Why do most Christians believe in instant happiness in heaven or instant punishment in hell upon death when Scripture clearly speaks of 3 resurrections?

Answer 1

The Bible does not clearly speak of three resurrections. The Bible is not clear but seems to speak of two resurrections.

Jesus alludes to a twofold resurrection in John 5:25,28,29

This is stated simply by Paul in Acts 24:15

Act 24:15 Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust.

I.e. resurrections of the just and the unjust.

Paul implies in 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 that those who are not "in Christ" will not be raised at the same time as the redeemed/those "in Christ". Possibly this is also in 1Corinthians 15:20-22.

Secondly Christians do not believe in "instant happiness in heaven" or "instant punishment in hell". It appears from the Bible that the resurrection of the just does not occur until Christ returns for His people and THEN they go to "be with Him".

The resurrection and judgement, to eternal death, of the unjust appears to happen just before the heavens and the earth are purged with fire and God makes all things new. THEN the just will have eternal life with God and the unjust will have eternal death, separated from God.

Answer 2

No one really knows what happens after we die or what will happen in the "end of days", because the Bible is not"clear" about it. There are so many different interpretations by different scholars. If you feel you need to choose one, just choose one and be at peace about it. It doesn't affect your salvation (whether or not you make it to heaven) -- unless there's a teaching that says that you can just wait till later to repent. Repent now, before it's too late.

Answer 3

The Bible does not 'clearly' speak of any particular number of future resurrections, but can be interpreted in almost as many ways as there are readers of the Bible. Some will read it as clearly speaking of life in heaven or hell immediately while others will read it as awaiting the Day of Judgement, after one or more resurrections.

No one really knows what happens after we die. In fact, one strong possibility that there is no heaven and no hell, and there will be no resurrection - ever.

Answer 4

My apologies, but the Bible only speaks of one resurrection: that of all the dead, both good and evil at the Second Coming of Christ and just before the Last Judgment when we will all be reunited with our bodies. The resurrection will not be a return to an earthly existence, but either to heaven and eternal glory or hell and eternal punishment.

Answer 5

Scripture does speak to 3 resurrections. However mainstream teachings have created a teaching of instant reward or punishment which is more in line with Dante's Inferno than the Bible.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the 1st resurrection of the 'firstfruits' (smaller harvest) in Christ who were called, repented, baptized and followed in the ways of Jesus. John refers to this as the resurrection to life in John5:29 and Paul as the better resurrection in Hebrews 11:35. They performed God's good works in their lifetimes as the 'little flock' (see Ephesians 2:10 and Luke 12:32). (These will serve as kings and priests with Christ during His 1,000 year rule on Earth). It may be read in the 'resurrection' chapters of 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4 and Revelation 20:4-6

The next and much larger resurrection (harvest) occurs directly after the Millennial Rule and is called the Great White Throne Judgment. Here the so called 'unsaved' many who have never had the opportunity to hear God's word will get their first true chance to know God's truths in Scripture written upon their hearts - no brainwashing by other humans. This may be read in Revelation 20:12, Ezekiel 37 and Matthew 12:41-42.

Those who reject this learning period of God's grace and salvation, refusing to repent of their sins and accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ , God will destroy (see Hebrews 10:30) along with the last general resurrection of all the incorrigibly wicked people in their earthly lifetimes in the Lake of Fire (see Revelation 21:8) - called the 2nd death (see Romans 6:23).

Answer 6

The problem is we don't read the scriptures properly and don't interpret them properly. The scriptures says, Luke 17:20-21 - the kingdom of God is within you; Corinthians 3:16 - God lives in the temple of your heart. When we start interpreting scriptures correctly we will realize that nobody goes to heaven or hell, we experience them right here on earth. We have to go beyond, we have to realize what the scriptures say - as you sow, so shall you reap. Therefore when life comes to an end you have to pay for your sins and be rewarded for your good deeds. But when the body is buried, who will be paid the reward or punished for their sins. Only if we take a new body can we experience heaven or hell right here on earth.