When I was young, until recently in my thirties, there were no deaths in my family. And I was almost convinced, although absurd, that there could be no death in my family. I felt blessed and privileged and often thank God for his safekeeping, although we were unworthy.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!I have lost some friends in the course of time, who were the ones who entertained us the most. We played football and laughed at silly things together, sharing our dreams, which were often wide and different. And that is life!
Of late, I used to wonder if my brother, father, grandfather, and grandmother, who is my favorite, is still here to listen to my thoughts, a silly thought I dare not share with others, and I wonder where they are now.
A different world now:
The world has become quite different than when I was a child. Now that the paddy rice harvesting season has been ongoing in the paddy field in the village where I was born. In the past, it was a time when we were all busy working, young and old at our level of contribution. We have no machines then.
I am happy to have all of them in my life. My brother, with whom I spent some of my childhood with although we have different tastes in time and things, under the arms of my father.
Further, my grandfather, who experienced the ups and downs of life, was full of stories, spreading the gospel. And my grandmother, with whom I shared a different level of friendship.
Where are they now?
If you’re like me, I would like to take you to where they are supposed to be now in this time. Those who are to comfort and guide went before us.
In my search for their presence in my daily life, which will never come back as they’re gone now, I have stumbled upon the place of the dead as mentioned in the Gospels.
They are now in a temporary place waiting for us, and also for the eternal judgment. And after that, we will be sent to a place where we will spend our eternity.
There are two sides to the temporary place of the dead. Let us take a look at it.
Paradise:
Let us take a look at the place of the dead from Luke 16:19-23. The verse is about the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. It is important for other reasons too – to be compassionate, and earthly wealth did not bring us to Paradise.
The scripture mentioned two places that have an uncrossable gulf, in other words chasm, between the two.
Paradise is a temporary heaven where the saved or believer rest after their physical death.
It is a place for the righteous. In Luke 16:22, it is also called Abraham’s bosom, where Lazarus was.
It is a place of comfort, love, and companionship. I believe it is a place full of life that I saw from faraway in my personal journey.
Then he, one of the thieves or criminals on the cross, said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 This means that upon death, the thief who believes in Jesus at the very last second will be going to Paradise while Jesus is buried in the tomb for three days.
Hades:
Hades is the place where the rich man went after his physical death. It is a temporary hell and a place for the unrighteous. Further, a place of torment.
Hades is a term and place equivalent to Sheol, as used in the Old Testament. It is the realm of the dead. Acts 2:27, Psalm 16:8-11
And I tell you that you are Peter, the Greek word for Peter meaning rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 16:18
In simple terms, the church or believers will not enter this place called Hades.
By now, we can somehow work out where our loved ones could be. There is no certainty in us because it is God who looks after the heart, rather than what we see and know.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. John 14:3 Phil. 1:23
The place for eternity:
Then a time will come, if I am to write about the Dispensation of time, it will take long, since it is a long and important topic, which is better left untouched for now. Here is a glimpse of what we can see from the revelation of God about the time to come to John.
“They ( the people) are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Rev.7:15
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. Rev. 22:3A new world; a new Jerusalem and many good things were in store for us. We will share the happiness of our Master.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matt. 25:23
