Please click the play button below to listen to the audio instructions before you proceed with this important message. Thanks

What Happens When a Christian Dies?

Someone I was ministering to asked me two questions. The first question was, “What happens when a Christian dies? and why is this not discussed more often?” Life is full of questions, successes, and yes, disappointments. There’s nothing more profound or important than the question only God can answer: “God, where will I spend my eternity?”

To address this, I believe there are three essential steps to ensure a positive outcome:

1. Get Right with Yourself and God: Don’t delay; tomorrow is not promised (James 4:13-14).
2. Work Out Your Salvation with Jesus Christ: Believe in and actively live out your salvation (Philippians 2:12).
3. Seek Guidance from the Holy Spirit: Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth and empower you to accomplish God’s perfect and permissive will for your life.

The Book of Hebrews 9:27 states that only two things are guaranteed in life: death and judgment. One day, you and I will no longer be here. The Bible is clear that we must all stand before the Savior at either the Judgement Seat of Christ or the Great White Throne Judgement and give an account of our deeds. Does this mean we get to choose between the two judgments?

Is it Wrong to Discuss What Happens When We as Christians Die?

My second question is, is it wrong for us as Christians to have an honest discussion or Bible study about our salvation, eternal security, and what happens at the end before it’s too late? Proverbs 27:1 says tomorrow is not promised to anyone. The Book of James 4:14 compares life to a vapor or a mist—here today, gone today.

I recently spoke with a church member who lost her son to a violent crime. , who lost her son to a violent crime. Although she didn’t openly ask, I sensed through the Holy Spirit that she had questions about what happens after death. Many Christians, like us, may not fully understand or know what happens when we die as a Christian.

Let’s be honest; even within the Christian community, there is confusion and disagreement about what happens after death, who will be saved, and the specifics of the Rapture and the Day of Judgment. Why are there so many different views, opinions, beliefs, and interpretations of the Bible concerning what happens when a Christian dies?

Here are some common questions:

• Do we immediately fall asleep at death awaiting the Day of Judgment?
• Would we immediately enter the presence of the Lord?
• Do the body and soul sleep together in the grave?
• Can our departed loved ones see us, and can we sense their presence?
• Is there a difference between the Judgement Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgement?
• Where will I spend my eternity?
• What does “Rest in Peace (RIP)” mean?
• Is there really a rapture?
• What about the New Heaven and the New Earth?
• Does the Bible support all these beliefs, and what do you believe as a follower of Christ?

Rather than spending endless hours researching, I believe God has led me to some valuable websites and video lessons that illustrate the truth concerning these important questions. Where you spend your eternity may depend on it!

The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Our goal at I AM for Christ Ministries is to provide you with this valuable information for your research and as a Bible study tool, so you can rightfully divide the word of truth as commanded by the Apostle Paul. Please take the time to study this important information.

The question of what happens to Christians when they die is a significant aspect of Christian theology and belief:

When a Christian dies, it is believed that our soul and spirit separate from the body and enter the presence of God. This belief is supported by scriptures like 2 Corinthians 5:8, which states that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Christians also believe in the resurrection of the body at the Rapture, where we as believers will be given glorified bodies, as described in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. Additionally, there is a belief in a final judgment, where everyone will be judged by God. For believers, this will be at The Judgment Seat of Christ. This is seen as a time of reward for their faith and good works, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:10. Ultimately, the hope for Christians is eternal life with God in heaven, as depicted in Revelation 21:4, where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.

Here’s a summary of key beliefs:

1. Immediate Presence with God: Many Christians believe that upon death, their souls go immediately into the presence of God. This belief is supported by passages like 2 Corinthians 5:8, where Paul says, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
2. Resurrection of the Body: At the end of time, Christians believe in the resurrection of the body, when all believers will be raised and given glorified bodies. This is based on passages like 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, which describes the resurrection body as imperishable, glorious, and powerful.
3. Judgment and Reward: Christians also believe in a final judgment, where everyone will be judged by God. For believers, this is seen as a time when they will be rewarded for their faith and good works. As mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
4. Eternal Life: The ultimate hope for Christians is eternal life with God in heaven. Revelation 21:4 provides a comforting vision of this future: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

These beliefs provide comfort and hope to many Christians as they contemplate life after death.

What Happens to Christians When We Die (Videos Presentations)

Many Christians believe that at death, the soul and spirit separate from the body and enter the presence of God. Here’s a deeper look into this belief:

1. Separation at Death: It is commonly believed that the soul and spirit depart from the physical body at the moment of death. This is based on Scriptures like Ecclesiastes 12:7, which says, “the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
2. Immediate Presence with God: For believers, there is a comforting assurance that the soul and spirit immediately enter the presence of God upon death. As mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” This suggests that the soul and spirit go to be with God directly after physical death.
3. Waiting for Resurrection: Some traditions hold that the soul and spirit are in a state of waiting until the final resurrection, when they will be reunited with a resurrected body. This belief is rooted in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which describes the dead in Christ rising first at His return.
4. Intermediate State: There are differing views on what happens between death and the final resurrection. Some believe in an “intermediate state,” where the soul is conscious and in the presence of God, while others interpret this period as a form of restful sleep until the resurrection.

These beliefs provide hope and assurance to many Christians, affirming that death is not the end but a transition into a new, eternal relationship with God.

The Rapture

The Rapture is a concept in Christian eschatology that refers to the event when believers are taken up to meet Christ in the air. This event is described in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:

> “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. 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.”

Different Christian traditions interpret the timing and nature of the Rapture differently. Some believe it will occur before a period of tribulation (Pre-Tribulation), some in the middle of this period (Mid-Tribulation), and others believe it will happen after the tribulation (Post-Tribulation).

The Judgment Seat of Christ

The Judgment Seat of Christ, also known as the Bema Seat Judgment, is a judgment for believers. According to 2 Corinthians 5:10:

> “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

This judgment is not about salvation but about rewards. Believers will be rewarded for their faithful service and good works, and their deeds will be evaluated by Christ.

These rewards are often referred to as “crowns” and represent different aspects of faithful living. Here are some of the key rewards mentioned in the Bible:

The Crowns

1. The Crown of Righteousness:
   • Description: Awarded to those who have lived a righteous life and eagerly anticipated the return of Christ.
   • Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:8 – “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
2. The Incorruptible Crown:
   • Description: Given to those who exhibit self-discipline and perseverance in their Christian walk.
   • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25 – “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
3. The Crown of Life:
   • Description: Awarded to those who endure trials and remain faithful even unto death.
   • Scripture: James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
   • Revelation 2:10: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”
4. The Crown of Glory:
   • Description: Given to pastors, elders, and church leaders who faithfully shepherd God’s flock.
   • Scripture: 1 Peter 5:4 – “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
5. The Crown of Rejoicing:
   • Description: Also known as the “soul winner’s crown,” given to those who lead others to Christ.
   • Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 – “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”

These crowns symbolize different aspects of a believer’s faithful service and commitment to living out their faith. The rewards are not about earning salvation, which is a gift of grace, but about recognizing the faithful efforts and sacrifices made in the service of God and others. Believers will be rewarded for their faithful service and good works, and their deeds will be evaluated by Christ.

 

The Great White Throne Judgment

The Great White Throne Judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15 and is believed to be the final judgment for all humanity:

> “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”

This judgment involves those who have not accepted Christ. The Book of Life is opened, and anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life is thrown into the lake of fire. This is seen as the final separation of the righteous from the unrighteous.

Key Differences

 

1. Timing and Purpose:
   • Judgment Seat of Christ: Occurs after the Rapture and is for believers only, focusing on rewards.
   • Great White Throne Judgment: Occurs after the Millennium and is for all people, focusing on eternal destiny.
2. Who is Judged:
   • Judgment Seat of Christ: Only believers are judged based on their works.
   • Great White Throne Judgment: All humanity, particularly non-believers, are judged.
3. Outcome:
   • Judgment Seat of Christ: Rewards for believers based on their deeds.
   • Great White Throne Judgment: Eternal separation from God for those not found in the Book of Life.

These doctrines offer a framework for understanding end-times events and the eternal destinies according to Christian theology.

(1) What Happens to a Christian When We Die? What is the Truth? (Video Lessons)

(2) What is the Difference between the Two Judgement? (Video Lessons)

Congratulations for completing this lesson. This concludes this lesson What Happens When a Christian Dies? We would like to provide you with a Certificate of Excellence for spending time with us. Just send us an email at iamfcpresident@iamforchrist.org.  Let us know that you completed and you fully understand the lesson. We will email you your certificate within a couple of days.  

Here is A Word from our Pastor

 

Hey, this is Pastor Glover. I want to personally thank you for spending this time with us. We are one Ministry with two Holy Spirit inspired International website ministries. We are touching the world one person, one family, and one nation at a time. Please visit our other pages below by clicking on the action button below the icons image. Here are two bible verses that I want to leave with you. Please read (Psalm 100:1-5) and (2 Timothy 2:15). Please share our website with others. We ask that you share our website with others. We also ask, if our ministry has been a blessing to you and God has placed it on your heart, please sew a seed into our ministry. Any amount can help us spread the Gospel. Thank you in advance and may God bless you.

 

Lloyd C. Glover

Lloyd C. Glover

Pastor, I AM for Christ Ministries

Please Visit Our other Pages on our Website too. Amen

Help Support Our Ministry