Be Ye Doers. . . Of The Word!

Note: In 1989 I began preaching a series of sermons concerning death and where we go when we die. During this time I was approached with a typed manuscript opposing these views. The title of that manuscript was, "Five Reasons That Jesus Did Not Take Paradise To Heaven With Him." The following is Part II of those reasons and my response to them. (For the beginning of this article see "Where Are The Dead - Part I) I pray that through this presentation many will gain a greater understanding of this great question.

#5a Paul does not say that Christ will bring the souls of the righteous dead with Him at His second coming. (1 Thessalonians 3:13, Jude 14) A better translation of the Greek word "saints" in these verses would be "holy ones" or "angels." The song is correct in this instance when it says, "He could have called 10,000 angels." Reread carefully 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. Paul begins to explain Jesus' second coming to his Thessalonian brothers (who are alive) so they won't be ignorant.

(JDS) If Paul doesn't say that, what does he say? Paul explains that when Jesus comes again He will bring all the saints with Him. (1 Thessalonians 3:13) This Greek word is the same used in 1 Corinthians 1:2, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Jude 3 & 14. In fact, this same Greek word is used no less than 60 times in the Word of God and ALWAYS refers to Christians, not angels. The Greek word for angels is not even close to saints. Besides all this, he quotes a SONG. Need I say more? What does Paul say in 1 Thessalonians 4? In verse 13 he doesn't want them to be ignorant (concerning what?) about those (saints) who have died. Why? Because they will act like non-Christians, who have no hope. Verse 14 announces that those who have died in Christ, Jesus will bring with Him. Remember, to be absent from the body is to be with the Lord. In Revelation 6:9, what did John see? He saw the SOULS not the bodies. Where were the SOULS? They were with Jesus. In Revelation 6:10 they cried; "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth." They were not on the earth, but with Jesus. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Jesus will bring the SOULS of the saints back with Him to unite them with their new bodies. Then we that are alive will be changed in a twinkling of an eye. Our corruptible bodies will put on incorruption and the mortal will put on immortality and we shall be with the Lord forever.

#5b 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 is teaching simply the order of the resurrection. The dead in Christ will resurrect first then those which are alive will be changed.

(JDS) The order of the resurrection has nothing to do with our subject. I agree with the order of the resurrection, but where are the souls until the resurrection? That is the question.

Three Reasons Paradise Is Not In Heaven

#1 Jesus said so in John 3:13. "And no man hath ascended up to Heaven, but He that came down from Heaven, even the Son of man which is in Heaven." This verse is self-explanatory.

(JDS) Yes, it is self-explanatory. Look at Matthew 6:10. Thy Kingdom come; do we still pray for the Kingdom to come? At that time, was it a true statement? Yes. Is it now? No. Why? Because the Kingdom is the Church, and it arrived on the Day of Pentacost. Had Jesus died in John 3:13? No. Had Christ given the terms of pardon? No. Had Paul said to be absent from the body is to be with the Lord? No. In Mark 10:17 the rich young ruler asked Jesus how he could inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. Are we to be saved the same way? Brothers, John 3:13 is a true statement just as the others I have presented. The question is; Do we live by them today? The only response that we can give is NO.

#2 Jesus said so in Matthew 25:31-44. Verse 34 says, "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." The righteous will go to Heaven after the judgement.

(JDS) This is a true statement, but we are not talking about the judgement. The question once again, is where are the souls of the saved dead before the judgement. In Revelation 6:9-11 the souls had not received their full reward and won't till after the judgement. They will be in temporal comfort, but not the fullness of what will be when they receive the crown of life.

#3 Jesus said so in John 14:1-3. Verse 3 says, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may also be." We will be where He is when He comes again.

(JDS) The place Jesus prepared for us is not going to come to pass until after the judgement. I think we are still talking about where the souls of the saved go at death. No one will receive the fullness of what Christ promised till the second coming. In Revelation 6:9 the souls are under the alter not in mansions. We will receive this promise when we are united with our new bodies at Christ's coming. Romans 2:11 says that God does not show favoritism. All must wait till He comes again.