21 Lazarus
Lazarus and an angel are walking together down the streets of heaven. The angel is giving Lazarus a tour and Lazarus is amazed by the sights he sees.
"So what do you think of heaven so far?" asks the angel.
"Wow, heaven is GREAT!" Lazarus enthusiastically replies. "I've only been here for four days and I've already learned how to play the harp. There is death, violence, pain, or suffering heaven. I don't even know how I got by on earth, now that I think about it! I love this place! I never want to go back to earth!"
Suddenly, a mighty Voice cries out, "LAZARUS, COME BACK!"
Lazarus then feels himself being pulled away as a vortex forms behind him. He tries to resist the pull, but is powerless.
"Jesus! No! Please! Why are you doing this to me?" cried out Lazarus. "I don't want to go back! Please! Nooooo..."
Lazarus is sucked into the vortex and finds himself transported back to earth, back to his old body in his tomb. Lazarus is crestfallen. Back to a life of pain of earth...
While the above scenario is rather silly, some people believe that the dead immediately go to heaven or hell when they die. The Bible does not teach this at all. Rather, the Bible teaches that death is like a sleep. There is no such thing as an immortal human soul. This teaching is upheld by Jesus and Paul the Apostle. The righteous will be raised from the dead when Jesus returns and the wicked will be raised to death on Judgment Day. Please read the following Bible verses for further guidance:
- Genesis 2:7
- Leviticus 20:27
- Deuteronomy 18:9-14
- Job 14:12, 21
- Psalm 115:17
- Ecclesiastes 9:5-6
- Ecclesiastes 12:7
- Ezekiel 18:20
- John 5:28-29
- John 11:11-14
- 1 Timothy 6:15-16
- James 2:26
