What is Your Destination after Death?

From the heart of Dr. Robert L.Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. The Bible speaks of two types of people and two types of eternal destinies. What is Paradise? It’s a place of blessing where the righteous go after death. The word paradise is usually used as a synonym for “heaven” (Revelation 2:7). When Jesus was dying on the cross and one of the thieves being crucified with Him asked Him for mercy, Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus knew that His death was imminent and that He would soon be in heaven with His Father. Therefore, Jesus used “paradise” as a synonym for “heaven.” Paul writes, “I know a man in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). There has always been a separation of believers and unbelievers after death. The righteous have always gone to paradise; the wicked have always gone to hell. For right now, both paradise and hell are “temporary holding places” until the day when Jesus comes back to judge the world based on whether or not individuals have believed in Him. What is Abraham’s bosom? The term “Abraham’s bosom” is found only once in the New Testament, in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), in which Jesus was teaching about the reality of heaven and hell. Abraham’s bosom in this story is meant to convey the sense that Lazarus went to a place of rest, contentment, joy and peace. He was with Abraham who was considered the “father of all who believe” (see Galatians 3:9). Those who died in faith were sent to a place of comfort and rest, near Abraham. Abraham’s bosom is considered paradise. In a sad contrast, the rich man finds himself in torment (Hades) with no one to help, assist, or console him. Each person who lives will spend eternity in one of these two places. These two destinies are portrayed in Jesus’ story. While the rich man had lived for the day and only focused on life here on earth, Lazarus endured many hardships while trusting in God. So, Luke’s words are significant: “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:22-23). Death can be thought of as separation. Physical death is the separation of our body from our soul/spirit, while spiritual death is the separation of our soul from God. Jesus taught that we ought not to fear physical death, but we should be most concerned about spiritual death. Luke tells us, Jesus also said, “Now I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed someone, has the power to throw that person into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5). Jesus’ teaching is to focus the minds of His hearers on the fact that our choices to seek God or disregard Him here on earth literally affect where we spend eternity. Be encouraged!