What happens after death?

TL;DR:

There are two eternal destinations after death—heaven or hell—based on our response to Jesus Christ. By believing in Jesus’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, we can be saved from hell and gain eternal life in heaven.

what does the bible say?

There are two locations for where we go when we die—heaven or hell. The Bible teaches that our eternal destination depends on our response to Jesus Christ. Because we are all sinners by nature and by choice, we are all destined to go to hell when we die. However, God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die in our place, so all who believe in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins will be saved. Faith in Jesus Christ changes our eternal destiny from hell to heaven. Our choice today determines where we will go after death for eternity.

from the old testament

The Old Testament does not provide a detailed, systematic view of the afterlife like the New Testament does. Instead, it refers to "Sheol" as the general place where the dead go (Psalm 6:5; Ecclesiastes 9:10). Although not as explicit as in the New Testament, there are still hints that the righteous might be in the presence of God after death. For example, Psalm 16:10 speaks of David’s confidence that God would not abandon his soul to Sheol.

from the new testament

For believers in Jesus Christ, after death their souls/spirits are taken to heaven because their sins are forgiven by having received Christ as Savior (John 3:16, 18, 36). Death for the believer is to be "away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:6–8; Philippians 1:23). The soul/spirit of a believer is separated from the body at death and goes immediately into the presence of God, while the physical body remains in the grave "sleeping."
First Corinthians 15:50–54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 speak of a time when the souls of believers will be reunited with their glorified bodies. At this time, "the dead in Christ will rise first," referring to believers who have already died. At this resurrection of believers, the physical body is resurrected, glorified, and then reunited with the soul/spirits which are in heaven already. This reunited and glorified body-soul-spirit will be the possession of believers for eternity in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21–22).
For those who do not receive Jesus Christ as Savior, death means everlasting punishment of their souls/spirits in hell. At death, unbelievers immediately go to a temporary holding place to await the resurrection of bodies fit for an eternity in hell. Luke 16:22–23 describes a rich man being tormented here immediately after death.
Revelation 20:11–15 describes all the unbelieving dead being resurrected, judged at the Great White Throne judgment, and then being cast into the lake of fire. Unbelievers, then, are not sent to hell (the lake of fire) immediately after death, but are rather sent to a temporary realm of judgment and condemnation.

implications for today

After death, a person resides in a "temporary" heaven or hell. After this temporary realm, at the final resurrection, the location of that eternal destiny and the body in which they exist change. Believers will ultimately be granted entrance into the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1), while the ultimate fate of unbelievers is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15). Man's final destination is based entirely on whether he belongs by faith to Jesus Christ in this lifetime. Those who trust in Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins will spend eternity with Him (Matthew 25:46; John 3:36). If you have not put your faith in Jesus Christ, don't delay. "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

understand

After death, all people go to heaven or hell.
For those who do not trust in Jesus for salvation, death involves a temporary place of punishment until the final judgment and eternity in the lake of fire.
For believers, death means separation of the soul/spirit from the body and immediate presence with God, awaiting the permanent heaven that will come after the end times.

reflect

How does the reality of our eternal destination shape the way you live your life today?
What are some fears or uncertainties you have about what happens after death, and how does God’s Word shape your response to these fears and uncertainties?
How can understanding the eternality of our life after death impact the way we share the gospel with others?

engage

How does the understanding of the afterlife develop over the course of human history and the Bible?
What does the truth about heaven and hell teach us about God and His plan for humanity?
What can we learn from the resurrection of believers about the continuity of our identity beyond death and the hope of eternal life with Christ?