Where Do We Go When We Die?
Questions About Death: Part 2.
With my grandfather’s funeral this week, I’m going to take a brief break from writing.
As it turns out, my good friend and brother Drew Suttles sent me a series of articles he had written on death. Lord willing, for the rest of this week (Tuesday through Friday) I will send out his articles.
He does a wonderful job and I know these articles will be beneficial to us!
If you want to go back and read the first article in this series on death, I’ve posted it below.
In our last article, we asked and answered the question, “What is death?” Looking to the Scriptures, we learned that death is the separation of body and spirit (Gen. 35:18; Jas. 2:26). Death is an appointment scheduled for all thus we must all be prepared (Heb. 9:27).
The question we want to ask and answer this week is this: “Where do we go when we die?”
If you have your Bible, I invite you to Luke 16. In this text, Jesus “pulls back the curtain” to give us some insight into the unseen realm of the dead. This realm is known as “Hades.”
It is important to understand that within the realm of Hades, there is a place for the faithful and there is a place for the ungodly. Within the Hadean realm, there is:
Paradise (for the faithful children of God) (cf. Luke 23:43).
Torment (for the ungodly) (Luke 16:23, 28).
The Word “Hades” in the Old Testament.
Consider how the word “Hades” is used in Scripture. First, consider the Old Testament: “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Psa. 16:10).
This is a “Messianic Psalm” meaning it points to the coming Messiah. Notice that His soul would not be left in “Sheol,” which is the Old Testament equivalent to “Hades.” Jesus would die and enter the Hadean realm, but His soul would not stay there!
This is truly a remarkable prophecy pointing to the resurrection of Jesus!
The Word “Hades” in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, we find the word “Hades” eleven times (NKJV) (Matt. 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; 1 Cor. 15:55; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13, 14). Let’s examine three of these and then we will hasten to our passage of interest.
Matthew 16:18.
First, consider what Jesus said regarding His church (the kingdom) and the Hadean realm:
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).
Jesus said that not even death itself would prevent Him from establishing His church (Acts 2:41-47)!
Acts 2:27-31.
Second, notice how Peter quoted from Psalm 16 and applied it to Jesus:
“For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption…“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption” (Acts 2:27-31; cf. Psalm 16:10).
Revelation 1:18.
Third and finally, consider the powerful proclamation found in the Revelation:
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Rev. 1:18).
By His victorious resurrection from the grave, Jesus conquered death which gives us hope of doing the same!
The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
Now to our text: Luke 16:19-31. Jesus discussed two individuals: A rich man and a “certain man named Lazarus.” When these men died, their souls entered into the Hadean realm, again, that is the unseen realm of the dead.
The rich man died and was in torments (Luke 16:22b-23). Lazarus died and his soul was “carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom (Paradise).” This implies that the ungodly will die and find themselves in Torment to await the Judgment and the righteous will die and find themselves in Paradise to await the Judgment.
Those in torment will be ushered into Hell and those in Paradise will be ushered into Heaven. This will take place when Jesus returns to judge the world (Acts 17:30-31; John 5:28-29; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
The Rich Man was tormented “in the flame” (Luke 16:24, 25b) while Lazarus was comforted (Luke 16:25b).
In the following days, as we continue this series, we will dig deeper into both locations. In the meantime, jot down any questions you have and feel free to contact me: dsutt18@gmail.com or www.quitmanchurchofchrist.com.
Thank you for reading and may God bless you as you study His Word!
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.
 | A guest post by
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Sola scriptura says if we are IN the body of Christ, then
we're ALWAYS 'in Christ'.
Otherwise, 'hades', meaning unseen.
We don't know beyond this.
Paul said that the WICKED are DESTROYED by the brightness of
His appearing(avoiding 'coming' which satan instilled).
Welcome other clear scriptures.
Upon death, the physical realm finishes.