When you die
The hope of every Christian believer is that when we pass away that angels come and take us to heaven. In fact the idea that there is something in the afterlife that is better then anything here in earth is enticing. The Apostle Paul said that it is better for me to leave, but I choose to stay because of you all the believers then (Phil1:21-24). I mean who does not want to go to heaven once you pass? Everyone! This idea of going to heaven; while many think that they have the way to get there, can only be found in Christ because he claimed (Jh14:6). Jesus told the sinner that was next to him at the cross “Today you will be in paradise with me” (lk23:43). But once we die and; if we have believed and followed Christ, gone to heaven it does not end there. There are a sequence of events that must happen before the end. And one of those events will happen is called the resurrection of the dead, of which every person will experience when the time comes. It is a mysterious process as complex as life itself is the resurrection process.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
At a given time, the scriptures teach that a trumpet will blow and a mass group of believers will rise from the dead and leave their tombs to meet Christ in the sky. Death is the final step for salvation if we have believed. And just as the complexity of life has demonstrated the power of God, so resurrection. We see it on the trees when they seem to die just as winter begins to creep in, the leaves fall and the fruits rot. In the spring leaves bud and the fruits appear. The church at Corinth was getting conflicting doctrines with regards to resurrection, and they were being taught that there is no resurrection of the dead (1Co15:12-14). And Paul had to correct this church challenge their faith, because resurrection power is an element of faith. When one lives a life of faith they experience the power of resurrection just like Elisha did even after he was dead. A band of the Moabites were burring dead man and they threw him in the tomb of Elisha, when his body touched the bones of Elisha he came back to life (2K13:21).
Now once one dies and he has made it to paradise at a given time he/she will at the resurrection will receive a new body glorified (1Co15:42-43). The corruptible will be dressed with the incorruptible. It is the race towards change, where to those who finish it will be set free from tears, pain and troubles (Re21:4). Jesus said do not let your heart be troubled neither be afraid, in my father’s house there are many mansions I go and prepare one for you (Jh14:1-3).
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
1 Corinthians 15:12-14
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
2 Kings 13:21
21 Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.
1 Corinthians 15:42-43
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
Revelation 21:4
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in Goda]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.