‘What Happens When We Die?’
‘Dead or Asleep?’ Part 1
In depth 5 part series of ‘What Happens When We Die?’
By Stephen Bennett - January 25th…early 2026.
What happens to our body, soul and spirit, when we die? Is dead, just dead? Or is there more? Do we go somewhere? Heaven, Paradise, Hell, Purgatory, a new eternity? Or, just another in-between place, roaming lost in the afterlife, still attached to our earth families? Is it a bliss Nirvana? Achieved through thousands of endless karma cycles, ‘wandering through’ Saṃsāra ‘groundhog-day’ reincarnations of earthly rebirth, into a cultural soup of millions of confusing gods? Or, is there a big dead, a wispy ether of nothing, where we die into a hole of blackness, and everything stops? A nothing place of no more intelligent creative awareness; all our growth, learning, love, life, family, wisdom and skills at the end of ageing, is all for no reason? Hmm…if so, that sounds… stupid; there has to be a reason…
Is life then just a big game? Or, does every human actually live forever, in a good or bad end, and none truly die? If so, does a heaven exist? Where is the spiritual eternity and it’s purpose? What is it like, is there a cost to go there? Does our freewill, choices, and beliefs determine the outcome? If God lives, who is He really, amongst all the world’s crazy false religious, dark deceptive options? Why does He want us with Him? Does everybody make it to a heavenly paradise? What is The Truth? The one thing none of us will avoid; we will all die! It makes sense to find out why and what is real…
Real Life Happening in a Chapel
I stood in the liminal space of tiptoe quiet reverence; cocooned in a brushed ruby red velvet elegance, that beckoned a curated prayer to say goodnight to the dead. The soft welcoming light, of burnt orange ornate lamps, felt warm; there I am at last; this boy, well dressed, ready for a final farewell. We then entered a viewing room in the suburban funeral chapel…
In that atmosphere, frozen in time, lay an open coffin. Inside it, my beautiful mum looked asleep; resting peacefully, wrapped in a shroud, half smiling, her make up on, and every silver hair in place. Hmm…
My close family and I stood around the long, Mr Sheen polished, wood stained timber box with gold handles. The expensive transport, waiting to take mum to a very hot oven to become a jar of ashes; a grey powder mix of wood, cloth, and dead decayed flesh. She didn’t want to be buried. I thought, ‘yes mum, neither option seemed very good.’
I stared at my dear, intelligent, thoughtful, loving mum’s likeness. She was always classy and well dressed, with an air of royalty from her mother Marie’s side of the family. Grandma came from a line of British Lord’s and Ladies in the south of England; they disowned her, when she married a commoner, a tall 6ft x 4in London policeman in the World War 2 era. Faith Mary Mum, and three other siblings were their fruit. I was in the next Gen…
It’s not everyday you spend time with a dead person. Looking at mum, I immediately thought of London’s Madame Tussauds wax museum. It was obvious to me; ‘Elvis had left the building.’ Mum wasn’t there. The corpse sort of looked like her, but it was just a makeover body, put on public display before the oven flames of crematory fire; she was a shell, a human sleeve expired. In that moment I wondered where mum really was…
On this chapel day, I did feel great peace, but with no sense of crushing grief. I prayed a family prayer around the coffin and a presence descended; we all felt it and we lingered, not all understood. As with my Dad, Mum was a woman of faith. God visited the moment with His presence; I knew where she really was; at least I thought I did. Few understood why I didn’t cry. I actually felt joy, with a solid assurance I’d see her again one day. The universal question is, where and when…
The Vision
I’ve had a number of undeniable spiritual experiences as a creative person of faith. I absolutely know there is an unseen world, as I have seen into it, hearing its music arrive with a vista of creative ideas. I believe beyond doubt, there’s much more for humanity beyond the veil of death. Just believing in a nothing, post death, is not an option; rather silly really.
A few months later after the funeral, having said my final mum goodbyes, I actually had a clear vision of her. I was seated in a large church conference venue, an amphitheatre style auditorium, about halfway up in the higher seats. I was simply relaxed just waiting for a guest speaker session to start. Quietly, I’d asked God a simple question that had been on my mind. “Is mum with you Lord?” Almost immediately a ‘large screen’ appeared before my eyes, as wide as the auditorium building, blocking out the stage below. I realised this was a vision; then I saw my mother in the distance.
Faith Mary had long flowing rich black hair, like when she was younger; looking about 30 years old. She wore a red spanish style dancing dress in a vast white landscape. She loved going to Italy and Spain as a young woman with her friends, singing in nice bars and restaurants when she could; it’s what people did on holiday in the 50s and 60s.
I then heard her blissful joyous laughter growing in volume, as she spun around and around like a spinning top coming toward me, her red dress swishing wildly. I also heard the Lord laughing with glee behind her, as if playfully chasing; I couldn’t see Him but His presence was tangible. Mum laughed and danced, running right past me on the left hand side of the vision screen, as the Lord playfully followed.
I felt an actual breeze as they passed by; then nothing, just quiet in an expanse of white. The ‘screen’ shutdown and disappeared like a movie fade; the conference meeting schedule was about to start as the stage, lights, screens and stage smoke, became visible to me again.
There wasn’t anything traditionally to suggest mum was in a ‘clouded heaven,’ that would be an assumption. It was more like watching a high-res video-clip from a movie dance sequence, shot on an all white cyclorama wall set with an infinity sweep. But God clearly showed me, she was definitely with Him; that was the vision message, and the same sense of peace I felt in the funeral parlour washed over me. It could well be, as a believer she died IN CHRIST, and now still very much alive. In the vision, I tangibly experienced the joy she was feeling being IN HIM in the Spirit. ‘For as in Adam all die, so also IN CHRIST shall all be made alive’ (1 Corinthians 15:22). Yes, she ‘died’ but now alive with Him!
These types of random felt experiences bring you instantly front and centre to the reality of one’s relationship with a true living God; that He is real and close, He cares and loves, hearing your questions and prayers. Beyond life on earth, there’s definitely a reality more real than this present world. But the ongoing template of understanding this knowledge, is found not just in experiences, as good as they are, but in the ancient texts of scripture where the words are also alivewith absolute truth and clarity.
On the vision day, I knew I’d see my wonderful mother again, no doubts; she was just asleep, not dead. As Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, I didn’t need to grieve as I have hope. ‘But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieveas others do who have no hope.’ (verse 13).
The Bible makes it clear that we definetly go somewhere when we pass away. In this series, with all that is coming to this world with it’s ending, let us with excitement explore that reality; knowledge that gives us peace and assurance about the truth of eternity and the spirit world…
Fallen Asleep
My mother actually looked asleep in her coffin, so we will start there with our first aspect of what happens when we die. The scriptures have much to say about the passing away in human death; for Christian believers dying on earth… it’s basically falling asleep. Going to an ‘in-between’ place waiting for the eternal resurrection in the future… Let’s see why this is so important to God, that all humanity knows this truth… not the lies of false religion and the world’s nefarious entertainment ideas.
‘For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep’ (1 Thessalonians 4:14).
‘But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of thosewho have fallen asleep’ (1 Corinthians 15:20).
‘…to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him’ (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).
Daniel: When the Many Awake
In his prophecy about the end of the end-times, the Old Testament Prophet Daniel saw a vision of the greatest time of trouble on earth, where “Many of those who SLEEP in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
In these two categories of awakening people, to everlasting life or contempt, the question is: What does this mass human simultaneous wake-up mean?
Daniel saw the greatest resurrection from the dead of all time! ‘‘Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!” (Revelation 20:6a) Extremely blessed humans who believe in God through Jesus Christ, will arise from a state of sleep and live forever with Him in everlasting life. However the unbelievers… who wake up much later to be judged, will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Gehenna, Hell) forever in everlasting contempt (Revelation 20:11-15). The historical righteous millions and those who had died in Christ, were considered ASLEEP.
Daniel: Important to Know
The Prophet Daniel was told by the heavenly messenger (Archangel Gabriel around 2500 years ago, around 600 B.C), to ‘shut up the words, and seal the book UNTIL THE TIME OF THE END’ (Daniel 12:4). What Daniel saw was profound information; but it became a deep overwhelming burden Daniel could not carry. What he saw was way ahead in the future to now happen in our day; the end of the end-times.
Daniel, a man born in Judah Israel, was in captivity in Persia at the time (modern Iran). The archangel Gabriel spoke to him of a great spiritual war over Persia (Iran). It was the Persian nation’s, spiritually vicious demonic prince and principality of demonic government, warring with Gabriel. Why? To stop him help Daniel understand his visions. Prophecies causing Daniel deep stress, sorrow, and losing his strength, almost to the edge of death (Daniel 10:12-14).
Even God’s warrior Archangel Michael was also sent as back up, to help Gabriel fight the demonic Persian prince. The mission: Gabriel could get through to see Daniel, and tell him what was, ‘Noted in the Scripture of Truth’ (Daniel 10:21).
Think: These are God’s two top Archangels in the whole heavens! The spiritual battle must have been incredibly intense, because it involved the truth about these end days we live in, and a very wicked demon principality of Persia (Iran). Gabriel told Daniel he would also have to go back and fight the Persian demons again (Daniel 10:20).
He also spoke about the kings that would rise in Persia, and onward, in the continual historic wars that would ensue until the end of time, leading to the anti-christ one world government (Daniel 11). Why is what Daniel saw and didn’t understand, so important?
The War for Truth About Death
Today in February 2026+, over 2500 years later, in Iran where Daniel had those visions, the same spiritual war Daniel saw, is still in play! Recently we all watched tens of thousands of innocent citizens, young and old, who’d had enough, resisting the spiritually oppressive non-royal evil regime in Iran. Thousands were slaughtered on their own streets in just a few days; murdered, shot, raped and hacked to death (accused of ‘resisting god!’ More humans killed in such a short period than anytime in their history! It sounds like the devil’s work right! ‘to steal, and to kill and to destroy’ (John 10:10).
Why is this significant? We are now in the time of the end, as Daniel originally wrote. The hour where the ‘seal on the visions in his writings that caused him anxiety and stress,’ are coming off! As believers we are now to fully understand the end-time prophecies of truth; in WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE. One being the reawakening of all human dead who are asleep, some to life some to contempt; this is now not far off in our future (Daniel 12:2).
The devil does not want humans to know the truth about death; where you go, and why Jesus the World Saviour completely destroyed and overcame deathon the cross, so you can live forever! ‘The last enemy to be destroyed is death’ (1 Corinthians 15:26).
At the same time, right NOW all over the world, millions are awakening to the truth of an oppressive, growing, global spiritual warfare which is happening and affecting every nation on the ground; soon it will get worse. The devil knows this, and is wickedly frothing mad, knowing his time is running out. He wants to make sure millions die not knowing where they are going when they die, so they end up in the Lake of Fire (Gehenna, Hell) with him on the White Throne Judgement Day (Revelation 20:11-15). So satan is annihilating people wherever he can through his deceptions! “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath (fury), because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12).
This is part of the reason why over 50,000 people were killed in Iran in just a few days early 2026. Humanity’s heart is rising wanting freedom and truth in life! In the world, we’re starting to see a massive corporate human resistance against wrong and evil, with increased civil unrest, and in many other nations. It won’t be long until we see civil wars in the news feeds! Yes, this is a spiritual war! But it will manifest world wide affecting all economies, making life difficult.
We saw the same vehement battle and evil, when Hitler tried to kill all the Jews on earth in World War 2; 6 million of them! Guess what, Israel is still existing stronger than ever, for God has an everlasting covenant with the nation of Israel, they will never be totally wiped off the map or beaten. ‘The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant’ (Psalm 105:9-11, Hebrews 8:8-13) God's covenant is everlasting for God is unwavering, “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), even to the Jewish people’s end-time restoration.
These were the parting words from the angel Gabriel when he left Daniel, “But you (Daniel). Go your way till the end. FOR YOU SHALL REST (sleep), and will arise (resurrect)to your inheritance at the end of the days” (Daniel 12:13). Daniel saw the end of the world over 2500 years ahead of time, and back then He fulfilled his calling with the prophetic words of warning he left for us in his visions. We will see Daniel again soon, when he too awakes from sleep to live eternally! People; the end is near…!
FYI: More Sleepers
In the New Testament, Apostle Paul said of believers who died, as those who have “fallen asleep in Christ,” and will come to life in the resurrection (that Daniel saw) (1 Corinthians 15:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15).
Many ask, as they live their routine daily lives, “Is this really all true?” The Apostle Peter wrote, there will be much contention for the end-time truth; that there is actually an end of the world, and people doubting the coming of the Lord and the reawakening of those asleep. This mindset still exists today! ‘They will say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). Believers having passed away but are fallen asleep, was a common term used in Bible history, and “Slept with his fathers,” a term often used regarding the kings of Israel who ‘died.’
Jesus went to a rulers house, who asked Him to pray for his daughter who had died, when they got there, ‘He said, “Go away (make room), for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him (to scorn)’ (Matthew 9:24). Until… He went in and she arose as Jesus shined upon her with healing (verse 25)!
‘For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14). Jesus said, His friend Lazarus has “fallen asleep.” Jesus was saying Lazarus is dead, but He (Jesus) will “awaken him.” Which He did! Jesus shone upon him, 4 days after Lazarus died (John 11:11-14).
The disciple Stephen, “fell asleep” in a peaceful passing away, despite in the middle of being being stoned to death in a violent and bloody ending! ‘And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep’ (Acts 7:59-60).’
In the first book of the Bible we read of Jacob’s wife Rachel who died in childbirth having Benjamin and her soul went to be with God.“And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died),” (Genesis 35:18).
Transfigured Awake
In the story of the transfiguration of Christ, we see the thin veil of metamorphosis between our natural state and the spirit world of glory. A mirror glimpse of when our bodies die (fall asleep), and our souls depart and go to be in the glorious presence of the Lord, and the future shining eternal spiritual bodies we will have to live in forever.
“Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; as He prayed He was transfigured before them. The appearance of His face altered, His face shone like the sun, and His robe (clothes) became white and glistening like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them” (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36). The three disciples witnessed Jesus divine royal glory, the unveiling of His true Son of God nature, altered and shining through his humanity on the mountain. The morph gave them a glimpse of the Lord’s divine authority, and ultimate resurrection as King and World Saviour, after his coming death on the cross, where He would suffer and die.
Seeing His glorified state, reassured the disciples about the suffering of Jesus to come, that it wasn’t the end, but a new beginning through Jesus’ victory over sin, death and the devil! On the mount of Transfiguration; “Jesus met Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His (Jesus) decease (death) which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” His ‘old friends’ encouraged the Lord in this great task, that He had to take on and do Himself.
The disciples witnessed Jesus preparing with Moses and Elijah, to accomplish ‘His job’ to become the first fruits of victory for all humans that have died andfallen asleep. That our faith in the risen glorified Jesus gives us eternal life again (like Adam and Eve originally had). In new glorified spiritual bodies, just like they saw in the incredible metamorphosis of transfiguration.
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man(Adam and Eve) came death, by Man (Jesus) also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ ALL SHALL BE MADE ALIVE. But each one in his own order: 1. Christ the firstfruits, 2. afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming (us at the soon return of Jesus to earth!)” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
It is so clear: Falling Asleep tells us, we don’t fully die and then it’s all over leaving us in a nothing land. It is a preposterous unintelligent idea, that we are nothing, come from nothing and die into nothing!
Let’s understand now; when we become believers in Jesus Christ on earth, whilst we live, we are then made alive from our spiritual deadness. Why? Because we believe in Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross for us all. The Bible is clear; the human living soul does not end for believers when we die (like unbelievers), but there is a conscious, transition into God’s presence after death. (There is a heaven to be with Him, and we will explore that in this series).
‘But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself’ (Philippians 3:20-21).
Perpetually Eternally Alive in Christ
When you are a true believer in Jesus, you are ‘made alive, IN Christ;’ without Christ and His Spirit you are actually dead while you live! There is no Christianity or any true religion without Jesus or the Holy Spirit. When your body dies as a believer in this life, you ‘fall asleep,’ but the real you is not dead. How? You are IN CHRIST ALIVE… that means right now, and continuing also in your death of the physical body transition, where your soul leaves for heaven to be with God, and then ultimately in the forever eternity; amazing!
Eternal life is the gift you receive in a believing relationship of faith with God through Jesus. You stay alive forever, you don’t actually ‘die’ here, or are left alone ‘on the other side.’ As shown us in the transfiguration, your human death is temporary, it is not the end of living for those IN CHRIST who belong to Jesus. ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come’ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“Waking up from this sleep (death),” is the future resurrection that the Prophet Daniel saw, into a new eternal life… for the Old Testament righteous and Christian believers. If we are alive here on Earth at Jesus return, we all will just transition ‘in the twinkling of an eye,’ from our current body to a resurrected eternal spiritual body and then be with the Lord forever! Imagine that!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16)
‘For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 6:23)
‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,’ (John 11:25)
‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.’ (John 5:24). Are you hearing this today? LIVE F..OR…E…VER!'
Be Informed
Apostle Paul put it like this: ‘But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.’
‘For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel (most likely Michael), and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up (snatched away in the rapture) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore COMFORT one another with these words.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Those who are alive at the second coming return to earth of Jesus (the parousia). They will not rise before those who have previously died and are asleep in Christ, waiting. Their privilege is to rise from the dead first; they will not miss out at His return! And others who are still alive on earth will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, with a new eternal body, to meet the Lord in the air… amazing!
This knowledge is to comfort us. At that moment in time, God will reunite the living and dead Christians with Jesus. We’ll be together with those we love in the Lord, and with Jesus forever. Our relationship with Christian loved ones will continue! We will know people and others who know us, as well as knowing and recognising The Lord.
‘Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead’ (Isaiah 26:19). Incredible!
Jesus: We Shall be Like Him
‘Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure’ (1 John 3:2-3).
‘And this is eternal life, that THEY KNOW YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent’ (John 17:3). The pivotal rubber stamp, from what is Noted in the Scripture of Truth!
The KEY IS: we KNOW HIM, the ONLY TRUE GOD and JESUS CHRIST. Anything else ‘spiritual’ is just a smoke screen of religious lies and deceptions. If you are not a believer and you want to live forever, you will know in your heart what is true; therefore here is your opportunity to change. At the end of this blog is a prayer of salvation for you!
There are religions that kill for god and glorify death in their pseudo non-doctrine beliefs. They are deluded into thinking they are doing a ‘work of god.’ Here’s the truth in the TRUE God’s word of truth! ‘For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live” (Ezekiel 18:32). Killing people DISPLEASES God immensely!
He really WANTS YOU to LIVE ETERNALLY with Him, like Adam and Eve had originally; that was and is the plan. Ask yourself the same question that the Roman ruler Pontius Pilate said to the crowd,“What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22). The crowd shouted, “Crucify Him.” It seems Pilate didn’t want to, ‘he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it” (Matthew 27:24). Advice: What shall you do? Pilate declared Him a just Man. Therefore, turn to Jesus and LIVE, and learn the ways of love instead of control, abuse, killing and hate! I hope Pilate completed the turn…
Knowledge: A Living Soul
Your soul is not separate from your body. ‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (being)’ KJV (Genesis 2:7).
Mankind, created by God, is a living soul entwined with dust minerals and particles and God’s life giving breath. Humans are a created living being or soul living in a body of dust! ‘That is what we are…’
Before you die, king Solomon the wisest man who ever lived said. “Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7).
‘And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him (GOD) who can destroy both soul and body in hell’ (Matthew 10:28).
To sum up: you are a living soul, that through belief in Jesus you can become reborn and ALIVE to God… IN CHRIST; your soul is now immortal through the gift of eternal life. When your fallen physical body dies (that struggled in the temporary entropy zone of life), that part of you, is not re-united with God until the end of the world and the resurrection of all believing humanity at the return of Jesus. As said, it will be resurrected and transfigured (morphed) into a new everlasting eternal spiritual body.
Death: When You Die
Your well looked after body (or not), that has run its course in the human entropy battle of around 70 years, goes back to dust in a grave or to ash in cremation like my mother in the funeral parlour. The spirit or breath inside you, which ‘powered you’ as it were, returns to God, as He is the source of your life.
It can’t exist or function on its own except entwined to a ‘human sleeve,’ a body. We live (on earth), “as long as my breath is in me,and the breath of God in my nostrils” (Job 27:3). Once a person dies in their sins without God, their soul also ‘dies’ with no further communication with this life; there is no second chance of redemption after your death. “The soul who sins shall die…” (Ezekiel 18:20); that is forever! However, the real you is ‘forever dead’ until the resurrection of the unbelievers for judgement (Revelation 20:11-15).‘And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment’ (Hebrews 9:27). People say, “Oh God doesn’t judge.” Truth is - He does!
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing…” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10). That means believers are intentionally and wisely prepared to die, knowing it is not the end but the gateway into eternal living with their Creator. BUT the dead person without faith comes to nothing. Again, there is no second chances. “...you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
Your body dies back to dust, your soul knows nothing, does nothing, cannot talk to people in this world. You are dead until judgement and your eternal end is in the Lake of Fire (Hell)… cut off from God forever.
‘ When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish’ (Psalm 146:4). Done, over, everything you did or wanted to do is finished. The believer ‘doesn’t die’ because they’re still ‘alive in Christ’ through faith, and their sins are washed awayforever (past, present and future). Jesus Christ also overcame and destroyed death for us, that’s why believers are made ‘alive in Christ’ for all eternity (the gift of eternal life through faith now). Your soul, the real you, ‘is sleeping’ at rest with God in heaven, until the resurrection prepared for your soul for eternity; to live in a new eternal spiritual body forever! Again: what do you choose today? The wisest choice is plain to see. That is why God made us to have a free will. The wrong choice will cost your eternity; an expensive mistake!
Rest In Peace
Dead believers physical bodies are ‘resting’ in their graves, or after cremation; atomic particles waitng like humpty dumpty to be put back together again! The term rest in peace comes from this, R.I.P. Jesus said Lazarus was asleep in his tomb and He came to wake him up (John 11:11–14). When believing people are dead, they are waiting to be awakened from their sleep, by the Lord. One day we will hear the call of His voice…
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live (forever)…Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done GOOD, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done EVIL, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:25,28-29).
In the mass end-time resurrection of millions, all will hear the Lord’s voice to awaken and get out of the ‘deathbed.’ “Time for eternity guys!” The devil doesn’t want anyone hearing that voice, but to kill everyone he possibly can before they have an ear to hear! This is why Daniel and the angels were in such battle! We can conclude that the vehemence of war is not just over Persia today, but now… the whole world; until the return of Jesus. Life is ‘a war.’
Tent Bodies
The Apostle Paul referred to our earthly mortal body as a tent and looked forward to when we swap our current body for one that is an immortal body. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens… further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life (everlasting). Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee’ (2 Corinthians 5:1,4-5).
When Jesus returns we will receive incorruptible eternal bodies, the Holy Spirit guarantees it, and God has prepared us for it! “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:52-53). Our short ‘camping trip; on earth as temporary living tents, must come to an end and be traded in for an eternal tent, a body that lives forever. It’s a miracle!
‘Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised’, and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.’ (Matthew 27:50-53). When Jesus died and rose over 2000 years ago, we see a precursor of the end times with many being resurrected from graves and visiting many people; it was a ‘Thriller’ moment in Jesus’ day. Many turned to the Lord because of it…
‘Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed’ (1 Corinthians 15:50-51). Our current corrupted natural bodies cannot live or inherit God’s spiritual kingdom, they must be changed into eternal bodies. It is all part of the process of being born onto the earth so this can ‘legally’ happen as humans, and we can then return with our hearts full of our free will choices, intact as followers of Jesus, and then receive the gift of an eternal future with an eternal body. The life that Adam and Eve lost.
The In-Betweeners
There are ‘in-between’ places where our living soul goes when we die as believers and non-believers; Paradise (Heaven), Hades (Sheol), (not Purgatory, that doesn’t exist). The Bible speaks of both and their purposes. We will explore them too in this series.
Before we finish Part one, I want to clearly state; the subject of death, what happens, where we go good and bad, and the eternity of everlasting life, are not my opinions or ideas. These subjects are meant to be fully understood with God’s wisdom in the last days, as with the end-time prophecies of Revelation, Daniel and other prophets in and through scripture.‘For the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end’ (Daniel 12:9). The seals are off!
Why? So YOU KNOW, having clear understanding and knowledge to be prepared for the epic final transition into eternity, with a real, living, loving, kind and creative God. The angel Gabriel said to Daniel in relation to the end, ‘the wise will know’ (His wisdom not ours), ‘none of the wicked shall understand, BUT the wise will understand’ (Daniel 12:10. These are those days. Our only divine template of understanding all of this is the word of God, the Holy scriptures, which are very clear. Enjoy your journey of discovery and may your faith be discovered and strengthened.
‘For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38-39) Death is destroyed and cannot separate us from God and His love… ever!
In eternity; “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things HAVE PASSED AWAY” (Revelation 21:4). Selah, amazing...
Written by Stephen Bennett January 25 - March 2026
Founder / Author / Musician / Creative
ETW Music Collective
Photo by Eugenia Sol: https://www.pexels.com/photo/captivating-beam-of-light-on-resting-figure-29749748/
Please read Stephen’s Book Prophet Musician - As I have Called You, Chapter 7, for a ‘movie’ journey style and study of what True Worship is all about (See ETW Store).
Final Thoughts for today…
None of us have been in the end of the end-times before, with all the invasion of technology we experience on every level of life.
We read about the end-times in the Bible, but now we are actually here, our journey is to understand and learn to navigate it all, know where we need to be with Jesus, to be true worshiping believers in an ever darkening world.
We must be ready as God’s Bride to be true sons and daughters of God, ‘led by the Spirit’ (Romans 8:14). One day soon we may not be able to play the games of church religious protocols as we have known. How will we stand?
Global societal shifts and changes are accelerating at exponential rates in this world. The world is at war on every level. We all need understanding how to navigate the chaotic and pressured times now and ahead of us as true worshipping believers of Jesus Christ.
Despite everything; be intelligent, wise, critical thinkers, and continue living out your faith on earth while we can, because it will all end one day. Yes, as you know, we all die, but humans were designed to be eternal; and we can with Jesus Christ live forever. May you now emerge and find truth!
If you’re in struggle street of any kind, God has a family / church / company of people / tribe / a place where you’ll fit; ask God and he will show you.
(Feedback, questions, please email… info@endtimewriters.com or DM @etwcollective instagram / Stephen Bennett FBook).
It’s a New Era of History
In 2021, I wrote a prophetic blog stating; ‘we have now transitioned in this time of immense change, into a New Era of History, both in the world at large, and in the Church.’
Things have never been the same since the plan-demic, and will not be ever again. These are the last of the last days…
‘ANew Awakening’ has emerged in the world now, and the TRUTH of the gospel is being preached everywhere like never before. Jesus is exposing the falsity in deceptive religion and the Body of Christ. Now, March 2026, everything is moving forward rapidly. Not just in spiritual awareness, but millions of people are well informed and awakened to the lies, deceptions and agendas of this world, and again, false religion parading the world’s streets, that were, and still are being enforced upon humanity, as wars increase in the Middle East and we inch closer to the end. (read the blog at the link)
(https://www.endtimewriters.com/blog/a-new-era-of-history-begins)
Book to Read
Please read Stephen’s book Revelation - The Terrible and the Good. Be clear for yourself about the days we live. (Written in a creative, movie style, in the first person of Apostle John) (See ETW Store).
Resourceful Details
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers”1 Peter 4:7.
Jesus said; ‘For the things concerning Me have an end’ (Luke 22:37b).
‘He (Jesus) who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”’Rev 22:20.
A few songs from the ETWMC
Our epic cinematic song from the ETW Music Collective
‘RAIN’
‘Play loud through a great headset or speakers!’
Tonic audio (at Tonic site click RAIN icon and play)
https://tonicaudio.com/s/JKoNrHvVgiX4IVs1
(Now click this link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qggEoRnDLQ
for the song Ariel by Stephen Bennett, blog author).
(Now click this link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DrwH0L-oEg
for the song Future Dreamsby Stephen Bennett, blog author).
(Now click this link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnoetmLcz6U
for the song In the Fireby Stephen Bennett, blog author).
(Now click this link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxtB4jKGZ5w
For the new music video version of ‘Hear the Sound’ by Stephen Bennett, blog author.
Author Books
The Arts Series
(Buy on our Australian website or from our publisher in the USA at the links below in USD)
Stephen Bennett Author of - Prophet Musician - As I have Called You
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Prophet-Musician
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Divine-Artist
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Poetry-Packages.
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Prepare-and-Arise
@etwcollective - Instagram. Or @endtimewriters
ETW Music Collective TV – youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR0fL_f6LRQz4mroRwN8PRQ
awesomecitytv - youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@AwesomeCityTV
E: info@endtimewriters.com
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PRAYER OF FAITH: The Call to give your life to Jesus Christ!
No matter where you are in your Christian walk, Jesus is with you; in your triumphs and trials, to the end! If you have never known God; know this;
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world (ages)” Amen’Matthew 28:20. ‘
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’Matthew 24:13-14.
Pray this prayer from your heart and your spirit will come alive to God, for with him there is hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
“My Father in heaven, I give you my life, I repent of all my sin, recreate me brand new. I give you my heart. Fill me Lord Jesus Christ with Your Holy Spirit. I believe You died for me on the cross, and by Your shed blood, you washed away my sins once and for all. Raise me from my deadness of my life to live a new life, just like you Jesus, when you were raised from the dead; I believe you did that. Make my spirit reborn, and let me come alive too, filled with Your Holy Spirit.”
“I believe I belong to you Lord. Help me to know you well, teach me Your ways, that I become all that I am meant to be. Help me to love and find love. I thank you Lord that you will always be with me, Amen.”
If you have genuinely prayed this prayer to Jesus Christ, in your seeking of God, or you’re coming back to Him, DM Instagram or FB or email info@endtimewriters.com. Talk to other Christians you may know, and seek to find a solid believing Church where you can grow.
(Click-link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHZiIah2glY for the song 23by Stephen Bennett, blog author. From Psalm 23 to minister peace and hope to you… ‘The Lord is my shepherd / I shall not want).
Best and Blessings – ETW / ETWMC Team
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