What Happens at Death?
The dead are those no longer alive; the deceased. The Bible speaks of the deceased going to SHEOL, the abode of the dead, a netherworld where the dead continue conscious existence. Apparently at death, according to the Old Testament view, even believers with faith in God went to Sheol - only to a pleasant part of it.
The Bible teaches that Christ after His death descended into the earth to bring the Old Testament believers from Sheol to heaven with Him (Matt. 12:40, 1 Pet. 3:18-20).
Death is introduced in Genesis 2:17. God created man to live forever, both physically and spiritually. By man's disobedience, however, death became his lot (Rom. 5:12). The day Adam ate the forbidden fruit, he did not die physically but lived on and reached the age of 930 years (Gen. 5:5). However, with that act of disobedience he immediately died spiritually and was separated from God's fellowship (Gen. 3:24).
When the soul leaves the body, the body is dead. When man sins, he is separated from God and he becomes dead spiritually. The Bible speaks of both types of death. Those outside of Christ are alive physically, but they are spiritually dead "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1).
The Bible also speaks of eternal, or everlasting, death. Those who persist in their unbelief remain forever in spiritual death -- eternal separation from God -- which Scripture calls the torturous "second death" of hell. There is no such thing as "reincarnation." Hebrews 9:27.
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Rev. 21:8.
Those who are "made alive in Christ" will avoid the "second death" and enjoy life with God throughout all eternity!
Believe, Admit, Repent
RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST!
Heb.11:6 Rom.10:9 Acts 3:19 John 1:12