JOHN 5:29

²⁹ and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Let’s look carefully at what the Bible teaches happens immediately after death and then what comes later at the final resurrection and judgment.

---

🕊️ 1. The Moment of Death

When a person dies, the body and the soul separate.

• The body returns to the dust (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
• The soul (the conscious, personal self) goes immediately to its eternal destination — not asleep, not wandering, but conscious.

---

✝️ For Those Who Belong to Christ

Immediate Presence with the Lord

• “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 5:8
• “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” — Luke 23:43

When a believer dies, their soul is welcomed immediately into Christ’s presence — a place of rest, peace, and joy.
Awaiting Resurrection

At Christ’s return, that is at the rapture of the Church, their bodies will be raised — glorified and made new — and reunited with their souls.

• “The dead in Christ will rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16
• “He will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.” — Philippians 3:21

---

⚖️ For Those Who Die Without Christ

Immediate Separation

Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31). The rich man, who lived without God, died and found himself in torment — aware, regretful, and separated from comfort.
This isn’t the final hell yet, but a temporary holding place of judgment (sometimes called Hades) where the soul awaits the final resurrection.

Final Judgment

Those without Christ will stand before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11–15), where they are judged according to their deeds — deeds that cannot save them. Their names will not be found in the Book of Life, and they will face eternal separation in what Scripture calls the lake of fire — the final, irreversible judgment.

---

In short:
👉 Without Christ: eternal separation and judgment.
👉 With Christ: eternal life, forgiveness, and joy in God’s presence.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!