What happens when we die?
Dear Friends,
None of us knew that Matt Patient would die just before we were due to have a Toolbox seminar with the title ‘What happens when I die?’ The least we can do is to apply what we are learning there to this horrible situation. In our first session we noted that one of the most useful passages on this question is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which ends like this: “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” Clearly, we are meant to do exactly that – to use the truths in these verses to support and comfort each other.
There are two vital truths to get our minds round, and to get into our hearts, concerning Christians who die. The first is that their souls go straight to be with Christ when they die. Paul assures the Thessalonians that “God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (verse 14). That is where Matt is; he is “with Jesus”. He has “fallen asleep” in the sense that death is not the end for the Christian.
The second truth is that Christians will receive a resurrection body when Christ returns, a body which cannot die. Paul goes on to say that “the Lord himself will come down from heaven … and the dead in Christ will rise first” (verse 16). So, those who are already dead when Jesus comes back will not miss out in any way. In fact, they’ll get raised first! There is nothing like this hope in any other religion, let alone in secularism. So, let’s be sure to comfort ourselves and one another with this hope.
Chris Hobbs,
Vicar.