What happens when the spirit leaves a person’s body
What fate awaits me beyond my last breath? Is the immortality of the soul a reality or just a consolation for the fearful mind? Is the possibility of being reborn in a new form a promise or a mere illusion? What about the eternal realms of splendor or shadows, heaven and hell? Will I be welcomed into the arms of benevolence or cast into the depths of despair?
These enigmas permeate human thought, weaving the mysterious veil that separates life from what follows. Is death the endpoint of existence or just the gateway to an unknown spiritual odyssey? A survey carried out by a TV station in the United States showed that around 80% of the world’s population believes that there is life after death and that the human soul is immortal.
Some say that when the body dies, the soul is released and sent to purgatory, where it pays for its sins until it goes to heaven. Others believe in reincarnation, where they return to Earth in another body to live again. There are also those who believe that they will rest in their graves until Christ returns. In short, there is a lot of confusion about the destination after death. However, all this discussion becomes unnecessary when we turn to the Bible, the word of God, which offers us answers to all these human questions.
That’s why in today’s video, I’m going to present five facts about death that are sure to surprise you. But before we go any further, I ask you to subscribe to my channel and activate the bell to receive notifications whenever I post a new video. So let’s explore this topic together.
The first fact to consider is that the dead cannot come into contact with the living. It is a common belief in many cultures and religions that the deceased continue to influence the lives of the living and can reveal hidden secrets. An example of this is the movie Ghost, which portrays the situation. However, this idea is not in line with what God’s word tells us. Ecclesiastes chapter 9 makes it clear that those who are alive have hope because even a living dog is considered better than a dead lion. The living are aware of their mortality, while the dead know nothing. There are no more rewards for them, and they are soon forgotten. Love, hatred, and envy disappear forever, and they no longer participate in earthly activities. This indicates that the deceased no longer have any influence on Earth and therefore cannot access the living.
So when you hear stories about a deceased person sending messages from the beyond to the living through mediums or other messengers, it’s important not to believe them. Although it may be comforting, the deceased person is not the one transmitting the message. The Bible warns that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, seeking to deceive people and lead them astray from the ways of the Lord. In addition, Jesus shared the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, highlighting the existence of a great abyss between the living and the dead, making any contact between them inaccessible.
The second fact to consider is that after death, our spirit returns to God. It is common to find depictions in films and series of spirits who remain on Earth, influencing the living or causing them terror. There are also accounts of reincarnated souls continuing their earthly journey. However, the Bible assures us that after death, our body returns to its original dust, and our spirit returns to God. All these representations are mere illusions in the light of biblical truths. Look at what is written: “Dust returned to the earth from when it came, and the spirit returned to God who gave it.” Something very interesting you need to know is that when Jesus returns, we will be transformed, and we will be with him in our own bodies. We will be able to touch the people we love, recognize them, and even feed ourselves. We will be real people and not disembodied spirits wandering around. This truth is clearly expressed in Luke 24.
The Bible tells us that after the resurrection, Jesus appeared among the disciples. When they saw him, they were surprised, thinking that they were in the presence of a spirit. However, Jesus said, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; it is I myself. Touch me and see; a spirit has neither flesh nor bones, as you see I have.” As he said this, he showed them his hands, and even though they were filled with joy and amazement, they still disbelieved. Then Jesus asked them if they had anything to eat, and they gave him a piece of roast fish, which he ate in their presence.
The third fact is that when a Christian dies, he goes directly into the presence of Jesus. If you have already given your life to Jesus and accepted him as your savior, your soul will go where Christ is when you die. That’s what Christ said to the thief who was crucified next to him: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” In the Bible, the word “paradise” and the expression “Abraham’s bosom” that we read in Luke 16:22 were forms used by the Jews to represent the state of happiness and rest that the faithful would have after death. In this passage about the thief on the cross, Jesus affirms that this state of happiness and rest is at his side. In the book of Acts, we read that shortly before his death, Stephen saw Jesus standing in heaven at the right hand of God, ready to receive him. As he was being stoned, Stephen said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” In other words, Stephen’s spirit, the moment it left his body, went into the presence of Jesus. Finally, we have the teaching of the Apostle Paul. At the end of his life, while in prison and awaiting the day of his death, Paul was not afraid of dying. On the contrary, he looked forward to being with Jesus and said, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” This shows that Paul was certain that the moment he died, his spirit would go to be with Christ. In all these cases, we see that as soon as a Christian dies, he immediately goes to where Jesus is.
The fourth fact to consider is that the bodies of Christians sleep after death. The translation of the word “sleep” in the Bible has two distinct meanings. The first refers to the daily rest that we all experience, while the second refers to the death of the body, as was the case with Lazarus, who was resurrected by Jesus four days after his death. In the Gospel of John 11, Jesus mentions that Lazarus fell asleep, referring to his death, but the disciples misinterpreted this, thinking that he was referring to ordinary sleep. Jesus clarified that Lazarus had died and expressed satisfaction that he hadn’t been there so that they could believe. It’s important to note that the word “sleep” in the Bible is only applied to Christians. As we see in 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul instructs believers not to be ignorant about those who sleep so that they don’t grieve like the unbelievers who have no hope. The reference to sleep in the biblical context symbolizes the resting of the body of those who died before Jesus’s return. A significant example of this is recorded in Matthew chapter 27:52, where the tombs were opened, and the bodies of many sleeping saints were resurrected. This is one of the most
hopeful and intriguing texts in the Bible, as it offers consolation to those facing the loss of a loved one. Paul, when talking about those who sleep, uses a powerful metaphor to describe death, contrasting it with the worldly view of death as an abyss of darkness and oblivion. For Christians, death is only a temporary sleep for the body, while the spirit and soul remain alive, awaiting the resurrection. The promise of resurrection is a source of hope that transcends the pain of death. Paul details this extraordinary event in other texts, such as 1 Corinthians 15, describing the transformation of mortal bodies into immortal and incorruptible bodies. This biblical perspective challenges our limited understandings and invites us to trust in promises that surpass the limitations of this world. In times of mourning, these words bring comfort and hope, reminding us that death is not the end for those who are in Christ. As we walk this earth facing the pain of loss, we can cling to the promise of a glorious future where there will be no more pain or tears, and we will live eternally in God’s presence. This hope not only comforts but profoundly transforms our lives, enabling us to live with faith, love, and hope, knowing that the best is yet to come.
The fifth fact to consider is that Christians’ bodies will awaken at Jesus’s return. You may be wondering why our physical bodies sleep and whether they will wake up one day. According to the Bible, yes. In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, it is recorded that after the last trumpet at the end of time, the physical bodies of all deceased Christians will be resurrected, transformed, and become incorruptible. We will then live with Christ and reign with him in his kingdom here on Earth. The Apostle Paul reveals this mystery to us: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and that which is mortal must put on immortality. But when that which is corruptible has put on incorruption, and that which is mortal has put on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: ‘Death has been swallowed up by victory.'” This concept, detailed by Paul, takes us into territory full of mystery and hope. It’s a truth that transforms the Christian faith not just into a belief but into an epic journey into the unknown promised by God. Imagine one day, at the sound of a heavenly trumpet, something extraordinary will happen. Not an ordinary scene but an event that will change the course of history. The idea that our physical bodies, now vulnerable to pain, aging, and death, will be transformed into something incorruptible and immortal is fascinating, to say the least. It means that everything we know about our existence is about to be elevated to a whole new level, where fragility is replaced by eternity. It gives us a perspective on the value of life and the body in a culture obsessed with youth and beauty. The promise of the resurrection reminds us that our value lies not in physical perfection but in our essence before God. Even though we are destined to die, our body is important enough for God to promise its restoration and transformation. Moreover, this promise is an invitation to live with hope. In times of mourning or when we face the fear of death, we can cling to the certainty that death is not the end. There is a continuity, a future guaranteed not by our merits but by Christ’s victory over death. This event challenges us to live in a way that reflects this eternal hope. It means seeking justice, loving our neighbor, and spreading the good news of the resurrection. This promise of transformation and resurrection is not just a happy ending to human history. It is the culmination of a divine plan that began since the creation of the world. It is a promise that gives us strength today and unshakable hope for the future. And when that day comes, we will be ready for the most exciting chapter of our existence. It will be a moment of redemption, of the realization of divine promises. Every tear will be wiped away, and suffering will no longer be remembered. Our transformation prepares us to live in God’s kingdom, to rule with Christ, and enjoy the new creation that he has promised. So this promise is not just about escaping death; it’s about the restoration of all things, about justice and about fulfilling the purpose for which we were created. It is a vision that gives meaning to the present and hope for the future, encouraging us to live in a way that reflects this glorious hope.
So believe in Christ’s promise to you today: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall not die forever.” Faced with a reality as mysterious as death, it is understandable that doubts and fears arise. But God’s word brings us comfort in the face of this moment that all of us will face sooner or later. Facing the unknown has always aroused a certain restlessness in human beings. However, the passage quoted offers us a unique perspective, transforming what seems to be the end into a new beginning full of hope and promise. When we ponder Jesus’s words, “I am the resurrection and the life,” we are invited to see beyond the limits of our physical world. Jesus is not simply talking about literally overcoming death; he is describing a transformation so profound that it goes beyond our earthly understanding. The eternal life mentioned here is not just an extension of our days on Earth; it is a whole new quality of existence.