Hey everyone, today's video is based on a request from some of you asking, "Daniel, what happens to us when we die?" This is a crucial question since death is a certainty for all of us. Every day, around 150,000 people die, and one day, that will include you and me. So, when our lives in this temporary world end, where will we go? Some say heaven, others hell, purgatory, or just an unconscious sleep. But what is the truth? Let's turn to the Bible, our source of absolute truth, to see what it says about what happens when we die.

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As Christians, we need not fear death. We look at it with joy because we know that when we die in this fallen world, we will be with Christ in heaven, where there will be no more tears, suffering, or sadness. Paul says in Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," and in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "We are of good courage and would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." This world is not our home; our home is with the Lord, and we can look forward to it with joy.

Let's examine what happens the moment we die. Some believers say we go into a deep sleep, unconscious until Jesus' second coming. This "soul sleep" doctrine teaches that when a believer dies, they enter a state of unconscious existence until Jesus returns. This doctrine isn't widespread and was mostly taught by the Anabaptists during the Reformation and the Irvingites in the 19th century.

Other Christians believe in purgatory, a Roman Catholic teaching that suggests souls go to a place to be purified from sin before entering heaven. Then, some believers say that when we die, our souls immediately go to Christ while our bodies go to the grave, to be resurrected at Christ's second coming, receiving eternal bodies to live with God forever.

For unbelievers, some say they will go to hell for eternity, some say they will cease to exist, and others believe they will suffer for a time due to their sins and then cease to exist, a doctrine called annihilationism. But what does Scripture say? Let's look at it in a balanced way.

Regarding purgatory, the Bible says nothing about it. The Roman Catholic Church bases it on tradition and some apocryphal books like 2 Maccabees. However, the Apocrypha is not considered equal in authority to the Bible. Purgatory contradicts Scripture, which teaches that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient for our atonement (1 John 2:1-2).

Now, about soul sleep. Several passages use "sleep" as a metaphor for death (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 15, Acts 7:60). It's metaphorical, showing death is temporary for Christians. For example, Psalm 115:17-18 and John 11:11 don't support soul sleep as a literal unconscious existence. Our bodies will turn to dust (Genesis 3:19) and be transformed into spiritual bodies at the resurrection (Philippians 3:20-21).

So, what happens to our souls now? Jesus tells us in Luke 23:43, "Today you will be with me in paradise." Paul also says in Philippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:8 that to depart is to be with Christ, away from the body and at home with the Lord.

For unbelievers, they will be in a temporary place, Hades, until their final judgment and eternal punishment (Luke 16:22-23, Revelation 20:11-15).

This understanding gives us, as believers, hope and joy for our future with Christ. However, it also saddens us for those who might be lost. We must use our time to share the Gospel and the truth, as time is running out. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6), and it's our responsibility to spread this message.

In the next video, I’ll address what happens to those who have never heard the Gospel. Remember, God loves you, and I love you too. Take care and see you in the next video.