Greetings to you all in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

For the past few months whole world is going through terrible times due to corona virus pandemic. Without any distinction believers and non-believers alike are falling victim to this pandemic and many of them have died. Many hearts are still grieving the loss of their near and dear ones. But what is the difference between the death of a believer and non-believer? What happens to them after the death? Do they have any hope after death? In 1 Corinthians 15:19 the Apostle Paul says, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” So, let us search the Scriptures together and see in brief what Scriptures tell us regarding this subject.

[A] What happens to those who die without Christ?

1. With their death, their hope also perishes. (Proverbs 11:7)

2. Their part will be in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

3. They will be punished for ever i.e. eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:46)

4. These people will pay the penalty and endure the punishment of everlasting destruction, banished from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

5. They will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)

[B] What happens to those who die in Christ?

1. They have hope and confidence and a refuge even in death. (Proverbs 14:32)

2. Their body dies but their spirits depart to be with Christ. (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Luke 8:54-55, James 2:26, Acts 7:59, John 19:30, Luke 23:46, Matthew 27:50)

3. They immediately are in Christ’s presence. (Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, Philippians 1:21-24, John 17:24, Acts 7:54-60, Revelation 6:9-11)

4. They are conscious. (Matthew 22:32, 17:3, Mark 9:4, Luke 9:30)

5. They are living together with Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:10)

6. They are resting from their hard work. (Revelation 14:13)

7. They are worshiping the Lord day and night in His temple. (Revelation 7:15)

8. They are in a state of complete happiness and pleasure. (Psalms 16:11)

9. They are waiting for the bodily resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:12-49, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The near and dear ones in Christ who have left us and entered into glory are going to come again with Jesus to get their new glorious bodies and rest of us who are alive will be caught up together with them (1 Th 4:17) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and then we will always be with our Master. Oh My God!! What a blessing!! We are going to be with them again in the presence of the Lord!! The rest of the mankind doesn’t have this hope. They are hopeless!!

I pray that may this truth go deep down into our hearts and may we not grieve like those who have no hope. May God comfort all the grieving hearts with this blessed hope!!