Despite what is clear about the afterlife, there are numerous misconceptions. This article is meant to be a “crash course” on Heaven and Hell. Entire books have been written on this subject, and there are all kinds of different views and interpretations on specifics. These are the basics.
Present Evil Age
Before we talk about what is NEXT, let’s understand what is NOW. The Apostle Paul calls this life “The Present Evil Age” (See Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:16).This age is “evil” because this world is dark (Colossians 1:13; John 1:5) and sinful (1 John 2:16). Satan is active (1 Peter 5:8), he has power to blind and deceive unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4), and he is scheming plans to attack believers (Ephesians 6:10-11). Our flesh pulls us away from God and towards self-destruction (Romans 7:13-20). In the end, death is feared by all (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).
All people, whether believers or unbelievers, wrestle with these realities. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ become “citizens of Heaven” (Philippians 3:20). In other words, we still live and operate in this world, fighting against sin; but God has started a process of forming us into the likeness of Jesus (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:29; I Corinthians 15:49).
Intermediate State
So what happens when someone dies? Here is where things get a little confusing. Part of the problem is all the Looney Tunes cartoons we’ve seen of characters sprouting wings and playing harps on the clouds...Scripture describes two different realms people go to immediately after death:
1. Heaven (2 Corinthians 5;1-2; 12:2; Matthew 6:19-20; John 14:2-3; Philippians 3:20)
2. Hell (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-47; Luke 12:5; Revelation 1:18; 2 Peter 2:4)
We know very little about these places. But there are two basic facts you should know: First, these two places are like “holding cells” until Jesus returns and sends everyone to their final eternal destination. Second, Scripture seems to indicate that these are disembodied realms, meaning at death one’s body is separated from his soul; the body remains on earth while the soul is taken to either “heaven” or “hell.”
Paul Williamson says this about the intermediate state:
“The intermediate state is precisely that: provisional and impermanent. Without a body a human being is incomplete. Therefore, what death will temporarily separate, God will one day reunite… Christians do not relish the prospect of discarding the body; rather, we anticipate the prospect of being clothed in one that has been transformed and is immortal; ultimately we look forward, not to a disembodied soul, but to a resurrected body.” (Death and the Afterlife, p.62)
The Bible does not outline an orderly account of the intermediate state. It comes up in stories and pictures, and these two realms are even called by different names (like Hades, Sheol, Abraham’s Bosom, Paradise, etc.). I have lots of questions; I’m sure you do too!
Here is a basic breakdown of what happens as soon as someone dies:
(1) The soul is separated from the body. (See James 2:26; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Acts 7:59)
(2) The body decays, while the soul awakes in Heaven or Hell. (See Luke 16:22-23)
(3) The soul longs to be embodied again. (See 2 Corinthians 5:4, 8; Romans 8:23; Luke 16:19-31; 1 Corinthians 15:53).
Both the present evil age and the intermediate state will end upon the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus will literally and physically return to earth (Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20) marking the “end of [this] age” (Matthew 24:3, 30).
The Age to Come
Once Jesus returns to Earth, this will begin what Scripture calls “the age to come” (Matthew 12:32; 28:20; Mark 10:30; Hebrews 6:5). There are numerous different views and opinions on three major aspects of the eternal state: the Millennium, the Rapture, and the Tribulation. That is too much ground to cover in a “crash course.” But here is what almost all conservative theologians teach about the age to come.First, Jesus will literally return to earth. Bible-believing Christians interpret this literally. Jesus is not returning spiritually or allegorically. It will actually happen - you can take a picture of it! (See Acts 1:11; Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; Revelation 22)
Second, Jesus will resurrect all bodies, both those in “heaven” or “hell.” Our disembodied spirits will once again be clothed in a body and sent to our final destination (see Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:11-15).
Third, all humans will stand before God to give an account of their life. (Revelation 20:11-12). Scripture visualizes this with images of thrones and scepters; put simply, we will meet our Creator. (See Acts 24:15; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Matthew 25:21; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4)
Lastly, each person will receive God's wrath or God's reward. (See Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 9.) He will send all humans to one of two places:
Third, all humans will stand before God to give an account of their life. (Revelation 20:11-12). Scripture visualizes this with images of thrones and scepters; put simply, we will meet our Creator. (See Acts 24:15; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Matthew 25:21; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4)
Lastly, each person will receive God's wrath or God's reward. (See Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 9.) He will send all humans to one of two places:
(1) The New Heavens and New Earth (see Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13)(2) The Lake of Fire (see Revelation 20:15; Matthew 10:28)
Revelation 20:11-21:4 explains this event, elaborating on Daniel 12:2. The resurrected dead who are not written in the book of life are sentenced to the lake of fire. Those who are found in the book enter a new heaven and earth. The “book of life” represents the names of those who have trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin; Jesus’ substitutionary death paid the penalty for their sins, making them righteous in God’s eyes (2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 5:4; Matthew 25:34; James 2:5; Titus 3:7).
It’s important to note that the age to come is a physical existence, not just a spiritual one (1 Corinthians 15:54; Romans 8:23; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Furthermore, believers will live forever with the Lord on this planet. Revelation 21:5 tells us that, on the new earth, God is making “all things new” - not “all new things” but “all things new.” There are two words used in the Greek language for “new” - one means brand new, and one means renewed. God is in the business of renewing things - He is renewing us and He will renew this universe (Romans 8:21.
There you have it! That’s a crash course on Heaven and Hell. But what do we do with this information? Scripture repeatedly, when talking about end times, tells us knowledge of the age to come ought to shape how we live in this life. We are to live godly lives and be prepared for the day that Jesus returns and calls us to rule with Him in the eternal state (2 Peter 3:11-13; Colossians 3:2; Hebrews 11:16).