Part 5 of 5 of the theme 'Where are the dead' by Gijs van den Brink
Between death and resurrection, are dead people already perfect? And are they fully conscious in that interim, and is their earthly identity recognizable? These are questions that many people ask.
In Luke 16:23 we read, "When [the rich man] lifted up his eyes in the kingdom of the dead [...], he saw Abraham from afar and Lazarus in his womb. Both the rich man and Lazarus live on after death, one in a blessed paradisiacal security with Abraham, the other in a provisional abode destined for the unrighteous. Both are separated by a "great gulf" (vs. 26). The dead appear to recognize each other (vs.23, "he sees Abraham and Lazarus"), function physically (vs.24, "to chill my tongue") and have memories of earthly life (vs.25 and 27). Jesus tells a parable, but that does not mean that what He tells here is not a reality. Parables are not fables, but real examples from everyday life with a spiritual lesson.
Most clearly, however, the book of Revelation speaks of the heavenly situation of believers between death and resurrection. In Revelation 7 John is allowed a glimpse into heaven and is allowed to see in a vision the moment when a great multitude from all people, tribes and nations and languages stand there before the throne and before the Lamb. The heavenly interpreter then tells John that these people are coming out of the great tribulation and we read the following in verse 15-17 "they are before the throne of God, and they worship Him day and night in His temple; and He who is seated on the throne will spread His tent over them. They shall hunger no more and thirst no more, neither shall the sun fall upon them, nor any heat, for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall pasture them and lead them to the springs of life; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
First, we note that these people are said to come out of the great tribulation; thus, their earthly identity is known. Further, we see here that there is activity in heaven ("they worship Him"). Serving God continues. Although the blessings mentioned are very similar to those in the heavenly Jerusalem on the new earth (Rev. 22:1-5), the heavenly situation is still a provisional one. The resurrection of the body and the new earth are still ahead.
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 5 of 5 concise articles on the theme 'Where are the Dead' from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
