Biblical Worldview - Part 11- What Happens to a Person at Death
By Ben Quine
****The way we act is shaped by the way we look at the world. Our lives are shaped by our basic assumptions and convictions. These Worldview Articles will explore what a “worldview” is. Each person has a worldview, whether they know it or not, and it determines every decision and choice a person makes. Do you have a Biblical Worldview or are factors other than the Bible informing your choices and decisions. In this series of articles, we will take an in-depth look at 7 Vital Worldview Questions, as the starting place for building a Biblical Worldview. (These articles are adapted from David Quine’s Answers for Difficult Days “Seven Vital Worldview Questions.” David is Ben’s father and the founder of Cornerstone Curriculum a Biblically based Homeschool Curriculum.)
“If you strike me down I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine!” These famous scripted words were spoken by Obi Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars. Darth Vader accepts the gambit, plunging his former friend and mentor into the afterlife, which in the film is a vague and undefined existence. Kenobi appears to be “at one with the force,” while simultaneously retaining his individuality and the ability to speak to Luke, appearing in ghost-like form. Of course, this is just a movie — but the philosophy resembles eastern worldviews that seek the same goal of “becoming one with the universe.”
The ancient Greeks believed that the eternal destination of everyone was “the underworld” — a meaningless, purposeless, and mostly monotonous existence. For this reason, they prized an earthly life of heroic action that sought for glory — to garner “an undying name.”
Of course, there are many other views of what happens to a person at death, but one thing is certain: our views of the afterlife are very personal, and they often directly impact the way we choose to live now. If you believe death is the path to greater influence, goodness, and power you, like Obi Wan, may be inspired to lay down your life for others. Or perhaps you are living for as much power and pleasure as possible in this life, since you believe there is absolutely nothing beyond the grave.
But what is the truth? What really happens to a person after death? For the answer, let us turn to Jesus, as he pulls back the curtain of eternity…
19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. (Luke 16:19-21)
Jesus sets the scene with two contrasting people whose life experiences were at the extremes of the spectrum. It’s unclear if this story is of two real people, or if this is a parable. But what is clear is that by the world’s standards, the rich man was successful and blessed, but Lazarus was considered an outcast and a failure. Let’s look at what happened after their deaths…
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. (Luke 16:22-23)
The world’s view was wrong: Lazarus was taken to Abraham’s Bosom, but the rich man was taken to a place of torment.
24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ (Luke 16:24-26)
Jesus teaches that our life choices do have eternal consequences; that each of us must give generously to those around us; that after death there are two ultimate destinations; and that after death it will be too late to alter our eternal state.
27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:27-31)
The advice offered in this story is “Listen to Moses and the Prophets.” After all, as Jesus told his friends on the road to Emmaus, Moses and the Prophets testify of himself (Luke 24:25-27,44). Incredibly, Jesus was also foretelling that people wouldn’t believe in him as Christ, even when he rose from the dead.
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. (John 5:26)
God is eternal. He has life in Himself (self-sustaining, self-sufficient), and can never die. Humans do not have life in ourselves: we need all sorts of things to sustain our physical life (food, water, sleep, shelter, medicine, etc.). More importantly, we need God to sustain our spiritual life.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4)
Sin is rebellion against God. It says, “I don’t need God in my life. I don’t want God in my life.” That’s why the “wages of sin is death” — because separation from God is separation from life, from light, and from everything that is good (John 1:4, 1 John 1:5, James 1:17).
…have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. (Luke 16:24)
Though Jesus didn’t precisely define every detail, his overall message is clear: life in God’s presence for the redeemed will be wonderful beyond our imagination, but those who face separation from God will experience eternal agony.
When you die you will not join Obi Wan Kenobi and become one with the universe. You will not be headed to a monotonous underworld. You will not simply cease to exist, or return to earth in some other form. Jesus teaches that each of us will enter either paradise or torment, and that today is the time to change our eternal destination. After our death, it will be too late.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
Death is either the door to life with God and His people, or the door to eternal separation from God. God is the only one that can bring ultimate fulfillment and meaning to life. Separation from Him is death.
In the next article we’ll dig deeper into the two eternal destinations.
Ben Quine is Vice President of Christians Engaged and is the Director of Curriculum Development and Strategic Ministry Partnerships.
Learn more about Ben on our website: christiansengaged.org/leadership
Find Ben’s corresponding “Answers for Difficult Days” books in our Christians Engaged Store