Essential Bible Studies

Do Christians really “go to heaven” when they die? In this episode, we continue examining popular Bible passages often used to support that idea, testing them carefully against their full scriptural context. Beginning with Paul’s words about being “away from the body and at home with the Lord” in 2 Corinthians 5, we explore what he actually meant, how judgment and resurrection fit into the picture, and why the redemption of the body—not escape from it—is the Bible’s consistent hope. We also tackle challenging imagery such as the “souls under the altar” in Revelation 6, showing how symbolism is often mistaken for literal descriptions of heaven. Last of all, we examine Jesus’ promise of “many dwelling places” in John 14. Throughout, we ask whether Scripture truly teaches immediate heaven‑going—or points instead to resurrection and eternal life in God’s Kingdom on earth.

Key Verse:

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” (2 Cor. 5:8-9)

Outline:

Introduction

#3 - Away from the body (2 Cor. 5:8)

Paul expects this change to take place after the judgment seat of Christ (v. 10)

What is meant by “body” and “home” reading the context from v. 1

Groaning in this body (Rom. 8:23 cp. 2 Cor. 4:14) because of sin

Redemption of the body at the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:44, 51-55)

#4 - Souls under the altar (Rev. 6:9-11)

Let’s be careful with Revelation and its symbology.

The souls are “under the altar” crying out. Is this a picture of reality in heaven?

The symbolism and personification of blood crying out (Gen. 4:10 cp. Heb. 12:24)

#5 - Mansions in heaven (John 14:2-3)

God’s house is always spoken of as being on earth (Isa. 2:2-3). Heaven is not a place that has to be prepared.

The immediate context: come again (v. 18;) and dwelling (v. 23; 15:4-5)

This is speaking of a spiritual house (cp. v. 23 w/ 2:16,21 also 1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:19-22)

What about near-death experiences?

The Bible is clear no one has gone to heaven (John 3:13; Acts 2:34)

This is either hallucinations or liars (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

Conclusion

All have died, even Elijah

No consistent teaching on heaven going or solid examples of people in heaven

Our hope it to be resurrected to eternal life in the Kingdom of God on earth

 

Follow us on...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essentialbiblestudies

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialbiblestudies/

X: https://x.com/bible_podcast

Get it...

Get an invite to our Tuesday night Bible Studies at essentialbiblestudies.org

Request a free Essential Bible Studies media kit

In this episode, we begin a two‑part conversation around five well‑known Bible passages that many Christians understandably read as teaching that we go to heaven when we die. These verses can seem clear at first glance, and it’s easy to see why they have shaped popular beliefs over time. Together, we slow down and carefully explore their context, language, and place within the wider teaching of Scripture. Starting with Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross, we consider questions of timing, punctuation, and the hope of the coming Kingdom. We then turn to Paul’s statements about “departing to be with Christ” and being “away from the body,” asking whether these passages truly teach instant heavenly reward or instead point forward to the day of Christ’s return. Our aim is to invite a deeper understanding and renewed confidence in the biblical hope of resurrection and eternal life in God’s Kingdom on earth.

Key Verse:

"[the thief] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” (Luke 23:42-43)

Outline:

Introduction

Popular ideas about life after death vs. what we’ve been finding in our Bible studies from past podcasts about death, the resurrection and eternal life

Soul sleep is not correct

Greek ideas of the immortality of the soul

#1 - The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:43)

The passage does not mention souls or heaven

The thief is asking to be in the Kingdom of Christ which will be at his return (2 Tim. 4:1). Judgement is at his coming.

Where to put the comma? That day Jesus was in the heart of the earth (Matt. 12:40 cp. John 20:17)

Paradise is a place on earth, the garden of Eden restored (Rev. 2:7)

#2 - A desire to depart and be with Christ (Phil. 1:23)

The assumption here is that to “depart” means he would immediately be with Christ. Paul talked about death as sleep in which his next waking moment would be with Christ on “that Day” (2 Tim. 4:6-9).

This is Paul’s hope in other places of this epistle (Phil. 1:6,10; 2:16; 3:11, 20-21)

Conclusion

Prerequisite Listening:

The Creation of Man

We Shall Not All Sleep

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

The Coming of the King (Part 1)

The Coming of the King (Part 2)

Eternal Judgment

Equal to the Angels

Hell (Part 1) - Not Abandoned to Hades

Hell (Part 2) - The Unquenchable Fire

The Spirit of Man

Thy Kingdom Come

 

 

Follow us on...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essentialbiblestudies

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialbiblestudies/

X: https://x.com/bible_podcast

Get it...

Get an invite to our Tuesday night Bible Studies at essentialbiblestudies.org

Request a free Essential Bible Studies media kit

In this episode, we continue our journey through Scripture’s prophetic picture of God’s coming kingdom on earth. The Spirit in the prophets weave a powerful vision—a world renewed, a curse undone, and peace extending across creation itself. The Word describe deserts blooming like Eden, harmony replacing violence, and the knowledge of the Lord filling the earth as surely as the waters cover the sea. These images are not distant dreams. They point us toward the climax of God’s plan, when every authority is brought low and God becomes all in all. 
 

Key Verse:

“For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.” (Isa 51:3)

Outline:

Intro - Peace on earth

Isa. 2:2-4 – Nations coming to worship in Jerusalem – Ezekiel’s temple (43:5,7,10,12)

Isa. 51:2-3 - Eden restored (also Ezek. 36:28-36; Isa. 35:1-2; Psa. 72:16), the curse reversed

Isa. 11:6-8 - The animals tamed (cp. 65:17-25)

Isa. 11:9 w/ Num 14:21 – his glory fills the earth

Conclusion (1 Cor. 15:24-28 the end – God all in all)

Follow us on...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essentialbiblestudies

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialbiblestudies/

X: https://x.com/bible_podcast

Get it...

Get an invite to our Tuesday night Bible Studies at essentialbiblestudies.org

Request a free Essential Bible Studies media kit

In this episode Tim Young and Jay Mayock start with unpacking Jesus’ familiar words “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” What does it really mean to inherit the earth—and who will receive that inheritance? Drawing together the words of Jesus, the Psalms, and the prophets, we’ll examine God’s purpose for the earth and humanity’s place within it. We’ll look at the future reign of Christ, the role of immortal rulers, and the mortal population among the nations who will come to worship in a restored world centered on Jerusalem. Far from being a vague spiritual hope, the Kingdom of God is presented in the Bible as a real, tangible future, rooted in God’s promises and blessings. Join us as we trace these themes and begin to uncover a clear and compelling vision of the coming Kingdom.

Key Verse:

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

Outline:

Inheritance of the earth

Matt. 5:5 - what does it mean the meek shall inherit the earth. Compare with Psalm 37:9-11 meek, v22 blessed, v29 righteous forever, (v. 34)

Psalm 115:15-18 – The heavens are the Lord’s, the earth he has given to man. Notice the “blessing” in other verses.

The immortal rulers

Matt. 25:31-34 – The blessed are given the inheritance of the kingdom at the judgment seat

Rev. 20:4-6 - Reigning with Christ for a thousand years. How do we know this is literal? (Rev. 5:10; 2 Tim. 2:12; Luke 22:29-30)

The mortal subjects

Zech. 14:16-19 – Mortals are those left

Follow us on...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essentialbiblestudies

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialbiblestudies/

X: https://x.com/bible_podcast

Get it...

Get an invite to our Tuesday night Bible Studies at essentialbiblestudies.org

Request a free Essential Bible Studies media kit

How should a Christian view politics? Should believers participate or not? Andrew Hynes joins Tim Young on this episode to explore what the Bible has to say on this subject of citizenship by breaking down one answer at the Got Questions website. Can we mix our religion and politics? The answer may surprise you.

Key Verse:

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11)

Video Presentation:

https://bookroadchristadelphians.ca/media/video/1079204007

Outline:

Introduction

The current political climate and the mix of Christianity and politics

Got Questions web site

God’s Will and Sovereignty

Got Questions web site first point about God’s will

What is God’s will (Matt. 6:10)? The context of the Daniel passages ( 2:20-21; 4:17,25,32,34-35; 5:21) concerning God’s Kingdom to come.

What is God’s will for leaders? God sets up evil men – Pharaoh (Ex. 9:16), Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 27:4-6), Cyrus (Isa. 45:1), Alexander (Dan. 5:5-8,21), Pilate (John 19:10-11). So what about Constantine, Napoleon, and Hitler (Prov. 16:4)?

The Teaching of Jesus

Got Questions second point about the absence of Bible teaching on voting

Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:38-42; Matt. 5:43-45 cp. Rom. 12:19-20)

The teaching of the Apostles

Got Questions third point about being a good citizen

A royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Strangers (foreigners) and pilgrims (resident aliens) (1 Peter 2:11-12)

Our duty to magistrates now (1 Peter 2:13-17; Rom. 13:1-7)

Citizen vs non-citizen status

What is missing from the Got Questions video? What about God’s kingdom to come? We are citizens of our nation by natural birth but citizens of God’s kingdom by choice and spiritual rebirth.

Non-Citizen Restrictions. You have to be a citizen to vote (or hold political office), serve in the military (including police) or on a jury (or be a judge or certain types of lawyer). This is the wisdom of the world!

Non-Citizen Obligation. Obey the laws of the land and pay your taxes (Rom. 13:6-7; Matt. 22:21). Also, pray for and respect the leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-3; Tit. 3:1-2)

Conclusion – Seeking first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33)

Follow us on...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essentialbiblestudies

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialbiblestudies/

X: https://x.com/bible_podcast

Get it...

Get an invite to our Tuesday night Bible Studies at essentialbiblestudies.org

Request a free Essential Bible Studies media kit