What happens to the unsaved when they die?
Dr Tseibu Rutsa
In sharing the Gospel through different capacities, I realise how important it is for us as Christians to know our final destination. What does the bible say about those people who died without accepting Jesus as their personal Saviour? What about those people who hears the Gospel and live life as if there is no God? I will regret if I do not share what the word of God says for those people who died without having accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour. The Bible says they are going to die in their rebellion, with no hope whatsoever. As Jesus said in John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son, JESUS has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him”. What does the bible say about the final destiny for those who reject Jesus Christ? Let us look into some of the passages from the bible.
1.Hades
In Luke 16:19-31.. “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover even dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died, and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire....” this story gives us a clear picture that there is a place called “Heaven for the righteous and hell for those who reject Jesus Christ.” “Hades,” is the permanent place prepared for those who do not except Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. When an unsaved person dies, they go to a place called “Hades.” The Bible also calls it “Sheol” or “Torment place.” Hades is a holding place for the dead.
Those in Hades are going to be judged based on their works while living in this world. What kind of people did the bible say will be condemned for “Hell?” Revelation 21:8... “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.” These people are condemned for eternity. Therefore, when an unsaved person die they are send to this place called “Hades” waiting for their final judgment. Hence no matter how good our works may have been, they just cannot add up to God’s standard of salvation if it is not done in obedience with the word of God. “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15: 22-23). Anyone who claims that salvation can be obtain through good works is deceiving himself. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9. For it is by grace you have been saved through Faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD. Nobody can claim to be saved by being baptised, or bribe God by giving big donations into charity or church works, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).Neither having good attendance in the church services nor the position or responsibility we hold in the church will save us. The only way to “Salvation” is through faith in Jesus Christ and “Obedience to His word.” The bible makes it very clear that “Obedience is better than sacrifices.” For those who do not obey, there is only one place prepared for them-a place called “Hell”. But judgement will take place before been thrown into the lake of fire (HELL) which is called the “Great White Throne Judgement.”
Judgment
Revelation 20:11-13... “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and shy fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.” This judgement will take place at the end of Jesus “Millennial Kingdom” called the. This Resurrection is not for the righteous, but for the condemned, to be judged and send to eternal condemnation.
Hell Described
What is Hell actually like? Here are few verses from the bible that describe “Hell” for us.
Matthew 25:46... “then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Hell is a place of eternal punishment. John 3:36... “Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains in him...” Hell is a place where the wrath of God exists.
2 Thessalonians 1:9... “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.” Hell is a place where sinners will be completely shut out from the presence of God eternally.
Revelation 9:6... “During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.” Hell is a place where even death will elude those sinners who will long for it because of unbearable torture and pain.
Mathew 8:12... “But the subjects of the darkness will be thrown outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. Hell is a place where sorrow and pain will never end.
In 1 Peter 3:19-21....as we read through these verses we understand that Jesus went to Hades after His resurrection from the grave. He showed Himself to those who were in Hades that He is the Messiah, the saviour of the world. I believe the people who were in Hades, because of their disobedience to God’s word, must have regretted much, but it was too late.
In the Old Testament, God prepared a place called “Paradise” for the righteous to go after they die. They could not go to Heaven because Jesus had not yet died on the cross. Only after Jesus died and rose again, the blood that was shed at Calvary open the door for Paradise to be taken up to Heaven where the children of the living God will dwell eternally. In this place call “Heaven” there will be no more sorrow, tears nor pain. Eternal joy is what the children of God will experience. Hence, true children of Jesus will be immediately ushered to Heaven when we die.
The bible has clearly shown us the rules we need to follow, and the path we need to take to reach our final destination. “Obedience will lead to eternal life full of joy and peace, but disobedience will lead to eternal condemnation of sorrow and pain. God has created us with a free will to chose- “Life or death,” “Heaven or hell,” which one will you chose?
