I cannot tell you how many times through the years when someone passes away they are told they are being watched over by their loved one. Sadly even pastor’s and priest’s have spoken this falsehood, this simply is not biblical and is not true. Although it is a comfort for us to think such a thing, we must realize God would not have us live our life only to die and continue to watch over our loved ones.

So what happens when we die?

Scripture teaches us to die is a state of falling asleep. We are created out of the dust of the earth and return to the ground, and our spirit returns unto God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:6,7) Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

To confirm we go to sleep when we die we read in the story of when our Lords friend Lazarus died He plainly tells His disciples Lazarus is dead and in a state of sleep! (John 11:11-15) These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

To know we fall asleep when we pass away brings much comfort to us as believers, but to think we continue to watch over our loved ones is nowhere found in scripture. It may be hard to believe when we die we either go to heaven or hell. Scripture supports we either reside in heaven or hell until the Great White Throne Judgment when God brings us out of the grave where we are asleep awaiting the judgment, or out of hell and are then judged according to our works! (Revelation 20:11-15) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Scripture clearly gives us two perfect examples of a soul which went to hell and another which went to paradise. This confirms the previous passages of revelation which teaches some will be brought out of hell and others that were asleep in death.

                                                 A Soul In Paradise

When our Lord hung on the cross on either side of Him He had one who did not fear God and the other a repentant soul asking our Lord to remember him when He enters His kingdom. He was told that very day he would be in paradise with the Lord! (Luke 23:39-43) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

                                                    A Soul In Hell

(Luke 16:19-31) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25,26).

1 Corinthians 15:50-58