Overview the background of Paul’s idea of the life to come. Does Paul give any details about heaven or hell? What role does the resurrection from the dead play in Paul’s view of the life to come? What role does the bodily resurrection of Christ play in the Christian’s hope of participation in the life to come?
Paul’s view of the life to come is inconclusive prior to his conversion.[1] Nevertheless, his views were more than likely based on that of the Pharisees who did believe in a resurrection, judgment and rewards for evil and good which distinguished them from the Sadducees who did not believe that there was a resurrection but that death was the end.[2] Paul, however, did believe in the resurrection of the dead which he made evident when he was on trial before the Sanhedrin and Pharisees.[3] Paul believed that there was no intermission between the departure of the person on earth and being united with Christ upon death, but there would be a continual relationship.[4] To not believe in the resurrection would have made Jesus’ sacrifice null and void with regards to his faith in the resurrected Savior.[5]
When Paul talked about death, he spoke of us leaving our earthly bodies in order to put on new ones to be in the presence of the Lord. He also spoke of those who had been turned over to a delusion because they rejected the truth but preferred a lie and in so doing, they would be condemned.[6] Therefore, Paul believed that there were either one of two places a person would go when they departed this life. Paul had a strong belief that those who died in Christ would immediately see Jesus upon departing this body and coming into their new ones. They first had to shed one in order to come into the other. [7]
As a Christian, we can have faith in knowing that because Christ died and was resurrected, He conquered death and was victorious. Therefore, because He lives, we will live. If Christ had not been resurrected, our faith would be in vain and we would be eternally lost. This is the reason for our belief and confidence for Christ did what the original Adam could not do.[8] We can look forward into having a newness in Christ either upon His return or at the moment of our deaths, whichever comes first. Death is not the end for those who believe in Christ. It is merely stepping from mortality to immortality. This is why we can comfort those who have lost loved ones as well as keep this in mind ourselves should we be faced with persecution as Christians are in other parts of the world. Jesus said to not fear those who can destroy the body because this is just a vessel, but we are to fear the one who can destroy both the body and soul for all of eternity.[9] There is clearly a distinguishing factor between this mortal body and the immortal one when it comes to the One who made it and who looks forward to His children uniting with Him.
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