What Happens When We Die?

[InChrist]

If I may ask, If you believe in Jesus Then why do you think you need to be resurrected to eternal life?
When you haved already been resurrected to have eternal life with Christ Jesus in his kingdom.

From the scriptures and the experience of my changed life, I understand that the moment I trusted Jesus as my Savior I became regenerated, a new creation in Christ, have eternal life, and am to live each day in this newness of life in Christ. Yet, according to the scriptures, the only resurrection(s) which have occurred have been the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that of the saints who were raised from the dead in Jerusalem after Christ's resurrection....

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52:53

The rest of us are still waiting for our resurrected bodies, below are a couple of articles on the subject...

When will the Resurrection take place?


| Bible.org

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

The soul would not exist for eternity ‘in’ this universe.

And what evidence is there that there exists another universe which has one of its properties being that it houses the end-of-life "souls" of beings from an entirely different universe? Put into plain language, the idea can't help itself but to sound strange. What makes the statement that there exists such a universe markedly different from fiction?

 

[Mock Turtle]

Well you just proved my point again. Yeah you sure are acting like a pleasant person.

Maybe you need to refine what a pleasant person is ?

Because I believe you are delusional? You apparently have your set views and expect us to believe them? Why would anyone expect your views to be any more correct than mine. Oh. Because you happen to think so. And you didn't answer the question - when did you form these views? Independent thinking when you were over 18?

Pleasant or not, that doesn't mean I have to capitulate to rigid thinking - which many of the religious just do have.

 

[Faithofchristian]

Because I believe you are delusional? You apparently have your set views and expect us to believe them? Why would anyone expect your views to be any more correct than mine. Oh. Because you happen to think so. And you didn't answer the question - when did you form these views? Independent thinking when you were over 18?

Pleasant or not, that doesn't mean I have to capitulate to rigid thinking - which many of the religious just do have.

No on the contrary, people can believe or not believe, why should I care, what you believe or not believe. No more than myself, I chose to believe and not believe on certain things.

But then that doesn't mean I have to capitulate to rigid thinking which many
Non- regliious people do have.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Life goes on, apparently.

Common motifs of NDEs are (and may vary culturally):
- Rushing through a tunnel. There may be an angelic being escorting the person through the tunnel. Some report seeing dark entities on the edges of this tunnel trying to grab the person.
- Being greeted by deceased loved ones. This can include family members that one never met in life and beloved pets.
- Another entity that appears to decide if it is truly your time or not.
- A bright, radiant light that you want to step into. Once you step into this light, you appear to cross over into some higher realm and don't come back to this one.
- A feeling of great love, compassion, warmth, understanding, peace and general serenity.
- Survivors report sad feelings when they had to come back. They didn't want to leave.

My understanding of some things:
Some people become earthbound ghosts after death, usually because they aren't prepared to let go of have died suddenly in tragic or unexpected circumstances such as murder, suicide, accident, etc. Sites of tragedy or war are known to be very haunted, generally. Eventually these spirits may cross over.

Sometimes souls visit people in dreams or so on in order to make peace before they cross over. I've had that happen to me before.

That's just how I understand things. No one can say definitively what happens. There's nothing to be afraid of, though.

 

[Mock Turtle]

No on the contrary, people can believe or not believe, why should I care, what you believe or not believe. No more than myself, I chose to believe and not believe on certain things.

But then that doesn't mean I have to capitulate to rigid thinking which many
Non- regliious people do have.

Not answering the question? WHEN DID YOU START BELIEVING?

 

[Faithofchristian]

Not answering the question? WHEN DID YOU START BELIEVING?

That figures, I didn't think you would.

When did I start believing was
Way before you were born, that's for sure.

 

[Mock Turtle]

That figures, I didn't think you would.

When did I start believing was
Way before you were born, that's for sure.

Old are you. Pre 1945? No?

 

[Araceli Cianna]

Probably nothing, but if there is something, hopefully it'll be a nice place.

 

[Truthseeker]

I just got to thinking, what exactly happens to us after we die? I don't mean our bodies. What I mean is, what happens to our "soul" after we die? Do you think it goes to Heaven or Hell? Do you think it gets reincarnated until we achieve Nirvana? Or do you think nothing happens? Or something else? Please put what you think below and possibly an explanation if you feel motivated enough to do so. Thank you!

As a Baha'i I believe after we die we eventually go to many spiritual worlds. Heaven and hell are spiritual states, it is not a place. If you're close to God, you're in heaven, if you're far away you're in hell. A good action gets you closer to God, a bad action gets you further from God.

 

[Truthseeker]

You are first assuming that "soul" exists with this question. Based on everything we can and have ever witnessed in this universe, there is basically no room for the reality of an item like what is described as the "soul" of a human being. I feel that simple questions put enough shadow of doubt on the "soul" (with this I refer to its meaning by conventional standard) that it does not seem plausible. Anyway, here's my list of questions that cast serious doubt on the affirmative position of "soul":

• Have we ever come across anything that is sustained forever without external inputs/refreshment of energies? Why would "soul" qualify for this treatment when nothing else in the universe works this way?
• What objective evidence (evidence that can be experienced or verified by everyone) do we have that there is any sort of afterlife administration of any kind?
• Do you really feel that human consciousness is important enough to warrant some other, unknowable entity taking its time and care to preserve all forms and instances of that consciousness for all time?
• Why do the camps of thought (various religions/philosophies) differ on what the afterlife consists of if it is so obviously a real thing?
• What factors distinguish any of the various stories of "the afterlife" from fiction?
• If the soul is "you" as you know and love yourself, then it must ,necessarily, come equipped with things like your personality, your memories, intelligence level, likes and dislikes, etc. However, those types of things about you can be lost if you suffer enough physical damage to your brain - which has been evidenced in our lifetimes by people suffering brain damage who are no longer "themselves." To the point that, if the "soul" cannot be altered by physical damage, then the soul is not your personality, memories, likes and dislikes, etc. meaning it is not really the "you" that you care about on this Earth. And if it isn't "you", then why do you care what happens to it? If God loves "you", and you feel that the subject "you" comes prepackaged with those things that make you an individual, then why does even God care about your soul if it isn't "you?"

Too much room for doubt. Not enough evidence. Much more support for the idea that there is nothing beyond death. Really the only thing I can think of that the afterlife has going for it to cast doubt on "no afterlife" is the preponderance of stories told by humans, and NDEs (near death experiences). But BOTH of those are entirely subjective, and NDEs specifically are only ever had when the body/brain is in shut-down/panic mode - which doesn't seem to me like a very trustworthy moment in time to start pointing to as "evidence." And I can point to at least 3 of the things on my list and give reasons as to why they are objective in ideation.

If the soul is "you" as you know and love yourself, then it must ,necessarily, come equipped with things like your personality, your memories, intelligence level, likes and dislikes, etc. However, those types of things about you can be lost if you suffer enough physical damage to your brain - which has been evidenced in our lifetimes by people suffering brain damage who are no longer "themselves." To the point that, if the "soul" cannot be altered by physical damage, then the soul is not your personality, memories, likes and dislikes, etc. meaning it is not really the "you" that you care about on this Earth. And if it isn't "you", then why do you care what happens to it? If God loves "you", and you feel that the subject "you" comes prepackaged with those things that make you an individual, then why does even God care about your soul if it isn't "you?"

We are a combination of soul and body. So of course if the brain is damaged we change. With all the knowledge we have about the brain why can't we explain consciousness? Could it be that there is another factor beyond the brain?

 

[Phantasman]

Ha ha, not all die, had you any knowledge of the spiritual living that do not die, but pass by death, to life in Christ Jesus.

Actually everyone physically dies. And if the mind continues, all minds continue. But the orthodox concept of hell is archaic and non spiritual. Lake of fire. Really? Is God vengeful? Takes pleasure in pain?

The world, physical, flesh, Aeon is spiraling towards a finite end. Everything in this realm will cease to exist. It is imperfect, and not of a perfect design by a perfect God.

The world came about through a mistake. For he who created it wanted to create it imperishable and immortal. He fell short of attaining his desire. For the world never was imperishable, nor, for that matter, was he who made the world. For things are not imperishable, but sons are. Nothing will be able to receive imperishability if it does not first become a son. But he who has not the ability to receive, how much more will he be unable to give?- Gospel of Philip

From the beginning, the creator god has used death as a stick. Fear of death. The orthodox continue this thought. And then added a fiery hell to it to manipulate man to see the priest as an advocate of a savior.

This Aeon is spinning out of control and dying. Nothing can prevent that. But the infinities of the perfect Father exists. It's why Jesus said to "be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect" and "seek first the kingdom of God". Gnosis shows so much of both, by those who wrote of the revealing of the Spirit. The priests wanted man to follow them (as celestial authority). The Phaisee/Saducee priests first. The veil was removed from them. Now the catholic priests (325AD) has assumed the same position. Some are called reverend, pastor, but still maintain that they have accomplished something that gives them celestial authority.

In the end, if this (doomed) Aeon is where you see what's real and worth your life to give for it, then you will enjoy it's fate. But if you see, through seeking, that you "hate" (mammon) and "desire" those things the Spirit has revealed (through Jesus and all writers of spiritual knowledge) then God knows the heart, your sincerity, your love of him and the spirit within every man/woman, and the promise is that he will make you perfect to reside in perfection.

It's about two gods. Not as the orthodox teaches, but as the Spirit teaches. The Spirit told Jesus to say "I am the only way". And the gospel clearly says that those before Christ wound up following the wrong god. But Jesus descended to those before him that were in that destructive place (Hades). It is a place of imperfect stasis until time ends. As Christ said "outer darkness".

Spirit cannot burn. Everything that can burn, will burn out. The word "fire" is used to mean destroyer, which fire does. Even the baptism of fire is used to relate to the destruction of evil within.

Priests have been shown that they are merely men, as easily attracted to evil as any man. They have nothing over anyone, especially celestial authority and to device a system of do's and don'ts on where to seek spiritual truth.

Just my view from decades of seeking.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

We are a combination of soul and body. So of course if the brain is damaged we change. With all the knowledge we have about the brain why can't we explain consciousness? Could it be that there is another factor beyond the brain?

From all indications, consciousness resides in the brain. Where do you "feel" that your sight/taste/hearing/smelling are processed? Do you feel it in your feet? Your hands? And the feeling of touch/pain may emanate from the position in the body where the nerves were affected, but where do those nerves ultimately connect and send all signals to? Where do you feel you are "at" when you come into being awake from a state of sleep? Or even when you are dreaming? Where does it "feel" as if dreams are occurring as you reach closer to the level of consciousness and are able to discern/remember your dreams? I know that, without a single doubt or instance of deviation, I find that what I consider myself "feels" as if it is present in my head. And what is in my head? My brain, of course. I don't feel thoughts in my heart... I don't contemplate abstract ideas in my stomach... I don't day-dream from some random/arbitrary place outside of my body. No. These are explicitly and exclusively activities whose arena of existence can even be "felt" to be within the brain.

As for "explaining" consciousness... does it not make more sense, and fit better with all available evidence and experience to posit that the consciousness is a property of our advanced/evolved brain structures? That it is a resident coalescence of thought/awareness that is the "gatekeeper" to our memories, sensory utilities and higher motor function? Like software utilizing the CPU and memory of a computer to get the job done. The CPU is the powerhouse, memory holds the information, but the software knows where to go for the correct information and how to react to input. The software (consciousness) has nothing to work with if it doesn't have access to the CPU and memory stores (brain). And the CPU and memory (brain) is also useless without software (consciousness) to manipulate those raw materials and actually do the work.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

After my aunts death three months ago, the turning point for me is there is no afterlife. We die. Our spirit or soul is part of this body; its alive in this body; it is the Life of this body. When there is no body, there is no soul for it to inhabit. Its not a ghost floating around. As soon as we are conceived, we have a spirit; we are.

I found out I dont believe in rebirth. Heaven and hell does not exist. We just need to learn how to be comfortable with not living anymore. Im more afraid of how I will die not death itself.

Carlita, I can tell you care for people, and God (who, IMO, is the God of the Hebrews,Jews / the God of Christianity / the God of the Bible) sees that....in fact, to Him caring for others and being kind is part of being a spiritual person (Galatians 5:22-23). So, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised! — Acts of the Apostles 24:15;
1 Corinthians 2:9, taken from Isaiah 64:4.

Yes, all the dead are, for now, basically non-existent; they’re “not aware” of anything (Ecclesiastes 9:5; Genesis 3:19). But part of God’s purpose for this Earth, which Jesus said we should pray for (Matthew 6:9-10), is not to let the dead stay dead....

Everyone who will be resurrected, will have the chance to enjoy life again as part of the human family, seeing the fulfillment of Revelation 21:3-4, and Isaiah 25:8, etc.!

Best wishes to you, my cousin.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

But the orthodox concept of hell is archaic and non spiritual. Lake of fire. Really? Is God vengeful? Takes pleasure in pain?

Agreed! How could someone call the God of the Bible a ‘God of love’, but then turn around and say He burns people? Or even allows it?

It’s obvious the Lake of Fire isn’t literal, because death — a non-tangible thing — is “hurled” into it. (Death can’t ‘burn’.)

The LoF is just symbolic of complete destruction, that whatever is thrown into it, is “no more”, forever! As in Revelation 21:4... “death will be no more.”

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Carlita, I can tell you care for people, and God (who, IMO, is the God of the Hebrews,Jews / the God of Christianity / the God of the Bible) sees that....in fact, to Him caring for others and being kind is part of being a spiritual person (Galatians 5:22-23). So, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised! — Acts of the Apostles 24:15;
1 Corinthians 2:9, taken from Isaiah 64:4.

Yes, all the dead are, for now, basically non-existent; they’re “not aware” of anything (Ecclesiastes 9:5; Genesis 3:19). But part of God’s purpose for this Earth, which Jesus said we should pray for (Matthew 6:9-10), is not to let the dead stay dead....

Everyone who will be resurrected, will have the chance to enjoy life again as part of the human family, seeing the fulfillment of Revelation 21:3-4, and Isaiah 25:8, etc.!

Best wishes to you, my cousin.

Thank you. Interestingly enough, this verse helped me understsnd spirituality in the Church since before then, five years ago, Id never knew what that meant:

Galations 2:20

"I have been crucified in christ. Insofar, I no longer live for myself, but for the son of god."

If there was no christ and god was breathe not spirit, being, nor creator, Id probably be a theist just not abrahamic.

Thank you though. Each of us have the breathe of life, expression, and creativity in us.

 

[Faithofchristian]

Actually everyone physically dies. And if the mind continues, all minds continue. But the orthodox concept of hell is archaic and non spiritual. Lake of fire. Really? Is God vengeful? Takes pleasure in pain?

The world, physical, flesh, Aeon is spiraling towards a finite end. Everything in this realm will cease to exist. It is imperfect, and not of a perfect design by a perfect God.

The world came about through a mistake. For he who created it wanted to create it imperishable and immortal. He fell short of attaining his desire. For the world never was imperishable, nor, for that matter, was he who made the world. For things are not imperishable, but sons are. Nothing will be able to receive imperishability if it does not first become a son. But he who has not the ability to receive, how much more will he be unable to give?- Gospel of Philip

From the beginning, the creator god has used death as a stick. Fear of death. The orthodox continue this thought. And then added a fiery hell to it to manipulate man to see the priest as an advocate of a savior.

This Aeon is spinning out of control and dying. Nothing can prevent that. But the infinities of the perfect Father exists. It's why Jesus said to "be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect" and "seek first the kingdom of God". Gnosis shows so much of both, by those who wrote of the revealing of the Spirit. The priests wanted man to follow them (as celestial authority). The Phaisee/Saducee priests first. The veil was removed from them. Now the catholic priests (325AD) has assumed the same position. Some are called reverend, pastor, but still maintain that they have accomplished something that gives them celestial authority.

In the end, if this (doomed) Aeon is where you see what's real and worth your life to give for it, then you will enjoy it's fate. But if you see, through seeking, that you "hate" (mammon) and "desire" those things the Spirit has revealed (through Jesus and all writers of spiritual knowledge) then God knows the heart, your sincerity, your love of him and the spirit within every man/woman, and the promise is that he will make you perfect to reside in perfection.

It's about two gods. Not as the orthodox teaches, but as the Spirit teaches. The Spirit told Jesus to say "I am the only way". And the gospel clearly says that those before Christ wound up following the wrong god. But Jesus descended to those before him that were in that destructive place (Hades). It is a place of imperfect stasis until time ends. As Christ said "outer darkness".

Spirit cannot burn. Everything that can burn, will burn out. The word "fire" is used to mean destroyer, which fire does. Even the baptism of fire is used to relate to the destruction of evil within.

Priests have been shown that they are merely men, as easily attracted to evil as any man. They have nothing over anyone, especially celestial authority and to device a system of do's and don'ts on where to seek spiritual truth.

Just my view from decades of seeking.

The fire in which you made mention of,
Is God for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:29.

That is right, The celestial authority has the authority over the Terrestrial Priests have been shown that they are merely men as easily attached to evil as any man, and to device a system of do's and don't on where to seek spiritual truth.

Yes that's easily understood.seeing the Celestial man which is from above is the authority from above.
The Terrestrial man which is here blow, which is merely a man which is easily attached to evil. This is easily to understand.
Yes the Spirit can not burn, but everything that has sin and evil in it shall burn.
You made mention of death, that from the beginning the creator God, has used death as a stick, Fear death.

I'm just curious, do you know or have any idea who death is ?
You speak of death, but didn't explain exactly who death is.

In the book of Hebrews 2:14, you will find the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he ( Christ ) also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death
he ( Christ ) might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil"

Seeing here that another name for Satan is death.
You see as I have Christ Jesus, who is death ( Satan ) that I should fear.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Thank you. Interestingly enough, this verse helped me understsnd spirituality in the Church since before then, five years ago, Id never knew what that meant:

Galations 2:20

"I have been crucified in christ. Insofar, I no longer live for myself, but for the son of god."

If there was no christ and god was breathe not spirit, being, nor creator, Id probably be a theist just not abrahamic.

Thank you though. Each of us have the breathe of life, expression, and creativity in us.

I don’t know if I understand you correctly, but I appreciate your kind reply.
(You know, I do consider you a cousin.)

What you said in the previous post, that ‘we begin life at conception ‘.... yes, that is the spirit we have....the life-force that keeps us going. It has no personality to it. You could liken it somewhat to electricity, that keeps a stereo playing. But when wear and tear to the stereo gets too bad, it malfunctions...then the electricity ain’t gonna work no more on it. So, too, with our imperfect bodies. It’s not an ideal analogy, but the concept can be understood a little, I hope?

(You mention the “creativity in us”; I bet you are creative, aren’t you? I get that impression. Are you a painter?)

Anyway, I’m going to create a thread on the Bible’s view of the Resurrection.

(Grief, I’ve promised (to others) three threads now, on three different topics! I need to get to it!)

I’ll try to post it, soon. Take care.

 

[Faithofchristian]

Agreed! How could someone call the God of the Bible a ‘God of love’, but then turn around and say He burns people? Or even allows it?

It’s obvious the Lake of Fire isn’t literal, because death — a non-tangible thing — is “hurled” into it. (Death can’t ‘burn’.)

The LoF is just symbolic of complete destruction, that whatever is thrown into it, is “no more”, forever! As in Revelation 21:4... “death will be no more.”

First you have to understand that God loves those who loves him.

God is Love to those who loves him, all people have a choice and the decision to be for God or against God.

Those who chooses the way of Satan made their choice and decision who they will follow. Then they will feel the wrath of God, for God to them is a consuming fire.

God is not going to let sin rise up the second time. We all see and witness what sin and evil has done to this world.

What you think, God is going to let sin and evil into his kingdom.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I just got to thinking, what exactly happens to us after we die? I don't mean our bodies. What I mean is, what happens to our "soul" after we die? Do you think it goes to Heaven or Hell? Do you think it gets reincarnated until we achieve Nirvana? Or do you think nothing happens? Or something else? Please put what you think below and possibly an explanation if you feel motivated enough to do so. Thank you!

I don't think it'll be anything you need to worry about. Souls are not real. But what makes us alive and kicking....

If anything it will probably be the same as this life was except the new person or whatever, won't be "you" anymore.