOU be in Eternity? Will those at your funeral be able to say with confidence and assurance that YOU ARE rejoicing in the Presence of your Savior?

They can you know. If you haven't already, please use this occasion as a wake up call from God and receive Him. I am so willing to tell you what's involved and help you to understand.
Please let me know. I don't have a religion for you to join, nor do I want money from you, I just want to see you in Heaven.

God bless you for caring,
2 Tim. 2:7

Answer 6

At death a person is just that...dead BUT their SPIRIT immediately goes on to eternal life. (salvation if saved by God.) On the LAST day a person's remade perfect body (no pain, not over weight, no problems, fully right and beautiful in all areas) is united with the spirit to spend eternity in the beauty of heaven and in the presents of God. Be thankful for knowing the deceased and the good that they represented plus the times they had with them. Was life better by knowing them? Be thankful for it. Know each other? I think so. We will be perfect and I feel being perfect would mean knowing our loved ones. Pets? I don't know but heaven being a perfect place would probably include pets. They will not have the same prestige as people but animals are the creation of God too. I feel pets will be there too. Maybe the most comforting thing is that you (all the deceased loved ones) WILL see them again. It's not over. It's just an intermission and the reuniting in heaven will last forever!!! Believe in, trust in, receive grace from, honor, the one true God.

Answer 7

If you believe in Jesus Christ..truely believe then there is a better place. I know this, and I look forward going...no worries, no pain, no suffering, just love and peace....HEAVEN I just lost a 25 year old nephew to a heart attack. The funeral was so sad, but when I go, since I know where I am going---no tears---no sad words---no black clothing---I want a party! Because I know that I have friends and love ones waiting there for me-along with my favorite dog, Brandy. My daughter and I are both believers and we made each other "promise" that we are going to celebrate...True believers are sad to leave the ones they love here on earth, but to go be with the LORD, it's a invitation none of us will turn down. It's very hard to go to a wake or a funeral not knowing if they have Jesus in their hearts, because they aren't better off if they dont.
Truth is they are in hell. It says so in the Bible! So, I am sorry you lost a friend, and I truely hope she had her heart in Jesus's hands-then she is in a better place-like my nephew...A friend is not expected to live thru Wednesday, and I know where she is headed--wish I could catch a ride.....God bless us all.......

Answer 8

That is a very good question. The Bible provides very satisfying answers as well, and it's sad because many people neglect the Bible's views on death.

On many occasions, Jesus compared death to a deep sleep. For example, when Jesus' friend Lazarus was sick, Jesus was asked to go and heal him. Eventually, Lazarus died and Jesus didn't get there on time. Jesus told his apostles that Lazarus is sleeping. His apostles said that he will be alright after the nap, but then Jesus said: Lazarus has died. This is just one example.

Here is the account:

John 11:11 He said these things, and after this he said to them: “Laz´a·rus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep.” 12 Therefore the disciples said to him: “Lord, if he has gone to rest, he will get well.” 13 Jesus had spoken, however, about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 At that time, therefore, Jesus said to them outspokenly: “Laz´a·rus has died"

When someone says that the person who died is "ina better place" or "god took him so he can be with him" it's a lie. The Bible says that the dead are not aware of anything! Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten. Furthermore, after Jesus ressurected Lazarus (if you read on in John 11), Lazarus did not talk about going to heaven or hell. That's because he was in a state of non-consciousness!

And if someone is really "in a better place right now" and they "were taken by God so they can be with him" why would we even have funerals? Shouldn't we be happy that they are in a better place with God? if that's really the truth, we would be happy in celebrations, not mourning in funerals.

For more information, you can check out this website. :)

http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2005/8/15/article_02.htm

There is also more articles about death on the left hand margin once you are done reading the one above.

Answer 9

Death is likened to sleeping in the Bible. Jesus's friend Lazarus had died and this is the account at Luke 11:11-14: "These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. The Bible tells us that the dead do not feel anything
Eccl.9:10: " For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing--"
So the dead are not suffering--only in a deep sleep until God through his Son resurrects them back to life and there will be a resurrection of both good & bad people. Acts 24:15: "And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Hell is the common grave of mankind--Jesus has the keys of death and hell. He will resurrect all who are in hell (the grave) and they will be reunited with their loved ones.
Animals do not have the capacity to worship God. They do not have the hope that mankind has been given of either life in heaven or life forever on earth. When they die, they return to the ground. This Scripture at Ecclesiastes 3:19,20 helps to explain this: "For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again."
The only difference is that humans have the hope of a resurrection back to life.

Answer 10

I think you go to a better place where you are reunited with loved ones who passed before you and the pets you lost . I think that while those we leave behind are grieving and may have to wait 50 or 60 years to be reunited with us , in heaven to us the time is a mere blink of an eye.

Answer 11

There is no guarantees that when your soul passes from your body at the time of earthly death and ascends into the heavens (or for non-believers, into hell), that any form of memory is attached to the soul. We will all rejoice at the gathering of souls in heaven but whether there is "individual recognition" is not going to be answerable until one gets there. Just be content to know that if you accept Christ as Lord and Savior, testify publicly to that belief, your soul will ascend and be with all others gathered there.