Our spirit and soul do not ‘die’ as our physical body dies. Our spirit and soul continue to live, and are fully conscious even after our body is laid in the grave; our spirit and soul continue to live, we just move from the earth to a new residence.

The apostle John, who walked with Jesus and wrote the book of Revelation said: “9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” Revelation 6:9-11

He also wrote in Revelation 20:11-15 “11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

So, by these Scriptures we learn what the second death is, and we can see that our souls do live on after our physical body dies. And they will go to one of two places, heaven or hell, depending.

Here are a few more Scriptures which speak of everlasting life:

John 3:16 “47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

John 6:54 “54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 6:58 “58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.”

John 17:2-3 “2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

John 5:24 “24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Now, this explains what will happen to those who have died. Jesus is speaking here “25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:25-29

By the following Scripture one could conclude that God does want all to live. “40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40

Yet, Jesus goes on to say that God has to draw us, first. “44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44

How are we drawn by God? That and more about where our spirit and soul go next week, as I follow Scripture and study to show myself approved!

“15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15