What Next, After Death

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this is judgment.” - Hebrews 9:27

We only live one time. We must be sure that we live according to Gods will because after we die judgment will come. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
We must be prepared for our judgment. What we do everyday will be brought before us on judgment day. “These [the evil] will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” - Matthew 25:46.

Let us look at the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man had everything he ever wanted here on earth. Lazarus had nothing. Because Lazarus lived his life according to God we see that when they died they both went to Hades. Hades is often misunderstood. Luke 16:23, “And being in torment in Hades, he [the rich man] lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

Holding Place—Hades
Greek—recognized as the place of the departed dead. Acts 2:27, Peter says, “thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades.” Here we see that Hades is a temporary place for us when we die. This is a stopping place before judgment. Acts 2:31, Peter explained to David about the resurrection of Christ and that he was not left in the grave (Hades), nor did his body decay.

Luke 23:43—Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would see him in Paradise. To help us understand 1Peter 3:19, 20 Jesus spoke to some of the souls of those who perished in the great flood of Noah. Jesus was not left there...His resurrection was his way out. (He first left Hades, then the tomb)

Two Sides of Hades
Torment—also know as Tartarus. The word alone carries with it a feeing of horrible mental and physical anguish. Luke 16:24, “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.”

Paradise—also known as Abrahams Bosom. This gives a feeling of peaceful rest and enjoyment. Luke 23:43, “And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise.’”

The Parable—Dragnet
Matthew 13:47-50, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels shall come forth, and take out the wicked form the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” There will be a division of the followers of Christ from those who live a life of sin.

Heaven and Hell

Hell—Mark 9:43, “And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than having two hands, to go into hell, into unquenchable fire, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched].”
Isaiah 33:14, “Sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling has seized the godless. Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?’ 2 Thessalonians 1:9, The wicked will be “punished” with “everlasting destruction” from the presence of the Lord.

Heaven—2 Corinthians 5:1, “Yet looked forward to: a house not made with hands”
Ephesians 2:7, The riches of Gods grace
Philippians 3:20-21, A glorious transformation
2 Timothy 4:8, A crown of righteousness
2 Timothy 4:18, A Heavenly Kingdom
Which place sounds better to you? Consuming fire or a glorious house in the kingdom of God?