As is true also of the New Testament, the Old Testament almost completely ignores what happens to us when we die and dwells on what will take place on the earth in the last days.

The Prophets shouted with joy over the prospect of the coming of Christ in His Kingdom. Then shall the righteous rejoice. Then shall the nations learn righteousness and be delivered from oppression. Then shall the wicked be plucked up and cast out of the earth.

The Old Testament presents death as our going to be with the spirits of the deceased. The righteous go to be with Abraham while the wicked are gathered to their kind in an area of torment. Apparently, Sheol is a place of waiting for the Day of the Lord, especially for the judgment of the Lord. Dust returns to the dust from which it was taken. Life is over for the present.

Christian teaching has built up a body of traditions and fables about what the believer experiences when he dies. Much of the Christian thought concerning what happens when we die is derived from the translation of the Greek term for abodes, as "mansions" (see John 14:2).

While there may be stately mansions for the righteous in the spirit realm, one fact is certain: John 14:2 has nothing to do with grand houses in the spirit realm. John 14:2 is stating the same thing as John 14:23, that is, God is seeking a resting place in His saints.

Why is it that the Apostles of Christ had so little to say about what happens to us when we die? No doubt the reason is that the Apostles believed the Lord Jesus would return during their own lifetime. This hope is reflected in their epistles.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (II Thessalonians 1:7)

The Apostles pointed repeatedly toward the return of Christ. They never emphasized our going to Heaven and making our eternal home there. This concept is never found in the New Testament. Rather, the Apostles spoke of the soon coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth, the return of Jesus Christ with rewards for those who serve Him faithfully, the salvation to come in the Day of Christ.

If the reader finds the preceding paragraph difficult to accept he should read through the Epistles (and the four Gospels as well). He will discover what we have said is the truth.

In the few instances in which Paul spoke of going home to be with the Lord he was reacting to his persecutions and troubles in this world. He was not in these cases preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, the hope of salvation in the Day of Christ. This was true also of Peter.

The New Testament writings, commencing with the Gospel of Matthew and proceeding through to the Book of Revelation, are concerned with the Day of Christ. To be saved is to be kept from being removed from God's Presence in the Day of the Lord. This is the meaning of the Christian salvation. In addition there are rewards for those who run the race victoriously.

To be continued.