Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore, we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. ~ 2 corinthians 5:6-9
What’s going to happen to me when I am not alive anymore? Where am I going to be? Do we cease to exist? How can this fear go away? Who likes to talk about death? Fear of dying is something many have dealt with sometime in their lifetime. Maybe as a child or it may even be an ongoing thought. I have some good news for you! You don’t have to be afraid. If you received the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you can be confident that you will be in His presence when you pass away. The scripture above says that when we are in our body we are away or absent from the Lord. That is because we live on earth. But a couple lines later it says that when we are absent or out of physical body we will be in the presence of the Lord in heaven. To be clear it does not say in the near future or after a period of some time or when you have been purged of a sinful nature. This is our inheritance as a believer in the New Testament…to be in the presence of our Lord.
In the Old Testament when a believer died they went to a holding place called Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22-31) until Jesus would come and set them free. It was located in hell, a place for the dead. In Hebrew it is referred to as Sheol and in Greek it is Hades. Believers were separated from unbelievers but all were in hell. Believers were held in Abraham’s bosom and the unbelievers were and still are in another area tormented by flames according to what is written in Luke 16:24. God also used that dark place for a 1/3 of the angels that sinned and betrayed him to be held in chains there until judgment day. (2 Peter 2:4)
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; ~ 2 Peter 2:4 KJV
After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection believers do not go to Abraham’s bosom/hell. The Bible says he set the captive’s free. They were held captive because satan had the power of death. After Jesus was crucified and he resurrected there were bodies that rose from the graves.
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. ~ Matthew 27:52-53 KJV
After they appeared to many people then they followed him to heaven. Spiritually speaking, he set the spirits of the believers free from the captivity of satan. People were held captive through fear. Some people still experience fear but that is why when we share the truth it sets them free. Jesus took the authority away from satan and now mankind has the dominion and authority that God gave us from the beginning – again. (Gen 1:26)
The 4 Gospels were a transitional period between the Old and the New Testament. That is the reason you find many references to scriptures in the Old Testament and Jesus quoted from them often. These “GOSPELS” or the “too good to be true news” about Jesus were written to specific people and nations. The book of Matthew to the Jews; Mark to the Romans; Luke to the Greeks and John to everyone else and the Christians.
Right now Jesus is in heaven seated at the right hand of God the Father according to Ephesians 1:19-20.
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
So clearly the word of God says he is seated at God’s right hand in heaven NOW. That is where he is waiting for you. It also says that there will be a new heaven, a new earth and a new Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:1-2) Until that happens those who believe will be worshipping and praising Him in heaven until it’s time for the new Jerusalem to descend from heaven. Your body won’t be in heaven but your spirit and soul will. You are made up of 3 parts; spirit, soul and a body. We are all created as eternal beings. That means we live forever. A person will either live with God and the Lord Jesus forever or they will live separated and tormented from God and the Lord Jesus forever. We do have a choice and God gives you the choice where you want to be for eternity. It is up to you! God choose you and you can choose Him in return. We hope you choose wisely!
I pray that this could bring some peace to your heart knowing that while you live you ARE with Christ and when you die you ARE with Christ. He never leaves you nor forsakes you. He goes wherever you go. No one or nothing can separate you from the love of God which you find in Christ Jesus.
If you have never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior you can pray right where you are and receive him into your life. He wants to be with you! The bible says if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that God raised Jesus from the dead you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) It is a gift from God to everyone. (Ephesians 2:8) If you don’t know what to pray you can simply read that scripture out loud (Romans 10:9) as a prayer but only because you truly believe it in your heart and as simple as that you are saved. God makes it easy for us.
Rejoice in the Lord and His awesome ways! You are blessed!
