Hello and welcome back. I’m John.
In my first video I pointed out that according to the teaching of Apostle Paul, as recorded in the bible, the faithful souls who have died are not yet in the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead, they are waiting for Jesus’ return or the Rapture when He will take them there. So, the question naturally comes up, where are the dead located now?
What is the biblical basis for the answer?
In the Old Testament, life after death is already suggested by descriptions such as being [“gathered to one’s people”]. Let’s read what is recorded in Numbers 20: 23-26 and 27: 12-13.
23 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying: 24 “Aaron shall [d]be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah. 25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor; 26 and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; for Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there.”
12 Now the Lord said to Moses: “Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13 And when you have seen it, you also shall [c]be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered.
These bible verses show us that the realm, or dwelling place, that we go into after physical death depends upon how a person has conducted himself with respect to the will of God. As with Aaron and Moses, each individual bears responsibility for himself.
The Old Testament describes the realm of the dead as a predominantly dark place (Job 10: 21-22) where the dead are in a condition with no joy (Psalm 88: 10-12, 115: 17). There also seems to be hope for redemption from the darkness (Psalm 23:4, 49: 15).
21 Before I go to the place from which I shall not return,
Job 10: 21-22
To the land of darkness and the shadow of death,
22 A land as dark as darkness itself,
As the shadow of death, without any order,
Where even the light is like darkness.’ ”
10 Will You work wonders for the dead?
Psalm 88: 10-12
Shall [f]the dead arise and praise You? Selah
11 Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave?
Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
12 Shall Your wonders be known in the dark?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
Psalm 115: 17
Nor any who go down into silence.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Psalm 23:4
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of [f]the grave,
Psalm 49:15
For He shall receive me. Selah
The Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1-3 mentions the possibility of a condition of security: “But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery. And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.
In the New Testament the events on the Mount of Transfiguration reveal some more important things. This event is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Let’s read from Luke 9:28-36.
This event shows us that a person retains his personality and his identity after physical death. Here Moses and Elijah appeared from the realm of the dead and were recognized as such. It also shows us that Jesus’ sacrifice was very important and necessary for the souls who had died. They were anticipating it and discussing the details with Jesus. When we read the writings of Apostle Peter, who was at the transfiguration, we can gain some insights into what they may have been discussing. Let’s read from 1 Peter 3: 19-20 and 4: 5-6.
Jesus went and preached to the dead, imprisoned by their sin, and offered them the possibility to be saved. Clearly, Jesus wanted Peter and the other Apostles and the believers to be aware of this.
Jesus, who is God, gave one parable about life after death. Let’s read Jesus’ parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus recorded in Luke 16: 19-31.
This parable reveals 5 important things:
After physical death our soul and spirit live on in the realm of the dead. Individual identity remains intact.
In the realm of the dead is both a place of security and a place of torment, which are separated from one another.
The place in which a person’s soul dwells after death depends on his conduct with respect to God’s will during his lifetime.
The dead can become aware of their condition and hope for help.
Prior to Jesus defeating death by His resurrection, it was impossible for the dead, in a place of torment or need, to have access to the place of peace and security.
With His resurrection, Jesus has overcome the Devil and defeated death. He thereby has bridged the gulf between the realm of torment and the realm of security.
The bible and Christ’s teachings show us that apart from the Kingdom of Heaven and this earthly realm, exists “the real of the dead”. In this realm are places of peace and security as well as places of torment and insecurity. Christ also died for the salvation of the dead. He wants to help them and save them.
In the Holy Bible, God by His providence, does not reveal the location of the realm of the dead. We can’t go there with an airplane or a spaceship. To make contact with the dead through necromancy or channeling is also prohibited by God and therefore sinful. (Deuteronomy 18: 10-11)
I hope that we all can live a life pleasing to God and in agreement with His will for us. Then after this life we can find ourselves in a realm of peace and security as we continue to prepare for Christ’s return and the future Kingdom of Heaven.
I look forward to your responses to this video.