The Gospel Is About Going to Heaven When You Die

What happens right after we die? What will things be like in between my return to the dust and Christ’s return to earth? We know the answer to these questions thanks to Paul. During his ministry, he desired to “depart” and “be with Christ.” He calls it “better by far.” He describes it as living “apart from the body and at home with the Lord.” Paul didn’t make up this idea wholesale. Jesus taught that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a God of the living, not the dead. The patriarchs of Genesis were all buried in the same cave, but to the Lord, they are alive. That comment makes it sure sound like Jesus believes in life between death and resurrection. It seems possible that the dead can experience heaven before Jesus returns. Maybe that’s why preachers started to use a short phrase for this good news. It’s only eight words: you will go to heaven when you die.