14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 7 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Last week we defined death from a Biblical perspective as a separation. James 2:26 says, “The body without the spirit is dead.” Just like God is depicted as a Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), so I believe the Scriptures give good evidence that we were created as triune beings. We see that as body, soul, and spirit.
Dale Lundgren from his study said, “The body is our earthly awareness. The Soul is our self-awareness and the Spirit is our God awareness”
We see separation from God in three ways: bodily, spiritually as dead to God, and the eternal separation of our soul in hell. We, who are saved, our souls, our beings, and consciousness will always be with the Lord. The Spirit is alive to divine things and we are given His Holy Spirit from above. When our bodies are separated for a time from our souls and spirits, we are also given the promise of the resurrection, which I will write about next time commenting on our resurrected body.
The Bible is also very clear that Jesus is coming again. When He comes again our bodies will awaken from the grave and come alive in a wholeness, and we will have new bodies forever. So, what happens immediately after I die? What does the Bible teach about the time between our death and Christ’s return?
I watched a move a while ago called. “What Dreams May Come”, starring Robin Williams. The majority of the movie takes place in the afterlife. He finds heaven to be pretty much how he wishes it to be. It fulfilled his greatest dreams.
You can add to that list all types of movies about the afterlife and ghosts returning from the dead. Even classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “The Christmas Carol” address contact with the dead in literary forms.
I follow an interpretive principle regarding Bible study. I include the principle what is clearly and plainly and repeatedly stated in the Bible believe strongly. What is unclear, confusing, and mentioned only once, believe, but allow for various interpretations and don’t be so dogmatic.
On this subject there are some things that are clear and plain, and other details which may be open for other interpretations which are held by good evangelical, Christ honoring people. I will try to tell you how I interpret some passages, but study them for yourself.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, as I study this subject on death and resurrection, guide me into all truth.
