Do Christians go immediately to heaven when they die?

What happens to a Christian at the moment of death? From one of our Ask R.C. events, R.C. Sproul examines what it means for the souls of believers to be “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).

Do Christians go immediately to heaven when they die?

#AskLigonier

[leanosmamma]

I’m so thankful to find this short but helpful clip. I am a stage 4 cancer fighter and just had a very bad pet scan. I am secure in knowing I will be with Christ sooner than later my sadness is for my husband and children. 4 amazing kids who need their mom. I am praying for a miracle but if I don’t get it I will rest knowing God will take care of them.

[rachelyeshua]

Amen. I can hardly wait to be with the Lord forever and leave this sinful place. This world and my flesh. Praise God!!! Thank You Jesus!!! 🙏✝️❤️ We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

[rogueproductions]

Didn’t think about my mortality until I turned 18. For some reason it hit me, one day I’m going to die. Makes me even more motivated to live close to God

[Nairobian]

Recently I lost a very close person to me, my father tho not biological, my friend my mentor and everything you can think of. My heart is really aching beyond words. I'm just from burial today and since we've laid him to rest and he was a believer in Christ, I know he's dancing with angles in heaven. Rest in peace Tony Woods. Your legacy "it is the people around me that inspire me. WONDERFUL PEOPLE that deserve a life of dignity" will remain forever and you will always be in my heart. Rest in eternal Peace. Amen.

[saiat]

Love this. Well put, short, sweet & to the point. Praise be to God for He is the almighty. And all the glory goes to Him

[nathanchiaro]

I see a lot of comments on here about being in a hurry to see the Lord. It seems to me like you may be suicidal, let’s not be in that much of a hurry! Jesus said we are to remain busy at His work until He returns. You have work to do, no clocking out or retiring early!

[mbates]

This is so timely! Our women’s bible study group is diving into this topic this week as we continue our study of Revelation. We are in chapter 20 and many of these questions have come up. What a blessing to have Dr. Sprouls commentary!

[davidhayes]

Glory Hallelujah!!!! Praise God!!! I am on my way to Heaven!!! So looking forward to seeing

[vincentho]

Sproul is absolutely right. Very clear and concise. Based on the "whole counsel of God".

[jesuschristbiblebiblestudy]

Yes.
"Absent from the body, present with the Lord."
Amen

[simpsonsimpson]

Jesus's to the thief on the cross today you will be with me in paradise?

[casualgamer]

I encourage anyone who wants to know more about the soul and our intermediate state to study the Hebrew word "nephesh" in the Old Testament which is the word translated to "soul" in English. What is most often taught about this subject is linked to Greek philosophy rather than what is in scripture.

[TheLegendofMclovin]

The Hebrew word for Soul is Nephesh and if you study that word you realize that the body and soul are one and not separate. Many times that our souls are immortal but the Bible doesn't teach that, it was only some Greek philosophers who made that up and was adopted into church tradition. When we are resurrected, only those in Christ are sustained by him to live eternally, those without Christ are destroyed both body and soul.

[John-qmzv]

I have searched for the answer to this question and he answers it directly and to the point, THANK YOU ❤

[buckmajor]

I thought so that is exactly what I originally thought.
GOD Bless you sir.

[solafidedeum]

2 Corinthians 2:14 "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere."🙏. Let God’s Peace and Grace be with you (To The Reader). Praise God always. Amen🙏🙌.

[liwanagbautista]

Not our body but given a new body in Christ. In a twinkle of the eye! Imagine, death then paradise! Although, judgement first....I pray our Savior comes soon!

[joznew]

According to Paul in 1 Thes 4 : 13 - 17 we do not go to heaven immediately after we die

[aridian]

If we’re already in heaven then who’s getting resurrected? This theory requires a second step that’s clearly contrived!

[Viewfromabove]

Before I saw this video, I was confused because I didn't understand how we go to God after death and yet rise from the grave at the 2nd coming of Christ. Now I understand this thanks to this video. Many thanks to the creator of this video.