What will life after death be like ?

Post by **_Vern** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:39 pm

What does the Bible indicate about everyday life after the return of Jesus? What happens after we meet Jesus in the sky at his second coming and the new heavens and earth are created?

Does anyone have any biblical insights into what we will fill our time doing? What thoughts and emotions will fill our heads? Will we do productive work or spend all of our time in worship? Will we laugh, spend time in study, learn new skills, take up challenging hobbies? Will we have fun?

As a kid, I was really stumbled in my desire to lead a Christian life because my thoughts on eternal life following my earthly death were very negative. I envisioned eternal life as sitting on my rear end for all of eternity in a church service (uncomfortable pews, uncomfortable clothes, struggling to stay awake, a voice screaming in my head for the clock to move faster so I could get out of that building).

I really would like to replace this imagery with something more positive that can be supported in Scripture. If there really isn't anything in Scripture, I guess the best I can do is look to God's nature and trust that eternal life is going to be a pleasant thing. Can I get some help here?

Post by **_Paidion** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 4:28 pm

Adoration and praise shall doubtless be a major occupation after the resurrection.

I do not have any "biblical insights" as there isn't a great deal in the Bible that describes our activities at that time.

However, there is considerable teaching concerning "the reconciliation of all things" to God. He is "the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe". But how will all people come under Christ's authority? Very few do so at the present time, here on earth. But Christ taught that the "goats" go into a correction that goes from age to age.
Here on earth, mere suffering doesn't seem to result in the correction of most people. It takes more. My guess is that the resurrected saints, the "manifest sons of God" will have the task of going to Gehenna with the message of the "permanent gospel" to bring those in the second resurrection who are being corrected there. That job will last "for ages and ages." That will keep us pretty busy until "all things are put under His feet."

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 5:22 pm

Since i think scripture says we shall be like him perhaps we may travel all over the universe doing tasks for God as well as what Paidion mentioned.

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 8:47 am

Whatever it is we are doing, it will be incredible to be far removed from the presense of sin and eventually far removed from the presence of Satan and his own. For all the people you come in contact with to be your brother and sister and to be in the presence of the Almighty loving God that got us there. The greatest moment here would be misery compared to the lowest moment in Heaven. I cannot form a description of what I believe Heaven will be exactly but I know it will be incredible. We can finally talk to the ones we've read about in the Bible (Paul, Moses, David) even if it takes 1000 years to get to meet them, who cares? We've got all of eternity + I'll get to meet all of you guys there

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:05 am

Regarding heaven i think in many places scripture indicates the "meek" or righteous will inherit the earth and the wicked will be swept away in judgement "As in the days of Noah." We will meet Him in the air to greet Him as they met a visiting official in the OT and escort Him down to earth.IMO earth "will abideth forever" but we won't be confined to it.

Post by **_Roger** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 11:15 am

Vern,

I am probably in the minority regarding my views, but I believe we will inhabit the new earth for eternity. Why would God creat a new earth if all his saints were in heaven for eternity.

In Revelation the "New Jerusalem" was coming down out of heaven from God. Jesus told us to pray "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

I believe God's will has not changed from the creation of mankind in Genesis. Although Satan interrupted God's move in His creation by tempting mankind and leading him into the fall of creation, the will of God will not be thwarted by Satan. Eventually God will have a human race exibiting His nature "on earth as it is in heaven".

I can only imagine that we will have houses and farms and we will work and produce crops etc. The huge difference is that it will be an earth that manifests the nature of God and not the nature of Satan with all of his sinful attributes. We will not be sitting on pews in some sort of eternal boring "church" service.

Roger

Post by **_Blind Beggar** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:50 pm

Roger.... This is all pretty much speculation since there is not much in the biblical record. I tend to agree with you about the new earth and our eternal state. It seems that the statement of a new earth brings full circle the restoration of the original state of man and creation before the fall. Romans 8 gives the impression that creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay.

Post by **_Roger** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:46 pm

You are right Blind Beggar in that the Word does not seem to have a lot to say in this area. It just seems that to create a new earth just for the sake of having a new earth is a bit senseless. The thought of being in heaven for eternity doesn't seem to be supported all that much in scripture either.

Anyhow this view makes sense to me at this time but I am always open to God for more revelation as I am sure you are also.

Roger