Heaven and Hadean Habitations
The question is often asked, “Where do I go after I die?” Many believe if God is pleased with them that they go directly to Heaven. Some believe they will go to purgatory (not found in the Bible) if they were wicked and from there either to Hell or Heaven depending on whether enough prayers and alms were offered on their behalf. Some believe they can die in an unsaved condition and still go to heaven if someone obeys the Gospel for them. Some believe the wicked will go to Hell for a period of punishment and then God will let them into Heaven. This list could go on and on for many, many pages. What must be emphasized is that it does not matter what any human being believes on these matters. What does matter is what God says on any subject, including this one.
Luke chapter sixteen records God’s revelation of what happens after death. The rich man lived a life of disobedience (unrighteousness) to God so that when he died he went to a place of torment (Tartarus) while Lazarus went to the bosom of Abraham (Paradise). These are both permanent places of spiritual abode until Judgment Day comes. Notice, there is a gulf which cannot be bridged no matter what is done here on earth or in the Hadean realm. The rich man was told by Abraham that he could not cross over to Paradise. Therefore, the idea of purgatory is a false doctrine. In short, there is no second chance of any kind after death!
The Bible speaks of the Judgment Day set by God and who will be there for eternity. The inspired apostle Paul records in 2 Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Where one will live eternally (after the Judgment) is based on how one lived on the earth. On that day of judgment, God will welcome the righteous into heaven saying, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34). To those who live unrighteous lives while walking this earth the Lord has some very different words, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the
devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
Where will one go after he lives on earth and dies? It all depends on how one has lived—righteously (to Paradise and then Heaven) or unrighteously (to Tartarus and then Hell).
Luke chapter sixteen records God’s revelation of what happens after death. The rich man lived a life of disobedience (unrighteousness) to God so that when he died he went to a place of torment (Tartarus) while Lazarus went to the bosom of Abraham (Paradise). These are both permanent places of spiritual abode until Judgment Day comes. Notice, there is a gulf which cannot be bridged no matter what is done here on earth or in the Hadean realm. The rich man was told by Abraham that he could not cross over to Paradise. Therefore, the idea of purgatory is a false doctrine. In short, there is no second chance of any kind after death!
The Bible speaks of the Judgment Day set by God and who will be there for eternity. The inspired apostle Paul records in 2 Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Where one will live eternally (after the Judgment) is based on how one lived on the earth. On that day of judgment, God will welcome the righteous into heaven saying, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34). To those who live unrighteous lives while walking this earth the Lord has some very different words, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the
devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
Where will one go after he lives on earth and dies? It all depends on how one has lived—righteously (to Paradise and then Heaven) or unrighteously (to Tartarus and then Hell).