Do Christians really “go to heaven” when they die? In this episode, we continue examining popular Bible passages often used to support that idea, testing them carefully against their full scriptural context. Beginning with Paul’s words about being “away from the body and at home with the Lord” in 2 Corinthians 5, we explore what he actually meant, how judgment and resurrection fit into the picture, and why the redemption of the body—not escape from it—is the Bible’s consistent hope. We also tackle challenging imagery such as the “souls under the altar” in Revelation 6, showing how symbolism is often mistaken for literal descriptions of heaven. Last of all, we examine Jesus’ promise of “many dwelling places” in John 14. Throughout, we ask whether Scripture truly teaches immediate heaven‑going—or points instead to resurrection and eternal life in God’s Kingdom on earth.
Key Verse:
“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” (2 Cor. 5:8-9)
Outline:
Introduction
#3 – Away from the body (2 Cor. 5:8)
- Paul expects this change to take place after the judgment seat of Christ (v. 10)
- What is meant by “body” and “home” reading the context from v. 1
- Groaning in this body (Rom. 8:23 cp. 2 Cor. 4:14) because of sin
- Redemption of the body at the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:44, 51-55)
#4 – Souls under the altar (Rev. 6:9-11)
- Let’s be careful with Revelation and its symbology.
- The souls are “under the altar” crying out. Is this a picture of reality in heaven?
- The symbolism and personification of blood crying out (Gen. 4:10 cp. Heb. 12:24)
#5 – Mansions in heaven (John 14:2-3)
- God’s house is always spoken of as being on earth (Isa. 2:2-3). Heaven is not a place that has to be prepared.
- The immediate context: come again (v. 18;) and dwelling (v. 23; 15:4-5)
- This is speaking of a spiritual house (cp. v. 23 w/ 2:16,21 also 1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:19-22)
What about near-death experiences?
- The Bible is clear no one has gone to heaven (John 3:13; Acts 2:34)
- This is either hallucinations or liars (2 Tim. 4:3-4)
Conclusion
- All have died, even Elijah
- No consistent teaching on heaven going or solid examples of people in heaven
- Our hope it to be resurrected to eternal life in the Kingdom of God on earth