When a person dies in Christ does he go straight to Heaven or does he remain dead untill he is resurrected?

Answer 1

There is no question, 'he remains dead, ('asleep', as the bible says in MANY passages), until the 'second coming of Jesus Christ'. - Then, first, all 'true believers' will be resurrected. Then' all others who've ever lived and died, after the millennium,- (Christ's 1000 year reign here on earth).

The teaching of the 'immortal soul', never dying, IS NOT scriptural! - I t was NOT a belief of the apostles or of Jesus Christ. It was, in fact, 'invented' by the early 'church fathers', (they called themselves), of the early Roman Catholic Church; ('Origen and Tertullian').

Yes, we remain 'asleep', as the apostles, (including Paul), taught, until the return of Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

At death, the human spirit leaves the body (Ec. 12:7) and goes either to heaven or hell (Luke 16:22ff). As demonstrated by the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:22ff.)Ñand affirmed by Christ when he tells the thief he will be with him in paradise "today" (Luke 23:43)Ñthere is immediate conscious existence after death, both in heaven and hell (2 Cor. 5:8; Rev. 6:9-11; Phil. 1:23).

There is no "soul sleep" or period of unawareness preceding heaven. Some Old Testament passages do not reflect the fullness of New Testament revelation concerning immediate consciousness upon death. "Fallen asleep" in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and similar passages is a euphemism for death, describing the outward appearance as seen from this side, not the other. The spiritÕs departure from the body ends our existence on earth. This "sleep" refers to the outward inanimate appearance of the body that is buried in the earth. The physical part of us "sleeps" until the resurrection, while the spiritual part of us relocates to a conscious existence in heaven (Dan. 12:2-3; 2 Cor. 5:8; Rev. 6:9-11). Every reference in Revelation to human beings talking and worshipping in heaven prior to the resurrection (Rev. 20) refutes the notion of soul sleep.

Answer 3

Most Christians believe that we go straight to heaven because of Paul's verse that states "Absent from the body present with the Lord.)2 Corinthians 5:8 Seventh Day Adventists believe in what is called soul sleep. They believe that we sleep till the resurrection. Hope this helps

Answer 4

2 Corinthians 5:8-9 KJV
(8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
(9) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

I think what causes confusion is spiritual and physical death and resurrection. When we die I believe Spiritually we go to be with the Lord. On the day of resurrection our physical bodies will rise with our spiritual bodies. The final death for those who's names are not written in the Lamb's book of life is both spiritual and physical.

So if one is not a Christian their spirit goes to hell and if you are a Christian your spirit goes to heaven. This is one perpective on this subject.

Answer 5

If he is a Catholic and dies in the state of grace he may go straight to Heaven The other denominations may go at the end of time. The Catholic receives Jesus' body, blood, soul, and Divinity in Holy Communion and Jesus is alive so we have eternal life as well. We go where Jesus is now--in Heaven. On the last day when the others are judged according to their faith they be welcomed to the Heavenly banquet too at that time but, the Catholics are there now. This is why we pray to the Saints and the Blessed Mother for intercession with Jesus as they are there with him and can ask favors for us just like you would ask your friends to pray for you.

Answer 6

It is written that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord.

An example of someone who died & got prayed back to life experienced where he is going to go (his soul/spirit) when he dies. http://www.90minutesinheaven.com .

A persons body remains dead & turns back to dust, but we look forward our new everlasting body at resurrection day complete. When we are raised up like Jesus raised from the dead; an everlasting new temple; body, soul & spirit.


Some religions believe in soul sleep. But I believe that is for those who never purposely rebelled against Gods love & word, yet sins weren't atoned for. See, even one sin will keep you out of heaven. So? I believe these will go to a place of sleep. But all redeemed, born of God, go to heaven.

Answer 7

1. Because death is God's victory, the grave has lost its sting, 1 Cor 15:55, 57.
2. Death means no appointment with judgment for the believer, Heb 9:27, "Inasmuch as it is destined for mankind to die, but after this [death] an act of judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of the many, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sins, but to bring deliverance to those who are waiting for Him." The appointment after death for judgment is cancelled in the case of the believer. "There is no judgment, therefore, to those who are in Christ Jesus," Rom 8:1.
3. For the believer death means great blessing in heaven before the resurrection occurs.
a. In 2 Cor 5:8, we are stand to be "absent from the body and face to face with the Lord." The prepositional phrase "face to face with the Lord" implies an interim body while we wait for the resurrection.
b. Rev 21:4 teaches there is no pain, sorrow, or embarrassment beyond the grave, (except for ashamedness at the Judgment Seat of Christ). No human language can describe the fantastic blessings in heaven. To ascribe to heaven what you think is good and enjoyable in life is a heathenistic thought. Heaven is more than what we enjoy in life. We cannot understand heaven, and therefore explanations are given in negative terms. We will have an abundance of doctrine in heaven.
4. We have a new home, Jn 14:1-3. We all will have a perfect home in eternity.
5. For the believer death means waiting in heaven for our eternal inheritance, 1 Pet 1:4-5, "Blessed be the God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who on the basis of His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you who kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." We share Christ's inheritance no matter how we fail in time.
6. Our death means total realization of eternal life. Right now we have everlasting life, but after death we have eternal life, 1 Jn 5:11-12. Jn 10:28, "And I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand."
I think that pretty much sums it up!!! Hope it helps. Good Question!!! John

Answer 8

This is a classic example of a Biblically based dispute.

I think we all have one judgment day. This is based on 1st Thessalonians 4:16

For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout,with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

Although this issue leads to arguement and discord, it is essential that we (Christians), remain assured that we are going to Heaven, not matter what bus we are on!

Answer 9

His body remains dead until resurrected. His soul/spirit is immediately judged and goes to heaven. At the general resurrection, his body will be resurrected and reunited with his soul/spirit. The body can die because it is biological and mortal. The soul/spirit cannot die because it is spiritual and immortal.

Answer 10

I believe that when a person in Christ dies, he /she goes straight to Heaven. When Jesus died on the cross, and the thief next to him stated, "Truly, you are the Son of God," Jesus replied, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."


I would hope that others respect this belief and would not ridicule me for it, as some people have done. Christians have the right to their beliefs, just as atheists have a right to theirs.

However, some atheists delight in calling us names, telling us how dumb and illogical we are ,etc., yet become outraged if anyone dares to comment on their beliefs. How unfair!