What happens when we die?

Question

How many judgements must we endure? Is there one or two judgments? Do we have to wait until we know that our soul is going to heaven or hell for Christ's final judgment or will we know as soon as we die?

Answer 1

There are actually a few judgments that we go through before the Great and Final Judgment. And there is a place we go to before the Final Judgment. In 1 Peter 4:5-6 it says "Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." Christ, who is the judge, is "ready" to judge the quick and the dead. He hasn't done their Final Judgments, but is ready to do it. Also, in the next verse it says that's the reason why the gospel was "preached to them that are dead", to prepare them and give them that chance and choice, and then they'll be "judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit". So, there has to be a separation, prejudgment, to separate those who have received the gospel and those that need to be taught the gospel. I believe there's alot of work that those who've accepted the gospel will have to do in order to help prepare for the 2nd Coming of Christ. But, who would teach the gospel to those that are dead? It would be those who have accepted the gospel, lived according to God's commandments, have been baptized, and have that Gift of the Holy Ghost. It seems like we're always going through tests, trials, and judgments in this life. We judged for how we treat someone. We're judged upon the words we say about a person or group. All of it, hopefully, better preparing us for that Great and Final Judgment and pray that we are worthy of inheriting God's promise. That's why it's so important for us to live our Best today, and not tomorrow - for tomorrow it may be too late. If we are prepared, then we will not fear these judgments. Then once we're judged, we'll go to one of the places that we have earned.

In St. John 14:2, it says "In my Father’s house are many mansions" and that is what Christ is preparing for us. There are many different levels, depending upon how we live our life (see Revelations 20:12-13). Paul even talked in 2 Corinthians 12:2 about knowing a man that was "caught up into the 3rd heaven". There is more than one heaven. If there's a 3rd heaven, then there must be a 1st and a 2nd. That's where we can refer to the type of resurrection that we'll have in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42. It mentions 3 different types of glory when we are resurrected, but only names 2 of them. The glory of the sun is the highest, then the glory of the moon, and then the glory of the stars. Imagine the difference between the brightness and glory of these. Which glory do you think Christ received? The sun, which is the highest. We can obtain the same... He's promised us.

Answer 2

What happens when we die? We move from this world to the next . . . your fate is sealed at that point . . . there is no way to change the "future".

There is a judgment for the unbelieving, and there is a judgment for the believers . . .

Your question about "waiting" . . . how much "time" happens after you die? Good question . . . there may not be "time" so it could be an irrelevant question, "there" . . .

Which "direction" are you headed when you die? You know as soon as you die . . . only the formality of the "judgment" of your "kind" is left to be completed.

That is my understanding of the "events"

Answer 3

This is to correct someone elses answer about Islam, just before someone dies the angel of death comes and takes the soul out from the body, depending on the belief of that person in God and the way they lead their live. It will be easy or difficult. The angel will appear to them as the persons beliefs/deeds, if he has been good then the angel of death will appear beautiful, if evil then the angel will appear evil.

After he/she is buried in the grave then two angels appear to him and question him about his beliefs, again depending on his beliefs and deeds he will be punished in the grave and the entire creation will hear it except man, birds will fly away.

If he has been good a window from paradise will be open and he will be told to rest.

Then after the three blows of the trumpet everything will be resurrected to be judged in front of God. Everyone will be repaid their good and bad deeds no matter how small.

Then its either heaven or hell, so as you can see belief plays a major part in every stage, belief in God is a start.

Answer 4

If you are born again, having repented of your sins and accepted the atonement of Christ by faith, you have already been judged, the judgment being meted out upon Christ in his vicarious death on the cross.

"I (Jesus) tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me (the Father) has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
John 5:24

There does remain yet the judgment seat of Christ, where believers will give an account of their life before Christ:

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
II Corinthians 5:10

For those who have rejected the message of the Gospel, upon death they go to a place of torment:

"The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, (Greek: Hades) where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' " Luke 16:22-26

These will be judged at the "Great White Throne" Judgment, and be punished according to their deeds, being cast into the Lake of Fire, the Second Death. Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8

Answer 5

Hbr 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:


Hbr 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Answer 6

you mace me re read the revelation ....i began to remember some of the verses i had read in the revelation the souls, too much souls who will come to judgment .......i know that the true Christians will go to heaven but after a judgment for their acts .and the unbeliever will go to lake of fire . I'm sure that you already know the answer please e mail me but all ideas confirmed with the versus from the HOLY BIBLE.. thank you

Answer 7

I believe after death we will go to heaven or hell. We will be judged by God's law. Of course God will be the one judging us. God's law is the Ten Commandments. Lets go through a couple of the Ten Commandments. Have you ever told a lie? If you have told a lie then you would be called a liar. Have you every stolen anything even if it was something small? If you have stolen something then you would be called a thief. Have you ever hated someone? Jesus said," When we hate people, in our hearts it is just like murdering them. If you have hated someone the bible calls you a murderer. This is just three of the commandments. Everyone has broken the commands of God. Even if you break only one commandment you are guilty of breaking them all. If this is the standard that God will judge us, we would be guilty. God cannot let liars, thieves, and murderers in heaven. If he did then God would not be a good and just judge. I believe if you are guilty of the law you will go to hell. I believe if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, rose from the grave, ascended to heaven, is Lord and God, and you repent and turn from your wicked ways. These are the people that will have the blood of Jesus cover their sins and they will be able to go to heaven. Whether you go to heaven or hell I believe you will be there forever.

Answer 8

When you die, that will be the last thing, you will know. The next thing, will be Judgment Day. It will seem like you just went to sleep and there you will be, facing God. You won't remember anything in between...Let's pray, you are smart enough to get saved, if not.....you Judgment Day is going to be bad indeed.

Answer 9

according to ISLAM, not Christ, you will be sent to the grave. there two Angels will meet you and take out your soul. if you were a bad muslim/person on Earth, then they will rip out your soul very harshly, and if you were a good muslim/person on earth, they will take out your very gently. Then, on the Day of Judgement, you will rise from your grave and be judged according to your deeds. Then God will send you to Heaven or Hell

Forgive me if i gave u any wrong info (although, i don't think i did)

May Allah (swt) put you on the straight path =]

Answer 10

Psalms 146:4 "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish."

Ecclesiastes 12:7 "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
_________

When we die most of us are asleep and resting with God to whom our spirit returns.

but

1 Corinthians 15:51 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."

Some people have work to do!