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Article by Jack Wellman
Jack Wellman is a father and grandfather and a Christian author and pastor of Heritage Evangelical Free Church in Udall, KS & also a Prison Minister. He did his graduate work at Moody Theological Seminary. His books are include: “Teaching Children The Gospel/How to Raise Godly Children,“ “Do Babies Go To Heaven?/Why Does God Allow Suffering?,“ "The Great Omission; Reaching the Lost for Christ," and “Blind Chance or Intelligent Design?, Empirical Methodologies & the Bible."
Jack has written 1115 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Read them in the archive below.
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2 Cor. 5:1-8 is even more revealing than you have noted. The question must be asked here “What part of us has an earthly home and desires a heavenly if we cease to exist at death and all we are is a body?” Clearly, “we” continue to exist after the earthly body dies.
If we go straight to heaven after death (Christians), what is the true purpose of the rapture?
We are present with the Lord after death but the rapture is to be a time of terror and dread for those who are lost and give them a chance to repent. God has a purpose for everything, including the rapture, however, many Bible scholars are beginning to question if the rapture is wrong and that Matt 24 happened in 70 AD in Jerusalem.
The Rapture or resurrection happens at the second coming of Christ when he gathers His elect to himself and all who believed are changed in an instance. The believers who died before His coming will come back with Him and those alive at His return will be caught up. This is the resurrection. After He will judge those who are unbelieving.
Great article! Thanks for sharing! Good information! Do you have any interpretation/explanation on the return of Messiah. Where it says the dead will rise first?
Hello Mr. Torres. Yes sir, 1 Thess 4 is a great place to stare on the explanation of the dead rising first at Jesus’ appearance. Thank you for your comment.
You have totally misread this Scripture.”That day” was not the day of Paul’s death. He clearly stated that it would on the day of Christ’s return. Just read what it says.
… will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Get your facts straight. It is “in store” for him at the day of Christ’s appearing. “In store” means that he will have to wait.
In Christ, Robert G.
Thank you sir but you need to study this a bit better. Maybe a good Sunday school or Bible study class will help you understand Scripture better since you have a hard time understanding the simplicity of Paul’s statement.
Hi i have studied the bible for over 30 years. Man was made for the earth. That is our job. Only 140’000 go to heaven at death Jesus disciples are part of that 140’000 to rule in Jesus government As they had to experience an earthly life. The rest of us when we die are in a state of sleep until the resurrection unless and individual survives Armageddon then they will not die at all. Then over the next 1000 years we will restore this planet to glory that we should have done in the first place under Jesus and his government
Hello Mr. Boucher. If only 140,000 go to the kingdom, then what of the untold millions of believers who have been martyred in the past and almost 38,000 each year for the lat 10 years? I believe you must have the wrong Bible version or someone’s taught you something that’s not from Scripture. THere is no soul-sleep. This is not biblical.
Remember what Jesus said “Quote” The dead are conscious of nothing correct Look at how Lazarus would have felt being brought back from the dead if he had been in heaven he was conscious of nothing just as Jesus said. One must gain accurate knowledge. to understand God at Genesis man was made for the occupation of the earth. O yes Mr Jack Wellman who make’s a Martyr humans do (not God) As for the dead they as the bible states will face the resurrection to life at Gods Doing
Hello Mr. Boucher. Where did Jesus say the dead are conscious of nothing? Larazrus was with Abraham, not in a soul-sleep and the rich man was conscious of his past memories, regrets, his family and felt thirst and hunber.
Where in the bible does it say Lazarus was with Abraham when he was dead ?? Anyway we are both aiming at spreading Gods word that’s all that matters in these last days preaching the coming of God’s Kingdom to all the inhabited earth then the end will come
Hello Mr. Boucher. You will find this account in of The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:14-31).
thank u for giving all the information i needed, infact my eyes are open, now i can teach my local assembly very well. thank u very much, God almighty will uphold u all who contributed for this to happen and more wisdom and knowledge will restored unto u all in Jesus name. my regards to ur family.
I am glad these Scriptures helped. They do much to comfort God’s people who lose their loved ones. Thank you for your kind words too. God bless you for that.
Thank you very much, Jack Wellman. I believe you’re absolutely correct. I think some people read one scripture and stops there while ignoring the rest of the Bible.
It is so refreshing to hear words of encouragement Jean. It seems more believers these days are attacking or persecuting other believers for what they believe the Word of God says, so youhave made my day and I thank you and I thank God for you
Please subscribe me to your newsletter.
Thank you!
Hello Cynthia. I have done ask you asked. Thank you so much.
Thank you for all your insight, had questions you answered.
Thank u Jack, for helping me with this. I was afraid that I would have to wait for the sound of the Trumpet, when the dead in Christ would rise first. Hay, I worked hard for this… I wana go NOW when its my time, and give JESUS a big hug. I can picture his face, when we meet…OOOOH !… “I know YOU my little girl”, “welcome home kiddo, were good”. WHEW… THANK YOU JESUS
How precious are your words sir. Thank you so much.
Jack, a few days ago, you helped me answer the question, do Christians go directly to heaven when they die? The Bible says also, the dead in Christ will rise first at the sound of a trumpet. Well, if were all in Heaven with Jesus, then who are those poor folks dead in Christ, still down here that are having to wait?? I’ve almost wore out my Bible trying to understand this Truth. Is this something God is hiding from me, for me? In Christ, help me here. Jonie. “The Kidd’
Hi.
In regard to hell fire and or torment.
What do we do with all the scriptures in the Old Testament, that say the wicked with vanish like smoke, melt like a snail that has salt poured on it, consumed, and of course be burned up like stubble
, and many more? Also why does the Bible say that all of mans spirits go back to God, and doesn’t just say only the saved go back to God?
Hello Olaf. You are taking those 2 or 3 verses and ignoring the dozens and dozens of Scriptures that say hell is eternal. Please read this sir: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/is-hell-really-eternal-does-the-bible-say/
I suggest Steve Greg’s Three views of hell.
You can’t say your way is right. Read all the Bible.
Hello Mr. Hodge. I believe his name is Steve Gregg and not “Greg” but I am not saying my way is right. The Bible’s teaching is right over me and over you and over Steve Gregg. Even Mr. Gregg said he cannot know for sure until we die, but we can know the eternality of hell from Scripture, indeed, from Jesus own lips…He spoke more of hell than heaven because He desired no one go there. I have read all the Bible. I can see by your comment you are angry and judgmental and don’t even know me. I pray you repent of that sin my friend. You can’t say your way is right or Mr. Gregg’s is and everyone else is wrong. That’s prideful, plus totaly inaccurate. I sense you bear a bitter spirit toward other Christians and those who don’t agree with everything you do. I will pray for you sir.
Mr. Wellman,
Thank you for your excellent review and it is with regrets that you’ve taken such a verbal beating from readers.
Sandy
Thank you Sandra. I appreciate your encouragment.
Where are the dead?
Gen. 3:19: “In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Eccl. 9:10: “All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol [“the grave,” KJ, Kx;
Curious your thoughts to these passages:
John 3:13 says, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.”
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 the apostle Paul is calling us ignorant if we don’t truly understand what happens at death. He says, “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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.”
Daniel 12:1-4 (KJV) “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Daniel confirms that those who die sleep in the dust of the earth only to be resurrected in the future.
Thank you Mr. Stuart. Those who are in the dust have not yet had their bodies resurrected, and that’s what Daniel is writing about in Daniel 12.
Great Article I enjoyed reading it. I have so many questions my husband passed away three months ago. We are believers of Jesus so I know my husband is with the Lord.