Christians?

Question

Are people in heaven now? I am confused about this I know some people think people are in heaven now and some people think the dead are just sleeping until judgment day. Does it say anywhere in the bible? thanks

Answer 1

Greetings,

2 Esdras 7:75-101
The soul after death:
75I answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, show this also to your servant: whether after death, as soon as everyone of us yields up the soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when you will renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?"

76He answered me and said, "I will show you that also, but do not include yourself with those who have shown scorn, or number yourself among those who are tormented. 77For you have a treasure of works stored up with the Most High, but it will not be shown to you until the last times. 78Now concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone out from the Most High that a person shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High. 79If it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, who have despised his law and hated those who fear God-80such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, always grieving and sad, in seven ways. 81The first way, because they have scorned the law of the Most High. 82The second way, because they cannot now make a good repentance so that they may live. 83The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the covenants of the Most High. 84The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. 85The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by angels in profound quiet. 86The sixth way, they shall see how some of them will cross over into torments. 87The seventh way, which is worse than all the ways that have been mentioned, because they shall utterly waste away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall wither with fear at seeing the glory of the Most High in whose presence they sinned while they were alive, and in whose presence they are to be judged in the last times.

88"Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from their mortal body. 89During the time that they lived in it, they laboriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour so that they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly. 90Therefore this is the teaching concerning them: 91First of all, they shall see with great joy the glory of him who receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders. 92The first order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome the evil thought that was formed with them, so that it might not lead them astray from life into death. 93The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander and the punishment that awaits them. 94The third order, they see the witness that he who formed them bears concerning them, that throughout their life they kept the law with which they were entrusted. 95The fourth order, they understand the rest that they now enjoy, being gathered into their chambers and guarded by angels in profound quiet, and the glory waiting for them in the last days. 96The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is corruptible and shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and toil from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty that they are to receive and enjoy in immortality. 97The sixth order, when it is shown them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on. 98The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they press forward to see the face of him whom they served in life and from whom they are to receive their reward when glorified. 99This is the order of the souls of the righteous, as henceforth is announced; and the previously mentioned are the ways of torment that those who would not give heed shall suffer hereafter."

100Then I answered and said, "Will time therefore be given to the souls, after they have been separated from the bodies, to see what you have described to me?"

101He said to me, "They shall have freedom for seven days, so that during these seven days they may see the things of which you have been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered in their habitations."

Peace Be With you.

Answer 2

There are some in heaven Enoch walks with God Moses was taken to heaven Elijah was taken to heaven the multitudes that came up out of their graves at Christ's resurrection. But when a person does they go to the grave not to Heaven or Hell, that is a deception. at death we sleep until the second coming when Christ comes to take his children home. ... the dead in Christ rise first and are caught up to meet in the the clouds. how can the dead in Christ rise first if they are already in heaven. Not to mention that when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead if he would have gone to heaven at his death then how cruel would it have been for Christ to bring him back down to this earth? The Bible also says that the dead know nothing I think that in Isaiah there are many scriptures that talk about the dead being unaware of anything.

Answer 3

Catholics believe that there will be a final "general" judgment at the end of history but that there is a "particular" judgment at the time of death: that immediately after death, the eternal destiny of each separated soul is decided by the just judgment of God. Then at the end of the ages there will be a "general judgment" when the deeds of all will be known by all and nothing will be hidden. (Mk 12:38-40, Lk 12:1-3, Jn 2:20-21, Rom 2:16, 1 Cor 4:5) At that time Catholics think we will be reunited with our bodies, although Paul makes it clear that we they will be spiritual bodies. (1 Cor 15:44)

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 4

The Bible says that God "has appointed a day when He will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31). At that time those who have repented and accepted Christ as their Savior will be given eternal life. "There is no salvation through anyone else; in all the world no other name [than Jesus'] has been granted to mankind by which we can be saved" (Acts 4:12, Revised English Bible).

Answer 5

Actually, first you go to the place of waiting, then at the judgement you are sent to where you belong. If you are in a bad place while waiting, you're probably going to go on to the other bad place. GOOD LUCK! If you are in a good place of waiting, you'll go on to Heaven'

Answer 6

they are no longer Jews because of fact Jew's have not got self assurance the messiah has come yet. they have not got self assurance Jesus so believing in Jesus and saying your Jewish needless to say contradicts one yet another.... it is unhappy that there are those Evangelist Christians that decision themselves "Jews". end this custom now, your disgracing the two Judaism and Christianity.

Answer 7

No, people are not in "Heaven" ...sound weird? but, they are not just "sleeping either"...this must really sound weird too! The lack of understanking on this issue has caused o lot of "ideas" that are not true...(ha ha ha ) but, could clarify for you? and it's not that hard....to understand...bye...

Answer 8

God knows the truth we may find out when we die.