Word for Word 4/15/26

What Happens When We Die?

What happens to you when you die? This is an important question, one that we certainly shouldn’t just ask ourselves when we’re 80 or 90 years old. It’s a question that we should ask ourselves today, because death doesn’t just come to the old. We could die today. This is why Moses writes, “So teach us to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

So, what happens to us when we die? Some say, nothing happens. When you’re dead, you’re dead and that is it. There are others who think that when you die, you become an angel or perhaps come back in a different form like a butterfly or deer. Others say that everyone who dies, simply goes to a happier or “better” place. But what does the Bible say?

In Hebrews 9:27, it says, “It is appointed for people to die only once and after this comes the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The Bible tells us that when you die, then you will stand before God in the judgement. There is a part of us that likes this idea. When we think about the many people in this world who have committed terrible crimes and atrocities, we might feel a sense of justice that they will not get off scot-free. However, divine judgement can also be a scary thought, especially, when we think about our own lives and shortcomings. Maybe we haven’t committed murder or some other heinous sin, but have we still hurt people in other ways? Have you failed to love and trust in God as he commands? Have you dishonored your parents, gotten angry with someone, been dishonest, lied, cheated, or gossiped? If we are at all honest, then we must admit, that, yes, we have sinned. Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). If we have fallen short and sinned against God, then it can be troubling to think that when we die, we will face God’s judgement.

But the Bible doesn’t just stop there. Thanks be to God, it also shares the good news! The Apostle Paul writes, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). When we stand before God’s judgement after we die, Paul is saying that you will not be condemned if you are in Christ Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior from sin will not be condemned to eternal suffering in hell, but instead God will welcome them to his eternal dwelling, to be with him in the place he has prepared for us. But how can this be? How can God let us off scot-free for the sins we have committed? It’s because someone else has paid our debt. On Good Friday, Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world. It is finished! He suffered the punishment and hell we deserved. Why? Because he loves you. He paid the price for our sins, the crimes we have committed, so that we could be saved. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

When we die, we will face God’s judgement. Our great comfort is that because of Jesus, we will be saved. When believers die, their soul goes to be with Jesus. As Jesus promised the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Because Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, we know that he will raise our bodies from the grave on the last day. Job declared, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25, 26).

Last fall, my kids and I planted tulips in the garden. Even in the middle of the winter the kids would remind me of this and say, “I can’t wait to see the tulips!” When we planted the bulbs in the ground, they didn’t look impressive, almost dead in fact. But I assured the kids that these would turn into beautiful tulips next spring. By Jesus rising from the dead, he gives us the assurance that one day he too will raise our very bodies from the grave. This is the truth Paul testifies to: “The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption… It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” Just as a tulip bulb planted will grow into a beautiful flower, so too will our buried bodies be raised to new life because our Redeemer lives. We will see God face to face in a place where there is no sin or sadness, but perfect joy, peace, and rest. No one can take this joy from you! Because your sins are forgiven! Death has lost its sting! And the Devil has no power over you. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! 

Pastor Abraham Faugstad
King of Grace Lutheran Church ELS, Waukon and Trinity Lutheran Church