In this enlightening episode of our afterlife devotional series, Pastor Mike tackles the age-old question: What happens when we die? He explores three common beliefs and shares his perspective on the immediate afterlife experience for believers.

Key points:

• Three main views on what happens after death: 
  1. Believers go immediately into God's presence
  2. Purgatory
  3. Soul sleep until resurrection
• Pastor Mike's stance on purgatory: 
  • Origins in Second Maccabees (apocryphal book)
  • Not supported by Protestant theology
  • Belief that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient
• Discussion on the concept of soul sleep: 
  • Recent increased interest in scholarly circles
  • Connection to debates about body-soul duality
  • Use of "sleep" as a metaphor for death in the New Testament
• Pastor Mike's preferred view: immediate presence with God 
  • Concept of an intermediate state
  • Biblical support: Luke 16, Jesus' promise to the thief on the cross
  • Paul's teachings on being absent from the body
• The future resurrection and reunion of body and soul
• Final events: physical resurrection and Jesus' coronation
• Pastor Mike's conclusion: body in the ground, soul with God

Join Pastor Mike as he delves into this fascinating aspect of the afterlife. Like, subscribe, and share to continue our exploration of life's greatest mysteries!