Do We Go to Heaven After We Die?
Do We Go to Heaven After We Die?
What happens to human beings after death? Do we go to heaven? What happens to our souls after our physical bodies decay? Will our bodies be resurrected, and will our souls return with them?
This is a crucial question that requires careful thought and consideration.
What Fate Awaits Us After Death?
One key point to understand is that in Christianity, there is no concept of "the realm of the dead."
For example, in Shinto, the story tells of Izanami, who goes to the land of the dead after dying, and Izanagi, her husband, follows her to the underworld. In Japan, people believe that during the Obon festival, the spirits of the dead return to their homes. Similarly, in Taoism, it is believed that when a person dies, they become a "ghost" and live underground. Many religions and beliefs depict an afterlife or the existence of the dead.
However, Christianity does not believe in such a "realm of the dead." In fact, it teaches that the dead do not exist at all.
In the Book of Genesis, Adam was formed from the dust of the ground, and when God breathed the breath of life into him, he became a living being. Adam was able to think, speak, and act, and his mind was a part of his life. When Adam dies, the breath of life leaves him, and his body returns to the dust. So, what happens to his mind or soul?
When life ends, the mind also ceases to exist. Christianity teaches that the soul does not continue to wander after the body’s death. Instead, both the body and the mind cease to exist, and thus, the dead no longer exist.
Purgatory and the Afterlife
During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church taught that the dead suffered in a place like purgatory. However, this belief was not based on the Bible and was created later in history. On the other hand, Protestants reject the idea of purgatory, as they believe that anything not written in the Bible is not the truth.
Are the Dead "Sleeping"?
The expression "the dead are sleeping" is commonly used, but it is a metaphorical expression. The dead are not literally sleeping.
Burial itself is an ancient and universal practice, predating Christianity. It is a cultural act that reflects respect for the deceased. While animals leave their dead behind, humans bury the dead in a specific place as a way to show respect.
In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were buried after death, and it is said that they "join their ancestors." This phrase suggests that the dead are remembered, but it does not imply that they "exist" in a physical sense. Instead, it shows that God manages the life and death of individuals.
The Dead Are Not in the Grave
When a person dies, their body decays, and their mind or consciousness ceases to exist. This is the understanding in monotheism and Christianity. However, Christianity does not reject burial or graves; even Jesus Christ was carefully buried after his crucifixion, which shows respect for the dead.
Views on Posthumous Existence
If you speak with Japanese people about the afterlife, many will say that they feel the deceased live on as long as they are remembered. This is reflected in traditions like the third and seventh memorial services.
However, Christianity has a different perspective.
John, Mary, Elizabeth, and others were planned by God before they were born and existed within God. They are born, live, and die according to this divine plan. Even if people forget about them, God remembers them. As long as God remembers, they continue to exist.
At the final judgment, God will give each person a body and resurrect them. Human existence continues not because others remember us, but because God remembers us.
What Does "Called to Heaven" Mean?
The expression "called to heaven" is commonly used in Christianity and means that God has put an end to a person’s life. Heaven here refers to God, and death is seen as God's will.
There may be images of the deceased ascending to heaven, dressed in white, and spending time with angels. However, Christianity does not teach that people immediately enjoy heaven after death. The idea of "now resting peacefully in heaven" is meant to comfort the living, but in reality, after death, the body decays, and the soul ceases to exist.
When John dies, his personality and soul are entrusted to God as "data." At the resurrection, God will give him a new body and revive him based on that data. In other words, the dead are waiting for their resurrection with God.
"Called to Heaven" in the Bible
The expression "called to heaven" refers to God drawing a person to heaven, transcending life and death. It signifies God's will to bring that person to heaven or guide them to His presence.
In the Bible, there are several figures who are "called to heaven." Notable examples include Enoch and Elijah.
Enoch (Genesis 5:24) "Enoch walked with God, and he was no more, for God took him." Enoch was taken by God without experiencing death. This event is often interpreted as him being "called to heaven."
Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) "As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." Elijah was taken to heaven alive in a miraculous event, one of the instances of being "called to heaven."
These examples show that God draws certain people to heaven directly, beyond life and death, and the expression "called to heaven" originates from these divine actions.
The idea that the dead are enjoying themselves in heaven is a misconception and differs from the true Christian faith. It's important to understand this distinction.