What Happens after Death?

What happens after death has been a mystery to many over many years. There are those who do not understand what happens after death, and are therefore fearful of the possibilities.

The Bible, the word of God, speaks to this issue, but even Christians are finding themselves divided on this matter of death. The Bible states that man is made of three parts (tripartite) these being the spirit, the soul, and the body.

Bible supporting verse(s)
(1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ).

The Spiritual aspect of man tends to thirst for God, and if that individual doesn't know God then that person tends to experience loneliness, and emptiness as though something is missing in their lives. Many try to supplement it with worldly items such as money, sex drugs, gambling and power, but to no avail.

The Bible speaks of the spirit of man returning to God after death, whilst the body becomes dust:

Bible supporting verse(s)
(Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it).

The Soul of man on the other hand in my humble opinion, seems to be able to go one of three places after death. These places being paradise, the grave to sleep, or it may go to hell.

It is believed that man does not go directly to heaven as many Christians believe, because the Bible states that no man has ever ascended to heaven in the following verse:

Bible supporting verse(s)
(Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven).

Evidence the soul of man can go to paradise after death.

The Bible speaks of the story of a beggar name Lazarus who when he died was carried into the bosom of Abraham. The Bosom of Abraham is believed to be what is referred to as Paradise. The Bible also mentions that the thief who repented of his actions while on the cross and asked Jesus to remember him was carried to paradise.

Evidence of the soul of man can going to sleep in the grave after death.

Bible supporting verse(s)
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Act 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Finally the soul of man can go to hell after it dies.

This is portrayed again in story of Lazarus the beggar, and the rich man. Lazarus went to Paradise, whereas the rich man went to Hell. Another supporting bible verse portraying the soul going to hell is in the book of Revelation when Jesus makes his return.

Bible supporting verse(s)
Rev 20:12 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.
Rev 20:13 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.

The criterion which determines where the soul goes immediately after death before the day of judgment is unclear on my part, but those who went to paradise had repented of their sins and had pleased God.