I attended a service at a church whose denomination teaches that when a person dies, their body lies in the grave and they "R.I.P." until Christ Jesus returns, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17: 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
However, God created us ...spirit, soul, and body... (1 Thessalonians 5:23) God told us through Solomon ...the dust [body] will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit [breath of life, Genesis 2:7, Job 26:4] will return to God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) ...the body without the spirit is dead,... (James 2:26) That explains what happens to our spirits and bodies. But what about our souls? Jesus said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28) The service I attended never addressed what happens to a person's soul.
The Apostle Paul taught in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8: 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Paul, inspired by God, taught that there is no delay in being present with the Lord upon our death.
Jesus taught about a rich man and a poor man, Lazarus who died. He said, "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." (Luke 16:22-23) While hanging on the cross, Jesus told one of the criminals hanging beside Him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Upon death, all bodies are either laid in a grave or returned to dust by cremation, so the soul must be what goes to be with the Lord. Our bodies are a shell that houses our souls. It's a vessel given to us by God so that we can live on this planet. These bodies are corruptible, and ... flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. (I Corinthians 15:50) So when we die, our souls go immediately to be with the Lord in Paradise, but our bodies return to the dust.
However, Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (I Corinthians 15:51-54)
This takes us to the final point, there will be a reuniting of our souls with our bodies when Christ Jesus returns. Our bodies will be changed to an incorruptible body. Christ Jesus the Son believed this promise of God the Father, For You will not leave my soul in Sheol [Hebrew or Greek "Hades"], Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm 16:10) And the Father kept His promise to the Son, because after His crucifixion and burial, ...the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. ... But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said." (Matthew 28:1-6)
The promise the Father made to the Son, that His soul and body would not see corruption was also for all who died in faith before Christ Jesus crucifixion. That's why when Jesus was hanging on the cross, Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:50-53)
All those risen saints went to be with the Lord in Paradise, just like the criminal who hung beside Jesus, and just like the poor beggar, Lazarus. All who've died since Christ's resurrection are also with the Lord. Paul said it best, For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ... 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (Philippians 1:21-23)
The study of the resurrection continues in the next lesson...
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