Jesus Promises Resurrection and Eternal Home in Heaven

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, not built by human hands.” —2 CORINTHIANS 5:1

We are all facing a universal dilemma we can’t escape, and that is unless Christ returns first, we are all going to die. Though we know it’s true, we don’t like to talk about it, because the thought of dying is a frightening prospect for many. Paul, however, confronts death not morbidly or fearfully, but positively and with confidence.

In 2 Corinthians 5:1, Paul talks about the human body as an earthly tent, which conveys the idea of being transient and temporary. It’s here today and gone tomorrow. But Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God has placed eternity into our hearts. It’s something inherent in us that wants to go on living forever, and that is God’s will and intent for us. We have 
a permanent home in heaven.

What happens when a Christian dies is not a matter of speculation, but of certainty based on truth. Something tremendous happened in history that has taken the issue of life after death out of the realm of conjecture and moved it into verified fact. Paul openly and clearly states the reason for his confidence. “We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence” (2 Corinthians 4:14). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a precedent for the resurrection of all those who are in Christ. In other words, our future resurrection is based on the historicity of Christ’s resurrection. Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a peripheral issue, but is central and crucial to the Christian faith. It may take some mental gymnastics to wrap our minds around it, but we cannot put it in the background. It is the main thrust of the Gospel, and is what guarantees our own resurrection. The fact that Jesus is alive and makes His home in us doesn’t only change our perspective on the next life, but in this life as well, because until we are ready to face death, we will never really know how to live freely.

The Christian faith is not about escapism, but about life here and now, lived in the love, strength and wisdom of the presence of Christ within us. In this, we have the assurance of the One who was raised from the dead raising us up to our eternal home with Him.

Dear Lord Jesus, I look forward to my eternal home with You, and thank You for your indwelling presence that allows me to live here and now with an inner peace, knowing I’ll always be with You.

Has the indwelling life of Christ changed my view of dying?