1034. What Occurs Between Death and the Resurrection?
What Occurs Between Death and the Resurrection?
"To depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better" (Php_1:23)
We have before us a question which brings concern to many. They wonder, if the spirit is to put off the body, what will happen to the spirit. Where will it be? Everybody knows, of course what happens to the body; and the consideration is not at all pleasant. But the question now before us is concerning the spirit. After the spirit has been re-embodied in the resurrection, we are satisfied as to its personality and its power of expression; but what about the interim?
1. The spirit of the believer is in Paradise. 2Co_12:4 : "How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
The Apostle Paul is speaking of a wonderful experience, which more than likely was his own. He speaks of a man in Christ who was caught up into the third Heaven. While he was in Paradise he heard unspeakable words. We cannot but believe that this Paradise is the abode of the redeemed spirit after death. To be sure, Paradise was, according to Luk_23:43, in the heart of the earth, into which Christ descended (see Eph_4:9) when He died. However, when Christ ascended He led a multitude of captives, and Paradise was certainly transferred. Paradise, therefore, is now in the third Heaven and it is there that the believer's spirit goes when it leaves the body.
2. The spirit of the believer is with the Lord, after death. Php_1:23 : "For I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better."
Paul said: "I have a desire to depart and be with Christ." Whatever else may be said of the spirit, if it is in Paradise and if it is with the Lord, certainly that is enough.
"Face to face with Christ, my Saviour,
Face to face, what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ, Who died for me!
"Face to face shall I behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky,
Face to face in all His beauty,
I shall see Him by-and-by."
3. The believer will be at Home with Christ. 2Co_5:8, R. V.: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
It is delightful to think of being with the Lord, but this is an added glory. Not only with Him, but at Home with Him! The word "home" carries with it the sweetest thought and consideration of human life. How wonderful it is to transfer the life at home among men to a life at Home in Heaven. The author of "Home, Sweet Home" wrote a song that immortalized his name:
"'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."
There is another author, however, who has written
"O think of the Home over there,
By the side of the river of Life."
Which conception is the dearest? Certainly the more enduring Home–the Home where there will be no more the empty chair, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more separation.
4. The spirit of the believer rests from its labor. Rev_14:13 : "And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
This consideration is blessed. Particularly will this be so in that era of persecution and martyrdom, during the tribulation; when those who name the name of Christ shall be hated. They can neither buy nor sell who receive not the mark of the beast; but, thank God, when they are killed for the faith, they rest from their labor.
5. The spirit of the believer at death is with the spirits of just men made perfect. Heb_12:23 : "To the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect."
Let us recapitulate for a moment what lies between death and the resurrection. "Paradise;" "With the Lord;" "At Home with the Lord;" "Rest from labor;" and now, finally, "Fellowship with the spirits of just men made perfect." How wonderful it will be when we behold that innumerable company of angels, and the general assembly of the Church of the Firstborn, whose names are registered in Heaven! How glorious will be our fellowship over there!
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR