Bloom Where You are Planted.

Friday, June 19, 2026

If You Have Lost a Spouse: What Can You Rely On in Grief?

Temporary separation till we meet again in Heaven

If you have lost a spouse through death, you know grief changes everything. And if you have not yet experienced that loss, most of us will one day face it with someone we love. In those moments, what can we truly rely on for hope? What does Scripture say about heaven, eternity, and those who have gone before us?

These reflections are written from a Christian perspective—centered on those who follow Jesus Christ and understand salvation not as something earned by good works, but received as a free gift of grace through faith in Him. That distinction matters, because many people assume they are “Christian” by moral effort or tradition without ever engaging the deeper question Scripture raises: what does it mean to truly belong to Christ?

When grief becomes personal, questions about heaven are no longer abstract. They are not merely theological ideas to discuss, but deeply human longings that arise in the quiet moments after loss. Because of that, it matters where we go for answers. Our emotions are real, but not always reliable guides. Memories are precious, but they cannot reveal eternity. So we turn to something steadier—Scripture.

People don’t always believe in scripture. And we can put our own interpretation on scripture. We have to remember, we are not God.

Everything depends on the Resurrection of Jesus. Once we believe that, then the Holy Spirit gives us enlightenment and joy, peace and contentment. But that is for another article!

Questions we can ask when we face grief

Does the Bible say people in heaven can see us

Can people in heaven pray for us

What happens after death

What is the Christian view of heaven

Is there hope after death

Do loved ones in heaven know what happens on earth

The grand reunion

Biblical hope in grief

What does the Bible say about heaven

Christian grief comfort

Eternal life in Christ

What Does Scripture Actually Say?

The Bible does not answer every question we might have about heaven in detail. It does not fully describe everything those who have died in Christ experience or know regarding life on earth. But it does give us clear and steady truths: those who belong to Jesus are alive with Him, death is not the end of personal existence, and nothing—not even death—can separate God’s people from His love.

As the apostle Paul writes in the book of Epistle to the Romans: 8:38-39

“Neither death nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That does not answer every curiosity about heaven, but it establishes something unshakable: those who are in Christ are secure in Him—both now and forever.

It is also important to understand what Scripture means when it speaks of belonging to Christ. It does not define this identity as something earned through moral effort, religious tradition, or good works. Instead, it describes receiving God’s grace through faith in Jesus. This matters, because many people assume Christianity is primarily about trying to live a good life. But at its core, the Christian message is not human achievement—it is divine gift.

What Christians Have Thought About Heaven and Awareness

Christians who take Scripture seriously have not all come to identical conclusions about what those in heaven know or experience regarding life on earth. While there is strong agreement on the core truths—that believers are alive with Christ and secure in Him—there is more diversity when it comes to questions Scripture does not explicitly answer.

Some, such as pastor and author Erwin W. Lutzer in One Minute After You Die, emphasize careful restraint. He focuses on what Scripture clearly teaches and avoids going beyond it. From this perspective, questions about awareness of earthly events or involvement in them are left open.

Others, such as Randy Alcorn in Heaven, explore those questions more fully. He carefully distinguishes between what Scripture explicitly states and what it may suggest. He points to passages such as Revelation’s descriptions of heavenly awareness as possible indications that those in heaven may have some knowledge of earthly events and may bring concerns before God, while still avoiding absolute certainty.

Still others, like Jennifer Rothschild in When Faith Becomes Sight, emphasize trust over speculation. Her focus is not on answering every detail about heaven, but on resting in the character of God when we cannot yet see clearly. Faith, in her writing, matters more than full understanding.

And finally, authors like John Burke in Imagine Heaven include near-death experience accounts as additional reflections on what heaven may be like. These stories often describe peace, awareness, and relational connection. While not a replacement for Scripture, they are presented as possible supportive testimony that aligns with biblical themes of life beyond death.

Taken together, these perspectives form not a single answer, but a spectrum of Christian reflection—ranging from strict caution, to theological exploration, to pastoral trust, to experiential testimony.

So What Can We Hold Onto With Confidence?

After considering Scripture and these reflections, we are still left with unanswered questions. The Bible does not give a detailed description of everything those in heaven may know or do regarding life on earth. But it does give something far more important than complete information—it gives certainty about God Himself.

Those who die in Christ are not lost, forgotten, or disconnected from Him. They are alive in His presence, held securely in His love, and fully known by Him.

That means the deepest comfort for grieving hearts is not found in the details of what heaven is like, but in the character of the One who holds both heaven and earth. Nothing can separate those in Christ from His love—not even death itself.

So can those in heaven pray for us, or be aware of us, or continue to care for us? Scripture does not give a direct, definitive answer to every aspect of that question. It does, however, give glimpses of a living, conscious, worshiping heaven, where God’s people are present with Him and aligned with His purposes. Because of that, some Christian thinkers see room for continued awareness and concern, while others prefer to remain silent where Scripture is silent.

In the end, Christian hope is not built on certainty about heavenly mechanics, but on certainty about Christ. If we belong to Him, then those we have lost in Him are not beyond His care—and neither are we.

And for those walking through grief, perhaps the most important truth is this: even when we cannot fully see what heaven is like, we can trust the One who is already there.

You may have questions of your own not answered here…

After considering Scripture and the different ways Christians have reflected on heaven, we are still left with some unanswered questions. The Bible does not give us a detailed description of everything those in heaven may know or do regarding life on earth. But it does give us something far more important than complete information—it gives us certainty about God Himself. Those who die in Christ are not lost, forgotten, or disconnected from Him. They are alive in His presence, held securely in His love, and fully known by Him.

My conclusion reflects on the peaceful passing of Naomi, expressing my deep faith and sense of comfort in her transition to heaven. It highlights themes of hope, reunion, and assurance that Naomi’s spirit now resides in a place of eternal love and joy, with the promise of meeting Jesus Christ face to face.

Naomi’s Peaceful Transition

When my beloved wife Naomi took her final breath on earth, I found myself enveloped by a profound sense of peace that surpassed understanding. While the pain of loss lingered, my heart was assured that Naomi’s journey was not over but simply transformed. My faith tells me that Naomi’s spirit was welcomed into heaven—her true home—where love, joy, and eternal connection await.

Naomi’s First Experience: Face to Face with Jesus Christ after being escorted into His presence by angels. I can only imagine what that was like. Her love of Jesus and her life lived for His glory, and then finally seeing Him face to face.

Naomi’s First Experience in Eternity

I can only imagine the awe and peace that must have flooded Naomi’s soul as she took her first steps into the realm where faith becomes sight. After her final breath Naomi was gently escorted by angels into the very presence of Jesus Christ. It is a moment beyond the grasp of earthly words: the Savior she loved so deeply, whose life and teachings shaped her every day, now standing before her, face to face.

Years of devotion, worship, and longing culminated in this sacred encounter. Naomi’s heart, which had always beat with love for her Lord, must have overflowed as she gazed into the eyes of the One who gave His life for her. The joy of meeting Jesus, unfiltered and unmediated, is the fulfillment of every hope, every prayer, every act of trust she ever offered.

A Family Reunion Like No Other

But the wonders of heaven did not end there. Soon, Naomi was reunited with her beloved mom and dad, her sister, and her brother and my mother—the family who had gone before her. And her Jewish grandmother who also came to believe in Jesus. Naomi was born after her grandmother died…but that reunion must have been something! The embrace of loved ones long missed, the laughter and the tears of reunion, filled this new beginning with profound comfort and joy. Their bonds, never broken by time or distance, were now restored in a place where sorrow and separation are no more.

And then, I can only imagine, but speculate…that all the patients that Naomi visited during her brief time in Buckhorn Kentucky as a rural health nurse, driving her jeep up the hollers visiting people she had never seen before. Greeting her. What a reunion!

Fellowship with the Saints

And so began Naomi’s eternal fellowship—not just with her own family, but with countless others she had only known from the pages of her Bible. She met the heroes of the faith, the witnesses who inspired her journey: Abraham, Moses, Mary, Peter, and so many more. Together, they worshiped the Lamb, sharing stories of grace, redemption, and God’s unending love.

In heaven, Naomi’s journey continues—her worship deeper, her joy complete, her love fulfilled. Surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses, she sings, rejoices, and lives forever in the presence of the King she so cherished on earth. And she awaits her bodily physical resurrection on the new earth.

What a reunion. What glory. What hope for all who share Naomi’s faith and await the day when they, too, will see Jesus face to face. And I, Richard, have to remember that I will see Naomi again soon, our time apart is just a short temporary separation.

Griefshare: A Journey Through Grief and Hope

Grief is love with nowhere to go

“I am not a grief counselor. I am simply a husband who shared 45 years with my wife Naomi, and who has spent the last eighteen months learning what it means to grieve with hope.”

My wife Naomi has been with the Lord for eighteen months now.

Like many widows and widowers, I did not choose to become an expert on grief. Yet grief has become a subject I have studied, experienced, wrestled with, prayed through, and talked about more than I ever imagined.

Over the past year and a half, I have attended GriefShare programs at three different churches. At one church, I completed the program three times. When the sessions end, a new group simply begins again. Some participants have attended six, seven, or even more times. What begins as a grief support group often becomes a community of people who understand one another’s journeys.

I have also participated in a secular grief support group through Horizon for nearly eighteen months. If you live in or near Milwaukee, Horizon has a free support group for you. Yes, I said FREE. Check it out. A great Resource Center. Along the way, I have read many books on grief and loss, especially those focused on the death of a spouse.

Grief Is Normal

While every author approaches grief differently, several common themes appear again and again.

One of the most helpful lessons I learned came from the GriefShare materials, especially Is My Grief Normal?

The answer is usually yes.

Many grieving people wonder if they are grieving too much, too little, too long, or in the wrong way. The reality is that grief is not a problem to solve. It is a natural response to loving someone deeply.

There is no timetable. There is no finish line. There is no “graduation day” from grief.

Healing Does Not Mean Forgetting

Dr. Alan Wolfelt, in Healing a Spouse’s Grieving Heart, reminds us that healing is not about getting over our spouse.

The goal is not forgetting.

The goal is learning how to carry both love and loss at the same time.

Naomi remains part of my story. The memories, lessons, faith, and ministry we shared continue to influence my life every day. Love does not end simply because one person now lives in heaven.

Hope and Grief Can Coexist

One lesson repeated throughout Christian grief literature is that grief and hope are not opposites.

As Christians, we grieve.

Jesus Himself wept.

But we do not grieve as those who have no hope.

I miss Naomi every day. Yet I know where she is. She is with Christ. She is healed. She is worshiping in the presence of the Savior she loved and served.

The pain of separation is real, but so is the certainty of reunion.

Grief Changes Us

The GriefShare book The Loss of a Spouse acknowledges a difficult truth: life is never quite the same after losing a husband or wife.

The routines change.

The conversations stop.

The future we imagined changes.

But God remains faithful.

Many widows and widowers discover that while they would never have chosen this path, God continues to provide purpose, companionship, ministry opportunities, and growth in unexpected ways.

What Helps a Grieving Person?

People often ask what they should say to someone who has lost a spouse.

After my own experience and many conversations with others, here are a few suggestions:

Show up.
Listen more than you speak.
Don’t try to fix their grief.
Share memories of their loved one.
Continue reaching out after the funeral.
Invite them to ordinary activities.
Allow them to talk about their spouse.
Be patient with tears and emotions.
Pray for them and with them.

Sometimes the greatest gift is simply being present.

Consider a GriefShare Group

One of the most valuable resources in my own grief journey has been GriefShare.

Over the past eighteen months, I have attended GriefShare programs at three different churches and completed the program multiple times. Each group was a little different, but all provided something important: understanding, encouragement, practical tools for navigating grief, and the opportunity to be with others who truly “get it.”

If you have recently lost a spouse, family member, or close friend, I encourage you to consider attending a GriefShare group. You do not need to walk through grief alone. Many churches across the country host GriefShare programs, and new groups begin regularly throughout the year.

If you know someone who is grieving, one of the kindest things you can do is encourage them to explore a local GriefShare group. You might even offer to help them find one or attend the first session with them.

GriefShare does not remove the pain of loss, but it can provide hope, understanding, biblical encouragement, and companionship for the journey ahead.

Many people enter their first meeting feeling hesitant or uncertain. They often leave realizing they are not alone.

What Doesn’t Help?

Most people mean well, but certain phrases can unintentionally hurt:

“You need to move on.”
“At least they’re no longer suffering.”
“God needed another angel.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”

Grieving people usually do not need explanations.

They need compassion.

A Final Thought

If you are grieving today, know that you are not alone.

If you love someone who is grieving, know that your presence matters more than your words.

And if you are a follower of Christ, remember this: grief is temporary, but the promises of God are eternal.

One day every goodbye in Christ will become a hello.

That is not wishful thinking.

That is Christian hope.

Call to Action

Take a moment this week to reach out to someone who has lost a spouse, parent, child, or dear friend.

Send a note.

Make a phone call.

Share a memory.

Invite them to coffee.

Your simple act of kindness may be exactly what they need today.

Along with the support of family, friends, church, prayer, and Scripture, grief support ministries such as GriefShare have been a significant part of God’s provision during my own journey after Naomi’s homegoing.

Prayer

Father, thank You for walking beside us through every season of life, including seasons of loss. Comfort those who are grieving today. Strengthen those who feel lonely, weary, or forgotten. Help us to be compassionate friends who listen well and love faithfully. Thank You for the hope we have through Jesus Christ and for the promise that death is not the end for those who belong to Him. Until the day of reunion, help us trust You, serve You, and find our strength in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

My personal beliefs that are the foundation and help through this season.

Grief Resources

Are you a grandparent?

Naomi being a substitute Grandparent.

There are approximately 30 million grandparents in the U.S. Each one is a potential influence in the lives of their grandchildren. Most Christians would agree, but so little is being done to challenge and equip them.

Navigating an unknown future.

In today’s rapidly changing world, it can be daunting to navigate an unknown future. However, I find immense comfort in the wisdom of these verses. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”Proverbs 3:3-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

When the time is right…

Over the past few years, one of my guiding principles has been: “When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen.” – Isaiah 60:22. This verse has become a source of strength, reinforcing the belief that timing is not ours to control.

Seeds of faith and hope.

Before you leave today, I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on your own. What seeds of faith and hope are you planting for those who will follow? Legacy Coalition is here to encourage churches to minister to grandparents as they encourage and influence their grandchildren. Our desire is for grandparents to look beyond the pleasures of the retirement culture and invest in the lives of their grandchildren.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ Numbers 6:24-26 NIV Let’s do the same!

Prayer for our children

As we move through life, let’s not forget the profound impact our prayers and intentions can have—not just for ourselves but for the generations to come. Our children and grandchildren hold the potential to change the world for eternity, just as those before us prayed for our paths. It starts with pray and worship!

Why not forward this post on to your friends who are grandparents?

You Are Wonderfully Made: A Reflection on God’s Design

Mary had a little lamb

God’s Loving Design for You

Each person is a unique expression of God’s loving design. While we may all feel alone or lonely at times, it is important to remember the divine truths about our existence.

God Created You with Intention

You are not an accident! Isaiah 44:2 reminds us that God is our creator and cared for us even before we were born.
The Bible assures us, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8).

Your Body, Mind, and Gifts Are Carefully Designed

God chose every detail of your body—your race, skin color, hair, features—and gifted you with natural talents and personality. Psalm 139:15-16 celebrates this thoughtful craftsmanship.
Though much emphasis might be placed on spiritual gifts, remember the beauty and intentionality in all the other aspects of your being.
The creative process did not stop at childbirth; God has been molding and shaping you over the years with meticulous care and love.

Your Uniqueness is a Gift

He placed you in a unique family and gave you a one-of-a-kind personality.
God has provided you with unique abilities and woven a distinctive assortment of motivators into your life’s fabric.
He made you absolutely unique for a purpose, driven by His love—Ephesians 1:4 affirms His motive for creating you.

Your Role in God’s Creation

God designed the world’s environment for us to live in—James 1:18 highlights this intentionality.
Of all His creations, YOU are the most important. God made you for a reason, a purpose, as part of His divine plan.

Embracing Your Unique Journey

God’s design for you is precious, perfect, and tailored uniquely for you. He made you exactly how He wanted you to be.
Your parents, regardless of your childhood experiences, were the ones He chose. Even if we had less-than-ideal childhoods, we can work through struggles and learn to forgive.
Guess what? We all had less-than-ideal childhoods. Yet, these experiences are part of the intricate story God is weaving for each of us.

Conclusion

You are God’s special creation, designed with love and purpose. Embrace your unique journey, knowing that you are precious in His eyes and perfectly made to fulfill His divine plan.

God’s calling and your legacy.

If you found this post encouraging, you might want to forward it on to your friends! We all need encouragement!

Finding peace with God.

What Are My Loved Ones Experiencing in the Present Heaven?

By Randy Alcorn

June 3, 2020

A reader wrote, “I just finished the book Heaven. Knowing Jesus, I found it inspiring and well documented. I was disappointed there wasn’t more mentioned about the immediate Heaven, the one right after we leave this earth. I just lost a loved one and would like more information and clarity about what she is experiencing. I have read three books on Heaven, read a lot about the New Earth, but little about what happens when I die.”

While my book Heaven centers on the New Earth, the eternal Heaven, a few chapters deal with the present Heaven. When a Christian dies he enters what theologians call the “intermediate state,” a transitional period between life on Earth and the future resurrection to life on the New Earth. Usually when we talk about “Heaven,” we mean the place that Christians go when they die. When we tell our children “Grandma’s now in Heaven,” we’re referring to what I prefer to call the present Heaven (the word intermediate sometimes confuses people).

Books on Heaven often fail to distinguish between the intermediate and eternal states, using the one word—Heaven—as all-inclusive. But this is an important distinction. The present Heaven is a temporary lodging, a waiting place (a delightful one!) until the return of Christ and our bodily resurrection. The eternal Heaven, the New Earth, is our true home, the place where we will live forever with our Lord and each other. The great redemptive promises of God will find their ultimate fulfillment on the New Earth, not in the present Heaven. God’s children are destined for life as resurrected beings on a resurrected Earth.

Though the present Heaven is not our final destination, it’s a wonderful place, and it’s understandable that those who have had loved ones die in Christ wonder what life is like for them there. Based on the Bible’s teaching, we know several things: the present Heaven is a real (and possibly physical) place. Those who love Jesus and trust Him for their salvation will be with Him there, together with all who have died in Christ. We will be awake and cognizant. And because we will be with Jesus, it is “better by far” than our present existence.

The Present Heaven Is a Real Place

Heaven is normally invisible to those living on Earth. For those who have trouble accepting the reality of an unseen realm, consider the perspective of researchers who embrace string theory. Scientists at Yale, Princeton, and Stanford, among others, have postulated that there are ten unobservable dimensions and likely an infinite number of imperceptible universes. If this is what some scientists believe, why should anyone feel self-conscious about believing in one unobservable dimension, a realm containing angels and Heaven and Hell?

The Bible teaches that sometimes humans are allowed to see into Heaven. When Stephen was being stoned because of his faith in Christ, he gazed into Heaven: “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’” (Acts 7:55-56). Scripture tells us not that Stephen dreamed this, but that he actually saw it.

Wayne Grudem points out that Stephen “did not see mere symbols of a state of existence. It was rather that his eyes were opened to see a spiritual dimension of reality which God has hidden from us in this present age, a dimension which none the less really does exist in our space/time universe, and within which Jesus now lives in his physical resurrected body, waiting even now for a time when he will return to earth.”

I agree with Grudem that the present Heaven is a space/time universe. He may be right that it’s part of our own universe, or it may be in a different universe. It could be a universe next door that’s normally hidden but sometimes opened. In any case, I don’t think God gave Stephen a vision in order to make Heaven appear physical. Rather, He allowed Stephen to see a present Heaven that was (and is) physical.

The prophet Elisha asked God to give his servant, Gehazi, a glimpse of the invisible realm. He prayed, “‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17). Acts 7 and 2 Kings 6 are narrative accounts, historical in nature, not apocalyptic or parabolic literature. The text is clear that Stephen and Gehazi saw real things.

The Present Heaven May Be a Physical Place

If we look at Scripture, we’ll see considerable evidence that the present Heaven has physical properties. We’re told there are scrolls in Heaven, elders who have faces, martyrs who wear clothes, and even people with palm branches in their hands. There are musical instruments in the present Heaven, horses coming into and out of Heaven, and an eagle flying overhead in Heaven.

Many commentators dismiss the possibility that any of these passages in Revelation should be taken literally, on the grounds that the book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature, which is known for its figures of speech. But the book of Hebrews isn’t apocalyptic, it’s epistolary. Moses was told, in building the earthly Tabernacle, “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.” If that which was built after the pattern was physical, might it suggest the original was also physical? The book of Hebrews seems to say that we should see Earth as a derivative realm and Heaven as the source realm.

Unlike God and the angels, who are in essence spirits (John 4:24; Hebrews 1:14), human beings are by nature both spiritual and physical. God did not create Adam as a spirit and place it inside a body. Rather, He first created a body, then breathed into it a spirit. There was never a moment when a human being existed without a body. We are not essentially spirits who inhabit bodies; we are essentially as much physical as we are spiritual. We cannot be fully human without both a spirit and a body.

Given the consistent physical descriptions of the intermediate Heaven and those who dwell there, it seems possible—though this is certainly debatable—that between our earthly lives and our bodily resurrection God may grant us some temporary physical form that will allow us to function as human beings while in that unnatural state “between bodies” awaiting our bodily resurrection. If so, that would account for the repeated depictions of people now in Heaven occupying physical space, wearing clothes and crowns, carrying branches, and having body parts (for example, Lazarus’s finger in Luke 16:24).

A fundamental article of the Christian faith is that the resurrected Christ now dwells in Heaven. We are told that His resurrected body on Earth was physical and that this same, physical Jesus ascended to Heaven, from where He will one day return to Earth. It seems indisputable, then, to say that there is at least one physical body in the present Heaven. If Christ’s body in the intermediate Heaven has physical properties, it stands to reason that others in Heaven could have physical forms as well, even if only temporary ones.

To avoid misunderstanding, I need to emphasize a critical doctrinal point. According to Scripture, we do not receive resurrection bodies immediately after death. Resurrection does not happen one at a time. If we have intermediate forms in the intermediate Heaven, they will not be our true bodies, which we leave behind at death.

So if we are given material forms when we die (and I’m suggesting this possibility only because of the many Scriptures depicting physical forms in the present Heaven), they would be temporary vessels. Any understanding of people having physical forms immediately after death that would lead us to conclude that the future resurrection has already happened or is unnecessary is emphatically wrong!

We’ll Be Together with Christ and Those Who Love Him

As painful as death is, and as right as it is to grieve it (Jesus did), we on this dying Earth can also rejoice for our loved ones who are in the presence of Christ. When they die, those covered by Christ’s blood are experiencing the joy of Christ’s presence in a place so wonderful that Christ called it Paradise.

As the apostle Paul tells us, though we naturally grieve at losing loved ones, we are not “to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Our parting is not the end of our relationship, only an interruption. We have not “lost” them, because we know where they are. And one day, we’re told, in a magnificent reunion, they and we “will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).

Peter tells us, “You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11). God is the main welcomer, no doubt. All eyes are on Jesus, the Cosmic Center, the Source of all Happiness. But wouldn’t it make sense for the secondary welcomers to be God’s people, those who touched our lives, and whose lives we touched? Wouldn’t that be a great greeting party?

Jesus said, “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Angels probably rejoice too, but the ones living in the presence of angels Jesus refers to are likely God’s people, redeemed human beings, some of who knew and loved and prayed for the conversion of these sinners, and now are beholding the answers to their prayers. Wouldn’t such people be a natural part of the welcome committee when we enter Heaven?

I envision glorious reunions and amazing introductions, conversations and storytelling at banquets and on walks, jaws dropping and laughter long and hard, the laughter of Jesus being the most contagious.

When I enter Heaven, I look forward to being hugged by my dear mother, who I led to Christ when I was a new believer in high school. Then I picture Mom, that broad smile on her face, presenting me with my sixth grandchild. In 2013 my daughter Angie had a miscarriage. This was a very painful time for our family, but one more reason I am looking forward to Heaven. When this happens, I will look at Jesus, nodding my thanks to the One with the nail-scarred hands, and I will not let my grandchild or my mother go.

Those in the Present Heaven Are Awake and Alive

That we’ll receive “a rich welcome” necessitates that at death, we will be awake and conscious. Christ depicted Lazarus and the rich man as conscious in Heaven and Hell immediately after they died (Luke 16:22-31). Jesus told the dying thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). The apostle Paul said that to die was to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23), and to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). After their deaths, martyrs are pictured in Heaven, crying out to God to bring justice on Earth (Revelation 6:9-11).

These passages clearly teach that there is no such thing as “soul sleep,” or a long period of unconsciousness between life on Earth and life in Heaven. The phrase “fallen asleep” (in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and similar passages) is a euphemism for death, describing the body’s outward appearance. The spirit’s departure from the body ends our existence on Earth. The physical part of us “sleeps” until the resurrection, while the spiritual part of us relocates to a conscious existence in Heaven (Daniel 12:2-3; 2 Corinthians 5:8).

Every reference in Revelation to human beings talking and worshiping in Heaven prior to the resurrection of the dead demonstrates that our spiritual beings are conscious, not sleeping, after death. (Nearly everyone who believes in soul sleep believes that souls are disembodied at death; it’s not clear how disembodied beings could sleep, because sleeping involves a physical body.)

As awake and conscious beings, those in Heaven are free to ask God questions (Revelation 6:9-11), which means they have an audience with God. It also means they can and do learn. They wouldn’t be asking questions if they already knew the answers. In Heaven, people desire understanding and pursue it. There is also time in the present Heaven. People are aware of time’s passing and are eager for the coming day of the Lord’s judgment. God answers that the martyrs must “rest a little longer.” Waiting requires the passing of time. I see no reason to believe that the realities of this passage apply only to one group of martyrs and to no one else in Heaven. We should assume that what is true of them is also true of our loved ones already there, and it will be true of us when we die.

Life in Christ’s Presence Is Better by Far

Paul says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.… I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Philippians 1:21, 23). Life in the Heaven we go to when we die, where we’ll dwell prior to our bodily resurrection, is “better by far” than living here on Earth under the Curse, away from the direct presence of God.

Paul spoke from experience. He had actually been taken into Heaven years before writing those words (2 Corinthians 12:1–6). He knew firsthand what awaited him in Paradise. He wasn’t speculating when he called it gain. To be in the very presence of Jesus, enjoying the wonders of His being, and to be with God’s people and no longer subject to sin and suffering? “Better by far” is an understatement!

King David wrote, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11, NKJV). In the presence of God, there’s nothing but joy. Those who live in the presence of Christ find great happiness in worshiping God and living as righteous beings in rich fellowship in a sinless environment. And because God is continuously at work on Earth, the saints watching from Heaven have a great deal to praise Him for, including God’s drawing people on Earth to Himself (Luke 15:7, 10).

Our loved ones now in Heaven live in a place where joy is the air they breathe, and nothing they see on earth can diminish their joy. Their joy doesn’t depend on ignorance, but perspective, drawn from the Christ in whose presence they live. If you’re following Jesus, no doubt your loved ones there are rejoicing over you. The great cloud of witnesses of Hebrews 12 is now up in the stands of Heaven and watching you on the same playing field they once ran on. They’re looking forward to hearing Jesus say “Well done” to you, and they may also commend you for your service of Jesus!

But those in the present Heaven are also looking forward to Christ’s return, their bodily resurrection, the final judgment, and the fashioning of the New Earth from the ruins of the old. Only then and there, in the eternal Heaven, the home Jesus is preparing for us, will all evil and suffering and sorrow be washed away by the hand of God. Only then and there will we experience the fullness of joy intended by God and purchased for us by Christ, who we will forever praise!

Randy Alcorn (@randyalcorn) is the author of over sixty books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries.

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Christianity and Heaven: Edwin W. Lutzer and Randy Alcorn.

A reunion like no other

We often hear about Heaven in our church services, but do we really know and understand what it really is?

Jesus is the first person we see as we transition into Heaven.

The passing of a loved one prompts profound questions about what happens after death. Christian authors Edwin W. Lutzer, in One Minute After You Die, and Randy Alcorn, in Heaven, have written extensively on this topic, offering comfort and guidance to those seeking answers. This article compares their beliefs, explores what believers experience at death, and reflects on how these views might relate to the journey of someone like Naomi Dassow.

Overview of Edwin W. Lutzer’s Beliefs (One Minute After You Die)

Edwin W. Lutzer approaches the afterlife from a biblical perspective, emphasizing the immediate transition of the soul upon death. He teaches that believers are instantly ushered into the presence of Christ, experiencing peace, joy, and freedom from suffering. Lutzer stresses that physical death is not the end, but a doorway to a conscious and glorious existence with God. The body rests, awaiting resurrection, while the soul remains alive and aware in the presence of the Lord.

Overview of Randy Alcorn’s Beliefs (Heaven)

Randy Alcorn delves deeply into the nature of heaven, describing it as a real, physical place where believers will live with resurrected bodies. He affirms that upon death, Christians are immediately with Christ, enjoying fellowship, worship, and anticipation of future resurrection. Alcorn emphasizes the continuity of personal identity, relationships, and meaningful activity, suggesting heaven is both familiar and wonderfully transformed. He encourages believers to look forward to a tangible, joyful life in God’s presence.

Comparative Analysis: Key Similarities and Differences

· Immediate Experience: Both authors agree that believers are instantly with Christ upon death, experiencing comfort and joy.

· Consciousness and Awareness: Lutzer highlights the soul’s awareness in God’s presence, while Alcorn expands this by describing ongoing relationships and activities in heaven.

· Resurrection: Both affirm that the body will be resurrected, but Alcorn stresses the physical aspect of heaven and the ultimate restoration of creation.

· Continuity of Identity: Alcorn places strong emphasis on the preservation of personal identity and memory, while Lutzer focuses on the soul’s conscious existence.

What Do Believers Experience When They Die?

According to both Lutzer and Alcorn, believers are welcomed into the presence of Christ immediately after death. This transition brings relief from pain, sorrow, and earthly struggles. The soul remains conscious and experiences profound peace, joy, and worship. There is no sense of loss or separation from God; instead, there is a deep sense of belonging and fulfillment.

What Changes and What Remains After We Die?

The most significant change is the separation of the soul from the physical body. The body awaits resurrection, while the soul is fully alive with Christ. What remains is the believer’s identity, awareness, and relationship with God. Alcorn suggests that memories, personality, and love for others persist, while Lutzer emphasizes the soul’s conscious communion with God.

Personal Reflection: Naomi’s Experience Based on These Beliefs

Drawing from Lutzer and Alcorn, Naomi’s passing would mean she is now in the joyful presence of Jesus, free from suffering and pain. Her soul is alive, conscious, and at peace. If Alcorn’s perspective is considered, Naomi retains her identity and may even anticipate future reunion with loved ones when resurrection occurs.

Ongoing Aspects After Death: Prayer, Intercession, and Awareness

Regarding whether Naomi is praying or interceding now, both authors suggest that believers in heaven are engaged in worship and praise rather than interceding for those on earth. Lutzer is cautious about the idea of the departed directly interceding, while Alcorn notes that the focus in heaven is on God’s glory. As for awareness of loved ones’ experiences, Alcorn entertains the possibility that those in heaven may have some awareness of earthly events, but insists this knowledge is filtered through perfect peace and trust in God. Lutzer tends to be more reserved, emphasizing that the joy of heaven far surpasses earthly concerns.

Conclusion: Comfort and Hope from Christian Perspectives

Both Edwin W. Lutzer and Randy Alcorn offer hopeful and comforting visions of the afterlife for believers. Their teachings affirm that death is not the end, but a transition into a conscious, joyful existence with Christ. While some mysteries remain, their perspectives encourage faith in God’s promises and the assurance that loved ones like Naomi are at peace, fully alive in the presence of the Lord. For those who grieve, these beliefs offer hope, comfort, and a renewed anticipation of reunion in God’s eternal kingdom.

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