What happens when we die? Do I need to be a missionary in order to obey The Great Commission? On this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Jen Denton take a break for a special bonus episode of answering your questions.

[00:01]  What Happens Immediately After a Believer Dies? 

• In a previous podcast, it was mentioned that at the rapture Jesus will raise the dead. So where are the dead right now? 
• When a believer dies they enter the intermediate state
  • The time in which the soul of that believer exists between physical death and the resurrection of the body
• What is the Intermediate State? 
  • Upon death, the spirit of the believer goes immediately to be with the Lord (Ecc 12:7) 
  • The believer goes to be with Christ at death. entering into Christ's presence (Luke 23:43, 2 Cor 5:8)
•   Believers are in a state of awareness and consciousness in the intermediate state (Mark 12:27) 
  • Not the believers' final reward (Revelation 6:9-10) 
  • After we die with the Lord, we are also blessed (Rev 14:13) 
  • A place of waiting and a place of activity (Rev 7:15) 
  • a state of holiness(Rev 7:14)
  • We will never truly know until we are there (2 Cor 12:2-4) 

[10:50] Is the Great Commission for Everyone? 

• In Matthew 28:19 Jesus instructs His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. Is this only a call to the mission field to other nations? Or is this a call to each one as God has given the relevant gifts and the Holy Spirit to make disciples even in our local churches?
• In Matt 28: 16-20 Jesus tells His disciples to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey the commands of Christ
• What the early Christians did in obedience to this commandment 
•  The Great Commission is for all believers  

[19:25] Closing Up 

•  If you were stranded on an island, what 3 books would you want to have with you?
  • See the links below for books mentioned!  
• Tune in next week for our continuation of Eschatology 

Key Quotes

“Jesus never made the Great Commission and exclusive commission. It's for all of us.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston

Resources Mentioned

• Desiring God by John Piper 
• A History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Winston S. Churchill 
• Frank W. Boreham
• The Guardian: Growing as an Enneagram 6 by Elisabeth Bennett

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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!