Where do Christians spend eternity?

After having received salvation, where do Christians spend their eternity?

Please, if at all possible, just provide verses where saved Christians will go for eternity after the death of their physical bodies.

Please don’t post commentary without scriptural backing so we can avoid common misconceptions or false beliefs. Thank you and may God bless you!

Revelation 21 - the new earth

2cor.5: 1-8
We have entered into the life age enduring...the location changes, our status does not right up to glorification.

With the Lord for one thing:

"to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord"

This verse shows that the true believers will forever be with the Lord. It also mentions the air. To my mind, the term "air" is a parable word for the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which grew and the birds of the air (I see this as meaning the believers of heaven) lodge in its branches. "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:43‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:1-3‬ ‭


“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭23:1-3, 6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:10-11‬ ‭

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:6, 8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:1, 3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬


Brother it’s what the kingdom of God is all about it’s about after we part this life and the eternal existance after. Jesus kingdom is eternal that’s where our home is in the house of the lord one of his many mansions and the place Christ went to prepare for his beloved disciples to receive free they also part this world

When a Christian dies, initially, their spirit and soul go to heaven, which is an intermediate place for the righteous dead until the time of Christ's second coming (he only comes twice - Heb. 9:28) when they shall return to this earth with Christ in their glorified bodies in order to enter into the kingdom of God.

In relation to the same, we read:

Philippians chapter 1

[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
[22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
[23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
[24] Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Again:

Romans chapter 8

[22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
[23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Yet, again:

II Corinthians chapter 5

[1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
[2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
[3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
[4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
[5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
[6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight)
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

While absent from the Lord who is in heaven and seated at the Father's right hand, or while still alive upon this earth in an earthly body, a Christian groans while desiring to be clothed upon with their house which is from heaven, or with their glorified body, or while awaiting the redemption of their body. At the same time, those Christians who have already died, or those Christians who are absent from their bodies and present with the Lord in heaven, similarly wait for their glorified bodies, and both sets of Christians, whether those who have already died in Christ or those who will yet be alive at his second coming, will receive their glorified bodies at Christ's second coming.

To this end, we read:

Ephesians chapter 1

[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
[10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Again:

I Thessalonians chapter 4

[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

At Christ's second coming or at "the coming of the Lord" (vs. 15), he shall "descend from heaven" (vs. 16), and "them also which sleep in Jesus" (vs. 14) or "the dead in Christ" (vs. 16) "will God bring with him" (vs. 14), or with Jesus, from heaven because this is precisely where both Jesus and the dead in Christ are descending from. At the same time, "we which are alive and remain" unto the Lord's second coming "shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (vs. 17). These Christians who will yet be alive at the Lord's second coming "shall not prevent" or precede, which is what this Old English word means, "them which are asleep" (vs. 15) or shall not get their glorified bodies until "the dead in Christ rise first" (vs. 16).

Notice again that the both the Lord and the dead in Christ are DESCENDING FROM HEAVEN WHILE COMING TO THIS EARTH, and that the saints who are yet alive at that time are "caught up together with them IN THE CLOUDS" (vs. 17), WHICH ARE IN THIS EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE, in order "to meet the Lord IN THE AIR" (vs. 17), which is also referring to THIS EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. In other words, no alleged U-turn back to heaven anywhere here (or elsewhere) during any alleged phony pre-tribulation or mid-tribulation rapture, but rather all of these things occur during THE LORD'S DESCENT FROM HEAVEN TO THIS EARTH.

The saints of God need their glorified bodies in order to enter into the kingdom of God which is coming to this earth, even as Jesus taught his disciples to pray:

Matthew chapter 6

[9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
[10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
[11] Give us this day our daily bread.
[12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
[13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

In relation to the exact reason why saints need their glorified bodies, we read:

I Corinthians chapter 15

[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The saints of God need their glorified or incorruptible bodies in order to inherit the kingdom of God, and, again, the kingdom of God is coming to this earth, even as Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Here, we see the same order of events that Paul described in I Thessalonians chapter 4. At Christ's second coming, the dead in Christ shall be raised incorruptible, and we, those Christians who are yet alive at this time, shall be changed. Of course, this all transpires at the LAST trump or when the seventh or final trumpet of the book of Revelation sounds.

Having received their glorified bodies, the saints will reign and rule with Christ right here on earth for 1000 years during his Millennial Reign:

Revelation chapter 5

[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation chapter 20

[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
[6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

This FIRST resurrection coincides with Christ's second coming, and there are no resurrections prior to this FIRST resurrection.

After Christ's Millennial Reign comes a new heaven and a new earth as the heavenly Jerusalem descends from heaven to this earth, and this is where the saints of God or Christians shall ultimately spend eternity.

Revelation chapter 21

[1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
[2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
[3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
[5] And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Where are Christians waiting until there is a new Earth?

Uses a lot of figurative language instead of just plainly saying “you go to heaven when you die.” It doesn’t seem to ever guarantee when we will be clothed in the “heavenly tent” rather we just desire to be clothed in it because we have a tent in heaven. I don’t see where it says we’ll ever get to live in that tent.

Do you believe that Christians sleep in their grave until the resurrection?

He said that to the thief on the cross specifically though.


He said that to His 12 disciples.


That seems to be for David.

Is that the millennial kingdom or new heavens and new earth?

Who is “we?” That’s not clear it’s talking about life after death. I mean, while alive Paul said there was someone who was caught up to the Third Heaven.

Where do people go while waiting for the new heaven and new earth?

Keyword "desiring."

The verse you're alluding to doesn't say "present with the Lord in heaven." That's your assumption.

That says "things" not people.

Jesus died and rose again so those who died in Christ will rise again. It isn't clear where they are sleeping and where they are brought to and/or from.

If you'll notice verse 15 and 16, it says the dead in Christ rise first, not descend from heaven. Anyway, theres way too much room to interpret here and I am not going to argue about it.

That's your interpretation. The passage you're referencing doesn't plainly say anything you said in your commentary.

The saints of God need their glorified bodies in order to enter into the kingdom of God which is coming to this earth, even as Jesus taught his disciples to pray:

Matthew chapter 6

Click to expand...

So the eternal destination is on Earth?

It isn't clear who will actually be in the millennial kingdom. If you'll red Revelation 20, you'll notice the only people resurrected for the millennial kingdom are those who were martyred in the great tribulation.

Revelation chapter 20

Click to expand...

That passage is specifically about those martyred in the great tribulation being resurrected for the MK.

There are resurrections before the "first resurrection."

This is last part is clear, but the rest of what you said is not clear and I can't accept it as sound doctrine.[/QUOTE]

I also had to delete a lot of your post because, with my replies, it exceeded the 10,000 character limit.

Hebrews 9:28 doesn't support anything about a final destination.

It says "desire." Pay attention to the careful wording. It didn't make a guarantee.




"Redemption of the body" doesn't mean what you seem to think it means.


Yet again what? It says the word "desiring" again. It made no guarantees. Where does it say you go to heaven to be in a "house" or "tent" when you die?

Returning to earth at the Second Coming of Christ is not the eternal destination of Christians. We are not given all the details about that but living and reigning with Christ for at least 1,000 years would be a part of that.

But the eternal home of the believer is the New Jerusalem, which is 1,500 cubic miles in dimension. There is no comparison to this heavenly city since God is the Builder and Maker thereof, and Christ said it has many (innumerable?) mansions in it for the saints.

on the new earth. Revelation 21.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.


1 Thessalonians 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.

Not only does paul confirm that we are present with the Lord after we die but we will return with him in the second coming.

Isaiah 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Isaiah comfirms that we shall be taken away from the evil which is to come.

Isaiah 57:2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

But what if the evil comes before we die?


1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Why..?


1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

But this is the second coming right?



2 Thessalonians 1:7-11 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

Doesnt sound like it.

Why does this happen?



2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

We all agree that we are to follow the Lord through this life unto the next. That by the blood of Christ we are already redeemed then we shall follow him as he also left this earth.

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.



Notice that he was taken? A cloud received him?

Here paul talks about the living and dead in Christ Jesus

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

My apologies to the o.p. if i derailed your thread but the full truth of the matter must be said.

Not at all. The new earth is for "the saved nations" who will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem (which will be a heavenly body to replace the sun). But the New Jerusalem is reserved for the saints who are saved until the Second Coming of Christ. After the Second Coming Israel is redeemed and restored and the saved nations are established. The New Earth belongs to them, while Greater Israel belongs to redeemed and restored Israel (the 12 tribes).

new jerusalem descends to the earth as well...

revelation 21:2
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

welcome to the new covenant buddy. stop the dispensational stuff its just new and unchristian. there is no two people's of God. there is one people of God and they are the ones who are in Christ, doesn't matter if its jew or gentile no separation anymore in the new covenant.

“He said that to the thief on the cross specifically though.”

God is no respect or of persons. He doesn’t play favorites

it’s why Paul teaches this just like the thief was facing death and was promised to be present with Jesus the same day in paradise paul teaches this as doctrine

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:6, 8-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Notice after they leave the body is when they are present with the lord. The thief on the cross was facing imminent death yet he was promised life beyond that an appearance in paradise with Jesus.

remember Jesus said this to his disciples also

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:51‬ ‭KJV‬‬

in fact every word we have from Jesus was spoken to his disciples the thing is they were tasked with spreading those same words to all believers


“He said that to His 12 disciples.”

yes that’s what the church is his disciples what he said to his disciples is what he says to the church

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus is the same as then

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬


If your wondering where Jesus is now you should t be wondering and when you realize where he is you will realize where all of his disciples are who have passed through this world into the next.

when your saying “ seems this is for David “ realize David was a prophet speaking of Christ in his psalms they are prophetic regarding Christ and the gospel here’s a good example from Peter

“Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:29-33, 35-36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the psalms of David are foretelling the gospel it’s important for us to grasp that because there’s so
Much understanding in the psalms and prophets here’s a few examples


“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, When his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭2:6-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s about the gospel and Jesus

This again is David foreseeing Christ on the cross it’s why Jesus quotes it on the cross

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: Let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me:

They pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: They look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭22:1, 6-8, 16-

they are all this way brother the psalms and prophets help us understand the gospel

every disciple who believed and has passed on through this world is with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom heaven is already new , one day the kingdom in heaven will come to earth and make it new as well

right now Christ is on the throne and his people are before his throne

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7:9-10, 14-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

in the end that kingdom is going to return to earth and usher in eternity

My understanding is that when we die we are caught up to be with Jesus as He returns (ie death is your rapture). After celebrating the wedding feast, we then return to this earth while Christ rules for 1,000 years. Then we are gathered again before God's white throne for final judgement, after which we inhabit the newly created new earth.

Again, that is what my study tells me, but hey, I could be wrong

fun reading it all thanks all