What Happens After Death—and How It Ties to the Second Coming of Christ
Death is one of the great certainties of human existence. No matter our wealth, education, influence, or accomplishments, unless Jesus Christ returns first, every one of us will eventually face death. The Bible declares, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, KJV). Yet death is not the end of our existence. Scripture presents death as a separation of the spirit from the body, followed by a conscious existence in the unseen realm, and ultimately by the resurrection, the judgment, and eternity when Jesus Christ comes again.
James gives one of the clearest biblical descriptions of physical death when he writes, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26, KJV). At death, therefore, the physical body ceases to live because the spirit has departed. Solomon similarly wrote, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, KJV). The body returns to the earth, but the spirit continues to exist. Death does not destroy the soul, nor does it bring man's existence to an end.
Jesus provides one of the clearest pictures of what happens after death in His account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19–31. Lazarus died and “was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom” (Luke 16:22, KJV). The rich man also died and was buried, but Jesus continued, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments” (Luke 16:23, KJV). The word translated “hell” in this passage refers to Hades, the realm of departed spirits. Both men were dead physically, but both continued to exist consciously. Lazarus experienced comfort, while the rich man experienced torment.
This distinction is important because the Bible does not teach that the final judgment has already occurred when a person dies. The rich man was conscious of his condition, remembered his earthly life, recognized Abraham and Lazarus, and even remembered his five brothers who were still living (Luke 16:27–28). Abraham told him, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things” (Luke 16:25, KJV). Death had not destroyed his memory, personality, awareness, or concern. Furthermore, a great gulf separated the place of comfort from the place of torment so that one's condition could not be changed after death (Luke 16:26).
Jesus Himself entered the realm of the dead when He died upon the cross. Peter quoted the prophecy concerning Christ: “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Acts 2:27, KJV). Peter then explained that David “spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption” (Acts 2:31, KJV). Here again, “hell” is Hades. Christ's body was placed in Joseph's tomb, while His spirit entered the unseen realm. On the third day, His spirit and body were reunited in the resurrection.
Jesus' words to the thief on the cross also demonstrate conscious existence following death. He told the penitent thief, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43, KJV). Jesus did not say that the thief would cease to exist until the resurrection. He promised that the man would be with Him in paradise that very day.
This brings us to the connection between death and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Death is not the final event. Hades is not the final eternal state. There is coming a day when every grave will surrender its dead and every person who has ever lived will stand before God. Jesus declared, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth” (John 5:28–29, KJV). Notice that Jesus spoke of one coming “hour” in which both the righteous and wicked will be raised. He continued, “they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29, KJV).
The resurrection will occur in connection with the second coming of Christ. Paul described that glorious event in First Thessalonians: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, KJV). He then declares, “and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, KJV). Christians who are alive when Christ returns will not precede those who have died. Instead, the dead will be raised and the living will be changed so that all the faithful may forever be with the Lord. Paul concludes, “And so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17, KJV).
Paul gives additional information in First Corinthians 15. He writes, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51, KJV). When will this change occur? “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (1 Corinthians 15:52, KJV). The resurrection will be instantaneous. The bodies of the dead will be raised incorruptible, and those who are alive will be changed. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53, KJV).
The second coming will not be a secret event. John wrote, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7, KJV). Paul described the Lord coming “from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:7–8, KJV). The same coming that brings comfort and victory to the faithful will bring judgment upon those who have rejected God.
When Christ returns, there will be no opportunity to prepare afterward. Peter warns that “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10, KJV). The heavens will pass away, the elements will melt, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Peter therefore asks a powerful practical question: “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11, KJV). The doctrine of the second coming is not merely intended to satisfy our curiosity about the future. It should change the way we live today.
The resurrection will be followed by judgment. Paul declared, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10, KJV). Every individual will answer for the life he or she has lived. Jesus described the final separation in Matthew 25:31–46. When the Son of man comes in His glory, all nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The final result is stated plainly: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46, KJV).
At that time, death and Hades will have fulfilled their temporary purpose. John wrote, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14, KJV). Hades is therefore not identical with the final lake of fire. Hades is associated with the intermediate state of the dead; the lake of fire represents final punishment after judgment. Revelation 20:13 says, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them.” The dead are delivered up for judgment, showing that the intermediate state gives way to the final eternal condition.
For the faithful Christian, the second coming is not intended to produce terror but hope. Paul wrote that Christians should be “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13, KJV). Jesus comforted His disciples by saying, “I go to prepare a place for you” and then promising, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2–3, KJV). The Christian's ultimate hope is not merely escaping death; it is resurrection, victory, and eternal fellowship with God.
The biblical sequence can therefore be understood clearly. A person lives upon the earth. Physical death occurs when the spirit leaves the body. The body returns to the earth while the spirit enters the unseen realm. The righteous are comforted while the unrighteous experience torment. Then, at the second coming of Jesus Christ, the dead will be raised. Those still living will be changed. All humanity will stand before the Lord in judgment, and each person's eternal destiny will be revealed. The righteous will enter eternal life, while the wicked will enter everlasting punishment.
This truth makes our present life tremendously important. We cannot change yesterday, and we have no promise of tomorrow. James asks, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14, KJV). Amos warned Israel, “prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12, KJV). That admonition remains worthy of consideration by every person today.
The gospel provides the means by which sinners may prepare. Jesus commanded, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16, KJV). Peter commanded believers on Pentecost, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38, KJV). Those who gladly received the word were baptized (Acts 2:41), and the Lord added the saved to the church (Acts 2:47). Christians must then remain faithful, remembering Christ's promise: “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10, KJV).
Death is certain, but death does not have the final word. The grave is not the end. Jesus Christ conquered death when He arose from the tomb, and because He lives, resurrection awaits humanity. The great question is therefore not simply, “What happens when I die?” The greater question is, “Will I be ready when Jesus comes again?”
One day the trumpet will sound. One day the graves will open. One day every eye will see Him. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11). On that day possessions, popularity, earthly accomplishments, and human praise will mean nothing. What will matter is whether we belong to Christ and have faithfully served Him.
Therefore, while we have life, we must prepare for death; and while we await death, we must also prepare for the return of Christ. Jesus closes the Bible with this promise: “Surely I come quickly.” The faithful response should always be the response of John: “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20, KJV).