What Happens When We Die According to the Bible?
What happens when we die remains a mystery in many ways, and the Bible does not spell out every detail. Over the years, different denominations have used select Bible verses to support various views—some speak of an intermediate resting place or a state of purification often referred to as purgatory, while others interpret Scripture differently to counter that idea. These differences in interpretation can cause confusion and even unnecessary grief. Instead of focusing on what is debated or not clearly revealed, it is wiser to focus on what the Bible does clearly teach. There are three things we can be certain of when it comes to what happens after death: the reality of death itself, the certainty of judgment, and the final eternal destination. These truths are consistently revealed throughout the Bible, and that is where our attention should remain. First, death is universal and certain. From the beginning, God declared, “From dust you came and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19)....