Where Do The Righteous Go When They Die?
Questions About Death: Part 4.
“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Rev. 14:13).
The only way death can be a positive thing is if the one who passes dies “in the Lord.” This phrase emphasizes the importance of being in Christ and abiding in Him.
One gets into Christ by being baptized into His death (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3-6) and rising to walk in newness of life as a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3); thus, all those who obey His Gospel and stay faithful will receive the “crown of life” (Jas. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; Rev. 2:10). It should be the goal of every human being to die to self, live for God, and anticipate an eternal home in Heaven!
In this article, we want to discuss where the righteous go when they die.
Two Locations in the Hadean Realm.
The Bible does not teach that when a righteous person dies he or she goes directly to Heaven; rather, every soul enters the Hadean realm. In this series of articles, we have discussed this realm as the “unseen realm of the dead.”
Within the Hadean realm, there are two locations: Paradise and Torments.
From our study of Luke 16:19-31, we learned that “Paradise” is equivalent to “Abraham’s Bosom” where Lazarus was carried by the angels. We also learned that the Rich Man died, was buried, and was in Torments. Again, both locations are within the Hadean realm.
With the space remaining, let’s discuss “Paradise.”
Paradise.
The word “Paradise” is found three times in Scripture (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). “Paradise” is defined as “An Eden; a place of future happiness.” This is the place where the righteous go to rest and await the Judgment Day in which they will hear “Well done good and faithful servant: Enter in to the joy of your Lord” (Matt. 25:21, 23).
For our study, we want to examine Luke’s record of the conversation between Jesus and one of the two thieves on the cross.
Jesus and the Thief on the Cross.
Jesus was crucified alongside two thieves. The three crosses represent the lives and destinies of these three individuals as one died in sin, one died to sin, and One died for sin!
Both thieves reviled against Jesus, but near the end, one, who seemed to have knowledge about Jesus, said these words:
“Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:40-43).
There has been great controversy and misunderstanding about the “thief on the cross,” but there is actually a very simple and clear understanding. Jesus was still alive when talking to this man and the Lord had the authority while on earth to forgive sin (Mark 2:10)!
The man had knowledge of Jesus and His Kingdom as well as a penitent spirit, but the whole point is that Jesus was willing and able to not only forgive this man but to give him assurance of his eternal destiny!
Nobody today can be saved like the thief on the cross.
Jesus has ascended into Heaven and the New Testament is in effect, thus the only way to be saved is to contact the blood of Jesus by means of obedience to the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 6:3-6; Rev. 1:5)!
Notice that Jesus said, “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.” Both souls would enter into the Hadean realm and both would be in the location within that realm reserved for the faithful. As they drew their final breath, their souls were carried by the angels into Paradise.
What an incredible thought and picture the Scriptures paint for us! Paradise is where the righteous go when they die; is that where you would be if you died today?
In our next article, we will conclude our series by asking the question: “Where will YOU go when you die?”
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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