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15

The Coming of the Lord Jesus

What happens to a person when he dies? What are we shown in Bible?

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John 11:11-14    (Lazarus was sick) ... Jesus said: 

Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 

Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that He had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

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In this scripture, Jesus shows us physical death is like being asleep.

Each of us can relate to what it feels like to be asleep.  We fall asleep.  We awaken.  Often we can't believe all those hours have passed.

As we sleep, we are not aware of where we are.  It doesn't matter where we are sleeping.

Physical death is like that.

People in churches often fail to understand this basic concept. 

I hear them say all manner of things about the dead person. 

Often they will say "he went to be with the Lord," when the Bible shows us the dead person is sleeping and when Jesus returns, HE will return with a shout, and the dead will then awaken out of sleep and rise to meet Jesus in the air. 

We see this truth in the following scripture.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18    But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.


For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep (dead).

For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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Everyone will be given new spiritual bodies at the time they are raised to meet Jesus in the air.

These fleshly bodies that we now have are the cause of pain, sorrow, emotions, grief, trouble.  In heaven we will not have such pains and sorrows.

Revelation 21:4    there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

When we arise to meet Jesus we will not have these physical bodies that we have as we live on this present earth.  (I Corinthians 15)

Paul says we will be changed in "the twinkling of an eye".  Blink.  That is how fast we will be changed out of these fleshly bodies.

We will then take on a new form and be like the angels in heaven.  Neither will people marry nor be given in marriage in heaven.

Matthew 22:30    Jesus says:  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

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At the time Jesus returns, we will rise to meet Jesus "in the air".  I Thessalonians 4

Jesus' kingdom is not of this present world.  John 18:36

This present heaven and earth will be destroyed by God.

II Peter 3:10-14    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

(This present earth as we know it will never be righteous.)

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

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God allowed the apostle John to see this new heaven and new earth and John tells us about it in the following scripture:

Revelation 21:1-5    And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and God HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

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