JOURNEYS OF THOSE WHO DIE

JOURNEYS OF THOSE WHO DIE

Phil. 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

In the OT dispensation, righteous souls at death went to paradise, which is the upper part of hades, at the center of the earth (Luke 16:19f). The prophecy of Christ declares that with the building of the church the gates of Hades will no longer close over a righteous soul (Matt. 16:18). At the resurrection of Christ, He came forth from the Paradise section in Hades (upper) and brought all the righteous souls with Him (Eph. 4:8-9). The first one to die from those who belong to the church was Stephen (except in the case of Ananias and Saphira), and he went above (Acts 7:59). Paul reveals the fact that all the righteous go to be with Christ in heaven at death (Phil. 1:21-23).

Luke 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom (Center of the earth): the rich man also died, and was buried. (When a believer dies, he does not die alone. Angels have guarded him in life (Hebrews 1:14), and they will accompany his spirit in death, transporting him to the presence of the Lord.)

Matt. 16:18 “….and the gates of Hades (center of the earth) will not overpower it.”

Eph. 4:8 “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?”

Acts 7:59 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Phil. 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”