Man has always had questions about life after death. Scientists, philosophers, and scholars have all attempted to answer the question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” People, both young and old, have pondered the question about what happens after death. Well, the answer can be easily found if one is willing to consider the right source, that source being the Bible.

First, let us consider the question of death itself. When it comes to death, there really is no if; there is only when. The only exception to this will be with those who are living when Jesus comes back (1 Thessalonians 4:17). The rest will die someday. We must come to terms with this. The Hebrews writer said, “…it is appointed unto men once to die…” (Hebrews 9:27). The truth is, the physical body that we possess is wearing down every day (2 Corinthians 4:16). There is nothing any of us can do about it. We might be able to prolong our life by healthy living, but we cannot extend it indefinitely. Death is certain for us all.

But what comes next? What happens when our hearts stop beating and the blood in our physical bodies stops flowing? Do we just cease to exist? Many believe that it is impossible to know. David Jay Brown, a former neuroscience researcher at the University of Southern California, writes, “I don’t think that anyone alive knows for sure if there is life after death—not our smartest neuroscientists or our most highly achieved Buddhist lamas” (David Jay Brown, M.A). I could give you the opinions of many so-called experts in various fields of academia, but the Bible is the only reliable source to which we can turn. Is there life after death? God’s Word not only tells us there is; it tells us exactly what happens when we die. Listen to it:

Luke 16:19-23 (ESV)
¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. ²⁰ And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ²¹ who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, ²³ and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

Many people discount the Bible and its teachings, but for those of us who are Christians, it is the final word when it comes to life after death, and it tells us that we will live again after we die. The soul goes to the Hadean realm, that is, “the region of departed spirits” (Vine), either to the section of torment, like the rich man, or the section of comfort, like the beggar. From there, at the appointed time, we will all be resurrected from the dead. Listen to Jesus.

John 5:28-29 (ESV)
²⁸ Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

“If a man die, shall he live again?” The answer to Job’s question is yes. The nature of that life depends totally on how we live in this life. Not only is death inescapable, but so is the judgment to follow (Hebrews 9:27). Paul warns us that we all have to give an account of ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:10). So, the truth of this question is either uplifting, filling us with hope, or very alarming, filling us with dread. If you have obeyed the gospel and are living faithfully to God, the prospect of living again in glory after death is of great comfort and joy. If, on the other hand, you have not believed in Jesus, you will die in your sin (John 8:24), and your existence in eternity will be dreadful (Revelation 20:11-15). Like my grandson likes to say, “It depends on you.”

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.