James teaches us that a person dies when their soul and spirit are separated from their body. Through the Apostle Paul we learn that when the resurrection takes place, the bodies of the dead are raised and are reunited with their souls, and they become immortal. This issue focuses on the interval between these two events.
We look at what our God has revealed to us about the present state of the dead, both regards our brethren and the lost. We see why those who have died in Christ presently have a better portion than we do. They are “present with the Lord”; we are not. They are “in paradise”; we certainly are not. They are free from sin and its effects; we are not.
In considering this subject, we test by the Word of God some of the claims of those who describe experiences where they believe they have died and come back. While interesting, it is wise to remember what the Lord said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets [the Word of God], neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:3131And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:31)). Our faith, our future and our knowledge of truth rests upon what God tells us, not upon our interpretation of what we or others have experienced. “It is better to trust in the Lord [both in His person and His Word] than to put confidence in man [either ourselves or others]” (Psa. 118:88It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8)).
Theme of the Issue