After death and what might happen teaching

            Ever many must die, unless the rapture happens and they are taken in the rapture first of all. This is because of the orginal sin of Adam. It is spoken also in Hebrews as well. I want to show what happens to the unsaved but also the saved, so you can be in the know and make a wise decision for Christ so you can avoid the horrible fate of the unsaved.

To start Hebrews chapter 9 reminds us men are indeed appointed to die one time and face judgment (accountability for what is done in our bodies) but Jesus sacrificed Himself for our sins.

(Hebrews 9:24)  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

(Hebrews 9:25)  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

(Hebrews 9:26)  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

(Hebrews 9:27)  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

(Hebrews 9:28)  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

For those who die without Christ as their savior, Hell is their fate and these next two sets of scriptures give a good idea what it will be like there, trust me, you do NOT want to go there at all!!

Jesus warns in these verses in Mark 9 that you should want to do anything at all to avoid entering hell.

(Mark 9:43)  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

(Mark 9:44)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

(Mark 9:45)  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

(Mark 9:46)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

(Mark 9:47)  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

(Mark 9:48)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Jesus warns gives an indication of how bad hell will be in this parable of Lazarus and the rich man it is a place where you want no part of at all.

(Luke 16:19)  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

(Luke 16:20)  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

(Luke 16:21)  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

(Luke 16:22)  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

(Luke 16:23)  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

(Luke 16:24)  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

(Luke 16:25)  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

(Luke 16:26)  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

(Luke 16:27)  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

(Luke 16:28)  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

(Luke 16:29)  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

(Luke 16:30)  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

(Luke 16:31)  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

After that death and hell are thrown into the lake of fire in this judgment, which is the judgment that nobody wants to be a part of which is the great white throne judgment for the unsaved where all the dead are judged by the works that they do and all those who are not found in the lamb’s book of  life are then thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone with the devil- please know Jesus as your personal Lord and savior so you don’t need to go there.

(Revelation 20:11)  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

(Revelation 20:12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

(Revelation 20:13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

(Revelation 20:14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

(Revelation 20:15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

You do not want to go there at all. Here by contrast is what happens to the believers after they die or are raptured, for as stated in Hebrews all face some judgment.

The next judgments speak of the judgment seat of Christ and what happens there which is first spoken of in Romans chapter 14 where it also warns people NOT to judge one another (not hard to do, repent if so, I repent too as needed) and that we will all stand at the judgment seat of Christ to give account of ourselves

(Romans 14:9)  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

(Romans 14:10)  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

(Romans 14:11)  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

(Romans 14:12)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

(Romans 14:13)  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

This message of needing to give account for ourselves is again repeated here in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, where the fear of the Lord is also stated

(2 Corinthians 5:9)  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

(2 Corinthians 5:10)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(2 Corinthians 5:11)  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

We must be mindful of what we do and what motives we do for all of our works will be tested by fire as stated in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, at the judgment seat of Christ to see what type of works they are, be they good works done in a good motive which leave precious jewels, gold and silver, or wood, hay and stubble (the ones which surviving the test will receive rewards) and I will discuss what happens there below.

(1 Corinthians 3:11)  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 3:12)  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

(1 Corinthians 3:13)  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

(1 Corinthians 3:14)  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

(1 Corinthians 3:15)  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The believers works are tested and those that survive as stated are given are rewards, which are often crowns. Here is more information on the crowns available to the believer after they die or are raptured to encourage Christians to do even more for the Lord. The crowns will be thrown at Jesus’ feet after being received for we know we could never have earned them without Him. There will be other rewards and more, however.

1. The incorruptible crown: 1 Corinthians 9:24,25.

(1 Corinthians 9:24)  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

(1 Corinthians 9:25)  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

 This is also called the imperishable crown. This crown is given to believers who faithfully run the race, who crucify every selfish desire in the flesh and point men to Jesus. God calls some people to do things that will require some sacrifice in the way they will live and conduct their lives. Some people may be called to be a missionary in a far off and poor country. They will literally be working for almost nothing in earthly terms. They will have to sacrifice the money, possessions and life style they could have had, if they stayed home in their own country. This verse also implies that these people will also receive this crown for the sacrifices they were willing to make for God in order to successfully  complete  the call and mission God had called them to do.

Basically run whatever race that God has set out for you and be the best you can be for God. Be willing to make whatever sacrifices there may be to successfully  complete  the mission that God has set out for you.

2. The crown of rejoicing: 1 Thessalonians. 2:19, 20. & Daniel 12:3

(1 Thessalonians 2:19)  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

(1 Thessalonians 2:20)  For ye are our glory and joy.

(Dan 12:3)  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

 To those who faithfully are witnesses to the saving grace of God and leads souls to Jesus. This crown has also been named the soul winner's crown. It seems to indicate here that God will be giving a crown to those who have been witnessing to others and leading people to Christ.

Telling others about the grace of God, telling others about Jesus, is the greatest thing that you can do for someone while here on this earth. When you help someone to be led to the Lord, you have just been used as a vessel of God.

God will judge you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others, not necessarily on how many actually get saved, because we are to water and He gives the increase. There are many Christians who are simply too busy to be willing to be used by God to try to lead others to the Lord. God can fit opportunities for you in your life to witness and work for Him if you allow Him to. Some could be your unsaved friends, family members or co-workers, etc.

3. The crown of life: James 1:12.

(James 1:12)  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 For those believers who endure trials, tribulations, and severe suffering, even unto death Rev. 2:8-11. This crown is also referred to as the martyr's crown.

Jesus says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation and/or physical death on His behalf. Probably being willing to die for your faith in God would be the ultimate sacrifice. It is the greatest act of courage and love that you can show God. Christians who have been martyred for their faith throughout history will not only be given this crown of life, but other rewards once they enter into heaven.

God the Father will honour each ones trials and tribulations and thus will be rewarding them accordingly. Also consider this verse from Rev. 2:10.

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

4. The crown of righteousness: 2 Timothy 4:8.

(2 Timothy 4:8)  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 To those who love the appearing of Christ, who anxiously wait and look forward to the day when He will return for His saints. This crown is given to those who have lived a good and righteous life for God while living down here on earth.

First, if you are a believer you have been made righteous before God the Father as a result of Jesus dying on the cross for all of our sins. This means that the righteousness of Jesus has now been imputed to you.

Second is that it refers to us living a good and righteous life for God the Father with what time we have left down here. There are Christians who are righteous before God the Father as a result of being saved, called Justification, through the blood of Jesus Christ; but they are not living righteous lives in their actions, words and behaviours, called Sanctification. There are some people may be saved in God’s eyes, but who  continue  to do are still do evil works that the unsaved would do. We all have our flaws, weaknesses, and certain temptations that we may struggle with. It is not perfection but direction that God is looking for. The Bible says that, we all have sinned and have fallen way short of the glory of our God. We all know right from wrong! God just wants each one of us to choose to do the right thing when faced with certain temptations or choices to do something bad. When it is all said and done, these Christians will probably be receiving some of the greatest rewards that God can hand out once they enter into heaven. To live a righteous life for God will really be worth your while as you will definitely be given this crown by God Himself once you enter into heaven.

5. The crown of glory: 1 Peter 5:1~4.

(1 Peter 5:1)  The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

(1 Peter 5:2)  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

(1 Peter 5:3)  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

(1 Peter 5:4)  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 This is the pastor’s crown and will be given to the ministers who faithfully feed the flock of God. . This probably could also include preachers, teachers, Sunday School teachers, missionaries and all those who teach the Word of God in their respective ministries. This crown may signify the importance and sacrifices of bringing up others into the ways of God. God wants those who are saved to grow and learn as much as they can about Him, His Son and His Holy Spirit and to do that he uses mature believers who are willing to teach others.

God can use you to teach and shepherd others. God shows you the extreme importance that He is placing on those who teach and preach the word. Being willing to teach and educate others after they are saved is one of the greatest things you can do for them this side of heaven.

These crowns are awarded to believers when they appear at the judgment seat of Christ either after dying or after the rapture has taken place during the seven year tribulation period so I am including a salvation teaching as well so that you can, if need be find that loving relationship with the Lord Jesus which nothing can compare with Jesus loves you and enough to die for you, so I will conclude this with a strong teaching on salvation so you can accept Jesus as your personal Lord, or, if already saved, share it and maybe win one or more of the crowns listed above.

The first verses of this teaching are from 1 Timothy state that it is important to pray because God does indeed want all to be saved for that is His will for all to be saved

(1 Timothy 2:1)  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

(1 Timothy 2:2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

(1 Timothy 2:3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

(1 Timothy 2:4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

(1 Timothy 2:5)  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(1 Timothy 2:6)  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

These verses in Titus remind us that the grace of God brings salvation to all men and that Jesus gave Himself for us

(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

(Titus 2:12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

(Titus 2:13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

(Titus 2:14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(Titus 2:15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

These verses state that none are righteous, not one and all have turned back on their own

(Romans 3:10)  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

(Romans 3:11)  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

(Romans 3:12)  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory in fact but redemption is in Christ through His shed blood

(Romans 3:23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

(Romans 3:24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

(Romans 3:25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

These two verses in 1 Corinthians 15 remind us that Jesus did die for our sins and rose again

(1 Corinthians 15:3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

(1 Corinthians 15:4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The wages of sin are death but God’s gift of eternal life is through Jesus

(Romans 6:23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

These two verses in 1 Peter 2 remind us that Jesus died for our sins and took His stripes for our healing as to reconcile us with God

(1 Peter 2  2:24)  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

(1 Peter 2  2:25)  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

This verse in 1 Peter 3 also reminds us how Jesus suffered for both the righteous and the unrighteous

(1 Peter 3:18)  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

God is patient with us so none would perish and all come to repentance as stated in 2 Peter 3

(2 Peter 3:8)  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

God’s love for us is such that Jesus died for us while we were sinners

(Romans 5:8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

In Hebrews it is pointed out that Jesus has appointed to put away sin and it is for man to die once and be judged but people can look to Him for salvation

(Hebrews 9:26)  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

(Hebrews 9:27)  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

(Hebrews 9:28)  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Here again in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 this message of all being dead but Jesus died for all and rose so we might live for Him

(2 Corinthians 5:14)  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

(2 Corinthians 5:15)  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

God indeed loved the world so much to give us His only begotten Son so that those who believe in Him may not perish but have everlasting life

(John 3:16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

These two verses in Ephesians remind us that this gift of God is through His grace only lest any should boast

(Ephesians 2:8)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

(Ephesians 2:9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(2 Corinthians 9:15)  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

And here is the verse in John 14 which reminds us that Jesus is the ONLY way to God and heaven

(John 14:6)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This verse in Revelation reminds us that Jesus IS at the door and seeks us to open to Him

(Revelation 3:20)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Here is the way to be saved- confess Jesus as Lord by your mouth and believe God raised Him from the dead which is explained in these two verses

(Romans 10:9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

(Romans 10:10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Romans 10:11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

(Romans 10:12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him

Paul reminds us all who call on Jesus (the Name of the Lord) will be saved.

(Romans 10:13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

God did not appoint us to wrath but unto salvation to live together with Him so I leave you with these words in 1 Thessalonians 5 to comfort you

(1 Thessalonians 5:9)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

(1 Thessalonians 5:10)  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

(1 Thessalonians 5:11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Here in these verses in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 Paul reminds us when we are new in Christ old things are put away and all things are of God

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(2 Corinthians 5:18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Here in these first two verses of Romans 5 we now have peace with God being reconciled by Jesus justified by our faith

(Romans 5:1)  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

(Romans 5:2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Paul reminds us in the first two verses of Romans 8 that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus

(Romans 8:1)  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Romans 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Here in these last nine verses of Romans 8  Paul reminds us that if God is for us who really can be against us at all, and then at the end of the epistle Paul also reminds us that nothing can ever separate us from the love of Christ

(Romans 8:31)  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:32)  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

(Romans 8:33)  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

(Romans 8:34)  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

(Romans 8:35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

(Romans 8:36)  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

(Romans 8:37)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

(Romans 8:38)  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

(Romans 8:39)  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God sent Jesus to die to restore the relationship with man which was severed by sin. There is nothing that can compare or come remotely close to a relationship with God. I am now including a prayer which you can say to invite Jesus in your heart and begin this incomparable relationship with God. Please pray this prayer with me

Heavenly Father I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I confess to You that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I confess and repent of all of my sins and unrighteousness. Right now I confess with my mouth Jesus as the Lord of my life and believe in my heart that You, God did indeed raise Him from the dead. I thank You for cleansing and forgiving me of all of my  sins and unrighteousness and for saving me. I thank You for sending Your Son to die in my place for my sins, and for the inexpressible gift of eternal life that I now claim through the death of Jesus on the cross. Thank You, Lord, again for saving me. In the Name of Jesus I pray Amen

God bless you and yours