Thread: The afterlife

After my husband passed away I have been thinking a lot about life after death. The Bible speaks about those who are asleep in Christ, but some speak of entering heaven, dancing on streets of gold etc. etc. already now. I remember Fuego said that about Catchy when she went home.

Thoughts, anyone, preferably with Bible references.

1 Thes 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

I think it just means that they aren't really dead, that they sleep as seen from our earthly perspective. Meaning that their dead bodies will be made alive again (and thereby "wake up") in the resurrection. From the heavenly perspective their souls are already in heaven but without a physical body capable of walking this Earth, for now.

Originally Posted by Colonel

1 Thes 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

I think it just means that they aren't really dead, that they sleep as seen from our earthly perspective. Meaning that their dead bodies will be made alive again (and thereby "wake up") in the resurrection. From the heavenly perspective their souls are already in heaven but without a physical body capable of walking this Earth, for now.

That is my POV as well...the spirit never sleeps in the sense of physical sleep..

This verse makes it clear:

2 Cor 5:6*So*we are*always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.*
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.*
8*We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

When the dead in Christ are raised incorruptible as 1 Cor 15 talks about then we will be present with the Lord and present in the body at the same time. Verse 8 above talks about being present with the Lord without being present in the body and relates the time between physical death and the resurrection.

Thank you, Col and Quest, for your input. No doubt they are in the Lord's presence, but "asleep" made me wonder whether they have their concious mind or is indeed in a sleeping condition, not concious. Also some times I can feel the presence of my dh, and that is absolutely weird.

I would be careful about interacting with such a presence. If it's emotional then it might grow on you. It could also be the devil that's trying that as a method of access. I've seen small glimpses of people who are in heaven but that is different to feeling a tangible presence in the same room.

Regarding the original topic, the body sleeps, the soul does not. The Jews were big on the physical resurrection and that is the context when falling asleep is mentioned.

A few years ago I was at a prayer meeting and we ended up praying for the family of a pastor who recently died.
His wife was at the prayer meeting and obviously missing her husband but thankful he was in heaven.
I had met this pastor and his wife but did not really know them that well.
As we prayed I had a vision of this pastor riding a white horse in heaven carrying a flag and he was riding at breakneck speed in a large park. He was going back and forth all over the park but he was full of joy and happiness.
As he rode he kept shouting I won...I won....I won

I was a bit taken back because I didn't think that is what you would do in heaven.

I shared the vision and his wife was blessed to hear it. I found out he loved horses and riding which I didn't know and he no longer rode due to his age and circumstances.

Peace
All I know is your husband will be doing the things that brought him joy and he will never know sadness again

Originally Posted by peace

Thank you, Col and Quest, for your input. No doubt they are in the Lord's presence, but "asleep" made me wonder whether they have their concious mind or is indeed in a sleeping condition, not concious. Also some times I can feel the presence of my dh, and that is absolutely weird.

I agree with Colonel on this as well....often times grieving people will sense a 'presence' or even a 'communication'. I believe these are often strong memories that give a sense of presence...I also believe these memory senses can be over embraced leading to opening the door for a 'spiritual' interaction that is deceptive.
Embracing the memories is part of healing, I believe, and especially when actively engaging the Holy Spirit in the process such a Dr. leaf teaches. He will keep our memories and longings from being drawn into deception while applying truth to them for healing..

I guess what I am saying is when you get these senses or just long to talk to your DH, talk to the Holy Spirit instead telling HIM how you feel and inviting Him to comfort you....

Originally Posted by Colonel

I would be careful about interacting with such a presence. If it's emotional then it might grow on you. It could also be the devil that's trying that as a method of access. I've seen small glimpses of people who are in heaven but that is different to feeling a tangible presence in the same room.

Regarding the original topic, the body sleeps, the soul does not. The Jews were big on the physical resurrection and that is the context when falling asleep is mentioned.

There is nothing evil about my feeling his presence, and it is not "tangible", but rather a sence of deep peace. I have heard him call my name, waking me up, but when I sat up in bed of course he wasn't there. when I said it's weird, that is probably not the right word, but SPECIAL because I know he is with Jesus, not here.

Quest, that's what I do .. speak to The Holy Spirit and Jesus about him, seeking comfort. It is still terribly painful.

Originally Posted by peace

There is nothing evil about my feeling his presence, and it is not "tangible", but rather a sence of deep peace. I have heard him call my name, waking me up, but when I sat up in bed of course he wasn't there. when I said it's weird, that is probably not the right word, but SPECIAL because I know he is with Jesus, not here.

Quest, that's what I do .. speak to The Holy Spirit and Jesus about him, seeking comfort. It is still terribly painful.

Oh Peace, please understand we were not implying your experience was evil...more like just discussing how that sense of presence CAN become twisted...those memories are precious and not to be dismissed or suppressed; just not mistaken for a different reality than what they are...

I can only imagine...two that were one now feel ripped apart ...and only Holy Spirit can fill that gaping wound...am I close?