In this episode, we begin a two‑part conversation around five well‑known Bible passages that many Christians understandably read as teaching that we go to heaven when we die. These verses can seem clear at first glance, and it’s easy to see why they have shaped popular beliefs over time. Together, we slow down and carefully explore their context, language, and place within the wider teaching of Scripture. Starting with Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross, we consider questions of timing, punctuation, and the hope of the coming Kingdom. We then turn to Paul’s statements about “departing to be with Christ” and being “away from the body,” asking whether these passages truly teach instant heavenly reward or instead point forward to the day of Christ’s return. Our aim is to invite a deeper understanding and renewed confidence in the biblical hope of resurrection and eternal life in God’s Kingdom on earth.
Key Verse:
“[the thief] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” (Luke 23:42-43)
Outline:
Introduction
- Popular ideas about life after death vs. what we’ve been finding in our Bible studies from past podcasts about death, the resurrection and eternal life
- Soul sleep is not correct
- Greek ideas of the immortality of the soul
#1 – The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:43)
- The passage does not mention souls or heaven
- The thief is asking to be in the Kingdom of Christ which will be at his return (2 Tim. 4:1). Judgement is at his coming.
- Where to put the comma? That day Jesus was in the heart of the earth (Matt. 12:40 cp. John 20:17)
- Paradise is a place on earth, the garden of Eden restored (Rev. 2:7)
#2 – A desire to depart and be with Christ (Phil. 1:23)
- The assumption here is that to “depart” means he would immediately be with Christ. Paul talked about death as sleep in which his next waking moment would be with Christ on “that Day” (2 Tim. 4:6-9).
- This is Paul’s hope in other places of this epistle (Phil. 1:6,10; 2:16; 3:11, 20-21)
Conclusion
Prerequisite Listening: