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] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Our Separation from God
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 gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Bridge: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
1 Peter 3:18
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you declare with your mouth, '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 accept Christ into your life:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
- Be willing to turn from your sins. (Repent)
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. (Be saved by faith)
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Did you pray this prayer?
