Introduction. One of the most fundamental reasons people become and remain a Christian is the hope that we will continue to live after the body has died. As we age, we learn from personal experience what Paul did nearly 2000 years ago: “our outward man is perishing,” yet with the hope of eternal life, “the inward man is being renewed day by day.” With this promise from God “we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." By faith we now understand that “the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18
From the Beginning, God has been open and honest with the children of Adam. Death came as a result of sin. Though we brought this terrible curse upon ourselves, God began to offer a second chance to possess eternal life as far back as Abel.
From the Beginning, God has been open and honest with the children of Adam. Death came as a result of sin. Though we brought this terrible curse upon ourselves, God began to offer a second chance to possess eternal life as far back as Abel.
Abel believed the same promise that motivated Paul when he wrote the above. This promise led him to live for God and not for himself. Abel is the first one listed in Hebrews 11:4-12 who “saw” and “welcomed” God’s promises that gave him the faith to offer that better sacrifice. As Enoch walked with God, he too confessed “he was a stranger and exile on earth.” Because of Enoch’s faithful walk, God was able to testify and verify his promises by taking Enoch directly and not through death. Noah built the ark and Abraham and Sarah left their home because “they were seeking a country of their own.” It was “all these” who “died without receiving the promises”, but because they “saw and welcomed them” they also “confessed they were strangers and exiles.” After Enoch, it was clear they would not wait any longer than death for these promises. They would receive an amazing down payment the moment they died. Enoch proved that very thing!
All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Heb. 11:13-16
God’s promise assured them of a “country of their own ... a better country... a heavenly one” and they believed! This trust pleased God. They “saw.. welcomed.. sought, and desired.” It was this quality of commitment that led the Holy Spirit to reveal: “God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”
But what are the specifics of these promises? In the quiet of the night can we see them twinkling like the stars beaconing us to greater service? Do we welcome them as our brethren did before us, confessing we too are strangers and exiles on the earth? When was the last time we sat down and savored our desire for the beauty and wonder of what God has in mind for us for all eternity?
When Jesus came, he “brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Tim. 2:8-10 What he said adds so many new perspectives and vistas to these earliest promises of God. Jesus revealed there are three phases to “life and immortality.” First, the wonderful experiences we will enjoy the very moment of our death. Second, the amazing changes we will experience at the resurrection. Third, the beauty and awe of our eternal home in heaven. Each of these has an amazing amount of detail. The more we “see,” “welcome,” “seek”, and “desire” the more like a “stranger” and “exile” we will feel.
Jesus taught some very deep things in some of his most simple comments. He then gave amazing illustrations to make clear the meaning of this teaching. First, consider his words to the thief as they were both in the process of death by crucifixion.
And He said to him, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. Lk. 23:43
Jesus knew that neither he nor the thief were coming down alive from the cross to which each was nailed. He spoke these words about the sixth hour of the day and died three hours later at about the ninth. A short time after he died the soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves and they too died (Lk. 23:44-46; Jn. 19:30-33).
Yet Jesus had promised the thief: “today you shall be with me in Paradise.” The promise Jesus made to the thief was based on the truths he had already revealed in his discussion of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31). Just as “the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom,” that very day Jesus knew they also would be “carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom.” Jesus had seen this occur countless times since the creation. Now he and the thief were to experience it. Only the portal of death separated them from Paradise. This is a wonderful word to describe the place we will live after death: “paradeisos... a garden, pleasure ground; grove, park... ‘the garden of Eden’ where our first parents dwelt before the fall...” (Thayer, p. 480)
In the first sermon after Jesus resurrection, Peter preached that after death Jesus was in Hades (Acts 2:26-27, 31). This means this beautiful grove and park is also in Hades. As we try to put into words how awesome and precious this will be, we can’t find them! Angels escorting us to a park and grove so beautiful it was first used to describe Eden! Does this sound too good to be true? Are we reading more into these words than is there? Let’s see!
Many years later Paul also spoke of Paradise. Whether in his body (alive and seeing it as a vision) or out of his body (dead and separated from his body (really there in his spirit!) Paul did not know. Even this brings up interesting applications. If Paul couldn’t tell the difference between being in his body or being out of his body, then we won’t be able to tell either! Paul was caught up to paradise (2 Cor. 12:1-4, 7). While there, he “heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (Note: whether in the body or out, he could still hear). The beauty, peace, comfort, and joy of that place were either beyond words alone, or the words themselves were unlawful to be spoken. There was “surpassing greatness” in “these revelations!” Though Paul never told us what he saw, he later told the Philippians how he still felt about what he had seen and heard.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard- pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; Phil. 1:21-23
After what Paul heard and saw, death changed in a moment from a loss to a gain (profit)! He knew he would gain more after death than he ever had while living in this life. This profit led him to a powerful longing (epithumos - often translated lust, craving or longing Thayer #1939). Death was not of mild interest for Paul after what he had seen. As Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, Paul also saw.. welcomed.. sought, and desired. He knew it would be “very much better” (“kreitton... more useful ... more advantageous... more excellent” Thayer, #2808)!
Are we taking this further than Paul intended? That’s not possible! Remember the events at Jesus transfiguration. Jesus face shone as the sun and his clothing became white as the light (Mt 17:1-3). But for our study, what was more important was the appearance of Moses and Elijah. “behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Lk 9:29-31
We now learn two more things to add to what we “see.. welcome.. seek and desire.” First though dead for hundreds of years, they appeared in glory. Death was clearly a gain for them! Obviously it was “very far better.” Hundreds of years after physical death they were still in glory! Secondly, there was no Jerusalem when Moses died, nor were there any prophecies of Jesus’ death in Jerusalem at the time of Moses or Elijah. They had come to speak with Jesus about things they could not possibly have known before they died. It is evident they learned and experienced these things after death. Far from loss, death brought both profit and gain to them.
Still too good to be true? Jesus taught exactly the same thing while living on earth: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” Jn. 8:51 When Jesus, the thief, and Lazarus died, they did not see death. They saw angels and entered Paradise! When Moses and Elijah died, they did not see death; they found glory and knowledge! All who keep Jesus' words will never see death. It is hard to grasp this solely because the only side of death we have ever seen is a body empty of a soul.
Yet, if we think about it, this is exactly how all journeys are experienced. Those who remain must watch their loved ones leave. As they return home lonely and empty, the ones leaving simply move on to new places and new experiences. Just as we can fall asleep on a plane leaving St. Louis and awaken near a beautiful beach, mountain, or other vacation spot. Those who die keeping Jesus’ word fall asleep here and awaken in Paradise.
Conclusion. Jesus further explained this to Martha who was grieving over her brother Lazarus. “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 Work this one out! If we believe in Jesus, we will continue to live even if we die. Everyone (including us) who lives and believes in Jesus will never die. Do we believe this? It is the same story again: “Today you will be with me in Paradise” They continued to live after they died. They never really died at all! Remember what Jesus told the Saduccees as they debated life after death and the resurrection: “Have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Mt. 22:31-32 Though hundreds of years had elapsed from Abraham’s death to Moses standing before the burning bush, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were still alive. They did not see death and neither will we.
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; 2 Cor. 5:1-2
All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Heb. 11:13-16
God’s promise assured them of a “country of their own ... a better country... a heavenly one” and they believed! This trust pleased God. They “saw.. welcomed.. sought, and desired.” It was this quality of commitment that led the Holy Spirit to reveal: “God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”
But what are the specifics of these promises? In the quiet of the night can we see them twinkling like the stars beaconing us to greater service? Do we welcome them as our brethren did before us, confessing we too are strangers and exiles on the earth? When was the last time we sat down and savored our desire for the beauty and wonder of what God has in mind for us for all eternity?
When Jesus came, he “brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Tim. 2:8-10 What he said adds so many new perspectives and vistas to these earliest promises of God. Jesus revealed there are three phases to “life and immortality.” First, the wonderful experiences we will enjoy the very moment of our death. Second, the amazing changes we will experience at the resurrection. Third, the beauty and awe of our eternal home in heaven. Each of these has an amazing amount of detail. The more we “see,” “welcome,” “seek”, and “desire” the more like a “stranger” and “exile” we will feel.
Jesus taught some very deep things in some of his most simple comments. He then gave amazing illustrations to make clear the meaning of this teaching. First, consider his words to the thief as they were both in the process of death by crucifixion.
And He said to him, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. Lk. 23:43
Jesus knew that neither he nor the thief were coming down alive from the cross to which each was nailed. He spoke these words about the sixth hour of the day and died three hours later at about the ninth. A short time after he died the soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves and they too died (Lk. 23:44-46; Jn. 19:30-33).
Yet Jesus had promised the thief: “today you shall be with me in Paradise.” The promise Jesus made to the thief was based on the truths he had already revealed in his discussion of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31). Just as “the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom,” that very day Jesus knew they also would be “carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom.” Jesus had seen this occur countless times since the creation. Now he and the thief were to experience it. Only the portal of death separated them from Paradise. This is a wonderful word to describe the place we will live after death: “paradeisos... a garden, pleasure ground; grove, park... ‘the garden of Eden’ where our first parents dwelt before the fall...” (Thayer, p. 480)
In the first sermon after Jesus resurrection, Peter preached that after death Jesus was in Hades (Acts 2:26-27, 31). This means this beautiful grove and park is also in Hades. As we try to put into words how awesome and precious this will be, we can’t find them! Angels escorting us to a park and grove so beautiful it was first used to describe Eden! Does this sound too good to be true? Are we reading more into these words than is there? Let’s see!
Many years later Paul also spoke of Paradise. Whether in his body (alive and seeing it as a vision) or out of his body (dead and separated from his body (really there in his spirit!) Paul did not know. Even this brings up interesting applications. If Paul couldn’t tell the difference between being in his body or being out of his body, then we won’t be able to tell either! Paul was caught up to paradise (2 Cor. 12:1-4, 7). While there, he “heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (Note: whether in the body or out, he could still hear). The beauty, peace, comfort, and joy of that place were either beyond words alone, or the words themselves were unlawful to be spoken. There was “surpassing greatness” in “these revelations!” Though Paul never told us what he saw, he later told the Philippians how he still felt about what he had seen and heard.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard- pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; Phil. 1:21-23
After what Paul heard and saw, death changed in a moment from a loss to a gain (profit)! He knew he would gain more after death than he ever had while living in this life. This profit led him to a powerful longing (epithumos - often translated lust, craving or longing Thayer #1939). Death was not of mild interest for Paul after what he had seen. As Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, Paul also saw.. welcomed.. sought, and desired. He knew it would be “very much better” (“kreitton... more useful ... more advantageous... more excellent” Thayer, #2808)!
Are we taking this further than Paul intended? That’s not possible! Remember the events at Jesus transfiguration. Jesus face shone as the sun and his clothing became white as the light (Mt 17:1-3). But for our study, what was more important was the appearance of Moses and Elijah. “behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Lk 9:29-31
We now learn two more things to add to what we “see.. welcome.. seek and desire.” First though dead for hundreds of years, they appeared in glory. Death was clearly a gain for them! Obviously it was “very far better.” Hundreds of years after physical death they were still in glory! Secondly, there was no Jerusalem when Moses died, nor were there any prophecies of Jesus’ death in Jerusalem at the time of Moses or Elijah. They had come to speak with Jesus about things they could not possibly have known before they died. It is evident they learned and experienced these things after death. Far from loss, death brought both profit and gain to them.
Still too good to be true? Jesus taught exactly the same thing while living on earth: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” Jn. 8:51 When Jesus, the thief, and Lazarus died, they did not see death. They saw angels and entered Paradise! When Moses and Elijah died, they did not see death; they found glory and knowledge! All who keep Jesus' words will never see death. It is hard to grasp this solely because the only side of death we have ever seen is a body empty of a soul.
Yet, if we think about it, this is exactly how all journeys are experienced. Those who remain must watch their loved ones leave. As they return home lonely and empty, the ones leaving simply move on to new places and new experiences. Just as we can fall asleep on a plane leaving St. Louis and awaken near a beautiful beach, mountain, or other vacation spot. Those who die keeping Jesus’ word fall asleep here and awaken in Paradise.
Conclusion. Jesus further explained this to Martha who was grieving over her brother Lazarus. “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 Work this one out! If we believe in Jesus, we will continue to live even if we die. Everyone (including us) who lives and believes in Jesus will never die. Do we believe this? It is the same story again: “Today you will be with me in Paradise” They continued to live after they died. They never really died at all! Remember what Jesus told the Saduccees as they debated life after death and the resurrection: “Have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Mt. 22:31-32 Though hundreds of years had elapsed from Abraham’s death to Moses standing before the burning bush, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were still alive. They did not see death and neither will we.
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; 2 Cor. 5:1-2