Heaven – Essential Bible Studies

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

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:

The Creation of Man

We Shall Not All Sleep

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

The Coming of the King (Part 1)

The Coming of the King (Part 2)

Eternal Judgment

Equal to the Angels

Hell (Part 1) – Not Abandoned to Hades

Hell (Part 2) – The Unquenchable Fire

The Spirit of Man