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What Happens When You Die?
It’s a common question that everyone will know the answer to eventually, but we all want to understand it now. Before we can figure out what happens when you die, we first need to define death.
Clinical death is when the heart stops beating, blood pressure can’t be measured and the body temperature declines. Most experts agree a patient is dead when the vital functions completely fail. A person in this state is often referred to as being “clinically dead.”
Sure death is the total absence of brainwave activity. In 1968, a committee of physicians, lawyers, theologians and scientists at Harvard published a paper describing “brain death.” These criteria were given:
- Unreceptive and unresponsive
- No movements, breathing or reflexes
- Flat electrical activity in the brain
The most comprehensive definition of death seems to be “an irreversible loss of the vital functions.” This means death is defined as the state where physical resuscitation is impossible.
The Bible tells us precisely what death is. Physical death is the separation of the spirit and soul from the body: “…the body without the spirit is dead” (James 2:26).
But what about your spirit? If you died today, what would happen to your soul? Would you go to heaven? These are common questions many people ponder. Fortunately, you can know the answer with certainty today. If you confess your sins to God and trust Jesus for your salvation, your soul will be rescued. Jesus died on the cross for your salvation and God raised Him from the dead to show there is hope after you die.
Give your life to God and know what will happen when you die.
Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Sin Separates Us
The Bible says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Remedy: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."
Revelation 3:20
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9
Here is how you can receive Christ:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, amen."
Did you pray this prayer?