No instant heaven or hell

A significant portion of "church land" teaches "instant Heaven or hell after death" which is totally inconsistent with what the Bible teaches:

Firstly we know from the crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ that he did not immediately go to Heaven.  God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9+ Romans 8:11) and then Christ met Mary Magdalene at the tomb where he told her he had not yet gone to God in John 20:17.  That is why Mary was not allowed to hold him:

"Do not hold me," Jesus said. "I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, I am ascending to my Father who is also your Father, to my God who is also your God".

No instant Heaven for Christ the Son of Man.

Secondly the Jews did not teach instant Heaven or Hell, but a "Resurrection on the Last Day" as we know from what Martha casually says after the death of Lazarus:

"Jesus answered her, 'Your brother will rise from the dead.'"I know," said Marta, "that he will rise in the resurrection at the last day." John 11:23-24

However, we do know that Christ raised Lazarus from the dead earlier as part of the Works of Salvation of him as the sent son of God YHWH (John 11:22 and John 11:25-27).

Thirdly the Bible tells of what the resurrections will be like: first a Resurrection to Eternal Life, followed by a 1,000-year later resurrection leading to Judgment and Verdict:

"But don't we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead? Then it follows that God will take to Himself those who have died as Christians, together with Jesus. We keep a word from the Lord when we say to you: We who are still alive until the coming of the Lord have no precedence over the dead, for when the sign is given, the archangel lifts up his voice, and the trumpet of God sounds, the Lord himself will come down from heaven.  Then arise the dead Christians; then we who are still alive will be caught up with the resurrected in the clouds of the air to meet the Lord.", 1Thessalonians 4:14-17.

“They worshiped neither the beast nor his image, neither received his mark on their foreheads nor on their hands. They lived again and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4

“He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, that is, the devil or Satan, and chained him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:2

'The rest of the dead did not live again until after the thousand years.' Revelation 20:5.

Thus the Resurrection of Christ the Son of Man agrees with the Resurrection of Christians;  followed by (the 2nd) ascension of all.

But: what about the parable with Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:20-31 It concerns a parable that made it clear that faith in God's Word or the Scriptures should take place while alive.  Moreover, "to be buried in the bosom of Abraham" is actually the grave with the promise that was also made to Abraham, which verse 31 makes clear.  And again this verse speaks of a resurrection.  Finally, we also know from Thessalonians and Revelation that the Resurrection from the grave to life does not coincide with the 1,000 years later resurrection to Judgment and Verdict (thrown into eternal fire).  So you also know that this parable did not serve as a resurrection doctrine, but was merely a warning that your faith in life determines which resurrection from the grave you will experience!

But what about what Christ promises to the man next to him on the cross (Luke 23:43)?  Many translations of this verse have been adapted to church teachings of instant heaven or hell and therefore say this falsely/forged: "Truly I say to you: today you will be with me in paradise".

However, the good, Bible-true translation is: "Truly I say to you today: you shall be with me in Paradise".

Also realize that Christ himself says in John 20:17 that he had NOT been with God 3 days and nights after the crucifixion that he was in the tomb and is still going there:

"Do not hold me," Jesus said. "I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, I am ascending to my Father who is also your Father, to my God who is also your God.  is," John 20:17.

Christ did not immediately go to Heaven and so the counterfeit Luke 23:43 text that says "today you will be with me in paradise" is NOT correct.

Finally, what must be said: Hell is not a place where God allows the devil to rule!  On the contrary: God will deal with the devil, because after the 1,000 years of captivity the devil will end up in God's Eternal Fire:

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where also the beast and the false prophet are, and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Revelation 20:10

Those from the 2nd resurrection will also end up in that Fire of God:

"And death and hades were thrown into the sea of ​​fire. This is the second death, the sea of ​​​​fire. And if anyone was found not to be written in the book of the living, he was cast into the sea of ​​​​fire.",  Revelation 20:14-15.

So no instant Heaven or hell after you die, but waiting in the grave until a resurrection follows;

1. At the 2nd Coming of Christ leading to the Resurrection of Life.  Or

2. 1,000 years later to receive Judgment and Sentence leading to eternal death via being cast into God's Fire.

Know that in life you will make a choice consciously or unconsciously that will lead to either 1 or to 2!

You can read more about making that choice here:

Eternal life after this life?!

Reuniting with the Eternal God YHWH?!

Are you ready for the return of Christ?